Atli stood in the circle of Fay, his arms chained. He'd just been fed blood, he didn't ask where it had come from. But it was good. All in all, he was feeling great, wary of what the future might hold but for now, he was alive. Arkesh treated him like a prize pupil... with chains. He tested Atli's strength every day and queried Atli for hours over any other abilities that may have suddenly developed, fawning over him like a proud grandfather.

Atli thought he was nuts. He didn't know what to make of the situation, but he performed his tricks like a trained dog and waited for his moment.

So far he hadn't met anyone besides Fay. He'd thought he might meet some Vai-Siri, Vampires long time Fay allies, who preyed on other beings but that had not occurred. He was a secret for now.

Every day it was training, fighting, and learning magic.

Fighting, training, learning magic.

It seemed like months had gone by. Atli began to wonder if Dumas had noticed he was missing.

Today was a combat drill.

Atli grunted as he fought with his sword against his Fay opponent, a big muscular, blue-tinged Fay with blazing yellow eyes and hair to match named Ereth. Ereth was a master swordsman and had knocked Atli down on many occasions. Today, much to Arkesh's excitement, Ereth hadn't managed to land a blow.

Atli wasn't sure whether to press his luck or not. Ereth suddenly had become easier to deal with, Atli could see every blow coming. He toyed with Ereth a bit and suddenly knocked Ereth off his feet, in a flash his manacles were snapped back on around his hands. He had listened for them but hadn't quite heard the uttered words that worked that particular trick.

They hadn't taught him that spell yet, but if they did...he grinned inwardly at their mistrust of him. It made him feel that he wasn't quite lost yet. No, not to them, just biding his time, waiting for his chance.

Dropping his sword he waited. He still didn't know what all the training was for.

Arkesh was practically dancing with joy.

"Well done my boy! You have definitely shown improvement!"

Atli pulled up a smile, it looked more like a grimace but he didn't care.

"Now let's see your appetite..."

"My appetite? I eat every day. I'm hungry now actually..."

Arkesh grinned even wider. "Excellent! Now follow me."

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His enthusiasm was hard not to share and Atli followed behind him, his manacles clacking away. So far things were good, and perhaps his judgment of the Fay was too harsh. They certainly knew how to feed a guy.

The trees swayed as a gentle breeze pushed at them. Atli was completely relaxed as he walked. Up ahead was a clearing and another group of Fay. They were silent as Arkesh approached with his group. There was what appeared to be a man at the center of their circle.

Atli stared. The man was normal except for gray sprouted fur across his shoulders and down his back. He was wearing a large gold collar around his neck and a fay with yellow hair and bright green eyes held a leash attached to it.

Arkesh looked at the man sadly. "Ah another mistake, well it's not easy to recreate the old creatures but we are getting closer."

The yellow-haired Fay shrugged. "This one will never pass unnoticed in a human village, He can go full wolf but this fur does not retreat fully when he changes back. Perhaps we should kidnap a werewolf from the Sprite's forest. Surely we can work backward from one of their guardians."

Arkesh nodded, "If such a thing is possible but we cannot risk the Sprites knowing our plans, we have to spell the area to keep their eyes and ears silent as it is. It's too early."

Too early? Atli felt a small surge of panic. To early for what? What was going on here?

Arkesh turned to him. "Hungry are you not?"

"You know I bloody am, where's the cup?"

Arkesh pointed at the werewolf. "There. A large flesh covered chalice just waiting for you to drink your fill."

Atli froze. The color seem to fade out of the very surroundings.

"No."

Arkesh frowned. "No?"

"I can't do that, I'm not a bloody Vai-Siri!" His muscles popped and his fangs slid down. There mere thought that he could take a man and drain him was revolting to Atli, and yet it brought his Vampire mask forward. The irony was not lost on Atli as he struggled to calm.

Arkesh's facial muscles began to tic. "You are supposed to be a bloodthirsty killer! An improvement on the original design! How can you not be tearing into this morsel, even your fangs disagree with you!"

Atli shrugged, "I'm hungry, but I'm me." He looked at the werewolf who was staring at him in disbelief. "You aren't going to change me into that monster."

Arkesh's disappointment was evident. "Take them both to our dungeons, put them in a cell together. Leave your mistake with mine. I'm curious to see how long it takes for the hunger to take over. Maybe we can use it to our advantage." He waved his hand muttering under his breath and the manacles around Atli's hands rose up into the air pulling him up off the ground by his wrists. Arkesh leaned in close to his face, his voice laced with menace. "I don't know why you are being so picky now boy. You've been dining on rejects all week. We just decided to let you be a big boy and drink from your own cup now." He stepped back a satisfied grin on his face as Atli's face changed from fury to horror. The manacles kept him painfully suspended in the air by his wrists as the group moved through the trees dragging the unfortunate werewolf behind them.

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