A/n:bows: Arigato tomy reviewers!

Night Market

'--------------------------------------------------------------------

Anzu sat up and looked around through sleepy eyes.

This was definitely a different room.

Malik was sound asleep next to her, looking rather childlike cuddling his pillow and she couldn't help but giggle at how cute he looked just then.

She slid out of the bed to find herself back in the clothes she'd worn to the nightclub.

How long had she been asleep?

She looked around curiously at her new surroundings.

They were subtly elegant in nature, mostly black and garnet with dark wood furniture that included a cherry wood writing desk.

The closet was covered by garnet silk curtains, as was the bed she had just stood from.

It wasn't until she opened the door that she realized the room was in complete darkness and she smiled to herself.

She'd always wondered if vampires could see in the dark.

Torches lit the long hallway on the other side of the door and she wandered slowly into another room.

It was large and well lit though not very decorated and she realized instantly that she was in Egypt, Malik's subterranean house to be exact.

She was looking around, allowing her eyes to adjust to the brightness of the room, when a deep voice startled her.

She looked up to see Rishid sitting on one of the couches, apparently reading an old book.

"Good evening Anzu."

She smiled nervously.

He spoke softly and stood, quietly approaching her as he set the book on the small table in front of him.

"Come sit down, I'm sure Malik will be up in a moment. Are you adjusting well?"

She looked into his eyes and nodded as she sat with him on the same couch.

"I think so. I just woke actually but I feel okay."

He smiled.

"It may take a few more days to completely change but you're a strong girl."

She looked away suddenly.

"How long have I been asleep?"

He sighed and rubbed his eyes out of tiredness.

At Malik's request, he had stayed up the days she slept to make sure she would be alright.

"Five days. Malik and I were becoming concerned actually, you see he was sick for a few weeks when he first turned and we were afraid you would be too."

She shook her head.

"I feel fine. Are you…"

She wasn't sure how to finish that question but he answered her non the less.

"I'm too old to live forever. Too used to afternoons in the spring. So Isis and I watch over our little brother."

Anzu was startled by the soft voice in the direction she had just come.

"Baby brother has grown up a little Rishid, I'm only eighteen but I can take care of myself. I appreciate your concern though."

He then set his eyes on her and smiled warmly.

"Come to me love."

He reached out his hand to her and she ran to him, throwing her arms around him.

He closed his eyes as he wrapped his arms tightly around her and breathed in the gentle perfume in her hair.

"I love you."

Rishid caught the two lovebirds attention as he stood.

" I believe it's time for dinner…"

Malik nodded and looked into Anzu's eyes, gently placing a finger under her chin.

"Tonight you will watch me feed. We'll go to the Night Market but I must warn you that nothing is as it appears to be there and danger may lie in the most handsome eyes in the desert."

She smirked and teased his neck with a finger.

"Than I'm in a great deal of danger already because I cannot imagine eyes more handsome than yours."

He closed his eyes and kissed her deeply.

"Let's go."

'----------------------------------------------------------------

An hour later they were wandering around arm in arm and Malik denied her nothing.

He bought her silk clothes and gold jewelry, ribbons and perfumes, books and pens.

For one hour he lavished on her and his eyes never strayed a second from her.

This was bliss…but it wasn't to last.

An agonized scream pierced the cool night air and all in the market froze for they knew what that sound meant.

Malik was thankful that he had sent Isis and Rishid back home to take Anzu's new things, but wished he'd sent her with them.

He pulled her behind him and backed them against a wall as he cautiously swept the area with his eyes.

Anzu's frightened voice caught him off guard and he turned to her.

"Malik, what's going on?"

He sighed deeply and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly and whispering softly.

" There is a man here who steals fledglings. They often become his slaves for a few months before he kills them."

She gasped and he tightened his grip on her, gently kissing her hair.

"That won't happen to you as long as I'm with you. Never wander here without Rishid or myself."

He spun around as he heard a voice behind him and hissed.

"Malik…that's no way to treat a good friend. I'm sorry, did I intrude on dinner?"

Malik relaxed slightly and pulled Anzu back into his arms and into the light.

"Actually this is my wife. Anzu, my friend Demetrius."

She smiled timidly and placed her hand in the outstretched one before her.

He smiled and kissed her palm.

"Your beauty surpasses even your husbands description. Pleasure meeting you Anzu."

He released her hand and smirked at Malik.

"Good catch lad."

Malik chuckled slightly and nodded.

"Yes she is."

Demetrius face went pale suddenly and he grabbed Anzu, pulling her against him.

Malik glared but his face grew just as pale as he suddenly sensed the evil behind him.

He spun around to be face to face with the horror he'd just spoken of.

Anzu jumped slightly as he let out a low growl and swiftly stepped back to her.

"She's mine!"

The darkly robed figure only stepped forward and from under the shadowing hood that covered his face his eyes began to glow a deep red.

Anzu was caught by them and began to step forward but Malik stopped her.

"No! Anzu, snap out of it!"

The figure reached out his hand to the completely hypnotized girl and she reached out to take it.

Demetrius dashed forward and attempted to punch him while Malik grabbed Anzu and threw them both to the ground.

She still didn't wake from her trance as he got to his feet to see Demetrius land in front of him.

"I've chased him off for the moment but he's still got control of her, I can feel the tether."

Malik nodded and kneeled next to her again, lifting her into his arms.

"I shouldn't have brought her here tonight."

Demetrius stopped him as he leaned down over her neck.

"That's dangerous Malik, if you take too much you can kill her."

Malik looked up at him, fighting tears.

"What other choice do I have? That man that screamed Demetrius…he screamed because he just found his lovers body! I don't want to be that man!"

Demetrius stepped back and looked away.

Malik looked into Anzu's lifeless eyes and tried one more time to wake her from the trance but she never responded.

He gave a sigh and closed his eyes, plunging his fangs into her neck.

She screamed suddenly as the spell was broken and sat up.

She looked around trying to focus on anything but her vision was a blur.

He held her closely as she began to shake.

Her voice was weak and she clung to him.

"What just happened to me?"

She closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Demetrius looked down at her for a moment.

"Take her home Malik. She needs rest."

He nodded and stood.

Picking her up he silently ascended into the night air.

"Try to sleep love, I'll explain it later. We're going home now."

She was silent but he knew she heard him.

He could feel her pulse racing through her and he began placing feather soft kisses on her neck where he had bitten her.

It calmed her and put her into a light sleep.

As he landed on the doorstep he looked down into her serene face.

"I'm so sorry."

Rishid and Isis looked up in concern as he passed them with a solemn look on his face.

He entered his room and gently placed her on the bed.

Sitting next to her he took her hand and kissed her softly.

He closed the door as he left.

Isis was standing by it and stopped him.

"Malik, is she okay?"

He closed his eyes and nodded, choking back tears.

"I almost lost her to him tonight Isis. He almost took her away from me. He's got to be stopped before he breaks someone else' heart!"

He wiped at his eyes in vain and was startled as he felt Isis wrap her arms around him.

"It's alright now. Come into the living room and let her rest. I'm sure she'll be fine in a while. Have you eaten?"

He shook his head.

"I didn't even try to find someone. I thought it would be better to wait. He killed another one tonight…her lover found her. He screamed like he had been murdered. I shouldn't have brought her back so soon. She could be in danger now because I was selfish."

She shook her head and led him into the living room.

"No, there was nothing wrong with you wanting to come home. You've relied on us most in your life and it wasn't easy for us to see you go for a whole year."

Rishid smiled reassuringly at Malik as they walked back into the room.

He dried his eyes and smiled back at him as he and Isis sat on the couch opposite him.

For the next hour they sat in near silence as worry weighed down his heart.

'----------------------------------------------------------------

As Isis had said, Anzu woke shortly.

Now he had to explain what had happened and he could find no easy way about it.

There was something he needed to tell her but he wasn't quite sure how.

Isis and Rishid had both retreated to their rooms to leave the couple alone.

Anzu now sat curled up in his arms; her head resting in his lap as he softly brushed his fingers over her hair.

"Anzu…are you feeling okay?"

She took a slow, deep breath and nodded.

"Tired is all."

He stared into her face and smiled sadly.

"I have to tell you something Anzu…and it's not going to be easy so I just want you to understand."

She looked up into his eyes and nodded, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

With the other she reached up and rested her palm softly to his cheek.

He smiled a little more and did the same.

"This really doesn't effect you much, or have anything to do with why he might be doing this but…the man who tried to take you from me, his name is Andrew Markesh and…he turned me just a little over a year ago."

She sat up and stared into his eyes.

"You mean it's your master that's doing this?"

He chuckled slightly and nodded.

"You've watched too many movies Anzu. We don't have masters…but yes he is the one who made me this way. Took pity on me I suppose."

She watched him closely, suddenly realizing that he was shaking.

Crystalline tears welled up in his eyes and he shut them to keep it from spilling over.

He jumped as she brushed them away softly.

"He was a good friend wasn't he?"

He took a deep breath and nodded.

"I've known him for six years. He was like a father to me but now he's corrupt. I have to kill him Anzu. That's the only answer."

She looked worried.

"You're not going to try and find him are you!"

He nodded and looked into her eyes.

Gently brushing his thumb across her cheek he spoke softly.

"For the next five nights Rishid and I will go into the market to gather information and possibly a hunter. I can't let him take you from me Anzu. I love you too much to let you go like that."

She shook her head frantically.

"What if something happens to you!"

He sighed and stood, not wanting to look into her eyes.

"Than Rishid or Isis will teach you and you will continue to live here…but Anzu…"

He turned to her, a fire burning deep within his eyes.

"I will come back to you alive, I swear it to you."

She looked aside and closed her eyes giving a sigh as well.

"There's no backing you out of this is there?"

He kneeled before her and kissed her softly before taking her hands.

"It's fight or loose you…I'd rather die fighting than let him kill you. There's one big difference between those other men and I…I will hunt him down and kill him myself to save you."

She looked into his eyes and gave another sigh.

"Be careful Malik…I don't want to go on if…"

He stopped her and stood.

"Don't ever talk like that! I gave up everything because I love you and you will go on without me if I don't return…but in the name of Ra I will! He's not impossible to kill…just to find."

She stood and rested her hand on his shoulder as he turned from her again.

"I'm sorry Anzu, I didn't mean to yell at you I just…you don't know what I went through to find you."

He turned to her and she held close to him as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head.

"I'm sorry Malik, I just don't want you to go."

He looked down into her eyes and smiled suddenly.

"Come with me."

He took her hand and pulled her outside.

He slowly lifted from the ground and pulled her with him.

The moon was only a sliver in the sapphire sky as he glided higher.

"I'm going to teach you to fly."

He pulled her higher into the night until the air became cold.

"It's cold up here."

He smirked and kissed her softly.

"Don't worry, we won't be here long. I just needed a few feet."

Her eyes widened as he let go of her.

Her heart raced faster and she reached out to him, screaming.

"Malik! Don't let me fall! Please don't let me fall!"

She closed her eyes as he flew down and caught her.

She held tightly to him as she caught her breath.

"Please don't do that again, I was so scared!"

He kissed her deeply and held her tightly.

He slowly lowered, almost to the ground and again let go of her.

"I'm sorry Anzu. Now open your eyes."

When she did she saw him standing in front of her and blinked in confusion until she looked down.

He smiled, a gleam in his eyes.

"Four feet three inches. Now come with me. Just will yourself up."

She looked up at him as he ascended higher into the sky.

"Malik, I'm scared. I don't want to do it alone!"

He gently descended to her and kissed her, taking her hand.

"You pull me. Come on Anzu, I know you can do this. It's a little like playing duel monsters, you just have to believe you can. Don't you trust me?"

She gave a nervous smile and nodded.

"It's myself I don't trust."

He floated around behind her and held her tightly, whispering into her ear.

"Close your eyes, I won't let you fall. I know you're scared…I was too at first but you'll like it once you get the hang of it."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly.

"Okay, just think up, right?"

He laughed warmly and kissed her ear.

"Think no fear, then up."

She willed away her fear and slowly began to rise through the night air.

She opened her eyes as he let go of her and dropped a few feet when she saw how high up she was.

But then she saw his smile and for the rest of the night they twirled and danced.

When the first rays of dawn began to creep over the dunes Anzu suddenly stopped and smirked, letting Malik catch up to her, and gave him a quick kiss.

She touched his cheek gently and looked into his eyes.

"Catch me."

And closed her eyes letting herself fall backward.

For a moment he was afraid he wouldn't be able to but at the last second, just inches from the ground he caught her, heart pounding and out of breath from fear.

He was about to scold her but she kissed him again as she wrapped her arms around him.

He looked into her eyes as she opened them and smiled softly.

"I love you Anzu."

She gave a sleepy smile and rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her back home.

"I love you Malik."

By the time he reached his bedroom door she was sound asleep and he kissed her forehead as he gently set her down.

He watched her for a few moments after covering her and gave a contented sigh as he lay next to her and held her closely.

As he too drifted off into a peaceful sleep, he began to worry about what the next week would bring.

'It is difficult to leave you so suddenly after only recently finding you, but to protect you from that monster I will give up my own life if I must.'