A/N: Inspired by just about any supernatural sci-fi/fantasy thing I've ever read. In particular, a shout out to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files… 1x2, 3x?, 5x?, 4x? Expect multiple pairings, some het and some not, and also some breakups and…changes.
Warnings: Language, violence, sex, language. Angst. AU. Gore.
A/N #2: Thank you for the reviews! And as a reminder, if you aren't logged in and if you don't accept PMs I can't respond to your reviews. So… just know that I appreciate them!
A/N #3: If any of you are unhappy with Heero's lack of face-time – or time with Duo, for that matter – just know that it's going to be picking up, and his relationship with Duo is continuing to develop. Don't give up hope! This fic is not going to become a surprise 2x3 – Heero and Duo DO belong together in this story, but that doesn't mean that their relationship is going to be very conventional. If you want a straight 1x2 with nothing else, I'm going to tell you now that you WILL be disappointed. That said, expect to see a LOT more of Heero after the next few chapters. And with that, expect more 1x2 action.
Umbra
Chapter Seven
Duo woke early on Wednesday to go shopping in preparation for the Summoning the following evening. He needed to replace his leather pants – ruined courtesy of Meilin – and he found it exceedingly difficult to find a decent pair of black leather pants that weren't skin tight. In the end, he decided to go for quality over comfort, and found a pair that while snug, at least allowed him to move easily.
The Summoning was a blend of reverence and festival, and Duo decided to purchase a long, black leather duster and black vest to go with his new pants and high collar black shirt. When he tried the duster on he instantly fell in love, and he wondered why he hadn't thought to purchase one before.
It was nearly noon when he finished shopping, and Duo returned to his condo to wait for Trowa.
By one he still hadn't heard from Trowa and decided to text him.
When he still didn't have a response by two, he called.
At four he called again and left a message.
By sunset, Duo forced himself to face the fact that Trowa was not going to show up.
He wondered if Trowa had, in fact, not been okay with being his Soul Mate and was taking this opportunity to run away to Spain. Trowa struck him as the kind of man who would at least break up with someone before running away, however, and Duo told himself that that wasn't why Trowa hadn't shown.
His next thought was that Duo's would-be assassins might have gotten to him, but that kind of collateral just wasn't done much these days – besides, if that was the case, surely they would have called to demand that Duo meet them and ransom his lover's freedom by now.
Quatre had some family dinner that night, and had closed the office for the day, which meant that Duo spent a lonely, sullen night visiting bars.
It wasn't until Thursday morning that inspiration hit and he rushed to the FBI's gas station headquarters in search of Hilde.
"What are you doing here?" Wufei demanded the instant Duo walked in.
"I thought I worked here," Duo said with a smirk.
Wufei glared. "I didn't realize you even knew the definition of work."
Duo was about to respond, but Hilde showed up and grabbed his arm and dragged him into her cubicle.
"Listen, I need a favor," he said to her after checking to see that Wufei had moved on.
"A favor I'm going to like giving you or the kind I regret for the rest of my life?"
Duo smirked. "Neither. I just need you to find out where Trowa is."
"Trowa?"
"By boyfriend – my Soul Mate. I guess we've moved past the boyfriend thing."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know – that's what I need you to find out. He didn't show up for our date yesterday, and I haven't heard from him since Tuesday afternoon."
"I can't start a police investigation because your boyfriend stood you up for a date," Hilde groused.
"I'm asking you to just pick up the phone and call Chippendales and ask if he showed up for work last night..."
She gave him a hard look.
"You want me to pick up the phone, call Chippendales, tell them that I'm an FBI agent wondering if Trowa Barton showed up to work last night." She paused. "How is that NOT going to make them think he's in trouble with the law?"
"When you say it like that, of course it sounds… can't you just, fuck, I don't know."
Hilde scowled at him, but after a moment she sighed and picked up her desk phone and dialed information. She scribbled down whatever number they gave her while simultaneously glaring at Duo, and he was impressed with her ability to multitask
. While she waited for an answer at Chippendales she continued to glare at him, but as soon as someone else picked up the other line she smiled and transformed into a terrifyingly sweet and charming person.
"Yes, hi, I'm Helen Smith with Nutri-Now Weight Loss systems and I was calling you to ask about contracting a few of your employees for our next advertising campaign – we'd love to use them as the dates that our women who have lost weight go out with. Yes, I'll hold for your manager." She gave him a smug look.
"I don't really see where you're going with this," Duo told her.
"Wait and learn from the master," she told him. "Yes, hello, yes, this is Helen Smith. It's nice to meet you Debbie. Yes, yes, we shoot next week actually – during the day, of course – and I was wondering if you had a few performers with open schedules who might like the extra job. Hm? Oh, well, I've actually heard the most delightful things about Trowa Barton, and I was wondering if he was available? Could I maybe speak with him? Oh, that's too bad. I hope it's nothing serious. Hm, well, he was our first choice, but, would you mind emailing me the phone numbers for a few of the other men? Yes, my address is Helen-s-at-nutri-now. Thanks so much Debbie!"
Hilde hung up the phone and turned to Duo.
"He's off for the rest of the week, some kind of family emergency? His sister called yesterday to tell them."
"His sister? Why didn't he call?"
"I don't know. Maybe he's too busy crying his eyes out, or maybe he was on a plane, or – I don't know, Duo, but clearly he hasn't been kidnapped by your would-be assassin, so chill out."
"It's still weird that a grown man has his sister call in sick for him," Duo muttered.
His cell phone started to ring and he checked the caller ID to see that it was Quatre.
"What's up?" He asked.
"Catharine Bloom is in my office, demanding that I have the police investigate the torture and probable murder of several shape shifters last night."
Duo swore under his breath.
"Okay, I'll round up Hilde and Wufei and we'll be there soon," Duo said.
Wufei, silently fuming, drove them to Quatre's office in the black suburban that the FBI somehow thought blended in with all of the other cars on the road.
It took them nearly half an hour to get downtown, but Catharine Bloom was still waiting in Quatre's office when they arrived, and she looked almost as furious as Wufei did.
"Who are they?" She demanded when Duo, Hilde, and Wufei walked in.
"These are the police who investigate murders and crimes related to magic users," Quatre explained just as Duo opened his mouth. Quatre gave him a warning look.
"I wasn't going to be rude," Duo grumbled. Quatre looked disbelieving.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Wufei asked Catharine, his tone more neutral and polite than Duo had ever heard it before.
Catharine looked him over, as if deciding whether or not to trust him.
"These are it, princess," Duo told her, "he's in charge of the FBI unit that investigates magical crimes, and she's his assistant – either you tell them, or you get to figure this out on your own."
"Duo! She's been through a traumatic event!" Quatre scolded him.
"You could always just go to the Council instead," he told her, ignoring Quatre.
Catharine's eyes narrowed and he could feel her rage like a metaphysical slap on his face. Beside him, Hilde winced.
"The Council is responsible for these crimes," Catharine snapped.
"Great," Duo muttered and sat down. "This I've got to hear. What did the big bad Council to do the poor puppies this time?"
She looked ready to rip his throat out, but Wufei put one hand on her shoulder.
"Ms. Bloom, please ignore him and let's focus on figuring out what happened and what we can do to help you," he said.
Duo was impressed, and when Catharine actually did turn around to face Wufei instead of glaring at Duo, he allowed himself to relax. Despite the fact that both Quatre and Hilde were glaring at him instead.
"We had a meeting Tuesday night, and –"
"We?" Wufei interrupted.
"My…group."
"She means her illegal pack," Duo clarified. "Illegal because it's against Council law, and punishable by death to form a pack and meet."
"Duo, please," Quatre snapped.
"My group met on Tuesday because it was the full moon, and after our run we discussed politics and our plans for legally gaining our autonomy. But in the middle of our meeting we were attacked by a group of vampires. Three of our members were killed, two seriously injured, and one – one they took."
"Took?" Wufei echoed.
Catharine nodded. "They said they wanted to teach him a lesson."
"Him, would this happen to be…?" Duo trailed off, not wanting to tell the others about the fact that Catharine's illegal pack actually had an alpha controlling it.
She nodded, not meeting his gaze. Duo sighed.
"Do they– and who are they, by the way – know who he is?"
"They do, and they – it was Noin, Meilin, Rabia, Alexios, and Urshanabi."
"Urshanabi?" Hilde echoed. "Like the boatman from Gilgamesh?"
"Yeah, that's him," Duo confirmed. "He's about six thousand years old, but he's not crazy powerful. So, Catharine, you're telling me that five vampires managed to wreck your party when there were thirty or more of you and your… special friend was there too?"
"If we had wanted to, of course we could have killed them, but we are trying to do this the right way. We defended ourselves only."
"Shame you didn't defend yourselves a little better," Duo muttered. Then again, Noin was very powerful, and Urshanabi powerful enough that Duo would prefer to not have to ever fight the vampire again.
"Are you going to do anything about it or not?" Catharine demanded.
"It would be helpful to gather more witness statements, to see the bodies, to interview those who are injured…" Wufei suggested.
Catharine started to look cagey.
"They can't," Duo sighed, "these shape shifters all belong to Old Ones, am I right?" Catharine nodded. "If any of them spoke to you and their master's found out they could be punished, maybe even killed."
"This is ridiculous. How are we supposed to maintain justice if this Council has the authority to do whatever it wants?" Wufei demanded.
"Yeah, that would be the major flaw in you humans thinking you could make magic all legal and neat and tidy," Catharine growled.
"We can question the Council, though, can't we?" Hilde spoke up.
"You can't," Wufei told her.
She opened her mouth to start an argument with him, but Quatre spoke up.
"I will speak with them – I have a meeting with Lady Une tomorrow morning in any case. Duo, tonight, could you…maybe ask around for information?"
"You're going to the Summoning?" Catharine turned on Duo, her face suddenly filled with hope.
"Yeah…"
"Could you – my… friend… could you?"
"Could I what? Break him out of prison for you? The Council is perfectly within their rights to keep him and punish him as they see fit – wait, who does he belong to?"
She winced.
"He – we both belong to Treize."
"Oh fucking hell," Duo groaned. "Could you be any more stupid? You belong to the Head of the Council and you're trying to stage a revolution?"
"We shouldn't have to belong to anyone! We have the same rights as anyone else and I'm tired of listening to racist bastards like you say that we should just accept our fate! It's not right!"
"What's not right is a pack of half-mad werewolves marauding through Ireland killing entire villages. What's not right is an alpha shape shifter deciding that he wants to make himself a little harem of shape shifter juvenile girls to serve his pleasure. What's not right are children murdered in their beds whenever there's a full moon and a shape shifter without self-control wanders by. I've seen what you do to humans, so do not lecture me about what is right!"
"Things could be different!" She shouted at him.
"Well, they aren't!"
"Not yet," Quatre spoke up, his quiet voice nevertheless silencing both Duo and Catharine. "But we are working together to make this a better world for all of us, not just humans, not just vampires, not just Ephemerals, but everyone. That includes shape shifters and all other Old Ones."
"Please, just – find out if he's still alive."
Catharine's large eyes were filled with tears. Duo sighed.
"Sure, fine. I'll…ask."
"He's a lion. We're both lions."
"He's – he's that damn green eyed lion that sits at Treize's feet all the time, isn't he?" Duo demanded.
She nodded. "Treize likes to keep him close, to show him off."
Duo bit down on his desire to start cursing again.
"Okay, well, it's getting to be sunset, so I need to go. I'll… do what I can about your friend."
"He's my brother," Catharine added in a desperate whisper. "My little brother."
Duo closed his eyes. She reminded him, in that moment, of himself, pleading for the Old Council to spare Solo's life. He nodded to her.
"I'll do what I can," he promised her, confident that all he would be able to do would be to report his execution to her. Treize was, if possible, more obsessed with keeping shape shifters in their place than Duo was. The fact that his own lion was the alpha of an illegal pack would reflect very badly on him, and he would have to execute him just to save face.
Duo arrived at the Mandalay Bay penthouse just after sunset, dressed in his new black garb, and was immediately overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
Only Old Ones were present – no Ephemerals, no servants – and each of them were dressed their absolute best, as though they were waiting for their dream date to pick them up for the prom. Duo could taste their nervousness and excitement.
He had forgotten just how much this night excited everyone. He, personally, had never felt much excitement. He knew that had to do with the fact that, every year, he was disappointed with his failure to Summon Solo, but all of the other Old Ones managed to Summon their departed loved ones, and looked forward to the chance to be with them again the next year.
Duo was led to an outdoor balcony that seemed just as large as the Council chamber, and was already filled with Council members and powerful Old Ones who had been invited to the event. In the middle of the balcony a fire pit had been created, and a black cauldron was suspended above the flames.
"Good evening, Duo," Sylvia Noventa greeted him.
Unlike most of the Old Ones, who really did, in Duo's mind, look as though they wanted to pick up a hot date, Sylvia was dressed demurely, in a classical Roman chiton of blue silk. Her hair was loose, and she looked very young and very innocent. He felt a pang of guilt.
"You're going to Summon your father?" He guessed.
She nodded.
"Yes, I always do."
He flinched as she reached out to lay her hand on his arm.
"I want to apologize for what happened with the Arbiter last week. That… was not my intention. I suspected that Treize would try to bait him, but I had no idea he would be so successful."
"Yeah, me either," Duo grumbled. "Sylvia, has the Council been having trouble with their shape shifters recently?"
She pursed her lips. "I haven't. I don't keep any, I've never believed in their enslavement."
"I know, I know. I remember your lectures on the subject."
She smirked slightly but then turned more serious. "I've heard that there was some excitement recently… several Council members have been complaining about their shape shifters lack of respect." She shrugged. "I assume that Martha Vendomme's actions have inspired quite a few to rebel."
"Yeah, I'll bet." Duo realized that he hadn't asked about her, or Ralph, and he wondered if they were among the injured or dead.
"Please don't forget to add your Offering," Sylvia said before abruptly walking away from him.
"Duo, so good of you to join us."
He looked up to see Treize approaching. The vampire was wearing a red brocade frock coat, golden waistcoat, golden breeches, white stockings, and a white cravat. He looked every inch the eighteenth century French courtier. Treize hadn't emigrated to the United States until after the French Revolution, and Duo knew that the aristocrat missed his lifestyle in the elaborate French courts.
"It was generous of you to invite me," Duo said.
Treize smiled and gestured for Duo to approach the fire and cauldron.
"Please, would you like to make your Offering?"
"I think I'll wait a little while," Duo hedged.
"Afraid to be ignored yet again?" Treize teased. Before Duo could offer a retort, Treize waved a hand. "Actually, I'm glad that you wanted to wait. There is something I want to speak with you about."
Duo arched an eyebrow, but followed Treize as he moved to the perimeter of the balcony, away from the others who were already starting to Summon their spirits. Out of the corner of his eye, Duo watched as Sylvia slit her wrist open and allowed a steady flow of red to fall into the black cauldron on the fire. A wave of golden smoke rose, and a moment later, Noventa emerged, his spirit form a golden shadow of his former self. He floated towards Sylvia, and the two walked out of Duo's sight as more Old Ones pressed forward for their own Offerings and Summonings.
"The Old Council is sending an emissary."
Duo frowned. "When's the last time they sent one?"
"When we petitioned to execute you." Treize said it without anger or disappointment, and Duo allowed himself to feel a moment of smug victory.
"And before that… it was what, 1824?"
Treize nodded.
"Why now? Are you petitioning to execute me again?"
"No. It was made quite clear on the previous occasion that to bother the Old Council with such a request would be a waste of their time and ours."
Duo smirked.
"Yeah… sorry about that."
"As soon as Jason's reign is over, your protection from the Old Council will vanish," Treize assured him.
Duo shrugged. "Probably, but I doubt he's going anywhere anytime soon. He's a tough old bastard."
"The Old Council is concerned about the legislation being passed in this country. They were against the legalization of magic in the first place."
"Doesn't surprise me – legalization means that the nulls get to interfere."
"Exactly. The Old Council is struggling to keep any European legislation from progressing."
"Good luck with that – now that the US is legal, everyone else will follow."
Treize shrugged eloquently. "Perhaps. All the same, the Old Council believes that we – this Council – are losing our authority and our ability to control magical beings. They believe that the legalization of magic users will lead to a population spike in vampires and shape shifters, and that the resulting influx will create disorder."
Duo had to agree with them.
"And what do you think?" He asked Treize.
"I believe that the situation could turn out that way, or, if we are strong, we can prevent that sort of chaos. The Old Council is sending an emissary to see if I am, in fact, able to maintain order."
"So…" Duo was curious about how he, an enemy of Treize and this Council, fit into this. "Are you asking me to play nice?" He smiled. "Because you know I'm not very good at playing nice."
"No, I'm asking you to tame your Arbiter. Not because it's in my best interests – although it is – but because it is also in your best interests. If they think he is wild and free, they will have him killed."
"Or you will, and blame it on them," Duo guessed.
"No, if I wanted your human dead, I would have him killed. I have no need to hide behind others."
Treize looked past Duo to the cauldron.
"I must go, but please find me before you leave, there is one other piece of business we need to discuss. But, I will let you go and fail again at Summoning your partner."
Even after centuries, Duo was still impressed by the way that Treize could deliver an insult so smoothly. He watched the vampire mingle among the other Old Ones for a few minutes. He wondered who Treize would Summon. Unlike most Old Ones, Treize had never Summoned the same spirit year after year, but seemed to alternate between the spirits of some of his most spirited rivals. Duo was confident that Treize Summoned them just to rub it in their faces that he was still alive.
He saw Zechs walking around with an older, golden version of himself. Duo knew it was Zechs' father, having once met the man in the flesh before his death. Noin was walking around with some woman whom Duo did not recognize, and most of the other Old Ones had also Summoned their companions.
With a sigh, Duo approached the cauldron. He allowed himself to hope that this year, he might finally Summon Solo. He picked up the knife resting in the coals of the fire and used it to open a long cut on his forearm. He held the bleeding limb over the cauldron, and when his blood dropped into the steaming vat it hissed and a dark, golden cloud of smoke rose.
Duo focused on his memories of Solo and projected his desire to see the man into the smoke. He waited.
After fifteen minutes, the smoke remained a lifeless cloud and began to dissipate. For a second, Duo was struck with the crazy desire to Summon Anthony instead, but he buried it and stepped back from the smoke. After a few minutes it swirled away into the night sky, and Duo's hopes for a reunion were once again crushed.
He was convinced that Solo refused to come to him because he had yet to forgive Duo for succumbing to torture and then allowing him to die. They had once made a pact to never abandon each other, and Duo knew that Solo viewed his collaboration with the Old Council as abandonment – even if it had been out of a desire to protect Solo. The fact remained, they should have died together.
Duo wandered aimlessly around the balcony for half an hour, listening in on the conversations some of the Old Ones had with their spirits, but for the most part he was drowning in the same depression that hit him on this eve every year. Solo would never forgive him, and Duo knew that it would be a long, long time before he would join the other man on the spirit plane.
He spotted Treize speaking with Zechs and his father and made his way over to the men.
"Ah, giving up already?" Treize taunted him.
Duo scowled.
"Father, do you remember Duo Maxwell?" Zechs asked the golden spirit beside him.
"Yes, that bastard half-breed. Of course." The golden spirit looked at Duo disdainfully. "I still don't know why you bothered to save his life in the first place."
Zechs smiled at Duo. "At the time it certainly seemed worth the effort." He shrugged. "And the reward for it was exceptional. I would no doubt do it again."
Duo rolled his eyes, but decided not to say anything rude in front of Zechs' dead father.
"I should go," he said to Treize.
"Allow me to escort you out," Treize said and led Duo from the balcony. Instead of going towards the elevator, however, Treize led him to the Council chamber. The room was dark save for a few dim chandeliers that cast a faint, golden glow on the marble floor. In this light, the three circles seemed more sinister.
"Your Arbiter is only one of the many challenges we must resolve before the Council emissary arrives," Treize said. At the sound of his voice, two human servants appeared, and Treize gestured at them. They disappeared again.
"The others being?"
"The shape shifters are becoming…restless."
At least Duo had been lucky enough that Treize brought the subject up – he had been having trouble figuring out how to casually drop it into a conversation.
"Aren't they always?"
"Indeed. You and I, more than anyone else, understand just how dangerous shape shifters can be." And it was one of the few things that Treize and Duo agreed on – shape shifters were too dangerous to be free and allowed to roam in packs. During the Hamelin crisis, Treize had been one of the most vocal about the need to wipe out the free packs, and it had been the one time he had ever wholeheartedly supported Duo's actions as Executioner.
"What seems to be the problem this time?"
"The shape shifters have been inspired by the legislation and are pushing for their freedom and their desire to form packs again."
"Never gonna happen."
"I know that. You know that. I doubt the humans understand just how dangerous these creatures can be. Without a strong hand to guide them… I fear that the humans will have to learn the error of their ways in the most painful, gruesome way possible."
"What does this have to do with the emissary?"
"My own shape shifters have been actively participating in a… minor rebellion. Several decades ago – after you left – I acquired the most extraordinary pair of lions. Brother and sister, and nearly five thousand years old."
That took Duo aback – he had no idea Catharine was that old. She seemed fairly powerful, but Duo had encountered shape shifters with considerable more power than she had. He wondered about her brother, that green eyed lion that had stared at Duo during his punishment. How powerful was he?
"They claim to be the children of Narasimha."
"Um… 'fraid I don't know who that is."
"He is the Lion God, an avatar of Vishnu."
"The Indian god? They claim to be demi-gods?"
Treize nodded. "And I'm inclined to believe them. They are…truly extraordinary. Magnificent in both human and animal form. The girl, of course, I don't have much use for other than as decoration, but the boy… absolutely divine." Treize sighed. "Of course, he is prideful, but I've broken him in to an extent."
Duo mentally winced. He knew that Treize tended to mix his own pleasure with the pain of his bed partners, and that Treize often used his shape shifters as little more than toys to unleash his sadism on. The fact that a shape shifter would heal faster and better than any other Old One, Ephemeral, or null had always appealed to Treize. Duo remembered the parade of shape shifters that rotated out of Treize's bed. He also remembered – in fact would never forget – the two times that he had shared Treize's bed.
"And the problem would be?"
"They – the male, in particular - are attempting to form a pack."
"That's an offense punishable by death."
Treize sighed. "And if it were any other shape shifter, I would have already ordered their execution. But he is truly extraordinary. It would be a waste to kill him. I've been…disciplining him for the past two days, but to no real avail."
"Sounds like you might have to kill him – the emissary –"
"Exactly. Tell me, you, at one time, refused to obey the laws of the Council. You threatened to kill all of the Old Council, and in fact did kill three members – including the only shape shifter to ever sit on a Council. What made you begin to obey?"
Duo frowned.
"One hundred lashes from Deathscythe went a long way to changing my behavior," Duo conceded, "but… mostly I gave up on there being any other option."
"Exactly. If only my lion could be made to see just how little choice he has. But first, he must be made to see his own weakness – as you were. I need you to punish him."
"Me? You've got your two enforcers – Meilin and…"
"Rabia."
Duo nodded, filing that information away. The dark skinned vampire, then, was one of the ones who had attacked the shape shifters.
"What about them?"
"They are not strong enough to wield the Deathscythe."
Duo frowned. "I haven't touched it in over one hundred years – I don't – do you still have it?"
"Of course. I wouldn't let such a treasure disappear."
"So, you want me to punish your lion?" To Duo, it felt too much like easing back into his old role as Executioner.
"I need you to," Treize corrected, annoyance in his voice. "Meilin literally cannot wield it, and Rabia is… afraid. That weapon is the only thing that will crush the lion, and I want him crushed."
Duo frowned at the vehemence in Treize's voice.
"Do it out of your obligation to protect humans, if nothing else. You know what a pack of shape shifters could do, especially with a five thousand year old alpha to lead them."
Duo shuddered. He didn't even want to imagine that scenario.
"I'm not working for the Council again," Duo cautioned him.
"As if I would ever want you to," Treize sniffed.
One of the human servants appeared again, this time carrying a large, ivory case. Duo's breath hitched as he recognized it. Greedily, he reached out and opened the lid, revealing the beautiful, cursed weapon within.
Resting on a bed of black velvet, Deathscythe gleamed in the low light and as soon as Duo reached for it, he could feel the dark, seductive pull of its magic. It had missed him, that much was clear when he wrapped his hand around the leather grip on the handle. He could feel the dark spells on the whip practically sing in recognition of his own magic. He smirked.
He picked up the whip and stepped back, allowing the full length of the three silver cords to fall to their full extent, the silver scythes on the ends clanking against the marble floor. Duo gave a few experimental flicks of the whip, and he could feel the rush of magic from it and it made him almost giddy.
"Perhaps I am doing you a favor," Treize mused, drawing Duo's attention away from the weapon.
Duo frowned.
"You always were magnificent to watch when you worked." Treize sighed and waved one hand, and the human left again after carefully setting the ivory case on the marble floor near Treize's throne.
He returned a moment later with the other human servant, and between them they dragged a limp, naked body. Even in the low light, Duo could see that the man had already been tortured extensively – and since he was a shape shifter, it was clear that he hadn't been allowed to change forms, which would have helped to heal the injuries. His chest and back were already covered in whip lashes, and Duo didn't even need to study them to know that it was Meilin's handiwork. They criss-crossed in several places, and seemed to vary in their depth. It was poor work, and Duo was disappointed that the Chinese vampire hadn't been trained better. Then again, he supposed, there wasn't anyone to train her, without him at court anymore.
As the humans approached, Duo continued to examine the body. His head was bowed, so Duo couldn't see his face, but his hair was a striking, auburn shade that vividly reminded Duo of Trowa.
The humans stopped just in front of the large, black circle in the marble and waited for further instruction.
"I know he doesn't look like much right now, but perhaps, after he has been tamed, you will be able to see just how magnificent he is."
That sounded like Treize was offering to share his pet, and the thought did not appeal to Duo.
"I'm sure –"
As Duo started to speak he continued to examine the man's body and noticed a faint, dark blue lion tattooed on his right hip. He looked up to find that the man had lifted his head and was staring at him with the same disbelief that Duo knew was mirrored on his own face.
Sharp green eyes met Duo's and then narrowed. Duo quickly schooled his face into a neutral expression and looked at Treize. But Treize was still staring intently at his lion, at Trowa Barton, and hadn't even noticed Duo's recognition of the man who had claimed to be a null. The man who was, in reality, a five thousand year old shape shifter fathered by a lion god. The man who was Duo's Soul Mate.
Duo's grip tightened on Deathscythe. Once again, it seemed, Duo had been betrayed.
"I think that twenty five lashes should do the trick," Treize spoke up, interrupted the dark spiral of Duo's thoughts.
Duo jerked his gaze away from Trowa's and looked at Treize.
"Twenty five? In one session?"
"Hm."
"You do remember that I've killed people with five lashes from this whip," Duo said.
"Yes, but he should be able to withstand it. And if he can't, then clearly I paid too much for him when I purchased him in the first place." Treize smirked at Duo, but it wasn't a look of triumph or glee, just that of a predator who scented blood.
The humans pushed Trowa into the black circle. The man refused to kneel, and remained standing until Treize sighed and gestured with one hand, initiating the magic of the circles that would bind the victim inside. Trowa's instantly fell to his knees, and only barely managed to avoid falling on his face. He caught himself on his elbows and sat back on his heels to glare at both Treize and Duo.
"The scars will be permanent," Duo reminded Treize, and himself. He tried to sound calm, but his mind was a maelstrom of thought and emotion. He had slept with Treize's pet lion – and he hadn't even realized that the man was a shape shifter. Not only that, but Treize didn't seem to realize it – Duo had watched this man play games for five hundred years now, and Treize would never be able to contain himself if he realized that he was about to force Duo to torture his own lover. Which begged the question – what was going on? And what was Trowa playing at?
"Hm, I know."
"You mentioned that you prized his human form…"
"Yes, have no fear, I will certainly enjoy the sight of them on his back as he submits to me in the future."
And of course, there was that. The knowledge that Duo was sharing Trowa with Treize Khushrenada of all people.
Trowa's jaw clenched at those words, and his gaze shifted to Duo. The green eyes that looked at him were not those of the intelligent, sharp witted man that Duo had last seen two days ago, but they were the empty, bottomless green eyes of the lion who had watched him get tortured by Meilin. Duo swallowed hard and forced his mind to settle.
He reminded himself that Trowa had committed a crime, and that he had agreed to oversee his punishment. Everything else – including his desire to literally kill the shape shifter – would have to wait until they were away from Treize. Now, he just needed to get this over with.
Duo stepped into the circle and positioned himself behind Trowa. He felt a sharp stab of regret as he prepared to deliver the first lash. Trowa's beautiful body was about to become just as scarred as Duo's own.
He delivered the first blow across Trowa's shoulders, and the three silver cords whipped across his back before the scythes scraped across, digging deeply into his flesh. As soon as the silver touched Trowa's skin, Duo felt the acid burn of the silver on his own skin.
He had to pause and draw in a ragged breath as the pain speared through him. He was bewildered for a moment before he realized – the bond that he and Trowa shared didn't just reflect pleasure, but also pain. Duo had just felt Trowa's pain from the lash.
"Son of bitch," Duo muttered. He felt cold fury start to build in his stomach, and he shoved all of his anger towards Trowa, making sure that the shape shifter knew just how pissed he was. He saw Trowa's shoulders tense, and allowed himself a grim smirk of satisfaction before delivering the second blow.
By the ten blow, Duo was finding it difficult to breathe, and Trowa's pain was a wall of never-ending agony that he had to fight against each time he lifted his wrist. When Duo had been punished by Deathscythe all those years ago, he had been dealt ten lashes at a time for ten consecutive days. Duo had never delivered more than twenty lashes to an individual and had them survive it, and he was doubtful that Trowa would be able to make it to twenty five. He didn't know if HE could make it. Despite the fact that Trowa had yet done more than grunt in pain twice, Duo could feel just how much the whip was cutting into Trowa's flesh. Of course, the real beauty of Deathscythe wasn't just that the whip punished the flesh, it also drained your magic, sucking away at your strength until you were left nearly mortal. Duo knew that Deathscythe was enjoying the taste of Trowa's magic – he could feel the weapon grow more alive with each stroke – but it was also greedy, and was using Duo's connection to the shape shifter to leech magic from both of them.
Duo looked up at Treize, and was deeply disturbed to see his flushed face. Treize looked to be incredibly aroused by what was happening in front of him.
"That's ten. I'm not sure he'll make it to twenty five."
Treize frowned slightly and tilted his head as he considered.
"Continue," Treize said after a moment. "After all, he's the son of a god. Surely fifteen more lashes, even from you, won't be enough to kill him." Treize sneered.
Duo resignedly prepared to deliver the next ten lashes. He had forgotten just how powerful Deathscythe was in his hand – how much the weapon actually controlled him as he used it on a victim. In days gone past, Duo enjoyed the sensation, had actually looked forward to having Deathscythe wrest control from him and take the lead.
He wasn't sure what had changed in the intervening years – the loss of Anthony, his exile from the magical world, perhaps it was the fact that Trowa was kneeling before him – but now it simply filled Duo with a tense, bitter feeling.
The next ten lashes were delivered faster than the first, and by the end of the set Duo's head and heart were pounding fiercely. Trowa's magic, that wild, golden warmth that Duo had felt two night's ago, was actually starting to grow dim, and Duo's own magic felt cold and distant.
Duo paused to regain his breath and looked up at Treize. The vampire nodded at him, indicating that Duo should finish it.
For the first time in a long time, Duo fought against Deathscythe, using his sheer force of will to keep the weapon from drawing magic from Trowa and instead directed it to take his own magic. He knew that Trowa wouldn't survive another five lashes, not with his magic nearly drained. There was nothing he could do to alleviate the physical pain – or prevent more of it, but Duo could force Deathscythe to feed from him as well.
The last five lashes were quick and brutal and at the end, Trowa's back was red with the blood from his wounds. Duo could see the lash marks amidst the blood, however, because Deathscythe didn't just cut into the flesh, it also used magic to burn its way into the skin, immediately turning the lash marks a dark, crisp purple.
Duo had looked over his handiwork many times, but this was the first time he actually felt sick over it.
"Thank you, Executioner," Treize said. He rose from the throne he had sat on during the proceedings. "As always, it was a treat to see your work, and I think this really is what he needed to learn his lesson."
Duo nodded. The effort it was taking him to remain standing and keep his breath even was excruciating, and he prayed that Treize didn't try to draw him into a long conversation.
"My servants will see to Deathscythe," Treize continued, gesturing one of them forward to collect the weapon from Duo. He eagerly dropped it into the man's outstretched hand, but as soon as his fingers left the hilt he nearly fell over.
As much as Deathscythe had been draining him of magic, it had also been supporting him in his efforts, and without that magic to bolster him, Duo felt Trowa's pain even more fiercely than before. It only further enraged him, especially after Treize released the magic on the circle and Trowa fell to the ground, unmoving.
Duo projected all of the anger he could at the other man, and was rewarded when he groaned and tried to sit up.
Treize chuckled. "Leave him," he instructed the humans, "let him enjoy his agony and futility here for a while longer." He turned to Duo.
"Well, it's nearly midnight, and I want to Summon an old friend." He clapped one hand on Duo's back.
Duo nodded and started to follow Treize from the room. He started towards the elevators, but as soon as Treize went onto the balcony to join the others, Duo doubled back to the Council chamber.
The room was empty except for Trowa, and Duo wasted no time crossing to the other man.
"You unbelievably stupid bastard," Duo started. "What the fuck – what the fuck were you thinking?"
Trowa chuckled weakly. He had managed to get up onto his hands and knees, and he turned his head to glare at Duo.
"I'm going to fucking kill you," Duo continued.
"Job's already half done," Trowa groaned.
Duo jerked him to his feet, triggering a wave of pain as Trowa's back muscles strained into motion.
"Is there another way out of here?" Duo demanded. He really did not want to be seen dragging the bloody shape shifter through Treize's living room.
"Back stairs."
Duo ripped off his black duster and put it on Trowa. He eased it up his arms and over his back, but when it came into contact with Trowa's back the other man actually whimpered from the pain. Duo drew in a deep breath and buttoned the front. He didn't allow himself to feel anything or think about anything other than getting the two of them out of here.
He looped one of Trowa's arms over his shoulders and then half carried, half dragged the man towards a dark hallway. When they hit the stairs, Duo realized just what an impossible task this was. The hotel was at least forty storeys tall.
"Down four flights, then we're into the guest floors, we can take one of their elevators," Trowa muttered, as if he sensed Duo's panic.
"You're a crazy idiot," Duo replied but started down the stairs.
"Doesn't mean much, coming from you," Trowa panted.
"Fuck you."
"Done that already," Trowa pointed out with a bitter grin.
Duo dropped Trowa's arm and shoved him back against the wall, cursing when he felt the agony of Trowa's back coming into contact with the concrete.
Duo glared at him, but the look of resignation in Trowa's eyes, coupled with the pain still etched into his face, had Duo biting back his words.
"You are fucking unbelievable," Duo muttered and grabbed his arm again.
They made it down to the guest floors, and when Duo opened an access door they were assaulted with bright lights and garish carpet. Duo started to drag them down the hallway towards the very distant seeming elevators.
"Where is your pack?" Duo asked as they walked.
"Can't – no."
"I'm not going to kill them. I'm just going to give you to them so they can heal you and then I can kill you on my own terms."
"Treize will kill them. I can't – I can't go to them."
"Then what the fuck am I – Trowa, I'm pretty confident that you're going to die if these injuries aren't magically healed. Can you shift?"
"I can't even feel my magic. I don't think I can shift forms right now."
Duo swore.
They at last made it down the long hall to the elevator, and Duo let Trowa rest against the wall of the elevator car.
"What about Sally Po?"
"She's in Tahoe."
"Which is where?"
"Hours – eight hours by car."
"What the hell is she doing there?"
"It's Halloween," Trowa pointed out, "she went to Summon spirits with her clan."
"Then is there something I can do? Some kind of – something?"
"Like a first aid kit for shape shifters?"
"Yeah."
"No."
Duo sighed.
"Then what the hell – you're going to die without help."
When Duo had been tortured for ten days with Deathscythe he had been dumped into a cell and allowed to suffer until the next session, but at the end, when he had given in, Zechs Merquise had healed him. The Light Court Faery had been able to replenish Duo's magic and speed up the healing process for his skin – it didn't make a difference with his scars, but it HAD allowed him to start walking again the next day instead of being crippled for life. But Duo was not a Light Court Faery and he knew no one else besides Zechs.
" You can heal me," Trowa told him, still leaning against the wall.
"How? I'm a Dark Court Faery. Unless you want me to destroy out your nerve cells, there's not too much I can do to help."
"Our bond – it'll share your magic. Just as good as being with my pack."
Duo scowled. He was not a fan of that idea.
"That or just kill me," Trowa added. He lifted his head to glare at Duo. "Your choice. Just fucking pick."
"Go to hell," Duo snapped at him. If anyone was allowed to be annoyed in this situation, it was Duo, not Trowa.
When the elevator opened, Duo grabbed Trowa and together they made their way to the cab line.
They awkwardly climbed into the first available cab, and Trowa once again whimpered in pain as he sat back against the seat. Duo gave the driver directions to his condo before he looked over to see that Trowa's eyes were closed.
"Don't even think of passing out. I will not carry you."
"Thank you," Trowa said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Duo could feel how weak the other man was, and he was convinced that his own drained magic wouldn't be enough to heal him.
By the time they reached Duo's condo, Trowa was barely able to stand, and Duo knew that he was attracting more than a few curious glances as he dragged the man inside. He was grateful that it was Halloween, and that it was Las Vegas. Anywhere else, and two strangely dressed men staggering around at midnight would have seemed out of place. Here, it was normal, if noteworthy.
Once in the condo, Duo led Trowa to the bathroom and gently eased the trench coat off his shoulders before helping him step into the shower stall. Duo grabbed a washcloth and turned on the warm water tap in the shower. He waited until it was hot and then ran the washcloth under it.
"This is going to hurt like hell," he warned.
"I'll consider it an improvement, then," Trowa muttered. His head was pressed against the shower tiles, and his voice was muffled.
As gently as he could, Duo tried to clean the blood from Trowa's back.
The action brought on a fresh wave of pain, and Duo and Trowa groaned in unison.
"I swear to God I'm going to kill you for this," Duo promised.
"You like me too much. More than you should," Trowa said, and his words were slurred with pain and exhaustion.
"You think you're funny," Duo muttered.
"You think I'm funny," Trowa corrected.
"I thought you were funny. Me thinking that you're a charming, witty, intelligent, really good looking and sympathetic human – that's done. Now I just think that you're a lying asshole."
"I'm not going to apologize. I don't regret it."
Duo scowled, but really didn't know what to say to that.
He finally finished cleaning his back and hauled Trowa out of the shower and led him towards the bed.
Trowa more or less collapsed onto the bed, laying on his stomach in the middle of the bed. Duo sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Need you," Trowa said, looking up at him, green eyes hazy with pain.
"Need me to what?"
"Here. With me."
Duo looked down at the man. Trowa held his gaze and Duo eventually gave in. He started to take off his clothes and, once naked, joined Trowa in the bed, laying down on his back beside him.
"Just – do whatever. This is not me deciding to like you again," Duo warned him.
Trowa didn't bother to argue the point, but instead he draped his right arm around Duo's waist and his right leg over Duo's, pressing against his side and chest. The full body contact unleashed a very weak feeling of pleasure, and Duo groaned as a golden shiver of magic passed between them.
"I hate you," Duo sighed. "So fucking much."
But Trowa was already asleep. It wasn't long before Duo felt the pull of his own exhaustion and joined him.
Up Next: Heero's back!
Definitions:
Council: the body that presides over magical creatures and users in the US. The Old Council refers to the European Council.
Dryad: A nature spirit, like a Sprite. Another Old One. Usually associated with a tree, and different 'families' of Dryads are associated with different trees.
Ephemeral: a human who can use magic. Used interchangeably with witch.
Old Ones: the powerful magical races. Vampires, Shape shifters, Faeries, and a few more to be named later!
Old Ways: reference to the way that the European Council ran things or the way things were before magic was legal. Sally Po refers to the old ways – a reference to the practices of Native American Shamans, and NOT the Council.
Null: a human without magical ability.
Shaman: A Native American mystic or holy person. Used in this context to mean an Ephemeral.