The Merger – 2

 

Josh cocked his head. "What makes you think I haven't?" he asked while taking in Mike's short brown hair, gray-blue eyes above a classically straight nose, and his fairly muscular body.

After taking a drink of his beer, Mike set the bottle down again. "So you've broken into places? Or stolen a car? Or robbed a bank? Or…murdered someone?"

"Two out of four."

"I hope murder's not one of them," Mike said with a dry smile.

"Nope. Neither is robbing a bank. You need a gun for that and I detest them."

Leaning back, Mike asked, "If you're not a criminal—and I'm taking your word for it, for now—why break in somewhere or steal a car?"

Josh smiled. "As you said, you have to practice what you've learned. It's difficult to protect someone if you don't know how a potential attacker might get into their home or place of business—and how to defend against that happening."

"You're telling me that's what you do?" Mike looked as if he thought Josh was pulling his leg.

"Yes. I run a one-man protection service, primarily installing security for businesses, sometimes acting as a bodyguard for a client."

"You have got to be… Wait a minute. If you hate guns, how can you be a bodyguard?"

"There are a lot of other ways to fend off an attacker without shooting them," Josh replied.

"True." Mike nodded slowly, again studying him.

"What?" Josh asked when Mike's scrutiny went on too long without him saying anything.

"I was just thinking how coincidental this is." Mike tapped a finger on the bar.

"Oh? Why?"

"I came in here to unwind after a much-too-busy day. I see a man I figure is a college student sitting at the other end of the bar and wonder why he's studying here rather than at home where it's quieter."

"And your inquisitive gene kicks in, so you decide to find out. That still doesn't tell me why you think this is coincidental."

"My busy day," Mike replied, "involved trying to locate a runaway, doing background checks for a client, and following a man who's suing a shopkeeper because he fell and injured himself on a wet floor—or so he claims."

"You think he's pulling a scam?" Josh asked, his interest piqued.

"I know he is after watching him grocery shopping, loading a fifty-pound bag of dog food into his car, and later in the day, wrestling with his dog in the backyard of his house. A very large dog, by the way."

"So, you're telling me you're a private investigator."

"Yep. See the coincidence?"

Josh waggled his hand. "Sort of. I don't do any investigating. Do you do any security work?"

"Like setting it up? Nope. Not my field of expertise. I have done some bodyguard work, on rare occasions."

Josh nodded. "Do you have your own agency or do you work for someone?"

"Like you, I'm flying solo, except for my receptionist. You ought to stop by sometime to check it out."

"Should I expect a dingy, two-room suite in a run-down building in a bad area of town, like in the movies?" Josh asked with a grin.

Mike laughed. "Not that bad. I'm downtown in a newer building and my office is quite presentable, thanks. No dirty walls, no cobwebs in the corners, and an up-to-date computer system."

"I might have to stop by, if I knew where you are and who you are, other than Mike something."

Mike took a card from his wallet then handed it to Josh.

"Michael Harte Investigations," Josh read aloud. "I'm Joshua Aston, though if you call me Joshua, I'll ignore you."

"Family name?" Mike asked.

Josh rolled his eyes. "Yeah, after my father and grandfather. Thank God, we all have different middle names so I'm not a Third." He shuddered.

Mike chuckled, pointing to Josh's nearly empty bottle. "Want another?"

"No thanks. I should get out of here. I have an early morning job for a new client."

"It's only…" Mike glanced at the clock on the wall across from the bar. "Okay. It's later than I thought. It's been nice talking with you, Josh. I meant it. Stop by sometime, if you get the chance."

"Maybe I will." Josh marked his place and closed the book then swallowed the last of his drink before getting up. "Do you come here often?"

"Fairly often. You don't—or at least not that I've seen."

"No. I've walked past here more than once but never stopped in until tonight. I wasn't in the mood to go home at that point."

"You live in the neighborhood?"

"Yes." Josh left it at that before walking to the door. I bet that if I do visit his office, he's going to suggest we merge our agencies. He had a look in his eye that said he was thinking about it, which is strange since he doesn't know me. Not that I'd agree to it, if he did. I like "flying solo," as he put it. No one to answer to but me…and my clients, of course.

*****

Mike watched as Josh crossed the room then left Thirty-One Twelve. An interesting man, I think. He chuckled softly. Based on one brief meeting. I wonder if he will stop by my office. If he doesn't, oh well. But if it happens… Will I really suggest we could go into business together, or was that just a fleeting idea because I was surprised by what he does? It could work well for both of us if he were willing, which he probably wouldn't be. I've got the feeling he's pretty much of a loner.

With those thoughts in mind, Mike finished his beer then decided it would be a good idea if he went home, as well. So I can face a new day with a working brain.

The Merger – 1

 

The first time Mike saw Josh, it was the last Monday evening in April.

The man was sitting alone at the far end of the bar in Thirty-One Twelve—named for its address, 3112 Page Street. He was reading, his chin propped on one hand as he stared down at the book, a bottle of near-beer at his elbow. Occasionally, he'd jot something on the pad of paper next to him before going back to reading. Mike wondered if he was a college student. He didn't look more than twenty-two or three, at the most, at least from Mike's vantage point. If so, why study in a noisy bar, especially when he wasn't drinking real beer?

Curious, Mike picked up his bottle and wandered down to peer over the young man's shoulder. "Must be a pretty good book," he said.

Obviously startled, the guy turned to look at Mike before putting a finger between the pages to keep his place then closing the book to show Mike the cover.

"A book about burglary? Planning on breaking in somewhere?" Mike asked with a snort of amusement.

"Nope." He opened the book again, returning his attention to what he was reading.

"Short and sweet. By the way, I'm Mike."

"I'm not…"

He didn't finish whatever he was going to say, so Mike laughed, asking, "Not Mike? Or not interested in talking?"

He looked up, his lips twitching with a hint of a smile. "Both?"

"Okay. I won't bother you anymore."

Mike started to walk away when the young man said, "I'm Josh."

Turning back, Mike replied, "Nice to meet you. May I?" He pointed to the vacant stool next to Josh.

Josh shrugged and nodded, going back to the book after taking a sip of his drink.

Mike studied him openly, realizing as he did that Josh wasn't as young as he'd first thought. He decided he was probably closer to his own thirty-three than the twenty-three he'd guesstimated. He was slender, almost wiry, with dark hair that was a bit too long—which is why I thought he was a college student, I suppose—and hazel eyes. He chastised himself for jumping to conclusions based on first impressions. Given what he did for a living, he should have known better.

Josh turned to look at him. "Got my face memorized yet?"

Mike noted the touch of humor in his gaze, so he replied, "Getting there." He tapped the book. "Why are you reading about burglary?"

"The more I know about it, the easier it is to…" Josh snapped his mouth closed.

"To break in somewhere?"

"Yes. But not for the reason you're probably thinking."

Mike grinned. "Got it. You're an intrepid secret agent who needs to steal state secrets, so you have to know the best ways to enter a building without getting caught."

"Nope. Not a spy, not a burglar, though I suspect I might make a good one if I put my mind to it. I've studied enough about them and how they do what they do."

"Just studying won't do any good if you don't practice what you've learned. Theoretically, at least."

Sui Generis – 60

 

Tentatively, Lew walked toward him, stopping just close enough so that he could reach out and take his hand. "Am I that easy to read?"

Randulf smiled. "Sometimes. Not often, but yes—sometimes."

"I guess I'll have to work on that."

"Which way? To hide your feelings or let them show?"

"With you," Lew replied, "let them show. Then perhaps we can make this work."

"I'll have to do that, too."

Lew nodded. "It might help. You're pretty good at bottling things up and then exploding when they get too much for you."

"Bad habit," Randulf admitted.

"Very."

"I'll try to do better." Randulf tugged gently on Lew's hand.

Lew allowed himself to be pulled closer. "Do you think we stand a chance?"

"Yeah, I do. Besides which—" Randulf grinned "—we don't want Mag pissed at us so, we'd better give it a try. Right?"

"Right. Pissed off humans are a pain in the ass."

"Definitely."

Lew hesitated, his gaze searching Randulf's face. "May I?"

"I'll be upset if you don't."

"And I don't want that, so…" Sliding his hand behind Randulf's neck, Lew kissed him.

*****

Mag was grinning ear to ear when Brand finally got home from his training.

"Glad to see me?" Brand asked, a bit puzzled since Mag had been less than happy when they'd parted earlier.

"Always." Mag proved it by giving him a very enthusiastic welcome home kiss.

"Okay. That was nice but…" He quirked an eyebrow in question.

"I got my studying done, so we have the rest of the night to ourselves."

"After class," Brand pointed out.

"Well, yeah." Mag was still grinning.

"All right, do you want to fill me in on what's got you looking like a loon?"

"It worked."

"Mag…" Brand sighed, flopping down on the sofa. "What worked?"

"I guess I will have to fill you in."

Brand chuckled. "That would be nice."

"When I got home, guess who was here?"

It took Brand a second before he replied, "Lew? This is where he came to hide out?"

Mag nodded, sitting down beside him. "It is, though I forgot to ask why, but he was here and I had a long talk with him and then I got sneaky. Well, not sneaky, because he knew what I was doing but I sort of tricked Randulf into showing up, which he did and…" Mag took a deep breath. "They worked things out."

"Sweet, but… Don't tell me you were eavesdropping."

"Nope. I was good and went upstairs but before they left Lew made me come down so they could thank me. Trust me, the way they were looking at each other, their next stop was the nearest bed."

Brand laughed happily. "So your mission was successful. I bet there will be a few surprised Enforcers when the others find out."

"And maybe," Mag said seriously, "they'll stop disliking Lew so much. Of course, that's up to him and if he can tamp down on his ego. But I bet Randulf will see that he does. Or more, because they're together again, Lew won't feel like he has to be cock-of-the-walk just to impress them."

"And he really didn't impress them all that much. They used him because he's good at what he does, not because they liked him."

"As I said, maybe that'll change now."

"I hope so, for both their sakes." Brand hugged Mag. "You done good."

Crossing his fingers, Mag said, "I hope it works. I think it will."

Brand chuckled. "And if it looks like it's not, you'll have another long talk with them and make them see that it has to."

"Well, it does. They're meant for each other."

"Yes, Mr. Matchmaker, it does, and I suspect it will. But right now, I should go change. We do have school and…"

"Then you patrol for a while, and then…"

"We spend the rest of the night proving we belong together, too."

"Which we do," Mag said softly.

"Now and forever," Brand agreed, kissing him gently.

Mag returned the kiss with feeling. Maybe not forever, but for as long as I'm alive. And I guess that's all either of us can hope for.   

                                                   The End

Sui Generis – 59

 

"I should have known this was a set-up," Randulf said angrily, glaring at Lew.

"Not my doing," Lew protested.

"I could have figured that out for myself, since you ran the second you were even halfway strong enough to."

"Why should I stick around? I did my job and I'm real sure everyone was glad to see the back of me."

"Let's just say, while they were worried you'd left too soon, they weren't heartbroken," Randulf replied sardonically.

"No surprise there, and I'm sure you led the pack in feeling that way."

Randulf shrugged, leaning back against the desk, his arms crossed while he studied Lew. "You look like your trip didn't do you much harm over all."

"Trip? That makes it sound like a vacation, not an escape."

"I hardly think you'd vacation here."

"Or anywhere, right now."

"Why not? You could take a cruise, meet a bevy of lovely women or handsome men." Randulf sneered. "And keep busy until the council needs your help again."

"I don't want that," Lew replied quietly.

"More into taking a… a skiing vacation? I can see it now… a cold night, a blazing fireplace, hot toddies, someone on either side of you competing for who'll end up warming your bed."

"Stop it! Damn it, stop. Yeah, I was like that once, I'll admit it. You've got every right to think I still am." Lew bowed his head, sighing deeply. "But I'm not. All that does is—well, as you put it—give me someone to warm my bed. That's not what I want."

"Right, and if I believe that…" Randulf shook his head. "I probably would have once. Hell, I did. Once. I learned better. You're no more able to be faithful than… than Henry the Eighth."

Lew almost laughed. He might have if he'd had it in him at the moment. Instead he said, "I told Mag his plan was stupid." He looked up at Randulf. "He thinks you still care for me."

Randulf nodded. "I kind of figured that."

"He's wrong, although I guess I have to give him kudos for trying to bring us back together. He's a dreamer, a romantic, and not terribly practical."

"He's a nice man who wants everyone to be as happy as he is."

"Well, he's shit out of luck, isn't he?" Lew said. "He had the crazy idea that you'd try to tell if I was lying to you when we… when he set this up. Guess it really doesn't matter to you one way or the other whether I am or not. You'd rather go on believing I'm a bastard than take the chance I might really give a damn about you."

"I've heard that before, Lew. It wasn't the truth back then and you know it."

Lew looked up at him. "So it can't be now?" he said softly. "People don't change? I can't change? It's written in stone that I'm an unfaithful son-of-a-bitch as far as you're concerned—out for what I can get and then move on."

Randulf nodded. "That fairly well describes…" He hesitated. "Described you. Hell, why should I believe you're still not like that?" 

Getting up, Lew said, "You probably shouldn't. Or can't, which is the same difference. So unless you think there's more we have to say to each other, I'm leaving." He headed to the door without a backward glance.

"Lew…" Randulf sighed. "Look at me and tell me…"

"That I'm sorry I fucked everything up? I am. Not that you care now."

"I asked you to look at me. Is that so hard?"

Not turning around, Lew said, "Damned straight it is because I'll see the disbelief, the contempt you feel for me, written on your face and right now I don't think I can handle either. So goodbye, have a good life, and maybe if you're lucky, you'll find the right man who'll make you happy."

Taking a deep breath, Randulf replied, "I think… that could be you."

Lew spun around angrily. "Don't! Don't toy with me to get your… your revenge."

"I'm well past wanting that. I don't think I ever did. Maybe, once, I wanted you to hurt as badly as I did. But no more."

"How can I believe that?"

Randulf smiled a bit. "Do what Mag suggested. Open your mind and read the truth. I… I miss you. I'm probably asking to be hurt again, but still… I miss you."

Lew studied him, opening his mind, and his heart to what Randulf was saying. Very quietly he replied, "I miss you too."

Randulf nodded. "I know you do."

"Reading me?"

"Yes, but not the way you're thinking. I don't have to. It's in your voice, in your expression, in every line of your body." Randulf held out his hand.

Sui Generis – 58

 

"Bull! If all you wanted was adulation, you'd be on stage, or in the movies. No." Mag looked thoughtfully at Lew. "That's all a front. Underneath, you're afraid no one will like you, which is stupid. You're a good man. You just have to quit hiding it."

"You sure you're not studying psychology? Not that you're right about me but damn, it sure sounded good. I'm not what you think, Mag. Everything I do, I do for me."

"Then why did you agree to go after Alanna?"

"Like I said…"

Mag snorted. "You weren't doing it alone. You were part of a team. Any one of them could have been the one to find her and take her out."

"Not the way we had it planned. I was the one…"

"Plans can go wrong," Mag broke in, looking pointedly at Lew's arm. "Plans did go wrong. Besides, from what Brand told me, you asked for backup. Specifically Randulf. So this wasn't a glory mission for you and I seriously doubt any of them are, no matter what you say. You're just like the others; you want to help keep us—humans—safe from rogues. That's what good, decent people do and that includes you."

"Are you finished?" Lew asked tightly.

"No. I won't be finished until I make you see you have to talk to Randulf and tell him how you really feel about him. Not the line of BS I'm sure you've given him, but the truth."

"Which would be?"

"You care about him, a lot, on a very personal level."

Lew dropped his gaze, staring down at the floor. "He won't believe it. Not after all we went through the first time around."

"Convince him. Hell, that shouldn't be too hard actually since werewolves can tell when someone lying, if they want to."

Looking at Mag again, Lew almost smiled. "There is that."

"So you're going to talk to him?"

There was a long pause then Lew said, "Maybe."

"Definitely," Mag replied, taking out his phone.

"What are you doing, as if I didn't know? You promised me you wouldn't."

"That was then; this is now." Mag turned his back on Lew then punched in the number he needed. After a brief conversation, he hung up and put in a second number. When his call was answered all he said was, "I need your… help, if you're up for it." A moment later he said "Here, at my house. I'll show you." Then he closed his phone.

"I swear," Lew growled.

Mag just shrugged, got up, and when he got to the door of the study he said, "You had better not try to run."

"As if I have a chance to," Lew muttered when Randulf appeared in the middle of the room.

Grinning, Mag left, closing the door behind him.

Sui Generis – 57

 

On the drive home from the clinic, Mag could only think of two things. One was what he would do with and to Brand as soon as he got home, which made his cock perk up and take notice. Then he began trying to figure out if he really could make Randulf sit down and talk to him about Lew. That immediately tamped down on his libido.

Probably not happening but maybe—if I push it. Lew needs him and I really think Randulf needs Lew. He just has come to grips with that fact and admit it to himself. He chuckled. Yeah, Brand's right, I do want to play matchmaker, for whatever good it will do.

After parking the car in the driveway, Mag hurried into the house, dashing upstairs to change into something comfortable for studying. A few minutes later, dressed in an old pair of sweats, he came back down, grabbed a drink from the fridge, and went into what he and Brand had dubbed 'the study'.

The second he walked in, he froze. A sleek, red-furred wolf stood defensively in the center of the room, one leg lifted slightly off the floor.

"That better be you, Lew," Mag muttered. "If not, I could be in deep shit."

Moments later Lew stood there in a pair of jeans and T-shirt. He smiled slightly, replying, "You're safe." Then he chuckled. "What would you have done if it wasn't me?"

"Run like hell? Not that it probably would have done much good." Mag pointed to one of the armchairs. "You'd better sit before you fall on your face. Then let me take a look at your arm."

"Yes… doctor."

"Nurse actually, or I will be in a few more years. Now sit."

Lew did, being careful of his arm.

Mag went over, gently checking it. "Considering what they said happened to you, it looks remarkably good."

"We heal fast, generally. This—" he touched his arm, "—is taking a bit longer, since she took a lot of flesh when she bit me. Too bad it didn't poison her."

"Well, if she'd been a vampire…" Mag settled down in the other armchair.

"True enough." Lew sighed, leaning his head back then turning to look at Mag. "Are you going to let them know I'm here?"

"Not if you don't want me to."

"Thanks."

"But you should let Randulf know you're safe."

Lew sighed morosely. "Like he'd care. He's probably glad to see the last of me."

"I don't think so. Okay, let me rephrase that. I think that's what he thinks, but I don't think he really is."

"A lot of 'thinks' there, and I'll add one more. I think you're crazy to believe that."

"Don't you want to find out? Damn, Lew, at least try to talk to him."

"No! We're not meant to be together. We're total opposites. We found that out the hard way. He's all about helping people, even beyond his job as an Enforcer. Lew smiled wryly. "Me? I'm preoccupied with… well, with living my life free and easy with no commitments. Commitments only cause problems and pain."

Mag shook his head. "You don't believe that. Not really. If you did, you wouldn't be an Enforcer."

"Oh?" Lew arched one red eyebrow. "Like Brand said, I'm conceited. I like the looks of admiration when I pull off a capture, especially when I manage it on my own. Ego, Mag. Ego is what rules my life."

Sui Generis – 56

 

"Hang on!" Brand said, catching up with Mag in the waiting room. "What's going on with you?" He put his hands on Mag's shoulders, staring at him. "Why are you so concerned about Lew? Why is he so important to you? Are you…?" Suddenly he didn't want to voice the thought that had come to him.

Mag however seemed to know what his unfinished question meant because he shook his head. "No, I'm not… what? Infatuated with him or whatever you might be thinking? Damn, in case you don't know it by now, you're the only man I want in my life and have been forever, it seems."

Brand sighed in relief. "I know I shouldn't have doubted it, but…"

Mag wrapped his arms around Brand, kissing him very thoroughly. "There, feel better?"

"Much," Brand admitted. "I was… okay, jealous."

"Don't be. I just feel so damned sorry for Lew." Smiling, he stroked Brand's jaw. "I know what it's like to care about someone and think they don't return my feelings."

"Meaning me."

"Yes. I was wrong, but for the longest time I didn't know that. Anyway, I guess I'm seeing some of me in Lew and I wish there was something I could do help him—and Randulf."

"Unfortunately, it's probably too late. Lew's gone, and somehow I don't see Randulf doing anything to find him. Or—" Brand chuckled softly, "—sitting still while you lecture him on why he should."

"Yeah, that's not going to happen and I know it." Mag kissed him again, quickly, before saying, "Right now though, you should go back so Ulrik can continue your training, and I'll go home and sulk because I can't play matchmaker."

Brand nodded. "I think you called it 'peacemaker' but either way, unfortunately, I doubt it's going to happen. Okay, I'll go learn more about what being a werewolf entails."

Mag wrinkled his nose, "And I'll try to study for the exam one of my professors is giving and pray I pass."

"You will, with flying colors." Brand grinned. "Just think, when you get your degree, you can be my own personal nurse if I ever get wounded the way Randulf and Lew did."

"Gee, that's a nice thought. Not."

"You don't want to be my personal nurse?" Brand said, pretending to be hurt.

"That is not what I meant and you know it. So go learn what you have to do so that won't happen—getting wounded, I mean." He smiled, giving Brand one more kiss. "I'll always be your personal nurse and personal—" he waggled his eyebrows, "—everything."

Brand groaned. "I wonder if I can sneak away and go home with you right now."

"No, you can't," Ulrik said from the doorway. He grinned at Brand. "Right now, kid, you're coming with me. So move it."

"I'm not a kid," Brand muttered, as he ignored Mag's laughter and followed Ulrik out of the clinic.

Sui Generis – 55

 

At the same time the others were talking about him, Lew woke, uncertain where he was. The last thing he remembered was a desperate need to leave the clinic before Randulf was healed enough to shift into his human form. He had no desire to face him and see the return of the hatred in his eyes now that the assignment was over.

Although partially recovered from the battle with Alanna, Lew knew he was still too weak to have gone very far. Easing himself up, he stood on three legs, keeping any weight off the fourth, and moved his head gingerly. His neck hurt but it was bearable.

Still, a few more hours of sleep are called for. The thing is, am I somewhere safe enough to do so?    

Limping, favoring his foreleg, he began to explore his surroundings. There was a desk, bookshelves, and two armchairs—none of which looked familiar.

And yet it has to be somewhere I've at least picked out of someone's mind or I couldn't have come here.

He sniffed and discovered scents he recognized.

How the hell? Maybe…? Yeah, when Mag said he and Brand has to go home after our—talk. He said he'd spend the evening studying, probably so he wouldn't worry too much while we were out looking for Alanna. Guess this is where he was going to do it.

Relieved that he hadn't ended up somewhere where he'd be found by Antton—or worse yet, Randulf—he went back to where he'd awakened, in the shadows behind one of the armchairs. Curling up, his head resting on his three good legs and his injured foreleg stretched out to keep any pressure off of it, he fell asleep again.

*****

"Can't you, I don't know, track where he went somehow?" Mag asked Antton.

"Not when he teleported. If he'd left on two feet, or four, it might have been possible, but he didn't. Believe me, we checked."

"Why are you so worried about him?" Randulf asked Mag.

Mag looked at him as if he couldn't believe he'd even ask. "Because he's a friend and he's hurt."

"A friend wouldn't leave without letting one of us know where he was going."

Mag marched over to stand in front of Randulf, glowering at him. "He would if he thought someone he cared about hated him."

Randulf snorted. "He doesn't care about me, if that's what you're implying. There's only one person Lew thinks is worth his time. Himself. And for your information, I don't hate him."

"Yeah, you do." Mag spun around to look at the others. "You all do. Or at least—" he tempered his words, "—you dislike him."

Ulrik gave a small nod. "He's not easy to like."

"Because you never gave yourselves a chance to get to know him! You're glad he's gone now, so you can move on to… to the next problem."

"Not true," Randulf said quietly. "I gave him a chance. I gave him several chances and he blew them."

"So now he's past history and you're fine with that."

"Yes, Mag, I am. I hope he's alright. In fact, I'm sure he is. He's gone to ground somewhere. He'll heal and go on with his life the way he always has. Selfishly."

Mag watched Randulf as he spoke and thought he saw something in his expression that said the man didn't really want it to be that way. There was a look of loss and yearning in his eyes.

He's lying. To me—and more importantly—to himself. But I'm not calling him on it.

"Then I guess that's it," Mag said tightly. "I'm glad you're alright. I'm sure I… we'll be seeing you again. Brand, let's go home."

Antton held up a hand to stop them. "Ulrik's taking Brand out for more training."

"Of course he is," Mag replied sourly. Stopping just long enough to hug Brand, he said, "Have fun. I'll see you when you get home," and walked out of the room.

 

Sui Generis – 54

 

The training mission, which involved tracking and hunting with Ulrik as the 'bait', ended successfully. At least according to Ulrik it did, although Brand seemed to think he hadn't done as well as he could have.

"I should be better, faster," he grumbled, exhaustion showing in every line of his body. "I can find a vampire and follow him like that." He snapped his fingers.

"Of course you can. It's what dhampir do," Ulrik consoled him. "However you're learning a whole new skill set now. One that's foreign to you, for the most part. Practice and you'll get better. You'll have to if you're going to be hunting rogue werewolves as well as vampires."

"Can we do this again tomorrow?" Brand asked hopefully.

"Probably. Now, home with you and get some sleep. Both of you. Mag looks like he's about to fall on his face and all he did was watch."

"Which meant I had to stick with Brand and he wasn't exactly taking a stroll through the woods," Mag muttered. "If I keep doing this, I'll need running shoes."

Brand laughed, hugging him. "I think that can be arranged. Right now though, I wish I knew how to do the whole transporting thing."

"If you did, we'd only have to come back for the car later," Mag pointed out.

"True enough, and we need it to get to school."

"Aw hell." Mag sighed. "Okay, let's get back, pick up our stuff and hope we don't fall asleep during classes."

Ulrik chucked. "If you want, I can call the school and let them know you're not going to make it tonight."

"Nope," Mag said firmly just before he yawned prodigiously. "Once we start doing that, it could become a habit and we'd never graduate."

"It would just be one time," Brand said.

"No." Taking his hand, Mag pulled him toward the car. "We made a vow and damn it, we're keeping it."

"Yes, sir," Brand replied, mimicking Antton's salute from a few hours ago.

*****

"Why haven't we heard from Antton?" Mag asked early the next morning, as he got dressed.

"Maybe because he has nothing to report?" Brand replied. "He did say it could take them a couple of days until they're fully healed."

"I know, but…"

"Mag, relax. When he knows anything positive, he'll let us know. He promised."

"What if it's negative? Then he wouldn't."

Brand sighed. "Let's eat and then if it'll ease your mind, you can call him, or we can stop by the clinic."

"The clinic," Mag said without a second's thought.

They arrived there less than an hour later. Just in time to hear Randulf shouting, "What the hell do you mean he's gone?"

"Damn, now what," Brand muttered as he and Mag hurried through the waiting room and into the clinic proper. They had no problem finding Randulf's room, since Ulrik and one of the doctors were standing at the open door.

Mag had the feeling Antton was in there with Randulf. His suspicions were confirmed when he wriggled his way past Ulrik, closely followed by Brand. Antton was standing beside a vacant bed. Across from him, Randulf was pulling on a shirt that was just about as worn as the jeans he was wearing.

"Find him," Randulf ordered, glaring at Antton.

"Easier said than done," Antton retorted tightly.

"How can you not know where he is?" Mag asked hesitantly.

Randulf turned to him, spitting out, "He took the easy way. He teleported. Who the hell knows where he ended up?"

"But I thought…"

"That he was too injured?" Antton sighed. "He was, but apparently it didn't stop him."

Mag looked at him in dismay. "He could be dying somewhere."

"Or having a good laugh at our expense," Randulf said angrily. "At my expense," he muttered under his breath.

"He wouldn't do that!" Mag protested.

"You don't know him." Randulf dropped down on the bed with a shake of his head. "Wherever he is, I'm sure he's fine. He's a survivor. We all are."

Sui Generis – 53

 

Antton and Ulrik were pacing the small waiting room of the local Enforcer clinic when Brand and Mag arrived. From what they had been told when Ulrik called, Randulf had managed to contact Antton for help after killing Alanna. Ulrik and Antton had arrived to find both Randulf and Lew in dire straits and had immediately transported them to the clinic.

"How are they?" Mag asked, once he'd gotten Antton's attention.

"They'll live," was Antton's terse reply.

Ulrik joined them to say, "She did a lot of damage to both of them. Her strength, born of her rage and insanity, was incredible. However, since they are werewolves," he pointed out, obviously sensing the depth of Mag's worry, "they'll heal. The doctors did what they could to close their wounds. Now they just have to sleep until their healing is complete."

"How long?"  

"It could be hours, or a day or two, especially for Lew. He lost a terrific amount of blood and some flesh on his foreleg as well."

Mag shuddered, glancing fearfully at Brand.

"Stop worrying," Brand said, wrapping his arm around Mag's waist. "They'll be fine."

"It's not them I'm worried about. Okay, yeah, it is, but…" Mag shuddered again. "What if it had been you?"

Brand replied reassuringly, "I've got a double whammy going. I can already heal quickly because I'm a dhampir. Now with the werewolf added to the mix… Hell, I'd probably be up and about already, looking for more trouble."

"It takes a lot to kill one of us," Antton said. Then he shot a caustic look at Brand. "Do not think you can take on the rogues with impunity quite yet. You have a lot more to learn and you're still too young, as a werewolf, to have the kind of healing powers the rest of us do."

"All right. I understand." Brand looked well and truly chastised.

"Just remember that when the time comes," Mag told him fiercely.

"I will. I will. I promise."

"Can we see them?" Mag asked.

"There's not much to see, other than two sleeping werewolves," Ulrik told him. He chuckled. "They're not even being forced to wear a cone."

Mag smiled slightly, imagining either Randulf or Lew in one of those. "They'd tear them off almost before a doctor put it on."

"Undoubtedly. And then force-feed them to him."

"So I guess we just wait." Mag walked over to one of the chairs and sat, staring at the door leading to the rest of the clinic.

Antton held a hurried consultation with Ulrik then told Mag, and Brand, "Sitting around doing nothing will only make the waiting harder. Ulrik's going to take Brand on a training mission and you're going with him, Mag."

Mag shook his head. "I'm waiting," he said stubbornly.

"Go!" Antton pointed dictatorially at the exit where Ulrik and Brand stood waiting.

"You can't make me," Mag protested.

Antton took a step toward him only to pause when Brand hurried back to where Mag sat.

"I could use your moral support," Brand said quietly, then he grinned. "I have the feeling Ulrik's not going to show me how to pick the right wine to go with fish as compared to red meat."

Snorting out a laugh, Mag nodded and got to his feet. "Probably not. Okay, I'll come with but"—he looked squarely at Antton—"you let us know the moment there's any change with them."

Antton's lips curled up. With a mocking salute he replied, "Yes, sir."

Sui Generis – 52

 

Randulf didn't mean to tap into Lew's thoughts. He was just going to ask if he'd found Alanna. But before he could, he felt sadness emanating from his ex-lover. Curious, considering the situation, he delved into the reason and got the surprise of his life.

At first he was angry. Make amends my ass. After what he did? Still, he couldn't help the flare of hope. It would never work though, he told himself. This is Lew, the perpetual playboy who thinks, and acts, as if he's the gods' gift to anyone, male or female, who crosses his path. The man who can't settle on one person for fear he'll miss out on someone else. I should know. But still…

His thoughts were interrupted when Lew sent him a visual. It showed a woman Randulf instantly knew had to be Alanna. She appeared to be talking animatedly while she looked up at Lew. They were walking toward the trees at the far side of the lot from the building housing the rave.

::Wait it out,:: Lew said. ::Don't move too soon.::

Randulf was tempted to reply, "I'm not an amateur," but thought better of it. Lew had to keep his attention focused entirely on Alanna as they waited for her to make her move.

*****

Lew managed to send Randulf one more visual of where they were before everything went south.

Alanna spun to face him, her hands gripping his arms with inhuman strength. "You're clever. You almost had me fooled, but then I remembered you."

"Me?" Lew looked innocently at her. "Believe me, we haven't met. I'd never forget such a beautiful woman."

As he spoke, Lew started to shift, but Alanna was faster. Before he could complete the shift, she was on him, her jaws clamped on his arm as it became his foreleg. 

::Met? No. But I saw you several years ago, with another Enforcer that I once knew.:: Her lips turned up in a vicious smile, revealing her long fangs imbedded in his leg. ::Did you really think you could capture me, you fool? All by your lonesome?:: She shook her head, throwing him to the ground and he howled in pain as flesh tore away. ::Playing the lone wolf? I suppose that suits you—Llewellyn. But…:: Her ears lifted and she sniffed the air. ::No, not a lone wolf. Your accomplice will be too late to save you, I'm afraid.::

::Really, Alanna?:: Randulf appeared at her side, his lip pulled back in a snarl.

::I will kill him, Randulf.:: She released Lew only to attack again, her jaws clamping down on the back of his neck before he could gather the strength move or retaliate.

::No, Alanna, your terrorism is over. You may be—you are powerful, but…::

Randulf's wide jaws closed over her shoulder, biting down to bone. She howled, releasing her grip on Lew to rake her claws down Randulf's side. They tore through his fur, leaving deep gashes in their wake.

The fight progressed from there as the two werewolves fought for dominance. Lew staggered to his feet, waiting, watching, feeling himself weaken as blood flowed from his wounds. Then his chance came. Randulf forced Alanna to the ground, his huge paws holding her prone. As she fought to get out from beneath him, her throat was bared. Lew attacked, ripping it open.

The last thing Lew heard before he collapsed was Randulf's mournful, ::It shouldn't have ended like this for you, Alanna. You were good—once. I pray your soul finally finds the peace it deserves.::