I stared to the west, my eyes roaming over the treetops from my perch atop the highest tower of my castle as the sun sank toward the hidden horizon. My right hand gripped the lightning rod atop the tower roof, my left crumpling a piece of parchment with scrolling handwriting that belonged to my much hated aunt. The barest noise of padded hooves on the roof alerted me to Umbra's presence before her cheek nuzzled against mine from behind.

"Is it time, Master", she asked softly, the scars on her face rubbing against my cheek as she spoke.

"Her summons were specific about sunset", I mumbled and turned my head, kissing her cheek and the corner of her mouth.

"I have a bad feeling about this meeting", she sighed and nuzzled my neck, gently kissing the crook of my neck as I incinerated the parchment.

"You always have a bad feeling whenever I have to go alone", I chuckled and leaned my head against hers. "I'll call you as soon as she gives me the mission and we can go together. How about that?"

"That's fine", she whispered and hugged me from behind. "I just do not trust her. She makes me wish a thousand fires in her chest and her head rended from her body."

"Noted", I chuckled and ran my left hand across her hooves as she held my chest. "It's sundown. Time to go."

"I will wait for you at the library", she sighed and let go, spreading her wings as she stood behind me.

"Race you", I grinned at her and quickly flapped my wings, launching myself forward across the trees toward Ponyville.

I glanced behind me and grinned as I spotted my beloved Umbra streaking toward me. Just before the moment of impact she extended all four hooves and I turned toward her, curling into a ball. She let out a surprised gasp as all four of my limbs shot out, knocking her legs aside and my arms wrapping around her torso just below her wings in a hug.

I pressed a kiss to her surprised lips and smiled into the kiss as she returned my affections. The kiss deepened as I steered us upward, our tongues dancing as we spiraled up past the thicker clouds and through a few wispy ones. We finally had to break the kiss, gasping for breath as I could only stare at her with moonlight shining and glistening in the water droplets clinging to her fur.

"Beautiful", I whispered softly and gently kissed the scars on her face and neck. "Beautiful and deadly."

She blushed and rested her head on my shoulder as we continued up. Before long we reached a point where we could fly no higher and we locked our gazes together.

"I love this part", she gasped and rested her head underneath my chin.

I gave one last flap of my wings and rubbed my chin over the top of her head before encircling us with my wings. She peeked up at me with a mischievous smile right as we began to plummet from the sky and flicked my armored crotch with her tail just hard enough for me to feel it. My anatomy responded and I smirked at her as we spiraled toward the ground, my companion letting out a joyful whoop.

My wings sprang open at the last second and we skimmed along the surface of the river, Umbra still happily clinging to me. I gave her a mischievous smirk of my own and her pupils shrank to pinpricks as her ears drooped moments before I dipped her into the river then instantly gained altitude, letting her fly on her own wing power. The drenched "bat pony", as society called her, spit and sputtered and coughed, glaring at me through a sexy drenched mane with a growl. Just as she was about to launch herself at me I pointed to the left to Ponyville with a grin and blew her a kiss before continuing on alone. The flight to Canterlot was uneventful and rather calming, just the thing I needed before dealing with my scheming aunt.

I landed a couple blocks from the castle gates and took my alicorn form, summoning my crown directly onto my head. Satisfied with my appearance I folded my wings to my sides and trotted along my way. I could hear the guards talking between themselves as I approached but once they could see me among the shadows they snapped to attention, saluting me as I approached.

"At ease", I smiled and they dropped the salute, staring at me in mild disbelief. "Something wrong, gents?"

"We just never expected you to use the front gate", the younger of the two replied nervously. "Normally you teleport in and get shot at, your Highness."

"I don't feel like being chased tonight", I chuckled and trotted by. "Have a good evening, guys."

I made my way to the throne room, cordially greeting the staff and guards that I met along the way. As I entered the throne room I nodded to the surprised guards and smiled sweetly at my aunt as she did a magnificent job of hiding her rage at me letting so many ponies see me in the castle.

"Princess Luna", I called and bowed my head, smirking as she begrudgingly returned the gesture. "I would like to request a private audience with you."

"Very well", she replied evenly before turning to her Lunar Guards. "Nightwing, Shadowstepper, night court is adjourned early this evening. Return to your duties."

She jerked her head to the side before descending from the thrones and leading me to an adjacent room. In mid trot I transformed back to my bipedal form, my leather armor making minimal noise as my body moved. My aunt led me into the room and I quietly closed the door. I noticed the room was silent and found myself face to face with the livid princess as soon as I turned around.

"Are you out of your bucking mind", she seethed and began circling me. "What part of 'discreet' do you not understand?!"

"Tell me", I asked as my temper began to rise. "Which is more suspicious, a shadowy figure sneaking into the castle in the night or a Prince of Equestria coming to request a private audience? Think before you demand this cloak and dagger shit!"

"Interesting choice of words", she chuckled, rubbing her belly before circling around me again. "As the Princess of the Night, I have many duties. Some are as simple as keeping my precious little ponies from having scary nightmares."

The mild disdain in her voice wasn't lost on me, but her droning voice slowly faded from my notice as I watched her circle me. My mind raced as I watched her every move, a plan forming in my mind that brought a most unbecoming sneer to my lips. The moment she began to turn away from me I knew it was the most opportune moment and enacted my plan.

I stepped forward and drove my fist through her ethereal tail and right into her marehood. She gave a startled yelp and tried to squirm away but the fingers of my left hand lengthened into claws which I sunk into her flank, right in the center of her Cutie Mark holding her in place. I continued driving my hand deeper, grinning as I felt her cervix with my right fingers. A strangled cry rolled out of her as I forced my hand into her womb and felt around, my fingers piercing the amniotic tissue to wrap around a barely developing body.

With a victorious laugh I pulled my hand back, tissue within her womb ripping and tearing free as a flood of blood and amniotic fluid rushed out past my armored bicep. She screamed and pleaded with me, struggling ineffectively as she begged uselessly for her child's life. One final tug ripped the lifeless mass free from her treacherous body as I flung the wailing alicorn to the floor and towered over her straddling her torso.

"Blackmail me now, slut", I snarled and struck her across the cheek with the misshapen corpse of her foal.

"Jackson, please", she whimpered and recoiled away from me, blood and other fluids splashed across her face.

"Fuck you", I snarled and lifted the corpse high, slamming it down on her horn and impaling it with a sickening squelch.

Her eyes clenched as her stomach heaved, emptying their contents on my left boot and the floor. A contemptuous sneer split my face as I reared back with my right leg and kicked her in the chest, breaking ribs and sending her rolling across the floor. Before she even came to a stop I was crouched on top of her with my left fist curled around her horn as my right fist repeatedly smashed into her face splitting skin, breaking bone and knocking teeth from her mouth sending them bouncing across the floor. Her breathing began to be labored as I wrapped my right hand around her neck just below her jaw and proceeded to slam her head into the floor. Her breathing finally stopped but I continued to slam her head down even as her skull split open and her body spasmed uncontrollably beneath me.

A dark wing slapped me upside the head startling me from my fantasy and back to reality. I glared at my aunt as she circled around in front of me to glare at me.

"Did you even hear a single word I said", she demanded with a snarl.

"No, I'm sorry", I smiled sweetly. "I was imagining brutally murdering you and that abomination growing within your putrid body. Just give me the cliff notes and tell me who I'm killing."

"Repulsive monstrosity", she hissed and glared at me. "Go to Vanhoover. Find the vampony coven there. Destroy them all, even the thralls."

"As you wish, your Highness", I snarled and whirled away, stalking over to the window and throwing it open before turning back to point at her. "Mark my words, your heart will stop by my hands one day."

"Promises, promises", she smirked as she sauntered up to me, inches from my face. "We both know how sweet forbidden fruit is. Now go kill those foolish beasts."

Her eyes roamed over my body and she hummed softly before walking away, her hips swaying and catching my eye despite my hatred for the mare. I let out a surprisingly equine snort and launched myself skyward, mentally calling Umbra to the outskirts of Canterlot as I soared toward the meeting point and settled on a shadowy roof silently despising the truth of my aunt's words. I didn't have long to wait until the padded hooves of my partner tapped on the roof as she landed. The feel of her hooves snaking around my chest broke me from my thoughts as I rested a hand on her left hoof.

"What have we been tasked with", she asked quietly and kissed the shoulder of my armor, a hint of love reaching my senses and making my stomach growl.

"We fly for Vanhoover", I replied just as quietly and rubbed her hoof with my thumb. "There's a coven of vamponies there that apparently drew too much attention. We have to kill them and all of their thralls."

"We have to kill our own kind", she whispered and rested her forehead against me. "Again. Why am I not surprised?"

"Maybe we just like causing a scene", I replied with a halfhearted smile. "Remember Flankfurt?"

"I never knew you danced so well", she giggled. "But Master, Vanhoover is far away. Would it not be better to take the train and save our strength for the mission?"

"Hnnn", I hummed softly, catching a lock of her mane in my mouth as a sharp gust of wind blew from behind us, causing her to giggle softly. "You're right, but we need disguises. And to hide our scent."

"Both of these are things you can do", she smiled and grabbed a dreadlock in her teeth, tugging on it playfully. "Come, the night grows no younger."

"Tempis fugit", I mumbled as I disentangled our limbs and led the way to the shadows of the street below.

I stared at my beloved assistant and snapped my fingers, chaos magic flowing through every cell of my body as I envisioned the mare before me as I desired her to be. Her ears lost their batlike qualities in favor of softer fur and shorter length. Her pupils widened as the iris of both eyes swirled to a light lavender and her lashes gained both length and thickness to rival the false lashes Rarity wore daily. Cream colored feathers sprouted from her wings as the wings themselves shifted to those of a regular pegasus, beauty and strength displayed as she flapped them in surprise as her fur adopted the same creamy tan hue and her weapon and armor vanished. A Cutie Mark consisting of a sun halfway hidden behind a cloud adorned her flanks as her mane adopted a shape and texture much like Fluttershy's but several inches shorter and, as a finishing touch, her fangs disappeared and were replaced with normal teeth.

"Very nice, Master", she smiled as she admired her new appearance and smirked at me. "Is there something you wish to tell Miss Fluttershy?"

"No", I blushed lightly. "I've just always wondered what her mane style would look like on you. Gotta say, I'm likin' what I see. And that tail is fully functional, not an illusion."

"Too bad we do not have time to test it out", she whispered with a wink, the combination of voice and body language stirring my desires.

"There's gonna be time at the hotel", I promised with a smirk, a light blush rising to her cheeks in turn. "But first, my disguise."

Black fire raced across my body, blinding Umbra momentarily. After blinking rapidly to clear her eyes she gazed at me and her jaw dropped as her wings sprang open. My body took an equine form and shrank to about three fourths of the size of my friend Big Mac, but with a more lithe build than muscular. Jet black fur covered my body and a larger than average pair of wings adorned my sides. A single white streak raced through my forelock and a gray tornado stood out on my flank. My own fangs vanished as I blinked my eyes, the golden hue fading to a smoky blue.

"Very nice", she breathed as her eyes roamed over my body.

"Your excitement is showing", I smirked, causing her to force her wings closed. "Now to cover our scents."

My hoof glowed softly as I reached out and booped her nose, snickering when she wiggled her nose before her eyes crossed and she sneezed. I cast the same spell on myself and motioned for her to follow me as I took wing. Minutes later we glided into the train station in Canterlot and trotted to the ticket window, where I purchased two tickets on the next train to Vanhoover.

As soon as we had our tickets I checked the departure time, groaning when I saw we had an hour and a half wait before tucking the tickets into Umbra's mane for safekeeping. Another growl from my stomach got my attention and I suggested getting something to eat from the all night diner in the train station to help pass the time, which my companion thankfully agreed to.

"Remember", I said softly as we slid into a booth in the corner of the empty diner, "until we reach our target, we're a young couple headed for a vacation in Vanhoover. So no calling me 'Master' or anything like that."

"This isn't my first clandestine mission, dear", she whispered as a tired looking unicorn mare approached and passed us menus while asking what we wanted to drink. "Sarsaparilla, please."

"I love your accent", the mare smiled warmly. "Where ya from, sweetie?"

"Transylmaneia", Umbra lied flawlessly and the unicorn turned to me for my drink order.

"Mead", I smiled and opened my menu.

"Ain't got it", she replied apologetically. "No liquor license."

"Colta Cola", I asked and she nodded, trotting away before a thought struck me and I turned to call after her. "No ice, please!"

"You got it, handsome", she called back and I turned back around just in time to catch Umbra growling softly.

"Taking the cover story a little seriously, huh", I grinned at her.

"Forgive me", she blushed lightly and opened her own menu. "I don't know what came over me."

"No worries, love", I smiled and studied the menu. "I'm thinking about trying a tofu burger with potato fries. What about you?"

"I would rather have unicorn", she murmured before clearing her throat. "I think the pancakes and scrambled eggs look appetizing. Maybe with hashbrowns?"

"Go ahead", I grinned at her. "Luna's getting hit for reimbursement for every single bit we spend on this trip."

"We are definitely ordering room service", she grinned back as the waitress returned with our drinks.

After taking a sip of my drink we placed our orders and passed the menus back to the unicorn, waiting for her to trot away before quietly discussing the plan. It was decided that we would stay in the hotel for a week, sleeping during the day and hunting at night when Umbra's powers were strongest. The topic of sightseeing arose as she reached across the table and curled her hoof around mine, staring into my eyes as I agreed. Without a second thought we both leaned forward and our lips met in a gentle kiss.

"Here ya go, dears", the unicorn mare smiled as she slid our plates onto the table. "Anything else I can get ya?"

"We have all we need", Umbra whispered softly but blushed when she realized what she said. "I-I mean no, we're fine, thank you."

"Young love", the waitress giggled and smiled before trotting away again.

We shared a laugh and another kiss before releasing each other's hoof and dug into our meals. Conversation was limited as we ate at a leisurely pace, both of us stealing glances at the other. After our plates were empty the waitress returned, clearing away the dirty dishes and sliding two saucers with some type of chocolate cake on them onto the table.

"On the house", she winked as she laid the bill face down on the table and trotted away.

I took a bite of the simple looking cake and my eyes shot open as warm liquid chocolate flooded my mouth and overwhelmed my tastebuds. I glanced up just as Umbra finished the last bite of her cake, licking her lips but missing a smudge of chocolate on her nose. I chuckled and motioned her forward, gently licking her nose as another blush flared on her cheeks. As she stammered out a thanks I finished my own cake and paid the bill, leaving a ten bit tip. We finished our drinks and headed out the door, slightly perturbed that it had only been forty five minutes.

Umbra pressed against my side and suggested looking at the displays in the front windows of the stores around the square. A smile and nod were my response as I let her lead, setting a slow pace with our wings brushing against each other. Window after window we stared in, greeting a pair of Lunar guards cordially as they went about their patrol. Soon we came to a jewelry store, a collection of beautiful jewelry with various precious stones inlaid in them on display.

"How do they keep thieves from simply taking the jewelry", she asked innocently.

"Look at the glass from an angle", I whispered and she did as I suggested. "See the shimmer? That's a strengthening charm on the glass. It's damn near unbreakable. Even I would have a hard time getting through this glass."

She nodded her understanding and fell silent, her eyes focusing on a thick gold necklace with a single blood red ruby pendant shaped like a teardrop. Her ears twitched lightly, a mannerism I had come to learn indicated something having her undivided attention. I smiled softly as I watched her for a moment before she sighed and lowered her eyes, turning with a slight smile still on her face as she led me further around the square.

Eventually we heard our train pull into the station and made our way to the train to climb aboard. I pulled our tickets from her mane and let the conductor punch a hole in each before stashing them back in her mane. We chose the very last seat on the very last car, despite the train being devoid of any other passengers, and I glanced around before materializing a Do Not Disturb sign to hang on the outside door handle. Once done I drew the shades down on both doors and all the windows before settling down with Umbra for a highly relaxing cuddle filled with innocent kisses, nuzzles and whispered words of appreciation.

Only once did the refreshment trolley mare knock but she left when we insisted we were fine. Once alone again we resumed our cuddling, the kisses slowly deepening until our hooves roamed the other's bodies, clinging to each other as our tongues danced in throes of passionate, loving desire. My body ached for her touch, and hers for mine. We were quickly reaching the point of reckless abandon when Umbra gently pushed away from me, panting breathlessly.

"F-Forgive me", she gasped and lowered her eyes, clenching them shut. "I want you... but I don't... think... it wise."

Despite her words her lips returned to mine, needy moans slipping from her as she ground her belly against my erection. Her eyes turned to mine in apology as she forced herself away again. She glanced down with a slight blush and promised me release as she lowered her head.

"What a-about you", I grunted and stroked her soft mane, causing her to pause her efforts.

"It is my penance", she breathed, her breath tickling my shaft. "I escalated matters and must now rectify it."

The remainder of the train ride was tortured bliss, the rhythmic bobbing of her head coaxing me to hoof curling release multiple times before we reached our destination. To say I was unaware of anything else around us would be an understatement. Five minutes before we would reach our destination the conductor knocked on the door to notify us. The remainder of said time was spent catching my breath and gathering my wits about me before we let all of the blinds up and blinked against the first harsh rays of dawn light.

I led the way off of the train and through the crowd of tourists, citizens, and even a few of my own mother's guards, my larger stature providing a bit more personal space for Umbra as she trailed along behind me. I looked back and made mention of how thinly spread the guards were and received a small smirk as Umbra's eyes never stopped moving. Thankfully the crowd thinned out as we got further away from the train depot, allowing her to walk beside me as we continued onward in search of a suitable hotel.

Within minutes I found a hotel that didn't look to be too expensive and held the door open for Umbra, starting in after her before my gaze happened to land on a rather plain earth pony stallion that had been watching Umbra's movements. The moment we locked eyes he ducked behind a gaggle of chattering tourists but not before I made a mental note of his tan coat and brown mane.

"What is it", Umbra asked quietly as she peeked out the door beside me.

"You had an admirer", I replied just as quietly, a smirk on my face as I followed her back inside. "Let's check in. Coward won't show his face here."

We made our way to the concierge's desk and smiled at the unicorn stallion behind the desk, requesting a single room for a full week. To my slight dissatisfaction the total cost for the week was seven hundred bits, but I retrieved my money pouch from beneath my wing and fished out seven of the one hundred bit pieces and passed them to the lad. He thanked us for staying with the hotel and gave us a key to one of the fifth floor rooms before turning to an irate, rather plump, pegasus mare with the same courteous smile as we headed for the elevators further into the hotel.

"That was a lot of plot", Umbra whispered and giggled as I pressed the elevator call button.

Once the elevator arrived we stepped inside, requesting the fifth floor from the young mare operating the lift and she happily complied. Neither of us spoke, even though we both noticed the glances I kept receiving. The floors ticked by until we arrived at our floor and the lift stopped with the slightest bounce as a bell dinged overhead. Once the doors opened we stepped out of the elevator and started toward our room but just as the doors to the elevator were closing Umbra turned halfway back to the elevator.

"You could not afford him, sweetie", she called and started walking again, causing me to choke out a laugh and follow her to room 527.

"That was mean", I chuckled and slid the key into the lock, unlocking the door and opening it for her before following her in.

Once the door locked behind us we trotted into the spacious living area of the suite, nodding in approval of the modern decor. On the wall to the left was a fireplace, unused since winter, with decorative logs inside surrounded by tan brickwork. The wall across from us boasted was an entire bank of floor to ceiling windows with tan and white curtains that let in enough light to render the lighting inside unnecessary during the day but boast an undoubtedly lovely view of the city at night. In the center of the room stood a stylish glass coffee table with a plush couch along the longer side and matching chairs on each end. To our immediate right was the kitchen tucked into the corner, complete with gift basket of fruits, chocolates and even champagne, and in the wall beyond that was the closed door to the bedroom.

"If this was the cheap room, imagine the penthouse", Umbra breathed before turning to kiss my cheek softly.

I silently nodded in agreement and followed her to the bedroom door, peering in as she opened the door and stepped inside. The windows to our left were exactly like the living area windows, except these opened onto a small balcony with two padded iron chairs and a glass topped breakfast table situated between them. Against the wall across from us was a comfortable looking queen sized bed with a fluffy comforter and several pillows boasting the same color scheme as the rest of the suite. In the back right corner was the door to the bathroom and against the right wall sat a dresser with a small but ornate desk and chair with a padded seat beside it. Above the desk was an elegantly simple framed mirror.

"I get the shower first", she smirked at me and began sauntering away with a sexy sway to her hips.

"Says who", I smirked back, content with watching her.

"You got the shower first last time", she shrugged and disappeared into the bathroom but she backed out of the bathroom with wide eyes. "I, uh... I think we can share this one."

I followed her into the bathroom and stared in open mouthed shock at the sight before us. Two sinks adorned the left wall, the white porcelain gleaming in the light. In the left corner was a sunken garden tub large enough for four fully grown ponies to lounge in without touching each other. Situated just to the right of it was a shower with a shower head and knobs at each end that my mother, aunt and cousin Cadence could fit in comfortably, the frosted glass doors opened wide. On the right wall was a rather fancy toilet and honest to goodness bidet of all things, while a towel rack with plenty of fluffy white towels and two bathrobes was against the wall to our immediate right.

"Heilige sheisse", I breathed in awe.

"You said it", Umbra whispered in agreement and stepped into the shower, eyeing the soaps and shampoos. "Vanilla lavender? Honeydew hibiscus? And... Cool musk..."

"I can cast the scent spell tonight", I grinned softly and followed her into the shower, closing the door and turning both ends on. "I bet that honeydew one would be perfect for you."

Nearly an hour later we both shook the water from our bodies, taking deep breaths of the steam as we both retrieved a towel. We had decided to remain in our disguises during daylight just in case room service or housekeeping happened to come by, and I was certainly glad we did. I eyed Umbra's new body with appreciation, taking in her still soaked mane and tail with a flirtatious whistle which enticed her to turn away and give the most sultry gaze ever over her shoulder, just her eyes visible above her mane. My wings instantly shot to full erection, causing her to giggle softly as she finished drying off and shook her mane over her shoulder.

"Come", she smiled softly. "Let's get some rest, shall we?"

I hurriedly finished drying off as she made her way into the bedroom and hung my towel up to dry before following her out the door but stopped as I entered the room. In the mere sixty seconds I had delayed she had already drawn the curtains shut, closed the door and pulled the comforter down. She lay on her side and smiled, patting the bed beside her expectantly. Seeing my slight disappointment she giggled and assured me that I could "make it up to her" tomorrow morning but only wanted rest for now. I agreed and stifled a sudden yawn before climbing beneath the covers with her. Without delay she was curled up in front of me with my forelegs around her as sleep quickly claimed us.

We awoke just before sunset and ordered a hearty dinner, cuddling on the couch in disguise as we waited for room service to arrive. We kept up a lighthearted conversation to pass the time, reminiscing about happy moments during our previous missions, laughing softly at the more embarrassing moments and holding each other closer as we regretted the painful and, at times, nearly fatal mistakes. It was during one of the more somber moments when we heard a knock on the door. I wiped Umbra's tears away with a wing and trotted to the door. An earth pony mare wheeled a cart into the room and bowed out as I motioned for her to leave.

"Bon appetit", I smiled softly as I lifted one of the lids, a plume of steam rising from the grilled vegetables, black marks adorning the slices of carrots and broccoli florets. A second dish boasted steamed rice with a thick milk based gravy in a bowl. The removal of the third lid revealed a special treat I had made sure to request so quietly that Umbra didn't hear from the next room when I had ordered our food. Her eyes shone as she stared fondly at a dozen roses dipped in chocolate and chilled to harden, a delicacy she had developed a fondness for on a trip we had made to Prance to hunt a pack of wererats.

"You remembered", she whispered softly and smiled at me as I prepared plates for us both and brought them to the couch.

"How could I forget", I smiled back.

"If I didn't know better, I would think you were trying to woo me", she smirked as we dug into the main meal.

"As if I needed to woo you further", I grinned back and kissed her cheek softly.

Our meal was finished quickly enough, laughter coming from both of us as we talked and ate. After the main course I dispelled the disguises on both of us and reached out, plucking a single rose from the tray, placing the short, smooth stem in my mouth pointing straight forward and leaned forward her. A slight blush graced her cheeks as she leaned forward and bit the rose from the stem, our lips gently brushing. She in turn gathered a rose stem between her teeth and I took the offered rose, pressing the kiss. Back and forth this continued until the roses were gone, but the kisses continued afterward.

Nearly an hour later, after the sun had fully set and the stars shone brightly, we reluctantly stopped kissing each other and stood, preparing for the night ahead. Umbra checked the blades mounted to each foreleg, satisfied with the operation of the mechanisms that allowed the blades to silently extend and retract, and made sure the tiny clay jars containing oil and a tiny amount of impact sensitive igniter in each were secured to her custom made leather armor. I strapped twin fighting blades to the belt around my waist at the back and two more to my outer thighs. My katana materialized on my back between my wings and a leather half mask appeared in my hand. I turned the lights off as Umbra opened the window and curtains, we shared one last kiss before I put my mask on, and out the window we went.

I glanced over my shoulder as Umbra flew the opposite direction from which I went before I turned my attention back to the task at hand, my nose drawing the air in through the slits cut into the mask for breathing while being alert for the faintest scent that came from either vamponies or their lackeys. My eyes roamed the streets below, never stilling in my search. I went from street to street, methodically hunting as I subconsciously relished the wind on my wings. I had been searching for nearly two hours before I caught the scent I was looking for and dove to a rooftop for a closer look at the few pedestrians below me.

I disregarded the little old mare with saddlebags of groceries across the street and focused just below me. A pair of unicorns stumbling down the street caught my attention with their boisterous, drunken singing but I turned my eyes to a more promising sight in the end of the alley beside the building I perched on. A rather thin gray stallion with a black mane approached a lone teal furred unicorn mare with a dirty blonde mane who had a cigarette clamped in her lips while she was looking the other direction and called out to her. Her light orange eyes caught the light of a lamppost as she whipped around in fear.

"You didn't bring the coven their cut last week", the stallion rasped before coughing a couple times. "Ya better have it on ya."

"Come on, Gruff", she sighed and blew out a stream of smoke. "Da buckin' business was so slow last week I barely paid my rent."

"Not my problem", he growled and stepped closer menacingly as she shrank down. "You've had half a week of work already, so cough up what you made so far."

"But how am I su-", she began but was silenced when he slapped her in the mouth knocking her cigarette out of her lips.

"I ain't ask for no lip", he shouted and stood over the cowering mare. "Make with the cash or I'll drag ya sorry carcass to the cattle pen!"

I fought with the desire to kill the bastard where he stood but stayed put as I continued to watch. In a flash of light a drawstring pouch appeared in the air and the thug caught it before it hit the street. He hefted the bag and turned away, pausing to kick her in the ribs with a warning about trying to cheat the coven. I waited until he was a full block away before I summoned a pouch with fifty bits in it and dropped it near her, backing away before she could look up. I then flew from rooftop to rooftop, following the stallion as he shook down other delinquent prostitutes and drug dealers in the city. Each prostitute he harassed found themselves with a mysterious bag of bits after he left but not a single one saw me.

Eventually he made his way to the poorer part of town and the buildings were smaller, meaning I ran a greater risk of being spotted, so I cast an invisibility spell on myself as I waited on the top of a two story building. He spent the next half hour talking and laughing with a group of stallions just barely into adulthood as flasks of liquor and blunts were passed around the group. He retold his encounter with the first prostitute amidst laughter and jokes about taking "other payment" but he simply shrugged and turned as another thug approached the group. The newcomer joined the conversation but turned as my target began crossing the street, calling out to him.

"I gotta turn these bits in to Mister Blood Moon", the stallion called Gruff hollered back. "Gotta do it before he goes to sleep! Don't worry mom, I'm comin' right back out!"

I settled down into a more comfortable position as he went inside and waited. And waited. And waited. Nearly an hour later Gruff's lifeless body was carried out of the abandoned building and thrown down the steps by a rather large earth pony stallion. My eyes widened as the stallion called the group over and spoke to them, demanding to know if any of them knew he had been followed, which they all denied. My blood froze as they all turned to stare right at my hiding spot and the unicorn of the group turned to face me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I scrambled over the back of the roof, dropping into the alley behind the building right as a blast of magic ripped through the spot I had just been crouched. Seconds later I heard voices coming toward me and I groaned in pain before teleporting back to the hotel room and mentally calling Umbra back to me.

"What happened", she demanded before her hooves touched down on the carpet where I still lay.

"I found the coven", I grinned wearily as I lay back on the floor. "Their unicorn lackey almost blew me away."

"You mean there are two covens here", she almost shouted.

"Do what now", I asked hesitantly.

"I followed a pair of thralls to a mansion outside of town that has a high wall around the perimeter", she replied with a concerned face. "Luna never mentioned two bucking covens!"

"Well, fuck."