Crying softly in pain, Snowhawk could feel herself growing weaker as her life bled away. She heard fabric ripping as Janus tore the sheets on the bed into temporary bandages. She could barely feel his touch as he bandaged her wounds. Her cries grew softer and as her eyes closed, she realized she might not make it through this. She felt Janus put his arms around her and hold her tightly. She mentally smiled at the fact that, if she were to die now, in his arms, she would go peacefully. Her eyes fully closed and she entered darkness.

“Snowhawk! Snowhawk, open your eyes! Love, please, don’t leave me!” Janus cried as her eyes slipped shut and her breathing further slowed. “Don’t leave me, love, please…” he told her, squeezing her gently as if trying to keep her spirit from leaving.

Nearly two minutes later, Nyx and several of the men under her command entered the room. “My God, Janus! What the hell happened?!” she exclaimed.

“I’ll explain on the way to the hospital. We need to get her down stairs as quickly and carefully as possible. Can’t risk letting the wounds tear more.”

The men quickly loaded her into a makeshift stretcher, created from another blanket. They carried her down the steps, then sped to the hospital. As Janus comfortingly stroked his bird’s face, Nyx again asked, “What happened back there?”

“Quillen raped her. He beat her and cut her hair. Then he cut her legs, arm, and back as I watched. I couldn’t do anything to help her.”

“Who the fuck is this guy anyway? He must have some pretty big balls to pull this.”

“He was her mate. That is, before my brother broke his horn and tried to kill him.”

“Tried to?” she said, almost sounding shocked.

“Almost did. I don’t know the details. We left as the two were fighting.” The lighter wolf paused, looking down and burying his face in his hands. “I can’t live without her again,” Janus almost whispered.

“She seems strong enough, Janus. I’m sure she can pull through.”

Janus nodded in reply. “I hope so…”

Even if she doesn’t, Nyx thought, there’s still a way.

Just as her name implied, Nyx was a creature of the night, and in more ways than one. That was not her only secret as in all truths, Nyx was actually male, using a new gift to disguise himself. To add to all this, this particular male was none other than Janus’ younger brother Adian. Sophie had almost killed him two years prior, but a vampire appeared that night as Adian lay dying. He called himself Kione and offered to “save” Adian on the single condition that Adian would complete one mission for him someday in the future. Adian agreed to the eternity of endless nights, be it from the loss of blood and lack of oxygen to his brain, or that he simply felt this was not his time to die, so their deal was sealed with Kione’s gentle bite. Some months later, Adian returned to his brother’s estate under his female identity.

He was shaken from his thoughts by his brother calling to Snowhawk. “Snowhawk! Love, keep breathing! You can’t leave me!”

Adian could hear the almost hysterical despair in his brother’s voice, and Snowhawk’s shallow, labored breaths were not a good sign. He turned to the driver and simply said, “Pull it over, we’re never gonna make it at this pace.” The driver complied and pulled the vehicle over. Adian moved into the driver’s seat as the driver left, and left the poor Feln on the side of the road to either find his way home on his own, or to be picked up by one of the other team members.

Janus blinked at Nyx and her insistence to get Snowhawk to the hospital. As the vehicle accelerated, Janus held Snowhawk tightly and whispered to her, “Soon, love, we’ll be there soon. Just hold on,” She was growing cooler by the minute and each breath was shallower than the last.

Another five minutes passed before they reached the hospital. Once there, Janus carried Snowhawk inside while Nyx tracked down the doctor that had treated Snowhawk twice before. “Great Orion!” the doctor exclaimed when she saw Snow’s ashen hued skin. “Bring her in here quickly!” she directed, opening a door to a nearby, empty room. Not needing to be told twice, Janus quickly carried her in then him and Nyx situated her on the bed, stomach down. “What happened, Janus?” the doctor asked, her ruby horn beginning to glow softly.

“She was raped. He cut her legs, arm, and back as I watched. I couldn’t do anything to help her…” Janus trailed off.

“Okay, I’ll do everything I can,” she said, gently putting a red-furred hand on his shoulder.

Janus nodded, then gently kissed Snowhawk. “I won’t be far, love,” he whispered. Reluctantly, he left the room. Nyx stayed behind, the doctor having asked her to. He flopped down in a chair in the nearby lobby, then placed his head in his hands, elbows on his knees. Tears fell from his eyes as the full magnitude of what happened hit him. “Snowhawk…”

*********

Back in the room as she sewed up the wound on Snowhawk’s arm, the doctor calmly stated to Nyx, “I know your secret.”

“Do you now?”

“Yes. I know what and who you are. If you think helping her is going to atone for your past, you’re wrong.”

“Nothing can make up for what I’ve done, dear Doctor. Or what I am.”

The doctor nodded as she finished, never having looked up. “That’s all I can do. She’ll be on her own now.” She sighed quietly as the glow faded from her horn. “She needs blood, but we have no Delphin blood to match her’s here. The only city that might is Juv, but that’s too far to go,”

“Don’t–!” softly cried the now sleeping Snowhawk. She was so weak it was difficult for her to whisper even this.

Adian knelt next to her, then gently brushed her bangs from her eyes. “You didn’t deserve this,” he whispered. “Maybe I acted wrongly two years ago.”

“Adian, two years ago, did you have the faintest clue this would happen?”

“No.”

“Then you have no reason to feel guilty. Though how the hell you figure yourself into this, I don’t know.”

“You’ll understand when you find out who Quillen truly is.”

The doctor gave a small nod, then called Janus in. Adian stood before his brother entered. “The next hours will be crucial. I wish I could say something more, but it’s all a matter of waiting now.”

Nyx looked at Snowhawk for a moment, then to Janus. “What now?”

“I’m staying here to keep an eye on her, and so she’ll know she’s not alone.” He paused for a couple moments, then continued, “Then I will find this son of a bitch and rend him limb from limb.”

“If you can find him. I would guess he knows he’s in for it and will sneak off into hiding for a while. Not to mention what he may tell the Society leaders.”

“The man who did this had ties to the Society?” the doctor asked.

“Yeah. He’s the head of security.”

“That Quillen?!”

“Yes.”

“I knew he wasn’t all there, but I never imagined he’d be capable of this. But, why her?”

Nyx looked at Janus as he looked at her, then Nyx dropped her head and turned to the side, leaving Janus to answer. “… Because Quillen is Legacy. And he’s pretty pissed off that Snowhawk wouldn’t willingly go back to him.”

The doctor stood in a shocked silence for a moment. “Should have realized when he tried to kill her two years ago.”

“How did you know about that?”

“I work here. I hear things. And for now, I shall leave you with her.” The doctor turned and left the room.

“Do you want to know how close she was?” Nyx quietly asked a moment later.

“How close?”

“Another five minutes. Probably less.”

“She would have been gone,” He knelt next to the bed and gently stroked her face.

“Not forever,” Nyx whispered.

“What?” Janus asked, looking up.

“Nothing.” She leaned against the wall; all they could do was wait. Once she realized the time, she quickly excused herself. She wanted to stay, but the sun that would soon rise had other plans.

Within eleven hours, Snowhawk had improved more than they could have imagined. Nyx returned just after the sun set some thirteen and a half hours after she’d left.

Janus glanced to her as she entered, “You certainly live up to your name.”

“Me and the sun don’t mix,” she replied. “How is she?”

“Much better, but still not out of the woods,” Janus answered, gently stroking his bird’s hair.

Nyx nodded. Her mind was elsewhere though. She needed to tell her secret, but she didn’t know how to begin, or how he would react. The last thing she wanted right now was to be pushed away. She had this driving urge to protect Snowhawk. As much as it probably didn’t need to come out now, fate decided to throw her hand in and force it out. The room seemed to grow darker, colder. Janus looked up and Nyx moved from where she had been leaning against the wall toward the bed. In the short hallway from the room to the hospital’s main hallway, a man appeared. He was ghost white in complexion and had long, dark silver hair that hung to his mid thigh.

“Who are you!?” Janus demanded.

Nyx hissed, “Kione. What the hell do you want?”

The stranger grinned, opening almost glowing gold eyes. “You inadvertently completed your half of out bargain. I’m simply here to collect her.”

“She’s been through enough. Leave her be.”

“So harsh, Adian.”

Janus blinked. “Adian?”

“Janus,” the younger Lupino replied, his faux exterior melting away to reveal the same wolf Janus had grown up with.

“I’m sure you to have some catching up to do. Now let me have what I want and I’ll leave you.”

“Not today, or ever, Kione.”

“Why do you protect the one that forced you to be what you are? After all, you once threatened to do the same to her.”

“Feelings change.”

Kione’s grin still had not lessened. “I’m sure. In any case, why don’t you ask her what she wants?”

Adian looked back to the bed where Snowhawk was slowly sitting up. Her dulled, half closed eyes told him the story. “Because you’re controlling her.”

“Not completely. Merely telling her what she could have if she came with me.”

“What? The endless nights? The constant bloodlust?”

“We’ll see,” Kione smirked. “Besides, that’s only a problem the first few years. You should be over the sun’s burn soon.”

The groggy woman was now standing beside her bed. At least, she appeared to be standing, but was actually floating. She began to drift toward the long-haired stranger and Janus jumped in front of her, grabbing hold of her arms. “Snowhawk, love, wake up!”

“She can’t hear you, Janus. Only me,” he informed them. Janus held onto her tightly, but she managed to break away. She floated to Kione and he took her into his arms, falling limp at his touch. “What a pity that your world has to lose such a beauty,” he said, his grin never lessening.

“I will take her from you, Kione,” Adian growled, “before you turn her.”

“Good luck, young wolf,” he said with a final grin, then vanished with Snowhawk.

“Dammit!” Adian growled.

“… Dare I ask what you became to still be here?”

“I don’t think you’re that dense, dear brother. In any case, that’s not the issue here.”

“Why do you want to help her, Adian?”

“Because I owe the both of you that much. The wounds stopped hurting and I’ve accepted that I deserved this, especially now.” Adian paused for a moment, then headed toward the door. “I’m going after her. I’ll contact you when I find her.”

*********

Snowhawk awoke in a darkened room, someone gingerly holding her in their arms. She at first assumed this to be Janus and so, thought nothing of it. Her eyes focused on her surroundings and she found herself in what appeared to be a room of a castle, decorated in deep, rich colors. “Where am I?” she asked, still not fully awake.

The one holding her pulled her now short hair back and away from her neck as he sat her up. He leaned in toward her neck, wrapping one arm across her chest, and whispered, “Someplace safe.”

As soon as he heard the voice, she knew this man, who ever he was, was not Janus. She tried to break away from him, but found herself to still be too weak. “Who are you?!”

“Think back to just a few hours ago. Well, about a day now,” he said as he nuzzled her neck. “The name’s Kione, dear.”

“What are you doing?” she asked as he moved further back on her neck.

“I told you earlier I was going to help you. And I shall.” She cried out softly as he lightly nipped her neck, breaking the skin and drawing blood. “Such delicate skin… And sweet blood too,” he commented as he licked her neck. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to take you where you won’t hurt anymore.”

“I like the pain. It lets me know I’m alive.”

“But is it really all it’s cracked up to be?” he asked as he turned her around to face him. His left hand sat in the small of her back; his right was at the base of her skull. He smiled seductively and pulled her to him. She again tried to break away, but he only pulled her closer. “You have nothing to fear,” he told her, then leaned down to her neck.

“N– No, please…” she whimpered.

Just as he bit down, the door of the room burst open. “Let her go, Kione,” Adian warned.

“Meddling wolf,” Kione growled as he pulled away from her neck. “Do you really think you can stop me?”

“All I have to do is get her away from you.”

“Easier said then done, I should think,” the vampire grinned.

“Not necessarily,” Adian returned, then quickly lunged at Kione.

The vampire twisted out of the way, pulling Snowhawk with him. She cried out in pain as the wound on her back was nearly pulled open again. “Be careful, Adian. It wouldn’t take much to reopen her wounds.”

“Using her as a shield won’t help your position any, Kione.”

“She’ll thank me for it after I turn her.”

“I won’t give you the chance.”

“But I shall, dear wolf.”

“Only in your dreams.”

Kione grinned. “So you say.”

Adian again lunged at the other vampire, but found himself stopped by Kione’s booted foot in his chest. “Hand her over, Kione.”

“No. You can’t stop what is meant to be, wolf.”

“And this isn’t,” he growled, knocking Kione’s leg aside then grabbing Snowhawk. He quickly moved away from the still grinning vampire.

“She’s mine now, Adian, and you can’t keep her from me.”

“Snowhawk belongs to no one but herself. She is my brother’s by her own choice,” he told Kione as he protectively clutched Snowhawk. She was trembling in both fear and pain.

“And just what are you going to do once you return her? Become their protector? You’ll always be a fifth wheel to them, Adian, unless you claim what’s in your arms as your own.”

While Adian could admit he found this to be a very tempting proposition, he had to decline. “No. I think not. Especially if that’s how you intend to eventually get her to become yours.”

“And who ever said I did?”

“I’m not as stupid as everyone makes me out to be.”

“Maybe you won’t be a failure as a vampire yet,” he grinned. “Now, take the prize that is in your arms. You don’t want her in pain anymore, do you?”

“The only way I would is if she told me to turn her, Kione.”

“But can you not see it? The pleading look in her eyes. The trembling of pain.”

“Only if she says it.”

The older vampire smirked. “Ah well. It’s of no concern to me. I’ll come back for her at my leisure.”

“We’ll be waiting,” Adian growled.

“Good,” Kione replied, then vanished.

Adian growled again, then looked to his right hand as he felt a warm liquid oozing over it. The hand he had on her back was covered in her blood. The wound on her back had begun to split open again. She cried softly in pain as he tried to pick her up without further injury, finally managing to do so after having to hear several of her half-neighs of pain, something carried over from her Delphin form, he guessed. She continued to cry, burying her face in his chest as he carried her out.

He reached the vehicle he had brought and carefully positioned her inside on her stomach. He half ran to the driver’s side and slid in, picking up the cell phone and calling his brother as he pulled away. “She’s safe and I’m on my way back now.”

“Adian– thank you.”

“We’ll be a few hours. You may want to keep that doctor handy. The wound on her back has begun to reopen and she has a couple bites on her neck.”

“Care to tell me who this guy is when you get back?”

“I’ll tell you what I know when I return,” Adian replied, then hung up.

Over the past year and a half, Adian has found that being a protector was more rewarding than just taking what he wanted. He enjoyed helping Snowhawk, and his brother, but he had said that he would see that she was never by hurt by Janus again. She didn’t deserve to be hurt, and if Janus could do nothing but use her, then his brother would lose that which he held so dear. The younger Lupino knew he had the power to take her from him with a quick, painless bite. But he would wait and see; bide his time and keep a close eye on them. There was no point in taking her away from him now that she was happy. “Or would be if she hadn’t been cut to shreds,” he mumbled. “Besides, barring any serious accidents, a Delphin will outlive a normal Lupino at least twice over. And I am far from normal.”

*********

After returning to the hospital and the wound on Snowhawk’s back being sewn closed again, Janus and Adian sat in her darkened room and Adian relayed his story. “Just after sunset the evening following Sophie trying to kill me, at which point, yes, I was still alive, a man emerged from the shadows. He called himself Kione and offered to help me on the condition that I would one day help him. Not knowing this was his intention and not caring of the consequences, I agreed. He turned me there, then took me somewhere to heal. The rest, as they say, is history.”

“Yes, but who is he?”

Adian shrugged. “Not a clue, other than the fact he’s a very old vampire. He taught me a few things, but only stayed around for a few nights.”

“Which leaves you unaccounted for for several months.”

“I was strengthening myself.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. Why are you do damn curious all the sudden? You think I wanted this to happen?

Janus sighed. “Sorry, Adian. Maybe I’m being too protective of her right now.”

“It’s understandable, brother. But I have changed quite a bit over the past two years. Gave up a lot of things. Stopped acting like such an ass.”

“Took up cross dressing,” they heard Snowhawk say.

The older Lupino jumped up and ran to the bed. “Love, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”

“Like shit…” she grumbled.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t find you sooner, love.”

“I should have fought him off.”

“There’s no way you could have, Snowhawk,” Adian began. “Quillen is a hell of a lot stronger than you. Plus, add in the fact the bastard knows you almost as well as my brother and I’m sure you get the idea.”

“Love, his human form is stronger than my Lupino form. Please don’t blame yourself. This is in no way your fault.” He reached out to touch her face, but she shied away from him. “Love–”

“Please, I just– I need to be alone.”

“But do you think–”

“She’ll be ok, Janus. Neither of them would try anything this soon. Come on, we’ll find you some decent food and I’ll find a place to rest for the day.”

Janus nodded. “Very well.” He gave Snowhawk a gentle kiss on her cheek, then the two of them left the room. “Dammit, I feel so helpless.”

“There’s nothing you can do, Janus. Or could have done. Quillen is too strong, just as you said, and truthfully you would have had a snowball’s chance in hell against Kione.”

“And you?”

“Brother, I’m basically immortal. It may take a few nights, but Quillen would be no real problem. Kione– that’s another story. He’s a much stronger vampire than me.”

“Why do you feel you owe us this?”

“If I hadn’t broken Legacy’s horn, this wouldn’t have happened. He wouldn’t have snapped like he did and she wouldn’t have been raped. More than likely, I wouldn’t be a vampire because Sophie probably wouldn’t have tried to kill me. That is why I owe you this.”

“Thank you, brother.”

“But,” he began, “let me tell you one thing, Janus. If I ever see her cry because you have hurt her, I will take her from you. I will protect her from everyone because the last thing she needs is more pain.”

“Why would I ever hurt her?”

“You have been known to in the past, brother. So this is the only warning you’ll receive.”

“Adian…”

“Just remember, Janus. If I see one tear because of you, then you will lose her forever.” The younger Lupino turned and stalked off.

“What the hell was that about?” Janus asked to no one in particular.

“I do believe your brother may like your bird,” stated the Doctor, popping out of no where.

Janus jumped and spun around. “Where the hell did you come from!?”

“I’m always around. I work here. By the way, next time you’re looking for me, just ask for Lisa.”

“Very well,” Janus sighed, then shook his head. “I think everything just got several times more complicated.”

“Maybe,” she replied, “but you have to realize he feels a lot of guilt for what happened.”

Janus nodded, but really had nothing else to say. What could he say? His own brother was threatening to take away the very thing he had missed for so many years. Not to mention the issues with Kione and Quillen. He would have to be more careful than ever with her now.

“Why the hell are you doing this!?” Snowhawk yelled as she pushed Quillen away.

“I already told you, love, I want what’s mine.”

“And who’s to say I ever was?”

“I am, dear Snowhawk. The wolf won’t have anyone to help him steal you away this time.”

“He didn’t before either. Or has your mind twisted so much you forgot? You left. I was alone.”

“So are you saying he’ll be coming after you again?”

“He never came after me in the first place!”

“Regardless,” he replied with a smirk.

“What happened to you, Legacy? You used to be so kind, so gentle.”

“It’s amazing what can happen when the one you love is stolen from you,” he darkly replied. “So,” he continued a moment later, “why didn’t you fight him off?”

“What was there to fight?”

“Plenty. I had figured he simply grabbed you by the throat and held you down when you went to ‘visit’ that night. That is one of your weaknesses, after all,” Quillen grinned as one hand moved to her neck and gently stroked it. “Don’t be afraid, dear bird,” he half chuckled at the look of fear that crossed her face at his touch. He leaned down and gently kissed her again. “And my name is ‘Quillen’ now, love. Can’t have any of the others finding out, can we?”

Snowhawk clinched her eyes shut as tears began to well up in them. “Don’t make me choose. Not again.”

“There shouldn’t be much of a choice, dear Snowhawk,” he stated as he pulled her to him. He lifted her chin up with one hand, leaning down to kiss her again as his other hand reached up and pressed on her neck as he had some hours earlier. She was instantly dropped into a deep sleep. “I’m sorry, love. You have to stay. Goodnight, my sweet Snowhawk. You shall see our son soon.” He lowered the partition again and informed the driver to return to the estate.

*********

Elsewhere in the city, a very angered Janus jumped out of his vehicle and entered his estate. “That damn fool picked the wrong wolf to screw with,” he growled as he stormed into his library and to his maps of the city. “There are only so many places in this city where a Delphin can be hidden. And there are only so many beings in this city named ‘Quillen.'” He sighed. “This will require more work than finding her the last time.” He just hoped that who ever this guy was working for had no intentions of hurting her.

He eventually fell asleep while looking over all the maps, trying to figure out where they could be and who could be the responsible party. The thought came to him in his sleep: what if Nytehawk was behind this? Would she have been the one to suggest it, or could someone have manipulated the power she held to their own advantage? “What if Legacy hadn’t died then?” Snowhawk’s voice repeated in his mind. Given what had been said about personality and appearance chances, there was a high chance that the man Quillen was Legacy. His anger and frustration at losing Snowhawk brought on a severe obsessive state. Though what he might do to try and hang onto her was forethought in Janus’ mind.

Quillen was much larger and most likely much stronger than Snowhawk, if he had kept those traits from Legacy, assuming they were indeed one in the same. Legacy had also been highly intelligent. But what else? he thought. What else makes him such a threat? Then he realized Legacy knew Snowhawk almost as well as he did. And Quillen’s intentions would most likely not be with her best interests in mind.

*********

Trying to understand why a broken horn causes a shift in personality is about equal to trying to understand the logic of a three year old human child: It just is and any further reasoning will leave one with a migraine. The cause had never been discovered, but the effects were widely known. An alternate personality formed, a mirror dredging up everything the injured one was not. In Legacy’s case, his kindness was tossed away, leaving a hurt, vindictive soul determined to reclaim what he felt was rightfully his. And willing to do so at any cost.

Buried somewhere in him was his kindness, his gentleness, everything that had made him Legacy. However, this old self was so far locked away, and his new persona of Quillen was so strongly attached, little hope could be held out for the old Legacy to ever return.

Quillen cradled Snowhawk’s unconscious form as the vehicle pulled into the Society leader’s estate. The car stopped in front of the grand mansion. Quillen carefully picked her up and carried her out of the vehicle. He was met on the steps by Nytehawk, Hunter, and Jerome.

“She looks smaller than I remember,” Hunter commented.

“Two years can really change someone,” Nytehawk near whispered as she gently touched her cousin’s arm. “Did you have any trouble, Quillen?”

“Only from her. I found her asleep and she was very– disoriented when she awoke.”

“I guess that explains why she’s unconscious then,” Jerome stated, glaring at Quillen.

“Yes, it would,” he replied, returning the glare.

“I had a room prepared for her upstairs. We can take her there and wake her up,” Nytehawk said, not having noticed the glares.

“Lead the way,” Quillen responded.

Nytehawk nodded and walked up the stairs leading into the estate, the other following her. As they walked, Jerome very casually mentioned, “You took a big risk by putting her under like that.”

“Who’s to say I don’t know her better than any of you suspect?”

“Even if you had Guardian training, the only way you could know her that well is if you had had an extended, intimate relationship.”

Quillen smirked. “I have my secrets, Jerome. Just as you have yours.”

They reached the room that had been set up for Snowhawk and turned in. It was a moderate sized room, furnished with a queen sized bed, a desk, various chairs, a couple small tables, and various lamps of varying intensities. Quillen carefully laid Snowhawk on the bed, then gently brushed her bangs from her eyes, his hand lingering near her face almost too long.

“Quillen, could you wait to awaken her for a moment so I can bring Valerian in?” Nytehawk asked.

“Most certainly.” Nytehawk gave a small bow of thanks and quickly exited the room. “Soon, bird,” Quillen quietly said to the still unconscious Snowhawk. “Soon you will see your son.”

The use of “bird” caught Jerome’s attention. Only two ever referred to her like that: Janus and Legacy, and the latter only rarely. The Golden Guardian narrowed his green eyes slightly. He was beginning to piece everything together and he didn’t like the picture. “You’ll only be able to fool her for so long, then the consequences won’t be pretty,” he half growled under his breath.

“I’m sure you’re right, Jerome,” Quillen returned.

Hunter was at a loss. “What?”

“Nothing,” Quillen responded. “Just a little friendly rivalry”

“I’m sure,” Hunter warily replied.

A half moment later, Nytehawk returned with Valerian. The boy ran to the bedside when he saw Snowhawk. “Mom?” he said worriedly. “What’s wrong with her?”

“Nothing. Just asleep,” Quillen said reassuringly, then reached to her neck and awoke her as he had earlier.

Green eyes fluttered open again and she slowly began to see who was around her. First a flash of gold, Jerome, then her cousin’s pale blue fur, followed by Hunter’s gray fur, then a young, lavender-furred Delphin. “Where am I?” she half moaned, then felt a pair of small arms latch onto her.

“Mom,” the young one whispered.

“Wha– Valerian?”

He nodded and she could feel his silent tears on her shoulder. “You’re home.”

“It would appear I am,” she whispered, still waking up.

“Snowhawk,” Nyte began, “welcome back.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Snow–”

“Nytehawk, this is not my home, it’s yours. I don’t belong in your world anymore. Not this– Society. I never did.”

“Snow, you do belong. This is your destiny. Here. Not off in some cabin in the forest. You’re a Royal.”

“No. You are, Nyte. I never was.” She flinched almost imperceptibly in pain, then sighed as she closed her eyes. No point in being awake for now.

“Mom, don’t leave. Please. Not for a little while anyway.”

Snowhawk replied with a soft smile. “Don’t be afraid, son,” she whispered, then drifted to sleep as the stress of the day caught up with her.

“Mom…”

“Don’t worry, Valerian,” Hunter reassured, “she’s just asleep.”

“She sleeps a lot,” the child commented.

Quillen nodded. “Your mother needs to rest for now. She’ll be better in the morning.”

Jerome rested his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Come on, Valerian, I’ll teach you more about the Guardians of the old Society.”

“Okay,” he responded, somewhat sadly since he didn’t want to leave his mom.

“Go on, Valerian,” Quillen told him “I’ll stay here and make sure she’s safe tonight.”

The young Delphin nodded and followed Jerome out of the room, stopping at the door to look back at his mother.

Nytehawk turned to Quillen. “So you’ll watch over her tonight?”

“Yes. As if it were my life’s purpose.”

“Good, I would hate for anything to happen to her so soon after getting back.” She took a hold of Hunter’s arm and walked out of the room. “Do you think he’s changed, Hunter?” she asked as the walked to their room.

“Yes. Jerome suspects too, I think. They were doing a lot of glaring at each other.”

Nytehawk nodded. “We’ll just have to see what his intentions are.”

Back in the room, Quillen walked to the bed after locking the door, and then brushed a stray lock of Snowhawk’s hair from her face. “What will I have to do to make you forget him?” he quietly asked to no one as he ran the backs of his knuckles along her jaw. “What indeed,” He pulled her chin up and leaned down to give her another kiss, then looked at her face for another moment, softly stroking her cheek. Then he pulled his shirt off and lay down on the bed behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He held her tightly, then drifted to sleep, his head on her shoulder.

*********

Back at his estate, Janus now sat in a state of quiet contemplation. He had an idea of where to look for his bird, but didn’t want to make a move until he was certain. He was awaiting a call from one of his informants to verify Snowhawk’s location. The waiting was the hardest part. He clinched his fists at the thought of what that– Quillen may have done, or be doing, to his bird. The jealousy was almost overwhelming, but he fought it away again. He needed a clear head to think and act here. The mere fact that Quillen had laid a hand on her in the first place was enough reason to beat him to a bloody pulp. Adding in how he had done it was enough to beat the bloody pulp within an inch of it’s life. Had he done anything else to her… “If he has, I will kill him personally.” His phone beeped at him and he quickly snatched it up, answering the message. “Yes?”

“We think we have her location,” the man on the other end replied.

“Good. Continue monitoring. I want to be certain on this.”

“Yes, sir,” the voice replied, then the line clicked.

The two had come too far for someone to screw this up, especially someone that was supposedly dead. Janus had no idea just how simple it would be to discover exactly where Snowhawk was. And all in thanks to the evening news.

*********

Several days would pass. During this time, as Quillen tried to make Snowhawk forget about Janus, he also convinced Nytehawk that the time to move against the remaining slavers was now. She gave him the authority to essentially begin a war.

With that completed, he stalked off to the separate house Snowhawk had been moved to. There was one other thing he wanted to accomplish.

*********

Snowhawk dozed somewhat peacefully for one of the first times since she had been taken. Valerian slept, semi curled, next to his mother. It was another unseasonably warm, lazy afternoon, one that simply felt like the calm before the storm. The door to her bedroom swung open, a quiet creak awakening Valerian. He sat halfway up, trying not to disturb his mother and looked to the doorway. “Quillen, what are you doing here?”

“I need to speak with your mother on a private matter,” he evenly replied.

“Oh, okay,” the young Delphin responded, frowning, then carefully slid off the bed. He still had no idea of Quillen’s true identity.

“I think Jerome wanted to show you a few new things today. He’s in the gardens if you want to find him.”

“Okay!” he smiled, then sprinted from the room, his small hooves sliding around on the smooth stone floors.

Once the boy was gone, Quillen grinned darkly and stalked to the bed, sitting on the edge. He gently touched her human face, awakening her. “Good afternoon, love.”

She sat up slowly, pushing herself up until his hand caught her chin. “What are you doing?” she groggily asked.

“Nothing, love,” he said as he leaned to her then kissed her. His hands reached to the back of her neck and unhooked the velvet choker Janus had given her. As he tossed it aside with one hand, he removed a collar from his pocket with the other, still distracting her with the kiss. He moved his hands back to her neck, one wrist resting on each shoulder, the collar trailing down her back from his right hand. He leaned forward, as his other hand took a hold of the free end, and pushed her back onto the bed. He brought his hands to the front of her throat and locked the collar onto her.

She heard the quiet click of the lock and forced him off her, sitting back up. “What the hell are you doing!?”

“It’s for your own protection, love. We’re about to go to war. I can’t have you running off on me in the middle of a battle. You could end up getting hurt. Or worse, killed.”

Snowhawk glared at him. “I can take care of myself. Now unlock this damn thing,” she demanded as she tugged at it.

“I think not, dear bird,” he smirked. “You know, that’s a good look for you.”

“I assume you convinced Nyte into letting you do this.”

“Actually, she has no idea. You see, dear,” he began, running a finger along her jaw, “Nytehawk is just a figure head for us. I have been given as much power I need to strengthen the Society. I’m going to turn this into a full Empire.”

“With you at the head, I assume.”

“No. Nytehawk will remain as the leader, I’ll be the one ‘working to defend’ as it was in our past.

“You make it sound so noble,” she dryly remarked.

“Oh it is, dear Snowhawk, it is,” he returned, the sound of another lock clicking was heard as he fastened a chain to her collar. “An even better look,” he grinned.

Her eyes narrowed and she glared daggers at him. He gave a small smirk of amusement. “So I guess Legacy really is dead.” She drew her hand back to slap him, but he caught her small wrist in his hand.

“I don’t recommend that, love.” He pulled her to him, grabbing her waist tightly with his free hand. “You can’t fight me, dear bird. And I will never let you get away from me again.” He again reached to her neck and dropped her into a deep sleep.

A half minute later, Nytehawk entered the small house, intent on speaking with her cousin. Quillen sensed the female and carefully turned Snowhawk so she was facing him and the chain and collar were hidden. Nytehawk turned into the room and was surprised to see Quillen there. Even more so to see Snow apparently asleep in his arms. “Quillen, is Snowhawk alright?”

“She’s fine. Just exhausted herself.”

“And so she fell asleep on you?”

“Pretty much,” he replied and he gave her a very slight squeeze. “I don’t believe she’s properly rested in years.”

“Your intentions had better be nothing more than honest, Quillen,” she warned, noticing the squeeze.

“And I assure you, they are,” he grinned. He paused for a moment, then began, “I’ll need to take her with me tonight. I feel it would be safer for the both of you.”

“Do you suspect Janus knows?”

“The news last night said ‘at least one slave had been recovered’ then continued on to say her relationship to you.” His grin turned to a smirk. “And quite honestly, how many cousins do you have alive?”

Nytehawk sighed. “Just her that I know of. Damn, not the most opportune timing, was it?”

“Not in the least.”

“Very well,” she sighed, “you may take her with you.”

He grinned and gave a nod of thanks.

*********

Quillen left the estate late that evening, driving to an end of town where she once had an apartment. Two days ago, he came here to have everything prepared. He picked up the still sleeping Snowhawk and carried her into the building, then to her former residence. He further carried her into the bedroom and carefully laid her on the bed, then reattached the chain to her collar and connected the free end to the bed. He bound her hands behind her back, then re-awoke her. “Good evening, love,” he grinned, his hand slipping through the flap of her dress and resting on her rear. She gave a small cry of pain as he flipped her onto her back. The look of fear in her eyes was quite apparent as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a dagger, then brought it toward her.

*********

A half-inch stack of papers landed on the desk in front of a half asleep Janus. “We have her location. And we’ve discovered the Society wants to start a war against all the slavers,” the tall, dark furred Lupino female standing opposite him stated.

“Thank you, Nyx,” he groggily replied.

“Quillen’s on the move. He’s taken Snowhawk to the far side of town. An old apartment of hers. You know what he’s planning, do you not?”

“He wants to reclaim her. And he’ll probably not be gentle about it.”

“Are you moving now or will you wait?”

He paused for a moment to think. “If he does what I think he’ll do, it doesn’t matter when we move. We’d never make it on time. If he hurts her…” Janus sighed, “But he won’t be expecting a move so soon, so we’ll leave now. I’ll be counting on you and your crew for a diversion.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Thank you.” The other Lupino bowed and turned, then quickly exited the library. Janus waited another moment as he fully awoke, then stood and half ran to his garage.

Nyx greeted him there. “We’re ready to go at anytime.”

“Good. We’re moving now. Maybe I’ll catch the son of a bitch in the act so I’ll have more reason to kill him.”

The female turned and gave her crew a signal as she trotted over to them. A small fleet of vehicles moved out, Janus following several minutes later in one of his personal cars. After some forty minutes of driving to reach Snowhawk’s location he sent a signal over a radio to Nyx that he was ready when they were.

And halfway across town, an explosion blew several of the windows in the Society Leader’s home and set off every car alarm within miles.

*********

Back in Snow’s old apartment, Quillen let go of her now naked, half-unconscious form. She fell to the side, her raggedly cut hair draping across her neck. Her body ached from the abuse she had been subjected to. Quillen stood from the bed and stalked out of the room. Breaking her was just half the fun. He looked at the hair in his hand and grinned, then tied it together with one of her old ribbons. He set the bundle on a table, then looked to his computer and the message flashing “urgent.” He growled lowly as he had been called back across town.

Quillen re-entered the room and tossed a blanket over Snow’s bruised and bloodied form. She was crying softly, he noted, as he leaned down to give her a small kiss. “I shall return soon,” he whispered, then left the room, grabbing his sword and tying the sheath to his belt on the way out. She heard the front door unlock, open, close, then lock again as he left.

With that, she was alone. Helpless. She hurt too much to move, not that she could go very far if she could. While it was true she had been raped and beaten before, it was never by someone she had once trusted. She lay where she was for a few moments, then her stomach twisted in fear as she heard the door unlock and open again.

*********

Janus tentatively stepped into the old apartment, looking around for any others that might have been inside, after narrowly missing Quillen in the hallway. He knew Snowhawk was here, as he could faintly smell her. He listened carefully for a few moments, then heard something like quiet cries, of both sadness and pain. He also caught the scent of blood. Janus followed scent and sound back to a bedroom. He slowly opened the door and the smell of blood was strong enough to force him to shift from his Lupino form. His gut wrenched as he realized the blood he smelled was Snowhawk’s. The figure on the bed lay nearly motionless. “Sn– Snowhawk?” he almost whispered. She made no movement. He slowly moved toward the bed and could see long cuts on her exposed shoulder and her raggedly cropped hair. He gingerly touched an uncut place on her shoulder and she whimpered in pain. He knelt next to the bed and brushed her hair from her eyes. “My poor bird, I’m so sorry. I should have gotten here sooner and stopped him. I couldn’t find you.” She made no response, the shock of not a half hour earlier still held her in a near paralyzed fear. Slowly, he pulled the blanket off her, revealing just how much damage had been physically done. He caught site of her bound hands and first tried to untie them, then cut them with his pocketknife. Blood stained the rope and her wrists bled from the thin, wiry rope. He carefully pulled her arms from behind her, hating to hear her cries of pain. One of her hands immediately went to her face and covered it. Just from that movement, Janus knew how much she was hurting. Not physically, but mentally. She most likely felt as if she had betrayed him, that she should have been able to fight her attacker off, that she was weak for allowing this to happen to her. He didn’t want to further harm her by touching her, but he felt that he had to at this time. He carefully gathered her in his arms and held her as she cried and whimpered in pain.

“Well now, what have we here?” Quillen’s voice interrupted. “I thought they killed all the wolves around here.”

Janus bristled, a feat strangely accomplished in his human form. “What did you do to her, you son of a bitch?”

“I figured that would be obvious, slaver. I took back what’s mine,” he grinned. “By the way, the explosion was a nice touch, but not enough to keep me gone. Especially from a creature as sweet as her.”

“You can’t take back what was never yours, Legacy.”

“Right,” he replies sarcastically. “And Legacy’s dead, wolf.”

“Along with his gentle sincerity, I’m guessing.”

“Mostly.” Quillen’s face darkened. “Now let her go. I have unfinished business.”

“There’s not much more you can do to her.”

“I will be the judge of that. Now move aside.”

Janus growled and shifted forms again, fighting the sensory overload of the room’s scents. “You won’t touch her again.”

Quillen simply smirked and withdrew his sword from its sheath. “Your brother almost killed me, you know. With this very sword.”

“And just what does that have to do with anything?” Janus growled, carefully laying her down, then standing.

“Just a distraction,” he returned, lunging at Janus.

The Lupino dodged the strike, but was caught in the back of the neck by the edge of Quillen’s hand and sent across the room. He spun around, the blow having disoriented him for a moment. Quillen was amazingly strong. He was also dangerously close to Snowhawk. She was still too weakened to fight back and could only cry out in pain as he roughly flipped her onto her stomach. “An audience wasn’t part of the plan,” he darkly began, laying the blade of his sword across her legs, halfway between her rear and her knees, “but I think I can cope.”

“Let her be! She’s hurting enough as it is!” Janus warned advancing a couple steps forward, realizing just how far he’d been hit across the room.

“Don’t take another step, wolf.”

“Or what?” he defiantly asked, stepping forward.

“This,” Quillen responded and drew the razor-sharp sword across her legs.

Janus froze as she cried out in pain. “What the hell are you doing!?” he demanded.

“I’m making a point.” He sat down on the bed next to her and pulled a small dagger from his boot. He ran the blade along her arm, the razor edge easily cutting through her skin. “It wouldn’t take much to kill her, you know.” Quillen paused for a moment. “But death is far too easy. She’d be escaping me again and I simply cannot allow that.”

“And by doing this the only point you prove is that you’re many times worse than I ever was to her.”

“Maybe,” he nonchalantly replied, cutting diagonally across her back, enjoying the look of helplessness on Janus’ face. Her cries her grew weaker, though Quillen didn’t seem to notice. “But it also proves that I know her better than you ever attempted to.”

“So you would destroy everything about her. Crush her spirit.”

Quillen narrowed his eyes and stated, “Fine, you may have her for now. But always remember I will return for her one day.” He stood and glared at the Lupino for another moment, then seemed to vanish into the shadows.

“Nice trick,” he growled, then rushed to Snowhawk. She had lost a great deal of blood. Her body was cool to the touch and her heart rate had fallen drastically. She wouldn’t survive without care from a doctor, and she needed it soon. However, he couldn’t carry her out with out further injuring her. He fumbled around and found his phone then called Nyx. “Nyx, I need you at the old apartment. Now. Snowhawk is badly injured and I don’t think she’ll last long.”

Two uneventful months would pass until one not so sunny day, a paper flyer managed to reach the cabin. Janus has awoken quite early that day, intent on finding something his bird had hinted at wanting. As he left the porch of the cabin, he was somewhat surprised and amused to see a piece of God-awfully bright, neon orange paper tumbling down the drive toward a cabin on a gentle breeze. Figuring this paper must have some important message to have traveled this far from the city, he trotted toward it and snatched it up. His eyes widened as he read the message. Printed in bold, black letters, the text read, “Coronation! Em’bar 25th! The Delphin Society will live again!” then continued with the time the ceremony was to happen and where it could be watched. He folded the paper and stuffed it into his pocket. Hopefully, he could run his errand and return before Snowhawk awoke.

However, he didn’t make it back in time. Snow’s eyes fluttered open soon after he had left. She lay where she was for almost an hour before deciding to sit up and beginning the daily battle of deciding if she should even get out of bed. She’d been very tired over the last two weeks. She knew what it was but hadn’t said anything. A sharp breeze howled over the roof and she looked at the ceiling. “Hint, much?” she mumbled, swinging her legs over the side of the bed, then standing some twenty minutes later. “Wonder where he’s gone off to…” she mused, wandering toward the nearest television and couch. She flipped on the TV as she passed by, then flopped down on the couch, sinking into the soft cushions. After a minute of searching, she found the remote control and surfed to one of the educational channels she often watched. “Ooh, lightning,” she mumbled, still half asleep. She watched the show, comparing what it was telling her with what she already had in her mind from other sources, until she drifted back to sleep on the couch.

Some three hours later, she was awoken to the feeling of a pair of hands sliding around her neck and what felt like velvet between them. “A gift for you, love. You said you’d like one,” Janus half whispered.

As he pulled his hands back, she reached up and felt a velvet choker studded with a few small gems. “Oh!” she quietly gasped. “Thank you!” She reached up and hugged him, giving him a soft nuzzle, quite glad he remembered she’d mentioned something like this one day as she looked at the scar on her neck.

“You okay, love?” he asked, concerned. “You’ve been so quiet the past couple weeks.”

“I’m fine. My body’s just preparing for something.”

“What?”

“A child.”

Janus held her as he sat in stunned silence for a moment. “Snowhawk–”

“It wouldn’t be a repeat of my last pregnancy.” she added quietly.

It should be known that Janus had mixed feelings about children. While he did want them, eventually, now was most likely not the proper time. Especially with the news he had discovered earlier. “Love–”

“If you’d rather not, I’ll understand.”

“Love, it’s not that. I don’t know if now is the right time or not. With what’s going on in the city right now, I’d worry it might place you under too much stress.”

“What’s going on?”

Janus mentally smacked himself. She probably had not been awake for any of the local news, and he had taken the flyer with him. He pulled away from her slightly and removed the folded paper from his pocket. After opening it up, he handed it to her. “This is what’s happening.”

Snow’s jaw dropped as she read. “This is tomorrow.”

“The city is being prepared now. But apparently, no one knows who will be at the head.”

“Nytehawk, most likely.”

“What about you?”

“They would have to drag me out of here unconscious. I have no intention of leading, especially a Society that’s died once before.”

“Are you thinking history will repeat itself?”

“Considering the leaders never changed how they ruled, even at the end, yes. Times have changed. The Society’s been gone for how many hundreds of years now? Very few remember it anymore. They’ve all died, or forgotten. A few of us have memories of the past that were never told to us by anyone.

“You included?”

“Of course, I’m one of the Royal line, though I never understood why I had the memories until you mentioned it. I’m haunted by nightmares of her, rather my, death. Darkness, night I’d guess. A fire. Men, humans mostly, with weapons. Cuts on my arms, blood pouring down my back, a gash on my right thigh. Part of my horn was gone, broken off. Then, I’m hit by one of them and that’s where the nightmare ends and I wake up.”

Janus thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I remember hearing a tale from one of the old men that had served in my family’s army of a Delphin that died like that. Silver fur, black points, deep blue mane and tail, and the rare black dorsal stripe that’s almost impossible to find today. Black feathered wings. Her horn was emerald and her eyes colored like sapphire.” He paused for a moment. “She was a fighter by choice. She was supposed to be the Society’s leader, but refused. She was captured one evening while out by herself. They tortured her, trying to get information. All she did was laugh and taunt them. One of the men lost control and hit her in the back of the head with the butt of his gun.”

Snowhawk nodded slowly, then sat for a few minutes in silence. “I wonder who the hell instigated this,” she said, not really questioning.

“Hmm?”

“The rebuilding.”

“Could it have been possible for Legacy to have spoken with someone before he came to get you?”

“I’m sure he did,” she shrugged. “He always had a big mouth.” She sighed and looked out the window for a few moments. “I thought my fighting ended two years ago.”

“I know love, I know.”

Snowhawk sighed quietly. Her mind was nagging her with a single thought: What if Legacy hadn’t been killed and that he was alive now. It was a well known fact that often after having a horn broken, a Delphin would change in coloration and appearance as a human. She would be able to recognize him, but most likely only by scent. If that was the case, then no one else would know who he was since they didn’t know the scent intimately. “Do you think–” she trailed off.

“What?”

“That it could be possible that Adian didn’t kill Legacy.”

Janus didn’t really know how to respond. “Adian never would have thought to actually make sure he was dead before he left. So, there is the possibility. It was a closed-casket funeral, was it not?”

Snowhawk nodded. “They said they couldn’t get the blood out of his fur.”

“We may just have a ghost on our hands then.”

“Only he’s not dead. Which would make him all the more dangerous. Almost every Delphin that survived a broken horn turned–” she paused, looking for the right words. “It’s like whatever darkness they have in them takes over.”

“Their appearance changes as well, does it not?”

“Yes. Scent too, but, someone that knew the scent–” she paused again as she searched for the kindest wording, “Someone that knew their original scent intimately would be able to confirm.”

“How close would you have to be to know for certain?”

She didn’t respond for several minutes, looking away from him. Then finally answered, “Too close.”

“Tell me, love, please.”

“Close enough to sleep with him,” she shuddered. “A risk I’d prefer not to take.”

Janus was silent for a moment, then squeezed her tightly. “No one’s going to make you, love.”

*********

The following evening in the city, species of all kinds gathered to show support for the rebirth of the Delphin Society. The remaining members of the Guardian Counsel appeared to crown the new leader of the society, and commend her Guardian for his work. After a long, drawn out, and somewhat boring speech by the Counsel leader, the crown, which in all actualities was an elaborate tiara, was placed on Nytehawk’s head and she stood overlooking her new subjects as they applauded. Once their applause died down, she began speaking to them, her voice strong, clear, and powerful. “I thank you all for being here. Today, we celebrate the rebirth of the Delphin Society. This is for what I pray to be the good of all beings. And so, I say to you now that we will not tolerate the enslavement of our kind or any other race. This is an issue that will no longer be sluffed off as a problem for the so called ‘lower classes.’ I have been there, I was born into that life. Yet here I am, free. Many of you have been slaves as well, yet you stand here, free from the bounds of your owners. This problem will not be taken lightly and we will see to it that no other race has to suffer our pain.” By the time she reached “suffer,” her words were nearly drowned out by the crowd. Knowing that their enthusiasm would last for hours, she gave them a bow of respect after several minutes, then headed off toward a waiting vehicle.

Once inside, she flopped down, leaning back against the seat. “Well, that went well. Wouldn’t you agree, Jerome?” she asked the other as he climbed in.

“Yes, but no one reported seeing Snowhawk,” he replied as he sat down across from her.

“Didn’t figure she’d come.”

The opposite door of the vehicle opened as Jerome reached to close the one he entered through. Hunter slid inside and next to Nytehawk, closely followed by the head of security.

The head of security had appeared one day some eighteen months ago, intent on helping with the rebuilding. He was a mysterious fellow, only giving his name, Quillen, and his age, twenty-three. “You intended on seeing her, did you not?” he asked.

“I did.”

“They why not use the power at hand and retrieve her? We do know where she is.”

“Do you have a plan?”

“Always.”

“Then do it. That bastard’s kept her away far too long.”

“Nyte,” Jerome began, “what are you going to say this is?”

“A raid. Proof we will not stand for any slavers. Should word get out, that is. Which I trust it won’t,” she said warningly.

“Snowhawk is hardly a slave anymore, and Janus is hardly a slaver anymore, if at all. She’s there because she wants to be.”

“Do you really believe that, Jerome?” Quillen asked. “That someone would willingly stay with a known slaver.”

“Yes, Snowhawk has her reasons for staying.”

“What? Love? He’ll only hurt her. Use her to his own ends.”

“I would have to disagree with you.”

“Why?”

“I know Snowhawk. Better than most would think.”

“‘Once a slave, always a slave,’ is that not what goes through her mind? And as for Janus, once a slaver, always a slaver. He’ll slip up and she’ll see that.”

“I won’t give him a chance to harm her,” Nytehawk stated. “Quillen, once you are ready, take your team and retrieve her. I don’t care about the cost, just bring her back to us.”

Quillen nodded in response, “I will.”

They pulled into the garage of the recently renovated estate, the home of the reborn society’s leader. Quillen stepped out of the vehicle first, followed by Jerome, then Hunter and Nyte. “Where’d you get the ribbon in your hair, Quillen?”

“What does it matter?”

“Just has a very familiar color. Like one of Snowhawk’s ribbons.”

“So what are you implying, Jerome?”

“That you have some ulterior motive in this. Your own personal reasons for wanting her around.”

“And if I did?”

“Then you’ll wind up the same as Janus’ brother.”

Quillen smirked. “I wouldn’t worry to much about that.”

“Then you’d be a fool,” Nytehawk added in.

“We’ll just see. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a mission to complete,” he smirked, then promptly vanished into the garage’s shadows.

“I’m somewhat suspicious of him,” Jerome stated.

“As long as he does his job, that’s all I’ll ask of him.”

*********

Quillen quickly walked down the hallway toward his quarters. He could have this planned out and underway in less than two hours. Two hours and he would be on his way to being able to touch her again, to hold her, to kiss her. It had been far too long since he could. “I refuse to let that son of a bitch win,” he growled as he turned into his room. The door was closed and locked, then he sat down at his desk and began to make his phone calls.

*********

Back at the cabin, Snow awoke in the middle of the night to moonlight illuminating her room. She smiled softly and slipped away from Janus, quietly walking to the window and looking to the night sky. She felt the opened the window, finding the night to be unseasonably warm, the night air filled with the scent of earth and fallen leaves. She glanced back to Janus, then deftly slipped out the window and hopped to the ground.

Outside, she wandered into the forest toward a small pond she knew to be surrounded by honeysuckle and the tiny wild roses she enjoyed so well in the summer. She soon came upon it and stopped at a natural arch of dried honeysuckle vines. She crawled under the arch and lay down, soon drifting to sleep. A dream crept into her mind, one of a fourth child, a girl this time, and one she could actually raise. The dream sent a bittersweet tear down her face.

A moment later, she felt something she hadn’t felt in two years. Not a feeling of movement, per se, but just knowing. A feeling of life. Her eyes snapped open and she sat straight up. “Shit.” She searched for the feeling again now that she was awake. However, she could no longer sense it. She blinked a few times, then lay back down and closed her eyes, drifting back to sleep. She never knew when a deep, dreamless sleep overtook her.

*********

Back at the cabin, Janus awoke alone. “Snowhawk?” He felt where she had been, finding it to be still slightly warm. She had not been gone long. He then caught the scent of earth and leaves through the open window. Sitting up, he climbed out of the bed, then walked toward the window. He could also smell her scent here, then leading out the window. He exited the cabin as she had earlier, then followed her scent through the forest, soon realizing where she was headed.

He reached the pond and could see her across it, asleep under the natural arch. Such a beautiful image, he thought. He watched as she suddenly sat up, then went back to sleep a moment later. Soon after she drifted back to sleep, however, a darkly-clothed figure emerged from the forest and stalked toward her. The figure knelt next to her and appeared to touch a spot on her neck, just behind her jaw. Janus growled and ran toward the figure. He neared the dark one and lunged at him, but soon found himself tossed to the water’s edge. “Leave her be,” he growled.

“I can’t do that, slaver,” a male voice returned. “I’ve been given orders to bring her back.”

“Then I guess you never thought she might not want to go back.”

“Hard to believe, wolf. Now,” the man began as he picked up the Delphin-formed Snowhawk as if she weighed nothing, and grinned, “I’d suggest not following me. Never know what might happen to her.”

“The least you can tell me is who you are so I’ll know who to kill.”

“The name’s Quillen,” he replied, then turned and ran into the forest. “This time, Snow, I’ll make sure you’re safe. And that you’ll never leave me again,” he whispered to her as he swiftly moved through the trees. After a half hour of walking, he reached the rest of his team, then climbed into the back of an SUV, setting her beside him. “Go,” he instructed the driver, then flipped a switch and closed off the rear of the vehicle from the driver’s compartment. A moment later, he lowered the divider again and instructed the driver to take a meandering route through the city. He needed to finish up a few things with Snowhawk before they got back. The driver gave an affirmative response and Quillen again raised the divider.

He folded the rear seats down, then placed Snowhawk on her stomach. After finding a specific spot on her neck, he ran two of his fingers down either side of her spine to the bottom of her shoulder blades, resulting in her shifting to her human form. He carefully turned her onto her side, facing him, leaving his hand on her hip. He touched her throat again, as he had earlier, only on the opposite side. A grin crept across his face as her eyes fluttered open. She slowly awoke and began to piece together where she was, or rather, was not. “Hello, love,” Quillen said to her, touching her face. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you.”

“Who–” she slowly began, pushing herself up on her arms. The man greeted her semi-upright form with a long, deep kiss. Her eyes immediately snapped open ad she tried to pull away, but he held the back of her head too tightly. She clinched her eyes shut and could do little more than wait. When he finally broke the kiss, she broke away from him and attempted to merge with the vehicle’s opposite wall. “Who are you?!”

“I’m hurt you wouldn’t remember me, love,” he grinned as he slowly moved across the vehicle to her. He gently took her chin in his hand and leaned toward her. “But I have a few ways to make you remember.” She gasped as he leaned to kiss her again. He moved over her, a leg on either side of her, pinning her legs down, then held her arms down. Quillen laughed as she whimpered. “Still nothing? Do I have to get closer to you? Poor thing can’t remember. And at such a critical point too.” Her eyes widened at this. “Did you think I wouldn’t be able to tell?” One of his hands left her arm and he gently rubbed her stomach. “Really love, you underestimate me.”

“Why are you doing this?” she half cried.

“You left me, Snowhawk. Yes, he captured you, but you left me. You were never going to come back.”

She began to piece things together now, then gave a ragged sigh as tears of realization rolled down her face. “Legacy.”

“Precisely, dear bird. Though everyone knows me as Quillen now. If you value your wolf’s life, you won’t let anyone else know.” The hand on her stomach slid around to her back and rested just above her rear. He grinned as he spoke, “Especially that bitch of a cousin of yours. You’re not getting away from me this time, love.”

“You were dead. Adian killed you.”

“Almost dead. That stupid wolf never thought to check.”

“So whose idea was this? Yours or Nytehawk’s?”

“Her’s, with a bit of assistance from me.”

“And she really doesn’t know?”

“No. Neither does our son. He’s been asking about you, you know. Really interested in meeting you.”

“Regardless of how his mother was brought back against her will, I’d assume.”

“Don’t be so harsh, love.”

“Fuck off. You realize you’re a thousand times worse than Janus all those years ago.”

Quillen growled lowly at her and the hand on her back wrapped itself into her hair, and he forced her to look at him. “I am a thousand times better than that bastard will ever be.”

“Are you now?” she asked, her eyes full of contempt.

“He will never take you back,” he stated, then pulled her into another forced kiss.

Deep in the forest, a lone Delphin sat on the bank of a quickly moving mountain stream. Two years ago, she found her life being turned upside down again, and had sometimes questioned if it was all worth it. The death of her Guardian, then the death of her love’s brother in the same day was still quite hard for her to handle. It’s not that she wasn’t familiar with death, she just wasn’t so used to it any longer. “This should have ended peacefully,” she said to the forest.

“Snowhawk?” a male voice called out. “Where are you, love?”

“Nowhere far,” she replied. With a tired sigh, she laid down on the cool, soft grass.

From the underbrush emerged a pale-furred Lupino. “Are you ok, love?” he asked quietly, kneeling next to her.

“I’m fine, Janus.”

“You’ve been awfully silent the past few days.”

“Just been doing a lot of thinking.”

“Care to share your thoughts?”

“He’s two, now,” she said after a pause.

Janus took a minute to realize what Snowhawk was talking about. “Having some regrets?”

“Just wondering what it would be like. I’ve had three children and not been able to raise any of them.”

He sat down beside her and lightly rubbed her arm. “I’m sorry. I took you away from them.”

“No. I could have left at any time.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“What would I have gone back to? Even though Legacy is gone, I’m sure he some how manage to plant the idea of rebuilding the Dephin Society into Nytehawk’s head. And she’s part mule, I swear,” She sighed and turned on her side, facing him. “This will pass soon enough. It always has before.”

He nodded slowly and gently stroked her cheek. “Please don’t forget I’m always here for you.”

She looked up at him, then sat up, twisting around, and wrapped her arms around him. “Of course not.”

He wrapped his arms around her and felt her nuzzle him. Then, he felt a moist warmth on his fur. At first, he thought she’d injured herself, a not uncommon occurrence, then felt her faintly trembling. His bird was crying. “Snowhawk, tell me what’s wrong.”

“Just feeling– old, I guess.”

“You’re not thinking about giving everything up, are you?” he asked, his voice sounding decidedly concerned.

“No. I wouldn’t live through a third time.”

Janus never really said anything to that, just hugged her tightly. Then he gave her a small lick on her neck and nuzzled her softly. Eventually, she fell asleep in his arms. “My poor bird,” he silently whispered.

*********

Nytehawk sat on her balcony railing, looking to the sky. She hadn’t seen her cousin in more than two years. Yet, she was reminded of her everyday by the two year old child that scampered about her home. Valerian didn’t remember Snow or Legacy, but he had been told the general story. His mother was with a man other than his father. His father was dead. He was with his aunt because his mother wanted to protect him.

Nyte looked back to her feathered wings and sighed. “So much has changed since this all began almost four years ago.” Four years since she had been recaptured. Almost three since she’d been set free. She idly wondered where they would all be if Snow had left Janus and if Legacy hadn’t tried to kill her.

She looked up as she heard Hunter behind her. “Did he finally go to bed?” she asked, referring to Valerian.

“Yeah. He’s as stubborn as Snow– and you,” Hunter replied, nuzzling her and wrapping his arms around her.

“Comes by it honestly, I guess.”

“Will you ever tell him the full story?”

“Dunno. If he asks, I will. I just don’t want him thinking Snow or Legacy were ‘bad.’ They were both in a really awkward situation. And Snow was so doubtful of their relationship at the end. They both made mistakes Unfortunately, Legacy died because of it. I don’t want Valerian to blame his mother for Legacy’s death, or him to blame his father for her not being around.”

“Is that really what happened?” a young voice asked from the doorway.

“Valerian,” Nyte said quietly. “Yes. That’s pretty much it.” Hunter moved off to the side, sitting in a chair nearby.

“Do you think there’s a chance I might be able to see my mom?”

“I’m sure she’d love to see you, and to see what a handsome young man you’ve become. But I don’t know if her mind or her heart could handle it. Its getting closer to the anniversary of Legacy’s death, and the birthdays of her other two sons.”

“I have two brothers?”

“Half-brothers, but yes. If they’re still alive, the youngest is about ten years older than you. She got to name them, but not raise them since they were taken away from her after a few days by our first owner. She never handled that well.” Nyte looked off. “Tried to kill herself on several occasions, both directly and indirectly, until Janus got us. Then she was trying to kill him for the first few days. She hated everyone. Became bitter and aggressive. Something happened between them, never found out what, but she just, stopped. What developed between them was more than a physical relationship. Some sort of screwed up form of love, I guess. She had refused to show it, he didn’t know what it was. But there it was.”

“If he loves her, then why is he keeping her from her family?”

“I don’t think it’s just Janus keeping her away. I’d guess she’s hiding. Trying to get things sorted out, to rest, to recover.”

“Was– Is she strong?”

“One could say that, though she’d never admit it. Had she been prepared when she got pregnant with you, and had she not been under so much stress, her pregnancy wouldn’t have been as big of an issue. Between Janus capturing me, her doubts about Legacy, then being basically captured herself she certainly wasn’t in the best of situations. Though she didn’t think to actually use what time she could rest for resting. That was her spirit, and something they could never break. She was so stubborn, and so scarred from the slavers trying to beat it out of her, she was pretty much given away.”

“Did Janus ever hit her?”

“No. He never laid a hand on either of us, even the times she would attack him. That’s not to say she went unscathed. She’d go on these missions. The last one nearly cost her her life. I’d say she still wears the ribbon to cover the scar on her neck.”

“What happened after that?”

“She healed for a few days, then escaped, taking me with her.”

“How old is she now?”

“Twenty-three.”

Valerian blinked and yawned. “Hey,” Hunter finally said, waking up from his light nap. “I thought you were supposed to be in bed.”

Valerian grinned innocently and gave a soft chuckle.

“Hunter’s right, dear. Go back to bed.”

The young one nodded and, with another yawn, wandered back to bed.

“Snow would be proud of him,” Hunter idly mentioned. “And of you for doing such a wonderful job of raising him.”

“I would hope so. I just wish she could have raised him. That’s what should have happened.”

Hunter slowly walked to her and hugged her. “I know, but apparently, Fate didn’t agree.”

*********

Two weeks later, Snowhawk stepped out of the shower, quickly wrapping a towel around herself. She wiped the condensation off the mirror, looking at herself but gasped at her reflection. The Delphin in the mirror wasn’t her. Her pale fur had darkened in hue, but she was shocked most by her mane and tail. The color had changed to a pale blue tinted with lavender. Her legs went weak and she collapsed to the floor, falling against the wall with a dull thud.

The sound of her fall brought Janus running into the bathroom. “Sn– Snowhawk! What happened, love?!” he worriedly asked as he kneeled next to her. She was too stunned to speak. Janus shifted to Lupino form and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as tears began to stain her fur. “Snowhawk, love, what happened?” he quietly asked her again.

“… I’m getting old.” she near whispered after a few moments.

“Older, love. You’ll always be young to me.”

She nuzzled against him and held onto him tightly. “This is something I should have been expecting,” she mentioned as she shifted into her human form, then nuzzled her face into his fur. She couldn’t bring herself to tell him the real reason her aging scared her so badly. The older she got, the less time the two of them had. Lupino didn’t live as long as Delphin, even when one adjusted for the shortened lifespans of the average slave.

He hugged her again, subconsciously more carefully. He was always reminded of just how small she was. Even as a Delphin, she was only a few inches taller than his human form. “My little bird,” he quietly said with a gentle nuzzle. Janus felt her breathing finally slow as she began to calm down. He smiled softly and shifted back to his human form. He slowly stood, bringing her with him, then picked her up and carried her to their room.

*********

Snowhawk awoke several hours later and smiled softly as she found herself still in his arms. She cuddled closer to him, nuzzling him softly. Her mind soon began to think This is how my life should have been. But what if she hadn’t acted the way she did all those years ago, when she’d escaped. They had both had many strong revelations over the past couple years. Neither of them would have had any of those had they taken different paths. If I had it to do over, I’d change a few things, she thought, but I wouldn’t change the outcome. She gave him a small nuzzle and drifted back to sleep.

*********

Back in the city, a twitch of life made its presence known in Snowhawk’s abandoned apartment. A male figure moved silently through the living area, stopping at a coffee table and picking up a dusty picture. He brushed the dust off the glass, revealing two Delphin, one lavender-furred female shyly trying to hide her face from the camera in the shoulder of a tan-furred male. The figure gently touched the face of the female. “Snowhawk,” he whispered. Another moment passed, then he broke the glass of the frame and pulled the picture free. He folded it in half and slid it into the pocket of his black overcoat. He continued through the apartment, entering what had been Snowhawk’s room. The man walked to her nightstand, opening the drawer. He pulled out a slightly dulled piece of crimson ribbon, placing that into his pocket as well. He turned to leave when a flash of silver caught his attention. Further inspection revealed the silver ring she had been given to signify her mateship. After a moment’s pause, he took the ring and dropped it in the pocket with the other items. He turned to leave, then stopped at the two year old bloodstain on the floor of the living room. He knelt next to it, then gingerly rested his fingertips on the stain. His old scars began to ache again as he thought of the events of that night. He bowed his head, recounting his past. A moment later, he stood and quickly left the room.

Three weeks later, Snowhawk stood on the bank of the forest lake and gazed across. She gave a heavy sigh and brushed her mane over shoulders. “I will go back to town tomorrow,” she whispered, “and I will tell them my decision.”

Janus stepped out of the brush a few moments later. “ What’s on your mind Snowhawk?”

She turned toward him, smiling faintly as he closed the gap between them. “I’m going back to town tomorrow. I’ve made them wait too long for my decision.”

“Should I go with you?” he quietly asked, wrapping his arms around her.

“No. I’d be afraid of what Legacy might do if he saw you.”

Janus gave a small nod. “I’m still worried about you going alone, though. Could I at least send someone with you?”

“Like who?” she questioned, canting her head to the side.

“Anyone that could protect you. Even– Adian.”

She smirked at his suggestion. “Would you trust him that far?”

“Not in the least,” he admitted. “Would you?”

“I think I could,” she replied.

“Please be careful tomorrow, Snowhawk,” Janus pleaded. “Your Guardian might not be able to control his emotions.”

“I know,” she nodded. “But I did get myself into this mess. I’ll have to accept any consequences that are dealt.”

“I wish it could be easier for you,” he said, pulling her closer to him.

“At times, I do too, but I know that without my trials, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

*********

Later that night, Snowhawk crept out of their bedroom and into the forest. She tried to remain near the cabin, but wandered aimlessly around it, lost in thought. The feeling of someone grabbing her arm quickly snapped her back to reality. “Who–?!”

“Good to see you again, love,” Legacy replied.

“Let me he hell go!” she demanded. “What are you doing here?”

“You’re coming back, Snow. You’re too important for us to lose.”

She had heard all this before. “Too important to who? You or the Empire you’re trying to build?”

Legacy replied with a smirk. “Both. Now, we’re going.”

“Like hell!”

“Don’t fight me, Snowhawk,” he warned.

She snorted at him and continued to try and pull away. “I will do whatever I damn well please.”

“Apparently so. And I’d guess there’s a ‘whoever’ included in that as well?” He reached into his pocket, once again intent on putting her to sleep.

Snowhawk was well aware of what her Guardian kept hidden in his vest pocket and she was also well aware of what he was planning to do. She tried to cry out for help, but Legacy’s hand on her throat put a quick end to that. “He can’t save you. Now, come along quietly and I won’t be forced to harm you.”

“Right,” she gasped as he led her away, still holding on to her throat.

Back in the cabin, Janus snapped awake the instant he thought he heard Snowhawk’s cry. His mind was still half-asleep, but he was certain that Snowhawk was not in bed with him. “Guess it never hurts to check,” he said to himself as he crawled out of bed. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, then half ran outside.

Delphin hoof prints were not easy to miss, but human ones could be. He did find a fresh set of Snowhawk’s footprints, but was disturbed by finding a second, equine set, one too large to be Snowhawk’s. He wondered for a moment just who would have come out this far to kidnap her, then realized it was a stupid question. “If that was Legacy, there’s no telling what he may be planning.” He sprinted back to the cabin to find his car keys.

*********

On the way back, Snowhawk glared at Legacy as he drove. She had to think of some way to get away. A split second decision later, she threw a punch at him as he drove. He jerked the wheel, almost plowing into another vehicle. She again tried to connect her fist to his jaw, missing once more, and he this time pulled his truck over. Her escape attempt was short lived as he grabbed hold of her before she could get the door open. “Are you trying to kill us both?!” he yelled. She answered him with another glare. He reached into his pocket and removed the syringe he’d gone for earlier, and quickly jabbed it into her arm and injected the contents. Moments later, she was out and he leaned back into the driver’s seat with an irritated sigh. “Damn crazy female,” he grumbled as he continued to his apartment.

*********

Adian leaned toward one of the monitors in his surveillance room and watched as Legacy pulled a female form from the cab of his truck. “What are you doing, Legacy?” he asked, smirking as he keyed in a command and zoomed the camera toward the Guardian. “Oh, I see. You’re trying to piss my brother off.” He stood from his chair and stretched, then grabbed his jacket as he walked out the door. “No one is going to do that but me, dammit.” As he walked, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed his brother’s number.

*********

Legacy carried Snowhawk’s unconscious form up the stairs to his apartment, unaware of the Lupino following just behind him. “I can’t allow you to be gone, Snowhawk. There’s too much at risk,” he whispered to her as he entered the dwelling and placed her on the couch. He crouched next to her, waiting for the drug’s effect to wear off and gently stroking her hair.

Not ten minutes after he’d arrived, the door was kicked open. “You are making a huge mistake messing with my brother,” Adian warned as he stalked in. “When he’s pissed, it falls on me.”

Legacy looked up, more annoyed than anything. “Tell me, Adian, do I look like I really care?”

“You will when I pass it on to you,” the wolf smirked.

“Neither you or your brother can have her,” Legacy snorted. “She’s far too important.”

“To who? You or your Empire?” Adian questioned, folding his arms across his chest and leaning back.

Legacy had heard all this before, and not too long ago in fact. Honestly, he knew he couldn’t say for certain. “Returning the Empire to what it once was is a noble job. One that she should be proud to do.”

“You haven’t answered my question,” Adian continued. “Is she more important to you or to your Empire?” Legacy returned only silence. “That’s what I thought. You’re more concerned with your project than you are with her.”

“You are walking on very thin ice, wolf,” Legacy said warningly.

Adian could not help but smile. “Then I’m right. You wouldn’t be so touchy if I wasn’t.”

Legacy was never known for his ability to control his temper. He slowly stood and drew his sword from the sheath on his side. “Leave. Now.”

The attempt to be threatening only drew a laugh from Adian. “I hope you realize she’s far more intimidating than you could ever be.”

“And you’re apparently far more stupid than your brother,” Legacy returned.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Delphin,” the Lupino smirked. “You’re greatly underestimating us.”

“You can’t win unarmed, wolf.”

Adian cracked his knuckles and stretched. “We’ll see.”

Legacy yelled a battle cry and charged the Lupino. Adian side stepped this attack, but not without receiving a long gash across his chest from the Guardian’s sword. As the Guardian moved away from him, Adian quickly changed directions and pounced on Legacy’s back. The wolf grabbed the Guardian’s shoulders, claws digging into flesh. The sheer force of Adian’s attack sent both of them tumbling to the floor and Legacy’s sword left his hand. Adian landed under the Guardian, then kicked the Delphin off, sending him across the room.

As the two fought, Janus rushed in, finally, just before Snowhawk awoke. The female gasped in mild shock when she realized just who was fighting, then again in fear when a hand rested on her shoulder. Luckily, the hand belonged to Janus, and he gave her a reassuring smile when she looked at him. He picked her up, then managed to give his brother a quick nod of thanks, and left with his love before Adian could be further distracted.

Legacy was, to say the least, not at all pleased with the fact Janus had just taken off with his girl. He was determined to end this fight quickly so he could intercept the thief. The Delphin kicked the wolf away from him, then lowered his head and charged once more. His plan would have been lethal had Adian not sidestepped the attack.

Adian also wanted this fight over quickly as he was getting bored. As the Delphin passed by him, he grabbed the end of Legacy’s horn and pulled him around. The Guardian kicked at the Lupino, trying to break away, but managed only to graze Adian’s leg. “Stupid move,” Adian growled as he sharply pushed down on the tip of Legacy’s horn.

Delphin horns are not indestructible, though they can move slightly in their socket, and they have a slight give. The horns are not really any type of gem or metal, though they may take that appearance. They are more like bone and as such, they are well supplied with blood. The room filled with the sound of a large crack, then Legacy’s scream.

The Guardian fell backwards, the blood from his freshly broken horn already rushing down his face and pooling on the floor. He tried to back away from the wolf, but Adian just grinned at him, then tossed his horn tip into the air and caught it a half second later. Adian circled the Delphin, chuckling, then stopped to pick up the sword that had fallen away early in the fight. Legacy began to slip into a state of shock and fell to the side as Adian walked back to him. The wolf knelt next to the Guardian, still chuckling, then rolled him onto his stomach, and held him down with his knee. “Poor Guardian won’t get to see his son grow up,” Adian taunted. “Sucks to be you, huh? Completely screwed up everything.”

“Not over…” the Guardian whispered.

“Yes, Legacy, it is,” Adian informed him. “You won’t just jump up from this and beat my ass like some character in a game. You aren’t going to get the girl, and your little family will never be perfect. Die knowing that you had a chance once, but now you will never touch her again.” Adian stood, holding the Guardian’s own sword over him. The Delphin turned slightly, trying to escape, but went no further when the blade sunk into his back. Adian paused for a moment, to be sure the Guardian was dead, before he removed the blade. He chuckled again, then left the apartment and headed back to his brother’s estate.

*********

Some souls cannot rest knowing they still have a job to finish. Sophie considered her job to be making sure Nytehawk and Snowhawk’s happiness was secure and making sure what life they chose would be of their own will. She had planned to visit Legacy to check on him and make sure he was not doing something stupid, but instead saw Adian running out of the apartment complex with a sword that looked to be covered in blood. She was immediately concerned for Legacy and ran inside to see if her suspicions were true. Upon confirming her suspicions, she ran back out of the building, and towards Janus’ estate, then to Adian’s house on the grounds. She slipped in through a window in the back of his home, and greeted him in his living room. “I thought you had been warned about getting involved in matters that don’t concern you, Adian.”

The Lupino jumped when he realized someone had snuck into his home. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he growled.

“Something that should have been done years ago. You’ve really screwed things up this time.” She withdrew the pair of daggers she kept on her and lunged at him.

Adian was taken by complete surprise at this attack, and, being injured from his fight with Legacy, could not move quick enough to avoid it. She left a pair of long gashes across his chest. “What the hell are you talking about!?” he yelled.

“I made a promise to protect them and make sure they got to make their own choices. Now you’ve ruined that,” she explained, then lunged at him again.

Adian caught her this time and pinned her arms to her sides. “I still fail to see how this involves me.”

“Legacy had another chance!”

“No, Sophie, he didn’t. Kidnapping doesn’t make for a good chance.”

She screamed in frustration and kicked him away. “Then explain why she stays with Janus!”

“Because,” the Lupino growled, fully standing, “Janus never kidnapped her. He asked that she stay out of concern for her health.”

“That’s a little hard to believe, wolf,” she snorted, then lunged at him once more. Adian blocked her attack with the Guardian’s sword, but she quickly slashed at his wrists in an attempt to get him to drop the weapon. Adian yelped and pulled his hand away, but did not drop the sword.

Adian blinked and stared at the panting female for a moment. “Shit,” he grumbled, then turned and sprinted back outside, figuring he could out run her in the woods.

Sophie, ill as she was, was determined to accomplish this last mission. She managed to catch up to the injured predator-turned-prey and pounce at him again. One of her blades sunk into his back, the other swept across his legs, just above his hocks. Adian fell forward and Sophie landed on his back, driving the blade still deeper into him. “Get up, Adian,” she commanded, lifting herself off him. “We aren’t finished yet.” She pulled the blade from his back, but the wolf made no noise or movement. “Get up, dammit!” she screamed, kicking him, then flipping him over to see the Guardian sword buried in his chest. When Adian remained still, she realized the fight was indeed over, then sunk back against a tree. “Finally,” she panted, “something done right.”

She stood fully again, and slowly made her way out of the forest. She managed to reach the road before she collapsed. A small group of Feln found her and immediately rushed her to the hospital. They were met by the same doctor that had treated Snowhawk several times past. She was taken to a room right away and treated as best she could be. Her health was falling quickly now, due to her overexertion.

Sophie knew this night could very well be her last, so she requested that two letters be sent: one to Snowhawk, one to Nytehawk, and that the Guardian Jerome be summoned to her. The Guardian arrived as soon as he could for her. He pulled a chair next to her bed, took her hand into his, and remained with her throughout her final night.

*********

Six months later, Nytehawk and Hunter, accompanied by a human guard, brought Valerian to visit his father’s grave. “I wish you could have known him, Valerian,” Nytehawk began, looking from the tombstone to the boy. “He really wasn’t bad, just confused.”

The child knelt by the grave site and placed a small bouquet of lavender flowers on the ground. Hunter gently patted the young Delphin on his should as he stood. “What happened to him?” Valerian asked, looking to Hunter.

“It’s a long, sad story that will have to wait until your older to be told,” Hunter replied.

The guard accompanying them lightly touched Nytehawk on the shoulder and quietly said, “We need to leave soon or we will be late for our appointment.”

She gave a small nod. “Okay… we need to find Jerome then.”

“He should be with Sophie,” Hunter replied.

“I know where!” Valerian exclaimed, the trotted off to see the Golden Guardian.

*********

Jerome knelt next to the grave of his former lover, his head bowed and his eyes closed. “I wish I could have saved you,” he whispered. He remained in silence for several moments more until Nytehawk, Hunter, Valerian, and the guard arrived.

“Jerome,” Nytehawk quietly began, “we should be going now.”

The Gold Guardian nodded his head to them, then stood from the grave site. “There’s so much you think of saying after the fact…”

“More than we could have guessed before they were gone, right?” Nytehawk responded.

“Indeed,” Jerome replied.

“Madam Nytehawk,” the guard began again, “we really must be going.”

“Very well,” she nodded. “You heard the man guys. Let’s go.” She turned and walked off, following the guard.

Jerome remained near Sophie for another moment, then blew her a kiss and trotted away.

*********

Late that night, a lone lavender Delphin crept to Legacy’s grave site. She knelt next to it, and placed a small bouquet of white flowers next to the lavender ones left earlier in the day. “I’m sorry it had to come to this, Legacy. I only hope you know this was never my intention.” She bowed her head and whispered a Delphin prayer, then looked up once she was done. She saw the form of her Lupino guard emerge from the shadows. “Something happening, Nyx?” she asked the chocolate furred female.

“We aren’t alone,” the wolf replied.

Snowhawk gave a small nod, then stood and quickly brushed herself off. “Shall we go then?”

Nyx nodded in reply. “Yes, we should get you someplace a little safer than this.”

“Very well,” the Delphin replied. She leaned down and whispered one last thing to the grave, then straightened and trotted away, the Lupino female following.

“Your last visit?” Nyx questioned as they walked.

“Yes,” Snowhawk nodded. “There’s only so much one can say to a plot of dirt, especially when the spirit they’re trying to reach won’t respond.”

“Oh?” Nyx said, canting her head.

“Yeah. It’s almost as if he’s not really there.”

“Does that concern you?”

Snowhawk nodded again. “Greatly.”

Snowhawk contacted Janus some two weeks after she arrived at the cabin, but she had not made any decisions by that point. During their conversation, he assured her that she could take as long as she needed. Adian took supplies to her, and, according to his reports to Janus, he’d not actually seen her on any of his trips. He could report that he was confident the cabin had been lived in.

Snowhawk finally called Janus at the end of the eighth week and simply requested that he come see her soon. He was at the cabin within three hours.

*********

At Nytehawk’s home that same day, Nytehawk, Jerome, Onyx, Sophie, Legacy, and Hunter discussed the situation. “So, no one’s heard from her since she went up there?” Onyx questioned.

Sophie shook her head. “Not since I saw her. Even then, there was no contact.”

“There’s a rumor that she contacted Janus some six weeks ago, but there hasn’t been much else around,” Jerome added.

“What about the supplies?” Hunter asked.

“Apparently Adian has been delivering them,” Legacy replied, irritated at the thought. “She’s been leaving notes for him as to what she needs, so I’ve heard.”

Nytehawk was silent for a few moments, then commented, “It’s not like her to withdraw that much for that long. She needs contact, and her delivery man isn’t exactly trustworthy.”

“What are you suggesting, Nytehawk?” Onyx queried.

“The last I knew, Adian was little more than a walking erection. He wants toys, regardless of who they ‘belong’ to.”

“I really doubt Snowhawk would allow him to get within arms reach of her, much less lay a hand on her,” the raven furred Delphin noted.

“Adian can be very persuasive,” Nytehawk quietly responded.

Legacy snorted in disgust and looked away from the group. “I don’t believe for a moment she’d allow that. She went up there to work her feelings out, right? Why would she complicate things by getting involved with Adian?”

“That’s the most intelligent thing you’ve said in a while, Legacy,” Hunter commented.

“I think you may be reading a little too much into it, Nyte,” Onyx stated.

“Maybe,” Nytehawk began. “But I just didn’t like how he’d try to find ways to watch her. It was like he was stalking her.”

“Well, Lupino are predators,” Jerome pointed out.

“And predators like weakened prey,” she finished.

Legacy flattened his ears back. He wasn’t pleased about the thought of having something else to complicate matters. Both Onyx and Nytehawk had valid points, and he only hopped that Onyx was right on this.

*********

Adian wandered the estate, halfheartedly making his check of the grounds. He idly wondered just what Snowhawk would say. Janus should be at the cabin by now.

He had said that he never saw her over the past eight weeks, but that was a full blown lie, mostly to put his brother’s mind to rest. He saw and spoke with her on all of his trips up there. He took trips up there twice a week for supplies and to check up on her. With each trip, she seemed to be leaning more toward his brother. Not only was he trying to keep from being blamed for something he hadn’t done, but he didn’t want to give Janus a false hope. She was female after all, and such creatures can change their minds quite quickly.

He meandered the grounds for several hours, thinking. He thought about how he was truly jealous of his brother, and that perhaps his interest in keeping her safe was more than just to keep his brother happy. “Janus was wrong, I guess I do care about someone,” he said to the plants around him.

He also thought about how she seemed to have re-acquired a stalker. He wasn’t sure how long this presence had been trailing her this time, and it seemed to have followed her to the mountains now. He was quite concerned over this since she was more concerned over her decision than her personal safety. He sighed and shook his head, wondering just why, exactly, he’d gotten involved.

*********

Janus pulled in front of the cabin and stepped out of his car as Snowhawk walked down the porch steps toward him. She looked to the sky as she walked, then sighed and looked at him, smiling softly. Janus, of course, smiled in return, but wondered if it was appropriate to ask the question burning in his mind. She walked to him, and stopped just a couple of steps away. “You know how there are things in life that just are. They have to happen, regardless of what one might do to try to stop them?” she asked.

Janus nodded. “Of course.”

She sighed, momentarily looking to the sky again, then back to him. “I believe that we are one of those things.”

Janus didn’t quite get what she was saying at first, probably because he hadn’t gotten his hopes up to hear it. By the time she had closed the gap between them and put her arms around him, however, he understood. He in turn wrapped his arms around her. “Oh, love, you have no idea how afraid I was you wouldn’t say that.” He pulled her closer to him, then asked after several minutes, “But what are you going to tell the others, especially Legacy. I’m a little concerned for your safety after what he tried in the hospital.”

“Your fears aren’t unfounded, but I will have to tell him. And soon.”

********

Several days later, back in the city, Jerome sat in Sophie’s room in Nytehawk’s home. Sophie’s health had fallen rapidly over the past week. She refused to admit she was that ill, but the fact wasn’t easily hidden. “Sophie,” he quietly began, “why didn’t you tell me? I might have been able to help you before it progressed so far.”

“This is my punishment for what I did, Jerome,” she replied. “You were right, I didn’t have to do any of it. She sat up in be slowly, staring blankly at the far wall. “Why are you here anyway, Jerome? Shouldn’t you be helping Legacy get Snowhawk back?”

“Snowhawk isn’t coming back, they just don’t want to hear it. You’re more important. You need someone with you.”

“J, she’s got her whole life ahead of her. They all do. I’m not that important.”

“You’re more than ‘that important,’ Sophie.” He moved from his chair, kneeling in front of her and taking hold of her hand. “Above everything else that’s happening, beyond what’s come between us in the past, you are my mate.”

“I was–”

“Are,” he quickly corrected. “I apologize for how I acted. I was hurt. It’s an excuse, but it doesn’t make it right.”

“Right or not, that doesn’t change anything,” she responded, looking to Jerome’s hands.

“You’re right, it doesn’t. But it’s childish of me to remain angry with you.”

“Childish, but not unfounded.”

Jerome sighed, the released her hand and moved next to her on the bed. He embraced her and they sat in silence for several minutes. “Don’t push me away, Sophie. Please. I want to be here for you to try and make up for how I acted.”

Sophie didn’t know how to react. He’d let go of his anger. He was the same Delphin she’d fallen in love with years ago. “What changed your mind, Jerome?” she finally asked after some ten minutes of silence.

“I told you,” he replied. “I realized that I can’t change–”

“No,” she said, cutting him off. “I mean, what made you realize that?”

Jerome leaned back a few inches and looked down in thought. “I guess it was after Legacy returned without Nyte or Snow. I don’t know why, but that was it.”

“Don’t try to save me, Jerome. I’m not worth it. I don’t deserve to be your mate,” she said, leaning and looking away from him. “I’m sure there’s someone else waiting for you.”

Jerome leaned towards her and quietly stated, “If there is Sophie, she can wait. You are more important.” He pulled her tightly to him and whispered, “I don’t want you to go through this alone anymore.”

She tried to pull away from him. “Jerome, you need to back away. You can’t get too close–”

“Sophie, I’ve already told you what I felt. I am not leaving you again.” She gave him a defeated sigh at this, but made no attempt to pull away.

Sophie sighed as she looked across the predawn forest. She had come to the mountains after she spoke with Onyx to think of what she should do. After all this time, she still had no clue. She needed to atone for her past and to tie up a few lose ends. “If I could get rid of Janus, then I could not only return the favor he gave me, but I could get Snowhawk back to her family.” She snorted in slight disgust. “It won’t fix everything, but it’ll help. Just need to think of how to get rid of that damned wolf.” Her mind went over every possibility as she leaned back and watched the sunrise.

*********

Elsewhere in the mountains, Janus helped Snowhawk out of his brother’s vehicle, then led her to the small cabin. Snowhawk had requested to come here to spend her time alone. “Are you sure you’ll be okay by yourself here?” Janus asked.

She stopped about half way to the cabin, and turned to him. “I’ll be fine. If I need anything, or if anything comes up, I’ll call. I probably will in a few days anyway.”

He nodded slowly, then pulled her to him and softly kissed her on the forehead. “Take care, love,” he said, then backed away as she continued to the cabin. He reluctantly climbed back into the vehicle and leaned back into the passenger seat as she walked inside.

“You’re damn near pathetic, Janus,” Adian smirked.

“Shut up and drive, Adian,” Janus glared, “before I kick you out and drive back alone.”

“The hell you will,” the younger brother chuckled as he turned his truck around. “You’d never leave me alone near her.”

Janus made no response to his brother, only stared out the window. He hated to leave Snowhawk alone up here. It was, at the least, a half hour to this place, and should something happen to her– “I wish she’d gone someplace else,” he commented.

“Like where? The sea?” Adian smirked. “You know what, rather who, lives by the ocean. She’ll be fine here, brother.”

Janus couldn’t really argue with him, and nodded. “You’re right, as much as I hate to admit.”

“Of course I’m right,” he grinned.

*********

Janus walked into his room back at the estate some forty-five minutes after they’d left Snowhawk. “Please stay safe, my Bird,” he prayed as he looked out his window.

“Her safety should be the last thing on your mind,” Sophie’s voice said from the shadows.

Janus spun toward her voice and growled. “What are you doing here?”

“Tying up lose ends,” she stated, stalking toward him. “You know, like you. You blew my cover and now I’m dying.”

He stepped back as she advanced toward him. “You intended to kill my Birds.”

“Would you really have missed them?” she questioned. “It’s not like slaves were that hard to come by.”

“Yes, Sophie, I would have. Because unlike your owner, my slaves were not mere toys to me.”

“You’re so full of shit, Janus,” Sophie snorted, then lunged at him.

He caught her and pushed her away from him, scowling at her. “Be serious, Sophie. You aren’t strong enough, especially now.”

“I want you to give her back to them,” she commanded, standing.

“Snowhawk can go anytime she wishes. Despite what you may think or may have heard, I am not holding her against her will.”

“Bullshit.”

“She can,” he repeated. “I took her to my cabin in the forest at her own request. She wished to go there and think things over where no one will bother her.”

The gray Delphin canted her head to the side. “She’s where?”

“At my cabin in the forest.” He began to wonder if this illness was affecting her hearing.

“Why aren’t you with her?” she questioned, still suspicious of his motives. “Or did you lock all the doors and windows from the outside?”

“I did no such thing. She wished to be alone, so I am respecting those wishes.”

“A first for you.”

Janus was growing tired of her verbal abuse. “Sophie, leave my estate. Now. And never show your face here again. I can be civil no longer.”

“I’m surprised you ever were,” she smirked.

“Do not blame me for your mistakes. Rather, do not blame me for Legacy’s. Had he kept his mouth shut, I most likely wouldn’t have known.”

“Nice to know.” She returned to glaring at him, then turned and stalked out of the room. Damn Legacy, she thought as she left the grounds. He just had to open his mouth, and getting rid of him directly would pose too many problems. About that time, she noticed Adian making his usual rounds, then remembered the younger bother enjoyed fighting as much as he did sex. Perfect, she grinned, then left to plan.

*********

“So, what’s the difference between a Royal Guard and a Guardian?” Hunter asked Onyx. The coal black Delphin had been staying with him and Nytehawk, mostly to keep a closer eye on Legacy.

“We’re essentially Guardians with more power and fewer restrictions. We also protect as many of a blood line as we have in our area, instead of just one Noble like a Guardian.”

“I thought that the Royal Guards were all former Guardians,” Nytehawk said, canting her head to the side. “But it takes so much longer to become one.”

“Don’t underestimate my age. I have been around many times longer than this house we’re in.”

“And you, the Guards in general, protect only the Royals?” Nytehawk asked.

Onyx nodded. “Yes. We protect those of a bloodline specifically, assisted by the Guardians. As for your family, that has been my duty.”

“But, the bloodlines seem so diluted now,” Hunter mentioned. “How do you decide who to protect?”

“You might be surprised how true they still are,” Onyx began. “Most slavers actually took very good records.”

“What’s the definition of a Royal and a Noble then?” Hunter questioned.

Onyx sighed, then explained, “There were nine ruling families once. Those are defined as the Royals. Your mate and Snowhawk came from the strongest of those. The Nobles were the ones of highest class, but had little or no actual ruling power, outside of their own land.”

“Later on,” Legacy added, stepping into the room, “the Royals were grouped with the Nobles. All Royals were Nobles, but not all Nobles were Royals.”

“You’re a Noble yourself, Legacy,” Onyx mentioned as he looked to the Guardian.”

“I know,” he nodded. “I was always under the impression Guardians had to be.”

Onyx shook his head in disagreement. “Not exactly. Yes, it was preferred, but not required. Now, for example, if you and Snowhawk had lived during the height of the Empire, and you had not been of Noble blood, then your relationship would have never happened. A Royal Guard would have been sent in to end it.”

“To keep the bloodlines strong,” Legacy scowled.

“No, to protect the Royal in question. Who trained you?” the black Delphin curiously asked.

“Some half-senile Delphin in my owner’s compound at first, then Jerome taught me a few things,” he replied. “What does it matter?”

“Nothing now. Just make sure you keep your emotions separate from your actions.”

Legacy replied with a small nod, then stepped back out of the room.

Nytehawk looked to her mate, then to Onyx. “Do you get the feeling he’s going to try something again?” she worriedly asked.

Hunter and Onyx both gave a nod of agreement. “He has a lot to learn still,” Onyx commented. He paused for a moment, then asked “Where is Jerome anyway?”

“Gone for a walk,” Nytehawk replied. “He never said where.”

*********

Jerome slowly made his way through the forest, listening for any clues of what surrounded him. He had a sixth sense of sorts and could detect another Delphin if they were nearby, but so far, he had sensed no one. He was looking for Sophie who, the last he heard, had gone into the forest to die. She never has told me what’s killing her. Just that there’s no cure, he thought as he walked. He soon came across a set of fresh hoof prints in the mud, and he could catch the faint scent of another Delphin in the air. The scent was Sophie’s. He followed the trail through the forest, half expecting to find her near death. Instead, he found her sneaking around a cabin. “Sophie,” he began, “what are you doing out here?”

She jumped at the sound of his voice. The gray mare spun around to face him then half yelled “Don’t do that, Jerome!”

He was not pleased with her appearance. She was obviously thinner now, her eyes were dulled and tired, and even her colors seemed paler. “You look like hell warmed over, Sophie.”

“Thanks for the compliment, J,” she sarcastically replied. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you. Checking in and what not,” he replied.

“And who put you up to that?”

“No one. I came on my own accord.” He glanced behind her and into the cabin. Based on the furnishings, he guessed she wasn’t living here. “A little on the high end for you,” he mentioned, nodding to the inside.

“Not my place. I live miles from here,” she admitted.

“Then, why are you here?”

She paused for a moment, then sighed heavily. “Because I’m hoping to get Snowhawk to go back to her family.”

“I should have figured,” he said, shaking his head slowly. “But, Sophie, you need to realize that she’s gonna make that decision on her own time.”

“How would you know?”

“I don’t for certain. Just what Nytehawk has told me, which was that Snow was going to go somewhere to be alone and away from the world to think.”

Sophie had heard the same thing before and she didn’t exactly want to believe it. She changed subjects quickly. “How’d you know I was up here? At the cabin that is?”

“I followed your tracks.” He sighed quietly, then stepped toward her. “Come back to the city. There are plenty of doctors that can help you out at the least. You never know, they might be able to save you.”

Sophie folded her ears back and looked down. “What would you care, Jerome?”

“Quite a bit, actually,” he stated, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Why?” she questioned, shrugging his hand away.

“Why?” he mimicked, putting his hand back on her shoulder and stepping closer to her. “Because I can’t just go on in my life with the thought that I never helped you. Or that I never forgave you.”

Sophie said nothing for a moment, then turned and began to walk towards the town. “You don’t owe me anything, Jerome.”

“Where are you going?” he asked, following her.

“To tell the others my story,” she responded, continuing with her slow walk into the forest. “They should at least know why.”

*********

“So, what are you going to do, brother?” Adian asked as Janus stared out the window. “Wait around until she calls?”

“It’s all I can do, Adian,” the older brother replied.

“You have other obligations. You can’t just keep tossing them aside for her.”

“I have for the past five months,” he evenly replied. “I can wait until she returns. I have a feeling it won’t be long.”

“I can’t believe you’d throw everything away for her,” the younger brother admitted.

“I am not throwing it away, Adian,” Janus snapped.

“Then what are you doing?” Adian countered. “You’ve been ignoring all of your responsibilities since she came back.”

“Snowhawk is my first priority. You would understand if you actually cared about someone.”

Adian stepped back, the words having left their mark. It was true that he’d never felt anything near what his brother felt. He’d never loved anyone as strongly as Janus loved Snowhawk. What had been said now, made him realize this, and one could go so far as to say he was jealous.

“Why is it,” Snowhawk began, “that every time you rush to get somewhere, minutes feel like hours?”

“Snow, don’t start that,” Nytehawk replied as she sped toward the hospital.

“Why?” she all too calmly asked.

“Because if you’re already in deep thought, we’re in deep shit.” She swerved around another vehicle and they pulled into the hospital’s emergency arrival drive. With Janus’ help, she led Snowhawk into the hospital and they were promptly greeted by a familiar doctor.

“Back again, Ms. Alyandra?” the doctor smiled.

“Indeed…” Snowhawk smiled.

“I wouldn’t need any medical knowledge to guess what’s going on.” The doctor waved over a couple of nurses and a wheelchair. Janus carefully sat Snowhawk into the chair, gently stroking her mane, then the nurses wheeled her away. “We’ll pull her file,” the doctor continued, “but I remember from before. If you could have a seat in the lobby, I’ll let you know as soon as she’s through this.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Janus bowed.

*********

The hours passed slowly for the two waiting. Adian left soon after they arrived, returning to his post at the estate. Janus worriedly paced the floor, almost wearing a path in the carpet. Nytehawk distracted her mind by reading through the magazines in the waiting room, then drifting to sleep.

“Mr. Sininensusi?” the doctor’s voice questioned.

Janus jumped, startled at her sudden appearance. “Yes?”

“Snowhawk is recovering now. It got a little touchy there for a while, but both she and the baby will be fine.”

Nytehawk stretched and stood. “Was it a boy?”

“Yes,” the doctor nodded, “With lavender fur and dark, silvery amethyst hair.”

“His name?” Nytehawk queried.

“Valerian.”

“A sleep aid. Where does she come up with these names?” Nytehawk asked to no one in particular.

“You can go and seem them now if you want,” the doctor continued. “They’re on the second floor, in room two forty-eight. There are signs at the elevators. She’s still pretty tired, though, so don’t be surprised if she falls asleep while you’re in there.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Janus replied with a slight bow, then turned and walked off to find Snowhawk’s room, Nytehawk following him.

They found her room easily. Inside, the lights were dimmed and a bassinet sat near the bed. Snowhawk was sitting up, gently rocking the baby’s bed. She glanced up at her visitors, a soft smile on her face, then looked back to the child. “I’d forgotten how much I missed this…”

“Are you changing your plans then?” Nytehawk questioned.

“No,” she said after a pause. “I need time by myself to think,” she replied, still looking at her newborn child.

The other Delphin nodded. “I understand.”

“How long do they want you to stay?” Janus asked, moving closer to the bed.

“Few days. Enough time for me to recover.” She sighed and pulled her legs onto the bed, then leaned back. “Nytehawk, would you mind watching him for a bit? I’m gonna follow the doctor’s orders and sleep.”

“Not in the least,” she replied.

“Thank you,” she replied, then smiled and arranged herself in the bed. Janus pulled the covers up and around her, then gently kissed her forehead. Nytehawk glared at him as he seated himself in the chair next to the bed.

Janus noticed her glare, but waited until Snowhawk was well asleep to say anything. “I don’t think you’re ready to call off this little, temporary truce yet.”

“Not yet,” she replied, still glaring at him. A moment later, she finally asked him, “So, what do you have against Legacy?”

“He allows himself to be controlled by his emotions. He doesn’t use his head to think, especially when he’s distraught. He’s untrained, which makes him particularly dangerous as a Guardian.”

“How so?”

Janus sighed, looking at Nytehawk somewhat aggravated. “If a Guardian’s charge is captured by slavers, dying from some poison, or some similar circumstance, what was the Guardian way to end that?”

Nytehawk knew. The Guardian would take the life of their charge, then their own for failing. “But that was only if the Guardian has failed in their job.”

“And just what does Legacy think he’s done?”

She shook her head, trying not to believe what she was hearing. “Be serious, Janus. Legacy wouldn’t leave his child parent-less.”

“He wouldn’t.” He nodded toward her. “There’s always you and Hunter.”

Nytehawk shook her head again. “You’ve lost it, Janus.”

“Don’t be so certain, Nytehawk. We’ll need to keep a very close eye on her for the next few days.”

*********

Legacy had returned to his and Snowhawk’s apartment when Nytehawk had left. He now sat in the dark, in silence, in the living room. A now two day old printed message telling him that his child had been born, along with the location, had fallen to the floor next to the chair. “And I wasn’t even there. Nor could I protect her in the first place.” He sunk into the chair, dropping his head. “I’ve failed, as a Guardian and a mate.”

He remained in silence for several more minutes, then stood slowly and walked into their bedroom, stopping to remove a couple of small items from a drawer in the dresser. “I’ll finish it all tonight,” he stated, then left the apartment.

*********

Nytehawk wandered around through the hospital’s indoor garden, pushing the two day old Valerian around in a borrowed stroller. She thought that getting the quickly growing infant out of the hospital room would do him good. Delphin do best when they can experience new environments within a few hours after birth. They age very quickly at this stage in life. In a few months, he would be in the same mental and physical stages as a two and a half year old human child. By age two, he would be equivalent to a seven or eight year old.

Nytehawk could already see that his horn nub had grown a little. She smiled at him, and he cooed back at her. “Those are one of your mother’s favorite flowers,” she said as they passed under a trellis of morning glories.

*********

Janus waited somewhat impatiently in the hospital’s small cafeteria. “How long does it take to get a cup of coffee around here?” he quietly grumbled. He didn’t like the idea of leaving Snowhawk alone for too long and today seemed especially foreboding. “I’ll feel better when she can get out of here. Regardless of where she goes.”

A disturbance in the hallway caught Janus’ attention for a moment, but almost having hot coffee dumped on him brought his attention back. He quickly paid and started back to Snowhawk’s room, the feeling of dread in his gut stronger than ever.

*********

Legacy had not expected or encountered much trouble getting into the hospital and to Snowhawk’s room. Granted, he had walked into that purple haired girl outside of the cafeteria, knocking her into a cart and making quite a noise, but no one, other than her, seemed to notice. He had quickly helped her back up, apologized, then ran off to Snowhawk’s room.

He stepped into the room, pushing the door to behind him. As he walked to the bed, he reached into his coat pocket and removed the syringe of anesthetic he had grabbed while at the apartment. “Just to keep you asleep,” he quietly told her, taking her arm and turning it over, then inserting the needle and injecting the contents. To be certain she would stay asleep, he gave the anesthetic a few minutes to work. He waited for her to slip into a near coma-like state. His attention was directed completely on her and never heard anyone enter the room.

“What are you doing here?” Janus’ voice demanded.

“Carrying out my duty,” Legacy replied, looking to see the wolf-in-human-form stalking toward him.

“Jumping to conclusions, aren’t you?” the former slaver asked, stopping a few quick steps from the bed.

“Why do you ask that?” Legacy calmly replied, reaching into his other coat pocket for the second syringe.

“As I understand the Guardian code, this was a last resort. Only to be used if your charge was dying and if you were directly at fault.”

“You are holding her captive, so she may as well be dead to us. It was my fault that she was captured.”

Janus could see the Guardian’s hands shaking. “What makes you think she’s being held against her will?” He stepped toward Legacy as he asked this.

“She never returned.”

“Because she wanted to rest. In a secure environment.” He took another step toward the bed as doubt further clouded the Guardian’s face. “Which is what she told you.”

“You brainwashed her.”

“You’re deluding yourself. She’s nowhere near death. No where near enslaved. She is free to go whenever she wants.” He had taken two more steps toward Legacy. “Why are you being so hasty in taking her life?”

The Guardian froze as he reached for Snowhawk’s arm again. “What?”

“Why are you being so hasty? Why do you want her dead?”

“… I don’t.”

“Then don’t do this. Give her the time she’s asked for.” Janus was now within range to grab her away if need be.

“No. You’ll steal her away forever. That’s failure in my job. And failure is unacceptable.”

“She doesn’t need you. But your son does.”

Legacy closed his eyes for a moment, hesitating, then quickly grabbed Snowhawk’s arm. Janus was, thankfully, quicker than Legacy and he soon had her unconscious form protected in his arms. “Give her back,” the Guardian demanded.

“No. Your intentions are all too clear.” Janus snorted at the Guardian. “Go find your son. I’m taking her someplace safe.”

Legacy glared at the human-formed male. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

“Considering you’ve rendered her unable to, I have to, Legacy.” Janus quickly scooped her up into his arms and left to room to find someone to reverse the affects of the drug he had used.

Legacy sunk down onto the bed and held his head in his hands. “Dammit.” He remained alone in the darkened room for some five minutes before Nytehawk returned with the baby.

“Legacy, what are you doing here? Where’s Snowhawk?” she asked, her voice notably concerned.

“I was going to finish my job, but he took her away,” he replied, still holding his head down.

Nytehawk’s brain took a minute to realize exactly what he meant by finishing his job. “Did you even consider what would have happened if you were to follow through?!” Legacy shook his head in response. “I didn’t think so. You’d be orphaning this boy, and I don’t think anyone wants to explain to him the circumstances.”

“She won’t come back now anyway. He’ll tell her what happened.”

“That may or may not be true. Have some faith in her to make her own decisions. He’s not making them for her.”

“He’s not?” Legacy asked, looking up in disbelief.

“No. I had thought he was too, but I saw otherwise. She’s done this much on her own. She’ll keep doing so.”

Legacy seemed to shrink. “I just– miss her so much.”

Nytehawk kneeled next to the bed, looking at him. “I know, Legacy. But you can not allow your emotions to control you. Especially over your better judgment.”

The Guardian nodded slowly, then stood “I’m going for a walk,” he stated as he left the room.

Nytehawk returned to the stroller, looking at Valerian and sighing. “He means well, you know. He’s just confused.”

Snowhawk grumbled as she looked outside. The night before had brought so much new snow, and she was confined to a bed, unable to go out and enjoy it. She had requested that her bed be moved next to the window, and said request was granted, under the condition of having an extra blanket added to her already five-high pile. She didn’t really mind in the end as the extra warmth made sleeping easier. “I’m as comfortable as having a beach ball sized stomach will let me be,” she dryly commented as she turned onto her side the best she could, then watched the falling snow. Her eyes soon began to drift closed, and she’d almost fallen back to sleep when the door to the room opened. A moment later, she felt the weight of another on the bed, then her hair being brushed away from her face.

“You’ve got me worried, you know,” Janus quietly said to her.

“Only seven more weeks, if that. I have a feeling he’ll be early,” she replied, looking up at him.

“How early?” Janus asked, concerned.

“Two or three weeks most likely,” she calmly replied.

Janus’ worry was not eased in the least bit. A half month or more early for a Delphin child was far from normal. However, Snowhawk did not seem too concerned. In fact, she had not seemed overly concerned about much lately. He finally asked several minutes later, “What’s causing this?”

“Causing what?” she replied, pretending not to know what he was referring to.

“Your illness, or whatever this is,” he returned, frowning slightly.

She thought for a moment for a fair reply, then said, “The females in my family are predisposed to a type of pregnancy induced anemia. It’s compounded, or eased, by what’s happening around the female throughout her term. Things like stress, diet, how ready she was to have a child in the first place, and the like.”

“All the females?” he replied, canting his head to the side.

She nodded to him. “All of them. Nytehawk would likely have gone through this with Hunter, if he were able to sire children. I’ve heard it’s common in all the royal bloodlines, and due to the breeding practices of the slavers, no Delphin of common blood bred to those of noble blood, there’s not been much new blood introduced.” She smirked and chuckled a bit. “It’s kinda like the family tree is losing some limbs.”

“So, what’s it feel like?” Janus asked, curious to learn about her condition.

“The anemia?” she returned, and he nodded his head in the affirmative. “It’s not painful, if you’re worried about that. It just makes me tired as all hell, which I guess is good since it makes me rest.”

“So, there’s no pain?”

“Not unless he kicks me, or I get stiff from laying in one spot too long.” She sighed quietly, and placed a hand on her stomach. “I was very unprepared for this, and this boy will not be small.”

Janus gently stroked her face. “I’m sorry, Snowhawk. I haven’t helped matters any.”

“In truth, no, but unless you’re hiding it well, it wasn’t intentional,” she said, smiling softly.

“Not in the least,” he said, shaking his head.

“I wish Legacy would understand that,” she began. “He’s blaming you for everything, except ‘failing’ at his job.”

Janus couldn’t help but smirk. “He kept you alive for two years. That’s hardly failing.”

“Oh, I know all too well,” she nodded. “That first year was hell on him while I adjusted to life ‘outside’. Probably worse on him than it was on me.”

“Do you regret leaving, or coming back, for whatever reason it may have been?”

“There’s not much I regret, Janus. Leaving, then returning are not among the things I wish could have done differently. Even under the same circumstances, I don’t think I’d change it.”

“Have you thought anymore about what you plan to do?” he asked after another few moments of silence.

She yawned, then replied, “My plans are still the same.”

Janus nodded as he subconsciously scratched the back of her neck. Several minutes later, he realized that she’d drifted back to sleep. “I can’t begin to say how relieved I’ll be when this is all over.”

*********

Nytehawk sighed and swung her legs over the balcony railing. Once again, she’d come out here to think and plan. Snowhawk’s birthday would be in seven days, and it appeared that this would be a third year apart. As much as she hated to admit it, she could somewhat understand why her cousin was going about things the way she was. Had it not been for Snowhawk, she would still, most likely, be a slave. “One of Snow’s greatest missions had always been to find a way to free me somehow.”

She thought in silence for almost half an hour, until she heard the doorbell ring. She quickly hopped off the railing and ran to the front door. Hunter managed to beat her to the door, and was less than pleased at who he greeted.

Standing outside of the doorway was Adian, as unamused at seeing Hunter as Hunter was at seeing him. He looked past the annoyed Delphin male, and spoke directly to Nytehawk. “My brother requests your presence, Nytehawk.”

“… Brother?” Hunter repeated, confused. He had been told about Adian, but not about the relationship between this wolf and Janus.

“What does he want?” she asked, fluffing her wings in agitation.

“Snowhawk has requested you, as I understand,” the chocolate furred Lupino returned.

Her agitation turned to concern. “What?”

“I don’t know details,” Adian replied. “I’m just here to relay a message.”

Hunter glared at the Lupino. “How do I know you aren’t going to try and steal her away from me?”

“Because I’d prefer to keep all parts of my anatomy intact,” Adian stated, glancing at Hunter and fidgeting nervously.

“Smart wolf,” Nytehawk commented. “Alright, I’ll go.” Hunter opened his mouth to say something in protest, but she cut him off. “I’ll call in no more than five hours to let you know I’m okay.”

Hunter couldn’t argue with her. “Just be careful, love.”

She nodded, then her and the wolf turned and walked away from the house. They walked in silence for several moments before Adian queried, “So, I’m sure you’re wondering why my brother didn’t bring the message.”

“Somewhat,” she evenly replied.

“Snowhawk is not doing well right now. She’s very weak,” he quietly stated. “Janus doesn’t want to leave her. He’s extremely worried, but she seems calm enough about it.”

“And do you have an opinion of the situation?” she asked, looking toward the wolf.

“From my perspective, taking into account somewhat similar situations from my past,” Adian began, sighing, “she won’t survive another three weeks. She could very well suffer the same fate as her mother in any event.”

Nytehawk gave a slow nod, then commented, “She may surprise us with how strong she really is.”

They walked in silence for the following half hour to Janus’ estate. Once inside the building, Adian led Nytehawk to her cousin’s room, opening the door for her, then respectfully bowed and walked away. Nytehawk narrowed her eyes at the Lupino. He wasn’t acting like he normally would, and she was suspicious he was trying to manipulate her. She walked into her cousin’s room and closed the door behind her.

*********

The first week of Nytehawk’s stay brought Snowhawk’s birthday, but no special deliveries. That came on the first day of the third week of her stay.

A week and a day past her birthday, in the early morning, Snowhawk awoke to the not completely unfamiliar feeling of a contraction. Calm as ever, knowing panic was not going to help, she managed to sit up. Janus was, oddly, not in the room, so she called to her cousin. “Nytehawk.”

Her cousin awoke, yawning quietly. “Need something, Snow?”

“Call Janus,” she calmly began. “Find out where he is, and have him get a car ready. Then, help me get up,” she requested as she tried to sit up.

“Why?” she questioned, her sleep fogged mind not understanding.

“Because my little one thinks today would be a good day to meet the world.”

Nytehawk finally understood what Snowhawk was trying to tell her. “Oh, shit,” she cursed as she jumped up. “Okay, I’ll go find Janus, or have Adian find him or– Hey, shouldn’t you change to your human form?”

“I’ll be fine, Nytehawk. Go get one of them,” she repeated.

Nytehawk nodded, then rushed out of the room. She returned a few moments later with the light-furred, Lupino formed Janus. “Adian’s getting a car ready,” the younger cousin panted.

“Why haven’t you changed forms yet, love?” Janus asked as he helped her up.

“Because I can’t,” the replied as she felt the onset of another contraction and leaned a little heavier onto Janus.

“But,” Janus began, the worry in his voice mimicked in Nytehawk’s eyes.

“I went through the others like this,” she stated, cutting him off and standing fully again. “I’ll make it through this one as well. Now, help me to the car.”

“I’ll go make sure Adian has it ready,” Nytehawk said, then dashed out of the room.

Janus picked Snowhawk up, cradling her in his arms. “I can’t let you fall, and you’re going to need all your strength over the next few hours.”

Winter proved harsh that year, but this only made Snowhawk wish to be outside more. Janus watched his love as she rested in front of the window, looking at the falling snow. She was well into her eighth month now, and the month and a half following would be the hardest yet. For some reason, this baby was taking much more out of her than anyone originally thought. She was now almost completely unable to get up on her own, adding to her frustration at not being able to get outside.

“This boy had better not be a hellion to raise,” she mumbled. “He’s causing enough trouble as it is.”

Janus could not help but smile. Even through all this, she could still joke about it. That was one of the many things he loved about her. She seemed lost in thought and was currently as peaceful as the snow falling outside, but he knew her mind was a storm of emotions. She did not claim to know what to do, but he knew, deep in her heart, the answer was clear. However, the sheer consequences of that answer brought him the most worry.

*********

Legacy, also lost in thought, walked along the snow-covered sidewalks of the city. His mate was little more than two months from the end of her pregnancy, and he couldn’t help her through the end. He didn’t even know if the child would be his son or his daughter.

In addition to everything, Sophie had vanished some six weeks ago. She never said where she was going, or why. No one had seen her, and it was unknown if she was still alive.

“This month has been pointless,” he commented to no one.

“You’re such a damn pessimist,” a male voice commented. Legacy jumped and spun around to see a black-furred Delphin with silver markings, a ruby horn, and a silver mane and tail. “Skittish too.”

“Who are you?” Legacy nervously asked, taking a step backwards.

“Just call me Onyx,” the dark Delphin smirked. “No need to fill me in about your story, I know what’s going on.”

Legacy took another step backwards and cautiously eyed the other male. “What’s it to you?”

Onyx sighed and grinned. “Can we just say that I knew Snowhawk many years ago and leave it that that?”

“Knew her?” Legacy questioned. “How so?”

The black male smirked again. “Aren’t you the jealous one?”

“I think I have right to be,” Legacy replied, glaring.

“Try getting your mind out of the gutter. I knew Snow, and Nyte, strictly as friends.” He seemed to think about this for a moment, then nodded to himself. “Close friends.”

The borderline innuendo had begun to aggravate Legacy. “You are not gaining my trust…”

“Legacy,” Onyx sighed, “loosen up a little. I have a need to keep what I know secret for now. Just relax and play along and all will be revealed soon.”

The Guardian frowned. “Can’t you tell me anything?”

Onyx’s smirk returned. “Fine, if you must know, I am a Royal Guard. One of the very last.” Legacy’s eyes widened in surprise as Onyx continued. “My duty was to protect that family line. However, I am well over a thousand years old and will not be around forever. I was training another as a Guard for that family when we lost track of them.” Legacy opened his mouth, as if to ask a question, but Onyx cut him off. “No, I don’t know where my student is. Our owner was very cruel and she attempted an escape. Her mate was killed during the attempt, and I never found out what happened to her.”

Legacy just nodded slowly. “So, do you have a plan?”

“Would you follow it if I did?” Onyx returned, sternly looking at the younger Delphin. Legacy just dropped his head at that. “Remember Sophie’s words, Legacy: Snowhawk may not need a Guardian, but your son will need a father. Until I contact you again, I suggest you not interfere. You have not lost her yet, but you still easily could.” Onyx bowed to him, then turned and trotted off into the city.

Legacy stood silent for a moment. “He said ‘son’… Could he really know, or was it a guess?” He looked as the red-tinted, clouded sky sent more flurries to the city. “I guess I should get back to the house,” he sighed, then slowly plodded through the snow back to Nytehawk’s home.

*********

“Leaving the party so soon, Sophie?” Onyx asked as he appeared near the female. “Pity you won’t get to see the outcome, then– Or keep your promise to them.”

Sophie stopped walking and glanced toward him. “They don’t want me around, Onyx. No one ever has. You should be able to see that.”

“Indeed,” he replied, canting his head to the side. “Of is it that you just don’t want yourself around? Nytehawk doesn’t care about your past. She feels that if you want to make up for it, then you should be there.”

“I’m sure,” she returned dryly.

“Don’t doubt me, Sophie. I make it a point to know all this,” the black Delphin smirked.

“So, Onyx,” Sophie began, sounding a little more than annoyed, “what are you doing here?”

“My job,” he replied, inclining his head slightly. “Making sure Nytehawk is safe and that Snowhawk is not being kept against her will.”

“And is she?” Sophie inquired.

Onyx shook his head. “No, she’s not. Now, at this point, if we can just get Legacy to understand that, we’ll have made some progress.”

“Hell will freeze over before he understands that she doesn’t need him.”

“We both know that Janus is perhaps the only being that can understand Snowhawk. Legacy doesn’t really even try, and that is the last thing she needs.”

Sophie nodded slowly, then looked off blankly. “I’m not going back,” she replied after several minutes of silence.

Onyx folded his ears back and took a step towards her. “Sophie–”

“Don’t start, Onyx. You’re far more useful than I’ll ever be to them.” She dropped her head and closed her eyes. “History doesn’t prove to anyone I’m reliable or trustworthy.”

“So change it,” he simply stated. “Prove them all wrong.”

She looked up at him. “How?”

“You’ll have to figure that much out on your own, Sophie,” he said with a half smile. I can’t help you there.”

“I don’t know if I should thank you or not…”

Onyx shook his head lightly and turned. “Just go back to them. You’ll figure something out.”

“I don’t even know where to start,” she said as she watched him disappear.