I walked through the portal onto Twilight Isle a little later than normal. As I headed for my usual chaise in the sand, an atrocious aroma assailed my senses, and then was gone as quickly as it had come. As I approached the chaise, Topaz smiled, "good evening Azjah."

I settled into the chaise with a smile, asking a goblin for a glass of scotch, and noted that he skirted the edge of the treeline must more than is usual. They are nervous little creatures, but I had not noticed such fear of the shadows around the rings before.

"Good evening Topaz, how are you tonight?" She and I talked amiably for a bit. Neither of us has any clue what to get Destre and Gavilean for their wedding, and Topaz noted that they seem to have everything they want in one another. She commented that she did not have a date for the wedding, and I told her to be careful what she wished for, as she could wind up with Quasi Motto if she was not careful. With a laugh, she told me not likely, but that she would not object to having Chris or Del or Lucien be her escort.

Topaz told me that her week had been very interesting, she said "Ra got back into town. I've hung out at the Inn a few times and met some interesting people, I met one cool guy that showers Edelweiss and has tendrils in addition to arms and legs."

I chuckled, "You have had a busy week Topaz." I had been there when Lucien had speared Berrin's foot with one of his infamous tendrils, and Topaz had been rather appalled by the wicked looking coiling spears that had thrust upward from the sand.

Another stray tendril of breeze carried a rancid-sweet stench that offended the senses and was then gone as a young elf stepped through the portal. She wrinkled her nose as I did, and as I reached for a fan to disperse the unpleasant odor, I bid the young woman welcome to the Isle.

She greeted both Topaz and I, commenting upon the smell as she walked toward the bar to secure herself a glass of ale.

I chuckled and told Topaz that what ever the stink was, it was worse than Brig's noxious fumes! She agreed, even Brig's foul smells were no comparison to the intermittent odor coming from a copse of trees beyond the rings. Thankfully it does not remain long, but Topaz wondered if Vanion was working on something disgusting again. I frowned at her, "Ugh, even he can't come up with something that bad, can he?"

She shrugged, and Rena commented that she thought he could indeed concoct something as vile as the odor we were suffering. Topaz shrugged, "I don't wanna go find out. Do you? Vanion's been in a foul mood of late."

I gave her a surprised look, "I haven't seen him around the Isle of late."

The young woman looked around the beach for a bit, sipping her ale, and abruptly a glowing red orb trained on Tass from the copse of trees behind the bleachers. It was difficult to tell if it was a single orb or two, but it was gone almost as fast as it had appeared.


The young elf spoke up, "does anyone know what is causing that? It smells like something long dead and rotten."

Topaz glanced at her, "We were just talking about Vanion's rottenness." Another stray breeze carried the odor across the rings and the beach. It was so foul and rancid it made eyes water and stomachs knot in protest and was gone again as quickly as it had come.

And then another bone chilling scream ripped across the night air, but it was cut off nearly as quickly as it had come. The direction though was completely different direction from where the attack had come on the young elf.

The young elf was babbling about monsters as Vincent prepared to take the young woman for medical help. They were gone in moments, leaving us all worried and nervous.

After Vincent departed, Brigath announced that he would go in search of this 'monster'. "Meantime, I can cover more ground than any of you trying to track it down."

His words sent a chill of dread through me, "Brig? Don't go alone!"

He frowned at me, "Why ever not?"

I gave him an exasperated look, "Because that thing just attacked her? Who's to say it won't attack you?"

He gave me one of his stubborn looks that I know so well, "Yah, and as a Keeper, it's my job to keep the patron's safe. I almost hope it attacks me. Will make it easier to find." He remained hovering just above the sand as he spoke.

"Brigath, this is serious!," came my objection. Brig is a wonderful soul, but going off alone into the darkness to hunt heaven knew what did not strike me as the most brilliant thing a mop-wielding sorcerer could be doing!

Brig looked at me with a hard edge that I have not seen in many years, "Yes, yes it is." And then he was off, skimming over the tree tops in the direction of the last scream long before my next objection could be finished. Bloody man was setting off to be a hero!

Topaz spoke up, "but we sure could do with a hero. I don't want to see this happening again, or anything like it."

About then, Vincent returned, only this time he was dressed in robes, and had his blade Purifier out and at the ready. He called to Brig, "Where'd it go?"

I muttered at Vincent, "He's off trying to get himself attacked."

No sooner had I told Vincent that Brig had gone off alone than Brig returned with ah deep frown on his face, "You want the bad news, or the bad news?"

I took a sip of my scotch as Vincent told him to give him the bad news first. Like any of it would be good?

Brig settled into the sand, "Well, either there's more than one of them, or this thing is killing every single goblin it can find."

I gave Brig a questioning look as Cory sat down once more into the sand beside my chaise. His expression said he'd seen more than he wanted to, and wished he could expunge the memories.

Vincent asked Brig whether they should raze the isle and regrow everything from scratch, ostensibly to assure that they got all of whatever this menace was.

Brig shook his head, "I dunno. The other bad news is that because there's so many hints of where they've been, I wasn't able to narrow down where they are NOW."

The idea of razing the Isle seemed a bit excessive, "I don't think Topaz would like to hear that suggestion Vincent."

She seconded that, "Certainly there must be a better way, a less destructive way."

Brig offered up the idea of baiting whatever was running amok upon the Isle. Then he turned to Topaz, "you can round up the goblins, can't you?"

She shot Brigath a look, "don't look at me when you say bait Brigath."

Lucien faded into the visible spectrum so that everyone else could see him as Brigath gave a mirthless chuckle. He leaned against a tree and simply listened.

I shook my head, "How many goblins are missing?"

Topaz looked around, "perhaps one in twenty, to judge by those here."

Vincent then offered to make replicas for bait purposes, and not risk any more of the Isle's goblin population.

Brigath looked at Vincent, "Well, I was kinda thinking that those of us who intend to kill them would be the bait. Nothing like letting your enemy come to you."

Lucien raised a brow at that, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing from him! He continued, "If we take the goblins out of circulation, they won't have any prey, unless they are satisfied with rabbits, which I highly doubt."

Vincent smiled, "I have been wanting something like this for a while. Things have been, slow, on that front."

I looked hard at Brig, "do you know what it is?"

He shook his head, "no idea. Something that eats elves legs and smell nasty."

Lucien ignored me and shot Brigath a half smile, "are you tasty enough?"

Topaz straightened and the goblin she'd been speaking with wandered off to talk to its brethren. She then turned toward Brigath again, "They'll be staying here or close by and away from trees."

Cory finished communicating with his orb, and it rocketed off toward the forest leaving decaying foliage in its wake.

I gave Topaz a worried glance, "can anything else be done to protect them while the dueling is closed?" With the Keepers in their towers, who would be watching over the goblins, who, it appeared, had suffered the most serious predation by whatever this thing was.

Brigath watched as Cory's orb vanished, giving Cory a questioning look before agreeing with me that simply keeping the goblins away from the trees would not be enough to keep the goblins safe.

I nodded at Brig, "Precisely. Will the Keepers be able to let them into the towers?" There had to be somewhere safe the goblins could go for the time being, although, I'm certain I would not want a horde of goblins moving in with me.

Brig nodded, "I should be able to fit them in mine."

Lucien's voice carried across the sand, "Brigath, it ate the female's leg, or it drank the blood and discarded the flesh?"

Brig gave Lucien an enlightened look, "Now that, is an excellent question; to which I have no answer."

Lucien's voice was a low whisper of velvet, "Knowing that would help narrow the field of potential culprits."

"Ok then, I can stay at least until Esper gets here, just to keep watch. Esper should be able to handle himself as well if not better than I." Brig had committed himself to watching over the goblins, and I was not happy about his sudden willingness to put himself in the line of fire. "So, we should be able to avoid any more 'mishaps' for the rest of the evening."

Lucien turned those soulless black eyes on Topaz, "Whom resides upon this Isle beside the Keepers and Archmage?"

She answered that there were four Keepers.

He pressed the question again, "No others?"

Brig answered, "None that I am aware of at this time."

Lucien nodded, "So the risks are contained within the Towers, this should leave it safe for a Hunter to prowl the Isle?"

"No' exactly," Cory piped up as Topaz wondered aloud how much of this may be due to contamination from Vanion's tenure.

Brig glanced at Cory as Lucien turned around and took a long searching look at the man.

Cory explained, "M'friend there 'as agreed to scour the Isle fo' the nex' thirty-six hours." As he spoke, the violet light could be seen rising above the dense trees, and then plummeting back down out of sight.

Brig nodded, "If I might inquire, what exactly IS your friend?"

Lucien also asked him, "Your 'friend' is not a life form, is it?"

Cory pondered a moment, "Tha' I dunno," he told Brig before he informed Lucien that it was not a life form per se.

"Will it attack, or will it simply report back to you what it sees?" Came Lucien's next query. Brigath nodded, as did Topaz. Everyone wanted to know if they remained to hunt this thing, would the orb consider them a viable target.

Cory told us all that it was on a fact finding mission only, and that whatever the thing that attacked the goblins and Liianice had to be holed up somewhere on the Isle, and he was hoping the orb could give everyone a better fix on the thing's hiding place.

Lucien glided closer to the fairy, "Creatures of light do not belong hunting such darkness Topaz."

She grinned back at Lucien, "You really think I can't cast a nasty spell or two? Light can be painful and destructive too."

Lucien calmly explained to Topaz that it was not a question of ability, rather a question of propriety. He would never see the logic of a female willingly going out to hunt when there were men whose jobs it was to hunt the darkness that now stalked the inhabitants of Twilight Isle.

I shook my head at Brig as he gave me a feral smile, "life on the edge, Azjah. It's the only life to lead."

Brig's easy going nature was usually endearing, but right now, it was infuriating, "Brig, please, you wield a wicked mop?" but my sentence was clipped short as Topaz laughed.

"He won't when he goes hunting." She told me. Then she broke into laughter, "Ohhh, too droll! Mopping up beasties!" She composed herself and apologized, but added that the imagery was simply too funny not to laugh.

Lucien's dry humor came into play, "I have no desire to mop up fairy blood."

That didn't allay my concerns for Brig, and I muttered at him, "Brigath, you're as single minded now as you were years ago."

He made kissy faces at me, "love you too Azjah." Then he laid a hand on my shoulder, "I'm touched that you are concerned, but do you really expect me to do anything aside from what I'm doing?"

I absolutely hate it when he makes good sense! I do! Giving him my best glower, "I'll be seriously angry if you come to harm, you varlet!"

Brig gave me a smile, "I'll keep that in mind, and point it out to whatever it is we find if I seem to be in trouble."

I decided to change, it would buy me some time to compose my feelings before I said or did something embarrassing. I looked back over my shoulder at him as I headed for the lockers, "If I just shoot you now, you won't be able to go chasing this thing. You do realize that?"

He nodded with an insouciant grin, "That possibility has always existed."

With an unladylike snort, I told him, "and yet, you continue to tempt me!" With that, I disappeared to change out of uniform. His last words clearly heard were, "As I said, life on the edge."

Brig sat cross legged on the top of the tower, looking down towards the lagoon. He and Rena had gotten the goblins squared away in the bottom level of the tower, and after a drink he had shown her to one of the guest rooms. As soon as the door was closed, the roof top perch had called to him and he had sat there through much of the night.

He really wasn?t worried about the coming hunt. In spite of what Azjah had said, he had no intention of playing the hero. The power of himself, two former archmages, and Lucien (whatever he was), should be plenty to handle the situation, even if no other Keepers were able to help. But something about Azjah?s words had struck a chord in him.

And so he sat, watching the lagoon, meditating, and exploring his thoughts and feelings to discover what had caused the reverberation.

Near dawn he stirred. A smile found its way to his lips as he whispered a single word and sent it whisking away on the wind.

?Kayla?

=====================
Near the rings the portal flashed and as something translated through. But there were none near the rings to see it, and it was gone as quick as a thought.

=====================
Brig stepped off the edge of the tower and let himself freefall for 50 feet or so before bringing himself to a gentle landing next to the snow white wolf that sat there waiting for him. He dropped to his knees with a huge grin and embraced her, which the wolf endured with stoic poise. As he released her, she deigned to lick his cheek once, and then sat still again, watching him as he rose back to his feet.

?You still game, dear heart? It?s been a long time, but it feels right.? He looked down at her affectionately. She merely continued to stare at him, waiting with a patience learned over long years.

His laugh echoed against the wall of the tower. ?All right, all right. Business later.? The air around him shimmered and then a jet black wolf stood next to the white one. Kayla let out a howl of delight and the two raced down the mountain side neck and neck.

They had spent much of the morning tracking the traces of the creatures, getting a fix on where the hunting party should begin that night. By the time the two wolves had finished their search and stopped to rest in a clearing, Brigath was convinced they were facing undead.

The air around him crackled as a man's body took the place of a wolf's. He sat down with his back against a tree and stretched his legs out. Kayla stepped over and layed down with her head on his thigh.

"What do you think, Kayla?" He buried his hand in the fur of her head and scratched her ears. "Anything we can't handle?"

The wolf, who's eyes had closed as he began his scratching, opened an eye to look at him for a moment then closed it again.

"Yah, I know. But I never like to do this, you know that. It's not really my way." He sighed and ran his free hand through his hair. "But you gotta do, what you gotta do, I guess. If it wasn't my way to begin with, it's my way now." Then he chuckled softly. "And how dare you claim I'm getting old and slow. You didn't outpace me once this morning."

The wolf just snorted and Brigath laughed. "Fair enough. Now get off." He pushed himself up to his feet, causing the wolf to glare at him briefly. He smiled lopsided at her, pulled a dagger from its sheath at his belt and flipped it into the air. "Let's get this done."

Kayla caught the blade in her teeth as it descended and padded into the woods. Brig's face turned somber as he watched her move away and with another sigh, he jogged after her.

Brigath wished us all luck, and I heard him say to Topaz, "Don't let us down." I knew a moment of irritation that he was relying on a woman. That is not the role of women in my world, and it grates on me that here such is the rule rather than the exception.

The elven one sunk into the ground, moving within the ground itself as Brigath shimmered into the form of a black wolf and started running around to the east to circle and come in from the North. The white wolf keeping easy stride with him as they slipped into the night.

As I moved off toward the west, I could make out tiny bits of rotting flesh. Our unwelcome visitors were undead. There is no mistaking such abominations, but they did not appear to be simply vampyre either.

Brigath reached the North side, near the cave entrance and shimmered back into human form. His wolven accomplice bared her teeth and moved in on the cave. Brigath was close behind her.

Vincent landed on the hill, and began slinking toward the top.

I paused as the stench assailed me briefly, but then it was gone as quickly as it had come. And then two creatures emerged from the cave toward Brigath and Kayla. The fight was on. One of the creatures extended it's rotting hand, and a bolt of energy left it, aimed at Brigath.

I summoned the clouds above me, gathering the elemental powers of the storm in preparation. Fire and lightening would work best on these abominations. Lightening began to rip between clouds as the coming storm intensified overhead.

Brigath rose from the ground and flew straight toward the creatures, which we all knew now were Lyches. Their glowing red orbs shifted in their eye sockets, and more energy bursts followed the first one, aiming for both Kayla and Brigath.

Dmitri then rushed forward, silver swords flashing in the fast disappearing moonlight. The clouds roiled overhead, and thunder began to rumble across the plain.

The wolf yelped as a bolt singed her, but then she leaped upon the closest Lych, teeth tearing at its rotting flesh. A second one advanced toward Brigath with alarming speed, which was used to advantage by Vincent, who allowed Brigath to be the distraction before Vincent then enjoined the attack. His blade flashed flame, and buried itself into the nearest Lych.

Dmitri arrived, the silver swords moving in a deadly dance of elven grace as one blade sliced the head from the shoulders of the Lych nearest to him.

Brigath's strikes seemed to do nothing to the creature he faced, and the deadly chill of the Lych was taking it's toll on the sorcerer. The wolf returned for a pass at the second Lych, leaping toward it, but it was ready for her attack, and batted her aside with ease. She yelped in pain.

The stench increased as I moved in, and the second Lych sensed my presence, turning on me and throwing lightening bolts at me before blinking into a different location. I gave a fanged grin to him and followed. The storm overhead had grown to levels I could now use.

I summoned a lightening strike from the clouds, directing it to where the Lych was standing. Blue white light sizzled into the ground, shaking everything for miles, but the Lych escaped the strike.

Brigath dropped down from the skies to drive his staff at the Lych that was attacking his wolven friend, and Dmitri was also there trying to drive the Lych away from the injured wolf. The brief respite allowed the wolf to dodge away from the Lych.

The first Lych flashed grotesque fangs in a parody of a smile at Vincent and then attacked him. Vincent stayed where he was as the creature sped toward him. At the last instant, he lifted his hand and unleashed a Disassemble spell on the Lych.

I leaped after the Lych that had attacked me, summoning spears of tendrils to rip upward from the ground seeking to impale the rotting body long enough to draw down another strike of lightening to incinerate the creature. Thunder reverberated again as I prepared for the next attack.

Kayla sniffed at Brigath's body, and then reached down with powerful jaws and grabbed a silver chain that lay against his lifeless chest. It was the Key of Air, and as her jaws closed around it, she yanked it free and ran into the night racing toward the portal with a preternatural speed that suggests she is far more than she appears to be. The patrons at the rings who had not gone on the hunt saw only a white blur and a flash from the portal as she bounded through without slowing down at all.

I continued to advance on the Lych, and Vincent flew nearer and proceeded to lean against a tree to watch. The chill from the Lych burning into my flesh, the encounter having already left me with broken bones and the chill from the grave.

Vincent gave me a smirk, "need a hand Lucien?"

I turned a deadly black gaze on him. His expression spoke volumes as he was delighting in the prospect of my perhaps needing his assistance, but I did not, and refocused on the Lych before me. A shower of warmth radiated through my bones as I fought with the Lych before me.

He pointed at the Lych and a beam of white light shot from him, impaling the Lych as he muttered, "I don't know why I didn't think of this before." The Lych's body was consumed as Vincent's ray struck it, burning it to ashes where it had stood. Vincent quipped, "There's a reason we're called the Temple of Divine Light."

From out of the night, a raven reappeared, and dropped a pinkish bloody lung on Vincent. I wanted to laugh as the mage looked at the lung and then the raven, "oh no. It didn't just??" and with that, the Raven disappeared inside the first Lych's body.

Topaz landed next to Brigath's body, "someone should go find Dmitri." She looked down at Brigath's body before asking if anyone knew how to resurrect a soul into the body from whence it had come.

Thunder echoed between the clouds overhead, and I glanced up, sending them fleeting into the night sky before moving closer to the body laying at such a twisted an impossible angle. She checked for a pulse, but I could have told her there would be none. Kayla's call had told me when he'd died.. She spoke softly without raising her eyes to me, "as soul-less as some of your looks." She'd known I was right behind her and did not need to see me.

Vincent stepped forward, "I'm afraid he's a bit beyond my help."

In distraction, Topaz asked for someone to go in search of Dmitri yet again.

I snarled silently. Raising the dead was a horrible thing, but I spoke softly to the fairy, "I have raised from the dead twice."

She let her shields drop, "You can give it a try, but Brigath's no longer in the body. I doubt you will succeed." She was as pale as she sounded.

I knelt beside the inert form, and the power of my people rose through my body, creating a pale, shimmering aura. The aura slipped from my essence and into the broken corpse beside me, but I did not remain long. There was nothing I could do to bring him back. He was well and truly gone from this shell. I rose, turning slowly to face Topaz, "He is not there, I cannot bring him back.:

She nodded at me, "I had suspected that much."

I gave her a slight smile, "Your suspicions are confirmed. I will bring his body back to the beach if you wish."

She was in mid-sentence when she decided it might be best to return Brigath to the beach. And again asked where Dmitri was.

I reached down with my good arm and hoisted the body over my shoulder. This would not be taken easily by the Marchioness. I could hope she would have left, but I can still feel her presence upon the Isle, and now I will deliver back to her the body of a man she had once loved, and still held very dear.

As we prepared to return to the rings, Dmitri walked out of the trees, and relief swept Topaz's features.

Vincent disapparated and returned directly to the rings while I walked back. I was not looking forward to what was about to happen. Within minutes we stood at the edge of the clearing, and I paused to watch the Marchioness. I gave Topaz a quick look, "She is going to be very unhappy about this."

She gave me a sardonic look, "I'm not dancing for joy either." But there was no emphasis or inflection. It was as though she were completely drained of nearly everything.

There was no help for it, and I moved into the clearing, bearing the lifeless shell that had once been Brigath. Topaz was following behind me. We settled on placing his body beside the caller's couch for the moment.

I heard Topaz say, "Sorry Azjah." And I rose and turned toward her.

I found the group Lucien had described still assembled. As I faded into view, I heard Topaz ask someone to cast a fireball or immolation to destroy the body. But the male was trying to convince her that Lychs paralyze rather than kill, but I could tell from my place there was no soul to put back into that cadaver.

A young woman was kneeling beside the body, her tears falling like rain.

Grief. It was sharp among most of those present.

Topaz noticed my presence and turned to look at me, ?Did you forget something Lucien??

I smiled inwardly. She could not tell us apart.

I then gave the corpse a dispassionate glance before gliding toward the group standing around it.

Elijah was asking, ?so, then do you guys want to cremate him or bury him? I?ll help but before some kind of plague develops because this guy died by a creature of the undead, we should do it soon.?

I quirked a brow at Topaz before answering her; ?I have not forgotten anything. I have come at the request of the Marchioness.?

Elijah turned to look at me, ?Here for the body??

My attention remained focused on the fairy as she inquired what the Marchioness had charged me with doing. ?I have come with instructions to offer whatever is required for the proper care of the corpse. She stated that when she had been with Brigath, he had expressed a desire to be cremated.?

Topaz nodded, ?That should be taken care of as quickly as possible.? She wanted to have this done quickly, and the sooner I could accomplish my instructions, the better.

Elijah began instructions to the goblins to begin construction of a funeral pyre. It would not have been necessary, but perhaps it would prove therapeutic to those who would be present. Simply summoning enough lightening to incinerate the body might be too traumatic. I waited as they set about building the pyre.

Goblins were crying, one crawled into Kyndra?s lap and began sobbing hysterically. I watched for as long as possible. All the while, clouds had begun to form above us, darkening and rumbling. Several of the patrons glanced upward, but they could not know that it would not rain upon them, but was simply the summoning of the power it would take to flash incinerate their friend.

Elijah was hunting a way to start the wood on fire, and turned to ask me if I had any ideas. I gave him a level look, ?I will take care of it.? My gaze then swiveled to the pyre. The goblins were busily building both the pyre and a litter for the man?s body.

Topaz told me she?d tried an immolation spell earlier, but she could not accomplish one. She had expended more energy than was wise.

At length, I had seen enough, ?That is sufficient. We do not require a great deal of tinder.?

They dragged the litter to the pyre and finally they were ready to bid farewell to their friend.

Thunder reverberated across the Isle as lightening ripped from cloud to cloud overhead. Topaz shivered as the sound rocked the ground beneath their feet.

I began the formalities of a prayer, using the ancient Romanian that was my first language. Blue white streaks rip between the billowing clouds as the air crackled with electricity. As the invocation came to a properly solemn ending, a streak of blue sizzled from the clouds overhead to strike the pyre everyone now stood gathered around. Blinding white light rips the dusk apart as thunder rocked the shoreline ominously. Flames roared to life in the tinder, engulfing everything in a column of flames.

Everyone watched in silence as the blue hearted flames consumed everything in moments with very little smoke.

I turned black eyes on the fairy as she thanked Lucien.

?Gabriel.? I gave her a formal, old world bow before backing way from the scene. It was time to leave them to their grief.

She gave me a surprised blink, ?Gabriel? Not Lucien??

I gave her a slight nod of acknowledgement before fading from the visible spectrum.

?When everyone was ready to head out, I dropped the last bit of none essential magic. It was rather overwhelming and confusing at first.? Julian noticed the first chime of bemusement in her voice as she continued. It was a private sound. He knew she wouldn't tell him or anyone else of what she learned about her companions of the hunt while expanding her senses.

?By concentrating on finding the creatures I was able to ignore most of it. Yes, not all, just most. Once I had found them though, they overwhelmed all else. Each ten times nastier than that demi-god, Manamar, and there were three of them.? The fairy gave a disgusted shiver that said more than words could have. ?Greed is so much lesser an evil.?
Topaz finished off the coffee.

?What were their intentions?? Julian prompted when the look in the light blue eyes started to take on a far-away quality.

?Desire for destruction, despoiling, death; bloodlust, despair, enjoying horror and the moment of death. There was not even a hint of hunger for nourishment, survival eventually, then just to inflict maximum damage in dying. In hindsight, I?m rather surprised none of them blew up. They all intended to.?

Julian took the empty cup from her and wrapped his arm around her, careful not to damage the delicate wings. ?It is over now. Let that filth leave. You do not need that information anymore. Just let it go.? He had found just the right notes, hypnotic almost, that allowed the fairy do just that.

?I liked the way Lucien felt.? Topaz knew Julian would not like hearing that even before she said it, but it was part of the evening?s events.

?What happened after you found them??

?I did manage to put Kaletha's token in a strategic spot, but then the others arrived and chaos ensued. There was no time for anyone to concentrate long enough to do anything with that. Brigath was magnificent. He turned into his wolf form and was doing a pretty good job tearing the first one of the Liches apart. Actually, I do not believe they were just liches or even lich lords. One of them at least had fangs and moved like Vampires do. Perhaps that?s why I was suspecting that Vanion was involved.?

?I did sneak up behind it while Brigath was distracting it and keeping it from casting any more spells and managed to thrust Raven between its ribs. I did not stay to watch it crumble. I got to busy after that to recall the exact order of events. I used whatever time I needed to take to orient myself to check on the shields and fix them were needed.

?When I noticed that the shields around Lucien were failing altogether ? what was he doing staying that close to one for so long? ? I decided it would be quicker to magic some heat into him, and more likely to do any good than to continue to use micro magic on the liches. I can only hope I found a middle way and did burn up anything by mistake. He seemed well enough after the fighting was done.?

The white wolf trotted up to the mithril gates of I'Taurn, a sliver necklace and piece of parchment grasped in her teeth. She paused to inspect the gate, then the guards. Finally she stepped right up the center of the gate and sat, fixing the right hand guard with a gaze that made it clear she expected the gates to be opened for her, and promptly.

I opened the door, and invited the wolf inside. The entry shone white, and undisturbed. The great oak doors to the formal Great Hall were closed, and I was not ready to go in there. For it was upon the hearth that I'd last found Daemonbane, and the accursed books.

I invited Kayla to follow me up to my private suites. The rooms are more livable and it was not likely that any artifacts would seek me in those rooms.

We walked up the stairs, and I opened the doors to the sitting room, leading my guest inside to sit in front of the rhodochrosite fireplace that was cool and dark.

I had agreed to both of Brigath's requests, and it was there that Kayla presented me with a silver chain and key.

I would keep the key safe. Away from those who might seek to take it. I' Taurn would protect what it held.

Then I laid out the two choices I had for Kayla. Both deserved the fate that one of them would receive, it was merely a question of which one Kayla preferred.

I would procure the taller one for her. It was something I would enjoy doing.

The wolf gave me a solemn nod of understanding and agreement.

She spotted the Sidhe woman across the courtyard, and let out a growl at the guards who had not yet opened the gate for her. The elf?s sharp ears heard noise and she turned to spy the wolf. Kayla gave a self-satisfied snort at the guards as Alais motioned for them to open the gates.

Kayla inspected the woman as she trotted towards her. Brigath trusted her, but Brigath?s judgment was flawed at best as far as Kayla was concerned. Still, Alais had the aura of one who would not flinch at the tasks requested of her. This time, it seemed, Brigath had made a good choice. She came to her decision quickly and dropped the note into Alias? hand without hesitation.

With a patience learned from years of association with Brig, Kayla sat quietly while Alais read and re-read the letter. She didn?t understand why it seemed to take humans, or elves for that matter, so long to understand things. Finally, Alais laid the letter aside and invited her in.

The briefing that afternoon had been mercifully short. The officers had nothing out of the ordinary to report. Major derKorst was not surprised when Topaz released the other officers as soon as possible but requested him to stay a moment longer.

?This is not Guardian business, but you should be informed just the same. I have some unfinished business on the isle.? Topaz started as soon as the last of the others had left. ?I need to find out how the creatures got onto the isle and make certain others may not enter the same way. Though I did not find any more of their kind last night, it is very possible that I missed something.?

At the Commander?s nod Major derKorst offered, ?Understood. But may I suggest that you wait another day with this and to at least ask for volunteers to aid with the task??

The major regarded the fairy with one of his crystal hard looks while she silently weighed the pros and cons once again.

At last she said, still thoughtful, ?You may. The shields should still be effective for another day, perhaps two. I will let you know what I may come up with before I go back to the Isle.?

?Thank you, major. That is all for now.? Topaz went to her office a few moments after Julian had left the briefing room.

Awareness slowly made its way into the man?s eyes as he emerged from the enchantment. Confused and disoriented he turned his head from side to side, trying to get his bearings. When his eyes fell on Alais he shrunk back, fear written on his face. His voice came out in barely a whisper as he uttered her name, ?Alais??

The smile on the sorceress? face was cold and hard. ?Ye dae well tae fear me, but t?day yer fate is no? in mah ?ands.? Her eyes flicked to the wolf, drawing the man?s attention downward. ?And Ah suspect tha? ye?ll wish t?was me tender mercies ye were facin? afore th? day is doone.?

Kayla?s lips were drawn back to reveal her teeth and a low growl rumbled in her throat. As the man?s eyes met hers, the spell that had begun in a grove on the Twilight Isle descended upon him. All of his senses narrowed until the wolf was all he could perceive. Her growl reverberated in his ears, an inescapable throbbing that pressed in on him. Her eyes bore into his. Not the eyes of an animal who killed because she needed to, but the eyes of a sentient creature who delighted in the hunt and the devastation of her prey. Her breath rose up and nearly overwhelmed him, filled with the sickly sweet scent of blood and meat from her kill that morning. With a scream, he turned and fled, running blindly onto the grounds.

Kayla raced after him, nipping at his legs, driving him forward. Every time he stumbled and fell, she was on top of him, claws raking his back, jaws closing with a snap right next to his ears. Then she would be past him and he would flail his way back to his feet, weeping with terror, staggering forward in whatever direction he happened to be facing. Again and again she drove him to the ground, winding his panic tighter and tighter until at last he fell and could not rise. His body shuddered, wracked with sobs of incoherent fear. His hands clawed uselessly at the ground, instinctively trying to grasp something, anything, that might provide a way of escape. This time Kayla lept upon him and stayed. She slashed at his side with her claws, forcing him to turn onto his back. He desperately tried to push her away as her jaws descended towards his face. His shrieks turned to gurgles as the the wolf?s snout entered his mouth and they came to an abrupt end as she bit down on his lower jaw and her teeth pierced his tongue and chin.

As I faded into the visible spectrum, and searched the beach area of Twilight Isle, I caught sight and scent of the fairy. She was dressed in a light blue dress that flowed and moved around her as a living thing caressing her magical form. She carried a rapier at her hip, and I noticed that there were no flowers in her hair. She should always wear flowers in her hair. Something is missing when such a lovely creature is devoid of the beauty of flowers.

I could sense that others had been on the Isle, and I asked Topaz if she had sent anyone preceding us to the Isle.

She smiled and said good evening, observing the social niceties that I had just failed to observe, "Good evening to you. It is possible, the portal was not disabled, but no, I did not send anyone. And the goblins live here, of course."

It was not the goblins I could sense. Whomever had been here was human. I turned and gave her a long look, "We stick together on this, right? No separation." I knew it was asking too much for her to wait right here on the beach and let me search. She had already exhibited a propensity for failing to allow the Hunters to do their jobs while she remained safely behind.

"Yes, Sir." Came her reply, with a practiced ease that sounded suspiciously like she was having fun with me.

I gave her a slight grin, "with sufficient practice, you may become good at that." However, I know she is not ever going to learn to show respect when it matters. She will always throw herself into the fray without regard for her safety.

She chuckled, "not too good, I hope."

I quirked a black brow at her, "Is it possible to become too good at being a woman? One day, you must explain to me this disrespect men have for their women in this realm." I knew it would needle her, and I find that thought pleasing.

Her laugh rippled across my skin, "I've always been that, female I mean. So that part comes naturally." She laughed again, "hmmm, and you're asking me?"

I was scanning the tree line, "we should begin along the edge of the plains where we found their cave." I doubted that they had come through in that cave, but I was hoping to get a better feel for their magic signatures, and that should help me recognize other works. They would have set the cave with defenses; things to drive the curious away, or to entrap the too bold. It was a good place to start.

I nodded at her, "well, since you seem to agree with their disrespect, yes." She was the first female that I thought would give me a straight answer that was not representative of Rigel. I know why the Marchioness does such things, but it does not sit any easier with me even knowing.

She looked toward the treeline, "lead the way."

I unsheathed the ancient dagger that I had brought along to deal with these things. It was the dagger I'd brought the other night as well. It is a holy relic from the time of the Crusades. There are not many of the undead who could face such a weapon, and it was not silver, which would have been impossible for me to wield. I glanced at her in the habitual twilight of the Isle, "do you require light?"

I remained very still, focusing on the energy signatures just inside the cave. They had spent a lot of time here in this cave, and had erected some strong safeguards, but nothing I could not unweave. "The spent a lot of time here, but this is not where they came through," I told Topaz without turning to look at her. My attention needed to be focused entirely on what I was doing, or I could wind up hurting one of us should I be careless.

I allowed some minutes to pass before answering her next query, "That is the question of our people. Fewer and fewer children are born to us. The last one was born over 200 years ago." I have never spoken of my people to any outsider beyond the Marchioness. It seemed very strange to do so now.

I could feel her work some of her magic as she watched me unravel the wards, "So you are alive. Two centuries is a long time. How do you make babies, and what are the dangers involved?"

Her questions sounded as though she'd thought of me as not quite alive, and so very strange that we did not have children as most over humanoids did. "They did not come through here, but I desire a closer look at some of the remaining defenses they set up."

She had used her magic to find the origin of the nasty signatures inside of the cave as I paused, turning my gaze on her, "We must find our other half. The half of our soul, unless we do, it is possible to turn Vampyr. But, for those who do found our mates, we love and have children the same way as everyone else." We are living creatures. Her questions suggest that perhaps she does not believe that is so.

She cocked her head slightly, "like everyone else laying eggs, or like everyone having lots at a time, or like everyone else just one at a time, how often?"

My laughter surprised even me in the cavern, "One at a time, when we are very lucky, but most of the newborns die within the first year." I could not picture having many at once. Children are a rare gift that we have not had in several centuries. But, finding a lifemate is even more rare, and sadly, the reason so many of our males turn Vampyr.

Topaz doubted that we would find much in the way of defenses, she had observed that they relied mostly on speed, and it was then that I learned that she and Vincent had done something to slow down the Lyches. They were very fast, but everything helped that night. She did not see the magical remnants of their defenses, but I did. She paused, "why do they die?"

"Yes, but this construct is not like any I have seen before. It is not typical undead." My hands traced the weavings and echoes of magic. Where would they likely have come onto the Isle?

"Agreed, one of them had fangs, and the way he moved, it was a lot like the common run of Vampires in this town. Vanion excluded." She was watching me as I studied the residues.

"Are there other caves on this island?" I was pondering the most logical entry point, and they seemed to like the protection afforded by such natural spots. Out of the light that there was, naturaly defensed, and difficult to see from the air.

She searched her memory, "no, no caves. Hot springs, a lake, the towers, forest, beaches, cliffs?. Maybe in the cliffs. But if then more like overhands and small hollows, not real caves." She knew her isle well, it would make it easier to search.

I turned then to face her, "hot springs?" Hot springs are usually created by geothermal vents that reach the surface and have a continuous source of water; these are places that came from the bowels of the land, and would be a fine place to hide.

I glanced down at where her fingers curled around my arm, "they consumed everything. Hang on tight then, this will be a quick trip." Without a word further of warning, I shifted into the form of a barracuda and dove into the lake without a splash. I would be the largest fish in the lake this way, and few things would take on an 8 foot predator with teeth. Fresh water predators don't grow nearly as large as the salt water predators, and I could not see any sharks or whales in the lake.

She managed to hang onto my dorsal fin as I cut through the water, and I darted down along the deeper parts of the lake, seeking caverns or caves. About 20' down from the surface, I moved in on a black hole in the walls and the water.

She remained silent, and I caught the echo of her thought, she could not speak underwater. I would need to remember that for future reference. She also was beginning to wonder just how many forms I could assume. Perhaps one day I will satisfy her curiosity. Snapping the barracuda's jaws together, I startled a small school of blue gills.

I swam warily into the black opening. It was a small cave, it had an air bubble trapped in the ceiling. I shifted into humanoid form and lifted my head into the air space. It was stale, but breathable. As she too surfaced, I commented that the Lyches had indeed been here.

She let some of her protection spells fall enough that she could better sense the lingering presence of the Lyches. "The bubble is a bad sign." She clung closely to me, hanging onto my arm the entire time.

I nodded thoughtfully, "yes." Then reaching upward, I watched as the ceiling moved beneath my hand. We had found it. The place of entry was here.

Topaz elected to shift out of the visible spectrum and cloak herself in the magic of her kind. There was curiosity, and just a hint of alarm in her actions as I traced my hand over the remnants of magic. The ceiling shifted and moved before dropping thousands of leeches in massive swarms out of the shifting rock. The water splashed as they flopped into the black water around us.

She put up a shield to keep the leeches from attaching to her. Teeth and suckers from the leeches sought to sink into flesh and suck dry whatever had the misfortune to stumble into this place. They writhed and floated at the surface before wriggling downward, seeking blood.

I maintained my focus, unweaving the spell, slowly and very precisely. Topaz was well aware that things were not going precisely the way we had wanted them to go. We had found the entry point, but it was well guarded. I worked on, dismantling the protections.

She watched as the leeches slowly floated to the surface, dead or dying around us. "Naturally weak, or your doing?"

I kept working, " It is the nature of a vampyre to send the foul things of the land at a Hunter who unravels their protection spells. There will be other traps. This was done by the one who you said had fangs like a vampyre." I could not predict what would be sent at us next, but it was there, and I could feel the swarming growing as I worked at undoing the weave.

She watched me closely, "You say that word so differently. What you suspect is not the common Rhydin sort of vampire then?"

The sense of foreboding grew, "this one is not like those I have run into in RhyDin, no." A non-magic user would have been run off now as the waves of fear radiated from the weaving. This ward was meant to send inquisitive souls running in abject terror.

She remained beyond the visible, but her words carried in the small cave, "I really only ever met one to have any kind of conversation with. That one didn't like being undead though. Beyond my experience then." I could hear the smile in her voice. She was considering this as a new kind of learning experience! "Well, I always like learning something new. I just wish they'd 'feel' better."

I gave her a smirk, "I trust you do not desire this door to remain open?"

"No! Much the opposite." She was rather emphatic about that, and in the dim light appeared to be turning just a little green in the stinking air bubble, which had grown decidedly more odoriferous.

I nodded and turned back to the rift as she snapped the spells she had cocooned herself in earlier. The closure of this rift would take old magic, and I began the sealing spell in my native language. Ancient Romanian has a music all its own. It has lulled many into its spell, entrancing and beautiful, and deadly when needed.

My hands wove a new sorcery here, and as my hands moved closed, so too did the rock above us. It crushed together with a resounding boom before fusing into one rock above. The corpse floated in the water as I turned toward her.

"You call that music?" She smiled. Perhaps our tastes in music were less than in harmony.

I gave her an unrepentant smile, "well, the finale with the rocks was a bit grating."

"A bit much" she agreed with a grin.

I reached for the dagger and the corpse it was sunk deeply inside before turning to her, "shall we go?"

She took a not quite so deep breath of the reeking air as I allowed her to once more take my arm. I swam toward the surface in humanoid form with both the fairy and the corpse. Had anyone witnessed such an incongruous sight, they would have been shocked for certain. I dragged the stinking bundle onto the shore, and was clean and dry in the way of my people before we got past the damp sand of the shore line. I turned toward the Lych thing, and the clouds overhead darkened and roiled. Blue-white lightening ripped down from the darkened clouds over the beach, incinerating the thing there, and when the smoke cleared, the ancient dagger was laying in pristine sand. I reached down to pick up the ornately decorated blade, sliding it once more into my boot.

As I straightened, she smiled, "so, you made the sky darken."

"Yes."

"I guess I wasted time on worrying about lightening striking me for naught." She admitted.

I gave her a grin, white teeth glistening in the twilight. "You worried about being struck?" I held out my hand and a ball of blue-white crackled there in my palm. "We have dominion over the storm." I held my hand out toward her.

"I don't usually stay in the air during a lightening storm. And during the fighting, there was too much going on to look if the energy might be controlled."

So, she had been concerned about the storm. I had not given it much thought then, but now I could see her reason for concern.

I slowly moved the snapping, crackling ball back toward her, "have you ever touched lightening?"

She looked out over the lake, "I am very glad you insisted on coming along. I would have eventually thought of looking under water and done probably just what you did, unraveling the tainted magic. Even if I had stopped before the thing came through." Then she turned toward me and the offered lightening sphere, "no, I haven't." She lifted a finger toward the crackling ball with more curiosity than care.

I held it still as the sensation of crackling greeted her fingers, and static began to lift tendrils of her hair, "how would you have killed it? And how would you have closed the rift?"

Her fingers played along the surface of the sphere in my hand, "In hindsight, by letting the magic bits decide what they wanted to do. But, I'd not have been quick enough. Of course, I would have left well enough alone and gone for help after having noticed the creature's closeness. I still feel queasy."

She gathered my need to change the subject, "I'm sorry, my curiosity is running off with me."

"You do not need to apologize. We are a rare species." I gave her a wink and continued walking, "And fairies must be very curious creatures indeed." I am uncertain whether to consider her actions due mostly to curiosity, or to something else entirely.

She laughed merrily, "if I'm anything to go by, yes."

I kept walking slowly, "Will the Keepers watch the Isle for signs of others?" It would behoove her to have the Keeper's watch for signs that we may have missed another entry point. I doubted that we had, but they could have used one of the others to open a rift I had not detected.

She nodded, "Yes, they will. Usually the isle communicated with the Archmage."

If the Isle communicated with the Archmage, how had these abominations been missed? I looked down at her, "You will not remain upon the Isle until we are certain." It was not a question, but if she was as wise as I believed, she would not argue with me on this point.

"Not by myself, and not overnight." She was hedging. She would come to the Isle, but at least she would not remain alone here.

I gave her a grave nod, "what happened to 'yes sir?'"

She had already moved on to another topic, "Do you think there might be dancing at the wedding?" Then she gave me an impish smile, "Sir," she added with an utterly unrepentant grin.

I lifted a brow at her, "I have never attended a royal affair that did not include civilized dancing."

Her eyes sparkled, "splendid. That is, dancing is something you know how to do?"

The little minx! I raised both brows in disbelief at her temerity, "I lead splendidly. I trust you will not step upon my toes?"

She chuckled merrily, "I won't. Can't say the same for the tentacles. So how many of those do you have?" She was feeling better in the clean air, and away from the dark places of the Isle, and we walked along the cliffs overlooking the ocean below. "Would you like to go up there and check out the view?"

I glanced up the cliffs. We would be silhouetted against the skyline up there, but I could not detect danger at the moment. "Yes. The tentacles?" I gave her a somewhat puzzled look.

She led me along the path that led up to the cliffs, and it dawned on me just what she was speaking about. "How many do I have? I have never counted them. As I can shape shift, I can create monsters of the ground."

She laughed gayly, "I could have sworn at least one of them was attached to you. What all can you change into?" Her curiosity might garner her more answers than she's prepared to accept.

I gave her a gallic shrug, "They are at my command. How far can you fly?" I turned my gaze out over the vista before us.

"That depends on the weather for the most part. In optimal conditions.: She shrugged, "I don't really know." She was enjoying the closest thing to a bird's eye view of the Isle from our perch atop the cliffs.

I glanced at the iridescent wings, "you cannot fly in bad weather?"

She stood watching birds soar over the water, "In strong wind, no. And during lightening storms it is not to be recommended. Extreme cold is just bad for the cold. Too much heat isn't nice either."

I paused, watching the sea birds swoop low over the waters surface. ?Darkness grows inside each of our males, until we find our light. If we find our light. Many give up, yielding their souls to the temptation offered when we feed.? She cannot know the temptation during feeding. The insidious whisper of the heart and sweet taste of blood, that if not careful, becomes laced with adrenaline. It is an intoxicating thing to know that a life hangs in the balance, and that if we lift the enthrallment, terror will release adrenaline into the blood, and that high is unlike any other.

She pondered, ?only the males. Odd that, ?feed?, that?s different from eating??

I smiled indulgently, yes, feeding is very different from eating. ?Centuries of no emotion, no feeling, no color drive many to give in to the temptation to take that last bit of life from one they feed upon. Terror and adrenaline are a powerful intoxication.?

She quickly smiled, ?my favorite food is steak with fresh fruit. And chocolate.?

She could not know that consuming such would require me to reject all ingested materials at a later time. ?We males are the only ones who become Vampyr, and I cannot imagine eating as you. I find the thought of consuming the dead repulsive.? The notion of cutting up dead animals and consuming them is nauseating in the least.

Her fingers tightened slightly on my arm, ?no feeling whatsoever? That is sad. Really? No joy over pretty thing or comforts, no worrying, likes, dislikes? Hunger, warm, cold, really nothing?

For creatures who never lose their emotions, I am certain this sounds very strange. ?Until we find our light. Our soul mate. We lose the ability to see in color and to feel by the time we are around 300 years of age.? It is the reason temptation grows, and only a man?s honor keeps him from yielding his soul to the temptation be become Vampyr. ?I consume living blood.? To answer her question about what I needed to survive.

That gave her pause, ?from what range of species?? At least revulsion was not in her features.

?Humanoid.? Others can work, but the best nourishment comes from humanoid blood rather than animal or lesser life forms.

She is too observant sometimes. ?Obviously there are exceptions.? It was a statement and not a question.

I was enchanted, ?Yes, blood is never taken from Vampyr. Demons are not preferred. Why do you enjoy the consumption of dead flesh?? Perhaps I can get her to see that the consumption of living blood is much less repulsive than the ingestion of dead animals.

She turned, ?Do wild ones have a gamey taste? Good questions, I?m guessing it?s taste buds and what things the body needs to make energy. When the body needs something, it makes one crave a particular taste, until one finds just the right thing to stop the craving.? She took an eminently pragmatic look at something that generally sent most people screaming into the night.

I relaxed slightly, ?blood is likened to wine. Healthy athletes provide the richest blood, drug addicts and the infirm require removal of the poisons in their blood.? It wasn?t necessary to explain how that is done.

She nodded, ?and the stuff of magic in it or lots of metals? Like dragon blood or unicorn blood? Are they even considered humanoid and their preferred from being those of animals??

Unicorns are not considered humanoid. All blood can be consumed. Some is more nutritious than others. Jacques survived on insects for decades until Shea found him.

?Poor guy,? her words were softly spoken and with compassion and no sarcasm.

I nodded, ?He had been hunted by fanatics who cannot tell the difference between Vampyr and Carpathian. They tortured him, and buried him staked in a coffin. The only things he could reach were the insects that ate at the rotting coffin they had buried him inside. We should return to RhyDin. There are things I must do before morning.?

She gave me a radiant smile, :all this talk of food made you hungry? Umm, I meant to say Yes, Sir,:: But her wink said she hadn?t forgotten, and she was enjoying teasing me.

I gave her a very toothy grin, white fangs gleaming in the twilight, ?I fed before coming.?

She surprised me then, ?I like your smile.?

I turns for the beach with her, ?You are a rare one. Your smile is pleasing as well. Will you allow me ot return you to RhyDin??

She linked her arm once more in mine, ?more than that, I am happy you offered.?

I leaned down and picked up a night blooming jasmine, threading it into her hair, ?you should be wrapped in flowers.?

My temper finally surfaced beyond the pure, unadulterated shock he had just given me. ?You foolish, pig headed, OBDURATE excuse for a sorcerer!? I took a deep breath before continuing because I was about to let on that I did still care more than I?d ever said since my return to RhyDin and I couldn?t do that now. ?I believed you DEAD! You, you??how could you let me believe you were dead?? Words simply failed.

He was wincing as I started, as though dreading what I would say. He stepped forward, his arms stretching out, but stopping just short of enfolding me in them; waiting for me to close that distance. ?I came back as quickly as Kayla to get me here. I have purposefully not appeared anywhere until I could speak to you in person, so you didn?t hear rumors and not know what the truth was.? He remained there, uncertain if he should wrap his arms around me, or wait for me to come to him.

I raised pale blue eyes to him, ?I am of two minds right now Brigath Cedran! I am so relieved to see you, and so angry, I could shoot you personally!? But my actions gave me away, my hand stole up of its own volition to lightly touch his cheek, to assure myself he was not merely a wish or a dream, but warm flesh and blood.

He braced himself as I reached up, perhaps expecting me to slap him again. I noted his slight flinch and stoic expression, and then lightly brushed my fingertips across his cheek. ?I already slapped you for your temerity to die on me! How? How did you work this out with Kayla?? I glanced at the wolf, but then gazed up into his eyes and hugged him fiercely.

Brig closed his arms around me tightly. I could hear his heartbeat beneath my cheek as it rested against him, his whisper heard more through his chest than the air around us, ?I?m so sorry I put you through that.? He lifted his head enough to look down at me, ?Kayla and I go back a long way.?

I began to relax a bit into his arms, my forehead still resting against his chest, ?I believed you dead. I?d lost you for good, and that hurt more than I can put into words.? I slid a sideways glance at the wolf, ?she is more than she appears, isn?t she?? He said they had been together a long time, and she had been the one to save Brigath somehow.

Brig gave the wolf an affectionate look, and she shook her head and laid down to wait, as though bored by this whole human interaction. Brig laughed and looked at me, ?Indeed she is, while at the same time, you will never find a creature more truly wolf than Kayla. But, the spell that we carried through together, we have done before.?

I leaned back, giving him an incredulous look, before punching his shoulder soundly, ?You could have told me! You could have given me something to trust in that you would be safe in the end from those things!? He?d let me think he had no back up plan at all!

He nodded gravely, ?you?re right. I could have and should have. I honestly didn?t think it would be necessary though. After I called Kayla, I almost changed my mind, but she forced me to go through with it.?

There was more to this than he was letting on right now. Something he didn?t want to share if I didn?t ask. Whatever it was, I was so relieved to see him alive, I?d overlook many things for this gift. I shook my head, ?something whispered that that hunt was bad news. I?m not clairvoyant, but something felt wrong.? I turned to once more look at the wolf, and softly said to her, ?thank you Kayla.? Then turning back to Brig and reaching for my DE again, ?and now I am going to shoot him for good measure!? How could he still make my emotions run the gamut from crushing sadness to pure elation?

Kayla lifted her head and dipped her muzzle in acknowledgement of my thanks, and a whisper in my mind told me not to forgive him too quickly.

Brig let me go, backing away slightly with a chuckle that might have held just a bit of worry, ?You have that right Azjah, if anyone does.? He then turned and knelt with his back toward me, ?Just please make it quick.?

I shook my head, I have never shot anyone in the back, and certainly not this man. ?For all the time we?ve known one another, do you really think I could??

He glances back over his shoulder with a grin, ?If I did, I?d be running rather than kneeling here.?

I took my foot and gave him a shove in the butt, unbalancing him onto the pavement.

Lucien leaned against a tree trunk behind me, watching Brigath with an intensity that was unsettling.

The goblin soon returned with my scotch, and a layered concoction that was carefully set down before Klinton. He nodded at the goblin and then glanced uneasily toward Kyndra. He shifted his gaze and smiled at me before tasting the layered concoction the goblins had brought to him.

Kyndra returned shortly wearing her grass skirt and coconut half bikini top. I blinked, she was stunning. There were several wolf whistles, and Lucien watched Kyndra closely before gliding closer to Brigath. Brig glanced quickly at Klinton and I, .and I felt Lucien's antagonism as he asked Brig if the flowers were for his funeral. I winced. Lucien was extremely displeased with Brigath, and the tension was growing. I know that no one but Brig and I heard Lucien, but that did not allay my concerns over Lucien's current state of mind. And then Lucien gave Brig a fanged smile that was anything but reassuring as Brig suddenly realized Lucien was as close as he was.

Brig's gaze narrowed at Lucien, but whatever he was thinking did not pass his lips at that point.

Klinton sipped his drink and gasped. Whatever the goblins had brought was rough. And he was avoiding looking at Kyndra despite the wolf whistles from the appreciative males on the Isle. I had to chuckle though at the expression on his face, whether it was from the drink or Kyndra, I can't be certain, but it was priceless.

I kicked off the stilettos and curled up against Klinton. "she looks festive," I commented. She was talking with Brigath, and asking where her lei was, as he took one from around his neck and dropped it over her head.

Lucien glided back to stand behind me, but his focus remained on Brig.

I leaned against Klinton's shoulder, "we didn't dress the part my dear." I was trying very hard not to look at Brig, but found my gaze shifting that direction repeatedly. We had come from dinner out, and I had no grass skirt nor flowers in my hair, he grinned, "at least I have a lei."

I chuckled softly, "you will always have a lei."

We were teasing one another amiably as he announced that he would hold me to that promise. He was propped up in the sand beside my chaise and tried another sip of the goblin special, so I reached for his lei, tugging gently to gain his attention.

Kyndra was telling Brigath that she hoped to be a bit distracting for the party, and perhaps a certain dragon. I heard Brig tell her that said dragon would not be there as he had withdrawn his entry, but there was no remorse in Brig's expression. He was savoring being in Kyndra's spotlight.

The Roman, Cassius sailed onto the beach, and abruptly shot a look at Brigath, "I thought you were dead."

Brig chuckled, "Ah, that death thin, yeah, that rumor was going around. But, as you can see, I'm alive and well."

I shuddered. It was no rumor; he HAD been dead. And was only here now because he has become a body snatcher. He was only here because someone else was dead. Klinton tightened his arm around me, inquiring if I was cold. I was, but it was not an externally induced chill. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms, glancing at Klinton, "Just a sudden chill."

Cassius was struggling with a toga, and Brigath tossed him a lei, "here, just wear this, it's more appropriate for tonight."

((This meeting actually took place prior to the meeting with Azjah ))

"Thank you Julian, Have a good evening."

Kayla padded quietly into the Atrebla arena in time to see Major derKorst's back as he exited towards the locker rooms. Topaz was heading towards a table set with juice, to refresh herself after her swords practice. Kayla's motion caught her attention and she looked over. "You look familiar. Were you not on the isle with Brigath, tearing apart one of the creatures?"

Kayla merely gazed around the Arena, verifying that no one else was present, then turned back to the doorway from which she had entered. After a moment, a hooded figure emerged from the shadows of the door and Kayla trotted over to greet him.

"Aye, that she was, Topaz." He drew back his hood as he spoke, revealing his face wearing a lopsided smile. "Thankfully, she acquitted her duties very well, or I would not be standing here."

The expression on Topaz' face shifted from disbelief to realization to acceptance in the space of a few seconds. She whispered to herself, "His body was empty. I should have known."

Brigath's smile grew wider as he watched her work things out for herself.

"It's actually you, isn't it? I mean, shouldn't you look different, somehow?" Topaz, ever curious, began peppering him with questions. "Does anyone know yet?"

A chuckle bubbled past Brigath's lips as he answered her. "Yeah, it's actually me. I can look different if you like, but I kind of like this look, didn't you?" He gestured at his face and body as he moved to the juice table and filled a glass. "And no, no one else knows yet, except Alais who assisted in my return." He set the glass on the table.

Topaz grinned at him as she followed him to the table. "I did get rather used to this look, and would prefer not to have to get used to a different one." She tipped her head slightly to the side and asked "Alais helped you?"

Brigath nodded. "Indeed she did. She procured the necessary? ummm? ingredients for the spell I had woven."

The fairy ignored the hesitation in his words and laughed. "Well, this calls for a celebration. Or maybe you want to hear the 'How could you be so bloody inconsiderate' speech first?" She stepped up to give him a hug as she spoke.

"We could skip the speech, if it's all the same to you." He hugged her back tightly. "But I came expecting to hear it, and I certainly deserve it."

Topaz looked up at him. "Actually, you could just imagine me standing next to Azjah when you see her and she's blessing you out and I'm repeating every word she has to say. I'd rather be celebrating."

Brigath winced as she mentioned Azjah. "Yes? I must say that sharing the news with Azjah is the meeting I am least looking forward too."

"I'll bet," Topaz chuckled unsympathetically. Knowing what he would be in for from Azjah, she saw no need to make the same speech here.

They separated from the hug. "How long have I been gone?" He had forgotten to ask Alais when he had gone to retrieve the Key of Air from her.

"Just a few days. Lucien and I went back yesterday and he destroyed another one and closed the rift. I think the Isle is safe again, though we've got a new species of scorpions on the Isle now."

"Well thank you Alais for being swift at least." He reached to and rubbed the wolf's head. "And you, Kayla." His eyes lit up as Topaz told of closing the rift. "Oh thank goodness. I wasn't looking forward to having to deal with that again."

"No, dealing with Azjah will be hard enough," Topaz said with a hint of mischief in her voice. "Bring some flowers, thornless ones, when you go to Azjah, and a well padded box of chocolates. That way it won't hurt so much should she throw them at you. You'll be going to seen Kyn as well, won't you? Perhaps two sets of flowers and chocolates then."

Brigath chuckled, "I was thinking of just crawling in on my hands and knees with a shield over my head, actually. And yes, I'll be going to see Kyn next. I'm saving Azjah for last in case I don't survive it."

Topaz laughed. "I really don't think Azjah will actually kill you. Bruise you really good, maybe. But she'll be elated you're back amongst the living just the same."

"True, it would be counter productive to kill me for getting myself killed. And she's very practical when it comes to things like that."

She laughed again. "That was my evaluation, too." Her mind hopped back to Alais and she asked, "Does Alais charge a lot for body finding?"

Knowing the fairy well, he took the subject change in stride. "She did not charge at all. She did it as a favor. We have had association in the past, though it was long ago."

Topaz stepped back to look him over. "It's just too easy to forget you've been dead and switched bodies with you looking and sounding just the same. I'm looking forward to seeing the looks on people faces," she grinned.

Brigath laughed. "That, my dear Topaz, is the idea. Normally when I would do this switch, my death would not be so? well? public. But after all of Azjah's warning before the hunt, I began to get the feeling that the time was upon me to 'refresh' myself. Fortunately, I listened to those feelings."

Kayla let out a snort and rolled her eyes, causing Brigath to look down at her and laugh. "Ok, ok. So I wasn't going to do it, but Kayla insisted." The wolf just turned her gaze to Topaz as though sharing a moment off exasperation at the man standing between them.

Topaz grinned back at her and said "Thank you. I'm glad you insisted." She turned and picked up her glass of juice as Brigath poured one for himself. "Welcome home, Brigath." Their glasses clinked together as they toasted his return.

Klinton shook his head, ?how long has he been doing it??

I sipped the scotch before answering very softly, ?he said ?several? times, and when I asked just how old he was, he simply said a couple of hundred years,? He actually is not certain how old he is right now.

Klinton sighed quietly, ?are you mad that he is a body snatcher, or mad that you just found out about it??

And there was the crux of the problem, I didn?t know.

Serveral goblins were attempting to tie a grass skirt around Rab?s middle, and I had to chuckle as Rab started dancing clumsily away from the goblins. ?Whoa there,? he yelled, endeavoring to drive them away, ?no, no, no, see, I?ve had my dayful of goblin doin?s arready!? But they were ignoring him and continued trying to get him decked out in a grass skirt.

I heard a sharp hiss and turned to see a bold goblin trying to get close to Lucien, and then saw one goblin manage to get part of a skirt shoved into Rab?s belt. ?Ack!? Rab made for the punchbowl and was trailing a half applied grass skirt as flaps behind him. Rab was ineffectually shooing goblins, ?g?on! Pester someone else!?

Lucien was not being a good sport about it, he snarled at the goblins pestering him, and showed long white fangs every time they tried to get close to him. Abruptly Lucien turned into a half wolf, half Carpathian and lunged at the goblins who were pressing their luck. They ran off in a multitude of directions, each taking part of the grass skirt they were trying to get on Lucien.

Rab seemed to have a change of heart, his expression changed and he muttered, ?ah, yeh little bleeders, jest doin? yer job now, eh?? Then Rab caught sight of Lucien, and let out a screech, ?AH!!!!!!!!? taking a few hasty steps back before muttering, ?Magikers!?

Lucien?s dead black eyes locked onto Rab in that half wolven form and Rab grinned meagerly, ?nice wolfie, er, halfie wolfie.? As he continued to backstep away from Lucien, Lucien began to stalk him.

I was answering Klinton?s question, toying with the glass of scotch, ?I do not believe I am angry. Shocked, taken back, repulsed?. But?.?

Rab retreated double time toward my chaise as Lucien snarled, ?er? was all I heard before looking up to see Rab wide-eyed watching Lucien approach. Rab was towering behind me, but looked very uncertain, ?er, Azjah? That Magiker is stalkin? me. Make it stop.? And he pointed at Lucien.

I had to struggle not to smile. Lucien wouldn?t hurt Rab, so I looked up at the half and half form Lucien had taken, ?Lucien, that is playing unfairly.?

Rab waved his big, callused and very empty hands at Lucien, ?I left me mallet home, not fightin at all.?

Lucien then shifted into an entirely wolven form and resumed stalking Rab. Who looked at me with wide eyes, ?Azjah, I thought yeh?d help! Now lookit him!? I glanced at Lucien, who had taken the form of a very large, dark grey wolf with slavering jaws, and drool dripping onto the sand from very long canines.

Rab began rummaging rather franticly around in his pockets, a look of inspiration on his face. He produced a large sandwich of very questionable contents, ?here yeh go, wolfie man?. Where upon he flung the cheesy mass at Lucien.

About that time, Brigath?s voice bellowed out, ?LUCIEN! BACK OFF THE GUEST STARS!?

Lucien lifted his head disdainfully, and glowered at Brigath. I smiled at Rab, ?he won?t hurt you Rab, he?s enjoying terrorizing you.?

Xerzes arrived, and Rab gave him a grin, "Xerzes was eliminated in the lobby!" And Brig broke into laughter hearing him. Xerzes however did not see the humor in being ribbed.

Klinton looked up at me, his goblin surprise only partly consumed. "Wanna go put on swim suits?"

I leaned close and kissed his cheek, "we could." It would be easier for me
to slip into the water than it would be to remain here and listen to Brig
right now. Klinton watched me closely a moment before adding that we could
depart and have our own party. I gave him a bright smile, but then I
caught sight of Berrin. Threading my fingers around Klinton's lei, I
remained close to him as Berrin simply stared at me. "What kind of party
did you have in mind?" I was trying hard to ignor Berrin and Brig, but it
wasn't working.

Des suddenly saw Vanion, and she fairly squeaked and ran to hide behind Rab
as she began gesticulating wildly at Vanion, "ACK!" She was speaking
rapidly, something about Vanion having tried to kill her earlier.

Rab was shielding Des, and commenting to Rena about her tall thin drink
with flowers poked up out of it, and holding a gigantic pineapple in his
other hand. "I found this fruit., they said it was a garnish, but I know
it's a pineapple." He studied the pineapple and then tried to tuck it into
his pocket. "OW!" Rab yelped over Brig's announcements, and hastily pulled
it from his pocket, muttering to himself.

Querylon greeted Vincent with a bright smile as she draped a lei around his
neck. Somehow the image of Vincent wearing flowers seemed so out of place
given the dealings I have had with the man. But he returned her smile and
they listened politely to Brig's opening announcements.

The official known as Tera Destre hid behind Neo, peeking over his shoulder and sticking her tongue out at Vanion before ducking back down to hide. She saw Xerzes arrival, and greeted him, but kept a wary eye on the vampiric elf.

Brigath continued to address the audience, "Our fine commentators this evening will be Rab of the Mallet, and Tera Destre, soon to be Tera Starfare. And now, HERE WE GO!"

The Roman, Cassius needled Xerzes, "You show up for tournaments like you duel in Diamond Quests, dead last."

The duelers headed for the ring, alliances formed, and I heard Kyndra say to Brigath and Des, "I hope you two have a bucket of water handy if my outfit goes up in flames."

Rab made his way to stand beside Destre, telling Kyndra "Ayep, if yer outfit goes up in flames, there'll be many hands to put it out." He nodded sagely before beginning his commentator's role. "Yer all in for a big mess. Lover gainst lover and brother gainst arch-evil-enemy an all that. IT?S A FINE NIGHT FOR DAMAGE!" And then he promptly covered his ears with his hands as though expecting something to go BANG any moment.

Des agreed with Rab, "Oh, this is so grand, don't ya think Rab? So exciting."

He still had his hands over his ears, "WHAT?"

Des continued, "Who is gonna hit who, and how and with what?"

Rab grinned, "Hope yeh got a janitorial someone for all the body parts Brig."

The first several rounds showed that Artemus was the premier target for this tournament. He was summarily attacked by Vanion's alliance, and was the first to be eliminated from the competition. Rab seemed surprised by the taking of sides in such a flagrant manner, "I mean, could that many really dislike Art and Xerzes that much? They're kind to animals and such. Not like Vanion for instance, or so they say."

Destre booed Vanion and his allies soundly, clearly not maintaining an air of independence as commentators.

Xerzes was soon to follow. The alliances clearly marking certain people in a pecking order for elimination.

Queen Teleperien arrived and skirted the crowd in search of a table, and was greeted by Rab, whom she graciously greeted in retrurn. I caught a faint image of the elven woman's thoughts, and apparently the carpenter has trouble with magic and has fallen into fits in the past when too much was surrounding him.

I stood completely still, my focus on Brigath. The ending of this tournament could not come soon enough. We have a score to settle, and we will settle it tonight.

The Marquess and Marchioness returned dressed for taking a swim in the warm waters off the Isle. He wore only swimming trunks and escorted the Marchioness who was dressed in pale blue bikini and white silk wrap. The Marquess had his arm around her waist, and I was pleased to note that she looked a bit more relaxed than she had been since Brigath's return.

King Gavilean Starfare arrived through the portal right behind The Caer's, and he came with a beach towel and wearing shorts. It seems very odd for me to see royalty dressed thusly, it is not the way of my people nor Rigel, but this place does lend itself to unusual combinations.

The King and the Marchioness greeted one another, before the Marquess leaned closer to speak to Azjah. I could hear him clearly, as he asked her what she would do with him in this water all by themselves. Her greeting to Gavilean resulted in a muttered answer for himself, "invite others over apparently." But the King was much too interested in seeing Tera, and he made a beeline for the commentator.

I heard Rena comment to someone that the alliances formed this night would not last, and she is certainly correct in that respect. They would not last beyond this very night.

I dropped into a pounce ready position near the officials, and my nose twitched slightly as I waited. A soft snarl rumbled from my throat as I watched Brigath. About that time I heard Topaz walk up from the beach, waving and greeting everyone as she moved forward. I froze in mid stalk.

She spotted me and winked before moving on to join Xenograg and Teleperien, and I resumed my inexorable approach toward my quarry.

She sat down and joined them, and I heard her tell them that her senior officers were all out of town. We would need to have discussions about sharing that kind of information so freely in such a public forum. Do fairies have no sense of self preservation?

She quickly covers, "Oh, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Oops." But she did not appear to be in the least bit remorseful about saying such a thing in public. She then changed the subject, asking what she had missed so far.

I growled low. She needs a Hunter just to keep her safe from her own folly!

My growl had Rab nervously looking behind him, as though he were afraid I might have snuck up behind him, but he is not my quarry.

Des commented again for Topaz that Vanion had tried to kill her, and the elven Queen looked at her with an expression that said she too has had close calls with the vampire. Topaz told her that "Vanion has nothing but bad blood, that's no news."

I caught a fleeting image from the vampire of humor, and something about simply being misunderstood. Every Vampyr I have hunted has felt the same, but in the end, it is because they are understood that they are shunned and feared as they are.

I felt Topaz's gaze seek me out amongst the crowd, and I slunk lower to the ground, watching every movement of my quarry. I could feel the urge to hunt rising sharply.

Rab commented that he?d like to see in the ring was the sudden appearance of exotic beasties to fight in the place of the sorcerers, animals like elephants and dragons, but I don?t think he would like to have a dragon rampant if my little snarls worry him so.

Topaz laughed, ?be careful what you wish for Rab.?

Destre agreed, ?Ohhh, now that would be mighty fine to see Rab, like Kalinda and her tattooes that come to life!?

I swung my head toward Rab and gave him a full mouth wolfish smile before padding slowly toward the fairy. I was greeted with a warm smile and a scratch behind my ear. ?How are you this evening??

Xenograg looked at Topaz, ?that wolf seems to not like me.?

She chuckled merrily, ?I wonder why.?

He winked at her, ?I suppose I am just too dangerous.?

I did not look at Xenograg, but focused my attention upon Brigath as Topaz observed that it was wonderful that he was back. There are many words I would use to describe the condition of his return, but wonderful is not one I would consider. I growled low at their discussion.

Topaz chuckled as she continued to stroke my fur, ?I know, and he deserved every bit of the beating Azjah was sure to have given him. But don?t you think one dressing down?s enough??

Xenograg shot me another look. ?I will not cross the Marchioness.?

I nuzzled her hand, but continued a low rumbling growl at Brigath.

She leaned down close to my ears, ?He did say the previous owner had misbehaved. Very much misbehaved. Like the lich-things maybe.?

I turned my head toward her, giving a short bark, and returned to watching the caller.

?Yes Sir,? she replied to my bark. I wanted to grin, but it would have ruined the effect of the growl at that point. But in the end, I gave her a sideways glance and a wolfish grin.

She chuckled again, ?remind me to tell you the story about the mountain valley deer.?

I slunk out from beneath her hand and moved toward the caller. The ring was nearly empty, and soon it would be time.

The Marquess and Marchioness walked slowly along the sand, slowly approaching the small crowd after their interlude away from the crowds when she glanced toward the ring and went pale. She dropped the Marquess? arm and began sprinting across the sand toward where Brigath and I were squared off again. The Marquess saw what was happening and joined his wife in a race across the sand to the rings.

I heard the Marchioness? voice, ?stop it! Lucien!!!? She skidded to a halt surveying the scene up close, ?Oh hell. Klinton? Do you have that dagger???

Klinton stopped beside his wife, studying the scene before him as well. There was blood and fur laying in the sand as two wolves remained sizing one another up, poised for yet another attack and defense. ?LUCIEN!? He glanced at Azjah, ?NO! Just the trunks tonight.? The marchioness reached for her shoulder holster, but she did not have it with the swimming suit and wrap.

Kayla was dragging herself away from the two aggressive males, and Topaz moved toward her, ?would you like me to have a look at that leg?? There was a great deal of blood, and my teeth had lacerated her leg thoroughly, but I had not broken the bones. I heard Topaz call my name, but I could not take my gaze off Brigath.

Topaz did not wait for Kayla?s permission before she set to work with her fey magic placing some shields in place to stop the bleeding, ?this would be easier if you were to hold still for a moment,? she told Kayla.

I limped back several steps, and Brigath crouched low, growling. The hair on my back was standing up as I prepared to answer the challenge in Brigath?s growl. Just as I began to circle the black wolf, Klinton stepped between us. It was a very dangerous place to be, but he stood his gound. ?Lucien! Do NOT attack.?

Abruptly Brigath shimmered back into human form, clutching the Key of Air. ?Enough.? Kayla had left Topaz?s ministrations and was standing behind me, prepared to leap.

I shifted into humanoid form, a red glow in the depths of my eyes I was certain as I locked gazes with Brigath. My blood began seeping through the white shirt and black trousers.

?I don?t know what problem you have with me, but you?d better get over it fast,? came Brigath?s words through panting breaths trying to regain his composure.

Topaz moved to turn her attention on Brigath and I, but then she agreed with Brigath, and I would not permit her to come to my side to see the damage.

I was not breathing hard since such is not required, and my words were a low snarl, ?You are no better than Vampyr.? I could feel the rage still flickering in my eyes.

Klinton spoke up a bit to Brigath, but his eyes remained on me, ?Are you okay Brig? Is anyone hurt??

The Marchioness moved toward me. She stood at my side for the moment as Klinton whispered to her. I straightened to my full height still glaring at Brigath.

Topaz?s voice was soothing, ?That is wrong Lucien.? She did not see her friend as the monster he is, and I gave her a quick look. I would not allow her to practice her magic upon me. She was trying, but her stand was with that unnatural monster Brigath.

Brigath glared hard at me, ?Is that supposed to mean something to me??

?It should? was all I said to him. He knew my point well enough. He did not require further explication.

Brigath glowered, ?well, why don?t you enlighten me? Why does your dislike of vampires cause you to want to attack me??

Topaz spoke softly, ?I am glad Brigath found a way to survive the lich vampires. And I am quite sure Brigath would have used this opportunity to rid RhyDin of something just as bad in the process.

He shook his head, ?No Lucien, there isn?t. You would have killed Berrin for a few words that he said. How is that cause better than killing a man to stay alive???

I gave Berrin a fanged snarl as Kyndra shuddered, knowing precisely why I am after Berrin.

Sneering at Brigath, ?But not to inhabit his body. Killing is one thing. This is totally different.? The man had killed to keep his own life despite the fact that his victim had not attacked him. There was no self defense. It was theft of a body and the murder of a man to prolong his own that was forfeit fighting the lyches. ?So you find it acceptable to survive at all costs? Never mind the price others pay for your ?needs???

The Marchioness pushed lightly against my chest, she?d returned from her effort to lead me to the portal, ?go home Lucien.?

?Well, I think we?re just gonna have to agree to disagree there, Lucien, old bag,? Brigath shook his head, ?listen to your mistress, get out of here.?

I glared at Brigath, ?You are vile Vampyr.?

Topaz moved beside me, ?I?ll walk with you part way Lucien.? So I offered my arm to her and she laced her arm with mine.

Brigath snorted, ?and you are an ignorant asshole. But I still love you.? Then puckered his lips and blew me a kiss, but his eyes were as hard as my own. This was not finished between us.

Vanion had been silent up to this point. He?d silently hoped I would kill Brigath, but had not joined in when Kayla made it two against one, and then his opinion of me had changed when he learned that I am a Hunter, sworn to hunt and lay to permanent rest all Vampyrs. ?No you puke, I am a ?Vile Vampyyyyr? He was trying to mimic my native accent

I paused briefly, ?A Hunter will end your time.?

Vanion smirked, ?So many have said. Do you know what I like to do when racist bigots threaten me?? He then walked close enough to whisper. Our paths will cross again. Of that, there can be no doubt.

Kyndra quickly jointed Brigath, ?I?m glad you?re back, no matter how you got here.? He moved off with the woman ad Topaz and I moved away from the rings. The white wolf limped along beside Brigath. He leaned over and gave her a long kiss, ?I need to get out of here. A fine night just turned sour.?

She nodded, ?I see that, well, have a good night.?

He stopped and turned to her, inviting her to give a whisper, he would come for her and take her to the Tower of Air. That brought a long studying look from the Marquess.

I heard the Marchioness turn to Klinton and say that things had gotten out of hand. I have not finished this, but I have made myself a resolution. Brigath will not see anything but charm from me when the Marchioness is around, but, she is not always around.

I walked along with Topaz, as she tried to put an acceptable cover on Brigath?s actions, ?Perhaps I should first tell you about Tyr, or even better, the demon in the mana.?

We continued walking, ?that would have been unfortunate for me.? And then I tried to change the topic, ?There have been no more sightings??

She shook her head, ?No, none. I was back and looked thoroughly. I kept my promise too. Walter and Fred were along.? I lifted a brow at her. ?Body guards.?

?Did you drop your culling to use your senses?? I did not want to think she had gone to the island with her senses dulled to the point that she would not sense one until she was right upon it.

I picked up the echo of her thoughts, about not telling me that neither of her body guards had a bit of magic about them, and covered it with a quick ?aye, sir.?

I resumed our walk, heading for the cliffs, ?did you know Topaz, Carpathian life mates have no secrets because they share a psychic connection at all times.? I turned to watch her expression.

?No, I didn?t. What kind of psychics?? She took the change of subject well.

?Many would call it telepathic, but it is more. Once blood is exchanged and the vows said, neither can hide any thoughs? I did not add that there was never a desire to hide thoughts, and this connection between lifemates resulted in their bonds growing with time rather than weakening as many other species.

She was caught up in this topic now, ?what about emotions??

?Emotion and color returns.? I was enjoying her curiosity. This was the first time I could remember anyone other than the Marchioness taking an interest in my people. Well, an interest that did not seek the extermination of our kind.

She gave me a smile that needed flowers, ?You said that before. I meant the knowledge of them in another.?

I deliberately misunderstood her, and shrugged, ?I have heard of such happening. Gregori was seeing a single person in color, everything else was in black and white. The woman was his lifemate, that he was seeing through another.? He?d met Alexandra?s image when he was merged with Jacques. Jacques saw her in person, and that image was the only thing about what he saw that Gregori registered as being in color.

She was surprised, ?can you do that? Seeing through another??

I gave her a quick smile, ?if we have a connection. Usually it?s a blood exchange, but family can do so as well.? We can do many things together, seeing through another is just one thing, but it was not time to tell her that I could kill another through their eyes.

She puzzled on that a moment, ?what happens when one of such a couple dies??

I took a deep breath, even though I physically do not require it, ?The other does not survive the loss. Most often, the surviving mate walks into the sun.? Such a death is gruesome, but better than the sense of loss the survivor would suffer. ?A lifemate is the connection of two souls. There can be no mistakes.? If the pair are not truly lifemates, the vows will not bind them, and the other does not suffer the loss of one.

?I guess that beats some of the alternatives. I?ve been married before. Twice that it counted for anything.? She moved then, ?The first was a mistake. I was happy with Krollon. He too could shift his soul from one body to another, though he did not have to kill to do so. I consider him having been a soul mate, but no connection as you speak of was ever possible.? She was not dressing up anything now, these were honest words and facts.

Something possessive lifted it?s head at her admission of being happy with Krollon. ?There have been a few Carpathians that became desperate, they tried to bind to someone not their soul mate, and it failed. It resulted in the death of one of our women.? I staggered a bit and reached for my ribs. Blood had been steadily seeping from the wounds Brigath had left me with earlier. I told her it was imperative that I go to ground, and she smiled, informing me that she wanted me in dancing shape for King Starfare?s wedding. I gave her a fanged grin, ?when next I rise, you will not be able to keep pace with me.?

She smiled back, is that a challenge??

I nodded, ?If you would like, yes. I shall make it my solemn duty to make certain you dance until there is not a step left in you at this wedding.?

She laughed merrily, ?then you may have to carry me home.?

I lifted her hand to my lips, ?That would be my pleasure.? With that, I faded from the visible spectrum as a shower of Edelweiss flowers rained down where she stood.