Gabbro pushed himself with one arm, gasping and then started to cough. He wrapped another arm around his stomach, giving Proga a vicious look, eyes starting to burn until they were almost amber orange. Proga shut his eyes, but too late, and a moment later he was standing there with his mouth vaguely open. His limbs hung loose.

Opal's own eyes went wide. "Gabbro! You can't-"

"Defend myself?" He rasped. Proga marched himself over to a chair and collapsed while Gabbro continued to cough as he rose to his feet. "Considering you all know now, and he wants to treat me as a villain, I'll play the part. Besides, he threw me. I'm just making him take a seat."

Opal approached him straight on. "Let him go. None of this will help Yue."

Gabbro glared at her, glanced back at the prince and grumbled. "He does it again..." his threat trailed off as he turned his eyes back to Proga.

Proga sat up straighter, blinking rapidly and taking in his surroundings in confusion. A snarl crossed his mouth. "You-"

"Proga." Opal snapped, stepping between the two of them. "You have no proof Gabbro did anything to hurt Yue. You can't attack other demons on hunches or because you don't like them! What is wrong with you??"

"He's... Yue..." Proga shook his head as though trying to clear water from his ears. He turned a glare towards Gabbro but this time kept from making eye-contact. When he stood again Gabbro took a step back.

"I didn't hurt him. One of the guards had a nasty weapon that shot iron bullets. Yue got hit." He ducked his head slightly. "I admit I missed seeing the guard but I didn't do this. I brought him back here to get help, you paranoid-"

"Name calling isn't helping. Now what do we do for a bullet wound?"

"An iron bullet." Proga noted, stepping around Opal and Gabbro to kneel next to Yue. "Get me Kait's kit. I can't do as much as her, probably not remove it or stop the bleeding but I can help with pain at least."

"On it." Opal glanced at them. "Behave."

Proga pulled several bottles and a small box of dried flowers. He crumbled them in a large hand and poured them in an empty bottle along with several of the liquids and swirled it gently. He placed his hand over the opening and tipped the mixture so it came in contact with his skin. At first the clear liquid started to fizzle with orange streaks but as Proga whispered some words it turned back to the same clear as before. Gabbro handed him a small towel which he poured the solution on and then began to pat generously over Yue's arm. At first the ice demon groaned and tried to pull away but Gabbro and Opal steadied him and a minute later his breathing had settled and the lines in his face had relaxed a bit.

"There. It's just a patch until Kait gets here." Proga had beads of sweat running down his temples.

"That was amazing. Why the orange-"

"Because my energy isn't exactly the best for healing. I was taught how to remove it- but without energy it greatly decreases the medicine's effectivity, which is why I can't do powerful healing like for toxic wounds. Pain, minor infections, regular cuts are no problem. If it wasn't iron I could probably help but its likely already in his blood stream. I can't remove the bullet without causing more bleeding- and if I stop the bleeding the poison will only leech in further." Proga was on his knees, head bent.

"Stopping the pain is a help." Gabbro admitted, leaning against the wall carelessly.

Proga glared at him, but then bobbed his head in appreciation.

At least the fight was over but Opal had the feeling this truce wasn't to last.

Kait, Obsidian and Spark returned what felt like hours later. Obsidian was holding a bag full of candy and Spark was already chewing something on a stick aggressively. Kait looked exhausted but held her own bag, likely full of the needed spices. One look at Opal's face and she dropped it on the ground.

"Who?"

"Yue- he's in the other room. Gabbro said-" she filled in as much of the story as she could while Kait listened with a frown, tugging her over coat off and tossing it in a corner.

"Remove the towel so I can see- Opal get me some boiling water- have Spark heat it. That will be faster than any human method. And get an empty bowl. A big one. Proga- I need the case with the tongs. Silver preferrable. Gabbro- you hold him down for me. Even with Proga's pain control he's not going to like this." Her expression was grim as she gave commands.

"What about me, little sister?" Obsidian also had dropped his bag, face gone paler than normal.

Kait glanced back. "Come help your brother."

Ob nodded vigorously and held onto Yue's arms while Gabbro held his legs. Opal watched Obsidian wipe the sweat off Yue's tense brow. He blinked his eyes open and Opal covered her mouth. His blue eyes were now an absent shade of gray, cloudy and blank.

Once she had all ingredients Kait set to work. She placed her hands on his arm and Opal watched his entire body relax more, which helped her remove the bullet, but when she pressed a foul smelling mash of leaves she'd rolled in her hands into the wound he began to writhe, teeth bared, jerking and twisting under the brothers' firm hold. Odd smelling sweat started to pour from his body, which Kait cleaned with the hot water. Then he began to cough. Kait wrinkled her nose.

"Sit him up."

They did so and Kait held the bowl under his chin and not a moment too late as he started to retch within seconds. Obsidian rubbed his back.

"She's incredible." Opal said.

Proga was frowning deeply but he nodded. "There is a reason she was nearly the Royal healer."

"What stopped her?"

He ignored the question and turned to get cool water for the prince to swish his mouth with.

Breathing heavily Yue looked around the room. His once more blue eyes caught Gabbro's. "Did we get it?"

Kait groaned, leaning her head on the couch. "Of course that's your first question..."

"Yes. But- they seemed prepared for a demon incursion. They got you with iron- some kind of special design that worked instantly."

"Interesting." Yue's eyelids fluttered. "No wonder I'm tired. Kait- amazing work. Once again I owe you my life."

She nodded, trembling and bowed slightly.

"Get her something to drink. And eat. Then rest." Yue commanded. Spark stepped forward cautiously and took her hand, then moved his grip up her arm when she struggled to stand. Opal watched him help her stagger across the room. Whatever she had done for Yue must have taken a serious toll. She didn't even seem uncomfortable leaning on Spark as he helped her into a chair in the kitchen area.

Proga dropped to Yue's side. "What happened?"

"Well I don't remember all of it obvi-" Yue blinked as Obsidian crawled over the couch and settled next to him, holding his good arm. "-ously." He cleared his throat. "It was going easily which should have been our first warning. Gabbro used the guards to block the entrances. I was able to turn some of the glass brittle and make a hole big enough to pull the skull but not set off alarms and then-"

"A guard pushed through the others. And by pushed- I mean shot a few since they refused to move and then got Yue in the shoulder." Gabbro continued. "You struck back before you passed out." he grimaced. "Without a head it will be hard to interrogate the guard."

"Pretty dangerous." Ob mumbled quietly, running his fingers down one of Yue's braids now.

Yue frowned. "I don't remember that part."

"I had to wrap you in guard black to hide the blood and- sorry prince- I made you walk with me until you couldn't. I had to drag you the last few blocks. I don't think anyone noticed."

"For a species that makes a big deal out of denying demons exist, it sure is interesting they kept one of the exact weapons that can hurt one..." Proga said.

"We need to report this to Pyrope."

Opal looked at Yue who still seemed woozy. "You said she likes to play games- do you think she knew this particular group knows?"

"Doubt it." His eyelids were blinking slower. "She wouldn't try to kill us. Probably."

"Better to let her know something she is already aware of." Proga responded. "Because if she doesn't... we need to get out of this city."

Yue nodded seriously, head tipping precariously until he was leaning against Obsidian who still seemed surprisingly near lucid.

Gabbro seemed like he was prepared to pull his brother away until it was clear Yue was already asleep. He shrugged at Opal.

"So where do we go to find her?"

"Back to that bar?" Opal suggested. That made enough sense to everyone else. "I can go."

"Not alone." Proga said quickly.

"I will join her then." Gabbro gave him a neutral stare. "You want to watch the prince, Kait is resting and even if he was willing to leave her side, Spark isn't much for clear communication. Which leaves, me."

Proga shifted uncomfortably, eyes looking down as though trying to calculate. "Fine. Just- go and come straight back."

"Of course, co-leader." Gabbro drawled.

Opal shot him a look, but for once Proga didn't pay him attention. "Great."

-----

Just like in Lster the streets no longer felt fanciful and fun. At least this time she knew Yue was ok. Gabbro didn't seem bothered as she walked closer to him than usual.

"You really didn't expect that guard? It wasn't someone who got out from your control?"

Gabbro stared ahead. "No. He was new, wearing a different uniform. Something else is at play here."

Opal nodded, chewing her lip as they entered the bar they'd seen her at last time. No good.

They tried the other few they'd attempted previously and still didn't find her, leaving them to return to the initial one.

"So what do we do- wait?"

"Co-leader said to be quick about it." Gabbro responded evenly and approached the bar. It only took a minute to get the woman's attention. Opal could see his lazy smirk. The same one he used on her. He was very aware of the effect he had on others. Within an instant his hand was over the barkeeper's and Opal watched her face go vaguely slack as she responded to him. He returned a minute later.

"Good news is she knows Pyrope. Bad news is she wasn't working yesterday and hasn't seen her yet today."

"It is still early afternoon... Maybe ask about her friend?"

Gabbro let a smile slip. "Friend? Curious analyzation of that situation, but yes, good idea. Give me one more moment."

She noticed unlike Kait when she used her powers he didn't seem to be getting tired, if anything he seemed more alert. Opal swallowed, wondering if his ability to 'feed' off others included humans.

"So-?"

"Good call. She knows the neighborhood he mentioned living in."

Opal inhaled, wondering if she should question his tactics but decided it would be better later. She followed him onto the street, chasing the loose directions the bartender had given and watching the streets become more and more narrow, more odorous and more packed with humans. She tried not to let her discomfort show on her face until Gabbro threw a casual arm over her shoulders, keeping her closer and steering.

They ended up at an unassuming narrow black tinged building although it looked like it might have been bright gray at an earlier time. Gabbro assessed the front door and nodded. "Looks like we found the place. This lock is meant to stop demons, not just humans. I suppose we just have to knock then." He knocked with the back of his hand and waited. Opal tried to copy his calm expression but she was pretty sure her fright was obvious. It took several more times knocking before the door was thrown open and a snarling face appeared, a clawed hand held above her head in preparation. She was nude down to the waist.

"-strip the skin from your- oh. It's some of my lovely students. In that case I'll make your death swift."

Gabbro dipped his head. "Instructor, we have some news of concern. Immediate concern."

She frowned, a fang slipping out from her lower lip. "Fine. Come in."

Opal dipped her head as Gabbro had and wandered into the tiny hallway. To her surprise, the place was not like the outer street suggested. Although small and slim, it was immaculately tidy inside other than a sink full of glasses that had some green residue in the bottom and pressed on the rims in lip prints.

Pyrope settled in a chair and gave no motion to offer them to sit. Opal followed Gabbro's lead.

"Instructor- while retrieving the goat skull as requested, we ran into some worrisome obstacles."

"Do tell."

Gabbro proceeded to go over the story.

Pyrope's orange eyes narrowed further and further as he spoke. "Huh." She looked to Opal when he was done. "And did you notice any anti-demon protections where you went?"

"Not at all."

Pyrope stood again and began to dig through cabinets. She pulled out a pale golden bottle and took a long swig. "Sounds like we are hours from being fucked then. Drink?" she offered the bottle which Opal quickly refused but Gabbro reached for and took a long, unbothered gulp.

"That was my assessment too, instructor."

"May... may I ask what's going on?" Opal looked between the two of them.

"The humans in upper levels of... government is what they call it? Often know about demons and mostly leave us alone but they seem to be aware that we would find use with the skull and know we would steal it. And now that we have, they will be purging the city of all known demons since they weren't able to capture Yue. In essence." Her mouth tugged in a grin. "They laid a trap and we fell for it. And they are the dangerous kind, because if their plan was to capture one of us and they used a bullet with rusted iron they know we are weak to it, but not that it's deadly. We are dealing with half-educated idiots. Which means they are plotting something that likely includes shackles. Damn. I thought this would a safe city for you youngsters."

"Youngsters?" Gabbro narrowed his eyes.

"You under 120 years?"

"I'm nearly 110."

"Babies. Hell puppies. Children. Whatever you'd prefer to be called. Now." Pyrope slapped the counter top and disappeared only to come back with a top on. "Lets gather the other cohort and leave. Unless you'd request I kill those guards first? I'm in the proper mood for it since they went after one a Guardian competitor." Her eyes glittered at the thought which made Opal shiver.

"I wouldn't presume to give you orders..."

"Damn right you wouldn't." She cackled at Gabbro. "I'll decide what I want when I see his state." With that she marched down the steps, leaving the other two scrambling to catch up.

----

It took Gabbro yanking on Obsidian's arm to get him to move from Yue's side so Pyrope could assess him. Yue was doing his best to sit up straight and play off the pain he was still clearly in.

Pyrope had her nose wrinkled as she evaluated the packed wound.

"Your healer is exceptional." She admitted. "Despite her other... quirks. Show me the bullet."

"There is a reason I requested her to stay at my side." Yue smiled weakly.

Kait was half being held up by Spark and bowed deeply.

Pyrope cleared her throat. "Based on this, that operation is too dangerous to let stand." Opal bit her cheek. So much for trying to find Gray. "We destroy it and then head to the training grounds. Who would-"

"Instructor." Obsidian pulled out of Gabbro's grip and stood up straight. "Please, allow me to assist." His face was grim at first then stretched into a wicked grin.

"Ob, you know you can't be certain of how long you can focus..." Gabbro reminded him.

"No no." Pyrope crossed her arms and looked him over. "I can always have him take a nap if he gets too rambunctious. He's the one I'm most curious to witness."

Obsidian giggled. "Big brother I'm allowed to go on an adventure! Teacher said so-"

"Please, Instructor." Yue flinched. "I would request we leave him out of danger until we solve the removal of this curse. Its not safe for him."

Obsidian stared at him coldly, but his pouting lip didn't do much for his case.

Pyrope scoffed. "Then who do you suggest I take. This is an opportunity to see what you can do."

Yue looked around the room. "Spark."

"Yeah?"

"I think the fire demon would complement your skills. And... if anything gets out of control, he may remove a band and create a significant inferno that, at the least, you'd enjoy watching."

"Is this true, fire mutt?"

Spark looked between the two. "I got better with my aim."

"Could you burn this stone building down?" Yue asked directly.

"Shit yeah."

Pyrope grinned. "Such fun I have to play with." She ran her hands over the items she requested they gather. "Yes. He'll do. The rest of you, prepare to leave. I'm contacting the other cohort and- oh, right. I should probably give you access to contacting me. Princeling, hand."

He gave it willingly and once again she dug a nail, but this time the scratch ran most of the way up his arm to his ear and finished with some symbols Opal didn't know. She gritted her teeth at the painful sensation as her skin lit up orange but just as fast her skin healed into a narrow scar.

"Lets test it." Pyrope cocked her head. Hey, can you shits hear me?

Opal jumped. Pyrope's mocking voice echoing around her brain. She nodded.

Good. It won't work to contact each other- at least not without a ton of practice and even then it will tire you out.

"But you're ok." Spark noted.

Because I'm better than all of you. "Now, the other cohort has been called back, I expect them tonight. The rest of you prepare to leave and don't go out. Hetzer should be making his way over. FIRE MUTT! Let's go. Good luck not being murdered in the meantime."

**************************

Note:

For reference demons usually age similar to humans but have 5x times life span of a human. So 120 would be about 25 but they usually only live to what would be the human equivalent to 70. Pyrope is probably a little under 200 and Obsidian is likely around 90. Gods/ dragons/ unicorns are closer to 7x. It's very difficult to gauge age by appearance alone- its not uncommon to guess 3-4 years off/ younger or older in human years after the age of 60. If I said otherwise somewhere- I will try and correct it lol.

For reference approximate equivalent in human years:

Opal: 20

Yue: 21

Kait: 19

Proga: 21

Spark:21

Obsidian: 18

Gabbro: 22