The next two creatures they visited where not at home. At the second house, the one of the Lifestealer, the Crystal Maiden scrunched her nose. "Maybe it's better he isn't there. His house looks creepy enough without him."

It did, Lanaya thought. She put her arm around Rylai's shoulders, tugging her against her body as they walked back to the griffon. She wasn't open with her affections but as long as no one was around, she felt free to touch the gorgeous woman by her side as often as she wished. Rylai smiled up at her and the Assassin pulled her half mask from her mouth to give her a soft kiss.

That was when the door behind them opened.

"What a nice surprise." The Lifestealer growled, making them jump apart, Lanaya switching into her battle stance within a second. "What did I do to deserve the honour of your visit?"

Rylai was motionless behind the Assassin for several seconds. She couldn't hold it against her. The Lifestealer wasn't the most beautiful of creatures and in front of his ugly house it wasn't any better. And the Maiden knew that this was someone she stood absolutely no chance against in a fight.

But, brave as she was, she cleared her throat and took a few steps forward. "We wish you a happy Halloween. Trick or Treat." Her voice was steady though Lanaya knew that she was shaking, only a little bit, with fear.

The Lifestealer crept forward and sniffed at Rylai. She didn't move away and it didn't look as if the creature was threatening her. The Assassin was nevertheless ready for anything and would have pushed her out of the way if he had tried anything.

He looked up at her and snorted. "You want sweets. From me."

"Um…" Rylai stammered. "or Trick."

That made him laugh. "I'd be very curious to see how that would look like but don't worry, I won't make you embarrass yourself in front of me. I'll get you something." The something was toffee in different shapes and flavours. "Careful, it'll make your teeth stick together for hours if you eat too many at once. Have a nice day."

"Wow," Rylai shuddered as they were sitting on the griffon, "that was really creepy. But he was extremely nice, don't you think?"

"Yeah, and I only wonder a little how he knows that one's teeth stick together after eating too many toffees."

The Crystal Maiden laughed. "Imagine him, his mouth full of toffees and he can't get his teeth apart."

It definitely was a funny thought.