Morrigan's gaze never left Crystal's, even as the fire roared and spilled from the doorway. Even as other sister clan members shouted death threats from somewhere behind her.

"Morrigan. Morrigan!" It was Flemeth's voice and firm hand on the witch's arm that forced her back to reality. "I'll keep the others back. Find the daedric girl."

Morrigan nodded. When she turned back Crystal was gone. She must had descended back into the sanctuary. Panic rising, Morrigan prepared to shift but was stopped by the hand on her arm.

"Remember," Flemeth said quickly. "Even when possessed, Crystal only has powers native to her. The Night Mother does not enhance her in any way."

With another quick nod, Morrigan headed for the flaming entrance and shifted into raven form, soaring through the fire with little regard to her own life. The flames reached for her, they were so hot but she moved with such speed they were merely pinching after-thoughts.

The entrance hall was empty. She flew to the bedroom; again, empty. As were the corridors and dining hall. It wasn't until she reached the main chamber Morrigan saw her again.

Crystal stood center of the room, facing the altar motionless as a circle of fire burned around her. She did not scream out. Did not move from the enclosing flames.

Swooping to an area without fire, Morrigan shifted back to human form. "Crystal!"

Finally, Crystal turned to look at the witch, her orbs still black with the demon inside. Still possessed and helpless. Even from a few feet away, Morrigan could see the sweat slicking Crystal's forehead. Only her daedric genes could have kept her alive as the flames dividing them drew closer. But she wouldn't last forever.

The golden-orange hue of the blaze reflected in those orbs of night. Twisting and dancing and scorching new memories into Morrigan she would never forget. Her heart thundered, something told her the real Crystal was screaming inside, like a sixth sense.

The daedra's glare was dark and scrutinizing, but still, she did not speak, just stared at the witch, waiting for her to make a move. They reflected such a sorrow Morrigan had never witnessed. The pain behind those eyes was almost too much to bear.

"Come with me!" No response. "Crystal, please!" No response.

Morrigan took a cautious step closer, as she did, Crystal reached for a Blade of Woe and held it to her jugular. Several beads of blood rained down the cerulean neck.

Shocked and paralyzed, Morrigan couldn't move. She was frozen in fear as she watched Crystal prepare to take her own life.

It was a card that had been well played. The Night Mother knew just how to manipulate the shifter.

Suddenly, a part of the roof fell away, crashing somewhere behind the daedra. Morrigan used the moment of distraction to dash forward and grab the dagger but Crystal's grip was too strong, Morrigan couldn't pry it away.

Although her efforts were futile, Morrigan continued to fight and struggle. It wasn't long before Crystal seized the witch by the throat with her freehand and held her suspended in the air.

The daedra's brows drew together, her glare ablaze with rage, her face frightening. When her mouth opened to speak, it was the chilling dead whisper of the Night Mother that came out.

"Insolence must be punished. This girl will burn and you with her. My child has killed my child."

Morrigan struggled to stay conscious. The grip on her throat was so tight…so tight…

As air turned an impossible prize, and she felt life ready to leave her, Morrigan mustered the last burst of energy inside her to shift.

Slipping from the Night Mother's hand, Morrigan fell into a pile of shadow and mist before rematerializing behind the assassin. Before the Night Mother could gather what had happened, the witch threw a well-placed kick to the backs of the daedra's knees, sending her crashing to the ground and hitting her head on the stone altar.

Thinking quickly, Morrigan shifted the size of her biceps into tight, hard bulges before scooping Crystal up into her arms and rushing out of the burning chamber.

Emerging from her burning home, Morrigan set the unconscious daedra on the ground. Flemeth appeared quickly the opposite side of Crystal's body, taking a limp arm and turning to Morrigan.

"Remember what this will take—"

Suddenly, Crystal's lids snapped open to reveal the dark orbs beneath. A sadistic smile tugging at thin blue lips. "Hello, old friend. Your human is aging terribly I see."

"Ignore her," Flemeth instructed. "Ready yourself Morrigan. We need to begin the sealing."

The Night Mother tried to struggle but as she moved to rise Flemeth's hands erupted in a great golden light, restraining the daedra to the ground.

"A sealing is the worst fate and you both know this. I will allow you to win the day so Crystal may see you for the monster you are." The dark eyes of night stared at Morrigan as she spoke. "You will pay dearly girl, you cannot escape me. You are my blood."

The black orbs melted away, returning the silvers Morrigan had missed. She moved to caress her love's face but then Crystal started to shriek at the top of her lungs.

"Morrigan!" Flemeth shouted. "The sealing has already begun. Help me!"

With tears in her eyes, Morrigan gripped Crystal's other wrist with both hands and forced a flurry of magic throughout her being and into the daedra.

Crystal screeched louder. It sounded like agony undergoing the magic. The streams of mystery flowed through the daedra, scrubbing the demon of its evil, stripping and flaying the DNA that was not meant to be there.

Morrigan closed her eyes as she forced out more energy, she could hear Flemeth grunting and doing the same. Sealing another person of magical properties and blocking them from demonic possession was a very taboo ritual. It was only just a step above being made tranquil. Though, Morrigan had never seen it in action.

Crystal was being torn from her very skin, her soul split, mind fracturing, and the pain made completely unbearable. Morrigan would never be forgiven for this. But the act was necessary. That's what she kept telling herself. Sealing Crystal from her powers and severing the link with the Night Mother was necessary. No matter what the cost.

She peeked her eyes open long enough to see that it was working, even though Crystal screamed and wept in unbearable agony her skin was losing its cerulean effect, she was turning human again.

The dark veins dancing beneath her skin twisted and faded away completely. Her skin fading to its normal too sickly pale color. Silver orbs returned to oceans but seemed like they may pop out of her skull as she struggled to breathe through another scream.

Suddenly, Crystal hurled onto her side just as a mass amount of dark crimson poured from an open mouth. Flemeth assured it was just the darkness leaving Crystal, but the assassin would be forever night-touched.

When Morrigan pushed out the last drop of magic she had in her, she collapsed beside the barely conscious assassin. They faced each other, both drained and pushed beyond exhaustion.

Crystal's watery eyes showed recognition before they closed and she fell unconscious.

"Get up," Flemeth said breathlessly. "We aren't finished yet. Fit your hand over the dark mark handprint. Only a mate can truly seal the effects."

In creating Morrigan, the Night Mother had inadvertently created a weapon against herself.

Flemeth rested her hand over Morrigan's and with another beam of light, flooded Crystal with another burst of energy.

The mark began to burn. Crystal didn't move, completely passed out. Morrigan tried not to scream, even as the mark seared beneath her hand, but it became too much and she shrieked as Crystal had. Tears streaming as she would forever understand why Crystal would never forgive her for what she'd done.