A/N: Inspired by just about every supernatural sci-fi/fantasy thing I've ever read. In particular, a shout out to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files… 1x2X3, 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: Thanks to my awesome beta, Cuzosu! She is more than a beta, and no less than a friend.

Umbra

Chapter Nineteen

Duo found himself cursing the traffic in Las Vegas. He and Solo had made excellent time driving through the desert, but as soon as they got back on the main drag near downtown, traffic had slowed to a complete crawl.

He could feel Trowa being tortured, and whatever Solo had done to him to numb his connection had faded, and Duo could acutely feel the sensation of Trowa's flesh being ripped from his bones. He tried to reach out to him, but his magic was rubbish at healing and he could do little but send soothing thoughts to Trowa and assure him that help was on the way.

"How is he in bed?" Solo asked suddenly.

"Excuse me?" Duo turned to him in confusion.

"Your pet. I'm sorry, Trowa. How is he in bed?"

"Why –"

"And the null? I assume you're fucking him, too? What about your servant? That girl? You always did like to mix things up."

"What does it matter?"

Solo shrugged one shoulder.

"I'd just like to know what I'm getting involved with. After all, I'm putting my life – and your life – on the line to save some animal. I hope he has some uses."

"He is not an animal," Duo growled.

Solo made a hmm noise.

"What bothers you more – that he's a shape shifter or that he, and not you, is my Soul Mate?" Duo asked.

"Tough to say," Solo admitted. "I do see a pattern here, though. I was tortured by Treize, now he's being tortured by Treize… are you going to forget about him for four hundred years too?"

"I didn't forget about you!" Duo argued. "I thought about you every damn day!"

"But you don't want to renew our bond."

"I can't, Solo."

"You won't," he corrected. "You've known this animal for how long? And the null – you can't have known him for very long either, considering his age."

Duo sighed.

"There's a lot you don't understand, especially about Heero – the null. And my relationship with him, and with Trowa – yes, it's new, but I'm not just going to turn my back on them."

"But you will turn your back on me."

"Damnit, Solo! I have no fucking clue what to do in the situation! You're a damn serial killer, I'm wanted for murder, my Soul Mate is being tortured, and Treize is an evil psychopath who wants all of us dead. At the moment, can we shelve the relationship discussions?"

Solo's lips twitched.

"Feel better now?"

Duo sighed.

"Yes," he admitted after a moment of sulking.

"So how is he?" Solo repeated.

Duo glared.

"I'm just making conversation. Surely you can indulge my curiosity. After all, I haven't been laid in over four hundred years."

"He's fucking amazing, okay? Because of our bond we feel everything together, and it's incredible – but even without that it would be great. His body is amazing, and whenever he touches me – it honestly feels like nirvana."

Solo's jaw looked tense, but Duo continued.

"And the null? Heero? Sex with him is always so incredibly intense. He –"

"Okay, forget I asked."

"I was just –"

"Forget it."

Duo sighed.

"They aren't you, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear? Solo, you know me better than I know me – sex with you... we had six hundred years together! Of course this doesn't compare."

"Yet you're choosing them."

"I'm choosing to focus on not getting killed in the next two hours," Duo shouted.

A strained silence fell between them.

When they arrived at the Mandalay Bay parking deck Duo asked to borrow Solo's cell phone.

He texted Heero, so he would know who was calling, and then called him.

"I'm not dead," he said when Heero answered.

"Are you safe?" Heero asked.

"No more or less than usual. Listen, Solo and I are at the parking deck at Mandalay Bay."

"Solo?"

"Long story – just, he doesn't want to kill me."

"Are you sure?"

"Fairly sure, yes."

"What about Trowa and me?" Heero pressed.

"Funny you should ask… that needs to be a discussion for another time because Treize has been torturing Trowa for the last half hour."

Heero cursed.

"Yeah, so… we need to move up our timetable for killing Treize to right about now."

"I'm already in position inside the tower."

"Really?"

"I'm in the back stairwell. I've tapped into the surveillance setup – there's hardly any cameras up there. One in a living room, I've seen minimal activity."

"Who?"

"Zechs, Noin, a few I don't recognize."

"Right. Well, when you see me on that camera you should probably, you know, do something."

"Be careful."

"Me? I like to live dangerously."

"I know," Heero growled.

Duo hung up the phone and dialed Hilde's number.

"Hello?" She answered cautiously.

"It's Duo."

"Where are you? Are you hurt? What happened? The holding cells are – "

"Long story, and we don't have time right now. Look, you might want to gather up some friends and put in an appearance at the Council headquarters in say… an hour."

"Why?"

"Let's just say that Chang might have some paperwork to do after tonight."

"Duo –"

"Gotta run."

He hung up over her protests and then gave the phone back to Solo.

"Duo. I'm sorry, but we're going to do this my way."

Solo grasped Duo's face between his hands.

"Solo –" Duo tried to pull away, but the Ephemeral's grip was strong.

"I'm not letting you rush into this like you always do. You don't want to trust me, I understand that, but you have to. I'm not letting you go again."

"Don't do this, Solo," Duo pleaded, hating himself for sounding weak. The truth was, however, that he was terrified of Solo renewing their bond – terrified because he wanted it so badly. He wanted Solo back, alive and with him, so badly it was a gnawing hunger inside of him. But his desire warred with the overwhelming sense that it was wrong, that they would never again be as they had been, and that this could only end in disaster.

"I lost four hundred years, Duo. I'm not losing anything else."

When Solo kissed him Duo tried to fight it, but as he felt the warm, electric tingle of Solo's magic start to flow into him he surrendered. Magic flooded through him, filling him with heat and excitement.

After a few moments, Solo pulled away, released Duo, and stepped backwards.

Even though they were no longer touching, Duo could feel Solo's magic, could actually taste his heartbeat in his mouth. It was wonderfully exhilarating and completely unique from his connection with Hilde or Trowa.

He hated how good it felt.

"It had to be done," Solo said. "And, here, you're going to need this."

He opened his trunk and pulled out a black bundle. He tossed it to Duo.

Duo cautiously pulled away the black fabric to reveal a sword and sheath designed to be strapped across his back, just like the one he had used, long ago, when he and Solo had hunted together.

He pulled out the blade, testing its weight. It felt like pure silver and it sent a thrill of anticipation through him. He resheathed it and then took off his shirt and strap it on.

After he pulled his shirt back on and flipped his braid back to cover the bulge, Solo nodded approvingly.

"Okay, now let's go save your pet," Solo said.

They got out of the car, and Duo couldn't help the thrill of anticipation he felt. It had been centuries since he and Solo had teamed up, and he thought back on all of the times they had fought together. Yes, he was definitely looking forward to this.

When they arrived at the penthouse suite all hell immediately broke loose.

As soon as the doors opened they were met by half a dozen vampires.

With a wave of his hand, Duo crippled them, sending such intense pain sensations to their brains that they dropped to their knees and howled in pain.

Solo followed up Duo's attack with one of his own, evaporating the blood in the vampires veins and leaving them little more than corpses.

"You can't do that," Duo hissed at him.

Solo scowled. His blue eyes had gotten that electric glow again that always developed when he used magic.

"Why the hell not? They want to kill us."

"There are laws protecting them – and we're on the other side of those laws."

"Then it doesn't really matter, does it?" Solo pointed out.

"It does," Duo insisted.

He stepped over the bodies.

"So you're saying I'm not allowed to kill Treize either?" Solo demanded.

"No, him, do your worst. But the rest –" Duo stopped talking when the elevator doors opened again to reveal Catharine, Martha, Ralph, and two other shape shifters.

Solo sneered at them.

"Wait," Duo said and put a hand on Solo's arm.

"You!" Catharine shouted and charged at Duo.

"For the love of God, what now?" Duo demanded. He sidestepped her lunge.

"You are responsible for this!" She spun around, a gun in her hand aimed steadily at Duo's heart.

"Take it easy, Catharine, responsible for what?" He put his hands out in a placating manner and stepped back from her. Solo eased up beside him.

"For Trowa! He's being tortured!"

"But not by me," Duo pointed out. He tried to sound soothing, but he could practically feel Catharine's fury burning into his skin.

"It's still your fault! All of this is your fault!"

"Am I allowed to kill her?" Solo asked in a stage whisper.

Catharine's angry gaze turned to him.

"Who are you?" She demanded.

"Solo Maxwell," he said with a grin and a courtly bow. "Perhaps you've heard of me?"

From the way her face went pale it was clear that she had.

"No, you aren't," Duo told him.

"She's pointing a gun at you, Duo. I'm assuming you think she's intelligent enough to load it with silver bullets."

"Yeah. And pissed enough. She's Trowa's sister."

"Oh. Your pet has a sister?" Solo turned wide, amused eyes back to Catharine. "How amusing."

"My brother is not a pet! And he doesn't – why did he say your pet?"

Duo closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Why is this happening right now?"He muttered to himself. He opened his eyes and looked back at Catharine. "It's complicated, okay? Now, will you just lower the gun and let me go in there and –" Duo started to ease towards the door.

"I won't let you hurt him again!"

Catharine pulled the trigger, and a split second later Duo found himself face-down on the floor, Solo's body covering his.

He drew in a deep breath but, aside from the weight of Solo's body protecting his own, he felt no pain.

"Fucking hell, Catharine!" He pushed back against Solo. "I'm fine, move." Solo remained a still, heavy weight against his back. "Solo, get up! I'm fine!"

He rolled over and pushed back at the same time, so that he was free of Solo. He frowned when the other man still didn't react.

"Solo?"

The blonde man suddenly gasped for air and his blue eyes locked onto Duo's.

"Solo!"

Duo rolled him over and he suddenly felt a sharp, burning pain in his own side, near his heart.

"No, no, no."

Duo frantically pulled away Solo's jacket and black shirt, ripping it open to reveal the bullet hole and steady flow of blood.

"Oh Jesus, fuck, no!" Duo pressed his hands against the wound, trying to keep the blood from pumping out. "Solo, don't you dare do this to me! You fucking bastard! Don't you dare die on me now!"

Duo didn't even realize he was crying until Solo reached up and brushed away his tears.

"Sorry, Duo. This… wasn't quite… what I had… planned."

"Solo, do –"

"I'm sorry, Duo." The electric light in Solo's eyes started to fade, and his head fell back, limp, against Duo's chest.

He cradled the still body against him for a moment, completely in shock. Just moments before they had renewed their bond and now – NOW Solo was well and truly dead.

Duo looked up to see that Catharine and the shape shifters had gathered together and were regarding him warily. The gun was loose in Catharine's grip.

With a wave of his hand every single one of them stumbled backwards and clutched at their throats, gasping for the air he cut off from their lungs.

"I waited four hundred years to have him back in my arms, you crazy bitch," he spat at Catharine as he stood. "And now he's dead! I'm going to destroy you!" He directed all of his pain and agony at her and she tried to scream, but with no oxygen in her lungs it came out as silent, painful choking.

He next struck at her nerve endings, sending pain burning through her body to her brain. She shook from the force of his wrath.

"He was mine and you took him from me!" He prepared to kill her, summoning enough magic to force her heart to explode in her chest, but as he reached out to do so he felt a nearly crippling wave of pain.

Duo staggered under the sensation, losing his concentration enough that he lost his hold on the shape shifters. They fell to the floor, sucking in huge breaths of air.

The pain rippled through him again and Duo fell to his knees. What – Trowa.

"God damnit!" He struggled back to his feet. He had completely forgotten about his Soul Mate.

He stormed into the Council hall, summoning as much magic as he could as he did, determined to make this end quickly and violently.

Duo wasn't surprised to see Treize seated on his throne or Trowa kneeling in the black ring with Meilin, whip in hand, standing over him.

He was surprised to see Noin, Zechs, Urshanabi, and Sylvia all occupying their thrones, flanked by their servants.

"Well, well, haven't we gotten predictable?" Treize said.

Duo frowned. He tried to focus on Treize and not on the sight of his lover, his naked back covered in blood.

"And haven't you gotten complacent?" Duo shot back. "Your pathetic army of vampires was hardly a distraction. And it didn't keep me away from Trowa for long, did it?"

Treize turned piercing eyes to Duo. "Which begs the question, just how did you know he was being tortured in the first place? And why do you even care?"

Duo scowled.

"Let me see… perhaps his pack informed you? No, I don't think so since Catharine would rather eat you than talk to you… perhaps you've been infected? Should we expect you to go all furry once a month, now?"

Duo sneered.

"No… then, let me think, you must have made him your servant. A clever tactic, especially for you. Taking my pet and bonding him to yourself. Quite devious."

"Thank you," Duo said. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like him back."

Treize sneered. "Oh, but I mind very much. You see, he belongs to me."

"Well, as you just pointed out… he kind of belongs to me now too." Duo smirked. "I know, why don't we let him decide who he wants to belong to?"

Treize's blue eyes narrowed.

"His preferences hardly matter. Especially since you are about to be executed for your crimes."

"Really?" Duo asked. He crossed his arms and tried to look casual. He noticed, however, that Noin and Zechs both looked tense. Sylvia and Urshanabi seemed to be indifferent to the proceedings. Duo hoped they stayed that way. "What crimes would those be? Out of curiosity."

"I fear we lost count of the number of murders you have committed, so we are just going to say 'several counts' – since even one is enough for the humans to order your execution."

"And have they? Has the Arbiter agreed to my execution?"

Treize sneered.

"I do not need HIS approval to carry out Council justice."

Duo looked past Treize to Zechs and Noin.

"You realize that if you follow Treize down this path, allow him to ignore human laws – and an Old Council proclamation that you will have both the United States and Jason ready to slaughter you."

"Unlike you, Executioner, they understand the concept of loyalty. They have both sworn oaths to me. Not to the Arbiter, not to Jason."

Duo frowned and looked over at Sylvia. She was always so level-headed. He was surprised that she was willing to go along with this. And Urshanabi was a master of self-preservation – why was he here?

She arched an eyebrow at him, as if offering Duo a challenge. Perhaps she wanted him dead as revenge for her father? Did she really want to jeopardize her life for that? And what about her desire for change – suddenly he realized. She was not on Treize's side. She was here because this was the moment that would change the future of Old Ones in the United States.

He turned away from her and looked back at Treize.

"How do you plan to deal with the humans? And Jason?"

"The humans will get exactly what they deserve. It was their hubris that brought us to this point in the first place, and now they will be punished. When they realize that we are truly above them, and they can do nothing to stop us. The legislation will be repealed, and we can return to our former glory."

Duo scowled.

"Hiding, you mean. They will hunt us down, they will kill us."

"They can try," Treize said with a shrug.

"And Jason – how do you plan on getting around his wrath?"

"There are ways."

Duo frowned. He didn't like how blasé Treize was about Jason's vengeance. It wasn't as if Treize had ever been Jason's biggest fan, but this kind of outright disregard was new.

"My only real concern was your master. But, correct me if I'm wrong… I don't feel his magical signature anymore? He was here with you, what… ah. I see." Treize smirked as Duo went pale. "Such irony. A shame too – you'll finally be able to Summon him but both of you will be dead."

Duo charged at Treize without conscious thought and the force of his attack toppled Treize's throne, sending both of them sprawling onto the marble floor behind the raised dais.

He rose to his feet before Treize and sent a wave of pain in the vampire's direction, momentarily stunning him.

Duo took the opportunity to shove Meilin out of the circle, away from Trowa.

The shape shifter's wrists were tied together with silver chain, and Duo quickly yanked the chains off, freeing Trowa and only minimally burning his own skin in the process.

"Duo –"

"Now is not the time to talk," he hissed at him.

Trowa's green eyes narrowed.

"My sister, I felt –"

"She's perfectly fucking fine," Duo assured him.

Trowa reached out and touched him, grabbing his wrist in a loose grip that nevertheless sent a wave of intense, golden magic flooding through Duo. It healed the minor burns on his fingers and filled him with a renewed sense of purpose. He could feel the magic traveling back into Trowa, healing his back so quickly it defied belief.

"Well, that is certainly unexpected."

Duo turned to see Treize back on his feet, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, and regarding the two of them with interest.

"I can't do that with my servants."

"Maybe mine just like me better," Duo suggested. He pulled free of Trowa. "Or maybe I'm just better than you."

"Hardly. And in any case, MY servants are ever so much more helpful. Zechs, dispose of him." Treize waved a hand in the direction of the golden haired Light Faery.

Duo turned his attention on the other man. He had known that the other man would get involved, but he had been hoping to have Solo with him. Duo didn't think he could take on both Zechs and Treize – and if Zechs was involved in a fight, chances were that Noin would follow closely behind. And he had no idea what kind of fighter Trowa was.

"I want your promise that Trowa can walk away from this," Duo said, moving not towards Zechs but back towards Treize.

The vampire sneered.

"He belongs to me."

"I think I've just demonstrated who he really belongs to, Treize. And I think you and I both know that if he summons his pack – who happen to be just a few hundred feet away – that this fight will turn a lot uglier than you want. I'm sure that I'll still lose, but you know I'll take at least a few of you with me. Now, let him go, and let's keep this between us, shall we?"

"Duo –" Trowa started.

"Trowa, I've already lost Solo today. I'm not losing you too."

"I'm not –"

"He's not going anywhere."

Duo's head snapped around to see Heero standing by the back entrance to the room, two pistols held out in front of him, one focused on Treize, the other on Zechs.

"We're finishing this fight. Right now."

Zechs sneered and launched himself at Heero at the same instant that Noin lunged towards Duo.

Trowa intercepted the vampire, and they both crashed to the ground. Duo tore his gaze away from them, forced concern for Heero out of his mind, and faced down Treize.

"I guess I'm taking back that offer," Duo said with a smirk.

"You have no idea just how little fear you inspire in me, Executioner," Treize spat. He slowly walked towards Duo, completely confident in his own superiority.

"You know, times like this, you might want to call me the God of Death instead," Duo suggested. He pulled the silver sword that Solo had given him from the sheath under his shirt.

Treize's eyes widened and then narrowed. He sneered and was about to offer a no doubt scathing retort, but Duo didn't give him the chance.

He leapt towards Treize, swinging the blade over his head and downwards, aiming for Treize's skull as he flew through the air.

Treize managed to dodge, but Duo instantly lashed out again, whipping the sword around to his side and catching Treize's arm.

The vampire hissed in pain and jerked away, cradling his arm.

Duo smirked.

"Careful, this thing is sharp."

Treize sneered.

"Unfortunately for you, your mind is no match for that blade."

Before Duo could work out just what Treize meant by that comment, Treize flicked his wrist in Duo's direction, and he was instantly paralyzed.

Vampires retained whatever magical gifts they might have had as humans before they Turned. Most Council vampires had been Ephemerals before they Turned. Jason had been an amazingly powerful Ephemeral, and had become an even more powerful vampire because of his gifts.

Noventa had cultivated an army of vampires, carefully choosing who he wished to Turn, always looking for someone extraordinary to add to his cohort. Treize he had chosen for the man's magical gifts and his passion for using them. Treize's magic was dark and dangerous that even Duo shied away from it, and it was unspeakably foolish for him to have left himself open to Treize's attack.

Treize could manipulate fear in his victims – enhancing their natural fears to the point that they were crippled, unable to even more; or eliminating their fear and making them nearly unstoppable in battle.

It had been too long since Duo had been subjected to Treize's magic, and he had completely forgotten just how strong and overwhelming it could be.

He had to fight to breathe, and his heart beat raced uncontrollably as his mind was forced to dwell on images of all the horrible ways that Heero and Trowa could be tortured and killed.

"Touching," Treize sneered. Another aspect of his power was his ability to see and manipulate fear. Duo deeply resented having the psychopath witness his darkest fears.

Duo struggled to find the will to move, but his arms and legs felt stiff and heavy, and even just the thought of moving was enough to have him gasping for breath again.

"Now, I think that our battle has gone on long enough, don't you?" Treize approached Duo and reached out to stroke his cheek. "I suppose, now, I understand why Jason found you so fascinating. It is curious, that someone like you has the capacity to care so deeply for creatures like those. And there's no denying that you have a certain amount of charm… still, good looks and a sharp wit can only carry you so far, it seems."

Treize drew a silver dagger from inside his vest. The same dagger that he had previously used on Duo.

"After I cut out your heart, I think I'll encase it in silver and have it send to Jason – a lovely memento, don't you think?"

Treize dragged the blade down Duo's chest, and the gesture would have been a caress if the blade wasn't cutting through Duo's clothes and burning into his skin. Treize stopped just above his heart and smirked.

"Goodbye – God of Death."

Treize started to shove the dagger into Duo's chest, and the pain was sharp and immediate. Duo tried to force himself to move, to react, to do anything to fight against the crippling fear and now the pain that speared through him.

"No!"

Treize's head whipped around at the shout, and he lost his concentration just enough that Duo was able to break free of his magic and gather his own. Duo quickly shielded himself, protecting his mind from further attacks, and then tried to pry Treize's knife out of his chest.

Before he could get very far, Treize's hand fell away and his chest virtually exploded in a shower of blood as an entire clip of silver bullets was emptied into his chest.

Duo pulled the dagger out of his chest, unable to stop his shout of pain as he did so, and he sank down to his knees beside Treize's body.

He tried to catch his breath and turned to survey the room.

Trowa had somehow managed to wrap both Noin and Meilin in the silver chains that had previously bond him, and was crossing the room to Duo. Heero looked to be in the process of very thoroughly killing Zechs and had one knife buried in his neck while he was using another to cut out his heart.

Which meant – who had shot Treize?

Sylvia and Urshanabi had remained seated at their thrones, as though this were all an elaborate play being performed for their amusement.

Duo turned to the front of the room just as Trowa reached him.

Solo was standing at the front of the hall, his bare chest covered in blood, breathing heavily, and a gun dangling from his grasp.

"Solo!" Duo staggered to his feet and started towards the other man, shaking off Trowa as he reached for him.

"Finish it," Solo said, stopping Duo halfway to him.

Duo turned back to Treize's body. It was nearly impossible that the vampire had survived that many bullets to his heart – likely the organ was just a bloody mass of shrapnel at this point – but Solo was right not to want to risk it.

He picked up the sword he had dropped and knelt over Treize's body. He carefully and precisely severed his head and tossed it as far away from the body as he could. Later, he would burn it. Later.

Solo collapsed onto the floor, as though waiting for Duo to finish executing Treize had been the only thing keeping him on his feet.

Duo staggered over to him, barely able to stand himself, and fell down beside him.

"Solo, please, please, don't do this to me."

"We're free of him now, Duo," Solo said with a smirk. "We finally got our revenge on that bastard, didn't we?" He coughed up blood and Duo held him tightly.

"No, not if you die, we didn't. You can't do this to me."

"Duo."

He turned to see Trowa standing over him.

Trowa was scowling and breathing heavily himself, and his scowl only deepened when he looked at Solo, cradled in Duo's lap.

"I can heal him," he said, and the reluctance in his voice might have been a living thing, it was so strong.

Duo opened his mouth to ask how, but Trowa continued.

"I felt it – him. I know you've renewed your bond. I can heal him, through you."

"Please?" Duo said and Trowa winced at his tone.

Trowa knelt down beside them and took Duo's head between his hands.

"Duo, look at me."

It was an effort to tear his gaze from Solo's face, but Duo did as instructed, prompted both by Trowa's voice and the golden tingle of magic that spread from his fingertips into Duo's skin.

Trowa closed the distance between them and kissed him lightly. The taste of cinnamon was as much a balm for Duo as the magic that rose between them, and he suddenly felt that the world was right again.

He could feel the magic spread through him, warming his entire body and healing the wound in his chest. The magic flowed into Solo, and he could feel it start to heal the other man as well.

After a few minutes, Trowa released him and eased back.

"Thank you," Duo said.

Trowa looked troubled, but he nodded.

"Everybody freeze! You are under arrest! You– Mother of God."

Duo looked up to see Wufei, Hilde, Quatre, and a swarm of federal agents enter the room, all with guns drawn.

Wufei's dark gaze was wide as it swept the room, surveying the bloody mess that were Treize and Zech's bodies.

Wufei looked down at Duo.

"You. You are under arrest."

"Same old, same old," Duo muttered. He freed himself from both Solo and Trowa. "Listen, Chang, we've got to stop meeting like this or –"

"Cuff him, the silver cuffs," Wufei instructed the agent to his left.

Duo sighed.

"I'm going to cooperate. I promise."

"Cooperate like this morning? When you destroyed our holding cells?"

"Er…"

"I trusted you, and you escaped and murdered two Council members, not to mention two vampires are being tortured and there's a room of shape shifters who claim you tried to kill them - and the one you actually did manage to kill!"

"Um, not all of that is my fault," Duo protested, and then frowned. Which shape shifter had he killed?

Wufei's eyes narrowed.

"Cuff him. Now."

Up Next: The end! Of the beginning!

-0-

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.

Jinn: alternately Djinn or Genie. They are spirits, supposedly created by God (if you're Muslim), and can be good or bad.

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.