Disclaimer: The Sentinel and all of the character of said program belong to Pet Fly and Paramount. I don't own them but I just wanted to fool around with them for awhile. There's nothing wrong with that, is there? *blink innocently*
Author's Notes: Finished!! At last!! *evil laughter* Yes, folks. Believe it or not this is the end of the 'Discovery Series'. I hope that it has come to a satisfying end for all parties involved. This is not the last time that you'll be seeing Shakari and the wolves but I'm taking a break from the supernatural for a story or two. Don't know what the next one will be but I hope that you guys are still around for the ride. Feel free to email me with comments about the series which can be found on Wolfpup's page. Eek! Almost forgot! Thanks to my temporary betas whose suggestions made this last instalment better than it could have been!! On with the show!! :-)
Storm
Blair squirmed uncomfortably under Simon's gaze. The police captain hadn't stopped staring at the graduate student since he had entered the loft. Blair sighed and ran a hand over his face. Well, what did you expect, Blair? Twenty-four hours ago, you were a minor annoyance sometimes but a good friend. Now, you could as well be some freak of nature or something.
Unable to deal with Simon's scrutiny any longer, Blair rose and went outside to the balcony for a breath of fresh air. Subconsciously, he listened for the sentinel's presence. He smiled wryly as he heard Jim moving around in his bedroom upstairs, able to hear his friend's heartbeat as clearly as Jim could hear Blair's own. They had concocted a story for the police to protect not only Blair's new abilities, but the identities of Lawrence and Shakari as well. Seeing his partner's exhaustion, the sentinel had allowed him to return home with Shakari but he had returned to the station with Simon. Then, after filling out the tons of paperwork, Jim had brought his captain back to the loft. Filthy from the sewer escapade, Jim had showered and was now dressing while they were waiting for Shakari to return from her apartment upstairs.
He pushed away from the railing and went towards the front door. With his werewolf nature he could now sense the presence of other werewolves. Blair opened the door and waited for a couple of seconds as Shakari made her way down the hall.
You okay? she asked telepathically. Her brown eyes stared into his blue orbs.
What do you think? He shook his head and continued. Shar, it feels as though my life is falling apart! I mean now Simon knows! I couldn't help myself in the tunnel. When I saw that creep pointing that gun at that lady's head...
His words were halted as Shakari placed one of her hands gently against his lips. "I know, Blair. I know," she said quietly. "You lost a little control. It's all right. It happens to all of us."
Blair pulled her hand away and whispered, "But what if it happens again. This time at the university or something. What will I do?"
"Blair, look at me." His eyes raised and met with her own.
"Do you trust me?" she asked.
"Of course, I do."
"I will do everything in my power to get you back to normal, Blair. I make that promise with my life. I won't rest until Xavier's paid for what he's done to you," Shakari replied.
Blair stared at her for a minute and realized that she was serious. She would die for him without any hesitation. He wondered what he had done to deserve such friends.
UPSTAIRS
The sentinel sighed as he heard the conversation between Blair and Shakari. Again, he wondered how this could be happening. His spirit guide had warned him of impending danger but he still didn't understand the whole purpose of what had happened to his guide. He wondered just how much longer they could keep Blair's transformation a secret. It's easy for Shakari to say that he can lead a normal life but she's dealt with it for her entire existence. His belief systems, hell mine too, have been shot to hell and back. What are we going to do?
He pulled a shirt over his well-muscled torso and went down the stairs. Simon was sitting on the couch and he glanced at the approaching sentinel. Shakari and Blair entered and sat on the floor, prepared to tell Simon everything that had happened in the past couple of weeks.
Simon took a deep breath and asked quietly, "How long has he been like this?"
"Only a couple of weeks, Simon," Jim replied.
"And when were you planning on informing me, Jim? When the kid wigged out at the station?"
"Sir," Jim said defensively, "we had decided among ourselves to keep this a secret until an antidote could be found. I wasn't lying to you when you asked why Sandburg wasn't in the station for the past week."
Simon raised his eyebrows and said, "Really? You said something about him having to take over some extra classes." As he spoke, his voice rose. "That wasn't lying, Jim? Are you obfuscating like the kid now?"
The sentinel began to clench his jaw as he started to get more than a little annoyed. Shakari could see the tension in his shoulder muscles.
"What did you expect me to say, sir? Oh, well, Blair's not really here right now because he's been turned into a werewolf?" exclaimed Jim.
"A what? What in the hell are you talking about J.."
Blair leapt from his position on the floor and shouted, "That's it! Will the two of you stop acting like I'm not here? I hate it when you do that!" He faced his two friends as their eyes widened in response to his outburst. I don't care if I'm freaking them out. It's time that they stopped treating me like a child! "Simon, don't you dare tell me that we've lost our minds. Get it through your twentieth century mind that werewolves exist and that I'm one!" Jim's mouth opened to say something but Blair waved his hand in the air and said, "And don't you start with me, Jim. Just because you're my Blessed Protector doesn't mean that you're in control of my life. Well, your precious abilities didn't exactly help me out here did they!" Blair knew that he should stop especially when he saw the hurt flash across his friend's face but he couldn't help himself.
Uh oh. Shakari put a hand on Blair's arm and said, "Blair, just calm down, okay."
Blair spun around and turned his anger on his old friend. "And why should I, huh? You've been acting like this thing is no big deal. Well, it is! I can't live a normal life anymore, Shar! No matter what you tell me," he paused and took a deep breath, "like you, I'm an outsider." He was about to continue his little tirade when he saw the shocked expression on her face. He dropped his shoulders and backed away slowly from the three of them. Trying to escape their shock, he slipped his feet out of the sandals he was wearing and ran to the balcony. Without a conscious thought, he morphed his hands and feet and climbed up to the roof.
Simon stared at the spot from which Blair had disappeared for a couple of seconds and then said quietly, "I really, really need a cigar right now."
"You and me both," replied Jim. He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. This is what I was afraid of. He's under too much stress and there doesn't seem to be a solution to his problem. Suddenly, the sound of a large cat interrupted his thoughts. He snapped his ice-blue eyes around to the balcony and could discern the panther from the darkness. The cat growled again and fixed its gaze on the roof.
The Sentinel heard the voice of his Spirit Guide clearly in his head. Do you still not understand what I told you, Enqueri?
Jim's eyes narrowed and he replied, What do you mean?
The cat stared at him and continued, Is your Guide's situation all that different from your own?
The blood drained from the sentinel's face. How could I have not seen it before? Blair's acting the same way that I did when I thought that I was going crazy. Pushing everyone away by lashing out at us. He believed in me when I manifested my sentinel abilities, now I have to believe in him. I have to be his Guide. Not his blessed protector. He nodded slightly at the cat and it growled in reply. Then it leapt over the side, disappearing into the night.
Shakari watched as Jim had the exchange with the panther. She hadn't seen it but her abilities gave her some sense of the supernatural and she had felt a presence while Jim had stared out of the balcony doors. She saw him rise from the couch and start moving towards the front door to go to the roof. Shakari rose gracefully from her position on the floor and said, "I can get you up there quicker, you know."
Jim stopped and then nodded curtly. "Simon, Shakari will be back to explain everything to you. Listen to her, sir. No matter how crazy it sounds, she's telling you the truth." Then he stalked on to the balcony with Shakari close behind.
She morphed into her humanoid form, towering a head over the sentinel. Gently, she wrapped one of her arms around Jim's waist and leapt into the air, easily reaching a height a few feet above the roof before they began to descend. She smiled as Jim gasped with the sudden movement and felt his hands clutch her waist more tightly. She looked in Blair's direction, his back to the two of them. I'd better give them some privacy. The two of them need to talk this over. Then, she leapt over the side of the building, landing on Jim's balcony with a slight thump.
Jim stared at the hunched back of his best friend and he took a deep breath. Let me find the right words to say to him like he did to me. He walked slowly over to Blair's side and sat next to him. Greeted by silence, the sentinel scanned Blair's face. The few lines that were present seemed to be more deeply etched into the weary expression.
"You know what's funny, Jim?" Blair asked quietly, breaking the comfortable silence.
"What?"
"I'm not afraid of heights any more, man," he replied, throwing a sidelong glance in Jim's direction. The sentinel only then consciously realized that they were sitting on the edge of a three-story building and Blair was totally quiet.
Blair swung his feet up casually and lay down so that his head was resting near Jim. "It's kinda weird, actually. It's like...I know that I can't fall."
"Well, Chief, let's hope that you won't have to test out that theory again." An image of a transformed, critically wounded Blair, supporting the two on them on the cliff face flashed through Jim's mind. Shaking himself slightly, he looked down at his friend. The two pairs of blue orbs locked, each examining the other for ways to give comfort.
Blair broke the stare first and said quietly, "Jim, what I said a couple of minutes..." Blair closed his eyes for an instant trying to find the words to continue. Why is it so hard? He took a deep breath and continued, "I didn't mean what I said. I'm just..."
"Frustrated, angry at everyone and everything, tired...scared," Jim said quietly.
Blair returned his gaze to his friend's profile and could see the tension that had developed. He said nothing, waiting for Jim to continue.
"Don't feel that I don't know what you're going through. You think you're a freak of nature, a genetic throwback." Jim looked at his prone friend and sighed. "I feel even worse, Chief. I'm supposed to be your Blessed Protector and this is what happens to you."
"Jim, it's not your fault, man. You've got to get over this guilt trip. What I said about you not protecting me earlier. I really didn't mean that. You've given me more than I even thought possible. A home but more importantly stability and friendship."
Jim smiled and said, "No, I should be thanking you for what you did for me. You brought me out from behind the wall that I had erected. You should've seen me before you found me, Chief. A real hard-ass."
"You mean you aren't one now?" asked Blair impishly.
"Very funny, Chief." Jim lightly tapped Blair's forehead. Silence descended again, the two men collecting their thoughts.
"There's something else, Jim, I've always been a little...jealous, I guess of your Sentinel abilities, man."
Jim's head swiveled in his partner's direction, his forehead creased and eyebrows raised. For a few seconds he didn't know what to say. "Chief...why? They're not all that they're cracked up to be, trust me."
Smirking Blair replied, "You can say that cause you've lived with them all your life, Jim. You don't realize when you're not using them. Subconsciously, they are active all the time. Sure, I taught you how to increase and decrease the level but at 'normal' levels for you the input is far above that of an ordinary human. Now, with my transformation I can know at least some of what you experience. Just look at the sky, man! It's so..." Blair spread his arms wide, as words failed to express the clarity in which he saw the night sky.
The sentinel also turned his gaze upward, examining the contrast between the stars and the blackness. "Yeah, it's pretty amazing sometimes, isn't it?"
"Amazing just doesn't cut it, Jim. Stupendous, maybe but amazing doesn't make the grade. I don't think I have to worry about the zone-out factor though. Shar hasn't mentioned anything about it." As he thought about what he had said to his next best friend after Jim Ellison, he winced. "I have to talk to her. I can't believe how idiotic I was before! I mean, she's had to hide what she was from the rest of the world for all of her life and I say that she's an outsider. God, how stupid can one guy get?"
Jim looked down at Blair who had by this time put one of his arms over his eyes. Gently, he grasped Blair's wrist and removed the arm to see eyes that reflected the anguish that Blair was feeling. "You have to apologize to her, Chief. She's trying to help you."
"I know, I know. I was just... really upset. Could you do me a favor and tell Shar that I want to see her? We need to talk about some stuff, alone."
"Sure, Chief. With a final pat on Blair's shoulder, the sentinel rose and walked back to the loft.
Blair tried to collect his thoughts as he heard Shakari vault onto the roof behind him. He sat up and assumed the lotus position so that he was facing Shakari's approaching figure. She sat down in a similar position opposite him. Blair bowed his head, taking sudden interest in his fingers.
"I'm not mad at you, you know. I'm a little hurt maybe but not mad," she said quietly. She watched as his loose curly hair fell over his eyes as he raised his head. She sighed and continued. "I understand what you're going through, Blair. Or I'm trying to understand as much as I possibly can. I grew up with the knowledge that I was a werewolf all my life. My parents didn't hide their abilities from me when I was a child."
Blair arched his eyebrows and asked, "Really? Then, wasn't it...weird?"
She smiled and said, "You mean because we weren't human? It was kinda funny actually. I mean, when I was a kid, I'd laugh my head off watching the other kids. They were so...clumsy. I literally had to learn how to restrain myself from doing acrobatics around other people. When I'm in this form, it's like I'm another person." Her smile faded and she lowered her eyes. "The first human that found out was Sam and well, you know how that turned out."
Blair blushed as his earlier comment about Shakari's status as an outsider surfaced. He looked at her face when he felt a gentle touch of her hand on his knee.
Blair you were angry and upset. I've grown up with the knowledge that I'm different from humanity. I had to deal with the feelings of being different but I came to accept it. I had no choice. My being a werewolf is a normal state of being for me. I try to put myself in your position. Up to a couple of weeks ago you thought you were an ordinary human being. Then by some weird coincidence your whole perspective was shattered.
Blair tried to swallow past the knot that seemed to have developed in his throat. It's just that...I keep thinking what will happen to me if we don't find an antidote or something. How am I going to tell Naomi? He sniffed and jerkily wiped at the tears that were gathering at the corners of his eyes.
Shakari quickly moved to sit beside him and draped an arm around his shoulders. She started rubbing his arms and said, "Shhhh, it's all right, Blair."
Blair let the dam break and he buried his face in her shoulder and let all the feelings of despair pour out. He let out harsh sobs, his shoulders shuddering with the effort. Shakari just rocked slowly from side to side, rubbing and patting his arms. Gradually, his tears trailed off and eased to small gasps.
When he stopped crying, Shakari looked down to see his red-rimmed eyes staring at hers. Do you remember what I said earlier? That I would solve this even if it cost me my life?
Blair closed his eyes and thought, How could I forget. Then I brushed you off like a real jerk. Shar, I don't want you to sacrifice your life so that I can go back to normal. God, I feel guilty enough sometimes when I see how seriously Jim takes that Blessed Protector thing. It's frightening to realize that someone cares about you so much that they'd die for you. The pressure of her hand under his chin forced his gaze to meet stern dark brown eyes.
Do you think so little of our friendship that you think that I'm not worthy of me dying for you? She sensed that he was going to cut her off but she continued. No. You listen to me, Blair Sandburg. You're the brother that I never had. In some ways the two of us are closer than Lawrence and I. We talk about things that I could never tell him, even though we haven't seen each other for the past five years. I love you, Blair and if I have to die for you then I will. Okay? Unable to say anything after her speech, he just nodded his head. She kissed him on the forehead and hugged him more tightly. Good. Now let's join Jim and Simon. I have something to tell all three of you.
THE LOFT
"I have to leave for awhile," she said quietly. "Lawrence will take my place watching over the two of you."
"What? Why?" asked Simon.
She lifted her eyes to look at the stunned group before her. "I'm not abandoning you guys but this is too important for me to ignore. We need to find out who has been feeding Xavier information about our sect's hiding places. If something else happens and we need to hide I can't take you to those other places. He'll know about them and then we're finished. No matter how powerful I am, I can't fend off Xavier and his minions by myself."
"You're going alone?" Jim frowned slightly and continued, "Shar, you've said yourself how dangerous he is, are you going to be safe?"
"I know it's dangerous, Jim; but trust me, I'll be fine." Leaning forward from her seat on the countertop, she continued, waving a hand in the air. "I'm meeting another wolf while I'm looking for the five elders." She looked down at her toes and gently bit her lips. "I have to admit. I'm a bit nervous," she whispered.
Blair cast a confused look at Jim. "Shar, I don't understand."
Like a child, she swung her feet back and forth, silent as she contemplated on how to answer him. Suddenly, she used her arms to propel herself upward and she stood on the countertop. Still silent, she paced. "They don't know about me."
"What? Wait a sec, what do you mean they don't know about you?" Blair asked.
She stopped her pacing and said, "My existence has been kept secret among our sect. Most of my people don't know who I am." She sighed and jumped down, continuing her pacing on the floor. "I'm...special. It was decided long ago that until the time was right, my existence wouldn't be revealed. I want to tell you more but...I can't."
Jim began to clench his jaw, grinding his molars so hard that they began to ache almost immediately. He took a deep breath and said, "I don't like secrets, Shakari. Don't you trust us?"
His reply made her stop dead in her tracks. She whirled around, beginning to get annoyed at the sentinel. "Of course, I trust you but I can't tell you about this stuff. There are certain clan secrets that humans are never supposed to know about."
Her explanation, or lack of one, left a bitter taste in his mouth. It reminded him too much of his time in Covert Ops when they were given mission briefings. He hadn't played the part of the willing stooge then and he wasn't going to start playing one now. He rose from the couch and stood before the werewolf. "I can't accept that, Shar. Blair's a werewolf now so he should know what you're hiding!"
Her eyes closed and she took a deep breath, trying to calm the rising anger. "Jim, you don't understand."
"You got that right I don't understand!" I don't believe her! She's standing here expecting us to accept her statements like mindless sheep. He clutched her shoulders and said, "You talk about dying for Blair but when you don't trust us enough to talk to us, somehow I'm a bit skeptical about your promise."
She snarled and easily batted his hands away. "Don't you dare try to tell me what I mean and what I don't mean!" The vehemence in her voice made Jim back away a few steps. "You know what your problem is Jim? Control! The big bad sentinel always has to have his way but you listen to me." Her voice dropped to a dangerously low level. "This time you have to step back and let me do what I have to do." She flung an arm out and pointed at Blair. "Help him deal with this but never, ever, presume to speak to me like that again!" She drew a shaky breath, shuddering with the effort to calm down. "I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll be back in a week." She stalked past the stunned man and walked out of the loft.
SHAKARI'S APARTMENT
Shakari slammed the door so hard that it shuddered in its grooves. She stalked past Lawrence who was watching her calmly from the couch. "Don't start," she said as she entered her bedroom.
Start what? he asked telepathically? He raised his eyebrows as he heard his ex-pupil letting out a frustrated sigh. He waited for an answer but the only sounds that greeted him were those of drawers slamming. Sighing, he rose from the chair and went to stand in the doorway.
Shakari continued to throw clothes into her duffel bag but when she sensed that he was watching her, she raised her eyes to meet his.
"You're putting your friend above the concerns of the rest of the clan, Shakari," he said quietly.
She threw down the pile of shirts that she had gathered and said angrily, "Look, Lawrence, I know that you don't want me to go after the elders but I have to do this, for his sake and the clan's! We can't progress with a traitor in our midst!"
Lawrence clenched his fists and continued, "But who's more important, Shakari. Once you would've put our needs above anyone else's. Your responsibility..."
"Don't tell me about responsibility! Every damn day of my life I have to live with the knowledge of who I am and what I have to do! You drilled into me what my responsibility to the clan entails! Do you think that's easy, huh? I wouldn't be doing this if Xavier would play by the damn rules! He's forced our hand and I have to respond. He is not going to destroy what we've worked so hard to build. The crazy bastard is trying to turn humanity into werewolves! What am I supposed to do, huh? Sit and twiddle my thumbs while he goes ahead with his insane plans? Isn't that against everything that you taught me? We are protectors and I'm going to make sure that our people follow that part of the old ways. But what hurts me the most is that you think that I'm not ready!" She spun around and put her hands on the cupboard, shoulders heaving with the anger that she was trying to keep inside.
Anything else that he was going to say instantly left his mind as he saw her in that position. A scared and confused girl was before him, not who she was destined to be. Quickly he crossed the room and enveloped her in his arms. At first she resisted his efforts, muscles tense, but he didn't give in and gradually she melted into his arms. I don't want you to leave angry, Shakari. I'm just worried about you. I trained you from the time you could walk. This has been my role. To train the chosen one if he or she emerged in my lifetime. I see you and I can't help but think of you as my child. He buried his face into her hair.
She grasped one of his hands and closed her eyes, feeling the strength that he offered. I know. I'm sorry, teacher. Can we just forget what happened? Shakari grinned as she heard his muffled laugh.
Yes, little one. We can. But deep within his heart, he wondered, Is she really ready for this?
THREE a.m.
Blair stirred as he felt Shakari's presence in his room. He opened his eyes to see her standing at the edge of his bed, a bag slung over her shoulder. She said nothing as his eyes opened and he looked at her blearily. Shakari bent and kissed him gently on the forehead, running her hands through his curly brown hair. I just wanted to say goodbye, Blair. Go back to sleep. She smiled as his eyelids closed over his brilliantly blue orbs. He was asleep again almost instantly.
She stroked his hair one more time. Then, Shakari gently replaced the sheets that he had kicked off during his dreams, smiling even wider as he snuggled further into the mattress. I'll be back for you. Silently she exited his room, then paused as she felt a pair of eyes watching her. She glanced over her shoulder to see the ice-blue eyes of the sentinel. What now, Jim? I hope that I haven't lost your trust cause I know that we can't succeed unless you're with us, she thought. Then he nodded slightly and she smiled. Leaping onto the roof, she bounded from building to building, knowing that everything was all right.
FOUR DAYS LATER
The wolf approached his master's inner sanctum. He walked with the pride of his forefathers in his soul, the stride of a warrior. He pushed the metal doors that were ornately carved with scenes of bloodshed, to be greeted by Xavier's back. He continued his progress until he was about ten feet away and then he knelt, placing his fist over his heart. "Master," he said quietly.
Xavier continued to fix his gaze on the vista before him. Rolling mountains and a dense forest stretched for miles from his fortress, which was carved into a mountain. "She gets closer to our plans," he said quietly.
"Yes, my lord," he tried to hide the seeds of doubt that entered his voice as he wondered how Xavier could be taking this development so lightly.
Xavier glanced over his shoulder, with a questioning look on his face. "Do you doubt me, Samuel?"
"N..no, my liege," Samuel said quickly. "It's just that, she's exceeding our expectations." He didn't dare raise his head as he heard his master's footsteps approaching. He felt a touch on his shoulder and was forced to look up as Xavier's other hand forced his chin up. Samuel swallowed hard as he looked into eyes that represented never ending pools of darkness.
Xavier said quietly, "Samuel, you are the only one in this sect that I trust with my life. You taught me and now you doubt our work?"
Samuel shuddered as he felt Xavier's telepathic touch, skimming the edges of his consciousness. He knew that any lie on his part would be detected by his former pupil. "I apologize for my weakness, Xavier. I have shown I'm not worthy to be your second. Do what you will." With fear in his heart, he waited for the expected retribution. Instead he felt Xavier withdraw into his own mind and inwardly he sighed with relief.
Xavier grasped his shoulders and guided him to the feet. They looked each other in the eye and Xavier nodded. "You are worthy in my eyes, Samuel. I understand your doubt. Once, I underestimated her myself but never again. She'll find out about our link with Mikhail, but that was inevitable. He has outlived his usefulness." He turned away and went to a desk, taking two silver balls from its surface. Casually, he began to twirl them in his hands. "It's time. We go and finish this tomorrow."
Samuel bowed and took his leave of Xavier, closing the doors behind him. A smile touched his lips as he realized that he was about to see the fruits of his labor manifest themselves. Xavier was everything that he had been trained to be and more. After all, he was trained by the best. Me.
THE NEXT DAY
Blair stepped out of the anthropology building and took a deep breath of the clean, warm air. Cascade was having a late summer but he wasn't complaining. The weather had been fantastic for the past week, the unexpected heat allowing the population to temporarily put away the coats and don the shirts and shorts. He slung his backpack over one of his shoulders, whistling as he made his way to the parking lot. Kinda weird, actually, he thought, This awesome weather just does not reflect the atmosphere in the loft a couple of nights ago. He sighed as he thought about the argument that had occurred. What's the probability of two roommates making complete asses of themselves in one night?
For a day or two, the tension in the loft had been thick as the two men had different views as to why Shakari wouldn't tell them the whole story. Jim, with his military background was naturally suspicious while Blair, having known her for a lot longer, trusted her with his life. Fortunately, one night they had sat on the balcony, sipping beers and talked about what was happening. They had come to an agreement. He understood Jim's reservations and Jim admitted that he hadn't lost his trust in Shakari but he just didn't like being in the dark.
He stuck his hand in his pocket and fumbled for the keys to the Volvo for a couple of seconds. He had just put the key into the lock when he froze. Oh god. Whirling around, he dropped the backpack, his eyes searching his surroundings frantically. His gaze darted from building to building and his breath caught in his throat as he detected at least eight pairs of eyes. He slowly backed away from the predatory hunger that he saw in the pools of darkness.
Blair weighed his options. Back into the anthro building is a definition no-no. Shit! One by one the figures seemed to melt out of the darkness. Blair began to back into the alley between two nearby department buildings. Then sensing that the wolves were about to spring, he turned and ran.
Damn it, Lawrence! I could really use your help right now, man! Blair glanced behind him trying to discern the figures from the darkness, when he slammed into a rock hard figure. Dazed, he hit the ground and looked up. No! Dear god, no! he screamed in his mind as he saw the figure before him.
Xavier was just as terrifying and yet strangely beautiful to behold, as Shakari was in her humanoid form. He was no less than perfect, with the same claw mark on his thigh as Shakari and just as muscular. Xavier bent down and grasped Blair's face, easily restraining him as he tried to wrench his trembling frame from Xavier's hold. "Hello, Blair. I told you that you'll be mine."
Blair morphed and tried to wrench Xavier's hand from his face. "Let go of me, you piece of shit! You'll never own me!" Xavier's other hand came up and wrenched his head back by his hair, causing searing pain to radiate through his skull.
Xavier admired Blair's bravado, even though he knew that Blair was scared out of his mind. He let his claw rake Blair's face, watching as the cut welled with blood. "Temper, temper, Blair." Releasing Blair, he backed away a couple of steps.
Blair rose to his haunches warily, ready to fight if he had to. His eyes narrowed, wondering why Xavier was backing away.
Xavier raised the thumb that had the droplets of Blair's blood, watching as the red liquid glistened in the moonlight. Then, he stared into Blair's eyes as he raised his finger to his mouth and gently licked the blood away, letting it roll around his mouth before swallowing the precious fluid. "Want a taste? There's nothing quite like it," Xavier said smugly.
Blair's eyes widened at Xavier's display and he backed up to the wall. He glanced down the alley to see Xavier's minions watching the confrontation between the two men. Desperate, Blair started to scale the wall, leaping onto the roof of the four-story building. As he bounded from roof to roof, he heard Xavier say quietly, "That's it, Blair. Run." Blair reached into this own mind and tried to quench the panic so that he could contact Lawrence telepathically. Lawrence, man, if you can hear me, Xavier's here!
Down in the alley, Samuel approached Xavier and they smiled as they could detect Blair's telepathic attempt. Xavier turned to Samuel and said, "Go after him but if anyone hurts him too badly, they'll have to answer to me. Is that understood?" Samuel nodded and placed his fist over his heart in the symbol of ultimate loyalty. "Good."
Xavier watched as his followers pursued the prey. Blair's special. Having him in my army wouldn't hurt at all. And if he refuses, well, he can join the list of Shakari's friends who have died by my hand. When we at last fight for our rightful place, she'll be careless with grief and if she doesn't accept my offer, she'll die. The thought of feasting on her flesh sent a shiver down his spine. Suppressing the pleasure, he thought, Enough of the self-indulgence, Xavier. Time to prepare for the other players in this game. The lids fell over the black pools that were his eyes. Anyone who would have entered the alley at that moment couldn't discern the wolf from the darkness and would have marveled at the glowing white lines that seemed to be suspended in midair.
THE LOFT
One of Jim's neighbors was passing by his door, when she heard the shouting. At first, she wondered what was going on but then she remembered. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, as she inserted the keys into the lock. Men.
Simon was laughing at the distraught expressions on the faces of his best detective and the werewolf next to him. He leaned back into the plush couch and put his hands behind his head. "Well, gentlemen, it was just like I said. Now pay up."
Jim and Lawrence glanced at each other and then at Simon's outstretched palm. Resigned to their fate, they reached into their wallets and pulled out one hundred dollars each. Jim looked at the captain and something clicked in his mind. Simon didn't seem all that excited during this game. Not as passionate as he usually is. Almost as though... He grumbled, "You rigged this didn't you, Simon? You knew the result of the game before we sat to watch it."
Simon grinned as he happily began counting the bills. "Now Jim. When you asked whether or not I had watched the game, I didn't lie to you. I hadn't seen it, however, I had heard the result on the radio," he chuckled.
Lawrence gave a sidelong glance at the captain and said, "That was wrong, Simon. Just wrong."
He just laughed even harder and said, "Well, just blame it on hanging around Sandburg, too much. And as revenge for Jim not letting me smoke in his truck."
Jim got up from the couch and went to the kitchen to get some more beer. "I really have to talk to that kid about his obfuscation. He's starting to influence the rest of..." The sentinel's head snapped up as he heard Lawrence gasp and his heart rate go through the roof. Lawrence had tensed up and he seemed to be staring into space. The only word that escaped from his lips was, "Blair." Jim rushed over to Lawrence's side and grasped him by his shoulders, shaking the werewolf slightly. "Lawrence, what's wrong?" he asked desperately.
Lawrence shook himself out of his reverie, morphing instantaneously. He growled and ran past the stunned detective onto the balcony. He snarled, "It's Xavier. He's after Blair."
Jim saw the muscles bunching in the werewolf's legs as he was ready to leap onto the roof and he shouted, "Lawrence, take me with you."
The werewolf paused, glancing at the sentinel. With incredible speed, he sped back into the apartment and swept Jim into his arms. Then in a split second, they were leaping across the roofs. Jim stared at the streets that were blurring as they passed them by. Hold on, Chief. Just hold on.
SOMEWHERE IN AFRICA
Two figures cut through the shadows and stopped at the entrance to the imposing building. They glanced at each other. The woman known as Talia asked quietly, "How do you want to play this one, Shar?"
Shakari took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes. "It must be him. We've eliminated the others but I'll try to be as diplomatic as possible. Lawrence and I could have been wrong about the list."
Talia snorted and said, "Somehow, I doubt that. We have to be careful, he knows we're out here."
"If he didn't know that we were out here I'd have less respect for him than I do now. Come on." Shakari composed herself, gathering her strength. A slight creak could be heard as she pushed the steel doors to face a long corridor, the only illumination was provided by dim lights which lined the walls. No sound could be heard as they made their way to the ceiling high door at the end of the corridor. Both of them sensed Mikhail's presence behind it.
Shakari flung open the door, her eyes zeroing in on Mikhail's seated form. Not a muscle twitched as they entered the room and stopped behind him. Bowing her head, her eyes closed, her lips opening to utter the age old tradition of her people. "Long life to you, old one."
"And the same to you, young one," he said quietly. His eyes opened to reveal a shade of gray that made them seem almost white. "Why have you come here?"
"Elder, disturbing things are happening in our sect." She cleared her throat and continued, "Recent events have indicated that someone has," she paused trying to put her words the right way so that this wouldn't escalate if she was wrong, "told the other clan of our safe houses."
"And you think that I have done so?"
At the note of anger that entered his voice, her head snapped up and she narrowed her eyes. Her voice took on an equally dangerous tone and she said, "You said it, not I."
In an instant, Mikhail bounded from the floor. Shakari saw his arm move and she caught a flash of metal as something streaked towards her face. She snarled and her hands came up to catch the four shurikens that he had thrown. But he wasn't done there. He snatched up a sword and dashed towards her. She deftly leapt into the air when she heard Talia shout her name. She pivoted in midair, and when she landed, she was clutching the two sais that Talia had given to her. Each hand held one of the three-pronged weapons, the middle and longest prong, pointing at her new enemy. Her mouth formed a humorless smile and she said, "Well, this is going to be interesting."
CASCADE
A group of homeless people ran screaming from an alley, babbling about demons and the end of the world. They didn't know how close they were to the truth, from Blair Sandburg's perspective. He had just flung one of his attackers into the alley below and now he faced the others. The snarling pack quieted and parted instantly as another wolf walked among them. Samuel stopped in front of Blair and said, "Enough with the play. You come with us now."
"Never!" He glanced around frantically for a way out but he had just run out of options. The only way that he was going to escape was by going through Samuel and his group.
Samuel shook his head and said, "Your bravado is wasted on me. Xavier wants you for some reason and I never fail him. This ends now." He leapt forward faster than Blair could avoid him and clutched Blair by the throat. Samuel lifted him into the air and then flung him into the alley below with crushing force.
Lawrence rushed into the alley just in time to see Blair hit the ground. Jim screamed Blair's name and immediately, Lawrence dashed to Blair's moaning form. He set Jim down and hunched protectively before the pair as the pack of wolves descended from above.
Lawrence uttered a terrible roar and Jim gasped as he morphed even further, loosing almost any sense of humanity. He snarled as Xavier's second in command landed with such force that he made an imprint on the concrete surface, small chips flying from his impact.
The sentinel turned his attention back to Blair, who was gasping for air and groaning. "Easy, Chief, easy."
Blue irises stared at the detective, clouded with pain. "J...Jim," he managed to gasp out.
Jim clutched one of Blair's clawed hands in his own and said, "Yeah, Chief. It's me. Hold still for a bit, okay? We're going to get you out of this." Quickly, he ran his sentinel sensitive touch over Blair's torso. What the...? He ran his fingers over the rib cage again and froze as he felt the broken bones knitting back together at a tremendous rate.
Blair took a shuddering breath and was relieved to find that he could inhale without the fire in his chest. When he realized that Jim's hand hadn't moved for a minute, he opened his eyes and saw the fixed look on his face. "Jim, man, this is not the time. Oww," he gasped as he sat up, maintaining the grip that he had on the sentinel's hand. He put his other hand on the detective's chin and forced Jim to look into his eyes. "Jim, snap out of it," he said in a fierce whisper. Blair glanced down the alley to see Samuel and Lawrence locked in a vicious struggle. He focused on his best friend and said, "Jim, follow my voice back. I'm all right. Don't do this to me now." He smiled as he saw Jim's pupils becoming smaller, regaining their focus.
Jim took a deep breath and closed his eyes momentarily, recovering from the zone-out. He opened his eyes to meet Blair's gaze. Automatically, Jim reached out for Blair's torso again, to feel the perfectly healed ribcage. "How...? You didn't heal this fast the last time."
"I don't know either but maybe there was less damage this time or something." He glanced back down the alley to see Lawrence and Samuel facing each other, panting heavily and bleeding from numerous cuts all over their bodies.
Lawrence was aware of the pair staring at him and he said, "Leave. I'll take care of this."
They got to their feet but they hesitated. They were badly outnumbered but they couldn't leave Lawrence there alone. Jim stepped forward, his body tense as Lawrence's command went against everything that he had learned with the Rangers. "Lawrence."
"Jim, leave now!" For the first time in years, Lawrence was afraid, not for himself but for the two behind him. He knew that he could beat Samuel and his companions eventually but Xavier? Damn it, where is he? While he had been fighting, he had been trying to scan the area for Xavier's presence but he wasn't picking up anything. Damn it! He's learned how to block me. He turned his attention to Blair. Blair, Xavier's out there somewhere I can't find him. Take Jim and go!
Blair stared at the older man's back for a couple of seconds then he nodded. He didn't want to leave either and he had his doubts that Lawrence could beat Xavier in a fight but he had to think about Jim. Quickly, he snatched Jim into his arms and was about to run when he felt a white, hot lance of pain go through his head. Unable to scream, Blair gurgled and was unconscious before he hit the asphalt.
Jim winced as he slammed his ribs into the hard surface but he instantly ignored the pain when his enhanced senses told him that Blair was unconscious. "Blair?" He grasped his friend's shoulder, shaking him but getting no response. What the...? One minute Blair was carrying him and then he had felt every muscle in Blair's body tense. Before they had fallen, Jim had heard a moan. He was about to shift his hold so that he could try to drag Blair out when he froze, a familiar heartbeat registering on his consciousness. He looked up just in time to see Xavier land in the alley.
Lawrence whirled around at the sound to meet Xavier's almost black eyes.
"Long time no see, Lawrence. How is your dear pupil these days? Going after wild goose chases?"
His mind whirling, Lawrence realized that it had been a setup from the beginning. Xavier had made no attempt to stop Shakari because he had wanted her out of the way. He had played them all for fools once again.
Xavier casually picked up the sentinel and flung him into the nearest wall with enough force to send Jim into semi-consciousness. Then he turned his attention back to his enemy's mentor. "Is that fear that I'm sensing, Lawrence?"
"You're the one who should be afraid. The last time we had a little run in, you were the one who was running away with his tail between his legs, if I remember correctly," he said menacingly.
Xavier just smiled and started to walk towards him. "Shakari wounded me far worse than I had expected. I was overconfident back then, not anymore. And she's not here now, is she? Too bad, you won't be seeing her again."
Everything was black. Jim started to surrender to the comfort of oblivion when the threads of conversation reached his ears. His mind was screaming at him to get up but his body wasn't cooperating. Through a sheer force of will he managed to crack his eyes open and was horrified at the scene. Lawrence had shed all of the trapping of humanity and was now a snarling beast. He was trying to attack Xavier but Xavier deftly evaded all of his assaults.
One glance had told Jim that Lawrence was going to lose. Jim managed to turn his head, groaning with the wave of pain. Blair was lying a few feet from him but he could have been miles away as far as Jim's body was concerned. He tried to move, tried to banish the darkness that was at the edge of his vision. Shuddering with the effort, he managed to lie on his stomach and painstakingly he started to crawl to Blair's side.
Xavier viciously backhanded Lawrence across the face, sending him flying through the air. Lawrence wasn't finished however. Xavier was about to learn why Lawrence had been chosen to instruct Shakari. Lawrence twisted in midair so that his feet hit the wall and then he ricocheted from the surface, catching Xavier off guard. A howl echoed in the alley as Lawrence's claws cut deeply into Xavier's chest. Lawrence crouched on all fours as Xavier rose from the ground.
"Good. But utterly pointless." Xavier rushed Lawrence, laughing as his foe tried to block his advance. Almost casually, he grabbed Lawrence's head. Clutching the fur, Xavier drove Lawrence's head through a nearby wall and let the dazed wolf fall to the ground. "You know something, I've enjoyed this dance but I have better things to do." Xavier grabbed Lawrence by the throat amused at the sheer hatred that he saw in the man's eyes. "Goodbye." Xavier brought his hand back and then plunged it into Lawrence's side, his hand emerging from Lawrence's back. He shuddered in pleasure as he heard Lawrence's scream and felt his enemy's mind shutting down. With ease, he withdrew his hand and let the body drop to the ground. He turned and saw the mortal crawling to Blair's side. He's determined, I have to give him that.
Jim heard footsteps coming towards him and willed his body to move faster. One more pull and he would be able to touch Blair. He stretched out his hand, trying to establish contact when his hope was snatched out of his grasp. He whispered, "No," as Xavier picked up Blair's unconscious form and draped him over his shoulder.
Xavier knelt down next to the injured man, unwavering as Jim looked at him with all of the loathing he could muster. He touched his face, feeling a slight connection that he had felt when he had touched him in the woods a few weeks before. He smiled as his suspicions were confirmed, "Hello, detective or should I say sentinel?" His smile widened at the shocked look that Jim gave him. "Yes, I know what you really are. I met one of you before. It was very...interesting, drinking his blood. But that's not what I have planned for you. At least, not yet. I did regret killing that one. I could have learned so much from him but well, he caught me during one of my blood lusts and I couldn't quite control my baser instincts. Oh well, these things happen. Do me a favor and tell Shakari to meet me at the usual place. It's time for us to settle this."
Inside, the sentinel was raging as he heard Xavier's casual dismissal of the death of one of his kind. Xavier was talking about the death like a Sunday morning stroll and it chilled his being to the core. Jim wrenched his head out of the werewolf's grip, the motion sending a wave of pain radiating through his skull. The blackness that had threatened to envelop him before won the battle. The last thing that Jim Ellison saw, was Xavier and his minions leaping onto a roof with his Guide.
AFRICA
Shakari smirked as she watched Mikhail struggle not to loose control. The elder stood with his feet slightly apart, the sword held above his head, a sheen of sweat matting the gray fur on his forehead. He's good. He's really, really good. The only people that could test me like this are Lawrence and Talia. "How could you? You were one of the most trusted members of our sect and then you sell out to that bastard, Xavier?"
"You don't understand, little girl," he snarled. They stalked each other, looking for an opening like two partners in a dance. "You expect to come in here and presume to judge me! I've been around far longer that you have. I've seen the slow destruction of our people. We were once a proud race and look at us now! Scurrying in the shadows with our tails between our legs! No longer! Xavier will make us strong again. When the formula has been finished, we will emerge as the new leaders of the new race that we will create."
Shakari raised one eyebrow at his tirade and said, "Really? You keep saying, 'we'. Hasn't it occurred to you that Xavier hasn't lifted a finger to save you right now? Did he really think that you would be able to take care of me or maybe he hoped that I would take you out, Mi..." All thoughts ceased as a searing pain went through her left side that made her cry out.
Mikhail grinned as he saw his opening. With incredible speed he leapt towards Shakari, his sword raised over his head. He heard Talia shout Shakari's name, moving to intercept Mikhail but she wouldn't make it in time. He made his descent, ready to split her bent head in two. Then the triumphant smile that he had on his face was wiped away when Shakari's eyes snapped open. They swept up to meet his own gaze and briefly her eyes seemed to glow. No...
Shakari moved with deadly speed. One of her hands came up and the sai caught the sword as it was mere millimeters from her face. She twisted the sai and yanked the sword out of his hand, sending it flying across the room. With even greater ferocity, her other hand came up and drove the other sai through Mikhail's shoulder, the sound of the bone shattering under the impact echoing through the room. Mikhail fell back, with Shakari standing on his chest.
Mikhail looked into her eyes, shuddering at the sheer anger in those brown orbs. He gasped as he felt the pain radiating through his entire body as the blade was taken out, now pointing at his throat. She bent down and whispered into his ear.
"If he is dead. I swear to you, I'll hunt you down like the animal that you are." She dug the point deeper into his throat, puncturing his jugular and watching with satisfaction as the blood began to pool around his head. Grimly she straightened and walked towards the door. "That'll keep him from following us. By the time he's finished healing from those wounds we'll be long gone. We have to get back. Something's happened to Lawrence. Call up the jet and tell the pilot we're leaving as soon as we arrive."
Talia said, "Shar, how do you know, we're almost halfway around the world from Cascade. The distance...".
Shakari began to walk faster and said, "Trust me, Talia. I know something's wrong. I sensed incredible pain. I just pray that he's alive." And if he's hurt then what's happened to Blair?
CASCADE
A voice began to penetrate the darkness that had smothered Jim's consciousness. His eyelids felt as though they weighed a ton but through sheer force of will, he managed to open them just a little. "Blair?" he whispered.
"No, Jim. It's me," Simon replied. The police captain gently helped the groggy man to sit up. "Jim, what happened here?"
"Blair," he said quietly. Jim looked around frantically, waving Simon away and getting shakily to his knees. "Oh god, Simon. They took Blair."
"They who? I got a call from the precinct about a disturbance downtown and I figured that it must be you guys." Simon looked at Lawrence's body and shook his head sadly. "Jim, what are we going to with Lawrence's body? I don't think that it's in our best interests for an autopsy to be performed."
Jim stumbled to his feet and lurched towards the werewolf. Then he froze. He shook his head in denial and Simon watched as his best detective narrowed his eyes.
"Jim, what is it?"
"I don't believe it!" Jim rushed to Lawrence's side, shocked to see that the massive hole was now closed. He gently touched the area and grimaced as his sense of touch revealed that there was only a layer of skin covering the wound. The inside was still hollow. His touch caused Lawrence to moan and quickly Jim shifted his attention. "Lawrence, hold still you'll be ok."
Lawrence grimaced and said, "Jim...I'm...so...sorry. Xavier...too powerful...Blair..."
"Don't talk, Lawrence. We'll get you some help..."
"No, too...late. Take me back to my house...I..have...to preserve my strength...until.... Shakari..." He couldn't continue. He coughed and shuddered. Jim and Simon were both shocked as they saw his skin reopen and close again. "Please...take..me..home..." Lawrence's eyes rolled back into his head and his body went limp.
The two men looked at each other then nodded. Jim grabbed Lawrence's shoulders and Simon grabbed his legs. They bundled him into the back of Simon's car and Simon jumped into the driver's seat. Tires squealing, they pulled away from the alley entrance as a group of curious onlookers began to approach.
The sentinel stared out of the window, his jaw working. Oh God, Chief. Hold on. Just hold on. If that bastard hurts you I'll kill him with my bare hands. I swear.
THE NEXT DAY
Jim stared at the unconscious form in the bed. Wearily, he rubbed a hand over his face feeling the shadow on his chin. He extended his hearing once again and sighed as they told him the same thing. Lawrence was dying. His heart had slowed too much and his breathing was so shallow that even Jim's hearing had trouble picking it up sometimes. Inevitably, his thoughts went back to his partner and Guide. Chief, please be okay. Some blessed protector I am! They've taken you, Lawrence is almost dead, Shakari is off on some wild goose chase and I'm helpless. Grinding his jaw in frustration, the sentinel rose from the chair, about to start pacing the room, when he heard something. Instantly, he dropped to one knee, pulling his gun from its holster and pointing it at the door, every muscle tense. He used the trick that Blair had taught him, piggybacking his vision on his hearing and he saw Shakari walking down the hallway with another woman that he didn't know.
She flung open the door and walked past Jim who was rising from his kneeling position on the floor. There was no hesitation as she knelt next to Lawrence's form and gently rubbed her hand over his forehead.
Jim started to walk towards her but Talia touched his arm. He spun around, his mouth opening to argue with her but her expression stopped the words that had begun to form. Her sadness almost equaled that which he saw on Shakari's face as she rubbed Lawrence's hand gently, entwining her fingers in his own. He sighed and walked away as Talia gently led him out of the room.
"Lawrence. Lawrence, wake up, please," she said quietly. Her eyes began to water as her mentor moaned almost inaudibly and he struggled to open the heavy eyelids. Shakari closed her eyes briefly as she realized that Lawrence didn't even have the strength to turn his head to look at her. One of her hands came up and she turned his head towards her own, initiating a telepathic link to her mentor. Hey, I leave for a little bit and this is what happens? You must be getting old, she joked, trying to make light of the situation.
Child, I don't have the time. Listen to me.
Don't talk like that! You still have a few years left in you.
One of his hands raised from the bed and quickly Shakari grasped it in her own. Shakari. I didn't teach you to lie about things like this. I'm dying. Now listen to me. I don't have much time. I'm sorry that I won't be able to help you with Xavier. I'm proud of you, little one. You are the one we have been waiting for, Shar. I'm sorry that I've been challenging you over the past few days but you're like a daughter to me. I know that you are ready for the task that I've trained you for but I let my paternal instincts get in the way of...
Shakari clutched his hand even tighter as he coughed, unable to draw any breath. She tensed as she detected the scent of blood. Shifting her gaze to his left side, she gasped as she noticed that the wound had reopened. Grasping his hand even tighter, she thought, Lawrence, it's all been forgiven. Don't you dare die on me, now! I need you!
No you don't. Good bye, little... His eyes rolled back into his head and his grasp went limp.
Shakari grasped his shoulders and shook the body fiercely. "Lawrence! Lawrence! I won't let you die, do you hear me!" She felt his consciousness departing but she wouldn't let go, in spite of the danger to herself. If he died while she was still linked with him she would die as well. There was only one hope. She closed her eyes and summoned her strength. I don't know if I can do this but I'll try.
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HERE AND THE OTHER SIDE
Lawrence was at peace. The pain was gone and he had fulfilled his destiny. He was about to go on but he felt something pulling him back. Searching for the source he cursed as he realized what Shakari was trying to do. Shakari, my time is gone. I have to do this, child.
As he gathered his strength he inevitably thought of the time when they had first met. Fortunately her parents had been one of the few families that still knew of the clan ways. As soon as they had seen the white mark on their daughter's thigh, they knew who she was destined to be and had contacted him immediately. Lawrence smiled as he remembered looking at the month old child, who stared at him with a seriousness that made him realize that she knew who he was. He had almost lost consciousness at their first touch. A surge of telepathic energy had flowed from the baby. It traveled along every neural pathway, linking the two forever. What was even more amazing was that the bond was initiated on her end. The event that made her parents ask him if he needed a doctor when he was barely able to stand only made Shakari laugh and gurgle at her new mentor. Those were good times, Shakari but now my life is over. Your task begins now, my child. Goodbye.
NORMAL TIME
Shakari screamed as she saw what Lawrence was going to do. Even though she was more powerful than he was, he had greater experience. Powerless, she could only watch as with a fond smile and a nod farewell, he severed the link between the two of them.
Jim's head snapped up as he heard Shakari scream. He and Talia rushed into the room to see Shakari cradling Lawrence's lifeless body in her arms. All that could be heard were the inarticulate moans as she gently rocked back and forth, tears streaming down her face. They only watched, as the young woman descended into grief, not caring who saw her break down and cry.
THREE HOURS LATER
She's still there. Jim entered the darkened room to still find Shakari clutching the lifeless body in her arms. The tears had stopped but the emptiness in her eyes scared Jim even more. She wasn't moving. Barely even breathing. Just staring at nothing, not acknowledging his presence. He braced himself and knelt beside her. He touched her shoulder gently and spoke her name. No response.
Jim moved until he was facing her, trying to get her to look at him but it was almost as though she was staring right through him. "Shakari, listen to me. I know that you're hurting but you have to snap out of this," he said quietly. He got no answer. His hands came up to her cheeks and he continued, "Shakari, you can't worry about Lawrence anymore. He wouldn't want you to be like this." Even his senses couldn't detect if she was responding to his words.
Clenching his jaw, he said more urgently, "Shakari, you're being selfish. Blair needs you," he paused and gathered his courage, saying words that were unfamiliar to such a proud man, "I need you."
At first he didn't think that he had gotten through to her then he felt the muscles moving under his fingertips. Focusing his attention on her pupils, he watched, relieved as they became smaller. His heart almost broke as he saw the desolate expression on her face and watched as the tears threatened to fall again. I know how she feels. If Blair ever...No, Ellison! Don't think like that. We're going to find him!
Shakari looked down at the body in her arms. Her eyes closed and she took a shuddering breath. Gently she leaned over and kissed his forehead. "Goodbye, my friend," she said so softly that even Jim had trouble hearing her. With exquisite grace she rose from the floor and walked out of the room with Lawrence's body.
The sentinel knew the loss that was she was experiencing or he thought he did. He thought that the loss of his men in Peru equaled the desolation that Shakari was feeling. He was wrong. He didn't know that the young woman had felt her mentor's soul depart from his body. He didn't know that they had been telepathically linked since she was a child. For Shakari, it was as though a part of her soul had been lost.
Ten minutes later, Shakari returned. She walked to the center of the room and braced her hands on the table, her head bowed. Jim and Talia said nothing, waiting for her to say something. Then, taking a deep breath she straightened and whirled to face them. One hand rose, the sight of her nails morphing into claws almost entrancing the sentinel. With deliberate slowness, the hand touched her right cheek, then raked down her face. Jim gasped at the action and was about to say something but Talia shook her head, cutting him off.
Four parallel lines marred Shakari's cheek but almost instantaneously, the cuts closed, leaving behind snowy white scars that were identical to the ones on her right thigh. Her eyes which had been closed the entire time, slowly opened.
Jim gasped as he saw the fire in them, her brown eyes glowing yellow for an instant. When she began to speak, the anger in her voice was like nothing he had ever heard before.
"I swear, on my blood, on Lawrence's name and on the honor of my people that Xavier will pay for what he's done. The two of you are my witnesses. This mark is a testament to my vow," she said quietly, gesturing at her face. "It will not heal until we get Blair back and Xavier is lying dead at my feet."
The sentinel watched as the carefree girl that he had met two months ago, disappeared before his eyes. It was the death of innocence. Shakari had been tested by the fire and now she was ready to do some burning of her own. A warrior stood before him. A woman bent on revenge for what Xavier had done to her and heaven help him when she caught up with him. He said quietly, "Shakari, Xavier left a message for you."
"What did that bastard say?"
"He said something about meeting at the usual place, that he's waiting for you," Jim said watching for her reaction.
Shakari and Talia glanced at each other. Shakari turned her attention back to the sentinel, her eyebrows raised in puzzlement. "The usual place? What the hell is he talking about, the usual place? The only place that we've ever met is Sam's cabin and my safe house. He can't mean those." She began to pace. "Where would he...?" She froze next to the wall. "He wouldn't," she said quietly. Then she laughed humorlessly, "Of course, he would, that arrogant...."
"Shakari, where?" Talia asked.
"The last place that we would look for him." She walked up to Jim and placed one of her hands on his shoulder. "Jim, I think I know where he is but I need your help."
"Of course. That bastard kidnapped Blair in front of my eyes. We have to get him back," he said, his eyes hard.
"Yes, we do. Come." They walked to the center of the room and at her prompting, he knelt on the floor. She sat in the lotus position across from him. The sight of her in that position caused Jim to flinch inwardly. The position that he had seen his roommate in so many times when he meditated. Sensing his discomfort Shakari took his hands in her own and said, "Jim, remember I told you about the bond that you and Blair have?"
"Yeah, but how is that going to help us now?" he said puzzled.
"I wasn't just talking about strong friendship, Jim. The two of you have a psychic bond and maybe I can use it to track him."
"I don't understand. I thought you could find him automatically."
"I think he's at a place that my people abandoned years ago. The place where our people were once one. At first, my sect maintained the stronghold but before I was born even they began to drift. Others wanted to see the world. They thought that it was foolish to keep the old ways. So, like most things, they drifted away, abandoning that place. My telepathic abilities have a limited range. The only people that I can contact anywhere in the world are those that I have a strong psychic bond with. That's why I knew that Lawrence...had been so badly injured. I felt his pain. Blair and I haven't trained enough to track him as far as I need to go. Our bond is a developing one but yours is cemented. I think I can use my powers to find him through you. Lawrence taught me that our powers don't usually work very well with normal humans but you're a sentinel. We have a connection that I don't understand but I think we should give it a try."
Jim was out of his element. This kind of discussion was Blair's area. He was a practical man and part of him was still firmly centered in what most of humanity thought to be normal reality. However, since he had become the sentinel he had been exposed to things that came right out of a comic book. He remembered his spirit guide's advice; he had to let go of his former preconceptions. Determined he asked, "What do I have to do?"
"Just think about him. I'll do the rest." She closed her eyes and opened her mind. The connection between the two of them flared, a familiar tingle emerged as she clasped his hands. Images flared through her mind. Camping trips. The distress that the sentinel felt whenever Blair was injured or placed in danger. But overall, a joy and a peace that Jim Ellison hadn't felt before Blair Sandburg had entered his life. Gathering her strength, she visualized the bond between the two men like a rope. The golden thread was beautiful beyond words, using it as an anchor she began to follow.
XAVIER'S HIDEOUT
Pain. Agony. Shakari and Jim arrived in Blair's mind and were assaulted by the sensations that he was experiencing. She could handle it but not the sentinel. He was in no way prepared for this and she felt him screaming with the pain. Instantly she erected a shield around the both of them, cutting them off from the pain but allowing them to stay linked to Blair's consciousness. Shakari floated over to Jim who was beginning to straighten after his ordeal. Jim, are you okay?
Yeah, he gasped, accepting her offering hand. With her help he managed to stand, shuddering as he felt the pain that Blair was experiencing fade. He frowned as they appeared to be encased in...a giant bubble?
Linked as they were, Shakari knew what he was thinking and said, "For protection. Now what is Xavier...Dear God, no."
Jim looked beyond the protective barrier. What he saw chilled him to the core. No, it didn't happen like this! The sentinel watched a scene that was the total opposite of what Blair had told him. The events that had haunted Blair for weeks afterward. David Lash, the psycho that had almost killed Blair was in the loft, intent on taking Blair as another one of his trophies. At least, that was what had happened in the real world. Here, the hunter had become the prey.
They watched horrified as Blair stalked David Lash around the loft. The man was screaming and begging for mercy, tears falling from his eyes as he tried to get away from Blair. What terrified Lash and the silent witnesses was Blair's expression. There was a hunger. A hunger for blood that Jim hadn't thought in his worst nightmares that he would ever see on his Guide's face. But the pacifist had disappeared and only a monster remained. Sickened, Shakari and Jim saw Lash vainly throw a chair but it was shattered by one swipe of Blair's hand. For the first time, Jim felt sorry for the man. When he had killed Lash, he had only felt satisfaction as he had watched him die. Now, even though his brain told him that this was only in Blair's mind and that Lash was long dead, he was actually pitying him. Blair leapt onto Lash, changing into his humanoid form with Lash struggling vainly beneath his superior strength.
Well, this is different now isn't it, Lash? Blair said/thought. He sat back on his haunches and put one of his hands on his face, tapping a finger to his cheek. Let's see. Right about now, this is were you knocked me out. Blair's face hardened and he leaned down so that he was inches from Lash's blubbering face. Well, how do you like it now?! Without warning, one of Blair's hands swept down and decapitated Lash.
Jim screamed his denial. No! Blair, what's wrong with you? He had never seen his Guide revel in torture but that was what he was seeing before his stunned eyes. Suddenly Xavier materialized in front of the barrier and at that moment Jim wanted to kill him with his bare hands.
Hello, Shakari. You know where I am now, my dear. What are you waiting for? He thought/said smirking.
Jim growled but Shakari restrained him. Jim, he's trying to trick us. This is just an illusion. He hasn't turned Blair into a killer.
Xavier laughed. Yet. He's still holding on to the bond between the two of you. Xavier gestured and the loft disappeared. Instead, they saw Blair curled into a fetal position clutching his head. I'm merely showing him what he can do, my dear. He won't have to depend on you or his sentinel anymore once he joins me.
Blair Sandburg writhed in agony. The pain was beginning to conquer him. An end was all that he wanted. Then he felt something in his mind. With his remaining strength, he looked within himself and felt a familiar presence. Jim? Jim, help me! I can't... The thought was cut off as the pain threatened to split his skull open.
Xavier smirked and said, Do you see what I mean? Dependency is weakness, something that I'm going to cure him of long before you get here. Goodbye.
Blair! Jim lunged, trying to reach his friend but a searing pain paralyzed him and almost instantly, he found himself back in his own body. Groaning, he tried to rise but he failed, falling back to the floor as a wave of nausea passed over him. He heard Shakari groan also and opened his eyes to see Talia helping her to stand.
"Jim, don't try to get up yet. He cut the link that I had made. Returning to one's body suddenly like that can be dangerous. The sensation will pass in a few minutes," she said, her voice raw. She stumbled over to his side and fell to her knees. Shakari held his hand, knowing that he needed an anchor so that he could get control of the feelings, physical and emotional, that were threatening to overwhelm him. After a few minutes, he managed to sit up on his own.
Jim clutched her hand tighter, his blue eyes fierce. "How long can Blair hold out?"
Shakari rubbed her face wearily and said, "I don't know. The bond between the two of you is the only thing that is preventing Xavier from totally changing him but Xavier's as powerful a telepath as I am. I'm sorry Jim, I just don't know." She helped him up and said, "We'll leave tomorrow night." Seeing his body tense, she continued, "I want to go after him now, too, Jim but I can't. Xavier's little attack has weakened both of us. We need to rest then we'll leave." She paused and looked down, gathering her courage. Clenching her jaw she met his gaze once more and said, "I'm probably being really idiotic by asking you this, Jim but for my own peace of mind I have to. I know you think that I can beat Xavier but I don't even know if I can. There's a really good possibility that we won't come back from this alive. Are you sure that you want to come with me?"
Instead of getting angry, as she had feared, Jim cocked his head slightly and tenderly placed his hand on her cheek. "Shakari, Blair's my Guide but more importantly, he's my friend. I've been in too many situations in my life where there was a good chance that I wasn't coming back but I have. I owe Blair for so much that I can't even begin to tell you everything that he's done for me. If I die going to rescue him then I die." He brought his other hand up and cupped her jaw. "And even if Blair weren't there. I would still go with you. I've acted like an ass around you sometimes. And for that I apologize. You've sacrificed so much to help us. I realize that now. Where you go, I go." He cemented his vow with a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Shakari felt a peace and a joy descend on her that momentarily penetrated the wall of grief.
Talia smiled as she saw the two of them placing a hand over each other's heart, perhaps trying to physically feel the truth that resided. Somehow, this feels right.
Invisible to the small group, the panther purred contentedly. Sentinel and werewolf joined again. As it should be.
THE NEXT DAY
"Blair said that you were a Ranger once?" asked Shakari, glancing at the sentinel as they walked down the hidden staircase in Lawrence's house.
"Yeah, but what does that have to do with rescuing Blair?"
"It'll prepare you for what we have to do," she replied quietly.
Jim paused for an instant and then continued his descent. His sense of smell was being assaulted by the scent of the earth but he managed to find the dial and suppress the sensation. He watched as Shakari opened a hidden panel. She touched a pad and let her hand rest there for a few seconds. Her action was followed by a slight beep and the sentinel detected the whirring of gears, while a door appeared in the wall. He shook his head and said wryly, "What is it with you guys and these secret doors?"
"We have a lot to hide," she said. "Come on."
He walked through the entrance having difficulty seeing anything in the room even with his enhanced vision. He was about to ask Shakari what was down there when she flicked a switch. Jim's eyes widened and he whispered, "Dear God."
Weapons. The entire room was filled with every weapon imaginable. Guns, knives, swords and others that Jim had never seen in his life or had ever imagined in his wildest dreams. He spun around to face Shakari, waiting for an explanation.
"He was a warrior, Jim."
"I could have been called a warrior, too, Shakari and I still have a stash of my arsenal tucked away but I've never seen anything like this." Jim strode to the nearest display and touched a peculiar looking weapon. He reached out to touch the gleaming surface. The color was somewhat similar to that of gold but as soon as he touched it he knew it wasn't gold. He stroked it softly, trying to interpret the sensations that he was getting from it. His tactile senses could pick up impurities in metals but this seemed to have none at all. It was perfectly smooth. The sentinel shifted his arm to attempt to lift it but Shakari's hand restrained him. He glanced at her but she smiled slightly and said, "That's a special weapon, Jim. It was made for werewolves. You can't lift it. I saw your face when you touched it. What were you feeling?"
"It's perfectly smooth," he said quietly, caressing its surface.
"I never noticed that," she said amazed. "When we get Blair back I have to talk to him about this sentinel thing."
"You can't feel it?"
"No, we have enhanced sight, smell and hearing. But that's it. Our tastebuds are a bit more sensitive that a normal human's but not by much." She turned and walked towards another display case, this one filled with guns. "Here's something I think you will be more familiar with. Lawrence has had some human allies over the years so he collected these."
He removed one of the automatic weapons, checking it over. "It's lighter than it should be."
"Yes, another one of Lawrence's innovations. Jim, I don't know how many followers he has so the three of us have to be brutal. Hanging around you for so long has made me realize that you're not a killer, Jim and I'm not asking you to become one. You're the one who's at a disadvantage here." She took the rifle from his hand and said, "When you use this, head and heart shots primarily. You won't kill them, you'll just slow them down. We're incredibly resilient. A bullet won't kill us."
Jim reached into the case and deftly loaded a handgun. He stared at her, eyes blazing. "You won't have to worry about me, Shakari. I need to ask you a favor. There are some calls that I have to make...before we leave."
Nodding, she led him out of the room back to the staircase. "Of course."