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Part 7:

The next day:

Cougar and Alisha were walking through the town streets. It was late and both of them had skipped their classes, or Alisha would have done if she was signed up for any, but she had decided to enrol in the school tomorrow.

Cougar had spent the morning giving her the guided tour of the town, from the cafes and shops to the scorched crater out in the wild where a dragon had been killed. Both of them meticulously avoided any mention of the past. But eventually, Cougar just couldn't contain his curiosity.

"So tell me more about this David guy," Cougar said, his brow furrowed. "What's his deal? I mean, I know you had an affair and all and he's obsessed - but how the hell did he get to be a dragon? You're sure he was human once?"

"Positive," she replied grimly. Yes, he had been human, with all the human flaws. "I don't know how he became...what he is. But I do know..." she hesitated. "That I'm afraid of him. He's changed. He used to be adoring, arrogant, yes, but he never threatened me. Now, he'll do anything. And I think he wants something from me, but I don't know what it is."

Cougar merely slanted her a sideways look and raised an eyebrow in disbelief. But Alisha missed that; she was too wrapped up in her problems.

When she didn't say anything else, the vampire picked up on something else that interested him. "So how did you two meet?"

There was a contemplative look on her face. "Not in the best of circumstances. For me, it was a surprise, but for David it was premeditated. He had been watching me for a while, he said later." There was a bitter twist to her lips. "In bed, as I recall."

"Didn't need to know that," Cougar said quickly.

She sighed. "Sorry. But it's all part of it. The greater part." She paused, and for an instant, Cougar thought her eyes changed and paled to grey. Then he blinked and her eyes were blue again. "You know, it's frightening how clearly I can remember it. Like...like it's etched."

"Tell me," he said quietly, not wanting to jolt her out of this strange mood that made her eyes so faraway. "Lisa's is a long walk."

* * * *

She had been working for Lord y Pelathas for about a month then.

It was a wet day, but there wasn't much she could do to keep off the rain that sleeted down her head and onto her back in cold streams. She was soaked to the bones and Talisa only hoped she hadn't caught a fever. She was too cold and tired even to shiver now and what should have been a short walk had turned into an endless trudge because off the rain that turned the road into sludge that weighted her steps.

She didn't even have the company of the other girls. Her mood blackened but Tali could never stay angry for long. It simply wasn't her nature.

For some reason, she had been kept behind to do a chore that the cook could easily have done herself. Tali's eyes creased in puzzlement. The woman hadn't seemed too pleased to give her the job either. In fact, it was downright peculiar.

No matter. She had been late and now, she was alone, walking down this...this cursed path and the rain was so thick, a grey curtain, that she couldn't even see the familiar buildings of the village.

She was wrapped enveloped in her thoughts so she didn't see the horse that loomed towards her like a legend creature. She only looked up and saw the creature as its hooves pounded towards her, and then felt a tremendous impact on her shoulder as the creature reared madly, and then she was on the ground, her shoulder screaming in agony.

Above her, she heard a voice swearing angrily, the horse calm, shifting from one foot to the other uneasily as someone leapt off the horse and knelt beside her.

("You mean he *meant* for the horse to kick you?" Cougar said in sheer astonishment.

Alisha shook her head. Her eyes were the shadowy blues of twilight, lost in the past. "Of course not. But he arranged for me to be kept back. He knew I would be walking back by that road. And he wasn't riding on any hunt that day.")

"Are you all right?" a voice queried. There was something confusing about it. The concern, combined with an aristocrat's tones. That was wrong - they didn't care for anyone.

She sat up groggily, dimly noticing that her clothes were now muddy as well as wet. Her shoulder flamed as she tried to stand and she collapsed back into the dirt. Her whole body was reeling from that impact, and Tali had a feeling her father would have to help heal this one, though they couldn't do much but take away the pain.

"Obviously not," said the clear voice again. "Come on," and then arms were lifting her and she suddenly in a world that was moving and pounding.

("On the horse?" Cougar put in quietly, watching her face reflecting the emotion of a lifetime ago.

"I think so. Yes, I must have been. How else did we get back to his home?")

She must have blacked out, because she woke up in a strange place, a room elegantly furnished and warm from the fire blazing in the hearth. She was on a bed, a four poster that definitely wasn't hers.

She didn't need to ask where she was; the rich furniture said it all. Her shoulder had been bandaged though it still throbbed with pain at the slightest movement.

"So you're awake," the same voice said again.

She looked up and her eyes met imperturbable grey eyes. Set in a face with the fine bones of old blood and warm brown hair, half- smiling at her, she recognised him immediately. David y Pelathas, the oldest son. What was he doing here? Why was he taking care of her like this?

"Our healer tended that bruise," he said serenely. "But she says you'll have pain for a while to come." He made a wry face. "I'm sorry about the horse kicking you. I didn't see you until...well, I just didn't see you," he finished with a smile.

He sat on the bed, beside her and something in his face made her feel strangely unnerved. "So, Talisa Alfaso," he murmured, "what do you think of our humble abode?" His tone was plainly caustic.

She was confused. "I...don't really think I'm qualified to judge," she answered timidly. His closeness bothered her and the way he talked to her...as though she was an equal.

He gave a short bark of laughter. "Very modest of you!"

She forgot for an instant, who she was talking to. "It's easy to be modest when you have nothing," she muttered.

Then his eyes focused on her. "What they say is true," he said very quietly, more to himself than her.

She tried to smile, but only succeeded in showing her fear. "My lord?"

"You are indeed a lovely girl," he replied, leaning closer. The smile changed with his eyes; grey became stone. "And surely a witch. What is this spell you have put over me, peasant girl, that means I think of you every day, that you entice me. You have worked here a matter of weeks, no more and yet I burn with a fire like those trapped in your hair every time I see you."

She shrank back. "There is no spell, my lord," she said, disbelieving. Her fear had evaporated in a surge of relief. Desire, she could manage. She knew her father and Ieran thought her an innocent, but she had looked after herself when they had not been there and she never told them about the unfortunate encounters which could have ended in a much worse way.

He was so close now, she was lying almost flat on the bed, could retreat no further and he was leaning over her, his face darkly intense and beautiful. He was, she realised with a start, a very alluring man.

"No?" he whispered, one hand reaching to brush a strand of hair away from her impossibly wide eyes, "then I can see only one answer to this situation."

"And what is that?" she asked tremulously, feeling anticipation rising. His eyes glowed almost silver, and she could only stare.

This was *wrong*, she thought, she should be fighting him, diffusing the force that was like lightning crackling. Moving, not just lying here in what would be a very compromising position. She was betrothed, to another man, and not just any man but her soulmate. The one she shared *everything* with. Even though he hides things from you, a voice whispered. Even though there are secrets that turn his eyes bloodstone coloured and take him away from you?

No, she thought, that doesn't matter. I know he loves me. She looked up at David. So why wasn't she fighting back?

Because she didn't want to.

And that was the thought she held to her as she felt David's mouth touch hers and then everything else was forgotten in a surge of attraction that shocked her. It was no soulmate link, but there was a kind of power behind it. Raw, savage force. And then she was only aware of his lips, his hands.

. ("He moves fast." Cougar's tone was part disgust, part admiration

She shook her head slightly. "No. I'm telling the story from my view. And I have forgotten a lot, and left out some things which I'd rather not relive. Don't forget, for David, the obsession started some weeks before. He had watched me for a long time."

"But all this on the first date?" Cougar said in disbelief. This was *Jepar* she had cheated on, after all. His eyes were pure gold with indignation

"Oh no!" she said, mild horror showing on her face. "I stopped it before...")

He leaned his weight on her a little, pressed down on her shoulder and a stab of pain shot Tali back to her senses. This was the wrong man! She was cheating on her *soulmate*. Gods, she was acting like some whore, just throwing herself at him without a care. Her skin flushed crimson at that thought.

She pushed hard on his shoulders, and startled, David sat up. She used that moment to leap of the bed and flew over to the door, almost crying in pain that was both emotional and physical.

"Talisa?" David said, his face puzzled. "What's wrong?"

She waved a hand around the room. "This is," she gasped, "I'm *betrothed*."

His lips quirked. "That didn't stop you a moment ago."

She shook her head. "No. But it stopped me now. I'm in love with someone else," she said desperately and when she saw nothing change in his face, added, "you're a noble, my lord. It would never work."

"Not so."

His refusal simply stunned her. "I won't cheat on my soulmate," she hissed. She was so close to tears; could feel them stinging the back of her eyes.

He laughed, a short bitter sound. "Too late, my dear." Then he sobered and looked at her. "You are an extremely attractive creature, Talisa. And I know you are as attracted to me as I am to you. Why fight it?"

She took a deep breath. "Because it isn't meant to be," she said, "because it's wrong and because I don't want this." That was partially a lie, but David didn't know that.

Her response hardened his face. Features that had been handsome suddenly looked cruel and she felt a wave of fear wash cold down her spine. "I can make life very difficult for you and your family," he warned quietly.

She couldn't believe it. "No," she said, "even if you threaten me the answer is and always will be no."

He glared at her. She could see the anger, and she wanted to run. "Then get out," he snapped. "Get out before I do something I'll regret."

She ran.

But she didn't know what raged in David's head. She didn't know that he was already obsessed and haunted by her and that time would only serve to deepen the strength of feeling he had for her.

* * * *

Cougar pushed open the door with the caution of a man expecting hungry tigers to leap out at him. He hadn't said anything about what Alisha had told him, about David. But he had been very quiet.

"They're here," he said as the chatter of voices came from within.

He turned and grinned at her. "Let's get this mess sorted out."

"Or try," she muttered. How was she supposed to explain to all Cougar's friends that she was working for Daybreak, but she wasn't *working* for them? That she was sent here to get away - that Lord Thierry didn't expect her to come back.

His farewell had told her that, the merest smile on his face for an instant as he looked up from paperwork stacked a handspan high. "It was interesting having you here," he said gently. "But I think perhaps your soul calls you elsewhere." A map had been thrown to her, with transport timetables attached. "To everyone outside of this office, elsewhere is Ryars Valley."

And here she was. Here she stayed, although that had never been her intention. Already in trouble up to her neck. Still, she thought, at least I have a neck to be in trouble up to. If those assassins had their way, I'd be dead and buried by now. She half- smiled. If her little brother from a previous life, Cougar in this one, hadn't helped her, she *would* be dead. Burial optional.

Cougar walked into the lounge, his feet silent on the floor somehow and Alisha followed him nervously.

They were sitting on a loose circle round the room. Music played low from the stereo on the floor. She counted six people; Jepar first, Chatoya, Lisa, Ruby, Thom and a strange girl sitting in the corner, very quiet and head almost hanging.

Lisa looked up and her eyes widened suddenly. "What the hell's she doing here?" she said in a loud voice that made everyone else look up.

Cougar's glance was hard, meeting curious eyes with the familiarity of long association that meant he could be himself

Alisha couldn't help but notice the almost sick hope on the face of the girl in the corner. She was pretty, her main feature lovely eyes that were set like turquoise water in her thin face. Eyes that were fixed on Cougar with raw longing that Alisha recognised from her own experience. That had to be Cougar's soulmate.

"She's here because I want her here," he said. "And because we all owe Shar an apology."

"Shar now, is it?" The girl in the corner said suddenly. Her voice was soft, trembling. "You seem to be on very intimate terms for someone you hardly know, Cougar!"

Oh gods, Alisha thought. I am *not* going to be the cause of an argument. And then she had a brainstorm. And it was called the truth. "We do know each other well," she said quickly, hoping this would appease the girl. "Cougar is an Old Soul and so am I. We've met before - he used to be my brother." It was the first thing she thought of and it shut everyone up effectively.

Cougar's face held pure admiration for an instant before he turned back to the others. Oh, he was handsome, Alisha would admit that, but Cougar held himself in far too high regard. And Alisha just couldn't stop seeing him as her little brother a century before with mud streaks down his face and a goofy smile.

"See?" He shot at the girl. Vicious. Alisha could see why their relationship was in trouble if it was always this tense.

Lisa snorted. "And because of some tenuous connection in one of your lives, we're meant to forgive the fact she's a spy for Daybreak?"

"I am *not* a spy," she said fiercely but only earned a sceptical look as Lisa began to speak again. "Hear me out."

"Go on then," Jepar said softly, watching her with something in his eyes that she couldn't quite decipher and that reminded her of how he used to be. Secretive and not quite all he seemed.

She took a deep breath. She could almost feel the mistrust in the air. "I was working for Daybreak. Lord Thierry pretty much fired me when I got sent here. I can't tell you why," because the major reason's sitting there staring at me with those intense eyes, she added silently, "but as soon as I met you, I chose not to talk to Daybreak." She still saw only suspicion and cynicism and appended hastily, "and if you don't believe me, I'll let the vampires look at my mind."

That seemed to clear the air. "We believe you," Lisa said grudgingly. Glanced sideways at Cougar. "And I guess we do owe your ex-sister an apology."

Chatoya spoke up for the first time, looking relieved. Blatantly curious. "What happened to those Nightworld guys?"

Cougar's savage smile answered that question without words.

"Blood *is* thicker than water, isn't it?" Thom said wryly.

"Tastier, too," Cougar added and caught the human's look of distaste.

Thom glanced at Alisha. "So you're an Old Soul too? Join the club."

"I have a question." Jepar's voice was quiet, but there was a hint of laughter in it that seemed to be permanent. "Who was your friend on the mountain? The 'shifter."

"He's a dragon," she replied and saw his eyes widen and heard him exhale sharply. Around the room, people looked uneasy. "And he's no friend of mine. Not anymore."

Cougar was watching her and saw the disquiet in the human girl's face. Jepar was about to ask more and he knew if that 'shifter kept digging at Alisha, he'd get out the truth eventually and...Alisha had her reasons for not telling Jepar. And Cougar figured she knew more about it than he did.

Before the blond 'shifter could start, Cougar hastily jumped in. "Old Soul stuff," he said.

"I.e. none of my business," Jepar said with a rueful smile.

Alisha gave the vampire a shaky smile of gratitude and saw Cougar drop one eyelid briefly in reply. Just being in the same room as Jepar was having an effect on her. ~ It's been eight hundred years. You'd think I'd have a little more control. And sense. Everyone gets a second chance, don't they? ~ she thought as conversation started up again.

Maybe, maybe if I get to know him this lifetime round, I'll get my second chance. With Jepar. With my soulmate.