Dreaming Of You

Dreaming of You

Part 12 - Black As Ebony

Chapter 22

Let me be the one you call

If you jump, I will break your fall

Lift you up and fly away with you into the night

"Ok, Miache." Lianne turned to the vampire, arms crossed. "What exactly were you doing?"

"I don't know vhat you mean," Miache said, just a shade too innocently.

"You were trying to make Remus jealous of Xavier," Lianne said flatly.

"Vhat, me?" Miache raised an eyebrow. "Vhy vould I do zhat?"

"That's what I'd like to know." Lianne raised her chin stubbornly. "Vampire or not, these are my friends you're playing games with, and I want to know what you think you're doing. And why you're doing it."

Miache shrugged. "I 'ave my reasons."

"And what are they?" Lianne demanded. "You do not know Remus, no matter what you think - and you don't know how he'd react to something like this! He's going to get depressed, he's going to sulk, he's going to draw in on himself - and right now, he can't afford that!"

Miache eyed Lianne a moment. "I'm vorried," she said at last.

"Yeah, sure, now you realize you're worried," Lianne snapped. "Now that - "

"Oh, be still!" Miache glared at Li, who immediately stopped talking under the pressure of those eyes. "It isn't your volf friend 'oo vorries me - it's ze young lady."

Lianne's eyes widened. "Erin?"

"Yes, Erin." Miache's eyes darkened as she frowned. "Xavier does not often pay zhat much attention to vampire girls. I don't know vhat interest 'e 'as in Erin, but I doubt she'll like it much. She seems good as resisting so far, but... vell, 'e vasn't really making an effort. Not vith you, ze queen, and me right zhere. But if 'e ever did... Xavier is at ze Cobra power level."

"Eleven," Lianne said, nodding in recognition. "But what does that have to do with Remus being jealous?"

Miache gave a half-smile. "She loves 'im. Per'aps it's only a passing love, or per'aps love eternal... but zhere it is. And it vill 'elp 'er fight anyzhing Xavier tries. I don't trust our dear Prince Charming, especially around a 'uman girl. But if she zhinks 'er volf doesn't love 'er... vell, it leaves 'er more open to Xavier zhan if she didn't love your friend at all."

"Why - oh." Realization dawned as Lianne remembered some forms of simple human manipulation. "He can use her feelings against her?"

Miache nodded. "Anyzhing from simply offering 'comfort' to turning 'er against ze volf, you, and all you represent."

"He couldn't really, could he?" Lianne wanted very badly to believe he couldn't... but she knew exactly how dangerous that would be.

"Of course 'e could," Miache said, somewhat indignantly. "Xavier is a vampire. Ve specialize in controlling people's emotions. If it makes you feel better, it vouldn't necessarily be 'er feelings. All 'e needs is a crack of doubt... zhen 'e could get into 'er mind and control 'er."

Lianne swallowed hard. "That doesn't exactly make me feel much better."

Miache smiled grimly. "It vasn't meant to." The smile disappeared. "I just 'ope your volf friend reacts properly."

"Yeah." Lianne frowned doubtfully. "I wonder how Remus is really doing. He sounded like he was all right, but - well - I just hope he's ok."

~*~

I'm not dead. That was Remus's first semi-coherent thought as he drifted back to consciousness. Although he'd never actually been dead before, he was sure that death could not possibly hurt this much. Of course, he could be dying from the pain... his entire body felt like one giant ache. And he couldn't remember the last time he'd had such an awful headache.

Upon trying to raise a hand to his head, Remus discovered the reason for the pain that seemed to center on his wrists and ankles. He was tied up. Thoroughly. He couldn't even see his bonds, on account of the blindfold.

All right, don't panic, Remus told himself. Panic would not be a smart move. He tried to think calmly and rationally, to remember exactly why he was tied up and blindfolded - and, as the fuzzy taste in his mouth attested, gagged. He'd been shown a den to stay in, he remembered that, and he'd tried to contact Lianne and Erin. No - he had contacted them. And then -

Oh, God. Remus's mind all but stopped working as everything flooded back to him in a rush. They're working for Voldemort. They're already on his side. And I can't even warn anyone. Lianne will -

Remus's train of thought promptly derailed there. Lianne. And Erin. They were right in the middle of this, right on the battle lines - and if he knew Li, her first reaction would be to come try to find him. By knocking on the gates and asking if any of the wolves had happened to see him.

If Remus could have moved, he'd've put his head down in his hands. I'm an idiot, he thought bitterly. Why didn't I notice something was wrong? Now I'm caught, and Li and Erin probably will be in a day. And then - Remus stopped that thought right there. A quick death was probably the best they could hope for.

Which brought up the question of why he was still alive now. This was not reassuring. The idea of hostages came to mind. Remus wondered vaguely what his life would be worth to the Circle. Then he decided he didn't want to know how little.

They can't ransom me. Remus knew it. They didn't dare give an inch to Voldemort. Not when every step they earned would be through shed blood and tears. But surely Voldemort will know that. He'll either torture and kill me, or... Remus really, really didn't want to think about the range of Imperius derivatives.

It really was too bad that they'd tied him up. He couldn't even die in a valiant attempt at escape. Of course, he could always lie on the floor in a threatening manner. Or maybe, if he really made an effort, he could twitch aggressively.

Remus scowled - or would have, if it hadn't been for that bloody gag. If I'd been the hero of one of those stupid books Li's always reading, there would be a convenient bit of sharp rock right by the ropes, he thought, inexplicably resentful towards the imaginary characters. Or I'd miraculously be able to work magic with my mind, like some sort of vampire. Or I'd roll around and fall through a secret passage leading to the underground rebellion against the wolven leaders. Or -

"Hello, city wolf."

Or I'd be rescued by a half-crazed teenager with a vendetta against the entire rest of the clan.

"Got yourself into quite the jam, I see." Lane sounded tired, more so than any teenager had the right to sound. "I did warn you to run while you had the chance."

Surprisingly gentle hands removed the gag. Remus breathed deeply, and tried to swallow with his too-dry tongue, as Lane went on to the blindfold.

"Better?" The younger wolf folded the two pieces of cloth up neatly. "I'd try to do something about the rest of the ropes, but a guard will probably come check on us in the next ten minutes, and I'd rather not have to untie them twice." He cut off Remus's attempt to speak. "No, don't bother. You need water first. The guard will bring some." His bitter smile reappeared. "They want to keep us alive, you know."

Remus nodded. He knew what he was useful for, that was certain... but what about Lane? Locking the wolf up made sense, in a way - surely he'd try to warn his beloved about his clan's allegiance - but wouldn't it be just as easy to kill him? What would it achieve to keep him alive?

"So." Lane sat cross-legged in front of Remus. "You're one of Dumbledore's Aurors? Or a messenger, at least. Then I guess you're smarter than you've let on. I mean," he smiled grimly, "you'd have to be."

Remus frowned, offended. He hadn't done that badly - well, all right, he had, hadn't he? But had he really seemed stupid? To a man used to being considered intelligent, that stung. Not as badly as the ropes did, but still.

"Don't feel bad, city wolf," Lane said, interpreting Remus's expression correctly. "You didn't actually do too badly. Telling the clan leaders who sent you was only your second major mistake. The first one, of course, being coming here in the first place."

"You, traitor, ought to show more respect." Remus, facing away from the door, could only hear the guard. Strangely, his voice held no specific malice, only something along the lines of the general dislike Slytherins had for Gryffindors. Then again, maybe it wasn't so strange. Someone who hated Lane in particular might be tempted to harm him, and to hell with the consequences. Which could present a problem, considering that Lane had said the leaders wanted him in decent condition.

"Just trying to stay in character." Lane stood and crossed out of Remus's line of vision. "And how are you today, Bailey? Got any interesting tattoos lately? I've heard they're all the rage."

Though if the guard - Bailey? - didn't hate Lane now, the young man was certainly trying his best to achieve that state of affairs. Even Remus knew better than to taunt Death Eaters about the Dark Mark. They tended to take it about as well as the Inquisition took heresy. Often using some of the same methods. Though Death Eaters, having magic at their disposal, did tend to reach new levels of creativity.

"That is enough out of you, pervert! You mock what you do not understand."

"Oh, well, you know how it is with these fads," Lane said dismissively. "Here one day, gone the next. Hardly worth learning about, really. I mean, today it's a skull of snakes full of metaphors for the ultimate evil and destruction of the universe, tomorrow fluffy rabbit ears and feather boas. Maybe you should invest in - "

Crack.

The slap made Lane stumble, but Remus didn't hear him fall, so he assumed the young man was still upright. And he said I was stupid?

"I don't know what you think you're achieving, brat," the guard hissed, "but you aren't getting out of here. And if you had half your father's sense, you wouldn't scorn the power the Master offers - "

"If I had half that man's sense, I'd be admiring rocks for their swift thinking," Lane sneered. "And I will thank you not to call him my father. I'd insult him, but I'm having enough difficulty keeping the conversation down to your level of comprehension as it is."

There wasn't another slap - Lane had apparently backed out of range - but there was a sort of fleshy thud, and the sound of breath being driven from the young wolf's body.

"There. Take that. And know that the only reason you still get any food or water is because I'm under orders to keep the pair of you healthy. And be sure that I will be appealing those orders as soon as I get out of here."

"Good. Please go," Lane gasped, catching his breath. "The stench was bothering me anyway."

There was the sound of footsteps fading into the distance. Lane reappeared, holding two water flasks and... something that Remus could only hope was from an identifiable animal.

Setting his burdens down, Lane started to unravel the cords around Remus's legs. "I wonder why they tied you up like this," he mused. "I mean, it isn't like you have anywhere to go. Maybe it was just to make it easier to carry you. Or maybe you were thrashing about. I know they gagged you because you kept mumbling. Something about an 'Erin.' A 'Lianne,' too, but mostly Erin. Friends of yours?"

Remus nodded gingerly. His head felt as though someone had viciously attacked it with a block of stone, then dropped a hammer on it for good measure. He wondered if that was just from being knocked unconscious, or if they'd beat up on him afterwards. He wasn't likely to be able to tell either way, though, the way he ached right then.

"Right. There're your legs done." Lane moved to the arm cords. "Flex your legs muscles, quick, or you'll get cramps. Bad ones. Which, believe me, is not fun." Remus did as he was told, but the cramps came anyway. His breath hissed between his teeth. "Still hurts? Wait till I've got this rope done, then I'll see what I can do."

When his arms were free, Remus, catching on to the idea, flexed them right away in the hopes that it would lessen the pain. Lane nodded approvingly, then moved over to try to rub the leg cramps away.

"Try massaging your own arms," he suggested. "It might help."

Remus obeyed, and eventually, the cramps were dealt with. He still ached, of course, but it was at a more manageable level. Lane handed him a water flask, and Remus poured liquid into his dry mouth. Slowly. Judging from what that guard said, they'd need to conserve water.

"Better now?" Lane asked.

Remus grimaced, rubbing his jaw. "Slightly." He took a good look at their surroundings. "Where are we?"

"Storehouse." Lane sat with his back to a wall, facing the door. "They keep meat here during winter. We don't usually keep prisoners, you see. We prefer murder. It's so much easier, and you don't have to waste food."

"Reassuring." Remus decided against sitting, and began stretching instead. "May I ask a question?"

"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this question?" Lane nodded for him to go ahead anyway.

"Well... why are you locked up?" Remus asked. "I mean, I see why they don't want you free to roam the forest, but you said yourself wolves prefer to kill their enemies."

"Oh. That." Lane's expression darkened, to match the shadow that haunted his eyes. "Same as you. I'm a hostage."

"You?" Remus blinked. "Who are they holding you against?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Lane held his features commendably steady. "Priscilla. They don't just want her dead, they want to be the ones to kill her. In front of - oh, God, in front of me - " Lane choked, shoulders trembling with the effort of holding back sobs.

The realization hit Remus that, though grief had matured Lane far faster than otherwise, the young wolf was still a teenager. A lost, lonely teenager who knew that he was going to be used to bring about the death of the only person he still cared about in this world.

He opened his mouth to say something comforting - then closed it again. What could he say? Words weren't going to make this better. This wasn't a problem that would go away if you just looked at it from another angle, thought of another solution. It was like living out the role of Benvolio to a despairing Romeo - except that it wasn't, because Benvolio got to walk away afterwards. And Romeo at least got to take his own life. He at least was granted a choice. Lane and Priscilla never even had that.

"Don't you dare pity me." Lane's voice was no more than a whisper, as though anything more would bring forth the tears he fought to prevent. "Don't you dare. I know what you're thinking, and I did choose this. Nothing would have made me give Prissy up, do you understand? Nothing. I knew what was coming, and I did it anyway. And I don't regret a moment. I love her. I love her more deeply than those - those animals out there could even comprehend. And that is worth death. That is worth everything."

"How can you love like that?" Remus asked the question without meaning to say a word.

Lane shook his head. "I don't know. Haven't you ever been in love?"

Remus shook his head slowly. "No. Not like that."

Lane smiled sadly. "Then maybe I should be pitying you."

~*~

Corner.

Corner.

Bed.

Door.

Other bed.

Erin paced the room she and Lianne had been placed in. Li had retreated to the bathroom, claiming to want to shower but pretty obviously hiding from Erin's angry mood. Not that Erin really blamed her, after the way she'd snapped when Lianne had tried talking to her. She'd have to apologize later... after she'd worked through this.

If she ever worked through it. She needed to collect her thoughts, to think everything out logically - but she couldn't think. Every time she tried, her thoughts gravitated back to Remus and that woman. And thinking about that -

No. Concentrate on pacing.

Bed.

Bathroom door.

Corner.

Corner.

Other bed.

Ok... let's try this again. Start from the beginning.

She was in love with Remus. Erin knew that much. It wasn't the same sort of love it had been back in America, of course. That had been one-sided, and all she'd had to work with was what little had been written in the book series. It had been something like the adoration of a movie star. A fangirl's idolization of an actor because of his stunning looks, and the charming role he played on the silver screen. Love, yes, but...

Not like this.

Erin had never been in love before, not really. And what she'd started feeling upon meeting Remus - really seeing him, not just in her mind but right there in front of her - what she'd felt since then couldn't even be compared to that adoration. She couldn't think of a metaphor big enough.

She loved Remus. It was like a revelation that had stolen over her, little by little. And at the same time, she'd always known. As though in her former love, she'd been remembering the future - or was that possible? who knew? - and remembering that she'd love him like this.

Before, it hadn't mattered that Remus didn't love her, or even know she existed. If J.K. Rowling had taken it into her head to pair him up with, oh, McGonagall, or Fleur, or someone, Erin would've been upset - but she would've gotten over it. After all, books could be rewritten mentally. That was practically what fans did. It was only canon.

That was then.

This was entirely different.

Erin didn't know whether she wanted to scream, or cry, or smash breakable objects against the wall. When Remus had just been a group of words, it hadn't mattered whom he touched, whom he kissed, whom he loved. But now, now it was everything.

She wanted to be the one he touched, kissed, loved. She wanted him to want her, love her. Not some wolf woman. Not someone else. Not anyone else.

But he didn't want her. Wouldn't he rather have some other woman, a real woman? Someone older, more experienced, beautiful, charming, graceful -

Corner.

Corner.

Bed -

- and probably seductive -

Door!

Other bed -

- no, I will not think about that -

Other door!

Corner!

Corner!

Xavier!

Be-

Erin screeched to a halt. "What the hell are you doing in here?"

"I knocked," the vampire prince said, smiling smoothly, "but you didn't seem to 'ear me."

"That didn't answer anything." Erin glanced towards the bathroom door. She could hear the shower running.

So could Xavier. "Your friend sounds a bit busy," he said pleasantly. "Per'aps you'd like to talk to me instead?"

Erin narrowed her eyes. "I thought you didn't like me."

"Vherever vould you get zhat idea?" He sounded genuinely surprised, and hurt. "If I gave you zhat impression, Mistress Connor, I most sincerely apologize. I 'ave a... somevhat volatile temper. Especially vhere my sister is concerned. But she does like you... and so vould I, if you gave me a chance."

"I'm sure." Erin avoided his eyes. It was difficult. She was used to looking people in the eye. Not doing so seemed rude. "I still want to know why you're here."

"Stubborn, I see." Xavier laughed lightly. "Vell, I suppose I do owe you an explanation. My sister asked me to come."

"Priscilla?" Erin asked, startled. She hadn't known what to expect, but that hadn't been it. She'd thought... well, after everything Remus, Lianne, and even Miache had warned her about vampires, she'd honest thought it would be something more sinister.

"I 'ave but vun sister," Xavier acknowledged, smiling. "She says you promised to visit 'er?"

"Well..." Erin glanced around the room awkwardly, searching for something to look at. Oh, it was so hard not to look at him, it would make things so much easier... "I was thinking more along the lines of tomorrow, or later on."

"Ah." Xavier looked down, crestfallen. "I understand. You are very busy, of course. It must take time to paint zhose lovely portraits."

"Oh - Li does that," Erin corrected him, flustered. "I just watch."

"Really? Zhen per'aps you could take a break from vatching at some point?" Xavier asked hopefully. "Prissy is so lonely, and you are ze first person to talk to 'er in... a very long time."

Erin nodded sympathetically. "Yes... I guess Lianne doesn't really need me there all the time she's painting..."

"Of course not," the prince said encouragingly. "And company vould likely do you good. Pretty young ladies should not be cooped up in vun room all day."

Erin blushed, looking at her feet. She wasn't all that pretty, not compared to some people, but when Xavier said it... something about the way he spoke made her feel like a raving beauty.

"Vhat - you are not used to compliments?" Xavier was surprised. "I 'ope I 'aven't made you feel uncomfortable? I vould never vant to do zhat."

"Oh - no, it's fine." Erin stared down at her hands, twisting her fingers around one another. She didn't feel uncomfortable. Not exactly. Just - confused. It was getting hard to follow her thoughts. She must be tired. It was late at night, wasn't it? Yes. She was tired. That was it.

"Are you all right, Mistress Connor?" Xavier asked concernedly. "You look odd."

"I..." Erin blinked. Her thoughts seemed to be moving more slowly than usual. "I think maybe you should leave..."

"Yes, zhat vould probably be best," Xavier agreed. "Prizzilla vill be most pleased to see you."

"What?" Erin asked confusedly. She didn't remember saying anything about going with him. But she must have. Why else would he be talking about it? "Yes... yes, she will, won't she? She's a nice girl."

"Yes, isn't she?" Xavier slid an arm around Erin's shoulder. She tensed as his hand came up to touch the side of her face, turning it towards his.

This is wrong.

No, what was she thinking? There was nothing wrong with this. Xavier was just taking her to see his sister, that was all. And he was steadying her. Because she was tired. It all made perfect sense.

"You have pretty eyes," Erin said hazily, trying to keep her mind on the conflict inside her head.

"So I've been told." Xavier smiled sweetly. "Come vith me, Erin. Ve'll go see Prizzilla."

No. Say no. Don't go anywhere with him. He's a vampire!

"I..." Erin's voice died away, drowned in the brilliant pools of silver-blue. They weren't eyes so much as stars, come to rest in a pale, perfect face. Stars that granted wishes... stars that offered dreams...

She leaned her head against Remus's warm hand on her cheek - but no, that was Xavier's hand, cool and calming. Why was she thinking of Remus now, with Xavier here? What could Remus offer her that Xavier couldn't?

His love. You want his love. You want Remus, not this. Whatever this is.

"Ahhh. I see." Xavier's voice was soft, almost a hiss.

"See what?" Erin asked bemusedly. Had she spoken out loud? She hadn't meant to...

He's reading your mind!

The realization came just as Xavier grabbed both her shoulders and held her facing him. Well, she assumed he grabbed her. It seemed as though his hands moved from their previous positions to bruising holds on her shoulders.

"I'll scream," Erin threatened, her breathing shaky.

"Try." Xavier smirked. "You really should 'ave agreed to come ze first time I asked, Mistress Connor."

"Where are we going?" Erin demanded, though aware that she was not exactly in a position to be making demands.

"Exactly vhere I told you," Xavier replied, with all the charm of a vampire prince. "To see my sister."

~*~

"It's dangerous to keep them here."

"And what do you want to do with them, Jonas? Take them with us while we attack the vampires?" Ferox glared at his Trademaster.

"Of course not," Jonas snapped. "We should do what we've always done - kill them. We've never bothered about hostages before, why start now?"

"Because now the bloodsuckers have something we want," Darren spoke up. "Or, more accurately - something our Master wants. And you wouldn't want to disappoint our Master, would you, Jonas?"

The Trademaster scowled, but said nothing as the Alpha continued his final review of their attack strategy. "As I was saying, the hostages will remain in the storehouse under the supervision of wolves chosen by Darren. You've made your choices already, of course?"

Darren nodded, smirking. "Oh, yes. And it will almost be a pity not to be able to stay and watch."

Ferox narrowed his eyes, but let it pass. If the Huntmaster wanted to be vindictive, let him. They were only hostages.

"See that they remain in decent condition," he ordered. "They aren't to be harmed until I give the order."

"I understand perfectly," Darren said calmly.

"And how exactly do you plan to prove you have these hostages if you can't produce them?" Jonas wanted to know. "The vampires aren't stupid."

"I'll send for them when the time comes," Ferox said irritably. "The tribe isn't that far from our stronghold."

"As I've mentioned many times over the years," Darren said pointedly. The proximity of the two groups had always been a sore spot with the Huntmaster. He felt it was bad for defense. Which was possible... but it was turning out to be quite good for offense.

"We will not get into that now." Ferox frowned at the other wolf. "You understand what it is your groups are to do?"

"Search the hallways," Darren replied promptly. "Take out as many of the bloodsuckers as we can."

"And..."

"Find that princess." Darren rolled his eyes. "Isn't that the point of the hostages? Make the girl give herself up?"

"Only take her prisoner if the opportunity presents itself," Ferox told him. "Your main purpose is to take out the lower level vampires. The higher level ones will either flee, and be caught by one of Jonas's units, or else they will flock to their queen - where I will be waiting, with the rest of our wolves."

"And how do you intend to take out Desdemona?" Jonas asked irately. "In case you've forgotten, she does have guards. The vampires aren't likely to let a wolf within a hundred yards of their queen."

Ferox merely smiled. "Whoever said I was going to deal with her?"

~*~

Miache tapped her fingernails thoughtfully on the surface of the "mirror," as the brown-haired witch still called it. She'd tried to explain to the woman that it was in fact called a Glacialispeculum, but Lianne had decided that "mirror" was easier to pronounce. The vampire smiled. Even for a witch, the woman was rather silly sometimes. She probably hadn't even noticed her "mirror" was missing. And Miache didn't intend to enlighten her.

If anyone had mentioned to Miache that taking the Glacialispeculum might technically be considered theft, the vampire would quite honestly say that the thought had never occurred to her. And it would be true. It wasn't theft if Miache was doing it. It was simply... borrowing. Not without permission, because Phoenixes simply did not bother with anything so mundane as permission. Besides, who was going to deny someone with the power to turn a human being to ashes with a mere thought?

Miache gazed down at her reflection in the ice. She was one of the privileged few vampires able to see her image in a mirror, and she took a moment to enjoy the pleasure. She knew she was beautiful. And the thought wasn't vanity, simply because it was Miache who was thinking it.

But the crystals on the sides of the device continued to blink, spoiling her concentration. The western one was a pale green - Erin had left her own device in the off position. The eastern one, the wolf's crystal, was scarlet. She could contact him if she chose - but why bother? Lianne might suggest rectifying any damage her comments about Xavier might have done... but that would require an apology. And Miache did not apologize. Not unless she got something out of it, at any rate.

But the northern crystal, the one Miache was interested in, blinked a faint blue. Dumbledore had kept the key Glacialispeculum, which was always able to receive communications. She hoped he kept it where she would under the circumstances, which was with him all the time.

Miache pressed the northern crystal, then sat back to wait. It was very late at night, and while vampires were notorious night owls, she knew humans often were not.

But her reflection faded to show that of the wizard relatively quickly. "Lady Miache," Dumbledore said, nodding politely. "I must say, I didn't expect you to be the one to contact me."

"Ze volf 'asn't done so?" Miache asked, mildly surprised. She'd had him pegged as the type to report in regularly.

"No, I'm afraid not. But I see no cause for worry as yet." Dumbledore studied the vampire carefully. "Unless that is why you've called me?"

"No," Miache said calmly. "Not yet. But I did zhink you ought to know - ze volves seem to be preparing for battle. Or razzer - a more immediate battle zhan zhey 'ave been considering."

"You think they plan to attack soon?" Dumbledore leaned forward intently.

"Zhey may. Lupin may be able to convince zhem not to, if 'e is particularly persuasive. And clever."

"Remus is extremely clever," Dumbledore replied. "Persuasive... well, I hope so." He frowned. "May I ask how you know the wolves are readying for battle?"

"Animal spies." Miache smiled slightly. "Ze volves 'ave never seemed to grasp zhat certain animals vill give information to my people. Ve 'ave never chosen to enlighten zhem."

"I can imagine." Dumbledore smiled, but his eyes were clouded with worry. "And what is it you think I can do about this upcoming attack?"

"I - " Miache was cut off by an abrupt knock at her door. "Vun moment." She stood and crossed the room swiftly to fling the door open. "What?" she snarled, in her native French.

"Lady Miache, ma'am." The young Court messenger bobbed a nervous half-bow.

"Well, get on with it," she commanded, when nothing more seemed forthcoming.

"Her Majesty wants to see you, Lady," the messenger said, bobbing again. Miache wondered if the boy ever got seasick.

"I'm sure she does. Has she sent a reason?"

"The wolves, Lady. They're planning to attack."

Miache sighed. "Grant me patience with imbeciles. I am well aware of that, boy. Unless you have more pressing grounds for me to - "

"You don't understand, Lady!" The boy was so upset he didn't seem to realize that he'd just interrupted a Phoenix. "They're planning to attack now!"

Miache blanched. It was impossible to tell with a vampire, but she could feel the difference. "Now... at this moment?"

"Soon, Lady," the messenger said, relieved at being taken seriously at last. "Her Majesty said probably by dawn."

Miache nodded quickly. "Tell the queen I will come as soon as I end my current business."

The messenger nodded, and darted off down the corridor without delay. Miache turned and went back to the Glacialispeculum. "You 'eard zhat?" She reverted to English for the wizard. "And understood?"

"Most of it," Dumbledore confirmed, eyes sharper than she'd ever seen them before. "Enough to grasp the situation, certainly. I believe you will need some extra help."

"Good. I vas about to demand it." Miache considered things a moment. "Vun of your Aurors?"

"One of the Circle, yes," Dumbledore agreed. "He should be able to get there within a few hours. You'll let him into the tribe?"

"Somevun vill," Miache said with a shrug. "I vill likely be othervise engaged. Do you need anyzhing else?"

"I was about to ask the same of you." Dumbledore shook his head. "No, Lady."

"Zhen I must attend my queen. Goodbye."

"Goodb- " Miache cut the connection.

~*~

"They're planning their attack."

Remus looked over at Lane. It was the first time the wolf had spoken since their discussion earlier. "I beg your pardon?"

"The clan. They're going to attack soon." Lane sat with his back against the wall, eyes fixed on the door.

"You mean... the vampires?" Remus asked cautiously.

"Who else? Unless they've developed a new hatred for Paris in the last several hours."

"How can you tell?" Remus ignored the second half of the comment.

"Because our guard just left." Lane finally transferred his gaze from the door to Remus. "Don't tell me you didn't hear?"

"Actually... I didn't," Remus had to admit.

"City wolves." Lane rolled his eyes in disgust. "You don't listen, do you? Pay attention to what's going on around you. How else do you expect to find anything out? People here won't tell you anything, that's for sure."

Remus reminded himself not to be insulted. "So if the guard left, what does that mean for us? Can we try to escape?"

Lane smiled sourly. "From here? I doubt it. And anyway, what would you have us do once we're out?"

"I don't know. Anything!" Remus snapped. "It's got to be better than sitting around doing nothing!"

"We aren't doing nothing," Lane said calmly.

"No? What, pray tell, are we doing, then?" Remus demanded.

"Thinking of a plan while we wait patiently for them to leave," Lane replied. "Or at least, that's what I'm doing. You're just wasting energy shouting."

"Oh." The anger abruptly left Remus - or at least directed itself away from Lane. "Sorry."

Lane shrugged, and settled back into his door-watching position.

Remus tried to imitate the young man, but his patience was clearly not so well developed as Lane's. "Do you think they'll leave guards on us?"

"Obviously. It would be awfully stupid not to." Lane smile was sad, this time. "This isn't a storybook, city wolf. True love and honor don't always triumph, and deceit and evil aren't always stupid."

"Why, Delaney, I'm surprised at you."

The two men looked up sharply at the door. A pretty young lady wolf stood there, smiling. "I mean, really," she continued, twirling her dark brown hair around a finger, "calling your own clan evil. That just isn't very nice at all."

"Why don't you go follow the army, Ianfu?" Lane suggested, keeping his eyes on her suspiciously.

"Rude little brat, aren't you?" Ianfu didn't look particularly offended, making Remus wonder just what kind of woman she was. "Anyway, they're busy now. They asked me and some of the other girls to keep an eye on you two."

"The girls and me," Remus corrected automatically.

Ianfu raised her eyebrows. "So they taught you grammar in the big city," she said. "I'm impressed."

"It's against guard protocol to chat with one's prisoners," Lane said loudly. "Either make your point or sit down and guard."

The wolf woman gave Lane a cool look. "As a matter of fact, I do have a point. The Alpha wants to speak to you before he goes out."

"One last attempt to turn me away from the light?" Lane crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll stay here, thanks."

"Oh, are you under the impression you had a choice?" Ianfu smiled sweetly. "Listen, little boy - you are a prisoner. Got that? And I am your guard. You are going to do what I say, when I say. And right now, I say you're going to see the Alpha."

"The wonderful Alpha of Oz," Lane sneered. "Tell him I recognize no Alpha."

"Tell him yourself." Ianfu folded her arms to mimic Lane's. "Do you want to know what he says he'll do if you don't come?"

"I really couldn't care less," Lane said evenly.

"He'll cut a finger off dear little Alacra." Ianfu smirked as Lane blanched. "Don't care for that, do you? Not so indifferent as you thought? And he'll keep cutting fingers off every ten minutes, until you come to beg him not to."

"He wouldn't dare, surely," Remus spoke up, too horrified to keep silent. "Not his own daughter?"

"You don't think so?" Lane shook his head, and stood up. "I know Ferox Alpha, possibly better than anyone else in the clan." His mouth was a thin line as he walked over to Ianfu, and she opened the door to let him out.

"At least you have the sense not to bolt." She smiled coldly. "I trust I don't have to tell you what will happen to Alacra if you try that."

"I can imagine for myself, thank you," Lane replied. He glanced back at Remus. "Take care, city wolf. Watch out for yourself."

Remus nodded as the woman led Lane away. Take care. Well, now that he was alone, he'd have to.

~*~

"Why have you brought me here?"

Ferox Alpha looked down at his son. Normally, he was on a level with the boy - if anything, Delaney was taller than he was. But now, the boy had been thrown most satisfactorily on the floor, and showed no inclination to rise. Possibly that had something to do with the foot that had, just moments ago, connected with his stomach. Ferox was honestly rather impressed the wolf could talk at all.

"To talk to you. Son." Ferox let no hint of paternal affection color the word.

"Isn't it enough that I'm here?" Delaney asked. "You don't need to insult me as well."

The Alpha's expression darkened, but inwardly he was just a little pleased that the boy could hold his own verbally. But that didn't make up for the boy's other sins.

"Keep your mouth shut until I tell you to open it," Ferox ordered. "You know the laws of the clan. Three times, you have defied them."

"Actually, if you must know, it was probably closer to eleven," Delaney interrupted. "There were only three times I was stupid enough to get caught."

"So much the worse for you." Ferox scowled. "Numbers aside, you have defied the clan's laws. But, as is your ancient right, you may choose to participate in trial by combat to cleanse yourself of - "

"Are you saying you want to fight me?" Delaney asked incredulously. "You're mad!"

"And you," Ferox said coldly, "are as foolish as that city wolf. Trial by combat means only that you must fight in a battle and survive. I offer you one last chance - join the battle against the vampires. If you live - "

"Don't waste your breath," Delaney cut him off again. "I'll eat an entire basket of wolfsbane first."

Ferox nodded curtly. He hadn't expected the boy to take him up on the offer, but tradition required it to be made. "Then Ianfu will secure you in your den until further notice."

Delaney frowned. "What about the storeroom?"

"Well, I'm hardly going to put you back with Lupin, am I?" Ferox said. "Not after you seemed to be so fond of one another. You might escape, and then where would I be? But," he reconsidered," on second thought, perhaps not your den, after all. Not somewhere you know quite so well. Ianfu!"

"Sir?" The wolf woman straightened from where she'd been lounging against the wall.

"Take Delaney to Alacra's den. I'm sure he will enjoy being with his sister. Or at least," Ferox smiled cruelly, "with her body."

And he drew a vicious pleasure from the boy's gasp, and the sharp pain that flared in his eyes.

~*~

"They killed the little girl? Alacra Alphasdaughter?" Queen Desdemona shook her head. "It doesn't make sense."

"I don't know, Majesty," Miache said bitterly. "It makes perfect sense to me. A ritual sacrifice before a battle is common among barbarians. And you'd probably have to go about as young as she is to find a virgin wolf woman, anyway."

"Lady Phoenix!" The Countess Futotta Sekihei, the one Miache knew Lianne kept referring to as "that awful fat woman," was shocked. "You shouldn't say such things!"

"As you wish, my lady," Miache said, mockingly courteous. "I shall refrain from speaking the truth, as it appears to offend your delicate sensibilities."

"Miache!" The queen scowled at her. "That is enough! This is a serious situation, and you will not antagonize the Countess."

Miache nodded obediently. She really ought not to pester Sekihei so - all that extra weight had to be burden enough - but it was almost too easy to get under the woman's skin. Even under the circumstances, she could manage without even trying.

"My apologies," she added, when the queen did not continue.

Desdemona, apparently aware she would get no more out of her Phoenix, sighed. "Well, so the girl is dead. It's a pity, but it can't be helped."

"I don't see why it's such a pity," Hera commented. Ever since Priscilla's disgrace, the second princess had been included in the queen's councils. Miache suspected it had originally been more to fill the extra chair with someone who was not Xavier than because Hera deserved it. But the girl had actually turned out to have a decent head on her shoulders - or she would, if she could be persuaded to let go of a grudge. Such as the one she held against the wolves.

"After all," the princess added, "isn't it just one less enemy to worry about?"

"A nine-year-old girl is hardly an enemy," the queen said sharply. She shook her head. "Sometimes, I really don't know..." She snapped herself out of it. "At any rate, informative as the news is, it has little bearing on the upcoming battle."

"Indeed," said Commander Kataki. She wasn't in charge of the guards - they were their own force, which protected only the royals - but she was head of any battle operations. Before the tensions with the wolves had increased, the post had been left vacant. Now... well, if it weren't for the fact that her tribe was likely to be annihilated, Miache could almost have been glad the battle with the wolves had come about. It put Kataki in a position where her talents could be most useful.

"Since your Majesty brings it up," the commander skillfully took control of the conversation, steering it for her purposes, "I suspect that the wolves will attack just after dawn. From then onward, our powers will only wane until nightfall. So rather than letting them hole us up in here, our best option is to go out and meet them."

"Wouldn't it be safer to just wait and let them wear themselves out till dark?" Sekihei asked.

"And how do you plan to do that?" Kataki wanted to know. "We can't seal the doors against their combined strength, and we don't have the numbers to hold them off once they get inside."

Sekihei was still stuck on the first part of the statement. "We can't seal our doors?"

"Wolves have extraordinary strength," Miache spoke up. "We can close the doors, certainly. The problem lies in keeping the doors attached to the doorframes."

"Well, why don't you do something?" Viscount Raoul Oumyou asked. Not accusingly, as he tended to get along well with Miache, but still slightly pointed. "You are, after all, a Phoenix."

Miache nodded gracefully. "As a matter of fact, my lord, I have done something. I have called for help."

There was a general burst of dismay from the other five people in the room.

"Was that really necessary, Miache?" the queen asked sharply, when the uproar died down. "We cannot appear to be weak."

"We will not," the red-haired vampire said calmly. "I didn't ask for an army, after all. One man can't possibly make such a difference."

"One man? Then I must say I don't think much of whoever sent you this help, Lady Phoenix," Sekihei sniffed.

"I'm sure they don't think much of you, Countess, dear," Miache said sweetly. "I am merely following the age-old vampire tradition - brains over brawn. Surely you'd prefer a good strategist to - "

"Majesty?" A messenger poked her head into the room, and quailed as six pairs of eyes pierced her. "Um... there's a man here?"

Queen Desdemona shot Miache a Look, letting the Phoenix know that, later on, there would be a discussion about proper respect for authority. "Send someone to guide him in, then."

"But Majesty, he's already in! He's standing," she glanced down the hall, "just down there!"

"Really, Lady, breaching security at a time like this?" Kataki glowered at the Phoenix.

Miache shrugged. "It's none of my doing how he got in," she said coolly. "I only sent for him." She eyed the Commander. "If you must ask questions, you might wonder how exactly he got underground in the first place."

"The guard let him come down, Lady," the messenger spoke up. "She said he was awfully convincing."

Miache's eyebrows knitted faintly together. She'd been almost unconsciously expecting Black, but that didn't precisely describe him. Not to the extent that he could get around vampires.

"Well, send him in anyway." The queen glared at Miache as the messenger left. "If this endangers our people in anyway, Lady Phoenix, I will hold you personally responsible."

Miache nodded deferentially, eyes on the door. After a moment, a tall wizard entered, black robes swishing. The Phoenix raised an eyebrow. Perhaps Dumbledore knew something she didn't. Either that, or he was going senile, as some of his adversaries tried to claim.

It had to be one of the two. Because Severus Snape was quite definitely not the man Miache would have chosen for this situation.