Marriage is Murder

The woman had no intention of simply leading him to see James. The younger brother was not nearly as bright as the woman believed James to be. Instead she led him into the center of a band of both male and female werewolves.

"Did you think you could just demand him to appear at your command?" the woman looked at him. "You really do have no idea who you're dealing with. He said you'd do this. You still haven't learned. This is about you, learning your lesson, understanding your place. You're not in any position to make demands. James doesn't take orders from you. If he doesn't want to see you, he won't come. If he does want to see you, you won't be able to stop him. And if there is something he wants, he's going to take it. Now--when you get that little understanding, we'll talk about the kids."

She motioned behind her, and two males came forward, each carrying a sleeping child. They stopped just within view. "So far, they're unharmed," she told Jack. "Now--what you're going to do is to leave your offering for him and back away. And if you've learned your place, these two will be returned to you."

"You aren't as human as you thought, Jackie Boy," A deep booming voice seemed to echo through the alley. Edward drew his wand, knowing James was using a spell to make his voice to seem like it was coming from everywhere. The next thing they heard was the evil laughter of an enormous man, and it echoed and swirled all around them. Angus found himself stepping a bit closer towards Jack, expecting an attack and feeling the need to ready for it.

Then Edward heard strong bootsteps. On the rooftop, Edward could see the silhouette of one of the biggest werewolves he'd ever seen in his life. He was partly transformed, Edward saw. Transformed almost entirely but just restrained enough to be able to speak.

"You're more beast than human, Jackie Boy," James laughed. "You work so hard to fit in with those pitiful humans you've dedicated yourself to. But consider this. You might see them as your children, but its crossed your mind that they're your cubs. That's not a human thought, Jack. Werewolf. You've seen them as your pack. That's not something a human father thinks of his children either. Werewolf. And don't think I didn't hear that growling. I have excellent hearing. Werewolf, Jack. When was the last time you heard your mighty mentor, Lupin, growl? Or his son in law? Or even the legendary Donohue you have with you? When have you ever heard them growl because they were unhappy?

"You're a pitiful excuse for a werewolf, and not much of a man either. You don't know what you are or what you want to be. Do yourself a favor. Pick one. If you want to be a werewolf, then stop denying what you already are. If you want to try to pass as a human, then stop acting like its alright to act like an animal.

"You know why I did this? Because I can," he said simply. "That's all. And if I want to do it again, I will. I don't have any interest in keeping them--this time. If that changes, I'll take them again." He made a slight hand motion.

Angus had spun behind him and saw two werewolves in the shadows behind them were now holding the children. They let go of them, and the kids stood, frozen. Angus motioned to them, and they ran to him because he was closer to them than Jack. They clung to his legs. He crouched and hugged them, and made sure they were indeed unharmed. He picked them up.

"Jack," Angus said quietly. "I have them. They're fine."

James laughed as Jack spoke. "You don't hide behind women. You hide behind weak, miserly old men. Stinking rich while you work for pittance. And who is your backup? An old fossil you dug up? Seriously, Jack? That's the best you could do? You never were too bright, though, were you? And if all your resume says is that you work for some old buggar and you have a wife and cubs, then I'm not so sure what you're boasting about. You have yourself a little human pack that I can invade any time I want. I have, and I will continue to do that as I see fit.

"Oh, and by the way, you do need to thank the woman that you did hide behind tonight--if she's still alive. She gave up almost all the life force she had. I have it here. Your forms don't hold much more than that. Her sacrifice bought you your cubs. She's very likely going to be dead by the time you get back, unless you have a talented healer, so I hope you appreciate her." James waved his pack off, and they all apparated out.

Edward and Angus motioned their forces to leave the alley, and they apparated home as well.

Edward looked at the bite on the boy. "I wouldn't stress it," Edward said. "Its the wrong teeth formation even for a young beast. Its not a beast. At best, its a simple canine bite. Though I don't know why James would keep ordinary dogs. That's what it looks like though. He'll be fine."

Michael heard Jack's list of concerns, and, from his place in the kitchen, he just kept his mouth shut. The others appeared to have things in hand. Michael hadn't seen Robert or Kate or Marcus or Escobar or Brian since the plan to get the kids back been put into motion. Nor had any of them come out of Khaat's room since the mission had been completed. Michael didn't believe that was a good sign, but he had no intention of telling that to anyone.

Michael watched Steven take Jack to the gym, and that was a good thing. Angus came back into the kitchen and washed his hands to get back to preparing things for breakfast for the next day.

"Alright," Angus said very quietly to Michael. "What are you not saying?"

"Nothing," Michael said. "I don't know any more than you do. Haven't heard a syllable."

"Why do I not like the sounds of that?"

"Its probably nothing," Michael said. "I'm making scones for morning, but we're low on apricot preserves. I'm going to have to make half a batch of berry ones."

"That won't disappoint Abbey one little bit," Angus laughed.

"I wouldn't know, Jack," Michael said. "I know as much as you do."

Everyone in Khaat's room heard the knock on the door. It was Marcus who went to answer it. When he saw it was Jess, he stepped out into the hallway and closed the door, rather than letting her in.

"Spend the evening with your kids, Jess," he told her quietly. "I don't think there's much you can do here. Brian and Escobar are taking care of the medical issues, and Robert and Kate aren't going to leave her, I'm sure. And I'm definitely not leaving. She's...unconscious." He was doing his best to be a bit delicate about it. "She knew what she was doing. She chose it, and she knew the consequences. We're just doing what we can now to manage it."