Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Preventers: When Vampires Attack ❯ Chapter 6

Wufei paced the length of the small room, hunched over in the classic scholar's stoop. One arm, set by Stacie earlier, was confined to a sling; its healthy twin cradled the rapidly healing flesh. He had retracted his wings long ago. He was vaguely aware of Selket and Shinigami as their faces turned slowly to follow his tedious path. He knew Selket was pretty pissed already. She had suggested, asked, and demanded that he stop pacing the floor, but he couldn't stand still. He'd already tried that and managed to annoy her worse than when he was pacing. Of course her real problem was-

"Where the hell is he?!" Selket stomped her foot then kicked the wall, no doubt imagining that the cream-colored plasterboard was Mikael's shins. "He knows it's me, doesn't he?" She kicked higher to take out his kneecaps. "He's fuckin' in deep shit." She backed away a few steps and sent a flying kick to the wall, knocking off a huge chunk of plasterboard. Both Wufei and Shinigami winced and cupped their hands to cover their groins protectively.

"It's only been five minutes, Stace. He's probably a very busy little vampire." The braided bishounen still didn't sound too thrilled about seeing Mikael. Or maybe he was worried about the way his wife was glaring at him - like he'd be her next victim.

Selket made an exasperated sound that rattled deep in her throat. Turning her back to the sizeable hole she'd made, her eyes swept the appointed waiting room. Rich cream-colored walls were trimmed with dark red curtains and furnishings. The one window in the room provided a lovely view of the full moon and the forest outside. Antique kerosene lamps lent a soft, warm light to the room, contrasting with the stark white moonlight that filtered in. A lovely room, but it did nothing to help her impatience. If he didn't walk in right now, she would just-

"You wanted to see me?"

The trio whirled around to face the door. Judging from the astonished looks on their faces, none of them had heard the door open. But there was the open doorway, framing a young man who couldn't be anything less than a god. Clad only in a thin black robe which bared his smooth ivory chest and every inch of leg from mid-thigh down, his robust youth could be neither mistaken nor overlooked. Sandy blond hair was tousled so that it fell across his eyes, leaving interesting shadows to define his smooth face. The hair and robe alone suggested that they had just roused him from sleep - or, given his nature, some other more vigorous pastime.

Selket recovered from the shock relatively fast. She stiffened, then struck a scornful pose, eyeing the beautiful man malevolently. "It's about time, Mikael. What were you doing?"

Mikael flashed a winning smile at the seductress. He carelessly swept his fingers through his hair so his eyes could be seen. Dazzling sapphire orbs, they slowly traveled along Selket's body, mapping out every curve and length for future reference. Then his gaze slid across the room, past the two men to fall upon the battered wall which had held Selket's attention only moments before. "I could ask much the same of you, my pet. But, knowing you, perhaps it would be better if I did not."

The demoness had the grace to look slightly embarrassed, which seemed to further amuse Mikael.

"I am sorry I made you wait so long," Again, his words were directed at Selket, and Selket alone. As far as he was concerned, Duo and Wufei didn't exist at all. He reached into the left side of his robe and produced a small rosebud. The petals were as red as if they had been dipped in fresh blood. Mikael brushed his lips against the firm swell of the new bud and proffered the flower to Selket. "Please accept my apologies, Fire of My Heart."

Wufei grabbed Shinigami's arms, holding him back just in time. The braided man struggled to free his arms so he could grab his scythe and rush into battle. Failing, he just strained forward, growling at Mikael. Selket pointedly ignored her husband's display, instead reacting to Mikael's gift with melodramatic flair. "Oh - it's lovely. I suppose I'll forgive you." She lifted the flower to her nose, demurely watching the Master Vampire while she smelled it. Grey-blue eyes peeked over the top-most petals, sparkling at him through a veil of thick eyelashes.

Mikael hit her with a devastatingly charming smile. "And what brings you back to my arms after all this time? My bed has grown cold without you. . . ."

"Yeah, sure, `pal.' Don't try and tell us that you've sworn off women for her." Shinigami interjected, struggling against Wufei's hold once again.

Mikael appeared slightly surprised, as though he were seeing the young god of Death for the first time. Under the vampire's scrutiny, Wufei released his comrade, ready to let him learn his own lessons. Shinigami strode across the room to stand before Mikael, his movements slow and deliberate. Strong fingers played at the scythe shaft that was strapped to his back.

The Master Vampire regarded Shinigami's approach with open amusement. Apparently unconcerned, he circled Selket to position himself between her and her husband. "Oh? And who are you? Would you not `swear off' the pleasures of other women in the light of this rare flower?"

Wufei didn't know whether to smack his forehead or stifle a chuckle. "Rare flower," indeed! Right now, that "rare flower" was looking particularly venomous, directing every ounce of her fury at poor Shinigami. Amazingly, the young bishounen didn't bow under the weight of her glower; he was too busy being pretty pissed himself.

"I'm Shinigami, god of Death, you fanged freak. And no-! I mean yes! Whatever! Of course - she's the only one for me." With every word, he became more confusticated as he tried to extricate himself from the proverbial corner he had backed into. "Not that you would know anything about that."

"What?" Mikael's eyes widened innocently. He pressed splayed fingers against his chest in mock surprise. "Are you insinuating-?"

"Stop!" Wufei ground his teeth in rage. He'd had enough of these games. Although he had promised to let Stacie handle the matter, she'd gotten trapped in the middle of a sticky situation. If things progressed along these lines, nothing would be resolved. Right now, getting to Amy relatively soon was very important. It was just after midnight, the time to expect a surge in vampire activity. If those murderers hadn't killed her last night - please, ancestors, no - they just might finish the job tonight.

Finally, Selket planted her fists on her hips and widened her stance. Full crimson lips disappeared into thin white lines. "For once, I am forced to agree with Wufei. You two have got to stop your petty squabbling! I came here for business, Mikael; business that I intend to resolve before this night is through."

He arched an eyebrow; his lips quirked in an amused grin. "Business? Given your line of work, I believe I should find your visit to be very entertaining."

She smirked, walking toward him with a rolling, seductive gait. Once she stood before him, she slid splayed fingers up against his firm pectorals. "Actually, this is serious. We need your help. And I need to talk to you about . . . vampire affairs."

A wary glint leapt into Mikael's eyes. Suddenly, he was looking out at her from behind a nearly tangible mask. "What vampire affairs? My dear, you know I never mix business with pleasure." Selket threw her head back to laugh throatily. Mikael's grin flashed the barest glimpse of fang. "Well, almost never." She slid her cool hands beneath his robe and around his waist to rest on his firm buttocks. Actually, from the way the silk twitched and roiled over the area in question, Wufei would guess that her hands were far from being at rest. As she pressed herself against his body, Mikael brushed her cheek with a gently curved finger. "Perhaps I was mistaken. Lead on then, my seductress."

"I knew you'd see it my way." Selket's smile might have made her appear innocent . . . had her hands not been enthusiastically engaged. "Mikael, would you tell me if any of the vampires in this city have gone renegade? We think there's a small group out there with some grudge on humans. Our division knows of six cases where these guys have struck, but there might be more victims. Either the police haven't told us, the bodies haven't been found yet, or there isn't enough left of the bodies to find."

Wufei nodded his agreement, warily searching Mikael's face for an answer. The vampire pulled away from Selket, slowly extracting her hands from his robe. He had fully withdrawn behind that invisible barrier, which was now up and at full force. Calculating orbs of ice carefully weighed and measured each member of the small group. Wufei stood, unflinching, as the force of Mikael's gaze descended on him. It was a struggle not to look away, but as he stood before the vampire, he began to wonder if he could have pulled away from the power which abruptly held him in thrall.

And then Mikael's gaze slid from Wufei back to Selket. Relief washed over Wufei in a cool, refreshing wave. He bowed his head for an instant, ashamed of his weakness. And then Mikael was speaking, declaring his verdict.

"You speak the truth. That is the only reason you seek to know of my vampires." Was it just Wufei's imagination or did Mikael actually sound relieved? "I will answer similarly, in truth. No, I have no knowledge of a renegade gang. I can name none of my vampires who would go rogue and if a new group had moved in, I would be alerted immediately. None have been reported. Were I you, I'd check the cases again. You might find that the killer is a different preternatural creature. In fact, I'm sure you will."

Selket frowned attractively. "We're pretty sure it's vampires . . . but we'll look into it." She let her gaze wander uncertainly. "But, please, Mikael; check into your vampire community for us. For me?" She leaned forward and took a deep breath, accentuating her generous décolletage.

Mikael came about as close to ogling as a 2000-plus-year-old Master Vampire possibly could. "For you, I will. But only if you show the proper appreciation for what I'm doing for you."

"Of course." She grinned and curled her arms around his shoulders, playing long, slender fingers across his back. He let himself be pulled into a passionate kiss. A vampire hickey and a saliva trail later, Selket pulled back just enough to wave toward the door. "I can take it from here, boys. It's been real. See ya later."

Hearing the breathless quality of her voice, Shinigami scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. Before he could open his mouth, Wufei interceded. The young Dragon stepped forward, schooling his face to show nothing. "Mikael. I have . . . a favor to ask of you."

Mikael smirked and drew Selket closer within the tight circle of his arms. "A favor? You know, of course, that you will then owe me something in return." Sly, calculating eyes remained locked on Wufei as the vampire gently pressed his lips to the seductress's forehead. "Of course, you could repay me in the same way as my demoness, here."

Wufei sighed harshly. He kept his eyes locked on those ancient, otherworldly orbs of ice; he would not be the first to look away. "I have a close friend who has fallen victim to these renegade vampires." Mikael opened his mouth to protest, but Wufei beat him to the punch. "Or whatever creatures are behind these attacks." He grimaced openly as he was forced to swallow his pride. "Could you keep your eyes open for her when you inspect the vampire community? Her name is Amy Clark. Selket says you used to know one another. You can still recognize her." He meant it to be a question, but years of habit twisted the tone.

Mikael's eyebrows arched sharply in surprise. The former Shenlong pilot examined those depthless, icy blue eyes with growing suspicion. Beneath the smooth surface, wheels spun and worked as Mikael weighed the situation. Selket shot a withering look at Wufei for ruining the mood. The Death Glare abated somewhat when Mikael absently slid his hands down her body. Shinigami emitted a disgusted sound, his breath rattling angrily in his throat. The tense silence was broken, shattered by the palpable rage of Death. Mikael's laughter pierced the silence as he released Selket, moving away. Her hands slowly slid off his butt, lingering for a moment before falling away. Furious grey-blue eyes, pale shards of living ice, then turned to Shinigami. They promised pain and suffering. Wufei almost pitied his comrade.

"If I could produce your friend, what would I receive in return?" The weight of Mikael's gaze struck Wufei as if it were physical, with real force behind it. Stunned, the young Dragon almost staggered, throwing out his arm as if to catch himself. Finally, he tore his eyes from the vampire's deceptively youthful face.

Before he could fully recover from the silent attack on his mind, the door at the far end of the room burst open. A tall, trim creature stood framed by the doorway, surrounded by the changing air currents that swept from the room to the hall, held the vampire in the swirling eye of a mini-tornado. A black mesh shirt and cape eddied around his rigid body while the skin-tight leather pants looked very out of place for lack of movement. Long silken hair became a swirling mass of molten silver. It created the illusion that the sexy vamp was surrounded by a devilish halo.

Mikael had whirled to face the door at Nicholas' dramatic entrance. Now he stalked toward the younger vampire. Hot anger blazed in eyes which could have frozen a penguin only seconds before. "Nicholas.... What do you want? I thought you had a job to do."

Nicholas bowed formally. A lock of silver hair fell across his face in a translucent curtain. "Apologies, Master. But a . . . problem hath presented itself. If thou wouldst hear me. . . ?"

Mikael's eyes widened slightly. He jerked toward the doorway, then turned back to Selket. "I shall return, my pet. Don't miss me too much. Tears would ruin your porcelain face."

"Hmm? Wha'?" Selket's eyes were trained on Nicholas. She slowly ran her tongue across full crimson lips. The taller vampire continued to watch Mikael, unaware that he was being undressed by her bright eyes. Finally, she gave up and turned back to the Master Vampire. "Sure. Hurry back, hot cheeks."

A deep, throaty chuckle trickled from his lips. Mikael clasped her chin firmly, drawing her in for a kiss. Suddenly, he had her full attention. As their lips lingered, teasing yet demanding more, Duo turned away with a loud huff. Mikael's eyes darted over to the braided bishounen before he added some tongue to the kiss. After an exasperatingly long time, he finally pulled away and *poof* disappeared. Wufei blinked and shook his head in an attempt to clear the lingering effects of the mindweb. To his gratification, Shinigami and Selket appeared to have similar reactions.

Shinigami grew impatient. He closed his eyes and made a sharp slashing motion with his hand. When the dazzling violet orbs flashed open again, they were clear, the jaded glaze banished. Having cleared his mind, he rounded on his wife, eyes blazing. He stopped a hand's breadth away from her and opened his mouth angrily, an acidic retort eating at the tip of his tongue. Selket crossed her arms and struck a solid, contrapposto stance. She smirked wryly, waiting for his words. But as he looked into her face, the anger slowly drained from his eyes to be replaced with a pained expression. He whirled around and banged his fist against the wall. "D'ooohhhh.... Just... just... never mind!" The young god of Death strode to the far window and wrapped his arms around his slim, well-muscled torso. Long, ethereal fingers played against the shaft of his scythe, absently wandering along its cool length.

Selket laughed throatily. "Jealous? And why would that be, husband dear?" She padded across the room to stand behind him. Silently, she slid her hands onto his shoulders and leaned forward to brush her lips across the nape of his neck.

Wufei grimaced and tried to ignore them, instead moving toward the now-closed door. He ran his fingers across the slick wood, carefully judging the width. Fortunately, it wasn't unusually thick. Frowning in concentration, he leaned forward to rest his cheek against the cool wood. His obsidian eyes slid closed, shutting out the world, letting him focus on the dragon within. Soon, he heard voices, both thick and muffled. Releasing a long, steady breath, he poured more energy into the darker portion of his soul.

"-believe you let her slip out of your fingers. Perhaps you would like to have them cut off to prevent future mistakes?" That was Mikael. He sounded calm, but there was a sharp undertone of violence, rage, and death. "Nicholas, I don't think you remember how hard it was to find her, to catch her off-guard. But I had weakened her. At this moment, she is as frail as a new-born kitten."

"But she didst receive the aid of another, Master." Nicholas' voice lowered until all Wufei could hear was a low murmur. Frustrated, he poured more energy into his power. "....Lupé smelled him."

"Conan?! Damn!" Mikael was beginning to sound a bit...upset. "How did he find her?" A pause. "The bond? Do you suppose they still love one another?" The question sounded rhetorical, but Nicholas provided an answer.

"Master, whenst thou sent us upon the mission of retrieval, she was in the alley with-" Silence; as though Nicholas was searching for the right description. "-that yellow devil in yon room."

"Yellow devil?" Mikael sounded distracted, and slightly amused.

"Aw, thy visitor. The Chinaman who awaits thee-" Wufei got the distinct impression that Nicholas had a little racial-bias problem. And that he didn't particularly like the young Dragon.

"She did mention . . . wonder if he's. . . ." Mikael's voice dropped to a low murmur until it became impossible to understand his words.

Suddenly Wufei heard his name mentioned; a cold wave of fear swept over him. He jerked away from the door, shock numbing his thoughts. They had sought out Mikael to ask for his help... and the bloodsucking bastard had been behind it! Biting back an outraged snarl, the bishounen stumbled backwards - just as the door opened. He turned away, not trusting the rage to stay out of his eyes.

But Mikael ignored him. Instead, he crossed the room to stand beside the window. Wufei hazarded a fleeting glance at the scene which held Mikael entranced. And he almost got a nosebleed.

Selket and Shinigami were on the floor, enjoying themselves immensely. The seductress, on top, had pulled the young god's shirt as far up as his furled wings would allow and was exploring the muscular curves of his body with her tongue, leaving her hands free to delve in a more southerly direction. As for Shinigami himself, he didn't seem to be resisting her attempts to make up with him. Apparently, he had forgiven her and was more interested in slipping his own hands into her skin-tight costume. Wufei shot an assessing glance at Mikael, half expecting the Master Vampire to jump right into the little love-fest. Surprisingly, Mikael silently hovered over the unsuspecting couple, watching them with an amused smile.

It was Wufei who finally alerted them to Mikael's unwelcome presence. He cleared his throat a little louder than strictly necessary, shooting a significant look at the Maxwells.

"What?!" Selket looked up, her features taut with annoyance. Her flashing grey-blue eyes caught sight of Mikael's bare leg, centimeters from her face. Swallowing the rest of her enraged censure, she slowly followed that leg up until it disappeared within the veiled shadows of Mikael's short robe. Wufei suddenly wondered just how good her night vision was.

Suddenly, the seductress's face smoothed over as though an invisible hand had passed across it. She jumped up, hurriedly primping and pulling at the thin scarlet outfit, brushing the wrinkles from her short skirt. "Well - Mikael. What a surprise. . . . Back so soon."

Mikael chuckled dryly. "Did you really think I'd leave you hanging? That's hardly my style." Dazzling sapphire eyes meandered over her curved form as pale pink lips twisted in wry amusement.

"Of course not, silly boy." Selket draped herself against his bare chest, strategically positioning her body against his. "Now, what was so important? You seem . . . stressed. We can't have that now, can we?"

He had the grace to appear abashed. But, as Wufei looked on, he realized that Mikael might be acting again. The overheard conversation fresh in his mind, the Wufei watched the vampire with guarded eyes. What was he trying to get at? Wufei almost kicked himself for not concentrating harder, for not listening to the end of the conversation.

Choosing to ignore her male companions once again, Mikael pulled Selket into a tight embrace and firmly planted a kiss on her forehead. When she gave him a concerned look, he pushed her away gently. "Yes. I see I can hide nothing from you, my pet. I am somewhat worried. I fear that soon, you too will be most dismayed. Yet . . . I must tell you. . . ."

"Cut the bullshit, you egocentric bastard." Shinigami had regained his footing and was now tucking his shirt into the waistband of his black jodphurs. He stalked toward the vampire, his face semi-hidden in darkness. "What are you playing at? If you have something to say, we want it straight and simple." He straightened his scythe with a rough jerk. "If you're capable of that."

"You understand, my pet-" Unsurprisingly, Mikael continued to ignore Shinigami. "-I have no wish to harm you; but, as your friend, I feel it is my duty to inform you of this most unfortunate turn of events." He sighed and bowed his head in abject sorrow. Sorrow? Wufei doubted it. "As of a few minutes ago, Phoenix was a guest in my stronghold."

Wufei scowled darkly, careful not to make eye contact with Mikael. Guest, my ass. The fingers of his right hand played across the sling which encased its twin. Already he could feel the skin becoming tender as a result of the healing process. In another half-hour or so, he should have full use of both arms; but even ten minutes might be too late. He grudgingly cast his thoughts to the darkest corner of his mind, where they would not interfere with Mikael's words. For now, he might have to rely on wit alone.

Selket had loosened her hold on the Master Vampire. Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Was? W-well, what happened?"

"You won't like this . . . you may not even believe it, but Conan kidnapped her." Mikael's hand rose and he rested two fingers against Selket's lips, lightly requesting her silence. "Phoenix came to my mansion after the initial attack, torn and bloodied. Almost as soon as Nicholas brought her in, she collapsed into my arms in a dead faint. Of course, I had to help somehow, so I provided her with a room and a bed where she could regain consciousness. She had reawakened only recently and was waiting until she recovered from her wounds. Selket, I most sincerely apologize that I didn't think to post more guards around her room. He came in through the window and carried her away while she was yet weak and helpless. I feel I am responsible for this. Can you ever forgive me for my shortcomings?"

Selket backed up until she found herself enfolded in Shinigami's ready arms. Her face had fallen slack, her eyes wide and staring. "Conan? But why would he kidnap Amy?" Piercing grey-blue orbs turned to the vampire, suddenly jagged with suspicion.

"Personally, I am shocked at his uncharacteristic course of action." Mikael was quick to lay on the charm and do what he did best: over-dramatize. "But from what my servant Nicholas tells me, Conan and his little band of followers have been trying to take her since he discovered that she was in the city."

The vampire abruptly turned to Wufei, acknowledging the silent Asian man for the first time since re-entering the room. "I must ask: are you the one called Wufei?"

Unsure of his own voice, Wufei simply nodded in affirmation.

"Ah." Mikael's eyes narrowed for a split-second before his concerned mask returned. It had been so subtle that Wufei wasn't sure that he hadn't simply been seeing things. "I've heard that Conan is insanely jealous of your bond with the little bird. Jealous enough to kill to ensure that she belongs to him and him alone." He let his words sink in, a sympathetic expression further softening that smooth ivory face. When Wufei didn't respond, Mikael decided to dig a little deeper, looking for pay dirt. "Long ago, before we were bound by mortal laws, I saw a handful of rare cases of obsession among my vampires, and rape and mutilation were common factors. Of course, our idea of rape and your own humanistic views are slightly different. If she does not want him badly enough already, he will not hesitate to search her mind and stimulate certain areas which will bring about a change of heart. She should be safe enough as long as she can fulfill his needs." Another pause, as though he was pondering something. "But human bodies simply cannot withstand the imperishable vigor of vampire flesh. It is expected that she can effectively sate his desires for . . .oh, a week or so." Mikael flashed a grin that gave the barest hint of fang. "Once her own strength has ebbed, it will be over. Oh, he may not mean to, but the inevitable will happen. Perhaps he will break her back one unfortunate night when he is caught up in the throes of orgasmic ecstasy-"

"What the hell are you doing?!" Shinigami's voice ripped through Mikael's smooth explanation. Wufei started, brought back to reality by the savage cry. He shook away the remnants of the horrifying image Mikael had been weaving in his mind, reminding himself once again that Mikael was the bad guy. This Conan was another force entirely. Maybe, just maybe, he really had nothing to fear from Conan. Or maybe Mikael was embellishing his lies with a grain of truth. . . .

Suddenly Wufei was aware that Selket was moving forward, taking his good hand in her two delicate ones. "Oh my God! Mikael, why are you telling him this?"

Shinigami sauntered up to the Master Vampire, every muscle tensed in anticipation. "You fucking bastard." His voice was chill with icy rage, his glare deadly. "You damned mother-fucker. Leave him alone. We're through here, Selket." He spat on the ground at Mikael's feet. Flecks of saliva sprayed the vampire's slippered feet, soaking into the velvety fabric.

Mikael quirked an eyebrow as Shinigami turned his back to him. He crossed his arms, letting cool amusement wash over his devastatingly handsome face. "Understand this, Shinigami," he murmured as the braided bishounen assisted his friends through the door. Although the words were soft enough, Mikael's calculated whisper resonated through the room as though they had been shouted. "You and I will meet again. And on that day, fate shall smile on her victor."

The Preventers - even Selket - ignored him. Shinigami just herded a preoccupied Wufei out the door. Wufei's head and heart were engaged in a rather violent battle, monopolizing his attention. The former recalled the conversation between Mikael and Nicholas and understood that this Conan guy had saved Amy from their clutches. The latter wanted him to run out there and search the city from bottom to top, kill Conan, and be Amy's knight in shining armor . . . or at least her avenger.

But Mikael wasn't finished yet. As Shinigami closed the door behind them, the vampire reached out with a mindweb. "On that day, I intend to kill you slowly." The unspoken words swirled through the young god's mind, as an icy breeze howling through the forest. "I will drain you of your powers, then take your wife. The last thing you ever see will be the indescribable pleasure I bestow on her. As you breathe your last breath, it will be my name she cries out as I take her, conquer her, make her wholly mine." With these final words, Mikael's mindweb constricted around Shinigami's brain, squeezing it until he felt his lungs burning to take in more air, to get oxygen to his brain. Shinigami howled as he realized that Mikael was powerful enough to squash his brain into so much strawberry jelly. Then, as silently as it had come, the force withdrew, leaving Shinigami panting, and wondering if he had just imagined Mikael's voice.

"Duo!" Cool, slender hands clasped his shoulders, shaking him slightly. "Duo, are you okay? Can you hear me? What happened?" Selket's - Stacie's - anxious voice enveloped him like a soothing balm. He blinked, then opened his eyes to find himself hunched over his knees, on the floor. He was hugging his arms to his body; claw-like fingers dug into his arms to the point of drawing blood. Suddenly he was aware that Selket was kneeling before him, worried grey-blue eyes searching his own violet ones. Wufei hovered about a meter behind her, his eyes hooded, pensive.

Shinigami unfolded himself and reached out to gather his wife in a lingering embrace. He captured her lips with his own, forcefully claiming possession. "I won't let anything happen to you. That son of a bitch doesn't know what he's done," he murmured into her mouth, breathless with severity. With a ferocity that numbed the senses, he stole her tongue into his mouth, desperately sucking it. Finally, he cupped her face in his hands and seceded. For a few seconds, they sat on the floor, staring into one another's eyes with two very different expressions. Shinigami's face was a mask of determination, Selket's one of concerned confusion.

"Maxwell." Wufei's voice was tight, carefully controlled. Shinigami could hear the raw emotion which hedged his tone, threatened to break loose. "We are in Mikael's lair, where his power is strongest." Again, he struggled, as though one sentence was too much for him. "Where are we going now?"

Planting a firm kiss atop Selket's blonde head, Shinigami rose and extended a hand to assist her to her feet. She grasped his hand reassuringly and nodded at Wufei. "Just follow me. You're right; I don't want to be around here when we discuss our next course of action."

She felt a presence stir in the back of her mind. Oh, you're no fun anymore; Mikael's voice sulked petulantly. He sounded like he was pouting.

"Goodbye, Mikael," she called over her shoulder, loud enough that she knew he could hear even had he not been eavesdropping. "Thanks for all your help." She fought down the urge to make one final wanton comment, instead leading the guys out into the heavy night air.

Before they sprouted wings, Selket gently touched Wufei's arm. The Asian man tilted his head slightly to look down at her. She tried to throw her thoughts into her eyes, where he could read them. This close to Mikael, she dared not voice her thoughts. I don't think Conan is the one we have to worry about, her eyes inspirited silently. She willed him not to go off on one of his famous justice rants.

Wufei nodded, a mere inclination of his head. "I know."

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