Aydan rose quietly from his bed and moved silently out of the room. He wasn't quite enough for the rogue's ears to miss. She counted to twenty before she hopped out of bed and followed after Aydan. He had disappeared the last few nights in a row and Kiri was very curious as to where he was disappearing to. So tonight she would follow him. Secrets were bad in a partnership like there's. What she didn't know could get them both killed.

Aydan was easy to follow, his footsteps echoed down the cobble lock. At least she had convinced him to stop wearing that smelly perfume that was all the rage with Nobles. She could have followed that stink from a mile away. She trailed him to a dark alley; he glanced around and disappeared into a small side door that creaked closed behind him. Kiri raised an eyebrow.

My, my Mr. Fannin. What are you up to?

She sauntered up to the door and inspected it. The hinges were rusty and the lock mechanism was simple enough. She had it oiled and open in a few heartbeats. A stairs led down immediately into a dark cellar. Candle light flickered at the bottom of the stairs and she could hear Aydan moving around and the clink of bottles. Very carefully she moved down the stairs, keeping her breathing steady and even. Halfway down she paused.

She heard Aydan's low voice. It sounded like chanting in a language she didn't recognize. The candle light flickered; there was the sound of bubbling liquid. The small hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end and a low hiss escaped her teeth.

Magic she thought. Dark magic…

She made it to the bottom of the stairs and a growl erupted from her throat. Aydan was standing before a large pot. Strange symbols were painted on his bare torso in blood. She could smell the metallic tint to it. He held a blade over the wrist of his left hand. His head whipped around at Kiri's snarling. His eyes were no longer cool grey but the deepest black.

"Kiri. What are you doing here?" his voice had a dangerous edge to it.

"I should ask you the same thing Aydan. Sneaking around at night to perform dark magics? I suspected a woman but then again it you've never really shown much interest in that area." She yelled as she walked towards him.

He blinked slowly at her and continued to draw the blade to his wrist.

"You shouldn't be here." He said slowly, his eyes back on his potion. "It is too dangerous."

"What are you trying to do Aydan? It smells wrong."

"It is the only way. I need more power." He drew the blade swiftly across his wrist. Droplets of his blood fell into the potion. It bubbled up and became a dark ruby colour.

"This potion will make me immortal. After my body dies I will rise again with all the power I need to defeat my brother."

Kiri's mind raced. Potion. Dead. Rise again Potion. Dead. Rise again. Potion…

"Lich!" she hissed. She grabbed his arm, yanking it away from the bubbling pot. He shook her off.

"Leave now Kiri. I will return in a few days." Aydan's voice was flat and cold.

She growled and threw a punch at his kidneys. He grunted but didn't even turn to face her.

"Look at me Fannin!" she yelled, hitting him again.

Sighing he turned fully and looked down at her. He grabbed her fist in his larger hand and held it. Her eyes were burning emeralds in the dark. He had never seen her this angry before. She was angry enough to show her demon heritage.

"I will not let you do this Aydan. There is another way. We will defeat your brother together."

Aydan quirked his head to one side. She was so sure of herself, and of him it seemed.

"If you will not leave willingly I will make you."

With that he back-handed her to the floor. She picked herself up and whipped the blood from her mouth.

"That all you got Fannin?" she laughed

She is beautiful when she's angry.

He blinked again. Her nearness and raw emotion were distracting him from his purpose. Filled with magic he was more susceptible to his base emotions and needs. He could hear the beating of her heart and the raggedness of her breath. He walked towards her and she raised her fists. A smile pulled at his lips.

Always the fighter.

Lightning quick he grabbed her wrists and shoved her against the stone wall. She growled at him.

"Going to use my blood for your little potion?" she quipped as she pulled her legs up and placed her feet squarely on his chest. He still held the blade but he let it clatter to the ground. He leaned into her and his finger trailed across her cheek, wiping away the blood from the corner of her mouth.

"Little Kiri…" he mumbled. "Disobeying my orders"

She snapped at his finger with her sharp little teeth. Her lips were pulled back in a feral snarl.

"The job was to keep you alive Aydan. Even from yourself. If you drink that potion you will be no better than the vampire."

Aydan bowed his head for a moment then locked eyes with her.

"What other choice do I have?" he was the one snarling now. "I am not strong enough to do this own my own."

"You never where on your own" she spat.

He was nose to nose with her now, his breath thick against her cheek.

"If you come with me it may mean death for us both" he whispered hoarsely.

"You think I don't know that? Since you told me what happened I've been prepared for it. I am coming with you Aydan. To the death. You cannot stop me."

She stared at him until he looked away. He was awed by her determination. Magic still pulsed through his body and his heart raced. Without thinking he pressed his lips to hers. He felt her stiffen for a fraction of a second then her body relaxed. Her legs dropped from his chest and ended up wrapped around his waist. She kissed him back. Her lips were soft and supple against his. Kiri felt Aydan's hands slide down her arms. They felt like they were on fire. He was losing control of his powers, like the night he had told her his story. She pulled away from him reluctantly.

"Sorry Aydan" she whispered when he looked at her, puzzled. With that she slammed her forehead against his. He crumpled to the ground in a heap, pulling her with him. She detangled herself and walked over to the potion. It smelled foul. Thankfully there was a drain in the centre of the room. She tipped over the pot and watched as the potion spiralled down into the drain.

Crazy sorcerer.

Nodding to herself she glanced back to Aydan. He was still out cold. Grabbing his cloak she threw it over him and pulled his body to a standing position, supporting his weight. She dragged him up the stairs and back to the small rented room.