Adrian stretched, glancing around the unfamiliar room. He tried to sit up, but moaned when he realized he had a hangover. "How much did I drink last night?" he groaned.

"No more'n me, but apparently you can't hold your Russian liquor."

Adrian looked up to see Molnija offering a cocktail glass with something that didn't quite look like breakfast foods. "This early in the morning?" he asked, accepting the glass.

Molnija shrugged, silk robe slipping off her shoulder. She didn't bother to fix it. "Best cure for a hangover is more alcohol."

He grinned, sipping the drink. It wasn't strong, and the bite of alcohol was completely masked by whatever she mixed into it. He felt the hangover migraine dissipate. "There's more than just normal drinking stuff in here, isn't there?" he asked suspiciously.

She nodded. "Splash of rum, splash of vodka, splash of peach wine, bit of chocolate sauce, bit of caramel sauce, mixed and topped off with apple cider. Oh, and a touch of magic, to ease it along." She sipped at her own drink.

He glanced at the glass in his hands. Taking a sip, he detected all of the flavors she listed off, somehow mixing harmoniously. Must be the magic. "What did you specialize in?" he asked.

"Haven't you figured it out yet?" she asked, amused. "I specialized in Spirit, Rian. Just like you."

"Huh." A few of the things she'd said the night before finally clicked. "You knew?"

She shrugged. "Yeah. But I could see you aren't bonded. So the darkness... it sticks to you. Your aura... it's almost as dark as that of a Kissed person." Her eyes glazed over, as if she were seeing another world entirely. "It's kinda scary, actually. She seriously broke you, didn't she? But you have to admit... you do know she's not the one for you. She doesn't truly understand you... nor do you her. And that's what's important."

"Yeah. Doesn't stop it from hurting, though." Adrian was sullen at the turn in conversation.

Molnija noticed and snapped out of her reverie. Grinning, she sat cross-legged on the couch next to him. "So. What can you do?"

He grinned at her understanding and turned to face her.

XxXxX

That was how Anastacia found them when she came in several hours later. "You two are drunk," she said bluntly, as soon as she came in the door.

"Not drunk," Molnija responded immediately. "Slightly buzzed, perhaps, but not drunk. We're just having a good time, Natsya. Y'know, like we used to in those bars back before you got married?"

Anastacia stuck her tongue out at her friend. "Do you think Cass would come down here if I called him?" she asked, slightly unsure.

"Cass would get on the plane as soon as you said where you were," Molnija said dryly. "The boy is whipped."

"He is not whipped!" Anastacia responded immediately. "We're married, Neej. It's what married people do."

"Uh, no. What 'married people' do is avoid each other at all costs and have sex once every four to six weeks. You two mate like bunnies. I'm surprised you don't already have a brood."

Adrian burst out laughing. "That's cold, Nija."

"But true, which is why you're laughing."

Adrian laughed harder.

Anastacia plopped down in the armchair, cracking open a soda. "What're you two drinking?" she asked.

"My special anti-hangover brew," Molnija responded.

Anastacia looked at Adrian. "You know there's compulsion in that, right?"

"And healing," Molnija said, wounded.

"You can do that?' Adrain asked, amazed.

"Yeah. It's really easy. The compulsion makes you forget about the pain and the healing actually makes the pain go away. It takes a bit longer, which is why the compulsion's there to keep you from thinking about it."

"That's really clever, actually," Adrian said.

Molnija grinned at Anastacia.

"Whatever. Oh-" Anastacia reached into her pocket. "Summons from Lissa, for the both of you. In about an hour. I'd suggest you two get cleaned up."

Molnija unfolded herself from the couch. "Fine. I'll go get dressed. And I was hoping today would be a lounging day," she said as she sauntered to her room. "See you there, Rian?" she called over her shoulder.

"Of course," he responded.

Anastacia stopped him as he turned to leave. "Be careful with Nija," she warned.

"Why is everyone telling me that?" Adrian snapped.

"Because. She's different. Did she tell you about what she can do with Spirit?"

"Yeah..."

"Did she tell you that she's an empath too? That dark emotions energize her? Did she tell you that's why she spends so much time hunting Strigoi, because their hatred and anger and... darkness can keep her energized for the longest time?"

Adrian was silent.

"Didn't think so." She stood as well. "Just... be careful, Adrian. Not because you're dangerous... but because she is." She turned and walked to the window, pulling out a cellphone and dialing.

Well? What do you think of this little budding romance? Review, and let me know! Thanks for reading!