It was like a strong wind blowing, the disturbance felt by all; a distinct shove announcing the arrival of another into the universe, one that must be quickly sought out and destroyed. It was an instinctual call felt by all those who were Lamiae, the need growing like an unquenchable thirst demanding they start the hunt.

Closing her eyes, Helaina tapped into the bond between her and her sisters, searching their collective knowledge to see if anyone had laid eyes on the disturbance. The male witch needed to be found before the consequences were felt by creature and human alike. None had laid eyes upon him yet and so the search began. Using the telepathic bond that formed between all Lamiae, the few scattered in the region closest to the disturbance divided the land into manageable search areas.

With her orders received Helaina began her quest. The only thing that would satisfy the thirst would be for one of the tribe to feast on the witch's blood, drain him dry and absorb the magic that threatened to be unleashed upon the world into their collective life line.

There was a certain satisfaction that came from performing the kill yourself and Helaina was hoping that this time would be her rite of passage. No longer viewed as a child she would be a warrior in her own right, a first kill would cement her status as a hunter and earn her the respect of her peers, all of whom had already made their claim and sacrificial offer in the name of their sisterhood.

Using her inhuman speed, she began to comb the country side, listening and smelling the air for any lingering trace of the magical wave that had rocked the world. All traces were faint and hard to pin down; the magic exuded still to fresh and new to pack a real punch, but it was coming. Male magic grew at an impressive rate which was one reason it was so dangerous. The Lamiae believed the covens were becoming too smart to let their mistakes live; the males often killed at birth to help stop them from exposing their craft to the mortals that seemed to be over populating the world, crucifying those who were different and magical. This soul had been allowed to live and most likely left on his own. There would be no one to protect him from the hunting pack. Helaina smiled, it would be too easy, all she had to do was track him down.

The muffled thud caused Gretel's eyes to snap open, her hand desperately searching for Hansel's until her fingers coiled tightly around the lax hand. Shooting to attention, her focus narrowed in on the terrified man sprawled out in the dirt next to them. She immediately turned to the troll so casually standing over them as though he hadn't abandoned the group in their hour of need.

Her sleep fogged brain failed to produce the question of clarification that she needed to voice before Edward leaned over the stranger, pointed to the three hunters huddled together and snarled, "Heal."

The man's wide eyes sought out Gretel's but she had no words for him, being in the dark about what was transpiring as much as he was. He trembled in the wake of the troll's forceful voice but made no movement. Edward leaned even closer; his face mere inches from the man and reemphasized his point. "Heal them." The troll's hot breath tingled against the strangers face and the man clutched the black sac in his hand tighter before giving a short jerky nod.

Satisfied that he made his point, Edward took a step back allowing the middle aged man to crawl towards his friends. The man went to Ben first, unwrapping the hastily bandaged head to examine the wound buried beneath. Gretel watched warily, tightening her grip on Hansel's hands as she watched the stranger the troll had brought tend to her friend. Seeing that Ben and Hansel were in no immediate danger from the intruder she launched to her feet, a frown passing over her face as muscles still not recovered from past abuse shuddered in pain.

"What the hell Edward!" she shouted, getting right in his face. "Why did you leave? Where did you go? And who the hell is that?" The questions tumbled out of her mouth with the force of a series of well placed blows. A part of her was relieved that Edward had returned, that their group was whole and in the face of the strange and weird it was a small comfort but the feeling of abandonment, of loneliness that had surrounded her last night needed to be exercised.

The troll's stoic features took on a small twinge of remorse but he didn't back down in the face of her despair. His massive finger pointed to the stranger he had brought, "Doctor." It was simple answer that somehow mitigated some of the betrayal felt from the night before.

"Where did he come from?" she asked, somewhat warming up to Edward again. Gretel had thought the worst when she watched him walk away without an explanation. Maybe seeking help hadn't been his intention upon leaving, perhaps having a change of heart along the way but whatever transpired to produce this outcome, the gesture was appreciated.

Edward cocked his head to the side. "Next town over."

"I thought you said we couldn't go to a town?" She looked expectantly at her companion. Edward was crafty in his own way and capable of warmth and humor that most would never take the time to unearth behind the unconventional exterior. This was clearly a situation where he knew more than he was willing to let on.

"Gretel," croaked Hansel, panic setting in when he didn't have eyes on her rather a stranger with something foul smelling in his palm.

Gretel turned, moving over to where Hansel lay, leaving the question unanswered in the wake of more pressing issues. "I'm here. I'm right here," she soothed, kneeling next to him and grabbing his hand as it blindly fluttered over the ground.

Hansel twisted his head out of the doctor's grasp to get a good look at his sister. Her smile was genuine and bright despite the cuts and scrapes that marred her face. "What happened?"

"Is he alright?" Gretel asked ignoring her brother's pressing question.

The doctor looked warily at his captor, fear of the troll evident in his face. "I can't see anything wrong," he replied, "your other friend on the other hand…"

"Anything you can do for Ben would be appreciated." Her words were warm but forceful and filled with sincerity. The man nodded and moved back over to his first charge.

"What's wrong with…" the words died in his throat as Hansel followed the doctor with his eyes, finally catching sight of the unconscious friend beside him. He snapped his head back to Gretel, an untamed fear dancing in his pale green eyes.

Gretel's stomach rolled. How was she going to explain something she didn't understand? He wanted to know what happen and the truth was she did too but even after time to replay what happened over and over again in her head, she had no explanation. Hansel was always the strong one, the one who put on the brave face even when things were hopeless. To see him panicking, absolutely terrified her.

Hansel closed his eyes and swallowed hard as again no answer was forthcoming from Gretel. "It's my fault, isn't it?" The words sounded so small as though spoken by a child and not a fierce hunter of witches.

For all that she had witnessed, what transpired the other day, she couldn't say what actually happened but somewhere deep in her soul she instinctually knew the answer. "It wasn't your fault." The lie comforted neither of them and like sand through their fingers the sense of completeness and peace that had enveloped them since coming to terms with their heritage fell through their fingers.