Moonrise - 2 - Changes

Etta Blackwood stood alone, watching the evening sunlight dance on the water, and thought about changing her life.

She could smell the rich autumn scents of the Moonwood, with the peaty smell of old leaves and the sharp bite of evergreens. She could feel the stirring breeze that rustled through the branches, the wind whispering secrets to the ancient trees and kicking up the waves on the water. She could feel the cool spray of wind-carried water against her skin. 

Almost, almost, she could feel the magic in the earth, the air and the water. She knew she shouldn't. Her Power had been ripped away by the Council's justice, punishment for her crimes. She should be blind to the currents of magic in the world, but there was so much magic in the ancient Moonwood, even blinded, she could still see.

She wondered sometimes if exiling her here where she could almost, but not quite, touch the magic that was her birthright had been a kindness or another, subtler punishment.

"You asked to see me." The woman's voice, cool as the wind on the water, interrupted Etta's thoughts. Etta hadn't heard anyone approach, for the simple reason that the woman hadn't. She was simply there, at Etta's side, as if she had always been there. 

Tall and graceful, ageless and wise, her hair like woven sunlight, her eyes the violet of gathering twilight, Gwen Silveroak was almost painfully beautiful. Here, in a town of werewolves, she made no effort to conceal the sharply pointed ears that marked her as one of the true alfar, the timeless immortals of the Magic Realm. If the Fairy Queen stepped from the pages of a child's storybook, she might look like Gwen.

Etta pushed down the terror that rose inside her in the presence of the Elder Guardian of Glimmerbrook. She remembered the words of another story - you must never run from anything immortal.

"I did," Etta replied, forcing herself to remain calm, to show no fear. "I am pleased you came."

Gwen smiled at the antique courtesy. To thank the elven-folk directly had once been an unpardonable breach of etiquette. It was a nicety few remembered or enforced, but Etta was determined to avoid giving even half-forgotten offense. This was too important.

"You said once that you could restore my powers," Etta said after a moment. There was no reason to dance around the issue. 

"I did," Gwen agreed. "You refused. In fact, you begged me not to restore that which the Council had taken." 

"I remember," Etta nodded.

"Do you remember why?" Gwen asked mildly.

"My magic... the magic my father taught me... is dangerous," Etta said. "He raised me to hate and fear the alfar, the Old Families and the Witches' Council. He said that they are tyrants who hoarded the deeper secrets of magic for themselves... yourselves... to keep dominion over the world. He trained me to be a weapon against the Council. His weapon. All my magic was bent to that purpose."

"I should mention to Uncle Simeon that he has dominion over the world," Gwen mused, more than half to herself. "I imagine the very notion would send him to his bed in sheer horror. Magic is neither good nor evil. It is a thing of nature, like fire... and like fire it can be used to create or destroy," she added, returning her focus to Etta.

"It is easier to destroy," Etta said. "I was taught to destroy." 

"You were taught fear," Gwen said in disagreement. "To use fear, yes, but more, you were taught to fear. You fear the Council. You fear your father. You fear me. You fear yourself."

"Yes," Etta whispered.

"Why do wish to have your powers restored now?" Gwen asked. "What has changed?"

"The world has changed," Etta replied. "I'm not a werewolf, but I work with the Wildfang pack now. We patrol the outer boundaries of the Moonwood and beyond. I've seen the dangers growing. The Dark Court seems to be in disarray, but they are growing stronger... and they aren't alone. There are other things moving in the shadows. Something is taking shape in the Dark, something great and terrible. I... I want to help. I want to protect. I need my powers back."

"Do you?" Gwen asked. "You have a brilliant mind and a grasp of magical theory that rivals most magisters. You have the imagination and ingenuity to put that knowledge to use. The Council took your Power, and in its place you have made yourself into a formidable hedge witch."

"I'm... I'm blundering around in the dark," Etta cried. "I'm a blinded artist trying to paint. A deafened musician trying to play a concerto by rote memory and dreams."

"And you have achieved wonders," Gwen said calmly. "So, I ask again - Why do wish to have your powers restored now? Or perhaps I should ask - who wishes to have her power restored? Does Etta Blackwood ask for the power to protect, to do good. Or does Claudette Faust, daughter of darkest magic, ask to regain the magic that is her birthright? Who are you really?"

"I don't know," Etta whispered. "God help me, I don't know."

Gwen turned and looked out over the water, over the Moonwood. Perhaps, Etta thought, she turned her Seer's eyes to the future, to the Inevitable Moments Etta knew were gathering like a storm, just beyond the horizon.

"Summon me again when you do," Gwen said with a sad smile.

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

"She's right, Lux," Etta moaned.

After Gwen had vanished, Etta had walked the paths of the Moonwood alone for a long time. It had been dark when she'd finally reached the Wildfangs' old trailer and had tried her best to explain her meeting with Gwen to her friend and partner.

"I don't know the answer," Etta continued. "Am I really Etta, or am I still Claudette? Sometimes I do catch myself thinking of my witchcraft as a birthright... as something the wicked Council took from me. I know why they did it... why I let them do it. I misused my powers. I hurt people... betrayed my friends. I thought that I couldn't be trusted with those powers... but I've wanted them back. Every. Single. Day."

"So, who am I, Lux?" She sighed. "Am I really Etta? Or am I Claudette, just pretending to Etta?"

The tawny-haired woman gave her an odd look. Slowly, she stood up and gave Etta another slow, considering look, as if studying her from head to toe. Finally, she smiled.

"You're a big dummy," Lux Demarco said with a smile.

"Oh thanks," Etta groaned. "I knew I could count on you."

"Etta, I'm a werewolf, " Lux said firmly. "At least once a month, I lose control and become a Wolf rampaging though the woods, a danger to anyone in my path. The truth is I am always at some risk of losing control. It takes constant work to keep my balance.... the balance between Lux Demarco and the Wolf, because I am both, at the same time, always.

"So, have you ever considered that you, Claudette 'Etta' Blackwood, are both, at the same time?" Lux concluded.

"You're right. I'm a big dummy," Etta groaned.

"Yeah but at least you're cute," Lux smiled, kissing her on the cheek.

Etta Blackwood stood with Lux, this strange, wild woman who knew all her secrets and somehow still welcomed her, allowing her to be best friend and lover. They stood together watching the firelight dance, and Etta thought about changing her life.

Moonrise - 1 - Rising Star

'Cause I've been battered and bruised

Been lied to and used

but now I'm rising...

 - Rising Star by Cassie Goth

Corrie couldn't get the song out of her head, but she was OK with that. Cassie's words spiraled through her head, heartfelt advice from a friend she still hadn't quite met yet (though Jenny had promised to introduce them).

As she walked into the studio, she was surprised by how calm she felt.

This was it. She was here, at last. After the auditions and rehearsals. After George's lies and abuse. After escaping home and running away to the city. 

... been battered and bruised / Been lied to and used

I'm rising, she sang along in her head.

"Umm... hi, Mr. Chavarrin. Sir. I'm here... for the shoot. I'm Corrie... you... remember... I... umm... hi," Corrie stammered, knowing she sounded like a complete idiot and totally unable to stop the flood of words tumbling from her mouth.

"Hi, Corrie." The skinny dark-skinned director smiled soothingly, with all the grace of a man who had spent many years shepherding nervous young actors. "Good to see you. You didn't have any trouble finding us."

"No. No trouble, sir. I just followed your directions," Corrie said, with a deep breath.

"Well, just keep that up," Mr. Chavarrin chuckled. "I need to talk with Alex here about getting the sound set up. Why don't you grab a bite to eat and then get into costume. We'll call you when we're ready for you."

Through the dark of night

Try as they might

I kept shining 

Now I'm rising... 

"Corrie, come on over here," the director called at last.

"I'm here." Corrie dashed to his side. "I'm ready. I was just going over my lines."

"Good, that's good," Mr. Chavarrin smiled.

"I was thinking... about my character, about how maybe she's just really happy to be there. How she feels free and... it's silly. I'm sorry," Corrie blushed.

"You know what... I like it. Go with that," Mr. Chavarrin said, a little surprised with himself for getting caught up in her enthusiasm.

"Really?!" Corrie beamed.

"Really," the director laughed. "Show me that freedom. Let's do a run through."

"Quiet on the set."

Corrie took a final deep breath, settling herself into the moment. All her fears seemed to evaporate under the heat of the studio lights. 

Now I'm rising... 

"Camera... and rolling!"

With a cheerful grin, she threw herself into her part.

"Aaar yea sick o' grime and mess when y'er swabbin' the deck?

"Thar be one cleaner that'll blow yea down!

"That be Salty Sudds, me hearties!"

"... and cut!" Mr Chavarrin shouted out. "Perfect. That was fantastic."

Looking out over the studio, seeing all the eyes on her, Corrie smiled.

I'm going to be a star, she thought to herself.

'Cause I've been battered and bruised

Been lied to and used

but now I'm a rising star!

In Shadow - Afterword

There you have it - In Shadow. 

I have to admit, I'm not entirely happy with it, but there it is.

In Shadow has its roots in the final chapter of College Years, where Miranda has a vision of her future life with Mariah. I actually put some thought into the course of their life together. One thing seemed obvious... Mariah having testified against the Alto Family had to come back to bite her, and the young couple would end up living in hiding. I thought it would be a great opportunity to give the "sidekicks" a chance to take the main stage. So the core idea of In Shadow was born...

I knew I wanted to feature Genie and Jenny, and that they had the potential to be a great team. Unfortunately, I didn't really know what the story was going to be. 

I contented myself at first with the short stories Lobo's Den and A Tartosan Wedding, both of which were intended to re-introduce, or introduce, readers to our main characters and kind of sum up all that had come before. (I really wanted In Shadow to be accessible to new readers.) 

Still, I couldn't stall forever. I went through several ideas before settling on Genie trying to help her friends by investigating the Altos.

Orange was actually a late addition to the cast. I had decided the ladies need a male supporting character who would be supporting without taking over. At first I considered making a new character, as a potential love interest for Genie. Then I remembered Orange and his little teaser moment from Lobo's Den. So I decided to include him.

That was probably my first mistake. 

My second was George T. 

George has been lurking in the darkest corners of the Wyrd Tales since before I started writing my first story, back when this was just me playing the Sims with Gwen and Cassie. For reasons probably better not examined, his major claim to fame was sexually assaulting Cassie on New Years Eve of her final year at university (and then being set on fire). He has remained in the background ever since, never taking the stage or even appearing except for a brief cameo and mention in Raven's Apprentice. (He actually, entirely autonomously, stalked teen Cassie during my setup playthrough for Raven's Apprentice.) 

I have, several times, wanted to tell their story, but never felt comfortable doing so because it always felt too dark. I have hinted at it, alluded to it, but never directly addressed it. I honestly didn't plan to here. I just wanted a gangster to fill out scenes involving the Alto family. So, put him into the background, intending him to stay there, as an underboss working for Marco. I gave him a henchman and a girlfriend (who I deliberately modeled on Cassie, reflecting George's obvious obsession with her), but I assumed he'd stay in the background again.

To understand what happened next, you need to understand that I usually play each of my characters for a few sim-days before actually starting the story, just to get to know them. Well, I was playing Orange. He was out jogging and suddenly there was Corrie, George's girlfriend, looking sad. Orange being Orange, I knew he had to stop and ask what was wrong.

From that moment, I derailed my entire plan for In Shadow. A story that was supposed to be about Genie and Jenny taking on Marco and Max V became a story about rescuing Corrie from George, and confronting at last who George was and what he'd done. The dark story I'd been avoiding, I wouldn't avoid any more.

I consoled myself that, in the end, the bad guys lose. George would lose. How exactly he would lose went through as many different plans as any other part of the story. I feel rather pleased with his final fate. Gwen is terrifying sometimes.

Anyway, despite my going off the rails and not being completely happy with the results, I hope you enjoyed In Shadow.

Of course, you can't have missed that, epilogue notwithstanding, we ended on a cliffhanger with Axis, the Elderberrys, and Representative Friend (who, yes, is green). I'm already well into outlining the next story, tentatively entitled In Moonlight (because In Shadow, Part 2 is just a little too on the nose). It should deal with some of those threads left dangling and some of the original ideas behind In Shadow. 

My current plan is to take Thanksgiving week off. After that, I have a collection of single-chapter shorts that could be thought of as an extended series of "post credit scenes" to both resolve a few other dangling threads and to set up others for Moonlight. I expect to have those in December and into the new year.

Meanwhile, I plan to do some more outlining and planning in the (probably foolish) hope that I can keep In Moonlight on the rails. 

Genie Elderberry and her friends will return.

In Shadow - Ch 33 - Epilogue

Content Warning: misogyny, profanity 

George T sat alone in his cell.

Irongate Prison was in serious need a good decorator, he thought. The stone walls, cold and damp, were probably as old as the musty castle that had held prisoners of the Crown since before the royals had handed power over to the Republic. Modern justice had added a few homey touches, like running water, electric lights and new bars. 

George was looking forward to getting out and making every single person responsible for him being here pay. What was keeping his people, he wondered with a sigh.

Looking up, he was stunned to see two women stepping impossibly out of the shadows. For a moment, he wondered if he was hallucinating. Some flashback from when he'd been young and stupid enough to sample his own product.

Cassie Goth looked perfect. Was perfect. Her raven black hair framed her pale, beautiful face with her bottomless dark eyes and lush red lips. Her sleek black dress clung to her soft, flawless curves. She was a work of art. As he always did, he longed to possess her, to mark her, to damage that perfection in order to prove his ownership of her.

The woman next to her was white to Cassie's black. A tall, lean white taper that made his scars burn to look at. He knew ought to extinguish Gwen Silveroak's flame, but deep down in his secret heart he screamed to run, to hide, anything to escape that pitiless fire.

"What, did you bribe the guards to see me?" George snarled. "A little conjugal visit, maybe. Don't worry, when I get out of here I'll be looking you up... you and your little bitch, Miranda."

They just watched him. Cassie's fathomless dark eyes and Gwen's cold violet ones, studying him through the bars as he ranted.

"You think you've won?" George snapped. "You think you've beaten me? You'll never beat me!"

"Enough," Cassie said softly, to herself. "It's enough."

As George continued to rant in his cell, impotently threatening lurid acts of revenge, she turned and walked away. He was powerless, she thought. The last, lingering echo of power he had once held over her was broken. It was enough. It was over. 

With a whispered Word, she vanished. 

George stood, stunned, cut off in mid rant. "She's... she's gone," he gasped. She was really gone.

"Yes," Gwen replied softly.

"She's just gone," George said. He couldn't believe it, wouldn't let himself believe it. "She thinks she can just leave me here?"

"I would have killed you," Gwen said simply. "She asked me not to. Not, you must understand, out of any feelings for you. No, she simply said that she did not want me to. I think she felt that it would be the wrong thing to do. I did not understand, but I stayed my hand because it was what she wished. I wonder if perhaps she foresaw your fate, here."

"I'll get out," George snarled. "I'll get out and..."

"No, you won't," Gwen said. Her voice held neither rage nor pity. Just inevitable, undeniable truth. "You will never get out."

The ancient stone walls seemed to shake, echoing the merciless flame of that voice . "George Tobar, this Doom I place upon you.  You will never again walk as you will upon the earth. You will never again breath free air. You will never again touch the open waters. 

"This Doom I place upon you. You will live out all the long days of your life as a prisoner. You will endure all the dark nights of your life with only your guilt, your shame and your fear. You will die alone, unmourned and all but forgotten. 

"This Doom I place upon you. By the Oak, the Ash and the Elm. By the Sun, the Moon and Stars. By the Earth, the Wind and the Sea. So may it be." 

She spoke a Word that seemed to gather up all the despair that had long ago sunk into the stones of the ancient prison into invisible chains and wrapped them around George's soul. Under the weight of it, he sank back onto the cell's hard bed.

Satisfied, she spoke another Word and was gone.

George T sat alone in his cell. 

The stone walls, cold and damp, were probably as old as the musty castle that had held prisoners of the Crown since before the royals had handed power over to the Republic. Ancient justice, older than the castle itself, imprisoned him. 

He was a prisoner of his own guilt, his own shame and his own fear. 

He would never be free.

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

Gwen stepped from the darkness and despair of Irongate into the cool, fragrant twilight of Glimmerbrook. With deep, calming breaths she drank in the rich green of the earth, the sweet stirring of the breeze and the sound of the rushing brook. She set aside the Aspect of Vengeance and allowed herself to be simply Gwen again. 

She found Cassie where she expected to, standing by the side of the brook.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"I am," Cassie smiled. "You know, I never really believed he would even go to jail. No matter what he'd done to me, to anyone, I never really believed he'd be punished. I think I owe Genie and Jenny and Orange an apology and thanks... though it was still a horribly dangerous and foolish thing they did."

"It is the path they have chosen," Gwen smiled. "Just like our daughter and her wife."

"I know Miranda and Mariah can't come home yet," Cassie sighed. "It will take time for the authorities to dismantle enough of the Altos' organization for it to really be safe... but I hope they are... safe, I mean."

"I don't think 'safe' is in their nature," Gwen mused. "But they are well."

"I guess that's enough," Cassie smiled.

The past floats away

Like leaves on the water

As I stand by the brookside

and let them go.

- the chorus of Brookside, by Cassie Goth

 

In Shadow - Ch 32 - The War Goes On

"Are you sure you're OK?" Corrie asked.

"I'm fine, really," Genie said with a smile.

It had been a couple of weeks since her confrontation with Uncle Max in the Harbor, and her arm was healing nicely. Etta, having looked at it, had assured her it was a "through and through" as if having a bullet pass completely through her arm was a good thing. It turned out it was, given the alternative of shattering bone or severing an artery. The doctors were confident she would be fine, but her arm still hurt.

"Have they caught Max yet?" Jenny asked. 

Jenny had been annoyed that Genie had left her behind, going off to confront Max 'alone' (ignoring the fact that she'd had Etta, Jake and the Evergreen Harbor werewolves with her). Genie 'getting herself shot' only proved to Jenny that she should have been there. It added to the list of reasons the actress was eager to see her ex behind bars. 

"No, they're still searching for him," Genie replied. She had no doubt her uncle had made good his escape. 

"I saw on the news they've picked up Marco Tennari. He was trying to get out of the country," Orange said. "They've arrested a lot of senior Alto guys now."

"... and, did you see were they're arresting a bunch of guys in the National Police," Corrie added enthusiastically. "I said the Altos owned the cops."

"Yes, you did," Genie replied, inwardly torn between being pleased to see Corrie's confidence grow as she was proved right, and feeling sick at just how deep the corruption among the police, who were supposed to be protecting them all, had turned out to be.

"I read your article," Jenny said. "Pretty amazing, seeing it all down in print like that. You made me sound like some kind of hero."

"Well, you are a hero," Orange said, beaming at her. The undefined something between him and Jenny had really come into focus after the events at Mill Lane. "You all are."

"We all are," Corrie corrected. Turning to Genie she added, "Oh, did I tell you... Jenny got me an audition! It's just a small part but..."

"There are no small parts," Jenny smiled.

"That's great," Genie said. "Have you found a place to stay yet?"

"Well, Jenny says it's OK for me to keep staying here," Corrie said.

"Yeah, well, I've been sleeping over at Orange's..." Jenny smiled, leaning against the big man.

"Oh, do you sleep?" Orange teased.

"Hush you," Jenny purred.

Genie smiled. Things were really working out for her friends.

"Um, Genie... we didn't see anything about your mom in the article," Corrie said. "I don't mean to pry but I thought you said there would be something."

"My editor cut it," Genie sighed. "There's no evidence of her involvement with the Altos."

"But the ledger?" Jenny said, pulling herself away from Orange.

"There were pages missing," Genie said. "I asked Anthony and Gabbie and they agreed. Someone had torn out whole sections of it before we got hold of it."

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

"Well, I could hardly have let Marco have that evidence to hold over my head, could I?" Luna Elderberry said coolly. 

"Lucky you managed to remove the pages just before your daughter stole the ledger," Betty Bow smiled acidly. 

"Honestly, I had no idea what that foolish girl was planning," Luna said. "It was obvious that Marco was in trouble... and I have no doubt he planned to use the proof of our business arrangements to force me to help him stay in power. The meeting with the Families was my best chance to get to the ledger and remove that leverage."

"Your daughter obviously had the same thought," Representative Friend mused. The idea held a particular fascination for him. "You must be very alike."

"Oh yeah, they are," Rohan Elderberry grinned.

"We are nothing alike," Luna huffed. "Genevieve is full of these foolish idealistic notions. I blame the influence of Miranda Goth. I never should have encouraged Genevieve to pursue a friendship with her. That was obviously my mistake." 

"Fortunately, I was able to remove the evidence of my connections, along with the evidence of Axis's ties to the Alto family, in time," she continued. "The organization is protected, even if Genevieve's foolishness has disrupted our plans."

"Removing Marco Tennari and dismantling the Alto Family was always part of the plan," Mr. Friend replied. 

"Would have been better to do it after the election of course," Rohan said. "We were really playing up the whole 'crime wave' angle and now that's shot." 

"The timing is inconvenient," Mr. Friend agreed. 

"What about our associates in the Dark Court?" Luna asked, turning to Lady Bow.

"Complete chaos," Betty smiled. "Most of the major Houses have lost their agents in the National Police, as well the men they were positioning to take control of the Alto Family. Naturally, they're all blaming each other and they, and the lesser Houses, are taking the opportunity to settle scores. They have centuries worth of old grudges, vendettas and petty jealousies to deal with. By the time they notice anything we're doing, it will be too late."

"How are things going with your Mr. Grey?" she added.

"He'll still take a little convincing," Luna replied. "His first loyalty has always been to the Alto Family... but I think he'll come to see that working with us is the best chance to serve them, just in a new form."

"The benefits of bringing order to organized crime seem so clear," Mr. Friend mused.

"Grey will come around," Luna assured him.

"What about the election?" Rohan asked. "Unity is getting the credit for taking down a major criminal organization. After our whole 'crime wave" rhetoric, it's a problem."

"The revelation of corruption within the National Police can be used against them," Mr. Friend replied. "My people will have a speech for you in time for the morning news. We have a whole team of psycholinguistic experts working on it. Our socio-historical projections still show Axis gaining seats in the House, and only a slightly slimmer possibility of winning a majority. Meanwhile, we have been able to accelerate the work of placing our agents in the key positions within the National Police and the Agency. 

"Soon, my people will be able to bring order and security to Republic, and your assistance will be rewarded," Mr. Friend smiled.

In Shadow - Ch 31 - Heroism is Contagious

Content Warning: Violence

"Genie-bean, you don't write. You don't call. I'm hurt. Almost makes me think I'm not your favorite uncle anymore," Max V sneered.

Looking at her uncle, Genie thought he looked as confident and comfortable here, in this rundown part in Evergreen Harbor with its bags of trash and graffiti, as he did everywhere else. Standing with his henchmen, he certainly appeared unconcerned with the group of people between him and the house on the corner.

"Well Uncle Max, you're a lowlife gangster who threatened me and is trying to hurt my friends, so..." she shrugged.

"Dog," Crowe snarled, nodding at Jake.

"Leech," Jake nodded back.

"You know Genie, you could have saved me a lot of time and trouble if you'd just told me where Miranda and Mariah were when I asked," Max said, surveying the house behind her.

"You could have saved us all a lot of trouble by staying under whatever rock you've been hiding beneath," Etta put in. 

"Claudette? Is that you?" Max laughed. "I hardly recognize you. It's the shorter hair and, I have to say, your wardrobe has taken a turn for the worse. I was just thinking about you the other day. I never imagined you'd be hanging with this crew."

"They're called friends, Max," Etta countered.

"Right, friends," Max laughed harshly. "Tell me, Genie, did Claudette here tell you about her friends? Did she tell you have she was such a very close... intimate... friend of your buddy Miranda... right up until she betrayed her to me? Did she tell you about how she then turned around and betrayed me? Really, are there any friends you don't end up betraying, Claudette?"

"You and I were never friends, Max," Etta snarled.

"Is that what you tell yourself?" Max sneered.

"You're not going to win here, Uncle Max," Genie said.

"Why, because you have some werewolves between me and your little friends?" Max countered.

"That's one reason," Jake grinned.

"It could get bloody, I admit... but am I really supposed to believe the great heroes Miranda and Mariah are going to let others do their bleeding for them?" Max said, his voice pitched loudly enough to be heard inside the house. "Come on out, girls. Have the guts to face me yourselves."

"You think they're in the house. They're not," Genie said with a smile.

"I smell the witch's blood," Crowe snarled.

"You smell an enchanted doll," Jake grinned. "A lure Etta here made to bring you here, to literally throw you off the scent. This is a trap and you walked right into it."

Etta just smiled at Max.

"Witch," Max snarled. "So what happens now? We fight and you think you'll come out on top?"

"I was more thinking we keep you talking until the police get here," Genie replied. "Should be any second now. Oh and in case you didn't know, your pal George T and his goon are already in custody. The Agency has the ledger. They're probably picking up Marco as we speak..."

"Damn, kid," Max laughed. "I underestimated you. You really are your mother's daughter, aren't you?"

"It's over, Uncle Max," Genie said hotly. "Give up."

"Not my style, Genie-bean," Max smiled back.

She hardly saw him move, pulling the gun from beneath his jacket in one smooth, almost graceful motion. 

To Genie, everything seemed to be moving impossibly slowly and unbelievably quickly. She was aware of the vampire, Crowe, lunging forward and Jake, still in his human form, rushing to meet him. She was aware of Uncle Max's henchman, Wolfgang, reaching for a weapon of his own. 

Mostly, she was aware of the gun, the cold dark metal of it and the gaping cavernous barrel, aimed lethally toward its target. The one person among them Max considered the most dangerous to him.

Etta.

The gun roared. Heat and light and sound and pain. 

Such sudden, shocking pain. 

"Genie!" Etta screamed. 

"What did you do?!" Etta demanded.

"Couldn't let him shoot you," Genie said, smiling. 

Stepping between Etta and the gun had been as natural and right as anything she'd ever done in her life. She even hadn't thought about it, hadn't even considered the consequences.

She felt cold. Was she supposed to feel cold?

"Damn it, of course you could," Etta snapped. "He was right about me. I told you who I was and what I've done. What were you thinking?"

"You saved my friend," Genie said dreamily. "Couldn't let him shoot you. It's not what Mariah would have done."

"Mariah would shoot me herself," Etta muttered. "You're going into shock. Tenebrae Externae... he hit your arm." 

"That's good, right?" Genie said.

"Not if he clipped an artery," Etta said. "Let me look at the wound."

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

"Is she going to be alright?" Jake asked.

"I think so," Etta sighed. "I've got the bleeding under control, but she needs a doctor."

"Nice look," Genie said, looking at the rags hanging off Jake's body.

"This is why I hate shifting in clothes," Jake grinned. "Thank you... for saving Etta. That was pretty heroic of you."

"Couldn't let him shoot her," Genie repeated. It had become her mantra against the pain.

"Max got away, didn't he," she added.

"Yeah, he did," Jake nodded. "Had a getaway car close by. The police are looking for him."

"You don't think they'll get him," Genie said. It wasn't a question.

"No," Etta sighed. "But we stopped him here."

"We won another battle," Jake nodded.

"The war goes on," Etta smiled bitterly.