Chapter Three:

“I don't think you know where you are going,” Aidan said stiffly as he looked around to make sure they weren't being followed.

Falon rolled her eyes. This was the tenth time Aidan had criticized her sense of direction in just a few minutes. “I know where I am going. I'm just making sure we are not being followed. Now, will you please stop saying that.” Falon approached a tree, placed her hand on the trunk, and leaned against it. She was tired, in pain, and this Fae was getting on her nerves. She closed her eyes to get her breathing under control.

“No one is following us,” Aidan said not noticing how pale Falon was or how tired she looked. All Aidan was thinking about was how he wished she would take her hood off again so he could see her dark red hair. Aidan shook his head anger filling him. He needed to get a grip. There was no reason for him to be this attracted to her. She was a Human. Aidan was so lost in his thoughts that it took him a minute to notice that Falon was leaning weakly against the tree with James standing next to her. “Are you all right? What happened?” He asked as he approached her.

“Yes, it's nothing. Just need to catch my breath,” Falon said, trying not to let the pain show in her voice. She was going to have to lay down soon if she wanted to regain her strength.

Aidan came to stand in front of her. It was then that he noticed the paleness of her skin and the sweat that had formed on her brow. He slowly brushed a stray piece of hair out of her face. “You're pale. Very pale.” He looked her up and down trying to find any sort of injury. The only reason for her to be this pale was that she had an injury and had lost a lot of blood. Guilt filled him as he thought about when she had saved him. He closed his eyes as he pictured it in his head. If he wasn't mistaken he had cut her on her left lower side. Aidan opened his eyes and started to push back her cloak. He needed to look at her wound so he could see how much damage he had done. Damn he felt like a complete idiot for hurting her. She had saved his life and he had repaid her by stabbing her.

“What are you doing?” Falon asked as she pushed his hand away. She was not in the mood for this Fae to try to touch her. She had enough feelings flowing through her without him manhandling her. She couldn't imagine what it would be like if he did touch her.

“Let me see,” Aidan said as he looked into her eyes. Looking into their depths made him feel like he could do anything. It made him feel like happy endings could exist. Looking into them made him want to believe in a future that couldn't exist. That would never exist.

Falon looked away breaking the spell that he seemed to hold over her, the spell that made her want to believe in something that wasn't real. She had dreamed long ago of a man who would make her world a better place, but it had all been a lie. A beautiful lie. There was no such man and there were no happily-ever-afters. Falon shook her head and tried to forget the feelings he was causing within her. It was as if he was bringing her hardened heart back to life. He was making her believe in the lies they tell you as a child. The things you want to believe will come true, but deep in your heart you know they won't.

“I am fine. Besides, I do not let men that I don't know examine me.” Falon said with a slight smirk. “Especially if I don't even know their names.” She was growing weaker. She needed to get her side dealt with properly, and she needed to get away from this Fae. Maybe it was the loss of blood that was causing her to be so confused. So drawn to him. Yes it was just the loss of blood. It wasn't anything else. Falon looked at Aidan again and when their eyes met, she knew she was in big trouble. If this was Fate's idea of a joke bringing her together with a Fae then Fate had another thing coming. She would never give into these feelings and she would never give into this Fae. “Listen, the caves are just a little further. I will be fine until then.” With what little strength she had left, she pushed herself away from the tree and continued on. As she walked she looked over her shoulder at James and Aidan. “You two coming? Or are you just going to look at me like I'm crazy?”

“Coming.” James said as he hurried after her. “I'm ready to see my family.”

“I'm sure you are. I promise they are safe. Goldy would have gotten them to safety.” Falon patted James on the shoulder then hurried ahead.

Aidan came to walk beside her. He was impressed by her strength and determination. She was unlike any woman he had ever met before. “Aidan.”

“What?” Falon asked, confused.

“My name is Aidan,” he said as he helped her over a fallen log. Aidan was stunned when she didn't pull back from him. “You really are not feeling well, are you?” It was his fault she was in pain. She had saved him and he had repaid her by attacking. True, it had only been a reflex, but that did not excuse it.

“I will be fine.” Falon walked a little more then stumbled. Aidan grabbed her arm and steadied her. She knew he was about to say something so she spoke first. “Your name. I like it.”

Aidan looked at her with his eyebrows scrunched, but he didn't say anything about her stumbling. “Thanks. I like Falon.”

Falon nodded and then looked over her shoulder at James. “You all right back there?”

“I'm fine. Just worrying. How much longer?” James asked as he caught up to them.

“Just a few more minutes. So, do you like it?”

“Like what?” James asked trying to understand what she was talking about. For most of the trip he had been lost in his own thoughts about his family and not paying attention to their conversation. Of course, most of the time all three of them had been quiet. The few times they had spoken, it was usually the Fae asking if Falon was lost.

“His name. It's Aidan. I like it. Come, we are almost there. It is just on the other side of those bushes.”

She felt herself get dizzy as she bent down and entered the entrance to the cave that was hidden behind the bushes. Her dizziness caused her to be unprepared as a hand shot out of the darkness, grabbed her by the throat, and slammed her against the cave wall. Falon felt pain shoot through her side then her weakness set in, causing everything to go black.

“Get your hands off her!” Aidan yelled as he grabbed the dark figure from behind and threw him away from Falon. He turned and saw Falon hit the ground and lie still. Anger filled him as he turned back to the figure. No one had the right to touch what was his. The thought came from nowhere, and Aidan tamped down on it immediately.

“Aidan?” Cale asked as he pushed himself up off the ground.

“Falon!” Ariana yelled out as she hurried over to her friend, who was laying motionless on the cave floor. “Falon, look at me.” She rolled Falon over so that she could see her face. As she looked at Falon, she realized how pale she was. Ariana heard Cale's friend come up behind her, but she didn't take her eyes off Falon, “Come on. Look at me.”

“Move.” Aidan grabbed Falon's friend by the waist and moved her out of the way. He then knelt next to Falon. “Wake up,” he said as he patted her face with his hand. When she didn't stir, worry filled him. He quickly pushed her cloak aside and looked down to her side. He should have forced her to let him see her wound earlier. What if he was too late? No, he thought, shaking his head. She was going to be fine as soon as he took care of her. “Cale, do you have your pack with you?” He looked down at her side and felt his blood run cold. A lot of Falon's blood had seeped through the makeshift bandage. “Cale?!”

He grabbed his pack and hurried over to Aidan. “Here,” he said as he knelt next to them. “I did not mean her harm. I was just protecting those with me.”

Aidan grabbed the bag and spoke with out looking at Cale. “I know. It isn't you that hurt her. You just added to the problem,” he said as he pulled out some medical supplies. He quickly cut away Falon's corset so he could get to her wound before pushing up her shirt and tending to her wound. It only took him a few minutes, but he knew it would take much longer for her to regain her strength. She had lost a lot of blood, but not as much as he had first thought. The bandage and the corset had kept her from losing too much. “We need to get her somewhere dry and safe. She needs rest,” Aidan said as he pulled her shirt back down and wrapped her more securely in her cloak. He didn't want her to get a chill on top of everything else.

“Will she be all right?” Ariana asked as she knelt down next to her friend. She brushed a lock of hair out of her face. “She's so pale.” She shook her head as Falon's words from earlier entered her mind. Falon had said that she always seemed to get hurt when Ariana had visions. Ariana thought about it for a moment and she realized that Falon was right. Ariana sighed sadly and looked down at her friend. Why couldn't she be a seer like the ones from the past? Why were her visions always so confusing.

“She will be fine with rest,” Aidan said as he looked at the blond woman next to him. “Who are you?”

“Ariana,” she answered with a small smile. She knew that her vision may have gotten Falon hurt, but she also knew without a doubt that the Fae looking at her was Falon's mate. He was the only one who could ever truly get to Falon's heart.

“I'm Aidan. You are a Witch?”

“Yes.” She stood, watching as Aidan lifted Falon gently into his arms.

“How did a Witch and Human become friends?” Aidan asked as he looked around the cave. He noticed that James had been reunited with his family.

“It's a long story,” Ariana said with a small smile.

“Very well. Listen, she needs somewhere safe to rest.” He looked down at Falon. For some reason, he really enjoyed having her in his arms. It just felt right and familiar. It felt like a dream he had held onto for so long.

“This way,” Ariana said as she headed deeper into the cave.

“It will be too cold for her in there. We must go somewhere else,” Aidan said as his grip tightened on Falon. He kept telling himself that the only reason he was worried about her was because he was the one who had hurt her. It was a very logical response. Yeah keep telling yourself that, Aidan thought with a grimace.

“Trust me. I would not do anything to make her worse. She is my best friend,” Ariana said sweetly. “We must go further in the cave.”

Aidan nodded, then followed Cale and his mate. Ariana. He needed to remember that name. It would be rude to just call her Cale's mate. Aidan saw Cale look over at Ariana as she gave his friend the most loving and charming smile he had ever seen. His heart suddenly tightened as he thought about Falon looking at him like that. For some reason, he longed for that, or for just a smile from her that would break the walls around his heart. “Damn fool,” Aidan said under his breath. He cleared his mind from such silly daydreams. He was a Fae bounty hunter who had given up on finding a mate years ago. He was not about to start having stupid feelings for a Human woman who couldn't stay out of trouble.

“Pardon?” Ariana asked as she heard Aidan mumble. This Fae was very different from Cale. Cale was more open and light while Aidan seemed to hide a dark side. Maybe he wasn't the best one to have around her friend. Falon needed some light in her life, not more darkness.

“He mumbles to himself. You will get used to it,” Cale said as he came up and put his arm around Ariana's shoulders.

“Falon does that as well. Usually when she is aggravated.” Ariana's smile faded, “She will be fine, won't she?”

“Yes.” Aidan said as they went deeper into the caves. After a while they came to a dead end. “I thought you said you knew where you were going!” he yelled.

Falon woke up to realize two things: one, she was in Aidan's arms and two, he was extremely angry. Funnily enough it was the first fact that bothered her the most. Just the feel of his arms holding her body against his was sending pulses of electricity throughout her whole body. “Can you put me down?” Falon asked, her voice not much more than a whisper.

Aidan looked down, frowning when he saw how pale Falon was. “No. You need to rest.”

Falon tilted her head at him in confusion. She was about to say something when Aidan's friend spoke up.

Cale stepped in front of Ariana, “You will not raise your voice at her,” he said his jaw clenched. Cale knew that Aidan was angry, but he didn't understand why. They had been in similar situations before and Aidan had never acted like this, especially not toward a female. So why was he acting so weird now?

“Why are you yelling at my friend?” Falon asked with a frown, looking up at Aidan. No one had a right to yell at her friend but her. Falon almost chuckled at the logic of that thought, but she contained herself.

“Because she is incompetent,” Aidan said not looking away from Cale and Ariana. How could she had led them further into the cave with nowhere else for them to go? Was she really that stupid of a Witch?

“You should not have said that.” Ariana said softly as she looked at Aidan with a grimace. This was not good.

“Why no-” Before Aidan could finish his question he was flying backward across the cave and hit the wall. What the hell had just happened? Aidan thought as he shook his head and looked up from where he had landed after hitting the wall.

Falon hit the floor as Aidan flew backwards. She hissed and grabbed her side. “That was a bad idea,” she winced as the pain engulfed her. It took everything in her not to give into the darkness that wanted to claim her.

“Falon, you need to think before you act,” Ariana said as she came to her friend's side.

“Yeah, yeah,” Falon muttered through clenched teeth. “Help me up.” She was finally able to regain her breath and push the darkness aside and with Ariana's help, she stood on shaky legs. Falon looked to where Cale was helping Aidan off the floor. She smirked as she saw the bewildered look on Aidan's face. Maybe now he would be more hesitant about yelling at Ariana and calling her names. She would never let anyone talk to Ariana like Aidan had.

“What was that?” Aidan asked as Cale helped him up. He shook his head trying to clear it. He hadn't felt that much power in a long time.

“That was you angering the wrong woman,” Cale said trying not to laugh. His friend looked truly confused.

“Falon?” Aidan asked as they walked over to the girls. Why would Falon have thrown him across the room when she had been in his arms? Was she that stupid? “Falon!”

“What?” she snapped. She squared her shoulders and gave Aidan a look that dared him to continue his conversation, as Aidan spoke, Falon knew that she apparently needed to work on that look some more.

“What were you thinking?!” he yelled as he got in Falon's face. He was surprised when she didn't flinch or back down. It had been a long time since someone had stood up to him like this. He had a habit of even making Cale back down from time to time and Cale was his friend. Why was this Human woman not scared of him? What made her so special? Did she not fear anything? Maybe it was that she was to dumb to fear him. Yeah that made him feel better. Maybe this stupid attraction would soon disappear.

“I was thinking I don't like people insulting my friend. Now if you would have given her an opportunity she would have shown you the way out.” Falon moved away from them all slowly and placed her hand on the wall. With a few words the wall opened up to reveal a hidden room.

Falon turned and glared at Aidan not saying anything, but her eyes told him how angry she was and how stupid she thought he was. Great now she thought he was an idiot. Aidan rubbed the back of his neck in frustration.

Cale watched as James, his family, Falon, and Ariana went into the room, “I think you have met you match.” Cale said with a laugh.

“Stubborn woman,” Aidan said to himself as he followed the group in. He was amazed when he stepped into a large room. Aidan looked around and saw that off to the side were open doors leading to more rooms. Why was there a place like this in a cave? “Why is this here?” He asked as he watched James light a fire. “What is this place?”

“It's a place to rest and hide,” Falon said as she slowly sat down in a chair. She felt the tiredness and pain all the way to her bones. She leaned her head back. She could use a good nap, but she knew she needed to get defenses up. After that she would be able to rest. Falon was about to stand up when Aidan came over to her. Falon let out an annoyed sigh. She was really not in the mood for him right now. A part of her wanted his comfort, but the other part wanted to snap his head off and she knew the snappy part would win out.

Aidan's anger left and concern replaced it as he saw Falon wince, “Let me see if you did anymore damage to yourself,” he said.

“I have had enough of your help. Thank you very much.” Her voice showed her anger. She refused to open her eyes and give Aidan the satisfaction of seeing the pain. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? Why had Fate brought him into her life? Stupid Fate.

“I'm not the one who hurt herself because she didn't use the brain in her head. Now let me look!” He said getting aggravated. What was her problem? He was just trying to help her. Aidan stopped for a moment and thought about how he would be reacting if someone had insulted his best friend. Aidan's eyebrows scrunched together as he realized that Falon was actually not behaving too awful considering the circumstances.

Falon stood up, ignoring the pain and the dizziness that was causing her to lose her balance. “Push through this,” she thought as she got in Aidan's face. “I don't have many friends and I don't allow anyone to insult them. I protect what is mine,” Falon said.

Aidan could not help it when his lips curved at the edges in a ghost of a smile. He admired her spunk and fire. He also loved it when her brown eyes seemed to take on a red tint. “You don't fear me. Do you?” Aidan's smile faded and shock took it's place as he realized that this mere Human woman didn't fear him, when some of the most powerful beings of this world did.

Falon scoffed, “No. Should I?” She asked with a sarcastic tone.

“Possibly,” he said as he got even closer. It would do her some good to fear him. He watched as her lips quirked up in a quick smile, but it was soon gone, as her face grew ghost white and her eyes closed.

Falon couldn't help the small smile that spread across her face, but she knew it faded quickly. As she stood there she thought about commenting, but the the room began to sway and the darkness again tried to claim her.

Aidan watched as Falon swayed and her knees gave out. He quickly scooped her up in his arms. “Cale!” Aidan yelled as he hurried her into another room.

“Do you always shout?” Falon asked with a smile before everything went black.

Aidan looked down as Falon went limp in his arms. His heart tightened as he saw the color leave her face. She looked like a ghost, she was so white. “Cale!” Aidan hurried over to one of the beds and gently laid her down. He brushed a piece of hair out of her face. He felt her forehead and knew that she was suffering from a fever. She was going to need some medicine to stop the spread of any kind of infection. Aidan cursed himself as he realized he hadn't even thought of that earlier. She was probably going to need a new bandage considering she was bleeding again. Aidan lifted her shirt and looked at the bandage. He was about to remove it when Cale came into the room with his bag.

“I am here. Let me look at her,” Cale said as he tried to get to Falon.

“No, I'll do it,” Aidan said not wanting anyone else to look at Falon. He couldn't explain his jealousy and right now he did not care. All he cared about was making sure Falon was all right.

“Aidan, I have more experience with healing. Let me help her,” Cale said softly. Aidan had met his mate. Cale wondered what Aidan would do once he came to the realization that Falon was his mate. He would probably have a heart attack considering his mate was a Human and one that seemed to get into a lot of trouble.

Aidan finally relented and moved away from Falon. In his mind he knew that Cale was a much better healer but he still had trouble moving away from her. As Aidan looked around the room, he saw Ariana's worried face peeking in through the door. He couldn't help but smile when Ariana spoke.

“She always has been stubborn. She doesn't think before she acts. She also hates getting help, as much as, she hates showing any kind of weakness.” Ariana wrapped her arms around her waist as she watched Cale work on Falon. “I'll fix every one something to eat.”

“Cale is a good healer. She will be fine.” Aidan cleared his throat, “And I apologize for earlier. I should...”

Ariana held up her hand to stop him, “Don't worry over it. Just look after Falon for me.” Ariana walked out of the room. Instead of focusing and worrying about Falon, he listened as Ariana and James' wife spoke to one another. He was shocked when she let her and Falon take the blame for what happened in the bar, but not as shocked as he was when she offered James and his family a new home. Aidan had been wondering what he was going to do with them, but had not come up with any ideas. Aidan continued to listen hoping for anything of value to hold onto. He didn't know where Falon's home was or what it was. If a Witch was living with Humans peacefully than it was definitely an odd place. In most places Humans were seen as dirt scum, but Ariana treated them as her equals. She had definitely been raised differently or maybe it was having a Human for a best friend. Maybe it had been Falon who had changed her way of thinking. She was definitely screwing up his way of thinking. Aidan lost himself in his thoughts as he stared at Falon. He stopped listening to Ariana. Why did this Human have such a pull on him? Aidan stared at Falon until Cale came over to him.

“She will be fine with some rest. She is one tough Human,” Cale said as he looked at his friend. “I'm going to go get something to eat. Would you like me to bring you something?”

Aidan nodded yes and went over to Falon's side. He sat down in the chair that Cale had brought over. He didn't know how long he sat there just staring at her when Ariana entered the room and brought him back to reality.

Ariana entered the room and she smiled as she saw Aidan sitting next to her friend. “I brought you something to eat.”

Aidan looked at Ariana and took the bowl out of her hand, “Thank you.”

“You do have manners.” A soft voice said from the bed.

Ariana looked over at Falon. “He is not the only one who has forgotten about manners,” she said with a small smile, “I will go get you something to eat.”

“Not right now, but thank you,” Falon said weakly.

Ariana looked over at her and nodded. Falon watched as her friend disappeared into the other room, “she is right, I have been rude.” Falon closed her eyes and sighed.

“I noticed you didn't apologize,” Aidan said with a smirk. He had not expected one, but it was fun to tease her. Again Aidan wondered what was wrong with himself. He had never been the teasing or playful sort, but something about her changed that. He wanted to bring a smile to her face, a smile that would light up those dark brown eyes.

Falon opened her eyes and looked at Aidan with a small smile. “I don't apologize, but I'll try to do better.” Falon went to push herself up, but Aidan stopped her.

“You should rest,” Aidan said. Most people, let alone, a woman would not stand up to him. “You lost a lot of blood.”

Falon chuckled, “I have been hurt worse than this.” She slowly sat up. She closed her eyes pushing the pain out of her mind. When she opened her eyes she could see the worry on Aidan's face. “It has been a long time since some one has worried about me,” Falon said not knowing if she liked him worrying about her or not.

Aidan frowned as her words penetrated his brain. Worried. Was he worried about her? No, he wasn't worried. Because if he was worried, it would mean that he cared for her, even if it was just a little. “I am not worried. If you want to injure yourself further than that is your business,” he said his voice harsh and cold. He wasn't worried about her, some Human. Why would he be? Aidan hardly ever worried about Cale so he wasn't going to worry about this stupid woman who didn't know how to take care of herself. Some woman that in a few days he would never see again. Aidan's gut tightened at that thought. He didn't like the idea of never seeing her again.

Falon looked at Aidan and wondered what was going through his head. “I'm glad you aren't worried.” Falon slowly stood up, but with the loss of blood she swayed a little. “Push it aside,” she thought. She would rest once she knew everyone was safe for the night.

“You are being an idiot. You must be out of your mind if you are already trying to get up,” Aidan said harshly as he grabbed her arm and steadied her.

“Possibly, but there's much that needs to be done. I'll rest once I know everyone is safe for the night.” Falon closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Once she knew she was steady she pulled her arm away from Aidan, “Thank you for your assistance.” She left the room leaving Aidan staring after her.

“I don't care if she bleeds to death. I don't care. Stupid woman,” Aidan said to himself, but even as the words left his mouth he knew they were a lie. He was worried about this woman and he didn't know why. In his mind images of her kept invading his thoughts, so he put his bowl down and hurried after her. “Let me at least help you,” he said as he came over to her leaning against the wall.

“Thank you, but no. I have to push through it. I'm stronger than this,” Falon said closing her eyes. She imagined herself healing if only just a little. She normally could not heal herself like she could heal others, but she was able to give herself more strength. After a few minutes she felt strength go through her body. It would only last a few hours, but that would be enough time to set up the defenses, then she would rest. Of course it would leave her more tired than if she just regained her strength naturally.

“You have grown very pale,” Aidan said as he brushed a piece of hair out of her face. “You should lay back down.” Maybe a new approach on it would help. Maybe if he suggested, instead of demanding it would help.

“I will, once I have the defenses up.” Falon opened her eyes and gave him a small smile. “Go eat. I'll be back shortly.”

“Of course it didn't work,” Aidan said as he threw up his hands and watched as Falon walked through yet another secret door. Before he could follow Ariana came up behind him. “She is stubborn but she knows her own strength. She also takes her job of protection very seriously.”

“How will she put up defenses? She is a Human not a Witch or Fae,” Aidan asked as he turned towards Cale's mate. She really was pretty, but not as pretty as Falon. Plus she did not have as much fire. Aidan shook his head in aggravation. This was ridiculous. He should not be thinking of Falon like this. Nothing could ever happen between them. Fae could only ever be with their mates and his mate was long gone.

Ariana tilted her head and looked at Aidan. “She has a Witch's stone that she wears around her neck.”

“A Witch's stone?!” Aidan asked in a shout, “Where did she get one of those? All of those were suppose to have been destroyed a thousand years ago.”

“Where she got it is her business,” Ariana said with a raised eyebrow. “and there is no reason to yell. If you have something you wish to take up with Falon then do it with her not me. I was just answering your question.” Ariana then walked off holding back her smile until her back was to Aidan. She wondered how much longer Aidan was going to fight the inevitable.

Aidan clenched his jaw and fists then walked out of the secret door. He was going to have a lot to say to Falon once he saw her. Aidan swore under his breath as he thought about Falon using a Witch's stone. They were stones that contained the power of dying Witches. Any wearer could call on that power and use it but they were made for Witches not Humans. Aidan hurried through the tunnel that had been behind the door. He just knew that he was going to find Falon passed out or dead. Witch's Stones took a lot of strength and they weren't meant for Humans. “I can't believe Falon has one of those? And that she is using it to put up the defenses!” Aidan though as he finally came to the end of the tunnel.

Aidan stepped out into the open air and looked around for Falon. Finally his eyes fell on her sitting on the ground, her back to a tree, her breathing labored. “Are you all right?” Aidan asked as he came closer to her.

“Fine,” Falon said not opening her eyes.

Aidan knelt in front of her and pulled out her necklace. It was an orange stone on a sliver necklace. “This could kill you!” He yelled.

Falon took a deep breath trying not to lose her temper, “there is no need to shout, I am not deaf.”

“No, but you are lacking in intelligence. Those stones should not be used by a Human. Especially one who is in your condition. These things were made for Witches,” he said with a growl as he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.

Falon opened her eyes and tilted her head to look at Aidan. “I don't understand you. You get angry over the silliest things. I have had this necklace for as long as I can remember and I handle the power just fine. Maybe you should not underestimate me or lump me into the typical Human group.” Falon shook her head and chuckled. She went to stand up, but Aidan stopped her.

“You'll be weak after using that stone.” Aidan said slowly as if she was a child. Why could she not see how weak she was?

“I am not a child so do not speak to me as if I'm one,” Falon said the anger in her growing. “And just because I am a woman and a...Human does not mean that I am weak.” Falon shoved Aidan backwards, but before he fell to far he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down on top of him. He quickly rolled her on her back and secured her hands above her head.

“It is a known fact that woman are weaker than men,” Aidan said as he stared down at her. Every sense he had was alert to the fact that he was pressed against Falon so intimately. Man she was beautiful. Did he really think that he had seen a woman more beautiful than her? What had he been thinking?

Falon narrowed her eyes and before Aidan knew what was happening she brought her leg up and wrapped it around his. She used it to push him over onto his back. Once she had him on his back she put a knife to his throat, “I have been taking care of myself since I was five. I don't need a man or anyone else to look after me.”

Aidan felt the blade at his throat and was impressed, “Not many people get the better of me.”

Falon scoffed, shoved off of him, and stood up. “Listen I am sure you and Cale have somewhere else to be. Why don't you leave?” Falon asked knowing that Ariana would never let Cale go but she could hope. “Come on Fate for once be on my side,” Falon thought to herself.

Aidan stood up, dusted his leather pants off, and Falon couldn't help but admire him. He really was quite attractive. Falon shook her head and began to walk away. She didn't have the time or the inclination to get involved with any one. Her life was way too complicated to involve anyone else in it. Before Falon got to far Aidan had grabbed her, turned her around, and pinned to a tree. “Never turn your back on an enemy unless you know they will not get back up again,” he said his face just mere inches from Falon's. His eyes locked with hers then slowly they moved down until they were staring intently at her mouth. Suddenly the urge to kiss her was overwhelming him.

Falon swallowed trying not to let the closeness of his body affect her, “Are you an enemy?” She asked her voice coming out sounding a little breathless. She wanted him to say yes, but she also wanted him to say no. What was wrong with her? She didn't even know her own mind anymore.

“No,” Aidan said quietly then his eyes locked once again with hers. Falon felt her heart race as Aidan leaned closer to her. She knew he was going to kiss her and she couldn't let it happen. Before she could make up her mind or become even more confused she pushed at him with her powers knocking him to the ground. She laughed as she saw the look on his face, “Sorry,” Falon said with a mock innocence, “I don't know how that could have possibly happened. Especially since I am so weak.” She then smiled sweetly at him and walked back into the cave.

Aidan waited until she was gone then burst out laughing. Cale was right, he had finally met his match. “Well let the game begin,” Aidan thought as he wondered what their next confrontation was going to be like. Aidan smiled, looking forward to the challenge.