Author's Note:Bless all reviewers, great and small! Since there are not many of you, and the chapters are short, I feel free to take the time and space to say thanks to all of you individually so here we go:
CloudxInxCrimson – Stop it with the finger waggling, I'm going as fast as I can!
Gerfan – So when are we going to see some of your original work?
Breanna Senese - I repeat, go read the book!
Brosia - So my short chapters are torture? (Runs off to go tell Erik about wonderful new torture idea) P.S. bribery is highly effective
Daewen98 - Welcome to the group! (Sighs as yet another voice is added to the small but determined mob outside chanting, "Update! Update!")

Disclaimer: I own the beginning and ending author's notes, the disclaimer, Bera and Vadoma so I guess that's something. Still, when you consider that I don't own Erik or Christine, it just doesn't seem quite right.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep."

Robert Frost

With a sigh, he reached for his cloak, wishing only to return to the heartrending music that had so suddenly ripped through his soul. Its painful beauty seemed to call to him from the darkness of the night itself, beckoning him to follow through the wild winter storm. Even now its echoes rippled endlessly across his mind. Yet the old gypsy woman had sent for him and the music would have to wait until he had repaid his debt. As his feet drifted into the starless night towards the healer's tent, it seemed as though the relentless refrain grew louder with ever step through the deepening snow.

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Vadoma glanced up as Bera appeared in the entrance of the healer's tent. He stood for a moment, adjusting his eyes to the flickering light. The room was heavy with the smoke of incense to sooth the souls of the three who were barely clinging to this world. She regarded him carefully, asking her silent questions, and he nodded silently before moving to stand beside where the girl lay.

"I wish I knew her name," he whispered softly as he smiled gently down at her. "I wish I knew who she is, and why she is here."

"She is here because you brought her here," The wise woman answered sagely. Bera glanced up at her as if he had forgotten she was there before nodding once again and turning back to the girl. "And she is who she is," she whispered a faraway look in her eyes. A faint breath of wind gently brushed past her face and she returned to this world with a frown. "You come at a grave time, Nightwalker."

Bera turned slowly around to see the dark man who had slipped in the tent silently as death itself and now stood, his burning eyes now locked onto the sleeping form of the girl. Her struggled breathing the only sound in the room as the three regarded one another. After a moment on tense silence, Bera stepped away and allowed the stranger to approach the girl.

Enshrouded in a midnight cloak, he seemed no less threatening within the gypsy women's tent but rather seemed to draw unseen power into himself. His white mask the only relief from the darkness he carried with him. As he bent down to examine the comatose girl, it caught the light strangely, almost as though the flames danced across his face.

He seemed to stare at her face for a long moment, listening to her uneven breathing, and watching as the sweat slowly trickled down her temples. With an unconscious grace he gently reached out and felt the gentle pulse at her throat. Seemingly satisfied he carefully moved his hand towards her face. As his hand past her lips, she sighed deeply. He froze instantly, his entire body going rigid at the touch of her soft breath upon his gloved hand. Bera watched cautiously as he forced himself to reach up and check her eyes, tenderly lifting each lid to inspect the pale jewels they hid.

When he was done, he stood and turned to the waiting gypsies. Deep in thought, he stared into the distance, occasionally nodding thoughtfully as though communicating with unheard spirits, his eyes hooded behind the mask. Finally he squared his shoulders, apparently ready to speak, when a gentle moan from across the room stopped him.

Moving quickly Vadoma rushed to the side of the redheaded girl but she had already left the world and entered into the night. Bowing her head solemnly over her chest, the older woman said a quick prayer for her soul before turning to the two men. "Death gathers for their souls. He will come quickly." She glanced to the two remaining sleepers who were slipping ever deeper into oblivion before turning her gaze to the other who still carried a spark of hope. "She must not remain here this night. She is not strong enough to fight the spirits. He will take her when he comes."

The silence in the room hung heavily for a heartbeat before the shadowy man with the burning eyes whispered, "He is here."

AN: Well, my fabulous four, what do you think? With any luck, someone else will review this soon so I know if this story is really any good or if it just appeals to a select group. A wonderful and kind group, but selective just the same.

Please Review!