It was not hard for him to spin tales, false or true, long or short, happy or sad, as Leon could collect others? thoughts and desires to be woven into the fabric of a story. So when the Guttural Voodoo King was prompted to tell a true story to an Urban Sun Kissed Nymph Leon did not hesitate to lace his tongue with a short fairy tale of romance for her to hang on to.

Once upon a time there was a girl as bright and as beautiful as the sun. She grew up as most other girls do, full of sweetness and sugar and did not learn about true arsenic and lace until she met a certain man. This was not just any man, but a confident wolf in sheep?s clothing. And for a while, everything was perfect. She was his sun. He was her moon. Light and darkness intertwined. A love story to end all love stories.

--For a time. Love exists, but see, happily ever after does not. Especially between wolves in sheep?s dress and women discovering the properties of poison.

For a wolf is always a wolf. Wild or tamed, his instincts are still woven in his bones. His natural tendencies were always there, and over time he grew more?. Relaxed. The sheep?s skin slipped off and she discovered what he really was.

*SNAP*

And just like that it was over. She could not stand to be with a wolf, even if he had never changed what he was the entire time he was with her. It was only that she finally saw it. The magic between them faded in an instant. She stole his heart and broke it, leaving him as a lonely old wolf constantly searching for the sun.

Which is why wolves howl at the moon.

There was no denying the validity to his prose, though the final statement was more of a flourish or a gloss to tie the completed story in a bow, but the question was more a matter of whether it was a story that had already happened or if it was one that spoke of things to come.

Sanctuary: the name struck a resounding chord of irony. It spoke of a safe haven, a sacred place or safe zone. But it was a catch-all net for all the monsters that crawled through the night, the ones that peered out of the gutters during the daylight, and the beautiful and freaks alike who could cast off their glamour and stop playing pretend in the world of the mundane. Come and rub elbows with monsters and men, the fae and the freaks, the vampires and the victims, the hunters and the hunted. But above all, it was a hunting ground where predators could view their prey ?just not touch or attack less they felt like being blacklisted for going against the agreed upon alliances.

Since the beginning of Time there were the three sides: the light, the dark and the neutral (or grey as it was sometimes called). Families formed alliances, sticking with tradition to keep their lines alive and carry on through future generations. Presently nine of the Original families still existed. For the Light it was the Angevine Family, the Cato Family and the Theophilus Family. For the Dark there was the Aznar Family, the Byrne Family and the Guiscard family. And then for the Grey there was the Javed Family, the O?Connor Family and the Wyman Family. The Neutral Families however, were among the most interesting as both the Light and the Dark were in constant attempt to sway the shifting Patriarchs to pick a side and shift the balance of power. They became even more so when the prophesized Set was birthed into one of them.

Oh how lucky I felt when one of the Set walked right into Sanctuary and stood just three feet away from me.

Charisma and charm swam in my veins, I knew that I was prepared for the task of coaxing her for either hiring me, or begin the playful game of cat and mouse. I was all predator and she was dressed up as a shadow coated harlot with smoky lids and the exposed flesh of her thighs. She was forbidden fruit just dangling there, ripe for the plucking.

Now imagine my shock when I discovered that she wasn?t just a pretty face underneath all the layers of makeup unnecessary for her features. She served up taunts and teases almost instantly after being left doe eyed at the bar by her cousin. She wasn?t afraid that I could see through her words and pick out the truths, for they were all truths. Honest, eager and quick to learn, she didn?t hesitate when she learned that I dealt with monsters on a regular basis ?she?d seen more than I had and in shorter time.

As a warlock hungry for power, hungry for the kingdom that I was on the verge of building, I have been accused of attaching myself to her because of her strength, or that I loved her power and never once the woman behind it.

But that is false.

I fell in love with her the moment she said her name. ?My name is Constance.?

Because above all things, she is perfectly consistent. A constant radiating beauty that stole my heart.

But then I was turned into a soul stealer and everything changed.

Night of September 8th, 2014

Summer was fading like a sinking sunset and Autumn was on its way with its fluttering cooler breezes and subtle shift of colors on the trees from green to hints of red, orange and yellow. It was too early for the leaves to be trampled underfoot, but that would never be the reason why the neutral tracker was silent in the breeze. It was because often times: John simply was the breeze. Or the thick smoke that filled an unventilated bar. A presence that was sometimes noticed, but just as quickly easily forgotten about and left to be in the background. Whether it was through talent or gift, John was still often the one who would be tapped to fulfill requests to find items that needed to be procured, and it was for this reason why he found himself coming up behind the puppet-master Warlock on the dark street.

The tailored silver suit was not what shined in the night, but the edge of a knowing smile with a flash of white enamel just peeking out. He didn?t have a devil beside him, but there was that special something that craved for so much more at every new step. Ever eager to feed the addict that clawed at the tendons in his muscles and rattled against the cage of his bones, Leon sent a dark look up to the not quite yet full moons before both him and the pair in the sky faded from view. The Warlock turned down an even dark alley while the moon slipped behind a gathering of clouds.

?I smell you Sylph,? he called out tauntingly.

While he was a keeper of secrets, as were so many in his Family, John still felt a nagging annoyance that this meeting was something he ought to avoid. However, the choice to disappear on the wind and leave the warlock on his own slipped out the proverbial window as he was called out. Gusts of air cycloned in a human sized tornado, smoke swirling and spiraling until John?s presence was visibly clear and he stepped forward into the blacked out alley. Never one for a lengthy conversation John got right to the point. ?What did you wish to discuss??

?Always straight to the point. Or do you have an errand to run before the boy king comes for a visit??

?Being who I am has nothing to do with why I don?t like you Leon. You said you have information for me.?

?Ah, but the information is to be your payment. I need you to find something for me.?

?Find what??

?Ah,? lifting a finger in the air before he continued on. ?I also need your word that you will do it first.?

John chuckled, a low and quiet sound as he shook his head in disbelief. ?No deal man. But I?ll do you the favor of not mentioning to anyone that you asked me of all people for help. No one will ever know you got desperate.? It was the longest string of words he had said all night and he started to turn back for the street and leave Leon scrambling in the dark.

?And here I thought it was you who was desperate. Guess that means that your little group has learned all you need to know about that curse and how to fix it. Very well then. I don?t have adequate payment for you then. My mistake.? Leon cast out the line then, his fingers shifting to collect and reach for a dangling string to latch onto and pull the Fae closer.

Smoke was evasive and hard to hold on to, but the Shadow Man caught John?s attention at just the right moment. The curse continued to eat and nag away at the back of his head and just the mention of it again was enough to cause the edges of his mouth to dip into an obvious frown. His steps reconsidered while his head craned back in Leon?s direction. ?Surely you understand why I would be hesitant to strike up a deal with of all people --You. I cannot trust you.?

His wrist jerked his hand sharp to the side as he caught a hold of the unseen and reeled the man back in once more. The Puppet Master smiled once more, which flashed wide even in the shadows cast by abandoned and battered buildings. ?No, it is true. You cannot. But how about this,? about to offer a suggestion, a potential loophole to the forming agreement, Leon took a step closer to John. ?You may ask me one question about what I need you to find for me, and then by my answer you may make your decision as to whether or not you will agree to the deal.?

?You? Offer up information freely with no catch?? The disbelief was clear, even with John?s eyes as a swirling mass of smoke.

?Truth be told, I?m quite certain you will agree. Ask wisely.? He warned needlessly.

John was familiar with Leon?s tricks and he considered his words for a minute or two before finally asking, ?What potential harm do you anticipate will befall on me or my Family should I find this item for you??

?Now John boy, you know I don?t do tarot readings anymore and the future could go in a thousand different directions as it is a shifting ripple effect in time --?

?Leon??

His chuckle was deep and rocked in his chest, stirring and amusing the beast within him as he was interrupted, ?Oh come on now. You can?t let me get away with a little fun? It is truly merely a simple smash and grab. But with much less smash. I do not expect any immediate danger to you or your family because of this.?

?Then why the secrecy??

?That is two questions.? Chuckling again as he was aware he had the half fae?s attention and agreement before it was issued.

Rolling his eyes, two silver white pools of smoke, John finally nodded. ?Fine. I agree to get this item for you. Now what is it and what information do you have for me??

?Your word is a binding contract with me. You remember what that means, don?t you??

?Yes,? he hissed not needing the memory flooding through his mind.

?Good, good.? Leon?s hands clasped together silently as though the gesture was able to contain his joy.

?Now before the following full moons, that is --not by tomorrow night, but the full moons next month I will require the Tektite Teardrop--unbroken and unscathed. It can be rather delicate.?

?I am assuming that you know where I can find this teardrop??

?Yes actually. The Guiscard Family vault here in town. Within the vault as well is a book with your Family?s Oak tree on the cover. In that book is the information that I am gifting you with.?

?Are you ****ing kidding me? I can?t go steal something from the Guiscard?s Family vault. It would be a catalyst to an all out-war!?

?Then don?t let them know that it is you who takes anything.?

?That book goes missing, and there?s only one person they?re going to look at. Me!?

?Then I guess you should just read the book, and not steal it. Just the Tektite Teardrop.?

?You are on their payroll for ****ing Fae?s sake. Why can?t you just ask for the teardrop and go on? No, instead you want to play puppet master and start another massive ball of a ****storm. This is just like back in New Orleans nine years ago!? Nearly shouting, John?s reaction suddenly had grown out of character and he was growing excessively close to punching the warlock before he took a step back and blinked while shaking his head. ?What in the??

?This is nothing like New Orleans.? His voice grew darker while his eyes coated themselves in pitch, a reversal of the smoke eyed man before him. ?You will get me the Tektite Teardrop. And we will discuss this no further until you place it in the palm of my head. Do you understand me??

?Yes.? The message was clear and John was forced to remind himself of a lesson he already knew too well.

You never struck a deal up with the Shadow Man.

Wednesday, October 8th, just prior to the formation of the Blood Moons

Still white and shining against the midnight blue backdrop, the moons were massive and full in the autumn sky above. The scene laid out much like it had six months prior in the same mausoleum with the broken skylight. A chalk drawn circle, the same symbols and dozens of candles surrounded the room, but instead of a white suit, Leon was dressed simply in an all-black robe. Even as he stood outside the circle, the shadows creeped out towards him as though animated with life and clawing desperately for his attention and affection.

Murmured invocations escaped in the tangled way only his tongue could weave them, quiet prayers to encourage and continue the series of rituals he was committed to complete. A woman knelt silently at the edge of the circle wearing a simple black dress with her gaze down and her hands splayed on her bare knees. Expressionless and emotionless, when Leon walked up and lifted her chin and met her eyes they were nothing but two black and empty pools staring back at him.

Soon the white of the moons began to grow smothered with a mix of copper and red as the blood moons unfolded above. It was the voodoo king?s cue to pull the Tektite Teardrop from his robe and start to absorb its growing strength. The crystal thrummed with power and caused a magnetic like pull on the darkness and shadows outside the circle before coating everything outside it in a black pitch with the exception of the various flickering candle flames in place.

It was when the moons overhead were painted a solid crimson that Leon began his work and pulled the woman off her knees and into the circle on her back. Her limbs settled effortlessly and lax against the stone bed and remained as such even as her dress was shredded off of her body and she lay exposed. As before, Leon only had a span of a couple of hours to finish his work until the blood moon was finished.

Tektite Teardrop still in hand, he knelt over her and began carving into her pristine and unmarked skin with the crystal. Signs and symbols were drawn in her flesh as blood spilled and oozed out in the offering. As each sign was completed, energy flowed from the woman into the crystal and he worked until there was no spot left untouched on her body.

Finally, Leon torn open the robe he was wearing and carved a single sigil into his chest to open it up, rising up to his feet with a sudden jerk as new strength struck him in a massive wave. Potent with power after the final surge, Leon looked to the woman stretched out on the ground underneath him and finally spoke to her, ?You may die now my child.?

?Thank you father,? she whispered with her last breath.

The second step had been taken, he was half way there.

Monday, September 28th, just prior to the formation of the Blood Moons

Years of planning, meticulous and critical arrangements had built up to this very night for the Voodoo King. It had been on the constant forefront of his mind, the aching background noise to every thought, every movement he had made not long after that fateful night in New Orleans when his very core was tied to the ravenous soul eating Loa. But even once the ritual was finally complete, a task that took the course of two years? time, there was still more to do.

But he was getting closer, so much closer to taking down and breaking apart the overly confident Fae who had done this to him. And Kalfu was oh so hungry.

The small courtyard bustled with two dozen or so Blood Moons Cultists eagerly preparing themselves for their last rites. Leon made a casual round among them, passing over cups of rum to the people of various shapes and sizes dressed in thin linen robes that had been dyed red. Playing the part of servant, he was there to clean up the aftermath as they sought their afterlife before the end of days was upon them. Or so he had them believe.

He nodded dutifully, even respectfully to the leader of the group as he told Leon that they would save a place for him on the other side, provided that he stayed true to the moons of Rhy?Din and informed the Watch of the events of the evening. Even Blood Moons Cultists had the right to worship as they saw fit.

Pitch black eyes watched from the edge of the courtyard as the group formed a circle and began chanting with their hands up in the air. It wasn?t until they had collectively abandoned their empty cups to the ground, littering the scene with white plastic between their pooling red robes, that the Warlock broke free from the wall and stepped through the circle to the massive pit in the center.

Believers began to sink to their knees, some clutching their throats as the poison, alcohol and gun powder filtered through their bloodstreams. Many began to choke and gasp for air as foam and blood gurgled and bubbled past their parting lips, but each and every one would see the false servant begin to weave an intricate spell before them that would start to funnel their blood out of their bodies and into an average sized bathtub at the bottom of the pit in the ground.

Had he been forced to drain two dozen bodies of all of their blood manually, Leon would have missed his window of opportunity during the duel full blood moons. After two years of rituals, he did not miss a step in the difficult casting and hardly looked weary as rivers of crimson funneled the life source out of the dying bodies and into the tub. Unable to appreciate the spectacle however, he was soon stepping down into the pit and stripping down to wait inside the tub as it filled up.

Timing it perfectly, when the Blood Moons were at their peaks and high in the RhyDin night sky and the cultists had been completely emptied, the spell slipped away and dissipated into nothingness. Leon emerged from the pit and the literal blood bath accompanied by a murky crimson shadowed figure of a man. Both heads hung limp for a moment until Leon raised his and fully tar coated eyes stared outwards.

Meanwhile across town?

Alone in the apartment, John stepped up to the refrigerator to grab another beer to keep the collection of empties on the counter company. The smoke white of his eyes swirled and shifted as he glanced in the direction of his cell phone as it beeped the announcement of a text message.

?Challenge Accepted,? he muttered to himself with mild amusement as he presumed the text to be from a fellow Scrabble player.

Turning to open the fridge, John?s world faded to black.

Eyes closed and then reopened.

And a pitch black gaze looked out into the refrigerator.

?Perfect.?

Finally the completion of the fourth ritual: The Puppet Master had his Puppet.