If I wasn't already a freak of nature... "Do you really think the Witch Hunter is the one who messed with the wards?" Binx asks watching me from the kitchen counter. I shrug with a sigh and say "It's my only lead at this point so until I find him and ask..."

Binx snorts and says "And you think he's just going to admit it? Eris... you and I both know you're better than that." I snap at him and say "Okay, you tell me then! What do you think I should do??" Binx's eyes flash for a moment before saying "Go hunting."

Okay... maybe he has a point. Instead of sitting around and waiting for the others to find something, I should go out and find the b.a.s.t.a.r.d myself. I give him a look and walk off to my room. I need to be ready for tonight.

When the crescent moon is high in the sky, I grab my keys and walk out of the house. Once I was far enough downtown, I park the car and step out in my little black dress. I pull my umbrella out of the trunk and lock the car.

My nails were all freshly painted black as I flip the black umbrella up and over my shoulder. I keep it closed as I walk through the busy street filled with the smells of delicious food, jazz, and the laughter of people who've had a little too much to drink.

When I feel magic, I turn to find a Voodoo priestess watching me from the front of a local bar. We nod to each other as I continue on my way but when a feeling suddenly hits me, I come to a stop. I turn and look back to find the beautiful woman still watching me.

She raises her chin at me with a knowing look and turns to walk away. I silently accept the invitation and follow after her. After a few turns, we come to a small shop located a little further off the main strip tourist are normally found.

She looks back to me once more before walking into the shop. I walk up to the door and stop short when I feel the strange but powerful magic seeping from the shop. I s.h.i.+ver at the feeling before gritting my teeth.

I walk into the shop to find the priestess standing behind the counter with a small smile on her face. "What is it you seek, Sha?" Her dark eyes twinkle in knowing as her beautiful dark skin catches in the low light, almost as if it's glowing.

I pull my magic close to me as I walk further in and say "To be honest, I got a feeling while pa.s.sing you.." I quickly look around her shop before looking back at her. She gives me a knowing smile as she says "You have many things you seek and have yet to find but I get the feeling you are in search of another."

I blink and let my brain wrap around what she just said before slowly nodding my head and saying "Yes but I also what to ask you something." She leans her lean hip against the counter as she says "What is that, Sha?"

"Have you or your people been attacked by a strong unknown... thing?" I ask trying to ignore the odd magic trying to creep up my back. It wasn't trying to attack me, just inspect. Her eyes watch me with a serious look before saying "We have but it has disappeared. If this is what you seek, you should just turn back and go home, Sha."

I frown at her answer and press her as I ask "Do you know what it is? Do you have a way to track it??" She turns around and goes to walk away but I quickly reach out and grab her wrist without thinking.

Her dark eyes snap to me and for a split second, I could have sworn I saw them turn completely black like bottomless pits. I quickly pull my hand back and apologize as I say "I'm sorry... this thing is killing all the fae and it even seems to be attacking your kind. It killed my mother and I believe it has my father and brother... I have to find this thing."

She looks at me differently this time before saying "You have it all wrong, Sha. You don't have to find this thing... it will find you. I believe you are the one it's looking for and the beginning it seeks. It's time for you to leave. Now. Oh, and I will look into the one who helped your mother."

Ehh!!? I want to ask her what she means but a strong force is suddenly pulling me out of the store! The door swings open as I stumble out on the street. As soon as I look up, the door slams shut and the dark curtains fall, blocking me out.

I walk up to the door and start knocking as I say "What did you mean? I need to know what you know! I won't cause problems for you, I promise! Please!" A powerful shock suddenly zaps my fist, causing me to quickly step back. I rub my hand and shake it out as I internally curse her out.

Complete waste of time! I turn around and look around the empty street with a sigh. Might as well start here... I flip my umbrella back up on my shoulder and this time I open it. I spin the umbrella on my shoulder as I walk down the empty street filled with a cool breeze and dark shadows.

As I walk, I look up to the clear sky and start humming a haunting tune. 'The beginning it seeks' ?? What had she meant by that? I know this thing is after me but... what beginning? And is she talking about the person who helped my mother gather things for the protection spell around the house? Why? As I pa.s.s under a streetlight, the light suddenly flickers.

I come to a stop and continue to hum as I slowly smile. It looks like something has come out to play...