Ishmaela didn't see me in the bistro that night.  She and Kipp were too wrapped up in one another.  I suppose that the intensity of  Auriel and Adamnae make them occasionally want a break, the comfort of very old, tried and true friendship; no games, no need to fill the long silences.   They had just discovered the 'side effects' that can be gotten  from screwing the likes of us.  I could feel Ish trying out her new gift, trying to touch those around her.  Everyone tolerated her nosiness pretty well, I thought and I instinctively guarded myself from her  probing.  Something told me not to reveal my presence.

Perhaps this is why Auriel made me his lieutenant.  He calls me his 'aide' with all that other worldly charm he seems to have picked up from somewhere.  I  suppose he likes to keep all of us guessing.  Makes no difference to me.  I can remember the old days and am one of the few who know what he is.  Thief and murderer; but he spared my life and Remir's and made us  what we are today.  And eventually, he makes everyone love him.

My instincts were right, of course.  The next thing I knew, Robyn, the maitre d' was transmitting intense disapproval in my direction.  I  didn't  waste time wondering what was eating him but looked immediately over to Ish and Kipp.

The boy who had joined them made me blink in wonder.  He was as close as one of them could get to perfection.  I could feel his interest in Ishmaela even though he was doing a damn fine job of keeping his flirting under wraps.  Still I knew if the opportunity presented itself, he wouldn't say no.  I also knew that if Auriel  found out, it would be the last fuck of this boy's life.  I called the boss.

When Auriel arrived, he was the picture of  nonchalance.  I watched with admiration as he turned towards his table, nothing in his  manner to suggest he was seething.  Ish is good, though.  Auriel was keeping his thoughts and his feelings to himself.  I knew what that meant and it looked like she did too.  Along with everyone else in the  place, I watched Auriel toy with the boy and wondered when the blow would come.  Ish radiated desperation and the boss just ignored her.

The boy was calm.  He met Auriel's veiled threats head on; didn't flinch and didn't back down.  When those cigarettes came out, I knew Auriel had pretty much made up his mind.  The boy seemed to reached the same conclusion.  He smoked with the boss and though his guard wasn't completely down, he'd relaxed a little.  Fascinating and amazing.

My dinner companions teased the hell out of me for the rest of the evening.  It didn't take a genius to figure out where my attention was.  I was waiting  for the break up of Auriel's strange little party and when it came, I was out the door behind the boy as soon as it was possible to do so without him catching on.

He walked the streets without fear.  He never looked over  his shoulder and his air of unconcern was like armour around him.  I knew he was armed.  This time, I didn't let him suspect he was being followed.  As we made our way south along Park Avenue South, I could feel  live things in the shadows of the buildings.  Some felt malicious and I knew some unfortunate asshole would fall victim to them tonight.  But not this boy.  His confidence was unshakeable.

I seldom dress as  flamboyantly as Auriel or Adamnae unless I decide to show my feminine side for the evening.  Then if I do, very few suspect what I really am.  Most of the time however, I appear to be male.  No makeup.  Hair  tied back and stuck down sweaters or coats.  Just one of the guys.  Tonight I was glad I hadn't indulged myself, just for the evening and dinner with friends.  The boy turned into a rough looking place just on  the north side of Union Square.

I ignored the stares I received as I entered.  The boy had already staked a place at the bar and from what I could see, he was a regular here.  The bartender and a few of the patrons had gathered around him, hanging on his every word.  He had supped with the devil and lived to tell the tale.  I wormed my way as close as I dared to listen to what he was saying.

"Tonio, you're talkin' shit, man.  I don't know where you get this stuff from!"  The voice was just that bit too loud and I knew the guy had had one too many drinks.  "You think you could walk into a room full of those fucking freaks and come out alive?  Bullshit.  And you know it."

Tonio.  The boy with the face and body of an Aztec king just shrugged.  I was reminded of that courage with which he'd faced Auriel.  I drank my beer and pretended not to be interested.

"I wasn't any threat to them.  Why would they attack me?  Had the sense to keep my mouth shut and my eyes open.  Now *you* Dave, you'd be dead in a hot  minute!"

The crowd around him roared with laughter and slapped the two men on their backs.  I thought maybe the laughter was too loud, the hilarity forced.

 "What the fuck were you doin' there anyway?" Dave pressed.

"Oh hell, man.  I just went to meet some friends.  I was late.  They probably showed up, had a look around and split when they saw what  the deal was.  It was the fucking weirdest dinner of my life."  He paused, then muttered, "Think I'll be layin' low for awhile."

"Wonder what this broad thinks she's doing anyway," Dave groused.  "We need to stick together on this thing, ya know?  Fuck.  Sleepin' with the enemy, if ya ask me...."

"Yeah.  Maybe," was all Tonio would offer.

Dave snorted but didn't say  any more.  Conversation moved on to other things.  Tonio seemed to enjoy the company of his fellow males, laughed at their stupid attempts at humour and chuckled at all the right moments.  A part of me wondered  if his heart was really in it.  I decided I'd seen enough.  As I threw a few coins on the bar, the bartender called his thanks after me and I disappeared out the door without looking back.

 I would see beautiful Tonio again.
<><><><><>

Ish looked for him, to my amusement.  I could find him whenever I wanted, of course, but played my cards very close to my chest.  Auriel  would not be amused if Ish found Tonio and rekindled their friendship.  I think Tonio knew this quite well and he stayed well away from any of the places he was likely to run into her.

He was unpredictable in his  movements; stayed away from the neighbourhood bar and even though he seemed to like the dive on Union Square, was careful not to be seen there on a regular basis.  Didn't matter to me.  I could tap into his psychic  signature and track him down anywhere in the five boroughs.  I began to stalk him.

Sometimes, I just followed him, watched him with his buddies, watched him flirt with the ladies; controlled my jealousy when he got lucky.  I was tempted to fix it so that he would never see the young lady in question again but settled for planting seeds of deep aversion in her mind.  He was always too much of a gentleman to press the point when  it was clear he was not wanted.

Other times, I let him feel my presence.  The outward signs that he was aware of me were nearly unnoticeable but I could feel him relax his body, ready for flight or fight, whichever the situation demanded.  I teased him then, drew close, pulsing danger but backed away before he could ready himself for a fight.  Always confident, even in his fear;  I began to plot how we would meet.

Weekends used to be the time when any sensible New Yorker would have avoided Soho like the plague.  Not so recently.  Our battles have been more than successful and what we don't do to them, they do to each other.  There  are times when I can almost touch the fear that runs through this city now.  The tough ones remain and we move freely amongst them.

Tonio knew how to take advantage of the dwindling interest in the City's hot spots.  I Tre Merli had existed on Prince Street for as long as I could remember.  In its heyday, it had been a place of Continental charm, the cuisine from northern Italy, the waiters and waitresses dressed in  stylish, understated black.  The walls were still Mediterranean yellow and the lighting arranged so that a soft glow always enveloped the place.   The food now was magically put together from whatever was available and I recognised Others, like me, amongst the staff.  I knew Tonio would be here this evening.  I wore my hair loose, cascading down my back and over my shoulders.  I took more time deciding my makeup than I've ever taken in my life - dark, mysterious eyes, blood red lips.  I dressed in loose black trousers that ended in soft black leather boots.  My shirt was snow white cotton, unbuttoned at the throat and my  black leather jacket completed the look.  When I caught glimpses of myself in storefront windows, a beautiful, haunted woman peered back at me.  It was a sight that still, even after all these years, caused a flutter  in my stomach.

I ignored the looks as I entered the restaurant.  It was a sign of the times that the place was nearly empty.  Men and women mingled uneasily with creatures more like me.  My brothers and I ignored one another.  Perhaps they sensed I wanted to be alone this night, that I hid behind my more feminine side for a reason.   I ordered red wine and waited for Tonio.

I didn't wait long.  He came through the door and to my utter shock, he wasn't alone.  I stared at the creature on his arm and for a second, considered blasting her to hell.  It didn't help matters much that Tonio seemed wrapped around her slim little finger.

They passed me to sit further down the bar and as they went by, I fixed Tonio with a look.  Heat.  Look my way, pretty boy.  Black eyes fastened onto me and I barely smiled in return.  Yes.  I am here for you.

He shook himself before he started to stare and the prattle of his girlfriend faltered for a second as she took in our brief exchange.  Tonio's attention snapped back to her and she brightened considerably and chattered on.  She didn't notice the quick look he gave me over his shoulder.

I started to resign myself to failure this evening.  I'd deal with the female later.  No point in  wasting the evening entirely:  I decided to have dinner, some more wine and one or two of the boss' favourite cigarettes.  To keep myself in a good mood, I began to plot the demise of the little harlot as I smoked and  drank and watched them.  She stood suddenly, bent suggestively towards Tonio then headed off in the direction of the toilets.  I watched her for a minute then looked at him.  He was watching me like a hawk.

 Come say hello, Tonio.

I tossed back my hair and turned to my wine.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him stand and come towards me.

"Have we met somewhere?" he asked as he drew close.

 "I don't think so," I replied and smiled at him.

"Hmm.  Sorry.  It's just that....  I'm almost certain I know you from somewhere.  Do you hang out downtown a lot?"

 I laughed.  "No more than other people.  I'm Grey."

"Tonio."  His grip was strong and he moved fractionally closer to me as he held my hand.

 "Well, Tonio.  I guess we were meant to meet tonight if we haven't met before."

"Yeah," he answered vaguely.

He glanced over his shoulder anticipating her return.

 "You're tied up this evening."

"Yeah."  The 'unfortunately' hung between us.  I hadn't figured him for the shy type but he shifted his weight and looked for all the world like a kid who didn't  know what to do with himself. 

"I'm always around,"  I decided to take pity on the guy.  "You'll see me again.  Be sure you've dumped Miss America before you do."

His eyes widened at  my bitchy remark but there was a gleam of admiration there too.  Oh yes, darlin'.  You'll do *very* nicely.

"Here she comes now," I jerked my chin in her direction and Tonio gave me a look of  ... regret? ... as he turned back to her.  She shot me a look of distrust and dislike.  I winked at her.   As she whispered furiously with Tonio, I finished up my dinner.  It didn't take much to figure out  what she might be telling him.  He was too smart not to believe her.  His expression didn't change.  Once or twice, a smile played at the corners of his mouth which seemed to make her angrier.  He rubbed her arm and stood, then headed towards the gents.  I waited for her to come to me.

"He knows what you are, you know."  There was smug triumph in her voice.

 Go away, little girl.  Don't play with fire.  You'll go up in a puff of smoke where you stand.

Her eyes widened.  Then they hardened and she said, "Yeah.  Whatever.  But you stay away from  Tonio."

In a voice that was low and dangerous, I said,  "I don't think so.  Are you as stupid as you look?"

She backed away then.  When she thought she was a safe distance from me, she turned  and walked to her bar stool without a backwards glance.  I fished out a few bills, careful to leave a generous tip, and stalked out of the place.
<><><><><>

Remir and I are still best buddies.  I keep waiting for the friendship to fade, for our duties to our respective bosses to come between us.  Maybe it says a lot that this hasn't happened in all the years we've been in this life.  There  have been times when we have not met or even spoken for long periods - Adamnae and Auriel can be hard task masters - but we eventually get  together again and it's like no time has passed at all.

We drove much too  quickly and recklessly downtown, all the way to the Wall Street area.  These days, this part of town is mostly deserted.  If you know where to go, you can find dark, nearly empty bars tucked away amongst the vacant,  looming office buildings.  Remir and I liked this part of town.  Perfect for stalking shadows and men.

In the past, well dressed men and women would have given this particular dive atmosphere.  The place was  now nearly empty, the few 'patrons' looking like they'd just as soon stick a knife in you as talk to you.  They watched Remir and me with interest.  He was dressed for war, hair braided, wearing tough leather.  I  could feel every male in the place sizing us up and began to hope that some stupid bastard would be dumb enough to try to roll us.  I was still not in the best of moods from my failure with Tonio and Miss America seemed  stuck in my head.  Not a day passed when I didn't think about putting her out of my misery.  Don't know why I didn't.  Kicking some butt that, from where I was sitting, looked like it needed kicking, seemed just  what I needed to do right now.

"It's not hard to guess what you're thinking about, Grey.  Why the hell don't you just jump the boy and get it over with?"

 "Been hanging out with Adamnae too long, Remir."

Remir only laughed.  "Maybe.  But when it comes to certain things, the Boss is usually right."

 I grinned at him.  "Tonio wouldn't respect me in the morning."

"Probably not.  But he'd have the gift."

We laughed.  I sobered quickly and confessed, "I want it to be different for him.  I want him to want it."

"Want you," Remir corrected.

"Never could get much past you."

He grunted and drained his glass.

"Better take it easy tonight,"  I advised.   "I think we're gonna have to fight our way outta here."

He laughed.  "Half asleep I could kick every butt in here!"

  "Yeah well, wait 'til you're on your own to test out that little theory."

"One more and then let's split," he coaxed.

 I never could refuse him.  I gathered our empty glasses and turned towards the bar

*Grey!*

His call shattered my skull.  I nearly doubled over from the undisguised fear, animal and raw.  Remir was on his feet, his arms around me and the predators in the shadows watched us closely.

"Not here!  But hurry!"  I gasped.

We stumbled out the door and I saw several men leave their seats, a gleam in their eyes  that meant only one thing.  But the scream in my head drove us on.  I wasn't sure if Remir was reacting to my panic or if he too could hear it.  We turned down a dark alley and I knew we'd have only seconds to  work the magic before those goons from the bar caught up to us.  Swallowed by the darkness, Remir and I embraced, turned all that we were, thought, emotion, the touching of our bodies, onto the source of that scream.

 In seconds we were there.

Protect.  I knew immediately Tonio was on the ground.  Hulking shapes stood over him.  Destroy.  Between the two of us, the men never had a chance.  That look of surprised horror on their faces as they winked out of existence, a look I'd seen so many times, was never so sweet.  Bastards.

"My place," I snarled at Remir.

He froze.  "The boy's not yours yet, Grey.   I think it's a bad idea.  His place.  You can protect him from whoever comes looking for him...."

 "Don't be ridiculous.  No way am I taking him to his place.  Don't argue, Remir!  Do it now!"

Whatever else he had to say, I never heard it.  He put his arms around me and we worked the magic  that landed us in my Upper Westside fortress.

He was a mess, my poor boy, that handsome face nearly unrecognisable.  I panicked briefly about internal injuries but Remir assured me we'd gotten to Tonio before he could've sustained any serious damage.  It was Remir who kept his head, checked Tonio over and pronounced that he'd survive  easily.  For my part, I was stuck on the part where it said that Tonio was streetwise.  How  the hell had those guys jumped him?

His eyes struggled open and he tried to smile at me.

"I thought they might be you," he croaked with effort so obvious, the tears came to my eyes.

 "Out," Remir ordered and I obeyed without hesitation.

Shit.  My little games had nearly cost me something so important to me.  It began to penetrate my rage and my guilt that he'd read my thoughts as easily as if we'd been screwing forever.  Shit.

Remir came out of my bedroom.  He sat beside me and gathered me into his arms.

 "I'm staying the night.  Tonio will be fine.  He just needs some rest and some care."

"Did you find out what happened?"

"No.  He's too weak for that.  Hey.  You can find  that out later.  Right now, I just need to play nurse."

He pushed the hair away from my face and kissed my temple.  It nearly made my heart explode, the feelings he put into such a simple gesture.

"Let me make you tea and tuck you up," he murmured.  "You need to be rested for tomorrow."

He knew me so well.  Once I talked to Tonio, I'd be on the warpath.  Whoever was behind this would pay.
<><><><><>

I awoke on my floor, snuggled in three or four comforters Remir had arranged there.  There was a warmth against my back and I felt the familiar rise and fall of his chest.  I  closed my eyes with relief.  He was too good to me.  I sent a feeler out towards Tonio:  he was sleeping peacefully.  I was about to withdraw when

*Grey*

like a sigh.  Quietly, I tried to wiggle out of Remir's embrace.  He stirred and rolled away from me.

"No monkey business, Greythorn.  He's too weak,"  Remir mumbled before falling back into sleep.

As if I'd jump him in his  condition.  I heard Remir chuckle softly at the thought as I headed for my bedroom.

He smiled when he saw me.

"Guess I owe you one," he said.

I sat on my bed.  "You owe me a lot more than one but  we'll talk about that later.  Right now I wanna know who those assholes were."

I could feel him hesitate.  I resisted the urge to take what I wanted to know from him.

 "What happened to them?"  he asked.

I stretched, tossed my hair, then looked at the ceiling.  I let him see my exasperation.

"What the hell do you think happened to them?"

He closed his eyes.

"They were going to kill you.  I didn't hesitate, Tonio.  I'd do it again.  What did you think I would do?"

 "Yeah.  I know," he finally, weakly said.  "I knew you'd do exactly what you did."

"Okay.  Now that we got that straight...."

I leaned forward and kissed him, quickly but left no doubt as to how I felt about him.  He blushed and moved away a fraction when I released him.

"Who were they?"  I demanded softly, dangerously.

"I don't think I want to tell you," he sighed.

I  could feel his emotions churning.  He wasn't sure what to feel and his distraction was damn hard to ignore.  I was nude, my male organ semi-erect and I struggled to keep Remir's warning in my head.  I also wanted  to confirm what I suspected to be true.

"Why are you protecting her?"  I asked.

"Because I don't want to be responsible for any harm coming to her."

I made a sound deep in my chest:  it could've been a growl or a chuckle.  I moved towards him again and his hands were suddenly on me, pushing slightly.  I noticed he was looking healthier than he had any right to look and a part of me was suspicious  about what magic Remir had worked to get such improvement in such a short period of time.  I kissed him again, quickly and he laughed.

"Hurry up and get well,"  I told him huskily.

Once again I could feel that cocktail of emotions - growing arousal, fear, anxiety.  He still pushed against my chest and his hands on my skin were driving me crazy.  I was about to kiss him again, just one more little kiss, I told myself, when a hand fell on my shoulder.

"For Christsake, Greythorn!  Do you listen to a damn thing I say?"

I stood with an exaggerated sigh.  "Okay, okay.  I'm going."

Putting up my  hands in surrender, I backed out of the bedroom.  Remir glared at me before turning to his patient.  I blew Tonio a kiss and disappeared.  I could hear them talking softly and I sent a feeler out, curious as to  what was going on.  Remir blocked me and I retreated, amused. 

He came out of the bedroom a few minutes later, put his hands on his hips and glared at me.

"Okay!"  I said again.

 "Do I have to call over one of my boys to baby-sit you?"  he threatened.

I laughed.  "Like one of your thugs could stop me if I *really* wanted to take Tonio.  No, Remir.  I'll behave."

"Good.  I've got to meet the boss.  I'll check in later, okay?"

"Yeah.  Get the car while you're out."

 "You and that damn car.  Okay.  Only because you shouldn't leave the boy on his own."

"The boy.  He's got a name."

 Remir sniffed.  "When he's one of us, I'll call him by name."

"You're a bastard sometimes, Remir."

He grinned.  "And you love it.  I'll be back.  No monkey business, Grey."

 "Yes, sir!"

And he was gone.

Movement from the bedroom caught my eye.  Tonio appeared, clad in his jeans and bare-chested.  He smiled shyly and I knew if I didn't get some clothes on, I'd take him right  there on the floor.  I took a minute to squeeze into my jeans and then found Tonio rummaging through my fridge.

"Should you be up?"  I asked him.

 "I'm okay.  Thought I'd make an omelette.  Want some?"

I eyed him carefully, alert for any signs of fatigue.

Tonio.

"What?"

Speak to me silently.  Call me.

*Greythorn.*

I smiled and let him feel my pleasure.  Just wait, my beautiful boy.  Then I said, "I'll make some coffee."

He was a fantastic cook.  I didn't believe something so good could actually come out of my kitchen.  He cleared our plates and I fetched cigarettes, then joined him at the kitchen table to finish the coffee.  The marvellous thing about the apartments in these old pre-World War Two buildings is how big the  kitchens are.  Mine even had a window that was just large enough to get a glimpse of the Hudson flowing swiftly by.  I watched the river now and tried to plan my revenge.

He took my hand.

 *Grey.  Please don't harm her.*

She sent those goons to kill you!  There's only so far I'm willing to indulge you, Tonio.  You have a blind spot here.  I'm not gonna promise you anything and I don't wanna talk about it right now.

He squeezed my hand but remained silent about the woman.  I began to consider my alternatives.  I could order the job done but it was too much of a coward's way out.  If I want blood spilled, I should spill it myself.

"What charming domesticity,"  came a voice I recognised.

Tonio moved his hand so quickly, I thought my skin had turned to flame.  Auriel leaned over us, his magnificent  mane falling over his arm and the table.  When the cigarette was lit, he leaned against the counter and stared at us.

"Hi Rie," I said and willed my heart to beat regularly.

 "Were you going to check in with me today?"

"Yeah.  Soon as I knew Tonio was okay."

"Were you going to tell me about him?"

"Seems I didn't have to,"  I shot back.  It  was best to let Auriel know right away where things stood.  "Remir clue you in?"

Auriel laughed.  "You know better than that."

"Adamnae."

 "Of course."  Auriel shrugged.  He looked at Tonio and I dreaded what he'd say next.

He held his peace, however, and got himself a mug.  As he helped himself to coffee, he said, "Well, I suppose  I don't have to worry about Ish now.  Make him yours Grey and be quick about it."

Tonio flinched and I shot him a warning.  "He's already mine, Auriel.  Make no mistake about that."

Tonio  bristled and was about to let us know how pissed off he was getting.  Careful, babe.  He could blast us both where we sit.  He managed to control his growing anger and, trying to look like he didn't give a damn, he reached for a cigarette.

 The boss, not fooled for a moment, nodded.  As he sipped his coffee, I got a good look at him. Kohl ringed his eyes and he was dressed in tough leather; for war, I realised.  He  smiled at me when he saw I'd noticed his outfit.

"We've got business.  Can you leave your boy for awhile?"

"Yes," I replied, ignoring the fact that he had not used Tonio's name.

I stood.   Auriel dumped his mug in my sink and I moved for Tonio.  I felt his reluctance as I took him into my arms.  I nuzzled his neck, planted soft kisses there and felt his heart quicken.

"I'll be back.  You'd  better rest.  Remir will be back later and he'll kill me if he thinks you haven't been resting enough today,"  I murmured to him.

He laughed softly.  "By the time you get back," he murmured, "I'll be *really* tired of resting.  Know what I'm gonna do to you then?"

There was a tightening of my insides and the sensation shot straight to my breasts, straight to my groin.  I squeezed him to me and found his mouth.

"Don't tell me," I could barely get the words out.  "Let me think about it while I'm gone."

Auriel bore our goodbyes with obvious amusement.  I finally went to his side.  We worked the magic to take us to our camp and I turned my thoughts towards the task at hand; death.  The new warmth of my fortress was left behind.
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