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This is not where I thought I would be today; Trapped in this oppressive room with harsh lighting and intense odors stinging my senses. My head is pounding, my body is aching like I've just run a marathon, and the room won't agree which way is up or down. There is a group of people by the door staring me down and the only thing keeping them from advancing on me is the woman in my arms. A hostage... I've been backed so far into a corner it became necessary to take a hostage, yet my chances of successfully getting out of this situation alive are slim. This shaking leaf of a woman, held with my claws against her throat, is an unknown to me... but she is still one of them. She could be just another victim to this place but I wouldn't know and it wouldn't matter. She is one of them; she is a threat. This overly sterile environment is only amplifying the headache that plagues me since waking. I can tell they are speaking but cotton must be stuffed in my ears because everything is muffled. I give my head a vicious shake trying to clear the cob webs. The woman stands stone still and keens out a small whine. I must have squeezed my paw harder around her neck when trying to clear my head.

I can hear a little better, but the room is spinning faster. The woman standing in the doorway seems quite torn between concern for this hostage and the desire to crush me under foot. Her tense posture with arms held up in a placating manner is intended to easy my nerves or attack at a moment's notice. This horrible nightmare of a situation I find myself in seems to spark something inside me and I laugh. Not an uneasy laugh but a full body laugh. The noise brings all others present to silence and everyone stands still while staring at me. The spark I felt appears to be my brain finally piecing together all the events in the last couple of days that led to this moment in time. The haze in my memories is lifted and although there is nothing funny about any of this, the laughter continues. I'm in this situation because I cared about...no, because I loved someone, and because I loved them I couldn't let them be hurt. Because I loved them I stood up for them at great risk to myself. Because I loved them I tried to see justice done which instigated a fight. Because I loved them I fought for them. I may have won the fight but now I stand in a room with barely any energy recovered, with inhibitors on both my arms and legs with a hostage in hand, dreading my future of tests and captivity all because I loved them...no...because I loved her.

As my laughter dies off I fully come to grips with the situation. The spinning stops which is a huge relief to my stomach but leaves me clear headed enough to see how bad a situation I'm in, which sobers me up. My face which was just a few moments ago smiling in laughter turns somber and I appraise each of my captors. First and foremost is agent Delaine. We met back on the training field where the fight took place. She is a tall but thin woman in a smart black dress suit with smooth brown hair which is pulled up behind her head in some fashion. She is a member of the regional defense force or something like that. All I need to know is she's dangerous. She stands above nearly all of the mages that I have encountered thus far. There are probably stronger mages out there but she's a member of the department defending the whole city. You don't get that kind of job off word of mouth... and I've seen her in action. There is another woman behind her who is obviously a healer of some kind. She appears to be maybe 5'8" with wavy black hair, lightly tanned skin, and is a little plump. This is the first time I've seen her yet I can tell she's not as dangerous. Behind both of them stand two guards with Tasers drawn and aimed at me and my hostage. I get the feeling that they possess little in the way of magic but a modern weapon will deal just as much if not more damage in the right hands. Regardless agent Delaine stands as the biggest threat.

The situation remains tense with neither side so much as moving. All would be quiet if not for the constant wailing of the alarms from the monitors beside my bed; their machines triggering the alarms when I removed the sensors from my chest. Multiple patches of fur had been shaved to the skin so that the sensor could make good contact; a mild annoyance considering the situation. Agent Delaine breaks the figurative silence.

"It's okay Andrew. We're here to help and no one wants to hurt you." There must be drugs in my system because she looks and smells sincere. "We just want to talk, is that alright?" The audacity of this woman blows me away. I know for a fact that she could incapacitate me every time I blink yet chooses to talk me down. This hostage must be more valuable than I first anticipated. That at least gives me a chance...

"Oh sure, Agent, let's talk. I'll just let her go and we can sit down over a cup of coffee and chat it out like old friends, yeah?" I bare my teeth at them hackles rising further with a growl edging into my voice. "Cut the shit, agent. We both know this isn't how things work." The hostage is trembling and begs with a voice broken up between sobs.

"Pl-please let me g-go...please..." I growl loudly in her ear and she goes rigid, still sobbing. I have to support most of her weight with how shaky her legs have become... another annoyance and obstacle to overcome.

"Do not hurt her Andrew." Agent Delaines firm voice rings out from across the room before settling back down to being calm and collected. "I'm telling the truth. We just want to talk. Lucy and Gar..." I cut her off immediately yelling loudly over her soft voice.

"Don't you dare try to use them as leverage on me." I can hear the breathing become labored from the woman held in my grip. My claws painfully close to piercing the skin. Everyone at the door is tense and glaring daggers. After a moment I loosen my grip to allow the poor girl some room to breathe and keep my one chance of escape intact. Agent Delaine resumes her professional demeanor although I can smell the stress levels rising in her. "This has nothing to do with them." I add as a measure to keep the room from erupting. I occasionally look around for an exit. Everything appears to be air tight and I hadn't had a chance to see which floor we were on. My pondering is interrupted by the agent.

"Okay Andrew, what do you need from us? We want to help we just need to know how." Her voice is still calm and soothing. Even though I don't want to, I find my earlier anger ramping down. It could be a charm she cast but I didn't sense a channeling of magic and her scent remained the same. Whatever it was I'm cooling off. Even with my anger fading I reply smarmily.

"What I need? Oh right, the usual I suppose. Large sums of money, private helicopter or jet, the works." She doesn't budge or bite, she just stands there waiting. Eventually I let out a heavy sigh. "I need out." I state this with as much blankness as I can. Why would she even bother asking...? It's just so fucking obvious. I need to get out where I can run and hide. I may not be able to escape, but I know this city! I could have a chance... and if I made it back to the forest... then I'd be safe.

"You need out? From what Andrew?" My temper flares back up slightly and I mock her stupid question.

"From what Andrew...? From every little bit of this," I gesture around the room, "from the chains that wait so anxiously to hold me down. From your 'scientists' preparing a table just for me. Oh, don't play coy with me_._"I'm irritated but not boiling over like I expect I should be. I know I should be livid and really suspect there is a charm and yet I can't hold the anger long enough to lash out. The very nature of this woman in front of me is unnerving. In the face of death she didn't bat an eye yet is trying desperately to keep things calm. I can feel the slightest pull of magic from the agent and stand ready for the blow. I can't really defend against it right now but she wouldn't risk hurting the girl...right?

"I don't see any chains or tables or scientists. There is only a bed for rest and a group of people that want to help." Again that calm voice appears to not only soothe me but everyone else in the room. The guards posture loosens a little, Tasers pointing slightly lower to seem less threatening. The girl in my paws relaxes more. I make the connection at last, her voice. She's channeling a charm though her very voice... It's a terrifyingly effective charm that I cannot hope to defend against, at least not in my current state. In order to stop the charm I will need to deafen myself but I still need to keep hold of the hostage. "You are free to leave, Andrew. We just want to make sure you and everyone else here is okay." I caught a change in her scent, briefly before it faded into the rest of the odors. I caught the slightest hint of deceit. So subtle it must be second nature, in fact I had doubted myself afterwards. She is a terrifying opponent that I can't help but feel is merely playing with me; a feral cat ready to pounce.

I'm not sure what about that statement wasn't true and I know that I needed to make a move before the charm took hold to much...or perhaps it was already too late. If I don't get out soon, I fear that I won't ever get out. Maybe if I throw her off guard enough it will break the concentration from the charm and I can make a break for it. The window appears to be my only option I just hope it's not too far down... "That's not entirely true is it agent? I can smell when a person lies. I can tell a lot about a person by smell..." That does get a slight rise from her but she settles back in immediately. She even giggles, a light and airy laugh, and then resumes her stoic gaze with a slight curl to the corner of her mouth. Her voice is still soft but almost playful; in this situation, I'm reminded of that cat metaphor again. The normalcy of her behavior is alarming, throwing multiple red flags but I can't help but think that her smile is wonderful and her laugh delightful.

"Allow me to rephrase that then. I would like to ask some questions and depending on how the questions go you will be free to leave. Is that okay Andrew?" Her scent remains steady and calm as does everyone else's in the room. Did I tip my hand and she is adjusted for this in her charm? Have I so utterly lost now that I no longer can make it out? That's got to be it... I've completely lost. The briefest flash of thought to simply kill the hostage in my claws came and went with a sickening lurch of my stomach. I'm...I'm not a murderer. I feel the wetness on my cheeks and the fuzziness of my vision tells me I'm crying. I've lost to a calm voice. My heart cries out 'she is the enemy' while every sense I have tells me she's not evil or lying. Such an internal conflict could easily drive anyone insane. Is this how it works? Bring me to insanity by telling me they want to help yet endlessly running tests on me? 'We want to help but hold still we need more blood...' but I'm already under the spell... I didn't have a chance. I realize that I still have control of my body. I can attack but... that wouldn't be much of a fight against her. My mind clears yet again and I close my eyes. Is there anything else that I can do? I finally register something odd; I can't feel the trembling little woman any more. My eyes slam open to find my hostage no longer there. A pitiful whine escapes my muzzle and I reestablish eye contact with the agent, my stomach once again in knots. I no longer have a buffer. I can't even piece together when the hostage got free. A final decision takes shape in my mind. I won't be a subject.

"I've lost." I choke out, steeling my nerves for what I was about to do.

"We're here to help if you'll let us." I grit my teeth again getting a small flare of anger at how she still insults me with false promises; taunting me with 'kindnesses'. I've learned plenty not to trust idle chat and many more times over that hesitation can cost dearly.

"Enough games," I sigh defeated. "I've lost to you agent. No scenario ends well for me." A wave of alarm from everyone hits my senses when I bring my paw, the same that was holding the girl, to my neck. With a moment's hesitation I dig the claws in half an inch deep beside my jaw line. I swear I feel the rhythmic hammering of my jugular, a hairs breadth away from my claws. Of course it hurt but I found the pain quite soothing when compared to the torture that would lie ahead. Everyone else in the room is in stunned silence. I can hear the faint echo of someone running down the hall outside but I tune it out. I believe they won't cast magic on me with my claws so dangerously close to being fatal so I have a moments break. For once since waking up I find that I have some peace. The wailing of alarms and gasps of surprise fall away and all I sense is the beating of my heart along my claws and the spreading warmth slowly trickling down my neck.

I think that someone is talking to me but I can't hear them, only the hammering drum beat in my ear from my heart pounding away. So lost in myself I have a nice thought, I'll be able to see mama again when this is over. That thought brings a smile to my muzzle. I get to see mama and have her hold me in her arms and sing to me with her voice that plays through our forest and lives on the breeze. Oh how I've missed you... I remember her sitting in the fields with me while papa was out with the hunting party. I could fit in her lap back then and she would answer any little question that popped in my mind. Every single question was met with kind words and a loving squeeze. I remember my father; lean muscle and broad shoulders; dark fur and kind eyes. He was always patient with me, only ever raising his voice to remind me to respect my elders and preserve the world around us. I wish he wasn't gone so often... I wish I didn't have to leave him behind. I wasn't done learning from him. I remember the nightmares; the vision of my father as I ran away; the look of a wolf with his heart ripped out but not dead. I don't know what happened to him but I could guess...

My thoughts turn to my household... my new family... at least that's what they feel like. Garrett, the head of the household, is an interesting man. His work requires a lot of trips to cities far away but recently he's been coming home when he promised. He is a consultant now but he was a forward battery during the war. From what I've read the forward battery was on the front lines and was tasked to keep the barriers alive and fed with energy for his squad. He was in some cases the only one left keeping his squad protected. He is well respected and holds quite the high influence, with acts of bravery that I only ever hear of second hand. He doesn't talk much about back then; he's troubled, haunted by the past. There are days I can see the knight in shining armor that I've heard about in stories but more often than not his eyes are dull and distant. Some nights I could feel the tingle of magic, through multiple walls, of Garrett in the training field; beating against the equipment until exhaustion sets in. This is becoming less and less frequent; this last year it has only happened for a couple days around his anniversary. Lucy told me about the incident the first time I saw Garrett break down. Mary was acclaimed a hero that turned the tide of the war but to Garrett and Lucy it was a great loss that still affects them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Garrett's Perspective 2 weeks until the end of the war~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The orders came in; an escort mission. Looking around the hanger it was easy to see this was a big one. The flight crew was preparing 4 Z-813 strike hawks. The 813 were the only reason he had air superiority; in almost every other case we were outgunned. The 813's had sharp lines, forward swept wings, and the best propulser available. The Loutan Empire had the larger army, larger navy, and larger air force while we had tactics and specialization but even that wasn't cutting it any more. We were steadily losing ground. With our backs to the wall this appeared to be the last chance we had. The commanding general and even the president made an appearance before we were to be sent off. We, the support group, weren't given too many details since our role was pretty straight forward. We were going deep into enemy territory, strapped into a C-536 transport and our only focus is to keep the plane alive. They had pulled the best batteries from even the front lines, a leading team of intelligence, and a small squad of soldiers. The air was ominous as we boarded the craft.

I was strapped into a harness and energy siphoning gloves which would fuel the shields. This plane had been specially modified to accept direct energy from us batteries and manifest a shield exactly big enough for the craft. There were physical batteries stored along the haul of the plane which are used for normal duty but this flight required more. The mission was looking to be a deadly one but if anyone was going to be able to accomplish it the team we had would be it. We had our military's top 10 batteries, a crazy team of scientist with more brains than hair, and a team of soldiers whose mission clearance we weren't classified to know. _We_didn't know the target but if it will end this war I will make damn sure we at least get there.

The idea is for us to fly low and stealthy while the 813's strafe the front lines and make a distraction. The plan hinges around us being undetected as we pass through devils pass, a jagged patch of mountains separating our two nations. If we were spotted on the inbound trip then it was almost guaranteed to be a one way mission. That was a very tense hour flying in. The cabin lights were dimmed to nearly nothing and the noise of the engines only an idle buzz as we glide though the sky in our zero emissions mode. Luckily we made it through in one piece but now is not the time to celebrate.

We touch down and drop off the squad of soldiers a mile outside of our target. The soldiers quickly build out a buster rocket tube and link it with our comm system, from there we lose track of them to the trees and underbrush. Our target is easy to see now that we are this close. It stands 140 foot tall with thick cables anchoring it to various buildings. We were going after the main supply tower... if we were successful here all of the Loutan Empire's front line will collapse. The supply tower is essentially a huge emitter that distributes the nation's energy vast distances to the ever changing front lines of the battle field. Without that towers back up, the front line will have to supply its own energy for recharge banks, medical tents, sanitation, propulsion for transport trucks, and a mountain of other services which is virtually_impossible to do while fighting. That all sounds great on paper but you have to be able to destroy the tower which is supposed to be _literally impossible with all of the security and redundancy but all we can do now is wait.

We were hovering above the treetop waiting anxiously for the Evac call. Our operation window was dwindling dangerously low. I check my watch and we are 3 hours from day break which puts a crunch on us. Very likely we would have to touch down and try to cover the aircraft to keep from being spotted. Once the call comes in however, we have 4 minutes before we won't escape the detonation ourselves. Our crazy scientist teleport crew stands ready at the console waiting to start the link. They seem surprisingly calm considering they are civilian. There's only one real down side to teleportation, the process requires very high energy signals which will light us up like a damn light house. The fight for survival begins in earnest when they notice us this close to the tower and this time we won't have our 813s. Our battery squad stays focused and ready to shield at the slightest threat but everything is quiet. The minutes drag on and everyone jumps when the radio silence is broken.

"Angel 1 this is Dust 1, do you copy?" The voice of Lieutenant Marks sounds over the headsets. Our co-pilot answers the call.

"Dust 1 this is Angel 1, loud and clear."

"Dust 1 is ready for Evac; confirm code tango, niner, foxtrot, foxtrot, bravo for link start."

"Confirmed code for link. Establishing connection for SRJ. How about we get you boys out of there?" The motors on the wings increase power substantially, blades picking up speed but lessening pitch to keep us at a hover; the whole plane humming and shuttering in anticipation, waiting to be unleashed into a cacophony of action. The call is made to shroud the hull; I can feel the request for energy from my gauntlets and provide my portion of our barrier. Alarms start blaring as our plane is targeted. For the time being the only things knocking against the shields are small munitions with the larger cannons taking time to aim in our direction. Without warning I feel the craft rocketing forward; a rapid burst of movement pushing 3gs against our bodies and the restraints holding us in place. Our pilot doesn't even seem fazed by the maneuver, "ETA of evacuation 25 seconds. Confirm jump numbers." The shield is thumped with a shell which is felt by me and the rest of the batteries even though it would be lessened by our still mostly charged energy bank. The impact feels like 40mm or larger cannon fire with how the plane is rocked to the side. A direct impact by that would carve straight through this craft. Our pilot puts us into more aggressive maneuvers trying to limit the amount of impacts from the large cannons.

"Jump total of 6, awaiting jump when ready." The shields take 2 nasty thumps in short succession. The energy drain brings our youngest battery to his knees if he weren't suspended from his harness. As much as I wanted to help him and tell him to rest we needed whatever he had left. Energy exhaustion is a cheap price if we can get our boys out of the line of fire. I remember we set down and 9 soldiers exited. The three we lost will be remembered. Our shield is thumped again and Charlie slumps against his restraint, out cold. I can feel the load requirement increase for the rest of us. The intercom crackles to life again with gun fire clearly heard in the background before a screeching of metal is heard causing the audio to clip badly. After a few seconds the sound of gun fire is diminished and the screeching stops.

"Angel 1 this is Dust 1 again." A new voice comes over the intercom and is decisively female. The voice is very familiar even over the static and graininess of the connection. "Requesting jump number be bumped up to 8, uh, over."

"Dust 1 provide secondary authentication identity." The line stays in mild static for a second before coming back to life.

"Captain Luman is incapacitated and I have 2 dumbass soldiers here that also need to get on that plane!" My stomach drops into my boots. I fully recognize the voice now but she wouldn't be here... I must be mistaken. The jump technician ques in briefly.

"Link established...showing 9 available targets for jump. Confirm jump number, coils energizing and jump ready in 6 seconds. I repeat, confirm jump number." An old voice comes over the comms, breathing labored.

"Angel 1 this is Dust 1 actual... Secondary authentication whisky tango Oscar Zulu Oscar," His speech is broken up with a fit of coughs, "Confirmed ait(8) targets grouped together for jump. Emergency medical requested..." He ends with more coughs.

"Roger that, coils energized prepare for jump." Just like that the information is accepted. Not a single question about that request. With only a half second wasted a loud thump is heard and felt somewhere in the bowels of the aircraft. The demand for energy increases. The internal physical battery bank must be depleted but our soldiers were back aboard...well all except for 1. We were leaving someone behind... My hands wouldn't stop shaking. I don't feel the world around me anymore. That was Mary before... she shouldn't be on this channel. My brain wouldn't accept the reality. With a trembling hand I que the mic on my headset. My voice is barely above a whisper; hauntingly quiet.

"Mary?" The line goes quiet for a few seconds before connecting again. There is only the sound of sirens for 4 long seconds before a shaky sigh is heard. Her voice cracks while she attempts to put up a brave front.

"G-Garrett...honey... It looks like I w-won't be home for dinner." She sounds terrified; her false bravado crumbling now that she's alone. The plane was quickly accelerating for an exit. I still can't process what's going on.

"Mary... where are you?" A heavy, shaky, sigh is heard again.

"I think you already know the answer to that Garrett," Determination coloring her voice. "We don't have long now dear... while I have the chance... I love you." The shells were racking against our shields in earnest but I couldn't feel any of it. I couldn't bring myself to speak. The love of my life is rapidly fading into the distance while we have the capability to get her. I find my voice again.

"Why didn't you get back on the plane!? There was room...why are you still down there...? We have to go back!" I choke back the sobs that threaten to break free.

"NO! I don't have time to explain...I just have to stay...please...I don't have time Garrett..." I come to grips with the situation at last. It doesn't stop the quiver in my voice. I look around the plane and see everyone's face in determination for the mission and their ear pieces hanging loose. They were giving me what privacy they could for this final moment with my wife. My best friend Ramiro has tears streaming down his cheeks with teeth gritted. He and the rest of the batteries are clearly taking the burden so I could talk.

"O-Okay honey... I l-love you more than anything. I just wish you were here in my arms."

"I would love nothing more than th..." The line cuts out and my heart stops. I scream into my mic.

"MARY!! No, no, no, NO, NO..." In my fit I catch a slight crackling of the radio and the signal is suddenly back.

"Garrett..." My arm is instantly back queuing up the mic.

"Mary! I...I thought that was it..."

"I thought you were gone..." The plane takes another nasty hit and alarms are blaring. My head is finally jarred back into the present. Multiple people are hanging limply in their harness. We are down to 4 including myself. If our output drops to low than our maneuverability will tank. We must be pushing the plane to the limit yet we were still in a dire situation. "Garrett... they need you don't they? I've almost finished my work here. Take care of yourself and Lucy... I love you more than anything." The line cuts out again but I can't even reply with the sobs racking my body. My love is forever gone...She can't be gone... I can't have escorted her to her death... my mind is racing in a manic blur. Another heavy rock of the plane and Ramiro slumps to the side now only me and two others are awake to defend the plane. In my hysteria I get an itch in the back of my head. I can feel her somehow. I can feel her determination to protect our daughter yet how utterly terrified she is. I yearn to reach out and comfort her.

As the feeling grows I lose myself in my head. I can see her outstretched hand and I reach for it. The moment my hand makes contact a flood of energy rockets through my core. The energy is white hot and angry but immensely powerful. The experience is more painful than anything I have ever felt and envelopes my whole body but somehow I hang on. I want nothing more than to hold her again. With all my might I pull on her arm and feel her start to move but it feels like lead weights are dragging her away. I pull and pull until I see her face. Her eyes are wide in panic but settle down when I manage to wrap my arms around her. I hear her voice crystal clear in my ears. "I guess death isn't so bad after all." Before I could reply she kisses me. My vision goes white and I clamp my eyes closed still holding my wife close. The building of energy culminates in my chest and a huge expenditure leaves my body. What I feel should have knocked me out rebounds a split second later but she is no longer in my arms. My conscious returns to the present when a large flash of light shines through the windows followed by a rolling shockwave.

My body feels alive with energy; far greater than I have ever felt before. I remain the only battery left standing with wails of alarms sounding throughout the cabin. The pilot comes over the speakers sounding run down. "It's not looking to good boys. We've done a hell of a job and the country will prosper because of us...it's truly been an honor." A weird sense of confidence comes over me. I feel like I'm tapped into the power of the sun. I can sense that my wife is close by. My mood is eerily cheery and level. I reestablish my link to the planes' power grid and que my mic. Before I speak to the pilots I feel the demand for energy from the planes circuitry. It feels like a drop in the ocean right now.

"Don't give up on us so soon we're just getting started." I start pouring energy in without the slightest feeling of exhaustion.

"I haven't given up just yet but it's gonna take a mirac....hold on a second that can't be right." I feel the plane make a quick spike in acceleration before backing off. "I'll be damned. The front line at Shima is about 80 miles out. Think you can hold out Iron?" Large caliber shells are rocking the shields at steady intervals now that our speed has dropped significantly but they don't make a difference.

"I don't know what this energy is but let's use it while we can. By the way, what's the speed record we have in one of these birds?" I fully saturate the power banks in the plane and keep my connection in standby waiting for more demand.

"We've come just shy of 500 mph on test flights. You think you have enough juice to break a speed record cause I sure as hell might be willing to try." A feral grin crosses my face but no one but me is still conscious.

"As long as this old bird doesn't break apart, I'll give you everything you could dream and more."

"Hold on tight." The engines spool up to an angry scream and the plane rockets forward once again. The impacts on the shields die down as we become a harder target to track. "It seems the Iron Fortress can fly!" Iron Fortress... a nickname given to me 8 months ago; the amount of iron from the shells I blocked could have built us a wall while we waited for back up. I can finally feel the pull of energy pounding through my arms. The scream of the engines reaching an all-time high and a deafening roar. The pain I felt before is back; like lightning shooting though my very bones. I still don't feel exhausted, not even winded, but the pain is nearly unbearable. The only thing keeping me going is thinking about getting home; the drive to protect my friends and family. I lose track of the time after I screw my eyes shut. My arms feel numb beside the excruciating pain. Even after I had spent my seemingly endless energy the torture continued, I think it kept me from passing out. Maybe this was my punishment for striking a deal with the devil but the pain and hysteria lasted for 5 days before tapering off. By the time I was cleared and stable, 7 days after returning home, the war was all but over. I was told we reached 1200 mph; very little could keep up with us at that speed. It was then I found out the fate of my wife. No one can tell me how she got on the plane. All they could tell me is she's in a coma but otherwise stable. They have her in isolation due to the extremely high radiant energy levels she puts off and outside contact was limited. I have to stand by helplessly while they try to help her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Andrew's perspective - present day, hospital room~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Garrett is still a mystery to me and holds his secrets close to his heart. It's probably best that I don't know so I won't ask, some wounds shouldn't be reopened. Thinking of Lucy lifts my spirits though. The first time I saw her she only peaked around the corner from upstairs to catch a quick glimpse and was gone behind her bedroom door the next. I was promised that she would warm up to me with time and as the days rolled over I found that to be true. She was so smart but timid and shy. I never skimped on my duties as a grounds keeper but I found myself with more and more free time as the months progressed. With more free time found me slowly gravitate to spending time with Lucy since Claire, the manors supervisor, was usually busy running errands. Lucy got mad at first, I think she thought I was picking fun at her by asking dumb questions, but after a short while she would perk up and smile to answer something for me. It was frustrating her that we had a language barrier. Although I could speak broken English I could not read it. She took it upon herself to teach me to read and write. Months passed by like that and even though I felt like a newborn cub, stumbling over syllables and adjectives, she was never patronizing. We developed a rhythm, after I did my duties for the house, which seemed mostly to be yard labor and cleaning, I would meet Lucy in the library and we would pick up where I had left off.

I reveled in the time we could talk. After a year I was mostly fluent but I still loved the time we could spend together. More recently she has been studying subjects that I don't even come close to understanding. I would like to understand but I 'lack the fundamentals'. It seems like a losing battle to try and catch up so I would pick through our library for stories and history. I remember one night. She was so excited by a letter that had come through the mail.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~years prior end of 8th grade year~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was out in the field with Bruce. The sun was high in the sky and we were replacing some boards that were rotting along the perimeter fence. I had my shirt off and folded under a tree and my slacks rolled up to stay out of the dirt. We had been working for most of the morning and were nearing the end of the section. We both had worked up quite the sweat and were taking a breather under the shade of an old oak tree. Bruce wasn't much of a talker and I could see the heat getting to him so we wouldn't be out much longer... yet it wouldn't be long before he would utter a short phrase like 'better get back at it' or 'now ain't the time for sittin' to get us back to work. I catch the faint sound of someone running. Bruce must have saw my ears twitch because he smiled and asked.

"Got Comp-ny?" I look over my shoulder and see Lucy trotting along the path towards us. She's clearly out of breath but you couldn't miss the smile plastered to her face. I stand up and dust some of the dirt off my pants with a smile creeping onto my muzzle as well.

"Seems like we do." I finish dusting myself off and turn around in time to be tackled in a hug that knocks me off balance and lands me back in the dirt with a mess of hair in my face. After a short pause I see a set of soft hazel eyes and a smile that melts my heart. She seems to vibrate in place with an excitement that I haven't ever seen before.

"The mail came in and I got it!" I chuckle uneasily. In her excited state I don't think she realizes what position we were in. She was laying on top of me with her arms pinned behind my back and wiggling in excitement. My hormone laden brain would very happily transfer her excitement to a certain part of me that she was all but grinding against. I try to act nonchalant to ensure I don't draw attention to that but I can feel a slight tightening in my pants. It must have been a while since I had some alone time... I level her with a slightly agitated gaze.

"I had just dusted myself off and now I have dirt all over me again. Do you know how hard it is to clean the fur on my back?" She hesitates and then looks mortified for a second quickly scrambling off. She stands back up and wrings her hands nervously. 'She looks so cute when she's nervous'. That thought is like cold water to the face. Did I think she was cute? She certainly isn't ugly... She's a friend and that's all it is... but the pounding of my heart and the heat in my face has me questioning. I quickly squash the feeling and swallow the lump in my throat.

"I'm so sorry Andrew! I didn't think I'd knock you over..." She smooths the ruffles out of her light yellow sun dress, shoulder length brown hair being brushed out from hanging in her face. Tucking the hair behind her ears reveals the many freckles that sit upon her cheeks. She's still fidgeting and looking every bit like a scolded cub. Yep, she is definitely cute... I didn't want her to fret but I couldn't find my voice right now so I started dusting my pants off again. "Here let me help." I found my voice quick enough and stand up right again.

"No... um... it's okay Lucy. I was just kidding." I flinched when I felt her start dusting off my back when I turned away trying to refocus my thoughts and to make sure nothing was showing below the belt. I step outside of her reach again and turn back around.

"Just let me get the dirt off your back. I don't want you to get all itchy." That brings a smile to my muzzle now that my mind is cleared... or so I thought...

"It's not going to make me itchy and a shower will quickly take care of it." I bite back the rest of that sentence in my head. I don't know where the idea to invite her to join me in the shower to help scrub my back came from but that had me clearing my throat. I tried to play off the awkward conversation with a joke. "Besides, I'm all sweaty and I've not known Lucy to hang around with sweaty dogs." I can see her worried expression relax and a smile grace her features; her warm eyes alight with mischief.

"Please...you are hardly panting let alone sweaty... I'd almost believe your letting Bruce do all the work anyway." I felt my left eye twitch.

"That one almost got me there Lucy..." As if... who am I kidding, that was a button of mine that seems to always work and I see it in the look on her face. She's just waiting... resist...resist...shit... "I pull my weight! I was right there hammering boards all day." I am, if not anything, a hard worker and will defend my name from slander. At first the rant was more theatric but it became more sincere as I overthought. Did I not look the part that I've been working? Lycans don't sweat as much as humans... "I mean we've got nearly the entire strip re-boarded! If we didn't need to take these breaks then the row would have been done before you even left the house." Bruce abruptly stood up and started walking toward the fence. "I mean really Lucy? You think that we..." The heavy blows of his hammer rung in my ears causing me to stop ranting and turn toward Bruce. I took note of the excessive strength he was using and finally pieced together what I had said. I didn't mean to imply he was holding us back and I felt awful. I slowly approached him with my tail tucked. He must have heard my paws shuffling through the grass because he stopped hammering and adjusted his grip on the hammer. He slowly stood up and turned to face me. I couldn't look him in the eye. "Bruce..." He cut me off before I could continue.

"Don't need n'y more help." His arms were crossed on his chest. I lower my gaze further looking barely above his feet before rising to meet his eyes. His brow was furrowed and a scowl upon his mouth. My voice is barely above a whisper.

"Bruce, I didn't mean it like that. I needed those breaks probably more than you... I didn't even mean to say anything. We make a great team together..." I can see his eyes soften a little and feel one of his large mitts on my shoulder. He pats my shoulder and nods his head.

"Lucy ruffled yer feathers I can see. Yer young and hot 'tween the ears. Just watch which words git past yer lips." He turns me back around to face Lucy which I can't figure out what expression she has. A mix of concern, relief, and amusement... "I got the fence. Looks li' Lucy has s'm'thin to show ya anyhow."

"But I should help you finish the fence. There really isn't much more left to do." I feel a small shove to my back toward Lucy.

"Ey, there I'nt. Won't take me but a min't." He's already back to hammering boards albeit softer this time.

"Thanks Bruce. I'll see you later." I only get a nod and return to Lucy.

"He's not mad at you right? I shouldn't have started that. I know you work hard at everything you do." Her slight praise has me smiling and chuckling but inside my heart is soaring. It wasn't like this before. She's complimented me before and I was happy but this somehow feels different. I'm noticing more things about her; the slight wrinkle in her brow when she's nervous, the slightly different hues of brown in her hair, and the rosiness of her cheeks are all things that I would have ignored. I've spent hours with her in the library but I never noticed these small things.

"No he's not mad, at least not too mad." She looks relieved to hear that.

"That's good. I still didn't mean to start anything."

"I know Lucy. Now what has you so riled up? I haven't seen you this excited...like ever." She's back to bouncing on her feet with a smile plastered on. She quickly thrusts an envelope from behind her back towards me expectantly. I carefully look over the envelope and see the insignia on the front. The iconic S can be only one place. I pull the letter out and separate her view of me with the paper and hum nonchalantly; payback is fair game after all. The contents of the letter are quite obvious and I struggle to keep my excitement in check. She's wanted to go to Shellings since I'd come to work for her father and here in my paws was that dream confirmed. I couldn't keep up the façade for long and look at her smiling face with a grin equally as big. "That's great! Congratulations!" She's positively brimming with energy and excitement.

"I got in! Can you believe it?"

"Of course you got in! Never had a single doubt."

"What? This school is the top of the top. It still feels like a dream... but don't pinch me." I handed the letter back to her and we were walking down the dirt path back towards the house. She holds the letter to her chest and squeals.

"I don't get out all that much but who else are they going to let in if not you?"

"I don't know..."

"Okay, so what's the next steps then? I don't know anything about your schools but is there like a challenge or something?" She came to a stop in the path to cock her head at me.

"Challenge? No they let me in so it's all about paying the bills and keeping grades up."

"Seems like there would be something with how prestigious this school is."

"Are you kidding?" She waves the letter at me. "Do you know how many apply to this school?" I shake my head. "Usually 3000 students from around the region, and do you know how many they accept?" She didn't wait this time. "150 students for each new year!" That was actually quite impressive. "And they generally won't allow students on past the 1st year with how challenging the course work is. This isn't your run of the mill academy."

"So they're picky... I still think there should be something more."

"Like what?"

"Like a competition or something... At least we knew how to showcase greatness."

"Showcase greatness!? Ha! A diploma on the wall with Shellings in the title is the top of the line." She waves her hand in front of us to her imaginary diploma. "This is by far greater than some title like fluffiest tail." She is in rare form today and has me bumping against her shoulder with mine before separating.

"I'll have you know that my father held the title of master hunter and I could easily have held a title just as great! Don't be jealous of my luxurious and fluffy tail, it's unbecoming of a Shelling mage." Yet thinking about my tribe kills my mood and Lucy notices. The growling of my stomach interrupts whatever she was going to say and instead I hear.

"Let's get something to snack on. Dad's still at work so we should be able to sneak some cookies." Cookies would definitely make me feel better and I nod my head in agreement. With everything settled and our moods improved we continued to the manor. I knew it wouldn't be the same between us after today... at least for me it won't but I'll have to keep my feeling under control. I can still see us walking down the path; I wanted to hold her hand... her lips weren't matching the sounds I'm hearing though. She's calling my name in a hoarse voice...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hospital room, present day

Why? Why does she sound upset? The sounds of the alarms are back; no longer tuned out by my meditative state. What peace I had is now shattered and I'm thrust back into the cacophony of yelling and blaring equipment. No one's moved since I last closed my eyes except for the guards appear to be holding someone back. It's really hard to tell with the tears in my eyes but I guess my hostage wants to take a swing at me or something. I don't blame her, she has every right to be pissed at me. It's humbling that a simple jerk of my arm is all it would take, yet terrifying that my arm won't move. I want to escape this but my body trembles at the thought. I can smell the blood that is saturating the fur along my neck, the earlier warmth quickly cooling down. The pain from the punctures pulsing with my heartbeat is no longer a comfort. I don't want to die... not alone... not like this but I have no choice right? She's still calling out my name above even the pounding of my heart in my ears. She's calling me by my real name, that's how I know it's her; struggling with the subtle growls that are custom for my tribe. But she wouldn't be here so I'm imagining things. Her voice is growing softer. It's all so confusing I can't even begin to concentrate anymore. I guess I'll just trust my instincts since I can't possibly work out the mess in my head.

I lower my muzzle and issue what even to my ears is a pitiful Shareu Nachreh. *The Shareu Nachreh (Mourning Call) is a pitch and undulation of a howl specific to my tribe, each tribe is known to have a unique call but is generally recognizable from all other tribes for the eerie and mournful feeling it produces. The call is usually for a loved one that is now gone. The purpose for this call is to reach out for comfort but there is another purpose. The Shareu Nachreh is meant to be accompanied by those who feel connected to the individual that is no longer here. In this case it is to reach out to anyone present on behalf of one's self, to remind us who we are still important to. This is as much a cry for help as a final goodbye.*

I carry the sad low note for a few seconds and wait for a reply that won't come. What do I expect to happen? Some hope above all that I'll get a return call and then what...? Even though I don't expect anything it still bites deep the loneliness hanging in the air. Would I get a reply if I were back in my tribe...? Probably not. Even after my final call my arm won't budge. This realization crushing what was left of my spirit. I let my paws fall to my side, not finding the strength to hold them up anymore, and find the floors cool surface in both paws. I don't remember falling to my knees. I'm a failure... a black mark on my family name for being broken without being touched. The door slams open, which I can't remember hearing close, followed by a return call barely any less pitiful than my own. The call is off key and lacking a lot of small ques but it's still recognizable. In fact it's very recognizable... I've heard that before. The voice in my head yells at me. 'That's her...that's her...! THAT'S HER!! SHE'S HERE!' My eyes and head snap up in time to see Lucy being lifted by one of the guards attempting to drag her from the room while she is kicking the air in desperation. I can see the agent yelling at the guards but I wasn't hearing them, only her. They were hurting her... Was she being put through something similar to me? That had to be it. They were going to torture her seeking answers that she didn't know about me... I made sure to keep it secret. They were going to hurt her for nothing... The charm that agent Delaine was using must have been interrupted because I was furious and my temper was climbing. I can feel the raw energy roiling inside me; more potent than when we were on the training field. This threat feels somehow more immediate and I can feel the strength return to my limbs.

A chorus of 'she's in danger' blaring inside me on repeat. I can feel my paw pads find purchase on the floor beneath me, returning to my full height. I can tell by the heat radiating around me and the flickering light around the room that my body is cloaked in white hot flames; only the bands on my arms and legs breaks the illusion of an infernal hound from hell. Everyone is standing perfectly still as I advance slowly toward the group. All yelling and struggling has ceased. I issue a single command and put every ounce of venom in my voice. "Let. Her. Go." The guards hastily withdraw their arms from her and quickly back away. A flicker of light and haziness separates me from the group while my attention is on the guards. The agent has put up a barrier to keep me away. I slam my fist into it with all my might; large sparks of light dance out from the impact area but the wall holds strong. I wail on the wall with both paws but my blows hold no strength. The inhibitors still on my arms are preventing the energy from traveling to my paws. I frantically claw at these stupid bands around my arm that prevent me from saving her. It only results in scratches and tufts of hair pulled out under my claws. I stop clawing at the bands after a few seconds.

I can feel the heat around my body dying down in recognition that I, once again, was doomed from the beginning. What was once a comforting heat I've known my whole life is now a cold, icy, blanket dragging me down. My power, my body, my everything, has failed me again. There is nothing I can do in the face of this woman. I fall to my knees, pounding weakly on the wall. I can't blink away the tears fast enough and the room grows blurry because of it. I stop hitting the wall and rest my forehead against it; the soft hum of energy barely audible to even my sensitive ears. I can hear the hesitant steps of someone approaching and glance up. My heart soars seeing Lucy walking closer. I catch motion in the corner of my eye and notice the guards moving to stop her. I bare my teeth with a menacing growl at them which causes Lucy to stop as well and take a step back. She's afraid of me. My heart breaks, every muscle in my muzzle going slack, ears back so far they disappear into my fur.

"Stand down and stay back." I can tell that was the agent. To my surprise the footsteps continue getting closer. She's standing right in front of me, separated by a very real yet fake wall. Her voice is stressed and slightly hoarse.

"Andrew...?" She was using my given name now. "It... is you...right?" She couldn't even recognize me... I drop my gaze to the floor and barely nod my head. "Drop the wall agent Delaine." Of all the things I expected to hear... that wasn't even on the list. I glance up at Lucy then at agent Delaine. Her response was expected but still crushing.

"I can't do that." I can see Lucy narrow her eyes and puff up to retort but was cut off. "I cannot lower the barrier while the threat is still present." Of course I'm a threat. It would be stupid to let that go. I'm a threat and the only reason I'm still in one piece is I hold value to them. What doesn't make sense is how Lucy was allowed this close to me.

"Andrew is not a threat..." I'm sure it's no use but it makes me infinitely happy that Lucy is standing by me and I find my tail wagging on its own despite the situation. I'm so caught up in that feeling of relief that I miss part of the conversation. Lucy stares exasperated at me and addresses me again. "Control your magic... dummy..." Her last word is said with a tired smirk. I extinguish the small flicker of flames that remained.

"Don't make me regret this, both of you." I was greeted a few seconds later by a wave of smells; a large mix of worry and fear with plenty of relief sprinkled in; apparently the barrier had kept scents from passing through. The tingle of magic was still strong in the air, held in preparation by agent Delaine, easily enough to put me through the wall if needed. Before my mind could register what had happened I was greeted with a blurred mass rushing toward me and a crushing hug that nearly knocked me over. My mind was blank. I look up past Lucy's hair and see agent Delaine standing tense and prepared to react. I catch the fresh scent of her shampoo, a combination of mountain breeze and pink lily, and my mind implodes. Like the switch was turned back I finally realize what had happened. I couldn't stop the happy bark that left my throat and my arms are around her hugging her close. It has been much to long since the fresh tears welling up in my eyes are not from heartache. I don't know exactly what the future holds but I know right now is wonderful.

After a few seconds I hear agent Delaine clear her throat from a few steps away. Lucy stiffens and slowly stands back up offering her hand to help me stand. My tail tucks between my legs and the agent gives me a tired stare but Lucy stands beside me defiantly.

I was allowed time to recover further but agent Delaine didn't leave the hospital room this time; she didn't fully trust me and that was to be expected. The punctures in my neck and scratches on my arm were tended to by Mrs. Reynolds whom I found out is a very high ranking healer. I don't think she needed to shave the fur around the cuts but she did anyway, I guess a way of warning me against being stupid in the future but she was otherwise relieved. Now I find myself in an office, sitting across a table from a large potbelly man with too much cologne and a comb over, with an active guard beside the door and what looks like live ammunition in the rifle slung on his shoulder. I swallow the lump in my throat. The air around this man feels hostile as he glares down on me with his eyes. I breathe a sigh of relief when agent Delaine enters the room and puts a suitcase on the table next the man. She informs the guard at the door to wait on the other side and opens the suitcase pulling out papers and a recording device. She places the recorder on the table and hits the recording button. She clears her throat and establishes eye contact.

"Date 08-25-2009 2100 hours. Agent Delaine, code 1 1 5 3 4 bravo Charlie Romeo." The large man beside her speaks up in a hoarse voice seemingly from lack of sleep or too many cigarettes

"Director Lenning, Code 5 1 5 0 2 Bravo Charlie Romeo." Agent Delaine picks up after him.

"Potential suspect, Lycan, gray fur, green eyes, approximately 5 foot 7 inches, no notable piercings or marking, age 18, given name Andrew Suman. Suspected for involvement in attacks on civilian grounds and demonic activity as well as attempted assault and threatening an agent. Please state your given name and tribe name." I find my nerves completely shot. I stutter out a few syllables but fail to make them form coherent words. "Relax, this is just legal litigation. I just need you to tell me what happened last night and anything relevant. Take your time and breathe." Director Lenning as I had found out huffs a breath through his nose and grumbles. I take a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"M-my given name is Andrew Suman. I am originally from the Suumahn tribe. My true name is Anamarje Jeerack Suumahn (anna-mar-yay g-rock sue-man)." My breathing has return to normal but I still feel a slight tremble in my tail. Although agent Delaine is calm the man next to her looks short on patience.

"As stated you are involved in an attack that happened on civilian own property which also included demonic activity. Would you please explain what happened the evening of 08-25-2009?" I nod my head and take a small lap of the water that was sitting at the table for me.

"The um, the whole thing started on Monday the 24th..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Monday 24th, Kitchen~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fresh after the weekend we are preparing for a new day at Shelling; we are in the middle of her 2nd year. I'm busy preparing a quick lunch with Claire, one of the maids, for both Lucy and I to have while at school. With a school like Shellings it's not uncommon for hired help to be sent along with students. In most cases this is seen as a display of wealth and prestige that a butler/maid could be paid to carry books between classes or fetch something needed that would have been misplaced. The same was still true for me of course; I would carry her book bag between classes and surprise her with snacks. Lucy is a very organized person and as such does not require the help but Garret allows it anyway. I can't say that I have made an impression on Garret but I do feel that he at least likes me. What I really appreciate about being allowed to go is the opportunity to visit the campus's library. What a masterful place; nearly as large as our main household building and packed full of books and tomes. Every chance that I got would be spent browsing the impressive rows, most of the time alongside Lucy.

I started assisting Lucy at school when in her 1st year she twisted her ankle and needed crutches for a while. She was adamant that we shouldn't waste the money on a healer over a silly sprained ankle; I knew it was so that she could sit out most of the required exercise, thus I was sent to assist; being that I am the closest in age and that we got along quite well. When the time came when she no longer needed the crutches, she complained fiercely on my behalf to still be sent along... her pouting eventually won out and her father allowed me to continue going. My house hold duties were moved more to the afternoons.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shift to first person~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lucy comes groggily down the stairs rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. She was probably up late going over her technical review information...for the 5th time. I simply smile and shake my head at her.

"We will be leaving soon Ms. Covack. Please have a seat and eat your breakfast. We will be leaving the house at 7:15 sharp." Lucy squints her eyes at Claire and grumbles a response.

"You know I prefer Lucy...Ms. Aston." She begins tearing into her breakfast while Claire gives her a warm smile. We finish packing the lunches into their boxes and I sit down beside her. She's wearing the normal school attire consisting of a simple white cotton shirt with an intricate checkered blazer. She could choose between dress pants or a skirt of the same pattern. Today she chose the dress pants.

"I bet you're excited for today's technical huh?" She squirms a bit at the mention.

"Are you kidding? I'm going to make a fool of myself today..." She hangs her head and pushes the rest of her breakfast away.

"Oh come ooon." I wrap my arm around her shoulder and give her a sideways hug. "You're nearly the top of your class. The only reason that you're not the tip top has to be because the McDougal's are paying off the school board. I mean did you see his in class eval test? He could barely keep a single light bulb lit while you could have powered the whole class room. You got this." That was a slight exaggeration. The actual results were much closer having Lucy just barely edging him out.

"Illumination is not the same task. We're going to be covering ranged elemental spells, guarding and deflection spells, as well as doing a baseline charge test. I'll just have to fake being sick. There's just no way I could stand in front of the whole board..." Her head finally touches the table in utter distress.

"But you've nailed those already. Sometimes you just have to admit you have what it takes." She didn't budge. "How about this, you give it your best shot today and while we wait for Claire to pick us up after school, we'll go over to Presley's and get you a hard back copy of whatever book you want, my treat." She peaks at me from the corner of her eye with a small smile playing on her lips.

"Any book?" I raise my paw in preparation for our promise. She gently grasps my paw and adopts an evil little smirk. "I hear they just released Tanner and Summer's newest book. I heard they were selling for nearly 150. Last chance to back out." That was quite a bit more than I expected and it must have shown on my ears. I narrow my eyes a little.

"Now now now, the agreement stands... but now I'm going to video tape the whole thing." She looks aghast while I was excited to try out my new ultra-compact camera.

"You wouldn't dare..." I return her gaze impassively nearly tauntingly.

"Hardly seems fair. I'm out 150 bucks and all I get in return is a video of you wiping the floor with the rest of your class." We were both interrupted by Claire clearing her throat.

"Ms. Lucy, please brush your teeth we will be leaving in 5 minutes."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back in the interrogation room~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"School progressed as it normally would. Between classes I would accompany Lucy. She was quietly dreading the end of classes while I was spending my time in the library browsing for something to catch my eye. I had grown bored of history; dates, names, and places can hold attention for only so long, and wanted to dig into the development of magic."

"History? Why bother with that?" The question is unexpected. Up until now Lenning had only been listening, I almost forgot he was there.

"Um, it was the first section I came across," I readjust my collar. "And Lucy had merely recommended I start with the past which is 'a way of understanding the present'. I was moving on towards the arcane but it was slow going with so many people coming in and out." Agent Delaine interrupts me by asking.

"Why would that slow you down? The books are there to be read correct?" I stare indignantly at her. How obvious an answer would surely not need to be spoken...right? Then another question slammed its way into my head. Was my answer right? I mean I wasn't exactly in chains right now. Did I really know how humans react? Both of them don't seem to be all that fazed by me but that might just be because I can't fight back right now. I can't afford to be too optimistic... and surely what I've been told wasn't a lie but... I must have been lost in thought since agent Delaine prompted me softly with a simple, "Andrew?" while Lenning looked impatient.

"I...um...I thought the answer was obvious but I don't know any more..." I stare down at the table in front of me thoughts heavy in my head. After a short pause Lenning leans on the table.

"Out with it boy we haven't got all day." I tensely snap my head back up. Lenning is glaring at me while Delaine is narrowing her eyes at him.

"It's something I've known it my whole life, ever since I can remember. My father would tell me... don't let anyone know. If anyone finds out you must run." My voice was getting quieter as the sentences went on. "The world isn't safe for you. If anyone finds out, you run." 'Promise me you won't hesitate, even to leave us behind.' I finished the last part in my head. An uneasy silence falls on the room. Lenning has returned to his seat and Delaine is slightly wide eyed.

"Why would he tell you that?" Lenning asks in an irritated tone. The fire resumes in my eyes.

"Because my tribe would kill me!" They both look at me stunned, partly from the context and partly because the tone that has seeped into my voice; a bitterness that speaks volumes by itself. "Because they and every tribe around us are convinced that magic is evil. Because the humans who invaded our lands years ago, raining destruction from nothing but their hands... has everyone petrified. And on top of that! The little experiences passed along regarding _Lycans_that could use magic are full of tales of suffering; stories of madness and rampant fires. Power corrupts completely..." I'm out of breath at this point having stood up. I regain myself a moment later and sit back down my voice returning to a hushed whisper. "Uncontrolled magic is deadly. We have stories of that too. We've had our own wars... I can't...couldn't let anyone know. History has shown that uniqueness draws unwanted attention." An old nightmare resurfaces in my mind; 5 years ago to the worst day of my life. I'm seeing this nightmare from above myself this time; the blood staining her coat of fur coloring it a deep red; feeling her grip on my paw weaken; Hearing my voice begging her to be okay then shortly after to wake up; and finally the anger. I could feel a power I'd never known before. I knew without a doubt that should I choose to, my village could be erased. A fire roared in my heart burning hotter than any flame I've ever made. I could burn the forest to ashes for what they had done to her. My father came rushing through the trees. The frantic look in his eyes stilled my anger and every bit of power fled from me. He spared me only a glance before he kneeled in front of his mate and sobbed. He carefully took her from me and cradled her head. I was reminded of my promise after seeing him. I ran away from home and my family. I can hear his haunting Shareu Nachreh echoing through the trees after me...

"Andrew?" The soft voice of agent Delaine pulls me out if it. My paws are clenched tightly into fists, fur matted along my cheeks, and head hung low. "No one is like that here, you're safe here. We know of many Lycans that use magic and none of them are in danger any more than you are." I rub my cheek with my arms and nod my head leaning back into my chair. I'm exhausted from the day's events and having to relive a memory I've tried to bury for so long. My shoulders sag, arms weakly wrap around myself, and I reply.

"I'm fine... just bad memories are resurfacing a lot today..." I can see the director puffing up a bit.

"What the hell was that about? Let's pick a damn emotion and stick with it. You're worse than my ex-wife!" My ears are laid flat on my head, scolded. I didn't have any fight left in me.

"Director Lenning... you will behave in accordance with article 5-4 or I will have another, higher ranking, member sit in. I'm sure that will be easy to explain to the chief won't it?" The large balding man grumbles and crosses his arms across his chest then levels a calculating gaze at me.

"Fine. What books were you looking at kid?" I blink my eyes and cant my head slightly, thrown off by the question. "You were in the library looking at arcane books that could have exposed you right? If you were so scared of being discovered why chance it?" At least Lenning sounded controlled. I nodded my head. My voice still sounded strained and weak, but coherent.

"I wanted to research the meaning behind the symbols in some of the books Lucy has."

"What books would those be Andrew?" She asks calmly, back to asking questions now that I'm calm. I find myself realizing the full scope of this interview. Not only am I explaining my side of the story, I'm also being probed for information about myself, the things that Garret or Lucy wouldn't know. She may not be a threat but that doesn't mean she's a friend. I pinch the bridge of my muzzle near my eyes feeling worn down. If they are not my friends then they will be addressed as I have been taught to.

"The training books agent Delaine. Specifically the chapters that she has unlocked pertaining to elemental manipulation. I could read the chapters she was on up until this year."

"Please elaborate on that some." I furrow my brow. "You say you could read some of the chapters of what I assume was the 'Intermediation; Basic Conjuring' book." Again I nod my head but can't find an answer to what she is asking.

"Kid, the mage textbooks will only teach you if you have met the requirements set by the association. How did you learn enough to reach that high if you were worried about being found out?"

"I have no idea. I've only glanced at Lucy's books but it all seemed so simple before."

"Something isn't adding up Andrew... those book are very well designed and require steps to be followed to progress. I don't think it's possible to move on without at least some studying."

"Why do you think I was looking for answers in the library? That's exactly what I want to know!" She merely raises her eyebrows at my slight outburst. "There were pages that make sense. I could easily follow along with the written texts, and the chants to help focus, and all of that. So I figure that's just how the book is. Then... she moves on to a new chapter and she is so excited, so I take a peek over her shoulder and all I can see on the page is these weird symbols! The book is clearly magical so I can't ask her about it..." I have to stop myself from standing up and pacing round the room. "So after about 15 minutes of staring at this page she raises her hand and freaking lightning arcs between her fingers! Just as quickly as it happens it's gone and she back buried in that book." I look at the agents for some sign of anything. She stares back before answering the unspoken question.

"That seems a little quick I suppose. The average for first time elemental harnessing and control is around 40 minutes if I'm not mistaken but that all sounds within acceptable tolerance for a young mage at Shellings. Although it is impressive if she got it on her first try." I can't believe that something like this would be normal. To harness something as destructive as lightning...or electricity... so simply... she must have read the expression on my face. "Learning to harness elemental magic is not so difficult Andrew. The power level she would have invoked would not have endangered anyone. Truthfully the early chapters in that section are much more illusionary; designed to teach mages to manipulate small amounts of energy and work through the flow of each before moving on to manipulating more energy. Does that make sense?" I huffed loudly at that. "You don't seem convinced Andrew. Did something happen?" I lower my voice.

"Of course something happened... Not to Lucy, she continued on with reading through her book, but that got me interested. She saw something in those symbols that I couldn't right? Before bed we pack up all of her books and set them down stairs so that everything is ready for the next day. So that night some 5 months ago, I snuck into the kitchen and looked through the book. Again the chapter she was reading showed nothing but symbols. After staring at the page and thumbing back and forth I get this strange feeling." I'm finding it difficult to even describe. "Each symbol kind of struck a different chord inside me...I don't sound crazy do I?"

"You just start to know what the symbols mean." She clarifies. "The book is designed to help the students learn but not necessarily give away the answers. It's honestly hard to explain... but the book will provoke the thoughts and feelings necessary for each spell and leaves the development to the student; since some mages just simply cannot learn certain spells or will have great difficulty with them the book will not force them to learn it. What you have described sounds correct." I breathe a small sigh of relief but it still causes my head to spin. Everything has to be so cryptic with the humans... "Continue with the incident."

"After looking at the symbols, the puzzle slowly pieces together; I understood it. So I practice bringing the elemental lightning to my paw... I shouldn't have in the kitchen but I wasn't thinking straight since this was new and exciting for me... When Lucy did it she had small sparks jumping between her fingers but when I tried it... I zapped the toaster."

"Why were you touching the toaster while trying to channel electricity?" The director indignantly asks to which I heatedly reply.

"I was 5 foot away from it!" I can see him swell up and turn redder in the face.

"Oh, bull shit!" He stands up and points his grubby finger at me. "What kind of a fool do you take me for?" Before he can continue his rant agent Delaine cuts him off.

"Director Lenning you are way out of line, please step out into the hall with me." The glare he got from Delaine killed the response in his throat and he stomps into the hall followed by an apologetic agent taking the recorder with her. After nearly 20 minutes the agent returns with a new guy setting the recorder back on the table and hitting the record button. He was in much better shape and identified himself as Agent Smith. The interview continued on as if nothing had happened although agent Delaine was much more relaxed than before. Agent Smith must have listened to the recording because he doesn't need to ask any questions.

"So you electrocuted the toaster. How did that affect you? Were there any adverse effects? Which direction did the energy flow?" Agent Delaine asks.

"No, I was fine. I didn't really feel much besides a slight drain to my energy so I guess it left me... it nearly got me caught so I was pretty terrified..." Agent Smith pops in.

"Why didn't you run this time?" My stomach plunged into the floor. I couldn't tell them the truth. I couldn't tell them that the thought of running away from her would have crushed me. After a moment's hesitation I fed them a half truth.

"They... are like family to me. A second chance I didn't expect to have. If they had found out I would have ran."

"How did they not find out?" Smith asks. My reply is simple.

"The toaster still works. I thought for sure it was fried but everything was fine the next morning."

"So, it appears he has a primary affinity for electricity wouldn't you say agent Delaine?" Agent Smith looked impressed if I was reading his features correctly. Hard to tell over his professional mannerism he adopted as soon as entering.

"I wouldn't be so sure. Proper testing would be required to evaluate him... but we can discuss that at a later time. I believe we are getting off subject to far." The conversation was confusing. I haven't come across the term before but I can guess it has to do with what magic I'm good at and if that's the case agent Delaine is very correct. "Andrew, past the toaster incident have there been any other occasions of interest?" I ponder the question for a few moments and come up with nothing worth noting.

"No ma'am, everything was calm until the 24th." Agent Smith looks like he doesn't want to drop the subject quite yet but has conceded to her. How had we even gone down that path? That doesn't have anything to do with this week at all... I need to be more careful with what I say.

"Then would you please continue with what happened on the 24th?" I nod my head and refocus on that day.

"It was the day for her class's midterm technical review. I met up with Lucy after her last class and carried her backpack to her locker. We only needed the gloves of course so we stowed the rest of her things. We arrived at the training field and she waited for instruction. I could tell she was nervous but she did exceptional on the evaluation. When it came out that she was top of her class I was so happy for her. We were going to go to Presley's like I had promised but Matthew McDougal and some of his friends cut us off. Nothing good could come from this so I tried to steer the conversation away but they were persistent." I couldn't get the growl out of my voice. "He first tried to play off his ineptitude by claiming to not be feeling well, eventually getting the point where he was mocking her for essentially being a girl. That was when the challenge was issued." I spat that word out with a snarl. "I should have buried him in a crater in the training field but even that would be merciful." Agent Smith had risen from his chair after see some sparks jump between my ears. He was tensely staring me down, standing at the ready for any move I made but I hadn't left my seat. Agent Delaine addresses him hastily. She always seemed to jump to my defense.

"Sit down agent Smith." Turning her attention back to me. "Andrew, you are on record, be mindful what you say and who you threaten... we can't ignore them... and control your magic." That statement leveled me off a little but I was still much to riled up to be respectful. I did center the magic back to my core.

"So now you side with a rapist?" Agent Smith had reseated himself after I appeared to have cooled off but adopts a surprised look which was the first time he had really broken character. I scratch the back of my neck. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have said that...out loud." A funny thought pops into my head and I snicker. "Maybe I could bury him in the amount of paperwork you guys are about to have." Agent Smith rubs the back of his neck and decides to request a pot of coffee from the guards outside. He then addresses me again.

"Let's hear it kid..." I was able to keep my cool as I retold the events but kept my feelings for her secret.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shelling after school~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We're going to the field and I'm gonna show you how weak you really are." Matthew McDougal said, sneering with his nose slightly raised. He is a 5'9", black hair, nicely dressed, rich kid. The snob looks down on everyone and is only popular because of his last name only. McDougal Industry is the biggest producer of magic integrated electronics in the world. His great grandfather was a revolutionary man who built his name from hard work and ingenuity. The current president of McDougal Industry is money hungry without a moral compass. Richard McDougal has taken the great legacy left behind and wrote over top of it. Sure, financially, the McDougal's are climbing to new heights but the public image is taking a hit and Matthew McDougal has taken after his father.

"We really have somewhere to be. Besides, Lucy has nothing to prove. The results from the test speak plenty." I try to usher Lucy toward the exit. The two boys with him step in our way blocking the path. They were imposing guys; muscle heads that could easily join a football team. They were big but they weren't stupid, easily falling into the top 10%. We had no real choice but to walk toward the fields. Matthew adopted a sickening smile.

"I'm glad you see things my way Lucy." The way he said that sent a shiver down my spine. There wasn't much I could do with the two brutes shoving us along. All I can do is root for her and look for a chance to slip away and get a professor.

Both combatants took their spot on the field and the countdown was initiated. Once the green light came on and both gloves activated Lucy immediately channeled a barrier. The spell was flawless with very little wasted energy in the creation and solid in construction. Meanwhile Matthew watched bemused. "You see Lucy here is the difference between us. Your barrier was by the books down to the finalizing sequence. It was a good sturdy barrier sure, but it's slow. I had nearly 3 seconds to cast even a basic spell to disrupt you; while I, on the other hand, can do this." He waves his arm and a shield of lesser magnitude and sloppy in nature forms in front of him. What was important is that the barrier took less than half a second to form, far faster than Lucy's.

"That barrier won't tank even a class 1 spell before breaking. Seems hardly worth the effort seeing as it cost you nearly as much as mine cost me." Lucy replies. "What use could that..." She was interrupted by a ball of fire splashing against her barrier and dissipating. There was barely a second before another rocks against her shield.

"Lucy, much like in business, speed is everything. If I make the first move every time where does that leave you? That leaves you on defense. You can't win by playing only defense." To punctuate the last sentence another fireball grows in his hand quickly gaining power. After a short pause, barely a quarter of the time it would have taken Lucy, the fireball was hurtling at her. Although hastily crafted and leaking energy along the way the fireball erupts against her shield leaving cracks in its wake. As the fire clears Lucy is seen chanting an offensive spell of her own. Just as polished as ever a swirl of glacial origin forms in her palm, with a final flourish she releases the attack flying straight and true at Matthew. Matthew hastily throws up a second shield but both prove insufficient to fully block, leaving Matthew staggering a few steps backward and ice on both arms that he had blocked with. The ice quickly melts and he advances toward Lucy. "Lucky shots won't happen again." He raises his hand and the air around his fist intensifies. He keeps building energy into that fist until it is audible in the room. This doesn't feel right to me. The ambient energy in the room exceeds what is allowable for a practice match. That could only mean that the gloves that Matthew is using isn't reading energy properly. That little fucking cheat... before I could rush out to the field and slam the emergency stop, Tyler, one of the two goons, grabs me by the arms and pins them behind me.

"Now, now, puppy, you're not going anywhere. Sit." I struggle a bit and growl at my captor only to receive a heavy fist to my stomach from Chris. Pain explodes in my chest and takes all of my breath away. As I struggle to breathe I witness the culmination of Matthew's cheating. The angry ball of energy, an odd mix of elemental wind and moisture, shatters her weakened barrier and lands squarely in her chest. The blow slips between the cracks in the arms she had raised to block and hits her directly. The force lifts her up and sends her flying back a few feet. Much like the position that I am in, she is having difficulty regaining her breath. My blood is boiling watching Matthew swagger over toward Lucy. I wanted to put him through a wall for this under handed tactic. This fight needed to end before he hurt her or he better pray I don't get my paws on him.

"Immobilize." That single word followed by a sickening swirl of energy. Its dark origins striking out from his palm like a snake. I swear my heart stopped beating when I followed the trail. There in the middle of the field was Lucy, frozen in place by unseen forces, on all four limbs in the middle of trying to get up. I can see her struggling against the spell but she hasn't learned how to break the hold yet. The spell clamped around her ankles, knees, hip, shoulders, and elbows prevented any real movement. This was never in the books that Lucy studied so this must have been purposely taught and learned. This bastard was learning spells against school guidelines. That offense alone would be enough to have him either suspended or expelled. His father would eat the brunt of the backlash but he's no saint himself so I doubt that would affect him... but the hit his company might take would make a difference. Then I smelt it...arousal. It hit me all at once what they were trying to...what they were going_to do. What was left of lunch was threatening to vacate my stomach. One of Chris's meaty hands grabs my muzzle and keeps me looking at the scene in front of me; his grip tight enough to cause my cheek to rake against my teeth. The taste of blood on my tongue nearly drives me over the edge. The feral beast inside, begging to come out, beats against my will power. I can feel the itch spreading; a comfortable heat radiating just below the skin. I just have to think... I _will put a stop to this but there has to something else I can do.

"Let me go you creep." She's scared. Her voice is trembling. She must understand at least that she can't defend in this position... I'm scared as well that if I can't think of anything else I'll have to leave her... but I'll make sure that she'll be fine. With Tyler like a vise grip on my arms my options are limited. The little feral voice in my head reminds me of the easiest option; 'Burn them. Protect her.' The thought is becoming more favorable with each step Matthew takes toward her. Nothing comes to my mind that can put a stop to this besides a show of force. I can't hit the alarm because of Chris and Tyler, the gloves have safety circuits linked to the alarms but I don't think Lucy is in a position to hit the limit, the room is sound suppressed so as to not interrupt classes, and the monitor overseeing the fields seems to be in on it cause they should have stopped this a long time ago. My minds running a mile a minute all the while the devil on my shoulder's smile grows bigger. I can't stop the growl in my throat as Matthew runs his hand along her back and ends groping her butt. She shrieks out in alarm. "Get off of me!" Final realization of what was happening dawning on her.

"Now, now Lucy... we've got plenty of time to play seeing as I requested the room for an hour..." Lucy is thrashing against the spell that is binding her. I try to drag my eyes away from her to think but Chris's hand doesn't budge. I can feel my body trembling and I'm positive it's from anger but Chris and Tyler seem to think it's from fear. My time is limited, but the sickening fact that Matthew seems to be taking his, in fact buys me more.

"Keep looking mutt. Hell, you probably peek at her in the shower don't you? Plenty of eye candy at the Covack Manor?" I try to jerk my head away but only end up cutting my cheek further against my teeth. Tyler comments from behind me.

"Nah, Chris. With how buddy buddy these two are, I'm betting he's beat Matthew to the punch!" They were bouncing comments off each other now.

"Oh yes... I do believe you're right. Come on, tell us the truth... you been getting some of that?"

"I bet he does! You dirty dog!"

"Ha, you think they bang it out when they sneak off to the library?" I can do nothing but try and tune them out. As the moments tick by I sink further into despair. I will have to leave my second family because of these sick bastards. I don't know if I'm strong enough to leave again...

"He's totally pounding her in the library! Probably behind the romance section."

"Their definitely going at it bare back. He's a dog so they don't have to worry about getting knocked up!"

"Ooo, good point. What do you think Matthew? Think Lucy gets raw dogged by her mutt?" They all are snickering and I'm half a second from burning Chris and Tyler to a crisp and then ripping Matthews throat out... Matthew responds.

"Seems Likely. We'll just have to find out by how tight she is huh?"

"But what if there's still a load up in there?" Matthew hesitates for a second.

"If the mutt made a mess, he'll just have to clean it up." The 3 boys laugh for a few seconds before settling down. "Let's have a look and see." My last chance was drawing near. No options were presenting themselves as Matthew slowly starts to pull the slacks off of her rear. I force my eyes to the floor even though my muzzle was still held. I could feel my body heating up and soon it would be too late to hide. My tortured mind finally realizes something about the room and the cogs realign in my head. The room absorbs extra energy from any dodged spells... all I have to do is trigger the alarm through the floor... and my feet are on the floor. I snap my eyes up in revelation and find the image burned into my memory; her perfectly shaped rear on display with her pants down to her knees and pink flowery panties covering her nethers. I force my eyes away and plunge the energy brimming in me into the floor. The wail of an alarm is heard immediately and I see Lucy fall forward and scramble away. The room was now locked down and energy suppressed. I fall to my knees when Tyler releases me in surprise. I feel a great sense of shame of not only it taking me so long to figure that out but also that for a split second I wanted to keep looking. I feel disgusted with myself but she needs help.

I scramble to my feet a second later and dash over to her putting myself in between her and Matthew. She had just pulled her pants back up and was continually scooting back away from the group. When Matthew whirled back around from yelling at Chris and Tyler to address Lucy, I lost my temper. He was advancing towards her demanding to know how she set off the alarm. My fist connected with his face in the middle of his next threat. He fell to the floor hard and didn't get back up. Chris and Tyler rushed at me but a few feet away they were stopped from moving. In fact it seemed that everyone was stopped as a man in his late 20's stepped through the door and silenced the alarm. He quickly yells out across the room.

"Everyone shut up!" Silence follows. "I don't care how this happened. We don't have time, so here's the story. Matthew's glove malfunctioned and a dangerous amount of energy was hurled at Lucy. She dodged the blast and is scared because of it. The mutt attacked Matthew and I came in and stopped everything. Got it!?" He had walked over to Matthew and was hauling him up to his feet. His cheek was already swelling and blood was dripping from his nose. A deep growl resonates in my throat. They are in shit so deep it would drown them yet they couldn't be bothered... Something wasn't right...

"And why the fuck would I...?" The new guy just snickers and grins just as menacingly as Matthew had earlier.

"Because there is no recording of the fight and it's my word against yours. There's going to be a rush of people coming to help so you better fucking stick to the story cause I'll have you kicked out for spreading false rape accusations." I look back and see Lucy still terrified and shaking like a leaf but vehemently shaking her head. Her voice is soft and weak.

"We won't say anything." I couldn't believe what I just heard and my expression clearly showed it. "Andrew... we won't say anything." Every muscle in my muzzle pulled back in a painful snarl as I return my gaze to the group in front of me; my voice clearly showing my hatred for everyone in front of me.

"Touch her again..." No one seems fazed by the threat.

"Be mindful who you threaten mutt." Before the banter could continue the doors burst open and 5 people rushed through.