Spellbinder Notes (Day 26)

Species (according to Ursa):

26) Night Angels

- Nocturnal creatures that feed off chaos and hearts

o Surprisingly not very violent species themselves

o They feed off chaos/discord that other creatures radiate

o Will eat hearts, but not often

§ More of a specific time of year, situation, and so on

- Possess extremely sensitive hearing but poor eyesight

o Think bat

o Can hear heartbeat which tells them where people/things are and what they are thinking/feeling

- Were followers of the gods of violence, Väki and Valta

o Or were blessed by them (Ursa isn't totally sure)

- Called Night Angels due to the wings they possess

o "terrifyingly beautiful" was what humans used to describe them as

o Some humans thought they were fallen angels, dark fairies, ghosts, or demons

§ All of those things are actually different species

- Distantly related to Faeries, but are not part of the Quintet

o Again with the Quintet!

Chenoa stood in pure whiteness. Looking around she saw nothing for as far as her eyes could absorb. Opening her mouth, Chenoa found nothing would leave her throat. It was as if nothing, not even her voice, existed. Pushing forward, Chenoa walked tentatively, still searching for something where there was nothing. Suddenly in the distance, Chenoa saw a figure. It was too far away to see clearly, but her gut told her it was a person. Something pulled her towards it, but when as she took a few steps closer a woman appeared.

The woman was tall and her beauty seemed beyond words. It was not that the woman was gorgeous to look at, but there was something about her that seemed unforgettable and eternal. She stood straight with broad shoulders and a strong jaw. Her skin was the tone of red clay as it dried. The woman's eyes and hair were as black as the spaces between stars. The woman's hair, which reached her knees, was in an elegant braid with willow whips woven in. Curvy and well formed, the woman possessed a comfortable sized bosom with large hips that reminded Chenoa of the fertility goddesses from ancient societies, large from bone structure not fat.

Seriously, the woman blocked Chenoa's way. Puzzled, Chenoa met the woman's gaze and felt as if she knew this woman personally.

"Hello," Chenoa smiled cautiously.

"Hello," the woman replied, her voice echoing as if from somewhere in the past.

"Who are you?" Chenoa continued.

"I am not a who," the woman replied stoically.

"You are not? Then what are you?"

"I am a memory."

"A memory? Of what?"

"Of who you used to be."

"Who I used to be? Are you my past life or something?"

"Something like that. I don't really exist anymore, but you have created me to symbolically hold all of your powers, which you are scared to use."

"I am not scared of my powers."

"You cannot lie to yourself, Chenoa."

"Excuse me?"

"You may be able to deceive everyone else but since you created me for the sole purpose of holding your powers, I know the truth."

"Whatever. If I created you then I can get rid of you if you are going to have that attitude."

"I wish you would. You have locked away all your powers and bad memories in me and it is quite depressing."

"That must explain your sour attitude."

The woman smiled bitterly. Chenoa felt her lip curl. She didn't like her other self much.

"Are you what I was like in my past life then?"

"Yes and no. I possess some of your old characteristics, but again I am just a memory."

"Am I anything like my old self?"

"Only in the ways that matter. You care more than you should, and you are still searching for something that you cannot identify."

"Any other way?"

"No…you are totally different. You are not the same person as your past life."

"That a good or bad thing?"

Laughing, the woman shook her head.

"How can you expect me to know things that you yourself do not know? I may know some things you think you don't know, but only because you have not admitted to knowing them yet."

"Huh…"

"I know that sounded confusing."

"Do we know where we are?"

"We are literally nowhere. Your body is unconscious so you are here. I believe some humans call this Limbo, though I don't know why."

"Why am I unconscious?"

"The seal broke."

"What seal?"

A bright electric blue symbol appeared in front of Chenoa causing her to gasp. It glowed bright and solid then a crack appeared. The crack grew wider and wider until the symbol shattered, smashing into and through her. Chenoa felt a shock wave of power. That had been the seal in memory.

"That seal. It held back ninety percent of your powers and all your past life memories. You of course have me, but it takes a great deal of energy for you to keep me around."

"Did I make that seal?"

"No. It was made for you to protect you."

"Who made it?"

"No idea."

"Can we remake it or repair it?"

"No. Now that it has been broken it cannot be repaired. And your powers need to be released."

"Why?"

"Powers are like living creatures. They have desires and goals and purpose. They will not stay locked up anymore."

"I don't think I am strong enough to handle them all right now."

"I agree."

"Well, duh. We are the same person."

Both Chenoa and the woman smiled.

"Is there anything I can do to slow the powers down until I become stronger?" Chenoa inquired.

"We could create a gateway. It would allow you to release your powers a little at a time."

"How long would it last?"

"I have no idea, but you must realize that the gateway will let out your powers and memories. There is no way we can create a filter."

"Oh…if I blocked those memories, maybe it's best if I don't remember them."

"You can't run from who you used to be, Chenoa. It is part of who you are. Yet it is also important to know that you are not that person anymore. It is your past life. Not your current life. You owe nothing to the other life. It has ended."

"Will those memories help me understand what is going on in Taikaa and with Gabby and everything."

"I do not know."

"Do I have any other choices?"

"You can allow the powers to stay free as they are."

"I don't think that would be a good idea."

"It is not. Your body would probably go into shock."

"Joy."

There was a long pause as Chenoa looked around and thought about it. While she was not crazy about the memories of her past life coming back, she thought the gateway would be the best. At least then she would control when and how much she remembered. Swallowing hard Chenoa nodded to her memory self. Taking a deep breath, her memory walked closer and held out a hand.

"We will need to be joined for this," she instructed, black flames surrounding her hand.

Taking a step back, Chenoa did not like the look of the black flames that crackled with pure white edges. Understanding the woman held up her hand to show Chenoa the black flames more clearly.

"Black is not the color of evil," the woman explained. "In fact, black is the color best suited to us."

"Why?" Chenoa inquired. It seemed to go against everything she had ever learned or was accustomed to.

"People are afraid of black because of its darkness. People feel it is an inability to see what is there and that it hides things. This is not true. Black is the total presence of all colors. That is how you get true black, like the flames. Black isn't emptiness. It is everything in one. White is the total absence of color. It is emptiness. That is why we are now surrounded by white. It is emptiness."

"I have never heard it put that way."

"Do not fear the dark, Chenoa. It does not hide but protects. It is the white Darc you must be wary of."

"The white dark?"

"Yes, the white Darc."

The woman's head turned to look behind her at the still figure in the far distance. Peering around her, Chenoa wondered who it was. Biting her lip, Chenoa debated calling to the figure.

"Leave him be," the woman snapped harshly.

"Why?" Chenoa started, confused by the irate look in the woman's eyes.

"He is best left alone. You do not want to wake him more than he is already woken. He is the most dangerous thing ever created. And he is also our greatest weakness."

"Who is he?"

"That does not matter. If he calls to you, ignore him. His motives never change. Do you understand?"

"Not really, but, since you are me, I will take your word for it."

"Good. Then take my hand and we will create a gateway so you can wake safely. People are waiting for you in Taikaa."

"They are?"

"Yes? Can you not hear their voices?"

Chenoa shook her head.

"You will have a wondrous surprise when you wake then. Please take my hand."

Gulping, Chenoa thrust her hand out and clasped the woman's. Immediately the pure black fire engulfed them both, but it did not burn or blacken Chenoa's vision. In fact, it made everything around them seem lit up by light. Suddenly Chenoa could seem millions of different species in ghostly gray forms surrounding her, no two the same species or breed. They milled around Chenoa, their voices calling out in joy. Chenoa's heart filled with an unexplainable love that made her feel as if she was going to burst. When the ghostly animals realized that she could see them, they all raised their voices in unison.

"Leiht has come again," they sang, howled, chirped, croaked and wailed. "Leiht has come to save the worlds. Leiht has come to love again. Leiht returns to those who cry and wait. For she is our mother, lover, and child. Praise Luoja for her return. Now we shall never be lonely again."

Tears spilled from Chenoa's eyes as if she had been reunited with a lost family. The woman smiled for the first time with genuine pleasure. Together she and Chenoa wove a gateway made of the burning black flames until it formed a solid wall in the whiteness with a small swinging door.

"All you have to do," the woman whispered intimately in Chenoa's ear, "is just say when…"

Stirring, Chenoa blinked her eyes against a glaring sun. Sitting up, she looked around feeling panicked. She could not remember anything after seeing Relyt cutting Chris's, Lieben's, and Roque's hearts out. While her body ached as if from great stress and effort, Chenoa recalled nothing but darkness until she had met her memory self in Limbo. Shakily standing, Chenoa stumbled but felt something soft under her hand. A great, large black bear made of thick gray smoke stood next to her, her hand resting on his back for support. Looking up at her, it bawled with concern that she felt in her bones.

Straightening, Chenoa felt as if her body were absorbing energy from the bear, which scared her slightly, so she quickly removed her hand from its back. Nodding the bear faded then disappeared. A gentle hand came to rest around her waist and Chenoa almost jumped out of her skin. Swiveling around, Chenoa's eyes met those bright green prisms she had come to adore. Tristan. While he smiled kindly at her, tight lines of worry and fear creased his eyes.

"You are finally awake," he whispered as if he could not believe it before he yanked her into a tight hug.

"Yes…yes…I'm awake, Tristan," Chenoa muffled into his shirt, a soft light cotton shirt with two top buttons and no collar. "But now I can't breathe."

Tristan still did not release her for a moment. He had been so worried and so happy to see her awaken that he felt for moment as if he had a beating heart again. When he did finally release Chenoa, he studied her from head to foot for any lasting injuries. There was nothing that he could see at the moment, which satisfied him.

"How long have I been out? The last thing I remember was that monster cutting Chris, Lieben and Roque's heart out," Chenoa stammered, searching the area around them again. They were still outside the city but on the opposite side of the border river.

"It has been about five days," Tristan informed her, his anxiety slipping back.

"Five days! Are you serious? What happened to Cor and Ursa? Have they come back?"

"Cor? Ursa? No, I have not seen them. I moved you across the river to be out of the city's territory and that's it. I did not want to risk moving you, but I thought it best to remove you from the city limits. You were covered in bite marks and bruises. Did someone hurt you? Who did it?"

"These two monsters named Relyt and Shoj. They were awful, Tristan. I could have handled them feeding off me and beating me, but they…they…"

Tears welled up in her eyes and she couldn't continue. The pain of seeing her friends' hearts being cut out flooded over her again as if it had just happened. Grief and guilt threatened to consume her. It was all her fault. Tristan pulled her close again and cradled her as she wept. His eyes were a black green now, a color Chenoa had never seen before, not that she had noticed them. A silent growl curled Tristan's lips as his face became bestial and vicious.

"I couldn't save them, Tristan," Chenoa hiccupped in agony, looking up at Tristan, who quickly smoothed his face.

"Chenoa, it wasn't your fault," Tristan whispered, stroking her hair lovingly. "And you need not grieve for them. They are alive."

"What?"

Startled beyond comprehension, Chenoa could not grasp what Tristan had said. How could they be alive? Their hearts had literally been carved out of their chests.

"How?" she stuttered confused.

"I do not know. Maybe those monsters didn't really cut their hearts out. Maybe it was just an illusion because when I found you, I also found the other three. They were beaten unconscious and covered in blood, but alive. I moved them over here, too, after you. They still have not awakened, but they are alive. I promise."

Staggering away from Tristan, Chenoa looked around. A good distance away, Chenoa saw three lying figures. Stumbling, she raced to them, her heart unable to beat for trepidation and dangerous hope. Tristan barely caught Chenoa before she fell in her haste. Leaning over his arms, Chenoa saw with a soul sighing relief that Chris, Lieben, and Roque lay unconscious, but breathing, on a stretch of grass. They had been washed and their clothes cleaned. Bruises still discolored their bodies, but they were alive.

"I know I saw that guy cut out their hearts," Chenoa said, her mind replying the horrible scene again and again. "I know it, Tristan."

"One of them could have been a charmer of some sort or if one was a SoulEater, maybe he sealed your soul and made you see what he wanted you to see…"

"No…he tried to seal my soul but he couldn't."

"He couldn't?"

"No. Shoj, the SoulEater, said he couldn't. That it must already belong to another."

"Really? Who?"

"No idea."

Chenoa, too preoccupied with her friends, did not notice the glimmer of hope in Tristan's face. Her body, soul, and mind were just so relieved that her friends were not dead. She didn't care how it happened, just that it had. Sneaking a look back at the dreaded city, Chenoa did a double take. Swiveling her head, she saw that the city no longer lay in ruins but rather was gleaming and new looking. The buildings were still oddly designed but they were clean with proper glass and polish. What the hell had happened?

Standing, Chenoa studied the city. Something reflected off the glimmering buildings and Chenoa held her hand over her eyes to better see. Whatever it was glistened white from the sun's rays and was approaching fast. Taking a few steps towards the river, Chenoa squinted and tilted her head. The something moved fast, speeding towards her. She had the brief glimpse of something sharp so she threw up her hands defensively. Immediately the river's water catapulted into the air, forming an immense water dragon, whose pebble eyes glinted and coral tongue snapped the air. Stunned, Chenoa held her hands in front of her face, studying the dragon with great intrigue and concern. The water that created its body flowed and rippled like the river but seem more solid. Tristan approached cautiously as the thing that had been flying towards them skidded to a stop. Through the dragon's transparent body, Chenoa saw a familiar image. Kylmä.

Rushing around the dragon onto the bridge that crossed the river, Chenoa waved energetically. Slowing her pace, Chenoa gazed open mouthed at Kylmä. The girl had changed. Her opaque body seemed thicker, her body much denser than before. Her red veins were barely visible now under the thick ice that had formed her body. What was visible of her veins had changed. While still fiery red, there were splashes of fresh blue in them, which seemed to cause steam to rise and condense in her body, making her ice flesh thicker. Her eyes were no longer two different colors. Instead both eyes were a tie-dye mix of ice blue and fire red.

"Kylmä!" Chenoa gasped, overjoyed that her new friend was not only safe but so healthy looking. "What are you doing on this side of town?"

"We have been searching everywhere for you and your friends," Kylmä said quickly, her eyes examining Tristan with distrust. "The Kuolema have gone into hiding for now. It is said that they were attacked by a god and punished for their wicked ways. Neither of their leaders has been heard from."

"When did this happen?"

"About five days ago at sunrise. Something filtered through the whole city and repaired it. All the Unos have been healed and so has the land. We were so worried about you all though. Rumors had reached us that the Kuolema had captured you. We found Roque's house burned to the ground and knew it had to be true. We feared the worse for you."

"They did capture us, but I don't know what happened. I just woke up and the boys are still resting. Tristan says he found us badly beaten, but alive."

"That is good."

Kylmä's eyes flickered to Tristan for a fraction of a second, though Chenoa did not notice. In the quick exchange of looks, Kylmä swallowed hard and dared not speak of what some of her Unos family had seen, the ones who had not been knocked unconscious. She now studied the strange human Spellbinder. While Chenoa appeared to okay, something was different about her. Holding her right hand up to her eyes as if to block the sun, Kylmä squinted at Chenoa. Through her opaque hand, Kylmä saw a distorted vision of Chenoa and Tristan. Chenoa stood there normal as can be, but her body was surrounded by a mile-high mass of black, writhing flames that burned and reached out as the whole world leaned towards her. Tristan had a monstrous creature standing behind him, created of prism green and woven blue flames, its teeth bared, standing protectively over Chenoa. A god's keeper. Clearing her throat, Kylmä fought the urge to bow.

"If you need a place to rest, Chenoa, you are welcome to come back to our home. We will have a feast to celebrate this miracle and your safety," Kylmä smiled, fighting to hide her fear.

"No, Miss Kylmä," Tristan spoke quickly. "We must be going. Chenoa is already far off schedule."

"Oh…yeah…Tristan is right. I would love to stop and eat, but I am very behind for meeting my friends. I am surprised they haven't shown up yet. Either way, I am on a mission," Chenoa frowned, though she honestly longed to go and celebrate with the Unos. She just wanted to have something happy happen.

"Will you pass back this way on your way home?" Kylmä inquired, her attention focused on Chenoa.

"It's the only way I know how to get home," Chenoa laughed. "So yes, I will."

"Then on your way back, please honor us with a visit."

"Of course. I wouldn't think of not stopping by."

Kylmä bowed in goodbye then turned and skated through the air back home. The skin on her neck prickled as she felt Tristan's eyes burn into her back. Tristan wrapped an arm around Chenoa's shoulders, pulling her close as her heartbeat radiated through him. Snuggling against him, Chenoa sighed with a true sense of relief. Something just felt right in the world and, while she couldn't explain what, Chenoa felt happy.

"I'll make you something to eat," Tristan finally said, reluctantly release Chenoa from his grip. "You must be hungry."

"I can always eat," Chenoa beamed, following Tristan back to a small fire pit he had built over the past few days.

The water dragon melted back into the river as the left the bridge. Sitting, Chenoa watched as Tristan snapped his fingers and green-blue flames sprang from his fingertips, lighting the charred wood on fire. They talked cheerfully, catching each other up for the next few hours. Chenoa tried to avoid any of the bad stuff so that Tristan would not be upset, but he knew she was hiding things. No matter her form, Chenoa was a terrible liar.

As night fell, the boys still had not awoken. Chenoa checked on them constantly, anxiety filling her chest as time passed. Biting her lip, Chenoa knelt and placed cool, wet clothes on each of their foreheads. All three breathed soundly, but they never stirred. Enviously, Tristan watched the tender affection Chenoa gave her three friends as she wiped their brows and checked their heartbeats. Shaking it off, Tristan lectured himself to control his nature. Chenoa was a loving and kind girl. Jealousy was unnecessary. Yet while he knew this mentally, his heart and instinct tingled in envy. That was his nature though. Despite the fact that he knew he did not love Chenoa, but rather loved her past self, Tristan, as a Nonelement, was not good at sharing his prizes.

"Tristan?" Chenoa whispered, causing him to start. He had been in such deep conflict with himself, he had not noticed how close she was.

Brushing back a loose strand of his hair, Chenoa stared into his enchanting eyes. Looking back, Tristan smiled kindly. It was then that Tristan noticed two strange things. One, hundreds of thick gray smoke creatures were surrounding Chenoa. Of course, he always saw them, but he noticed that now Chenoa appeared to aware of them too. She did not see them, but she adjusted her body as if she subconsciously sensed where they were around her. Two, Chenoa's appearance was changing. While she still looked like herself, with light skin, blue eyes and red hair, Tristan noticed that it looked more like make-up now that had been wearing off. Her skin color seemed like a powder that was fading, or a filter over a light. Underneath was skin the color of Georgia clay with eyes so deep blue, they were almost black.

Blinking, Tristan didn't know what this meant. Even with his vast number of years on both realms, he was befuddled. Chenoa touched his cheek, and, to his surprise, she leaned forward and kissed him ever so gently. It was brief and light, but a kiss nonetheless. Sitting back on her backside, Chenoa took deep breath so not to blush.

"I just wanted to thank you," she said seriously. "For helping me and my friends. I know that you don't have to, and I know that it goes against your nature."

"Why do you say that?" Tristan asked with a laugh.

Chenoa stared seriously at him.

"I know it is hard for a Nonelement resist the desire to feed."

"It is."

"And after the last time we saw each other, I figured that being around me must be hard, because you wish to feed on me."

"Chenoa, you sweet little girl. Last time I was starving from prolonged fasting in your world out of respect for your family. You have nothing to worry about. I have feasted since then and you are not in danger of my advances. You are not my type anyways."

Blinking, Chenoa looked at Tristan, unsure of what to say. Tristan held a smile and patted her on her head like a father would his child. Swallowing, Chenoa returned the smile, though her ego and heart hurt. Tristan had been the first man to ever kiss her and now she found out he had done it merely out of desperation and starvation. Wonderful.

"Oh…that's good then. I am glad there will be no conflicts of interest for us," Chenoa said, though her voice cracked ever so slightly. "I'm going to go check on the guys again and then go to bed. I am still feeling drained."

Going to stand, Chenoa looked down as she felt Tristan grab her wrist. Raising an eyebrow, Chenoa opened her mouth to speak when Tristan cut her off.

"You have done all you can for them. You need to rest. You will lie down right here so I can keep an eye on you. Plus, a secret benefit of being a Nonelement that not many people know is that contact with a Nonelement can help with healing."

"It can?"

"Yes, but we don't tell a lot of people because…. well…. we are a selfish group. So, lie down."

Tristan pulled her to his chest and laid back. Awkwardly Chenoa followed his lead and lay on the ground, her head on his chest and his arm acting as her pillow. In a surprisingly short time, Chenoa was asleep. She slept soundly as Tristan watched her. Again, he noticed her skin tone flicker as if it were a dying light.

"Isn't she a little young, even for you?" a voice sneered.

Glancing up, Tristan resisted rolling his eyes. A woman stood over the fire, her cool gray eyes watching him critically. She was a beautiful woman with the smooth, delicate features of a Japanese geisha. Her skin was porcelain white, smooth and perfect with dainty soft pink lips, small perfect nose, and round, alluring, cool gray eyes with long dark eyelashes. Held up by a beautiful coral and steel Asian hair pin, the woman's thick, silken hair rested in a messy bun on the back of her head, while a few large strands hung around her face like auburn and steel silk. Intricate black tattoos decorated the back of her neck and back shoulder blades, depicting fluttering butterflies and water lotuses. A silk Korean hanbok covered her curved frame, though it lacked the traditional jacket to cover her exposed shoulders.

"Mixing cultures I see," Tristan responded snidely at her obvious clash of Korean and Japanese styles.

"My, my…aren't we defensive," the woman grinned venomously. "And I like to spread my feasting to many continents. What is it to you?"

"Feast where you like," Tristan replied honestly. "Will you help or no?"

"Why else would I be here?" the woman continued to smile.

"To cause trouble."

"Ah, lover, if I had wanted to cause trouble, I would have made my presence known when you were playing with your new toy."

"Yuki-Onna," Tristan snapped, "Watch your tongue."

"Careful, Tristan, your beast is showing," the woman tutted, waving long slender finger.

Taking a deep breath, Tristan carefully slipped Chenoa off his shoulder and onto the ground. Standing he looked at the woman with loathing. Approaching him, the woman left a trail of frost on the ground. She tenderly brushed her fingers against his cheeks and nuzzled against his neck. Tristan didn't move a single hair as she did. Sighing, she took a step back.

"Oh, you are being so stiff when I came all this way for you," she pouted.

"You came because you are a jealous, curious snow witch."

"Words hurt, Tristan, words hurt. If you really feel that way, then I should just leave."

She turned, but Tristan grabbed her arm. Smiling tantalizingly, the woman turned back to him slowly. Yuki-Onna loved seeing Tristan. He was one of the few men she could be with over and over again without worrying about killing him. That was the problem with being a snow witch…or demon to some…you always ended up killing your lovers either by accident or on purpose. As a Nonelement, Yuki-Onna could not kill Tristan and, though she'd never admit it, as a demon she was not immune to his "love affect." It did not strike her as strongly as it did normal girls, but after only a few times, Yuki-Onna knew she loved Tristan. She could not help it. Ironic that she had feasted on men's love for her for hundreds of years only to have it happen to her by a Nonelement. It enraged her, but there was nothing she could do.

"Yes, lover?" she teased.

"I do need your help," he admitted, trying to be sweet to charm her.

"With what?"

"Those three men over there…they died and were brought back."

"By a piper?"

"No…they were healed."

"By?"

"That is not important."

"Of course it is. How dead were they? Few seconds. A minute…a day or year…completely dead or kind of dead."

"Hearts ripped out of their chests and on the ground dead."

"Wow. That is pretty dead. How were they healed?"

"That isn't important. What is important is that even though they are healed, they have not woken. Their minds aren't letting them due to the shock of such a brutal death."

"I can imagine. What do you need from me?"

"Freeze their memories. Freeze and shatter their memories of their deaths so they disappear."

"Why don't you?"

"You know I don't have that ability. And not many are strong enough or talented enough to do it, but I know you can. You do it all the time to make your prey forget about their loved ones."

"Are you saying you need me?"

Tristan went stony faced. Yuki-Onna waited for a response, but he refused to answer. Pulling her arm free, Yuki-Onna almost frowned. Sniffing, she turned on her heels.

"Fine then. I'll just go home."

"I need you…Yuki-Onna, please do this for me. I need you," Tristan forced out.

"Wonderful, lover. Then I shall help, but how will you reward me?"

"What would you want?"

"You know what I want…"

She leaned in and kissed him, her frozen breath making his lungs and lips tingle. Compulsively he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her in. Even to him as a Nonelement, Yuki-Onna was intoxicating. Her kiss stirred his hunger and he desired to feast as well.

"Fine, but after you have…"

"No…that will take time and I wish to be pleasured now."

Kissing him again, Yuki-Onna moaned into him. Gulping Tristan knew that he would lose his control momentarily. Clutching her tightly, Tristan broke away as his eyes darkened to his hungry green.

"Fine, but not here."

"Afraid to wake your little pet."

"Do not speak of her."

His handsome face started to sharpen and elongate. A shiver ran down Yuki-Onna's spine. Taking his hand, she led him out of the clearing. She had a cave nearby that she used when she was in that area. Glancing back at Chenoa, Tristan allowed a shiver to run through his body too as his hunger escalated and he knew he had to be as far from Chenoa as possible.