A/N - This story is my version of where the Fever series may go from 'Iced'. I have however adjusted Dani's age to one more suitable for the situations I envision - the timeline is still 1 AWC, however I have bumped her age to 18 (for obvious reasons!).

"Drop the fucking sword Dani."

Wow. I mean fecking wow. If I didn't know that Mac never said 'fuck' I would swear that was her behind me. That sharp point sticking right between my shoulder blades could be her spear, but then she's never been able to sneak up on the Mega – so who is it that's messing with me?

"Nice job, but…" I don't even get a chance to finish my epicness.

"I said drop the sword NOW, Dani."

"Psh," I respond, all calm and awesome, no-one can waver my coolness, no matter how well they pull off sounding like TP. "If you were Mac you'd know I don't lose my sword for no-one."

"And if you were smart, Dani, instead of a smart alec, you would have figured that from this position, I can easily kick your petunia from here to eternity."

Petunia? I'm pretty sure there are not too many people who know Mac says 'petunia' instead of 'ass', even less that can sound so like her. I try to shift up and freeze frame out of here but – it's not fecking working again!

"Dani," Her voice is so much softer this time. I can't help but compare to that soft, deadly tone that Ryodan gets when he's at his most dangerous. "Drop. The. Sword."

I briefly consider a plethora of ideas; whip around and pierce her with my sword (this barely registers before my chest hurts too much to breathe), try to run slow-joe mode, or do what she says and drop the sword and face my death like a real superhero would – with some shred of dignity and my head held high.

Running sounds awesome.

I can't ignore the little voice telling me to balls up though, don't be like all the other backside waggling sheep that have come before me. I want to go out as I have lived with my eyes on the finishing line and balls to the wall.

With exceptional strength of will I loosen my fingers off my extra appendage, and let the shining alabaster blade drop to the ground. The clatter is oddly as satisfying as the loss is profound.

The spear stops digging into my shoulder blades.

"Mega til the end, huh?" I can hear the admiration in Macs voice for my action, and I am happy that at least she sees my last stand as something to be respected. Maybe that will make up in some small part for what I did to her sister. Not.

"Turn around now, Dani." She presses. I can't hear her breath, any movement, not a thing – maybe my superhero hearing is out too? That would explain how she managed to sneak up on me at leas. I turn slowly, trying to keep my cool stance while staring death in the eyes.

There she is. Neat blonde hair framing her delicate and feminine face. Eyes wide and carefully made up (although how she managed to find the right shade in post wall Dublin I have no idea), lips a purse of perfect pink. I love about me except my lion's mane of red hair, andthe freckles. And my actions that led me here, of course, staring my best friend, my sister, in the face knowing she will be my end.

Morbid much.

"Dani, let's go somewhere and talk."

I cross my arms over my (finally!) abundant chest and cock my hip in an excellent show of nonchalance. "Let's just finish it here, Mac." I look around me at the Fae stricken city. The dusty, rubbish strewn street, the tiny alley just a few feet ahead. I nod in the direction of said alley. "No, maybe there would be more appropriate."

Macs eyes flicker to where I indicate then back at me. I actually see something I might class as 'pity' flash through her gaze.

"How about Chester's," She returns.

I gape. Or should I say, my jaw unhinges itself and refuses to be set right. Chester's? For what, a public execution? Not that there wouldn't be an avid audience of course; I've pissed enough people (well, mostly Fae) off recently. I close my mouth.

She spins on her heel and heads back the way I just came from. I have to admit she looks awesome. Barrons really agrees with her figure.

I follow behind, working hard to keep my gaze steady, or at least steadier than my nerves.

Mac seats herself across from me in one of the nicer subclubs that Chester's offers. If you could call any of them 'nice'. This one is full of hotter than flame Seelie, fawned over by stupid humans who don't know better in a replica of a Dublin Pub. Replica because I have never seen a pub with seating that feels like a puffy cloud or tables that sparkle like diamonds in the sun.

Mac pushes a coke at me, which I just ignore. I've never been big on the idea of a last supper, not even one as tempting as this – a drink I haven't had since well before the walls fell as Rowena felt soft drinks would rot my brain. Psh, I have far too may brain cells to worry about rotting a few out. Besides, the Mega brain would likely have just grown a few more.

"Dani, you can stop sitting there like a prisoner about to be strapped to an electric chair."

I just arch an eyebrow – cool is me.

Mac sighs. "I'm not going to kill you Dani, although the temptation is nearly overwhelming me."

I couldn't be more shocked if my mother walked in now. "Not funny, Mac," I seethe. And it's not. Death I can handle. Messing with my sense of reality I can't.

She rolls her eyes at me in a way that she only ever did to signify that we were friends and something I had done was so beyond foolish that there were no words. I try not to read any further into it, but just sit and wait for her to explain. I know there is no forgiveness, not now not ever.

"I'm not saying I forgive you, or all is okay, or I even like you anymore," Mac says quickly, "but I do know it wasn't your choice. I blame Rowena."

I sit, speechless. This is more than I ever thought I could hope for. I feel like my world is doing that strange sideways shift where everything I know is not real and all sorts of other truths are sending me bouncing around this new place like a pinball.

"Anyway," Mac continues, the words starting to stumble over each other, "I need your help. I've been trying to catch you for a while…"

I interrupt her with a harsh laugh. "You'd better get in line."

She levels a steely glare at me and I recall how determined she could be. Her focus on finding her sister's killer (read me) was so one eyed I was often shocked she didn't look like that purple people eater thing.

"This is not a joke, Dani, and I certainly think you owe me."

I can't argue there. Although I had figured my due would be an 'eye for an eye'. Jokes are me. Guilt surges through me like a black wave. There is no penance heavy enough for my crime. I have always been unhealthily curious though, as Christian can attest to. More black ripples.

"What is it?" I strive for calm and cool, but I can hear the stupid fecking wobble in my voice.

"The Grey Woman has called in her favor."

And yet more – apparently I am a deep dark well of dues and remorse.

"And what favor would that be?" I am saved my own witty comeback by the one person sure to make things worse.

Ryodan.