Fandom: Night World, LJ Smith

Disclaimer: I don't own the Night World, I rent.

Dedication: This first chapter is for my beloved beta, Spookie, who takes me for what I am, who I was meant to be.

Summary: The fourth and final Wild Power needs to be found, and time is running out. Circle Daybreak is taking more desperate measures. But is accepting the aid of a traitor to the Night World desperation or brilliance? And what about their own agent - loose cannon Belladonna Turner?

Author Note at the end.

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Where There's Moonlight, I See Your Eyes

Chapter Two

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The door opened and the entire inner circle spun to see who it was. A figure walked in, and the first thing I thought was: ice. An arctic blast of air seemed to swirl in with the figure, and the light from the room illuminated his figure. He was lean, elegant, tall – just between Ash's lanky 6'3 and Morgead's less imposing 6'0. He moved with the slow, predatory grace of a Night Person, deliberate, calculated. He was wearing black from head-to-toe – black jeans, black t-shirt, a black leather jacket.

His features were handsome, I'm sure, but I didn't see him as someone I'd be attracted to. There was no emotion in them – not even a flicker. He was gorgeous, but devoid of any feeling; which, truth be told, unnerved me. Sensuous lips, ivory skin, hair the color of frost – so blond it appeared silver-white, and a well-muscled body.

But those eyes…framed by eyelashes the same shade as his gleaming hair, those eyes were…

They weren't silver or gray or light blue…there was no word for them. They were the color of clouds on a rainy day, so at first I thought they were gray. Then the light changed and they seemed the lightest of azures. Then again, silver. They weren't like Ash's, which changed color one moment to the next. They were just…I don't know. It seems enough to call them gray, but they weren't. Gray is average. Gray is boring. These were…

They're not gray, or blue, or silver, but some weird mix. I can't place it – steel-gray? But they're almost…luminescent. Like moonlight.

"Sir! He just walked in and said that he had to see you – he says he's from the Council, but that's all he'll tell me." Lupe's yellow eyes were wide as she suddenly appeared in the doorway, breathing hard.

"Thank you, Lupe." Thierry's steady eyes settled on the boy and he smiled. "Please, sit down."

Yes, before you ask – Thierry is, in fact, completely crazy.

Mistrust was etched on several of the faces in the crowd, while others held curiosity. Me? I was just frustrated. We had better things to do than listen to some person who looked like an ice statue – perfect, yet oh-so-cold.

Lupe's eyes narrowed in consternation. "I'll be just outside the door, sir." With that, she backed out and shut the door behind her.

"Well, how can we help you?" Thierry asked politely, with just the smallest of placating nods at the more violent Daybreakers.

"It's actually more of how I can help you." The statue's voice was like his looks – disdainfully detached, cold, unemotional.

"I'm from the Council. They have the Crowley Crystal, which I know Daybreak is looking for. I'm here to lead you to it."

For the second time that day, there was uproar.

"QUIET!" Thierry shouted, his eyes never leaving the ice statue's face. "Who are you, and what's your connection with the Council?"

"My name is Nick." That was all. No inflection, no feeling in his words. "I used to be part of the Night World. Now I'm not."

"You're asking to join Daybreak?" my voice was filled with derision. Then, I winced slightly as those stormy eyes looked my way and quietly looked me up and down. I glared back, daring him to say something. A faint smile – no, not even a smile. A corner of his mouth twitched slightly and then he turned back to Thierry. I was dismissed. My mouth fell open in disbelief and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Maggie hide an amused smile behind her hand. I shot her a glare and she put on an innocent expression. I couldn't believe this guy – when I talk, people listen! I'm not on some sort of power trip here, it's just the truth – I have this innate talent for grabbing all the attention in a room when I speak. How the hell was he immune!

"I'm not asking to join Daybreak." His voice held a tinge of disgust. "I'm leaving my…previous alliance."

"So you're a mercenary? Working for whoever pays best?" Poppy seemed quietly curious.

"I don't trust him." Keller, of course.

"Everyone, please. Calm down. Let's hear him out."

The ice statue – um, Nick – just sat there as the Daybreakers argued, not even moving. His features betrayed none of his thoughts, but his stance suggested boredom.

"Nick, please explain in detail why you are here. I can promise," at this Thierry glared at everyone, "no interruptions."

"There's not much. I used to be part of the Council. I know that they have the Crowley Crystal. Now, I'm here. I'm offering to lead you to the crystal."

"For what? What do you get out of it?" Quinn asked coolly, his voice almost as icy as this mysterious newcomer's.

"Nothing."

"Ridiculous," snorted Delos.

A raised eyebrow. "Is it that you must always do something for a reward? Isn't that completely against what you Daybreakers stand for?"

He had us there. This guy was good.

"You're not a Daybreaker though. You're with our enemies." James objected.

"Were – past tense. Not any longer. While that may not make me a Daybreaker, it does mean I'm no longer with the Night World."

A silence.

"Unless, of course, you are suggesting that anyone who's not a Daybreaker is automatically with the Council."

That did it. His courteous tone, his polite words – I shot out of my seat, seething with anger. "That's not what we mean! How can we trust you?"

"You don't have to. I just need a simple yes or no, Thierry. If it's a no, I shall leave and carry on with my own life – with no allegiances to anyone, if your overanxious ward was wondering –" he shot me an even look. "If it's a yes, then I will get moving."

Thierry frowned. "I'll need a moment."

Well, that was all I needed. I turned and strode over to Thierry, slamming my palms down on the table. "Thierry, this is ridiculous!"

"Bee, relax." Hannah laid a hand on my arm and shushed me; leading me over to a settee and making me sit down. She settled next to me, her hand still on my arm.

"Nick, I must confess that I am slightly confused as to why you would deign to help what previously used to be the enemy?"

"Previously, not any longer. Listen to me, Thierry – I have my reasons. I cannot explain them. I don't need your trust. I am offering you what you need. Is it a yes or a no?"

"Wait! If the Night World Council have the crystal, why haven't they used it yet?" That excellent question was from Mary-Lynette, her normally calm voice hostile.

Of course, Nick had an answer for that too. "They've tried to scry for the fourth Wild Power, but they can't without something to lead them."

"Meaning…?" Keller asked tauntingly. Nick didn't even blink.

"Meaning blood, hair, or skin from a known Wild Power. They've been hanging on to the crystal in the hope that Circle Daybreak would send a delegation to negotiate, and they could seize a Wild Power then."

At this news, I shot Thea a knowing look and she nodded, acknowledging that the point I'd been trying to make earlier had been proven.

Thierry sighed. He paused.

"Nick, we would be honored to have you on our team, for however long as you will stay."

"WHAT?"

And another case of uproar.

"One at a time! Please!"

"Thierry, how can you trust him?" Gillian's eyes sparked.

"We can't. Daybreakers, am I right in thinking that we all don't trust Nick because we do not know him, because he worked for the other side?"

Mixed noises of assent.

"Well, he's offering us what we need. And we have to take a chance."

Hannah stood and looked around, her wise eyes beseeching. "Guys, I know you disagree. But we're at a stalemate here. We've got to take some risks."

Iliana stood. "You're right Thea. But…can't one of us go with him? Nick won't be going alone, will he?"

Thierry looked at Nick.

"I don't mind if you put one of your agents with me, but I'd like to remind you that the Night World Council has a list of known Daybreakers. And your inner circle isn't exactly low-profile." He looked around uninterestedly. "Several Redferns – by blood if not by name, three witches – two who have the Harman eyes and another who is the spitting image of Hellewise, the prince of the Drache family, the shifter who got rid of the last dragon, the Cat, and Hunter Redfern's adopted son. Not to mention a gaggle of vermin."

Hannah looked up. "We don't call humans vermin."

"Perhaps you don't."

"Okay, what the hell? Screw you, man –" David stood, frowning. "Thierry, how can we trust this guy? He's calling half the circle vermin."

"We've established that we can't, David. That's the problem."

"How do we know it's not a trap?"

"Yeah, he could be still be working for the Night World!" Eric agreed with Phil North.

"Of course. It's part of my dastardly plot. I go and procure the Crystal for you and then steal it back for them."

Eric stood angrily.

"Guys! Shut up! The testosterone here is beginning to clog my arteries." I stood and pushed aside the standing forms.

"Listen, Thierry. This guy has a point. We don't lose anything – if he gets the crystal, we're ahead. If not…well…what do we lose? He's seen your mansion, but that's all. The Wild Powers are all kept in different safe houses. It's not like he can spring an ambush." I turned to the rest of the inner circle. "Y'all, like we agreed – it's do or die. And we're at the point where it can only get better."

Thierry nodded. "Excellently said, Bee. Nick, Circle Daybreak accepts your generous offer, and asks you to remember that anything you ask for, if it is in our power to give it, will be yours."

"Whoa, whoa. I wasn't done." I interrupted. "I'm not saying we trust this guy totally. We have to send someone with him."

This time, Nick joined the others in giving me a disapproving she's-gone-nuts look.

"At the very least Nick, it's a two person job." Okay, was I trying to get this jerk to side with me?

Nick conceded, his face still a study in dispassion. "But as I said before – your most trusted agents are too high-profile."

I looked at Thierry. "But I'm not. Thierry, you know it makes sense. I have no soulmate, I'm not a Harman or Drache or Redfern."

"You're human." Thierry pointed out. I pouted, as childish as it seems.

"Pawn."

I turned. "I beg your pardon?"

Nick returned my look, not even flinching. In fact, he didn't even treat it as though it was worth notice – he just stared as though I was some mildly-interesting photo. He turned back to Thierry.

"I understand that you would want to send an agent with me, and that's my best idea regarding the matter. It'd also be much easier than my trying to explain a new vampire or shifter member without Ragnar performing extensive background checks. It's much less risky if this…person…pretends to be under mind control. That eliminates suspicion and she can wander around the facility completely unsuspected."

That was practically a speech for the icy, detached statue. And it was a good idea.

Thierry expelled a breath.

"Everyone except the Wild Powers, can you please leave while I speak to Nick alone?"

"What!"

Thierry looked up. "Keller, please!"

Grudgingly, slowly, the members of the inner circle of Daybreak shuffled off, muttering mutinously. I, too, rose to my feet, walking as slowly as I possibly could.

"Belladon – uh, Bee. Would you please stay too?"

I turned. A lot of the circle had left – Iliana, Jez, and Delos were still there. Surprising. I'd expected Phil, Morgead, and Maggie to be hanging around their respective soulmates.

Thierry sat down, and for a brief moment I saw the old, old spirit that was in him. As young as he looked, he carried with him the burden of the centuries. What would that be like? Wandering the earth for years, living ceaselessly and watching all you cared about crumble with age around you?

"Well. Nick, your offer is very generous, and if it succeeds, Circle Daybreak will be indebted to you. You'll always have us as sanctuary."

"I won't need it."

My eyes narrowed. Of all the arrogant, ungrateful –

Thierry caught my eye and smiled. "Bee, relax." He turned his attention to the Wild Powers. "Listen, you three – you're all the day has against the night. What do you think?"

Iliana was first to speak. "Oh, Thierry – it's a really dangerous idea if Bee goes through with it! I mean…I've thought about it, and there doesn't seem to be any way that this could be a trap. She's right when she says we don't really lose anything, except time and that's worth it, isn't it? But…I just don't like the idea of Bee running amok in a Night World base, snooping around – what if she got caught?"

Thierry looked at Nick and Nick shrugged. "I'm sure she'd come up with something."

Okay, deep breaths girl. Deep breaths. Count backwards from ten. Ram a stake into his – okay, calm. Calm.

"Illy, seriously. I'll be fine. It'll be easier for two people to go – you told me that, remember? One for distraction and one to actually do what needs doing? Also, I might always pick up some noteworthy stuff about the enemy."

Iliana's beautiful hair glistened as she chewed on her lower lip. "I know Bee – but I worry."

Jez spoke up. "I think it's an excellent idea, Thierry, and I am behind Bee a hundred percent."

God, I love Jez.

"I just wish I could be the one going. I mean, I'm part human." She sighed. "But I can't, can I?"

"No. No you can't." Thierry looked sympathetic.

This is totally twisted. We're arguing over who gets to go on a possible suicide mission?

Well, I guess that's harsh. We're not, really. We're just…we want this to succeed. We want – no, we need to win. And of course, each of us have our own different strengths, and feel that we'd be the best at it.

Me? I wanted to do it. This would be a defining point in the war. And this point would go to Daybreak – specifically, the humans of Daybreak.

Delos spoke up next, his smooth voice and hawk-like eyes piercing. "I've had a thought. What if this is an elaborate ruse to kidnap one of the members of the inner circle and get him or her to release information?"

I looked at Delos with admiration. He truly has a tactician's mind. I guess he must've gotten that from his Redfern genes – look at Hunter. "Actually, like I said earlier Delos – humans die easier, don't they?"

"Turned humans don't."

I scoffed. "Delos, even as a vampire you think I'd forget my allegiances? No way."

I looked around. "Oh come on! We're debating the different ways I could die? Your faith in me is so reassuring."

Thierry relaxed. "You're right. But, Bee…if anything…if it happens…" he couldn't bring himself to say it. I knew that Thierry hated the burdens of being leader, of making life-or-death decisions.

"Thierry – if it's a trap, I promise you that you'll never hear from me again, and the Night World won't be troubling you more than it is now."

Iliana shivered. "Can we stop being so morbid? Please!"

I chuckled. "Sorry Illy."

"Well. Thank you Jez, Delos, Iliana…now, if I may speak to Nick and Bee? The less people who know details about this –"

"We understand." Jez nodded, her defiant face smiling. She patted my arm on the way out. Delos gave me a perfunctory nod – extravagant attention from him – and Iliana squeezed my hand. "You carry with you the hopes of Circle Daybreak," she whispered.

Well. No pressure then.

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Well, that's Chapter Two up! Things really start progressing in the next few chapters – don't you love it once you've gotten rid of all that background information stuff and can proceed to really writing the story?

Notes

Scry – A method of divination using a shiny stone, crystal ball, mirror, or even a body of water.

- WalkThruTheFire.