Fictional Reality.

Blaze POV.
“Tell me.” Syn examined me for a moment, then nodded.
“You know we’re mercenaries, but what you don’t know is why.”
“I always presumed that it was to fund Home.” I interjected. Syn smiled and nodded.
“In part, yes, but Home came after the merc business. It was always Danger’s dream to set it up, but what we needed was a way to make ourselves relatively impartial to the Supernatural community. You see, we were young and hot-headed – before we started the merc business, before we met Danger. We thought we were the fucking balls. Because of that, we landed ourselves in trouble more often than not. Eventually, we found more trouble than we could handle. We pissed off an old, powerful vampire in Los Angeles, when we went down there to blow off some steam. Despite being young, we were a formidable group – 4 strong vampires and a vampire, shifter, Were half-breed. Long story short, we caught his attention and he saw us as a threat to his ambitions. He made it ... clear, that we should find a way to back off and stop causing ripples that interfered with his interests. After a discussion, we decided that a mercenary business would be the best choice for us. We were strong and under all the hot-headed stupidity, smart. It would give us more of a back-seat in the Supernatural world, while still allowing us to grow and make a name for ourselves. It worked, pressure from Los Angeles backed off and the merc business started to grow.” He paused, a wry smile on his face. I smiled, guessing what came next.
“Then you met Danger.” He laughed and nodded.
“Then we found Danger. You know that story, I believe.” I nodded confirmation. Syn carried on. “Danger fit in right away, the merc business continuing to grow as she threw her strength into it. That didn’t sit too well with our old pal in L.A. With the addition of Danger, he felt that we were more of a threat than ever. However, he didn’t dare challenge us head on. Instead, he inched his way up the coast, taking over Conclave after Conclave until he singlehandedly controlled every Vampire Conclave from L.A to San Fran.” My eyes widened, that was a huge area to control singlehandedly. “Over the years we’ve had a few run ins with him. He and Danger absolutely loathe each other. He hates the Fae and she hates his reign of terror. And yes, that is a direct quote from her. We’ve managed to enter a tentative truce of you leave us alone and we leave you alone. It mostly holds, but the news that we’ve got a new person in our midst has probably reached him. And knowing that we’ve accumulated another vampire – even a half vampire – won’t have pleased him.” I frowned, how could my addition be a threat?
“What? How?”
“It’s another member of a Conclave he doesn’t control. A Conclave that has strong links to both the Fae and a local Werewolf pack. He hates things outside of his control. And we snuck you in as quietly as we could – for the right reasons I might add – but to his convoluted way of thinking, he could quite likely see it as us gathering strength to make a move against him. Never mind that, that thought is one of the furthest things from our mind.” My mind skipped around, piecing all the bits of information together.
“So… Danger thinks that he might have sent the Manticore?” Syn nodded, frowning slightly.
“He’s one of two most likely possibilities, and, realistically, the most likely. It smacks of his style. A big enough threat that it could have seriously incapacitated one or more of us, but nothing that could lead back to him, not an outright threat or confrontation that would have run the strong risk of a head-on altercation with Danger.” He paused, clearly thinking. “Something that’s still a risk with Danger’s current mood to be honest.” He paused again, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. I waited for a few minutes, but he didn’t start speaking again.
“So, who’s the other possibility? You said the L.A vampire was one of two.” My voice seemed to snap Syn out of his thoughts.
“Yes, well, the second one is one I don’t like to think about much. I’m not really sure which of the two I’d prefer, but better the devil you know I say and as much I hate the old bastard – I’d much rather deal with him than the Gray Lords.” A chill ran down my spine at the name. I’d read bits and pieces about the Gray Lords in the Almanac that Danger had given me. Syn caught the look on my face. “I take it you’ve heard of them then.” I nodded slowly.
“I’ve read a little about them in the Almanac. They’re the most powerful lords in Faerie. They … govern the Fae?” I wasn’t sure about the last part, the Almanac inferred that they ruled the Fae, but was very elusive on details.
“Kinda, I guess. They’re basically a Council of the most powerful Fae. They mostly leave the Fae to govern themselves, but they pop up with a commandment every now and then that the Fae must abide by. Things like, Fae must be glamoured when dealing with the human world so they don’t reveal their existence.”
“Why do the fae have to obey them?” Syn gave a wry smile.
“It’s kind of like, do what they tell you or face complete and utter oblivion. Their power is … cataclysmic. They all have different powers, but some of them can cause natural disaster with the flick of a wrist and half a thought. The power they wield collectively is enough to terrify the rest of the Fae into listening to them.” The implication of what he was saying suddenly slammed into me and filled me with terror.
“So wait … you’re telling me that the Gray Lords might have sent that Manticore? Why?”
“Again, Danger. The Gray Lords don’t like anyone they can’t control and they especially don’t like anyone who challenges the norm. She’s been pushing back against how faerie treats Changelings and halfbloods since she was freed from the Gwragen. The Gray lords also don’t like people that are as powerful as they are.” I think my eyes nearly boggled out of my head. Syn nodded. “Yes. Danger is powerful enough to be on the Council of the Gray Lords. As Shadow Mage she could claim a seat and there would be nothing they could do to stop her. And that’s without her Father’s magic. Not that she ever would.” He added quickly. “It’s one of her many redeeming qualities from all the terrifying power – Danger has no ambition for herself. She uses her power to help others. Her pack, all the kids in Home, us. But that’s exactly why the Gray Lords hate her so much. They wouldn’t directly move against her, such a move would be below them and they wouldn’t risk openly loosing face to the rest of the Fae. I wouldn’t be remotely surprised if one of them decided to make some mischief on a quiet Tuesday and magically enhance a Manticore to drop on our doorstep when they were bored. I can’t say I like the thought though. Neither does Danger, that’s why she is so pissed that she can’t find any evidence. If there was evidence, then she’d be justified within Faerie laws to strike back at them.” He shook his head. “Would be a total shit show, but I’d put money on Danger any day. That girl just doesn’t know when to quit.” He paused again. “With any luck it’s just the damn vampire and we’ll only end up in the middle of a one-way Fae shit show and not a two-way one.”
“Well fucking damn, way to get all heavy on me.” He laughed and ran a hand through his hair.
“Sorry, look, it is way past dawn, you’d better crash in here just in case someone forgot to close a curtain somewhere. Zacky will end me if I let you accidentally turn to dust.” He got up and started rummaging around in the cupboard. “I tend to run hot, but I know I’ve got a comforter in here somewhere.” I looked down at the floor, biting my lip. I’d been trying to avoid it all the time we’d been talking, but I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
“Erm, Syn, there’s something else too.” He made a vague grunt, his head now buried in the cupboard. “I’m Hungry.”

Notes