"Oh, I'm a magic user. Fire mage," Malachi replied. He cupped his hands and a ball of flame appeared in them. Malachi stared at the flame and it slowly grew and shaped itself into a tiny model of the chapel, formed from delicate wisps of fire.

"It helps looking like just another mundane. But people are paranoid and there are some aspects of my powers that are hard to hide. Fire likes me. Just look at the candles in here," Malachi said, pointing at the candles that lined the chapel. The flames were all subtly leaning in Malachi's direction.

"Did you see more than two vampires at the ball?" Kanti asked frowning. She was completing a list in her head of the vampires she knew of, Selena and Eslatar who had been there as guests. Selena had been busy killing her, so that wasn't a likely possibility. "I know the vampire that killed me wasn't involved...the only other I saw that night was the one that Mr. Latch had brought as his guest."

---

"We might as well take one car," Cyrano replied with a shrug. He didn't like the idea of driving his nice sports car. Ms. Scope had given it to him as a bonus for all his 'hard work' but every time he sat inside Cyrano couldn't help feeling like a waste of molecules. It was practically a reward for staying true to the party line after all.

---

"Not tonight," Eslatar answered hoarsely, taking a swig of the beer that had been offered to him. A painful memory of shared glasses of wine forced itself forward until he could only slam down the mug he held with a grunt. "I'm leaving," he announced and walked over to the side door without prelude.

The sound of police sirens sounded loudly as the cars suddenly came roaring down the block. They had been riding covertly before that so as not to alarm denizens of the town who might go into a panic with all the incidents happening of late.

Scrambling out, more frightened of recollections pounding in his head than police sirens, Eslatar did not even notice the presence of another in the alley he'd emerged in. Shuddering, the vampire looked up at the sky, prepared to transform and make an escape from all the carnage he'd left behind.

Laws of loyalty? Ah Margaret, if you could only see me now, he thought with a gasp of pain and turned on his heel, only to be stabbed with excruciating pain. Glancing down and then up, he made out the gleaming outline of a silver stake and the face of the careworn man who had used it. Reactions slowed slightly by sated senses and a guilty conscious, Eslatar couldn't stop the man from quickly stabbing him with a syringe in the neck. Darkness overtook him.

Basil didn't waste a moment, but quickly tied up the vampire's limbs with metal chains and slung the creature over his shoulder before hurrying towards his vehicle. As he laid the impressive looking monster in his silver-lined trunk, he paused. Lifting a finger, Basil touched the cold face where a single tear lay undisturbed and shining in the faint moonlight.

"Crocodile tears," he told himself with a frown and slammed the trunk shut.

((No interference please))

Wystan stood still against the alley wall. It'd been days since the wedding and since he'd received his orders from Margaret to find out where Eslatar was. Well he'd found him...but Margaret wasn't going to be happy about this development. Sighing, the vampire hurried back to the mansion.

"And you're sure of this?" Margaret asked some time later. She turned away from Wystan and glared at the windowpane. "I can't risk acting. Make sure you don't tell Talullah- I will take care of it somehow."

Hardly noticing Wystan's exit, Margaret hurried to the room where Kes was staying, carefully keeping her mind on other matters as she knocked on the door.

---

Zaref watched Selena walk up the aisle, completely in awe of the gymnastics his stomach managed to perform as he watched her. He hadn't felt this kind of excitement in a long time. Even escape from Talullah's coven hadn't managed to draw up the emotions he'd worked on stifling for so long.

Running a hand through his curly hair, Zaref beamed at Selena as she stepped up next to him. Smiling all the while, he took her hand, and turned to face Terrance who was uncharacteristically grinning at both vampires.

Glancing up, Terrance took a deep breath before beginning the ceremony. "Dearly beloved...and not so beloved," he added, glancing at Talullah, "We are gathered here today, illegally, to join together two vampires by eternal vows in the sight of God and these witnesses. There are many who would object to such a union, but luckily enough for us, they're not here," the shapeshifter paused to smirk, "Zaref- your vow."

Zaref turned to face Selena and took both of her hands in his, looking into her eyes, "I Zaref, take you Selena, to be my wife. I pledge the eternity of our union with all of my love, respect and loyalty and promise to walk with you for the rest of our days."

"And as a symbol of promise and intention, take this ring and place it on her ring finger to symbolize the love that has brought you together and will bind and sustain your marriage," Terrance offered, holding out the ring that Zaref had given to him earlier. He watched as Zaref slid the ring ((figured you could decide what kind Selena wanted Ryan )) onto Selena's slender finger.

"And your vow, Selena."

---

Lark waited impatiently at the large table she had been directed to. The dinner plate in front of her was empty, though the smell of breakfast was wafting from the kitchen and making her quite hungry. She had yet to see Savage himself, who, she had been informed, would be joining her for the meal. The idea of sitting with the monster didn't seem nearly as horrifying now that food was involved.

She thought about the message that Brick had conveyed to her before she'd come to the house. Lark had been observing everything possible, but even with her new freedom there was tight security everywhere. Some careful planning would be in order.

Savage, meanwhile, was upstairs, tossing and turning in his darkened room. The guard outside the door halted in his attempt to knock at the door as the sound of pained moaning reached his ears. His boss was obviously in distress- but there had been specific orders about what would happen if anyone entered his room before exactly eight o'clock in the morning. The guard glanced at his watch with furrowed eyebrows- five minutes till.

---

"At this point we'll just have to wait for Lark to find out something," Naomi answered, expression turning serious as she turned her gaze towards the grounds of Savage Manor. Her enhanced vision caught the glint of a guard's visor through the trees as he passed on his normal route.

Her eyes narrowed in deep thought, "If we could get the specs about the ground from her...then maybe we could pose as guards and make our way in. If there were some kind of distraction or attack inside then all the guards would be called to act and we could enter without much suspicion in the chaos."

---

Spluttering, Darileen crawled onto shore. The boat had broken on some rocks and she'd scarcely had time to save herself by swimming with the waves towards the beach. Tiredly, she flopped onto her back on the black sand, looking up at the blue sky with sightless eyes.

"Impressive...." Neal said simply as he watched the miniature chapel made of flames form in Malachi's hand. "I've only met a couple of mages in my travels and most of them were not the friendly sort. Anyway, glad to have you onboard." the Darkling said with a faint smile before glancing around at the candle flames subtly leaning towards the mage. This should be an interesting acquaintance.... Neal thought as he straightened his coat before turning his attention to the wedding that was already in progress.

-------------------------------

"Very well." Karl said as the vampire left through one of the side doors. "Not quite the afternoon I was expecting, but fun nonetheless...." the Hybrid said aloud as he took one last swig of beer before throwing the empty bottle at the bar. The sudden screeching of police sirens echoed through the empty building as Karl walked back to the counter. "Well, well, well, the police finally decide to show up. Too bad Eslatar left just before the fun part...." the Hybrid said with a gleam in his eyes as he dragged one of the nearby corpses to the center of the room, pulled out a short blade and etched a note into the corpses skin.

A few minutes later, a corpse flew out of one of the windows in the pub and landed by the feet of several officers. Karl grinned as he heard the cries and yells of the police as they found his "note". Karl quickly shifted into his true form, folding his large wings behind him as he crouched in the middle of the room. A moment later, the front door to the pub crashed outward as the hulking form of the Agent of Chaos leaped out onto two unsuspecting and soon dead officers. Karl also grabbed and flipped a nearby police car before unfolding his wings and with a last defiant howl, leaped into the air.

That should keep those maggots busy for awhile.... the monster thought as he flew high above the town.... heading back to the forest.

-----------------------------

After taking the last bite from the fruit he was eating, Desmond tossed the core into the forest. "Might as well greet are new arrivals..." The Darkling said with an impassive expression as he walked out of the cover of the forest and onto the black beach. "Welcome to the Land of the Cursed." Desmond said as he towered over the limp, yet alive, woman before him. "I would recommend gathering the Other that was with you and finding some shelter before the vamps discover you're here." he added dryly.

((I think you meant Gwen up there, Marshy? ))

Katie smirked. "Besides Billy and I? There was someone with pointy ears, might have been an elf. Oh yeah and a talking mirror/plate thingy. But I don't think she could kill anyone. No hands for one thing." She snickered.

Thomas looked disappointed. "Well . . . thanks for your help, I guess."

Katie shrugged. "Congratulations on your second chance at life, Detective," she said to Kanti. "I'm in a good mood . . . why don't you wish for something?" A strange gleam flashed in the girl's bright eyes before vanishing quickly under a cool mask of professionalism. "I can grant pretty much anything within reason," she added casually, glancing sidelong at the prince.

Thomas blinked, wondering if that look was supposed to be significant.

----

Melanie studied Cyrano carefully.

Ian chuckled. "Yeah, I guess riding around in a car Ms. Scope gave you isn't smart. Could be bugged. And it's rather flashy at that. I get the feeling it's meant to be though. Wouldn't be hard to find you in that thing, even if they do think they've won you over to their side." He paused, realizing he might have said too much. Flushing slightly he quickly got into the driver's seat.

"My brother says odd things sometimes," Melanie said lightly. "You want shotgun, Cy?"

----

Caerwyn could not help but chuckle at Mr. T's unorthodox opening words.

Selena smiled as Zaref slid the simple gold band upon her finger. She had not wanted anything flashy, just a plain ring. It was practical, she told herself. A diamond might get lost or catch on something. She wanted it to remain the same for all time.

Taking another unnecessary breath, she let it out slowly, calming her nerves as she spoke in a slightly quavering voice that grew stronger as she continued. "I, Selena, take you, Zaref, to be my husband. I pledge the eternity of our union with all of my love, respect and loyalty and promise to walk with you for the rest of our days." She grinned at the butterflies doing twirls in her stomach and gave his hands a gentle squeeze.

As he watched, Caerwyn felt a lump rise unbidden into his throat. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and stared down at his dirty shoes. For some strange reason he became suddenly aware of Curse's presence so close to him. Hearing the vows being exchanged, and seeing Zaref slip the ring so lovingly onto Selena's fingers, made his chest ache and his body burn with jealousy. This was something he would never have, he knew. And he had made it a point never to attend any weddings during his long life wandering the planet. It only served to mock him in showing him one more thing he lost when the gypsies laid their curse upon him.

Reaching over, he touched the back of Curse's hand lightly, drawing away almost immediately. I . . . have to go. I'll see you . . . outside. With that he stood and quietly hurried to the back of the chapel where he let himself out, making sure the doors closed softly behind him.

----

Indigo smirked. "You think any one of those guard costumes would fit on me?" he asked, crossing his muscular arms over his massive chest.

P.S."Brooklyn!"

"AHAH! That explains it! This land is cursed! That is why I have a Bob... You think I'm a curse... YES! Now, SHUTUP!" yelled Desperado slash Bob "Fine" he said before replying to himself "SHUT-... Ok, ok"
--
Von jumped out of his squad car, even though he was injured he had insisted on going with his men on this one. Ironically enough as soon as he jumped out of the car he had to duck to avoid being smashed back against the car by Karl. He spun around as he flew away, grabbed his pistol and fired several shots towards the monster. Then suddenly he saw something out of the corner of his eye and spun around to see Steel leaning against the wall of the bar.

He brought his gun up quickly and put his finger on the trigger before his mind flashed back to that night, where Steel had mysteriously let him keep his mortal life. He lowered his gun and nodded at him, grudgingly returning a favor, Steel flashed him a smile then turned and walked into the alley. Von shook his head before turning around and going back to his executive duties.

Turning to his men who were coming out of the building “What’s the casualty count?” he asked one of them “At least fifteen civilian’s sir” the man replied “Plus four officers” he said to himself, who ever did this was going to be in a heap of trouble when he had chance to draw his bead down on their head, “Clean up the mess or this place could get really stinky in a day or two”
---
Josh looked at the guard uniform "Um... I'd have to hem the legs..." he said as he though of him frame which was much smaller then most of the guards.

Kanti had been just as disappointed to hear Katie's answer, but wasn't sure how to react when she suddenly offered a wish. The policewoman frowned. The obvious reaction was to wish to be normal again, to rid herself of her current state...but with the Prince around that could be incriminating, and besides that, she had a sinking feeling that nothing- not even a wish, could change her now.

"I wish we'd be able to solve the case," she finally stated, not sure if she really believed it'd happen.

---

"Uh...sure," Cyrano said, eying Ian as he got into the front seat. The comment had taken him off guard, but it was so on point with the suspicious he'd been having that it unnerved him for Ian to say it.

---

Zaref smiled a bit giddily and waited for Mr. T. to continue.

"Then, by the power granted by Mr. Latch and the love of those gathered here today, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Zaref, you may kiss the bride," Terrance finished, smiling at the two, eyes glinting from beneath light hair.

Exhaling in a rather human way, Zaref leaned closer to Selena and whispered "I love you", before pressing his mouth to hers, arms wrapping around her slender frame.

Curse watched Caerwyn go and then turned her attention back to the vampire couple, eyes glistening slightly with tears.

---

Darileen struggled to her feet and looked in the direction of the voice, though she couldn't see Desmond and ended up focusing her eyes somewhere above his right shoulder.

"How did you know I was with someone?" she asked, automatically wary of this stranger, though he did seem to be helping her. She subtly slid the damp glove off of her left hand and waited for the person's answer.

---

"I suppose that's true," Naomi relented, idly stoking the fire with a long stick. She looked into the flames, deep in thought.

"At any rate, we should probably return to relay this information to the rest of the pack. We can't make our move until Lark can give us more information from inside."

It wasn't long before Karl was nearing the clearing where the Unnatural camp was located. A small figure wandering about the clearing caught the Hybrids eye. Hmm, another Unnatural I suppose... well, might as well make my presence known to them. Today is turning out to be much better than I was expecting. The Hybrid thought as he slowly spiraled down to the ground like some sort of demented eagle.

Landing in a crouched position near the forest, Karl folded his wings behind him before standing and shifting back into his "human" form. The Agent of Chaos's appearance could have been said to be less than exceptional with tattered pants and shirt, yet Karl's appearance was still impressive. "Good evening...." Karl said with a half smile at Caerwyn as he pulled out a cigarette and his lighter.

(((No interference please)))

---------------------------------

For all the excitement and preparation before hand, the actually wedding was slightly.... disappointing. That was quick. Neal thought as Selena and Zaref kissed, thus ending the service. Besides the feeling of being happy for the newly married couple, there was another feeling that was nagging at the Darkling..... fear? anger? Why would these be surfacing now? There was also something else, the presence of another Unnatural.... Karl.

Neal looked around the room before grabbing his fedora and quietly slipping out of the chapel.

--------------------------------

Desmond did not answer the woman at once, as he was trying to figure out what sort of Unnatural she was. "There was another body in the boat with you. They would not send one their own to this island, so it must have been someone that was with you." The Darkling finally said in a matter-of-fact way.

Katie sighed. "It would've been better if you wished for something tangible. I can't influence people's choices, but I suppose I can give you some help along the way." She pursed her lips. "But in order to do that I'm gonna have to come with you."

"What?!" Thomas yelped. He wasn't sure what he would do if he had an Unnatural tagging along, but at this point he really didn't know what else he could do.

"You heard me." Katie crossed her arms stubbornly. "If you want a jinn's help, you're gonna have to take me with you. I rules you know. Number one is 'I can't grant wishes unless I'm in a good mood', and two is 'I must be with the person who's making the wishes.' You become like my master, at least until you dismiss me. Then someone else is free to be my master. Though don't you ever expect me to call you that." She glowered menacingly.

"I won't, I won't," Thomas said hurriedly. He swallowed hard and looked over at Kanti.

"What do you think?"

----

Ian cleared his throat as he pulled out of the newspaper's parking lot. "So donuts and coffee first, then to the address from the email."

"Get me one with lots of sprinkles. I like sprinkles. What about you Cy? Do you like sprinkles?" Melanie leaned forward between the two front seats, resting her elbows on the backs. Her sunglasses were back on the top of her head, and her eyes sparkled happily in contrast to the heavy, dark kohl that lined them. She patted Ian's cheek lightly before tilting her head toward Cryano.

----

Selena struggled not to smile into the kiss. Instead she wrapped her arms around Zaref's neck and held him close, reciprocating passionately, quite forgetting about their audience in the process. It was like she was still in a dream, and she could see herself and Zaref as though watching from above. It was a strange, floating feeling that despite being odd, was not in the least unpleasant.

Caerwyn started in surprise when Karl approached. Normally he would have sensed the Unnatural before, but being preoccupied, Caerwyn had completely missed the sound of the stranger's footsteps.

Now that he looked at him, Caerwyn felt as though the man was familiar somehow. The tattered clothing suggested some kind of shapeshifter, but Caerwyn could not remember ever seeing him before. But the smell . . .

His mind went back to the night Gwen died. She had smelled sickly sweet, like a vampire, but there had been another faint scent. A scent he was smelling now.

He looked up at Karl with his bright blue eyes, staring at him shrewdly.

You knew Gwen. It was a statement, not a question.

----

"You can return," Indigo said gruffly. "I'm staying here."

P.S."Brooklyn!"

Karl raised an eyebrow as he let out a puff of smoke as the boy's words echoed in his mind. "Yes, I know Gwen. Lovely little vamp if I do say so myself." The Hybrid responded with a grin. After a short pause, Karl took a step or two closer to the boy. "What do you mean "did I know Gwen" ?" he asked leaning down and looking Caerwyn in the eyes.

The boy was obviously a psychic and a very self assured one at that, though there was something about this little psychic that was not as threatening as the others he had met before.

------------------------

Neal quietly slipped out of the front doors of the chapel and was about to walk into the clearing when he noticed Karl and Caerwyn. "Blasted hybrid!" the Darkling muttered angrily. The worse thing to do now would be to get Karl mad or to try and fight him. Neal thought as he quickly glanced around the porch before stepping back into a shadow just behind him, disappearing from view.

Caerwyn's eyes watered at the smoke coming from the Unnatural's mouth, but he did not recoil. Instead he met Karl's gaze squarely, not flinching although the boy began to have a very uneasy feeling about the Unnatural before him.

She's dead now. I killed her.

A lie, but just a small one. Yes, he had played a part in the death of the vampiress, but he had not dealt the final blow. Even so, it was better Karl think that he had. In this way, Curse would be safe.

P.S."Brooklyn!"

Karl's expression barely changed at the news, a sigh and slight slumping of the shoulders were the only indication that the Hybrid was disappointed. Saying that he was sad would have been a major overstatement. "Well, that explains why I haven't seen her in over a month...." Karl said as he chewed on his cigarette. "Then you must be the child Gwen mentioned. Her little nemesis..." the Hybrid added with a chuckle as he straightened back up.

"Sooo, has Neal finally tied the knot?" Karl asked nodding to the chapel.

Mark saw Neal stand up and exit the chapel, he searched with his mind to find the cause of Neal’s abrupt exit when his mind came across “Karl…” he muttered and stood up, then walked out the side door, Neal, what’s going on out there? He asked with his mind Scratch that, how can I help? He continued as he began walking around the building, throwing his cloak off and pulling the machine gun off his back as he waited just out view around the corner and his sword out of its scabbard.
---
Josh nodded “I’ll go with you” he said and took a swallow from his canteen “How soon do you plan on leaving cause if its now I’ll get my stuff ready in a few seconds” he said standing up.
---
Desperado shook his head in agreement, then it seemed that Bob took over and he ran to the water and looked out of the sea with his hand shading his eyes “Where did he go?” he asked before Desperado said “What the heck! I said never to take over me again!” he yelled and then said “Whatever, fine”
---
Von walked into the makeshift police office and approached Sergeant Croft and said "Four officers’ dead, around twenty civilians. Two unnaturals confirmed in the crime" he said, “Steel is a suspect” he added “And we believe there was a third”

Caerwyn blinked blankly for a moment, trying to remember which one was Neal. Then he recalled the Darkling man and shook his head.

No. Someone else. I doubt you know them.

It felt somewhat odd to hold such a normal conversation with an Unnatural who Caerwyn sensed to be very dangerous. Yet for some reason Caerwyn felt no fear, even though he knew he probably should be afraid. In reality he just felt tired.

I didn't know Gwen spoke of me. He added after a moment, wondering what she had said about him.

P.S."Brooklyn!"

"Ahh, I didn't think old Neal would be getting hitched just yet. It's not his way...." Karl said more to himself than to Caerwyn as he took another puff from his cigarette.

"She only mentioned you once, the night of the ball when the police station blew-up." the Hybrid smiled as he remembered the night and all the fuss leading up to it. "She didn't have anything complementary to say about you, if that's what your wondering. She mentioned you were a perpetual child, her nemesis and something about doing you in. It appears she failed in the last bit....." Karl said dryly as he looked down at Caerwyn.

----------------------

At the moment? Nothing. Just stay out of sight for now, if things go badly.... I'll need your help. Neal mentally communicated back to Mark before pulling his fedora brim down and stepping out of the shadows..... behind Karl. "And what brings you to our humble camp... again, Karl?" the Darkling inquired as he walked up behind his nemesis.

"Ah! Neal, old friend! Glad to see you are still putting your abilities to good use." Karl said with mock friendliness as he turned to face his old acquaintance. "I was merely stopping by to congratulate the new married couple. I was wondering if you had finally gotten hitched, but this lad here tells me its someone else." the Hybrid said gesturing with his thumb at Caerwyn behind him.

"Yes, it's not me. A couple of vamps, actually. A strange occurrence in their species." Neal replied in a matter-of-fact tone. Mark, let Terrance know we have a special.... guest. Don't make it too obvious, just let him know. the Darkling mentally said to the elf.

Malachi waited a few seconds after both Neal and Mark left the chapel and then quickly got to his feet and followed them out. Something was obviously going on and he wanted in on it."

-----

Harmoni rolled her eyes in disgust at Dex and walked toward the group forming around the new arrival. She watched the other woman cautiously as she approached.

"I'd welcome you, but I doubt you're happy to be here," Harmoni commented. "So who'd you kill to get sent here? Anyone important?"