Marriage is Murder

Khaat saw Brian's stress mounting. He didn't say a word. He merely put on his jacket and apparated out before anyone could say anything. Robert didn't like him going out alone right now, given the dangers. Neither did Khaat. She knew she was at least somewhat protected by the stone and by Escobar. She didn't know if Escobar would look out for Brian. She just didn't know.

Brian was gone the better part of an hour before he cam back. Khaat was starting to worry.
He was furious. He said nothing. He took off his coat and hung it up and went into his study. A moment later, Khaat could smell cigarette smoke from the office. Brian rarely ever smoked. She was going to go talk to him, but Robert went instead, simply going in without invitation.

"What did you find?"

"Two of my dairy cows and one of my big Belgian work horses. One of my mares--and one I really liked. She was gentle and would have been great with the kids. It pisses me off," Brian said.

"I know, but I presume the unicorns are safe?"

"Yes. For now," Brian said. "I have to lay heavier spells around the barns. They can't take my stock."

"Be glad it was stock and not people or pets. They have to eat, Brian, and they're going to take whatever they can get. The fact that all they can get is your stock is actually a good sign, I think. Finish your cigarette and then get ready. Its about time for us to go."

"I'm more than ready," Brian said.

"Keep a watch on that anger," Robert said. He went back to the living room. "He's okay. He lost two cows and a horse--but a horse he liked. So, he's ticked. BUt there could be far worse things. Gear up, Everyone. Its almost time to go."

Steven stood and listened at the mention of the lose of the animals and he sighed . He never liked when animals died needlessly. " ah its never good that , especially when its one you care about" he said and folded his arms " Jack and I will head to the barn and strengthen the spells and barriers so no more disappear" he said and Jack nodded his head in agreement as he stood up.

" yeah never good" he said and walked over to them both " we'll get on it while Brian and you are out" he added slipping his jacket off the hanger that stood behind them both. " okay I'm ready when you are Steven."

"Where will they feed if they can't get to our stock?" Khaat asked quietly.

"Don't you worry about that," Edward said. "They have a tunnel from off the grounds into the grounds. If they can't get it right from us, they'll go off grounds and go to the other farms, but it isn't like they havent' been doing that for endless centuries anyway."

"But that's temporary, and we know it," Robert said seriously. He glanced at Khaat. She understood. The beast's bloodlust was for her. They wanted her, and they wouldn't be satisfied until they either had her or until those with the bloodlust had been killed. This was out and out war. Khaat wasn't willing to risk those she loved for that, but on the other hand, she knew that her father wasn't going to simply feed her to the beast either. Neither was anyone else. Nor were they going to let her offer herself up. He lwatched her for a longer moment and said quietly. "We fight," he said in a commanding tone. And there it was. The choice. There was no turning back.

"Its the right choice," Edward said. "If it weren't you, they'd develop the bloodlust for someone else sooner or later. This is just keeping it contained, rather than letting it spread. It is the only choice we have. This isn't about you. Its about the fact that they're ill. We have to stop it before it kills everyone in England."

Steven looked at Jack who moved forward and spoke " Roberts right I most of all know what its like to be in the blood lust, there is no reasoning with them " he said I had the misfortune to change in Roberts office but those out there have fully succome and so are beyond help " he said looking to Kate " as Robert said best to keep them where we know they are and can be contained if necessarily." Steven took the jacket and together they left for the barn.

Once there they set about strengthening the spells and barriers around it to stop them taking any more animals. Jess watched from the window and then sat down with Jim. " I feel pity for those people they tricked into becoming wears, they have know idea what they have got into" she said and moved a pawn. Jim smiled as he made his move.

" don't they made that choice, Jack from what I am to believe he was forced into it against his will by his mother" he said and Jess nodded.

"Are you lot physically warmed up?" Edward asked, checking his watch. "If you're not, you need to postpone the chess game and go stretch or whatever it is you do to get battle ready. They should be sufficiently stuffed and asleep now. We need to go do this fairly soon."

"I'll go check on Brian," Khaat said.

"Let him have his cigarette," Robert said. "He's feeling a lot of pressure with this one, and I can't say as I blame him. You might consider waiting behind, Khaat."

"No," she said. "You need the stone. And unless you're planning to decapitate me, I don't see how you take take the stone and not take me."

"There is always that little matter of that stone, isn't there?" he sighed. "Alright, but no wandering about by yourself."

"I stand a better chance with the stone than the rest of you do without it," she said.

"Not quite, Child," Edward laughed. "I didn't need the stone before, and I daresay I don't need it now. Its a help, but its not everything. For you, though, I'm glad you have it. We leave no less than ten minutes. So whatever last minute things you all need to do, get to them."

Steven and Jack returned and looked at Jess who moved down to the gym to warm up Cassidy stayed put feeling she had done enough to warm up for the fight. Steveb pulled her up to her feet.

" gym now" he said " Im heading down now we need to work on that dodge if your coming into the fight, I have seen Edward fight and he is good Khaat " he said as he moved with cassidy down to the gym. Jack just sat down and listened to Edward and huffed as Brant walked past.

" don't be like that Jack he does his calling as we all do, even me" he said moving to stand with Edward.

"If its not aimed at you, what's your problem, Jack?" Michael scowled. "Stop taking personally that is not even meant for you...."

"Michael," Robert cut him off. "Now is not the time. Not before a fight. If you have a bone to pick, do it later."

"I just might," Michael said quietly, angry with Jack. "I'll go get my coat." Khaat looked up to see Brian standing in the doorway of the living room. Brian hadn't said a word, but Khaat could see the look in his eyes. He wasn't sure either why Jack always seem to take everything so bloody personal with this pack of werewolf killing machines. Just because he also carried the curse, he had said he was intending to dedicate himself to being human, not an animal. In Brian's book, he didn't believe Jack had the right to have it both ways. He was either going to be human or an animal. But if he were going to be human, then he couldn't take the decision to eliminate a pack of seriously dangerous and diseased animals so personally. Khaat shot him a look to tell him to just shut it for now. For her, what she didn't understand was why he had to do this before every battle.

Steven returned with Cassidy and looked at both of them and sighed looking to Jack " get over it Jack you do this every time" he said and Jack looked up at him.

" get over what?" he said " was just getting ready for the fight" he said and looked at every one " oops sorry didn't mean to seem off or angry" he said and chuckled " my bad" Jess walked past and slapped his head.

" stop that Jack, if I were you change your preparation its unnerving every one" she said and shook her head " come on gym you and me , now" she pulled him behind her down the stairs " sorry guys sometimes he just needs a kick up his backside".

Robert could see Michael was just itching to say something sarcastic to Jack, but he looked at him sternly.

"I said not now, Michael," he repeated, as Jess took Jack downstairs.

"Until he decides if he's a man or a beast, then he's a liability to us," Michael said angrily after Jess and Jack went downstairs. "He can't be doing this feeling-sorry-for-nice-killing-machines-in-the-backyard crap. Not every time we need to go try to get rid of them. He needs to make up his mind which side he's on. Hell, the werewolves we've known at least knew which side they wanted to be on."

"So does Jack," Edward said. "But there is a part of him that still hesitates and seems to feel like he's killing his own kind. And that could well be fatal for someone if he hesitates at the wrong time. That part is a liability."

"I know all that, you all," Robert said. "And if he blows it, he'll have to deal with the consequences of that, just like we all do."

Brant rolled his eyes and checked he had everything placing Tricks and the gray mouse down he spoke softly to them and they ran off . He moved back to Edward. " Roberts right leave it we'll deal when we get back " he said checking his wand was strapped to his thigh and his hands had his leather finger less gloves on ready to fight. Jim stood up and transfigured his clothes ready for battle.

"well lets get this started " he said " I'm ready and I'm guessing so is Brant "he said as Jess returned with Jack both in their battle clothes.

" okay were ready" she said Jack nodded as he did up his coat and looked out side.