Dark's POV:

When next I opened my eyes, I was laying in the same plush bed, staring up at the same ornate ceiling. Only this time, I awoke with a smile.

I was so proud of my Druid, so awed by how much stronger she had grown in a mere six weeks. The amount of power she could take was extraordinary, simply unheard of for a Druid. Most Paranormals had to train for years for that kind of spiritual fortitude. Centuries, even! And when she amassed her own innate power, when my rose blossomed to her full potential...

She would be extraordinary.

"Ahem."

My smile vanished with the sound of a conspicuously cleared throat. I turned my head slowly towards the obnoxious visitor, trying to tamp down on my annoyance at being disturbed in such a rude way.

Leaning on the wall beside the door stood yet another vaguely familiar looking young woman. This girl donned a darker purple than Valentine, with more revealing clothes that clung lovingly to the skin that wasn't showing, leaving nothing to the imagination. She haughtily returned my glower as I stood slowly, holding her gaze steadily.

I didn't like her.

"And who might you be, Nymph?" I asked coolly. She cocked a single perfect eyebrow.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Dark," she smirked, callously addressing me by my informal title, "even though we both know what I am."

"You had me fooled; you certainly dress like one," I said, jerking a thumb towards a figure on the far edge of the mural. The creature was beautiful, perfect even. But, like most nymphs before their race died away, she was scantily clad and nearly naked. Nymphs were known to be beautiful, but also vain and lascivous, completely lacking in moral boundaries in their pursuit of riches and pleasure; in the modern era, one might go so far as to call them whores.

"I'm not surprised that you would consider that little jab a compliment, seeing as the morality and sense of self worth of any Nymph would by far exceed your own," I said, keeping my voice casual. When there was no response from her but to widen her smirk, I continued, summoning my axe and approaching her slowly. My steps were measured and deliberate, my voice deep and calm as I made my contempt known.

"I've seen you before, Violet Sanders. I know of your sins, your lust for power and need to control. I've seen your sword-sharp tongue and wicked mind, seen the hideous, hateful beast that sleeps beneath the lovely lie of your skin. I've seen your many transgressions against your own flesh and blood through the eyes of the brother you betrayed."

Her smug expression gradually fell with each condemning word, turning stony and cold as I drew closer. I reached her and raised the axe, placing the edge against the wall two feet from her neck and angling it so the butt of the staff touched the wall, caging her in.

"Demons are considered by many to be the cruelest and most bloodthirsty creatures in all of creation for the fact that we feed almost explicitly on shock and fear unless it's from our bound. We are known for being sadistic and," I paused to smirk at the irony of my next words, "Dark, going to extraordinary lengths to draw every last morsel of terror from our victims.

"But Demons, at least, don't hide their bloody nature behind a pleasant facade. Demons are honest, straightforward with their intentions. We kill, we eat. But you, my dear... you are far, far worse than any Demon, Angel, Dark Elf, or Vampire that I've ever layed eyes on."

"And how's that?" She asked, lifting her chin. She hid the tremor in her voice remarkably well for someone with a Demon's blade at her throat. I flared my aura for the simple joy of seeing her flinch.

"Betrayal. Deception. Treason and treachery. There is nothing more repulsive to me than Judas' kiss, Princess, nothing more vile than a turn-coat. And you, you deplorable creature..."

I reared back and swung the axe, missing the top of her head by an inch and making her duck to avoid it.

"You are the epitome of all I've described. And unfortunately for you..." I growled lowly, leaning in close, "Your Caesar is a good friend of mine."

I let my words sink in before removing the axe from the wall and turning abruptly to walk back to the bed.

"Now," I said as I lowered myself to the plush surface and fixing my eyes on the shaken girl across the room, "what brings you to my humble prison?"

JERICHO'S POV:

We began the trek to the hotel, auras discreet and energy radars turned up full blast. We took it slow, keeping to the alleyways and street corners and avoiding the open street. Virgil and Sean carried Mark, while I carried Chica, using my magic to augment my strength and lessen the strain.

About ten minutes in, Virgo held up a hand from the front of the group, calling us to a silent halt. We stopped, waiting as she narrowed her eyes and turned in a slow circle, serching the rooftops above. Not three seconds later, Virgil began doing the same, looking around uneasily.

Then Sean.

Then me.

"We're being watched," I breathed. Virgil and Sean gently laid Mark on the ground as I did the same with Chica. We drew our weapons and formed a protective circle around their unconscious bodies without the need for a verbal cue, preparing ourselves for a fight. I gave Atticus my daggers.

"Can you guys tell what species it is?" I whispered to Sean. He considered it before shaking his head.

"No... there are too many mixed signatures. We're dealing with multiple enemies here, and not of just one species."

"Fuck. Is there a draft over here? Oh no, those are just the fans the shit is gonna hit," Virgil muttered.

"Do you have to be such a buggering smart arse all the time?" Snapped Atticus.

"Guys..." I whispered.

"No. I take a few days off every once in awhile," Virgil responded smugly.

"I'm going to murder you in your sleep, you blithering pisspot!"

"I was gonna say the same thing... without the accent," Virgil shot back.

"Guys!" I hissed.

"Most countries consider my accent an aphrodisiac, mate. What've you got?"

"You little-"

"Shut up!!" The rest of us

whisper-yelled in unison. They shut their mouths.

It was a good ten minutes of tense silence as the unseen foes circled us from varying distances.

"Why aren't they attacking? Atticus asked softly. It was another minute before the silence was broken again.

"Maybe they're not trying to capture us because they know we're already trapped," Sean said slowly, as if testing the validity of his words as he spoke.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Damn. I think he's right," said Virgil, "they know we can't escape forever because they already have a trump card..."

"They know we have to go back to save our friends," I finished. Dirty bastards. The group stiffened as the energy signatures seemed to close in tighter. Laughter became audible from every side, getting louder and louder before both the sound and the energy began fading away, leaving a single high pitched giggle from somewhere right above our heads.

Suddenly, a white piece of paper appeared fifteen feet in the air and fluttered down slowly to land on Mark's forehead. With that final event, the very last of the energy faded away, leaving the street silent and still once more.

We relaxed and sheathed our weapons; Atticus tried to return my daggers but I refused, giving him the sheaths to attach to his belt.

"Guys... look at this," Sean called, prompting us to gather around him. He was looking at the mysterious piece of paper. It was written on cardstock and intricately embossed with fancy vines, leaves and flowers.

"Listen to this..."

To The Outsiders:

The noble heads of the current House Council request the pleasure of The Outsider's company

at a ball in honor of this year's Gathering, to be held Tomorrow evening at eight o'clock.

We apologize in advance on the behalf of all those attending for any unfortunate repercussions that may occur in the unlikely event that you should decline.

We eagerly await your response.

- Allistair Sanders Kain

When he finished reading, we exchanged confused and worried glances.

"Okay..." I began slowly, "Does anybody want to explain what I missed?"

Sean sighed and ran a hand through his green hair.

"Yeah, but I gotta warn you... you missed a whole fucking lot."