"What`re you looking at?"

　　Back in the hallway and heading toward the main staircase. Walking by a couple members of the house, one alone, one with his girl. Meeting their stares and showing them my teeth. Down the stairs and into the entry. A burst of unmistakable anger and heat coming from the golden statue of the man holding his right arm aloft, directed squarely at me.

　　Don`t you like my outfit? I put it together just for you. My blackened teeth on full display. Impossible to get along with this one. Not even worth attempting. A scraping of benches and stamping of boots from the dining room as they got to their feet to see what exactly was going on. Walking closer to the statue. What to even use as an offering? Probably be offended by blood.

　　"Luc-," said the voice behind me. Riley. Coming up next to me, but with her attention on the statue. Chewing her lip, unsure, and then breaking the silence. "I take it your meeting didn`t go very well. Can you even see?"

　　"It could have gone a lot better. And, yeah, surprisingly. Can you do anything to help me with this?"

　　"You`re deliberately trying to make him angry," she said.

　　"I just wanted to let it know," raising my voice to broadcast to everyone, "that its high priest is a worthless piece of dogshit and if he wants a war he`s fucking got it."

　　An intense burst of heat flowing from the statue, forcing both of us to take a couple steps back. Turning my attention to the gathering members of the house, their expressions mainly ranging from curiosity to amusement. Some concerned, but they were looking at the statue and not at me.

　　"Is that the girl Nico`s dealing with?" said one.

　　"Crazy must run in the family," said another, nodding sagely.

　　"The crazy ones can be real fun."

　　"Definitely fun sized."

　　"Which ones aren`t crazy?"

　　"Its the normal seeming ones you`ve got to watch out for."

　　"Yeah, they`re nuts."

　　Riley`s expression changing as the comments flew. Horrified at my pronouncement, to confusion at their responses, to incredulous as they kept coming, finally looking back at me, completely at a loss.

　　"You`re all on borrowed time." Pointing at them. "But that`s later, I`ve got a fight to win, first."

　　"Heh, she`s got spunk."

　　"I`ve got some for her, straight from the tap."

　　"Buckets worth."

　　"Get an empty one and put it over her head."

　　"I`m surprised, Nico doesn`t usually go for butterfaces.

　　"She`s probably funny, too."

　　By the end of that series of comments Riley had discovered the most appropriate emotion.

　　"Evie, I`m sorry."

　　"You seriously owe me for this."

　　"I know. I`ll make it up to you."

　　Riley looking back in the direction of her boyfriend before both of us heading out the double doors and into the inner courtyard. Coming up behind us, the jocular crowd from Stormhawk. A stormcrow followed by a flock of preening, chattering, housekept finches.

　　The courtyard had people in it, spread out in various groups, but by no means full. Magpie and Wolfe a few feet from the door, engaging in a conversation with three people, two of them members of the pact, and the third, Owens. Wolfe and the two pact members glancing over at my and Riley`s entrance, all three with nearly identical expressions.

　　"Lucy," said Wolfe, "what did you do?" Giving her a big smile. Probably didn`t help. "Uh, well, I`d like to introduce you to these guys, I know them from the temple." Shaking the two less than enthusiastic Empaths` hands. Owens not offering his.

　　"This is the best disguise I could come up with. I look nothing like me and this`ll make for a great show. We should be out of here real quick."

　　"I didn`t realize you could use that to change your hair color," said Magpie, looking at my face from all different angles. "You think you could do it to me?"

　　"Sure, what color?"

　　"Blonde," she said. "But, like, Evie`s blonde, just to try it. When I was fifteen I bleached my hair but the color didn`t turn out great."

　　"Hmm, that might be tough." Looking at Riley`s hair, trying to visualize the color. "Okay, think I got it, let me-"

　　"Oh, hold on," said Magpie, her attention over my shoulder. Doing a quick walk in that direction and then yelling, "Hey, Sly." Davos turning to see who`d called his name, and then being tackled by Magpie`s hug. "Looks like I snuck up on you for once." A huge guileless smile on her face.

　　"Magpie?" said Davos, completely shocked, returning the hug, picking her up and spinning her around before setting her back down. "Of course you managed to sneak up on me, I can barely see you all the way down there." Putting his hand on her head. "How`re doing, kiddo?"

　　"Great," she said, "joined Ishtar maybe six months back."

　　"Ishtar?" he said, making a face. "How`s that?"

　　"They`re cutthroat," she said, "but, you know, whatever. Blindside thought it`d be decent so we joined up together."

　　"Hey Davos," said some guy next to him, "where you know this Ishtar slut from?"

　　It just appeared, the knife at his throat. "This girl is family," said Davos, "I knew her long before I came to this place. If you so much as breath a disrespectful word in her direction you`ll be breathing through a new fucking hole." The guy and the people surrounding him, taken aback, but some hurriedly grabbing their weapons.

　　"Sly, thanks, but don`t worry about that shithead," said Magpie, putting a hand on her sword hilt, regardless. "I don`t want you getting in trouble with these people." Davos staring the guy down and then sheathing his knife. The others relaxing, letting go of their weapons. "How`s Stormhawk treating you?"

　　"Its alright," he said, continuing to stare him down, and then, satisfied, turning to Magpie. "So, what are you doing here?"

　　"Mac asked me to come," she said. "Moral support."

　　"Mac? He`s still around? After what he stirred up I figured he skipped town."

　　Lane hadn`t told him. Surprising, but maybe it shouldn`t be. We`d known each other for a very long time, even if we`d had a more recent falling out. Lane wouldn`t want to take the risk, but that`s probably going to change real soon.

　　"What?" said Magpie, "No, she`s, uh. Oh." Putting her hand up to her face. "That`s a long story. Anyway, I`ve been hanging out with these girls. She`s actually fighting a duel today with one of your guys." Pointing at me. "I`m tagging along for that and then we`re all going to hit the graveyard."

　　"The graveyard? Good for you. Wait, she`s the one? Oh, I see, Mac put you two in contact. Why does she have all that, uh," said Davos, gesturing at his face.

　　"For the duel," said Magpie. "Mind games."

　　"I guess I shouldn`t be surprised," he said, with a laugh. Turning over in my direction, "Hey, good luck today."

　　"Thanks." Waving at him and Magpie getting a kick out of that.

　　"When is this thing starting, anyway?" said Davos. Magpie shrugging and looking over at me.

　　That`s a good question.

　　Scanning the crowd and finding Wilde on the other side of the gathering, gesturing with his hands while talking to some of his buddies. Getting a number of looks while heading over.

　　"Get a load of this freak," said one of the people in Wilde`s group, pointing at me. The rest of them looking and Wilde with no hint of recognition. Giving them a real cheerful wave and showing them my teeth.

　　"Hey Nico, good morning." Realization dawning.

　　"Uh," he said, looking at me, and then at them, "this is her."

　　His friends sharing a quick look, then back to me. Not even bothering to contain their laughter.

　　"Not what I expected," said one.

　　"You`re telling me," said Wilde, and then, to me, "you look like you`re taking this a little more seriously than I thought. Its tough to even look at you."If you come across this story on Amazon, it`s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

　　"You prepared more than me, looks like. How much did that armor set you back?" His friends sharing a glance again. "But this?" Tapping my face. "Don`t worry about this. It isn`t for you. And this," tapping the smiling sun on my cloak, "this is for that piece of shit Lane."

　　Lane. Coming to a sudden realization. This may be one of our last, untainted conversations, and here`s me wearing a scare mask in order to protect myself from being identified in the future. Looking into his eyes. Our relationship had started as a means to an end, a defense mechanism, a lark, but it definitely had become something more. Trying to swallow the lump. Either it would survive or it wouldn`t. And, if it didn`t, if this was the end, then this was the end. Another piece of tinder added onto the pile, only serving to make everything burn all the brighter.

　　"Lucy, you there?" said Wilde. "What are you talking about?"

　　My eyes focusing again and his worried expression coming into view. But still standing their tongue-tied, with nothing reassuring coming to mind. Vesper using the opportunity to push his way between us, the wolf radiating clear and obvious disapproval.

　　"Hey Vesper," kneeling down to break eye contact, "don`t be so worried. This is a bonding thing we`re doing." He definitely doesn`t believe that. "Hey, bud, I want to let you know, it was great hanging out with you. After this little thing we`re doing today we`ll go out again, I promise, but keep an eye on Nico for me, huh? He needs someone to watch his back."

　　"Now she`s talking to your pet," said one of Wilde`s friends, nudging him in the ribs.

　　Nothing like a cleansing, searing bout of hatred to put everything back into perspective. Giving Vesper a couple solid pats on the side and getting to my feet.

　　"Nico, I`m going to act like a completely insane person this fight. You didn`t do anything to deserve it. Nothing at all. I`m sorry but I have to do it. I`ll try to make it up to you." Reaching my hand up to touch his face. "I have to go. The longer I stand here the more tempted I am to cheat."

　　Ignoring the ensuing comments and returning to where Riley and Wolfe were standing. Magpie still nearby chatting with Davos. Putting my pack down, setting aside the knife with the red glow and replacing it with the new one. Stretching my arms real quick and then a last check. Everything enchanted and my boots lucky. Walking out toward the middle of the dueling area.

　　"Hey Nico," yelling and pointing at him with my hatchet, "you`re the one who wanted a rematch. You agreed to my terms. What`s the holdup? I swear, Stormhawk is nothing but a bunch of chickenshits and losers."

　　That got everyone`s attention. And they`re much less amused than earlier with the statue.

　　"What the fuck did you say?" A voice from the crowd. Several others voicing agreement or similar sentiments.

　　"I`ll deal with your dumbass later. We`re burning daylight, I`ve got plans after this."

　　Glancing around at the growing sea of angry faces, Magpie putting a hand over her mouth to hide her smile, Riley and Wolfe glancing around, much more concerned.

　　"Hey, you better shut the fuck up," some muscled goon coming over, a foot and a half taller than me, getting close, reaching out his hand and being intercepted by the shield. The crackling flash drawing even more attention, and then pulsing it, catching him flat footed, shoving him back a couple steps and almost causing him to lose his footing.

　　Doing a quick scan, my adrenaline pumping, making sure no one else was coming. My hatchet up and ready to strike if they were. Unable and, more importantly, unwilling to control the mocking laughter pouring out of my mouth.

　　"Worthless." Looking over at Wilde. "Nico, you agreed to my terms. Fight to the death. Are you going to concede, or what?"

　　A lot of conversation and glances sparking up at my statement. Painting my face was a great choice. They don`t see some harmless little girl anymore. They probably don`t even see a person. They see a maniacal, grinning fiend.

　　"Lucy," yelled Wilde, "we`re waiting for Lane, he wanted to officiate."

　　"Well, where is he?" Throwing my arms out wide. "Get one of these retards to do it. It`s not hard. Make `em useful for a change."

　　Doing a slow, backwards circular walk. They had been angry before, but now they were furious at my nonstop litany of insults.

　　Lane coming in from the side, he`d entered the courtyard from a different door, his look beyond disdainful, beyond contemptuous. The man gesturing at Wilde and the three of us gathering at the center of the dueling ground.

　　"Lucy, what the hell are you doing?" said Wilde

　　"Are you actually trying to galvanize them against you?" said Lane.

　　"I`m giving them a show." Using both hands to gesture at my face. "I figure we`re all a little bored of the current state of things. Which is why you`re trying to fuck it all up, right Lane? I`m not going to hold back."

　　"What happened," said Wilde, glancing between us.

　　"He fucked up my deal with Sam."

　　"Wait," said Wilde, "does that mean we`re done?"

　　"I`d like to not be, I`d like to keep going out with you, but its up to him."

　　Lane narrowing his eyes. How do you like being the villain now, you fucker?

　　"Let`s get this ridiculous duel over with," said Lane. "What are you even doing this over?"

　　"Its a fight to the death."

　　Lane giving me an exhausted look, and then giving Wilde a disappointed one. "Did you really agree to that?" he said. You know exactly who the members of your house are, Lane, you shouldn`t be surprised when they make these kinds of decisions.

　　"Of course," said Wilde, as if stating the most obvious thing in the world.

　　"Alright," said Lane. He`s not surprised, merely disappointed. Then the man yelling, "Clear a space."

　　His order to do so mostly redundant, people had been backing up since we`d started our conversation. The two of us moving five paces apart with Lane in the center. Wilde concentrating and his form blurring with greys and browns to better blend into the background. Reaching his arm out and his spirit weapon, the halberd, appearing in his hand. Getting into his stance. Waving my hand at the crowd, prompting taunts and jeers, and getting into mine.

　　"Go!" came Lane`s yell, his arm dropping.

　　Wilde wasting no time, and allowing me no breathing room whatsoever, and charging forward with a massive overhand chop of his halberd. The straightforward move entirely telegraphed, allowing me to easily dodge to the side to avoid it. Activating the shield to stop the strike and momentarily entangle the weapon, but the axeblade of the halberd striking the field of energy and cleaving right though, hardly slowed at all and burying itself in the ground. Reaching out again with the shield to grab the weapon and starting to move in, but Wilde`s hands suddenly empty, adjusting themselves, and a spear appearing in them, jabbing at my face.

　　Stronger than me, with a longer range than me, and all the downsides, slower reaction and greater recovery times, negated entirely by the nature of his weapon. Striking, vanishing and then reforming as a different weapon altogether.

　　But that was known beforehand. Treat the weapon like a giant`s strikes: directly unblockable, but potentially deflectable. Batting the incoming thrust to the side with the shield and the weapon going wide, vanishing, reforming and the halberd`s heavy axeblade slicing in. Knocking its momentum upward and grabbing my wand from its place and giving the twisted branch a flick. Mostly resisted, but the surge of magic causing Wilde to halt his attack, readjust his stance and hold his weapon defensively. The wand itself disintegrating into dust. Only two uses, what a gyp.

　　Bringing up my hand to put a blot on him-

　　"Stop stop stop," yelled Lane, and the echoing roar of the crowd around me invading my senses. "What was that?" he said, pointing a finger at me.

　　"Its a fight to the death. That`s totally fine." The crowd disagreeing loudly. Yells of "Cheat" gaining prominence. "You`re all a bunch of fucking crybabies, you know that?" My admonishment earning me no friends.

　　Lane moving between us and gesturing at us to put down our weapons. The two of us walking forward again to confer while the crowd screamed its bloodlust. Wilde resting the butt of his weapon on the ground.

　　"Lane, we agreed beforehand no flaring weapons. Everything else was permissible."

　　"That`s your problem right there, Macarthy," he said. "You know its wrong and you do it anyway. Everyone would use a wand if they were allowed. They`re not, and for good reason. I don`t care if you somehow justified it to yourself, I`m not...going to..."

　　A thrumming sound, low and in the background, and barely noticeable over the shouts of the spectators, had been filling my head since we`d paused the fight. My heartbeat run amok? No, both Lane and Wilde now looking around as if they were hearing it as well. The curses from the ring around us, however, still flying my way uninterrupted.

　　"Lane," said Wilde, in a strained tone, "he says he needs to speak with you."

　　"Dominic, just relax." Lane put a hand on Wilde`s shoulder. "Don`t do anything rash. If you don`t choose to allow him in, there`s nothing to be concerned about."

　　Lane`s warning coming too late. The thrumming sound in our immediate vicinity coming to an abrupt end and a bright golden light filling Wilde`s eyes, and the voice coming from his mouth deep and resonant and not his own.

　　"Lane," the voice said, "my wayward child, perhaps my least devoted devotee, how long has it been since we last spoke? You`ve been avoiding me for too long." Lane making no response and the thing inside Wilde continuing on after a moment. "You Outsiders are a fickle bunch, I acknowledge, but after the agreements we`ve made - and we upheld our end - your assistance, your cheerful, unwavering assistance, I remind you, is nonnegotiable." Lane still offering no response, merely glowering at the thing inside Wilde. "You should know by now that peace was never an option. Why are you not busy marshaling your people in earnest?"

　　"There`s no enemy in sight," said Lane. "They`ll be ready when they are. My people are doing what`s necessary and useful at the moment."

　　"I think not," said the thing, looking around at the crowd. "You`re frittering away your time and energy, you`re allowing this-" the thing inside Wilde looking at the halberd. "Jackal seems far nobler a title than this one deserves. Lane, why are you allowing this one to sully the field of honor and my sanctified ground? Must I step in to end this frivolity?"

　　"No," said Lane. "That won`t be necessary."

　　"I`ll fight you, you jumped up ear mite."

　　"Macarthy-"

　　Pulses of heat began emanating from Wilde`s form, causing beads of sweat to accumulate on my brow.

　　"You were right," the voice coming from Wilde`s mouth said, "the jackal can be amusing, if nothing else."

　　"You have to leave Nico`s body."

　　"Leave? If you win, perhaps." The thing inside Wilde flexing his gauntleted offhand into a fist. "This seems like such a suitable vessel, but I suppose that`s acceptable."

　　"No matter what happens."

　　The thing offering no reply, only an unblinking stare.

　　"A moment, first, if I could," said Lane, holding up his hand.

　　"You have two minutes before I smite the unworthy," it said.

　　"Macarthy," said Lane, as he led me a very short distance away, "I`m not exactly sure what your objective here is, but I`m beginning to understand just how wronged you feel by this whole situation."

　　"You have no idea."

　　"You should leave, and quickly. When you`re no longer on the Stormhawk grounds I should be able to free Dominic."

　　"Is it going to allow that? I don`t think it likes you very much."

　　Lane spent a moment brooding, staring off into space. "I should be able to."

　　"But there`s no guarantee."

　　"You have absolutely no chance of winning."

　　"Are you pretending to be concerned about me?"

　　"Hardly. The collateral damage will be immense. He`s nominally one of the good ones, but his wrath is indiscriminate."

　　His wrath. The heat had been growing with each passing moment. Wilde stood at the very center of the dueling circle, sand and hard packed earth, with bits of crab grass poking through that had started to smoke and ignite. The cursing and banter from the sidelines had puttered out and the circle of onlookers had started, almost unconsciously, moving a couple of steps further out. We`d moved out with them as the heat had intensified

　　"I`ve never fought a god before." Lane giving me a peculiar look. "And at least it`ll be a quick death." Definitely not reassured. Looking to my right, to the girl whose face had gone pale, nearly to the same color as her too white field outfit. "Evie, if you could, I need your help."