The Moirae, bitches they are, have decided to give me the task of giving my favorite Dark-Hunter a happily ever after. This is my attempt at it. Unfortunately, he will never have a happily-ever-after unless the Author Goddess wills it. Because, you see, Sherrilyn Kenyon owns him. And basically everything else. Not me. Hope you enjoy anyways.

She had always watched him from afar, knowing she wasn't allowed to see him. He was a warrior for Artemis, a god of Stryker's creation. He was forbidden fruit. Always.

But, the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest.

No matter how delicious he was, she had to stay away. If Acheron or one of the other Dark-, Were-, or Dream-Hunters found out, they would have her skin for sure. Apollymi would disown her. But she needed him. He needed her. As the goddess of Pain, she knew that. But he would never be hers. Always out of reach. She had to stay hidden, stay silent. Until Apollymi gave them permission, she would have to keep her distance.

But he was so tempting…

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"Abbi, hurry up!" Makaria called to her sister. "We gotta get off the streets before sundown, unless you want to get caught by a hunter!"

Abbisya ran to catch up with her sister, grumbling. "With how decadent Artemis' hunters are, I wouldn't mind being caught by one."

Makaria made a disgusted sound. "Really, Abbi? Really? Is that all you think about? I would think, hatred being your forte, you'd be more into torture and backstabbing, not sex."

"No, Kari, that'd be you." Abbisya rolled her eyes. "Kari, we're in New Orleans. City of the twenty-four-hour party, and you want to get back to the apartment before sundown." She shook her head. "Live a little, Sis! So what if Ash or one of the others catches us? Big deal! We get a slap on the wrist and get relocated."

Kari sped up. "Yeah, and considering your luck, we'll get moved to Alaska and forbidden to go anywhere." She shivered at the thought. "I'd like to stay where it's warm, thanks much."

Abbi laughed and spun around, inhaling deeply. "Three couples are going to hate each other by the end of the night," she purred.

Kari stifled a grin. "Sadist."

"Like you're any better, luv."

Kari had to laugh at that. "Aye, but at least I don't go flaunting it." She rubbed the sun tattoo on her wrist. The mark was a reminder of who she was, what she was, why she was. "C'mon, Abbi. Tomorrow night, promise. Matisera swore there would be next to no Daimons tomorrow night, so there'll be next to no Hunters and we can party."

"Ooh, can we go to Sanctuary? Those Peltier boys are delish."

"Yeah, and let's run into Ash and Simi along the way." Kari rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Have fun, I guess. But tomorrow."

Abbi pouted, but followed her sister into their apartment building. They went up to their apartment, the top floor suite. It was large and spacious and cluttered with their things. Kari pulled out the pins holding her long straight auburn hair up. It fell around her shoulders in soft waves from being up so long. Her clingy red dress dissolved into a long nightgown, soft and light. She washed off her make-up as Abbi opted to dress manually. She stared out the bedroom window, gently brushing her hair as she daydreamed about the boy she had met while she and Abbi were out shopping. She smiled softly, remembering his hair, his smile… and how off-limits he was. She sighed.

"Thinking about Gautier again, Kari?" Abbi teased, her short blue-black hair tucked behind an ear.

Kari jumped. "Shush," she said, blushing. "I am not."

"Oh, right. That's why you're so defensive." She took the brush form her sister's hand and started brushing Kari's hair. "Don't worry, I'm not telling Metera. But if you want a piece of him – not that I blame you – you'll have to be careful." She started braiding Kari's hair, two braids on each side. She tied them off, then handed Kari her brush.

Kari blushed deeper. "Yeah, cuz I'm the one who thinks about going against Matisera."

Abbi grinned roguishly. "Oh, but you are now."

Kari buried her face in her pillow. "Shut up, Abbi. I don't want to."

"You think he's worth it. Well, there's only one way to find out." Abbi turned on her laptop and turned on her music. "Whatev. I'm out."

Kari didn't move. She did think he was worth it – that was the problem. But Apollymi hadn't given them permission to associate with the Dark-Hunters – not yet. Kari sighed gustily, then opened her own laptop, pulling up the Internet. She signed into her IM.

A chat came up immediately. Kari didn't recognize the username, but clicked on it anyways.

NewOrleansCharmer: I see you.

GoddessOfPain: haha. yeah right. who are you, anyway?

NewOrleansCharmer: don't recognize me, luv?

Kari raised an eyebrow. She glanced at Abbi – she had put her laptop away and was reading. She looked out the window, down to Café du Monde below them. She bit back a startled gasp – he was sitting in clear view of their room. "Abbi. He's at Café du Monde."

Abbi clambered over to Kari's bed. "Really?" she asked excitedly. "You should so start stripping while he watching."

Kari slapped her sister's shoulder. "Abbi! You're horrible!" She looked down to Gautier; he was laughing uproariously.

NewOrleansCharmer: I like your sister's idea.

Kari gasped, her jaw dropping.

GoddessOfPain: hell no! you're lucky I haven't logged off!!

NewOrleansCharmer: you wouldn't do that to me without telling my your name, would you?

Kari glanced at Abbi. "He's asking my name."

"Are you going to tell him?"

"Should I?"

Abbi nodded. "Your nickname, though."

Kari nodded. " 'Kay."

GoddessOfPain: kari, if you must. and yours?

NewOrleansCharmer: oh, you already know it. but, if you must, it's nick.

GoddessOfPain: are you making fun of me, nick?

NewOrleansCharmer: of course, kari. someone has to.

Kari blushed.

Abbi laughed. "Ooh, I know that look."

"What look?" Kari demanded.

"That oh-goddesses-that-man-is-delish look."

She glance back down at Nick. He was laughing again. "Shut up, Abbi. Go back to bed."

GoddessOfPain: can you read lips or something?

NewOrleansCharmer: or something.

GoddessOfPain: is getting a straight answer out of you as impossible as understanding a fortune cookie?

NewOrleansCharmer: ask and it shall be given to you.

Kari laughed. She shook her head and looked down at him.

GoddessOfPain: ok, can I see you tomorrow?

He smirked and blew her a kiss.

NewOrleansCharmer: your wish, my command. I'll see you here after sundown.

Nick closed his laptop and walked off. Kari watched him go. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. She closed her laptop, a blush rising to her cheeks. Your wish, my command.

Oh, but the man was delicious. And forbidden.

So? How'd you like it? I spent, like, an hour on it. Tops. It just kinda poured out. Next installment's coming up, promise. Review, my beloved readers!!!