"DEAD? That's....that would have been very difficult. I may have to find out what happened to him then. If a force was potent enough to kill him, I shudder to think if that force is still out there.."

  Andy half smiled, and said "Quick way to find out, Vic.  I have a mindworm, or whatever equates to one.  Long story there.  Tap into the mindworm net."

Victoria closed her eyes and tapped into the mindworm net as Andy asked.

Victoria opened her eyes and looked at Andy.

"Whomever this Brain was...he must have been a potent enemy at one time. Hopefully he is gone for good."

  Andy nodded, and said softly "The Legacy of Weston has done a great deal.  I hope never to be so famous, but to have done as much good."

"You and I hope for the same thing, Andy. It wouldn't do us any favors if everyone knew where the Black Jaguar was. People would be knocking on our doors for just about anything.."

  He chuckled, and said "Nobody would knock on the door if they knew where *I* lived."

Victoria chuckled at that.

"Well...*I* know where you live..and you let ME come over," she said with a good natured and slightly uncharacteristic giggle.

  Andy smiled, and said teasingly "Yes, but you're also sharing my  bed and aren't one of the people who have had the living daylights scared out of them.  The last person who pounded on my door when I wasn't expecting company reported to the police that I had a vicious dog or a loose wild tiger in the house."

"That's because I see you for the wonderful person you are. And I also see the great things that you and I will do together."

   "And it's because she knows that you need someone to love you.  Vic, you have one HELL of a mess on your hands."  She'd come walking out of the darkness, her pale lavender-gray eyes glowing an eerie green in the darkness, and Andy backed up a step.  Adri wore a green blouse and a swirling poodle skirt, but she moved with the grace of a consummate predator.

Victoria was briefly startled at Adri's entrance. She smiled soon after at the arrival of her friend and mentor.

"Andy..um..this is Adri, my teacher. Now Maestra..it sounds like you have some knowledge to impart. What is going on here?"

  Adri said "Absolutely.  You know that the Hounds come after time travelers other than themselves, yes?  Well, you have a time traveler attracting them."

Victoria's eyes narrowed at Adri's announcement.

"All right then Adri...do you know anything about this time traveller? Maybe where to find him?"

  Adri shook her head, and said "Not yet.  But then, I haven't started to truly hunt, Victoria.  I wanted to let you know to watch the corners first, and if they emit fog, get the hell out of the area.  Unlike me, other Hounds will take any human they find."  As she spoke, she spread her hands, even as the bones began to twist and reshape, the change flowing up her body as she gained mass, her clothing vanishing somewhere as a strange silvery-gray fur flowed over her skin, and the green glow flared brilliantly in her eyes.

Victoria nodded.

"All right...so, if they emit fog, get the hell out of dodge. Got it."

She turned to Andy. "That goes for you too, OK? These Hounds are some nasty customers."

She then turned back to Adri, blushing a little after she realized how that sounded. "Um...present company accepted.."

  Adri grinned, revealing a double row of wickedly sharp fangs, and said "Present company included.  I'm just on YOUR side.  Now, keep an eye on the corners, and watch for green eyes in the darkness."  Her claws clicked on the cement, and she turned to the side, and stepped into a corner, vanishing.

Victoria did as her master asked, keeping an eye on the corners, watching intently for green eyes in the darkness.

  Andy said softly "Your mentor is one scary being, Vic."

Victoria nodded in acknowledgement of Andy's comment. To those who didn't know her, Adri was very intimidating indeed.

"She seems like that to anyone who doesn't know her. But believe me when I say that I couldn't have asked for a better teacher."

  Andy snorted, and said "You have a thing for associating with people that MOST normal humans are going to be ready to crap in their drawers about, Vic."

Victoria simply shrugged and replied to Andy "Story of my life, Andy. I see things in most people that no one else can. And that's without the magical sight."

  He chuckled, and said softly "I can tell.  Just look at what you share your bed with.  Although people are right to be afraid of MOST Demons."  He flicked his wings, and then added "Since most Demons prey on humans and eat them."

"Most..but you're the exception to the rule, Andy. A very nice exception."

  Andy shrugged, and said "Yes and no.  I DO feed off of humans, but most of the time, I feed on the emotions they put out now.  I prefer to keep my 'solid meals' on THINGS that prey on humans, so that I don't have to hunt humans."