Kaulder smirked as she give him the middle fingers from her apartment. He should have known she could sense him. Witches knew when he was close just like he knew when they were close. The girl had spirit, he had to give that to her. Not too many witches stood up to him, even the males ones. Kaulder put his hands in his pockets and turned away. He quickened the few blocks to where he parked his car. He was going to go home and do some research.

Once he was home, he sat down at his desk. He hacked into the city's record department and started his search. He wanted to know who this Arielle was and where the old magic came from. He poured himself a drink of Bourdon, rubbed his chin and started reading with a frown. He put his elbow on the table, chin to his hand.

So far, everything looked on the up and up. The store front had been there for years and years, changing hands after 60 to 70 years. A few male owners then all females. It was possible the store was passed down from family member to family member, that would explain the old magic he was sensing there. Kaulder threw back a shot of the Bourdon, hissing when it burned his throat.

Something just seemed off to him. Something was pulling at him. His instincts were never wrong. They hadn't let him down once and he wasn't about to let them start now. In the morning, he would return to her store. He was going to ask her a few questions. She was going to be mad. Kaulder sat back in his chair and grinned. He rubbed his head and nodded to himself. Yeah, she was going to be pissed and he was looking forward to seeing the fireworks. It had been so long since a woman stood up to him. Not that she was a woman.

Kaulder went to bed with a smirk on his face and excitement coursing through him.

NRNRNR

Arielle was chatting with a customer when the bell over her door rang. She spared a glance then felt her nerves and annoyance spike. Kaulder strolled in, dressed in black cargo pants and a dark grey, long sleeve shirt. He didn't even look her way. He walked over to the paranormal section and browsed. He actually browsed. She wanted to throw something at his head.

" Okay, so you'll call me when that book comes in" Arielle focused her attention back on her customer. He was a little old man who was ordering a rare book for his wife. Arielle smiled and nodded.

" Of course, Walter. I should have it by the end of the week." She said.

" Thank you. I can always count on you." Walter patted her hand before he hitched his shoulders and dug into his pocket. " I forgot to give you this." He pulled out a small package and handed it over.

" What is this?" Arielle asked with a surprise.

" Homemade fudge. My Missus made it fresh last night." Walter said proudly.

" Tell her thank you for me! I look forward to your anniversary dinner. Kiss Ruth for me." She said, holding her treat against her chest.

" Will do." Walter grabbed his cane and hobbled out.

Once the door to the shop closed, Arielle turned her attention to Kaulder. He was holding a book and reading it. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure they were alone then went back to his book. Arielle had her hair pulled up into two little buns on the top of her head. Some strands of her hair had escaped so she blew it out of her eyes.

" Can I help you?" She huffed. Kaulder smirked.

" You actually have books on witches. That's funny." He said as he continued to read.

" Why? I have all types here. I even have books about giant asshole men who think they can go and harass anyone they want." She said sweetly. Kaulder chuckled, closed the book and faced her.

" I'm buying this one. It was just starting to get good. The male character was going to pierce the female with his massive cock." He said as he walked towards the counter. The lights flicked, making Arielle stand up straighter. Kaulder stopped walking and tilted his head to watch her. " Is there a problem?"

" It's an old building. Our lights flash when it's windy." She defended.

" It's not windy." He countered. At the same time, a gush of wind swept down the street, making him smile again. " Now that's cute."

" Why are you here again?" Arielle asked. Kaulder placed the book and his hands on her counter.

" Well I wanted to make sure you didn't pick up anymore kids." He said as they stared at each other.

" Why are you really here?" She asked.

" Maybe I wanted to see your friendly, pretty face again." Kaulder was a natural flirt. He couldn't help it and for a witch, she wasn't bad looking. If she was human, he could even see himself picking her up and taking her home for a little fun. But she was a witch and he didn't trust her to not pull something when he was right at the moment where he would be the weakest.

" Can we not play games?" Arielle snapped.

" I like your style. Right to the point." Kaulder said. Arielle popped her eyebrows up and shook her head.

" If you like people who get right to the point then may I suggest you get to yours?" She asked.

" Alright. Something about this place has been bugging me. I sense old magic here and I want to know why." Kaulder said as he leaned forward. He made a show of slowly looking her up and down and when he got to her eyes, he smirked again. " And I sense it all over you." This time he straightened up. " Now why is that? You can't be more then what...29?"

" You sense it because this building has been in my family for years. We bought it and have passed it down. My so many great uncles and aunts have owned and worked here. Some even lived upstairs like I do. And you sense it on me because of this..." She reached into the neckline of her shirt and pulled out a necklace. It was a little silver chain with a ring on it. " It was my mother's. And her mother's and hers before that."

" You have an answer for everything." Kaulder said.

" When it's the truth, it's easy to tell." Arielle said. Kaulder and her continued to stare at each other for a few more tense moments, both frowning. Kaulder broke the spell first.

" Well...I am buying this book. I like to shop local businesses." He said with another smirk.

" I guess it's my lucky day."

She snatched the book from his hand and moved to her computer. Kaulder planted his hands on the counter again. He watched her as she went through the menus to get to the screen she wanted. She turned the book over and scanned the bar code. She barely looked at him when she said the price. Kaulder handed over the cash and accepted the change. She placed the book in a bag and handed it over with a nasty smile that made him grin.

" Have a nice day, Sir. And please, never come again." She said. Kaulder laughed and took the bag from her.

" Now that's not nice and it only makes me want to see you again."

" Oh I can't wait." She said.

" I just bet you can't." Kaulder said.

NRNRNR

He was at home when his current Dolan showed up, a few days later. 36 Dolans, that's what he had had. They all stayed with him until they were old enough to retire. He cared about each and every one of them but this one, Kaulder felt more close too. They had been through a lot in their time together. He wasn't ready for it to end. He never was.

" And how was your vacation?" Dolan asked. Kaulder was making them a drink at his bar. Bourdon for him, soda water for his Dolan. The old man sank down in his favorite arm chair and accepted the glass when Kaulder passed him.

" It was good. I found a book store, bought a book and read it." Kaulder sat down on the couch and took a long drink.

" That sounds nice. Any broken hearts in your wake?" Kaulder chuckled but shook his head.

" Not this time. I took a break from breaking hearts too."

" Well that's good. Are you ready to meet your new Dolan tomorrow? He's quite good, I think you will like him." Dolan explained. Kaulder took another drink so he didn't have to reply right away. No, he wasn't ready. He was never really ready but this time it was harder.

" You took an oath to serve me, you know." He said.

" But not until I die. I'd like to enjoy what life I have left." Kaudler nodded and smiled.

" We have had a great run. You really want to give it all up?"

" Something tells me I won't be giving it up much. You need to be nice to this one. He's the youngest Dolan you have had." Dolan said pointedly.

" I'm always nice, what are you talking about? I resent that comment." Kaulder said, making his friend smile.

NRNRNR

Arielle made sure all her curtains were closed before she began her spell. She dimmed most of the lights, choosing only to keep her bathroom light on and that door open. In front of her was a small bowl filled with herbs that she had ground down. They were simmering in water. the bowl was being held over a small open fire she used her magic to contain. Arielle held her hands over the bowl, closed her eyes and muttered the words that were spoken for hundreds of years...

Warmth and power started to swirl inside her. It started in the middle of her body, swirling around for a few seconds before it burst out of her. It even blew her long hair back from her face. She rocked back and forth from her spot on the floor, she muttered louder and louder. More power shot through her fingers and went straight into the bowl. It was only when she went the warmth leave her that she opened her eyes.

She let the fire go out then picked up the bowl. Arielle blew a little bit of steam after then carefully drank the potion she had created. This was a potion she made once a year. It was always on her birthday, always at the midnight. It muted her powers, kept her hidden from those who were looking for her. But tonight wasn't her birthday.

Something had been happening to her, something she didn't understand. And it had been happening since Kaulder's last visit to her store. She felt her power flare to life, the ones she kept controlled. It shot out at her and flashed through the building. The worst part, it did it in front of The Witch Hunter. He felt it. She could tell by the look on his face. He let it slide though. He didn't question her. But since that visit, there had been other slip ups.

Books flew off the shelves. Things moved on their own. It rained for no reason and suddenly. And stopped just as suddenly. Thoughts people had would randomly enter her mind. Someone at a coffee shop was complaining how their throat was hurting only to be surprised when it stopped quickly. The potion would help her regain control of herself.

She could never let herself come into her full power. If she did, she would be hunted. A war would begin and she didn't want to be the cause of it. She only allowed herself to have access to a few of her powers at a time. It was for the best for everyone, not just those around her but for the world. No one knew what she really was, not even her closest friends. She would never risk them.

Arielle sat the bowl down and sighed. This would work, it always had. She would get her control back and everything would be fine, right as rain. She stared at the bowl for a long time, her thoughts a mess in her head. Was it him? Had he caused the spike? She had heard that it happen. A few witches would experience a power flare up when he was around. She assumed it was because of the fear he brought to their kind. Maybe the fear pulled power out. Whatever it was, she couldn't afford that. It had been days since he came to see her and she hoped his interests had been pulled away from her.

NRNRNR

Kaulder and his new Dolan, number 37, went over the book his cursed Dolan had with him when he had been attacked. There was blood finger prints on certain words. Remember your death. It didn't make sense to Kaulder. Why would he need to remember his death? And how could he? It was 800 years ago.

After cornering an old witch at his place of business, Kaulder was not at all surprised to find out there was one witch who could help him. One who was known to be able create the best potions around. He knew she was not going to be happy to see him. Not that he could blame her. She seemed to hate him more than the average witch.

" Are you going to go in there?" 37 asked. They were sitting in Kaulder's car, across the street from Arielle's book store.

" Not yet. Not when she has customers." He replied.

" So we are just going to sit here and watch her? Like stalkers?" 37 asked. The left side of Kaulder's lips lifted in a small smile.

" Stalker is an ugly word. I prefer...doing my research. Watching and learning." he said.

They stayed there until she closed. The store had been busy so she must not have been paying attention to what was going on around her. He knew the exact moment she realized he was there. She stared out the glass door and frowned, damn near sneered. He couldn't help but smirk and chuckle to himself. She locked the door, grabbed the chain blocked and pulled it tight. She backed up, still staring, until she reached the back of the store. Only then did she turn and disappear into the darkness.

" That's your cue." Kaulder said, holding up money to 37.

" To do what?" The young man asked.

" To go home. You're not ready for this part."

NRNRNR

Arielle felt him following her. She tried to lose him. She didn't want to lead him to her friend's bar. Chloe would KILL her. But he kept the pace. He stayed back enough but no enough that she didn't know. She could feel his eyes burning a hole in the back of her neck. When she couldn't take it enough, she ducked into an alleyway and waited until he entered it and walked so far down. She spun around and glared at him.

" What are you doing?" She snapped. Kaulder held his hands up to show her he wasn't going to hurt her.

" I need your help." He said, taking slow, measured steps towards her.

" and just what makes you think I will help you?" Arielle took the same steps back to keep the distance between them.

" Because if you help me, you will help an innocent man. And I know enough about you to know you would never left an innocent get hurt." He said.

" You know nothing about me." Arielle snapped. A brick wall hit her back, making her jump. She was trapped. There was nowhere to go from here. She tensed as he came to stop just inches before her. Arielle had to lift her head to look up at him.

" I won't come to you if I didn't need the help. Please. This man, he is my friend. My Dolan." Kaulder said quietly. That seem to get her. Her shoulders fell and she sighed. Her eyes shifted away from him and she shook her head before she looked back at him.

" What happen to him?" Arielle asked.

" Someone cursed him but before they did, he left me a message. I need to remember my death and I can't do it without you. He doesn't have much time left. I need to save him. Please." Kaulder said. Arielle rubbed her lips together but nodded.

" Alright. I will help you but we have to go to my friend's bar to do so. I need your word that you won't be a dick. And that after I help you, you will leave me alone." She said. Kaulder raked a hand down his face and before he could think, he placed his hands on the wall on either side of her head. The movement surprised her. Her eyes flared and she tensed again.

" Why are you so scared of me? You are more scared then most are, I can see it. I can feel it. You have broke no laws so you know I would never hurt you but every time I see you, you are scared. You try and hid it from me but you can't. What are you hiding?" He asked softly. She shook her head slowly.

" Nothing." She whispered. " Can I have your word now?" Kaulder stared into her eyes but they gve nothing away.

" I won't be a dick but I'm not sure I can stay away from you." He admitted without thinking. Her sharp intake of breath brought him around. He frowned and seemed to realize how close he had made them. He dropped his hands and stepped away from her. He ran a hand over his bald head and looked away from her. Arielle was holding her breath. " Lead the way." Kaulder said.