A/N: Excuse the short chapter, but I've been very busy this week.

The Toll

Everything has its own price: some greater, some less.

"Catfight! Mrow," Lu Xun grinned, clawing the air with three fingers. "That annoying blondie is setting up the brunette."

"Shhh! Do you want them to hear us?"

"Who do you think's gonna win?"

Jiang Wei scrutinized the two women, "The brunette. I think she's planning…"

Eat this, you…

Yue Ying stood up and strode to the bewildered author, her light, olive scarf floating to the floor.

Courage, do not fail me, I pray… I have never in my life dared to do anything like this.

Gently but firmly, Yue Ying pulled Zhao Yun against her, feeling his breath brush slightly against the curve of her neck. Caressing his face with light fingers, her lips met his. Pent up longing broke free and raced through her soul, a glowing passion dusting her cheeks pink.

"Wha…"

Surprise flitted across Zhao Yun's face when his editor, usually quite placid, drew him into an embrace and she began kissing him. Who could have blamed him?

Okay…

Her warm body pressed against his, the feel of her silky, auburn hair brushing ever so lightly against his collarbone, her soft lips touching his… A quiet desire invoked deep inside and he allowed himself to touch his tongue to hers, before breaking away.

"Not now," he whispered into her ear.

"You…"

Alisa closed her eyes, lashes thick with mascara. The blade of an Antarctic cold ripped through her warm, tender heart. With another twist of the icy hilt, the strings of warmth and humanity broke.

Yue Ying… I swear on my life, I will make you suffer your entire life for this. The ends of the world are not far enough, not when I, Alisa Windrof, am determined to make you pay…

Alisa stood up stiffly and walked to the door. There was a certain kind person she needed to find.

"Did you see that?"

Jiang Wei rolled his eyes, "No, really… But I am a bit surprised. I half expected them to break into a verbal cat-fight."

Lu Xun stood up, stretching. Jiang Wei glanced up at his friend. "Hey, where're you going?"

He cracked his knuckles and grinned back, "On MSN."

Zhao Yun sat across from Yue Ying, clinking his coffee spoon in the mug. Sheets of loose paper lay scattered on the table, a taller stack of similar sheets set off the side.

"Ying, what was that about? A wild dare, an irresistible impulse trigger by my exceptionally handsome looks?" He chuckled at the latter.

She dropped her gaze to the mug of tea in her hands. Perhaps the impulsive and wild side of her had gotten the better of her.

"I'm sorry," was the mumbled apology.

He touched her hand lightly, propping the spoon on the table with the other hand.

"Yue Ying, it's fine. No lasting damage done. But next time… Warn me before hand."

"Seer Draginda's Clairvoyant Services. Magical ingredients available here…"

The dusty shop window was filled with an assortment of bizarre objects ranging from the intriguing to the downright questionable. A clear, crystalline sphere rested on a faded, blue cushion, flanked by what appeared to be dried flowers. Pushing the door open, Alisa stepped inside. Dust motes danced in the late-afternoon light before falling upon the coated floor. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Alisa rubbed the bridge of her nose and shook out her long hair from the confining hat.

"Here, fair maiden. What brings you to my shop…Miss Alisa Windrof?"

Alisa froze stiff, and then relaxed. Flashing her most beautiful smile, she tossed her head in a spray of gold. Heels clicking against the floor, she started towards the wizened woman.

So she isn't a charlatan, which is good. This Draginda woman has powers.

"I need something. Something powerful and with malignant powers."

The crone's dark eyes glimmered back at her, through the curtain of silvery hair. Without breaking the gaze, she reached under the ancient table and brought up a covered tray. Malicious spite flashed in Alisa's eyes, and she moved to uncover the tray.

A powerful hand clamped down upon hers, the eyes of the old woman glinting dangerously. Strange, how such strength could come from one as old as the aged witch woman. Getting the message, Alisa withdrew her hand, letting Draginda take off the velvet cover.

That one… It looks just like the one he has.

Translucent jade gleamed icily at her, the simple disc emanating with a discreet, but deadly power. Faintly carved words appeared to shimmer, sliding from blue, to green and back. Her fingers reached out to touch the pendant, but quickly drew back when a bony hand rapped her knuckles painfully.

"Put these gloves on before you touch anything in this tray, ere you curse yourself, silly woman." Seer Draginda raised an eyebrow with sarcastic intrest. "So you want this little bauble… It won't come cheap."

Tossing her hair in annoyance, Alisa replied, "I don't care. Whatever your price is, I can pay it." She leaned forwards, "But this…curse must work."

Draginda held up the disc and let the dim light dance upon it.

"Who do you want to have this?"

Alisa smiled, malice twisting her pretty face into a dark sneer.

A/N: Well, that is the end of this chapter! Expect the plot to get stranger, and for some extreme OOC ness. I have a fairly odd idea, which I don't think has been done a lot, for this story. Heh, Alisa Windrofis getting to be quite the spiteful one, eh? She is so odd that it's fun writing her. Don't worry, Jiang Wei, Lu Xun, and many others will be in soon. Please tell me what you think, and until the next chapter!