Industrial Sorcery

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eXtasy Books www.extasybooks.com Copyright ©2004 by Morgan Hawke First Published by eXtasy Books October 2004

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or dead, is entirely coincidental. Uber Gothic: Industrial Sorcery Copyright ã 2004 Morgan Hawke ISBN: 1-55410-212-X Cover art by Angela Knight All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books, a division of Zumaya Publications, 2004 Look for us online at: www.zumayapublications.com www.eXtasybooks.com

The Sorceress and the Vampire... Sygni found her quarry in the upper gallery beforethe window he had originally entered. He was facing inward with his arms outstretched between two of the big support pillars. The magic had solidified to appear as chains clasped tight around his powerful wrists, holding him fast between the pillars. Apparently he had felt the spell activate, because his inhuman speed had allowed him to turn around before the spell had fully ensnared him. He jerked back and forth in an attempt to break free, his jacket ripping under the bunching muscles at his shoulders. “Son of a bitch!" Sygni winced. He was obviously very strong, but her spells could hold demons. “Don't pull too much, you'll only hurt yourself." His head jerked up, and he glared at her. His black eyes were hot with fury but he stopped pulling at the chains. His voice rasped around overlong incisors. “Did you do this?" Sygni nodded. “I'm afraid so.” She couldn't stop looking at him. By Hela, he was handsome, fangs not withstanding. Even in anger, he moved with a feral muscular grace. He clenched his hands into fists. “Let me go." Sygni snorted. “Let you go? But I just caught you." "Do you have any idea what I am?" Sygni pursed her lips. “Well, you're not human."

He nodded slowly. “You got that right, and if you know what's good for you, you'll let me go before I lose my temper." Sygni opened her eyes wide and clasped her hands together in mock fear. “Goodness, whatever will you do to me?" Galen leaned forward to the full extend of his chains. “First I'm going to jerk those tight leather pants down and spank that round bottom of yours, then I'm going to fuck you till you can't walk." Sygni couldn't stop her smile—or the sudden wet throb in her core. “Oh, that soundskinky !" Galen nodded. “And if you take too much longer to let me go, I'm also going to take that pretty throat and slake my undead thirst on your blood." Sygni hissed. All of a sudden the shimmer of darkness she had been feeling in the handsome beast's aura made sense. “You're avampire ?" Galen nodded with satisfaction. “Yep. And I'm getting harder and hungrier by the second, sweet-cakes."

Special Thanks To Angela Knight: for the Inspiration! (When I grow up, I wanna be just like you!) To Michelle Bailey: for your patience, and all the past midnight phone-calls. To Tina & Stef: for your unwavering faith in me.

~ One ~ The enormous motorcycle howled in demented glee while flying with a vengeance down the gently winding drive skirting Century Park. Massive and aged maples lined the road blazing in autumn red and gold under the dying sun. Blood-tinted leaves whirled in the windstorm of the bike's passing. The feminine figure in skin-hugging leathers leaned into the bike's turns, riding with effortless mastery. Dead ahead, the gothic turrets and decorative arched buttresses adorning the small castle appeared, rising against the indigo sky. The bike roared into the broad castle courtyard and the rider braked with abrupt force. The bike skidded to the side with a stone-spitting tire-squeal and coughing snarl. Calmed to a rumbling purr, the bike inched over to the graceful curve of the portico steps. With a practiced flick of gloved fingers, the rider cut the engine off and engaged the kickstand with her booted toe. She tugged the sleek black helmet off and shook her head. Silver-blond waves tumbled past her leather-clad shoulders. She looked up just as the last of the sun gilded the circular stained-glass window set in the tallest tower. She swept a gloved hand across her brow and grinned. “Right on time."

The castle's slender mistress stepped from the shadows of the castle's portico. Her hair spilled unbound beyond the plain silver band across her brow and fell in a sleek black curtain to her hips. Archaically resplendent in her black velvet and green satin Empire gown, she lifted the hem and descended the stone steps with practiced grace. Her leaf-green eyes danced with amusement. “Blessed Shadows, Sygni, you and your dramatic entrances." "Dramatic? Me?” Sygni raised a blond brow. “I don't wear clothes hundreds of years out of date just to be trendy, Mistress Morwyn.” She threw her leg over the bike's saddle and dropped toward the pavement. The knee-length skirts of her black leather motorcycle coat flared as she landed. Morwyn lifted her pointed chin and arched a black brow. “I'm the Arcanum librarian, I'm supposed to look this way, Miz Corporate Sorceress.” She glided around the bike with unconscious poise. “This is the biggest damn motorcycle I've ever seen. It looks like a cross between a Harley and something oriental. Is that a V6 engine block on that thing?" "Yes.” Sygni propped her helmet on the saddle. “It's a Valkyrie 2100. Honda makes them.” She tugged the zipper of her overcoat down and peeled out of it. Morwyn propped her fists on her slim hips. “How the hell do you keep that bike upright? It looks too big to even get on." Sygni smiled. “Witchcraft.” She tossed the coat across the bike's saddle. "That's your answer for everything.” Morwyn rolled her eyes. “And knowing you, it's probably the honest truth." Sygni pursed her lips and nodded. “Pretty much.” She tugged at the bouquets of cream lace that spilled over her collar and wrists. She frowned. Perhaps this blouse hadn't been such a good idea for the hour-long drive. The silk was damned near transparent from perspiration and the cuffs had proved itchy under her overcoat. She straightened the lapels of her double-breasted leather jacket. Morwyn gave Sygni an obvious once over. “Damn, I like the solid black uber-chic fetish getup. Those thigh-high boots with all the buckles do nice things for your legs." Sygni snorted and readjusted the silver chain and the guard charm that encircled her hips. “Thanks, I think." "You're welcome.” Morwyn grinned and headed back up the castle steps. “That bike must have cost you a fortune!" "It did.” Sygni's long athletic strides had no difficulty keeping up with the shorter tread of the castle's mistress. Morwyn held the heavy oak door open for her guest. “How ever did you pay for that monstrosity?" Sygni ducked into the main entryway and grinned broadly. “Cash." Morwyn closed the door behind her with an echoing thud, and turned to look at her friend in blatant astonishment. “Satan's ass, girl, where the hell did you get that kind of money?” She started walking briskly.

Sygni followed Morwyn down the hallway. “I was paid for a corporate-level job.” Her boot heels echoed sharply on the cobble-stoned floor as she passed a round table holding a writhing statue of indiscriminate gender. "Ah...” Morwyn led Sygni into the soaring main hall. Monstrous intricate and colorful tapestries draped the walls showing hunts, castles and fantastic beasts. A truly mammoth fireplace sinuous with marble statuary dwarfed the curved arch of a hollow round table that sat thirteen. Morwyn opened a narrow, peaked door on the left wall. “So spill it, Sygni, what did you do to get enough to pay cash for that bike?" Sygni snorted. “Nothing illegal, or even immoral." Morwyn grinned. “Really? That makes a nice change.” She led Sygni into a subdued and narrow stone hallway. Amber light spilled from tulip glass sconces along the walls of smooth stone blocks. Sygni's heels rapped on the flagstone. “You remember that big computer corporation that was in the news all last week?" Morwyn pulled opened another small door. “The internet company with the virus in their system that no one could do anything about? What was it ... oh, yeah, Asgard Online?" "That's the one.” Sygni followed her into a small, cozy room lined with bookshelves crammed with paperbacks. Two tall wingback chairs commanded the center of the room, framing a small round table set with a steaming teapot and two slightly cracked mugs. “Well, somebody smelled burning matches in the of the basement computer rooms..." "Burning matches?” Morwyn flounced into one of the overstuffed wingback chairs. She waved a hand at the matching chair on the other side of the table. "Yep.” Sygni dropped into the other chair. “As in, they smelled sulfur." "Sulfur?” Morwyn paused in the act of pouring tea. “Fire and brimstone sulfur? No way!" "Yes way.” Sygni stretched out her booted feet and snorted. “This time, it really was a case of AO-Hell. The virus was demonic in nature." "Demonic?” Morwyn passed a full mug to Sygni, then picked up her own mug. "Big time.” Sygni grinned broadly. “Apparently a disgruntled employee cast a possession on the damned server itself. I got the call on Wednesday." "What did you do?” Morwyn stirred sugar into her tea and reached for the cream. "I did a seven-point banishment.” Sygni sipped at her tea. “I got the demon, but they still lost the server." "They lost it?” Morwyn leaned forward in her chair. “How?" Sygni sighed dramatically. “Alas, demons are messy fixes.” She looked at her friend from the corner of her eye, barely containing her amusement. “When I removed the possession, the server melted into a

huge pile of plastic. Smelled to the high heavens, too." Morwyn choked on her tea. “You melted their server, and they still paid you enough to buy that bike with cash?" "Oh, yes, they did.” Sygni delivered a sly smile. “When they bitched about the lost server, I told them that I had no problems bringing the demon back, only I would do it right and infect them all." Morwyn's mouth fell open. “Would you, really?" "Of course.” Sygni nodded. Damn straight she would have, though she preferred using a fire elemental, like an ifrit. Demons were notoriously unstable. “Remember that southern tire factory that slid into the swamp?" "Blood and night, that's right.” Morwyn winced. “They refused your fee because of the fire damage from the imp somebody set loose in there." Sygni narrowed her eyes and set her jaw. “That tire corporation will neverever cheat a professional sorceress again." Morwyn shook her head. “Youare not a nice witch." Sygni smiled. “What a nice thing to say!" Morwyn raised a brow and a smile lifted at the corner of her mouth. “And I bet it sank on a weekend completely by accident?" She shrugged and felt her cheeks warm. “During a national holiday. It wasn't the employees’ fault that their bosses were shit-heels." "You and your ‘no innocent bystanders’ policy.” Morwyn shook her head and smiled. “That's so sweet." "Okay, yeah, whatever ... Let's not tarnish my pristine bad-ass reputation.” Sygni set her mug firmly on the small table between them. “So, why did you call me all the way out here to your gothic monstrosity?" Morwyn stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. “Hey, this castle came all the way from Ireland!" Sygni gave her a level look. “I know. I helped bring it here, remember? So, what's the deal?" Morwyn bit her lip. “I think I have a ghost." Sygni snorted and leaned back in her chair. “This is a real castle, aren't you supposed to have one?" "I can deal with a nice quiet haunt, but this ghost is noisy. It's been getting quieter, but it's still knocking things over and breaking the occasional window.” Morwyn set her mug down with a thump. “I've tried every haunt-repelling spell I have, but I can't keep it out." Sygni raised her brow. “You mean it isn't here all the time?" Morwyn shook her head. “Nope, it pops in after sunset and crashes around the whole damn castle until dawn, then leaves.” She groaned. “I haven't been able to get a decent night's sleep all week!"

Sygni tapped a finger on the small table. “You sure it's a ghost? It sounds more like a burglar that can't find what he's looking for." "Not one of the servants has seen it.” She shook her head. “We've chased it a few times, but it's always one room ahead. If it's not a ghost, it's too damned fast to be a normal human." Sygni leaned forward. This was beginning to sound interesting. “Where does it concentrate its actions?" Morwyn waved her hand. “The library floors and the long gallery." Sygni licked her lips. “That definitely sounds like a thief to me, not necessarily human, but still a thief." Morwyn frowned. “A thief? What could it be after?" Sygni gave her a disgusted look. “Hello? You only have the most complete arcane library in the eastern seaboard!" Morwyn raised her brow. “Next to you." "I just have some of the good stuff.” Sygni shrugged and felt her cheeks warm. Only because she had been taking some of Morwyn's more exotic volumes as payment for the occasional magical job. She shook her head. “But no one knows about my collection. Yours is a matter of public record." Morwyn leaned forward in her chair. “Does this mean you'll take a look?" Sygni shrugged. “Sure.” Catching and holding one unsuspecting thief, human or otherwise, shouldn't be too much of a strain on her abilities. It might even prove entertaining. She grinned. “But if I catch your thief, I want my pick of one of the books in return." Morwyn scowled. “You already have my most precious books." Sygni peered at the shelves of paperbacks. “I was thinking of the fiction section this time." "Oh!” Morwyn blinked then grinned. “Well, as long as I've already read it, we're good." Sygni cast a sly look at her friend, knowing that her greed was written all over her face. “Do you have the latest by Angela Knight?" "Ah! I just finished that one! Love her sci-fi vamps.” Morwyn nodded and smiled. “It's all yours." Sygni held out her hand and grinned. “You got a deal." **** Moonlight crept across the stone floor of the castle's long-pillared gallery. Sygni lounged in deep shadow against the wall wreathed in'don't notice me' spell-craft. She was bored out of her mind. Something rattled softly outside.

Huh?Sygni jerked alert and peered at the tall row of arched windows open wide to the night. A pair of masculine hands grabbed onto the castle's broad stone windowsill. A strikingly handsome if harshly carved face lifted above the sill framed in long midnight hair. Sygni raised her brows.How in Hell did he get way up here on the third floor from the outside? Did he actually climb? He lunged up and crouched on the stone sill, balancing carefully in old-style cowboy boots. His broad shoulders and biceps barely fit into his antique biker's jacket. Muscular thighs bulged in very tight, very faded jeans. Outlined in moonlight, he shimmered with an aura of otherworldly shadow. His black eyes glimmered lambent green from reflected light like a cat. Well damn, he looks tasty!Sygni stared with interest. This was no chain-rattling poltergeist, but definitely not a human either. The man suddenly disappeared then reappeared, standing in the middle of the gallery. Sygni's brows shot up.Whoa ... He had moved too fast for her eyes to catch. No wonder they hadn't been able to chase him down. The intruder swept his long hair back with both hands. Abruptly he lifted his head, peering suspiciously into the shadows. He frowned as his eyes passed right over her twice. Sygni smiled.Pretty-boy knows somebody is close by, but I doubt he knows enough mage-craft to penetrate one of my spells. He scowled, turned and disappeared. Fucker is really fast. Not that it will do him any good.She smiled and waited to see which of the doorway alerts he was going to trip. A shimmer jangled across her senses. Ah, he's in the library, one floor down.Somewhat amused, she headed down to the second-level library. It wasn't as if he could leave, every door and window in the place was threaded and webbed with her'No exit here' spell. Now that he was inside, he was hers. She licked her lips. Whatever he was, he was one beautiful beast she couldn't wait to tame.

~ Two ~ Wrapped tight in her'don't notice me' spell, Sygni trailed the tall, dark and gorgeous intruder down into the second-story vaulted Arcanum library room. She leaned casually against a nearby bookcase to watch him. He jerked around and scanned the corners of the room. Sygni nodded.He definitely knows he's being watched. Too bad the spell covers scent and sound as well as sight.

Cautiously he turned back to the shelf that occupied his attention with his shoulders slightly hunched. His hand moved in a blur of speed as he scanned book spines while muttering soft curses. Sygni nodded.Yep, definitely a thief... Long minutes passed. Boredom made Sygni's shoulders ache with unused tension.Okay, enough with playing Hide and Seek. Lets see how he feels about Tag. Sygni waved her hand in dismissal, dissipating her concealment spell. Her lighter clicked loudly as she lit her cigarette. His dark head shot up and he jerked around. The look of total astonishment in his black eyes was absolutely precious. Sygni loosed a long stream of smoke. “Find anything interesting?" He clenched his jaw, cocking his brow. “No. You?” His voice rumbled with tension. "As a matter of fact, I have.” Sygni straightened and flicked ash from her cigarette. “A thief.” She smiled. "I see.” His brows lowered and he stilled utterly. Sygni tilted her head in inquiry.What will you do, pretty beast? Attack or run? He bolted in a blur of speed. He ran.Sygni nodded.Good. He's not a killer by nature. She took a breath of cigarette smoke, then casually walked after him. There was in no hurry. Sooner or later he was going to hit one of the'no exit here' spells stretched across one of the windows and doors. All she had to do was wait for the spell to trap him, then go collect her prize. **** Sygni found her quarry in the upper gallery before the window he had originally entered. He was facing inward with his arms outstretched between two of the big support pillars. The magic had solidified to appear as chains clasped tight around his powerful wrists, holding him fast between the pillars. Apparently he had felt the spell activate, because his inhuman speed had allowed him to turn around before the spell had fully ensnared him. He jerked back and forth in an attempt to break free. his jacket ripping under the bunching muscles of his shoulders. “Son of a bitch!" Sygni winced. He was obviously very strong, but her spells could hold demons. “Don't pull too much, you'll only hurt yourself." He his head jerked up and he glared at her. His black eyes were hot with fury, but he stopped pulling at the chains. His voice rasped around overlong incisors. “Did you do this?" Sygni nodded. “I'm afraid so.” She couldn't stop looking at him. By Hela, he was handsome, fangs not withstanding. Even in anger he moved with a feral muscular grace.

He clenched his hands into fists. “Let me go." Sygni snorted. “Let you go? But I just caught you." He tightened his jaw. “So, now what?" Sygni tilted her head.Good question. Now that she had him, what should she do with him?How about a little interrogation? “What's your name?" He lifted his chin. “What's yours?" She dropped her cigarette and squashed it with her toe. “I'm Sygni." His brows shot up. “I don't think I've heard that one before." Sygni shrugged. “Mom had a thing for Norse myths." "Well, Sygni, I'm Galen.” He smiled with all the power his sheer rugged good looks could deliver. “And you look good enough to eat." Sygni swallowed as her nipples tingled in flagrant interest.Hela's tits, what a smile! “Thanks, Galen, so do you." "Really?” Galen licked his lips. “Then how about you letting me loose so we can do something far more interesting than yap?" Sygni raised a cool brow. “Love to, but first I think a few answers are in order, handsome." Galen's smile broadened. “So, you think I'm handsome?" "Sure.” Sygni curled her lip. “In a brawny, sweaty, animalistic kind'a way." Galen snorted. “Close, but not quite right.” He smiled, flashing the full length of his fangs. “Do you have any idea what I am?" Sygni pursed her lips. “Well, you're not human." He nodded slowly. “You got that right, and if you know what's good for you, you'll let me go before I lose my temper." Sygni opened her eyes wide and clasped her hands together in mock fear. “Goodness, what ever will you do to me?" Galen leaned forward to the full extend of his chains. “First I'm going to jerk those tight leather pants down and spank that round bottom of yours, then I'm going to fuck you till you can't walk." Sygni couldn't stop her smile, or the sudden wet throb in her core. “Oh, that soundskinky !" Galen nodded. “And if you take too much longer to let me go, I'm also going to take that pretty throat and slake my undead thirst on your blood."

Sygni hissed. All of a sudden the shimmer of darkness she had been feeling in the handsome beast's aura made sense. “You're avampire ?" Galen nodded with satisfaction. “Yep. And I'm getting harder and hungrier by the second, sweet-cakes." Sygni clenched her hands at her sides. Of all the stupid things to be ... “Did you do this to yourself? Did you deliberately turn yourself into a vampire?" "Uh, no.” Galen abruptly blushed and turned his gaze away. “Being a vampire was not my idea." Sygni rocked back on her heels. Mother Night, someonemade him into a vampire? Of all the careless things to do to someone! A vampire was permanently stuck on a liquid diet and active for only half the day. They couldn't ever have a family or hold a real job. Their whole life was screwed. She scowled. “Who did this to you?" Galen raised his chin and curled his lip. “What? Are you actually concerned for me?" Sygni snorted and set her hands on her hips. “There aren't a whole lot of people who can do this, and even fewer that can fix this, so yeah, I'm pretty damned concerned." He shook his head and sighed. “Sorry, babe, I was raised from the grave about two weeks ago. I can't be fixed." Sygni's mouth fell open. “You were raised?”Piss and damnation ... Somebody was playing with serious magic if they had raised a vampire from a corpse. She turned away. Damn, this pissed her off. Vampirism was reversible, to some degree, but because they dug him out of the ground somewhere, there wasn't even a chance. If anyone tried to pull the spell off of him, he'd just go back to being a corpse. She turned back and shook her head. “Shit, I'm sorry, but you're right. You can't be fixed." "It's okay. I'm getting used to it.” Galen shrugged. “As far as I'm concerned, every day above ground is a good day.” He focused his dark gaze on her. “So, how about letting me loose?" Sygni snorted. “Nice try. How about telling me what you were looking for?" Galen unleashed his devastating smile. “How about I explore with my mouth that wet cunt that I can smell from all the way over here?” He licked his lips. Sygni smiled. “First things first, vampire.” She lifted her hand and collected a handful of power. A wreath of red mist encircled her palm. “Now, do I get an answer as to what you are looking for in this castle, or do I get creative on you?" Galen bared his teeth. “I'd love to see you get creative—while pinned on my dick..." Sygni smiled and shook her head. “Oh, that was naughty...” She waved her hand and the mist leaped over to the vampire, and coalesced all over him. "Hey!” He jerked back in alarm. “What the hell is all this shit!" "Magic.” Sygni sketched a rune with her outstretched fingers. “Since you brought up the subject of your dick...” Her smile broadened. “Lets see what kind of a package you have!” She snapped her fingers.

“Dispel!" The mist abruptly cleared, leaving an enraged and thoroughly naked, vampire still chained to the pillars. Lightly furred muscled rippled across his chest and in his powerful thighs. The dark fur thinned as it arrowed straight down his muscular belly in a yummy-trail to his cock. He was long, thick, gracefully curved and urgently erect. Just the way she liked them. Sygni pursed her lips in appreciation. “Oh, that is ... nice." He bared his long teeth. “You perverted bitch!" "Is that the best you can come up with?” Sygni snorted. “And you have no idea just how perverted I can be." Galen jerked on his chains. “When I get out of this..." "You...” She raised her hand, and called another batch of power to her palm. “Will be very polite and very apologetic, if and when I decide to let you go. In the meantime, I have questions that need answers, Fang-boy." He sneered. “I am not telling you shit, lady." Sygni pouted and raised her palm. “Oh, dear ... and I was so admiring all that long, pretty hair. I guess it'll just have to go..." Galen's black eyes widened. “You wouldn't dare..." Sygni smiled. “I'm sure it'll all grow back ... eventually." He winced. “Look, just ... don't. Not the hair, okay? I'm dead, I don't know if it will grow back." Sygni smiled.Vanity, thy name is vampire ... Unable to resist the lure of his powerful body, she stepped up to him and swept her unoccupied hand down his broad chest. His hair felt like silk in her fingers. He was surprisingly warm under her palm. Somehow she thought he'd be colder to the touch, more ... dead. “Who sent you, Galen?" "Fuck...” He turned away. “Take my damned hair." "How about...” Sygni raked her fingers down his stomach, watching the muscles roll under her fingertips. “I take your virginity instead?" Galen glared at her from only inches away. “Why don't you just torture me and get it over with?" "Good idea.” She smiled. “Torture is good for the soul...” She grasped his sleek, warm hardness. “Just ask the Catholics.” She squeezed. He gasped and jerked back, but not out of reach. “Jesus wept, lady..." She dispelled her ball of power so she could explore him with both hands. He was incredibly firm and nearly hot. “My, Galen, you are a big boy...” She brushed her thumb across the plum head and felt moisture. He was close...

He groaned, then licked his lips, pushing himself against her palms. “Why don't you kneel down and take a closer look ... with your mouth?" "So, you like my mouth?” She smiled and leaned against his chest, but well out of fang range. Her tongue darted out to rasp his flat nipple to urgent attention. “Mmm ... tasty..." His breath exploded from his open mouth. “Fuck..." "Would you like that?” She leaned over to lick his other nipple. “My mouth on your cock?” She caught his hard nub in her teeth. He choked and his cock pulsed in her hand. “I would fucking kill for your mouth!" "Good.” She stroked his hardness with both hands and smiled. “Would you like me to lick you all over?” She reached under him to cup his firm balls. “Even here?” Her fingers slid under and up to brush the sensitive ring of his anus. He jerked. “Hey! Watch where your fingers are going!" "I know exactly where they are.” Sygni bit her lip in amusement. “Don't tell me you've never had a rim-job?" "I usually deliver them.” He angled his head to peer down at her and fire ignited in the dark heart of his black eyes. “To cute little sorceresses that like to bite off more than they can chew.” He bared his long teeth in a feral smile. “Right before I shove my cock right up their tight little asses." "Well, now that sounds like fun.” Sygni smiled. “However...” She tugged firmly on his cock, giving him a few hard strokes that forced gasps from his lips. “It looks to me like you were the one who bit off more than he could chew, Fang-boy." "Blood and hell, lady! Either make me cum or let my dick go!" Sygni raised her hand and licked her palm. “I'd love to make you cum.” She gripped him tightly with one hand and rubbed her wet palm vigorously across the sensitive head of his cock. He threw back his head and howled. “Then fuckingdo it! Quit teasing me, you sadistic bitch!" Sygni smiled. He was very close to breaking. She really was a sadistic bitch. Too bad for him ... “Who sent you, darlin'?" He choked and jerked back on the chains. “Ah, fuck ... I can't." Sygni pouted up at him. “But I was so looking forward to finding out what you taste like.” She licked her lips. He focused on her mouth and groaned. “Look, I can't...” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I can't tell you who sent me, okay? I just ... can't." "You can't?” She released him and unbuckled her jacket. She parted her silk blouse to reveal the upper swell of her breasts. “Are you sure?"

His gaze locked on her breasts. “I can't, I really can't.” His voice was a breathy whisper. “Damnation, Sygni, you have nice tits." "Thank you, Galen. They're firm, too. Are you absolutely sure you can't tell me who sent you?” She shoved one side of the leather over to expose her flushed and hardened nipple. She grasped the swollen point in her fingers and pinched, rolling it for him. “Because I really want to fuck you.” Her core pulsed with moist heat. She really did want to fuck him. In fact, she hoped he told her what she wanted to know soon or she was going to climb up and rape him while he hung in those chains. A small sound suspiciously like a whimper escaped his throat. “Damn you...” He closed his eyes and turned away, gasping for breath. “No, I can't tell you.” He shook his head firmly. “I can't! Okay?" "Why not, handsome?” She pressed her bared breast against his broad chest. “The sooner you tell me, the sooner we get busy." He groaned. “Because the guy that sent me makes you look like Glinda the Good Witch." She winced. “Oh, you do know how to hurt a girl...” She reached up and captured his nipple in her nails. She pinched, hard. "Ow, shit...” He gasped and shuddered. “Look, I can't okay? He's a nasty-ass son of a bitch and I'm grave-dust if I tattle." Sygni's eyes opened wide. “He has a dispel on you?" Galen gave her a bitter smile. “You could call it that. He says I'm set to go poof in a big way if I even hint at his name." "Piss ... I've been there myself before.” Sygni nodded. “All right, if you can't tell me who sent you, what can you tell me?" Galen dropped his head. “I was sent to get a book." Sygni propped her hands on her hips. “Big surprise, thisis a library. How about telling me something I don't know?" He jerked his head away. “It's the Book of the Moon." Sygni raised a brow. “That book isn't even here." He shook his head and sighed. “He says it's here, and I have to get it or I go poof." "Sorry, stud.” Sygni shook her head and smiled. “It used to be here, but it's not anymore. I have it." Galen's head jerked up. “You? You have it?" Sygni nodded and leaned against him until the heat of his cock pressed tight against her belly. “So, what'll you give me for it?" His eyes narrowed to fiery slits. “Any damn thing you want, as long as I get it well before dawn."

Sygni smiled. “How do you feel about motorcycles?" He tilted his head. “Huh?" Sygni tilted her head. “It's at my condo, and I'm riding the bike tonight." Galen snorted and gave her a sarcastic smile. “Hello? I'm naked?" Sygni licked her lips and grinned. “You know, I had noticed that.” She stepped back and sighed. “Pity the cops will stop us if you stay that way.” She turned away. “I'll be back in a bit." "Hey! Where are you going?" Sygni raised her hand and kept walking. “I'm off to see what Morwyn has in her closet, I'm sure I can find something to fit you." Galen jerked at the chains that held him. “You're just going to leave me here? Like this?" "Yep!” Sygni's laughter echoed down the gallery hallway.

~ Three ~ "I don't care if it's leather...” A growl boiled from Galen's chest. “You are not making me wear a skirt." Sygni grinned up at the chained vampire and wrapped the broad leather belt around his waist. “It's not a skirt, it's a kilt.” With nimble fingers she began fastening the quadruple row of buckles that held the floor-length pleated leather closed. "In case you haven't noticed, I am not a female!" Sygni snorted as she tightened the last buckle. “When were you buried? Leather kilts have been in fashion for gothic and industrial men since the 90's. Do the boots fit okay?" Galen looked down at the heavy soled and multi-buckled combat boots. “The boots fit fine.” He rolled his eyes. “I don't believe you're doing this to me.” He glared at her and shouted. “I look stupid!" "Morwyn did not have a single pair of trousers that would have fit you.” Sygni stepped back to admire the view. “It was this or nudity." The kilt came high up on his waist, setting off his amazingly broad shoulders and muscular chest. The tall boots and the leather kilt with all the studs and buckles gleaming in the moonlight gave him a very aggressive, edgy and rather deliciously ferocious appearance. Of course, that could have had something to do with the red light blazing from the heart of his eyes, and the bared fangs, but hey ... ? "I think you look very nice.” Sygni nodded. “In fact, if I saw you walking down the street like this, I'd rape you for sure." His growl softened, but remained a vibration in her inner ear. His hands clenched into fists. “How the hell am I supposed to ride a motorcycle in this?"

"Same way I do...” She grinned. “You hike it up and show off lots of leg." His eyes narrowed and surprisingly, his cheeks pinked. “Bitch." "I've been called worse.” Sygni shrugged and stepped back. “All right then, I'm going to free your arms.” She raised a cautionary finger and bit her lip to contain her grin. “Be good.” She raised both hands and spat out the complicated formula that rearranged her spell. The vampire's arms dropped, and he had to step forward to keep from falling. He rubbed his wrists and a calculating expression flashed across his face. He lunged at her in a blur of inhuman speed. Sygni blinked and found her back pressed against the stone floor, staring up at the grinning vampire with her arms stretched over her head. Somehow he had managed to settle between her thighs with her knees up and splayed. She had no memory of how it had happened. He had moved that fast. She shifted under him. He was incredibly heavy and had her pinned to the floor with his weight. She raised her brow. “Galen, I told you to be good." "Oh, I will.” Galen licked his lips and ground his hips onto hers, letting her feel the heated length of his unabated erection. A soft rumble that sounded suspiciously like a purr vibrated from the base of his throat. “I promise I'll be very, very good." Sygni fisted her hands and leveled a hard stare at the vampire. “Galen..." The vampire covered her lips with his. Huh?Sygni's mouth opened in surprise. His tongue surged in ... warm, wet and possessive, stroking against hers with devastating skill. He was thorough in his exploration but surprisingly gentle, considering his incredible strength, and sharp teeth. Damn ...She loved a good kisser ... and he was really,really good. The vampire angled his head for better access and shifted atop her. His hand wormed into her jacket to take possession of her breast. He squeezed with careful strength. They both moaned. He rolled her hard nipple in his fingers. Sygni whimpered softly. Her core gave a hard and vicious throb. Hewas damned good. She never got this hot this fast! He released her lips. “That's what I want to hear.” He grabbed her jacket and jerked it back, exposing her breast. He took her nipple with his heated mouth and skillful tongue. Ruthless and agonizing lust coiled tight in her core. She groaned and arched up against him, pressing her overheating crotch against his delicious length. It had been too long since she'd had a good hard fuck with a skilled lover. He caught her nipple in his teeth and gently tugged. Then not so gently...

Sygni's hips bucked as erotic shocks burned from her antagonized nipple straight to her throbbing clit. Son of a bitch! If he kept that up, she was going to cum in her pants! His hand slid down to her crotch. He closed his palm over her, pressing his middle finger directly over the seam that centered atop her clit and squeezed. Sygni felt her breath catch in her throat. Her core throbbed hard in ravenous greed. Her body tightened and pulsed on the very edge of explosion... He chuckled. “You are about to cum in my hand.” He pressed his mouth against her throat until she could feel the hard points of his long teeth. “Tell me now, sorceress, who has bitten off more than they can chew?" His words were cold water thrown into her face. Sygni gasped.The stupid arrogant shit! If he had kept his taunting comments to himself, she would have let him ride her to both their satisfaction, but no ... he had to open his damned mouth! That was it! This game was over! "Who bit off more than they can chew?” Sygni focused the power within her and reached for the spell she had bound him in. “You have, vampire.Sit !" Galen was flung from her as though thrown. “Fuck!” he shouted. He twisted in mid-air and landed on his feet, but her spell immediately forced him to his knees. His hands were pulled behind him. He jerked, but his wrists were locked together by her spell. Nor could he move from his knees. “Damn it!" Sygni rolled to her feet in one smooth motion and straightened her jacket. “I told you to be good.”You big, arrogant bastard... "What the fuck did you do?” Galen tossed his head and twisted but was completely unable to move from where he knelt on the stone floor. Sygni glared at him. “Did you really think I would leave you unbound? Just how stupid do you think I am?" He glared right back. “I wasn't going to take more than a sip!" Sygni curled her lip. Her clit throbbed with unrelieved tension and her nipples were hard enough to cut glass. “If you hadn't opened your damned mouth and made that crack, we would have been fucking by now!" "Piss...” He dropped his chin and his lip curled in a mutinous snarl. Sygni folded her arms across her chest. “Are you ready to act like a man rather than a beast and walk on your own, or do I have to keep you restrained?" He focused on the floor. “Do I have a choice?" Sygni's fingers tightened on her crossed arms. Sexual frustration seriously cut into her patience. “I just gave you one." Galen turned his head away and his jaw tightened. “I'll control myself."

Sygni nodded. “Good. You may rise." Galen's body abruptly relaxed. He rose to his feet with feline grace. “Sygni, what exactly are you?" Sygni waved her hand, signaling him to follow. “I'm a magus, a corporate level sorceress. I get paid the big bucks to deal with magical and paranormal problems.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Like you.” She tilted her head toward the stairs. “Come on, my bike's outside." **** Morwyn met them at the bottom of the main staircase. She looked up, and up at the vampire. Her green eyes opened wide. “Whoa ... big. I see why you needed the kilt." Sygni's smile was tight. “This is Galen. Galen, this is Morwyn, the Arcanum librarian." Galen raised his brow at the tiny librarian. “This is your kilt?" Morwyn frowned at Galen. “It belonged to one of my exes.” She tilted her head. “It looks a lot better on you." Galen's brows shot up. “You think so?" Morwyn nodded. “Definitely.” She followed Sygni and Galen to the front door. “You're leaving?" Sygni nodded. “I'm taking him back to my place." Morwyn rolled her eyes as she opened the massive front door. “Why am I not surprised?" Sygni glanced back at her friend. “What's that supposed to mean?" Morwyn grinned. “Oh, come on! Everyone knows that you're a sucker for a pretty face." Sygni strode down the front steps, refusing to comment, or acknowledge Galen's sudden grin. The librarian was right, she did have something of a reputation for carving a swathe through the male population, though no one ever stayed long. She scowled. It wasn't her fault they couldn't handle dealing with a professional sorceress. Galen stopped before the motorcycle and stared. “That is the biggest damned bike I've ever seen. Is that a V6 engine block?" Sygni rolled her eyes. “Yes, it is.” She walked over to the Valkyrie and lifted her overcoat from the bike's saddle. “This is a Valkyrie 2100." Morwyn laughed. “I said the same thing when I saw it." Galen shook his head. “Bikes were nothing like this in my day." "Your day?” Morwyn frowned at Galen. “I ah, don't mean to be rude, but I just noticed your aura. What are you?" Galen abruptly blushed and looked down at the asphalt.

Sygni shoved her arms into her coat and tilted her head at Galen. “He's a vampire." Morwyn's eyes widened and she took a startled step back. “A vampire? A real one?" Galen sighed, then delivered an elegant bow. “In the flesh." Sygni rolled her eyes and zipped her coat. “So to speak.” Bloody Night's Mother, now he was flirting with Morwyn. “Galen was raised from the grave.” She reached for her helmet. "A vampire from a corpse?” Morwyn's mouth popped open. “Who the hell would do a thing like that?” She shook her head. “I'm sorry, Galen." Galen shrugged. “I'm okay with it." Sygni tossed her leg over the bike's saddle. “He was sent here to get the Book of the Moon.” She inserted the key and waved her hand over the bike's engine. The Valkyrie leveled out to balance on its two wheels, lifting her feet from the ground. She tapped the kickstand with her toe and it folded neatly away. Morwyn frowned ferociously. “But you have that book." Sygni nodded. “More to the point, you do remember what the Book of the Moon is for?” She set the black helmet on her head with the visor raised. Morwyn focused on Sygni. “The Book of the Moon? But it only does one thing..." Sygni nodded as she buckled the chinstrap to her helmet. “That's right, it's for making werewolves." Morwyn shook her head. “But why would anyone want to make a werewolf?" Sygni glanced at Galen. “Likely for the same reason he made a vampire." Galen threw up his hands. “Don't look at me! I have no idea why he raised me. Hell, I didn't even know vampires existed until I woke up on a table and he told me what I was." Morwyn tilted her head. “So what did he do with you?" Galen focused on the huge motorcycle balancing on magic. “Nothing. I was locked in a basement until early last week when he sent me after the book." Morwyn frowned. “He kept you in a basement for a whole week? How did he feed you? I mean you're a vampire and all..." Galen grimaced. “He tossed in the occasional bag of medical blood.” His expression twisted with disgust. “The shit was ice cold, too. I think he kept it refrigerated." Sygni snorted. “One normally refrigerates medical blood.” She reached into her coat pocket for her riding gloves. It was going to be chilly on the ride to the city this late at night. She glanced at Galen's naked chest and winced.

Galen scowled. “Bagged blood is nasty, and something is definitely missing in it. When he finally let me out I looked like a walking skeleton. As soon as I started drinking live blood, I started filling out." Morwyn's face blanched. “You killed people?" Galen shook his head. “No. I only need about a pint every now and again.” He shrugged. “So far I've been doing just fine sipping here and there.” His gaze settled on Sygni. “For some reason, no oneelse seems to mind, they just think it's kinky." Morwyn delivered a tight smile. “I can see that, especially in the fetish crowd. Cute as you are, finding willing donors must have been easy." Galen grinned at her. “You think I'm cute?" Morwyn stepped back hastily. “In a way-too-big-for-me kind of way. You're nice to look at, but definitely not my type." "Quit flirting and mount up.” Sygni held her hand out to Galen. “It's going to be a long, cold ride to the city." "Tell me about it.” Galen grasped her forearm and tugged his kilt up over his knee with the other hand. Morwyn bit her lip. “He's going to freeze on the back of that." Sygni sighed. “I'll set a warming spell..." "Wait, I have a better idea!” Morwyn turned toward the stairs. “Stay right there! I think I have something that will fit him.” She fled into the castle. Galen released Sygni's arm and stepped back. “I don't get it...” He looked toward the castle. “I came here to steal from her, why is she being so nice?" Sygni smiled after her friend. “She's known for taking in strays.” Her smile twisted. “She took me in." Galen turned to Sygni. “You?" Sygni sighed deeply under the weight of memory. “I wouldn't be the sorceress I am today if she hadn't let a ragged street punk into her home to read her books. She was the first person to teach me to control my magic.” She turned to Galen and put as much warning as she could in her stare. “I would do anything for her. Anything." Galen smiled gently. “I can see that." Sygni raised her brow. “What I want to know is how come you're so polite with Morwyn? Did you finally remember your manners or something?" Galen jabbed his thumb in the direction of the castle. “Shedidn't chain me up, take all my clothes, tease the fuck out of me, and then put me in this get-up!” He lifted his chin. “Why? Are you jealous?" "Jealous!” Sygni set her hands on her hips. “You're just pissed that the sweet little girl caught the big, bad vampire thief!"

"Sweet, my ass!” Galen curled his lip baring curved incisor. “And I told you, I don't have choice here. I have to get that book or I'm grave-dirt!" "Oh come on, you two!” Morwyn came running out of the door with a long length of black leather draped across her arms. “I leave you for five minutes and you're already fighting? Give it a rest!” She shot a glare at both of them, and unfolded a double-breasted coat lined with curly black lamb's fleece. It dragged the ground when she held it up. “Galen, try this on." Sygni bit her lip. “Morwyn, isn't that your dad's coat?" Morwyn lifted her chin. “Dad has been dead for over twelve years, and Galen needs it." Galen took the coat. “I'll return this as soon as I can.” He slid his arms in and it settled neatly on his broad shoulders. The full skirts flowed nearly to his ankles. He pulled it closed and fastened the oversized buttons all the way up, until the curly black fleece on the collar framed his jaw. He knotted the belt. “Thank you." "You're welcome.” Morwyn's smile was tight. “It looks good on you." Galen nodded at the tiny librarian. “I'll take good care of it.” Sygni held out her arm for him to grasp and he tossed a long leg over the bike. He settled in the passenger saddle and twitched at the coat and his kilt to tuck them around his legs. Morwyn stepped back. “Play nice, you two." Galen grinned at Morwyn. “Who, me? I always play nice.” He leaned forward and wrapped his arms snugly around her smaller form. Sygni snorted. “This from the guy that wants to spank my ass?" Galen chuckled against her back. “Among other things." Sygni snapped down the visor and opened the throttle. “Hang on!" The Valkyrie roared to life and lunged forward to turn sharply toward the gates. Galen leaned into the bike's turns with ease, then looked over his shoulder and waved at the librarian. The massive bike howled past the gates onto the street and carried them both into the autumn darkness.

~ Four ~ The massive Valkyrie roared from the ramp onto the long night-black and forest-lined highway. The high tech bike was the only thing moving under the stars with only wind for company. Sygni set her cruise control to maintain her speed. It was a straight shot from here into the city, but that was still a long way off. She stared at the road through her visor, bewitched for night-vision. The headlamp was the only brightness in the surrounding darkness. Galen was a warm weight against her back. She was taking a vampire home with her. Blood and doom, what was she thinking? She ground her

teeth in annoyance. What kind of a dumb ass would make a vampire anyway? A vampire needed more care than a damned familiar. They had to be fed fresh blood regularly and kept safe during the day. They were only good for two things: sex and assassination. Because of what they were, they couldn't do much else. This one wasn't a killer by nature, so all that was left was a sex toy. He certainly had the skills for it. She frowned. She couldn't imagine being raised just for someone to fuck. It was like he was an object. She frowned at the road. Galen was not an object; he was a person. In fact, he seemed to be a decent guy, for someone undead. Sure he had a handicap, a severe allergy to daylight ... Come to think of it, she needed to ask how bad that was. She had no idea if the legends were right about sunlight actually harming him. She'd have to make sure the curtains were kept closed during the day. Damn, this was a freaking pain in the ass. What in blazing fury was she going todo with him? She had no intention of handing over a book that held the spell for making werewolves. A werewolf was even tougher to fix than a vampire. But if she didn't hand it over, he'd revert to being a corpse. All that feral beauty lost to dust. She scowled. She did not want Galen to revert back to being a corpse. Sure, he was a vampire, but that wasn't his fault. He deserved to have what little life he was granted, and he shouldn't have to live it as somebody's sex toy or killing slave. Maybe there was a way to pull off the sorcerer's dispel-bind? Formula and mage-craft streamed through her thoughts. It might just be possible, but she'd have to be very careful to keep him from falling apart once she dismantled the binding... Sygni's attention jerked back to her passenger. Galen's hands had moved under her coat and settled on her inner thighs with his fingers far too close to her crotch. “Watch where your fingers are going!” she shouted over the wind. "I know exactly where my fingers are!” he shouted back, echoing her early comment. He lifted one hand from her lap and grabbed the zipper tab at her throat, drawing it down to just below her breasts. Sygni gasped as the chill wind dove into her coat. “What are you doing?" "My hands are cold!” Galen shoved one hand into her coat, burrowing under her silk blouse. His palm closed around her breast. “Oh, yeah...” His hand on her thigh shifted higher until he cupped her crotch. “My hands are warm now!" Sygni choked. “Mother Night!” One of his fingers was putting pressure on the seam riding her clit, and he had her nipple trapped between the fingers of his other hand. There wasn't a damn thing she could do about it, either. She couldn't take her hands from the bike's handlebars or shift in the saddle to get out of the way. Magic or no magic, at this speed with two riders any sudden move would change the bike's balance and cause an accident. “Do not make me wreck!" "Don't move, and we'll both be fine!” His chuckle vibrated against her back. He slid his palm deeper under her crotch, putting just a bit more pressure on her clit. His hand tightened on her breast, pinching the nipple between his fingers. A flash of erotic heat speared through her and a small yelp escaped her lips. “Galen!" "What's the matter, sorceress? Can't take the pressure?"

Sygni grit her teeth. “I can take anything you can dish out!" "Oh, really?” Both of his hands began tightening, pinching her nipple and pressing against the seam riding her clit in a slow counter-rhythm. Sygni swallowed a gasp. Warm curls of pleasure pulsed in tempo with his hands. Moisture pooled in her panties and her body tightened hungrily. She groaned.Son of a bitch! How does he keep doing this to me? I'm never this responsive to anyone! She focused on the road and grimly worked to ignore the slow rise of sensual tension.I can take it, she reminded herself forcefully.But he's going to royally pay for this. **** The lights of the city spread before them and other vehicles began to course the road with them. Sygni thanked the powers that the night hid where Galen's hands were from the other drivers. She was near mindless with lust, but held onto her sanity with grim determination. They ramped onto a lighted highway and Galen continued with his torturous ministration on her clit and nipple. Truck drivers began honking in friendly acknowledgement. Sygni grit her teeth. The vampire was definitely going to regret this... They rolled into the heart of downtown and Galen's hands stopped as he looked around at the fanciful glass and steel of the buildings rising around them. Sygni turned into a parking garage under one of the taller buildings. She stopped at the blockade. Galen leaned over her shoulder. “You live here? In a skyscraper?" "In the penthouse.” Sygni swiped her parking pass through the sensor. She rolled onward and began the long drive up, and up and up to the top of the parking deck. Sygni stopped the bike in her assigned parking spot with a sigh of relief. "Sygni,” the vampire whispered in her ear. “Let's fuck. Right here, right now." Sygni stiffened on the saddle of the bike. Her entire body howled with eagerness. She was afraid of what he was asking for, and afraid of the rabid strength of her own desire. She was afraid to let go of the handlebars. Galen pulled his hands free, then kicked his leg over the back of the bike, dismounting. He unbuttoned his long coat and walked to her side. He reached up and unbuckled her helmet, pulling it free. She turned to face him, still afraid to dismount. Galen set his hand over hers on the handlebar. His eyes were dilated wide to black rings around flame. “Sygni...” He leaned forward and captured her mouth in a soft kiss. She moaned softly and gave in to his kiss. Ferocious hunger rose. She released the handlebars and grabbed the shoulders of his coat for balance, kissing him with all the raging pent-up lust in her body.

He groaned and closed his arms around her waist. His hungry mouth devoured her tongue and nipped at her lips with distracting skill as he gently pulled her from the bike. His kisses drove her back until she leaned against the magically balancing Valkyrie. With blinding speed he unzipped her long coat and unfastened her jacket. In a single breath, he unbuttoned her shirt. He cupped her bared breasts in both palms and squeezed. Sygni moaned into his mouth. Mother Night, he was good with his hands... Galen dropped a hand to her pants and he had them open in half a second. He shoved his hand inside, burrowing straight down. His fingers found her wet flesh and he growled deep in his chest. He shoved a finger straight up into her, pinching a nipple at the same time. Sygni gasped into his mouth and bucked against his hand. She felt him release her breast to grab the back of her pants. He yanked them down over her hips, then past her ass. She jerked her mouth free. “Galen..." "Sygni, don't.” His eyes blazed with hunger and his jaw was set with determination. “We're driving each other insane, we need to fuck.” He yanked his hand out of her pants and turned her around, lifting her, then shoving her over onto her stomach across the bike's saddle. He groaned. “Mother of God, you have a nice ass." Sygni gasped softly. He was going to fuck her over her bike? She struggled briefly but, her feet were barely touching the ground and her pants had her legs trapped together. “Galen, I have a perfectly good bed." He pressed a hand between her shoulders to keep her down and jerked at his kilt. “I can't wait that long, and I don't think you can either.” The folds of his coat draped her hips. Sygni felt the heat of a rigidly hard cock against her ass. Raw hunger roared through her and cream dripped down her legs. The broad head of his cock pressed between her thighs. She pushed up on her toes and raised her ass to meet him without thought. He found her wet folds, grabbed her hip and pushed with agonizing slowness. She felt her flesh stretch to receive him and gasped. Bloody Mother Night, he was big, and hard, and long ... She hadn't had a cock like this in far too long. She groaned. He gasped and stilled, only partway in. “Am I hurting you?" "No,” she panted out. “No, you feel really ... good.” He wasn't moving. She looked over her shoulder. His face was tight with concentration. She rolled her eyes and shifted her hips. “I'm not fragile. Get in here and fuck me, damn it!" He smiled and chuckled softly. “My pleasure.” His hand tightened on her hip. He rammed home. They both gasped. "God, you're fucking tight...” His hand closed on her shoulder and he pulled back to thrust hard. The bike rocked under the impact. Sygni gasped. “Hela's tits! Yes!"

"Fuck yeah...” He dropped over her back to cup her breasts with brutal strength. Closing her tight in his arms, he thrust into her wet and more than willing body. He pulled back and thrust again, and then again, gaining in speed and power. He fucked her hard enough to jolt her across the saddle. The wet sounds of thrusting flesh and the sharp sounds of his hips slapping against her ass echoed in the parking deck. Sygni twisted under him. She could feel his balls pounding her clit deliciously with every stroke. Fire mounted and burned in her core. She could feel her climax rising with maddening speed and vicious intent. "You're close.” Galen's breath was harsh in her ear. “Cum on my cock, sweetheart. Cum on my cock and make me feel it. I'll be right behind you.” His thrusts suddenly increased in tempo. “Cum now!" Sygni tensed and her breath caught. Climax roared up in a hot wet tidal wave and crashed in a glittering blaze of erotic fire. She shouted out her release and writhed in frenzy beneath him. He growled. “Yes...” He grabbed her chin, angling her head, then his mouth closed on her throat. His teeth pierced her. Sygni gasped.He bit me? Suddenly a second wave of climax screamed through her. She howled with the rushing ferocity. He thrust hard, then thrust again, then once more and held tight within her. His cock pulsed, pumping her full of his semen as he sucked the blood from her throat. **** Sygni leaned back against the wall of the elevator with her arms folded across her chest. She scowled at the vampire. Her knees were still shaking. He'd had to help her up from the bike and set her clothes to rights. “I don't believe you bit me." Galen sighed and shifted against the far wall. His jaw was set, but his eyes were still hot as he held her gaze. “I'm a vampire, it's what we do." Sygni's frown deepened. “Every time you have sex?" Galen refused to look away. “Yes. I can't cum without it." Sygni's brows shot up. “So you can't masturbate?" Galen choked out a laugh and his cheeks pinked. “No.” He looked away briefly. “It just gets me really frustrated.” He smiled tightly. “I can't even drink blood without getting a hardon." Sygni snorted. “That must have been quite a problem when you were drinking it from a bag." Galen curled his lip. “It was, thank you very much." "While we are on the subject...” Sygni felt her cheeks heat. “Do you want to tell me why I had blood running down my legs instead of jizz?" Galen's cheeks blushed a deep red. He dropped his eyes to the floor. “My semen is blood-based."

"Blood-based?” Sygni thought it over. “Well, you are a vampire, so it makes sense..." Galen rolled his eyes and turned slightly away. “I'm glad it makes sense to you, because it still freaks my shit out." Sygni sighed. “Galen, according to everything I've read, vampires are normally made by infection, not by impregnation." He scowled at her. “No one I've slept with has gone vampire." Sygni smiled sourly. “I'm betting that you have to get them right damned close to death to knock out the body's natural immune system. Then have them drink a shit-load of your blood on top of your semen to turn them." Galen shrugged. “I don't know. It's not something I've tried." Sygni nodded. “Good. Don't.” She smiled sourly. “I don't want to go into the vampire pest-control business." "Neither do I.” Galen gave her bitter smile. “I don't like killing people I've fucked." The elevator door dinged and opened. "That's nice to know.” Sygni rolled away from the wall. “Follow me."

~ Five ~ The whitewashed hallway was short and contained one door. Sygni waved at the door across from the elevator. “That's the stairs, if you ever feel like walking yourself to death. We're thirty-six stories up.” She strode for the blank wall at the far end of the hall. She pulled out her keys and waved her hand. A door appeared. "Holy shit!" Sygni smiled. “It's an illusion. If thieves don't know a door is there, they can't break in.” She unlocked the door and swung it wide. “Welcome to my humble abode." Galen stepped in and looked around with wide eyes. “You call this humble?" Sygni shrugged. “Well, no, not really." The main room was huge with enormous Persian carpets in black and gold spread across the thick dark red carpeting. Occasional pools of amber light spilled from the stained glass floor lamps. Reproduction paintings of her favorite Art Nouveau artists were scattered all over the distant dark paneled walls. A pair of massive black leather couches commanded the very center. They faced each other across a heavy black marble coffee table covered in books. Bookcases of every size and description acted as walls sectioning off parts of the room. Her office area held a massive black oak computer desk jammed tight with three monitors and every conceivable form of computer equipment. More bookcases filled with ring binders of printouts lined the entire area. Another

area cordoned off by yet more bookcases held her big-screen TV, a black leather loveseat and her stereo system. Sygni walked over to the apartment's best feature and hit a button on the wall. The entire wall rolled up to the ceiling, revealing a massive window that displayed her huge patio garden and small beautifully hand-tiled in-ground pool lit by underwater lights. The night-draped city twinkled in the distance. Galen nearly choked. “You have a fucking pool?" Sygni grinned. “That's the hot-tub.” She pointed to the smaller octagonal pool that commanded the center of one wall on the pool. The tub sat about two feet above the pool's edge. Water trickled over into the main pool, acting as a small decorative waterfall. "How the hell do you afford all this?" Sygni shrugged. “This is a banking tower. They pay me to live here and keep bad things away from their money." Galen whistled softly. “Nice work, if you can get it." Sygni turned away. “Not really. I have to do regular checks of this whole fucking building from basement to roof about once a week. Takes me all damned day to do one, too. On top of that, I'm on call twenty-four-seven." "How often do you have to deal with bad things?" Sygni lifted her shoulder. “About once a month; that's why I live here. They got tired of paying my contractor's fees and offered me the penthouse instead." Galen frowned. “Who lived here before you did?" "Nobody. The penthouse was haunted by the architect that built it, so no one wanted to stay here.” She walked across the main room. “Come on, I'll show you the rest." The relatively small kitchen held a dining nook overlooking yet another floor-to-ceiling window, and all the appliances a chef could dream of. Sygni snorted. “I barely know what half this stuff is for." Galen looked around with interest. “I do." Sygni turned to him sharply. “You eat? As in, food?" Galen shrugged. “Uh, no, but I do cook and I can still taste." "You can cook?” Sygni raised her brow. “What exactly did you do before you were turned?" Galen gave her a droll look. “I rotted in the grave." Sygni snorted. “Before that?"

"I was training to be a chef. I was going down route sixty-six heading for this bigwig chef's school in California, and then something small hit my chest. I flew backwards off the bike and woke up on a table with some guy telling me that he'd dug me out of the ground and I was a vampire." Sygni shook her head and led the way out of the kitchen. “What were you doing in the ground this far from California?" Galen shrugged as he followed her back across the main room to the far wall. “I have family up here, or I did. I guess they carted my body back north to bury me.” He looked away. “I don't even know what cemetery he got me out of." "That's simple enough to find. I have one hell of a computer. All we have to do is look for corpses stolen the week before you were raised.” Sygni pulled open a pair of smoked glass double doors. “In the meantime, this is my workroom. Come on in." The room was big and empty. The walls and the ceiling were painted stark black with more red carpeting. A broad but low circular wooden platform took up almost the entire floor covered in a brilliant and perfectly round Persian carpet. On each of the walls hung a small decorative shelf with a thick white pillar candle squatting on it. The only furniture was a broad antique marble-topped dresser set right in front of a black velvet draped window. The small statues, decorative candleholders and pagan knick-knacks that covered the dresser's surface had taken her years to collect. A pair of ceremonial daggers—one with a white handle, and one with a black—were her most prized possessions. Sygni knelt to roll up the carpet that covered the platform, revealing the gigantic and intricate pentacle carved into the highly polished wood. The detailed design was painted in brilliant colors that glimmered with spectral light. “Come on up here and let's take a look at your binding." Galen stared at the glowing star and took a startled step back. “What?" Sygni pushed the carpet onto the floor. “I want to see if I can remove the spell on you, so you can't be turned back into a corpse." Galen frowned. “Why?" Sygni got to her feet. “That is a stupid question." Galen's hands fisted at his sides. “No, really, why would you want to do that for me?" Sygni rolled her eyes. “Galen, it's my job to fix magical messes..." "So I'm a mess?” He scowled. “Is that all I am to you?" Sygni gave him a level stare “Right now youare what I consider a mess. You are a human that has been bewitched into something he never should have been, with the potential to become a serious problem." "So now I'm a problem?" "A potential problem.” Sygni scowled to keep from showing the pain gripping her heart.Damn, stubborn, idiot ... “You are currently the slave of a sorcerer that obviously has no idea how to use the vampire he's made. That makes you a mess, not a problem, at least not yet."

"Use me?” Galen threw out his hands. “I'm strong and fast. Big deal! I can only operate past sunset. What good is that to anyone?" Sygni focused on Galen's pained expression. “Like I said, your sorcerer didn't do his homework or he would have known that vampires have the power of command. You didn't have to break into Morwyn's castle, you could have gone to her front door and asked for it." "Say ... what?" "You can stare into someone's eyes and influence their mind." Galen raised a brow. “You're saying that I have the ancient Jedi mind trick?" "In spades, Fang-boy.” Sygni smiled sourly. “Galen, very few people can resist a vampire's influence. Haven't you noticed that getting laid was really easy once you caught someone's eye?" Galen snorted. “I noticed that it didn't work so good on you." Sygni gave him a tired smile. “I'm a very powerful sorceress. I can resist it, to some degree. The average person doesn't even stand a chance." "Oh...” Galen turned his head and stared into the shadows. “It's not something I did on purpose..." "No, you wouldn't.” Sygni rubbed her forehead. That had to be a blow to the ego to realize that people weren't sleeping with you because they liked you, but because they were being influenced into it, and didn't have any real choice. “You're not the kind to abuse a talent like this." Galen dropped his chin and lowered his brows. “If this guy does figure out how to use me, you honestly think I'll just let him do that?" "Galen, I have no doubt in my mind that you will fight him. You are a creature of magic and as such, you possess some natural resistance to it.” Sygni set her jaw. “But you are no match against a trained sorcerer. Sooner or later he will make you do his bidding. When that happens, you become a serious problem that I will be called in to fix, probably by the authorities." "Fix? How?" "I will have to hunt down this sorcerer, and either break his power over you, or kill him.” She took a deep breath to speak past the sudden lump in her throat. “And once his power is gone, you will revert to being a corpse." "Shit..." "And I don't...” Sygni's voice tightened to whisper. “I don't want that to happen if I can prevent it. You may have been raised from the grave, but you're alive now and deserve to keep what life you have.” She stomped her foot in frustration and sucked in a deep breath. “Now, will you let me see what he did, and maybe do something about it?" Galen let the coat slide from his shoulders. “What do you need me to do?" Sygni released her breath. “Get naked, then get up here."

**** The dozens of lit candles on the dresser—her altar—along with the four candles on the walls cast very little light compared to the ephemeral blaze from the pentacle on the floor. Galen groaned, spread out on his stomach stark naked and magnificent in the center of the blazing star. His arms and legs occupied four of the star's points with his head at the fifth. “I feel like a human sacrifice waiting to happen." Sygni stepped over him and straddled his hips, facing his head. “According to what's scrawled all over your body, you've already been there and done that.” Her brows lowered as she examined the shimmering colors of the sorcerer's spell bleeding from under his skin. She did not like the look of what she was seeing. The tracery of power was everywhere, running through every damned inch of him. “Mother Night, you're a mess." Galen snorted. “Gee, thanks, I feel so reassured." Sygni followed the lines of power flowing through his body, looking for the spell's core. Her frown deepened. The magical tracery looked more like circuitry than traditional formulae, and as such it seemed to be running counterproductive to what it was supposed to be doing, mainly keeping the vampire upright and breathing. She finally spotted the key node, the power core that ran the spell. It was inactive. What in Hel ... ?She scowled. “I think your sorcerer fucked up." Galen turned his head. “Is that good or bad?" Sygni tilted her head, perplexed. “According to what I am looking at, this spell shouldn't have raised you from the dead.” She peered closer and spotted a second set of tracery underneath the main spell, linking all the essential parts together to make it effective.A second spell? That meant that there had to be a second and functioning node. "You mean the spell didn't work?” Galen rolled his eyes to follow her. “Then why am I walking around?" "Because something else is influencing the spell to make it work.” Sygni dropped to one knee and swept his long hair to one side, exposing the base of his neck and the small, circular tattoo right between his shoulder blades. The design in red, yellow and black was the northwest Native American god Raven with the sun in his mouth. Raven was god of mischief and guardian of mankind. Her brows shot up. Was this the second node, the one actually working to keep him alive?Only one way to find out ... She held her palm over the small tattoo and brushed a small wave of power against it. The mark blazed up like a burning star. The secondary tracery in Galen's body shimmered to sudden and brilliant life, showing the true lines of power keeping him alive. Sygni flinched away from the light. “Well, I'll be fucked ... so that's why it worked." "What, damn it?" Sygni stepped back from Galen and headed for her candlelit altar. “You have a very active guardian

spirit.” She yanked open a drawer and pulled out a pair of large, black feathers. “If Raven hadn't claimed you, you'd still be grave dust. It's his power that's holding you together." "Raven?” Galen frowned from the floor. “You mean the tattoo?" "Oh, yeah.” Sygni nodded as she lit a fresh charcoal in the incense chafing dish. "But it's just a tattoo...?" "Not on you, it's not.” She walked over to him. “Raven's power is literally scrawled all over you. You must have done something to get his attention at least once, some kind of ritual. Turn over onto your back." Galen rolled over onto his back. “I did a dream walk when I was twelve, does that count?" Sygni found herself focusing on his muscular stomach and his semi-erection. She jerked her gaze away. “Dream walks definitely count, they're a type of initiation.” She held out the feathers. “Hold these in your hands and spread your arms out again. I'm going to see if I can call him and get him to remove the fucked-up spell still binding you." Galen took the feathers and spread his arms out into the star. “You are really going to call a god?" "Yep.” Sygni walked back over to her altar. She lit a tall yellow candle and dropped incense onto the red coal on the chafing dish. The scent of cedar filled the room. Galen sniffed. “You're not using sage?" Sygni snorted. “Your Raven is northwestern, they use cedar up there. Sage is for the desert gods.” She pulled out one of her cigarettes, split it open and dropped the tobacco shreds onto the chafing dish. Cigarette smoke mixed with the cedar incense.. She turned back to Galen. “Now, let's see if Raven is home to answer the phone." Sygni walked over to Galen to stand between his spread legs facing her altar and raised her arms. “I am Sygni Darkheart, and I respectfully call to Raven of the Sun...” She chanted out Raven's invocation in a strong clear voice. The light from the pentacle blazed up and a soft wind swirled around the room. Galen gasped and arched up from the floor. His black eyes abruptly blazed golden with sunlight. Laughter both joyful and bitter burst from his lips. Sygni felt a shudder of power wash through her. This was no minor god. Galen abruptly sat up. He turned to look at her with searing yellow eyes. Galen was not behind those eyes, someone else was. “I hear you, Darkheart. What do I owe this honor?" Sygni took a steadying breath. “I want to remove the spell on your warrior without destroying him. Raven, will you help me?" Raven raised a sarcastic brow. “He was made from a corpse. You know damned well that he can't return to being mortal."

Sygni sighed and shook her head. “I'm not asking for that. I want to pull off the control binding his maker put on him." Raven lounged back on one elbow and grinned ferally with Galen's sensual mouth. “Sure, babe, I can do that. What'll you give me for it?" Sygni bit her lip. Damn, she had forgotten that he was also the god of gamblers. “I'm just a mortal Raven, I don't have much to offer a god..." Raven sneered. “Cut the humble bullshit, Loki's consort, I'm not buying it! I can see what you are from here. You're practically made of fucking power.” His eyes narrowed to fiery slits. “If you want to save this one, you better offer me something worth having." Sygni fisted her hands at her sides. “Galen wears your mark, and someone changed him into a vampire!" Raven shrugged and looked away. “Yeah, so?" Sygni felt the rage boiling inside. “Don't you care what's been done to him? He's your chosen warrior!" Raven scowled at her. “Look, you clueless witch, I don't have to explain myself, or my plans for any of my chosen. If I hadn't wanted him to be a vampire, he wouldn't be one." Sygni gasped.Son of a bitch! She set her jaw. “Fine, then chew on this, Raven Sunscorched, sooner or later I will have to take out this sorcerer.” She jabbed a finger at the god at her feet. “And when he goes, your warrior goes with him!" "Oh, I know.” Raven smiled slyly. “What I want to know is why you care if Galen is destroyed or not?" Sygni hissed. Why was Raven being such a cold-hearted bastard? He was supposed to care very deeply for his people. “Galen is a decent man, he doesn't deserve to die..." "Yes, he is, and no, he doesn't, but I want you to tell me whyyou care. Spit it out, Sygni Darkheart, why do you want to save the vampire Galen?" What?Sygni jerked back as though slapped.

~ Six ~ Sygni stared down at the god lounging comfortably in her glowing pentacle.He wants to know why I want to save Galen? What could she say? She closed her eyes. The truth. One never lied to a god. Not even one that was being a pain in the ass. Sygni focused on the god. “I don't love him, if that's what you're asking. I do care about him, and I have a serious case of lust for him, but I haven't known him long enough to love him." Raven's expression softened. “I fell in love with the Sun at first glance. Our first mating scorched me black, but I tell you now, it was worth it.” His expression became stark. “I love her still." Sygni tilted her head. “I thought you were scorched when you made the Sun jealous of a mirror and she

came after you?" Raven snorted. “I made her jealous all right. She thought the mirror was my new lover, but that came after.” He grinned suddenly. “You know what they say about make-up sex! What little of me wasn't black was charred soot after that! I was in agony for a whole damned year.” He sighed. “Sun's fire, it was great..." "I'm happy for you.” Sygni crossed her arms. “I told you why I want to save Galen, will you help me?" Raven turned to look at her and slowly shook his head. “Nope. You lied to me." Sygni's mouth fell open. “What?" "Let me put this in perspective for you.” Raven's mouth curled in a bitter smile. “I'm currently inhabiting a corpse, for all intents and purposes, with a soul marked as mine. When I leave his body, I'll just take him with me, leaving a very nasty dry husk behind. As far as I'm concerned, that'll put him out of that two-bit magician's reach. I'm perfectly satisfied with this, how about you?" Ice water filled her veins.He's taking him? White rage burst in her heart. “I didn't call you to kill him, you fucking bastard!” She balled her fists and launched herself screaming at him, determined to beat Raven's smart mouth to a bloody pulp. Raven rolled up on his knees and caught her wrists in mid-jump. He jerked her over and down, rolling her neatly under him and pinning her under his body. “Blessed Day, what a temper!" "You fucking sack of shit bastard!” Sygni screamed up at him, kicking and fighting to get to break loose and hurt him. “Damn you, you're his guardian! You're not supposed to kill him!" Raven laughed in her face as he held her struggling body securely under him. “I don't believe you actually attacked me with your fists! You didn't even try to use magic to take me, sorceress.” He shook her to stop her shouts. “Why Sygni, why didn't you use magic?" "Because...” Sygni stilled in shock and confusion. Because any spell effective on Raven would destroy Galen in the process. She stared up at Galen's face with the gold blaze of Raven's presence in his eyes, afraid to think what this meant. "Because you didn't want to hurt him, you thick-headed mortal!” Raven narrowed his eyes. “Sygni, you attacked a god in defense of a vampire that shouldn't be alive in the first place. You know you don't stand a chance against me without magic. Why did you risk your life for a corpse?" "He's not a fucking corpse!” Sygni bucked under him, trying to get a fist or a foot loose. “He's a person! He deserves to live!" His smile became a gentle curve. “Tell me again, Sygni, that you don't love Galen?" Sygni felt the tears prick her eyes. Blood and night, she was not going to cry! Balling her heartsick pain into a tight knot, she scowled up at the god. “Fine, I fucking love him, Raven. Is that what you want to hear?" Raven grinned broadly. “It whatyou needed to hear, Sygni. The truth from your own lips."

"Fine, whatever, and you're fucking insane! In love with someone I've only known for a few hours? My ass!” Sygni twisted under him. “Get the fuck off me!" Raven held her down without effort. “Give me a taste of your power, Sygni Darkheart, and I'll help save your lover." Sygni gasped and stilled. He was going to help save Galen? She looked up at his golden eyes and frowned. “What do you mean by a taste of my power?" Raven licked his lips. “Fuck me." Sygni stared at him. “What?" "You heard me, witch.” He knelt up, releasing her from his hold. “Get naked, get on this dick and fuck me. Give me the power in your orgasm and I'll use it to keep your vampire lover in the here and now." Sygni rolled out from under him and rose to her feet with her back to him. She crossed her arms over her breasts. “Raven, you are a royal bastard." Raven chuckled nastily. “Oh, I know. Now, get your clothes off. I want to see those tits." **** Sygni peeled out of her boots and her leathers with her back turned to the god lounging in the center of the glowing pentacle. She couldn't stop trembling.Why am I so nervous? Its just sex, damn it, and I've fucked Galen before... But it wasn't just sex, it was spell craft, and though it would be Galen's body, he wasn't in it, a god was. There were dozens of legends about mortals sleeping with gods, and regretting it. Sygni thrust her mind away from that round of thought and dropped her leathers on the floor. If she wanted to keep Galen upright, she had to submit to Raven's demands. For a god, he was a serious pain in the ass, but he was also famous for keeping his word. She had no doubt in her mind that if Raven said he would save Galen, then Galen would be saved. Sygni turned to face the god, chin up and shoulders back. “I'm ready when you are, Raven." Raven's gaze traveled up her long legs then higher. He stopped briefly at her shaven mons, then moved up to focus on her breasts. “You have a nice set of tits, Sygni.” He reached for his dick and stroked his already firm erection. Sygni quirked her brow and set her hands on her hips. “I'm glad you approve." "Oh, I approve.” He looked up into her eyes and sat up, spreading his legs wide on the floor. His erection rose, large, rigid and threatening before his stomach. “Come.” He held out his hand. “My cock aches for you." Sygni snorted. “How romantic." Raven chuckled and motioned for her. “This isn't about romance, babe. This is about power-fucking."

"Fine, power-fucking it is.” Sygni gathered her courage and stepped onto the platform and into the pentacle. She took Raven's outstretched hand. Raven tugged and she tumbled into his arms, landing with her legs splayed on either side of his thighs. He grinned. “Now, you're all mine, witch.” He caught her hair at the base of her neck and arched her back over his arm. “And I want to see what those gorgeous tits taste like...” His head dropped and his teeth closed tight around her nipple. Sygni gasped and arched. “Shit!” He was biting her right to the edge of pain. Blood and heat rushed straight from her tortured nipple to her core. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, unable to escape his mouth because of his grip on her hair. “Watch it with the teeth! I want that back when you're done with it!" He chuckled, but released her from the grip if his teeth. He stroked her nipple with his tongue instead, working her to painful tightness with loud wet suction. His hand closed on her other breast, squeezing and tugging on the nipple with breathless strength and devastating skill. A groan escaped her throat and she twisted on his lap. Moisture formed and slithered down her thighs. What he was doing was so very good, yet still very close to painful, and it was getting her very hot, very fast. Perhaps too fast... Raven took his hand from her breast to reach under and explore her wet flesh, easing her open. He insinuated a long blunt finger past her tender folds, then thrust, burrowing deep. A soft sound burst from her lips with his invasion. Her core contracted and throbbed hungrily. Sygni couldn't stop herself from pressing her swollen clit against his palm. He groaned against her breast and slid a second finger into her. He curled his fingers up to find the sweet spot within. He stroked it with ruthless precision. Sygni cried out, overwhelmed by the violent delight that thrummed demandingly through her, and writhed against his hand. Her body rose to a boil with murderous speed and shoved her toward an explosive threshold. She whimpered as the pressure increased to the breaking point. Tension coiled tight. She was going to cum... Her power swirled to sudden life, entangled with her rising climax. She gasped in sudden fear.What in Hell? Raven pulled his hand from her and his lips released her tortured nipple with a wet pop. “I was right, you do like it a little rough.” He licked his slick fingers and grinned. “You almost came there." Sygni panted for breath. Confused tension jangled across her nerves. She wasn't sure if she was frustrated or relieved that he had stopped before she came. Something about her building climax had resonated with her magic. That had never happened before, but then, she'd never had sex with a god before, either. She shook her head. “I don't know what you're doing to me, but I'd really like to be in one piece when you're done." "You will be.” Raven bent his head to stroke his tongue against her inflamed nipples. “More or less." Sygni gasped out a soft cry. The brutal pleasure of his light caress had scorched straight to her clit.

Mother Night, they were right about sex with gods being hazardous to one's health! Raven pulled her mouth to his and kissed her. His tongue stroked hers with hungry intent. Sygni whimpered under his demanding kiss. This was definitely not Galen she was kissing. Raven released her mouth and licked his lips. “I think you're ready for a good hard fuck." Sygni smiled grimly. “Then let's fuck.” Finally it was her turn to show him what it was like to be manipulated sexually. Raven laughed. “Such eagerness!” He pressed her back onto the floor and pinned her there. “I think I like it!" "Hey!” Sygni pushed at his shoulders. “I thought I was supposed to do the fucking?" "I want a proper sacrifice, witch.” Raven abruptly flipped her over on her stomach and pulled her up onto her knees by her hips. He positioned himself behind her and rubbed his hardness against her butt. “I want pain with your pleasure. I want your ass." "My ass?” Sygni gasped.Oh no, he did not just say that! She got her hands under her and fought to get out of range. “Oh, hell, no!" Raven locked his arms around her hips. “What? You've never been ass-fucked? Sweet!" Sygni sat up on her knees and fought against his arm. “I have too!”Just not with a dick anywhere near that large ... She twisted, throwing herself to the side, but he was too damned strong. Raven laughed as he held her pinned. “Oh, come on, it won't be that bad!" She glared at him from over her shoulder. “You are not shoving that dick up my ass!" "Oh, really?” Raven snapped his fingers and a small crystal bottle dropped into his palm from thin air. “Why ever not?" Sygni got her feet under her and pushed. “I barely fit him in my pussy! He's way too big for my ass!" "Suffer. It's good for you.” Raven put his palm between her shoulders and shoved her forward onto her hands. “That's enough out of you! Don't move from this position." Sygni jerked, but couldn't move her hands or her knees. “Son of a bitch! What did you do to me?" Raven shrugged as he pulled the stopper from the small bottle. “It's a basic hold spell.” He poured a thick golden liquid into his palm. Sygni eyed the liquid with extreme suspicion. “What is that?" Raven smiled slyly. “Lubrication, my dear witch. I suspect that you are going to be extremely tight.” He closed his hand around his erection and coated it liberally with the thick substance. “I want to make sure my dick can slide nice and deep into your ass for my maximum pleasure."

Sygni felt her breathing speed up. “Your pleasure? I'm the one that has to cum and I'm telling you right now, it's not going to happen with that pole up my ass!" Raven groaned as he stroked himself. “Oh, yes, you will. I am a god, after all." "You're a sadistic son of a bitch!" Raven nodded. “That, too.” He poured more of the golden liquid into his palm and reached for her ass with his fingers extended. “Relax, I plan to take it slow." Sygni felt his oiled fingers brush lightly against her sensitive flesh and trembled. “With a dick that big, it won't matter! It's still going to hurt like hell!" Raven chuckled. “Probably.” He thoroughly worked the oil all around the tight ring of her anus and then pressed for entry. “Push out against my fingers, or this is going to hurt." Sygni felt his fingers pushing against her and shuddered with violent humiliation. Blood and hell, he really planned to ass-fuck her! "I'm serious, Sygni, I don't want this to hurt any more than it has to. Push out." Sygni closed her eyes and hunched her shoulders, but she pushed. His finger slid right in. A tiny helpless sound escaped her. "That's my girl...” He slid his finger deep into her. “Sun's fire, youare small.” He shoved a second finger up her ass and thoroughly explored her backside, greasing as far as he could reach. He chuckled. “This big hard dick is really going to stretch you open, babe." Sygni bit her lip to hold back her moans. It didn't hurt, in fact, it felt pretty good, but then his fingers were nothing compared to that monster dick he was threatening her with. "This is going to feel so good.” He wiggled his fingers. “At least it will to me. You, on the other hand, will just have to endure as I ream your tight little ass until you cum." "Mother night!” She groaned. “I told you, I'm not going to cum that way!" Raven snorted as he pumped his fingers in and out of her ass. “You'd better, because I promise you, I can keep this dick hard for days if I have to." Sygni dropped her head to the floor. “Why can't we just fuck?" "Oh, we will fuck, or rather I will.” Raven pulled his fingers out. “There, I think you're ready." Sygni shook her blond mane from her eyes and looked over her shoulder. “Says you..." He grinned. “I can't wait to see my cum sliding out of your wide-open asshole."

~ Seven ~ Raven stood up in one fluid motion and raised his arms.

Sygni was lifted from her hands and knees into the air. She yelped and kicked out in surprise. “Raven, what are you doing now?” It felt like she was being drawn upward by some kind of invisible sling around her hips. She stopped with her hands only a few inches off the floor and her ass high above her head. She waved her hands about but couldn't feel anything to grab onto. “Raven?" Raven grabbed her flailing ankles and tilted his head to look at her. “The floor is much too hard to fuck on.” He grinned. “You'll like this much better.” He slid his hands up the inside of her legs and shoved them apart. “I know I will.” He moved to stand between her thighs. Sygni felt heat of his cock pressed against the seam of her vulnerable butt. She twisted to look around. “Raven?" "Yes, Sygni?” Amusement threaded his voice. He cupped her butt cheeks and squeezed. "Do you really have to ass-fuck me?” There was an embarrassing little quaver in her voice. "It takes time to build the amount of power we're going to need.” He reached around her hip then under to find her moist core and then her swollen clit. Sygni gasped with the lightning arc of ferocious pleasure that lashed through her. Raven pulled his hand away. “You are right on the edge.” He cupped her ass with both hands and parted the cheeks. “So yes, I have to stretch your tight little ass, because I don't want you to cum too quickly.” He positioned the broad oil-slicked head of his cock against the small bud of her anus. He grabbed her hip and leaned into her. “Push out, Sygni. Push out hard, because I'm coming in." Sygni hissed. “Ow, shit!” Her anus ring burned as it slowly opened. “Son of a fucking bitch, it hurts!” She writhed, but there was no escaping the cock ruthlessly pressing into her ass. “Damn you, it's too big!" Raven's hand closed on her shoulder and he pulled, shoving harder against her resistance. “Push out and it will hurt less, but this dickwill go up your ass regardless!" Sygni released a small cry and pushed out with all her strength. “Mother Night ... ah!” The cock's head slipped past her anus. Raven gasped. “Sun's fire, yes!” grabbed both her shoulders and leaned over her, pulling her back onto his unforgiving and rigid length. "Damn you...” She groaned as he forged slowly but steadily into her tight passage. He was so fucking big! She could feel him stretching her backside impossibly wide as he progressed. She gasped for breath. She felt his hips make contact with her butt cheeks and flanks. She groaned with the savage fullness. He moaned over her back. “I'm in, babe.” He chuckled breathlessly. “...In to the balls.” He pressed his broad chest against her back and kissed her bare shoulder. “And it feels so good!” His hands slid from her shoulder to cup and squeeze her breasts. “Blood and fire, you're so fucking tight! It's taking everything in me not to slide my big dick back out just to feel you squeeze me in all over again.” His fingers closed on her nipples and pinched, hard. Sygni hissed. Vicious delight burned in her nipples and resonated to pulse in her clit. A wet hungry

clench echoed in her core. Raven groaned softly in her ear. “Your tiny little bung hole is stretched so very wide around this big fat dick, and it looks so ... hot!" Sygni shivered and groaned. His words scorched a picture of herself, stretched and vulnerable around the massive cock lodged deep in her ass. She twisted her hips to relieve the pulsing throb in her clit and the aching fullness in her butt. The huge, hard length in her ass shifted with a wicked and decadent sensation that was almost pleasure. She released a startled breath. Raven hissed and rolled his hips in counter rhythm. “That's it, babe. Move those hips, feel that big hard cock spreading your ass.” He kneaded her breasts with his large hands and rolled her taut nipples. Responding to the inciting fire in her nipples and the rapacious appetite boiling in her core, Sygni undulated her hips, rolling them back and forth. The fiendishly cruel pleasure increased. "Mmm, you're getting the hang of this.” He reached down under her and stroked his finger over her clit. Sygni released a soft cry and bucked, jolting the cock in her ass. A tight coiling throb hammered through her, accompanying a fresh spat of cream. She moaned, stunned by her body's violent and greedy response. Her ass still ached around the hard length lodged in it, but the pain seemed to be sharpening her pleasure. Raven chuckled softly. “I think you're ready for your butt-fuck.” He leaned back and began to withdraw. Sygni gasped with the riveting sensation of raw yet luscious delight created by his retreat. Raven stopped with his cock still halfway in. “Oh, yeah, you are definitely ready.” He cupped her ass in his palms and dug his fingers into the soft cheeks. “Here it comes babe.” His cock surged hot and brutally hard into her body. It hurt. A lot. Sygni tossed her head up and shouted. “Bastard!" He made contact with her flanks, and immediately began pulling back, much slower than he had gone in. That hot dark pleasure was back, and then some. Sygni's toes curled with the exquisite shivering torment of his hardness moving in her backside. She writhed, and moaned. He groaned and his hands trembled as they gripped her ass. “Fuck...” He thrust swiftly again then pulled back with slow decadence. Sygni whimpered briefly in distress then moaned in abject hunger, overwhelmed by more of that arresting and profane delight. Her core pulsed in ravenous need and moisture slithered down her thighs. Raven leaned over her back. “I think you're beginning to like this." Sygni turned her head to look over her shoulder at him. “I think you're a butt-fucking sadist." Raven grinned. “Yep, that's me.” He pressed against her sweating back and wrapped an arm around her

waist. “Speaking of sadism...” He kissed her shoulder briefly. “I just ran out of mercy, babe. It's screaming time.” His hand curled under her to brush against her swollen and frantic clit, and thrust. Hard. Sygni bucked under him, her senses confused by the sudden aching fullness of his brutal thrust and the liquid lightning delight of his fingers on her clit. He pulled back and the dark voluptuous retreat of his cock was compounded by fiery and inciting dance of his fingers on her clit. The pleasure burned a trail of fire up the back of her skull. He thrust again, and pulled back... Shivers skittered up her spine as delight and pain mixed to become a ferocious blend of rapaciously greedy lust. She cried out and shoved back against him in abject need for more of that wicked ecstasy. Raven groaned. He thrust in earnest to meet her demand, his fingers rubbing with insistence on her clit. “Yes, that's it, fuck me back ... slam that ass onto my dick!" Her gasping cries echoed with the sound of flesh striking flesh. Her body twisted and her knees bent, toes curled tightly with the violent pleasure of being taken. Erotic tension coiled deep and low in her belly. Climax built with savage strength with every stroke of his cock. Her power awoke within her and pulsed, echoing the rise of her quickening passion. Pleasure, pain and power intertwined and blazed with brutal intent. Howling with the pleasure of her impending climax, Sygni's power increased. Her skin began to flicker with lightning arcs as the magic became too large for her body to contain. The star below her became a blue-white glare that she could see behind her closed eyes. Raven wrapped his other arm around her shoulders and panted against her throat, his thrusts pounding into her with frenzied speed. “You're going to ... cum. Are you ... ready ... witch?" Sygni was beyond thinking past the lust boiling and clawing within her. “Fuck me!" Raven opened his mouth on her throat and long teeth pressed against her skin. Sygni finally remembered that the god inhabited a vampire. She gasped.Mother Night! What have I done? He bit deeply. Orgasm exploded in a blinding firestorm of wild cascading splendor and magic. Light burst from her skin in a white-hot nova of incandescent sorcerous power. She shrieked. The vampire locked himself around her and within her, bathing in her fire and drinking power with every swallow of blood. **** "Sygni..." Sygni moaned softly, every inch of her ached, and opened her eyes. She was facedown on the floor. “My throat ... hurts.” She gingerly touched the two rips in her neck. Her fingers came away bloody. She

shifted and discovered Galen's heavy weight sprawled on top of her. He was unconscious, but breathing. "Sygni..." She groaned and turned her head carefully. “What...?" A man made of solid darkness with flame-lit eyes was kneeling over her. She blinked and squinted. She could barely see him. She had the impression of long black hair threaded with a million feathers ... and wings. Gigantic black wings arched over her. "Raven? Is that you?" "Yes...” His voice echoed all around. “Do you live?" "I think so.” Sygni struggled to turn over. Galen was a dead weight atop her, but she finally succeeded in shoving him enough to lie on her back. She looked up at the blackened god. He ran and smeared across her vision streaming with blackest shadows that shimmered with rainbows. “I feel awful...” She pressed a hand over her left eye; it ached horrifically. Raven disappeared. "What...?” She dropped her hand. He reappeared, black shadow and shifting color. Sygni gasped. She could only see him with her left eye. “Raven, what's going on?" Raven's dark form rose to stand and he stepped back. “Your vampire lives in the here and now, sorceress, as I promised.” His shadow wings spread and he drifted apart at the edges before her eyes. “The sorcerer's mark is gone. He burns instead, with your power." "He what?” Sygni struggled to sit up. Her throat was on fire. “Hela's tits, my neck ... Raven, wait! What have you done?" "Your throat is already healing.” Raven's blackened face grinned broadly as his form unraveled around him. “I suggest you care for your new familiar closely, or your power will suffer." "Mywhat ?” Sygni threw out her hand and her power shimmered bright as a star around her. “Raven Sunscorched! Don't you dare leave without telling me what you did!" "What I did?” His laughter was full of echoing darkness as he drifted apart like smoke on the wind. “It is whatyou have done, Sygni Raveneye!” His smoky form thinned and his laughter faded with him. "Raveneye?” Sygni stared at the empty space where the god had been. “Why do I have the feeling that I am not going to like what that means?" Galen groaned and shifted across her legs. “Woman, you have some seriously bony knees.” He rolled off of her and onto his back, throwing his arm over his eyes. “God, my head..." "Galen?” Sygni leaned over him and brushed the hair from his face. “Are you okay?"

He squinted from under his arm. “I feel like death warmed over." She smiled tiredly. “You're a vampire. Technically youare ‘death warmed over'.." He let his arm fall from his head. “That's what I like about you, you're so good for my self image.” He chuckled tiredly and opened his eyes. One sun-bright golden eye stared at her. His other eye was still black as night. Sygni's mouth fell open. Raven had marked him. “Blood and hell, Galen..." "Sygni?” Galen sat up and frowned. “One of your eyes has gone yellow. What the hell did you do?" A yellow eye ... like his?Sygni felt the air rush from her lungs. Raveneye, of course ... He'd marked her, too. “That son of a bitch!" Galen frowned. “Who? Me?" "Your god, Raven.” Sygni slammed her hand on the floor. “He marked us both." Galen jerked back. “He what...?" "You have a yellow eye, too.” Sygni gave him a bitter smile. “In fact, he called us both Raveneye." Galen choked. “My eye isyellow ?" "Yes.” Sygni looked sharply around, but there was only the two of them in the black-walled room. “He also mentioned something about a familiar..." Galen shook his head “He mentioned a what?" "A familiar. It's a creature that shares a sorcerer's soul and magic.” She stared at Galen, marked as she was with one yellow eye. There was only one way to discover what shared her soul, but she strongly suspected she already knew the answer. She reached. Her magic bloomed within and coiled around her. Then she felt it, the division in her power. Not all of it was coming from her; she was drawing on a second source. Galen gasped. “Sygni, what the hell is that?" Sygni groaned. “Mother-fucker!” She released her magic as though it burned. She rubbed her hands over her eyes. She couldn't tell how much was no longer within her, but she had a very bad feeling that it was a lot more than she could afford to do without. Galen rolled up on his knees and bared his long teeth. “Damn it, witch, I want some answers! What the fuck did you just do to me?" Sygni turned to Galen with a bitter smile. “The good news is that your former master no longer has any control over your existence. The binding is completely gone." Galen nodded. “Well that's a relief.” He cocked his head and his brows lowered. “What's the rest?" Sygni pursed her lips and looked over to the corner where the god had disappeared. “The bad news is

that your god gave your fucking soul to me, vampire." Galen leaped to his feet. “He didwhat ?" Sygni rose wearily to her feet. “You are my familiar."

~ Eight ~ The scent of expensive shampoo and herbal soap filled the kitchen. Galen sat at the kitchen table dressed in one of her larger black kimonos. His freshly washed and still damp hair draped over the back of the chair and dripped occasionally onto the kitchen floor. He stared out the kitchen window and into the night with his mismatched eyes. “So, I'm your familiar. What exactly does that mean?" "Let's see...” Sygni set her lit cigarette in the ashtray and ran a hand through her own damp blond mane. Great, how in Hel doI explain this? She tucked her red kimono tighter around herself.Let's try for simple. She pulled her favorite black coffee mug from the overhead cabinet. ‘Gloom Cookie’ was scrawled in large white spooky letters around the cup. “From what I could tell, Raven rearranged the spell, keeping you upright by replacing your sorcerer's magic with mine, so..." "So, instead of him keeping me alive, you are.” His voice was very flat. Sygni sighed. “Yes." "Great.” His eyes narrowed. “Does this make you my fucking master?" Sygni flinched.Blood and night! She did not want to get into that right now. She poured fresh brewed coffee into her mug. “Look, I'm sorry. I'm not thrilled that he did it this way either..." "Youare my master.” Galen rolled his head back and scowled out the kitchen door. “Fuck." Sygni turned, mug in hand and leaned against the shiny steel counter, scowling. Her ass still ached too much to sit down. “I asked him to remove the spell, I didn't ask him to bind your soul to mine, damn it! You think I want a full-time partner? As my familiar, your body houses a big chunk of my power, so I have to take you with me whenever I go on a magical clean-up job!" Galen turned sharply to stare at her. His brows shot up. “I'm going to be doing magic, too?" Sygni shrugged. “I'll have to teach you how to protect yourself and control what you have access to at the very least." "Really?” Galen sat up in the chair. “When do we begin?" Sygni smiled and shook her head. The vampire wanted to be a magician. Who would have thought? “Tomorrow, if you like. I have to teach you a few of the basics before we go deal with the bozo that raised you." "We get me some real clothes before we go anywhere.” Galen scowled ferociously. “I am not wearing that damned kilt again."

Sygni grinned. “But it looks so good on you!" Galen grinned right back showing the full length of his long teeth. “My dick looked good shoved up your ass, too." Sygni choked on her coffee. “You remember that?" "Well, yeah, I was there.” Galen snorted. “I didn't have a clue as to what the hell was going on in his mind or what he was doing, but I heard and felt...” His smile turned suggestive. “Everything." "Terrific...” Sygni felt heat rush into her cheeks. "Oh, it was.” Galen propped up his elbow and dropped his chin on his fist. “In fact, I do believe that you have the hottest ass I ever had the pleasure of stretching." Sygni straightened abruptly and pointed a finger at him. “Don't get any bright ideas, Fang-boy!" Galen licked his lips. His yellow eye gleamed and scarlet burned in the heart of his black eye. “Oh, it's way too late now." Sygni curled her lip. “Try this on for size: Not tonight, honey, I have an ass-ache." Galen grinned broadly. “I'll just bet you do.” He frowned. “How is your throat doing? He bit the hell out of you." Sygni touched the bandage on the right side of her neck with her finger. The bleeding had already stopped by the time they got in the shower, but it was still a nasty bite. “Better. It doesn't hurt nearly as much." "It wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't just bitten you there earlier.” Galen got up from the chair. “Maybe I should look at it again?" Sygni shivered and slid along the counter, away from him. “No, no, that's okay. You can look at it tomorrow." Galen nodded and continue to approach. “All right, but you still need to go to bed. He drew a lot of blood, more than I normally take. You need to rest." Sygni took another step away and lifted her chin. “I'll be fine, thank you." "Sygni?” Galen stopped and tilted his head. “Are you running away from me?" Sygni held her place and scowled. “I don't run away from anybody, certainly not you." Galen held out his arms and smiled gently. “Sygni, come to bed." Sygni clenched her jaw and her fingers tightened on her cup. She wanted to go to him. She wanted it so bad her heart was pounding with the urge, but she was afraid to touch him. She was terrified to feel how much of her own power pulsed in his body. She didn't want to know the full measure of what she had lost to keep him alive.

Galen frowned. “Sygni, what are you so afraid of?" Sygni gripped the cup tighter to keep her hands from shaking. “Nothing.” The cup abruptly shattered in her hand, spilling coffee and ceramic shards everywhere. She stared at the bits of cup in her hand, shocked.Since when am I strong enough to shatter a coffee mug in my bare hands? "Shit!” Galen lunged for the paper towels and mopped up the spilled coffee. He gently took the last pieces from her and cupped her hands to wipe the coffee from her palms. “You didn't cut yourself, that's good." Sygni froze, her attention suddenly riveted to what she could feel emanating from his touch, the echoes of her own power coursing through his fingers.So much? He had enough to feel herself in his fingertips? A shudder tore through her. "Sygni, what's wrong?" She looked up at his burning yellow eye, knowing that she had one, too. She had avoided the bathroom mirror to keep from actually seeing it, but she knew it was there all the same. The god's mark, the symbol of what she had done, and lost. The sudden grief and loss hammered her between the eyes. Tears slid silently down her cheeks. Galen caught her by the shoulders. “Damn it, don't cry on me.” He pulled her into his arms and folded her against his heart. He gasped. “Good God, I can feel it as though it's me that hurts." Sygni closed her arms tight around him and shuddered, feeling the full measure of the power in him reaching out to her, reaching into her soul.That son of a fucking bitch Raven. He hadn't taken a chunk of her power; he'd cut it in half. The other half of her self pulsed with every beat of Galen's heart against her cheek. Galen groaned. “Sygni, don't do this to me, your emotions are too strong. I can't keep you out of my head.” He drew a shuddering breath. “Talk to me, damn it!" She didn't want to tell him. It sounded so petty, so small, but she couldn't stop the pain of her regret. She didn't regret that she had used her power to save him, but she hadn't expected the price to be so high. She knotted her fingers into his robe. Mother Night, she was only half the sorceress she had been this morning. "Blood and hell, Sygni, who died?” His arms abruptly tightened. “Your magic ... shit. You said I've got your magic. Sygni, how much do I have?" Sygni couldn't draw breath. She tried twice before her voice would work. “A lot." "How much?" She closed her eyes tightly. “I think about half." "I have half of your ... my God.” He pressed her head against his heart. “Can you take it back?" Sygni rubbed her cheek against him. “Not without killing you."

He stilled, shocked. “I had no idea..." "I know.” Sygni dug her fingers into his back. “It was my idea. I called Raven and I ... I wanted to do it.” Mother Night, she sounded like a whimpering victim.Enough with the self-pity already! She took a deep breath and pushed back to look up at him. “It's done. I'll deal with it." Galen frowned. “But your powers..." "I said, I'll deal.” Sygni took a steadying breath and set her hand on his heart. “My power isn't gone, I still have access to it. It's just being stored ... in you.” She lifted her chin. “This gives you access to it, too, but it's still mine.” She delivered her best attempt at a cocky grin. “So, if you piss me off I'll yank it all back and bury the remains." Galen snorted. “There's the cast-iron bitch I remember." Sygni nodded. “And don't you forget it.” Sudden exhaustion slammed her at the knees. She wobbled and leaned against him, too tired to stand anymore. Too much to think about on top of her blood-loss, and too much magic used. Mother Night, she'd just had plain too much. Galen closed his arms around her before she could slide to the floor. “I have you.” He smiled but his mouth was tight. “Now can I take you to bed?" Sygni lifted a brow at the vampire. “Wanna carry me?" Galen bent and scooped her up into his arms. “I thought you'd never ask." Sygni wrapped her arms around his neck and yawned nearly in his ear. “Damn, I'm tired." "After all that? Oh, what a surprise.” Galen pressed his lips to her brow and carried her out of the kitchen. Sygni waved a hand back toward the kitchen. “Don't forget to turn out the lights." Galen rolled his eyes as he strode for her bedroom. “Yes, master,” he intoned in his best Igor imitation. Sygni thumped her fist lightly on his shoulder. “Don't say shit like that!" Galen grinned and shoved the bedroom door open with his shoulder. “Yes, master,” he repeated. Sygni thumped him again. “Galen!" Galen tugged back the thick black comforter and set her down on the edge of the ornate cast-iron four-poster bed. “Yes, master?” He tugged her robe's belt loose. "Oh, for the Mother's sake!” Sygni rolled her eyes and let him pull the robe from her arms. He chuckled as he helped her under the covers. “Go to sleep, master.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. Sygni kissed him back, then tugged the comforter up to her chin. “Pain in my ass!" Galen's grin broadened “Whenever I get the chance, master!"

"Oh!” Sygni turned over onto her stomach and yanked the covers over her head. Galen's laughter echoed all the way back to the kitchen. Sygni was barely conscious when Galen slipped under the covers behind her. She rolled onto her back and opened a weary eye. “Comfy?" Galen was barely visible in the room's deep darkness. “Do you want me to sleep somewhere else?" Sygni shook her head and snuggled up against him, pressing her cheek against the warmth of his bare chest. “Stay.” She dropped an arm over him for good measure. "Good,” he whispered, curling his arm around her. Sygni slithered higher to press her nose into his throat. His pulse beat under her lips. Her power hummed from his heart to hers, and back. “Mine,” she said very softly. "What?" Sygni sighed and sleep took her. **** Sygni awoke to find Galen unconscious and breathing very deeply. It wouldn't have been so bad, but he had draped himself over in her in the night. She shoved at him, but it was like shoving dead weight. He didn't wake. She groaned. “Damned vampire.” After some judicious wiggling, she managed to get out from under him. A glance at the clock on the bedside table let her know that she had slept more deeply than she had planned to. It was nearly eleven. "Piss, I have shit to do today!” Thank the powers her next job wasn't scheduled until later this week. She rolled out of bed and thumped to her closet. “Lets see ... I have to go do some shopping for Galen...” She pulled out her more conservative leather pants and a sleeveless black pullover. She pawed through her underwear and decided against a thong. She didn't think her butt could take the punishment. She dug out the matching halter bra and stepped into her red silk panties while musing what to buy the vampire. “Leather, I really ought to dress the vampire in leather." It only took a few minutes to drag on her clothes and stomp into her laced ankle-boots. Dressed, she picked up her hairbrush and looked up into dresser's mirror. She froze, staring at her mismatched eyes. One was gleaming yellow the other eye was still black. “Fuck." She refused to look away and savagely dragged the brush through her hair. Her gaze strayed to the bandage on her neck. She set the brush down and poked at the bandage. It didn't hurt, not even a little. She peeled the bandage off, exposing her throat. The tears from his bite were gone. She turned her head, craning her neck and found only light traces of two lines disturbing her tan. The bite hadn't even scarred. She looked up into her own eyes. “Not today. I'll think about this weird shit some

other time,” she said softly to her image. She snatched her sunglasses from her dresser drawer and walked out, leaving Galen asleep among her sheets. **** Sygni drove her black Saturn into the parking deck and rolled up to the top floor to ease the Saturn into the space beside her bike. It had taken most of the day to get everything. Although it was damned close to sunset, the vampire was probably still asleep. She opened the car door and spotted a paper fluttering on her bike. Someone had taped it to her saddle. She scowled and dragged the bags from her car. “Blood and night, security is supposed to keep those kids from leaving their party flyers on the cars.” She snatched the paper from her bike and froze. If you want the vampire, you will bring the Book of the Moon to Industrial Park, lot sixty-one by sunset. G. The paper had blood on it. Sygni used every single profanity she could think of in one long stream of violent cursing. Obviously, Galen's former master had come looking for him. She scowled. How had that sorcerer tracked him all the way to her condo? She rolled her eyes. The spell—of course ... When Raven had yanked it apart, the original castor must have felt it. But how in Hel had he succeeded in actually snatching a faster-than-the-mortal-eye-could-see, muscle-bound vampire? Only a very powerful mage could hold a vampire and she had already pulled that binding out of him. It had to be some kind of trick. The note had to be a lure to get her to that address. She shoved the shopping bags of clothes back into the car and raced for the elevator, hoping to Hela that she was right. Her front door was unlocked, and un-spelled. Sygni found another note and a ripped envelope in the middle of the living room floor. Her hand shook as she read it. Her note hadn't been a trick, but his was. If you want the witch, you will meet me in the top parking deck by the motorcycle. Now. G. She ran through the rooms, hoping that he hadn't left yet. He was gone and the leather kilt, the boots and the long leather coat were missing. It was apparent that he had searched her closet and dresser for something else to wear, but of course, there wasn't. She didn't bring men here often enough to have spare clothes lying about. It would have been funny, if it hadn't been so damned terrifying. Sygni marched into her workroom and opened the lower drawer in her altar. She dug the thin leather-bound Book of the Moon from one of her illusion-locked drawers. She headed back to her bedroom for a cloth bag to carry it in. She didn't have a choice; she had to have Galen back. That sorcerer had Galen, and Galen had fully half of her power. She shoved the book into the black canvas bag and tossed it over her shoulder.

She only had half her power ... If this guy was any good, she was going to be in deep shit, really fast. She slammed her front door closed and activated the spell that made her door look like a continuation of the hallway. Guilt stabbed her. She hadn't done that last time, she hadn't thought it was needed.Me and my big fat juicy ego ... If she had spelled the door, the note would have never been delivered because they wouldn't have found her door to deliver it to. Sygni headed down the hall to the parking deck feeling her fury grow with every step.I wonder if he knows that I'm nota love and lighter kind of witch? A grin curled her lip as she climbed into her gleaming black Saturn. If he didn't, he was in for one hell of nasty surprise. She jammed her sunglasses over her mismatched eyes and revved the engine. Once she had Galen in the same room with her, and access to her full powers, that sorcerer was going to wish he'd never drawn a vampire from the grave. Tires squealing, she peeled out of the parking deck to lunge onto the streets.

~ Nine ~ Furious beyond caring, Sygni raced toward the far end of the city, flagrantly witching all the traffic lights to green so she wouldn't have to stop. She did not need a vampire-raising sorcerer with a spell book for making werewolves in her town. She tried to think of a plan but she was so pissed off, all that came to mind was blatantly destructive. She cursed in frustration. There was no way she could blow a building sky-high without the authorities coming down on her. Her magical signature was too recognizable. She sincerely hoped that he try something she'd have to kill him for. If he used something dangerous, all bets were off. The police had absolutely no sympathy for nasty spell-casters. Sygni scowled at the road signs looking for Industrial Park. It had to be around here somewhere ... She spotted a severely bent and damaged sign and rolled onto a street with a long line of abandoned and roofless warehouses. The pavement was cracked and pot-holed. Litter clogged the gutters and blew along the road, but not one single car was parked anywhere, not even an abandoned heap. Weeds the size of small trees appeared to be actively trying to swallow the buildings, if they weren't so obviously dead. Even the grass was brown and withered. In fact the whole area looked dead, as though spring had stopped coming to visit altogether. Sygni thought seriously about wrapping her car in a ‘don't notice me’ spell but she was dealing with a sorcerer. If he had more power than she did, she'd be planting a big magical “Here I am!” sign all over her. Right now, with Galen out of reach, it was really possible that the other sorcerer was more powerful. She slammed her hand on the steering wheel. “Damn Raven for cutting my power in fucking half!" The road dead-ended at an old turn of the century factory. Sygni looked up at of the huge rambling building and scowled. This was it, lot sixty-one. It was at least six stories high and entirely covered in floor to ceiling paned windows, most of which were broken. The setting sun stained the murky glass with orange and crimson. The bottom floor windows were bricked up solid. A tall clock tower commanded the front and center of the big brick building. Incredibly huge and seriously dead trees framed the front walk leading to a massive set of

double doors recessed into the base of the tower. The doorway was arched, like an open mouth. Sygni had grave misgivings about walking up to the front door and simply knocking. That door practically screamed booby-trap! There had to be another way in. She drove completely around the big factory, trying to get an idea of what kind of situation she was walking into. From the back, she could see that it was much bigger than it looked from the front. The factory was u-shaped with long windowed wings attached to either end. Sections of the roof had fallen in. She suspected that sections of the floors had, too. The whole thing looked like it was ready to collapse. She raised a sarcastic brow. “If you're trying to impress me, you've failed. No sorcerer with any real success would spend money to buy this junk heap." There was a whole wasted forest of broken and dead trees all around the back lot. Sygni frowned. It could have been ordinary industrial waste poisoning the land, but the trees looked like they had been killed all at once. This amount of damage looked more like a blight caused by the life being drained right out of them. This was definitely not a good sign. Sygni scowled. Time to stop dithering and do something. Galen was in there and she had to get him out. She drove around a bit more and spotted a broken door, partially ajar at the corner of the far right wing. That looked as good a place as any to go in. Sygni backed her car as close to the broken door as she could and got out, leaving her keys in the ignition. She couldn't have her car keys taken if they weren't on her, but she was not in the mood to leave her car undefended either. She hadn't seen any sign of movement, but she was not about to take chances with her escape. The last thing she wanted to do was run from a sorcerer's territory on foot. She set her hand on the door handle and activated the resident'Don't touch me, I bite' spell on her Saturn. Thank the Dark Mother she'd already programmed that spell in. She didn't want to spend any more of her power than she had to. She looked over at the sun bleeding in red and orange as it set behind the dead forest. It was more than time to go. Resolutely, she gritted her teeth and headed for the broken door with the canvas bag over her shoulder. “Let's go see what this vampire-raising sorcerer is made of." Sygni shoved past the broken door and curled her lip. The interior was worse than the exterior. The entire upper floor was missing. Dirt, filth and old broken furniture clearly dating from the nineteen-forties clogged the narrow hall. Ancient paper litter was piled in the corners. The floorboards groaned under her feet as she picked her way among the trash, aiming for the building's heart. The dying sunlight coming through the broken second-story windows was her only light, making the floor deeply shadowed and hazardous to walk on. Old bulbs hung from wires looped across the right wall, but she doubted that they had been used since the building's closing. A hallway opened up on her right. It was lined with closed doors and pitch black at the far end. Sygni lifted her hand and called a small ball of light. She released it to let it float ahead of her. The light shed its golden glow on peeling industrial green walls, warped doors and a snarl of brand-spanking new cables snaking all along the floor. Sygni smiled grimly. Somebody was here.

The light followed the cables to a stone arch with an antique bomb-shelter sign in yellow and black. Broad stairs led downward. Sygni bit her lip. She did not want to go down those stairs. A shimmer of something familiar brushed against her senses. Her magic shifted within her, reaching out to it, seeking and stretching out to touch—herself. Sygni jerked. Galen was down there. Stepping carefully around the cables, she descended. **** The stairs led her to an enormous and dark expanse that appeared to be the basement for the entire factory. A forest of square columns supported the upper floor. She expected to find more filth and debris; she did not expect the near-spotless cleanliness. In fact it looked like someone had taken the time to have the whole thing white-washed. The black and white tile floor was almost slick and she could smell the fresh wax. Only one section had light, right smack-dab in the middle. A group of tables and desks crowded with computer equipment formed a broad circle around a slumped figure bound upright against one of the columns. The bright blue-white beams of two powerful UV lamps were trained on him, making his pale skin glow like a star. His head was slumped forward with his black hair veiling his broad chest. The long coat he wore had been pulled back to expose his skin to the light. A leather kilt covered him from waist to ankles. It was Galen. Sygni bit her lip to keep from shouting and running to him. Instead, she balled her fists and walked, making sure her boot heels rapped sharply on the tiles. "You are late,” a voice snapped out from behind the collection of desks. Sygni lifted her chin. “Your note said sunset. It's sunset." "Sunset occurred at five forty-seven, it is now six fifteen.” A tall, slender figure rose from behind the equipment. His hair was buzzed into non-existence and light gleamed on the weird goggles covering his eyes. His white short-sleeved tunic blazed in the glare from the UV lights. Sygni blinked. This wasn't a sorcerer—this was a mad scientist. "A woman.” A sour smile curved his lips. “Considering the vampire's carnal persuasions, I should have guessed." Sygni scowled. A male chauvinistic anal-retentive mad scientist ... It figured. She strode for the desks. “I'm here for Galen." The scientist watched her approach. “Did you bring the book?" "I did.” Sygni stopped just short of the desk and propped her hand on her hip. "Good.” The scientist shook his head. “At least that damn creature completed its mission before carrying on with its perversions."

Its perversions?Sygni glanced over at Galen. He was slumped unconscious, and bound upright against the column by wire cables as thick as her wrist. The two large UV lamps trained on him were bathing him in what amounted to strong sunlight. His skin was showing a distinct hint of red. The light was causing sunburn, very likely sun poisoning. “What are you doing to Galen?" "The UV lamps are to keep it quiet.” He held out his hand. “Give me the book." Sygni felt her temper rise and reached for her power. It coiled within her. “Release him." The scientist shook his head. “I'm afraid that won't be possible." "What?” Sygni frowned. "This one is the only success. I have been unable to reproduce the same animatory effect in any of the other corpses." Sygni sucked in a sharp breath.Other corpses? He was trying to make more vampires? Time to put this mad-dog down. Unfortunately she couldn't legally kill the stupid shit unless he attacked her first.Let's try some provocation. “Do you know who I am?" The scientist took one long insulting look from her feet to her head. “You are an alpha grade witch. Too bad you're female. I could use an alpha grade to assist me." "Sorry to disappoint you.” Sygni snorted. Doctor Schizo had no idea who he was dealing with. That suited her just fine. The scientist glared at the monitor before him. “According to my readings, your power signature is all over my vampire." Sygni nodded. “Makes sense, since I removed your spell last night." He turned and scowled at her. “I resent your tampering with my work." "Tampering with yourwork ?” Sygni choked. “Galen is not an object!" The scientist tilted his head. “I assure you, a corpse, no matter how animated it seems, is most definitely an object.” He waved his hand. “The book, if you please." "Release Galen.” Sygni lifted her chin and smiled coldly.Please, attack me so I can fry your ass, you moron. "I have already told you, you can't have it." Sygni cocked her hip. “Oh really? And why not?" The scientist turned back to his computers. “Because the buyer is coming to collect it." "Hisbuyer ?” Sygni couldn't believe her ears. “You are manufacturing vampires for sale?" The scientist turned to frown at her. “And you have tampered with the only working model I have. As it

is I still can't figure out what you did to erase my formula from the vampire's body without destroying it." Sygni snorted. “Gee, that's too bad." The scientist dropped his chin and his brows lowered. “I want you to return my vampire to its original state." Sygni took a deep breath and smiled.Oh, goody, he's finally getting annoyed. Now we're getting somewhere. “No. He's my vampire now.” She leveled a hard glare at him. “And you're not getting him back." The scientist expelled a harsh breath. “Why are you being so difficult?" "It's part of my nature.” She lifted her chin. She was ready for him.Attack me, you nut-bag. "Why do they always make me hurt them?” The scientist sighed heavily. “Shoot her." Shoot me? Oh shit!Sygni raised a shield over herself with the speed of thought. She'd expected a spell—not a bullet! Sygni clearly heard the gun go off, and then felt something slam into the back of her right thigh followed by a ripping pain. She shouted as the leg was shoved forward, knocking her backwards. She went down hard. She blinked at the dark ceiling above her, shocked. The bullet went through her shield? How? She'd repelled bullets before... The scientist leaned over her. “In case you are wondering, that was a silver bullet formulated to break through spells.” He smiled as he dug into her canvas bag for the book. “I'm afraid that not only will you be in some discomfort, but as long as the bullet remains in you, your powers will be completely useless.” He flipped through the slender book, then snapped it closed. “Yes, this is it.” He smiled down at her. “And you will return my vampire to his original state, or you will be in a great deal of discomfort." Sygni groaned. “Doc, do me a favor? Eat shit and die." "You are in no position to issue insults.” He looked up. “Thank you Tyrone. Sam, I..." "Sygni..." Sygni could barely think through the pain in her leg but she recognized Galen's voice. “Galen?” She turned. His head was up, but dark circles were under his eyes and his face looked puffy and very red. “You shouldn't have come here." The scientist knelt and grabbed her chin. Light glared on the round lenses of his goggles. “You're Sygni? Sygni Darkheart?" Sygni felt like spitting in his face, but her mouth was too dry to form saliva. She settled for a glare. “Yeah, so?"

The scientist grinned. “Excellent. You were next on my acquisitions list." The vicious throbbing in her leg was interfering with her train of thought. She couldn't have heard that right. “What?" The scientist looked up. “Tyrone, bind her leg so she doesn't bleed to death, but leave the bullet in. When you're done, tie her to the column with the vampire. I'll deal with her and that vampire later.” He rose to his feet. “Sam, I need your assistance in the lab for a project.” He walked out of her view. A large black man in gray coveralls bent over her. Century Sanitation was scrawled on the label over his breast pocket. “Tie the lady up, sure thing, Doctor Gruber.” He knelt and opened a first aid box. Sygni scowled at the first aid kit.They were fucking prepared? "Tyrone, this plan of yours reeks like day-old dog-shit.” The voice was low and quavered with tension. A much smaller rounded pale guy with wide green eyes looked over Tyrone's shoulder. His long pale brown hair was pulled back into a neat tail. He was also dressed in gray coveralls with Century Sanitation over his pocket. Sygni stared at the labels. They were garbage men? The smaller man stared down at Sygni with worried eyes. “Tyrone, I mean it. This is seriously fucked up." "You wanna empty garbage cans forever?” Tyrone pulled out a long knife. Sam flinched. “Watch it with that thing." "Don't worry, it's not for you.” Tyrone shoved Sygni none too gently onto her stomach and grabbed the back of her pant leg. She gasped as the wound pulled. “Ow ... shit!" Sam winced. “Tyrone..." "Relax, Sam, we'll only be doing this a few more days, then we can go spend our money and forget about it.” He sliced the leather open around the bullet wound. "Tyrone, for Christ's sake, man, you shot her!” His voice tightened to a thin high-pitched whisper. “You shot aperson !" "So?” Tyrone dumped a liquid that hissed onto her leg. “I shot a lot of people in the war." The liquid scalded her open wound like acid. Sygni thumped the floor with her fist. “Son of a bitch!" Sam reached out to Sygni, then jerked his hand back. “Tyrone, take it easy! You're hurting her!" "Relax, Sam, it's peroxide to keep infection out.” He began taping bandages mercilessly tight over the wound. “I was a med tech in the military. I know what I'm doing." Sygni closed her eyes.Please don't let me pass out!

"Great, fine, but Tyrone, this isn't the war and the Doc plans to sell her. Don't you think it's fucked up to be selling people?" "Sam, would you relax? He's shipping this one and that freak out to Russia somewhere. It's not like they're gonna come back and tell on you." Sygni blinked.Russia? Someone from Russia wanted her? "Sam!” The scientist shouted from somewhere. “Get in here! I need you to hold this wolf." "As far as I'm concerned...” Sam looked up toward the shouts. “The only freak in this place is the Doc. He's a freaking psycho." "And he's paying us big bucks.” Tyrone nodded at Sam. “You better go or he'll make you mop and wax the whole damned floor again." "I'm going, I'm going!” Sam got up and walked off grumbling. “Hold the wolf, tie the prisoner, wax the floor ... Definitely not my idea of gainful employment." "All bandaged up.” Tyrone grabbed Sygni under the arms and lifted her from the floor. “Up you get." Sygni tried to hold in her yelps as he hauled her to the square column and propped her against it in the direct glare of one of the lights. She flinched away. The damned light was blinding. "Stay there. I don't want to have to hurt you some more.” He knelt and picked up a thick cable. "I'm hurt enough, thank you.” Sygni leaned against the column and gasped for breath. Galen's heavy pants filled her ears. He stank of sweat. She had to get him out of there. Something else occurred to her. “Wait, you said you have a wolf? A real one?" "Yep, it's in the lab.” Tyrone wrapped the cable around her chest under her breasts. Sygni groaned. Gruber had a live wolf in his lab, and the Book of the Moon. And he just called Sam into his lab for help with a project. “Oh, fuck..." "Got it shipped from a zoo, two-three nights ago,” Tyrone continued. “The damned thing took a real shine to Sam, too.” He crossed the cable's ends. “He's the only one that it'll take food from." Sygni felt a power jolt, and the cable tightened painfully around her. “Bloody Mother!" Tyrone nodded. “That ought to hold you. You're not as strong as the freak, so I figure you're good with one. Don't move. It tightens if you move.” He turned away. Sygni gasped. “Tyrone, wait! Do you know why Gruber wants Sam to hold the wolf?" Tyrone nodded. “Sure, he's the only one that can get near it." "No.” She shook her head. “He's turning your friend into a werewolf, right now." "What?” He shook his head. “That's crazy."

Sygni nodded toward Galen. “So is raising a vampire from a corpse." Tyrone rolled his eyes. “He's not a vampire. He's just a freak who thinks he is..." Two bloodcurdling screams erupted and echoed. Tyrone stared at Sygni as the tortured screams continued. The whites of his eyes appeared all the way around. The two screams became one long terrified howl. Sygni clenched her jaw and held his stare. “That was your friend, Tyrone." Tyrone backed away slowly. “My friend is money.” He turned and bolted. The howling scream continued.

~ Ten ~ Sygni closed her eyes against the hot glare and reached for Galen. The cable tightened with every small motion. She gasped for breath. Inch by inch, she wormed her hand around until her fingers brushed his hand. Power swirled under his skin. "Sygni?” Galen grabbed her fingers, keeping his head down and eyes tightly closed. Sygni sucked in a breath. “Yeah." "What the fuck are you doing here?" "Gruber left me a note." "He left me one, too." "I saw.” She drew in a painful breath. “I'm sorry." "You're sorry?” He panted and groaned. “The shit and his two buddies had damned UV lamps. Shined them right in my eyes and knocked me out cold before I knew they were there!" "We've got to get out of here.” She tightened her fingers around his. “He's selling us to somebody." "Tell me about it.” Galen's fingers closed around hers. “Can't do shit with this light in my face..." Loud crashes echoed, followed by shouting. A dark shape loping on all fours moved in the deep shadows. It stopped, eyes reflecting a feral green gleam. It stood up, and up ... Tall, pointed ears topped the shadowy figure. Sygni stared at the tall figure and winced. Gruber screwed up the vampire spell, but apparently got the werewolf one right.Terrific...

Galen lifted his head a bit and squinted under the glare. “What the hell is that?" Sygni nodded. “That is Sam, and the wolf Gruber had locked up in the lab. They've been combined into a werewolf." "A werewolf?" Sygni sighed. “That's what the Book of the Moon is for. It has the only working spell to make a true werewolf.” She knew she should be scared of the monstrous beast, but all she felt was pity. There was no fix for this spell. Sam would be a werewolf for the rest of his days. “I'm so sorry, Sam. I didn't want to give him the book." "Can he understand you?” Galen asked softly. Sygni bit her lip. “It's his first change. He may be a little disoriented, but his intelligence should be fine." The figure dropped to all fours and stepped cautiously into the light. Light played across a long lupine head with a broad forehead and massive jaws lined with jagged teeth. Silvery gray fur rippled on a lupine body that seemed oddly elongated. The front paws had distinct fingers tipped in long black claws that clicked on the tiles. A long plumed tail waved insecurely. Green-gold eyes looked at them in confusion. Sygni smiled. “Hey, Sam, the fur looks good on you." The werewolf dropped its head, sniffing, then loped toward them. He circled the two of them. Galen stiffened. “Are we about to get eaten?" Sygni snorted. “Sam's not that kind of guy and Gruber used a real wolf. They're non-aggressive creatures. Dogs are aggressive, wolves are not unless cornered.” She turned to watch the werewolf. “If Gruber wanted something that would actually eat people, he should have crossed Tyrone with a Rottweiler." Sam abruptly stopped and closed in on Sygni, sniffing. Galen turned his head. “What's he doing?" Sygni watched the werewolf nosing at her leg. “I think he's smelling my bullet wound. Hey, Sam, your fur looks incredible.” She lifted her fingers. Sam looked up at her, then shoved his huge head under her hand. "Oh...” She stroked her fingers through the short silky fur between his ears. “Mother Night, you're soft!" The werewolf leaned against her and stroked his entire body along her, then moved over to sniff at Galen. Sygni chuckled. “Feel his fur, it's really soft." Galen held up his fingers and the werewolf rubbed against him. He smiled. “Damn, Sam, you make a fine werewolf."

Sygni looked hard at the long claws at the end of the werewolf's fingers. “Sam? Can you do me a favor?" The werewolf turned to look at Sygni. "Sam, can you to dig the silver bullet out of my leg with one of your claws?" The werewolf walked over to her and shoved his nose under her leg. Sygni moved her leg out as much as she dared. The cable shifted, tightening. She groaned. “If this thing gets any tighter, I'm gonna have crushed ribs!" The werewolf sat down on his haunches and lifted his long-fingered forepaws. His forelegs reshaped into something that resembled furry human arms right in front of her eyes. He waggled his clawed fingers, then grasped her leg. Sygni swallowed. “Oh, boy..." Galen craned his neck. “What's he doing?" "I think he's going to try.” She wheezed for breath. “If he can get the bullet out, I can get all of us out of here.” She looked down. “You're coming with us, right, Sam?" The werewolf looked up at Sygni. His ears pricked forward. Sygni smiled. “You didn't think we were going to leave you behind? I bet the good Doc made you because he has a buyer for you too." Sam released a blood-curdling liquid growl. He focused on her leg, ripping the bandage away with one slice of his claw. Galen hissed. “Damn, those claws are sharp." Sygni felt the claw dig into her leg and winced. “Yep, yep, they are." Galen panted at her side. “Hurry, big guy, I can see the mad doc headed this way. It looks like he has a gun and a collar in his hands." "Tyrone!” Gruber shouted. “Where the hell are you? You're supposed to be watching those two!" She bit her lip as the werewolf dug around in her thigh. It felt like he was rooting in her leg with a red-hot poker. She held her breath and squeezed Galen's fingers to keep from screaming.Please hurry. Mother Night, please hurry! Doc Gruber stepped into the circle of light. Light gleamed on the barrel of a nickel-plated automatic and the silver hoop in his other hand. “Sam, get away from them!" Sam ignored him and continued to dig. A small something moved in Sygni's thigh, then rolled out and landed on the floor with a small ring. "Sam, I will not warn you again.” Gruber raised the gun. “Come here."

Sam leaped away and disappeared into the shadows. Gruber lunged after him. “Sam! Get back here!" Sygni released her breath in a long groan. Her suppressed power swelled to ferocious heights. She reached for the spell that held the cable and slammed her power through it, shattering the spell. The cables dropped from Sygni and Galen with a loud clatter. Gruber turned toward them and raised the gun. “Stop!" Galen lunged for the first UV lamp as Sygni fell forward, hands outstretched, aiming for the other. Shots rang out. Both lamps crashed to the floor and went out, plunging the room into pitch darkness. Sygni stayed on the floor. Her leg was one mass of screaming pain, and she couldn't see a damned thing. The floor seemed a very fine place to be. Someone scooped her off the floor and pressed her against the side of a column. Power pulsed under her fingers. It was Galen. "Without those damned lights I'll be back to full speed in a minute,” Galen whispered. "You idiots,” Gruber snorted. “I can see in the dark.” The sound of a gun being cocked was loud. “This time I'm putting both of you under and keeping you in separate steel cages." Sygni hissed and gathered her power in a tight snarling handful. “Not today, asshole!” She cast it outward and shouted. “Dismay!" The darkness came alive with gibbering movement. Something crashed. "Get away from there,” Gruber shouted. “Don't touch that!" Shots rang out. High-pitched laughter echoed crazily. Something else crashed and exploded. Galen pressed his lips to her ear. “Sygni, what did you do?" Sygni smiled. “Imps. If he's not sorcerer enough to stop them, they'll tear this whole building down around his ears in a matter of hours.” She moaned softly. “Let's get out of here!" "Your word is my command!” Galen curled her against his body and bolted into the blackness. “Where are we going?" "Up the stairs and to the left. There's a broken door at the corner of the wing.” Sygni hissed. Every step jolted her leg. Wetness slid down her thigh. “I'm parked right outside it with the keys in the ignition. Can you drive? It's a five-speed stick." "Yeah, no problem.” He came to a sudden halt and turned. “Sam! We're leaving! Come on!” He leaped upward and landed at the top of the stairs in one jump. Two jumps later, he turned to the left and dashed down the trash-strewn hall.

The pain of being carried at a jarring gallop became unbearable. Sygni couldn't stifle her soft cries. "Hang on, Sygni, hang on!" She closed her eyes tight. “I'm trying." Galen took a sudden right and stepped out under the sky. Sam was a long gray shadow at his side. “Piss, you're bleeding like a stuck pig." Sygni moaned. “Gee, thanks.” She turned to see her car. “I need to touch the car to take off the anti-theft spell." Galen focused on the blood dripping down her leg. “You need to get that bleeding stopped." "We need to get out of here more.” She leaned for the car with her hand outstretched. Galen let her close enough to touch and Sygni released her spell. “Good, now get us out of here." Galen opened the passenger door then the back door. “Sam! Get in the back!" Sam jumped in. The car rocked. He was so huge he took up the entire back seat. Galen closed the back door, then set Sygni down in the passenger seat. He knelt on the pavement and shoved her onto her side facing the driver's seat, practically onto her stomach. “This'll just take a second." "Galen, what are you doing?” She felt him grab the rip in her leather pants and then his mouth right on her open wound. She gasped. “Galen! Are you licking me?" Galen lifted his head. Blood smeared his face. He licked his red-stained lips. “I stopped the bleeding.” He got up and shut her door. Only a blink later he was in the driver seat and starting the car. Sygni moaned as the car sped over the broken pavement. “We can't go to the condo." Galen scowled at the road. “Where, then?" "The library. Morwyn's castle." "He knows where that is." Sygni closed her eyes and held on. “Yeah, but he probably doesn't know Morwyn's a friend." "That's a long drive. Can you make it?” Galen turned the steering wheel hard left and changed gears. "I hope so.” She felt her stomach lurch. Too much pain, too much motion ...Maybe letting the vampire drive wasn't such a good idea. “I don't feel so good." Galen glanced at her. “You don't look so good.” The brakes squealed. Galen turned in the driver's seat and captured her chin. “Sygni, look at me." Sygni looked up at Galen's mismatched eyes. “What?"

Galen stared straight into the heart of her eyes. “Sleep." "Huh?” Sygni felt a jolt of power. Blackness rose up and sucked her under.

~ Eleven ~ Sygni was being kissed thoroughly and expertly. She knew that masculine scent and that tongue anywhere. Her nipples tingled and hardened. She moaned and the kiss stopped. She opened her eyes to see Galen's face hovering only inches from her mouth. She was in a bed and naked under the pile of blankets, with Galen's heavy weight leaning over her. Her libido gave a happy little jump. “Galen?" He blinked and grinned. “Son of a bitch, it worked." She frowned up at him. “What worked?” She looked around and recognized the small book-lined guestroom she used when she stayed overnight at Morwyn's. The window to her immediate right was heavily curtained and the tiny bed-lamp cast a soft golden glow from the right corner by the wall. Apparently they had made it to the library in one piece, in spite of the vampire's driving. "I told you that would do it." "Huh?” Sygni looked past Galen's shoulder to see Morwyn in a midnight blue dressing gown, sitting on the delicate loveseat that faced the foot of antique bed she was in. “Morwyn?” She struggled to sit up and Galen piled pillows behind her back. Oddly, her leg felt stiff, but not anything like before. The ripping pain was gone. "Welcome back.” Morwyn looked to the left and patted the empty chair next to her. “Have a seat, Sam." A completely human Sam carrying a coffee mug and a saucer came through the bedroom door on the far left and walked over to Morwyn. His long pale brown hair had changed to shimmering dark silver with bright silver highlights and black streaking his temples, but other than that, there was no trace of his furrier nature. His eyes were still a very vivid green. He looked rather cute in the oversized jeans and a plain black T-shirt. He dropped carefully into the chair by Morwyn and nodded at Sygni. “Hey, sleeping beauty. You gonna live?" "Looks that way.” Sygni couldn't help but smile. “How are you holding up?" Sam gave her a sour grimace. “Other than the fact that I'm a part-time eight-foot-tall furry monster? Just dandy, thanks." Sygni leaned forward to get a better look at him. The change seemed to have done him good. He looked leaner and more muscular. “Looks like you got a hold of yourself pretty good." "You could say that.” Sam abruptly blushed and rolled his eyes. “I had a little help.” He sighed and glanced at Morwyn. The coffee mug in his hand rattled on the saucer. “Okay, so it was a lot of help.” His knee pressed against Morwyn's. “Nice to have you back." Sygni frowned. “Why does everybody keep saying that?" Galen abruptly stood and stretched his arms. “Damn, I'm tired."

Sygni took a look at the red T-shirt and crisp new jeans Galen wore. “I see you found the shopping bags in the back seat.” She moved over and patted the mattress. "Yep, we found them.” Galen sat down and stretched out next to her. He reached out to close her hand in his. “It's nice to be dressed like a human again.” He nodded toward Sam. “The clothes are a little big on Sam, though." "Hey, it's better than being furry.” Sam grinned. “Or naked." Morwyn raised her brow. “Galen, aren't you going to tell her?" Sygni looked at Galen suspiciously. “Did something happen?" Galen rolled his eyes. “Uh, more like something didn't happen.” He crossed his ankles and wiggled his bare toes. “Once I got you here, you wouldn't wake up." "What?" Morwyn smiled. “He means that once he put you out, he couldn't get you to wake up. I told him to kiss you. It worked." "Oh...” Sygni looked from Morwyn to Galen. “How long was I out?" Morwyn leaned back. “Since last night. It's nearly dawn now." I was out a whole day, and a night?Sygni stared. “That long?” The sorcerer must have had time to regroup. Damn, she didn't have any kind of plan ready yet. “Any sign from Gruber?" Sam shook his head. “Nope. I don't think he knows we're here." Sygni focused on the werewolf. “Sam, he can track you by his power signature in your spell." Morwyn lifted her chin. “Not any more, he can't. When we adjusted Sam's enchantment, I did a bit of a wash on him too.” She smiled warmly at Sam. “He wears my signature now." Sam smiled just as warmly back at Morwyn. “And damn proud I am to wear it, too." Sygni bit her lip. Morwyn and Sam? This was definitely different. It was also really fast too, especially for Morwyn. She never took to guys this fast. Morwyn smiled and absently patted Sam's knee. “Sam is only furry when he wants to be.” She nodded at Galen. “Galen helped with the ritual." Sygni's mouth popped open. “Galen?" Galen bit his lip. “Morwyn did the ritual, I just supplied the power." Her power. Galen had supplied her power. Sygni flinched with guilt. She tightened her fingers around his. It was his power, too.

Sam shook his head and his cheeks flushed. “There's nothing like going from fur to bare skin right in front of the sexiest female known to mankind." Morwyn rose to her feet and smiled. “You're pretty cute yourself, even without your fur." "Oh, I see how it is.” Sam got up and lowered his brows. “You love me for my fur." Sygni blinked. Sam was barely a head taller than Morwyn. She hadn't realized that Sam was that short. His alter ego was enormous. "I do love your fur.” Morwyn grinned. “Among other pertinent parts." Sam snorted and a smile curled his lips. “Any parts in particular?" Morwyn examined her scarlet nails. “Oh, one or two..." Sygni stared.Pertinent parts? Just how far had this relationship progressed? Galen chuckled. “Sygni, they are grown adults,” he said softly. Sygni turned on Galen. “What, are you telepathic now?" Galen shook his head slowly and smiled. “It was written all over your face." Morwyn headed for the door with Sam at her heel. “Good night, you two. Sygni, I'll see you for late brunch.” She opened the door. “Come along Sam, I'm in the mood for a soak in the hot tub.” She slipped out in a whisper of heavy satin. Sam turned to face Sygni and Galen. “Play nice!” He closed the door behind him. Sygni stared at the closed door. “Hot tub? She's taking him to the hot tub?" Galen got up out of the bed chuckling. “Sygni, they're both over twenty-one.” He tugged the T-shirt over his head. Muscle bulged enticingly across his chest. “I think they know what they're doing.” He tossed the shirt over onto the loveseat. Sygni nodded at him. “What're you doing?" Galen stood to unbuckle the belt on his jeans. “I think that's a little obvious.” He unbuttoned the top then lowered his zipper. His cock jutted firmly upward, rigidly hard. “Don't you?” He peeled the denim from his hips and stepped out of his jeans Sygni's body gave a warm wet and hungry clench. “Hello? I have a bullet wound?" "That's all healed up.” Galen reached for the blankets. Sygni snatched for the covers. “Already?" "As of sunset, about eight hours ago. You had a scar but it's fading.” Galen tugged the blankets from her fingers, exposing her from head to knee. He focused on her breasts and grinned. “Mmm, hard nipples ... My favorite.” He bent and took her hand. “Come on, out of bed.” He tugged.

Sygni focused on Galen's pale and sculptured chest. His nipples were hard, too. She licked her lips and allowed herself to be pulled out of bed. The leg wasn't bad at all. It felt bruised, but it was okay to stand on. “Where are we going?" Galen led her across the carpet. “The shower. I told Morwyn I would try not to stain the sheets." "You told her about ... that?” Sygni winced. Mentioning that his semen was blood-based had to have been embarrassing. Galen ducked his head. “She asked me point-blank.” He turned to give her a brief smile. “Freaked my shit right out, too.” He led her into the small bathroom and slid the glass shower door open. “Wait here.” He stepped in and turned on the water. "Now that I think about it, I'm not surprised she figured it out.” Sygni leaned back against the shower wall. “Morwyn knows more about weird shit than I do. I have more voltage, but she's got a lot more knowledge and experience." "She knew how to fix Sam right up.” Galen stuck his head out of the shower door. “When we got here, he could adjust his body to walk on twos or fours but he couldn't go human or true wolf. He was stuck. He couldn't even talk. Now he can go all the way from human to wolf, or anywhere in between.” Steam began to roll past him from the open door. He ducked his head back in briefly. “Water feels like it's ready.” He reached for her hand. “Come on." Sygni let him tug her into the shower and under the hot rush of water spray. The heat felt incredible. She reached for the soap. "Wash after.” Galen grabbed her around the waist and turned her, encouraging her back against the slick tiles of the shower wall. His mouth covered hers with a small hungry moan. Sygni opened her mouth to his demanding kiss, parrying the thrusts of his tongue and nipping at his lips. She slid her hands across his damp chest and found his hard nipples. She caught them in her fingers and pinched. He groaned and responded by sucking on her tongue and sliding a palm down her belly until he cupped her mons. He pressed a finger between the plump outer lips and sought the tender inner folds. Delicately he dipped his finger into her, wetting it in her cream, then pulled it back to rub insistently against her clit. Erotic lightning arced in exquisite tempo with his working finger. Her body quivered under devastating waves of increasing heat. She moaned and her knees trembled. He was skillfully stirring her to a maddening froth with impressive and ruthless speed. Galen released her mouth to take a nipple with his lips, then his tongue, and then his teeth... Sygni gasped under the delicious and greedy assault. His mouth on her nipple and his finger on her clit burned a path between them. She pushed her aching clit against his palm and pressed her breast against his mouth. Damn, he was good ... and it was working fast. She panted for breath, and a halfway decent thought. “Are we ... in a rush?" Galen released her nipple and leaned his chest against her soft breasts. “I haven't had anything since I put you in the car. It wasn't even a mouthful.” He reached down with both hands, grabbing her under the ass.

He lifted her up off the floor and pressed her tightly against the tile wall. “I'm starved." Sygni wrapped her arms around his neck and frowned at him. “You're hungry?" Galen grinned. He slid the swollen head of his rigid length against her damp flesh. “You have no idea.” He let her slide down and onto him, taking her in one strong thrust. They gasped. Galen pressed his forehead against the tile and groaned. “God, I can't get over how good you feel wrapped around my dick." Sygni moaned. His cock felt deliciously hard within her. Her clit sat right on his pubic bone and it felt too good to ignore. She writhed, basking in the sensation of him stretching her while putting pressure on her swollen clit. “Don't talk, fuck!" Galen chuckled and deepened his voice. “Yes, master...” He withdrew and thrust hard up into her. Sygni gasped and knotted her fingers into the back of his hair. “I'll ‘yes master’ you!” She lunged up and bounced down onto him, hard. Galen choked then laughed. “Well, if that's the way you want it...” He dug his fingers into her ass and pressed her against the wall. “Then have it.” He pulled back and slammed into her with breathless strength and pitiless speed. Sygni howled and arched her back in welcome as his cock rammed, and rammed, and rammed into her. “Fuck yes!” She locked her arms around him and writhed, intoxicated by her body's voracious delight. Hard, brutal and fast was exactly what she wanted. She was not in the mood for lovemaking; she wanted a good hard animalistic fuck to clear her mind. She wanted to forget the chaos generated by dealing with a vampire in need, a sadistic god, a gun-toting psycho-scientist, and then a werewolf. She didn't want to think of what was coming, but what was happening right then. She closed her thighs around him and drove down onto him in savage counter-thrust. Galen grunted with his mouth open, fangs bared and panting for breath. He urged her to ride him harder and faster. Water ran down his shoulders, back, and chest, slicking them both. “Come on, come on..." Ferocious pleasure scoured her and climax rose quickening in a pitiless wave to hover on the explosive edge of rapture. Sygni cried out, tormented and desperate for the fall. Galen groaned and pounded into her. “That's it ... Cum for me, babe. Cum on my cock. Cum now!" Sygni's breath stopped. Her body pulsed hard, fire blazed up her spine and released. Waves of violent ecstasy slammed through her and drowned her, tearing her apart with agonizing delight. She threw her head back and screamed. "Yes!” The vampire growled and grabbed a fistful of her hair. He pulled her head to the side and took her throat with his long teeth. He thrust and thrust again, burying himself to the root. His cock pulsed and released within her. He held her firmly seated, grinding up into her as he swallowed. Sygni gasped as ecstasy took her in a second orgasm that ripped sanity from her mind.

~ Twelve ~ Sygni groaned and opened her eyes. She was back in bed, and once again Galen was flopped dead asleep on top of her. She shoved at the vampire's body, but he was damned heavy. She flopped back against the pillows. Maybe she should just stay where she was? Her stomach rumbled with emptiness. Then her bladder suddenly decided to complain as well. Sygni grimaced. “Okay, okay, I'm getting up.” It took several minutes of creative wiggling to get out from under Galen and dash to the bathroom for much-needed relief. A glance in the bathroom mirror over the sink showed that the fresh bite was already fading. She frowned at her reflection.Damn, I'm healing fast. Curious, she lifted her leg, setting her foot on the edge of the commode and checked her bullet wound. There was a small round, white scar on the back of her thigh. There wasn't even a bruise. Sygni walked back into the guestroom, wondering if she was somehow picking up the vampire's speed healing. It could be possible; they were soul-joined. She picked up the black dressing gown tossed across the foot of the bed and shrugged into it. The heavy black satin draped her to the floor. Sygni smiled. Definitely not one of Morwyn's robes; the librarian was almost head and shoulders shorter. She tied the belt in a snug knot. Come to think of it she should ask Morwyn about vampires being used as familiars. Morwyn must have read something about it somewhere. Galen couldn't be the first, not by a long shot. She headed downstairs. **** Sygni pushed the door open to the sun-filled breakfast room and sniffed the fine aroma of Columbian Dark Roast. Coffee, just what she needed. Diamond-paned windows made up three walls of the small dining room. The walls themselves were paneled in dark wood with a massive hutch just inside the entry. The kitchen door was on the other side. The round table in the very center was spread with cream linen and set with plain white china. Morwyn leaned back in her chair. Her midnight blue dressing gown shimmered with cobalt highlights, as did the black silk of her long mane. “Good morning." Sam, dressed in over-sized jeans and a green T-shirt, waved with one hand as he shoveled steak into his mouth with the other. According to the clock over the center window, it was well after one in the afternoon, but both Morwyn and Sam had been served thinly sliced breakfast steak and poached eggs with toast. Somebody must have gone to bed pretty late last night. Sygni pulled out a chair with a cheery smile. “Good morning yourself. Late breakfast, huh?" Morwyn pursed her lips. “No comment." Sam grinned. “Can you say, built up an appetite?" Morwyn swatted at him. “Sam!"

Sam ducked her hand. “What? Being furry does build up an appetite!" Morwyn flushed. “What am I going to do with you?" "Oh, you'll think of something.” He smiled and leaned out of swatting range. Sygni reached for the coffee pot.Looks like I'm not the only one getting some action. One of the kitchen staff came out with a plate of steak and eggs and set it before her. "Protein,” Morwyn said as she buttered a piece of toast. “You're donating blood, so you need protein." Sygni flinched just a hair. Was it so obvious that she was feeding a vampire? Well, yeah, considering the bite mark still visible on her neck. She sighed and picked up her fork. The steak was nice and rare and the eggs perfect. In between bites, she posed her question about vampire familiars to Morwyn. Morwyn sipped her coffee thoughtfully. “A vampire as a familiar? I've heard of it, but it's supposed to be a really bad idea." Uh oh ...Sygni blotted her lips with her napkin. “How come?" Morwyn set her cup down on its saucer. “If the sorcerer dies, all his power goes straight into the vampire because they're soul-joined. If a vampire wants to be a mage, all he has to do is kill the sorcerer." Sam picked up a piece of toast. “And if the vampire dies?" "The power goes back into the sorcerer.” Morwyn frowned at Sygni. “I haven't read a single case where one or the other didn't die in a nasty way." Sygni stilled. This was not a good prognosis for the future. “Every time?" Morwyn reached for the coffee carafe. “Think about it, vampires are predators. It's not in their nature to serve, but to hunt. They're like wild animals, you can befriend a wild animal, but you can't domesticate them. They'll always be wild.” She did not even glance at Sam as she poured coffee into her cup. “On top of this, most vampires resent being made to begin with. It's not the most pleasant way to live. They usually kill their masters because of it. If their master is a sorcerer, they have even more reason to kill him—for the power they'll get once he's dead." Sam shook his head. “Then why would any sorcerer use a vampire for a familiar?" Morwyn shrugged. “The usual reasons: health, eternal youth and extreme longevity. Everything the vampire has without the daylight problem and the liquid diet." Sygni froze with the cup halfway to her mouth.Health, eternal youth and extreme longevity? “Say ... what?" "That reminds me,” Morwyn raised a delicate brow at Sygni. “I'd love to know why both you and Galen have one yellow eye?" Oh, boy.Sygni set her cup down carefully. “That is something Raven did."

Morwyn frowned. “Raven, as in the Native American god?" "The north-western one.” Sygni dropped her chin as her cheeks flushed with heat. “I called on Raven because he's Galen's guardian spirit. Gruber fucked up the spell. If it weren't for Raven's claim jump-starting the spell, he would have never risen. I figured that if anyone had an interest in breaking Gruber's binding, Raven did since Galen belongs to him." Morwyn nodded. “I see." Sam sat up. “You called a god? A real one? What's he like?" "A pain in the ass.” Sygni winced with vivid carnal memory and picked up a piece of toast. “We both received a yellow eye because Raven used my power to remove Gruber's spell.” She shredded the toast in her hand.Mother Night, how do I say this? She honestly couldn't think of a better way then just spitting it out. She swallowed. “He made Galen my familiar in the process." Morwyn set her cup down. Her cheeks paled. “Oh, no..." Sygni nodded. “Oh yes. I was asking about vampire familiars because I seem to be healing really, really fast. There's barely any trace of the bullet hole in my leg.”Or from any of Galen's bites ... “I thought it might be a side effect." "Fast healing is supposed to be.” Morwyn sat back in her chair. “Sygni, how much of your power does Galen have?" Shewould ask that. Sygni stared at the small pile of shredded toast. “I think about half.” Pain stabbed through her. Gods, it still hurt. "Mother Night...” Morwyn looked away. “That's an awful lot, Sygni." "Tell me about it.” Sygni clenched her fingers together. Morwyn pressed a hand to her forehead and sighed. “Sygni, if Galen turns on you, he's bigger, faster, stronger and has the same level of power. You're dead meat." Sygni winced. “Gee, how reassuring." Morwyn tossed her napkin on her plate. “Blood and night, girl! How, by Satan's ass, do you get yourself into these messes?" Sygni scowled. “I told you, it wasn't my idea! Raven did this to both of us." Morwyn sat back in her chair. “The god ... You realize that Raven has a claim on you now?" Sygni raised a sarcastic brow. “Duh ... I do own a mirror." Morwyn laced her fingers together and dropped her chin. “Raven is supposed to be the protector of humanity. He must have had a reason to link you two together.” She looked up. “It's entirely possible that he did this because you and Galen have a physical relationship, likely an emotional one, too. Everything I've read on vampire familiars is about a male sorcerer and a male vampire. In that kind of pairing, unless

they're both gay, there's nothing to bind them but the sorcerer's will and power. If Galen loves you, he has reason to keep you alive rather than kill you." "Love...” Sygni rolled her eyes. “You and Raven both...”Mother Night, what was with everybody and love? Morwyn tilted her head. “Huh?" Sygni grabbed her coffee cup. “Raven made me say that I loved Galen.”The blackmailing bastard ... “Raven was all set to kill him if I said I didn't." "I see.” Morwyn stirred sugar into her coffee. “Do you?" "Love him?” Sygni bit her lip. “I don't know. I like him a whole lot...” Especially naked, and moaning ... A memory flashed through her of snuggling against his broad, warm and comforting chest to sleep. Sam snorted and leaned back in the chair. “Oh, just give it up, will you? You do. And he loves you right back." Sygni started. “What?" Sam looked over at Morwyn. “Sygni came stomping into the Doc's lair like she owned the place and demanded he let Galen go. Even after Tyrone put a bullet in her, she never let up. She practically spit in the Doc's face." Morwyn rolled her eyes. “I can just see her doing it, too." Sam batted his lashes at Sygni. “I thought it was sweet." "Sweet?” Sygni scowled. “Fine, rub it in.” It wasn't sweet; it was just ... what needed to be done. She pointedly ignored the stab of personal possessiveness that burned in her heart. Morwyn bit her lip. “You're sure that Galen loves her, too?" "Oh, he loves her all right.” Sam nodded at Sygni. “When Galen couldn't wake you up, he went nuts. He was a freaking hysterical mess." "He was?” Sygni sat up in her chair. This was news. Morwyn rolled her eyes. “He drove us both insane with all his hovering. I had to shove him out of the way to bandage your leg. He kept asking what I was doing and why." Sam nodded at Morwyn. “The only time he left your side was when Morwyn did the ritual to get me back in human skin." Morwyn chuckled. “And even then he tried to convince us to do it in the room with you." Sam delivered a crooked grin. “If that's not love, it's a hell of a lot of like." "Now that I think about it...” Morwyn smiled. “It certainly looks that way to me."

Sygni looked from one to the other.Well, damn ... I guess he does care. She shook her head. It was just too much to think about. “Enough with the love, already! What in Hela's name do we do about Gruber?" Morwyn shrugged. “Report him to the authorities. What else? You have both a vampire and a werewolf with traces of his power signature, so you have evidence. Once they know about him, you can get clearance to do what you do best." Sam frowned. “What's that?" Sygni folded her hands on the table and grinned. “Massive destruction.” She could just see it, a huge fireball lighting up the sky and the factory disintegrating in mid-air. It made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Sam leaned back in his chair. “You are not one of the nice witches, are you?" Sygni picked up her coffee cup. “Not even kinda." Morwyn lifted her chin. “Bernard,” she called out. “Bring me the telephone!" **** Sygni handed the slim cordless phone to the silver-haired, impeccably dressed butler. “Thank you, Bernard.” She'd once asked Morwyn what his deal was, why was Bernard always in a long-tailed tuxedo? Morwyn had shrugged and said that he liked wearing one. Why should she deny him? Bernard bowed and carried the telephone back into the kitchen. The double doors swung after he passed through them. Sygni looked over at Morwyn. “I spoke to Inspector Grimley. He says he'll talk to Coventry and see that the paperwork is sent through flagged as a chapter thirteen, seriously dangerous. As soon as it's cleared, I'm to meet up with the inspectors and their clean-up crew to deal with the Gruber situation." Morwyn nodded. “They'll know how to deal with the mad doctor.” She arched her brow. “Which is more than I can say for you!" Sygni winced. She knew Morwyn would take her pound of flesh sooner or later. "Oh, would you look at the time!” Sam jumped out of his chair and ran for the door. “There is something I got to go do right now.” He nearly knocked the door off its hinges trying to get it open. Morwyn frowned. “Sam?" "Oh ... Thanks for breakfast!” Sam pulled the door open and bolted. Sygni watched Sam's escape in some surprise. “Doesn't deal well with confrontations, does he?" Morwyn smiled after him. “Wolves are shy as a rule." Sygni rose from her chair. Escape seemed like a good plan.

Morwyn turned back to Sygni and scowled. “Sygni Darkheart, sit your ass back down. I want a word with you." Sygni dropped back into her chair. No escape today. It was bitching time. Morwyn slapped her hand on the table with a resounding thud. “When you went sorcerer hunting, why in bloody damnation didn't you bring your own spell-cursed gun? I know you have one!" Sygni groaned. “I didn't think I needed it. I have a bullet shield and not everyone knows how to make cursed bullets." "He did, and you're damned lucky he hit your leg and not a vital organ!” Morwyn scowled. “That colossal ego of yours is what got you in trouble! You're not all-powerful, there's always someone better than you—and you know this! Idiot!" Sygni winced. “Yes, okay, you're right! Are we done now?" Morwyn sneered. “I have only just begun to rip a stripe off your hide!" Sygni sank deep into her chair. She was going to be here a while.

~ Thirteen ~ Flopped belly-down on the leather divan, Sygni was trying to keep her mind on the paperback she was reading. Sunlight cast long golden beams through the tall, narrow windows of the book-lined room. The thick Persian carpets strewn across the ornate wood floor glowed under the light. She turned a page and propped her chin back on her hand. The divan was butter soft and warm under the sun's rays. Her bare feet waved idly in the air. Although it was late afternoon, she still hadn't bothered to change from the dressing gown into the spare clothes she kept here in case of emergencies. All her good stuff was at home. She flipped another page and scowled. The world was coming apart at the seams, and here she was reading a paperback. There wasn't a damn thing else she could do. The Inspector hadn't called back yet, the vampire was still asleep, and Morwyn had taken werewolf off on a tour of the castle. She smiled sourly.Tour, my ass ... They're just looking for a kinky place to have sex. She still couldn't believe how those two had taken to each other. It was almost scary. Morwyn's hour-long ass-chewing had been right damned scary, too. Sygni was convinced she was missing more than just a pound of flesh. The librarian hadn't let her have it that bad since she'd accidentally set the Inspector's car on fire—for the second time. The worse part was that Morwyn was right. Her big fat ego had gotten Galen kidnapped because she hadn't thought to charm the condo's door invisible; and then what did she do? Go storming to the rescue without bothering to bring any kind of backup protection at all. Mother Night, shewas an idiot. Sygni suddenly realized that she had just read the same paragraph three times in a row. She dropped the book onto the divan and groaned. There was just too much shit going on in her brain to read.

"Now that's a tempting sight.” A purring growl rumbled across the small room. "Huh?” Sygni looked over her shoulder to see Galen leaning against the doorframe, bathed in shadow. She took a quick look out the window. Yep, it was still daylight. She turned back. “What're you doing here?" "Staring up your robe.” He smiled. “And getting hard." Sygni rolled her eyes.One-track mind, and it's all in the gutter. “I mean, what are you doing awake? It's still daylight." Galen shook his head. “I sleep because I'm tired, not because I have to go back to the grave, or some such bullshit. It's just easier to sleep during the day." "But you're a vampire.” Sygni twisted around to sit upright. “Don't you have a problem with daylight?" "Yeah, some.” Galen shrugged. “I don't explode into flames or anything. Too much of it just makes me pass out. As long as I'm not standing naked in direct sunlight, or not staring straight into a UV lamp, I'm fine." "Oh..." He nodded at her. “What are you doing?" Sygni lifted the paperback. “Killing time; waiting on a phone call from the Inspector." Galen frowned. “Who's the Inspector, some kind of detective?" Sygni shook her head. “Detectives handle normal human crimes. Inspectors deal with all the weird shit. The local branch of industrial-strength haint-removers are run by Inspector Coventry, beta-grade federal sorcerer and pain in my ass extraordinaire.” She leaned back on her elbows. “As soon as he gets the clearance, you and I will be joining the Inspector's team to go help close down the good doctor's little shop of horrors." "Can his people handle Gruber?” Galen folded his arms across his chest. Sygni shrugged. “I don't see why not. It's only him and former garbage-man Tyrone.” And guns with cursed bullets. Galen shook his head. “There's a kid in there, too. Gruber has him hooked up to a bunch of machinery in the back with direct control over all kinds of weird shit." "A kid?” Sygni's mouth fell open. “Mother Night, why didn't you say something? We should have gotten him out, too!" Galen lifted his chin. “You were bleeding from a bullet wound, remember? The kid is perfectly safe. Gruber spoils him rotten. Gives him anything he wants." Sygni struggled to sit upright. “We could have tried." Galen shook his head. “We weren't going to get that kid out of there without a really messy fight. He

worships the ground Gruber walks on." "Does he have any idea what Gruber's doing?” Sygni bit her lip. “How old is this kid?" "High school age.” Galen shook his head. “He knows, all right. In fact, I'm pretty sure they're working together." Sygni frowned. Why would anyone want to help Gruber make vampires and werewolves? “He's not a prisoner?" "Trust me, he's perfectly happy to be there.” Galen looked away. “When I woke up on the table, he was sitting right there in his big machinery chair, grinning his ass off. He's some kind of powerhouse wiz-kid. I bet if you asked Sam, the kid was in on his being made a werewolf." "Does this kid have a name?" Galen shook his head. “I never heard it used. Gruber calls him ‘son’ and the kid calls him ‘father'." "Father and son?” Sygni crossed her arms. The room had gotten somehow colder. “That's freaking scary." "Try being in the same room with them.” Galen grimaced. “They have the same damned laugh." A kid was involved.Shit. Sygni scowled. “I'll have to tell the Inspector about this kid when he calls." "You do that. In the meantime ... Galen held out his hand. “Why don't you come over here so I can take a closer look at your panties?" Sygni smiled.Right back to the gutter ... “I'm not wearing any." He unleashed the full power of his devastating smile. “I know." Sygni couldn't help but rock from the direct hit to her libido. Her nipples tingled with sudden carnal interest.Mother Night, his smile is lethal. "Come on out of the sun.” Galen's gaze focused below her waist and licked his lips. “I'm dying to get a taste of what I'm looking at." "Huh?” Sygni suddenly realized that her knees had been splayed wide for quite a few minutes. He really had been staring up the skirts of her robe. Her gaze shot to the interesting bulge in his jeans. He was well on his way to full erection, too. She narrowed her eyes and a smile curled her lips.So, he likes to peep, does he? Well then, let's indulge his little habit. Sygni slowly leaned back on her elbows. “So, you want a taste?” She set one foot up on the divan, spreading her robe and her thighs wide open. A warm beam of sunlight caressed her most private flesh. “Of this pussy?” She brushed her fingers across her naked mound. “This pussy, right here?" Galen straightened in the doorway. “That's the one.” From the shadows, his mismatched eyes showed a hint of red burning in their depths. His voice deepened to a purring rumble. “It's looks juicy and delicious."

Sygni felt her pulse leap in her throat. The air felt heavier, thicker, and harder to breathe. Her core pulsed hungrily. Hela's tits, he was seriously turning her on just by the look on his face. She licked her lips.Let's see if I can return the favor. "My little pussy?” She parted the plump outer lips of her swelling labia with two fingers and exposed her pink heart. She was already beginning to cream. “My tight little pussy looks juicy?” She watched his expression as she dipped the tip of her middle finger into her depths. His eyes narrowed and he leaned forward. His nostrils flared. “You wicked little tease.” He grinned. She bit her lip to keep from laughing outright. “Me? Wicked? Never.” She burrowed her finger to the knuckle. His lips parted and his chest lifted with his deepening breaths. “You are a very bad girl." "Mmm ... bad,” she murmured and moved her finger within her, pressing against her sweet spot way in the back. Her body tightened and clutched. Heat curled up her spine and her hips gave a tiny little jump. She closed her eyes briefly and released a soft moan. She pulled her finger partway out, then dipped it back in again, then out, then in ... finger-fucking herself under his hot stare. The soft sounds of moist flesh reached her ears. "Oh, would you look at that?” She pulled her finger out and lifted her hand for him to see that her finger and palm were slick with her excitement. “It appears that you're right. This pussy is definitely juicy.” She dropped her hand back down and rubbed her cream-slicked finger across her clit, circling the pink tip. Erotic fire spiraled and tightened in her belly. “And it feels delicious.” She sighed in luscious abandon. Galen grabbed the hem of his T-shirt and yanked it over his head, tossing it to the floor. His nipples were hard. He slid his hand down his stomach and over the bulge straining the front of his jeans. Muscle tightened and flexed. “Come out of the sunlight, Sygni.” His voice was a hoarse rumbling whisper. Sygni's breath caught in her throat.Mother Night, he's a handsome beast. She wondered how much more it would take before he would dare the sunlight and come get her? Anticipation tightened in her belly.Let's find out. She delivered a playful pout. “Why should I?” She took a breath and tossed back her blond waves. Her robe slid at her shoulders and parted, opening to her waist and revealing the curves of her breasts just shy of her nipple. She let her head fall back and felt the sunlight caress and warm the curve of her throat. “It feels so good right here.” She wet her finger in her cream and rubbed her finger on her clit. Small bolts of fire spiraled and coiled through her. Her breath quickened. Her hips unconsciously gave tiny jumps in time to her rubbing finger. A small climax began to build, incited by her working finger and the heat of Galen's stare. She wondered if she'd make it to climax before he jumped her. A smile bloomed on her lips.Let's see. She rocked her hips and her robe slithered completely from her shoulders, deliberately exposing her breasts to his hungry view. Sygni licked her lips. A low, liquid growl rolled from the shadows. A shimmer of instinctive feminine fear raced up her spine and a healthy dose of hot carnal lust boiled in her core.Oh, yeah, come and get it! Her breasts rocked as she fingered herself, making her nipples tingle and burn in time with her swollen clit. She was going to cum. She was almost there ... She released

a soft panting cry. A hiss was all the warning she got. Between one breath and the next, she was grabbed by the ankles and pulled sharply to the side. Her ass slid across the leather, then up onto the curve of the divan's head. She blinked and found Galen standing just out of the beams of sunlight. Her legs were up over his shoulders and her butt was planted on the top of the rounded edge of the divan with her upper body arched, still bathed in sunlight. Galen's hands tightened on her thighs. “You shouldn't tease the vampire, Sygni,” he said in a deep bass rumble and smiled. “It'll get you punished.” His head dipped between her splayed thighs. His tongue swept her moist, excited flesh in one long wet lick, then lapped at her cream with fiendish speed. Sygni cried out, pressing her hands against the leather in a maddened frenzy to get closer to his mouth. This is punishment? Bring it on! She writhed against his mouth, dancing to his tongue's tempo. Her excited cries echoed in the room. He pulled his tongue from her core and focused on her excited clit. Lighting struck from his tongue. Her breath stopped. Climax howled up in a burning wave and exploded, ripping a scream from her lips. He sucked on her tender folds with devoted attention, stabbing his tongue into her depths and slurping noisily, drinking her cream with greedy haste. The wet sounds of his tongue on her flesh were loud in her ears. Soft cries of delight and distress fell from her lips. Fire scorched her with every lap of his tongue. A second wave of rapture roared up and erupted, dragging another scream from her throat. "Yes...” He pulled her further over the edge of the divan and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her out of the sunlight and into his arms. Reeling and breathless, Sygni felt the carpet against her belly and blinked in the sudden shadow. She was pulled up and back onto her knees. Denim rubbed against the back of her thighs. He hadn't even taken his pants off. Galen arched over her back and between her spread thighs. He shoved her robe up around her waist. His hands closed on her hips and his cock nudged her from beneath. “You've been a bad girl." A loud crack echoed in her ears, startling her. Then a hot burn lashed the right cheek of her ass. She sucked in a sharp breath, shocked.He hit me? She reared up in indignant fury. “You hit me!" Galen shoved her back down on her palms and held her there by a firm hand knotted into her hair. “No, I'm spanking you.” He chuckled. “You've been a bad girl." "You're what?” Sygni tried to twist away, but he grabbed her hips and his thighs kept her legs wedged open. She glared over her shoulder. “Nobody spanks me!" Galen's brows shot up and he grinned. “Well, they do now." She saw his hand rise from the corner of her eye. “Wait!"

"No." She heard the crack, then felt the burn on her other ass cheek. She hissed. “Damn you! That hurts!” It was also making her hotter than a furnace. She'd played at erotic spankings before, but in those games she normally ran the show. They stopped when she wanted them to. It was a whole new ballgame being on the bottom with someone else in control. Her cheeks heated and a spat of cream slid down her thighs. Galen laughed out loud. “Oh, come on! A heap big sorceress like you can't handle a little spanking?" "I'm gonna kick your ass for this!" "Maybe.” He chuckled. “But you're still gonna get the spanking you deserve.” His hand landed on her right cheek with a resounding crack. Sygni yelped under the burn of his palm, though it wasn't anywhere close to real pain. Another spat of cream slid down her thighs. “Deserve? For what?" Galen's hand rose again. “For...” Crack! “Teasing...” Crack! “The vampire!” Crack! Sygni groaned and twisted under the blows. Her butt was on fire, and incredibly, the vibrations from his hand striking her ass had jolted her really close to cumming, too. He was damned good at spanking, but she would see him in hell before she admitted it. "There.” Galen sighed. “I feel better already." "You?” Sygni choked on indignation. “You feel better?" "Well, yeah, you were the tease.” His chuckle sounded decidedly smug. “While I was the poor suffering vampire." Sygni ground her teeth and growled in frustration.I'll show you suffering! She tried to think if Morwyn had anything for cock and ball torture on the premises. Galen moaned softly. “You should see your ass. It's all pink and...” He squeezed her ass cheek with his hand. “Warm.” He ducked down and stroked the marks on her ass with his tongue. “Mmm..." A trail of shimmering tingles following the path of his determined tongue, drawing small helpless sounds from her lips. She couldn't believe how excited he'd gotten her with his spanking, but now he was driving her insane. She pressed back against his mouth, hoping he'd catch the hint and drive that tongue into her hungry and dripping core. Galen released her butt from the decadent torture of his mouth and leaned over her back. “Damn, smacking your ass got me really fucking hard.” His cock shifted against her backside and centered on her wet opening. “I hope you're ready.” He leaned back and his palms closed on her hips. “'Cause I'm fresh out of patience.” He thrust. Sygni groaned as her body stretched to receive him. She undulated her hips to encourage him deeper. Galen hissed and forged deeper. “Fuck...” He dropped over her back and slid his arms around her to cup her breasts. “Damn, you feel good on my dick.” He rolled her firm nipples in his fingers.

Sygni writhed under him. His fingers on her nipples were making her clit burn with hunger while his cock pressed against her sweet spot within. If he kept that up, she was going to cum really fast. Galen chuckled softly. “You ready to cum again, sweetheart?" Sygni rolled her hips to feel him move within her. “Yes, damn you. Fuck me!" "I have a better idea.” He curled an arm around her waist and abruptly pulled her upright with her thighs straddling his spread knees and her spine pressed against the wall of his chest. His cock slid hard up into her, sheathing him to the balls. He grunted with the impact. His hands closed on her breasts, squeezing them with controlled strength. “Why don't you fuck me?" Sygni groaned and twisted her hips, grinding down on top of him. He was so deep in her it was nearly uncomfortable. She squeezed her thighs and rose on him, then fell to rise again. She threw back her head, looping her arms around his neck for pulling power. She arched, rising and falling on the cock that speared her. Hunger, heat and tension coiled into a tight knot. "God, yes!” He groaned, catching her around the waist to help her lift, thrusting upward to match her demand. “Fuck me, Sygni. Ride that cock.” He hammered up into her, lifting her faster to match his strokes. The flesh against flesh sounds of his hips striking her ass became a frenzied tempo. Sygni bucked and twisted on top of him, lost in the fire building with brutal and savage urgency in her belly. Soft sounds escaped her lips. Each hard stroke of his cock struck her sweet spot within, driving her ruthlessly closer to the threatening edge of delight. His lips brushed the side of her neck. His mouth opened on her bared throat. He sucked gently, long teeth pressed against her delicate skin. She shivered in a seditious combination of both excitement and panic. His panting breath was hot against her throat. She knew he was waiting. Waiting for her to climax, so that he could have his release, his pleasure. Anticipation made her pulse jump. His tongue stroked the leaping vein and pressed against it. “You're right on top of it,” he whispered. “Right on the edge.” He cupped her breast and captured a nipple. He pinched. Fire blazed from her nipple to her clit. She tensed and felt her breath catch. Ecstasy burst and crashed in a screaming tidal wave of release. She shouted as it took her, washing over her in glorious delight. His teeth sank into her throat. A second climactic wave rose with perilous and savage power then crashed with pitiless devastation. She cried out, drowning under waves of brutal rapture. He caught her tight against him and froze buried to the hilt, holding her firmly seated on his cock. He groaned and pulsed within her as he swallowed her blood. Galen sighed from where he lay collapsed on the rug. “I hope you're naughty again, sometime soon." Sygni panted for breath in his arms. “I'll see what I can come up with."

Galen brushed his lips across her brow. “Good. You do that." Sygni looked up at Galen. “Carry me up to the room?" Galen raised a brow. “What? You want more?" Sygni rolled her eyes and struggled to sit up. “I want a shower, and to get dressed." Galen smiled and rolled to his knees. “Aw ... Did I tire out the big bad sorceress?” He fastened his pants. "Hey!” Sygni tugged at her robes, trying to bring them back into some semblance of order. “I took a bullet for you, and you're dropping my blood pressure pretty regularly, Fang-boy. So yeah, you tired me out." "A guilt-trip?” Galen rolled his eyes. “That's playing dirty, witch." Sygni smiled and held up her arms. “Did it work?" "Maybe a little.” Galen scooped her up in his arms. “Shower and a change, huh? Are you sure you don't want more?” He raised a brow and gave her his blinding smile. Sygni looped her arms around his neck and lifted her chin. “Master has spoken,” she said in her loftiest voice. Galen choked on a laugh and headed for the stairs. “Does master want another spanking?" Sygni grinned. “Maybe, but not until the burning on my butt goes away. Mother Night, Galen, you swat hard!" "Wouldn't want you to think I was a wimp.” Galen dropped a small kiss on her brow. “You might dump me." Sygni rolled her eyes. “I can't dump you, you have what I need." Galen nodded. “Oh, I see how it is. You love me for my cock." "Sure.” Sygni set her head on his shoulder. “Among other pertinent parts."

~ Fourteen ~ Inspector Coventry finally called, at exactly the most inconvenient time—during dinner. Dressed in an old pair of hip-hugger jeans and a cropped black T-shirt scrawled with'Don't make me call my winged monkeys ', Sygni took the phone from Bernard and dropped into a chair by the windows so she wouldn't disturb the others trying to eat. Her dinner, of course, was getting cold. “This is Sygni, let her rip, Inspector." That's exactly what he did, at volume.

**** Sygni walked back to her place at the table and set the slim cordless phone by her plate. Glass and china gleamed under golden light from the small chandelier. Night was black against the narrow windows that spread across the left wall. She faced the group scattered around the table. “We have a problem." "A problem?” Morwyn poured wine into her glass. Her sleek black hair was pulled back into a snug tail and she was dressed casually in faded jeans and a deep blue T-shirt with ‘If you don't want to know, don't ask'.. She set the bottle down on the table and looked across the table at Sygni. “What kind of a problem?" Sygni held her gaze steadily. “The Inspector says he can't find the factory." Galen's brows dropped. “What?” He set his glass of German Dark beer carefully down on the table. “But I heard you give him the right directions." Sygni looked to her left at Galen. “He says that there is no Industrial Park road, never mind a lot sixty-one. The neighborhood I described doesn't exist.” Sygni glanced down at the lamb on her plate. Her appetite was completely gone. Sam, on her right, almost dropped his fork. “Your Inspector needs his glasses checked. How the hell could he miss it? It's friggin’ huge!" Morwyn's pressed her linen napkin to her lips and her brow furrowed. “An illusion to hide it?" "No.” Sygni shook her head. “According to the Inspector, there used to be an Industrial Park, but that whole area was torn down and rebuilt back in the seventies. It's now the South Century Garden Estates.” In fact, he had shouted it in her ear. Then he had hung up on her. Morwyn eyes widened. “It's in a suburb?" "That's impossible!” Sam's hand closed into a fist. “There's no way in hell it's there. I empty trash there. I know that whole damned neighborhood back to front and a factory that big and that ugly is really hard to miss.” He scowled. “It has to be somewhere else!" "It's not anyplace else.” Sygni got up and paced by her chair, brow furrowed in concentration. “It has to be a time-still, which would also explain why every tree and bush out there is seriously dead." "A time-still?” Morwyn's brows shot up. “Over an entire neighborhood?" "It's the only thing that makes sense.” Sygni scowled. “I've been to those suburbs myself, but when I was going to the factory, I never even saw the signs for Century Estates. The time-still has to cover the whole thing." "Sygni, if it is a time-still, only someone keyed to go through it would be able to find the door." "He has to have a stationary pass-through, a set door to go in and out or I would have never gotten in there.” Sygni shook her head. “But I'm betting Gruber has closed the door, which is probably why the Inspector can't find him." Sam glanced at Morwyn, then Sygni. “Excuse my screaming ignorance here, but some of us are still new

to this shit. What the hell is a time-still?" "Oh, sorry, Sam.” Morwyn reached for her glass of wine “It's where a sorcerer grabs a moment in time, like a snap-shot, then pulls it out of time and holds it in it's own little side pocket of reality that keeps it's own time. Trees and building torn down in real-time still exist in this reality." "Oh, I see...” Sam nodded. He abruptly shook his head. “No, I lied, I don't see. How do you peel out a chunk of reality and just—keep it?" "You have to have a lot of power, and want it really bad.” Sygni shrugged. “Just like any form of magic, the whole thing is maintained in the mage's mind. As long as he insists that it's there, it exists." Sam tapped his finger against his temple. “So, what you're saying is that I've been living in some guy's imagination?" "Um...” Sygni looked over at Galen then back at Sam. “Yes." "Now, wait just a friggin’ minute!” Sam pointed at his chest. “Does this mean I'm just a figment of somebody's imagination? Or am I a figment of my own?” He shook his head. “Am I even real? Or is this some fucked-up dream I'm having before the alarm goes off and it's time to get in the garbage truck?" Galen frowned. “You know, that's a damned good question." "Relax, guys, you're both real.” Sygni rolled her eyes. “I'm not saying he doesn't have a few figments running around his little pocket paradise, but if you were a figment, you would not have been able to leave." Galen and Sam exchanged glances. "Well, that's a relief.” Sam grimaced. “I think." Galen leaned back in his chair and stared at his beer. “Maybe for you." "Sygni...” Morwyn bit her lip. “A time-still that big, with a stationary door takes an awful lot of power. More than you currently have." Sygni rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. “Tell me something I don't know.” She couldn't begin to imagine how much energy had gone in to building it, never mind maintaining it. A time-still wasn't something she'd tried to do herself, not even at full power. "What I don't understand...” Morwyn frowned at the ruby liquid in her glass. “Is with that much control over the whole neighborhood, he should have easily trapped you in there. Why didn't he?" Sygni snorted. “He was a little busy at the time. I left a few dozen imps as a distraction." Morwyn grinned. “For once, I'm glad you're a bad witch." Sygni smiled. “Me too.” She looked over at Sam. “Sam, how long were you there? When did Gruber hire you?How , by Hela's tits, did Gruber hire you?" Sam opened his mouth then closed it and frowned. “I was there, I think maybe three days or so? It's

hard to tell. Tyrone and I didn't go upstairs or outside. And now that I think about it, I'm not really sure how I started working there. My memory is kinda fuzzy on that." Morwyn's brows lifted. “You didn't leave? Not even to go home?" Sam shook his head. “Nope. We slept on cots in this big empty room right off an old shower room like a school has.” He looked over into blank space. “It's weird, but I never even thought about leaving, about going home.” He looked up. “But as soon as I got furry, that's all I could think about, getting the hell out." Morwyn bit her lip. “Sounds as if turning you into a werewolf shattered a binding." Sam frowned. “A binding?" "It's a kind of ‘you stay here’ spell.” Sygni set her elbows on the table. “What was the last thing you remember, right before you started working for him?" Sam shrugged. “Emptying cans.” His eyes widened. “Wait, I was half-way through my morning route out back behind the high school when Tyrone yelled for me to come look at something. The next thing I remember is sitting in the big room under the factory and listening to Tyrone talking to Gruber. He was saying sure, we'd love to make a big wad of cash by helping out." Sygni frowned. “Do you remember going into the factory?" "No, not the first time. And what's so weird, is I didn't think anything of it when we drove out in the van to get the wolf and to...” He blushed and looked over at Galen. “To pick up Galen.” He looked back at Sygni. “I remember thinking on the way back that the drive should have taken us past the Estates, but I never saw the turn-off either time." Morwyn frowned. “Where did you get the wolf from?" Sam shrugged. “We picked him up at the train station.” He bit his lip. “Poor thing was a nervous wreck, too." Sygni scowled. “Somebody shipped it. That means somebody outside that factory is working with Gruber." Galen leaned forward and draped his arms over the table. “I bet it's his mysterious buyer." Morwyn tilted her head. “A buyer?" Sygni flinched. She'd forgotten to mention that. “Gruber is trying to manufacture werewolves and vampires for sale." "What?” Morwyn gasped. “But that's insane!" Galen lifted his chin. “Don't forget that Gruber also said that he has a buyer for you too, Sygni." "That is not even funny.” Morwyn's cheeks paled. “If someone wants you, Sygni, that means that they think they have the means to control you."

Sygni smiled sourly. “They're still trying to find all the pieces to the last sorcerer that tried that.” The scumbag sorcerer had thought a twelve-year-old witch kid was easy prey. Boy, had he been mistaken. She hadn't actually meant to blow him to pieces, but back then her powers were new, and very much triggered by instinct rather than will. Speaking of kids... Sygni turned back to Sam. “Did you see the kid?" Morwyn choked on her wine. “There's a kid?" "That's no kid.” Sam scowled. “He's a punk-ass monster disguised as a teen-ager.” He turned to Morwyn. “That little shit was the one that turned me and the wolf into this.” He raised his hand and it turned furry and clawed before their eyes. He wiggled his claws and they returned to being human fingers. “Gruber just handed him the book, and told me to get in the cage to hold the wolf. I had the poor beast in my arms when that kid said something weird and zapped us both into an eight-foot fur-ball." Sygni stared wide-eyed. “The kid is mage-kind? Then we're not dealing with one sorcerer, we're dealing with two. Fuck." Galen tapped a finger on the table. “Don't forget the buyer. He may be one, too." Sygni tossed back her blonde mane. “This is getting better by the minute.” She threw up her hands. “Why? Why does my territory have to get this shit?" "Satan's ass, what a mess.” Morwyn shook her head. “What are we going to do?" Sygni dropped her hands and scowled. “Only one thing we can do. Break in, get the kid out and then take Gruber out. If he's sitting in a time-still, I can blow his whole operation sky-high and it won't affect anyone." Morwyn turned sharply to face Sygni. “Blowing it will affect you and anyone else in that pseudo-realm. Make damn sure everyone is out before you dismantle that thing! You don't know what's sitting where. If time reasserts itself while you are in there, you could find yourself halfway through a wall, a floor or crushed under a ton of concrete." Sygni nodded at Galen. “Cheerful, isn't she?" "Sygni! I'm serious!” Morwyn slapped the table. “Don't let that ego of yours get in the way again." Sygni winced. “I know. I'll be careful." Morwyn lifted her chin. “And take the Inspector with you." "The Inspector?” Sygni rolled her eyes. “But he's such a pain in the ass!" Morwyn raised a brow. “And you're not?” She sighed. “You're dealing with two, maybe three sorcerers. You can't afford lone gunman tactics. You need a second fully trained mage to go in there with you." Sygni shook her head. “He's only a beta-grade, he could might get in my way or get hurt...” Or tattle. Morwyn shot her a narrow glare. “You may be an omega, but you'll still need a second pair of hands if

you get busy. Also, having the Inspector makes you on official business. It will ensure that you don't get into any legal trouble if your pyrotechnics overlap into somebody's home in current time." Sygni scowled. “All right, I'll invite him to our party." Galen frowned at Sygni. “Gruber said you were an alpha-grade." Sygni winced. “I am an alpha-grade when the power you hold is cut off from me. At full power, I'm an omega. That means you stay with me at all times, so we don't get cut off from each other." Galen crossed his arms and curled his lip. “Aye, aye, captain." Sam shook his head. “I'm not even going to pretend I know what any of this alpha-omega stuff means." Morwyn sighed. “It means that no one has been able to measure just how much power Sygni has access to. Omega is the highest grade they list, so that's what they labeled her." Galen's eye widened. “Holy shit..." Sygni scowled. “It not everything it's cut out to be, trust me. I nearly killed myself with my own powers more than once. I almost didn't make it into adulthood." "Adulthood?” Morwyn snorted. “You almost didn't make it into high-school!" Sygni scowled. “It was not my fault that my house burned down and triggered my powers early!” It was not her fault that her parents had died in that fire either, but ... She jerked herself away from that circle of guilt-ridden thought. Morwyn sighed. “I was talking about the sorcerer you demolished when you were twelve, not the fire." "Oh...” Sygni bit her lip and turned away. Inspector Coventry had tried to send her for erasure for that. Unfortunately for Coventry, she'd been a minor with an obvious case of self-defense. He'd been a major pain in her ass ever since. Galen sat back in his chair. “Then she wasn't kidding about not finding all the pieces of the last guy that tried to hold her?" Morwyn shook her head. “She turned his binding spell inside out and somehow reflected it back on him. It literally tore him apart. I'm afraid that Coventry was first on the scene when she destroyed the sorcerer that had kidnapped her, so he got quite an eyeful of the mess. He was very new to the inspection bureau, so he ... Let's just say he wasn't exactly sympathetic." Sam swallowed. “And she was twelve?" "All I was trying to do was wrap him in his own binding. I didn't mean to kill him.” Sygni winced. “I didn't know how strong I was.” She looked down at her lap, afraid to see the fear in Galen and Sam's eyes. Hela's tits, she hated it when people were afraid of her. "Accidents happen when you're new at something.” Sam chuckled. “Hell, you should have see me trying to drive the garbage truck the first time. Rolled right over a whole line of garbage cans. Never even felt them."

Sygni clenched her teeth. “Your accidents don't kill people." Sam leaned forward on the table. “They do now. I'm still not sure how strong I really am in full werewolf form. On top of that, my furry side likes to eat what it kills.” He abruptly paled. “That didn't come out right, did it?" "No, dear, it did not.” Morwyn bit her lip to keep from laughing. “Don't worry, it's normal for your wolf nature to hunt." Galen snorted. “Personally, I'm glad you blew that piece of shit away. Good for you, Sygni." Sygni looked up at Galen then Sam and smiled. “Thanks, guys." Galen grinned. “No problem." Sam shrugged and picked up his fork. “Anytime." Morwyn lifted her chin. “Galen, since you hold half her power, it's entirely possible that you are an alpha-grade magus in your own right." "Me? A magus?” Galen looked over at Sygni. “So, what does this mean?" Sygni gave him a sour smile. “It means that you have to be careful what you wish for. You might just get it." Morwyn shook her head. “A magus is anyone with magical ability. All the other labels, such as sorceress or wizard, are personal choice. An alpha means that you're very strong in ability." Galen's brows shot up. “You mean I could blow someone away too?" Sygni shrugged. “It's possible." Galen grinned. “Sweet!" Sygni shook her head, but couldn't quite conceal her smile.Of course the vampire would be pleased. Morwyn looked over at Sygni. “You realize we're going to have to report his status to the Inspector." "That's all we need.” Sygni groaned and flopped back in her chair. “I can just see it now ... Hello, Inspector? I'd like to register an alpha-grade magus? Oh, and he's a vampire.” She winced. “Coventry is going to blow a blood-vessel." Morwyn frowned. “It has to be done. Galen will be in a lot of trouble if he does something magical while unregistered.” She looked over at Sam. “I'm sorry, but you're going to have to be registered, too." Sam rolled his eyes. “Oh, as if I didn't see that coming." Galen frowned at Morwyn. “Just how bad is this Coventry?" Sygni looked at Galen. “He has a shoot-first policy for weirdness."

Galen flinched. “That's bad." Morwyn sighed. “Coventry is not bad per se ... He's a very good detective and normally a very level-headed cop. He's just uncomfortable around magic." "Uncomfortable?” Sygni snorted. “He hates magical anything. He's one of those: ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’ people." Galen frowned “But isn't he a sorcerer, too?" "But he's working for the law; that makes him different.” Sygni snorted. “He calls himself a mage, like it's better than a witch or a sorcerer." Morwyn set her elbows on the table. “The problem with Inspector Coventry is that he came into his power very late. By the time it manifested, he'd already run into one too many magical beings that abused their power.” She nodded toward Sygni. “Inspectors are supposed to keep that kind of thing under control and hidden from the general public, but most people call the police first, so ordinary police officers do end up facing bad magic. Most people don't even know true magic exists." "Hell, I was clueless. I didn't know real magic was even possible.” Sam looked over at Galen. “How about you?" "Just as clueless.” Galen smiled wryly. “When Gruber told me I was a vampire, I thought it was a sick joke.” He looked down at the table. “Gruber had to shove the blood down my throat with a funnel because I wouldn't drink it. I watched my hands fill out right before my eyes.” He looked up and his expression was very neutral. “When I finally got out, I bought a hamburger and that clinched it for me. I can't eat solid food at all.” He lifted the glass of dark beer. “I'm okay with liquids, but...” he smiled wryly. “It's weird, I can taste things just fine. I just can't put them in my stomach." Sam winced. “That has got to suck.” He looked down at the lamb on his plate. “Other than being short-tempered and furry on occasion, I'm fine." Sygni grinned. “You just have to watch out for road rage." "Sygni, call the Inspector.” Morwyn lifted her chin. “Nowwould be nice?" "Fine, whatever...” Sygni picked up the phone by her abandoned dinner and started punching buttons. She set the small phone to her ear. “It's ringing.” The operator answered. Sygni asked for the Inspector's extension. She glanced at Morwyn. “The line is being transferred." The phone clicked. “Inspection department, Grimley here.” His voice was crisp and dry in her ear. Sygni turned away. “Hello, Inspector Grimley? This is Sygni. Is Inspector Coventry available?" "Oh, hello, Sygni. He's due back any second. Do you want to wait?" "Sure, I'll wait.” Sygni rolled her eyes.Coventry must have an instinct for being inconvenient. Morwyn rose from her chair. “Gentlemen, why don't we take this discussion into my private parlor so Sygni can talk?” Both men rose from their chairs.

"What?” Sygni lifted her chin. “Abandoning me?" "Yes.” Morwyn grinned as she opened the door. “You shout too much when you talk to him." Sygni's brows shot up. “He shouts at me!" "And your point is?” Morwyn waved as the guys slipped past her. “Come talk to us when you're done.” She closed the door behind her, leaving Sygni in the dining room by herself.

~ Fifteen ~ The phone in Sygni's hand clicked. “This is Coventry.” The voice was slightly nasal in quality with a pronounced drawl. Yep, she had the Inspector, all right. Sygni stared at the empty dining room. “Hello, Inspector, this is Sygni..." "Oh, it's you, Sygni, the great and powerful. I've already followed one of your leads today only to find myself in a nice quietsuburb ,” he snapped out. “What do you want now?" Sygni closed her eyes and took a breath to keep from screaming. “I figured out what's going on with the factory. I think we're dealing with a time-still...” She went into detail as to why it might be a time-still they were dealing with, and then told him about the high-school kid that might be a magus. “That's my update." "A time-still, a mage-child, and a sorcerer manufacturing vampires and werewolves for a mysterious Russian buyer.” The sarcasm was as thick as syrup in his voice. “Do you have anything concrete to prove that this isn't some elaborate hoax?" Sygni abruptly stood. “You want proof? Oh, I have it! It's right here!” She raised her fist to the phone and showed it her middle finger. "You mean to tell me that have concrete proof that someone is manufacturing vampires and werewolves?" Sygni took a deep calming breath. She even smiled. “Yes, Inspector, I have a werewolf fresh from Doctor Gruber's factory,” she said calmly. “And a newly risen vampire. Is that proof enough?” She could just imagine his astonished and slack-jawed expression. It brought a warm curl of delight to her heart. Papers rustled on the other end of the line. “Are you still at that castle?" Sygni continued to smile.Keep cool; keep calm ... “Yes, I'm still at the library, Inspector." "I'll prepare a team..." She rolled her eyes. “Why? Are you afraid to come by yourself? "If you actually have a vampire and a werewolf, I am not about to walk into a dangerous situation without..."

Sygni cut him off. “Look, Inspector, they're not going to attack anybody, and they want the doc out of commission as much as you do. Not everybody with magical talents wants to hurt people with them. They're even willing to be legally registered. You do not need a team of baby-sitters to protect you.” She grit her teeth. “I'mmore dangerous than they are!" He snorted. “That goes without saying, sorceress." "Look...” She curled her lip. “I called to let you know what was going on, but if you don't want to deal with it, I'm perfectly fine handling the mad doctor by myself..." "I'm not about to let you handle something as fragile as a time-still, not when there's a child involved in this!" Sygni rolled her eyes. “A high-school kid, not a child, very likely a magus and workingwith the doctor, not against him. The kid is one of the bad-guys, Inspector!" "That is beside the point!” She clearly heard the spit hit the phone. He continued in a growl. “When it comes to children, you can't even be trusted to hand out candy for trick or treat!" "Hey, low blow! That kid was possessed by an imp!” Sygni shook her head. So she dangled the brat from the second-story porch by his heels to scare the imp out of him. The kid had a case of the screaming fits after it, but she got the imp out with the kid still in one piece. Not an easy thing to do. “Look, I know you don't like the way I do things, but I get the job done. I can do this without you." "It is my job to deal with this, not yours! Do not, I repeat, donot attempt to take matters into your own hands, witch!" She smiled and pulled the phone away from her ear. He was shouting. “Okay, if you're absolutely sure you don't want me to handle it?” she said as sweetly as she could. "I will be there in less than an hour and I had better find the situation under control when I get there. No extraneous hocus-pocus." She nodded then rolled her eyes again. “We'll be good, I promise. I'll tell Morwyn to put the tea on for you." "Expect a second car, and that gate had better open for both vehicles." Her lips formedchicken-shit . “Make sure you bring Inspector Grimley. He likes Morwyn's tea and he can hold your hand if you get scared." "You are a snide little bitch." Sygni smiled brightly. “Why, thank you, Inspector. I do try.” The phone clicked and the sound of the dial tone buzzed in her ear. She threw back her head and shouted. “I hate your fucking ass, too, you bastard!” She barely stopped herself from pitching the phone at the wall. After using every swear word she could think of at the top of her lungs, she stomped her foot on the stone flags for good measure. Better to bruise her foot than to explode in a magical rage. She hadn't had an accident in years, but where Covington was concerned, her grasp on her temper and her power was shaky. Hela's tits, she hated that small-minded vicious man!

After taking several deep breaths, Sygni knocked on the kitchen door. Dour-faced Bernard silently took the phone from her hand, then disappeared. Her hands clenched into tight fists, she set off for the parlor, hoping the walk would cool her temper. **** Galen was leaning on the wall just outside the door, waiting. Sygni jerked to a halt.Now what? The walk had brought her power under control, but her temper still had her pulse leaping in her throat. He straightened from the wall. His expression was as stark and grim as hers. Sygni winced.Shit, he's picking up on my feelings again. Before she could blink, Galen had her wrapped in a warm and tight embrace. He pressed her against his hammering heart. “Don't hold it in, let it go." She froze, then tried to push away. “No, I don't...” She closed her eyes.I don't want to cry... His arms tightened. “You have to.” He looked down at her with haunted eyes. “I don't know what the hell that bastard did to you, but it's eating you alive.” He swallowed and gave her a slight smile. “And it's not doing good things to me, either.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Crimson flashed in the heart of his mismatched eyes. “Let it go." Sygni choked as the impotent rage stirred by years of dealing with Coventry's hatred surged up in a heaving black ocean of despair. She exploded in a welter of tears. Barely able to breathe past the gulping sobs that tore from her throat, she wrapped her arms around him and grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, clinging to his strength. He stroked her hair as he held her. Somehow, the pain bled away with every beat of his heart. Eventually, the sobs retreated. He kissed the top of her head, then caught her face and brushed the last of her tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. With a small smile, he pulled a huge cotton handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her. “You done?" "I think so.” She wiped her eyes and blew her nose in the handkerchief, then offered it back to him. He winced and held up both hands. “Keep it." It made her smile. She jammed the soiled handkerchief in her back pocket. He tucked her under his arm and they walked into the parlor. **** The private parlor was scattered with worn comfortable furniture and warmly lit with garage sale lamps. Mismatched bookshelves overflowed with well-loved paperbacks. A brand new stereo system was nearly buried under a pile of CDs. The Cable News Network droned on the big screen TV in the

background. Morwyn and Sam looked up from the loveseat. They sat shoulder to shoulder with a Frank Frazetta art book spread across their knees. Sygni took a deep breath and tightened her arm around Galen's waist. “Coventry says he'll be here in less than an hour." Morwyn smiled. “By himself? That's awfully brave of him." Sygni shook her head. “He's bringing a second car.” She snorted. “We're to have everything under control and no extraneous magic going on. I told him to bring Grimley to hold his hand." Morwyn shook her head. “How a man so terrified of magic got his position, I will never know.” She passed the art book to Sam and got up from the loveseat. “I'll have the staff get the tea service readied...” Her head shot up and her eyes widened. “Something just crossed the property border. Something fast." "What?” Sam leaped up from the loveseat. A bong resonated throughout the castle. Galen jerked in Sygni's arms. “What the hell?" "The shield wall!” Morwyn headed for the door at a run. “Shit!" "Morwyn!” Sam chased after her. Sygni bolted after them. Galen followed close behind. “Somebody tell me what the fuck is going on?" "What ever just crossed the property line is hostile.” Sygni took the stairs two at a time. “So much for keeping things under control." **** Sam, Morwyn, Sygni and Galen stared over the second story balcony of the castle. Sygni shivered. The night had chilled and the wind coming straight from the north hissed as it ripped the dying leaves from the surrounding trees. Blown leaves fluttered through a shimmering ring of light curving across the pavement and grounds. Galen narrowed his eyes. “What the hell is that glowing thing?" Morwyn glanced over at Galen. “That is the shield wall. It protects the library from attacks." Galen frowned. “How come I didn't set it off when I came to steal the book?" Sygni smiled tightly. “You didn't come here to hurt anybody.” She pointed past the blazing ring. “That thing did."

On the other side of that line paced a nightmare that walked on two legs. The creature down on the pavement was tall and massively built. Tightly folded ears were set high on its broad-muzzled head. Small dark eyes blazed yellow from the darkness. The short and sleek black fur turned to rust across its muscular chest and throat. Hackles were raised along its back. A long, slender tail curved from his haunches. Sam frowned. “Any idea what the hellthat thing is supposed to be?" Galen tapped the balcony with a finger and frowned. “It looks like a weird kind of dog." Sam lifted his chin and wrinkled his nose. “Gah! It reeks like dog, too." "Sam, I know you're in there!” The bellowing voice was deep and slurred. “Come out!" Sam frowned. “How the fuck does this thing know me?" Sygni bit her lip. “I think it's Tyrone." "What?” Sam looked over the wall and shouted. “Tyrone? Is that you?" The canine head lifted. “Yeah, it's Tyrone!" Sam shook his head. “What the fuck happened to you, man?" The creature pointed a long clawed finger toward Sam. “This is your fault! You left and the Doc did this to me!" Sygni groaned. “Gruber used the Book of the Moon again." Morwyn frowned. “That's supposed to be a werewolf? He doesn't even look like Sam." Sygni bit her lip. “Wolves are probably hard to get on short notice. Gruber must have gone to the pound." Sam shouted down at Tyrone. “You saw what he did to me! Why didn't you leave, you fucking moron?" Tyrone took a step back. “I...” His mouth opened and he bayed. Sam curled his lip. “What the hell kind of answer is that?" Sygni frowned at him. “He's probably new, so he may be too confused to think straight." Sam snorted. “Are you kidding? He couldn't think straight when he was just a guy that empties trash." Morwyn tilted her head to the side. “What kind of dog did Gruber use?" Sygni nibbled on her bottom lip. “A big one." "It's a damned Rottweiler.” Galen glared at Sygni. “You're the one who said he should cross Tyrone with a Rottweiler!"

Sygni scowled back at him. “I didn't think he'd actually do it!" Sam leaned over the wall. “Look I'm sorry, man, but I can't do a damned thing about it!" Tyrone's muzzled head came up. “You can come back and talk to the Doc!" Sam snorted. “Do I look stupid or something? I'm not going anywhere near that nut-bag!" "You have to come back!” Tyrone paced at the edge of the ring. “If you come back, the Doc said he'd make me normal!" "It's a lie.” Morwyn looked over at Sam. “This spell is permanent, or I would have reversed yours." Sam gave her a lop-sided smile. “I know.” He shook his head. “But I doubt that idiot will leave." Galen gave Sygni a disgusted look. “So now what do we do?" Sygni pursed her lips and raised a brow. “Morwyn, do you have an empty room strong enough to hold a were-rottie?" Morwyn's mouth fell open. “You want to capture it?" Sygni nodded. “Sure. I bet Tyrone knows how to get back into Gruber's little pocket universe." "Capture it?” Galen growled. “Woman, are you insane?" Sygni looked over at Galen. “If I can get him in the workroom, he can be restored to a man, or stuffed into the dog. Either one will be less dangerous than this form." Sam grinned. “I say pack him into the dog. The dog probably has more sense." Sygni smiled Grimley. “And dogs don't have hands to turn knobs or pick locks." Morwyn tapped Sygni's shoulder. “Can your magic hold him long enough to get him there?" Sygni rolled her eyes and grinned. “Oh, please ... All we have to do is get him to hold still enough and I can bind him." Sam peered over the balcony. “I can take him." Galen's head whipped around. “What? Are you crazy, too? Sam, even furry that thing is a couple of feet bigger and probably stronger than you." "He's only a dog.” Sam smiled and his teeth lengthened before their eyes. A feral green reflected deep in the hearts of his eyes. “I'm not." Morwyn set her hand on Sam's shoulder. “Are you absolutely sure you can do this?" "Oh, yeah.” Sam snorted. “Mostly because Tyrone here is afraid of big dogs, so he's not...” He frowned. “I don't know what you call it, but me and the wolf are buddies. We're working together in here.” He tapped a finger on his chest. He jerked a thumb toward the creature on the lawn. “I seriously

doubt Tyrone has any kind of working relationship with his better half." Galen clapped Sam's shoulder. “I'll give you a hand." Sam nodded. “I'd appreciate it." Sygni jerked around. “Galen, it's bigger than you, too!" "Sygni, give me a break, will you?” The vampire rolled his eyes. “I'm super fast and super strong, I might as well make myself useful." Morwyn sighed. “I guess I better go down to the workroom and build a binding collar.” She nodded at Sygni then at the guys. “Better make some enchanted rope for them." "Good idea.” Sygni raised her hands. “Two enchanted ropes coming right up..."

~ Sixteen ~ Sygni stepped back from the stone balcony's edge and nodded at Galen. “I'm going to pull magic from you, so don't freak out.” She held her arms out, palm up. "Okay.” Galen crossed his arms over his chest. Sygni concentrated. Her soul opened and a firestorm of power blazed out and up her arms, bathing her hands in a swirl of red mist. Galen gasped softly. “That is freaking weird. It's like there's this door in my heart and it just opened." Sygni looked briefly at Galen. His eyes were glowing scarlet with the power rushing through him. “The door is in your soul. The power lives on the other side of it." Sam frowned. “That doesn't make a whole lot of sense." Sygni grinned. “It does if youdon't think about it." Sam snorted. “Oh, right." Galen grimaced. “From where I'm standing, it makes perfect sense." Sygni whispered to the power in her grasp. It coalesced and tightened into thin faintly glowing red ropes wrapped around each of her forearms. “There, that should do.” Her unused magic whirled back into her soul and the door shut. Galen gasped. “Whoa, that door just slammed closed." Sygni began unwinding the rope from her arms. “And now that you know where it is, you can get to it." Galen blinked. “Oh ... okay. So, what do I do with it?" Sygni smiled. “You play with small bits of it until you can figure out how it works for you.” She raised a

cautionary finger. “The trick is not to call on too much." "That it?” Galen frowned. “That's not particularly arcane." Sygni shrugged. “Most stuff can be done by making it up as you go along. Arcanum is used in big complicated magic, like calling on the powers." "Calling powers?” Galen eyed the rope pooling on the stone flags at her feet. “Like gods?" "Yep.” Sygni nodded and smirked. “And demons.” She handed Sam the end of one rope. “This is strong enough to hold a demon, so it should do nicely for one were-rottie." Sam coiled the rope in his hand. “So, what do you want us to do with this? Rope him like a steer?" "Something like that.” Sygni unraveled the rope from her other forearm. “All you have to do is use the rope to hold him still long enough for me to wrap a spell around him so we can get him into the castle without destroying stuff." "Hell, I don't need rope for that!” Sam smirked. “I'll just wrestle him to the ground, that ought to do it." "Not a good idea.” Sygni snorted and held the other length of rope out to Galen. “You don't want to be in physical contact when I bind him, or you'll get trapped in the spell, too." Sam winced. “Oh..." Galen took the rope and grimaced. “This feels creepy, like I'm handling moving spider webs.” He looped it over his hand. Sam frowned. “It feels like a rope to me." Sygni glanced at Sam. “Galen is a sorcerer, so he can feel the magic that made it.” She shrugged at Galen. “You get used to it after a while. Eventually you'll be able to tell who made what spell by its signature, or how it feels." Galen curled his lip. “Do I have to?" Sam looked over the balcony edge. “Shit, he's gone." Galen looked up. “Who's gone? Tyrone?" Sygni looked over the balcony's edge at the blazing band of magic. “He's still on the grounds or the barrier would have gone out. He's probably looking for a break in the wall." Sam pulled up his T-shirt and yanked it over his head, baring an amazingly broad and muscular chest. He looked around Sygni at Galen. “Shall we take the shortcut?” He tilted his head away from the castle. Sygni frowned. “Guys?" Galen grinned. “Sure." Barefoot and wearing only the slightly oversized jeans, Sam grabbed the balcony's edge. “See ya!” He

launched over it. "Sam!” Sygni rushed over to the balcony's edge. Three stories down on the pavement below, Sam straightened from his crouch and looked up. “You coming?" "Be right there!” Galen gave Sygni a small salute and leaped over the edge after him. He landed with a distant thump on the pavement below in a deep knee bend. He straightened and shook himself, then looked up and waved at Sygni. Both men took off at a blindingly fast run. Sygni scowled. “You areso not leaving me behind!” The red mist of her power blazed forth from her entire body, crackling and coalescing around her in the vague form of a human sized bird. Her power continued to condense and solidify around her into feathers that darkened to gleaming black. In a matter of moments, her power had completely reshaped her into a huge raven with one bright sun-yellow eye and the other of pitch-darkness. Unfortunately there were limitations to even her magic. Sygni could change her shape, but not her size. Normally, a bird this large couldn't get off the ground. A shimmer of power adjusted how gravity affected her and changed all the rules. Technically, she could make herself light enough to float, but then she would have little or no control over where the wind blew her. In the aerodynamic shape of a raven, she could get where she actually wanted to go with little trouble. With a flap of her enormous wings, Sygni the raven hopped onto the balcony's edge. She leaped. Her wings and tail feathers spread, allowing her to coast on the warm updraft from the ground. She churned the air with her wings, literally swimming between the cool upper air and the warm lower air. Using her tail like a rudder, she turned and then used her wings to pull her body skyward like swimmer moving between the currents. With a rustle of black pinions, she arched over the castle turrets. Her sharp eyes spotted movement on the far side of the castle. The boys had found Tyrone. All three were engaged in a tight vicious battle with fists and clawed hands swinging too fast to see. She could hear the snarls and screams from where she was. She spiraled downward to get a better look. Sam had taken on his half-wolf form. His long teeth were bared with his ears laid flat. A long tail waved stiffly from his hindquarters. His jeans were nowhere to be seen. Enormous and brutally muscular, Tyrone stood head and shoulders above them both, snapping and swinging clawed hands with incredible speed. Long gouges marked all three combatants and blood streaked everything. Fangs bared, Galen shot out vicious kicks, then danced out of Tyrone's reach. In a rustle of black feathers, Sygni dropped lightly to the ground. All three leapt apart and bared their teeth at the new threat. Sygni let her raven form unravel around her. “Tyrone, you have been a very bad boy." The were-dog yelped, turned tail and bolted.

Galen launched himself at Tyrone's legs. The were-dog dropped and Sam pounced. In less than a breath, both Galen and Sam had a rope around Tyrone's neck. They jumped away, holding the snarling and choking Tyrone between them and out of claws’ reach. Both men braced their feet, muscles bulging as they strained to hold the much larger were-dog. "Shit, Sygni!” Galen eyed her boiling magic. “I didn't know you could do that." Sygni strode up to the three struggling creatures of the night. “What? The raven shape?” She eyed their wounds and winced. “I have a few interesting tricks up my sleeve.” She gestured and her unraveled magic settled over the were-dog in a net of red smoke. Tyrone snapped and clawed at the red mist while trying to pull on the ropes that bound him. Sygni raised her hands and shouted, “Sit!" Galen flinched. The mist coalesced around Tyrone and soaked into him. He yelped and dropped to his knees with his hands jerked behind him. Tyrone howled and struggled, the heavy slabs of muscle twisting and flexing as he fought to move. The whites of his eyes showed and his entire body shuddered, but he couldn't move from his position. Sam jerked back in surprise. “Damn...” His voice came out in a deep growl. Sygni set her hands on her hips. “Tyrone, you can't break my spell, so you might as well stop fighting. You'll only hurt yourself." Tyrone whined softly, then bowed his head in trembling submission. "Good boy.” Sygni nodded and turned to look at the guys. “Mother Night, you two are a bloody mess! You look like you just went through a shredder.” She sucked in a sharp breath. Their wounds were already closing. Most of the marks had stopped bleeding. “Well, damn, it looks like neither of you will be needing stitches." Sam lifted his furred arm and watched a long scratch fade. His voice came out in a deep, snarling rumble. “Hey, maybe being furry ain't so bad after all." **** Galen and Sam kept a firm hold on their ropes as they led the monstrously huge yet very subdued and tightly bound Tyrone into the castle. Galen's clothes were soaked in blood and torn to hell by Tyrone's claws and Sam had remained in his semi-wolf form. Sam and Tyrone's claws clicked on the stone flags as they walked down the stairs and through the lower galleries. Sygni kept a sharp eye on Tyrone as she followed right behind them, with a handful of magic ready for tossing. Her gaze strayed to Galen. His eyes were backlit with scarlet flame and his skin had gone bone pale. The vampire was going to need to feed, and soon. Morwyn's workroom was perfectly circular with walls of undressed stone blocks and a domed ceiling. Eight standing cast iron candelabras, each with a fan of twelve candles, lit the room. A massive tapestry

depicting a woman clothed in sequined stars embracing a man made of shadows covered the entire back wall. An antique dresser covered in lit candles sat before the spangled tapestry. The center of the floor held a round raised dais carved with an intricate and glowing star pattern. Clouds of resin incense scented the room. Galen gave Sygni a heated grin. “Boy, this sure does bring back memories." Sygni promptly showed him her middle finger. Galen chuckled. “When and where, babe?" Morwyn lifted her chin. “Over here in the center, please." Tyrone whined softly, but went where they led him. Galen and Sam, still in his wolf-man shape, kept their ropes taut on either side of the were-dog. Sygni caught Tyrone's eye. “Be very good, Tyrone, or I will be very angry with you. Kneel." The were-dog flinched, but went to his knees without magic to prod him. Morwyn held up a slender silvery chain that shimmered with subtle color. “Tyrone, I'm sorry, but this is for your own good." Sygni snorted. “Not to mention the good of the furniture." Morwyn shot her a narrow glance, then dropped the chain over Tyrone's head. She nodded at Sygni. “Release the binding." Sygni raised her hands and a red mist bled from around the were-dog. “All yours, Morwyn." Morwyn raised her hands. “Be thou true!" Tyrone gasped and collapsed onto his side. Morwyn stepped back. “We'll know in a moment if the dog or the man is the dominant personality." Sam tilted his muzzled head toward Galen. “Ten bucks says it's the dog." Galen's lip curled. “No way, Jose! I only bet when I know I'll win." As he lay on his side in the center of the star, Tyrone's form melted and ran like wax. A far smaller and very naked man emerged from the gigantic creature. His eyes opened wide and he shook his head with a moan. “No, no, no!” Abruptly the human form melted, changing into a huge and underfed Rottweiler dog. It whimpered as it lay there. Morwyn sighed. “Oh, Tyrone..." Sam laid his tall ears back. “Stupid son of a bitch ... He's too damn scared of his other half to deal with it." Morwyn shook her head. “Sam, you and Galen get those ropes off Tyrone, then you need to take fast

showers and get changed. The Inspector is due any time now." Sygni winced. “Oh, Mother! I forgot about him." Morwyn grabbed Sygni's elbow and steered her toward the door. “We'll meet you boys in the little parlor." Galen scowled. “Boys?" Sam's head lifted. “Is that the big fancy room with all the glass cases and the tapestries?" Morwyn nodded. “That's the one. I like to keep the Inspector impressed." Sam nodded at Galen. “We'll hurry." Sygni looked back at the guys as they untied the were-dog. “What about Tyrone?" "The circle will hold him, the dog form is pretty weak.” Morwyn shoved Sygni out of the workroom. “Come on, we need to be up there to buy the guys time." Sygni groaned as she let Morwyn push her up the stairs. “It's going to be tough impressing the Inspector in these old jeans we're wearing." Morwyn grinned. “Are you kidding? He's never seen us dress like normal people. I guarantee it'll knock him for a loop." Bernard, somber and impeccably tidy in his tailed tuxedo, was waiting at the top of the staircase. "Ah, shit...” Morwyn hurried to the top of the stairs. “Let me guess, the inspectors are here?" Bernard nodded. “Yes, madam. Inspector Coventry and Inspector Grimley are in the little parlor as you requested." "Great.” Morwyn grinned. “The tea?” She started down the lamplit hallway with Sygni striding at her heels. Bernard fell into step beside Morwyn. “Already served. The rest of their party declined to come into the house." Morwyn shot a sharp glance at Bernard. “The rest of his party? How many did Coventry bring?" "Four other gentlemen accompanied the inspectors, madam.” Only the smallest hint of distaste flashed across his expression. “They remain in the van by the main door." Sygni shook her head. This meant that the four others were goons from his spook squad, probably fully armored and fully armed, etc., etc ... She scowled.Gods! What a coward.

~ Seventeen ~ Her sleek black ponytail swinging, Morwyn breezed through the broad doorway into the so-called little

parlor in her faded hip-huggers and tummy-baring T-shirt. Sygni waltzed through the doorway right behind her, and stepped into majesty. She bit her lip to hide her grin. Their casual jeans and cropped T-shirts were a pronounced contrast to the formal opulence of the ‘little parlor'. The vaulted room was the showplace of the castle. The distant walls were covered in massive medieval tapestries. All around, magical books and treasures from all over the world were displayed in cases of spell-sealed glass. In the center of the cavernous room a huge cast iron candelabra suspended on a thick chain shed golden light on an enormous Persian rug with four long Victorian couches enclosing an ornate marble coffee table. A spectacular gold and silver tea service with gold-rimmed china cups and saucers gleamed on the low table. Sygni nodded. Bernard had really outdone himself. She doubted there was a fancier tea set in the whole of the country. Grimley was bent over a case filled with ornate daggers. His bald head gleamed under the light. He looked casually relaxed in his simple buff corduroy coat with suede patches over the elbows and khaki pants. “Coventry, you ought to see what's in this case." Coventry, whip-thin and stark in his pitch black tightly buttoned knee-length magus coat and dress slacks, stood stiffly by one of the velvet swathed couches. His black hair was bound into a mercilessly tight tail that barely curled past his high collar. “We're not here on holiday, Grimley." Grimley sighed heavily. “Work, work, work..." "Hello, inspectors,” Morwyn said with a bright sunny smile and a spark of mischief in her eye. “Were you waiting long?" Grimley turned and smiled. “Oh, hello, Morwyn, hello, Sygni.” He shook his head. “No, not long at all." Coventry's black eyes focused on Sygni and his brows lowered. “Did you bring your proof?" Sygni brushed by Coventry “They're coming.” She gave Grimley a genuine smile. “Hi, Inspector, always good to see you.” She sprawled out on the couch on the far side. Grimley smiled as he took a seat on the couch Coventry loomed over. “Nice to see you, too, Sygni." Coventry snorted. “Speak for yourself, Grimley." Morwyn dropped onto the nearest long couches. “Proof?" Coventry curled his lip. “Sygni tells me that you have a vampire and a werewolf created by this Doctor Gruber." "Oh, yes. They should be along any time now.” Morwyn reached for the teapot. Coventry scowled. “You let them wander about by themselves?" Morwyn looked up at Coventry with wide-eyed innocence. “Of course. They're guests."

The sound of masculine banter traveled from the doorway. Galen's voice carried clearly. “No, seriously, you can't compare a classic likeCasablanca with the modern like that." "Are you kidding?Blackwerks is a classic of dark noir!” Sam shook his head as he came around a tall case. His silvery hair was slicked back and dark from his shower. He wore yet another pair of ill-fitting jeans and a black T-shirt just a bit too big for him announcing ‘I leave bite marks'. Galen, two steps behind Sam, grimaced and waved a hand. “Not in my book. I couldn't make heads or tails of the plot!” His black mane had been pulled back into a long tail, showing off the sharp vee of his widow's peak. In contrast to Sam, Galen's jeans looked painted on and his black T-shirt sported ‘So, I'm a creature of darkness. Got a problem with that?’ in broad red letters. Sygni blinked. The guys must have taken their showers and changed at top supernatural speed. Morwyn leaned forward to pour steaming pale green liquid into four cups. “Hi, guys, you're just in time for tea." Sam dropped onto the couch by Morwyn. “Did we miss anything good?" "Nope.” Morwyn handed him a cup and shook her head. “We just got here ourselves." Galen took a cup of tea from Morwyn. “Smells good." Morwyn poured another cup. “Japanese green tea." Grimley leaned forward eagerly. “Oh, I love that stuff!" Morwyn smiled as she passed a cup to Grimley. She looked over at Coventry. “Tea, Inspector?" Coventry shook his head. “No, thank you. I am not here for pleasantries." Sygni rolled her eyes.Boy, was that ever an understatement. Galen walked around the couches to stand behind Sygni. His lips curved in a smile, but his eyes narrowed at the tall thin inspector. “Let me guess, you're Coventry?" Grimley raised his cup. “And I'm Grimley." Coventry raised a black brow at Galen. “And you are?" "I'm Galen.” The vampire sipped his tea. Coventry's eyes narrowed sharply. “I can see by your aura that you are an unregistered mage." Morwyn leaned back against Sam. “Galen came into his power a few nights ago." Galen smiled down at Sygni. “Literally." Sygni smiled tightly. “I wouldn't go there if I were you." "He just gained his power?” Coventry frowned. “He's a little old..."

Galen nearly spit his tea. "Some come into it late.” Sygni smiled tightly. “Rather like yourself." Coventry's ears reddened. Grimley chuckled. “She has a point." Coventry glared at his partner. “When I want your opinion..." "Anyway, Inspector...” Morwyn waved her teacup. “Did you bring the registration scanner?" Grimley nodded. “I have it here.” He stood up and shoved his hand in his pocket. "Good.” Morwyn nodded at Galen. “Let the inspector take your scans so you can be listed." Galen gave Sygni his teacup. “Sure.” He moved around the couch to stand by the inspector. He towered over Grimley. "I though I was registering a werewolf and a vampire.” Grimley looked up at Galen. “You didn't mention the mage.” He fiddled with a small handheld device that looked a lot like a cell phone. Sygni gave Grimley a bright sunny smile. “Galen is both." Coventry glowered. “Both what?" "You're a werewolf and a mage?” Grimley pointed his device at Galen. "A werewolf?” Sam choked. “Who? Him?" Grimley frowned. “Well he's big enough..." Galen barked out a laugh that flashed his long teeth, then shook his head grinning. “No, no, no ... Sam's the werewolf, I'm the vampire." Grimley looked over at Sam. “He's the werewolf?" Sam smiled. “In the flesh." Coventry's mouth tightened as he focused on Sygni. “You expect me to believe that this man,” he pointed at Sam. “Is a werewolf?” He pointed at Galen. “And that one is a vampire?” He spoke through gritted teeth. “Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?" "What?” Sam set his cup and saucer on the coffee table. “Do you want proof?" Morwyn grabbed Sam's arm and shook her head. She turned to Coventry. “It's no joke, believe me." Sygni lifted her chin. “Galen was raised from a corpse about two weeks ago, and Sam was turned into a werewolf about three nights ago, by Gruber."

Grimley frowned at his scanner then looked over at Coventry. “The scan says he a vampire all right. And an alpha-grade mage." Coventry stiffened. “I find that hard to believe. Do it again." "Okay...” Grimley shrugged and fiddled with the dials of his device. Sygni snorted. Of course he wouldn't believe it. The Inspector was only a beta grade. Grimley peered down at his unit. He shook his head. “No change. It still says that Galen is a vampire and a mage." Galen looked down at Grimley. “Is there some kind of problem?" "The problem is...” Grimley tilted his head. “You don't look like a vampire." Galen's brows shot up. “I don't?" Grimley shook his head. “No. For someone that was raised from a corpse you look far too ... Well, alive." Galen grinned, showing his long fangs. “Sweet!" Coventry crossed his arms over his chest. “Finish and do the other one." Sam frowned. “Hey, the other one has a name." Coventry raised his brow. “Is that so?" Morwyn dug her fingers into Sam's arm. “Drink your tea." Sam stared at her in surprise. “But he's...?" "Not now.” Morwyn narrowed her eyes. “Tea." Sam scowled and picked up his teacup. “Fine, whatever..." Grimley looked up at Galen. “Full name and social security number." "Galen Raveneye.” He rattled off a handful of numbers. Grimley looked up at Galen. “Raveneye? That's an odd name." Galen snorted. “Not if you're Cherokee." Sam leaned forward. “You're native American?" Galen grinned. “Yep, I'm a real live red-skin.” His smile soured. “Well, I was." Sygni lifted her teacup toward Galen. “You still are, or Raven wouldn't have bothered to show up."

Galen looked over at Sygni. “I'll buy that.” He smiled and shook his head. Coventry frowned at Sygni. “Raven who?" "No one you know.” Sygni sipped her tea to cover her smile. "Okay, Galen Raveneye...” Grimley sketched on the screen of the device with a small stylus. “Date you were raised?" Galen sighed. “The thirteenth of October." Grimley tilted his head slightly. “That was a Friday, wasn't it?" Galen nodded firmly. “Yep.” He turned to look at Sygni. “It was also the day I died." Grimley smiled up at Galen. “All done, you're officially registered with the feds." Galen rolled his eyes. “Thanks, just what I always wanted." "Okay, Sam...” Grimley walked around the coffee table. “You're next." Sam stood up and stared eye to eye with Grimley. Grimley held out the scanner “Oh yeah, you're a werewolf, all right.” He bit his lip and shook his head. Sam frowned. “What?" "I just thought you'd be...” Grimley shrugged and blushed. “Taller." Sam snorted and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “I am taller. When I'm not human." Coventry raised a black brow. “What makes you think that you are entitled to call yourself human now?" Sam shot Coventry a baleful glance. Grimley cleared his throat and raised his stylus. “Full name, social security, and date you were changed?" Sam took a deep breath. “Samuel Edward Kensington.” He spat out some numbers. “I went furry on the twenty-eighth of October." Grimley nodded. “Okay, I have you, too." "Wait a minute...” Sygni abruptly sat up and hissed. “Shit!” She turned to Coventry. “Were you planning on doing the raid on Gruber's pocket universe tomorrow or tonight?" "Tomorrow, of course. I need time to gather the correct specialists.” Coventry's eyes narrowed. “Why?" "Because tomorrow is Halloween.” Sygni turned to Morwyn. “If Gruber is tied to the dead in any way, shape or form, he's going to have a serious advantage." "How about somebody explaining that to the clueless?” Sam dropped back onto the couch by Morwyn.

Morwyn set her teacup on the coffee table. “Halloween is also known as Samhain. It's one of the two days in the year where the dead are allowed to visit this world. This means that anything tied to the dead will be at the peak of their power." Sygni looked over at Sam. “You never want to fight a necromancer on Halloween." "A necromancer?” Sam frowned. “What the hell is that?" Coventry snorted. “A wizard that uses the dead to power his spells." "Now that all the formalities are done with, inspectors...” Morwyn sat back on the couch. “Why don't you tell us how you want to handle the doctor?" Coventry raised his chin. “First we find the door into the time-still." Sygni set her teacup on the coffee table. “We got that covered." "Really?” Coventry sneered. “Do tell?" Sam snorted. “We have Tyrone—" Morwyn choked. “His dog. We have the doctor's dog, Tyrone." Sam gave Morwyn a puzzled look. Coventry frowned and folded his arms. “A dog?" Sygni nodded. “Yep, he'll lead me straight to the door." Galen spat tea. “You? You're not going in there without me." Sygni winced. She was not used to looking out for anyone but herself, but there wasn't a damned thing she could do about it. Galen held half her power. “I suppose I do have to bring you." Galen frowned. “You suppose?" "Hey.” Sam leaned forward. “I'm coming, too." Sygni narrowed her eyes at Sam. “Sam, you could get hurt..." Sam snorted. “Oh, please, I'm practically indestructible.” He raised a brow.” And Tyrone will be a lot more...” He cleared his throat. “Cooperative if the object of his personal quest is holding the leash." Sygni rolled her eyes. He had a valid point. Tyrone was here for Sam. It would be a major battle to get Tyrone to lead them to the door without him. “Okay, you can come too." Morwyn smiled. “And I'll hold the door." Sygni's mouth popped open. “Morwyn, are you out of your mind?"

Morwyn lifted her teacup. “What? You can't hold the door and go hunting at the same time. Admit it, you need me.” She nodded at the guys. “You need all of us." Sygni crossed her arms. “I'm perfectly capable on my own." "Why do this alone if you don't have to?” Morwyn smiled brightly. “Consider this a lesson in teamwork." Sygni scowled.Teamwork, my ass! This was not how this was supposed to turn out. She went in, did her thing and got out. Now she had to worry about Sam and Morwyn, as well as Galen. Galen patter her shoulder. “Don't worry, Sam and I can look out for ourselves." Sam grinned. “It's not as if you can stop us." "Okay, okay, we'll all go.” Sygni groaned. “I need my head examined." "Not to interrupt your little planning session.” Coventry scowled at Sygni. “But I want you...” He looked around and included the vampire, the werewolf, and the librarian in his scathing glance. “All of you, to stay the hell out of the way. I'll let you know if I want something out of any of you." Sygni rolled her eyes.Pain in the ass... Galen coughed out a laugh. “I just thought of something." Sygni looked up at him. “What?" Galen grinned. “Since I'm risen from the dead, shouldn't I be at the peak of my power tomorrow night?" Sygni's brows shot up. “That's right!" Morwyn nodded. “Absolutely." "Huh?” Galen did a double take. “I was only kidding! You mean I really will?" Sygni grinned. “Oh, yeah." "And I'm sure you will find a way to take advantage of his connection,” Coventry drawled. Sygni smiled, and she knew it wasn't pretty. “You have no idea how right you are." "Very well, then.” Morwyn set her cup loudly on its saucer. “Where do we meet your team and when?" Grimley set his teacup down on the table. “We're assembling the entire assault team in the high school parking lot. It's the only place big enough to park the armored vans." "We're commencing at sunset.” Coventry smiled at Galen. “Don't be late." Galen smiled right back. “No problem." Sygni narrowed her eyes at Coventry. “It won't matter if we're late or not, you're not going anywhere without Tyrone to lead you in."

"Don't worry.” Morwyn shot a swift glare at Sygni. “We'll be there." Coventry gazed down his nose at Morwyn. “Are these two all you have to show me?" Sam lowered his brows and a low rumble started in his chest. Morwyn pinched Sam's arm. “Yes, of course." Sam flinched and the growl disappeared. "Then it is past time we were leaving.” Coventry stepped away from the couch. “Coming, Grimley?" Grimley stuck out his bottom lip. “Can't I have a second cup of tea?" Coventry speared him with a glare. “We have a team to gather, Inspector, but if you would rather I took care of the entire mission by myself...?" "Coming, Inspector.” Grimley sighed and stood. “Thanks for the tea, Mistress Morwyn." "Anytime, Inspector.” Morwyn stood up and nodded. “I bid you both a good evening. Bernard will show you to the door." Grimley had to trot to catch up to Coventry's long strides. Sam walked beside Morwyn as they left the little parlor and started down the hallway. “You pinched me!" Morwyn turned and raised her brow. “You were growling." "Of course, I was growling! That inspector...” Sam spat the word. “Was being a shit-heel!" Sygni shook her head as she strode along behind Morwyn and Sam. “He's always been a shit-heel." Morwyn scowled at the werewolf. “He's also a shit heel that can get you killed if he thinks you're too dangerous." Galen curled his lip flashing a long tooth. “Killing us might prove harder to do than he thinks." Morwyn abruptly stopped and turned to face Galen. “The inspectors represent a very elite police force that has branches throughout the whole country. Make no mistake, they do know how to kill vampires.” She looked over at Sam. “And werewolves." Sam flinched. “Okay, okay ... I won't rip his throat out." "Good.” Morwyn wrapped her arm around his waist. “Because it's kinda hard to go out on a decent date with a guy that's on ‘wanted’ posters." Sam folded her into his arms. “We can't be having that, I still haven't taken you to my favorite Italian restaurant."

Sygni folded her arms and snorted. “Do we need to give you guys privacy?" Galen wrapped his arms around Sygni's waist. His lips brushed her ear. “You know, I'm kinda hungry myself.” His head lowered and his teeth skimmed her throat. “In fact, I'm starved." Sygni shivered under his mouth and felt the ache of her nipples tightening. Sam grinned. “I guess we're not the only ones needing privacy." Morwyn grinned over at Sygni and Galen. “Um, why don't you show Galen the hot tub?" "Good idea.” Sygni shook her head and grinned as she walked past Sam and Morwyn. “You kids play nice." Sam frowned. “I always play nice! She's the kinky one.” He suddenly yelped and grabbed Morwyn's head, pulling her away from his chest. “Hey, watch it with the teeth! My nipples are sensitive." Galen smiled and shook his head. “You know, I have been hearing about this hot tub..." "Morwyn calls it a hot tub. What she has is a whole damned Roman bath.” Sygni took a sudden right and opened a small door, revealing a narrow stair that curved downward. Galen followed her through the small door. “She has awhat ?"

~ Eighteen ~ The downward spiral ended in a small alcove and a frosted glass door. Their bare feet made little sound on the stone steps. Galen's broad shoulders practically filled the narrow staircase. “A roman bath? Are you serious?" Sygni pulled the door open and waved him to walk in first. “See for yourself.” Warm mist curled from the doorway and snaked across the ceiling. Galen took two steps in and stopped. “Holy shit..." The room was completely circular and cavernous. A domed ceiling rose above them painted to resemble a blue sky, with fat cupids fluttering between fluffy clouds. The walls were gold-veined marble, as were the carved Corinthian columns that encircled the steaming in-ground pool. Low marble benches sat between the towering columns. The floor was ornately tiled with roman gods and chariots. Sygni walked past him toward one of the curved benches. “Like it, do you?" "It's friggin huge!” Galen turned all the way around to see the whole thing. “Where did she get all this?" Sygni grabbed for the hem of her T-shirt and yanked it over her head. “They found the whole thing under an old manor house that was being torn down in Ireland. I helped her import it piece by piece.” She dropped her shirt on one of the stone benches and started unfastening her jeans. "How can Morwyn call this swimming pool a hot tub?” He turned back around and his eyes focused on her gently swaying breasts.

Sygni smiled as she watched his gaze heat. “Well, the water comes from an underground hot spring, so it's hot.” She peeled down her snug jeans. “It also has bubbles, but more like a soda rather than from jets like a regular hot tub." "You don't say?” Galen grabbed the hem of his shirt and tugged it off. Sygni watched all his lean muscle flex and stretch as his shirt lifted. His nipples were hard. Her breath caught and her eyes dropped lower. The strong line of his cock was pressed tight against his fly. She licked her lips. "I hope you're ready for me.” Galen opened his jeans releasing his thick cock and groaned. “Because I'm starved.” He was so rigid he curved up toward his belly. Sygni swallowed hard. That was some appetite ... Her belly gave a hungry wet clench and her nipples tightened to hard points. Galen lifted his nose. “Mmm, I smell wet pussy.” He tilted his head. “Was that the dinner bell?” He nodded and focused on Sygni. “Yes, I believe it was.” He peeled his jeans down and off in a blur of motion. Sygni flinched back. “Yikes!” She turned and bolted for the pool. She dove for the water only to feel Galen's arms close around her waist just before they hit the surface. After a brief struggle underwater, they came up for air in a spray of water and flung hair. Galen grinned down at Sygni, locked chest to breast in his arms. “Going somewhere?" Sygni shook her head to clear the water from her eyes. “What, are we in a rush?" Galen nuzzled her throat. “Maybe...” His teeth raked ever so gently along her pulse. "Maybe you are.” Sygni moaned.God, his mouth ... She shivered under his tender assault and called her power.So the vampire wants to play? She shoved her power outward in a bubble.Let's play. Galen's arms jerked apart. “What the fuck?" Sygni shifted the pull of gravity around her and leaped straight out of the water to land lightly on the marble edge of the pool. She turned and smiled. “You may be in a rush, but I'm not that easy a catch." "You're just full of surprises.” Galen frowned, concentrating. “But so am I." Sygni felt a shift in her power and backed away.Uh oh... He lunged upward and out of the water. Sygni stared, impressed.Well, damn ... He'd copied her spell-craft. She watched him turn gracefully in mid-air. She eyed the columns to either side of her and inspiration struck. Galen landed in a feral crouch. He grinned, baring his long teeth. “Do you really think you can escape me?” He lunged for her.

Sygni waved her hand. “Hold!" Galen was jerked to a sudden halt by the wrists. “Huh?” He turned and watched chains form around his wrists and then around the columns he stood between. “Sygni, what do you think you're doing?" "Who me?” Sygni smiled as she stalked over to the dripping vampire. “Now what was that about escape?" "Sygni...” Galen tugged but the magical binding held fast. “This is playing dirty.” His voice rumbled in warning. “You know what'll happen to you if you tease the vampire." "But I like playing dirty games.” She reached out and swept her hand down the muscular plain of his belly. “And who said anything about teasing?” She leaned close and lapped at the water droplets around his nipple with her tongue. “Mmm, yummy..." Galen sucked in a breath and groaned. “Now where have I seen this little scenario before?" Rather than answer him, she leaned over to lap at his other nipple and grasped his thick cock. He was smooth and deliciously hard in her palm. She tugged strongly. He moaned and pumped his hips, stroking himself in her hand. “God, Sygni." Sygni lifted her head. “I seem to remember that you had a certain fascination...” She knelt down on the tile and smiled up at him. “With my mouth.” She licked her lips and focused on the cock swaying before her. Galen swallowed hard. “I would kill for your mouth." "That was the correct answer.” She leaned forward and licked around the flared edge of his cock head. He tasted of clean soap, male musk and just slightly of copper. Her mouth watered. She opened wide and took him in, lashing the bottom of his cock with her tongue. Galen gasped and came up on his toes. “Oh, fuck...” He closed his eyes and threw his head back, tossing his long black mane. The muscles on his neck stood out strongly. A growl rumbled in his chest. Oh, yeah ...Sygni sucked him in as deep as she could. He was big, too big to get all the way into her mouth without choking. She licked her palms and used her hands to stroke the rest. The sounds of wet suction echoed in the domed bath. She reached down and cradled his balls in her palm, then gently squeezed. The breath exploded from his chest. “God, your mouth!" She released his cock and grinned up at him. “Liked that, did you?" "Fuck yeah.” Galen shivered and his hands twisted in his chains. “Do it some more." "How about something a little more interesting?” Sygni ducked lower and nuzzled between his thighs. He opened reflexively and she swept her tongue across his balls then licked him front to back. His plaintive moans were music to her ears. She sucked her finger, wetting it and explored the tight rose of his anus. “Push out and open for me."

"Sygni?" "Yes, Galen?” She looked up. Was he ready for this kind of love-play? Had she pressed a boundary he wasn't ready to cross? "You don't have to...” He trembled under her hands, but his erection was hard as granite. It wasn't fear; it was anticipation. She smiled. “But I want to." He groaned. His legs jerked wider, and he opened under the press of her finger. She slid in. He was hot and tight around her finger. She pressed her finger deeper, and then turned her hand palm up, looking for the almond-sized gland that triggered orgasm in a male. Her finger found the swollen gland about midway back at the top. She rubbed across it slowly, then in a circular motion. Galen choked, then moaned long and hard. His hips moved in slow counterpoint to her finger, encouraging a stronger massage, a deeper touch. "Oh, yeah, you definitely like that.” She smiled in pure female satisfaction. A lot of men had trouble submitting to such an intimate touch, but leave it to her sex-obsessed vampire to thoroughly enjoy being tied up and debauched, even this fashion. Hmm ... Let's see how hot I can get him.Leaving her finger deep in his ass, she pulled back to draw his cock back into her mouth. She plunged down on him and withdrew, plunged and withdrew, sucking him while stroking her finger within his ass. It wasn't the easiest angle for her elbow and wrist, but by the sounds coming out of his mouth and the way his hips rocked while pressing down on her hand, he was enjoying the hell out of it. Sygni looked up his sleek muscular body writhing between the pillars, moving in time to her hands and her mouth. He was so beautiful and so painfully aroused by her actions. Watching him made her hotter than hell. Her core clenched hungrily. She could feel the cream slicking her thighs. Galen gasped and his hips bucked hard in reflex. His body went rigid, plainly on the edge of orgasm. He groaned, bucked again then gasped and looked down, panting for breath. “Give me ... your wrist." "Mmm?” Sygni looked up with her lips wrapped around his cock. "Sygni, I can't...” He sucked in a breath and shuddered. “I can't cum without blood." Sygni pulled back, releasing his cock and licked her lips. “Oh, I know.” She sucked him back into her mouth. "Sygni, that's not teasing, that's torture!” He groaned and shuddered in his bindings. “Let me cum, damn you!" Sygni pulled back and grinned. “Oh, you'll get yours. When I'm ready.” She took him back into her mouth. "Fuck!” He howled and his hips bucked hard. “Sygni, please! I can't take this!” He jerked hard on the chains. “I need to cum, I need your blood!"

Sygni let his cock slide from her mouth and withdrew her finger. Had she gone too far? He groaned and sagged. “Sygni, I need you." She stood and brushed the hair from his brow. “Galen?" "Release me.” He raised his head and his eyes blazed hot crimson. “Now." The spell dissolved before she realized she had done it. Galen snarled and took her to the floor with blinding speed. Sygni gasped as the cool tile made contact with her back. Galen loomed over her, his long hair a silken cloak over her and his body a solid wall of muscle between her spread thighs. His marble-hard cock pressed for entry. "No more games.” His eyes blazed with hunger. He thrust. Sygni cried out and arched under him as he drove into her. Lightning flashed up her spine as lust roared through her. A growl rumbled in his chest and he wrapped her tight in his arms, pulling her to him as he thrust hard and without mercy. She gasped. “God, yes!” She wrapped her legs around him, bucking up to meet him in a delirium of ruthless carnal pleasure. She slid her hands down to cup the cheeks of his pumping ass, encouraging him to take her harder. Tension coiled tight and climax rose in a sudden and violent wave. "I can't hold it.” He groaned and shuddered. His breath was hot against her ear. “Turn your head ... give me your throat." Sygni turned her head and felt his lips, then the hard press of fangs on the long muscle below her ear. She shuddered in anticipation. He ground hard into her, striking her sweet spot exactly right. She moaned and writhed, balancing on the edge. "Cum for me,” he whispered. “Now." Climax surged with horrific force and crashed, crushing her under in a blinding rush. She wailed and shuddered, held tight in his arms. His teeth stabbed her throat and his mouth closed tightly, drawing her blood and her climax into himself. He slammed into her, then groaned and trembled, his cock pulsing within her as he came. He thrust again, and then again, filling her with his cum as he drank from her throat. Long moments later, his mouth released her throat and then his tongue tenderly stroked the wounds he'd created. He sighed then collapsed atop her, cuddling her under his body. Sygni moaned in repletion. “God, you're good.” She shifted under him. “You're heavy, too. How about letting me up?"

Galen chuckled atop her body. “Gimme a minute.” He groaned. “I'm still recovering from your bondage blow-job." Sygni leaned up to kiss his brow. “I love you, but this floor is hard and chilly. How about we move this to the pool?" Galen lifted his head with a frown. “What did you say?" Sygni smiled up at him. “Let's move this to the pool?" "No, before that.” He leaned up on his elbows. “The part with the word love in it." Sygni bit her lip. “I love you?" "Yeah. That part.” Galen's jaw tightened. “Do you?" Sygni nodded slowly. She wasn't quite sure when it had happened, but she did. “Yes, Galen. I do." He took her mouth in a sudden and brutal kiss. His tongue surged in and stroked hers as though devouring her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning under the onslaught. Galen released her mouth and scooped her up off the floor. “You're right, the flooris hard.” He turned and carried her toward the pool. Still reeling from his kiss, Sygni barely had time to string two thoughts together when Galen stepped off the edge and plunged them both into, then under the water. Galen brought them both up with an insufferable grin. Sygni tossed her hair back and spat water. “You could have warned me, you beast!" Galen tossed his own hair back and laughed. “Are you kidding? I know better than to warn you of anything." "Oh! You big brute!” She struggled in his arms, but he subdued her with another possessive kiss. He released her lips. “You were saying?" Sygni frowned up at him. “Huh?” For the life of her, she simply could not recall what they were previously talking about. Galen smiled. “Oh, so that's the secret.” He brought them to the side of the pool and discovered the underwater benches. He tugged her across his lap. Sygni settled back against his shoulder. “What secret?" "The secret to shutting you up.” Galen waggled his brows and grinned. "What?” After a violent, but brief struggle involving an enormous amount of splashing, Sygni found

herself being kissed senseless once again while pressed back against the side of the pool. Galen lifted his head and gave her smile full of masculine pride. “Oh, yeah, I got your number, all right." Sygni raised a brow in challenge. “Think so? Well, paybacks are a bitch." Galen's smile broadened. “Yes they are, and I owe you a fat one for that last bondage routine." Sygni scowled. “Don't even go there. I owed you one for the ritual ass-fucking Raven put me through to keep your ass in one piece!" Galen's eyes narrowed. “Think so? Well as far as I'm concerned, you deserved it for the first bondage routine where you made me naked—and teased the hell out of me." Sygni leaned up. “Oh, no, you don't! I paid for that on the motorcycle, remember?" Galen's brows shot up. “Oh, I guess you did." Sygni nodded. “So there." Galen smiled slyly. “I love you anyway." Sygni's thoughts ground to a halt. Her heart slammed in her throat. “Do you?" "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.” Galen's smile slid away. “I would kill for you." "Oh.” Sygni didn't know what else to say. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips instead. He replied by sucking her tongue into his mouth and cupping her breasts. He trapped her nipples in his fingers and tugged. Sygni whimpered as fire blazed straight to her clit. She arched her back and closed her legs around his waist. Galen caught her hips and pushed her tighter against the side of the pool. His cock nudged the soft folds of her body for entry. "Again?” she whispered against his mouth. Galen snorted. “Shut up and fuck me.” He pulled her down onto him, impaling her. They both groaned. Holding the marble edge with one hand, he cupped her ass with the other. He took her mouth with drugging kisses as he surged slowly within her. The rise to passion was unhurried and full of kisses that left them both breathless. Galen finally nudged her chin to the side and sought her throat. He ground up into her with a hungry groan. Sygni felt her climax crest with a wave of tenderness that shook her to the soul. She wavered on the edge, burning and trembling in his arms. "Cum for me,” he whispered.

Delight burst in an outward wave. She gasped out her release and felt his bite. For no apparent reason, tears pricked her eyes as she pressed the back of his head to her throat. He took only a taste and shuddered his groaning release into her body. **** Replete, exhausted and wearing only a small towel each, he carried her up to the room they shared. He set one knee on the mattress and laid her on the bed, yanking her damp towel from around her body. Sygni smiled up at him. “You know, I could really get used to you carrying me to bed regularly." "Ihave been carrying you to bed regularly.” He followed her down into the blankets. "Why, so you have.” She snuggled up against his heart as he pulled the blankets over them both. “I love you, Galen,” she whispered. "I love you, too.” Galen pressed his lips to her brow. “Don't you dare die on me." Sygni opened a sleepy eye. “What?" "Nothing.” He tucked her under his chin. “Go to sleep.” PAGEBREAK ~ Nineteen ~ Somehow, Bernard managed to keep his dignity intact as he stood on the castle portico with the tall velvet witch's hat perched on his silver head. The setting sun glittered on the hat's ornate buckle. “I will attend the ‘trick-or-treaters'.” He handed Morwyn to the keys to the huge black Jeep Cherokee parked at the bottom of the stairs. “While you do battle with evil." Morwyn smiled. “I have absolute faith in your competence, Bernard.” She looked sleek and aggressive in her black leather pants and snugly belted, knee-length leather coat. Her long black hair had been combed back into a tight tail. Bernard rolled his eyes. “I will certainly do my best." Poor Bernard ...Sygni shook her head wryly and leaned back against the Jeep. The witch's hat looked so very wrong against his immaculately pressed tux, and yet he seemed perfectly comfortable wearing it. Speaking of comfort ...She tugged at her jacket sleeves and checked to make sure her gloves were in the pockets. It was going to frost tonight and she wanted to be damned sure she was comfortably dressed for the battle ahead. She had used a conjure circle to get into her closet at home and extracted her favorite leather pants and her tall boots. She had also grabbed her favorite black T-shirt. ‘Insane and loving it’ was scrawled in white across her chest. Her old floor-length leather coat had been in the trunk of her Saturn. Galen grinned as he stepped out of the front door. “Nice hat, Bernard." Bernard nodded regally. “Thank you.” He raised a brow. “I like yours as well."

Galen fingered the brim of the soot-black fedora that matched his long black trench coat. “Always was a Humphrey Bogart fan.” He grinned and shoved on a pair of dark sunglasses as he came down the steps. The long tail of his black mane slid off his shoulder and fell down his back. He stepped into the late afternoon sun and immediately strode for the deep shadow by the Jeep. The dying sunlight gleamed on his black leather pants. Sygni reached out to slide her hand under his coat and stroked his leather-encased thigh. “I like the ‘fetish-spy’ look on you." Galen leaned down to pull her into an embrace and pressed a kiss to her lips. The scent of warm male perfumed with leather rolled off him. “You would, since you picked it out for me." Sygni widened her eyes. “Oh, yeah, I did, didn't I?" Sam came out onto the portico smiling grimly. Wrapped around his wrist was the end of a chain leash fastened to the silver chain around Tyrone's throat. The chain and Tyron's collar shimmered with rainbows, evidence of the spell that held him in his Rottweiler form. Sam bit back a grin as he came down the stairs. “Nice hat, Bernard." "Thank you,” Bernard said dryly. Sam pressed a brief kiss to Morwyn's brow in passing, then moved with feral grace toward the Jeep. For once, his clothes fit him properly. Morwyn had taken him shopping that afternoon. The black jeans skimmed his muscular thighs and the black muscle-shirt showed off his impressive chest and sculpted arms. His silver hair floated loose past his shoulders. ‘Fang-Boy’ was scrawled across his chest. "Fang-boy?” Galen frowned. “Hey, that's my name." Sam shook his head. “I have more fangs than you do.” He grinned showing of an impressive set of uppers and lowers. Galen lifted his chin. “I had it first!" "Tell you what, I'll let you borrow my shirt on occasion." "All right, everybody...” Morwyn pointed the small black box on her key ring at the Jeep. The vehicle beeped and all the locks disengaged. “It's time to mount up and move out.” She looked over at Sygni. “And I'm driving." Sygni scowled. “You drive like an old lady." Morwyn grinned as she yanked the driver's door open. “And you drive like a maniac." Sygni tugged open the front passenger side door. “You say that like it's a bad thing." Sam opened the hatchback door to let Tyrone hop up into the cargo area. “Just out of curiosity, if we're the good-guys, how come we're all wearing black?" Sygni turned around and gave him her most evil smile. “Because we're scarier than they are."

Sam climbed into the back seat behind Morwyn. “You know, that almost makes sense." Galen stretched out in the seat behind Sygni. “Makes perfect sense to me." Sam leveled a glare at him. “It would." Morwyn started the Jeep. “And off we go, to save the world." Sam snorted. “Or at least a suburb of it." For some ungodly reason, the tune: ‘We're off to see the wizard...’ was running through Sygni's mind as they drove out of the gate. **** Following Sam's directions, Morwyn pulled into the main gate of the South Century Garden Estates. Medium-sized trees shaded medium-sized houses with medium-sized lawns and back yards. It was an entire housing development for people with medium-sized families and medium-sized incomes. Kids in Halloween costumes darted from door to door in the last light of the dying day. Sygni smiled grimly as they drove along the curved main drive. “Welcome to Normalcy." Morwyn changed gears. “Hey, I lived in Normalcy myself. It wasn't so bad." Galen leaned forward. “You lived in a suburb?" Morwyn looked up at her rear-view mirror and smiled at his astonished reflection. “Yep, for quite a while, too." "That was before she got her government land grant and put a castle on it.” Sygni looked over her shoulder. “I met her right before that." Sam frowned. “A government land grant? What did you do? Save the president, or something?" Morwyn bit her lip and flushed. “Something like that." "But what about all that stuffin the castle?” Galen shook his head. “I thought you were collecting that stuff for years?" "She was.” Sygni grinned. “Let's put it this way, you didn't go in the closets in her old ranch house. You might never come out." Sam shook his head. “I don't get it." Sygni turned to Morwyn. “Didn't you tell him what you do?" Sam lifted his chin. “She's a librarian." Sygni barked out a laugh. “She's way more than that, she's a Preserver." "A preserver.” Sam crossed his arms. “Why do I have the feeling that you don't mean a round thing that

floats on water?" "I preserve and protect old magical treasures.” Morwyn turned the Jeep onto a narrow lane lined with slender birches and redundantly called School Drive. “The books are just the biggest collection." "Okay...” Sam arched up his brow. “So, what does that have to do with closets?" Morwyn bit her lip. “Remember what a time-still is?" Galen set his chin on Sygni's backrest. “An imaginary world made by a sorcerer, right?" Sygni nodded. “Normally made from a moment pulled out of time." Morwyn glanced at Sam. “I kind'a make them." "Huh?” Sam leaned forward and poked his head between the seats. “Youmake them?" Morwyn shrugged. “My talent lies in shaping time and space." Sygni chuckled. “Now you know why you didn't walk into her closets. She literally had more closet than house. Some of them were big enough to get lost in." Morwyn narrowed her eyes at Sygni. “Don't go there, at least not yet.” She shook her head. “That's why I'm coming along on this adventure. Once we find Gruber's door, I'm going to keep it open so you don't get trapped in there.” She lifted her chin. “Speaking of there, I think we've arrived." Century High School was a sprawling complex of two-story gray buildings with tall narrow windows that couldn't be opened. Long roofed galleries linked the buildings to each other. Galen opened the window to gaze at the featureless buildings as they passed. “That's a school? It looks more like a prison." Sygni scowled. “Good comparison." "Now where is Covington's little party?” Morwyn turned the wheel and brought the Jeep around to the back parking lot by the school cafeteria. “Ah, there they are." Four pitch-black heavily armored trucks were parked next to each other, facing the long glass wall of the cafeteria with three unmarked armored vans and two flat black hummers. Four lines of riot-armored men were gathered in formation at the side of the last truck. There were rifles on their shoulders, clear riot shields at their sides and swords strapped to their hips. "What the hell kind of SWAT team is that?” Sam leaned out of his window. Sygni unfastened her seatbelt. “That's Covington's idea of a ghost-patrol." "An army?” Sam turned to face Sygni. “With swords?" Sygni nodded. “Some things don't die unless you behead them." Morwyn parked the Jeep under a lone light post. “I have our weapons in the back, under the

floor-board.” She shut the engine off. Galen's brows shot up. “Weapons?" Sygni leaned toward Morwyn. “Did you pack Baby?" Morwyn nodded and opened her door. “I brought a few other things, too." Galen frowned as he stepped out of the Jeep. “Baby?" Sygni slid out of the passenger and shut her door. “Baby is my sword. I keep it at Morwyn's because Baby is very special.” She closed her door and smiled. Baby was special, all right. If Gruber decided to bring on a few dead, Halloween or not, she was ready for him. Sam opened the back and let Tyrone hop down. “So what kind of weapons did you bring?" "Simple ones.” Morwyn leaned into the cargo space and placed her hand on the Jeep's floorboard. Sygni leaned against the side of the Jeep to watch Morwyn. A small vibration ran up her spine. Galen stepped over to hover at Sygni's side. He rubbed his arms. “What the hell is that?" Sygni leaned over to loop her arm around his waist. “Morwyn's magic." Morwyn peeled up the floorboard. “Okay, what weapons are you most comfortable with?" Sam shrugged. “A baseball bat?" Galen smiled wryly at the werewolf. “I'm good with guns." "Good, I'm glad somebody is.” Morwyn handed Galen a pistol with the holster belt wrapped around it. “It's a semi-automatic nine-millimeter with hollow-point silver bullets. There are four spare twenty-round clips in the belt." Galen's brows rose. “Sweet.” He unrolled the belt, pulled out the gun, popped out the clip and checked the chamber with expert skill. Sam frowned. “You're good at that." Galen shrugged. “Ex-military." "Really? And you used handguns?” Sam crossed his arms and lifted his chin. “I thought they gave you guys semi-automatic rifles?" Galen buckled the gun belt around his hips. “In the war, you used whatever was available, and a handgun was a lot easier to hide.” He shrugged. “And a lot more reliable." "War?” Sygni frowned. What war were you in?" A flush reddened Galen's cheeks. He took a breath. “The second world war."

"Galen, you were in World War Two?” Sam's mouth fell open. “Pardon my being nosy, but when did you die?" Galen smiled tightly. “Seventy-four was the last year I remember. Back then I was watchingHappy Days andThe Six-Million Dollar Man on TV. Elvis was still the king, though I likedThe Eagles better. Watergate was still big news and the closest I got to weird shit wasKolchak the Night Stalker . I was fifty-two." "You were fifty-two? You're shitting me? You look like you're in your twenties." "Trust me, I'm just as surprised as you are.” He pulled out a clip on his belt and checked the bullets. “Not that I mind looking thirty years younger than I was when I died. Getting old is a bitch." Sygni frowned. “But you told me that you died while on the way to some chef's school in California?" "I did, I was. I saved up for a long time to get in there, too.” Galen shoved the clip back into the pouch on his belt. “I was riding the Indian that I brought back with me from the war when something hit my chest and knocked me off of it. The Indian was old, but it still ran beautifully. I miss that old bike." Sam's brows rose, then he grinned. “So you're really an old fart?" Galen shot a glare at him. “This old fart can still kick your ass, fur-ball." Sam raised his chin. “Sure about that, are you?" "I hate to interrupt, but we have work to do?” Morwyn looked over at Sam. “Ever use a crossbow?" Sam's head came up. “A crossbow? Yeah, when I did some hunting in Wisconsin with my Dad." "Good, you get this.” Morwyn handed Sam a large, ornately scrolled compound crossbow and a long pouch of bladed bolts. “This has a ninety-pound pull, but you shouldn't have a problem with it. The bladed heads are silver. Don't shoot yourself." Sam took the crossbow and bolts. “The bow on this looks like it's made out of steel." Morwyn nodded. “It is; that's why it has a ninety-pound pull. I've seen the spinning bolts drill through a cement wall.” She turned back to the Jeep and pulled out a long sheathed sword with the belt wrapped around it. The cutlass-style hand-guard was a swirl of thorny vines with rose buds on the ends of the crosspiece. “And here's your Baby, Sygni." "I missed you, sweetheart,” Sygni murmured as she took the sword. She unwrapped the belt and buckled it at her hip. Morwyn looked at each of the guys. “What ever you do, stay out of Sygni's swing. That blade will kill you faster than anything Coventry's army has." Galen frowned. “It's just a sword, isn't it?" "Not exactly.” Sygni backed up a few steps and unsheathed her sword. The blade was a black hole in space. “This sword has an honest-to-God vorpal blade. It's designed to cut the soul, not the body, so it kills without leaving a mark."

Galen tilted his head and frowned. “I thought vorpal blades didn't exist?" "Technically, they don't exist.” Sygni shifted into a fighters crouch. “A vorpal blade is a ghost sword that exists between the worlds.” She executed a swift handful of small moves that ended in a deep reverse lunge with the blade over her head and her other arm fully extended before her. “It's literally neither here nor there." "You can keep it.” Sam shuddered. “I can feel it all the way over here and it's giving me the creeps." Morwyn leaned back into the Jeep. “Sygni, you shouldn't use that sword without your gloves, did you bring them?” She pulled out a wooden staff and two massive bowie knives sheathed in tooled black leather. "The gauntlets are in my pocket.” Sygni sheathed the blade. “The real advantage to the sword is that magical beings can see it, but ordinary people can't.” She dug into her pockets and pulled out a pair of supple leather gauntlets. “Morwyn made the sheath to co-exist in the same place, so it's just as invisible to mundane viewers while keeping accidents from happening to the wearer: me. And I don't get people calling the cops on me when I wear it.” She tugged the gauntlets on and walked back over to Galen's side. “She made the gloves for the same reason, to keep me from accidental exposure." "Guys, take these.” Morwyn handed the wolf-head bowie knife to Sam, and a hawk-head bowie knife to Galen. “There are some things that only an ordinary knife will dispel." Galen nodded and undid his belt to loop the knife-sheath on. Sygni reached into her boot and pulled out a long, slender dagger. She spun the pommel on her palm and grinned. “Fastest way to a man's heart, six inches of cold hard steel." "Six inches?” Sam pulled out his knife. “This damn thing is as long as my forearm." "There are more things out there than men.” Morwyn turned to look at Sam. “Such as werewolves. Don't forget, Gruber still has the Book of the Moon." Sam slid his dagger onto his belt. “I'm guessing that that's what the crossbow is for? Other werewolves?" Morwyn nodded. “Good guess." Galen raised his chin. “I know how to use a sword, if you have another one in there." Morwyn gave Galen a long look. “As a matter of fact, I do.” She turned back to the trunk. “I had a feeling I was going to need this.” She pulled out the beribboned red lacquer sheath of an old samurai sword. Sygni choked. “Is that the Murasama?" Morwyn gave Sygni a curt nod, then turned to Galen. “Be very, very careful. The Murasama is known for killing its wielders. Only use it if you know for a fact that the enemy is trying to kill you." Galen reached out with both hands and took the blade with reverence. “I think I read something about it measuring the heart of its bearer.” He shoved the sheath through his belt.

Morwyn closed the back of the Jeep. “It supposed to slay evil. Unfortunately, the Murasama makes its own decision as to whether or not something is evil." Sygni gave Morwyn a sour smile. “Better not let Coventry touch it, he definitely won't survive." "You noticed that I never let you touch it?” Morwyn raised her brow at Sygni. Sygni frowned. “Hey, what exactly are you trying to say?" Morwyn picked up her plain wooden staff. “Shall we go?" Side by side, the four of them and Tyrone walked across the parking lot toward the armored men gathered at the trucks. Behind them, the sun dipped below the horizon with unseemly haste.

~ Twenty ~ A cop in black armor walked out to meet the four of them. He raised his hand. “I'm sorry, but you will have to leave." "We're supposed to be here.” Sam smiled with far too many teeth. "I'm sorry, but this area is off limits for the time being.” The cop lifted his chin and his eyes focused on Sam's crossbow. They narrowed sharply. “Who the hell are you?" Sygni gave him a curt bow. “We're here to help to deal with the Gruber situation." The cop frowned. “I was not informed of any ‘help." Morwyn rolled her eyes. “Just get Coventry, will you?" Coventry stepped out of the black armored truck's side door. The rising wind caught the long black velvet robe he wore. Beneath it was his typical uniform of high-collared tightly buttoned knee-length magus coat and dress slacks. A deep hood lay across his shoulders and down his back. He raised his chin and looked down his long nose. “Nice of you to join us." Grimley came out of the truck at Coventry's heels. “Hi!” He was also wearing a velvet robe, tailored magus coat and dress slacks. Sygni raised her brow. “Going formal on us, Grimley?" "I wanted to make a good impression.” Grimley flushed slightly, but he smiled. Morwyn smiled. “It looks very nice on you." "You think so?” Grimley tugged at his robe. "If you are all quite ready?” Coventry crossed his arms. Morwyn nodded. “We will lead you to the gate and I will hold the door open for your return."

Coventry turned to Grimley. “Get the kit." Grimley nodded and took off at a trot. "This way.” Coventry brushed past them. Sygni shrugged and they followed in Coventry's wake. Coventry stopped by the one of the cops. “This is the Squad-leader, Captain Gordon. He and his men will follow you to the gate." "We're following this bunch to the gate?” Gordon frowned at Coventry. “You're kidding, right?" Sygni crossed her arms and rocked back on her heels. “You're following us through the gate. We're coming, too." Gordon shook his head. “You're civilians." "Not exactly.” Sygni raised her chin. “I'm Sygni, a sorceress, this is Galen, he's a vampire and Sam over here is a werewolf." The Captain froze where he stood. “You're a sorceress, the big guy is a vampire, and the short guy is a werewolf?" Sam curled his upper lip, flashing his fangs. “Who are you calling ‘short'?" Morwyn grabbed Sam's arm. “Later, Sam." Gordon shot a narrow glance at Morwyn. “What are you? A fairy?" Morwyn smiled. “Good guess, Captain." Gordon's brows shot up. “Are they for real?" "They are all quite real.” Coventry gave Captain Gordon a blood-curdling smile. “And under your jurisdiction. If they give you any trouble whatsoever, you have my permission to arrest them.” He turned sharply on his heel and walked toward one of the black Hummers. Sam looked over at Morwyn. “Are you sure I can't kill Coventry?" Morwyn grinned. “Just think how bad he probably tastes." Sam shuddered. “Good point." The captain strode off, shouting orders to his men. In a matter of minutes, two long lines formed and it was time to go. Sam looked down at the Rottweiler. “You ready to take me to the Doc, Tyrone?" The Rottie lunged away, only to be brought up short by the leash. He yelped then turned to look back at

Sam, obviously offended. Sam shook his head. “Easy, Tyrone, we'll get there, but let's keep it to a walk so we can all go, okay?" Morwyn looped her arm through Sam's, and Sygni followed with Galen at her side. The double line of fully armored cops followed in formation only four steps back with Gordon marching alongside the line. Sygni shook her head. “I hope we don't have to lead this bunch through too many neighborhoods." Galen chuckled. “At least it's Halloween, so it won't look too strange." **** Tyrone strained at the leash, pulling to get to the closed double doors to the high school's gymnasium. Sam had to use both hands to hold him. Morwyn peered at the doors. “Well, that's convenient. No long trek through neighborhoods." "No, it's freaking scary.” Sam pointed over his shoulder. “The school dumpsters are right over there. This is where Tyrone and me must have gone through the first time, but I don't remember a thing about it." Sygni could see a glimmer at one small corner of the door. “It's small. Can we get everybody through it?" "Absolutely.” Morwyn smiled grimly. “Once I open it all the way." Captain Gordon strode up and pointed at the gym doors. “You mean this is it? We combed this whole damned area and found nothing." Morwyn nodded. “It's overlapping the doors." Gordon peered at the doors. “I just see gym doors." Morwyn smiled. “You're not supposed to go through it, so it doesn't exist for you." "But you can see it?” Gordon lifted his chin. Morwyn shrugged casually. “I'm used to such things, so I know what I'm looking at." Coventry stepped up to Gordon's side. “Are you sure it's here?" Morwyn raised her brow. “If anyone is going to know the opening to a time-still, there is no one more qualified than I." Galen leaned closer to Sygni. “I can see something glowing at the bottom of one of the doors, is that it?" "Yep.” Sygni leaned against him. “It's subtle magic. Coventry is only a beta-grade mage, so he can't see it." Morwyn turned to look at the group. “Alright everyone, give me some working room and I'll open the

door all the way." Sam, Galen, Sygni, and Captain Gordon stepped back. Coventry scowled. “This had better work.” He turned and joined the party at the bottom of the steps. Morwyn walked up to the door and raised her wooden staff. A waterfall of sibilant phrases fell from her lips and a breeze swirled around her. Sygni leaned closer to Sam and Galen. “It's so cool when she does stuff like this." Morwyn slammed the heel of her staff on the cement step leading to the gym doors. Pale green light erupted around Morwyn and the staff. Her hair lifted in the wash of power. The light around Morwyn shaped a brilliant image of rainbow-tinted butterfly wings at her back. Sam swallowed. “Shit, sheis a fairy." Sygni shrugged. “Half-faery, actually. Her mom was mortal." Sam turned to look at Sygni. “And I was worried about her having problems with my furry side?” He shook his head. The staff abruptly branched and formed leaves at incredible speed. It grew, leaping upward and over the top of the door like a vine. The end of the staff arched and fell, then lunged across the ground back toward Morwyn, forming a circular frame. The staff wound gently around Morwyn, then arched back up, and circled back around, and then again, and again ... The trunk thickened to the width of a sapling. Roots formed and burrowed into the cement. Leaves and branches formed and unfurled, braiding back into itself until a circular tree framed Morwyn and the gym doors. Fresh green leaves waved in the breeze. Mist formed in the center of the living hoop. Morwyn turned to the group with eyes full of pale green fire. “The door is opened." Sygni stepped forward. “Let's get this show on the road.” She climbed the shallow steps and looked over at Morwyn. “Be careful, girlfriend." "Who me?” Morwyn smiled. “I'm not going in there.” She turned to Galen. “Bring her back." Galen nodded. “I will." Sam shoved himself in front of Morwyn. His eyes were stark and his mouth was a thin line. “I just want you to know...” He looked around at the gathering and grimaced. “Fuck it.” He leaned forward and kissed Morwyn full on the mouth. He pulled back but his expression was just as grim. “I love you, and you were right; you're weirder than I am.” He grinned. “I'm cool with that." Morwyn gave him a blinding smile. “I love you, too. Don't get killed." Sam grinned. “Yes, ma'am!" Galen caught Sygni's hand and they stepped through the living gate with Sam and Tyrone at their heels.

~ Twenty-One~ Mist ... Deep, swirling, impenetrable and blinding gray nothingness ... Their boot-heels echoed oddly as they walked. "Are we there yet?” Sam's voice sounded muffled. Galen chuckled. “What's the matter? Is the big bad wolf afraid of a little fog?" "Just keep walking.” Sygni tightened her hold on Galen's arm. The fog was most definitely not natural. Galen shook his head. “Don't tell me you're spooked, too?" Sygni could barely see him and he was right next to her. “Sam's right, we should have come out by now." Galen snorted. “You're the heap-big sorceress, do something about it." Sygni stopped. “Good idea.” She concentrated and called up a whisper of power. A breeze brushed her cheeks and the fog began to thin. "Hey!” Sam suddenly became somewhat visible at Galen's side with the crossbow resting comfortably on his shoulder. Tyrone danced in nervous circles at his feet. “Whatever you're doing, it's working." "It looks that way.” Sygni looked around. Gray buildings, dead grass, dead trees and an empty street were revealed. The fog lifted, pushed upward by the breeze though not far. It boiled only a few stories above their heads. The world, or rather Gruber's pocket of it, looked dim and bruised. Sygni nodded. “Yep, we're there." "Why is everything so gray?” Sam frowned as he looked around. “Isn't it supposed to be like, night or something?" "This is Gruber's construct.” Sygni shrugged. “Maybe Gruber doesn't like the dark, so it doesn't go full night here?" The sound of marching boots reached Sygni's ears. She turned around to see Coventry and Grimley at the head of the double line of armored cops. “Oh, look, the cavalry made it." "Good thing too.” Sam released a deep rolling growl. “Because the bad-guys just found us." "Huh?” Sygni whirled around to face up the street. Figures in long black coats and tall boots were moving out from behind the buildings and into the street. Black rounded helmets that came down over their ears covered their heads. They wore rifles on their shoulders and pistols belted on their hips. Their faces seemed indistinct and they were utterly silent. Sam frowned. “What are they?" Sygni set her hand on her sword hilt. A chill raced up her spine and her neck hairs shivered to attention. “Ghosts."

Galen pulled his pistol out, but held it down. “Storm troopers." Sam glanced at Galen. “They're what?" Galen pulled out the bowie knife and flipped it in his palm. “They're Nazi storm troopers." Sygni pulled her long dagger from her boot. “Where in Hel did Gruber get Nazi ghosts?" Galen stepped back, drawing the others with him. “No idea, but they're armed and that's a lot of guns." The figures kept coming. The street filled with marching ghosts and still more came from behind the buildings. Sygni smiled sourly. “Well, the good news is we now know for a fact that Gruber is a necromancer." "That's the good news?” Sam looked at Sygni sharply. “What's the bad news?" "We're really, really out-numbered.” Sygni gave Sam a bitter smile. “Welcome to our worse-case scenario." Captain Gordon came up to the trio. “What the hell are we looking at?" Sygni smiled brightly. “Nazi ghosts. Can you handle them?" Gordon rolled his eyes. “Ghosts? Is that all?” He shouted and a team of ten came trotting up. Five of them carried what looked like grenade launchers. The five spread out across the road and knelt behind their shields with their launchers perched on their shoulder. Behind them, their companions loaded shells into the launchers. Gordon grinned. “Stand back and let us professionals go to work." Galen raised his brow at Sygni. Sygni shrugged. “Hey, I have no problem letting the Captain do his thing." Sam grinned. “Less work for us." Sygni nodded. “Exactly." Sam, Galen and Sygni moved to the side of the road and stepped up on the withered grass to watch. Captain Gordon raised his hand and shouted: “Fire!" Five rockets shot outward toward the mass of ghosts with smoke tails twirling behind them. The rockets exploded, one right after the other, in the heart of the amassed ghosts with a reverberating thunder that shook the ground. Smoke obscured everything. An eerie howling wind rushed toward the strike party. Sam shivered. “What the hell is that God-awful noise?" "You mean beyond the big booms?” Sygni shrugged. “The dead returning to wherever they came from."

A hole appeared in the center of the ghost army. More ghosts melted from behind buildings, only this time, every last one of them raised their rifles or pulled out their pistols. "Shit.” Galen lifted his pistol. "Okay, people...” Sygni raised her hand, wreathed in red crackling power. “It's party-time." Gordon shouted and his men spread out in a double-line, shields raised and weapons pointed. Galen grabbed Sygni's arm. “Let's get out of the line of fire.” Sygni and Sam followed Galen's lead and headed across the grass to dart between the buildings. Sygni shoved past some extremely dead bushes and leaned against a dusty wall. “Why don't we just head for Gruber's factory while the cops and the ghosts entertain each other?" Galen smiled grimly. “Good idea. I know this whole neighborhood, so we won't get lost.” He turned and started walking through the dead brush. “Follow me." Thin fog swirled between the buildings as they walked. Shoving past dead grass and brush, they stepped out from between an old body shop and its neighboring warehouse and came face to face with four Nazi ghosts. Galen didn't hesitate. He shot the closest point-blank in the face. The ghost howled and disappeared. Sam growled and trans-morphed with incredible speed into a massive eight-foot furry wolf-beast. His shirt and jeans shredded from his body almost instantly. He reached out and clawed the ghost nearest to him. The ghost came apart and dispersed with a wail. Sygni whirled out of range and unleashed her vorpal blade, slicing one of the ghosts clean in half. It tore apart in the breeze. Galen shot the last. Sam snorted and shook his heavy muzzle. “That was easy.” His voice was a deep growling rumble. He shook his entire body and reformed back into his human form. His clothes reformed with him. Galen started. “Hey, I watched that stuff shred off you!" Sam grinned and ran his fingers through his gray hair. “Present from Morwyn." "Indestructible clothes?” Sygni sheathed her blade. “Good trick! I'm gonna have to get Morwyn to show me that one!" Sam's smile soured. “Only problem is, she could only do the one set." Sygni shrugged. “It still beats being naked." Galen holstered his gun. “I just thought of something."

Sygni frowned. “What?" "You're right, Sam, that was easy. Too easy.” Galen looked around. “Those ghosts didn't even try to shoot us." Sygni frowned. “No, they didn't." "Ah ... shit!” Sam stomped his foot in the dead grass. “Piss." Sygni and Galen turned. “What?" Sam groaned. “I lost Tyrone." Galen shrugged. “No big loss; we already know where we're going.” He started walking across the tarmac behind the warehouse. “Come on." Sygni grabbed Galen's elbow. “Heis a big loss. We never told Coventry that Tyrone was a were—uh, dog. If he gets that collar off, he could cause big hairy and fanged problems." Galen scowled. “Fuck, I forgot." Sam caught up to Sygni's side and scowled. “Let's hope he doesn't get that collar off." They trooped through an alley between another set of crumbling warehouses and found a new set of ghosts waiting at the end, only there was a lot more than four of them. "Fuck, company. A lot of company.” Galen pulled out his pistol and grabbed Sygni by the shoulder. He shoved her and Sam back the way they had come. More ghosts filled the other end of the alley. Swearing foully, Galen slammed his shoulder at a closed door. The door crashed in and Galen shoved Sygni through the door. Sam followed right at Galen's heels. They bolted across the empty warehouse. The ghosts melted right through the walls, surrounding them. They brought their guns up. Galen looked around. “They mean to shoot this time." Sygni tensed. “Then don't let the bullets hit. You're both fast enough to avoid them. I have sorcery to keep the bullets off me, just stay out of my sword's range." Galen and Sam exchanged looks. "I can do that.” Sam set down the crossbow. Sygni slammed up her shields. “Your move, Nazis." Bullets exploded from the ghosts around them. Sam snarled and ducked under the line of fire then lunged for the circle of ghosts trans-morphing into his wolf-beast form as he ran. Galen simply disappeared.

The bullets hit Sygni's shield, outlining the invisible dome of magic with red lightning sprays before the bullets turned to smoke. She frowned at her shield.Smoke? She had no idea what their guns were loaded with, but they weren't shooting ordinary lead. Galen suddenly appeared with the Murasama unsheathed in his hand. Sam, eight-feet tall and razor-clawed, slashed out and tore through the ghosts like paper. The revenant soldiers turned on the werewolf and the vampire, working to close ranks on them. Galen whirled in a blur of speed, slicing through the ranks that surrounded him. Ghosts disappeared with blood-curdling screeches as both Galen and Sam tore through their circle at opposite ends. Six of the ghosts shouldered their rifles and moved inward toward Sygni's ring with outstretched hands. They struggled, then passed through her shield. Sygni pulled out her boot dagger, then unsheathed her void-of-night vorpal blade. She had known that the shield wouldn't hold them back, but then, that's what her sword was for. “All right, boys; let's play.” Sygni ducked their hands and twisted, parrying their grabs with her dagger and shattering ghosts with her sword slashes. More ghosts came for her, and more ghosts shredded in the wind of her passing. The warehouse filled with snarls, shouts and the howling of the dead parted from their existence. Silence fell in a sudden blanket. The ghosts were gone. Sam, Galen and Sygni turned to face each other and exchanged astonished looks. Galen choked out a laugh and sheathed the Murasama. “I guess we got them all." Sygni sheathed her blade. “But this time, it wasn't easy." Sam shuddered back into his clothed human form. “You're pretty damned good with that sword, Galen." Galen shrugged. “It's been a while. It's been a really long while, but it's funny how that kind of thing never really leaves you." Sam shouldered his crossbow and followed Galen out of the old warehouse. He shook his head. “So what did you do in the war that made you that good with weapons?" "I have to admit...” Sygni stepped over a weed clump. “I was pretty damned impressed." "You learn a lot about weapons when you're behind enemy lines.” Galen looked down at the dead grass he strode through. Sygni hurried to catch up. “Behind enemy lines during World War Two?" Galen shrugged. “I was a ... paratrooper. They dropped us on the French border right in the middle of a storm. The wind blew me way off target. I went down too far away from the rest of my troop. By the time I made it to the drop point, the Nazis had gotten there first. The whole team was dead or captured. Took me months of cross-country hiking at night to make it back to the Allied side. If my grandfather hadn't taught me scouting techniques back on the reservation, I would have never made it. As it was, I almost didn't."

"Oh, come now, Galen Raveneye, you were far more than a mere paratrooper." They all jerked to a sudden halt, weapons out and pointed. A slender man impeccably attired in a deep blue Armani suit strode from behind a crumbling wall. His pale gold hair was pulled back in a severe tail that hung rakishly over his shoulder. “You, my friend, were one of the finest assassins the Americans ever sent to Europe." Sam looked over his crossbow at the newcomer and lifted a brow at Galen. “You know this guy?" Galen lowered his gun and frowned. “Henri?" "Oui.” Henri bowed slightly clicking his heels together. “It is good to see you once again among the living,mon ami .” He lifted his chin. Sapphire-blue eyes gleamed as he smiled, showing the points of his long incisors. “So to speak..." "Another vampire?” Sygni bit her lip. “Gruber has been busy.” She lowered her blade, but did not sheath it. Henri turned his bright blue gaze on Sygni. “I assure you, I wasupir, or vampire, long beforeHerr Doktor was ever born." Galen shook his head and holstered his gun. “Henri, what are you doing here?" The golden vampire smiled and came closer. “Can you not guess? It was I that gave the Doktor your body to raise, if he could." Sygni sucked in a breath and the hair on her neck rose. “He's the buyer?" Galen jerked back. “What ... but why? What do you want with me?" Henri shrugged and approached with his arms out. “Is it not enough that I missed you, my friend?" A growl rumbled in Galen's chest. “No.” He pointed his pistol at the other vampire. “Keep your distance, Henri." Henri halted and crossed his arms. “Very well then, if you must know, I was being blackmailed with exposure. Rather than simply handing over the sum Doktor Gruber asked for, I told him that I would gladly pay him for his services if he could succeed in raising you from the grave.” He shook his head. “Imagine my astonishment when I received his message stating that he had actually succeeded." Galen lowered the gun and frowned. “But why me?" "Throughout the centuries, my deepest regret is that I did not make you vampire.Herr Doktor said that he had found a way.” Henri lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “How could I resist?" Sygni shot a brow up at Galen. “Just how good a friend was he?" Galen abruptly blushed.

Henri smiled and his gaze sharpened. “We journeyed across Germany and France together, Galen and I, hunting enemies side by side for nearly a year. We were very good, very intimate friends indeed." Galen narrowed his eyes. “I don't remember you being a vampire." Henri shook his head. “No, I could not allow that.” His brows lowered, but his smile remained. “However, I'm sure you have other memories..." Sygni nibbled on her bottom lip. If Galen had been traveling with a vampire for that long, then the vampire had been using him as a blood source. And vampires fucked when they fed. She looked up at the tall vampire at her side and wondered if he was coming to the same conclusion. Galen clenched his jaw. “Yes, we were lovers.” He shot a glare at her. “Happy now?" Sygni jerked back. “Hey! I couldn't care less how you get your jollies; I just want to know if you're going to dump me for your old boyfriend?" Galen released a breath and gave her a tired smile. “Not likely, I always preferred girls." Henri pouted. “Was it so very bad, being my lover?" Galen sighed and holstered his gun. “No, Henri.” He dropped his chin and glanced at Sygni. “You can put that sword away. Henri saved my life more times than I can count." Henri nodded. “As you saved mine." Sygni blinked. “You saved a vampire's life? As ahuman ?” She slid Baby back into the sheath. Henri snorted. “Do not underestimate his skills. As a mere human he was quite a formidable hunter. As he is now...?” His brow rose, daring them to consider the possibilities. Sygni's thoughts ground to a halt. There were only two reasons someone might want a vampire: for a sex-toy or for an assassin. All along she had assumed Galen had been wanted for his sexual prowess. She'd had no idea that he was actually a trained killer. She frowned. Could she have been wrong about the man he really was? She shook her head. No, not Galen ... She knew as her blood beat in her own heart that while he might be trained, Galen was no killer. She eyed the golden vampire. If he knew Galen as well as he said he did, then he would know this, too. So what was this vampire really after?

~ Twenty-Two ~ Sam set the crossbow on his shoulder and cleared his throat. “I'm happy you got to meet your old friend, Galen, but we've got work to do." Galen nodded, then lifted his chin at Henri. “We're here to shut the doctor's little business down. If you'll excuse us, we need to go.” He turned and started walking. Sam and Sygni fell into step to either side. "Excellent!” Henri fell into step by Sam. “I will help in any way I can." Sam blinked. “You meanyou want him shut down?"

Henri nodded. “But of course. Do you think I want to have any other vampires wandering the earth, causing no end of grief? It is trouble enough to conceal myself.” His brows lowered. “And I have little love for blackmailers." Sygni raised her chin. “Has Gruber raised any other vampires?" "Beyond Galen, there are no other risen.” Henri's gaze sharpened on Sygni. “It appears that while he has stumbled upon it once,Herr Doktor has not in fact discovered the secret.” He gave Galen a speculative glance. “Though, the simple fact that he succeeded once argues that it is only a matter of time before he discovers how to raise another.” His brows lowered. “I for one wish to have him stopped before he does so." Galen snorted. “He's having no problems raising werewolves." "Indeed?” Henri's brows shot up. “Herr Doktorsaid as much, but I have yet to see one." Sam snorted. “If you see a Rottweiler running around and dragging a leash, don't pet it." Henri frowned. “A dog?" Sygni set her hand on her sword hilt. “Only because we have him wrapped up tight in spells. Trust me, he's one of Gruber's little nightmares." Sam frowned. “Hey! Who are you calling a nightmare?" Galen snorted. “He's not the only one that resembles that remark." Sygni rolled her eyes. “Will you two give it up?" Henri's eyes narrowed and focused on Sam. “Herr Doktordid say that he had succeeded in creating two such creatures." Sam smiled bitterly. “Yep, I'm the other one, but he used a wolf to make me. I didn't stick around. I'm not a moron." Sygni snorted. “Or psychotic." Sam grinned with a mouthful of far too many jagged teeth. “Gimme five minutes with the good doctor and we'll just see about that." Henri focused on Sygni. “And you, mademoiselle? Who are you in this game of shadow magic with your night-black sword?" Sygni smiled and squeezed Galen's hand in warning. “Me? I'm Galen's girlfriend.” There was no way in hell she was about to let him know that she was the other person on his ‘buying’ list. Henri raised a brow. “And a sorceress?" Sygni nodded. “That, too." "I see...” He nodded. “So what do you plan forHerr Doktor ?"

Sygni bared her teeth in a feral grin. “Mass destruction." Henri laughed. “A good plan!” He shook his head. “However, that may not be enough to destroy him." Sygni frowned. “What?" Henri shook his head regretfully. “Even the world crashing down upon his head, will not destroyHerr Doktor ." "Why the hell not?” Sam frowned ferociously. “What does it take to kill this guy?" Henri looked over at Sam. “Then you do not know?" Galen ground his teeth. “Just say it, Henri." Henri sighed. “I told you that I was being blackmailed. What I did not tell you is that he knew to look for me. He knew what I was from before.” He focused on Galen. “From the war. Our war." "What?” Sam tripped on a clump of grass. “You mean back in World War Two?" Henri nodded. “Gruber discovered my presence early in the war.” His mouth tightened. “It was not a pleasant experience." Galen shook his. “But he'd be so old, he'd have to be dead..." "Correct.” Henri pursed his lips. “Doktor Gruber is a ghost." Sam frowned. “He's awfully solid for a ghost." Henri lifted his chin. “But of course, he has enthralled a human mage and taken his flesh." Sygni hissed. “The kid. He's possessed the kid's body." Henri nodded. “Exactly. Once the boy dies, Gruber will leave his flesh and may be dispelled..." Sygni shook her head. “We can't kill the kid." Henri frowned. “Gruber's ghost is in full possession of his body. There is no other way to separate them." Sygni clenched her jaw. “There isalways another way." **** Sygni looked up at the factory surrounded by dead trees and deep shadow. She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Okay, now all we have to do is get in without setting off his alarms and drowning in Nazi ghosts." Galen frowned up at the building. “How the hell do you get around magic?" "You got me.” Sam shook his head.

"That is simple.” Henri snorted. “You shall all be my prisoners." Sam choked. “Say what?" Sygni bit back a laugh. “You wan'na run that by me again?" "Henri...” Galen leveled a glare at the small vampire. "I toldHerr Doktor that I would collect you.” He opened his hands and spread his arms. “Andvoila ! Here you all are." Sam's teeth lengthened. “You told him ... what?” A low growl erupted from his chest. "Please, let us save the over-reactions for when we are within.” Henri rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Did you not guess? It is because of my presence that you have seen no other ghosts. He assumes that you are my prisoners." Sygni sucked in a breath. He was right. The rest of the hike here had been unusually uneventful. Although they had heard explosions in the distance, they hadn't seen a single ghost since Henri had joined them. "Why would the Doc believe that we were your prisoners, instead of the other way around?” Sam snorted. “There are three of us and one of you." Henri lifted a golden brow. “Herr Doktorknows that I am stronger than all of you." "Think so?” Sygni smiled tightly. Henri nodded. “I am not merely a vampire, I am magus." Sygni felt the hair rise on the back of her neck. She couldn't feel a trace of his power. Henri was very, very dangerous indeed... Galen frowned. “A sorcerer? You?" "Shortly after the war, I was ensorcelled as a sorcerer's familiar.” Henri smiled but his eyes chilled to chips of blue ice. “Alas, the sorcerer has been dead for quite some time." "Then you know?” Galen set his hand possessively on Sygni's shoulder. “About us?" "But of course.” Henri chuckled. “It is as plain as your matching eyes.” He shook his head and sighed. “And you may stop your protective glaring, Galen, I have no plans to interfere with your joining.” He smiled at Sygni. “Your sorceress does not seem to have the...” He circled his ear with a finger. “Instability ... of my former master." Sygni set her hand over Galen's fingers. “Oh, I can be unstable if I need to be." Galen rolled his eyes. “That's the truth." Sam lowered his head and narrowed his eyes. “I don't like this ‘prisoner’ routine of yours Henri. It stinks

of a trap." Henri nodded. “You are right to be cautious, but fear not, I wish this Nazi revenant destroyed as much as all of you.” He focused on Galen. “You in particular, my friend should understand this better than any." Galen nodded. “Henri has personal reasons for taking out Nazis. He won't turn us over." Sam looked up at Galen. “Fine, whatever ... I still think we should just sneak in, grab the kid and trash the place on the way out." Henri shook his head. “Sneaking will not be possible. The boy is stronger than you think. It was he that constructed this place from Gruber's memories." "The kid built this by himself?” Sygni's mouth fell open. “From a ghost's memories?" "And he is holding a door to the past open to supply the ghosts.” Henri nodded. “If he proves too strong for either of us, you and I may need to combine power to destroy this mage boy's creations." Sygni crossed her arms and smiled coldly.Who needs you, Fang-boy? Henri raised his brow. “So, shall we go in?” He lifted his hand toward the arching mouth of the factory's front door. Sygni eyed the door with grave apprehension. “The front door?" Sam glared at the door then stepped back, shaking his head. “I am not going through that door.” He turned to the golden vampire. “Forget it. I'm taking the back door." Henri sighed. “Very well then, suit yourself." Sam backed further away. He narrowed a glare at Henri. “I better not find out that you've been lying, or I'll be coming for you." Henri nodded. “That is acceptable." "I'll see you two on the inside.” Sam turned and fled with incredible speed. Sygni turned to Galen. “I think we should go with Sam." Henri closed in on them. “I'm afraid I must insist that the two of you accompany me through the front door." Galen's fingers bit into Sygni's shoulder as he scowled. “Why?" "To spring the trap, of course.” Henri smiled. “Herr Doctor will be so concerned with you two, that it may buy your companion time to actually make it into the building." Galen lowered his brows. “All right." Sygni glared up at Galen. “Are you out of your mind?"

Galen squeezed her shoulder. “It doesn't really matter how we get in. We are not exactly helpless." "Fine.” Sygni sighed. “But, I still think it's a bad idea." Henri smiled. “Excellent. I'm glad that's settled. Now then...” He turned to stare at one of the very dead trees. “Would you like to come with us?" Coventry stepped from the shadow of the tree. “As a matter of fact, I would." "Great, that's all I need.” Sygni groaned and rolled her eyes. “Coventry, what are you doing here?" "Following you, of course.” Coventry wiped at his velvet sleeves. “You cannot be trusted around civilians, not with your habit of causing wanton destruction." Sygni shook her head. “You're out of your league, Coventry." Coventry's expression frosted. “Am I?” He folded his hands within his sleeves. “As far as I'm concerned, I have a child to protect." Galen raised his chin. “Gruber is a ghost and in full possession of the kid's body." Sygni lifted her brow. “Think you can get Gruber out of him?" Coventry tilted his head toward Henri. “The way I see it, I only have a vampire's word that this is so." Henri smiled. “Oh, it is quite true." Coventry sniffed. “That remains to be seen.” He focused on Sygni. “In the meantime, I intend to make sure that you don't have an accident." Sygni's hands fisted at her sides. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Coventry scowled. “I don't want the boy to end up dead." Galen released a boiling growl. “Sygni doesn't kill people." Coventry speared Sygni with a look of icy loathing. “Oh, but she does." Sygni flinched as though struck. He was right; she did kill people. Henri raised a brow. “Is the sorceress so very bloodthirsty?" "Ever since she was a child.” Coventry climbed the steps to the front door. “Sygni Darkheart is a menace to human society." Henri lifted his chin and smiled at Sygni. “Well now, so you are the Sygni..." Sygni felt her body suddenly chill.Shit ... She turned and scowled at the vampire. “Yes, I'm Sygni. So?" "I have heard so much about you.” Henri shrugged, but his eyes narrowed. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

Sygni felt her cheeks heating.Terrific ... Sygni shot Coventry a glare as she joined him at the top of the stairs. As usual, Coventry had to stick his nose in something that would get it bitten off—only this time, her nose was involved. Henri raised his hand to the door before them. “You have but to push the door open." Sygni stared at the black door. The hair on her neck rose. Henri had offered Gruber money to raise Galen, make a werewolf and capture her. He had two of the things he'd asked for right in front of him and they were facing an obvious trap. This whole deal stank. “Forget it.” She folded her arms. “I am not touching that door." "As far as I'm concerned, you can stay out here.” Coventry scowled and shoved at the door. The door opened onto utter darkness. Coventry strode in, and was swallowed. "Come on.” Galen took her elbow. “Let's get this over with." Sygni looked into the black hole revealed by the open door. She grabbed Galen's arm. “No, it's a trap," "Of course it is.” Henri whispered from right behind them. “I told you it was." Sygni was shoved hard from behind. She stumbled forward—into nothingness... **** Sam ran around the edge of the factory with a speed and ease he'd never had when he was just some guy that emptied trash. He'd never been fully comfortable in his body; too short, too fat, and too clumsy. But now ... Now, thanks to his furry side, his body was trim and muscular. He moved smoothly, comfortably and somehow more in tune with the world under his feet. And then there was Morwyn. She was so beautiful. Her rich scent, her velvet skin and her inner calm. God help him, she was an honest to God faery! And she loved him—him! Fur, fangs and all ... The wolf had liked her the moment her hand had stroked his furry brow. But then the wolf's view was simpler and more pure, more accepting, and more wild. He wondered if the wolf had fallen in love with her first. He lifted his nose. The wind carried the scent of dust, dead wood, dry brick—and dog. Tyrone had made it back to the factory. Sam slowed to a careful trot, barely making a sound through the dead grass. The were-dog's scent drifted from the ground and the brush. Tyrone ... They had been friends for years. Maybe not best friends, but they were working partners. They had shared beers and ball games; they were buds. And then the Doc came along and Tyrone just wasn't the same guy anymore. His first clue that something wasn't right was when Tyrone had shot Sygni, cold as ice. He hadn't even blinked. When Tyrone had showed up at the castle howling for him to come down, and of all stupid things, to come back here with him, he knew something was definitely not right in Tyrone's head. He still hadn't thought Tyrone would attack him. It had actually taken Tyrone's massive clawed hand coming for his face before he would believe that Tyrone really meant to hurt him. Luckily the wolf had more sense. The wolf

had spotted Tyrone's coming attack and pushed for the change. As it was, he had barely changed in time to save himself. Whatever was going on in Tyrone's head wasn't pretty. Sure, being furry took getting used to, but Tyrone was acting completely unhinged. The two souls in his body were fighting for dominance in a body that needed one mind, one direction and one purpose to survive. It was as obvious as they way he fought, first biting and tearing like a dog and then swinging like a man—back and forth, dog and man, each confusing the other. Sam shook his head. It had to be Tyrone's fear of big dogs. It was keeping him from fully accepting the dog that shared his soul. He had been joking around when he said the dog would be more likely to surface under Morwyn's magic. When Tyrone had faded back and the dog had emerged, taking complete control of the body, he had been horrified. The wolf had kept him from dropping down on his knees and screaming for Tyrone to come back. The wolf had known that Tyrone didn't want to be there. And there was no breaking the spell. Only death would separate the two souls. Tyrone had to come to terms with his new situation if he was going have any kind of life. "There you are ... Sam.” The voice came from a throat too large and deep to belong to a man. Sam stilled utterly and watched a deep shadow slide from a clump of dead trees. The shadow was tall, heavily muscular and massive. The scent of dog carried on the slight breeze. Sam's hands tightened on the crossbow he carried. “Tyrone?" The shadow moved into the gray light, becoming the massive and distorted form of a fanged and clawed Rottweiler walking on two legs. “Why did you let him do this to me, Sam?" "Me? Look, I didn't tell you to stick around.” Sam wanted to step back from the nightmare that was Tyrone, but the wolf insisted that to move backwards would encourage an immediate attack. “Tyrone, you can still leave. Nobody's going to know diddily-squat unless you walk around like this." "And do what?” Tyrone stopped and hunched down on all fours. “And be what?” He stared down his short muzzle at the far smaller man. “How do you live with it? The thing attached to your soul?" Sam shrugged carefully. “It's kinda neat, not being alone in your own body, and I feel good, really good. I'm all muscular and shit, now. Of course I chase the occasional rabbit, but that's okay.” He lifted his chin. “Have you gone back to your human shape yet?" Tyrone released a growl that raised the hair on Sam's neck. “No." Sam rolled his eyes. “Why the hell not? You can't buy groceries looking like that!" Tyrone's head dropped low. “I can feel it in me. A thing moving around and eating me from the inside out." Sam felt his patience thinning fast. “Tyrone, it's not eating you. Grow some sense, will you? It's just a dog! It's not a monster..." "Itis a monster!” Tyrone bellowed and rose to his hind legs with incredible speed. “Look at me damn

you! I'm a monster!” The voice thundering from the massive throat held the unmistakable tension of despair. He stalked closer to Sam. Sam raised the crossbow and pointed a silver-bladed bolt at Tyrone's heart. “Hold it right there, Tyrone.” His pulse pounded in his throat. He couldn't believe he was even thinking about shooting Tyrone, but his wolf knew death when it smelled it. Tyrone stopped. He exhaled a deep sigh. “You can't hurt me with something that small." "These arrow-heads are silver. They're designed to kill us." "Would you really shoot me, Sam?" "If I have to.” Sam sighted down the crossbow, but there was absolutely no way he could miss hitting Tyrone's heart at this range. The wolf would not allow him to miss. Tyrone's head dropped and his small ears flattened to his canine skull. “Then shoot me, Sam, because the Doc told me to bring you in.” He stepped closer. “Alive, or dead." "Tyrone, don't!” Sam desperately did not want to pull the trigger under his finger, but the wolf held no such qualms. If Tyrone pushed him, friend or not, he would shoot. “Tyrone, we're supposed to be friends, damn you! I don't want to kill you!" Tyrone rose to his full height. “Sam, if youare my friend, you won't miss." "What?” Sam gasped, barely able to breath past the fist of pain around his heart. “Why, Tyrone? Do you want to die?" "Sam, I can't...” Tyrone bared jagged teeth and growled. “I can't live like this!” The were-dog lifted his razor-clawed paw well over his head. “Shoot me, because Iwill kill you if you don't!” The paw dropped. Sam squeezed the trigger. The bolt leapt spinning from the crossbow and burrowed deep in Tyrone's massive chest. Tyrone yelped and jerked back, then dropped to his knees. Sam gasped, shocked and appalled. He hadn't even hesitated. “No, God, no..." Tyrone groaned and fell backwards to the tarmac. The fallen were-dog faded to become a man with a heavy bolt buried deep in his chest. He choked. “Sam?" Sam dropped the crossbow and ran to his friend's side. “Damn you, you stupid sack of shit...” He dropped to his knees by Tyrone. Blood was everywhere. Brilliant scarlet spilled from the wound in his chest. “God, Tyrone, why did you make me shoot you?" "Sam?” Tyrone lifted his hand. Sam caught it. “I'm here, right here.” He could barely see through the tears in his eyes. His heart slammed in his chest, a fist of solid pain. Tyrone's fingers were ice cold. “Tyrone, I'm sorry." "Sam, it's gone.” Tyrone smiled. “It's over.” He coughed and blood spilled from his lips. “I'm not ... a

monster ... anymore.” He looked up. A soft bubbling sigh escaped. His eyes stared skyward, at nothing. Sam threw back his head and howled his grief to the dead sky.

~ Twenty-Three ~ Sygni groaned and twisted to relieve the ache in her shoulder. She was curled into a ball on her side with one arm folded under her, and her shoulder was violently protesting the position. Her heels struck a hard surface.Huh? She couldn't straighten her legs; the space she was in was too small. Her eyes snapped open. A dim and slightly mirrored surface danced before her gaze.What in Hel ... ? She pushed up onto her knees—and promptly hit her head. The surface above her gave, bending under the impact of her head, but it still smarted. She thrust out her hand and encountered a smooth, curved surface. Using both hands, she discovered that she was enclosed in some sort of bubble, and it was small. The sword on her hip scraped the sides. The good news was that she still had her sword. The bad news was that the space she was in was too damned small to draw it. Sygni pressed her hands to the curved wall and reached for her power. She felt the wind of her magic rise. It swirled around, but could not penetrate the bubble. She was trapped in a containment spell. And it was viciously strong.Blood and damnation ... She reached for more power and... Nothing. Her connection to Galen was missing. She was completely cut off. Without his link, she didn't have the power to break the spell from the inside. Sygni punched the side of the bubble, and then kicked it for good measure. Not that it did a damned bit of good.Blood and night! She sucked on a bruised knuckle. Light blazed under her, rendering the bubble transparent and illuminating Gruber's face. His reflective goggles hid his eyes. His white lab coat blazed in the light coming from beneath. Her bubble floated about chest high on the dead sorcerer with no sign of any support or frame to hold the bubble up. The light below came from a slowly spinning pentacle star riddled with power lines that looked more like circuitry than magic. Everything else was bathed in utter black. She couldn't see any type of wall or ceiling. Even the floor was indistinct. Gruber smiled. “Comfortable?" Sygni smiled back. “Where's Galen?" "The vampire? Not far.” Gruber turned and looked behind him. Behind him, light blazed, illuminating another bubble about four yards away. Galen was curled in a fetal position within the round prison. Oh, Mother ...“Galen!” Sygni pounded on the curved surface. Galen's head snapped up. “Sygni?” His voice was slightly muffled. He twisted and his sword jammed against the side. He lunged up on his knees, and immediately slammed his head on the top. He winced and pressed his hands against the sides of his bubble, and pushed. It stretched a very small amount. He slammed a fist against his prison wall. The bubble wobbled, but remained intact.

"Both of you have been sealed.” Gruber's smile broadened as he looked from one bubble to the other. “I will not underestimate either of you again.” Gruber turned to his right. “Are you satisfied?" Henri stepped into the light shed by Sygni's bubble. He bent to light a cigarette. His gaze flicked to Sygni and the heart of his eyes reflected coins of red fire in the lighter's flame. “Quite satisfied.” He lifted his head and released a stream of smoke. “As soon as we have the werewolf, the money will be transferred into the account you requested." "Great!” A battery of lights snapped on revealing a massive snarl of mechanical equipment riddled with blinking lights. In the very center was pilot's chair surrounded by floating images. A slender young man smiled from his massive electronic throne. His eyes blazed pale blue fire under a thatch of dirty blond hair. “I have plans, big plans for that cash." Sygni did not like the sound of that at all. Henri raised his chin. “Remember, I want the wolf, not the dog." "No problem.” The young man focused on an image floating by his left hand. “The werewolf is on the premises." Gruber nodded. “Excellent, son.” His gaze focused on the golden vampire. “We'll have your beast—" "—Packaged and ready to party, in just a minute.” The young man spliced into Gruber's sentence; and his smile echoed Gruber's perfectly. Sygni found it perfectly frightening. Gruber was deeper into that kid than she had thought. How, by Hela's tits, was she going to get them apart? Another thought struck her. She and Galen were floating in bubbles, but where was Coventry? Sygni looked around but couldn't see into the darkness around her. “Gruber, what did you do with Coventry?" Gruber turned to face her. “The beta-mage? Oh, I have him working on a project." Sygni sucked in a breath. “What project?” Gruber's last two projects had involved making werewolves. "I have him right here.” The boy laughed from his chair. “He's powering your containment spells." A light flickered into being. Coventry was stretched out on his back, in the center of a platform within slowly turning pentacle right at the foot of the boy's massive chair. He eyes were open, but it was obvious that he saw nothing. Wires snaked from the platform to the boy's chair. Sygni felt her skin crawl. They were using him as a living battery. If this spell was like the one that had been used on her, then he was probably aware of what was being done to him, as she had been aware when it was being done to her. However, she had been a kid at the time and used to grown-ups having all the power. Coventry was a grown man. Being used like this could break his mind—if they didn't kill him by sucking him dry of power first. Sygni shook her head. That stupid idiot just had to come along, and now she had to rescue the bastard! It would serve him right if she left him. She sighed. It would have been so convenient if she really were the heartless bitch he claimed she was. Too bad it just wasn't her way.

Gruber turned to the boy in the mechanical chair “What is the status on our intruders, Son?" The young man glanced around at his floating images. “The soldiers are pushing the cops back toward the door, Father. About time, too...” His fingers flew across an array of keyboards. “I still wanna know how the fuck they got in. The damned door is supposed to be keyed...” He hissed. “I can't close it! Someone is holding the door wide open from the outside." Gruber lowered his chin. “The storm-troopers will drive the intruders out and deal with whatever is holding the gate open." Sygni sucked in a sharp breath. Morwyn was in danger. The storm troopers were true ghosts, not figments. They could pass through the door and Morwyn was locked into her spell.I have to get out of this! She used her power to explore her prison, but there wasn't even a trace of a flaw, and the space was too small to draw her sword and dispel the binding that way. She slammed a fist into the curved wall of her prison.Hela's tits! The boy looked from image to image. “For only a handful of cops, they sure took out a lot of our boys." Gruber shook his head. “They cannot destroy all our men." "Not tonight.” The boy chuckled. “Tonight, we have an endless supply." "No,” a voice rumbled from a throat too large to be human. “Tonight you die!” A wind seemed to rush from the darkness. An enormous wolf leapt into the light. His ears were flat to his long skull and his lips were pulled back baring teeth like scythes. His fur stood all along his spine. It was Sam, and this was the form he took to hunt, and kill. Sam lunged straight for Gruber. The sorcerer moved aside with incredible speed. “Catch him, Son!" "I'm working on it, Father!” The boy in the chair tapped on his keyboards with insane speed. The oversized wolf skidded to a stop and turned sharply. His hindquarters collided with Sygni's globe. It rolled, tumbling her within. "Ow, shit!” She shook her head and rolled onto her knees. She looked over and found Galen's bubble less than a yard away from hers. Galen sat up as far as he could, pressing his palms to the wall of his prison. “Are you okay?" "I'm fine.” She glanced over at the werewolf and discovered Sam leaping straight up into the air. He landed with a loud double-thump and looked up. Gruber must have levitated out of range. He hunched down to spring again. Sygni pressed her palm to the side of her prison. She could feel a tendril of Galen. She reached but couldn't get more than a hint of her soul's mate. “Galen, I need you to open the door behind your soul, and reach for me." Galen frowned in concentration. His head came up. Flame danced in the heart of his eyes. Sygni felt the touch of his power brush hers. He was cool and a touch of darkness flavored his power.

The tendrils of power coiled around each other and grabbed. Sygni poured herself into the connection, braiding her power into Galen's—and pulled. The two bubbles inched closer together. Behind them, Coventry moaned. Galen flashed a grin. “It's working." Sygni grabbed with everything she had. “Pull, Galen, we need to make contact to break the spell." Galen pressed both palms to the curved side and frowned in concentration. His eyes brightened to red fire. Sygni felt a tug on her power, then a steady pull going from her soul to his. She choked in surprise. He was pulling power from her, drawing it into himself.What the...? Of course ... Tonight was Halloween, the day the dead ruled, and Galen had come from the dead. Tonight, his hold on their shared power was stronger than hers. Tonight, he was Master and she was his familiar. The bubbles moved to within inches of each other. "Hey!” The boy shouted from his mechanized throne. “What do you think you're doing?" We're escaping, what does it look like?Sygni bit her lip. “Almost there, pull, Galen!" Galen pressed his body against the wall of his prison. His eyes blazed from red to bright sun-gold. He trapped her gaze with his. “Come to me, he whispered. His power grasped hers—and pulled. Sygni gasped as her soul lunged for him. Coventry gasped and writhed in his pentacle. The bubbles made contact. "Father!” The boy went from keyboard to keyboard, his fingers moving to fast to see. “They're going to break the spell!" Sygni's palm overlapped Galen's. Power arced and bled into the spell holding them both. The pentacles below them spun at dizzying speeds. Both bubbles suddenly blazed with blinding incandescence. Coventry arched and howled. "Stop them, Son!” Gruber called from somewhere overhead. “Don't let them escape!" "I'm trying, Father! I'm trying!" Sygni pressed both palms against her prison wall and stared into Galen's sun-bright eyes. A small smile played on his lips. He was whispering, but she could hear his words in the chambers of her soul. "Come to me..."

Her blood pounded in her throat. Her body trembled with the burning need for him rising in a tidal wave of ferocious desperation. She reached for him, and he enfolded her in his power. The bubbles thinned between them. Their palms made contact and pressed. Their fingers curled and interlinked. He leaned forward and their lips met. They closed their eyes against the searing light around them, and kissed. Coventry shrieked in his binding. Explosion... **** Deep in the shadows, Henri's cigarette fell unnoticed from his fingers. “Such power,” he whispered. **** Sygni lifted her head from Galen's shoulder. Her arms were locked around his waist under his open coat, as his arms were locked around hers. Their coats flapped and their hair floated in the eldritch wind of their power. She looked up. “Well, that was different." Galen grinned. “What, breaking a spell with a kiss? I thought it was traditional?" A growl rumbled from their feet. Sygni looked down and discovered that they were floating on a wave of their combined power three feet off the floor. Sam's fanged muzzle was about even with their ankles. "Great, I'm happy you're free...” Sam suddenly rose up on his hind legs and transformed into an eight-foot, two-legged monstrous beast. He stared at them eye to eye. “But could you do me a favor, andkill that fucking bastard !” He pointed a clawed finger above their heads. Gruber floated in the deep shadows of the distant ceiling. "Sure.” Sygni pushed back from Galen, floating on her risen power. She drew her night-black vorpal blade. “We can do that." Galen smiled grimly as he drew the Murasama. “No problem." "Good.” Sam turned to stare at the mechanical throne. “I'll take care of the brat.” He dropped down to all fours and back into his massive wolf form. The fur along his spine rose as he stalked toward the boy in the chair. **** The boy moved from keyboard to floating screen to keyboard muttering. “Damn system overload ... Gotta get the power back up ... Reboot the system ... Fucking servers..." Sam reached the chair unnoticed. He stood up, and up, setting his paws on the mechanical body of the throne for balance. He laid his ears flat back and shoved his muzzle right in the boy's face. “Hi there.” He grinned with every fang in his mouth. “Remember me?"

The boy shrieked. "Mr. Kensington?" What now?Sam looked down. Coventry's face had a gray cast and his eyes had deep circles under them. His mouth was almost blue. He looked like crap warmed over—and he had a really large gun pointed at Sam's ribs. Shit. Sam laid his ears back. “Lemme guess. You don't want me to eat him, right?" Coventry nodded tiredly. “Correct." Sam snorted. “And your bullets are silver, I suppose?" Covington gave him a pained smile. “Also correct." Sam groaned. “Can I at least make him bleed a little?" Coventry shook his head and sighed. “What you can do is get him out of that machine." Sam smiled, well aware that it wasn't a pretty sight. “My pleasure." The boy screamed and threw up his hands. “No! You can't take me out!" "Wanna bet?” Sam chuckled viciously and reached for him with both clawed hands. Covington pressed the barrel of his gun into Sam's side. “Do not harm him!" Sam rolled his eyes. “Kill-joy.” His claws retreated, leaving massive fingers on the end of his furry forearms. He closed his hands around the boy. “Come on, out you get!" "No!” The boy screamed and thrashed. “Don't!" Sam lifted. The boy disappeared, leaving an old skull in Sam's hands. He was so surprised he almost crushed it from reflex. His ears flicked forward. He sniffed. The scent of musty earth clung to it. The skull was decades old and had been dug from the ground. “Coventry, we have a problem." "Did you kill him?” His voice was bitterly tired. "No, but I think someone else did.” He turned and held the skull out to the inspector. “When I pulled him out, he turned into this." The inspector placed his hand over the skull. “Mother of God..." Sam's ears dropped. “What?" Coventry looked up at the ceiling. “The boy and the ghost switched bodies! This is Gruber's skull; the boy's body is up there! Son of a bitch, that damned witch is going to kill the boy!"

"What?” Sam shook his head. “I don't get it, say that again?" Coventry started limping away. “The skull is what's left of Gruber, the boy was inhabiting it, leaving his body for Gruber to use." Sam followed at Coventry's side. “But Gruber doesn't look anything like the kid." Coventry snorted. “A powerful enough sorcerer can look like anything they please.” He groaned and peered up into the inky blackness above them. “That is the boy's body. If that witch kills him, the boy will be lost." Sam looked up, his wolf eyes piercing the shadows. He spotted the three shadows flitting among the distant rafters and groaned. “Shit...” He held out the skull. “Here, you take this, I'll go tell her not to kill him.” He turned away. Coventry turned with the old skull in his hands. “Where are you going?" Sam strode for the staircase. “They're all the way the hell at the top of the building. It'll be faster if I climb to the roof from the outside." "Hurry, Mr. Kensington!" Sam dropped to all fours and loped. Hell, yeah he was gonna tell her not to kill him—because he wanted to do it himself. Kid or not, that menace had caused enough misery. And he had a personal bone to pick with that little shit...

~ Twenty-Four ~ Sygni chased the flying sorcerer up and up through the factory's stories, squeezing through holes in the different floors. Galen was behind her, struggling to keep up. She nearly caught Gruber in the upper gallery, but he turned at the last second and shot out a broken window. Sygni turned to follow and hit the window frame. “Ow, fuck...!” She rubbed her shoulder and pulled herself through the window. The human form was just not built for flight maneuvers. She needed wings and a tail to catch the bastard. She burst out into the gray twilight of Gruber's pocket universe and called her power. With incredible speed, she wrapped her body in the shape of a raven. Wings churning the air and feathers rustling, she rode the air currents gaining speed and altitude. Her sharp raven eyes found him skimming along the treetops. She closed her wings and dropped from above, stooping like a falcon on a fat pigeon. She stretched out her clawed feet and made a grab for the sorcerer. Gruber turned at the last second, but this time, Sygni was able to turn fast enough to rip a long tear in his lab coat. She turned again and dove for him. Gruber twisted to avoid her outstretched claws, and sped back toward the factory. Triumph boiled in Sygni's heart.Yeah, that's right you sick bastard, in this form I can out-fly your ass! Cawing from her oversized throat she harried the sorcerer—right into Galen's path.

Sygni was impressed. Inexperienced in levitation as he was, Galen had pretty much stayed on her tail as she followed Gruber all across the factory's upper gallery, but he hadn't been quick enough to follow her out the window. He was out of the window now, and floating in mid-air, sword poised for a swing that would cut Gruber in half. Sygni dropped down on Gruber's shoulders, forcing him into Galen's swing. If she didn't check her flight fast enough, it was possible that Galen would cut her, too, but she couldn't take the chance that Galen would miss. Gruber had to die... Gruber gasped and stopped in mid-air. He clutched his heart with his hands and curled up, moaning. Sygni dropped on him and grabbed his upper arms with her long raven claws. Gruber shrieked and floundered. Gravity reasserted itself over Gruber and Sygni was dragged down. Using every ounce of wing power she had, she barely kept them from plummeting to the distant ground, and landed on sharply tilted roof instead. "You want to play with gravity, you bastard?” She cawed loudly. “Let's play with gravity!” Wings mantled for balance, Sygni released her light-weight spell and her full body-weight slammed down onto Gruber's shoulders, pinning him facedown on the roof. He struggled to rise, but there was no moving her. Galen dropped onto the roof peak with a heavy thump and raised his sword for a blow that would take his head. A huge gray shape lunged onto the roof from the side of the building. It was Sam in his massive, two-legged beast shape. “Don't kill him, at least not yet!" Galen pulled back his sword. “Why the hell not?" Sam bared his teeth. “When I tried to drag the kid out of the chair, there was nothing in it but an old skull. Coventry says that the skull is Gruber.” He pointed a clawed finger at Gruber. “That's the kid." Beneath Sygni's feet, Gruber shuddered hard then laughed. “That's right. I'm in full possession of the body. Do what you like with the skull, I'll never go back." "You fucking piece of shit!” Sygni dug her claws into his shoulders. “That's not your body!" "Ah!” Gruber gasped and reached for her clawed feet. “So? The boy wants me here, and I want to be here! You'll never get me out!" "Fine, then we won't bother.” Sygni lifted her raven's head. “Galen, take his head, and make sure of the kill..." Gruber twisted hard and grabbed Sygni's scaled leg. Power seared up through Sygni's body from the sorcerer's handhold. Her raven form was ripped from

her, scoured away by his virulent power. She screamed. Forced back into a human shape, she couldn't think, she couldn't see, and she couldn't stop herself from falling ... Stunned, she tumbled down the side of the roof toward the edge, and the ground four stories below. "Sygni!" She slid on the slick roof-tiles and went over the edge. Galen dove, dropping flat on the roof to catch her by the forearm. “I got you. Hold on." Sygni groaned. Her arm felt like it was trying to rip free from her shoulder. She looked up to make a pithy comment and saw Gruber right behind Galen. “Watch out!” she shouted. "Shit!” Galen hauled Sygni up and rolled to the side with her cradled in her arms. Sygni whimpered in his embrace. “Ouch, ouch, ouch ... ! Mother Night, my shoulder!" Behind them, Gruber held the long sheath of the Murasama in his hands. He had pulled it from Galen's belt. Sygni clutched Galen's shoulder. “Gruber's got the Murasama!" Galen rolled up on his feet with Sygni in his arms. “Put the sword down, Gruber." Gruber grabbed the scarlet sheath and began to withdraw the ancient blade. “I think I'd rather kill you with it. You two have caused me far more trouble than you are worth.” He freed the blade—and froze. His mouth opened wide and a God-awful wail came out of it. "Get it out of his hands!” Sygni shouted over the wailing. “The sword kills evil! It'll kill them both!" Sam came galloping across the slanted roof, his claws digging deep into the tiles. He grabbed Gruber's wrist in a massive hand and yanked the blade free of the sorcerer's fingers. “Got it!" Gruber's eyes rolled up. He crumpled and rolled down the roof. Sam caught the back of his coat before he could go over the edge. He turned him face up. “You stupid ... huh?" Gruber was gone. The boy stared up at the werewolf, eyes wide but alive. He shrieked and bucked in the werewolf's grasp. “No! Father, come back! Come back!" "Come back?” Sam scowled in disgust. “Kid, you are too pathetic to kill." **** The sky boiled a livid and bruised gray as the small party walked through the grass to the front of the factory where Coventry waited by the stairs. Sam, returned to his human form, shoved the sullen and slightly bruised kid before him.

Sygni rolled her shoulder as she walked behind Sam with the Book of the Moon tucked under her good arm. The kid had been kind enough to tell her where it was. Of course Sam's big sharp teeth had a lot to do with persuading him. Galen hovered behind her with the Murasama tucked back into his belt. Using a few words as possible, Sygni explained to Coventry how Gruber had been removed from the boy's body. Naturally Coventry had to argue the point. Even though Coventry was a mage, he still had trouble believing in sentient swords. Coventry ran a hand over the boy's flinching head to see for himself. “Very well, Gruber is gone. Good.” He sat down on the front stairs of the factory with the skull in his hands. “Once again, power corrupts." Sygni stomped her foot. “Will you cut it with that crap? Not everybody is corrupted by power!" "Is that so?” Coventry scowled at her. “And what exactly is your excuse?" Galen lifted his chin. “She's here helpingyou , remember?" Coventry's scowl deepened. “It's in her own best interest to take out rival sorcerers." Sygni rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on, I'm not that petty!" Coventry gave her a tight smile. “Aren't you?" Galen sneered. “Then why are you still breathing, mage?" Coventry shook his head. “Fear of reprisal. The law would hunt her down and have her destroyed overnight." "Grow a brain, Inspector.” Sam snorted. “With as much power as she has, she can set up her own little world, just like this one did. She could easily take you out, and no one would ever find her." Coventry glared at Sam. “We found this one..." Galen shook his head. “No, you didn't find him, we did. You couldn't do it on your own, remember?” He smiled coldly. “How many jobs has she helped you with?" "About one every other week.” Sygni folded her arms. “And I don't get paid for my work, either." Sam looked at Galen. “Gee, that sounds pretty damned helpful to me, for a power-corrupted sorceress looking out for her own good." Sygni smiled wryly. “Guys, you're ruining my reputation as a bad-ass, here." Coventry's cheeks flushed a hot red and his lips thinned to a white line. Abruptly his face turned pale and he sagged on the stairs. “I do not have the energy to argue with you." Sygni bit her lip. The Inspector did not look good; in fact he looked pretty damned shitty, his skin had a gray cast to it and his eyes looked bruised. “Look, you can always call and shout at me later, when you

feel up to it." Coventry shot her a suspicious look. Sygni gave him her best innocent expression. “What?" Galen and Sam snickered very softly. Coventry scowled and turned toward the kid. “Boy, where in hell did you find this skull?" The boy folded his arms and glared. “That's mine." "Not anymore, it's not.” Sam gave the kid's shoulder a shake. “Talk to the man." The kid looked up from under his forelock. “On the Internet." Coventry frowned. “A Nazi skull?" The kid shrugged. “It was on auction." Coventry sighed. “Son..." "Don't call me that!" Coventry's brows lowered. “I don't think you understand the gravity of your previous situation.” He pointed a long finger at the boy. “Your body was possessed. Eventually your personality would have been washed away, your soul eaten until nothing but Gruber was left." The kid looked away and shrugged. “So?" Sygni's mouth fell open. “You wanted to be wiped?" The boy looked down at his feet. “I liked being Gruber. He was smart, and brave and ... all the things I wasn't." "Hello? Earth to kid!” Sam gave the kid's shoulder a shake. “He was a freaking Nazi? He killed people!" The boy glanced over his shoulder a Sam. “So do you." "Yeah, I killed Tyrone...” Sam's brows lowered and a growl rumbled in his chest. “He made me kill him, because he couldn't deal with whatyou had done to him!" A loud crash came from within the factory. Something large had collapsed. Sygni looked around and spotted a nearby building crumbling in slow motion. All around, buildings began to crumble. She felt a shiver of chill that had nothing what so ever to do with the autumn weather. The world was literally coming apart. “People, we need to go. The time-still is breaking down." Coventry stood up to watch part of the factory's roof collapse. “The collapse is happening too fast. We'll never get out in time."

Sygni grinned coldly. “Oh, yes, we will.” She turned to the werewolf. “Sam, how fast does that wolf run?" Sam smiled and fangs lengthened in his mouth. “Right fucking fast." Sygni nodded, then turned back to Galen. “Okay, I want you to copy what I do with the magic.” She reached for his hand. “When we're done, you get the kid, I'll get Coventry, ready?" Galen grinned. “Yes, master.” His eyes ignited to sun-bright flame. "Master, my ass!” Sygni called on the full extent of her power... **** A monstrous raven carrying Inspector Coventry on its back dove out of the living gateway framing the school cafeteria doors. A gigantic gray wolf leapt through the gate and then another monstrous raven emerged, gripping a handcuffed teen-aged boy by the shoulders. A circle of upraised rifles pointed at them. "No, don't shoot!” Grimley grabbed the Captain's arm, forcing his rifle down. “They're ours!" Sygni backpedaled her wings and banked sharply. Coventry slipped off her feathered back and dropped heavily to his feet. “Close the gate!" Morwyn, completely enshrined in blowing leaves, called out a waterfall of phrases. The branches that held her faded from existence. The second raven released the boy, who fell to his knees on the pavement. “No! Father!” He climbed to his feet and ran for the disappearing mist. Sam the wolf lunged for him and grabbed the kid's ill-fitting lab coat with his long teeth. "Father!” The boy screamed and fell to the ground. He curled up on the tarmac gasping and sobbing his heart out. “No! God, no! Father!" The gate faded from existence and became nothing more than the double-doors leading to the school cafeteria. Coventry sagged against the side of an armored truck. “Grimley, see to that kid. I want documentation on who he is, and what he is.” He turned to the strike commander. “Captain Gordon, let's pack up and go home, I need a beer." "We all do, sir.” Gordon saluted and shouted. “Play-time's over! Let's move out!” Armored men scrambled for vehicles. Grimley trotted over to Sam. “You can release him now, I've got him." Sam dropped the kid's coat and released his wolf-form. “Fine, he's all yours.” He rose wearily to his feet and walked toward the two ravens. “That was one hell of a joy-ride."

Sygni and Galen stepped from their raven forms in a boil of red power. Sygni groaned. “You can say that again.” She rolled her shoulder to relieve the ache. Her transformation had dimmed a lot of the pain from the roof incident, but the speed of their escaping flight hadn't helped any. Galen clapped Sam on the shoulder. “You're a good man to have in a fight. I was glad to have you there." Sam shook his head. “Heh, you're not so bad yourself." Morwyn's shimmering faery form faded into her normal human self. She leaned heavily against the archway of the school's cafeteria. “You got everyone out, I assume?" Galen jerked to a halt and gasped. “Oh, God—Henri!" A laugh pealed out. “Fear not! I am here!" They turned. Henri stepped from behind a line of cops with a cigarette burning in his fingers and Morwyn's crossbow over his shoulder. “I saw the little world crumbling and felt that it was time to leave.” He pointed at Sygni. “I knew your little sorceress would have you out in time, so I did not worry." Morwyn walked over to the small party and Sam folded her into his arms. He kissed her brow. “Hey, sweetheart.” Morwyn snuggled deeper into his embrace. Grimley strode past Sygni, and he did not look happy. Sygni grabbed his elbow. “What's up?" Grimley stared at her with stricken eyes. “The kid is barren." "He's what?” Galen moved closer and Sam jogged his elbow. Grimley sighed deeply. “Once upon a time that kid was an omega-class sorcerer, but something burned it out of him. There's no trace of his talent left. It's gone.” He turned and marched for Coventry. Sygni looked at Galen. “The Murasama must have killed his talent." Henri stepped closer. “Thewhat killed the boy's power?" "The Murasama.” Galen pulled the red scabbard from his belt. “It destroys evil." Sygni leaned back against Galen. “Gruber grabbed Galen's sword. When he pulled it from the sheath, it destroyed Gruber and burned out the kid's talent." Henri frowned. “I do not understand." Morwyn turned in Sam's embrace to look at the golden vampire. “The Murasama is a very old and

haunted sword. It was born to kill demons, evil, if you will, but the Murasama makes its own decisions as to what is evil and what is not.” She looked over at Galen and smiled. “I guess you're not evil." Galen shrugged and gave her a tired smile. “I guess not." **** In a matter of minutes, the cops had the sobbing boy bundled into a van and every bit of equipment packed away. The troops piled into their vans and engines roared to life. Sygni watched the line of trucks leave the parking lot. “Good-bye and good riddance.” She turned back to face Morwyn, who was kissing Sam like a starving woman. She rolled her eyes. “Okay, so Gruber is gone, the kid is barren, we're all still in one piece, we have our happily ever after.” Sygni sighed. “Can we go home now?" Morwyn released Sam's mouth. “Yeah, sure, but don't forget we have a debriefing at the precinct downtown, bright and early tomorrow.” Morwyn turned and led the way back to her Jeep. “Come on." Sygni dragged her feet as she followed. “Why can't we just save the world and let the inspectors do the paperwork?" "Because they never, ever get the story right.” Morwyn pointed her key lock at the Jeep. The lights flashed and all the door locks disengaged. Sygni sighed dramatically. “Oh, yeah, that's right." "You have to go in themorning ?” Galen shook his head and smiled. “Oh, what a shame, I'll be sound asleep." Sygni bumped her hip against Galen's. “Oh, no, you won't! I'll wake your ass up. I am not doing all that shit by myself." Galen snorted. “You mean you'll try to wake my ass up..." Morwyn opened the back and lifted the compartment under the floor. “Okay, weapons please?” She shoved her staff into the Jeep. Sam handed his long dagger back to Morwyn. Sygni unbuckled Baby, kissed the hand guard and gave it to Morwyn. “She was a very good girl today. We took out lots of ghosts." Henri lifted his chin. “So, Galen, you are a vampire?" Galen handed the Murasama to Morwyn and unbuckled his gun belt. “Yep. I'm still getting used to having only half a day to do anything.” He rolled the belt around the pistol, handed it to Morwyn and turned to face Henri. Henri nodded at Sygni. “And you are bonded to Sygni Darkheart." Sygni frowned. “Yeah, so? What's it to you?"

Henri let the crossbow fall from his shoulder. “As Galen's sire, it is everything." "What?” Sygni frowned at the vampire. “You're not Galen's sire..." "Oh, but I am.” Henri's eyes blazed crimson. “I can smell my blood in his veins now." Sygni shook her head. “But how? You weren't there when Gruber..." "No, I was not.” Henri pursed his lips. “But, I was there all through out travels across the European theatre." Sygni bit her lips. “You were lovers." "Oh, yes, for nearly a year I filled him with my blood nightly.” Henri focused on Galen, who was blushing scarlet. “When we arrived at the American encampment, he was so close to death he should have turned." Galen folded his arms across his chest. “But I didn't, I survived." "More than once.” Henri nodded, then shook his head. “And I could not fathom why in all that time, you would not turn." Galen dropped his arms. “You were trying to turn me?" "Of course. I wanted you.” Henri's mouth tightened. “I wanted you enough to follow you to America where I tracked you to a lonely highway in the shadow of the Colorado Mountains. It was there that my bullet found your heart." Galen choked. “You killed me?" "Yes. You took your last breath in my arms.” Henri's eyes narrowed. “And still you would not turn." Sygni felt her heart slam in her chest.Mother Night, he's insane... Galen shook his head, clearly confused. “But ... why?" Henri's blue gaze burned. “I need you." "You killed him because you needed him?” Sam glared at the golden vampire. “That's sick!" "No, it is survival. A vampire as old as I cannot feed from a mortal without killing them; I need another vampire.” He looked at Galen. “And there is no other I would have.” He lifted the crossbow. “Galen, step away from the others or I will shoot Sam straight through the heart." "What!” Sam shoved Morwyn none too gently behind him. “Galen, don't!” Sam bared lengthening teeth. “Go ahead, let him shoot!" "The arrowhead on that bolt is cursed silver,” Morwyn whispered. “It will kill you, Sam." Henri kept his eye on Sam. “Step back, Galen. Slowly."

"Son of a fucking bitch...” Galen stepped back. Sygni grabbed for his arm, and missed. “Galen!" "Hands behind your head and come here.” Henri's voice was low, calm and chilling. “The hunger rides me, I need you." Galen set his hands on the back of his neck. He walked to Henri's side and glared at the older vampire. “He's not going to kill me." "He's already killed you!” Sam stepped forward. "Do not provoke me, werewolf!” Henri clenched his jaw. “Galen, on your knees." Galen turned to face the other vampire. “Henri..." He caught Galen's gaze. His eyes blazed crimson. “Kneel to me, now." Galen jaw went slack and he dropped to his knees at Henri's feet, his eyes as blank and empty as a doll's. Sygni felt the slam of power echo through her own soul. “Galen!” Her body shook with the strength of Henri's power. At least now she knew what the other vampire was after—a food source, which to a vampire also meant sex object.That son of a bitch! Henri tossed the crossbow away and waved his hand. A shimmer of gold filled the air. Sygni rushed for the vampires and came up against a barrier. It felt like smooth marble under her fingers. “Galen!" Faster than the eye could follow, Henri closed his arm around Galen's jaw, jerked his head to the side, and bit down. Galen gasped and arched. He grabbed for Henri's arm. A profound erection swelled in his leather pants. Henri lifted his head scowling ferociously and licked the blood on his lips. Galen collapsed and groaned in Henri's arms. Two long tears marked his pale throat. Sygni winced. Henri clearly didn't get what he needed from Galen's blood. Henri focused his white-hot gaze on Sygni. “Step through the barrier." The barrier went misty under her palms. She pulled her hands back. “What for?" "You know what I need.” His eyes narrowed to burning slits. “Step through." Sygni bit her lip. “He has to cum for you to feed—he needs blood." "Yes, and I do not have it to spare.” He held out his hand. “Come."

Sygni fisted her hands at her sides. “You're going to rape him.” It wasn't a question. Henri shook his head slowly. “A seduction. I will ensure that all he receives is pleasure." Sygni clenched her jaw. “No. He's not an object for you to use." Henri glared. “I have no choice. I need his blood to survive, and he needs your blood to climax." Sygni stepped back. “No, I won't let you use him like that." Henri smiled with red-stained teeth. “Do you truly think you can resist his call?" Sygni jerked as though struck. “He wouldn't...” But he could. It was Halloween, and he had command of their combined power. "Galen, Sygni is here. Call to her." "Sygni...” Galen moaned and snapped out of Henri's stupor. “Henri? What are you doing?” He jerked at the vampire's arm around his throat, but couldn't budge him. Henri pressed his lips to Galen's ear. “Call her, Galen." Galen gasped. Sygni echoed him and a shudder rippled through her body. Centuries of power echoed in Henri's voice; she could feel it in her soul. "Make her come to you, Galen." "Henri, don't! Please!” Galen trembled in Henri's grasp. “She'll come without that!" "My patience is thin.” Henri looked up at Sygni. “Make her come, or I will do it for you." "Sygni, I...” Galen closed his eyes. “I can't stop him. Please, come to me." Sygni shuddered. It was a request; he was deliberately not compelling her with his tie to her soul; but the desperation in his voice punched straight through her heart. “Night's Mother, Galen.” She had no choice, he needed her and she loved him too much to deny him. Sygni turned to Sam. “Take care of Morwyn, I'll see you guys in a bit." Sam's fingers closed on her shoulder. “Sygni, don't go!" "Don't give up on us yet.” Sygni gave him a tight smile. “Remember, I am a sorceress." Sam nodded and released her. “Kill the bastard,” he whispered. Sygni rose to her feet. “I'll certainly try.” She stepped through. Galen grabbed onto her hand...

And the world exploded.

~ Twenty-Five ~ Wrapped tight in Galen's arms, Sygni smelled cedar and damp earth. She opened her eyes and looked around and up. They were in a midnight forest. Gigantic tree trunks were everywhere. Leaves carpeted the ground and stars burned in patches of sky. Galen looked around, frowning. “Henri, you brought us to a redwood forest?" Henri stalked around them looking at the trees with narrowed eyes and a clenched jaw. “No, this is not where we are supposed to be." Sygni felt a giggle bubble up. “Oops..." Galen flashed a smile. Henri scowled at her. “This was not my doing!" "No, it was mine.” The voice was deep, masculine and threaded with power. A patch of man-shaped blackness moved from behind a tree. Golden eyes blazed from a shadowed face. “I brought you here." Henri whirled around. “Who is there?" The dark man waved his hand and a small fire exploded into being. A tall copper-skinned man stepped into the light grinning. He was fatally handsome and a full head taller than Galen. His gold-coin eyes reflected the firelight that painted deep shadows on his bare chest and gleamed in his blue-black hair. Thousands of tiny iridescent black feathers shimmered his waist-length mane. His jeans were worn and nearly white with age. His bare feet made no sound on the dead leaves littering the forest floor as he stepped around the fire toward them. It was Raven. Sygni winced.Oh, great, just what we need ... If Raven and the vampire get into a fight, they're going to level the whole forest. "Have a care...” Henri bared his long teeth and moved to block Raven's path. “They are under my protection." Raven slanted his gaze at Henri. “Oh, is that what you're calling it?” He folded his arms. “Hey, Galen, hey, Sygni." "Hey, Raven.” Galen looked at Sygni and shrugged. Sygni shrugged back. She had no idea what was going on. “Hey, Raven. What's up?" Henri straightened and lowered his brows at Raven. “You know them?" "Of course.” He raised one black brow. “They have my eyes,” he said dryly. Henri frowned. “What?"

Galen cleared his throat. “Henri, this is Raven, the god." Henri jerked back. “The god?" Raven nodded slowly. “And I'm Galen's guardian.” He flashed a grin at Sygni. “And Sygni's, too." Sygni started. Raven wasn't her guardian spirit, Loki, the Norse god of magic and mischief, was. She was even named after Loki's wife. Her Norwegian maternal grandmother had done the dedication right before the fire that took her parents... Raven took a casual step closer to Henri. “You have caused no end of problems for me,upir ." Henri took an automatic step back, then stopped and fisted his hands at his sides. “I? I have never seen you before in all my long years." Raven rolled his eyes. “Do you have any idea how much power it takes to keep one mortal from turning vampire?" "What?” Henri lifted his chin and squared his shoulders. “Galen isupir —of my blood." Raven snorted. “Oh, yes, he'supir now, but after how many tries?" Henri glared at the God. “You are saying that you stopped his change?" Raven nodded. “Now you're catching on. He'supir because I allowed it to happen.” His gaze drifted toward Galen. “I have work for him to do.” His gaze flicked over to Sygni. “I have work for both of them." Sygni winced under Raven's gaze.Great, just what I need, work from a god that isn't even mine. "Galen is mine, he carries my blood.” Henri lifted his chin. "Yours? For all the blood you passed him, I still have prior claim,upir .” Raven focused on Henri and smiled. “Tell the truth and shame the devil, Henri, you kept trying to change Galen because you love him." Sygni rolled her eyes. What was with Raven's obsession with love? Henri stilled, then folded his arms. He jerked his gaze from Raven's. “Oui, it is no secret. I have loved him for over seventy years." "Alas, that love cannot be returned.” Raven shook his head sadly. “Not the way you want it." Henri looked up at the tall God. “If he returns my love or not, I have no choice. I need a vampire to survive.” He looked away. “I have no stomach for changing someone I will have to destroy later." Raven shrugged. “Well, your heart's in the right place, even if your methods are a little brutal.” He grinned. “But then, I can appreciate brutal methods." Sygni smiled sourly. “That's the understatement of the year,” she said under her breath. Raven looked up at Sygni. “Oh? Sounds like you missed me."

"Oh, yeah, sure...” Sygni snorted.Like any other red-hot poker shoved up my ass. Raven nodded. “I'll have to stop by then, sometime soon." Sygni cringed and put up both hands. “No need to hurry on my account!" Raven smiled down on the golden vampire. “Now, what to do with you?" Henri's eyes widened. “I have no quarrel with you, god.” His hands fisted at his sides. “But I need Galen's blood, and he needs Sygni's." Raven smiled and his eyes blazed sun-bright. “I have a better idea. Ever taste the blood of a god?" Henri sucked in a sharp breath. His eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you offering?" Raven threw back his head and laughed. “No, no, no, Henri! You have it backwards!” He focused tightly on the vampire. “I'm not offering...” Enormous black wings spread at his back and his expression filled with deep shadows. “I'm taking." In the blink of an eye Raven had the smaller vampire's face trapped in his palms with his chin tilted up. The god took the vampire's mouth in a kiss that left no argument as to who was taking whom. Henri moaned under the onslaught. He grabbed Raven's wrists and struggled briefly, then slumped into Raven's arms. Raven lifted the vampire and cradled him against his chest. Henri's long blond mane fell over Raven's forearm. “And that's the end of that problem." Galen took a step toward the God. “Raven, what have you done? I don't want him dead!" Sygni curled her lip. “Maybe you don't..." "Oh, he's not dead, just sleeping.” Raven smiled. “Don't worry, I'll take good care of him." Galen frowned. “You're keeping him?" "Sure.” Raven looked down at the unconscious Henri. “Sygni seems to enjoy having a pet vampire, I thought I'd like to have one, too.” Raven's skin darkened to shadow and his wings spread to fill the forest with whispering black iridescence. He nodded at them. “In the meantime, you two need to go home. Sam and Morwyn are frantic." Sygni grabbed onto Galen's sleeve. “Raven, how do we get home?" Raven smiled and his eyes burned with sunlight. “The same way you got here!" Shadows, laughter and the sound of wings filled the night... **** Sygni groaned and rolled over onto her back on something soft. Her eyes snapped open. She was

staring at the ceiling in her bedroom. She rolled up onto her elbows. She was in her own bed, back in her penthouse. Galen was a long, lean and unconscious weight alongside her. They were home. Sygni flopped back down on the bed. “Thank the Dark Mother, it's over.” She groaned and sat right back up to roll out of the bed. “Got to call Morwyn...” She peeled out of her coat, dropped it on the floor and dragged her tired ass toward the kitchen. This was one conversation she knew she'd need coffee for. **** Sygni winced as Morwyn shouted at her over the phone. Raven was right; she was frantic. She was also pissed and relieved, and all at the top of her lungs. Pacing back in forth in the small kitchen, Sygni nodded and mumbled in assent whenever Morwyn took a breath, then went back to wincing. By the time the coffee maker finished brewing, Morwyn finally started talking at a normal tone of voice. Sygni poured coffee into her second favorite mug, a brown one scrawled with: “If I have to die, can it be through Chocolate Overdose?” After adding cream and a lot of sugar, she took a swallow of coffee and felt humanity creeping back into her body. She nodded absently as Morwyn droned on. It was another ten minutes before Morwyn was ready to change subjects. Sygni set the empty mug down on the kitchen table. “Okay, so when do we have to go down to the station and do our civic duty?" Morwyn sighed over the phone. “The office opens at eight." Sygni turned to look at the clock on the coffee machine. It was four-thirty in the morning. She groaned. “God, no, you can't do this to me! I just got back and haven't slept yet!" Morwyn snorted. “Neither have I. I'm on the phone with you, remember? Where's Galen?" Sygni dropped into a chair. “Asleep." Morwyn chuckled. “So is Sam." Sygni smiled. “Must be nice.” She rose back onto her feet. “I'm gonna take a shower, and...” She winced at the time. “Take a nap. Why don't you stop by here and bang on my door so we can all go together?" Arrangements were made as Sygni walked back into the bedroom. Galen was still asleep, though he had rolled over to hog the whole bed. It figured. Sygni hit the ‘end’ button on her phone and peeled out of her clothes. The shower did wonders for the aches in her body. Damp from the shower, naked and dead tired, she expended power to shove the vampire over so she could get under the covers. She had just closed her eyes when Galen rolled back over and flung his arm on top of her. Sygni was just too tired to move him again. ****

Morning came far too early, and far too loudly. Someone was pounding on her front door. Sygni struggled up from under Galen, only to be enfolded in an embrace that had his leather-clad thigh flung over her hips, and his incredibly heavy chest pressing her back into the mattress. "Oh, for the Mother's sake, I have to go answer the door.” He would not move. Sygni was forced to call up power to roll him over. Galen moaned in protest as she left the bed. Dressed in her red kimono grabbed from the foot of the bed, Sygni opened the front door. Sam grinned. He looked far too refreshed by half. “Morning, your taxi is here.” He held up a shopping bag. “And I have Galen's clothes." Morwyn, dressed in old jeans and a worn denim jacket buttoned almost to the throat, had dark sunglasses on and a cup of coffee in a travel cup steaming in her hands. She nodded at Sam. “He did the knocking, not me." "I could tell.” Sygni blinked her tired eyes at Sam. “Since you have his clothes, why don't you go get the vampire out of bed?" Sam snorted. “Can I dump a bucket of water on him?" Sygni thought about it. “Sure. In the meantime, I'm gonna go make coffee." "Good, cause I need a refill.” Morwyn followed Sygni to the kitchen. Sygni had just poured hot coffee into last night's mug when the howling came from the bedroom. "What are you trying to do? Drown me?" Morwyn flashed Sygni a grin. “I guess Sam took you up on your invitation." "Yes, he did.” Sygni smiled. Maybe the day wouldn't be so crappy after all. **** Sygni walked into her bedroom to get dressed and stopped cold. Sam was on the floor curled up and laughing so hard he was having problems breathing. Galen peered hard into the mirror as he dragged a brush through his wet hair. He was fully dressed in crisp new jeans and a plain deep red T-shirt. The smell of soap and shampoo lingered in the air. He must have taken one hell of a fast shower. The bed was soaked from head to foot. Galen's clothes from last night were piled in a soggy heap the middle of the bed with his soaked fedora perched on top. Sygni blinked. How much water had Sam used, the whole bathtub? She shook her head and raised her hands. Spinning power in a red net, she combed the water from the bed and Galen's clothes. She coiled all the water into an enormous ball that floated two feet above the mattress. “That is a lot of water."

Sam gasped for breath. “You said ... I could!” He choked. “God, you should have seen him jump straight up like a cat and stick to the ceiling! It was ... it was ... a scream!” He burst into another peal of gut-wrenching laughter. Galen turned slowly to stare at Sygni. His jaw clenched tight and his lips went white. “You told him he could drown me?” His tone of voice was calm and positively menacing. He was furious. Sygni winced. “I said he could dump water on you.” She waved her hand at the huge ball floating over the bed. “I didn't tell him to use the whole tub!" "Oh, is that so?” Galen leaned back against the dresser and folded his arms. His brows lowered over his dark eyes. Sam rolled onto his feet. “Okay, I'm gonna go now.” He bolted from the bedroom, grinning from ear to ear. Sygni ducked her head. “I'll just dump this in the bathtub.” She gestured and the ball of water moved into the master bathroom. Galen grabbed her elbow as she passed him. “You know what happens to naughty girls, don't you?" "Galen...” Sygni turned to face him, and swallowed hard. His eyes blazed with heat and a smile curled his lips. “They get punished,” he whispered very softly. “This time, your ass is mine." In the bathroom, the ball of water crashed into the tub.

~ Twenty-Six ~ Sam drove them downtown in Morwyn's Jeep. He was the only one awake enough to drive. The early morning traffic was hideous. Sam dropped them off at the entrance, then took off to find a place to park. Galen winced behind his dark sunglasses and pulled his newly dried hat down over his eyes as he hurried up the stairs under the early morning light. Sygni bit her lip as she followed him up the stairs. He hadn't said a word to her since they left the bedroom. The debriefing in the old turn of the century precinct was just as miserable as expected. Each of them were led to different windowless rooms where their experiences were recorded with an inspector to ask more questions then they had answers for. Then came the meeting with Coventry. The debriefing room was plain, white, square, windowless and small. It was barely big enough to hold the battered wooden conference table and eight chairs. Sygni, Galen and Morwyn all kept their sunglasses on. The fluorescent lighting in the plain square room was far too bright. Sam winced under the glare. For once, Coventry didn't complain about the sunglasses, as he was wearing a pair, too. In fact, his face looked decidedly gray.

Sygni frowned. “Coventry, you look like shit. Didn't you get any rest?" "Thank you, and no, I did not.” Coventry sighed heavily. “Grimley, do we have everyone's recorded statements?" Grimley nodded. “Yes, except for the other vampire, Henri." Coventry focused on Sygni. “What did you do with him?" "Me?” Sygni folded her arms across her chest. “Not a damned thing!”For once... Galen leaned forward and folded his hands together. “Henri left." "He left?” Coventry frowned. Galen nodded. “I think he's somewhere in the northwest, but I'm not sure where.” He smiled. “He didn't leave his phone number or contact information." Sure he did ...Sygni bit her lip to keep the sudden grin off of her face.Dial: one, eight hundred R-A-V-E-N. Coventry nodded. “All right, all of you; get out of here.” He waved his hand toward the door. Sygni stood. “That's it?" Coventry peered over the top of his sunglasses. “If I need anything more, I know where to find you.” A cold smile lifted his lips. “Why, would you rather stay?" "That's okay, we're leaving.” Morwyn shoved on Sygni's shoulder. “Go home, Inspector, and get some rest." "I intend to.” Coventry stood tiredly. “And I don't care if the world is falling down around our ears, I better not get a call from any of you." "No problem.” Morwyn pushed Sygni out the door. Sygni looked over at Morwyn. “Hey, what's with the shoving?" Morwyn pressed her lips against Sygni's ear. “Quit bothering the Inspector, he has enough to deal with." Sygni frowned. “Like what?" Morwyn scowled at her. “If you had been paying attention you might have noticed that he's nearly drained dry of power.” She shook her head as they marched toward the front entrance. “I don't know what they did to him, but it must have been hideous." Sygni's breath caught in her throat. Coventry had been tied to the containment spell she and Galen had overpowered and shattered. She hadn't even thought what the backwash of all that power might do to him. She tucked her chilled hands under her arms. If Coventry's talent was burned out, it was her fault. ****

Sam dropped Galen and Sygni off at their elevator door inside the parking deck. Morwyn waved good-bye from the passenger seat. "Bed, Sam. Take me to bed." Sam grinned. “Yes, ma'am!” The Jeep peeled out of the parking deck. Galen took Sygni by the elbow and led her into the elevator. “I'll deal with you when we wake up at sundown." Sygni winced. He was still pissed about the water. “I doubt I'll sleep that long.” In fact, she'd make damn sure she got up early and disappeared long enough for him to cool down. Galen gave her a chilling smile. “Oh, you'll sleep till sundown, believe me." Sygni stared up at the vampire and suddenly realized that she was in big trouble. She tried reason: “You weren't going to wake up!" Galen smashed that line of logic with: “Did you try asking?" No, she hadn't. Guilt made her try pleading: “Oh come on! It was just water!" Galen tugged her around to face him. His smile was ice cold. “Sygni, relax. It's just an ass-fucking." Sygni's mouth dried, even as her traitorous crotch gave a tight wet clench. “Galen, you wouldn't!" "You want to bet?” Galen hauled her from the elevator and walked her to her door. He leaned against the doorframe while she un-spelled the locks. The hot and angry glow in the depths of his eyes made her tremble, and her nipples tighten. "Galen, don't you think you're taking this just a bit too far?” She pushed the door open. "Nope.” Galen shoved her in ahead of him and closed the door behind them. “I have been fantasizing about reaming that tight ass of yours ever since the ritual. If you honestly think I'm going to pass on a prime opportunity like this one, you can think again.” He stalked toward her. “Count yourself lucky that I'm honestly too tired to do it right now, or you'd be on your knees on the carpet already.” He pointed at the bedroom. “Get naked and get in bed." Sygni backed away from him. “But I need to..." "No, you don't.” Galen raised his brow. “I canget you naked if I have to." Sygni fled into the bedroom, only to find Galen in bed and naked already. She nearly tripped on the carpet. Hela's tits, she forgot how fast he could be. He leaned back against the headboard with his hands behind his head, showing off his incredibly broad chest. A slight erection tented the blankets drawn up to his waist. “I'm waiting." Sygni narrowed her eyes. She could use power to put him out cold...

Galen's gaze focused on her face. “Don't even think about using power on me.” He bared his long teeth in a feral smile. “Once I wake up, you'll really pay." An icy shiver rolled up Sygni's spine. His smile softened. “Come on, love, get in bed. It won't be that bad. You know I'll make sure you enjoy it." Sygni released a sigh and slid out of her coat. There was no wiggling out of it. He planned to ass-ream her and that was that. She turned around and sat on the bed to pull off her boots, then tugged her shirt over her head. Her libido was thrilled. Her nipples ached with interest, but the idea of that huge cock of his stretching her ass wide open was intimidating as hell. She stood up and opened her jeans. "Sygni...” His voice was soft, like a caress. "What?” She tugged her jeans down with her back to the vampire. "I smell wet panties.” He chuckled. “I think you're looking forward to it." Sygni cringed as she pulled the jeans from her. He was right; some twisted part of her was looking forward to having his big cock up her ass. Completely nude, she walked over to set her clothes on the dresser. “There's no need to rub it in." "Rub it in? I plan to slam it in and stay a while." "Galen!” She turned around and sucked in a hard breath. Galen had kicked the covers back. With one arm still tucked behind his head he slowly stroked his heavy cock with his other hand. He raised a brow and leered at her. “Ready for bed?" Sygni shivered where she stood. Moisture slicked her thighs at the sight of all that long, lean muscle on erotic display. “I thought you were going to wait?" He gave her a lazy smile. “Oh, I'm not going to ream you now. I just need to take the edge off my appetite.” He rolled over onto his side, propped his chin on his hand, and smiled as he continued to stroke his cock. “I want to keep you screaming for more, until you beg for mercy." Sygni folded her arms across her chest to hide her hard nipples. “You're a sadistic bastard." "What can I say?” He shrugged then smiled baring his long teeth. “You bring out the beast in me.” He pulled back the covers and patted the mattress. “Come to bed, sorceress, your vampire is hungry.” He licked his lips. Sygni had never taken defeat gracefully in her life, but it was supremely hard to play ‘tough-as-nails-sorceress’ when every drop of blood beating in her veins wanted nothing more than to leap into bed with the big handsome brute. Galen sat up against the headboard gasping as the laughter tumbled out. “God, Sygni, you should see your face! You don't know whether to kill me or fuck me!" Sygni's breath stopped in her lungs. He was laughing at her?

Wiping his eyes, he turned to her grinning. “Sygni, I love you." Sygni lunged for the bed and grabbed a pillow. “I'll show you love!” She swung the pillow at his head. He snatched the pillow from her hands and his other arm snaked around her waist. He dragged her down into the blankets, then rolled her onto her back. He smiled from only inches away. “Now I have you where I want you." "Is that so?” Sygni squirmed and twisted in a sudden violent frenzy to get out from under him. It was an impossible fight; he was bigger, faster, and stronger ... And her libido was working against her. Every breath she took was filled with his enticingly masculine scent, thickening the blood in her veins with wanton lust. Her core pulsed with rabid hunger. Everything in her wanted to simply surrender and let him ride her to both their satisfaction. But she just couldn't make herself do it. "Oh, no, you don't!” He grabbed her wrists and pressed them into the pillow over her head and flung a thigh across her hips to hold her down. “There...” His cock pressed large and deliciously hot against the softness of her belly. He smiled in conquest and his eyes blazed with vampiric fire. “Now you've made me really hungry.” He flexed his hips and his shaft slid against her stomach. He groaned. “And impatient." She bit her lip, but the moan still escaped her throat. Her core tightened in eager hunger. He dropped his head and took a hard nipple into his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the swollen tip. Hot, wet, exciting ... Delight burned straight down to her clit. She couldn't stop her thighs from opening beneath him. His chuckle rumbled against her breast. He slid his leg between her thighs. His lightly furred thigh made intimate contact with her wet flesh. She pressed up against his thigh, rubbing her aching clit against his hard leg. It wasn't enough. A small whimper escaped her throat. He bit down on her nipple. She gasped and arched under him, her head tilting back exposing the long line of her throat. "Oh yeah,” he whispered against her breast. “That's what I want.” He slid his other leg between hers. His knees spread, opening her wide as he rose above her. Sygni writhed and twisted her wrists, pinned together by his hand. Her gaze filled with his broad chest and his pointed nipples. To hell with fighting, she wanted to run her hands along all that damp muscle, press her mouth and her tongue to his masculine nipples and give him a taste of the frenzy he had driven her to. “Let me go.” Her voice was husky with the heat of her lust. “Let me touch you." "I don't think so.” Galen grinned as he reached down to fit his shaft to her moist heat. “You're too good at getting me worked up, and I'm too close to the edge as it is.” He pressed into her creamy flesh very slowly, and groaned. Sygni lifted her hips to his invasion, and sucked in a breath as he stretched her.Hela's tits, he's big, and

hard. Her hungry core clutched at him as his rigid length filled her. She closed her legs around him and crossed her ankles, squeezing to get him deeper. He rotated his hips and shoved in tight. He stopped, and sucked in a breath. “Oh, yeah, this one's going to be fast." Sygni raised her hips and swiveled them to feel his cock moving within her. She groaned at the delicious fullness. His breath exploded out of him in a gasp. “So, I'm not the only one that's impatient?" Sygni glared up at the grinning vampire. “Just fuck me, damn it!" He dropped to his elbows while keeping her wrists trapped in his hand, and withdrew, his cock sliding with delicious friction. He stopped at the very edge of her body and surged back in hard. “There, is that what you want?" "Hela's tits, yes!” Sygni gasped and groaned, twisting in his hold. “More!" He pulled out in a long ruthlessly slow withdrawal, and then drove back in with brutal haste. They both groaned. He withdrew slowly again only to surge back in hard, then another slow withdrawal with a swift thrust in ... He trembled between her thighs, obviously fighting the urge to slam in and ride her hard. Sygni groaned. “What are you holding back for? Fuck me!" He dropped his head and pressed his lips to her throat. “I'm trying to keep control, damn it." "What for?" He chuckled against her throat. “Good question.” He slammed in hard. Sygni rocked under him and gasped as something tight abruptly released. It wasn't an orgasm ... Warm liquid rushed from her body and soaked the bed beneath her. She shivered, shocked.What in Hell? Galen chuckled. “Well, damn, I didn't know you were a gusher." "A ... what?" Galen lifted his head to grin down at her. “Lemme guess, you never did that before?" Sygni shook her head in confusion. “Please don't tell me I just wet the bed." Galen nodded and his smile broadened. “Yes, you did, but it wasn't pee. It's um...” He pursed his lips. “Girl-cum." Sygni frowned. “Say what?" "Some girls produce a lot of liquid when they're excited.” Galen ground into her. “I guess you're one of them.” He pulled, back angled his hips and slammed in again. Sygni groaned and felt something quiver, then release inside. More liquid rushed out. She moaned. “You

did that on purpose!" "Yep.” Galen grinned. “I want to see if I had the right spot." Sygni raised a brow. “Proud of yourself?" "Oh, hell, yeah! All that hot girl-cum feels really good on my dick.” He dropped down to take her mouth in a possessive kiss, and hammered into her with vicious skill. Sygni arched and twisted under him, meeting his thrusts and shuddering under the impact. Fire and heat coiled tight in her core as he plunged into her. All the unrelieved tension from the night before gathered and knotted, adding to the burning coil of her building climax. Small helpless sounds of raw animal delight escaped her throat. He released her mouth and gasped for breath as he took her with strong hard thrusts. “I can't ... I cant take ... much more,” he panted. Sygni groaned under him. “Good. Neither ... can I.” A scream built in her throat as he struck her sweet spot within, over and over ... hammering her toward the edge of a horrifically violent release. His mouth closed on her throat. Sharp teeth pressed against her flesh. He released her hands to cup her ass, angling her for deeper penetration. She dug her nails into his back and sucked in a harsh breath. Pleasure crested in a brutally threatening wave. The ruthless burn of erotic tension became unbearable. She was right there... His teeth pierced her skin. The sharp burn of his bite shoved her over into glory. She screamed as she came, drowning under a flood of terrifying delight. His groan echoed in her ear, followed by the sound of his swallows as he drank her climax with her blood. And still he thrust. She shuddered under him as pleasure continued to wash through her in small delightful waves. She felt him tremble within her body and heard the heartfelt moan of his release. He caught her face in his last moments and kissed her. She tasted copper on his tongue. Her eyes opened in languid repletion to see his smile and the bright scarlet burn within his eyes. "Sleep, until I call you." She inhaled a sharp breath. “You cheating bastard!” Darkness smothered her, but not before she heard his chuckle as she fell into oblivion.

~ Twenty-Seven ~ "Sygni, awaken." Sygni surfaced from sleep with lips brushing against hers in a caress. She opened her mouth to take a

breath and a warm wet tongue slipped in to stroke against hers. A groan rumbled and the kiss deepened to become more aggressive, nipping at her lips and sucking on her tongue. Hands cupped her breasts and toyed with her nipples, tugging them to tight peaks. Sygni moaned as pleasure spiraled hot and drugging through her blood. Her belly tightened in interest and moisture pooled in her core. The rich scent of masculine skin tinted with a hint of cedar filled her nose. It wasn't Galen's scent. It wasn't Galen's kiss either, but both the kiss and the scent were frighteningly familiar. Sygni and came completely awake and pulled her mouth away, opening her eyes. Sun-bright yellow eyes blazed in a strong-boned face framed by a black mane that floated around him. He grinned from less then an inch away directly above her, floating on a breath of power. “Hey, Sygni, ready to play?" She sucked in a sharp breath. “Raven?" "In the flesh.” Raven inched closer. “Literally, I'm in my own skin this time.” He wasn't kidding about the skin either. Copper muscle gleamed along his entire length. He was completely nude and heavily erect. He reached for her nipples. Sygni grabbed Raven's wrists. “Hey, watch it with the nipples. I need those later. Don't you have someone to play with?" Raven's brows arched up. “Henri? Oh, he's resting comfortably right now. Poor thing.” His smile was feral. He twisted from her grasp and boldly cupped her bare breasts. Sygni squirmed to the side, only to find nothing under her. She turned in mid-air and discovered herself floating in an endless sea of stars. The full moon was a gigantic orb that lit the night. “Where are we?" Raven slid behind her and wrapped his arms around her to recapture her breasts. “My place, he said against her ear. “Or rather a corner of it." "Where's Galen?” Sygni grabbed his wrists and winced as he pinched her nipples in retaliation. "I'm right here.” Galen floated into view from behind Raven. He moved to face Sygni and raised a brow at the God. “I thought you were going to wait for me?” He was also nude. The moon's glow turned his skin to warm ivory. Deep shadows showed the strong muscles in his chest, arms and thighs. He was also heavily erect. Raven chuckled. “As if I can resist these tits?" Sygni writhed in Raven's embrace. “Galen, what's going on?" Raven's lips caressed the curve of her ear. “Galen told me that he planned to fuck your tight ass, so I asked if I could have your cunt while he did it." Sygni choked in shock. Both of them? At the same time? “Galen, you didn't?"

Galen lowered his brows at the god. “That's not how the conversation started, but that's pretty much where it ended.” He lifted his chin. “And I did promise you punishment." "Mmm, punishment...” Raven opened his hands and squeezed her breasts to the edge of pain. “My favorite." Sygni whimpered under Raven's deliciously cruel hands and trembled, but she wasn't sure if it was arousal or fear, or both. Two handsome men, two hard cocks ... Her body jolted with sudden burning arousal at the idea of all that hard flesh stretching her body to its limits. And she would be stretched to her limits; they were not small men. Mother Night, she'd fantasized about it plenty of times but to do it in reality—with a vampire and a god? “I don't know if both of you is a good idea...”I'm only human, and they're not. Raven chuckled. “Oh, come on, sorceress, we all know you're creaming at the thought of a good hard double-fuck.” He tugged hard on her nipples. A moan escaped Sygni's throat. Her nipples were on fire and that fire was streaking straight to her clit. Galen leaned forward to capture her face in his palms. “It sounds like a perfectly good idea to me.” He took her mouth in a ruthless kiss. His tongue surged in to take possession with strong thrusts and hungry swipes. Raven pressed against her back, letting her feel his erection rubbing against her backside. “Don't worry,” he whispered in her ear. “You can take it. You can take it all.” Raven looked over at Galen. “Shall we begin?" Galen released her mouth and glanced over at Raven. “I'm ready." "Good!” Raven released Sygni's breasts and lunged over her head with a spectacular twisting flip. “Because rubbing against her ass has put me in the mood to have my dick sucked." Galen slid under her body. “Well, isn't that convenient? I'm hungry for creamy cunt." Sygni twisted between them. “Hey, don't I get a choice in this?" "No,” both men said simultaneously. Galen caught her around the ankles, turned her belly up and spread her wide. “You're being punished.” His hands slid up her thighs and lifted her legs over his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her legs and kissed the tender skin of her inner thigh. “And I intend to enjoy every minute of it." "As do I.” Raven cupped her under the chin and peered down at her face. “Don't worry, you'll cum. And then some.” He smiled and lifted the purple head of his cock to her lips. “Now open wide, I hear you give really good head." At that moment, Galen's tongue stroked her intimate flesh with his hot wet tongue. Sygni gasped and arched. Raven slid the head of his cock into her open mouth.

Sygni tasted clean skin and a hint of rich male musk. She closed her lips and swirled her tongue around the broad head. A drop of his cum slid onto her tongue. The taste went straight to her head, like fine whisky. In the meantime, her cunt was being tortured with long slow licks and deep finger-thrusts into her hungry core. Pleasure built in slow drugging burning waves. She moaned and reached up to grab Raven's truly fine ass. She dug her fingers into the hard muscle, sucking his cock deeper into her mouth. "Sun's fire, what a mouth!” Raven groaned and grabbed her breasts to pull himself deeper into her throat, then pushed back only to surge back in, fucking her mouth with slow, shallow thrusts. Sygni sucked and tongue-lashed the hard cock in her mouth while rocking her hips in an effort to encourage Galen's mouth on her flesh. He took her invitation and suckled hard on her clit. Pleasure spiraled and coiled tight. Climax rose in a sudden and overpowering explosion. She twisted and rolled, moaning under the wave of brutal delight. Raven grunted and his cock became brutally hard in Sygni's mouth. “Oh, yeah, I'm almost there. Bring her up again." Galen sucked and lapped loudly on the cream flooding from her trembling body, skillfully shoving her right back up to another crisis that scorched up her spine. Sygni moaned and bucked, blindsided by the unexpected and vicious climax. "Ah ... I'm there...” Raven thrust with a deep groan and buried the full length of his cock down her throat. Sygni dug her fingers into his ass and whimpered in fright. Her mouth was open as far it could go with his cock deep in her throat. She couldn't breathe. His cock trembled on her tongue, then cum pumped into her throat. "Drink it, babe,” Raven gasped. “Suck it all down." She had no choice, swallow or drown. The liquid hit her stomach and burned like grain alcohol, then scorched a path up the back of her head. Raven groaned and slid out of her throat. “Sun's fire, that was good." Sygni choked for air and swallowed again to clear her mouth. “Maybe for you..." "Oh, really?” Raven smiled down at Sygni. “Galen, bring her up again." "What?” Sygni gasped as Galen's mouth attacked her clit. The sensation was viciously intense. Within seconds he wrung another brutal orgasm from her body that was far closer to pain than pleasure. She moaned and trembled in the aftermath. “Son of a bitch!" "Again.” Raven's smile held the sharp edge of cruelty. Galen grinned. “Sure, I love watching her squirm.” His fingers burrowed into her oversensitive cunt. Sygni gasped with the scalding ferocity of his touch on her flesh. After that last one, if she came again, it was going to really hurt ... “No, it's too much!” She twisted but couldn't break Galen's hold around her

thighs. “I can't take any more!” She jerked up to shove Galen from her body. Raven caught her around the waist and trapped her wrists. “Yes, Sygni, you can." "Raven, let me go, you big bastard!” She bucked between them, but it did little good in this place with no up or down. Galen's tongue burned across her flesh with savage intensity. His fingers stirred her with unrelenting determination while lapping at her more than tender flesh. She twisted under the erotic assault, fighting the rise to climax. “Don't! I don't want to cum any more!" Raven reached around her and cupped her breast. “Sure you do.” He trapped her nipple in his fingers. “And you will.” He pinched the taut peak just short of true pain. Sygni's back arched as the brutal delight blazed out from her nipple and stabbed straight down to her ravaged clit. Climax rose, scorching her battered senses with a cruel force. She stiffened, tilting on the breathless edge. Raven smiled at Galen. “She's right there." "Is that so?” Galen's eyes narrowed. He nipped her clit with his teeth. The stab of ferocious and agonizing pleasure burned up her spine and detonated. A soft keening cry escaped. "And over you go,” Raven whispered in her ear. He pinched both her nipples. She exploded in a horrific firestorm of mind-shattering sensation. Screams were wrenched from her throat as she thrashed in their arms. Raven turned her head to take her mouth, swallowing the last of her screams. He released her lips and grinned. “That's what I wanted to hear." Sygni moaned and shuddered uncontrollably from erotic aftershocks. Her mind reeled in pure sensory overload. Galen rose from between Sygni's trembling thighs and wrapped her in his arms. He raised a brow at Raven. “We nearly had her begging." "She's a tough little sorceress, it's going to take a lot to make her beg for mercy.” Raven's smile turned chilly. “And I do so love a challenge." Sygni looked wearily up at Galen then over at Raven. “I will see you both in hell before I beg, you brutes." Galen rolled his eyes and smiled at the God. “I see what you mean." "Well then, enough with the foreplay, let's fuck...” Raven licked his lips. “I can't wait to slide into that creamy cunt." Galen smiled down at Sygni. “And your tight ass is going to feel so good around my big hard dick." Sygni panted for breath. “Bastards."

"Absolutely.” Raven folded his arms and pursed his lips in thought. “Let's see, a good hard fuck takes plenty of friction and lots of resistance.” Raven winked at Sygni. “I think it's time to add a little gravity to this situation.” He flung out his arms, and the universe at large solidified. The stars shifted perspective and smeared until they became silver striations in a curving black marble wall defining a circular room floored in the same silver-streaked black marble. Slender black marble pillars marched around the room supporting a clear dome that held the cold brightness of the moon. A perfectly round bed draped in rich black silk filled the room's center. Gravity took hold and they fell but slowly, dropping lightly onto the bed's softness. Sygni sat up among the blankets and looked around. “Wow, this is a little dramatic.” She raised her brow at the God. “Like the color black, do you?" Raven rolled up on his knees and crawled toward her. “I am a black bird." Galen sat up on his knees and looked around. “I thought blackbirds liked bright shiny stuff?" Raven grinned. “I'm not your average blackbird." Sygni snorted. “Now there's an understatement." Galen suddenly reached out and grabbed Sygni around the waist. “I think it's time to play rape the willing." Sygni grabbed for his wrists. “Hey!" Raven came up on his knees before her. “Shall I hold her across my lap while you grease her up?” He held out his hand and a suspiciously familiar glass bottle appeared in thin air and dropped into his waiting palm. Galen pursed his lips, then smiled. “Sure, after her spanking." Sygni jerked in Galen's hold. “What?" Raven threw back his head and burst out laughing.

~ Twenty-Eight ~ Sygni put up only a token resistance as Raven maneuvered her across Galen's knees. Her body was still reeling from the effects of their erotic terrorist tactics. The sheets were soft as skin beneath her. Raven stretched out to lounge across the bed, his chin perched on his elbow in the reverse of Sygni. He had a nice view of her ass stretched out across Galen's lap, and she had a nice view of his swiftly hardening cock. Galen looked down at her. “You're taking this awfully well." She twisted to look up at the vampire. She could feel his erection digging into her belly. “Just get it over

with.” The last spanking hadn't been all that bad; she could handle it. Raven's brows shot up. “So, unconcerned? Well, we can't have that!” Raven raised his hand. “Here, Galen, use this.” A slender wand nearly as long as his arm fell into his grasp. Sygni jerked up on her elbows. “What is that?" Raven a smiled. “A birch switch. They're traditional for punishment.” He handed it to Galen. Galen took the wand. He bent the wand experimentally, then swatted his palm with it. The whistle and the resulting snap made Sygni jump. “Sweet. It won't cut her skin, but it will sting nicely on that soft butt of hers." Sygni sucked in a sharp breath. The hair stood on the back of her neck, even as a spat of cream slicked her thighs. “You are not planning to use that onmy ass?" Galen grinned. “Do I smell fear?" "Oh, fuck no!” Sygni scrambled to get off his lap. There was no way in Hel she was going to let someone use a birch switch on her ass, no matter how much she loved them. “Fuck this shit!" "Oh, no, you don't!” Galen clamped his arm over her legs, trapping her across his knees. “You've been a naughty girl and you're getting your ass switched." Fear, anger and more than a little heat spurred her to scream in rage. She twisted around to shove her way free. Raven grabbed her wrists, shoving her face down on the bed. He jerked her arms to the middle of her back and held them there. “Blessed Sunlight, I think she's actually scared." Galen's smile was grim. “She likes to be scared." "Let me go!” Sygni tugged and twisted but Raven's hold was too firm to break. “No one beats my ass!" "We already had that argument. You lost, remember?” Galen's smile was decidedly chilly. “In fact, I distinctly remember you getting seriously hot during the last spanking." Raven's head came up. “You spanked her before?" "And she loved it.” Galen smoothed his hand over the plump ass on his lap. “She practically soaked my jeans with her cream." Sygni bucked between them. “You weren't using a switch!" Raven snorted. “Heh ... We both know she likes it a little rough." "A little rough? She's got a kinky streak about a mile wide.” Galen's grin was demonic. “Wait till you see her wiggle after she has a few hits, it's hot as hell." Raven chuckled. “I can't wait."

"You bastards!” She glared at the vampire and the God while contemplating dire retribution involving sharp wooden stakes and burning feathers. Galen cupped her ass and gave it a squeeze. “You can start begging any time now." "Fuck you!" "In a minute.” He raised the switch. Sygni twisted away but Raven held her in place. “No!" Galen raised his brow and smiled. “Yes.” The whistle of the switch was a whisper. The snap barely made a sound. A line of fire blazed across her right butt cheek. The air whooshed out of Sygni's lungs and her back arched as the pain zinged up her spine in a chill rush. She sucked air and shouted. “Asshole!" "That's next.” Galen raised the switch. Sygni flinched. “Don't!" Galen hesitated. “Are you begging?" Sygni stared up at him with murder in her eye. “I don't beg." Galen smiled. “Good.” He brought the switch down. There was a soft whistle and a light snap. Fire blazed across her left butt cheek. Sygni hissed and writhed across his knees. “You sadistic piece of shit!" Raven lifted his head. “I think that means she wants more." Galen pursed his lips. “I think you're right." Sygni jerked. “What?" Galen dropped two snaps on her right butt cheek. Two lines sizzled on her ass. A small squeal was startled out of her. She twisted her hips to relieve the burn. “Ow, shit..." Raven groaned. “Oh, I like when she does that with her ass, make her do it again." "My pleasure.” He raised the switch. “It feels really good on my hard dick." Sygni flinched. “Galen!" Galen smiled at her. “Are you begging yet?" Sygni scowled and gritted her teeth. “No."

"Good.” He dropped two snaps on her other butt cheek. Sygni yelped a little louder. She rolled her hips to ease the burn and kicked her foot out for good measure. “Hela's tits, ah!" "Oh yeah...” Galen's hand closed on her ass, rubbing and squeezing the lines he'd made. “She's warm now.” He smiled at Raven. “Her hot ass is going to feel really good, when I fuck it." Raven closed one hand around both of Sygni's wrists and reached out the other to cup her ass cheek. He ran his thumb across a hot red line. “You're right, that does feel good." Sygni groaned. “Speak for yourself." Galen chuckled. “Oh, come on, you're creaming all over me!” He released her cheek and stabbed two fingers in her core. “Mmm, hot melted butter." Sygni moaned with the sensation of his fingers moving within her. Tiny shudders of exquisite delight racked her body. She rolled her hips for more. She had no idea why the switching had made her so hot; it was painful... Raven peeked down at Sygni. “Confused, love?" Sygni looked up. “What?" "Do you know why you're getting so hot?” Raven smiled as he massaged the red marks on her cheeks while Galen thrummed her body from within. Sygni bit her lip. He was asking questions? She could barely string two thoughts together. “Because I'm perverted?" "Well, there is that.” Raven chuckled. “But the main reason is because the great and powerful sorceress likes to be helpless." Sygni shook her long hair from her eyes. “What?" Galen extracted one finger from her sopping core and rubbed her anus with a moist finger. “Open for me." Sygni moaned and pushed out. His finger slid past her tight ring and shoved deep. Her body clenched with excitement. He began to pump his fingers in, and then out, of her ass and cunt in a rich and decadent rhythm. She shuddered with the darkly erotic feeling of his fingers possessing her cunt and conquering her ass. Raven caught her chin and stared at her with bright golden eyes. “Surrendering to us excites you because we love you, and you know the end result will be a mind-blowing orgasm." Sygni stared at the God.Love? Was he saying he loved her? She couldn't have heard that right... Raven leaned closer and touched his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. Sygni moaned as Raven's tongue delicately toyed with hers while Galen pumped in and out of her body.

Hot coils of lust tightened in her core, wiping every thought clean out of her head. Raven released her mouth. Sygni tried to recapture her last thought, but it slipped from her grasp under Galen's drugging assault on her cunt and ass. "Ready for the rest of your spanking?” Galen grinned at Raven. Sygni snapped out of her sensual stupor and cringed. “I'd rather not." "No?” Galen tisked. “Shall we get on to the fucking?" Sygni let out a breath. “Sure.” She winced. Those two big dicks were going to ache... Galen pulled his fingers from her butt and her hungry core. “Say please." Sygni stilled. “What?" Galen leaned over to look into Sygni's eyes. “Say please." Sygni groaned and turned away from his hot gaze. “Fine, whatever ... Please." Galen turned her head to look her in the eye. “Please stretch my tight little ass, and fuck my hungry cunt." Sygni sucked in a sharp breath. “What?" "You heard me.” Galen raised the switch. “I'm perfectly happy with putting a few more stripes on your ass instead." Sygni shuddered. The statement was humiliating, but that switch stung like hell, she didn't know if she could take much more. She was already close to screaming. She knew Galen would stop long before he actually hurt her, but by then she wouldn't be able to sit for a week. She groaned. After they finished double-fucking her, she probably wouldn't be able to sit anyway. Her core gave a sudden hungry throb and moisture dribbled down her thighs. "Time's up.” The switch descended, landing two snaps. A line of fire erupted on each cheek of her butt. Sygni released a short screech and squirmed in Raven's hold, without bothering to hold back her whimpers. “Oh, you mean-assed bastard!" "That's not what I want to hear.” Galen raised his hand again. Sygni jerked. “Stop!” She couldn't take another strike without embarrassing herself by screaming or worse, begging. “I'll say it." Galen cupped her ass with his palms. “I'm waiting." Sygni ducked her head and felt her face heat. “Please stretch my tight little ass...” She had to stop for a breath. “And fuck my hungry cunt."

Galen grinned. “I thought you'd never ask.” He caught her around the shoulders and pulled her upright in his lap. Sygni hissed and writhed as her butt landed in his leg. Hela's tits, her ass stung like hell! Galen cupped her breasts. His thumbs brushed her nipples bringing a sharp gasp from her lips. “Those are some hard nipples, love. I think you really liked your ass whipping." Sygni turned to glare up at him. “Your turn's coming, Fang-boy." Raven raised a brow at Galen. “She's right, you know, you are a mean-assed bastard." Sygni turned to scowl at the god. “You're one to talk, Raven." Raven caught her chin. “Ah, but I meant it as a compliment.” He caught the back of her head and pulled her, taking her mouth in a ferocious kiss. Slowly he pressed her back. Sygni moaned under his kiss and fell back against Galen's shoulder. She could taste his fierce arousal on her tongue and feel Galen's violently hard erection against her thigh. Raven released her mouth and licked his lips. His gaze turned to catch Galen's eye. The amusement in his expression drained away. He rose up on his knees. He set his hand on Galen's shoulder and slid his fingers under Galen's long hair, cupping the back of his neck. He leaned purposefully toward him. Galen's eyes widened, but he didn't pull away. Raven pulled, drawing Galen's mouth to his. Raven's lips brushed across Galen's and their eyes closed. Their mouths opened and the muscles in their throats worked as they shared a deep and lingering kiss. Galen released a deep moan. Sygni felt her breath still. It was painfully arousing to see them this way. Both men were brutally masculine and yet their kiss was gentle, almost tender. Raven released Galen's mouth and his brows lowered. “Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?" Galen licked his lips and turned away. “I haven't changed my mind." Raven sighed and his hand slid from Galen's neck. He looked down. “Very well then." Sygni's heart thumped in sudden alarm. She sat up and stared at the God and then the vampire. “Guys, what's going on here? Is there something I need to know?" Galen leaned down to brush a light kiss against her lips. “All you need to know is that I love you." Sygni got up on her knees and grabbed his face with both hands. “Promise me you haven't done something stupid?" Galen took her mouth in a hard and hungry kiss. His tongue swept against hers in aggressive assault. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against his chest. Sygni moaned as his heart thumped hard against hers. She could almost taste Raven's feral power on his tongue.

He released her mouth and whispered in her ear. “It's time to grease your ass for my dick." Sygni pulled back. “You shit!" Galen raised his brow and a smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “You first, Raven."

~ Twenty-Nine~ "Oh, yeah...” Raven caught Sygni around the waist, and fell back. She tumbled across his chest, straddling his hips. His cock was a long, rigid length trapped between her thighs. He closed his arms tight around her waist and grinned up at her. “Oh, look, nipples!” He tugged her higher on his body and sucked her nipple into his mouth. Sygni hissed. His teeth and tongue scalded her more than tender peaks. Her nipples were right damned sensitive. Heat coiled from his torturous mouth, and her body rocked, grinding against the hard cock trapped against her clit. She moaned. Raven licked and sucked in enthusiasm. He rolled his hips under her, rubbing the length of his cock up and then down against her clit. Sygni shuddered with vicious arousal. She felt Galen position himself between their legs. His fingers slid down the seam dividing her cheeks. She could not stop the shivers that raced down her spine. They really did mean to fuck her at the same time. Galen's fingers pressed at the tight rose of her anus. “Sygni, relax and push out." Sygni bit her lip to still her whimper and obeyed. Galen shoved two thickly oiled fingers past her snug sphincter. Sygni groaned under the invasion. “Damn, you have fat fingers." "My dick is a hell of a lot fatter.” His fingers burrowed deep and he rolled them within her. He pumped them in and out, coating her interior walls. Sygni's breath exploded from her with the darkly exciting sensations of Galen's fingers working in the depths of her ass while Raven's mouth feasted on her burning nipples. His fingers slid from her body leaving a trail of forbidden delight, then something blunt and hard nosed against the wet opening to her body. Galen leaned over her to look at Raven. “Take her." Raven bit down on her nipple. Brutal pleasure blazed and Sygni released a sharp gasp. Raven bucked under her, driving his thick cock into her snug cunt. Sygni moaned as the heavy cock shoved deeper and deeper into her, stretching the walls of her cunt to accommodate his size. He lifted his hips, rocking under her until his entire length was shoved tight within her. Raven groaned. “I'm in.” He caught her ass in his hands, pulling her cheeks apart. “Your turn."

"Oh, yeah...” Galen positioned the broad oil-slicked head of his cock against the tight bud of her anus. “Push out, Sygni. Push out hard.” He grabbed her hips and leaned into her. Sygni hissed. Her anus ring burned as it slowly opened under the pressure. “Damn you, it hurts!” She writhed, but there was no escaping the cock ruthlessly pressing into her ass. Galen's hand closed on her shoulder and he pulled, shoving harder against her resistance. “Push out and it will hurt less, but my dickis going up your ass!" Sygni released a small cry and pushed out with all her strength. “Hela's tits ... ah!” The cock's head slipped past her anus. Galen choked. “Fuck ... yes!” grabbed both her shoulders and leaned over her, pulling her back onto his unforgiving and rigid length. "Damn you...” She groaned as he forged slowly but steadily into her tight passage. He was so fucking big! She could feel him stretching her backside impossibly wide as he progressed, sliding against the cock already wedged tight in her cunt. Small gasps escaped her throat. “I can't take both of you—you're both too big!" Raven groaned under her. “I love when she says that!" Galen's hips contacted with her butt cheeks and flanks. She groaned with the savage fullness of two hard cocks stretching her intimate flesh with their brutal width. Galen moaned over her back. “I'm in.” He chuckled breathlessly. “All the way ... to the balls.” He pressed his broad chest against her back and kissed the nape of her neck. “Damn, you're so fucking tight!” His hands slid from her shoulder to cup and squeeze her breasts. “Mother-fuck, it feels good to be back in here. I should have ass-fucked you sooner." Raven reached up and his fingers closed on her nipples. He pinched, hard. Sygni hissed. Vicious delight burned in her nipples and resonated to pulse in her clit. A wet hungry clench tightened around the cock wedged in her. "Oh, yeah, I felt that.” Raven groaned softly in her ear. “I think she likes her cunt and ass stretched around our big dicks!" Galen groaned. “You should see it. She looks so hot!” He chuckled. “And really full." Sygni shivered with the image of her ass stretched tight around Galen's cock with Raven's cock right under it, filling her cunt. She twisted her hips to relieve the aching fullness. The huge hard length in her ass shifted against the cock in her cunt with a wicked and decadent sensation as they rubbed against each other. She released a startled breath. The sensation of both cocks moving was very close to pain and yet her clit ached and throbbed with excitement. Raven hissed and rolled his hips. “Oh, yeah, do that some more." Galen groaned, grabbed her hips, leaned up and rolled in counter rhythm. “God, that feels good..."

Sygni closed her eyes tight and rocked between them. “Mother Night..." Raven arched under her. “Oh, yeah, babe, feel those big hard cocks spreading you wide.” He kneaded her breasts with his large hands and rolled her taut nipples. Responding to the seditious blaze in her nipples and the avaricious eagerness throbbing in her clit, Sygni undulated her hips, rolling them back and forth. The wickedly cruel pleasure in her ass increased as the cock in her cunt slid past it. Raven arched up and pressed his pubic bone against her clit. Sygni released a whimper and bucked, jolting the cocks within her. A tight coiling throb hammered through her accompanying a fresh spat of cream. She moaned stunned by her body's violent and greedy response. Her ass and cunt still ached around the hard lengths lodged in her, but the ache was sharpening her delight. Raven licked his lips and grinned. “Oh, yeah, she likes this." Galen groaned from behind her. “I can't take it any more, let's fuck.” He leaned back and began to withdraw. Sygni moaned with the enthralling sensations of darkly erotic delight created by Galen's retreat. Galen stopped with his cock still halfway in. “Oh, God, that's good.” He cupped her ass in his palms and dug his fingers into the soft cheeks. “Here I come, babe. It's fucking time.” His cock surged hot and brutally hard into her body. At the same time, Raven pulled his cock from her cunt, rubbing in the reverse direction against Galen's thrust. Sygni tossed her head up and shouted. The aching plunge of Galen's reentry overlapped the wet slide of Raven's withdrawal and became a confusing tangle of sensations. Galen made contact with her flanks and immediately began pulling back, much slower than he had gone in. Raven's hands tightened on her breasts and he shoved back in sliding against Galen's withdrawal and filling her. Sygni's toes curled with the hot dark pleasure, shivering in exquisite torment from their hard cocks moving in counter-rhythm. Galen groaned and his hands trembled as they gripped her ass. “Fuck...” He thrust swiftly again, then pulled back with slow decadence. Sygni whimpered briefly in distress then moaned, overwhelmed by the impressive and wicked delight as they counter-fucked her. Raven groaned. “Quit playing and fuck her, Galen, fuck her hard!" Sygni writhed against Raven's body. “I'm barely handling what you're doing now, you bastard!" "Too bad.” Galen pressed against her sweating back and pressed his palms into the mattress below

them. “You'll just have to handle a little more.” He kissed her shoulder briefly. “Because I'm in the mood to really ream your ass good.” He thrust. Hard. Raven slid out as he slid in... Sygni bucked between them, confused by the sudden aching fullness of Galen's cruel thrust and the retreat of Raven's heavy cock. Galen pulled back and the dark delicious retreat of his cock was compounded by the sudden thrust of Raven's cock filling her and striking the sweet spot in the depths of her core. Shivers skittered up her spine as delight and pain mixed to become a ferocious blend of rapacious greedy lust. Galen thrust while Raven retreated, then Galen slid back while Raven thrust, striking her sweet spot, her g-spot, her erotic trigger to orgasm. Thrust and retreat, thrust and retreat ... And then again, and again ... The violently erotic pleasure burned a trail of fire up the back of her skull. She cried out and shoved between them, trapped in sinful rapture. Both men thrust in earnest to meet her demand. Raven groaned as he slid against Galen's thrusts and slammed against her swollen clit. “Yes, that's it, fuck us back ... fuck our dicks!" Her gasping cries echoed with the sound of flesh striking flesh. Her body twisted and her fingers dug into Raven's shoulders, her toes curled tightly with the violent pleasure of being taken by both men. Erotic tension coiled deep and low in her belly. Climax built with savage strength with every stroke of their cocks. Orgasm rose in a breathless wave, and power ignited in a sudden furious rush. It pulsed, echoing the rise of her quickening passion. Pleasure, pain and power intertwined and blazed with brutal intent. Power?Sygni gasped in shock.This shouldn't be happening—they weren't doing a spell! She felt the power arc to Galen and the second half of her power blazed. Light bloomed around them. “What's happening?" Raven grunted as he fucked. “It is ... begun." Sygni looked down into Raven's burning yellow eyes. “What? What have you done?" Raven licked his lips. “Ask Galen." Galen slammed harder into her, forcing Raven to increase the speed and strength of his counter-thrust. She dug her fingers into Raven's shoulders and fought the cresting wave. “Galen, what's going on?” Then she felt it. The push in her soul; her power was increasing. It was flowing in a steady stream straight from Galen into her. She shoved against the men holding her. “What the fuck are you doing?" Galen groaned and ground hard into her. “Giving back what I took." "No! You can't!” Sygni fought to stop their furious momentum but they held her too tightly between them. “You'll die!" Galen slammed into her ass with vicious speed. “I'm ... already ... dead."

"No!” Sygni tried to stop her climb to climax, but both men continued their ruthless thrusting. “You're not ... dead! I won't ... let you ... be dead!" Galen gasped and thrust harder. “I'm crippling ... your power. You can't ... function ... like this." Sygni writhed, tossing her blond mane and fighting their thrusts. “That's bullshit, you moron! I'm not crippled! You're my familiar; you hold my power.” Raven locked his arms around her, stilling her for their thrusts. She screamed in rage. “You stupid son of a bitches, I won't let you do this!" "You can't stop me.” Galen's arms closed tighter around her. He gasped as he ground deep in her ass. “It's too late to stop. When I cum, it'll be done." "That's what you think, Fang-boy! I've been magus longer than you have.” She grasped the spiraling power and slammed it straight back into him. “I made you live! By the powers, you will fucking take that life and keep it!" "No...” He groaned. “I don't want it. I love you too much ... to be the cause ... of your death.” He grasped the power and redirected it back into her. She shoved it right back. “You're not ... killing me, you idiot." "If you had your full power, you could defend yourself better..." Power cycled from him into her and back into him, gaining momentum and strength, becoming a corona of brightening power. "Fuck you, it's mine and I can use it any way I want—you ungrateful, selfish bastard! You are not dying on me!" Galen snarled. “I don't want to be a monster!" "Tough shit!” Her skin began to flicker with lightning arcs as the magic became too large for her body to contain. Sygni had to close her eyes against the glare. “If I have to make-do with what fate has given me—then so do you!" "I'm a fucking vampire!" "So? I'm a fucking witch! Live with it!" "I don't ... want to." "I don't care! I am not ... giving you up!" "It's my life..." "And I gave it to you!" "And I'm giving it back." Galen grabbed her shoulders and panted against her throat, his thrusts pounding into her with frenzied

speed. His breath brushed her throat. “I'm going to ... cum. I love you.” Galen opened his mouth on her throat and long teeth pressed against her skin. Sygni could barely think beyond the lust boiling and clawing within her, but she was damn well not going to allow this to happen. She jerked away, dodging his bite. “No, you stupid bastard, it was my choice!” Holding tight to Raven's shoulders, she leaned far to the side, pressing up against Raven's neck. He needed blood to cum, and she had no intention of providing it. "Give me your throat, you stubborn bitch!" "No!" "Enough!” Raven lifted his forearm. “Galen, drink." Sygni twisted around. “No!" The vampire locked himself around both the god and the sorceress, impaling her with thrust after thrust. He bit down on the god's arm. He swallowed once and jerked back with a pained hiss. He gasped and shrieked. Both his eyes blazed sun-bright. And he came. Raven choked under her and slammed up into her body, cumming with breathless gasps even as Galen howled. Caught between them, Sygni was slammed over the edge. Climax exploded in a horrific maelstrom of ferocious surging majesty and enchantment. Light burst from her skin in a white-hot nova of luminescent sorcerous power. She shrieked as her power returned in wave after burning wave ... “No! Don't leave me!"

~ Thirty ~ Sygni stirred among the blankets. The light aroma of cedar mixed with stronger musk of masculine skin tickled her senses. It wasn't Galen's scent. She awoke with her nose pressed into a hard male chest. It wasn't Galen's chest either. She jerked. Raven opened sleepy eyes. “Go back to sleep, Sygni." Sygni stared at him, her heart beating in her throat. It had to have been a dream ... “Where's Galen?" Raven frowned. “He's on my other side." Sygni struggled to sit up. Raven closed an arm around her. “Leave him be." Sygni fought his arm. “Let me see him." Raven sighed. “Look, but don't touch, he's not done yet."

Sygni sat up. Just beyond Raven's body, Galen lay stretched out wrapped in a network of power. His eyes were open and filled with golden light. She frowned. “What are you doing to him?" Raven pulled her down into the blankets and wrapped his arm around her. “I'm remaking him." Sygni frowned as suspicion curled in her heart. “As what?" Raven pulled her closer and whispered. “He asked me to return your stolen power, but alas, I still have need of him, so I've been forced to realign the power that animates him." Sygni scowled at the God. “I thought he was going to die?" "He did die, but here in my realm, I am master of all things.” Raven smiled. “And want him to live." Sygni shook her head in confusion. “Are you making him mortal?" Raven snuggled against her breasts. “There is no changing his vampire nature, but I can make him run under his own power." Sygni felt her heart give a hard and painful thump. “So he's not my familiar anymore?" Raven grinned. “I'm afraid that can't be changed, either." "Oh...” Sygni looked within to find the pulse of her power. “But I can feel all my power ... all of it." "Yep.” Raven nipped at one of her nipples. "Hey!” Sygni winced and shoved away. Raven pouted. “Give your god your nipples, Sygni." Sygni snorted. “You are Galen's god. My god is Loki." Raven threw his thigh over hers. “Really?” Raven's face began to shift in shape ... “Did you never think that perhaps, one trickster god is very like another?” His features sharpened into Nordic lines with a thick black brows, a strong hooked nose and a sly grin. “And in fact, may actually be another?" Sygni sucked in a sharp breath. “Loki?" "Of course, my consort.” He rose above her. “Now kiss your god and show him how much you love him. Sygni leaned up to brush her lips against his. Loki snorted. “You call that a kiss?" Galen groaned. “My Sygni, you letch." "Galen!” Sygni jerked to go to him. Loki grabbed Sygni's wrists and pinned them over her head. “Not yet, he's not finished."

Galen turned to face them with burning yellow eyes. He frowned. “How come I'm not dead?" Loki shifted back into his Raven incarnation. He grinned at Galen. “Because I'm a god, and I say so." Galen groaned. “Why do I have the nasty feeling that I'm gonna pay big for this?" Raven chuckled. “Ah, you know me so well!” He rolled off of Sygni and planted his long body between them. “However, it's too early in the morning to talk of payments and debts, so I suggest we all go back to sleep." Sygni rose up on her elbow. “I couldn't possibly sleep now." Galen snorted. “Sleep? Not hardly." "Yes, sleep.” Raven wrapped his arm around them both and pulled them tight against his sides. “Right now." Sygni felt the cool rush of oblivion racing to take her and reached over the god. Galen reached for her at the same time. Their fingers met over the god's heart as they both fell into sleep. **** Sygni shuddered awake as though she'd fallen from a great height. She was back in her bed at the penthouse. At her side Galen opened his eyes and turned sharply to her. "Sygni?" Sygni struggled to sit up. “Blood and shadows, Galen!” They met for a ferocious kiss. She threw her leg over him and straddled his hips. Sygni pulled away and sat up. “You ass-hole!” She whacked him across the top of his head with the flat of her hand. Galen flinched and threw up his arms. “What?" Sygni fisted her hands. “I ought to punch the shit out of you!" "Sygni!" "Don't youever pull that noble sacrifice shit on me again!" "Oh...” Galen's cheeks reddened. “It seemed like the right thing to do." "Well, it wasn't, you big jerk.” Sygni leaned down and grabbed his shoulders. “I love you and it almost killed me!” Tears welled in her eyes. She let them spill down her cheeks. Galen wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down. “Hey, I'm sorry." Sygni snuggled against his neck. “You better be.” She sniffed for good measure. Galen snorted. “Okay, okay ... No more noble sacrifices."

Sygni wrapped her arms around his neck. “Good, cause I can't afford to lose you." "I don't have what you need anymore." Sygni chuckled against his throat. “Raven didn't tell you, did he?" "Tell me what?" "That you're still my familiar.” She pressed her hand over his heart and felt the familiar response of power answering her call. “And it feels like you have a bigger chunk of power than the one I gave you." Galen stilled. “I'm still what?" "You heard me.” Sygni grinned and slid her hand to one side to pinch one of his nipples. “I'm still the master." Galen curled and arm around her and rolled her under him. “Master—my ass!" Sygni grinned up at the vampire. “We'll get to that in due time." "You wish!" "Hey, I'm a sorceress, I get what I wish for." "Is that so?" Sygni wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. “Absolutely.” She lifted her mouth to his and kissed him with everything in her body. Galen pulled away. “Did you know that both your eyes are yellow now?" Sygni stared up into Galen's golden gaze. “Funny you should say that..." ~ Fini ~

About the Author "For me, writing is more than a passion, it's anobsession ." Morgan Hawke has been writing erotic fiction since 1998. She has lived in seven states of the US and spent two years in England. She has been an auto mechanic, a security guard, a waitress, a groom in a horse-stable, in the military, a copywriter, a magazine editor, a professional tarot reader, a belly-dancer and a stripper. Her personal area of expertise is the strange and unusual. Ms. Hawke maintains a close and personal relationship with her computer and her cat.

PUBLISHED BOOKS:

—HOUSE of SHADOWS—Vampiric Erotic Romance —PASSION'S VINTAGE—Vampire Erotica —THE PIRATE'S PIXIE—Carnal Fantasy —DEMONESS—Demonic Fulfillment —PHANTASMAGORIA—12 tales of Dark Erotica From the PHANTASY series: —Night Waitress—A Victim and his Unwilling Succubus —Molly Coddle—18th Century Highway Robbery —Queen of Dragons—Sorcerous Seduction(Sorcerous is NOT a spelling error.) —Snow Moon—Unnatural Appetites —Teacher's Pet—Tutored in Fellatio —Temple of Lillith—Love Immortal

Visit www.extasybooks.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.