"It is going to take some effort to convince them to release these debts, but in of light this," Illya said, tapping a sheaf of paper the Tornado dropped,
"we will probably find it worth while --" he suddenly ceased speaking and his eyes unfocused, as if he listened to voices only he could hear.  "I must be
going."  He stepped into a shadow and disappeared.

He moved through the night using those abilities only available to those of his clan, and arrived at the place to which he'd been summoned.

"You are not the only one among the Kindred who is owed a debt," a sepulchral voice echoed from the shadows.  "Mind what you promise, and to
whom."

"We may need all the assistance we can muster," Illya replied, "if the lupines are trying to destroy the agreement between Humans and Kindred."

"That is not the only word the Air carries," a shadow grew substance and a figure stepped close to his kinsman, "nor is it the only element that
whispers of dangerous moves on your part.  Do you think to draw out the murderers by using yourself as bait?  Have you discussed this with the human?"

"Your sources are in error, Grandfather," the younger man said.  "I do not have a human lover; my relationship with the UNCLE agent is both professional and temporary."

For an answer the clan prince nipped Illya's thumb and licked up a few drops.  "I did not think one whom I held to be the best of us could be so unaware of his own mind -- or heart.  The Elements of Water and Fire agree with Air -- you are infatuated with the human."

"Not to the point it will interfere with my duty to clan and species," Illya replied, "and as you just pointed out I *am* the best of us.  If the lupines are attempting to start a war between Humans and Kindred, we will need not only the best of ourselves, but the best of the humans as well."

"Take care you do not risk yourself needlessly -- beyond your competence, know also you are my best-loved favorite, and will doubtless one day rule
the clan in my stead."

"Not for centuries," Illya smiled at the man whom he adored as the grandfather he called him, "perhaps not for millennia.  I promise not to reveal my feelings to him until after the murders are solved.  You will speak to the rest of our kin about freeing the Elementals?"
 

"They won't like the idea," the prince conceded, "but unless they can come up with something better, they will probably agree to it.  I will let you know -- through more mundane means.  Are you returning to the human?"

"Yes," Illya said. "We were just going to discuss what the Air revealed to me of the killings."

"Take care, then," the shadows whispered, "and solve the problem quickly. In this case, time *is* the enemy."

"I will," Illya whispered back, fading into the shadows himself for the journey back to Napoleon's apartment.