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Chapter 5: Father-Son Talk

Geoff seethed with frustration at both Nathanial and Faelen. He was trying to convince Faelen to go with Nathanial and Liam to see what "services" were being offered, to make sure nothing bad happened, and to find out what was going on. He would have gone himself if he wasn't grounded. Faelen flatly refused. Geoff thought this was the first time Faelen had done that. No debate, no arguments, no trying to convince Geoff to do something else. Just, "No." Nathanial hadn't been more forthcoming with information on what had happened, or why he felt he had to get Liam's help instead of going to a hospital -- whatever that help was. "C'mon Faelen, nothing is going to happen to me between here and home, and I'm grounded so I can't go anywhere else. Just keep Nathanial safe, see what the deal is with Liam, and come home to find me sitting there safe and sound."

Faelen answered in the same frustratingly calm and firm voice, "No, not even if you order me."

Geoff felt the tightness in his voice as he answered, "As you will," the phrase his family had used for generations to say they had no further orders for their servants, granting them leave to do what they wanted. He regretted it when he saw Faelen's back stiffen, but he was frustrated enough that he didn't apologize. He knew Faelen would -- could -- never leave him at school, orders or no. He knew he was being selfish and immature, but he was getting very tired of being kept out of everything these last few days.

Liam came to take his love from him to catch the bus, and after a futile attempt at getting information from them he followed Nathanial out of the gates before turning for home at their regular running speed.

He barely noticed Faelen following him in his customary spot, right where he had always been whenever Geoff needed him. He thought about how frustrating these next two weeks were going to be, and that the only thing to look forward to in the afternoons would be teatime and supper. 'I wonder what Dirk is making? Oh, that's right. Faelen said he needed to ask Dirk something after school. It must have been important for him to text him from school, right after we got there. We must have said something on the way... Oh. Right.' He remembered part of their conversation: "I've dedicated every aspect of my life to being a good friend and guardian. I don't know how to be alone."

He felt his eyes water again, and his annoyance vanished. That was probably why Faelen wanted to talk to his da. He didn't look back, but said softly, knowing Faelen could hear him, "Faelen. I'm sorry. Again. I was being selfish and childish. I took you for granted." His voice shook as he took in a deep breath. "I seem to be apologizing a lot, and behaving in ways that require me to apologize."

"As I said earlier, 'I hope you don't spend the next two weeks beating yourself up, or it's going to be a very long two weeks.' Yes, you were being a brat, a complete ass, even. But you are in love, you were worried about Nathanial, and you were a little jealous that he went off with that cute Rottweiler when you're grounded."

Geoff could hear the smile in his voice, but couldn't stop from making a small growl. He was jealous.

"Don't worry, Nathanial is probably safer with Liam during the day and in public like this than he is with us. Liam may not look as intimidating, but he can be damned scary when he wants to be, and can deal with threats more easily than us when we can't manifest."

"Cute? You seem to be getting a very favourable opinion of that pup, especially considering he appears to be an ordinary Fur. Nathanial is at least a Mage."

Faelen sounded genuinely angry. "Geoff? Shut the fuck up."

Geoff shut up in confusion. 'What did I say now?'

---

Faelen felt his blood boil from Geoff's last comment. 'Gods, he can get on my nerves, sometimes. I know he blames Furs for the state the world is in, but there are good Furs, too. It isn't the fault of all of them. Who cares if someone is magical or not, as long as they're a good person? Geoff, apparently. Well, him and almost all Spirits and Fey. Liam is odd, but he seems to have a good heart. Am I sweet on him? Geoff thought I may like Nicholas, too; he may just want me to be gay and thinks that I like any guy I'm nice to. A wish-fulfilment thing. Did I really swear at him? Huh, he may be right. I'll have to think about that -- later.' "Hey, Geoff, my turn. I'm sorry I swore at you. That was uncalled for, sir."

"Think nothing of it."

'He didn't say anything about the "sir." He doesn't smell mad; he must be deep in thought.' The two Wolves ran in silence the rest of the way home.

Dirk was waiting in the kitchen, a stew simmering on the stove and fresh bread cooling on the counter. He hugged Geoff with none of the usual banter. "Good afternoon, Geoff." He pulled Faelen into a quick hug before holding him at arms' length, looking into his eyes. "You wanted to talk, Son?"

Faelen nodded.

"May we leave you for a time, Geoff?"

Geoff nodded silently and went downstairs.

"Do you want to go to your room and put the humidifier on?"

Faelen shook his head. "Actually, a shower. I could use the thicker steam."

"Bad day?"

Faelen just nodded. They went upstairs, with Dirk pausing for a moment in Conor's office, letting him know what was going on.

The master bath was a much larger room with a two-person hot tub and a larger shower stall. The floor was a white marble tile, as was the large counter space. The walls were painted with parchment-coloured paint, and the fixtures were bronze. The stall had sliding glass doors that went to the ceiling and an internal light and fan.

Faelen looked at the hot tub. "We should use that sometime. I like soaking in a hot tub; it's not as nice as a wet sauna, but still relaxing." He could smell Dirk's arousal spike slightly at the comment. Faelen stripped his clothes off, with Dirk following suit. "You're hopping in the shower, too?"

"Well, yes. It's easier to talk to someone in the same room than shouting over the shower and through the door. Do you mind?" He was right, so Faelen just shook his head, "Besides I was going to scrub your back and brush out some of that loose fur. We should probably just get some steam going and then brush before you get wet. You look like you could use the contact, anyway."

His da was right; he could use the physical contact. It had been awhile since he'd been brushed or held for a time, and he missed it. He smiled a little and nodded.

Dirk left most of his bones outside, leaving his bracers and choker on, before they stepped into the shower and closed the door. Leaving the fan off, Dirk turned the water on as hot as it'd go and stepped back out of the range of the spray. He took the brush and began to make long, slow strokes down Faelen's back. Faelen braced himself by placing his paws on the wall and leaned forward as he stepped back slightly, allowing his arms to take some of the weight. They said nothing for a time, just enjoying the company.

The steam was getting thick, so Dirk turned the water off for a bit. He knelt and started brushing Faelen's legs and backside. "So?"

Faelen sighed. "I had a talk with Geoff on the way to school. He asked if I was gay." Dirk paused his brushing for a moment, silent, before Faelen continued, choking up a little. "I asked if he was asking as my boss or my friend. It bothered him. I can see why, to a degree, but what does it matter? I always assumed I'd never have a chance to meet anyone, whether I was gay or straight. I've never considered it important. I've dedicated everything I do, everything I am, to the McDougals, to Geoff. I told him that and he got really upset. He asked how I could expect him to ever be happy if I could never be happy. I understand, but what chance will I have? When was the last time you were on a date? Have you been on one since Mom died?"

Dirk put his brush down and stood up. Faelen looked over his shoulder. Dirk just wrapped his arms around Faelen in a hug and held him, a tear running down his face. Faelen set out a soft sob.

"No, I haven't. I've never actually been on a real date in my life. Like you, my life has always been my work. Except for you. You are the only thing that has been part of me, my life, and even then I initially wanted you because I thought it was my duty. I'm glad I did; you've given me a purpose outside of what Conor wants. I love you, Son."

Faelen was confused. "You didn't date Mom? How did you get to know each other, fall in love, get married?"

Dirk was silent for a minute. "We weren't in love. Don't take this the wrong way, but you were a business arrangement." He felt Faelen tense up to shout something, so he squeezed his arms, pushing the air out of Faelen's lungs. "Shh. Quiet." He relaxed his arms to let Faelen breathe in. "Conor doesn't know. I don't want anyone to know. Stay." He turned the shower back on with warm water before hugging Faelen from behind again. Faelen had remained perfectly still, in shock. "I wanted a child, to continue the O'Conall legacy of serving the McDougals. Mary Anne, your mother, needed money. She was a young Fox, just laid off from a job in a bio-chemistry company. She was a lesbian and was willing to have a child for me in return for the money, and a promise I would provide her with a child for herself later. I gave her my seed, in a flask, every other day for two months, and she got pregnant with you. She let me know when you were about to be born, and I collected you after birth."

Faelen's mouth opened and closed a few times. "I-Is she alive? Do I have a sibling? A flask?"

Dirk smiled at the last question. "I'm gay, she was a lesbian. We weren't about to have sex. No, she did die a week after you were born. She had become continuously frailer during the course of her pregnancy and didn't get better. She didn't stop bleeding from the birth, and they couldn't stop it. No matter what they did, it didn't help. She never left the hospital. I visited every day for as long as I could, blaming myself. I still do. She was a regular Fur, not a Spirit. I thought for the longest time that Hunters had done something to her for mating with a Spirit, but I'm no longer sure. She was a vital person, but she was...delicate. She just may not have been able to cope with a pup as large and as strong as you."

"I killed my mom?!"

"What? No! Not at all! That isn't what I meant! She was petite, delicate. Any pup may have proven too much, but you were a Wolf pup. Even with a Fox for a mother, you have taken after me in almost every fashion. You were almost fifty percent larger than a regular kit. She managed to give you a natural birth, against the advice of the doctors -- and my wishes, I might add. The death certificate, which I have a copy of, as well as your birth certificate, listed 'complications from childbirth' as the cause of death. You, in no way, shape, or form are responsible for that. It just...is. It happens, has happened, and will continue to happen. Medicine and magic have cut down on the number of deaths, but they still happen."

Faelen felt the emotion in his father's voice; no matter what Dirk said about Faelen not blaming himself, his da still blamed _him_self.

"You're right, Da. I'll forgive myself if you forgive yourself. You weren't to blame, either. Now what was this about never being on a date? Are you still a virgin, then? Am I a child of a virgin?" Faelen couldn't help but smile.

"Hells no, Son. You can get laid without going on dates, or getting a prostitute, when you look as good as I do in leather."

"Um. I don't think I want to know anymore. Leather? What has that got to do with anything?"

Dirk's body shook with laughter, and Faelen felt something hard and wet poking his tail-hole. "Leather bars. You know, gay bars. A very muscular, tall Wolf wearing leather and bones, bulging package and looking for action? I got a lot of action. I just haven't had time in years to get out much. I miss it." The hardness at Faelen's tail-hole got a little larger and he could smell his father's arousal getting stronger. "I saw you washing yourself in the shower this morning. You've become very strong and handsome. And large. I'm proud of you."

"Um... Da? Just so you know, I can smell and feel how proud you are." Faelen felt himself start to slide out of his sheath.

Dirk let him go immediately, blushing. "Smell? You can smell how aroused someone is?"

Faelen turned around. His father was completely erect, with his knot out of the sheath. Faelen knew where he inherited his genitals from, for sure. His da was a little longer than him at 18 centimetres, and thicker, too. His knot wasn't fully swollen, but it looked like it'd be really large.

He pulled his eyes from Dirk's penis just as he saw a second drop of precum slowly form at the tip. "Mist Spirit. Pheromones are water soluble, and float like mist." Faelen slid a little further out of his sheath.

Dirk smiled. "Bone Spirit. I can tell you are boning up looking at your da. Why don't you do my back now?" He brushed, intentionally, against Faelen's shaft as he leaned against the wall where Faelen was. He put his paws against the wall and pushed back against his son, moving him out of the way. He leaned against the wall, tail up and slightly to the side.

Faelen grabbed the brush, fully hard, and stepped behind his da. He stopped with the tip of his penis against Dirk's tail-hole and slowly drew the brush down the dark grey fur, causing Dirk to arch his back, putting more pressure against Faelen's penis. He felt a jet of precum squirt across his da's sphincter, some of it going inside, too.

Dirk let out a small moan at the sensation. "Yup. I can definitely sense you've boned up. Now, come on, you're a strong Wolf; don't be so timid with the brush."

Faelen put some muscle into the brushing, with his da arching his back into each stroke, adding to the force. He kept the tip of his penis pressed against his da, making the tight hole slick with his precum. Dirk started to rock back slightly on each stroke of the brush, stretching his tail-hole open slowly to allow Faelen's girth in.

Faelen's father hissed slightly on the third attempt as he got past the narrow canid tip and onto the full thickness of the shaft. "Gods, it's been a long time. Well, since we're Spirits, let's do this properly. Why don't you manifest and cloak me in the steam to conceal my powers when I manifest?"

Faelen felt a bit confused, not sure where Dirk was going with this, but he knew that his senses were heightened when manifesting so he thought it'd be enjoyable. The "leather bar" thing had him a little concerned, though. He manifested, and as his senses sharpened Dirk shifted his weight slightly. The unintentional movement pushed the tip of his penis ever so slightly back into his da, making him hiss in surprise as shivers ran through his body. He grabbed firmly onto his da's chest, steadying himself. "Ah! Gods!"

"Hey, now! Wait for me. Wrap us in mist and focus on hiding our presence."

Faelen did that, and he felt Dirk manifest. All of the fur he could see turned a deep black. Dirk turned his head, revealing the ivory skull mask around his eyes and the bone plate that grew on the top of his muzzle.

"Let me go for a moment, would you? Heh, I'm seven centimetres from your face and I can barely see you. That always impresses me."

Faelen let go and Dirk opened the shower door to let his greaves and upper armbands scuttle in. The greaves attached themselves to his shins, and he picked up the armbands and put them by his biceps, allowing them to wrap around the bulging muscles. He stood facing Faelen, trying to find him. Faelen could see the ivory fur running over his da's chest, down over his belly and groin, and past his balls. It seemed to taper into a point on his perineum, but Faelen thought he'd better check to make sure.

"Where are you, pup? Well, since I won't be able to see you even if I find you let's just get going." Dirk went back to lean on the wall and spread his legs wide. "Loosen me up a bit first."

Faelen stepped out of Dirk's way and leaned in next to his ear when he said, "Loosen you up? What do you mean?"

Dirk jumped in surprise at the voice that came out of nowhere. "Sheesh. Here, keep in contact with me, would you? So I know where you are. Loosen up my hole; you're too thick to just plunge into someone. Use your tongue or fingers to slowly work your way in, getting the muscles to relax. If you use your fingers, get some lube from that hose of yours, or saliva."

Faelen thought the idea of licking a tail-hole sounded gross, but he could smell that Dirk was clean, and that butt looked...tasty. He put his paws on either side of his da, under the armpits, and dragged his claws down to Dirk's black glutes.

Dirk murred a little. "Harder next time. I like it forceful. Don't be afraid of hurting me with your teeth or claws. Remember, I'm resistant to damage, and I regenerate extremely fast."

Faelen knelt down, examining his goal. It was a small pink ring set against mostly black fur. The ivory fur from Dirk's belly ran all the way along his perineum up into the crack between the cheeks and ended in a point at the edge of the hole.

'Like a pointer to a target,' Faelen thought with a smile. He cautiously leaned in and gave a small swipe. 'Tastes like...dried bones. Odd. Well, bones and my precum. Tasty, but odd. A bit of flesh taste there, a little sweat. Hmm.' He stopped analyzing and enjoyed the smell of increased arousal.

He gave a firm swipe of his tongue from the bottom of the ivory sac up to the base of the ebony tail, seeing the slight shiver go up his da's back as he passed the sphincter. He pushed his tongue against the hole, digging in slightly, before lapping right around it. He worked like that for a minute before he felt his tongue start to slide in when he pushed on the ring.

Dirk sighed contentedly above him.

Faelen started to burrow his tongue in deeply, wriggling it around. He dug his claws into the front of Dirk's upper thighs to give a bit of leverage and smelt a tiny spike of pain and a surge of arousal as his claws pricked the skin. 'He does like it a little rough!'

Faelen had his jaws open wide around his da's cheeks to get his tongue in as deep as it'd go, so he let them relax a bit, his teeth resting just below the tail and in between the inner thighs. He pushed his jaws together a little and felt the tips of his teeth brush against the skin, causing Dirk to growl and push back.

Dirk put his paw on Faelen's head and pulled off his tongue. "Enough! Oh gods, enough!" He slid his paws to Faelen's sides and picked Faelen up as he spun around. He put Faelen down behind him and dropped to all fours. He reached up and turned off the water so it wasn't splashing in his face. "I've had enough teasing, just mount me already!"

Faelen knelt down between his da's legs and put a paw on Dirk's broad shoulders, using the other one to line up to his target. Dirk felt the tip in place and shoved back hard, taking half of the over-6-centimetre-wide penis inside him in one go. Dirk yelped, but Faelen could smell his arousal reach an even higher plateau.

"You really get off on a bit of pain, don't you?"

Dirk looked back into the steam, panting and grinning. "Most subtypes of Death and Dark Spirits I've talked to, or heard of, have some kinks, and many enjoy a little pain. It's like adding some seasoning -- doesn't overpower the dish, but just adds that little something extra. Now give it to me -- rough, hard, and fast."

Faelen laughed, and after a moment's consideration he shifted the steam a bit more, trying to see if he could dampen sound. He moved his paws to Dirk's shoulders, claws against the skin, and scraped them back as he lunged forward. The rest of his dick slid in, along with the top quarter of his knot. Dirk yelped again, the sound oddly muffled even to Faelen's ears, and he shook.

'He almost came from that? Wow. Let's have some fun, then.' "I'm using the steam to muffle the sound. We don't want Conor barging in thinking we're killing each other, do we?"

Dirk groaned in pleasure. "Oh, Graces, how you have blessed me when you granted me a son who's so well-endowed! Oh, gods." He panted for a moment, looked over his shoulder, and growled, "Why in the hells have you stopped? If I cum, just keep going, and we'll try for number two. Just be sure to tie me before you cum."

Faelen leaned on Dirk's back, maximizing body contact, and wrapped his arms under Dirk's armpits with his paws resting against Dirk's chest. He curled his fingers up onto the black shoulders, claws again pressing into the flesh. Faelen remained balanced on his hindpaws rather than kneeling so he could use all of the muscles in his legs. He began with long hard thrusts, pulling Dirk back with his paws and claws each time. The claw-pricks sent shivers of pleasure rippling through the muscular back beneath Faelen, and Dirk began growling and moaning at the feelings assaulting his senses.

Faelen quickly picked up speed, his Spirit powers allowing him far more control, endurance, and speed than he would normally have. He shifted position slightly, sending his dick on a slight downward angle on each thrust, rubbing against Dirk's prostate. His da gave a small howl and clenched his abdominal muscles, increasing the tightness around Faelen. Faelen gasped and bit into the scruff in front of him, right below the choker, and tasted a trickle of blood enter his mouth before the wound healed over instantly.

Dirk almost came again, and snarled as he turned his head and gently nipped along the muzzle holding him. Both were reaching their limit, so Faelen pulled all but the tip of his penis out and thrust in hard, pushing the knot in. The sudden pain and the pressure on his prostate sent Dirk over the edge without touching his penis, large spurts of semen splashing onto the tiles beneath him, splattering over his legs and arms.

Faelen's orgasm also hit at the moment of the tie, his senses threatening to overload at the smells and sensations of the simultaneous orgasms. He howled into his father's scruff. He could feel the quantity of his semen filling up his da, and it was being pushed against his knot as the muscles around it rhythmically clenched. His knot was too large and firmly entrenched to allow any to spill out. He shuddered involuntarily, claws and teeth pricking skin again, causing Dirk's orgasm to spike again.

Eventually they settled down; Faelen let his mating bite go, and he shifted his fingers so his claws weren't pressing into skin. He put more weight on the back beneath him and panted, his jaw resting on Dirk's shoulder so they were cheek-to-cheek.

Dirk was panting too, and shifted his head to lick the mist-grey muzzle beside him. "That was the best fuck I've ever had. Probably the largest load I've ever taken, too." He ran his paw over his lower abs and chuckled. "I can actually feel your dick in here, and your cum." He took one of Faelen's paws and ran it over his lower abs and groin. Dirk kept his muscles relaxed and Faelen could just feel a hard bump inside a squishy area. He shifted and the hard bump moved. Dirk moaned as Faelen's knot rubbed his prostate again.

Faelen ran his paw around Dirk's abs and pecs, feeling the hard muscle beneath the soft fur. He pinched a nipple he found, making Dirk growl in pleasure.

"Okay, no more teasing. The masters are likely waiting for us so we can eat together. We need to let your knot subside a bit and disengage."

"I like it here. I wouldn't mind staying like this for awhile." Faelen scooped a pawful of semen up from beneath them and licked it up, savouring the taste. He then licked along his da's muzzle, which turned to meet his tongue. They kissed for a few minutes until Faelen's stomach rumbled. "I think food is a good idea, though. I've shrunk a bit. Let's try and then quickly shower." He pulled back as Dirk pushed out, and he felt his knot slide partly out.

Dirk stopped pushing and put his paw around Faelen's penis at the base of the knot. "Slowly, try not to spill." They slowly finished pulling the knot out as Dirk's muscles contracted around the top of the knot. A little cum squirted out, but most stayed in. "Okay, nice and slow."

Faelen slowly drew back and very carefully pulled his tip out, again allowing Dirk's muscles to contract around the withdrawing invader.

Dirk sighed as Faelen finished pulling out and rubbed his belly. "Waste not, want not. I want. More, actually." He laughed at that, stood up, and eyed Faelen's softening member appreciatively. "A lot more. I'm having a little trouble believing I took something that thick after years of celibacy." He turned on the shower and pulled Faelen in for another deep kiss under the spray. They quickly cleaned their fur and the pool of semen Dirk made on the floor before drying and heading down to supper.

---

Nathanial was feeling slightly nauseated as he sat behind Mei Lin and looked out the front window, past Liam, thinking, 'I wonder when the last time I rode in a car was. I don't think I like it. It's probably been a few years.'

Mei Lin sat in the driver's seat of her green Honda Civic and tapped the steering wheel as she waited at a red light. "I am sorry, Master Smith. I know you are in a hurry, but it is rush hour. There is nothing I can do."

Liam was sitting in the front passenger's seat and continued looking out the front window as he said, "I am aware of that, Mei Lin; you need not apologize. Traffic or no, this is still faster than taking transit. This way we do not need to transfer at the Mumford terminal and either walk from school or make another transfer. You are saving us a great deal of time."

Suddenly Mei Lin's door swung open and a gun pressed against her head. A gloved paw motioned her out, and she slowly complied, shaking. Nathanial saw Liam unsnap his seat belt; Nathanial copied him.

A masked Crocodile slipped into the driver's seat, gun pointed at Liam. "Stay, pups. You belong to me."

Liam arched an eyebrow and calmly said, "I recommend you reconsider your actions, fool. Such things will ultimately end in your death." Liam's comment made the Crocodile laugh.

The moment the Crocodile started laughing Liam's paw lashed out and knocked the gun aside. The sudden jolt caused the gun to fire, shattering the window of the car next to them.

Nathanial screamed in all of the noise and confusion and then froze. He couldn't follow what happened at the time, but he did manage to piece together most of what happened later. All he knew at the time was that his jaw started throbbing the same way it did in Liam's office and that he was terrified.

Liam, however, wasn't fazed in the slightest by the gunshot and spun to brace his back against the car door. This allowed him chop at their assailant's neck with his right paw, and he struck before the Croc could block. As he drew his paw back he arched his back, kicking out at the gunman and sending the much heavier adult flying out of the open driver's side door. Liam placed his paws against the door and hurled himself after his foe. He was unable to dodge as the Crocodile twisted in midair and fired a wild shot at him.

Nathanial watched Liam fly past him; a few droplets of blood seemed to hang in midair from a cut on Liam's left bicep. For some reason the sight of the blood galvanized Nathanial, freeing him from his paralysis. He wrenched open his door and started to follow Liam out of the car.

Liam flipped in midair and tried to land knee-first on the Crocodile, but the leather-clad male managed to roll aside and to his feet. Liam landed in a somersault and used the momentum to kick upward, knocking the pistol out the Crocodile's hand and sending the weapon flying over a few cars.

Nathanial was halfway out of the car now, and could see two more people dressed in leather trench coats and masks moving in from the sidewalk opposite him. A Rabbit policewoman was also coming out of the Tim Horton's doughnut shop two doors down, her very long ears poking out from beneath her hat.

Liam was in constant motion; he spun on his forepaws, kicking out at the head of the Croc. His opponent seemed to be slowing down as he struggled to breathe and was unable to lean back far enough to dodge Liam's left leg. Liam caught him on the end of the snout and knocked a tooth free; the force of the impact was loud even over the noise of the traffic and it snapped the Croc's head to the side. Liam's right leg followed as he continued his spin, and his hindpaw hit just below the Reptile's ear-hole. Liam's claws opened a set of deep gashes through the green scales as he slashed his hindpaw down and across the meaty neck. Liam sprang up off his paws to flip upright, bringing his left leg down then up and around in a complete circle to smash against the Croc's collarbone. It shattered with a sickening crunch.

In the second it took Liam to do that, Nathanial made it out of the car, and the gunman's apparent cohorts took stock of the situation. The Lion and Rat duo lowered their guns at Liam, the obvious threat. Nathanial gathered his magic in a panic and blasted the Rat with telekinetic force, knocking her gun skyward, while the Rabbit proved to be faster on the draw than the Lion and shot him in the side, right at heart-level. The Lion staggered aside but still got a shot off at Liam. It was a near-miss; it passed by Liam and went through the empty Honda, shattering the back window.

Liam ignored it, focused on his immediate target. He landed softly on his right hindpaw, creating a bloody pawprint on the pavement, and punched the Crocodile with an open-palm strike. It connected right over his heart. The carjacker's eyes widened in momentary agony before rolling back into his head and he collapsed, with blood trickling out from under his mask.

Meanwhile, on the sidewalk, the Lion spun to shoot at the officer, but he'd only turned halfway before she felled him with three gunshots to the head. The Rat didn't hesitate but darted a few paces down the sidewalk and ducked into an alley. Apparently, she didn't want to try to outshoot the Rabbit.

Liam vaulted over a car as he set off after the Rat; he took an indirect approach so he wouldn't be in the Rat's line of fire.

The remaining gunman didn't go far: just enough to be out of the Rabbit's line of sight. She whirled, her coat billowing around her in a flurry of dark leather, and fired at the first target she saw -- Nathanial. She didn't even pause to confirm the kill but scanned the sea of cars for Liam.

Nathanial could sense the bullet leave the barrel -- the tiny fragment of superheated and supersonic metal chosen to end his life. Time slowed as he desperately wished with everything within him for the bullet to stop. He clawed at it with his magic, pouring everything he had into trying to stop it. 'I can't leave Mike and Nick alone!' He tracked the bullet's progress across the street before it ended, hanging suspended within arm's reach of his face. He stared at it in terror and disbelief. It had been aimed right between his eyes. If it hadn't stopped...

Liam dashed across the sidewalk and jumped at the wall of the florist's shop. He planted a hindpaw on the brick surface and bounded up to the roof of the single-storey building. He moved farther away from the edge and vanished from sight.

The police officer hugged the side of the building on the other side alley, preparing to duck around and fire. She was taking slow, steady breaths, her paws flexing once around her pistol as she secured her grip. Her whiskers and ears twitched as if searching for a sign to act.

The Rat stood behind a dumpster, prepared to shoot anyone who entered the alley. She scanned around again, her dark eyes widening in shock behind her mask as she saw Nathanial still standing there, not even grazed. Her tail lashed the air behind her and her muscles in her arms tensed.

Nathanial had no idea how he noticed so many details he couldn't even see as he stared, transfixed, at the tiny slug of metal, but he did. The gun barrel swinging up towards him jolted him into action. He cast the first spell that popped into his mind: Chill. A barely visible streak of frosted air zipped across the road and struck those dark eyes with blinding accuracy.

The Rat shrieked and dropped her gun, her paws flying up to cover her bloodied eyes. All of the water in them had turned to ice crystals and cut into the delicate membranes.

Both Liam and the Rabbit took that as their cue to act. Liam appeared suddenly, dropping like the shadow of a falling stone behind her, while the officer spun around the corner and aimed. She held her fire when she saw Liam land and the Rat collapse.

The Rabbit exclaimed, "Golly jeepers!" in wide-eyed astonishment. She sounded like she was from North Dakota. She pressed the talk-button on the radio attached to her shirt with her left paw and strode forward to check the pulse of the Rat. "Dispatch! We had an attempted armed carjacking and kidnapping at the Corner of Oxford and Jubilee. Three suspects down. Send the coroner and some officers to secure the area." She kept her pistol aimed at the corpse even as she knelt and checked its pulse. She glanced up at Liam and the roof of the florist's. "How'd you do that, pup? You part Kangaroo?"

Liam stood where he was, impassive and unthreatening. "No, ma'am. May I check on my friends?" His legs quivered as he forced himself to stay still. Once the officer started to nod, he ran past her heading back to the car.

Nathanial's legs gave out; he slumped against the car and slid down the side of it.

"Nathanial!" Liam yelled at him, putting on an extra burst of speed.

'Heh. He forgot to say "san." He just used my first name.' Nathanial tried to smile but his body refused to answer him.

He ended up half-falling into the open door of the back seat. His head rested against side of the cushions, and his arm lay on the floorboard. The Akita's mind remained in a hyper-aware state even as his body stopped responding. He saw the bullet still hovering in the air, and he directed it into his pocket. Just beyond the door he could feel the corpse of the Crocodile, and his mind locked onto the strange crucifix around the gunman's neck. It was a Catholic crucifix, but the cross was replaced by a sword -- and he knew the other two wore the same medallion.

Nathanial could also feel the blood running down Liam's arm; he could feel it soaking the black fur of Liam's upper arm and the white shirt encasing it, feel the pain of the wound and the energy pooling around it as Liam tried to staunch the bleeding. He could feel the heartbeats all around him as they worked so hard for each extra second of life. Most of those hearts pounded in terror. Each thud resounded in Nathanial's ears, but not nearly as loudly as the silence that came from the three dead Furs -- or the sound of heavy breathing that came from beyond the Veil. Something hovered over him, drinking in all of the fear that clouded the air, something that stood outside this world and didn't belong.

And then everything went silent as Nathanial passed out.