Ria breathed in and out slowly as she walked out into the scrubland. This was where the desert began. This was where Bliss had gone, she had seen that from the conversation Cougar had heard. Summoning spell, huh? She didn't think Bliss knew what was going to happen when they got an angry 'shifter, even worse an angry shifter called Jepar. Bliss could be amazingly blind sometimes.

So was this far enough? She hoped so. Ria looked round, at the dull brown ground and the straggly plants scattered around. Not exactly a dreamland. What was it Jepar had done? The two clan names. "Harman, Jubatus," she called out, into the empty air, feeling more than a little stupid. She felt even more of an idiot when nothing happened.

She sighed and tried the names again. "Harman, Jubatus." Why were witch spells always so precise? Anyway it didn't look like any was going to hap-

Darkness. The light was gone, like someone had just snuffed out the sun. She fell as the ground pitched under her feet. It was like sailing in a storm, being thrown around, wind whipping round her. This didn't happen last time! Ria couldn't hold onto anything and she was jolted and smashed on something like rock too many times. Ria could see shapes in the darkness now, strange shifting lines, barely visible but they seemed...powerful. She gasped as fire exploded around her, burning like boiling water. Pain, that was all there was. Something had gone wrong, this hadn't happened when Jepar had done this.

She felt someone grab her hand and heard a voice, saying something she couldn't catch. Ria squinted as light began to glow again, making her eyes water, sighing with relief, as the ground felt solid under her feet again. Her legs gave under her and Ria fell down, landing on hot sand.

A blurred figure was in front of her. She blinked until her eyes cleared and then looked up. Tall, dark, handsome and clichéd. "Can't I get rid of you?" she asked, wondering if he had finally figured out she wasn't trying to kill him. That pull was there again, the soulmate thing, but Ria just wasn't in the mood for sparks and romance.

<> He was snarling at her, looking dangerous as ever. Ria's eyes fell to the knife he was holding. Surely even he wouldn't...

"I don't go in for killing defenceless people." His voice was cold, enough ice in it for a tank of ice-cream.

. "Would you quit reading my mind? It makes abuse very difficult."

<> He was laughing at her inwardly, Ria knew. The lamia pulled her to her feet, both of them wincing at the sparks that seemed to leap like fireworks.

"You shouldn't try to get in that place if you can't get the words right," he said, hazel eyes sparking gold. Watch out, Ria thought. Satan's a-coming to town.

<< Yeah, well, I left my horns and the tail at home. >> Did he have to be so sarcastic?

"Would you stop doing that? And can't you answer a question like a *normal* human being?" Ria demanded. Then realised what a bad choice of words that was. He had it figured out too, wide feline smile curving his lips up, so she could see the delicate and above all *sharp* fangs. It was unnerving. "And what do you mean, if I can't get the words right. I'm sure that's what Jepar said-"

"Right words, wrong order." Oh. "And...the witch who set this up put in a counter spell." There was hesitation there, she realised and caught a flash in his head of a strange memory. Then Ria smiled. This put an end to the Nightpeople/Old Soul argument.

"You're an Old Soul!" she said, unable to hide her surprise. He didn't seem the 'learn-more-each-life' type.

Now he was annoyed. "Would *you* stop reading my mind? And I might not be an Old Soul, it could just be some sort of weird dreams." She didn't believe *that*. <> he muttered.

The vampire hesitated, then gave her something. A knife, one side wood, the other iron and silver. "You might need this," Cougar said dryly. Ria smiled to herself, wondering if she should tell him she had never used a knife. At least not for anything apart from eating. Then realised he knew, as resignedly he said, "Like this." And *showed* her, mentally.

It was like the knowledge was in her bones now. Ria had the unnerving sense she could throw it straight between his eyes. Cougar raised his eyebrows resignedly as he caught *that*. "Hate to tell you this, witch, but you couldn't hit me if you tried."

"Oh really?" Obnoxious vampire moron. "And just why would that be?"

He smiled, radiating charm. Charm wasted on me. Or at least that was what Ria told herself. "Ria, you wouldn't even throw that knife." So confident, so annoying. Ria drew her arm back. She just saw a black blur before Cougar kissed her and she just melted against him, forgetting any thoughts of knifing this member of the Redfern family. She could feel his satisfaction, and under that, something he was hiding that she couldn't quite see. She hated how right he was, but at the same time...

He stepped back, smiling knowingly and in a way she did not like. "Kiss 'em and kill 'em, is that your technique?" Ria just gritted her teeth, and clenched her fists, wishing her nails were longer and she could move faster. "'Cause you know, the kissing's there, but you need to work on the killing part. And if you want any practice, just ask." She raised her hand to hit him, but Cougar caught her hand and kissed it. She stared at him in surprise, but he just smiled back mockingly. Before she could say anything, he said into the air, "Jubatus, Harman," in a lazy drawl. Ria shut her eyes as the landscape blurred.

Bliss smiled at Kobe seductively. This guy could be a real goldmine if she was clever. "Lovely place you've got here." Bliss glanced around at the acres of endless sand and air that rippled from the heat.

"Shut up witch and get the spell fixed up. I don't have all day." He was snappy all of a sudden. Maybe it was the burning sun. Weren't snakes supposed to be more active in the warm? Pity. She preferred Kobe when he was slower and less dangerous.

"It's fixed." Not like there was much to do, just a magic circle to stop any irritated 'shifters trying to take any chunks out of her. Wonder if I should put cobra-guy over there in one?

The tall man smiled unexpectedly. It was a cold, vicious smile, but what an improvement. Bliss shook her head in disbelief. Obviously this guy had never heard that charm could get you everything. A lesson she learnt a long time ago. She would never have got out of that place those Nightpeople had shut her up in otherwise. Bliss had been amazed at how *simple* people were, how easy to fool.

Just a few tears and turning an innocent look on the Elders who had come to talk to her after a month or two and made them believe maybe they were wrong...She could almost see what they were thinking; poor witch, just misguided...and of course seeing as they believed soulmates were fiction, that made it twice as easy.

Kobe's voice made her start, those cold slitted eyes trained on her. His voice was a cool hiss that sent shivers down her back. "Work your magic then, witch." Oh, I will, Bliss thought as she called her power.

Dragon stared at the empty space where Cougar had been. She had never seen the ultra-calm - if dangerous - vampire so furious. "What was *that* all about?" She looked at Matt instinctively. He shrugged, smiling wryly. << I think that maybe- >> Whatever he was about to say was cut off by Lisa.

"Yeah." Lisa looked as curious as Dragon felt, puzzlement in her café-noir eyes. "What is it with Cougar and Ria? One minute he hates her and thinks she's trying to kill Jep," the made vampire glanced over at Jepar's expressionless face and carried on. "Next thing, he's going to save her from the wicked witch of the Eastern Asylum."

Zara cleared her throat pointedly. Dragon could see that the human looked a little embarrassed, slightly flushed and definitely quieter than usual. "Reckon I might be able to help you out there."

Everyone's attention was fixed on her and Dragon knew from personal experience, that could be pretty unnerving, having eight- odd - some very odd - pairs of eyes staring at you.

Zara flicked shining black hair back out of her eyes and said softly. "I think they're soulmates."

There was a stunned silence. Dragon wanted to laugh. Cougar Redfern and Ria Lutinne? It was ridiculous, Cougar didn't even like her and what kind of person would want a moody, dangerous vampire for a soulmate?

<< What kind of person would want a temperamental - and the word mental is important there - wild dragon for a soulmate? >> She looked over at Matt, his amused voice and the wicked sparkle in his eyes making her realise that she was being just a tiny bit hypocritical. But still, Cougar and Ria...

<< That's the whole point though, isn't it? >> They both knew she would have said the same about herself and Matt not so long ago. He carried on, sounding more thoughtful than usual. << You don't get to pick your soulmate. But even I, as a former Daybreaker, have to admit those two are an unlikely pair... >> Unlikely didn't begin to describe it.

"So Cougar's gone chasing after our mysterious witch, to rescue her from lovely-but-evil Bliss?" Jepar had a faintly sceptical tone in his voice. He was shaken up over this; Jepar was rarely sarcastic and he had been quieter than usual. Whenever Dragon thought of him, the first thing that came into her mind was laughing green eyes and his trademark smile. Different from the pensive guy she was seeing now.

Lisa rolled her eyes. "Jepar, you sound like a sitcom intro."

"But yeah, I'd say that's about right." Zara looked worried now. "And you know what that means..."

Dragon smiled grimly. "Cougar's going to get his head kicked in. Bliss ain't no beginner spell-wise. Even if she is a Maiden." Surely not even Cougar could be arrogant enough to think he could beat that witch. Sure, he was a vampire, and a Redfern at that, but what use was supernatural strength when you were going to be incinerated?

<> Matt was smiling wickedly but behind that, Dragon sensed he was planning.

<>

"Not just Bliss, don't forget," Jepar said thoughtfully. "Kobe, too. You know," he added, seeing the confusion written on people's faces, "the mad cousin of the family. Snake 'shifter."

Snakes were the worst kind, Dragon thought, conveniently forgetting she was half-dragon herself. They were so cold, and she hated the way they would stare at you without blinking, like there was no one home, just an empty shell. Even Bliss was better than that. With insane people, you knew someone was in there, even if they thought World War III was the party of the century.

"What'ss taking sso long?" Kobe was snapping at her. Bliss couldn't concentrate for him yelling at her so loud.

Closing her eyes again, she focused on the power, forming an image of Jepar Jubatus in her head. Tall, lanky body, nicely muscled. Tanned skin, straight blond hair with dark brown circles speckled on it. Nightworld-perfect face, intelligent cat eyes. Bliss held the image, and pulled mentally, hands clasping the cheetah fur. She felt the air in the circle heat, power radiating from it. It was working.

"Jepar?" Dragon leapt to her feet as he began to fade, rippling in and out of vision. An orange light was haloed around him, like hellfire. She didn't know what the hell was happening and neither did he from the look on his face. Zara, closest to him, reached out, to grab hold of his arm. The human gasped as lightning slammed into her, hurling the slight girl backwards, into a wall.

Some sort of spell, there was no time, Dragon could see that. She summoned the dragon power, the black fire and tried to hurl it at whatever was holding the spell. << No, no, dragon bitch. >> The voice was like claws in her head, dark and mocking. << That's for attacking me, two nights ago. I don't *like* being pushed down hills... >> Bliss. Dragon hadn't known she was this powerful, just thought Bliss was one of the 'new witches'. That's a mistake I won't make again, she thought as a wave of hot orange fire hit her. Last thing she heard was someone shouting at her. "Dragon! Where's-" She didn't hear the rest.

"What the..." Ria heard Cougar say softly. Absently the black haired vampire pulled her to her feet, holding her knife hand so she couldn't stab him, Ria realised. He was staring ahead of him. The soulmate thing didn't seem to work here, she realised. No sparks, no telepathy, no trouble. She followed his gaze, to where a figure with hair glowing fiery in the sun stood up, laughing wildly at the blond boy trapped in the circle. Oh god, how had Bliss done it?

The man beside her half-sister, Kobe she remembered his name as, was that creepy guy who lived on the enclave. Ria felt nauseous as she watched his head turned towards them, like he was in slow motion.

Blue eyes met hers, and the 'shifter kicked Bliss, beside him. The witch got up, walked towards them. She was only about twenty metres away, close enough for Ria to see her manic smile and the glint in night-sky eyes. This was really her *sister*? Comparatively Myra Hindley would've been a riot.

"Back again, Ria?" Bliss's tone dripped ice. That would have scared Ria a couple of days ago, but it didn't now. Bliss wasn't invincible for all that she acted like she was.

Cougar was beside her and he leaned over and whispered softly, "Reckon you can cope with psycho-witch there?" His breath was warm on her face, hazel eyes searching.

Ria grinned, hiding her apprehension. "Easy. You might have a little more trouble though." Kobe was *fast*, striking-snake fast, she knew that from experience. "But I suppose you could try kissing *him*."

"No thanks." Icy voice again. It didn't take much to annoy this vampire. "I'll deal with the cobra, you deal with the viper."

"My, isn't this cosy." Bliss was drawling sarcastically. Ria wondered when the witch was going to start foaming at the mouth. Bliss fixed a cold stare on them. "I can see why you were so interested in leaving, Ria." She smiled enigmatically.

Cougar looked at her, faintly confused. Ria didn't want to explain that reference to him. Everyone was still under the impression she had been dragged along by Bliss. Including him, now. The vampire watched her, then shrugged and walked away, heading for the 'shifter man.

Ria froze as she saw Bliss's eyes follow him thoughtfully. She could see what was going to happen. He wouldn't even get as far as Kobe before Bliss fried him.

Orange fire flew from Bliss's hands. Ria reached for her own power, and hurled it desperately towards Cougar...sighed with relief as Bliss's spell bounced off a glimmering turquoise bubble that had formed around Cougar.

She smiled as Bliss screeched and ducked as her own spell came flying back at her, a huge lightning-ball, and stopped the spell, watching as the glassy turquoise faded. Cougar gave her an astonished look then ducked, swearing as Kobe flung a knife at him.

But Ria didn't have time to watch the vampire and the shapeshifter as more orange fire blazed towards her. Bliss was pissed off now. Gotta get rid of her power somehow, that's the only way this fight in gonna be fair, how do you stop a warped witch? The answer was simple. Let her use up all her power on something else.

The watcher smiled as they fought. It was hopeless, anyone could see that. Cougar was a vampire, and yes, he had changed, grown up, but he was no match for a thirty-something snakeshifter. Cougar Redfern, still in trouble. Still careless and stupid, giving anyone the key to get into this place. Although it was a good thing that he had, or the watcher would have been locked outside and this was one fight they *had* to see.

But the watcher was confused. Their feelings were not what they had expected. Instead of the old need for revenge against Cougar, they felt almost...sorry for him. Seeing him again had made them realise that it was not his fault. In fact, they were to blame for all that had happened. But with Cougar, it was always difficult to be sure about him, whether he fell into the category of 'good' or 'evil'; the age old question revived now the Nightworld was splitting in two. Daybreak or darkness, that was the choice.

The watcher shifted her glance to the other two. One was the girl who had arrived with Cougar. Not what you would call beautiful, but Cougar had to see *something* in her, even though they fought like vampire and werewolf. But from what little conversation the watcher had heard between the two, they liked this Ria. Perhaps, once, they could have been friends. It was unusual, the watcher knew that, for them to take to someone like that. But the watcher felt, in some strange way, that they owed it to Cougar, for what he had done, tried to do, at the watcher's request, to keep that girl alive.

And the fire-witch, the watcher knew all about that one. She deserved to die, if anyone did. The watcher did not like torture; they had suffered their own personal kind and knew what how terrible it was.

It would be interesting this fight.

Ria glanced over at the circle where Jepar was. He was sitting in the circle. Not much else he could really. "Jepar!" she yelled, loud as she could, fast as she could before Bliss tried the witch version of a Molotov cocktail. Try to break the circle!" Anything else she wanted to say was cut off as something that felt like a hurricane pulled Ria off her feet and *threw* her back twenty feet.

She hit the ground hard, her foot twisting under her. She sat up, curling her legs under her, ready to leap. Bliss saw that and another blaze of witch fire surrounded her, but this time she was pinned, like she was a statue. Ria couldn't do anything but watch as Bliss slithered closer, smile on pouting lips, triumph written all over her. She cupped her hands, and that orange fire that made Ria think of sunset glowed up. Bliss didn't say anything. She didn't need to. Ria knew if that fire hit her it was going to *hurt*.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ria saw Jepar 'shift, body elongated, head shrinking, just the clear eyes the same. Bliss's body shivered as the cheetah hurled itself at the barrier around the circle, orange fire flaring where Jepar had hit it. Ria could move again, just her left arm, but that was enough.

Without thinking, Ria threw the knife at her, ignoring how her shoulders screamed. Iron, let the iron work. Bliss turned white as the knife skimmed her shoulder...and then thumped the ground behind her. Shit, what did she do now.

Bliss shuddered again as Jepar hit the barrier. It was costing her, Ria realised. She can't keep up the barrier *and* use spells on me. Then Bliss spun, to face the cheetah standing in the circle. Ria shut her eyes as that lethal spell Bliss loved so much streaked towards Jepar. "No," she whispered. She heard the howl, that turned into a scream as fire burned Jepar. It sent shivers down her spine, that inhuman cry. It cut off suddenly, and she opened up her eyes to see Jepar unconscious in the circle. But not burned. How...

But she didn't have time to wonder at that as Bliss stepped forward, stooping to pick up the knife Ria had thrown at her, all smiles again even if she was paler than usual. The weight pinning Ria seemed to grow heavier, and it was all she could do not to sink into the sand.

"Nice try, Ria. I can't believe I ever thought you weren't my sister." Bliss's words were in that sweet tone she used when something *evil* was going to happen. To someone else. "But you lose. Don't worry, it won't hurt much." That nasty little knife Cougar had given her was inching closer. Where was that vampire when you *needed* him? Ria could just see him over Bliss's shoulder, a vague blur as he fought with Kobe.

"Any last words? How about, 'you won't get away with this' - that's always good for a laugh." Just shut up, Bliss. Ria could not see any way to get herself out of this little predicament. She had used what little witch power she had with Cougar.

"Cut out the drama," Ria said wearily. "The villain act is a little overused by now Bliss. Or should that be Belissima?" She grinned as Bliss drew in a sharp breath, hands tightening on the knife. Well, I least I get to know I pissed her off. Ria kept smiling as the knife flashed down towards her...