The Shadow Assassin

It was late now; Harry had been busy satiating himself for several hours with Sahale; then took a moment to clean up and redress before returning to his new work of organizing how he wanted the guild to begin to run again in order to stay able to stand at the top of the board for the Assassin's guilds.

He was seen shadow-phasing in and out of the house at different times; Tom noting he would have large parcels of things that he was now storing in the map room he had used before for the moment. He brought trunks full of stuff in them; though they were locked magically by Harry; so no one but him knew what was inside them.

He took time to sit down with Allen to see what he would need to begin being able to craft for them again and to maintain their weapons or arms. He did the same with Maharet; about what plants she would need imported from various places in order to make some of her more unique concoctions or agents. He sat down and spoke to Adam at length for now; of how he was wanting to have him organize the papers that stacked up. To handle certain issues if he was not there to do so, and to make sure he kept Marx somewhat level.

He didn't need or want the Bloody Fangs of the Guild to accidently murder an idiotic teenager because they opened their mouths and offended them or guild somehow.

He took an inventory of all of what his guildmates had brought with them; which surprisingly was a lot and took several hours. So, it was no surprise that Harry wasn't done until just after midnight; entering his bedroom looking worn, ragged, and exhausted.

But startled to see Tom sitting in a chair away from the bed; his red eyes holding mixed emotions and silently pretending Harry wasn't there.

"Tom." Harry spoke softly, "Is there something you need?"

Tom paused but turned his eyes to Harry and simply glared; not saying anything.

He curled his hands to the arm of his seat and hissed in aggravation, "Even if I did need something; why should I tell you now, Harry?" He spoke cold, "You obviously don't care enough to even try to trust me."

Harry stilled as he suddenly scowled, "I trust you to keep your minions in line and able to do their fucking jobs. I trust you to maintain control over what is going on in your campaign for your war. I trust you not to be a superiorly moronic asshat, and do something erratic like try to make more horcruxes to null the emotional pain you have because you are jealous of Sahale. Of the fact that he is trusted in more ways intimately to me than you are right now."

Harry growled, "And for your information; why should he have not been? I have known Sahale in such settings long before I agreed to this contract. Long before you ever cared enough to put your damn mind back together and acknowledge that you were a complete arsehole."

Tom stood then as his eyes flashed dangerously and his magic slammed Harry to the wall as he gripped at his throat before Harry's eyes darkened with raw anger. He drew a knife and used it to stab and cut his arm; black-red magic collided against Tom's dark blue-violet one.

"Nice try...mate." Harry wheezed in mocking laughter as the green gaze was luminous with fury and anger, "But that sort of magic won't really stand a chance."

Tom hissed in fury as he lunged and he shoved Harry back himself; as his eyes betrayed his pain and his hurt, "Why? Why won't you try to accept me back, Harry." He spoke softly and his voice cracked with emotion as Tom felt horribly vulnerable like this; especially considering who his mate was.

Harry scowled as he hissed too, "Why, he asks?" Harry spit at him with glaring eyes, "Just look at how you're reacting, Tom. This is exactly why! Damn it. You don't own me; I am not one of your pathetic pureblood sycophant followers. I am not your damned property and some god-forsaken doll to keep locked up and dusted when we have guests. You want me so much that you're willing to drive me away!"