"Kurt, come outside now."

Kurt's whole body turned away from Blaine towards the door, against his will, as he fought with all his might to stop himself. He knew what was out there and he didn't want it, not now, not tonight. Blaine grabbed for Kurt's arm, holding him back, only to be pushed aside by the curse, landing hard against the staircase, the wood splintering behind his shoulder while his body slumped to the floor with a groan. He heard Blaine scramble back to his feet, relief pouring over him for a second until Kurt's hand grasped the brass handle, but at last he found his voice.

"Get the salt diamond bracelets from Santana." He rushed to say.

Kurt didn't know if Blaine heard him or understood him because his body had already opened the door and stepped out onto the cold, wooden porch. He could see his breath before him in the cool air of the night sky, the darkness obscuring everything and the wind chilling his exposed skin. He could, however, make out the demon that'd plagued him all these years, standing by the fence, arms crossed over his black suit, a deathly look on his face.

"You've been so naughty." Karofsky drooled, admiring Kurt's attire, but the deep anger in his lopsided grin didn't slip passed him.

Swiftly lifting his sweater, Kurt wrapped his fingers around his pistol and trained it on the widening eyes of the demon.

"Kurt, put the gun away." He spoke with hurried, panicked words.

Kurt let out a whine as he tried to stop his hand from lowering, a round firing off into the ground by Karofsky's feet.

"Kurt, keep your hands locked behind your back and come and stand next to me and don't move." With heavy feet he approached him, his wrists wrapping over each other behind his back, coming to a stop next to Karofsky. A large hand gripped his neck, restricting his airway, all to the amusement of Kurt's demon. It travelled along his bare shoulder, pushing the sweater down further to admire his porcelain chest, his hand returning up to his neck and lifting his chin. Kurt met those black eyes with fierce determination, hoping that Blaine or Santana had found those bracelets.

"You've been busy, haven't you?" he salivated, running his hand through Kurt's hair.

"I'm always busy, comes with the job."

The hand in his hair swiftly gripped the strands tight, causing Kurt to bite his lip to stop the groan of pain escaping, "You've been busy snooping in my house. Find what you were looking for?" Kurt let a smirk spread on his lips. "Yes, most of it and I'm guessing you just used the last of it." The grip on Kurt's hair yanked his head back, the yelp of pain escaping Kurt's lips echoing through the sky.

"Guess I'll just have to take some more of your delicious blood."

Karofsky leaned in, running his lips over his neck, Kurt's eyes closed tight once he felt those lips on his pulse, trying to force his body away, finding another hand wrapping around his back, pulling him against the body of his demon then dipping down to squeeze his butt. He wanted to wriggle away, push Karofsky away, run to get away from this touch. He felt sick, he felt shame, and his mind could only replay previous horrid memories to him.

"Hey! Get off him!" Came the growl from the porch.

Kurt and Karofsky looked over to see Blaine, hands clenched and teeth bared, his golden eyes visible in the dark. He was ready to morph, he was ready to kill. Karofsky pulled away from Kurt but kept his tight grip on his hair. Kurt watched the sinister grin widen on Karofsky's face and he couldn't help the panic rise within, his heart racing, his breath catching in his throat.

"New friend of yours, Kurt? Of course he's a new friend, who'd want to stick around you once they knew what a freak you are? Did he help you steal from me? How about you thank him for me?"

"Dave, no please, let him go, don't make me do this." Kurt pleaded his voice shaking; he could see the confusion in Blaine's eyes as he felt Karofsky's warm breath against his ear.

"Kurt, kill him."

Kurt's eyes flickered with the fire of his wolf as his fingertips started to tingle, a light blue flame wrapping around each digit before engulfing his whole hand, Blaine's eyes following the flame up his arm, betraying the horror and shock he tried to hide behind their golden glow. His hand aglow with the blue flame, Kurt gripped his pistol, tears of frustration for his inability to control his body, to hide this from Blaine, ran down his cheeks, but he could still control something.

"Blaine, run!" He yelled, as he brought the pistol up, pulling back the hammer and firing at Blaine.

The bullet flew from the gun, blue flames trailing behind it; Blaine leaping from the porch as the bullet explodes, splintering the wood across the garden. Karofsky's laughter filled the air as Blaine looked back to examine the damage.

"Good reflexes, but Kurt's faster." Karofsky called out to Blaine, leaning against the fence, enjoying the show.

Kurt's feet dragged him closer to Blaine as the flames on his arm engulfed his entire body, raising his gun to fire at Blaine again. Kicking high, Blaine knocks Kurt's hand aside to get away, running through the yard, another bullet flying into the ground behind him. "Three bullets left." Blaine told himself, spinning around and changing direction back towards Kurt, dodging another.

He could see Karofsky leaning back on the fence, watching them smugly, enjoying Kurt's torture. All he wanted to do was launch at the demon and tear him to shreds, but he had to deal with Kurt first. Kurt watched Blaine approach him, his hands shaking as he fought against the curse, gritting his teeth as his gun aimed at Blaine's chest. The shot fired just as Blaine raised Kurt's arm to the sky, the blue flames exploding into a bright light above them. Blaine shot Kurt a grin.

"One more to go." Blaine reached for Kurt's hand.

"No, no, no! Blaine! You don't understand."

Blaine found the trigger, firing the last bullet into the ground, just as Kurt's eyes flashed. The bullet slipped from the chamber, surrounded by the blue flames, slicing through the air while the flames split the bullet into three, spiraling back up into the air, firing towards Blaine, two hitting his shoulders, another lodging in his gut.

The air went silent as Kurt watched Blaine stagger on his feet, eyes unfocused, but keeping a firm grip on Kurt's wrist when he slumped on his back, on the ground, pulling Kurt with him. Kurt fought against Blaine's grip, tears streaming down his cheeks as he released a heart wrenching sob, but Blaine kept him close even when his eyes drifted close.

"Blaine, you have to let me go! Please, please!" Kurt heard the front door swing open behind them, but ignored it for the moment, all his concentration on getting his pistol away from Blaine.

Blaine shook his head, "It's okay, you don't have any more bullets."

"No no no! I-" A shot rang through the air, followed by Blaine's howl of pain as blood rushed from a new wound in Blaine's thigh. Kurt sobbed as Blaine's hands gripped to his wrists.

"I only carry bullets for wolves... but I don't need them." Kurt whispered to Blaine, his tears tumbling down his nose, dripping off the tip onto Blaine's bloodied shoulder. Kurt's blue flame had created that last bullet, if he wanted to he could conjure up any weapon with his flame.

Blaine coughed up a bit of blood as his grip on Kurt's wrists loosened. "Good to know... however... now would be a good time to deal with your demon."

Kurt looked down as Blaine's grip on his wrists disappeared, revealing the two salt diamond bracelets fastened around his wrists and he felt it; Kurt felt the weight of the curse lift from him. Santana jumped over the porch, holding Kurt's katana and kneels next to Blaine.

"Blaine ordered me to stay put until he got to you. Now go take care of this. I'll look after Blaine." Santana worked her hands over Blaine's body, a soft green light, filtering through her hands, pulling the bullets from his body and healing his wounds.

Kurt pulled himself to his feet watching her magic, before turning his eyes to Karofsky, the uncontrolled blue flame which had engulfed his body, moving steadily to the blade of his sword. Karofsky rounded the gate striding towards the group, confusion evident in his features.

"Kurt, finish off that wolf and cut off that witch's head!" He screamed in fury, pointing irritably at the two.

Kurt held up his katana at Karofsky's chest, stopping him in his path, a devilish grin appearing on his lips as he felt the control of his own body in front of this demon for the first time in seven years.

"Oh no. I'm done being your puppet. You've humiliated me, used me and I'm not going to kneel for you ever again. You've taken so much from me, it's time I took something from you." Kurt didn't care if his scent got out at this point, he was going to use every ounce of his wolf's spirit to take this demon down.

"Kurt, stop talking and lower-"

"You don't control me anymore! It's over!"

The whites of Karofsky's eyes turned black as his whole body began to shake, a black fog spiraling around his legs. With a silent command the black fog spins out and shoots towards the group, an eerie wail in the air, while Kurt holds up his katana before him, placing a hand on the blade to steady himself, slicing the fog in two and scattering around the garden.

Once the fog passed, Kurt rushed at Karofsky, holding his katana at his side, watching him duck an anticipated move, allowing Kurt to elbow him in the back, sending him to the floor. Kurt thrusts his sword down, missing when Karofsky rolls away. A casting circle spiraled around the sword as it hit the ground and Santana called out to grab Kurt's attention.

"Kurt, something's wrong! A casting circle only comes out when a powerful spell is cast!"

Kurt ducked a series of fireballs and ice crystals, his salt circle barrier lighting up when one gets too close. "And why is it coming out for me?"

"The bracelets ward off magic, there must be a spell that requires a casting circle that Karofsky's using. Be careful! That's powerful shit!"

Before Kurt's eyes, his barrier flashed up again and beyond Kurt could see a dark shadow hovering over Karofsky's body. Kurt slashed through yet another magical attack, eyes widening as he's gripped around the neck and thrown to the ground, his barrier flashing violently as the black fog surrounds them. Kurt reaches between them to grasps the hand around his neck, trying to pull it away while pressing the second against Karofsky's chest, the casting circle appearing between them again, spiraling dangerously fast through the fog.

The shadow from before appears opaquely in front of Karofsky's face, a manic laugh reaching Kurt's ears. "You can see me, can't you hunter." The shock in Kurt's eyes when he hears the unfamiliar voice sends the demonic laughter wild. "Oh it's been so much fun playing with you and torturing this pathetic body for so long. Then you just had to ruin it."

"Who are you?" Kurt whispers, reaching out for his katana, the grip on his neck increasing.

"I'm the one every wolf is talking about. Tell those Hounds I'll find them and I'll find that key soon enough. Right after I finish with-"

The tip of Kurt's katana glints in the moonlight above Karofsky's back, covered in blood, cutting off the demons words, blood seeping from his mouth as he grins down at Kurt before slumming against the hilt of the sword. As Kurt's salt barrier dies away he rolls Karofsky's body off him, carefully pulling his katana out. Santana is by his side in a flash, pressing her hand to the wound and chanting a healing spell.

"What's happening?" Kurt mutters, body slumping back, trying to take in all that's happened, hands bloodied, clothes covered in dirt and more blood.

"Karofsky was never a demon. You just sent the demon inhabiting his body away, hopefully for good." Santana didn't even look at him, all her concentration on the limp form on the ground.

"Wait. Dave's had a demon controlling him for... at least seven years?" Kurt's mind was racing, going over all their encounters, numb to the thought that it was never Karofsky who took everything from him. His katana clanged on to ground, forgotten.

"Probably longer by how weak this body is... but he should live thanks to your poor aim."

"I wasn't trying to kill him... How's Blaine?" Kurt turns to see his body slumped on the ground, blood drying in his clothes, drying on his chin and down his neck. The pit of Kurt's stomach turned at what he'd involved Blaine in.

"He's alive but he'll need to see a medicine woman to drive out all the silver from his body. You should take him now, I'll see to Karofsky. See what he knows."

Kurt rushed to Blaine's side, carefully cradling him in his arms, looking over the healing wounds with a worry, which brought a choked laugh from Blaine, surprising Kurt. "Take it easy, I'm fine, finding it hard to move but I'll be fine. Is it over?" he asked, letting out a hiss of pain as he failed to sit up.

"I think so." Kurt whispered, looking over at Karofsky, unable to comprehend that it might be true, that his nightmare was finally over and that he owed it all to the wolf he held in his arms. He also worried though for the demon that had spent so long in that man's body. The demon that spoke of the Hounds, of a key. Was he the one ordering the executions of the Hounds? Was he the one trying to open the Gates of Tartarus?

A cough from Blaine's now trembling body brought Kurt out of his thoughts, "I need to get back... I need to see..." Kurt stroked Blaine's hair to settle him. "Hey, I know. We're going now. Just hold onto me." Kurt soothed him, taking an arm and wrapping it over his shoulder blades, wrapping his own arm around Blaine's waist, helping him into the truck, each step filled with hisses and cries of pain. Once settled in the passenger seat, Kurt took one last glance at Santana, who was on the phone with Kurt could only presume was the hospital before sliding into the driver's seat and heading deep into the forest.

"So, those blue flames... not normal Hound skills." Blaine croaked after too long a silence.

"Never said I was a normal Hound." Kurt muttered, staring straight out in front of him.

"Your so called nonexistent gift?" Blaine speculated, coughing heavily, his voice hoarse.

"No, just something I was taught to harness from my mother... even she was scared of it at the beginning, still was at the end." Kurt waited for a response but none came.

Blaine's body rocked in the passenger seat as he rested his head on the cool glass of the window, his body too weak to hold itself up any longer as the silver coursed through his body. He looked so weak and it only increased Kurt's guilt in getting Blaine involved. The first person Kurt starts to truly open up to and he gets hurt, a deadly substance running through his veins trying to kill him... Kurt had done that... Kurt's wolf had done that. Kurt always wondered why he was forced to hide; right now he wished he'd never got caught at that lake with Blaine.

When the log cabins came into view, Kurt killed the engine and ran his hands over his face. What was he going to tell Nathan, how was going to explain what happened today? Kurt turned his head to gaze at Blaine for a moment to gather his strength, watching the sleeping man next to him. A rush of feet caught Kurt's attention, spotting a large group of men headed by Nathan, Wes and Thad running over to the truck.

Kurt stepped out of the truck, fully expecting the push on his back as he's pressed face down onto the hood of the truck, the wolf quick to cuff Kurt's hands behind him as he growled a warning into his ear. Of course these wolves would've smelled their Alpha's blood from miles away and recognized the roar of the truck's engine. Nathan tore the passenger door off the truck to get to his son, cradling him in his arms, brushing his hair out of his face, trying to stir him as Wes checked his wounds.

Gold flashed all around as the smell of the silver drifted from Blaine's open wounds and Kurt groaned as he was pressed harder into the bonnet of the truck. He watched Nathan hand Blaine over to Wes, whispering to him to take him to the medicine woman, his hands covered in Blaine's blood, the smell sending all the wolves crazy. Kurt cursed quietly when he realised he wasn't armed, too caught up in helping Blaine to pick up his abandoned weapons in the front yard. He was thankful however that his scent was still disguised.

Nathan turned his golden eyes on Kurt, teeth bared, so close to morphing into his wolf through his anger but Kurt held his stare, he wasn't stupid, if he looked away Nathan would snap and attack, his wolf instincts taken over. The growl Nathan let out sent some of the wolves into the village, while the wolf holding Kurt down was joined by a second, each grabbing an elbow and forcing Kurt to stand in front of Nathan, Thad by his side looking to Kurt for answers. Nathan gripped Kurt's jaw tight, sharpened claw digging into his skin.

"Mind telling me why my son is barely breathing, riddled with bullet holes, his blood all over your clothes and why your silver is running through his veins, killing him?" Nathan yelled, the forest carrying his voice across the village.

"We were attacked by a demon." Kurt answered calmly. It would do him no good to raise his voice when Nathan was riled up. He was a kind Alpha, but when angered, he was what the storytellers spoke of, what the myths and legends described werewolves to be.

"That still doesn't explain why your bullets ended up in my son. I saw four wounds, hunter. Are you telling me that Blaine got in the way four times, because that doesn't sound like my son?" Nathan threatened Kurt to lie to him again.

"He took control of me... put a curse on me... made me attack your son. Your son got in my way to put the salt diamond bracelets on my wrists so I could evade the curse and stop the demon. Check my wrists, I'm still wearing the bracelets." Kurt explained what he could, relieved when he felt the grip on his jaw loosen slightly.

"Pray Blaine's story matches yours, hunter, or our truce will be over." Nathan threatened, ordering his men to take Kurt to the detention hut, where he's bound to a central pole, his arms pulled painfully back behind him. Kurt doesn't fight, knows it's pointless while the whole pack is on edge. He'll try in the morning if Blaine isn't awake and that's the other reason he doesn't fight... he needs to know Blaine's alright.

He just needs to watch the time because by noon his lotion would wear off.

The night wore on and Kurt was left alone in the dark, no one came to see him, all he heard were the threatening growls from outside the door. The light of dawn crept through the small window on the side and Kurt began to test his restraints, readying himself for a quick escape. He wanted to know Blaine was alright, he desperately wanted to stay and wait for him to be alright but he was running out of time.

The door swung open, the morning light burning Kurt's eyes as Jane rushed in, cheeks red and puffy from crying all night, kneeling next to Kurt while another wolf untied him from the pole but kept his hands in the silver cuffs.

"What's going on?" Kurt asked, watching the other wolf stand by the door.

"Blaine's awake and he's doing fine. The medicine woman got rid of the silver and is healing his wounds and he confirmed your story." Jane explained.

That demon, he was the one who had the blood curse on you, right.

Yes

"I'm sorry Blaine got involved. I never intended to get him caught up in this. I'll stay away from him from now on." Kurt promised, lowering his head in his guilt of getting Jane's son hurt in his problem.

"Blaine wants to see you." Jane ignored him, "but I'm afraid Nathan is adamant that the cuffs stay on. He's not in a good mood."

"I don't blame him."

Kurt followed Jane out of the hut, two wolves at his side keeping guard, as they travelled up to the lodge next to Nathan's, which was surrounded by the Westerville pack, pining for their Alpha, but as Kurt approach behind Jane they didn't growl at him, they just looked upon him with the relief they felt for their Alpha's returning health. If they held Kurt responsible, they didn't show it.

Thad greeted them at the door as the medicine woman left and he led them to the large bedroom at the back of the lodge, a large fur rug covering the wooden floor in front of a large ornate wooden fireplace, small wolves carved into the columns. Nathan sat in one of the large arm chairs by the window, watching the white drapes flutter around the large four poster bed in the centre of the room. Wes sat on the side of the bed, drape pulled back as he ran a comforting hand over Blaine's bandaged shoulder.

Kurt sucked in a breath at Blaine's appearance, his normal olive skin pale and pasty, tired circles under his red eyes and his hair a mess of curls. His upper body was bare, strong muscles now covered by bandages. A low growl from Nathan drew Wes and Blaine's attention from each other to their guests and the smile Blaine threw at Kurt was breathtaking and Kurt couldn't stop the smile he gave him in return. Blaine's smile wilted as he eyes found the cuffs binding Kurt's hands behind his back, causing Kurt to subconsciously roll his shoulders, the chains clattering behind him.

Blaine turned to his father, "Why is he chained up? I told you what happened."

"He still shot you four times, Blaine, and whose to know the curse isn't dormant." Nathan exhaled, eyes never leaving Kurt. He could see the hurt Nathan felt for his son, the disbelief that Kurt had caused his son pain and the want to take charge of a situation he didn't understand.

Blaine huffed at his father, a rumble in his chest, "He's wearing those salt bracelet, he's-"

Kurt cut in, "It's okay Blaine, you know as well as anyone here that this is normal and I'm not staying. I just came to make sure you're alright."

Blaine stared at him with a hurt expression, wanting more than Kurt could give him right now. He looked away, down at his sheets. "I'll be on my feet by the night, the silver didn't do too much damage, thanks to your witch."

Kurt smiled with a nod, "I knew she'd take care of you. Thank you for what you did last night, I won't forget it. Wes, look after your Alpha, make sure he gets plenty of rest." Wes nodded from where he now stood, next to Jane.

"He won't be getting out of that bed without my permission." Wes agreed.

Pausing for a moment, Kurt turned his attention back to Nathan, who sat upright in his seat, fists clenched. With slow careful steps, Kurt meekly brushed his leg against his knee then slowly sat in his lap, even when Nathan growled in the back of his throat, Kurt tucked his head into the curve of his neck, nuzzling gently, whispering against his skin "I'm sorry I got your son hurt. I never meant for him to get involved with my work." Kurt knew he needed to do this. Knew he would have to submit to the Alpha to sooth the tension in the air. The hand in his hair and another on his thigh, holding him in place, told him Nathan forgave him and the kiss to his forehead told him they were good. Jane had taught him how to best submit to Nathan and he was very thankful for those lessons right now. The quiet growl from the large bed almost had Kurt chuckling at Blaine's jealousy.

Once Nathan's hold on him loosened, he pulled away and stood to walk off, but his arms were pulled back by a tug on the chains. "You should show my son the same respect." He hears Nathan order from behind. He gave a swift nod, steadying his breathing as he approached the bed, Blaine's eyes following his movements and he could see Blaine's own breath becoming more frantic as he sits on the bed where Wes had been. He slowly lets his eyes trail up from Blaine's lap, up his toned stomach, bloodied bandage at his side, up to his bandaged chest, over his strong neck, settling on the lips that had taken his breath away last night, then resting in his now golden eyes. Kurt licked his lips to find his words as he rested his forehead against Blaine's, whispering,

"Don't involve yourself like that again. I won't be able to cope if I knew I'd caused you pain like this again."

Blaine reached out despite the pain in his shoulder to run a thumb over Kurt's cheek, "I'd do it all again to keep you safe."

Kurt wanted to stay here with Blaine, to tend to him, talk with him, and keep him company while he healed. He wanted to lean in as he watched Blaine lean towards him but he couldn't and he backed away, standing from the bed, ignoring the cry of his wolf to go back and lay with the Alpha, who was urging Kurt to come back through his scent. Wes approached Kurt, running a hand over his back, "Jane, you stay with Blaine, I'll show Kurt out."

Wes led Kurt out of the lodge, passed the Westerville pack, who just glanced at him, unnervingly, and down the path to his truck. Kurt kept his head held high as wolves passed them on all sides, small growls catching their attention from time to time. Once at the truck Wes removed the cuffs, allowing Kurt to stretch his arms and rub his red wrists.

"Blaine told me what happened last night." Wes stated and smirked at the way Kurt tensed, eyes widening. "Well as much as he was going to tell me with his father present and by the way you just jumped, I'm guessing there's more to this story."

"Wes, I know you're Blaine's second but what happened last night has to stay between Blaine and me for now." Kurt walked round his truck to open the driver's door, jumping into the seat and turning the engine on, taking a quick glance at the clock. Wes walked with him, holding open the driver's door.

"Yeah I guess. Don't be a stranger, Kurt. I know things are tense right now but I think Nathan might go crazy if he doesn't get his weekly doses of hunter... and so will Blaine."

That caught Kurt's attention and the grin on Wes' face made him want to slap him but he just gripped the steering wheel tighter instead. "I'll let things settle down before making an appearance, plus I have things to settle in town after last night. Behave yourself, Wes."

Kurt grabbed for the front door, glad that Wes let go so he could shut it. As Wes stepped back still wearing that grin he spun the truck, heading back to town, glad he got out in time, glad Blaine was okay and so, so happy to be out of his curse. But now the words of that demon rang in his head.

Tell those Hounds I'll find them and I'll find that key soon enough.