Sunday was calm for the most part. Amber had debated flying back home early since it was decided it best she stay at the hotel instead of the show. Taker finally convinced her to stay so he could see her once more after the show. She paced the room bored out of her mind. She just felt uncomfortable with no one to talk to. She kept glancing at the box that was now sitting on the dresser. She ordered dinner in, flipped mindlessly through the TV channels, even took a soak in the tub. Anything she could to try to take her mind of the slowly ticking minutes.

She was already in her nightgown when she heard his key swipe into the door & open. She gave a smile which he lightly returned shutting the door behind him. "You sure he won't track you down?"
"He is busy packing up to leave already." He walked over to her till she was within arms reach looking at her. Amber closed the rest of the gap between them hooking her arms around him leaning against him. "You know I haven't showered yet."
"I don't care. I just wanted to feel you again. It was feeling empty."
"I understand." He took one of his hands running it through her hair. "So shall we stay here for a while then go back to the suite once I am sure he is already gone?"
"If you wish…the bed there is more comfortable." She stepped back a moment to look up at him. He leaned down lightly kissing her lips. He then pulled back looking.
"What is it?"
"I have som…something for you…I have been holding off giving it to you." She let go of him moving to the dresser. She picked the box up carrying it to him. "Do not open it yet…I think you will know when."

"Once I feel your task is completed." He took it from her looking it over. It was about as wide as a cigar box but maybe half the height. He held it in one hand his other skimming over the carvings on the lid. He closed his eyes a moment in thought, then opening them again before speaking. "So you do feel this is the last we see each other face to face." She stepped closer brushing her hand along his face. He didn't need to hear the words her eyes already were telling him. "I just hope safe travels to you my love so someday…"
"Yes someday…" She closed her eyes. "It pains to say it…but maybe we should part now before it hurts even more." Taker lightly took her hand that was brushing his face kissing it. Then brought her closer kissing her lips. He then let her go leaving her room without another word. Hearing the door close she made her way to her bed trying to fight the pain she knew she was already feeling inside.

The next morning Amber got up to begin to pack. Once she was done she double checked her boarding ticket for time & decided to head out early she knew the longer she stayed the more she would want to track Taker down one more time. She called Kay to find out when her flight was & found out she was booked for the afternoon so they would meet up at home. Amber felt numb, but knew it was better then the pain just waiting to surface.

Once she was back in Jersey she tossed her bag into her room heading up to the ritual room she knew she only had a few days before she could complete her task she placed before herself. There was still preparation to get done though. Kay got home & they talked a while but she knew something was off with Amber even if she wouldn't talk about it.

The next few days Amber stayed to herself either in her own room or in the ritual room. Kay could tell Amber must have been distancing herself for a reason. She remember what she told her before the trip, but she didn't want to think it was happening so soon. Thursday arrived & Amber went to check the last piece of the puzzle. The new moon, the night of no light. She walked past Kay as she sat on the couch watching TV. Amber very lightly touched her shoulder with the faintest of squeezes. She then let go making her way upstairs. Kay couldn't help shaking her head. Even though no words were shared that small action made Kay worry for Amber, but knew inside there was no point voicing it to her knowing she decided this some time ago.

Amber went to the ritual room grabbing the other carved box making her way to Kay's room resting it on her bed. She then turned making her way back to the ritual room shutting the door. The candles needed were already laid out. She went over sitting Indian style before lighting the candles she spoke a small prayer for protection before allowing her body to slip into a trance & her spirit into the astral stream. She focused on where she knew she had to go & could only hope for the best as she approached the barrier she was seeking.

Next she knew was darkness. She was not sure what she was expecting but it was not this. She wondered if her path was wrong until she was then flung into searing light. She tried to shield her eyes but it offered her little comfort. Once she was not so bombarded by her own senses she slowly lowered her arm opening her eyes. She was in a large room made of a very dark stone. Her nose already picking up the faint smell of sulfur. She saw down the far end of the room sat a man with tan skin, fair build & long raven hair seated on an ornate chair of some kind. He was dressed in black leather pants that gripped to every curve of his legs. The only real off putting part of him to her was the black eyes that stared at her or was it through her. She slowly started to make her way towards him stopping before she reached the steps that lead to where he was seated.

"Rarely I get a traveler here." He gave a cold laugh that sadly reminded her of Kane. "What business do you have with me?"
She bowed low & stayed there for now. "I wish a barter with you."
"What sort of barter."
"Two within your servitude in exchange for me."
He laughed again. "Let me see your face." She raised back up looking at him. "You are not joking are you.? Are there a certain two, you know I have…or do you just wish to free two poor souls."
"I know not their mortal titles, they are brothers. They were pledged to you by Paul Bearer."
"Ah…two of the reapers. And why would you be a more…prosperous prospect then those two?"
"I have no binds to any family, I have no job to keep me contained to any spot, as you see by just my travel here I am already of a magical blood."
"Yes…I also know why you wish them free. Tell me what would stop me from severing your cord from the mortal coil & just claim you as another soul right now."
"My lord." Came a silken voice from the shadows. His head turned in the direction of it.
"Yes Lilith?"

"She could be of use." Amber watched as she saw this…woman come out from the shadows of the room. She was about as tall as she was, her skin as pale as porcelain, her hair as dark as the night itself, lips & eyes are red a blood. She walked over towards the throne placing a hand on the arm of it before kneeling. "My power plus her talents already, I will claim those the brothers would not. My lord please grant me the ability to go back to the mortal coil through her."

He seemed to be debating it looking between the two. His eyes then locked on Amber. "Very well…come here."
"Not till I see the shackles on the brothers broken & their essences freed from here. FREED NOT KILLED!"
She heard that cold laugh from him again. "You are crafty yourself…knowing that just saying released could of issued their deaths on the mortal plane. Very well." He motioned to the other side of the room and a portal of some sort opened & through it two forms began to appear having astral threads like hers but a black binding wrapped them. Once the forms gained more shape she could see what she would guess was younger versions of the two brothers. "Now…you try to snap yourself back once they are free I will track you & them down. Are we understood."
"Yes." she bowed her head hearing him as he began to chant. Her eyes raised enough but not her head to see that bindings removed from the brothers threads & quickly they vanished. He continued his chanting & she cringed feeling the bindings now placed on her own thread. She dropped to her hands & knees from the pain.
"Now Lilith dear…claim you new form & do not disappoint me."
"Of course my lord." She slowly walked over touching Amber's shoulder . Ambers head went back in a scream before blacking out.

(OK on the home stretch. Everyone who has been reading this so far thank you. Just so you know if I counted correctly I have three more chapter after this one. Who would of guessed what started as a one shot would morph into one of my longest stories. Please review let me know what you all think as I still have the sequel in my head as well.)