Family Matters

Wrath

[I sat hunched over the massive desk, fist clenching the newest stack of Glymera forms. Mother fucker. I was a king.. a warrior, not a damned secretary. A swipe of my arm sent the stacks of paper flying, fangs bared at the litter scattering over the rug like falling snow. How was I supposed to answer their sniveling requests when war raged outside the door? Slumping back into my chair, I rubbed my thumbs into my useless eyes, tension knotting my shoulders into tight coils. Fuck. But, blind or not, I once patrolled these streets with my brothers and that male inside me that lived for the fight was ready to rip some heads off. This wasn’t the future I’d pictured for myself the night I’d been left the sole survivor of the royal family. What irked me the most was the fact that even if this wasn't my duty as ruler, I would still be forced into retirement within the compound walls. I dared any of my brothers to say those words, though. Eyes or no, I could still throw a beat down on any of them and they well fucking knew it but, my blindness was a perceived weakness that could put them and with the shifting political climate, I couldn’t risk anyone using my disability against me, be it lesser or Glymera fuckstick. Still, there was no escaping the responsibilities that were mine by birthright, decreed by the Scribe Virgin. The fact that I had accepted my role in her design didn't mean I was completely over being taken off the playing field. There was only so much you could do when beating a punching bag. But, that had changed, a slender and quick miracle had come to me on one of the visits to the Other Side. Payne. A female that was nothing like the females Phury had taken in when he had assumed the role of Primale. She had muscle, much like I remembered seeing on Xhex, hard and honed like a warrior with the power to match punch for punch. A shift in the chair reminded me just how well trained the female was, a wince came when my body protested at the movement. Bruised ribs, to name one of the affected areas, that could be much worse had I not fed from my leelan as soon as I put a foot on one of Darius' expensive rugs, the injuries could be ten times worse.  The sparring bouts weren’t something I was willing to give up though, I didn't quite know or understand how there was such a female in the Far Side, much less how to explain it to someone else. And if I was being completely honest, I didn't want to know. Finally, there was someone else that would give just as good as I gave without fear of repercussion... and as selfish as it seemed... I needed it. To be a Brother again and not just a king. To fight, to shed blood, to blow off some steam. Especially now that the new threat was getting closer and closer to home. My thumb ran absently over the sterling letter opener, imagining it as the weight of a dagger in my palm. It was the Bastards all over again, only this time there was something eluding us all. Some vital piece of information that we were missing, setting the entire household on edge. Again. That didn't bode well for any of the brothers, especially not @JodisVishous who was taking it personally, and if I was being honest, the stack of marked bodies sure as hell looked to be a big “Fuck-You-Very-Much-V”. The only way the killer could have made it clearer was to put it on a billboard. The brother seemed to be under a lot of heat lately, thank fuck his female was there for him. Knowing the brother as well as I did, she was the only reason V hadn't pulled an 'AWOL' kind of situation to deal with this shit on his own. Once a mercenary, always a mercenary and the genius brother with a nuclear reactor for a hand wasn’t exactly the person you wanted going all vigilante but, that driving force that made you want to be all out there to defend what was yours and fuck the consequences was a bitch to get rid of. I knew this well, had firsthand experience. Although, thanks to my new job description I was limited to snapping and taking it out on anyone that decided it was okay to act like a five-year-old. Thankfully no one really made a BFD about it, too many years had done the trick for me. Beth would have his ass if I ever went snapping at her, not that it happened... a lot... but in those rare cases he had his... let's just say... there were techniques to distract her and melt her anger away. Still, she understood, to a fault, what I went through and happily helped, taking her position as the queen very seriously. How I ever got so lucky, well, perhaps I still owed my fallen brother Darius for this one. Sighing as I lean my  head back on the chair, thanking whatever power brought me to Payne. For that rush I would do much, the freedom of dropping the rein for a while. In fact, I was overdue for another few rounds with the chosen. A situation that didn't need reasons. Uncomplicated. It just was]

Jodi

*After hours of soothing, I’d finally quieted a mewling Sahv and settled him onto my shoulder, loathe to go back to my room and lay him down. My room. The hell it was. My room was in the gate house at the edge of the property. Or it had been. The last I’d seen of my hellren was his back as he walked out our bedroom door. Pacing the halls was accomplishing fuck all besides wearing out the Persian under my feet. I’d fought texting or calling Vishous, my pride refusing to let me dial the number and end this stupid stalemate. I played back our last conversation in my head on a loop, poring over every horrible detail. “the pets knew when to obey…” Stroking my hand over the tightened dome of my stomach, I swallowed back a hot welling of angry tears to keep from waking the snoring young in my arms. Son of a bitch. I wasn’t obedient. Hell, on my best days I was barely agreeable. And still, he’d mated me. It was my name scarred across his back and that of our young beneath. Sighing shakily, I blinked the droplets away, spilling them down my cheeks. Our mating had been surreal, a night I kept treasured close to my heart. They night we became each other’s. Now we were so far away, the closest I’d gotten to him in days was hearing his name in murmurs as his brothers reported in for debriefing. Hearing a doggen at the landing of the grand staircase, I peer over the banister hoping my male had returned and finding only Fritz greeting what could only be a Chosen. It wasn’t Layla or Naima whom I’d come to recognize with their coming and going to tend the brothers’ blood needs. Her hair was wrong, the wound braid that crowned this female was black as a raven’s wing. I sighed my disappointment and adjusted Sahv in my arms, taking up my pseudo patrol of the corridor, watching them ascend the grand staircase head for the king’s study. My milling around the mansion for news was now so standard that I must be blending into the wallpaper for the warriors as they come and go through Wrath’s door. That damned door. I stopped my endless sentry impersonation to scowl at it after the doggen and his guest passed through, wiping absently at my face and wincing at a tightening in my stomach. It seemed like the only person who could tell me what the hell was going on with my hellren was on the other side. I straightened my shoulders and strode down the hall, finding the door still slightly open and pushing my way in, frowning down at Fritz stacking the drift of forms at my feet,  lifting my eyes to the hulking form of Wrath behind his desk* My lord?

Wrath

[The distraction proved to get the better of me when my finger caught on the tip of the letter opener, making my nostrils flare at the scent of spilled blood. Even if it was my own. The little spike, however, brought my thoughts back to the reality of files and letters now blanketing the Persian. Exhaling a growl I dropped the letter opener and groped for the phone, resigned to call Fritz to help collect the mess back into their piles when a quick fist rapped at the door.] WHAT? [My roar of irritation was answered with a softly spoken “Sire?” Fritz. I am an asshole.] Enter. [Dropping back into my chair, I listened for the muffled creak that marked the door’s swing and he shuffled inside. I bristled, hearing more than one pair of feet gingerly nudging sheets of paper out of their path. “Sire, the Chosen Payne has arrived as requested.”] Payne? Requested? [A ripple of guilt settled in my chest, imagining my secret hadn’t stayed so secret after all. The chosen’s voice drifted in, strong and clear. “My lord, Wrath, the Scribe Virgin has sent me to serve.”] None of my brothers have informed me they have need of a Chosen, Payne. Unless, Vishous.. his female is damned close to the end of her pregnancy. [It was true. To hear Beth tell it, Jodi was going to pop and it had all of the females nervous enough to keep her in sight just in case the young decided to join the party right on the foyer floor. For my shellan’s sake, it was a good thing V’s female had moved into a guest room down the hall but, damn if it hadn’t made Vishous a dick to deal with lately. Who’d have thought that brother would… “Vishous? Vishous lives?” Payne’s voice shook, and she stepped closer to the desk, her nails scraping the wood as she caught herself on the corner.] Well, I haven’t killed his ass yet, so, yeah. [brows cranking down behind my wraparounds, I turned toward the door, answering Vishous's shellan] You can come in, Jodi. Hey, has V called for a chosen?

Jodi

*shaking my head, I stepped inside, distracted by the female’s face as she turned towards me.* I don’t think so but, I haven’t talked to him in days… *my answer was broken, distant, my eyes held by the chosen when she turned to face me and I chuckled softly, swallowing down the all too familiar pang of jealousy when my male needed to feed and shifting Sahv’s weight onto my other shoulder* I’m sorry, you just look so much like my…* ”You are Vishous’s shellan? Mine brother is alive..and has young?” She edged closer, her crystalline eyes dropping to the toddler in my arms, her fingers curling into her robes as if she wanted to reach for him.* Brother? V has a sister? *I looked, wide-eyed at Wrath, the word coming from both of us at once and I had the crazy notion to call jinx on him. “Indeed, the warrior Vishous is mine twin. I believed him lost at our father’s hand. I would see him, if he is here?” Her voice was shaky with hope and my jealousy faded, stolen on a sharp gasp at a tightening spear of pain in my stomach. Doubling over, Payne’s arm shot to steady me, her other catching Sahvage and deftly tucking him onto her hip. “Female? Jodi?” Payne’s voice raised in alarm, her eyes darting between me and Wrath as he jumped to his feet. “Jodi! Fritz, get V’s ass in here NOW!” Sinking onto the plush carpet, I panted through another wave of agony* Perfect fucking timing…

Vishous

-Complete and utter hell. That had been my life for the past few days, if I ever thought that before I knew the hell I could go through in this life I was sadly mistaken. Being away from my female was worse than walking with a dagger in your gut. I'd give anything to make this pain disappear, and I was doing my damn best to keep myself occupied. If I wasn't glued to my Four Toys, I was out there maiming lessers left and right. The Bastards weren't completely off the map but they have been too busy, probably kissing ass somewhere, making their presence known to both us, the Brotherhood, and the Glymera bitches. Fuck, what I wouldn't give to have a one on one with any of them. Bastards or Glymera assholes, take your damn pick. Aside from my messed up personal life, who would've thought I would have one of those, the search for the ghost of my past was baiting me with more than just corpses left and right. It was hard enough to go in blind, but feeling that my enemy knew more about my past than I’d told anyone outside the brotherhood had my hackles up in a major fucking way. Even the cop was starting to complain about my behavior around him, according to him I was just as irritable as Z was... past tense. Fuck that. Staring out the window, I watched the city zoom by while the cop drove quietly back to the compound. This time around had been another disappointing round with nothing more than a few lessers to take down, not one had information on their ranking officer, or so they said. The Lessening Society was getting smarter or dumber, either way it was seriously fucking up my plans. So, the next step was to take what we had been able to from the lessers, examine them and use the one phone we retrieved for some tracking. Gritting my teeth I closed my eyes, what the fuck was I going to do? The longer I took to figure shit out the more it would put a strain between me and my female... and that wasn't flying with me. I wanted blood for this... badly. Whoever was playing Hannibal would pay, with interest. The phone ringing broke my reverie and I answered almost robotically, expecting it to be Tohr or Wrath with another lecture on my ass pulling too many hours out there.. blah blah.- What? -the small but frantic voice on the receiving end had me sitting straighter “Sire... sire we need you here at the mansion. Mistress Jodi... she's...” all the words drowned into a dull buzz, my eyes going to Butch who had a panicked expression on his face. Clipping the phone shut I uttered one word to the cop- Jodi -his face cleared and he nodded, he would haul ass as fast as he could but... in one second I was outside of the compound, breaking in through the main door.- Fritz! Where is she? Where's my female? -seeing the rush of motion around the foyer had me on high alert, my diamond eyes focused on the railing of the second floor and that was all I needed. Dematerializing on that floor, I made my way to Wrath’s study where all the bodies laden with towels and pillows were heading- Leelan! -my voice was desperate, our separation had only fueled my fear and there was one thing that I was dreading from this time apart. Storming in I found my shellan sprawled on the expensive carpet of the King's study, labor pains etching agony across her face. Perfect fucking timing. I shoved through the wall of doggen and dropped to my knees at her side, taking her sweat-drenched hand- Leelan? I’m here… I’m right here… -“Brother mine?” The two words registered through my rushing pulse and I cranked my head up to look to their source, a chosen, holding my shellan’s other hand, her crystalline eyes widening and welling with tears- Brother..what? –a scream from my female cranked my head around and I reached for a towel that one of the doggen had offered to wipe her face, taking the seconds to lock my fear up behind a wall of “bad-timing-you-candy-ass” and bring my medical training to the forefront-

Jodi

V…? Oh, fuck! *crying out through another contraction, I squeezed both hands in mine and panted for breath, lifting my eyes to his, a tight smile offered in reassurance I didn’t really feel* Your sister, Payne. Payne, your brother, Vishous. Now that we’re all introduced… *sarcasm gave way to a grunt of pain when the tightening dome of my stomach took my breath again, followed by a hot gush that soaked blood onto the carpet under my hips. Fuck, didn’t I just do this? Sahvage’s birth wasn’t so fun that I’d had any illusions about this time around but, at least then, I’d been in a hospital. I anxiously looked toward Wrath who had gone stone still, his face contorted in a way that made me wonder if he was feeling sick* I’m sorry… about the rug… *he waved it off and clutched Beth tighter to him. I hadn’t noticed her come in and I groaned, half in pain and half in realization, finding that a crowd had gathered of doggen and family alike. Turning back to find my male’s face, I licked my dry lips and croaked* I’m getting a little performance anxiety here, my warrior… Ah, fuck! *I squeezed my eyes shut and curled around another blast of white-hot agony, opening my eyes to find Payne leaning close to rest a palm on my forehead, her voice deep and soothing despite her face being etched with worry as she glanced at the crimson pool growing beneath me. “Brother… Vishous… the healer has been called but…” The ‘but’ could have been anything. Bad hair day. Act of God. No clean tighty whities. I gave a hysterical laugh at the image that conjured, head spinning from the lack of blood. Give-a-fuck had just left the building and this young had decided it wasn’t waiting for Doctor Personality to get here. Screaming through a sickening tear that felt as if I was being cleaved in two, I clenched my fingers around my male’s in a death grip* You have to do it… he’s coming…

Vishous

-This was not the kind of surprise I’d hoped for on my homecoming.. Nothing but gloves and heels, I’m all for that shit... this? Lucky I wasn’t passing out as soon as I saw the deathly look on my female’s face. My breathing had picked up as if I was trying to take the pain with my female. And my sister... SISTER?! Who the fuck drops a bomb like that at a time like this? Yeah, there were definitely issues we needed to solve but... another scream from leelan broke my train of thought, thank fuck, pushing my feelings and sensations to the side. The calm and collected brother came slamming front and center. My face went void of emotion, my brows creased as I examined the situation with new eyes, trained eyes- Payne -that name, shit, and to think the shitstorm that was waiting for me next- hold her, I need to check her -my head snapped back to look at the doggen- we are not waiting for Doctor Tight Ass to get here, my son is coming...- as soon as I said that, I barked a list of supplies to a terrified doggen and got right to work, cleaning my hands as much as I could with the water Fritz had brought in- As for the rest of you -diamond eyes blazing as I focus on every face around the room in turn, my voice booming with authority- unless you’re an OB,  get the fuck out. Now! -turning back to my female as soon as I made that clear, no one needed to see more than absolutely necessary-

Jodi

*watching the others dart out the door like their hair was on fire and their asses were catching, I bit down on my lip to stop another cry when the contractions started coming hard and heavy, leaving me little room to breathe in between the waves of agony, my eyes dulled with pain widening as my male dismissed even his king from the male’s own office. My vision blurred and the world tilted, darkness creeping into my periphery, barely registering wide palms easing my knees apart with a hiss. Voices drifted in and out of my reality as Vishous and Payne spoke over each other, their urgency hidden by the calm cadence of their words... something about hemorrhaging...? and it was gone, my attempt at listening abandoned while Vishous worked, my emptied hand raking at the fibers of the rug and curling into a fist at my side, pried loose by Payne’s deft fingers so she could take them again. “Be of ease, sister mine. All will be well.” Her eyes told a different story, darting between me and my hellren. “Brother? Tell me what you require to deliver your female of the young.”* Vishous? *my voice wavered, my throat too dry to allow me to be heard*

Vishous

-Vitals were all over the place, the heartbeat erratic and the blood pressure was way too high. And I hadn’t even checked Jodi’s yet. Fuck. Kneeling on the blood-stained Persian, the lavish study filled with chaos, it all seemed surreal. The life of my young and shellan were on the line and I had to suppress my body’s first reaction to what was going on when I felt the fear holding my heart in an icy fist. Head in the game, asshole. If she dies, you’re right behind her. I glanced up at my sister, wincing when my head filled in that word for me.- Payne? You’re gonna have to assist. Just do what I say, when I say, true. -she nodded in understanding and I started prepping to deliver my young. Fritz had brought in everything but the damned kitchen sink. Too bad the old doggen didn’t drag Havers in here along with it. I growled under my breath, clenching my fist until the leather creaked as I clenched my hands, preparing myself for what I was about to do. Yes, this was a dire situation but I had no intention of giving up easily. With a heavy heart and cold determination I got back to work. My nostrils flared at the tang of copper in the air and I shifted Jodi to settle between her knees, closing out anything that wouldn’t help me save my family. My focus solely on the heartbeats of my female, I lift my icy gaze to meet her eyes as if for a moment that alone could save us both. Holding her gaze I nod. - It’s alright, leelan. You can do this.

Jodi

*I blinked the sweat from my eyes and nodded, stilled by the insistence in my male’s voice, the room around us disappearing until a spearing shock of pain yanks me back into the present* JESUS FUCK! *I was cleaved by agony, brutally gripping Payne’s hand through the waves until the urge to push took hold, barely registering their reassuring murmurs while the Chosen helped me to sit up and force the pressure out on a ragged breath.... once... then again... until a last strangled cry dissolved into the mewling of a tiny voice as the weight was pulled free and I was granted a respite, falling back onto the rug, the chandelier above me swimming in and out of focus, Payne’s voice drifting to me through the darkening haze. “..the young is a boy, brother mine....”*

Vishous

-my own pulse began to thud against my ribcage, eyes shooting to a very pale shellan. Screaming with more intensity that I had meant to- Jodi! Don’t you dare, you hear me? Don’t you fucking dare! -Payne’s head shot up from where she was busy wiping our son clean, quickly bundling him into a towel and settling him into a nest of blankets beside her, the pristine white of her robe now stained by the deep crimson of my shellan’s blood. Too much.. fuck, there was too much... feeling for a pulse, panic clenched in my throat finding a beat so weak I wasn’t entirely sure it wasn’t just wishful thinking, frantic eyes searching for the rise and fall of my female’s chest. But there was nothing.- NO! -the word came out as a roar and I scrambled onto my knees, leaning over and covering Jodi’s mouth with mine and forcing air into her lungs. Growling panted breaths as I counted out the seconds, I shrugged off the hand that touched my shoulder with a snarl and leaned over my female again even as our son’s wailing grew louder, as if even the young knew something was very, very wrong. “Brother mine, mayhap I can...” I was beyond reason, my own life slipping away with Jodi’s, there was nothing to do but keep moving until I made damn sure she came back.. my female. Payne pulled at me again and I bared wicked fangs in her direction, why the fuck did she keep trying to tear me away from my reason for living? Out of nowhere I was rocked from my frantic thoughts by a jolt of reality. Reality fucking hurt. A punch that could very well have been delivered by any of my brothers brought stars to my eyes and sent pain radiating from my chin to the back of my skull. Covering the spot with my hand, I tried to focus, scrambled circuits straining to source the jolt. I blinked and saw my... sister jerking back her hand as if she had just received a hard smack. It hit me then. Rather, she had hit me. The chosen had one wicked left hook. Before I could say anything she shoved her way closer to my shellan and I gathered myself, snapping back to the present and beginning the rescue breathing again. The chosen had earned my respect but unless she could perform miracles, I didn’t have time for niceties. Determined, Payne leaned over my shellan, Jodi’s lashes fluttering as if caught in a dream as she spoke. “Female, you must stay with him...” Payne’s voice was pleading, diamond eyes that mirrored my own welling with the plea, the room beginning to light with a gauzy glow that spread from Payne’s hands. I wasn’t firing on all cylinders but basic logic was still trying to make a connection. Twin... glowing hands... like mine... jesusHFUCKINGCHRI... - DON’T TOUCH HER! DON’T YOU FUCKING TOUCH HER! -Too late, I was going to be too late. Lunging to stop the chosen’s glowing hands, my life flashing away from me inside that radiating glare. Still trying to force the murderous chosen from my shellan, I shifting at my side took my attention, stopping me cold when Jodi’s fingers curled around my wrist, her eyes slowly blinking open again. The young’s cries slowed, Payne’s silent vigil unbreaking as her light filled the room, I turned to cup my female’s face in my bloodied hands. - Leelan? Leelan, can you hear me? -my jaw clenched, refusing to acknowledge the brimming of my eyes, every second only existing to count Jodi’s heartbeats.. each stronger than the last.- Leelan? Jodi?

Jodi

...Hear... you... *Actually. I was convinced the dead could hear Vishous. His voice seemed to be rising in volume but I clung to every word, heart fluttering until it could find a steady beat. I managed a weak smile, and looked between my male and his twin, then finally past them, seeking out the source of the mewling behind them, gaze flashing up to Vishous’s face* He’s okay? The baby is o... FUCK! *lips twisting into a grimace when my stomach clenched into a searing dome of fresh agony, the door of the study opened but I was well past giving a fuck who wanted an up close and personal with the finer points of human gestation. My main concern was why I was still hurting, and it was getting worse. “Forgive my tardiness, warrior. I was...” Havers. Well, better late than never. My teeth ground together when he took my male’s position on the rug, quickly opening his kit and  assessing my progress.* I don’t care if you were busy at a crossdressing gig, make this stop! *He leaned in, his face matter-of-fact and turned to mutter something to my hellren* Hey, doc. Want to share with the class. *my voice was still shaky, thready, but I felt stronger. At least strong enough that my sarcasm cells still plentiful*

Vishous

-There were no words. But whatever my...sister... had done, had saved Jodi’s life. I opened my mouth to say something when Jodi cried out and dug her nails into my forearm, my eyes widening, turning back to my female,  to find her suffering had merely been paused, Payne’s healing touch restoring her only to continue the torment, my fangs dropped to lethal points when the door opened and a flash of immaculate white coat flanked me, swallowing back to urge to rip out the good doctor’s throat for being fashionably late. Grudgingly, Payne’s hand on my shoulder urged me to let him take my place and he reached into his bag, snapping on a pair of gloves with a crack that resounded even past my young’s cries. I looked for my son, assuring myself he was still huddled into the linen nest that the chosen had laid him in, hissing when Jodi’s nails drew fresh blood from my forearm. I cut a glare to Havers, the growl rolling in my throat to find him closer to my shellan than any male should be and live. His shoulders went rigid at the sound but, his tone held as much inflection as if he was ordering at Starbucks. “She’s crowning, another is coming.” The contractions were quickly gathering again and she writhed under their relentless torture, my own voice quaking with disbelief- We’re not done yet, leelan...

Jodi

We’re... what? *Not done? That was not computing, I’d been drifting, peace creeping in to pull me from the constant pain and weakness until I was wrenched back into the study with my male, greeted by the mewling cries of our son. But, if he was crying, he was out...why was I still... “Jodi, you’re going to push. One.. two.. three... NOW. * Oh, FUCK! *the hours of strain had worn away my capacity for logical thought, but, I did as I was told, my efforts earning me a moment’s respite. “One last time. On three.” As soon as I got up, I was going to kick the little doctor right in his Armani slacks. I might even give him a three count first but, the instinct to push took hold again and I curled around the pain, forcing my breath out and baring down one last time, letting out a rush of relieved breath with the weight lifted from me and falling back onto the rug in exhaustion, my panting drowned out as a second cry joined the first. I struggled to sit up, whimpering when Payne took my arm, helping me up enough to see the two tiny forms cradled in their father’s arms.  I smiled weakly, watching Vishous look intently at the Chosen at my side before I finally sink back to the floor, murmuring as my strength finally fails and exhaustion takes me into soothing darkness* ...a twin... he has a sister...

Domestic Dispute

Jodi:

You can’t be serious. *deadpanning an incredulous look at my hellren, I struggled to keep hold of an overly bouncy Sahv* Vishous, I can’t stay locked in the compound twenty four-seven. I’m starting to feel like I’m in a cult and the FBI is going to have to get us out by tear-gassing the place. We’ve been planning this trip for weeks and you can’t avoid my family forever. *breathing an exasperated sigh, I shift the toddler on my hip, for once grateful for the swell of my stomach taking some of his weight, the young was growing like a weed. Well, both of them were and the progression of my pregnancy had done little for my mood* We need this.

Vishous

-The news had gone as well as I had hoped for. Of course, I realized my female was going to blow up on me for saying no trips. If this was the response I was getting for a ban on travel, I can only guess how well the "lockdown" part was going to go. Crossing my arms as I stare into my female's eyes with a confidence and determination I didn't quite feel. This was non-negotiable and she would just have to understand. I was tired of getting out-smarted by the enemy and now that the intended target appeared to be my female there was no room for mistakes. My Jodi. And my son at risk... hell if I was taking any chances.- The orders come from above and quite frankly, there's no need for me to argue the point -shaking my head. The increasing tension in the room was even affecting our young who grew unease the more we argued, apparently our young was smarter than we gave him credit for. Or mother nature really knows how to get her kicks out of situations like this.- And I'm not avoiding it, I'm not saying no just not right now. We can do this after the Brotherhood has handled the situation and secure the area.

Jodi

What situation? *frowning, I soothe a hand down Sahv’s back* What the hell is going on, Vishous? Is it the bastards again? I already agreed to the escorts when I leave and getting out of Caldwell for a few days would be good for Sahv. And us. I’m going nuts here and I love you but this security thing is getting old. Fast.

Vishous

-My expression grew cold, if I had to fight my female to get her to listen to me so be it. You had motives to question the actions taken for a situation like this which would completely change what you've grown used to calling daily life, but what answer could I give when I didn't have the slightest idea of what the hell was going on in our own backyard? Not to mention how delicate and vulnerable was my female. The first pregnancy had been hard, knowledge told me this would be harder. Now it was up to me to make sure you were in the right place at the right time when the medical emergencies started.- No, leelan, it's not them -or at least I hoped, for as much as I wanted to gut the bastards out one by one. Upside down. With one or more of my torture tools out to draw out the pain, slowly.- we have some inconsistencies in behaviors around the area and until that is controlled we cannot let the females out of the complex. Guards or no, that is not enough -gritting my teeth at the thought of leaving my female's security in the hands of someone else. Fuck. That.- The security measures are there for a reason, true. 

Jodi

Then tell me the reason. *my temper was flaring, stepping closer to you to make sure I was heard as I cradle our young’s head to my shoulder in an attempt at muffling my voice* You cannot hide things from me, Vishous. You want me to stay here, you’re going to have to explain what the fuck has you so up in arms. And don’t give me the alpha male “for your own good” bullshit. If this isn’t about you avoiding my family and it isn’t about the bastards, then tell me what it IS about. I’m a big girl, in case you hadn’t noticed. And in rare instances, I’ve been told I can be reasonable. I have to be honest though. Reasonability is packing its shit and getting ready to head to my Dad’s house.

Vishous

-nostrils flaring as your temper fuels my own to push me closer to the edge of exploding, although my blowing up had little to do with you a lot to do with the uncertainty of this new situation. Signs thrown here and there and yet I was still out of the loop. Rolling my eyes at my female's words, I decide to turn around and walk away from my shellan to stand by the window, wanting some space between us.- What the hell is wrong with me wanting to protect you, huh? Or is it that you doubt my ability to do so and so you think I'm channeling a bunch of bullshit to keep you trapped in this unGODly place? Oh yes, I do enjoy a good little housewife -gloved hand disappearing inside my jacket to retrieve a blunt- I don't do things for shits and giggles, leelan, I do what's necessary to protect what's mine 

Jodi

Damn it, Vishous, don’t turn your back on me. *stepping over to put a whimpering Sahv into his playpen, closing the distance between us in angry strides and gripping your shoulder, trying to spin you back to face me* I know you want to keep us safe. And you always do. You want to impose a lockdown, fine. You know I can’t fight that. But, you can damn sure tell me why. I’m tired of all this brotherhood “cloak and dagger” shit. *my brows furrow over eyes swirling with rising anger* Christ, I’m not made of glass and you can’t keep me on this fucking pedestal. I’m your shellan and I know you. Something big is doing, so stop walking away and talk to me.

Vishous

-narrowing diamond eyes as your words, like finely sharpened daggers, slice my skin, leaving me bare and vulnerable under your knowing gaze. Shrugging your hand off when the words catch in my throat. Eloquence had clearly left the building a long time ago.- Nothing big is doing, leelan, weird shit is going on and I don't need you out there as a clear target for the loons -lighting up the Turkish blend as a desperate attempt to calm my nerves. Soon, the icy calm seeps into my veins for the clear separation I needed to deal with the one I loved the most. Dealing with my brothers? Fucking fine by me. Holding my female back? Not something I enjoy doing, she had me by the balls.... ball... but I just can't give in. Not this time.- When you mated me, you knew what you were getting yourself into and the easiest way to get to us is through our weak spots -the eerie glow of my diamond eyes blaze with barely checked emotions- you are my weakness, leelan, my pyrocant. I need you were I can keep an eye on you.

Jodi

Nothing big and yet all the shellans are forbidden to leave? So this is just family bonding time? Right. And I’m a Chinese jet pilot. *stiffening at being cast off, I cross my arms over my chest, glancing over at a fussing Sahv and lowering my voice again, leveling my gaze to yours * And as for what I got into, Vishous, it was love. I love you. And I trust you. But, I don’t think a little explanation is too much to ask here. You know that ‘no’ doesn’t sit well with me and you can’t keep me locked up like one of your pets. *I clapped a hand over my mouth as soon as the words were out, the reminder that there had been others before me making my stomach clench* Fuck, I didn’t mean…

Vishous

-my lips almost curl into a smile at the jet pilot comment.... and dropped as soon as you finished your train of thought. My eyes widen ever so slightly before all the color drained from my face and my expression grows stoic and cold. Letting silence fill the air as the uncomfortable feeling sets in the air between us, when I answer my voice barely holds any emotion.- No, you're right -turning around to walk out of the room, needing the space to think- the pets knew when to listen to their Master -shaking my head, regretting the words the instant they left my lips, but nothing like a wounded pride to fuck with your 'shut-up' filter. Stopping when I get to the door, looking over my shoulder at you- I've never asked you to do anything, Jodi, maybe you should trust the fucked-up warrior just this once.... think of you, the unborn young, and our Sahv -with that I walked away. There was only one place I knew that could help with all the doubts that plagued my mind.-

Jodi

*blinking in disbelief when you stalk down the hallway, I start to follow when our young lets out a cry, welling eyes peering up at me from the wall of his crib, scrubbing a hand over my face I take a shaky breath to stop my own tears and lean over to lift him into my arms, crooning softly as I folded him against my hip* It’s alright, little monster. Shhh.. *thinking on going back to our mated room, I kissed Sahv’s temple and straightened my shoulders* Come on, Sahv. We’re going to be staying in the mansion for awhile. *calling out for Kassandra, I walked to our room like I was walking to my own execution. I hated every part of what had just happened but, Vishous wasn’t the only one needing some space*

Vishous

-Pride and all, walking away from my family was by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Necessary but still painful. But I knew, deep down, that if I stayed any longer the fight would be much worse. I already regretted most of what I said, I didn't need more. Making my way out of the Pit, I take my phone out for a quick text to the cop, letting him know where I was headed. Maybe the answers I seek would be hidden with my long gone brothers. Turning to look at the dark skies, I took a deep drag of Turkish tobacco just as my molecules dissipated into the eerily quiet night. The rustling of dead flora caught my attention when I materialize at the site, the sacred vault hidden to the naked eye but, called to me like a bright beacon as I recall the years upon years of my return to the site for different ceremonies. My steps echoed through the dank halls of the Tomb as I made my way inside, passing by walls lined with jars that held the hearts of thousands of lessers that fell at the hand of the Brotherhood. Thoughts bouncing back and forth, pushing the thoughts of my problems with my female aside to concentrate on the problems we were all facing. Although it was a hard thing to do, I managed to detach myself from my feelings so I could go back to working on the case. Numbers, names, details, and other important facts shuffled around my skull as I mull over the possibilities of what could be. What could be stalking the dark alleys of downtown Caldie? Who could be roaming around that new details that I've never really made public? Running my gloved hand over my face, as much information as I had there should be more answers than those I was able to retrieve from the police site. However, there were more questions than answers at this point and I was sure I was going to get a stroke if I didn't get some answers asa-fucking-p. My feet stopped a few feet away from the massive wall that held the names of our fallen from the beginning. Time itself seemed to be ingrained into the history of names that had been carved here long ago, forbidden to forget. Standing there, the heavy weight of our jobs settled between my shoulders and my diamond eyes soften ever so slightly as they ran over the names. Looking for something here among my brothers. Thinking that maybe, just maybe, my brothers would talk to me.- Brothers, help me out here -running my hand through my hair, my voice straining with desperation- I need to protect my family, my brothers, our race.... what am I missing? –shoulders tensing when an aura seemed to light the dim caver and I growled, turning to a voice over my shoulder to see the robed form of the Scribe Virgin at the base of the stairs. “The knowledge you seek is not on those walls, my son, and your enemy in this is known to you.” Just what I needed, Mommy dearest and her riddles-

In Plain Sight

Wrath:

[Long digits travel over the raised dots on the next in a snow hill of contracts and requests submitted for my review. Braille. Hard to believe I was finally convinced and damn if V’s female hadn’t helped me, Jodi had the patience of a goddamned saint when it came to teaching me to read with my fingers. There was only so much I could do to deny my impairment. Trying not to think too much about that was something that still needed some work, but there was no other choice. Especially if I was to successfully rule over our race with the same grace my father had. Sweet Virgin in the Fade, how he managed not to go completely insane I could not fathom. Thankfully, I had a wonderful mate that helped me get my shit straight. Lifting my head to look in her direction, Beth smiled gently and walked over to kiss me sweetly. All too soon, she excused herself and stepped away to retrieve another stack of documents Saxton had been preparing for me. Paperwork was starting to gather by the metric shit ton and I wasn’t making much headway. Now, if the looming headache would only stay away, I could get some work done tonight. Exhaling in frustration, I turned my attention back to the task at hand.]

V:

-As predicted, there was no rest to be had after I finished my research and knew my way around the murder cases that plagued downtown Caldwell to the tee. Last night, after I had polished the bottle off, I had chased my female out of the living room when the need for her grew too much to ignore, with barely a glance to the cop he knew something was doing and that I would fill him in later. Times like these, I was actually happy we didn't kill the cop when he first stumbled upon our world, we knew each other well enough to hold unspoken conversations without missing a beat. The minute my female and I had disappeared into our mated room, I had her pinned to the door and ravaged her in every possible way. Watching as time and again she screamed her throat raw, until she was blinded from pleasure and exhausted from a night filled with passion. Hours later I contemplated what to say to her when she woke up because I knew that my sudden assault, though hardly rare, would raise questions in those deep chocolate eyes I loved so much. There was really nothing I could hide from her, but my attention to her body had been enough of a distraction that exhaustion won over her curiosity. There was no rest for the wicked, I wouldn’t sleep until I knew what the fuck was up. Instead, there I stood guarding my family as only I could do. Come morning, I'd had enough.  Donning my leathers and wifebeater, I was once again in my office, picking at every last bit of the information the police had until the stats, names, faces, details, were firmly engraved in my grey matter. Then, the waiting game started. There's only so much a brother can take when it came to others disturbing down time. Especially now that the shellans were a factor. At a reasonable hour, I packed my shit and hauled ass to the mansion. The King had to know what was doing and by the Fade he would listen to what I had to say. Shitkickers squealing when I came to a stop at the lobby and wasting no more time, dematting to the hallway outside Wrath's study, I rap gloved knuckles sharply against the door before pushing it open to peer inside- My Lord?

Wrath:

[...Glymera... new order... attention. Words streaming in my head as I read page after page of whatever new problems had risen that those pompous asses thought needed my immediate attention. Sweet Fade. The pounding in my head grew as I got dangerously close to setting fire to my desk in order to escape the mounting pile of bullshit. Snapping when I heard someone at the door and the scent told me it wasn’t my Beth.] What? [The vein in the middle of my forehead was ready to pop. @JodisVishous voice drifted through. The brother had some timing. Taking a deep calming breath] This better be important, Vishous, I have a shit ton to do so [willing the door open to motion him in] on with it

V:

-unfazed by Wrath's pissed off growl, I walked in once he opened the door for me- My lord, you know that my interruptions have never been without good reason -even I could hear the tension in my voice, I guess the time with my female had changed my routine and with this much stress on my shoulders I was right on the edge. The King could fucking save it, we had another front coming in to merge with the shit storm we were already weathering- we have a problem and this one made The Courier -walking to the desk, I passed on the information I had, papers ruffling in my hand as I swung them around and placed them on Wrath's blotter.- Usually I wouldn't mess with Caldie's finest, but fuck if this doesn't get my attention, true -Reciting the names and dates off the top of my head for the known victims.- Sounds like any other murder around the slums -fanning out the documents until I had the pictures on display, even if he couldn't quite get all the details it was a show and tell kind of argument- except it's not -tapping on the different snapshots of the different crime scenes- females and males have been attacked in a way that screams a rogue, my Lord -seeing the tug of war in his expression, between what he had in front of him and what he couldn't afford to have on his plate right now.  His face distorted as his fingers flew over the pages. Dropping my voice to just above a whisper- I’ve got a bad feeling, Wrath. Whoever is behind this wants attention and he’s stopping just short of taking out a damned billboard.

Wrath:

[It was bad enough that I had the Glymera so far up my ass I could barely breathe, now it seemed a rogue had moved into my backyard without any of us noticing? Cursing under my breath when Vishous was done speaking. I've always put good money of V's sixth sense, even if it was dooming at the best of times. And they were enough to make Nostradamus’s apocalyptic visions look like hack meteorology. The headache that had been pushing its way in had exploded to life, throbbing between my ears and useless eyes. Slipping my fingers under my wraparounds, I massage them in a feeble attempt at pushing the ache away] Shit [Throwing the stack of articles down, I sat back in my chair.  The tension around the male was a thick fog that tickled at my reaching senses. V was rattled. V was never rattled. But then again, who wouldn't be when the females splashed all over the crime scene photos were dead ringers for his shellan. Emphasis on the ‘dead’. The thought of anyone doing something so low as to going for the females... I shook my head. Lowlifes.]Brother, trust me, I understand your frustration, but how can we be certain this isn't just a bad fucking coincidence? [fingers drumming on the desk] We've got so much shit on our plates we can't afford to take a freebie if it's out of our jurisdiction 

V:

-Gritting my teeth as my temper flared in outrage at Wrath's words. What more could I show him to make him see. This was just too fucking close to home to ignore. We had barely gotten over my little vacation in the Bastards’ Hotel Hell, which the brother's made known when they had me followed everywhere. Thanks to them, the term babysitting had and entirely different definition. Not that I blame them but, I could do without another reminder of my past. It was meant to be buried and forgotten, but this new case... it was blatantly clear that I still had unfinished business. Slamming my fists on Wrath's desk, earning me a growled response.- You've got to be fucking kidding me -leaning on the desk as I level my gaze with the King’s- how many ways do I have to spell it out before you realize this IS our business -my voice filled with hatred and anger fueled by years of ignoring a past that now seemed determined to haunt me- what part of castrated males doesn’t sound familiar? -pushing myself back- Do I need to drop trou to give you a refresher? -my words dripping with venom at the freshness of the memories-

Wrath:

[Narrowing my eyes in V's direction, lips peeled back over my extended fangs] You better watch your fucking mouth, Vishous [slamming my fist on the desk, sending papers everywhere as I stood] Don't you fucking think that after your little disappearing act we need to be more careful? [anger rolling off me in thick intoxicating waves] We can't afford another loss, it nearly broke us all down [clenching my jaw, it was taking a lot out of me to not jump over the desk and give the male more than a piece of my mind. The lack of physical activity was doing a number on my temper, Beth was right, I needed to find a way to drain this energy. Other than taking it out on her, of course.] There is no denying the facts and what they are telling us [slipping my fingers under my wraparounds to pinch the bridge of my nose] but we can't jump out there, guns blazing without something more to go on [the gentle massage was pitifully little balm to the massive headache I had] We can’t spend manpower hunting your ghosts, for fuck’s sake.

V:

-cursing in every language I knew as Wrath's words banged against my skull. He was right, I knew he was but, my first instinct had been to throw myself at it tonight. It would not be the smartest thing to do but going solo, but damn was it tempting. This whole situation reeked of the camp and there was absolutely no appeal in bringing the brothers in for something that had been mine for almost 300 years. Fucking hell. Shit. Pacing back and forth in front of the King's desk. Different approach. Different rationale. It was time to shove aside my emotions and everything else. Taking out a blunt from the stash I had in my leather jacket, I paused just in front of Wrath and lit it up- Time to tone it down then -letting the spices of my Turkish blend call my nerves enough for a plan to form in my head. Scratching my goatee I turned to face the King. The smartest thing to do was to get the brothers involved, as much as it pained me to have them sniffing around my past, we needed the united front. After the Xcor’s band of misfits had so moved into our turf, nothing could come as a shock now. Meeting Wrath's gaze, squaring my shoulders as my resolve solidifies- Call a meeting, we need to fill everyone in. -pausing as I take a drag from my cig- we have new objectives in our patrols -blowing out a cloud of smoke as I turn my eyes to the ceiling, a thought that would surely gnaw me later on occurred to me. I would pay dearly for this but... it was necessary- and for security reasons, we should enforce a lockdown –namely my female and young... but that went unsaid, the reasons need not to be explained. The pictures of the victims were enough to cover that front. The motion would pass, I was sure my brothers would see why.-

Wrath:

[Nodding in agreement, this was the cold and calculating V the Brotherhood knew, he would stay tight. That was what we needed, everyone with their heads on straight, flushing out this asshole before more humans or civilians were lost. Settling into my chair, I leaned back against the plush leather ] I'll call Tohr and set everyone to meet tonight after Z and Rhage get back, in the meantime you deal with the cop and doggen to arrange new security measures. [flipping my phone open to speed dial Tohr to make the necessary arrangements for the debriefing.]

V: 

-Nothing had gone as planned tonight, but perhaps Wrath had managed to kick some sense into me. I needed to jump back into the skin of the warrior I've always been, strategy and mind games were my thing. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, well fuck that. Bowing as I took my cue for my leave- My lord -Stopping by the door, I look over my shoulder at the King- And Wrath? -watching as the male looked up to meet my gaze- this isn’t your regular play, someone out there knows and knows too damn much for their own good, true -the male nodded stiffly, good, he knew just how seriously I would be taking on this new fight. He went back to his phone call. Closing the door behind me, I took a nice long drag to find my new zen as I walked back to the Pit. What was to come would not be pleasant, my female would be looking for answers I didn't have and that was not going to sit well. We all know just how much @VsDarkDreamer loved being told what to do, especially without a damn good reason. But how could I explain to my pregnant female that someone was coming after her? After me? And let's not forget I have no fucking idea who was behind this. One thing was clear, I was the glue that was holding all this together and I'll be damned if they catch me off my guard. ’Alright, asshole. Let’s dance.' I thought as I pushed past the security in the tunnels towards the Pit. With the Brotherhood on my six, it was on me to give them a target. After all, there's a reason why I once was the most sought after mercenary in the Old Country. I braced and took a heavy breath before pushing open the door of our mated room. A mercenary, who at this moment was shit scared of telling my shellan ’no’.-

Ghosts of the Past

Bloodletter:

That ‘un was a screamer, aye? [Sick humor twisted my lips into a sneer that would have sent the whelps at camp scurrying back to hide ‘neath their mahmens’ skirts. I paused over the sink to study my new reflection in the grime-smeared mirror, the water from the tap running crimson as I held my hands beneath. I’d not yet grown accustomed to the face staring back at me, though the eyes were still mine own.  I’d not bother with such trivialities but the constant searching eyes of the human population made it necessary to blend in as much as possible, lest my ‘messages’ be found ‘fore my quarry could receive them. “He wasn’t the only one…” I’d heard the Forelesser mumble though he stood well away from me, unable to yet stomach being close. Just as well, were he near me now, I’d have garroted him with his own entrails for his words. Eyes narrowing to pin him with a withering stare, I stalked across the room, smirking as he backed away until he flattened against the wall, his powdery stench stinging my nostrils. I towered over him, the not-so-subtle jab at the payment the Omega had taken out of this body forcing a shudder from me, nightmarish flashes of the rutting I’d endured raising bile into my throat. Swallowing back, I bared lethal canines at the pale abomination ‘fore me.] Perhaps ye’d have the stones to repeat yerself, ye’ rank bastard. [Pulling my dagger from its scabbard, I bring it under the Forelesser’s chin, digging into his flesh and tilting his dead eyes to mine.] I thought not. Let’s be clear here, ye’ dribble of horse piss. Ye’ may grab yer ankles for yer master as often as ye’d like but, until he returns, yer mine to command and make no mistake, I’ll bury my blade in yer empty heart in a second and not skip a step in my mission. Now, has the last been found? [He nodded, a small twitch of the head in acknowledgement as he cleared his throat and pushed the blade away with a disgusted look. “It has. Caldwell PD showed up before the body even cooled. Though I don’t understand the point of castrating him.” I grinned evilly at that, the cries of the male had warmed my heart as I’d used the pliers to tear away the delicate tissue ‘tween his legs and watching him bleed out onto the oil-slicked asphalt. The body count had risen, the slaughter of the human females unfortunate enough to bare semblance to my offspring’s beloved shellan now joined by the tattered remains of civilian males caught too easily while passing nights in the human taverns that lined Trade.] Tis’ the same favor I granted Vishous on his transformation. More than that, ye don’t need to understand, lesser. Ye’ need to do as yer told and wait. @JodisVishous will see it and he will come calling. [Satisfied with the way he slumped as I stepped back, I turned and plodded back to the window, staring through the splintered glass pane into the night. Vishous would soon start following the trail of carcasses to me and if he was as intelligent as rumors bade me believe, he’d come alone, without the Brotherhood at his flanks. When he found me, it would be on my terms and I would have my vengeance. Grinning to myself at the things I would do while my young cried out to his cursed mother, I slid my dagger back into place and spoke low, keenly watching the shadows dance in the streetlights below.] I’m comin’ fer ye’, Vishous. You and yours. And this time, I’ll not be stopped. 

Vishous:

The giggles and soft babbles of my young, Sahv, echoed through the tunnels of the mansion as four of us made our way back to the Pit to enjoy the last hours of the day with our mates. A cheerful Sahv smacked my cheek to get my attention with his tiny growls, “dadda’s” , and “mama’s” which earned him winning smiles at First Meal with the rest of the brotherhood and our family. Keeping my hand on the bouncy young I chuckled and softly set him on his feet, helping him walk the last few feet to the door of the Pit. After the gruesome find a few days ago in patrol with the cop I had finally started to relax, the Old Language symbol carved into the female’s skin was beyond weird but as far as I knew it could’ve been a slashing by a disturbed stalker, and, as shitty as it may sound, that was no more my jurisdiction than vampires were to Caldwell’s finest. Chaotic chatter filled the air until we passed security to settle into the living room of our place, the cop instantly parking his ass on the couch with Sahv hot on his heels to get some sorely needed uncle time, Jodi following after him to make sure nothing happened, I couldn’t help but grin. This was what I had been missing when I was tied up in hell, pun intended. Marissa joined the cop on the couch and I settled on the loveseat. Scratching my goatee, I contented myself with watching the scene before me until my female shoved today’s newspaper in my face to avoid having our boy eat it. Chuckling, I straightened the paper earning the evil eye of my female who was trying to hide her smile. Quite badly, if I may say so myself. My eyes fell on today’s headline and the humor drained from my features going unnoticed by everyone else still watching Sahv’s antics. Sitting up straight, I reread the headline one more time before I got into details. Clearing my throat, I looked around and masked the worry that had flared to life with this little revelation. Fuck. Me. Running. Excusing myself from the small gathering, I headed to my office, waving off the concerned stares from both my partner and my female. I didn’t have anything but a bad feeling that made my skin crawl and I wouldn’t worry them with gut instinct, no… this was just a very bad coincidence and there was no need to put them on alert. Especially not my very pregnant shellan. She’d been through enough and I was not risking her or the young she carried. Taking a deep breath I shoved the newspaper to one side of my desk as I parked my ass on the chair in front of my Four Toys. Firing the tower of circuits to life, I keyed my way through the back door I’d created in CPD’s security wall with a self-satisfied smile. They’re encryption was laughable, I should just set up my own password. The amusement was short lived and I sobered as the files popped open on the screen. This wasn’t good. In fact, this was Orwellian double-fucking-plus ungood. “STRANGE SERIES OF DEATHS CONTINUE…. The police have yet to release an official statement regarding the strange mass murders of victims of both sexes in the Caldwell area... The body count has risen in the Trade Street killings… With no visible correlation between the victims save the symbol cut into the bodies, the police are no closer to finding the perpetrator of these heinous crimes…” Reaching for one of my blunts, I lit it up and continue to study the uncut reports from the Caldwell police. Apparently, the cops have had a very busy past couple of weeks, this latest.. a prostitute I was sorry to say had serviced me in the past, had been number four in a rash of deaths that left the Caldy PD scratching their heads and locking their doors. Pictures of the corpses, their faces contorted in shock and horror, splashed over the files, their bodies dumped like garbage in the back alleys of the Caldwell bar district. Holding the blunt between my fingers, I went over the details of the first three murders, given that the first one I had a up-close-and-personal with the last victim, I wanted to familiarize myself with the others. Investigators had come to the conclusion that the victims had been used in a sort of ritual, given that all the bodies had been drained dry and used as a canvas, assuming that the mark cut into their graying flesh was the killer’s signature. Wrong, assholes. Blowing out a cloud of smoke, I studied each and every picture taken from each crime scene. Examining autopsy photos and the scant evidence the killer had left behind, It was clear as fucking day what the women had in common… I saw it every night when I woke up. All brunettes, dark eyed and fair-skinned, curvy and in their late twenties or early thirties. A sick feeling set in the pit stomach. Every one of them, so like my shellan and every one marred with a ‘V’. No other identifying factors, clothes ripped to shreds, and with rough gashes on the side of their necks. Fuck. This had all the earmarks of a civilian going around town with a taste of brunettes and yet, something nagged at me. We’d found lessers dumping that body, not a vamp. Or, perhaps we’d been wrong? Had they found a vampire feeding and hauled ass before they could take him out?? If so, how was he calm enough to dematerialize without me or Butch noticing? Had the lessers gotten rid of him before we caught up to them? For all we knew there could’ve been more around the area when we got those two fuckers a couple of blocks over. I pinched the bridge of my nose, head aching with the possibilities sparked by what was displayed on the screens. Something wasn’t fitting. The lessening Society was all over this and that settled it firmly in the “Shit WE have to deal with” side of the ledger. Fantastic, true. The family of those poor females would never get closure if this was passed on to our side of the law. Shaking my head, I flipped on through the files to find the other murders the article had been talking about, coming into a few dead ends with other minor crimes before I hit the big one. The slasher was apparently a believer in equal opportunity, males had been dropping like flies on this end too. Digging a little more, the details had my blood running cold in my veins, the shock enough to make me crush the bud of my blunt on the ashtray when my mouth went absolutely dry. Detectives had not seen any relation between these murders and those of the women, because although they held no similarities other than their timeframes being enough for the murderer to commit both. However, the men had been castrated and had their thighs savaged with sliced designs, probably while the victims had been alive.- Fuck. Me –hoarse words falling from my lips, I rubbed my knuckles against the inside thigh of my leathers. Way too close for comfort. As my female liked to say, shit just got real. I was reporting both of these to Wrath and with or without his permission I would keep an eye the streets around Trade. With a shaky hand I reached for the bottle of Goose, the only liquid allowed in my office, for emergencies such as this. The pieces were coming together and they pointed at one thing. The killer wanted me to see his handiwork. Uncapping the vodka, I took a swig and sighed at the burn I felt in my throat, resting the bottle against my leg and raking a gloved hand through my hair. Something worse than me was stalking Caldwell now. I had a bad feeling and we all know how well those pan out. Sweet Fade, there’s was no sleep written in my near future. Carrying the bottle with me, I stood and turned from the grisly reports and crossed to the window, looking out at the glowing aura that marked the lights of downtown. Something was out there trying to get my attention- You have it now, fucker.