Darken stared at her. A warm wind caught in his black jacket and played with his hair. He shivered. He couldn't movie. His heart was pounding--with what? Love? Desire? Fear? All of the above?

He looked into her eyes. Silver. Deep. Wanting and needing him. She reached behind her back, and Darken heard buckles, loose and slipping.

"Vertigo," he said again. He was surprised by how weak his voice sounded. He hadn't really meant to kiss her back. Or had he? Damn it, he thought. I'm . . .scared. Not of what she can do, but what she did.

She walked closes to him. The buckles that held her chest armor were hanging loose, sounding like bells jingling. She very slowly slipped out of her armor, and it fell to the balcony floor with an audible clang. Darken jumped in shock. She took his hands in hers and placed them against her black silk undershirt.

She smiled. Darken was terrified. If he pushed her away, she could snap, and kill so many people in the city.

Gods help me, Darken thought. His heart roared like a raging river. His pulse seemed to be just below his ears. Being this close was terrifying, like being the arms of a predator. And yet . . .Her eyes, he thought. So vulnerable. Not like before.

"Vertigo," he breathed, as she tried to pull him close. "Please . . . I . . . I . . .can't do this."

Vertigo stroked his cheek. Darken jumped like a cannon had shot him. He looked at her, moving closer to him. His wings involuntarily closed around her.

What am I doing? Darken thought. It was getting harder to think. All he could feel was fear. Fear and . . .a little attraction? No, he thought. That can't be it. I have to stop this, and I have to stop it right now.

"H-how," Darken began, very unsteady. "Vertigo . . .how can you be in love with me? You've tried to kill me so many times."

"I'm different now," Vertigo said, moving closer. Her lips parted, and Darken, Despite himself, wanted it. Damn it, he said. You are not going to do this. Not to Phoenix.

"How?" Darken said.

"What you said," she said. "On the Skyshadow. The way you talked. You . . .make me think that I can be . . .better."

She was pulling him closer. She was strong. Darken tried to resist, shaking all over. "I . . .want you to make me better."

Darken shook his head. "I can't do it for you," he said hurriedly. "I . . .can't do this. Please . . ."

"Shhhhh," Vertigo said, putting a gloved hand to his lips. She looked at her hand for a second, then pulled it back, removed her glove, and touched his face again. She smiled in a quiet sort of awe. "So soft," she said. "You're so beautiful."

Darken tried to speak, but it was too late. Tears rolled down his face. He tore himself out of her grip. "I can't do this!" Darken cried out, crying in earnest.

Vertigo snapped out of whatever trance she had been in. "Oh no," she whispered. She put her hands on his arm. "I'm sorry . . ."

Darken looked at her, his face hot, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"I can't love you, Vertigo," he said after a few breaths.

"Why not?" Vertigo asked. It was an honest question, amazingly enough. There was no hint of hurt or rue in her voice. Darken was shocked.

"'I'm already in love with Phoenix," Darken said.

"Is that all that's holding you back?"

Darken leaned against the rail, looking away. The tears were still there. "No," he said. "I'm scared of you."

"I know you are," she said. "But I'm different. Something happened."

The door slid open quietly, and Darken nearly had another heart attack. Phoenix stood there, obviously abruptly awakened by the sounds.

"Darken, what's going on?" Phoenix asked rubbing her eyes. She looked at Vertigo and nearly launched herself at her. "YOU!"

Alecto watched them. They were caged, all four of them, in single cells in the brig of the Enchantress. Each of the cells had harmonized itself to them. The crystal walls would prevent any escape, but she was apprehensive all the same.

She couldn't put her finger on why, but she addressed them all the same.

"I should warn you," she said, taking a coin out of her pocket. She tossed it at the walls, and it vaporized in a flash. "Escape is quite impossible."

"You're holding us without just cause," Tigerhawk said. He spread his wings in his cell. "Do you see these? These wings were a gift from your people to me. I don't care who's in power--you cannot hold me, a lord of the Realm, prisoner."

"Yes, Lord Tigerhawk," Alecto said. She secretly thanked her Warmaster for teaching her diplomacy in addition to the warrior arts. "You're quite right--we can't hold you. You may go."

Tigerhawk blinked, a lock of his green hair fell in his eyes. "I may?"

"Yes," Alecto said.

"And my friends."

Alecto clicked her tongue. "Oh no," she said. "I'm afraid they stay. You see, we cannot hold you, but we can hold them. Assaulting one of the Royal Court is a felonious offense. I intend to press charges."

"You were trespassing!" Liandra hissed.

Alecto walked over to her, past Tralesta, still sleeping in her cell. She started where he eyes should have been and smiled a thin smile. "I'm sorry, again," she said. "Only Gailion will be standing trial. You, little vampire, will be judged for attempted murder."

Liandra tensed. "If I get out of this cell," she said. "You and I are going to dance again."

Alecto looked away, as if considering it. "I'd like that," she said, smiling at her again. Liandra bared her fangs. "But we have another appointment, little vampire. Maybe when we return to Nycheladra in triumph, I will let you fight me for your freedom. Then again, maybe we'll just execute you with the Sunstone, like we do all vampire criminals."

Liandra snarled a curse at her, but Alecto had already walked away. He looked in at Gailion, sitting in a meditative position.

"Nothing to say?" Alecto asked. "Good. If I were you, I'd keep your vampire in line. She might live a bit longer that way."

Gailion's eyes opened slowly. He looked at her in such away that even softened Alecto's gaze. "Daughter," he said. "You should not do this."

"I'm not your daughter, Gailion," Alecto said. "I'm your jailer. Sandalphon is my father."

"Sandalphon said he would look after you," Gailion said. "I can see he has done more than that."

"Are you calling my father a liar?"

"I am merely saying we see things differently. If you find the idea so repellent, perhaps you should ask him yourself?"

"You'd like that," she said. "Anything to give your lies credence."

"Aren't you the least bit curious," Gailion said. "Why you have abilities similar to mine, when Sandalphon has none, and neither did his wife? Have you any memories of your birth?"

Alecto watched him. "My father said I was born prematurely," she said. "It did something to my," she stopped suddenly. " . . .I see your game."

"My game," Gailion said. He resumed his meditation.

"You're trying to make me doubt him, aren’t you?" Alecto demanded.

"No," Gailion said. "Sandalphon was a good man--"

"He is a great man!" Alecto said.

Gailion sighed. "It is not necessary that one of us can be right at the other's expense," he said. "Perhaps we are equally wrong and right."

Alecto turned on her heel and glared at Tigerhawk. "You have the option of leaving."
"I'm not leaving without them," he said.

"Then I guess you’re not leaving," Alecto said, walking out the door.

The guards took their positions beside the door as it closed. For a long time, no one said anything. Then Gailion broke the silence.

"Darken was right," he said. There was weariness in his voice.

"What do you mean, Gailion?" Liandra asked.

"He understood better the dangers of hidden truths."

"STOP!" Darken said, shoving a wing in between them.

Phoenix pushed against his wing. "I thought you were dead!"

Vertigo stepped back. "I thought I was."

"You should have been!" Phoenix screamed.

Darken took her in his arms. "Romanova," he said, trying to calm her. Vertigo's eyes narrowed, watching them together.

"No, Darken," Phoenix said, trying to duck under his wing. "I'm not playing any more games with her. This goes back before us!"

"Romanova, she's not here to fight us."

"Then it'll be a short fight," Phoenix said, raising her fist and charging a fireball.

"PHOENIX!" Darken yelled.

Phoenix looked at him, astonished. "You . . .you never call me . . ."

"I know," Darken said. His nerves felt on edge, and this wasn't helping. "But you will not fight with anyone here. If you're going to get mad, get mad at me."

Phoenix looked puzzled.

"I kissed her," Darken said. Vertigo's jaw dropped.

"You did not!" Vertigo cried. "I--"

"Shut up, Vertigo," Darken said, his voice cold as steel. "I did it."

Phoenix looked at him, hurt beyond words. He took her hands in his. "I don't know how it happened, and I can't tell you how sorry I am."

"How can you say that as if I'm supposed to accept it?" Phoenix said.

Darken looked at both of them. His eyes told Phoenix how sorry he was, and how much he loved her. His eyes told Vertigo of the pity he had for her.

"It's not right for me to think I'm owed your forgiveness," Darken said. "And I can't explain it. So the best thing for me to do is just go. I'll find Cannon. Make the rendezvous."

Phoenix pulled at him. "Why are you doing this?"

Darken looked at her. "Because," he said. "Something happened. I messed up. But I need you understand that I still love you. With all of my heart. I would die for you, Romanova. But I can't explain what happened. Vertigo can. Maybe you can explain it to each other. Just know this . . .I love you. "

Darken took off and flew over the city. Phoenix and Vertigo stared at each other, their eyes reflecting their disbelief at the other.

Sandalphon felt an audible tremor go through him as the giant avatar of the Mother Machine spring to life. He didn't speak, didn't move as the green scanning beam tracked slowly up and down him.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" The Mother Machine asked, it's voice gentle but so loud he could feel his eardrums being pushed in.

"First," Sandalphon said. "Please stop attacking us. My assault was intended to gain access to this chamber."

"IF YOU WILL CEASE YOUR ATTACK, I WILL COMPLY."

Sandalphon touches his Eagle Clasp. "Sandalphon to all ships and soldiers," he said. "Stand down until further instruction."

He heard machinery moving, far away. The attack's stopped, he thought. Now comes the challenge.

"WHAT IS YOUR NEXT REQUEST?"

Sandalphon waved his men out of the chamber. The two Metalhawks stayed.

"You know who I am," he said.

"YES."

"You know . . .what was done to me."

"YES."

"You know what I've done."

"AGAIN, YES."

"Can you fix it? Fix me?"

"WHY?"

"Because," Sandalphon said. "Because I couldn't break free until recently. The Seketha took me, resurrected me, and adjusted me. For the next 20 years I was under their control, subtly at first, but they became more and more overt. Then, I felt their control weaken."

"YOUR LOVE FREED YOU."

"Alecto?" Sandalphon said. That's it, he said. That's what freed me. After she came back, it was easier and easier to slip thoughts past the Seketha. With concentration, I could even have whole hours without their influence. Oh Alecto, what have I done to deserve your love?

"YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION. WHY HAVE YOU COME HERE?"

"I must ask you," Sandalphon said. "I . . .must ask you to destroy a Sphere. Before it's too late for all of us."

Darken found Cannon before he went up to Phoenix's room. He hadn't meant to leave like that, but he wanted to take the air, try to sort out what the hell had happened, and why he felt so confused. He failed, and decided to concentrate on work instead.

"Darken," Cannon said. "Your female is not with you?"

"That's fiancee," Darken corrected. "And no . . . she's not."

Cannon knew better than to pry. Darken looked up as the roar of engines blew over them. It was an Angel ship, the Magus, he could read from its markings.

"What are the Angels doing here," Darken said. "And why aren't they firing."

"Your questions will be answered soon," Cannon said, leading him down an alley. They crossed into a concealed door, down several flights of stair. The path was cramped; Darken had to fold his wings tight against him. But he pressed on, despite himself. It was either that or think of Phoenix and Vertigo.

The hum of the lift engines let him know they were close to the techno-pirate's enclave. He saw them--Lion, Chasla, a few others, gathered around a table. He opened his mouth to speak, but Lion had already seen him.

"Darken," he said, his modulated voice seeming almost warm. "You've grown since we last met. Still stealing fruit?"

Darken blushed and laughed. "No, Lion," he said. "I'm afraid not."

"Stealing hearts then?" Lion asked, bellowing a mechanical laugh. "Chasla has missed you, you know."
Darken looked at her. "You look so much different than when I saw you at the orphanage," he said.

"It was 12 years ago, Darken," Chasla laughed.

Darken could have gone on, but he was already embarrassed enough for one night. "Lion," he said. "Why is there an Angel warship parked outside the Skycity? And more importantly, if every Seraphim in the Spheres has orders to kill you--why aren't they firing?"

"I think you should ask me that question, Darken Blackangel."

Darken whirled around to see the form of a being he only knew from legends. The face of Yrouel, the Angel of Fear. Darken tried to find the words, tried to focus, but his mind was reeling from two questions.

One, why did the Angels' secret weapon show up here, in a pirate enclave, unarmed?

Two, why did his voice sound so familiar?

"Stop STARING at me, damn it," Vertigo growled.

"He left because of you," Phoenix said. "I ought to destroy you."

"He lied to you!" Vertigo exclaimed. "I was the one who kissed him, I was the one who freaked him out."

"You kissed him?" Phoenix said. "Why? Isn't it enough that every time we meet, you're trying to kill me? You have to take the man I love away too?"

"I didn't mean for that to happen," Vertigo said. "I guess I needed something."

"The way you're going, I think you need me to wipe this dimension with you. Again."

Vertigo sent her a cutting glance. She pointed to her sword, still resting against the far wall. "See that?" Vertigo asked. "Have I gone for it? Matter of fact, why haven't you gone for yours? Gods, just end my life!"

She pulled her knees against her chest and started to cry, not a dignified tear, but a torrent of emotion.

"Gods, Phoenix," she said, her voice ragged. "Why do you hate me so?"

"Because you tried to kill me," Phoenix said, ticking off the reasons on her fingers. "Because you tried to kill Darken--two or three times, but for your benefit, I'll keep that to one finger. You sided with Kirone, helped create Lanicrus, and--oh yes, you also kissed the man I love and nearly forced yourself on him."

"That's . . .not what I mean," Vertigo said. She sobbed involuntarily. "This goes deeper than what I've done."

"What are you talking about?"

Vertigo wiped away her tears. "I think," she said, getting confidence back in her voice. "That you see what you could be, in me. If your power controlled you, rather than the other way around."

Phoenix looked at her. She could hear her breathing, what she had said, shocked her in its clarity. From Vertigo, she thought.

Phoenix blinked. She looked up at the stars.

"Vertigo," she said. "I see in you someone who could have changed her world. You could have been like me, and I wish you were, because we could always use someone like that in a universe where no one cares.

"But," she said. "You're not. And you're right--part of me is reflected in you. The part that puts power over her heart. The part that thinks it would be so easy to use my powers to get my way. No, I don't hate you Vertigo . . .I hate what I see of myself in you."

"DESTROY TARUGA?"

"It's the only way," Sandalphon said. "Destroy it, put it out of phase with the other spheres, anything. Those Dark Gods cannot be allowed to walk over the remaining Spheres. We would be as good as dead."

"I CANNOT DO AS YOU ASK," The Mother Machine replied. "IT HAS FOREVER BEEN OUR CUSTOM TO DECILNE TO TAKE SIDES IN CONFLICTS. LIFE WILL UNRAVEL AS IT MUST."

"I can make you," Sandalphon said.

"YOU WOULD GO THAT FAR?"

"What choice do I really have?" Sandalphon asked. "I've killed friends, brought my people to the feet of Death, conspired with the worst enemy of all the Spheres . . .and lost my very being. What could I lose now?"

The Mother Machine's Lights dimmed, and shut down. Sandalphon could hear the Sphere's weapons being re-deployed.

His Eagle Clasp flashed, the obsidian jewel indicating communication.

"Yes?" Sandalphon asked, weary, louder than he should, and a little deaf.

"Father," It was Alecto's voice. "I have the Key."
"Excellent," Sandalphon said. "I had hoped it wasn't going to be neccesary, but it seems I was wrong."

"I also have prisoners, from the Temple."

"I don't need prisoners," Sandalphon said, sighing. "But you were right--no one should know. If the people's of the Sphere knew where we were, It would mean catastrophic war."
"We're jumping to Achromurcra now," Alecto said. 'I'll see you soon, Father."

"Alecto?" Sandalphon asked, his voice tender.

"Yes, father?"

"I love you."

Darken stiffened. "I know you," he said.

"I should hope you would," the voice said. It softened. Yrouel took off his helmet. A familiar cascade of blue hair fell from its mooring. "It's everyone else I was trying to fool."

"Sachiel," he said.

Yrouel tore off his mask, and Darken's heart nearly cracked with joy. His friend was alive. He embraced him.

"I thought you were dead," he said.

"That was the idea," Sachiel said. "I needed to be elsewhere. There's something going on in Nycheladra."

"Apparently so," Darken said. "But how did you fall in with Lion and his pirates."

"Secret contacts," Sachiel said. From behind, he could see Leiliel, helping him with the artificial wings. "Leiliel arranged most of it."

"Gods," Darken said. "You have no idea how happy I am to see both of you."

"The feeling's mutual, my friend," he said. "I was hoping you’d get here."

"You knew I'd think something was up when I got the report that the techno-pirates killed you?"

"Yes," Sachiel said. "See, I was paying attention, during all those long stories that never went anywhere."
"I can tell," Darken said. I should be angry he let me believe he was dead, he thought. But right now, I don't care. "But . . .that doesn't explain the Angel warship parked outside the Skycity."

"I can explain that too," Sachiel said. "They're with us. I've been trying to recruit as many Angels as I could. We're out of time, Darken. Sandalphon has made his movie, and I don't know what he's after, but he's a hair away from pushing the Spheres into war."

"Why did you kiss him?" Phoenix asked Vertigo.

Vertigo looked at her. Her eyes were wide and childlike. Was that kindness in her voice, she wondered?

"I guess," Vertigo began, swallowing. "I guess I needed something. My heart . . .needed to . . .feel. I guess I wanted a bit of what he does for you."

Phoenix cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"He keeps you human," Vertigo said. "I've seen it. Before him, you fought like a goddess. But you're closer to human now. I think if he asked, you'd renounce your godhood."

Phoenix blinked. "Maybe I'd make him a god too," she said.

"No," Vertigo said. "Then you'd lose what makes him so sweet, so wonderful. He's the most humble man I've ever seen. Not a scrap of ego in him. No arrogance, no ambition but to care for people he loves."

"You mean how he treats Liandra, Sachiel, and me like family?" Phoenix asked. "Yes. He's so sweet to all of us. I'm afraid sometimes that he might try to kill himself doing everything he can for us."

"For you?" Vertigo said. "I bet he's really phenomenal, you know, when you . . . uhm . . .get romantic. I could tell it when we were together. There's quite a lover in . . .oh-oh."

Phoenix cleared her throat. Her eyes narrowed. Vertigo blushed.

"Well," Phoenix said, surprising herself by letting the comment go. "I've never had any complaints there. I love the way he kisses it's so . . ."

" . . .By the book?" Vertigo asked.

They looked at each other for a second. They blinked, shrugged, and talked on.

Kirone's eyes snapped open. She had closed them, deep in thought for a long time. She was thinking about Garuda, and how she wanted some more of what he had given her, when a thought came into her mind.

She had done her best to ignore it, but it wouldn't go away. Finally it loomed so large as to dominate her mind.

"Sandalphon," she said out loud, to no one in particular.

The Seketha attending her snapped his head around. Adamov, who had been doing nothing but standing quietly, slowly turned to look at her.

"Sandalphon," she said again, as if that was supposed to explain everything.

She stood up, grabbed the Seketha by his black robes. "He's going to betray us!" Kirone screamed in his face. "God, why didn't we see it?"

"I do not understand," the Seketha said.

"He's been breaking your control," she snarled at him. "You stupid stupid insects!" She shoved him to the ground. "I can't believe the vampires are afraid of you!"

She gestured with her hands. The Seketha was consumed in a flash of green fire. Adamov watched the whole thing without a glimmer of emotion.

She touched a communication crystal. "Prepare my ship," she said, trembling with fury. "We leave at once for Achromurcra,"

She shut off the crystal. "I'm going to hang his head from the bow of my ship. How dare he?"