Chapter Summary: Hank ghosts close to the truth as the two side of Renard's world comes too close to home, as a Stanger from the shadow brings renewed hope to his heart.

Notes:

The Razors Edge

Renard was bone tired when he finally arrived home, greeting the men at the front desk pleasantly he also smiled as he passed by the other residence as he when to his mailbox to collect its contents. Afterwards he walked passed the other people coming from the elevator. Once inside he checked his phone but the lack of messages was disheartening, with a sigh he placed his phone back into his pocket and once he was off the elevator he headed towards his apartment. Once the door was open and alarm disarmed, he placed down his keys, wallet, badge, jacket and post on the kitchen side. Heading into his room he stripped out of his clothing and stepped into his shower, he enjoyed the warming feeling of the water on his abused muscles.

It was a common misconception within the wesen world that Zauberbiest's didn't have the magic skills their sister Hexenbist did, the truth was that even though their skills were more towards poison's and potions they did have magical abilities. It just took a lot more energy out of them to use it, more so for Renard's halfblooded status. So, his confrontation with Taymor had taken more out of him then he'd wanted to, but it had to be done since he'd not expected Taymor to be so defiant.

Once the water began cooling, he pulled a towel round him before padding through to the kitchen, the abuse of his abilities had robbed him of his appetite so he decided just to check his mail before going to bed. That was when a small postcard caught his attention, pulling it out he carried it into his bedroom. Placing it on the bed he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and laid back upon his bed, he read and reread the small card as it brought a smile to his face.

S

The forge is hot, the weathers great and the locals are friendly enough.

I've enjoyed the trip, but I'm all spent up now. I'm hoping for a change of pace,

Maybe it's time I put down some roots. Portland sounds nice this time of year.

Here's hoping I find my prince charming soon enough.

N

Turning to his night stand he opened the draw and pulled out his notepad, turning the pages he placed the card alongside of it. Running his fingers along the pencil sketch he'd drawn some weeks earlier when he'd been tracking Nick through Portland's streets. He could read the unspoken words that were hidden between the lines and this filled him with pride, as well as a sense of hope. Putting the card within the pages he placed them both away before settling down for the night.

Hank pulled up outside the dive bar, despite it being midday the bar was busy as he entered. He'd pulled a long night and burned through a great many favours to get a name connected to his case. Walking up to the bar he asked the guy behind the bar for Sauly, the only name he had to go on. He just looked down at him before grunting towards an older guy in the far corner, he was on the phone with newspapers and papers covering his table.

Walking over he asked Sauly about what he knew about an underground fight club, the guy tried to shoo him off so without speaking Hank just pulled out his badge and tossed it on the table in front of him. Suddenly the guys attitude changed as the colour drained from his face, he seemed to squirm as he told him of a time, address and a name to contact. With that Hank left and headed to his car which was parked behind the bar, what he wasn't expecting was for his world to go dark as a hood was shoved over his head and a substance injected into his neck rendering him unconscious.

When he came too, he was chained up in a cell, the smell was overpowering as he realised, he was not alone. He could only see a few cells from his own but he recognised them both as two of the paroles he'd been looking into, that's when he saw Taymor and two other's walking towards him.

"You just had to stick your nose into business that wasn't yours Detective. Oh, hard luck. Now you can fight and die like the others, and there's nothing your dear Captain can do about it" the evil chuckle from him made Hank shiver.

Karl looked at the clock for the hundredth time, he was getting realy concerned for Hank it wasn't like him to go A.W.O.L. After questioning Detective's Pogue and Meachem and drawing a blank with both of them, getting up he decided it was finally time he spoke to the Captain. Knocking on his office door he nervously entered and told Renard about all he knew, once he was finished the look on the Captain's face told him all he needed.

Renard rallied the other officers and spread them throughout the city, he himself headed to the bar that Karl had given him. In the parking lot behind it he woged, the air was still heavy with the scent's of blood and a struggle. He growled at once scent in particular…Lowens. Pulling out his phone he dialled his most trusted agents.

/Sire/

"Sam it would seem that Taymor decided to take matters into his own hands, he's taken one of my officers".

/What is your will my prince?/

"You and Serena need to find my Detective, Taymor will pay for his insolence but it must be done before my officer's get to him. I'm going to seek Father Emilio's council on the matter" growled Renard darkly.

/If that's your will Sire, we will not stand in your way, just remember the cost that comes with the fathers help/

"Believe me Sam, I'm aware of the cost but he's crossed a line. Now go and may the fate's be in your favour".

/Yours too Sire/

With that Renard disconnected the call and got back into his SUV and headed out to a small church far out of the way of the city. Getting out of the vehicle Renard couldn't help but shudder as the shadow of the building fell over him, all his life he'd never felt comfortable in or around churches. Pulling his jacket around him he placed his sunglasses over his eyes before opening the heavy door and walking in. The archaic building felt cold despite the walm day outside, the silence was suffocating as he looked around.

Knelt at the front of the church under the gaze of the stained-glass Jesus was the father, he caught Renard's eye and gave him a small smile. Getting to his feet he walked over to the confessional booth, Renard nodded and followed. Sitting down he waited for the other man to join him on the other side.

"Forgive me father for I have sinned" he spoke uncomfortably, even though he knew this was for show Renard still felt uncomfortably judged within.

It was common knowledge that not many Beist, Hexen or Zauber followed the modern religious teachings, opting mostly to follow that of the pagan or demonic deities.

"But that's not why you're here?" sighed Father Emilio from the other side, he'd known Renard along time having sworn himself to his patron long before his birth.

This did not mean he was quick to throw himself to his knee when the young prince was around, quite the opposite he was one of the few people that didn't stand for the young man's follies and tantrums. Over the years this had brought them to respect each other's council greatly, Renard had no need to keep a tight leash on him and in return he'd stopped questioning the Princes worth. So, to see him now before him he knew it wasn't being done on a whim, whatever had brought him here was sure to be or on the way to becoming a danger to the city and not just his prince.

"No, I have an issue with a fellow parishioner, he has lost respect" spoke Renard carefully knowing Father Emilio understood his words.

"So, we have one who has strayed?" he questioned as Renard slipped a small picture to him.

"I'm afraid so".

"You have made an attempt to return him to the fold?" he asked not even needing to look at Renard who he knew wouldn't be amused at the question.

"I have, but he no longer fears the sword, here or the hereafter" sighed Renard, Father Emilio could hear the frustration within his voice.

"Sometimes the lost lamb is the most important to god, is he beyond redemption?" spoke Father Emilio as he tried to convey his words while sounding every bit the religious leader he was.

"unfortunately," Renard's words ended all doubt within Father Emilio's mind as he turned to face Renard through the mesh.

"So, you don't need my forgiveness?" he asked cooly.

"No. I need your wrath" growled Renard lowly, a darkness fell upon his features and into his words.

"When?" he questioned.

"Now" snapped Renard, Father Emilio let the disrespect slide as he understood the position Renard was in.

"Give me a few minutes to get changed" he asked as he stood.

"I'd advise you to prepare the offering in the meantime" with that Father Emilio opened the door and left leaving Renard in the silence, running his hands over his head he let out a shaky sigh before getting up and leaving.

He left the small wooden room and headed into a small back room within the church, out of the sight of prying eyes. Renard close the door; a cabinet was the only furniture within. walking over to the wooden cabinet against the back wall Renard opened it, within was an alter not set up for the worship of the religions foundation of the church they were within. A copper bowl sat on a red mat with a dagger at it's side, picking it up Renard drew the blade across his hand slicing his flesh open.

The crimson liquid oozed out staining the shining copper, Renard held the blade hard against his skin letting the blood flow freely. Once enough was spilt he drew the blade away and used his gifts to heal the wound, he felt lightheaded as he fell to his knees and rested against the wood for a moment. Meanwhile the crimson blood had turned black as night, except for a red skull outline bubbling within.

Father Emilio entered the room and saw Renard upon his knees, walking over he handed him a small vial and watched as he drank it before approaching the bowl and taking a glass, he scooped up some of the blood and swallowed it down. His dark brown eyes became crimson red, his skin became paler, his teeth descended and his fingers became spindly claws.

"Go now my child we have much to do and little time to achieve it in" hissed Father Emilio as Renard nodded and got to his feet, Father Emilio moved quicker than humans could perceive as Renard hurried from the church making sure he was not seen.

Hank didn't have a clue what was going on around him, he could hear drums beating, people cheering and jeering and the sound of fighting. He was sat in his cell; the other two he could see had been emptied some time ago and he hadn't see Taymor since. Suddenly he heard the clink of chains as they approached his cell, suddenly his body exploded with pain as he's tazze with a cattle prod. He's forced to his feet and clapped in chains as they dragged him down the hallway, suddenly bright light's flooded the area making Hank try to shield his eyes.

As his vision cleared he realised he was within an arena like he'd been investigating, the walls were large cages. His gate was one side and he could see another gate on the other side, Taymor was stood off to the side like a king on his throne as Hank realised the outside of the cage was crowded with people. He's suddenly pushed into the dirt with the gate closing behind him, the other gate is opened as a heavily armoured something leaps in. Hank couldn't see his opponent for the leather helmet and what looks like a mask or war paint covering his face, they were stood with a sword and shield in hand as Hank see one for him on the floor. Then Taymor spoke up.

"For the glory in death we spill our blood" he growled before all hell broke lose and Hank found himself fighting for his life.

Taymor was so caught up in his enjoyment he missed his two guards going down hard in the shadows, a hooded figure dressed in black slunk through the crowd until he was right up behind him. Drawing his blade, he thrust it under Taymor's chin making the Lowen jump and woge, his blood drained as his eyes fell upon the darkened void within the other man's eyes.

"Grimm" he growled as he signalled to his pride to back down.

"Open the gate" the figure growled into his ear.

"You know the laws well enough Grimm, it's a fight to the death. No exceptions" growled Taymor with a chuckle, the figure pulled the knife closer shutting Taymor up as he twisted himself round his body until he was before him.

"Open the gate" ordered the figure, Taymor smiled as he got the meaning in the others words.

He jumped with glee as he ripped open the gate as the other man lept into the arena, he raced to Hank and put himself between him and the other in the arena. He drew out two concealed blades and began matching the other move for move, he ordered Hank into a safe spot. Hank watched on in awe as the other man moved with great speed and grace, but it wasn't until the man rolled forward and his hood fell down, leaving his face uncovered. That was when he realised that he recognised the other man, he'd seen images of him months earlier.

So many questions flooded his mind but before he could speak up the arena was filled with the sound of sirens, as his fellow officers flooded the area followed by the large imposing form of the captain. The gates were retched open in the confusion and Nick slipped out of the arena and into the crowds.