IHGW-7

"Armor is our friend," Thor thought to himself as they struggled along. Although the demigods own immunity had saved him from the bulk of the spiders attack, Thor was suffering from the poison and the bruising and soreness. He was therefore grateful for the Monsters assistance as they traveled down a back alley towards their hotel.

Steve was in front checking at corners, not that they were concerned about the spiders returning but it would be difficult to explain their appearance to any passers-by. Tony had removed his suit and was carrying the case as well as some samples he had collected of the webbing for Dr. Banner. Hawkeye was bringing up the rear, so to speak. Jumping from building to building his bow at the ready, just in case.

Thor and Steve were once again covered in goo, with Hulk being less covered this time and more smeared with transfer from where he was helping Thor. Though not threatened personally the Little Guy had lost his temper when he had tried without success to get his friends out of the web and saw a bloodied Thor struggling.

It had struck him as wrong that his "playmate" should be injured. Thor was the only one who could play with Hulk without getting seriously injured as long as he was wearing his armor. Of course an angry Hulk was often just as bad as a threatened one, so instant Other Guy.

The archer hadn't said much of anything to his fellow Avengers since he had checked to make sure that everyone was fairly unharmed. He continued to check their surroundings as they were making their way back to the hotel. He still hadn't told his friends what he had seen back at the bank.. A wolf too large to be real, with human intelligence behind those golden eyes.

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Kenzi finished with the spell work finally and promptly collapsed on the setee next to Hale. "Okay," she said to all who were in Trick's quarters, "I've never done that much magic before, all at one time. I'm wiped, wrung out, just toss me in a corner some where."

"I think I have a better idea," said Dyson. He started with Hale who looked equally wiped. Lifting the younger fae's legs he toppled him back until he lay on the setee and then helped Kenzi to lay back as well. The Siren accommodatingly pulled the Elder so that her head rested on his shoulder,

"Thanks, little momma, still don't remember what happened but thanks." he said tiredly as his eyes slid shut. He was snoring softly before Trick could lower a blanket to cover the pair.

It was then that the pair of Elder fae realized that they were the only fae left in the apartment that were awake at least. Dyson signaled to the Blood King he would join him shortly, and then whispered in Kenzi's ear, "I'll be upstairs if you need me, sweet dreams." before kissing her temple and heading upstairs quickly.

Eric and Fleur were finishing up presetting the pub for the next days service. The two elder fae picked a booth at the back of the pub. Trick was already examining the webbing that the wolf had brought back for him. He pulled out a jewelers glass and began studying the spiders web in more detail.

"Definitely, Arachne's work," said the pub owner as he studied it carefully. "There was a time when all fae would actively seek out Arachne and her children." The Blood King continued without looking away from the glass, "To receive bedding, a woven blanket for your wedding was considered a blessing on your marriage."

"Cloth or a rope woven by Arachne or her children was the toughest, strongest material. It was used like humans use Kevlar these days and the rope, incredible stuff." he said finally looking up, "Lightweight, strong as steel and resistant to the elements, I think the only thing that could damage it was time and dragon's fire."

Eric interrupted them at that point to tell them they were finished with preaping to lock up and would see them tomorrow. Trick nodded his head with a warm smile to the two, and then as they headed to the door, the pub owner called out, "Where's Annie?"

The cook and waitress looked at each other and both turned back to Trick and said, "We haven't seen her since earlier this evening, should we check…"

The Blood King only shook his head and waved the pair on, giving the wolf a telling look. The wolf only nodded as he pulled out his cell phone and called Bo, all he got was her voicemail. "It's Dyson, call me if you need any help."

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Two shadowy figures made their way down the halls of the light fae compound in the pre-dawn gloom. Although not quite as stealthy as the Kenzi/cat burglar the pair were quick and careful as they made their way along the hall.

The feminine figure was in the lead and would glance around the corners and signal if she saw someone. The two black clad figures would then slip into the shadows, not a complete fade but close enough to fool the other fae.

They were a short distance from the lab when the duo overheard Lauren's ever-jealous fae assistant speaking to someone. "That human," the fae said with such venom you could tell the descriptor was meant as a curse, "shold have seen it coming." I mean first she dares to bring other humans in to the compound to be treated. Who knows what kind of germs or parasites that one brought in here."

From the sounds of it the assistant was pacing back and forth in the lab as he spoke, "She actually had intercourse with the unaligned succubus? Then she sides with the Shifters against us, the light fae, her masters?" he said acidly before continuing, "It's practically a "What not to do, if you are servant to a fae?" life video.

"Any one of those could be the reasons for her being confined to the dungeon, and she did all of them." The pair slid through the doorway of the lab and watched as the light fae continued to spew vitriol into his cell phone as he paced.

He was so busy gossiping into his phone it took him several minutes to realize he was no longer alone in the lab. By the time he did, both Vex and Bo were both standing in front of him, wearing matching blood chilling smiles.

Vex's hand flashed out and wrapped around the assistants throat before he could call for help, "Right and now you are going to tell us where they are holding Dr. Lauren Lewis," he said as he squeezed the light fae's throat even more tightly. He added, "The maybe I'll forget those nasty things you were saying about her, or maybe not."