Ross's lips curved upward into a sneer and Ari found something quite deadly in his reaction. Turning the chair around so that it was facing Ari, Ross sat down. As he spoke he started unfastening the many buttons on his coat.

"Three years ago an old friend came to pay me a visit. I didn't want him to, but he made me see the light anyway. I was working on a fishing boat in the Florida Keys when I realized I was-"

"That explains the smell," Ari retorted. Ross's lifeless eyes landed on him, but without skipping a beat he continued.

"-reveling in hatred and thoughts of revenge against your brother when an epiphany came to me. I thought, Zee why on earth are you standing here wallowing in hatred for the man who betrayed you, when you very well could be doing something about it. You should be leading a rebellion I said, but not against him, because I have come to see a bigger purpose. So, then do you know what I did, Arimus Lake?"

Ari shrugged his shoulders, "You saw a shrink?"

Ross's smile grew dangerously wider. "No, I followed my own advice. I found a new purpose."

"And so-o-o here you are, purpose realized," Ari said. "And it looks like you picked up a few strays on your way."

"We have nothing against you Ari," one of the fowlers said. "You've always been kind to us."

"That he has been indeed," Ross laughed. "But let's not forget that in his attempt to speak on our behalves, he did nothing to stop his brother from making us outcasts from among our own people."

"Asher didn't banish you, Grant did. And it's not like you didn't give him a reason."

"That's true Zee. He can't be blamed for something his brother or Grant did," the fowler agreed. Ari knew him somehow, and he was quite positive that he had seen him lately, but he was having a hard time recalling where. With the fear of them finding Casin, Ari was more than just a little nervous. He wondered what was taking Asher so long. He wouldn't have come without a plan.

Before Ross could respond the lead fowler ordered the nicer fowler back to work. This one hadn't been as kind to Ari. He had showed his leadership early on from the moment he got out of the four-wheel drive offering help, to when he ordered him inside the truck.

When Ari refused, he had silently pointed at the flock of birds flying above them. He was a tall wiry man with rough weathered features and thick muttonchops. Ari got the distinct impression that whatever had caused Asher to kick him out of the Union was enough to rage a war of bitterness inside of him for centuries to come, whether justified or not.

"Sorry Zee, Russell won't interrupt you again," Muttonchops said.

Ari placed him now-the nice fowler. He worked at the bait shop near the lake. Russell was old man Benton's grandson and Ari found something sad in knowing that. There was a lot of commotion as chairs were put in rows and Russell along with other fowlers resumed their jobs of sweeping straw, mud, and snow off the wood floor. They handed out flyers to the newcomers, in preparation for what appeared to be a meeting or frighteningly enough a recruitment campaign.

Cold wind swept in chilling Ari instantly as the door opened. For a split second his eyes betrayed his hopes when he realized it was only Muttonchops going out for more firewood. Ross started to laugh. He slapped his thighs and gave Ari a wry smile.

"You Ari Lake are a genuine specimen of the illogicality of human emotions. Your mind may not believe big brother in all his heartless arrogance will come for you, but it is obvious in your poor, pathetic puppy dog eyes that your heart wishes differently."

"He won't," Ari flatly said.

Eyebrows arching in a *we'll see' manner, Ross took to his feet and headed for the pulpit. Behind Ari, Casin was getting fidgety. Ari saw Muttonchops stacking wood in the fireplace and he had a strong hunch that was where Cade was hiding.

"Asher where are you?"

An overwhelming sensation washed over Ari. He knew the feeling once, a long time ago in a time and place when both he and Asher were different, before Asher had severed the bond between them, before memory had gone vague, and meaning and purpose had been lost to years of bitterness and routine. Possibly his mind told him nothing would ever change, especially Asher, but his heart felt otherwise and then Ari heard him loud and clear.

Astonishingly Asher had restored the spirit bond. Asher was coming, and he told him to get ready. Ari glanced around the room trying to hide his sudden anxiety. He had to keep the twins safe, that's the only thing that mattered to him. The chairs were full now and standing next to Ross was a strange man in a red robe Ari had failed to notice before, and a sickening sensation washed away any comfort that Asher had briefly given him.

"What is this, church?" Ari asked. Again the expression on Ross's face made him involuntarily shudder.

"Yes Ari and we're so glad that you and your rat friends could join us. Oh there's no need to continue to hide them. I've known all along that they were here."

Ari leaned forward as Ross started toward him. "Run, run sweetheart!"

Casin scurried for the fireplace but Muttonchops spotted her and reached for a log. When he screamed and pulled his hand back, Cade dangled from his thumb. Ari fought to get to his feet, but in one sweeping move, Ross reached down and jerked him to a standing position.

Asher closed his eyes seeking two particular sounds, the gentle rise and fall of the tiger breathing, and the swishing of the falcon's wings. The night was quiet now, peacefully still. Over the pungent smell of snowmobile exhaust, Asher caught the scent of pine needles mixed with tiger fur, and knew that Kennedy was lying in wait near the giant evergreen, where he had seen the wolf. Nixon however remained a mystery. Even with his heightened instincts, Asher could not locate him.

"What is this?"

At the sound of an angry voice, Asher peered in the window, careful to stay just out of sight. He could see Ari, in a dirtied white shirt standing before Ross with a rope around his neck, and the sight of his brother being treated like an animal enraged Asher.

A blur of brown fuzz raced across the room, followed by another as both rats dashed for the safety of a fireplace, and then things took on a new perspective.

"Stop they're just children!" Ari cried.

Asher could see him now, a man with thick sideburns welding a log, preparing to swing. Ari was concentrating on him, but what he didn't see was Ross standing with his foot raised high ready to stomp the approaching brown rat as she ran underneath. Asher hurried to the door. Using his magic he sent the door flying backward off its hinges, and as it did it took out the man with the log.

Taking advantage of the situation, Ari sent an elbow into Ross's side and removed the rope from his neck. The twins had done as Asher instructed and that was to free the binding that restrained his brother. Instead of going after Ari, Ross stood his ground and gestured instead to his followers the Gothi.

"My friends, it's time we show some hospitality. Our Keeper has dropped in to pay us a much expected visit," and then directing a smirk at Ari said, "and you said he wouldn't come."

"You took my brother. You knew I'd come?" Asher countered.

"Exactly," Zareth Ross laughed.

Fowlers transforming into a variation of bird forms flew straight toward Ari causing him to dodge out of the way. Asher on the other hand did not budge as a flock of grackles flew at him. Only in the last second did he put up a magic wall. Hitting head on, the birds dropped to the ground, and like the man he had knocked out cold with the door, they too remained still.

The smarter fowlers, having seen their buddies' demise, flew out the door and into the night. Most of them being small birds didn't concern Asher, but the hawk might pose a problem for Nixon, if he was still around. Several smaller creatures, including the two women who didn't want to be a part of the show, slipped out the front door only to be greeted by the sound of a tigers roar.

With Kennedy preventing any of the fleeing outcasts from returning, Asher's main focus turned to Ross, and the Gothi. The Gothi wore long red robes and around the outline of their bodies was a noticeable red aura which he had never before witnessed. They started to chant in unison and as their voices grew, the aura proceeded to grow stronger.

His eyes fell to their hands. Just as he expected, they were wearing the trademark leather gloves without the fingers that along with the red eyes, was all the affirmation that he needed. The Gothi were practiced in the arts of death magic.

"Arimus go outside," Asher commanded eyes narrowed on the strange men.

"It's nice to see you to brother," Ari shook his head, "but I'm not leaving you to enjoy this party alone, besides Casin is hurt."

This time Asher's attention was diverted as his eyes wildly searched the floor, only to discover the small brown rat lying next to the wall. A small puddle of blood pooled near her front left paw. In his mind he saw the frightened child who had wet her pants running from his presence, and something close to remorse washed over him.

Shifting to his boy form, Cade reached out a hand to touch his sister. Tears filled his eyes but the boy said nothing. Cade never said anything. When those eyes dashed upward though, seeking the man who harmed his sister, no words were needed.

"I had no idea they were children," Ross turned to Asher imploringly. He stood before him, a man of considerable height, long greasy hair and a face marred with pox marks. The very sight of him sickened Asher. He was ready to fight and every fiber of his being illustrated that. There would be no forgiveness.

"If that's the case," Asher said, "you won't mind if my brother takes them and leaves."

"By all means," Ross said, eyes intent on Asher. "It's been a while since we've had a chance to talk. This night is turning out far better than I could ever imagine."

Out of the corner of his eye, Asher watched as Ari approached Casin and very gently scooped her up in his hands. He stroked her back lovingly, told her not to shift then disappeared out the door with her in one hand, and Cade's hand in the other.

Turning his attention back where it belonged, Asher realized that a new group of Gothi had come through a back door and joined Ross and those that remained. When they realized they had caught him off guard, Asher took a blast of lightening. The fiery laser infiltrated his body and he stomached the pain. He remained still as four men rushed him. He waited until he could see the arrogant whites of their eyes, and then slowly Asher raised his arm, palm facing his attackers and sent out a wave of lightening in return. As the light surged through their veins like molten lava they began to shake and shriek in pain, until ultimately they fell unconscious to the floor.

Another quickly followed. This one a stocky looking Asian youth about Nixon's age, Asher caught with a side kick to the abdomen. His attacker's eyes widened and a small whoosh of air escaped his lungs as he slammed backward against the wall. He hadn't expected Asher's strength and that was obvious by how quickly his features twisted into rage. Asher could tell by the hint of purpose and pride in that expression that he planned to recover quickly, and come back with even more force than before, but Asher didn't have time for bruised egos.

Nixon gripped the branch tighter in preparation of yet another arctic blast. With the gale slamming into the side of the tree, it became caught up in a mad sort of wind dance as it swayed, twisted and bent back and forth. Over the top of cracking limbs and whistling wind, he could almost hear the gravelly voice of his father calling him a coward. The others were below fighting, making a stand, while he hid like a frightened child in a Blue Spruce.

Still Nixon couldn't budge. He couldn't follow through with orders. The sight of his father for the first time in years had been too much. Now he couldn't stop the thoughts from coming. Nixon pinched his falcon eyes closed and held on tighter. His father was everywhere, hiding in the closet, under the bed, behind the door. He could almost imagine him climbing up branch by branch to get to him, eyes glowing, mouth snarling in disgust. The smell of him floated on the pine and smoke scented air.

How many times had he stopped in the drug store to smell the Old Spice aftershave in the fragrance aisle? Like a moth to a bug zapper, Nixon wanted to be drawn to the memory, if for no other reason than to keep the hatred alive. Things hadn't always been bad. When he was lonely or sad, Nixon often slipped up and thought of those times, but typically all it took was a fast recap of the pain and hell his father put him through to summons the image of the monster he became in the end.

One sunny afternoon the two of them batted a ball around on the front lawn, and then on a cold rainy day, a few days later his father swung that same bat at him. Nixon just couldn't understand what he had done to make his dad hate him so much.

He was just a boy, a boy that wanted his father's love.

At the sound of Kennedy's tiger roar, Nixon looked below. He saw her grip a smaller cat in her massive jowls and tossed it like a stuffed animal into some nearby brush. The animal didn't reemerge. Then he saw him, Ari moving carefully along the porch. He had Cade's hand in his and he had Casin in her rat from pressed against his chest. The front of Ari's white shirt was smeared red and Nixon could smell the coppery traces of blood on the wind.

Lifting off the branch Nixon rose up on the air current, and then circled back in the direction of the cabin just as Kennedy spotted Ari, shifted and threw her arms around him. Nixon landed and shifted back just as Ari handed off Casin to her.

"Nixon." Ari embraced him. "I'm glad you're safe. You okay buddy?" he asked.

"Am I okay?" Nixon looked Ari over. He couldn't see any physical signs of injury, just the blood on his shirt and a little on his hairline. "What about you?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." In a hurry, Ari pulled Cade around in front of him and then pushed his body forward. Nixon circled the boy with his arms since he was shivering. "We'll talk about this later," Ari said. "Just get the twins out of here. Call Linn, Kennedy," he told her.

"She doesn't have a phone," Nixon was quick to interject.

"Yes I do," Kennedy stuck her hand in her coat pocket. "I found an old one tucked away in my dresser. I thought it might come in handy."

"Good girl." Ari patted her on the arm, causing Kennedy's face to beam with his praise. "Tell Linn to meet up with you somewhere so she can take Casin to Doc Garrett, and then once you see to her go directly to the manor. If we're not there, come look for us. I need to get back to Asher."

Before Nixon could say anything else Ari hurried away back in the direction of the cabin. Kennedy eyed him suspiciously when he stepped in front of her and took Casin from her hands so she could make the call. While she punched in Linn's numbers, Nixon pretended not to notice the fact that she continued to stare, and instead worked the scarf from around her neck. When he had it freed, he wound the fuzzy material around Casin's small rat body to keep her warm. He could make out blood on her front paw, but nothing else. Cade stood quietly staring at his sister and Nixon figured the two twins were having some sort of rat chat.

"Is she badly hurt?" He lowered so he could see Cade's expression, knowing he wouldn't answer verbally. Just as he assumed he would, Cade shook his head, but Nixon could tell that he was still worried.

"Linn said to take the road that leads back to the cemetery and she'll be waiting at the entrance," Kennedy announced returning her phone to her pocket. "She said there's a trail that leads to Doc Garrett's cabin from there, and that she can manage the rest of the way on foot, but that leaves the problem of how we're going to get there. I can't carry her on my back in my tiger-form if she can't hold on."

Kennedy unzipped her coat and reached for Casin, and then zipped her up inside when he carefully handed her over. "She wasn't very happy with Asher, Nixon," she said.

"We'll deal with that obstacle later." At the sight of the snowmobiles he gestured toward them. "Lucky for us, hotwiring cars is one of my many talents. Stay here with the twins until I check things out."

Moving around to the front of the cabin Nixon saw Asher kick a body across the room inside the cabin, and knew that his arrogance must be getting in the way if he was fighting instead of using his magic. Struggling whether to go inside and assist him or doing what he was told, Nixon noticed Ari in the doorway wave him on. The twins needed out of the weather and Kennedy needed his help. With the outcasts fleeing, there was no clue what she might face in the woods alone, and she had a wounded child to tend to. He let that be his motivation to move on.

Hurrying to the first snowmobile, he was relieved to see that fate had fallen into their hands. Not only were the keys dangling from the ignition, he recognized the blue tags hanging from them that sported the name of Gruber's Fun Place. In his high school days, it was a happening weekend hangout. Gesturing for the others to hurry and join him, Nixon climbed on a snowmobile, and started the ignition. Kennedy got on behind him. She told Cade to shift and picking up his rat body off the snow, she placed him inside her coat with Casin to keep them both warm.

Once they were settled, Nixon looked back at the cabin and caught a glimpse of the man that Asher was fighting with, and a wave of recognition washed over him. The Asian had been the one that took the first punch at him in the pub. Not only was he with the outcasts that had started the fight, he was the one that along with his buddy threw him out onto the snow afterwards.

In a roar of fury the Asian came at him again and Asher was ready. He sent a roundhouse in the exact same spot as before with the instep of Grant's ice fishing boot, and sent him flying back. The youth smacked the wall with a sickening thud, and as awareness abandoned him, he slowly slipped to the ground, landing on the man with the thick sideburns. According to his peripheral vision his brother had returned. Asher had long outgrown his protection, but he figured there was no point in arguing. Ari took one look at the bodies sprawled out on the floor and shook his head.

"Figured you wouldn't need me," he said, "but I'm here anyway."

Before he could even take up a defensive posture, Ari was surprised by another youth. This one was shorter and not as convinced of his abilities as the previously knocked-out Asian. Asher dare not intervene for the sake of Ari's dignity. Besides, he needed to witness the power of his father's obvious influence on his followers.

Momentarily knocked off balance, Ari stumbled, but stronger and skilled, he quickly managed to wrestle his foe's hands back, mercy style, in an attempt to snap his wrist. His opponent let out a pain filled scream with a mouth wide enough that Asher could clearly see the silver caps in his back molars. And then, unsuspectingly, threads of light flared from the youth's fingertips, and Ari's wrist began to bend back at an odd angle. With his eyes clinched, brow furrowed and mouth clamped shut, Ari fought to regain control.

The sound of music, something old yet recognizable broke the strange silence that had befallen the room. Asher's eyes darted to where his father stood. He winked at Asher as he removed a cellphone from the pocket of his coat, the source of the music.

"You know Asher, I've always been intrigued by those eyes of yours," he said. "The color is such an unusual shade of blue, but it's the ring around them that interest me now, and might I add, right now they are quite red with hate. Hello," Ross spoke into the phone irritating Asher with both his words and casual actions.

Reaching over Asher grabbed the youth away from Ari by the collar and sent him forward with a whisk of light which was his equivalent to a kick in the butt. Then with another zap of magic Asher sent him stumbling toward the two remaining men, gearing up to make their moves, and forcefully slammed them together. Their heads clacked loudly, and all three fell to the ground on top of their fallen brethren.

"I could have taken him," Ari breathlessly complained giving Asher a side glance. "You always have to prove yourself, don't you?"

Asher ignored him. He had been observing his father when he just happened to notice one robed man in particular standing at Ross's left. There was something odd about him that Asher couldn't quite place. Tall, grey headed, sporting a sinewy build underneath his robe, the man appeared to stare at nothing in particular, and then Asher noticed his eyes as they started to glow a bright red. Ari started to say something and then stood with his mouth opened. Asher knew that he saw him too.

"What?" Ross snapped into the phone startling both Asher and Ari's attention back to him. "But it's got to be there! Look again, this time harder!"

The words seized hold of Asher and he could barely move his chest to breath. In Ross's words, all meaning sprung to life. He understood now. He understood all too clearly. Reaching over he took hold of Ari's elbow and urged him toward the door. "I think it's time we go. We've out stayed our welcome here."

Ari looked confused as he glanced back and forth between Asher and the men on the other side of the room, of which none made an attempt to prevent them from leaving.

Pulling the phone away from his ear, Ross smiled. "Thanks for dropping by son. We'll talk again soon, real soon."

The words only fueled Asher's rage, but there was no other choice, they had to go. Asher could feel his magic fading fast as sudden weakness washed over him. He stepped outside and caught Ari when he slipped on the ice but Asher wasn't strong enough to hold him up, and they nearly went down together.

Using each other as leverage they managed to regain their footing and headed away from the entrance. Asher looked to the moon. The waxing crescent was one of the stronger moons and yet there was no strength there to comfort him. Even with shifting and the use of magic during the fight, the sudden drain of his power didn't make sense.

Ross's voice filtered out onto the quiet night as he continued his phone conversation inside. With the sensation of a million tiny needles pricking his skin awareness swept through Asher. They were being watched. Turning slowly around he discovered the strange man staring out a window in their direction.

The red glow emitting from the lifeless eyes proceeded to burn through a thin layer of frosted ice that had gathered on the windowpane, melting it into two thin streams of running water, and it was then Asher truly knew. He was feeding off his powers and at that point Asher wondered if the strange red aura had anything to do with that possibility.

Either way, Asher felt it, all the magic he stored up for the last ten years leaving as quickly as a plug pulled from a bathtub full of water. Soon he would have nothing left. Following Asher's gaze, Ari let out a startled intake of breath as he noticed the man in the window.

"Wow, what a freak," Ari took hold of Asher's arm. "Let's go."

"Well that freak is draining my magic."

"How is that possible?"

"I don't know how, but I just know that's what he is doing." Asher was far too weak to shift but he knew he had to hurry. The weather had dropped considerably and Ari's coat was still lying on the passenger's seat of his car. They needed to get in out of the cold.

The snowmobiles were still in place and the strong smell of blood lingered on the wind. Asher scanned the area but there were no signs of any outcasts. Just like little Casin, if wounded it would be too dangerous for them to shift back. Those that remained close by were recovering in the darkened shadows of the trees with no interest in them.

"Get on the back Ari." Asher unbuckled and unzipped his parka while Ari thoughtfully watched.

"Asher, you don't know how to drive."

"Yes, so I've been reminded but you're driving is what got you into this mess."