When she awoke it was obviously from the well-lit room that it was obviously morning.. There was an arm draped across her and so without moving she concentrated on tapping into the gently snoring male in bed with her. But Edward was completely out of it. There were snatches of dream images she was picking up, but they were a jumbled mess of visions and memories that meant nothing to her. His mind was still a little unsettled from sapping Stevenson of his persona.

She hardly had to heart to wake him, but despite her own lack of sleep, she wanted to know all about his evening's activities. The lady from the bar, whatever her name was, was one to get a person thinking. While she hardly felt young, it was very true that when it came to The Kind, she was nothing more than a babe.

She pushed her own thoughts at him, cautious not to startle him into doing something unfortunate. She had no desire to get sucked into his soul for the duration. She rather liked being in control of her own body for the moment.

“Edward?"

“Huh? Is that you Mags?"

He opened an eye, though she couldn't see it. He burrowed his nose into her hair and inhaled. “There's nothing better to wake up to than you."

For some reason, she blushed. “You have me at a disadvantage sir!"

His fingers played across her arm before moving to positions a little more intimate. “Good. That means you won't be able to squirm away until I'm good and ready!"

She smiled. Apparently a night out with the boys had been good for him. His voice didn't have the strained edge to it that it had for the past few weeks.

“That sounds a little like a challenge!"

He nuzzled her neck. “No. Not this morning. Running with the pack was quite the experience and I think I used up more energy than I knew I had."

She rolled in his grasp and stared into his eyes. “Then why don't we just get some breakfast and tell each other about our respective nights?"

“I take it yours wasn't a complete waste?"

“I don't know for certain, not yet anyways. But it got me thinking."

Edward kissed her. “Yeah, that was the biggest event of the evening for me as well. Thinking about life. It makes me wish I had been told about what I was a lot sooner. Meeting you and everything has been great, but I still feel a little lost now and again."

“Me too. Like we're nothing more than greenhorns in a world of ancient creatures?"

His cheeks were uplifted as the corners of his mouth rose. “Something like that. Everyone was young once. Everyone. So we're no worse off for it. Reynard and his crew made it clear that just because we haven't got a lot of years behind us doesn't mean that we aren't destined for greatness."

“Greatness? I don't want greatness. All I want is a decent life."

“You'll have it, but I am beginning to suspect that it will not be as either of us foresaw it."

She bit the end of his nose. “I don't foresee anything, not like you do. I want it; I wish it; I desire it and I need it."

“Meaning what?"

“Do you love me?"

“Do you have to ask?"

“No, but I want to hear from your lips."

He kissed her again. “I love you more than I have ever loved anything or anyone. I would do for you whatever you might ask.."

She returned his kiss. “And I stand ready to claim that promise should the need arise. And in return you may count on me for anything you might need or desire."

“Desire?"

Her attitude shifted just a little. “Yes, but I think I want food. Since we have been waylaid here and given every available comfort, I think I want to eat and explore."

He rolled his eyes. “Food it is. As for exploring, it might be interesting to see a few of the sights in the sunlight instead of pitch blackness. “

The tavern was open and the barmaid was already there, the place scrubbed to a spotless shine. She smiled at Maggie and nodded to Edward, who smiled back absently. His mind was still full of adventures from the night before.

“So? What will the couple be having this morning?"

Maggie searched about for a menu.

“Oh dear, we don't do things formally here. Would you like me to throw something together fit for a pair of newly forged partners?"

Edward snorted."Newly forged partners? You make us sound like a law firm."

He received a kick under the table. “She's a nice lady. Leave off with your stupid humor."

He straightened up immediately. “Sorry. I guess I'm still feeling a little carefree after last night's wanderings. Anything you bring will be appreciated."

“A good and wise answer young man." She turned and slipped from sight through an old oaken door that led to the kitchen.

Edward actually had a little color to his cheeks.

“Are you embarrassed?"

He shrugged. “I guess so. I wasn't trying to be mean or flippant. And I guess we are partners. It just sounds odd to my ears."

“Then maybe you should change them up to something more sensitive. I've had plenty of you going off on tangents you know."

“I said I was sorry…"

“Just as long as you mean it. I don't need you upsetting the very people who seem to be going to great lengths to makes us feel comfortable. That lady stayed up all night with me listening to me bitch and whine."

“Whine about what?"

“Nothing! It was a woman to woman talk."

“Oh. I see."

“Do you?"

“I doubt it."

“Then things are as they should be. But do tell me about your night."

“Oh lord, where to start? First off, they found it amusing to play with my limitations of being land bound."

“Did you set them in their place?"

He grinned while stifling a yawn. “They learned very quickly that I have a very impressive ability to leap. I took three of them down in as many minutes."

“You didn't hurt them did you?"

“Nothing they couldn't shrug off. I found their antics to be a little more than annoying, considering what they pulled me away from."

It was her turn to blush. “But did you learn anything from them?"

He tapped his head. “Yeah. For one, I can copy memories without disrupting a person's functioning mind."

“You mean just like a computer?"

“Yeah. I mean, I was doing that before, but then I thought that my power had gotten out of control."

“But it hasn't has it? It's you that has gotten out of control."

He looked a little nonplused. “So it seems. Here I felt I was doing all of these great things, but essentially I've just been barreling my way through life like everything is some sort of barrier."

“Yeah, I know how you feel. Like we've been taking too many risks." She held up her ring. “It sounds like this metal might not be all it's cracked up to be."

“What?"

“I don't think she's an expert or anything, but the barmaid seems to know stories about this stuff. We are in Europe after all, where our kind has been living for a lot longer than over in the states."

He nodded, deep in thought.  “I've been thinking that we've been in over our head for some time."

“That's probably the smartest thing you've said in a while, outside of telling me that you love me."

“Hmph! We've been through shit no one should have to go through."

“But stuff happens to people all the time. We just are designed to be able to take a lot more than most."

“I know, I know. I just seems that this would be easier knowing it all in advance."

“My thought too, but then again, what would life be if we have everything handed to us?"

Edward mulled that one over. “I'll concede you that point. But I still don't get what this lady wants with us." He then pointed to the barmaid as she came out carrying plates, followed by the cook carrying a platter of food. “Maybe she's our mystery lady."

His voice was low, but it carried. “Mystery lady? Me? What mysteries do you think I hide beneath my clothing?"

Edward turned beet red again. “I didn't mean it like that. I was just making a supposition.  We are looking for this Lily after all."

“So I've heard. As I told your lovely wife here, Lily can't be found. She finds you. Therefore, as far as I might see it, the deal is done. That she told you to find her is most unusual."

“Yeah, I've been getting told that and I find it aggravating. But if I learned anything last night, it was to have patience."

She smiled as she laid out their meal, shooing off the cook once the table was laden with hot food. “Patience? The young have no patience. They run headlong into life as if it has no end. For some, that might be true. For others – not so much. The average human might have a good sixty or seventy years before they begin to break down. Us – well…. We can live for centuries. Patience is what allows us to keep going. Keeping our noses out of trouble, steering clear of avoidable risks, living below; how do you Americans say it? Oh yes – flying below the radar. People cannot fear what they do not see or understand."

“Are you saying that we have the most to fear from other people?"

The woman pulled up a chair and sat down. “Eat. I'll talk."

The other two dug in and filled up their plates.

“I'm sure you've had some exciting adventures, but how many of them involved danger that wasn't from either normal humans or from members of our kind? I already know the answer. Nature knows what we are. You'll rarely run into trouble with animals. For those who are willing to take the time, you can learn to communicate with many of the beasts of this land. Not all are stupid, lumbering savages."

Maggie about choked. “Edward could talk to…"

He kicked her from across the way. “Shut up Maggie!"

“My, my! Such tension. Did someone do something embarrassing?"

Edward's face turned a deeper shade of crimson than he had heretofore managed to bring forth in his embarrassment.. “When I was in Russia I guess I was able to understand bears."

“Bears? Yes, they don't normally have much to say, but they are rightfully intelligent in their own right. Why would this be embarrassing?"

“No reason."

“I see. Then we will forgo the question. So you have some rudimentary understanding of how some of this works. Never take for granted any of your abilities. Use them wisely. And never flaunt them to the general public. It will do nothing more than bring you notoriety that you will not want, even if you think you do. We have not lived in relative peace here by broadcasting what we are to everyone. They see us as human, which we are, and they don't see the side that isn't. It's no different than those having affairs or engaging in illegal activities. We all have something to hide. Ours is just part of our being and therefore beyond our ability to contain."

“I see," murmured Edward. “We have been a little remiss along those lines."

“Inexperience can be considered an excuse, but excuses will not save you. You need to harden yourself to being more than you even think you can be. All great people went the… again, how do you say these things…oh yes, they went the extra kilometer."

“Mile?"

 “Oh yes. I forget what a backwards country you come from."

The smile on her face told him she was just teasing them.

Maggie grinned, knowing that the lady was just barbing Edward in return for his social blunder earlier.  “Yes, I suppose it is a little backwards in some respects."

“Not backwards young lady, but arrogant and self absorbed. Your country has done great things, and as well it has done terrible things. In that, it puts it on par with every other nation that exists or has existed. Sometimes we cannot help where we are from, but we can control what we become. Keep that in the forefront of your minds."

At that she stood, smiled, and turned to the kitchen. She was gone before either of them could ask any other questions.

“She might not be our mystery lady, but she is certainly both informative and mysterious."

“Oh well, “ said Maggie as her stomach growled, “I think she's nice. And look at all of this food!"

“Look? How about devour! I'm hungry enough to eat a horse!"

“OH NO! You stick to what's before you mister!"

They both laughed as they dug in for more helpings.

A little while later, sated and bordering on uncomfortable from having had their fill, the two fell back into conversation.

“So, what went on last night?"

He leaned back and belched. “There is quite a group of them you know.  They aren't all related either. I guess they have been gathering around here for centuries. I think that by marrying into each other's lineage has increased the number of them that can change, but new folks show up now and again."

“Change? Oh you mean switched from human to the winged wolf form."

“Kludde. Yep."

“I never heard of them before we got here. Makes you wonder what other forms of us there are."

“They hinted that there are many. Werewolves are the most popularized, but maybe not the most common."

“I have been wondering a little about that. I mean, Leo didn't seem very impressive in his alternate form. Not that I'm denigrating him, for he's a brilliant man."

“Yeah. It seems that some of us can really turn on the transformation while others can only do a little."

Maggie pondered that. “I suppose it's like everything else in life. Only a select few can do great art, but everyone can doodle."

“I suppose. Makes you wonder how many people have power they aren't aware of?"

“A lot I suppose. Now, on with the details. What of last night?"

Edward sat a little straighter in his seat. “Well, you've met a few of the guys. Reynaud is the leader, even if he acts like he wants to hand it over to me. They know damn well I won't be staying here, so I think it's more of a token thing, like giving someone an honorary degree from a university. But I appreciate the offer. They're all a tough bunch, even one old fellow named Tybeert. They wouldn't say how old he was, but he looks ancient in his human form. And despite being blind, man can he move!"

“Blind? But how can he see, errr… well you know what I mean. How can he move without assistance?"

“I wondered the same thing, especially after he dodged my grab. He uses his hearing just like a bat does. The rest of them saw me, but failed to account for my speed. But this old guy could sense my position at all times. And just to prove it, he got the jump on me and sunk his teeth into my shoulder."

Edward stopped to rub it in remembrance of the short-lived but severe pain.

“You guys play rough!"

“Rough? Maybe. I would say they were playing for keeps. I think they take their imagined duties much more seriously than we have our own meager lives."

“That might be taking it a little far, don't you think?"

“I don't know Mags. These guys seem like good fellows, but they don't precisely play around. I think they know I can take it, so they dished it out pretty heavily, but I wouldn't want to be on their bad side no matter what."

“So what all did you guys do? You had the whole night."

“A lot of it was working on my night vision skills. I know I can see well at night, but I didn't know how well until they challenged me. Keeping track of a bunch of flying ghouls…"

“Kludde."

“Yes; kludde…it's quite the challenge. It makes you appreciate the difficulty in dealing with multiple moving targets all connected for a single purpose. That they fought bravely during the war is unquestionable. If there had been more of them, they might have very well ended it sooner."

“Don't forget that our previous foe fought on the side of the Allies as well. Don't be too quick to judge them as good or evil."

“I wasn't. But they have treated us well, so how else am I going to think of them but as being on our side."

“Maybe. But what exactly is our side?"

He paused.

“What do you mean?"

“I don't know. I have a brain full of thoughts right now. Are we good?"

“Uh; yes?"

“See! You responded with a question not an answer."

“But…"

“Exactly. We think we are doing good. But are we?"

“Well, we have eliminated some evil people, so that has to count for something."

“Let's hope so. I mean, to some people, we might be the evil ones."

“What?!"

“Look at it from a different perspective. We have killed how many people? The reason hardly matters. Isn't killing wrong?"

Edward was silent for so long that she continued.

“So I guess what I'm saying is that just because we are special, that doesn't make us better than everyone else."

“I guess so. But I like to think we act for a better reason."

“Who doesn't? Let's just say that we have to think our actions through a little more before we do anything from here on out."

“Wow, you're sort of a buzz-kill this morning."

“Maybe I am. But I have been thinking on a lot of things. And I think we would be better off just going back home and forgetting about this lady."

“Hmmm. I don't think that's really what you want to do. I think you're afraid of what you may find."

“And you aren't?"

“I'm scared as hell. But what have we got to lose? I'm not saying you're wrong, but if this lady is someone important, then I think we need to meet her. And I say that especially since we keep getting told how we'll never find her."

He suddenly looked panicked and patted his pockets.

“Mags? Where's the key?"

“The one she gave us?"

“Yeah! I haven't seen it since last night."

“Well, I don't have it. I thought you did."

He forced himself to calm down. “I got so wrapped up in everything I totally forgot about it. We need to find it and fast!"

“Calm down! If I remember correctly we left it in the bedroom."   

“Yeah, I know. But I don't recall seeing it this morning!"

“We'll go look. I doubt that anyone would be brash enough to steal it, especially this group. I think they have way too much respect to stoop to petty theft."

“I agree, but I'll feel better knowing where it is."

They slid out of their chairs and turned to tell someone where they were going, but no one was there.

“They'll figure it out. We'll be back in no time once we find it."

Edward looked pale."If we find it."

They rushed back to their room only to find it neatened and tidy. But there was no key in evidence among their belongs. Edward stared at the bedside table, remembering how he had emptied his pockets. With that in mind he dropped to the floor and stuck his hand under the bed. It sat a little too low to look under it, but he had plenty of room for his hand. It swept back and forth until it ran across something, but whatever it was, it wasn't the key. Then his fingers brushed against something hard and cold that moved just out of reach of his questing hand.

“Dammit Mags, I think it's under the bed. It must have gotten knocked there last night."

“So then, let's just move the bed."

It wasn't a matter of moving the average bed. The frame on this one had been hewn from oak a hundred years before, and weighed enough that the average man could hardly have begun to think about moving it. But Edward wasn't the average man. He concentrated, willing a little extra bulk to this form and with a push, shove the whole thing over a foot or so.

It was obvious that the owners cleaned as best they could for there was a dust free zone partway along the floor. And there, just past it, was their key, snuggled in a layer of newly disturbed dust.

And something else.

Mind you, the flooring was old rugged boards darkened with age. And there, situated carefully into them as a small door.

Maggie pushed past him and got down on her knees. “What is this?"

Edward dropped beside her. “I haven't a clue. But if I were to guess, I'd say it was a safe."

“Looks a little old for that kind of thing."

He nudged her with his elbow. “So when did you get to be an expert of these things?"

“I didn't say I was. But this looks to be as old, or nearly as old as this building. And look…"

“What?"

She picked the key up and placed it over an opening in the door. It slid in like it had been made for it. She gave a side-glance to her mate.

“Should we open it?"

“Hell yes we should. I don't think it's at all possible that our being here is by chance. So whatever is inside was meant for us, no matter how long it's been sitting here."

The key was turned. It went begrudgingly at first, but a few clicks could be heard as the device was engaged. Pulling up on the now-secured key, the metal door came open with a screech of dry hinges and a waft of musty air.

They peered inside to see what there was.