A week later, Janus, Adian, Hunter, and Onyx had arrived in Juv and settled in as much as one can in their respective hotel rooms. Early one late spring morning, Snowhawk walked down an outer market street, browsing the vendors' wares. Her attention was caught by an excessively tall unicorn Delphin. He was blood bay in coloration, and seemed to be walking right to her. She gasped quietly and took a couple steps back as he strode to her. He stopped before her, seeming to examine her with his eyes, then gave a nod and left.

She gave a somewhat relieved sigh and looked at the Lupino working the stall next to her. "What the hell was that all about?" The Lupino shrugged, just as confused.

*********

Outside of Juv, Kione fumed. He was so close, yet so far away. "I won't let them win," he growled. He quietly stalked around the city, looking for a way in.

*********

Back in the city, Snowhawk joined Janus for a late breakfast. She was still somewhat unnerved by her encounter with the blood bay Delphin. "I don't know if I even trust this city," she admitted.

"Why's that, love?" he asked. She relayed to him the encounter from earlier. "I see," he frowned. "Have you mentioned this to anyone else?"

"No," she replied back, shaking her head. "I'm not even sure what the hell was going on, but it was all to familiar to being assesed for sale."

"Please rest assured that as long as Adian and myself are around, that will never happen again."

"I hope not. Sale days were terrifying."

*********

"So," Adian began, having just heard Snowhawk's encounter, "what will you do?"

"I'm not sure," Snowhawk replied. "The whole damn city knows I'm here. Thankfully, not why. I can't exactly hide in my room while Nytehawk undergoes her treatments."

"Why haven't you started yours, Snow?" Onyx asked, concerned.

"I'm waiting for Nytehawk to finish hers. If Rais only works on one of us, the treatments will go faster."

The old Guard frowned at her. "If you say so."

"Plus," she began, "you never know when Kione might get into the city. As a full vampire, I can resist his commands."

"What of Emerald?" Adian asked.

"There's been no hint of her these past weeks."

"We didn't see a hint of her for over a decade either, yet she suddenly appears and saves Kione."

"Then I'll fight her off best I can."

"For everyone's sake, I hope so."

"I can't sit back and wait to be saved," she replied, flattening her ears back. "Be glad I'm not out stalking that son of a bitch. He's made my life hell. And now I'm this."

"Snow..."

"I'm not like you, Adian, I don't enjoy it. My life will be long enough   with out this disease 'helping.'" She looked down and the turned to walk away.

"I don't enjoy it either, for the record," Adian frowned.

*********

Snowhawk soon found herself lost in Juv. She wasn't sure why she was so touchy lately. Perhaps Emerald was actually affecting her. She sighed and walked on, looking for any familiar signs. She soon saw something familiar, but it was not what she was looking for. It was the blood bay Delphin from earlier in the day. "Shit," she quietly gasped as he again walked toward her. She straightened, holding her head regally, all in an attempt to not run away and get herself further lost in the city.

He again approached her, again seeming to visually examine her. This time he grinned slightly and took her chin in his hand. Snowhawk quickly shook her head free. "You are stronger than you look," she stated, his grin growing.

"Who are you?" she growled.

"I'm surprised he never said anything about me to you."

"Who?"

"My prodigy, Kione, of course."

Snowhawk took a shocked step backwards. "Prodigy?"

"One of many. But perhaps he's outgrowing his usefulness. I know what you are. I know what your cousin is. And I know what Kione plans to do once he's gained access to my city."

"His plan? Your city?" Snowhawk was terribly confused. "Just who the /fuck/ are you?"

The blood bay Delphin chuckled a little at her language, then again reached out to stroke her face. "Yes, my city. I founded it. I control it. The only reason your entourage is here is because I will it. My name is Alcom."

Snowhawk gasped. She knew the name well, though, from the history of her species. "You were the first--"

"Ah, no need to name either of us. Never know who's listening. So let's go talk where it's safe." He placed his hand on her back and gently pushed her into walking. It was not a request.

They only walked for a short time before reaching his home. He led her inside and locked the door behind them.

"My staff was sent home for the day, so we're free to talk here."

"How are you still alive?" Snowhawk was still shocked.

"When this disease was created, it was tested on a dozen Delphin. I was the only survivor. So far, it's given me the only true gift of immortality. Given enough time, Kione will die. Most of my other pupils have, either from age or otherwise. You and your protector wolf shall as well."

"I don't plan on staying like this."

"Then hope Kione doesn't get into the city, or if he does, protect the Director well. Kione's intention is to destroy that whole team, and all of their research."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" she asked, more confused than ever.

"As I said, he may have outlived his usefulness. His turning of your cousin was reckless. His constant drive to get back who he lost has been reckless as well."

"You mean Emerald?"

"If you must use her name, yes. Her. She had her time. But now, its yours. Should your protector try the same if you die before him, I will put a stop to it. A second chance is enough."

"Why haven't you just taken care of Kione yourself?"

"His antics amused me for a while, but now you're here, and its as good a time as any to put a stop to them." Alcom walked to a small box on a low table. From the box, he removed a dark silver necklace. "I know Kione removed your locket and necklace. I know what happened in Di'aru, with you being taken over by her. My eyes and ears are everywhere when it comes to my offspring. Wear this, and any glimmer you feel of the grey mare will be gone."

Snowhawk carefully took the necklace. It was about an inch in width and would be close fitting once she put it on.

"And keep that. The grey mare will be a problem for you as long as you remain a vampire."

"Why are you helping me?" Snowhawk quietly asked, staring at the necklace in her hands.

"I am not the one to kill Kione. That job is for you, and your entourage. He must be dealt with, because he's lost sight that vampires are to be rare and remain hidden."

"But how are you leading this city? Its not exactly unknown who you are."

"I have my puppets."

"So vampires aren't completely gone from Juv."

"Just myself normally. Thralls don't count."

Snowhawk shook her head, not much less confused than she was before. "All this, just to kill another vampire..."

"My intention was not to put this on you. But now you're her here and it's a prime time to tie up this loose end."

"Very well," Snowhawk replied as she fastened the necklace on. "Consider him dead."

"Excellent."

*********

Alcom escorted Snowhawk back to the hotel. Janus met them out front, as he had been waiting in the lobby for her to return. "Oh, thank God, you're safe!" he said as he gathered her into his arms. "Where were you, and who is this?"

"I can't talk out here. We have a mission to go on."

"A what?" Janus confusedly asked. "Snowhawk, are you--"

"Let's go back to the room. I'll explain there."

"Very well, love, Janus nodded.

Alcom simply bowed to them, then left without speaking.

Back in their room, Janus sat on the edge of the bed, waiting on Snowhawk's explanation. "That was Alcom," she quietly began. "He's Kione's sire."

Janus was shocked. "He's still alive?!"

Snowhawk nodded. "Yes. And he's decreed that Kione is to die. By our hands."

"That's a tall order," Janus frowned.

"I have some ideas," she returned. "But its going to take all of us."

"I'm guessing the new necklace has something to do with it."

"Yes. Its dark silver. It will keep Emerald at bay."

"Well, that's one problem solved."

Snowhawk nodded again. "Thankfully."

"Should I call the others in so we can discuss the plan?"

"Yes,” she nodded, sitting in a nearby chair as Janus stood from the bed.