He found his way to Marcus's tent easily, taking his time. He felt good about how everything went and wanted to ride the feeling of power a little longer before talking to anyone. He'd stood up to her! He'd turned her manipulations around on her and been the manipulator! His entire life he'd thought of manipulation as a bad thing, but he saw the power that Gabriel got from it. He saw the potential of being able to turn people to your side, people who were willing to live and die for you. If Gabriel was here they wouldn't have had any issue building an army…

Cass stopped, the thought sending lightning flooding his veins. If Gabriel was here we could build a massive army. In fact, there was already an army by the Lake - he might already have one! Mom would be pissed but she'd understand. Well, maybe not understand, but showing up with an army would go a long way to smoothing things over. Their estimates put the group there at a few hundred. They could take on just about anything with that.

He shook the thought from his head. It wasn't the time. First, he had to bring in some powerhouses. He could try to bring the army in right at the last minute, when they didn't have time to reject his idea, though. That would help him accomplish his mission more than anyone else AND give Father Gabriel a chance at redemption.

Excitement filled his heart and lightened his step and he disappeared, only to appear in the welcome tent an instant later.

"Hey, buddy! How'd it go with Ginny? She didn't rake you over the coals too hard, did she?"

Cass fixed him with a glare. "I know what you guys are doing - about your little scam."

Marcus looked affronted. "Scam? There's no scam! She's the best there is!"

"Maybe so, but her rates aren't. She tried to stick me with a loan."

"Oh man, 1000 credits at those interest rates? I'm guessing you didn't accept it?"

"How'd you know how much it was for, or what her rates are?"

Marcus froze, realizing his mistake too late. "Uh, that's just, I'm… it's just that it's all pretty standard…"

Cass reached out and Marcus flinched. "Relax Marcus, I'm not going to hurt you. Please take my hand for a second."

"Nah man, I'm good over here."

Cass shrugged and flashed forward. The two men disappeared before anyone could notice.

"What is going on? Where are we??"

Cass held a finger to his lips. "Shhh, you really don't want to make any noise here, especially after dark."

Marcus opened his mouth but Cass clamped a hand over it.

"I'm really serious," he whispered. There was a yipping sound in the near distance, followed by others echoing through the small canyon. "Nevermind," Cass said. "It's too late."

"Where are we?" Marcus whispered.

"We're standing in the hyena territory of the Milwaukee Public Zoo," he said. "Those yips you're hearing are about 30 or so hyenas closing in our location. They're fast, although not as fast as me. By the time that one gets to you," Cass pointed at a shadow that was slinking against the wall. "I'll be back in Ginny's tent asking for another Concierge."

"You can't just… you can't kill me. There are laws!"

"First off," Cass replied, "there aren't any laws here. Second, I wouldn't be killing you. I just gave you a ride. You can leave any time you want - just be aware that there are a whole lot of other animals to get through just to make it out of the zoo. Then you have a few days' walk to your tent. Hopefully you won't encounter anything else on the way. The first time my family and I came here we escaped the zoo - barely, and some roving bikers shot me through the chest once we got outside. That's a long walk back over a lot of empty highway."

"Why are you doing this?" Cass could see the tears filling Marcus's eyes, their brightness causing empathy and satisfaction to circle around him in equal measure. He felt bad for the guy - Cass understood fear like that and it still hurt to see.

And yet, he was starting to see the power in making others feel it. He'd gotten a taste with Gabriel and hadn't realized how much he'd missed that since. He didn't like causing pain, he wasn't a sadist, but he liked making others realize the danger of threatening him. He liked it when those who had tried to exercise power over him had their power stripped away by him. He especially liked it when they begged him for help. He liked feeling needed by those he loved, but he relished the desperation in those who'd tried to hurt him begging him for mercy and help.

Cass leaned in close, whispering despite knowing there was no need. He could sense the hyenas closing in around them. "You tried to take advantage of me." He held up a finger, forestalling Marcus's objections. "We don't have time for you to deny it. You did it, you two worked together to do it, and if I hadn't noticed it you would be sitting together, laughing at me the minute I left town, congratulating each other on another job well done. Another stupid non-city person who got taken in."

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Cass's arm shot out, his shield flaring open just in time for a hyena to ricochet off of it. He was gone, then back, before Marcus could see what had happened, the only evidence of him moving was the hyena's caved-in skull. Cass was back in Marcus's face, his voice steady and unrushed.

"People I love are about to be in the situation you're in right now." Cass blurred away again and a hyena went flying into the air in a spray of blood, then he was back. "Your fate is tied to theirs. They're asking for my help, just like you are now. If I don't come back with people who can help them in a situation like" another hyena was flying through the air, then another skidded to the ground at Marcus's feet. That one was still alive, its jaw a bloody mess, every tooth shattered and bleeding. It continued twitching as Cass was back, staring Marcus in the eyes.

"If they live, you live. If they don't…" Cass let the sentence drop, moving to stand next to Marcus. He did something he'd seen Gabriel do often and placed a comforting hand around the Concierge's shoulders. "Well, you see."

They both watched as at least 30 sets of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness in front of them.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" Marcus was sobbing even as he backed away. They walked backwards a few more steps before Cass locked his arm tight around Marcus's shoulders, freezing him in place.

"What are you doing?" Marcus struggled to get away but found he couldn't move. Unbeknownst to him, Cass was in high speed, moving a millimeter back and forth. He didn't want to go anywhere, he just wanted his skill to activate so he could be in complete control of Marcus's momentum, and thus movement - completely in Cass's control.

A soul-splitting series of shrieks reached a crescendo and Cass heard liquid splashing to the ground underneath Marcus. He smiled as the hyenas all leapt forward, only to smash into an invisible barrier inches from their faces.

Cass released his grip and Marcus fell to the ground, sobbing.

"Relax, they can't get past the limit of their domain. That doesn't mean we're safe, though. The hyenas aren't the only things that live here. They're honestly not even the worst."

Marcus looked up at him with more fear than Cass had ever seen on anyone in his life. "I'll do whatever you want, man. Please. Please, please, please, just get me out of here."

Cass nodded and held his hand out, pulling the man to his feet. The world blurred around Marcus and he was back in his tent, Cass sitting casually in one of the chairs. Marcus slumped into his and Cass gave him time to collect himself. Gabriel had taught him that fear shouldn't be rushed, not at the beginning and not at the end. Let the fear build, let them fear for their lives, save them, then let them come out of it in their own time. He waited patiently, hoping he hadn't overplayed his hand.

A few more sobs escaped the man, the hiccups turning into sniffles. After a few more minutes Marcus composed himself and Cass could sense him pulling power from the tent.

Is this his domain? Kind of a pathetic one if it is.

His theory was confirmed when a rush of magic flowed around Marcus and the man's clothing was once again pristine, all evidence of urine gone.

"What was that?" Cass tried to keep his voice gentle. Let him think he had his power back.

"Oh that?" Marcus's smile was a fake as it was broad, the false confidence shining brightly. "A Concierge always has to look his best, doesn't he? It certainly saves on clothing costs and showering time." His chuckles were hollow. He screwed up his courage before looking to meet Cass's gaze.

"So, what can I, a humble Concierge, do for you?"

Cass considered pushing, knowing he could probably get anything he wanted from the man right now, but decided against it. Never push too hard too fast, Gabriel had told him. Ten small pushes gets you to the same place as one large one, and people are more likely to fight against the large one. You're going to bring them to your cause no matter what, so rushing it only makes it less likely that you'll get them.

He had thought he'd understood then, but tonight had shown him the wisdom and power in that philosophy. He'd be magnanimous now and keep the fish on the hook.

"Nothing more than what we already agreed to."

"Really?" Marcus fixed him with a skeptical gaze. Both men knew that Cass could ask for anything and Marcus would do everything in his power to give it to him.

"Really," Cass replied. "I'm just trying to save my family and I need some powerhouses. If you do the job I've hired you for, we'll be good. In fact, take this." Cass pulled one of the Primatus Monkey cores and tossed it to him. "This is for what you went through tonight."

Marcus identified the item, his eyes going wide. "This is… do you know what this is worth?"

Cass shrugged. "Not really, but you went through a lot tonight. I'm sorry for that, I just wanted to impress on you how important my mission is. I CAN'T fail in it. What you went through tonight was just a small taste of what they're going to experience every night for as long as the Challenge lasts." Cass thought back to the next lesson Gabriel had taught him. Always follow up the sour with some sweet. There's a reason men buy their wives flowers after a fight, and it's the same reason the women stay - when people feel the most vulnerable they're the most receptive to feeling cared for. Sometimes you have to do something hard, even hurt someone, but if you follow it up with something that makes them feel good it'll only make their loyalty to you that much stronger. Do something nice, make them feel all warm and fuzzy, then ask them to do something for you. You'll see, it's magic!

"Look," Cass leaned forward. "I really am sorry. I shouldn't have scared you like that. I just need your help and I'm desperate. Can you help me, please?"

Marcus was lost in Cass's words, the brownish marble rolling around him the palm of his hand. His voice was soft when he responded. "Yeah man, of course. Anything. I'm sorry about all the stuff with Ginny - I'll talk to her. We shouldn't have tried to take advantage of you like that."

"It's okay," Cass said.

"No, man, I'm serious. It was a dick move and I'm honestly really sorry for it. If you can give me a second chance I promise I can help you out. I can't amend the contract but I promise you I'll do everything I can to make it happen."

Cass nodded and smiled.

"And seriously, you can take this back. I… I really don't deserve it. You were just trying to protect your family."

Cass shook his head and held his hand up. "No, it's yours. I shouldn't have scared you like that."

Marcus hesitated, sighing deeply before the pearl disappeared into his storage.

Internally Cass was smiling like a mad man. Hook, line, sinker.

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