*blows the trumpet* Hear ye! Hear ye! The time of the shadows hast cometh to an end! Before ye stands the final chapter. *chucks trumpet over shoulder* Ya heard me. Last chap of SoT BUT this isn't the last you'll see of this world. There is a sequel planned. As to when that'll be written...*shrug* I've a life, on top of several other fics. It'll come about when it does. Until then, I wish to thank everyone who's followed the story thus far, who's reviewed, faved, and followed.

*bows* Thank you. I had so much fun writing this, I laughed at the antics, the tennis balls and pranks, I cried at their perils, and now I stand before you, knowing what is to come and cackling my ass off because you are going to hate me when you reach the end.

Luna Whitewolf: It makes me incredibly happy to hear you love it. As you have asked so do you receive. Enjoy the chap!

PhantomBrat: Experimenting with the wolves, playing with the transformations and the do's and don'ts of this changed world has been...something of a ride in itself. So much has changed about the YGO world but there are still several things that remained the same. Life does have that tendency to get caught up in your crawl. I should know, I'm only twenty-three yet feel like I've lived thrice that. *snort* That said, thank you for your amazing words and I hope to see you back around when the sequel does go live.

Before I let y'all go running off, I wish y'all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or whatever holiday you may celebrate. To the good days and the bad, the smiles and the cheers. Live a good life. NOW!

Go have fun, discover what lies in wait for our favorite pair.

Chapter 29

Into a Brighter Future

Shocked, Yugi takes a step back, staring at the spirit of the puzzle with wide eyes. W-W-What?

Mauve eyes gleam in amusement and a certain amount of worry that leaves Yugi trying to decide if the spirit has some ulterior motive for him and his wolf. Tell me you have not seen it. Tell me you have not felt the void that lies within you.

Hearing the quiet plea in Heba's tone Yugi forces himself to calm down before thinking on the Queen's words. He doesn't understand what the void is but thinking back to when he'd taken the pendant off the ghost of an achingly bitter chill travels down his spine. When he wore the pendant the chill was nonexistent, what he assumed to be Yami's presence filling the…

Loneliness. He breathes, his gaze questioning. Even before I solved the puzzle I always felt lonely, like something was missing and then I completed the puzzle and I wasn't lonely anymore. Before I finally met Yami, to be honest. That was you?

Heba nods, his eyes showing relief. Yes. On a subconscious level, your soul recognized me as one would a long-lost sibling. When—

Wait, Yugi interrupts, a horrifying thought occurring to him. Does that mean that Yami is-is only with me because of you? To think the wolf would be bound to him if only for his soul being linked to Heba's. Everything they'd gone through, everything they'd experienced, it would mean absolutely nothing if Yami only wanted Heba back. Unbidden, a burning sensation builds behind his eyes. He closes them, fighting to force back the sensation and the coming onslaught of tears. The teen doesn't want to cry here, not in front of Heba and most certainly not in front of Yami.

When the skin of his cheek tickles with a nearly cold touch, amethyst eyes fly open to find Heba standing within reach, mauve eyes soft with an unspoken apology. His ring-adorned hand, which had brushed Yugi's cheek, falls back to his side and he sighs. You and I truly are of one soul. I'd felt much the same when I would watch Atem have to entertain the ladies and princesses from other courts. Jealousy and anger were emotions I was no stranger to but, Other Me, please listen. Atem doesn't realize the one for which he keeps his heart are two sides of the same coin, how could he when he hasn't the memories to know the difference.

Why doesn't he? The teen asks cautiously, well aware of Heba's flickering form now that he's close enough to see it. Indeed, since he'd discovered that bit of knowledge during winter break he'd been curious to the cause of it. Neither Mana nor Yami had an answer which left him with no other avenues to search. Now…

Atem is Horus' favored wolf. His strongest, bravest, most loyal. If there is any the God wishes to continue to survive, it is him. To lose him over something as trifling as grief is not in the cards. In a way, he has suffered more than any other because of the favoritism but tell me, Other Me. Would you wish for something different now that you have met him? Realizing the hypocrisy of the statement, Yugi looks at the wolf in question, hesitant to speak what is on his mind.

Would it be selfish to say no? Just this once, he wants something not to help others but to help himself. To have something no one else does and know that no one can take it from him. He wants Yami to love him as much as he loves the wolf.

To his surprise the former Queen's lips twitch toward something resembling a smirk, his eyes alight with a knowing expression. I thought you would say as much. And his smirk begins to melt away, his eyes falling to the subject of their conversation. Now that you're in this, there is no backing out. The Gods have already decided that but there is something you do not yet know about your position. Something you need to know.

Yugi remains quiet, allowing the spirit to gather his thoughts. After a moment, his shoulders settle, the golden collar glinting in the light. Before I explain what you need to understand why. You already know about the bond keeping the three of us linked through the puzzle. What you don't know is that at one time the puzzle wasn't so convoluted. There were no traps, extra rooms, or mazes within mazes. No, He pauses, taking a deep breath. I did that.

When I regained enough consciousness to realize what was going on within the tomb I found Atem drowning in grief and guilt. He would just lay in the corner of the crypt and replay our memories over and over again. I couldn't do anything physically to keep him distracted but as I explored the puzzle and the bindings of the spell I discovered I could help him by reaching through his soul room. There were times I could sense Ra's passage of time and I would send the feeling of ants under his skin to make him stir. Granted, he would leave the tomb and run but when he returned he would bury himself in the memories again. Eventually, I discovered I could urge him to stay away from his memories by using his grief and guilt against him. I didn't want to, but it was the only way I could save the man within the wolf. Layer after layer, trap after trap, I used the puzzle to create a maze, not even he could traverse to hide this room from him. But in doing so I learned it took away a part of his power. For all he is strong with his magic, the shadows, and his wolf, Atem always has been and always will be a creature of emotion. By blocking him from his heart I kept him from being the Great Alpha he is supposed to be.

If it was for his good, why have you been pushing for him to come now? Yugi quietly asks.

You completed the puzzle. He states it as if it answers everything then chuckles when he catches Yugi's confused look. When the puzzle fell into your hands I spent that time learning about you through the thoughts and emotions you sent into the puzzle. I had no way of knowing what Atem was doing because the distance was too great but when you completed it the connection was returned. As you two spent more time coming to know each other I knew you were the one who would be able to protect him, to show him the light I couldn't. And when Mana managed to reconnect the link I knew it was time. You have to understand, Yugi. There is a war coming. The balance of power is shifting and the pack will need their Alpha at his strongest to weather it. He can't do that unless—

Unless we help him? Yugi finishes quietly.

The Queen sighs, nodding tiredly. You and I, our soul, we are the light. In granting Atem's wish, Horus built in a check and balance for the strength he gave Atem. The pack may rule the shadows but they are nothing without the light to cast them. And the one who would pick up that mantle needs to be strong themselves. Atem loves with his whole being. To give you his heart is the ultimate testament and until recently I hadn't been sure you were ready for the task of guarding it.

To his surprise, Heba finally leaves his position protecting Yami's heart and approaches the wolf to run a hand over his head.

Atem, my dear Pharaoh. The Queen leans his head forward to rest it against Yami's and for the first time since they stepped into the cavern, Yugi watches Yami react, reluctantly leaning into the touch. You are a stubborn fool and you were always my fool but...Love, it's time you move forward. All you ever do is look over your shoulder, yearning for our time together when you have so much to look forward to. I've watched for too long now your heart grow dimmer with Horus' passing.

Before Yugi's eyes, Yami changes forms, falling into Heba's welcoming arms, and for the first time since the teen has known the wolf, he finds tears glittering in the corners of Yami's eyes like shining gems. 'Ba, The wolf gasps, desperately clinging to the spirit as anger, grief, betrayal, love, doubt, and many more emotions flood their link. Behind Yugi, the room grows brighter as the flame flares, the temperature rising dramatically and Heba hushes the wolf, setting his chin on Yami's head.

I know, 'Tem. Open your heart, let him in and I'll always be by your side. For five thousand years I've watched you tear yourself apart again and again but in the end, it was my choice. I did what I needed to save you. I can't regret what I did but I should've apologized for hurting you much earlier. Please forgive me?

Unable to speak, Yami can only nod as the emotions in their link change once more. Grief still colors the link but it's lighter, tempered by compassion, overwhelming love, and such understanding that it nearly has Yugi's head spinning. Slowly, Heba guides them to their feet, the duo fitting together in each other's arms as if they were puzzle pieces made solely for the other. When Yami has his feet solidly under him, he swallows, looking up so that crimson meets mauve for what the teen knows will be the last time. I forgive you if you'll forgive me? He murmurs it so quietly, Yugi almost doesn't catch it.

Heba smiles softly, his feet beginning to fade away in a soft wind made of golden sand. Pharaoh of my heart, your light rose with Ra, set with Horus, and guided my life until the day I gave it to protect you. I forgave you long ago. Love him as you loved me. Show him Ra's gifts, dance under Horus' eye. Give him the eternity I could never give you. He cups Yami's cheek, wiping away the falling tears with a soft touch. I love you, Atem.

I love you too, Heba. With that Heba's form is wiped away in a whirlwind of sand.

Yugi watches in fascination as the whirlwind approaches him, surrounding him. Protect him, Yenē ākali, his heart now belongs to you. As the whirlwind closes around him, cutting him off from Yami and surrounding him with a presence that is as familiar as the beat of his heart and yet so different Yugi finds himself filled with the happiness of being reunited. A space within him he hadn't realized had been so empty is suddenly filled like welcoming an old friend after a long time apart.

The sand fades away, leaving Yugi to look at his hands, turning them over, balling his fists, and opening them again in wonder. He hadn't known he'd been missing a part of himself before but now that it's back he knows he would miss it severely if it were to disappear. He shudders in joy at the feeling before Heba's words catch up to him and he turns around looking for his wolf. Yami hasn't gone far, he only stands a handful of feet away watching the teen with shock and apprehension in equal parts. Yami, Yugi trails off, unsure what to say to the wolf now knowing what he does.

He needn't have worried though. Yami's expression softens, his crimson eyes carrying that same warmth they've always had for him. The wolf stalks forward and before Yugi knows it, he's looking up into Yami's eyes for the one thing he's been looking for since this adventure started. I'm sorry, Yugi. I should've realized it when you first pulled away and fixed it before we got to this point. I love you, Yugi, with all that I am and all that I ever will be.

Despite himself, an irrational fear rises to the forefront of the teen's mind and he frowns, searching crimson eyes for an answer. And Heba? We are one and the same, pieces of one soul. Am I simply his reincarnation? He doesn't want to ask, afraid to hear the answer but he knows he needs to ask. None of the others at school are a worry to him anymore. Any fear he had felt of them is done and gone in light of what he's learned...But a worry has him fearing he'll always be second best to Yami's first love. Atem's Queen and willing to give his life to protect the man turned wolf standing before him.

Grief flashes in his eyes, brief in comparison to the state he's lived in for too long. A small part of Yugi knows that it will always rise when it comes to the Queen. Heba is my past, Little One. I will always love him, but you are my present and my future. For as long as we live you will forever and always be my special one. Any remaining fears Yugi has are swept away like leaves in a gale and he purrs, leaning into Yami's touch.

I love you, Yami. And as Yami's lips brush his in a kiss so soft and sweet Yugi knows this is where he's meant to be. A soft sigh escapes him, allowing him to melt into the kiss. Content as they are, they eventually pull away and Yugi opens his eyes to find the area lit up with thousands of dancing colors. He looks at them in awe, turning around to look at the room as a whole. Yami wraps his arms around the teen's waist, pulling him against his front. In front of them, the heart's flames are no longer so small and calm, now they rage in an inferno of multi-colored sparks, floating over the darkness radiating joy and contentment with each ember.

XxX

Under a dark sky diluted by the glow of thousands of lights across the city a mass of shadows sits atop the summit of the highest skyscraper. Emerald eyes, sharper than the most beautifully cut gems, track the waning crescent moon as it makes its nightly path. When a soft chime breaks the night air the only response is an ear flicking in the direction of the doors sliding open on the opposite side of the roof.

As soft footsteps move away from the elevator, the wolf huffs, emerald eyes turning away from the moon above to face the visitor. Seto. Mana greets the Beta quietly. I see you've finally found time to step away from your work.

The CEO gives an uncharacteristic snort, coming to stand beside the wolf. "More like Mokuba threatened to tell Bakura who hid his daggers if I didn't. I wouldn't care what happened if I didn't know for sure Bakura would trash the building again." Mana rolls her eyes, her snout turning to the sky once more. In the faint light from the elevator, the white fur along the top and side of her snout stands out stark against the cloud of shadows that wreathe her form.

One of these days, he will learn and you will pay for it. He's much stronger than you realize. Of all the wolves in the pack, Mana knows that better than anyone. Why he hasn't tried for the Alpha position I can't say, but if he wanted to, he very well could take it.

"I doubt that." The brunette mutters. "If we follow this line of thinking then he let me win all those fights. There's no way a wolf with his size ego could willingly back down from a fight like that."

Mana sighs, turning to look at him. There are many things about the history of the pack and of the original pack you do not know, Seto. Yes, you know where we originate from. Yes, as the right-hand Beta of the Great Alpha you know more than most but I can guarantee you will never understand what drives a wolf like Bakura. Seto arches a brow, his body language openly asking Mana to explain and she snorts, rolling her eyes. Males, all of you are so alike in your want to make a fight over the simplest things. Bakura is waiting—We all are in fact.

"Waiting for what? Who is we?"

The Sorceress is about to reply when a shudder travels up her spine, curling into the ball of magic that resides within her chest. Her eyes flying wide, she jumps up, staring in the direction of the elevator. Along her back, her hackles stand on end, the shadows writhing in excitement and worry. That wave of energy...It has been millennia since she last felt that power but she still remembers it clear as day. He's back. She thinks excitedly, unaware she'd accidentally broadcasted the thought to the Beta.

"Who's back? Mana?!" Racing for the elevator doors, she returns to her human form, ferally grinning at Seto.

"Yami." She breathes. "He's—They're—awake."

XxX

A loud thud draws graphite eyes away from the papers in his hands. Platinum hair, partially escaping the tie it's confined by, falls into his eyes and Bakura growls, glaring at the duo of men who'd let the wooden crate fall so carelessly. "You idiots." He snaps. "If the artifacts in that crate break the Chinese Embassy will have my ass. And if they have mine I have yours and your job. Do I make myself clear?"

The men jump to attention, the subtle bitter scent of fear clinging to their heels. "Y-Yes, Sir." One of them sputters before they take off to grab the next crate. Bakura huffs, going back to the papers in his hands. He knows they're new hires, having been there only a month now, and haven't had the time to get over their fear of him but the Beta doesn't particularly care. Not when the artifacts in the crate are priceless.

Once he's finished going over the paperwork, he pulls a pen from his pocket, signs off on them, and hands the copy of the transfer papers to the truck driver. Going by the bags under the driver's eyes, Bakura knows the man has driven through the night to get the delivery here, even as late as it is. Coming from the Sendai shipping yard on the West Coast through the mountains was a foolish move on the Chinese Embassy's part but for the Museum Director, it had only taken a short call to ensure the delivery arrived without trouble.

Setting his copy of the delivery papers attached to a clipboard down on a worktop nearby Bakura grabs a crowbar from the shelf below and approaches the crate. He might be more snappish as of late, what with worry for his Alpha bogging his mind but new artifacts being delivered to the museum always has a way of cheering him up and with these rumored to come from a settlement of which used to be another pack of Wolves by a Chinese Packmate, he's excited to see what they'd uncovered.

With ease, he slots the crowbar in between the slats separating the top from the sides, and pushes, feeling the nails give way. He repeats it four times until the top comes off leaving a crate filled with straw revealed under the bright lights of the museum workroom. Bakura grins, his graphite eyes sharp. Pulling on a pair of latex gloves he carefully pushes aside a handful of straw to reveal the first artifact.

Removing it from the straw he lifts it into the light, marveling at the smooth, well-crafted clay pot. "Third Dynasty," He mutters, remembering much the same craftsmanship from his time exploring the area. As he gently turns the pot around he catches sight of a handful of what would appear to be a child's doodles drawn in the clay before it dried. Unable to help himself, he gently runs a thumb along the doodles, recognizing one or two as the symbols for his kind. Not a moment later the sound of footsteps down the hall has him pulling on his stern mask once more. He frowns in concentration, gently shaking the pot to get a sense of the weight. "Slightly, if barely off balance, but consistent width. A craftsman then."

Setting the pot down on the table his eyes catch the doodles once more. With at least one child as an apprentice. He adds mentally before turning to the employees carrying the next crate through the door. With it being half as big as the first he nods toward a nearby worktop. "Set it over there and don't drop it." Once the employees nod, Bakura turns back to the crate only to stop when a shudder travels up his spine.

The Beta pauses, blinking in confusion before he smiles, the expression surprisingly soft. "So he's back." He murmurs under his breath. The startled look his employees share almost goes unnoticed. When he hums a soft tune under his breath the men turn and run, apparently deciding to get the job finished is more important than asking him about his sudden change in mood.

XxX

"Who the fuck you think you are? I ain't done nothin' wrong! Let me go!" Azure eyes trail after the human, watching him fight against the same silver cuffs no human has ever been able to escape. After several more choice lines, the arrestee is finally tucked into the back of a police car where the door quiets his protests and Seth shakes his head, turning to the police officer standing beside him.

"You sure you're okay? That was a nasty fall." The Officer, a man with honey brown hair and ocean green eyes shrugs.

"Eh, it ain't nothing that won't be okay with a hot shower." And the Officer frowns, eyeing the former Beta in return. "I've never seen knife skills like that before. Thought all you special agents only knew how to shoot a gun."

Seth smiles, his gaze more predatory than it should be. "I've learned a lot of things over my time. You'd be surprised what you pick up when no one's paying attention." He can sense the wolf hanging out in the shadows nearby, any wolf in the area can, but unlike the wolves bound to the nearby pack, he's unable to read the wolf's reason for following him. The officer nods, his green eyes gleaming. Curious, Seth takes a second look at the human's body language, his wolf purring with amusement when he realizes the Officer is much more intrigued by his skills than he lets on.

"Special Agent Sennen!" A call of his name reminds the former Beta he doesn't have time to spare with getting into the semantics of what the human so obviously wants to learn so decides to take a somewhat less direct path.

"Tell you what." He starts calmly, barely acknowledging the force storming toward them. "If you want to look into new experiences I'd suggest coming to NIS, but that's only if you're able to keep up." If the grin he gives the officer is a little more predatory than necessary, who's to call him out on it? Most certainly not the resident Pack Leader nearly stepping on his tail.

The Officer looks thoughtful, distractedly turning away to go on with his own business. As Seth turns his attention to the huffy Alpha standing behind him a shudder travels up his spine and he halts mid-step, blinking in confusion. Magic like that, he hadn't felt in almost… Cousin. Azure eyes snap to the west, staring in the direction of his home and his pack, the one he had to leave behind to fulfill the wishes of the Gods. To the person who has broken the seal, I pray you to understand the weight you've taken upon yourself. Cousin may act difficult but he is not as difficult as he seems.

"Special Agent Sennen?" Shaking himself of his stupor, the former Priest turns back to the task at hand.

XxX

Amidst thick shadows cast by trees, darting through the flocks of colorful parrots and sleeping snakes, over rivers filled with piranhas and caiman alike a mass of shadows slides to a stop on a branch three times his height in the air, panting in exhilaration. Standing tall, shoulders thrown back, and head held high the wolf is the full picture of pride and elegance. Sapphire eyes scan the ground below, tracking the footsteps of humans left in the thick mud of the recently flooded river.

Tchal, Alita. He quietly commands. From the shadows of a tree on his right, a wolf colored in the dark brown of the amazonian trees emerges, its form slightly smaller than his own. Mirroring the first, another emerges on the left. Flank to the right. Report their numbers. Alita, flank to the left, see if you can spot the cages. He receives twin huffs of agreement before the wolves dart off in opposite directions leaving him in the tree by himself.

A shudder travels up his spine and Mahad pauses, his white snout lifting to the air, he sighs softly at the familiar magic. Then he chuckles, the sound resembling a huffing bark that sends a flock of birds scattering. Wanderer? The quiet voice tickles his ears.

Mahad flicks an ear in return, shaking his head. It is naught to worry of. What are the reports?

Ten armed humans, three on the opposite side of the encampment, three on this side, and four gathered by the cages. The Magician nods in understanding, leaping down from the tree to stalk toward the encampment ahead.

As the tents come in sight through the undergrowth, another voice reaches his hearing. Twenty cages, Wanderer. Ten are empty, three are small, one is medium, and another holds a leopard.

Mahad settles low to the ground, eyeing the different groups. After a moment a plan comes to mind and he forces himself to stay calm lest he gives away his position. Very well. Tchal, take the group on the opposite side. Alita, take those closest to your position. Once the humans are dealt with we will take care of the animals.

Receiving a quiet Yes, Wanderer. From both wolves, the Magician and former Beta waits until the humans aren't looking in the location of either of his companions before darting forward out of the brush. He snarls, easily gaining the humans' attention and when one of them raises a gun at him the other wolves spring into action.

XxX

"Of all the idiotic, ridiculous things you could do." If possible, the flatter less lump of a human-shaped wolf slumps even more into the wooden floor below him. It doesn't matter to the raven-haired Seer he looks like he's about to be sick. It doesn't matter his ears burn red from the harsh lashing she's already given him. More importantly, she doesn't care if the rest of the pack is standing in perfectly straight rows, their backs straight, chins low, and pitiful whines escaping some of the youths.

Isis turns on her heel, orchid eyes ablaze with anger. "I've about had it with your antics. I've seen pups, not even a decade old with more sense than the lot of you seem to share. Ra, I've seen human children that are smarter than you. Time and time again, I've given you chances to change your ways and become a pack worth respecting. And then you had to go and do this?!" She scowls, pointing at a crumpled Scottish newspaper, the headline reading Drunken Brawl leads to Burned Down Pub.

"If I didn't know better I would say you want me to separate the pack." A visible flinch travels through the pack, each looking if possible, even more, regretful and afraid.

At last, one of the wolves in the front row, a slim male with long fiery red hair looks up, brazen blue eyes meeting angry orchid, hope slowly seeping from the age-old eyes. "Please, Wanderuh, I beg of yuh, if nah for muh Alphuh, then fuh the yougins'. We can make this righ', jus give uhs anothuh chance."

The Wanderer pauses, contemplating his words when a shudder travels up her spine, lodging within the ball of magic resting under her breast. She inhales, closing her eyes to observe the wave of magic, and upon recognizing it she's unable to stop the smile that curls her lips. They did it. They broke the seal. Mahad, are you proud they are whole once more? Seth, can you be happy now that your Cousin is? Mana, please take care of them. Don't let them go like we were forced to. Please, with all your might, fight to keep them whole. He is no longer Pharaoh, he is Yami, Great Alpha of the Shadow Clan, we are his power as much as he is ours.

Opening her eyes, Isis finds the pack looking at her in fright and the anger within her dulls from the blaze it had been moments before. Exhaling, she turns to the Beta, hope returning to her orchid eyes. "You will have one more chance to prove yourselves to me. Hamish, I give you one more chance. Come the night of the new moon you will challenge the Alpha for his position. If you are not strong enough to take leadership of this pack on the night when Horus is blind then the Scotland pack will fall in Time's march and you will relocate to packs of my choosing. Do I make myself clear?"

The pack as a whole looks hesitant, unsure as to the answer to her question but just as Isis begins to doubt the faith she has put into these wolves, the Beta Hamish clenches a fist, fire in his brave blue eyes. "I accept yuhr challenge, Wanderuh. The Scotlund pack will change, we will be wolves tuh be proud uf."

XxX

Faster. He pants, his sides heaving. Have to be faster. Have to warn them. The African savannah blurs under his racing form, sparse trees, grass that nearly reaches his stomach, animals, both nocturnal and diurnal pass at a speed that would leave a human sick to their stomach.

Now though, that speed is the only thing keeping him going. When he'd woken with Ra the morning before, Shada hadn't the slightest idea of what was to come when Ra reached his peak. After having barely stopped a group of poachers from finishing off a herd of elephants, to have heard the news of such plans…

Faster. The once Beta and Priest snarls, urging his paws to eat up the distance that much quicker. I cannot be late. I refuse to be late. Gods above hear my plea, grant me the speed to save them. As if in answer, a shudder travels up his spine, curling into the ball of magic in his chest and lending him the energy he'd been lagging before. His pace evens out, and though he cannot do much more than keep his breathing steady he sends a flicker of acknowledgment and gratitude in the direction of his home and pack.

Pharaoh, forgive me if I cannot welcome you back personally. I cannot in good conscience abandon my mission here. Not when so many are in danger. To the one who gave them back, thank you, young one.

Off in the distance, a flicker of smoke can be seen curling from the dying embers of cooking fires. If possible, Shada picks up the pace, sliding to a stop in the middle of the village where, with sides heaving, he barks a warning loud enough to wake even the deaf. If it were any other situation he would howl with joy but now is not the time.

XxX

Red dirt, dyed black under a dark sky and a sliver of a moon. Soft footsteps, muffled more by well-worn moccasins, and the whisper of a robe impervious to tangling thorns or briars. Hidden under a hood, a soft eye turns to the dancing stars overhead.

"What is this?" The man murmurs, his voice raspy from disuse in a language no mortal remembers. Above, the sky shifts around the waning crescent moon, and a frail, bony hand comes up to settle against a neatly trimmed triangular beard out of line with the well-worn edges of the sand-colored robe. "So it would seem." He hums, turning back to the herd of Kangaroo currently tucked away in their nests of grass.

"Nut is restless, Geb is excited, and Horus seems...on edge. Were it not for the fact the Equinox is not for another three turns I would dare say something exciting is occurring." In answer to his question, a painful shock charges through him. He grunts, falling to a knee and a hand comes up to cover the left side of his face. Panting, he waits for the pain to subside before he dares to look at the sky Goddess.

"I see." With that, he falls quiet once more, wary of angering the Gods as he'd done so long ago. Carefully rising to his feet, one last shudder of pain travels through him and he sighs, his hand wrapping around the well-worn walking staff he'd set into the dirt. Welcome back, Pharaoh. May things turn out much different than before.

XxX

Silent as the night, deadly as the darkness, a shadow trails behind a woman down the street. Her gait, a slip past shakey shows she's had one too many drinks to be out this late at night. Her dress meant to be an attraction for any number of willing men who'd been at the club. She never notices the shadow impossibly clinging to her heels under the light of the street lamps.

Unseen, a man dressed in black follows her every step. Cyan hair, pinned back in a tie, leaves two long bangs to frame what could be considered a cute face if predator sharp eyes didn't make the entire expression appear slightly more sinister. When the woman turns down an alley, he grins, sharp white teeth appearing in the darkness resembling a blood-thirsty Cheshire grin before following after her.

As they move further into the alley the pendant hanging around his neck begins to glow a sickly green color, eventually glowing bright enough to cause the woman to look back. Having discovered her tail, fear begins to take over her scent, leaving a bitter tang that only excites him more. When she turns to run she discovers she's trapped, a strange green circle appearing under her feet and preventing her escape.

The man takes his time, slowly stalking toward his prey, reveling in the sharp scent of her fear and the underlying sweet tone of copper that serves as a dinner bell in his mind. Confident, almost arrogant in his approach, he enters the green circle, reaching out with one hand to catch the woman by her throat. Pinning her against the invisible barrier, he softly, ever so gently, trails his tongue up her neck before leaning forward and biting down on the artery.

At first, her struggling is strong, grasping, scratching, anything and everything in an attempt to escape the monster but as he continues to drink her struggles grow softer and soften until eventually, she stops fighting altogether. When he can get no more from her body, he lets go, allowing the body to fall to the ground like a puppet without its strings.

Stepping out of the circle the man licks his lips, cleaning up the remainder of the blood before muttering several words under his breath. The circle glows brighter then shrinks, disappearing and taking the body along with it.

As the vampire turns away he witnesses something akin to a pale crimson wave shoot across the sky. Curious, he watches the wave expand until it smacks into the vampire face first. A muted green shield forms around him, protecting him from the backlash of what he can tell is extremely powerful magic. Once the wave is gone he licks his lips, starving even though he'd just eaten.

With one last glance at the direction, the crimson wave had originated the Vampire steps into the shadows, his Cheshire-like grin the last to fade into the darkness.

XxX

To Be Continued in Book 2

Hunting Among the Shadows