Sorry I didn't post any updates for awhile, I do have about 13 stories that I'm currently working on so I won't be updating every couple of days like I used to. It's irritating, I keep getting ideas, but I can only work on so many at a time.

Ch. 10 Bait in a trap

The next two weeks passed quickly for Dorian, Alberich and the other's decided to keep the fact of his being Chosen quiet, they didn't want to scare away the killer. Because of this Dorian could only see Gaven in snatches of time, between classes. Because his gift was more developed from the use he had made of it and the training he had received, he was able to touch his Companions mind whenever he wished. It was something he did often, it was the only comfort he could feel, a break from the cold fear and the waiting, waiting for someone to try to kill him.

He sighed and he leaned against Gaven.

:Scratch the other side: Gaven said.

"Where" he asked.

:Over there, Ah, you've got it:

Dorian grinned, who knew Companions were so hedonistic.

:We earn it: Gaven sighed in bliss as his fingers scratched the itchy spot.

:Besides, you're the one with hands, you realize how inconvenient it is to only have hooves:

Dorian laughed "Well you can run faster on hooves".

Gaven snorted :I guess, there are good points:

Dorian sank into a more serious mood "maybe you shouldn't have Chosen me, if he kills me..." his whisper trailed off.

:Never think that, I won't let it happen:

"But if he does, you'll die too".

:It doesn't matter, even if I knew for certain that to Choose you meant my death, it wouldn't have changed a thing. But it's not going to happen:

Dorian felt warmer as he left, the comforting presence of Gaven as always in the back of his mind.


He watched his obsession as she talked to her friends. It was convenient to be wanted, he thought with amusement. Leila had wanted a ride to visit Lori and here he was with his carriage, very available to help.

He sipped his wine and watched, careful to appear to be looking out towards the garden. He feigned boredom, but kept glancing at the girls from the corner of his eye. He was far enough away that he could only make out the occasional word as they chatted. He smiled slightly, it was so easy. They thought they were so clever, putting the boy out as bait, when they left the true object of his interest out for the taking.

His thoughts turned inward as he ran his plan through it's paces. It wouldn't do to be caught, murder was still punishable by death here, and that outcome was unacceptable.

He had found a man to help him, this man knew nothing and enjoyed the sight of blood, enjoyed killing. For all that the power was Intoxicating, he himself didn't particularly enjoy the kill, at least most of the time. It really depended on the victim.

His man would be taking the next victim, he had figured out how to collect the power from a distance, much safer for him. He still felt uneasy at his near capture at the party. That one was too close and if the boy wasn't as closely watched, he would have considered killing him to end the threat.

He shook his head slightly, that and the fact of their bond. He knew what the breaking of a bond could do, and he didn't want to test what the boy's death would do to him. He wasn't particularly gifted himself, he only felt the boy at close range, but it would do him harm, he could feel it.

Two more weeks, he wished he hadn't set up the schedule to once a month, but the spell was set, it would be pointless to kill in between the slated times. He sighed, at least it would be ending soon, one way or the other.


Dorian bent over his book, he sighed. When was the man going to strike, It was hard concentrating on his history work and he had a test coming up next week, at least they had started him on some of the classes he would need to take to earn his whites.

Two weeks, He wasn't sure he could take it, he wondered what he had ever done to deserve this torture, but then he remembered Gaven, Dorian had the feeling he would never have been Chosen if this hadn't happened.

:That's not true:

He jerked in surprise as Gaven's voice startled him.

:Sorry, I know how tightly strung your nerves are now: Gaven sent, an apology in his voice.

:That's alright, It's my fault. I know they are watching out for me, I really should relax: he sent back to is Companion.

That evening Dorian walked back to his home, for once he decided to take a different route. He signaled Gaven and his Companion passed on his plans. He was walking, lost in his own thoughts when he felt the man's mind. Halting he looked around wildly, this was near his home, the man must be spying on his sister.

Dorian felt the man laughing to himself about how clever he was. He got a flash of Lori's face. Shock ran cold through his spine, the killer had actually seen her. He cast his mind out and started stalking for the faintest trace. There was no way he was letting the bastard have her. In the back of his mind he heard Gaven's panic he flashed a quick explanation to Gaven and jogged towards the mind he was hunting.

He was close when rough hands hauled him back, with a sob, he struggled to get free, but the other was too strong. With a feeling of despair he felt the man getting farther away, then he lost all trace of him.

He turned his head, looking at the man who held him. It was Alberich.

"A fool, I had not thought you" Alberich said softly.

"He was in the house, he actually saw her. I thought she would be safe" he sobbed, tears of anger and fear running down his face.

Alberich frowned "Then perhaps he is seeking you not. Finding the reason we must"

Dorian shook his head as Alberich urged him back towards the palace "We can't leave her what if he comes back".

"Watching her we are, warned her guards are".

Dorian nodded "Alright, what is it you are looking for" he asked.

"Looking at this the wrong way are, taking you to someone you must meet I am" Alberich said, it was all he would say until the found their way back to the palace.