Ivan's POV

"1:53" Ivan muttered as he watched the long arrow make its rounds on the clock opposite his bed. What had begun as an observation grew subconsciously into a ritual as every night he lay awake, waiting for the clock to strike that hour.

The hour.

Sighing, he tugged restlessly at his hair. The clock would undoubtedly strike two that morning but it wouldn't just signal the passing of another dreadful day and sleepless night, but of two guilt stained months since he had been accused of murder. Two months since he last saw Charlotte awake. After her heart stabbing confession, she blacked out and never regained consciousness... 

'You killed me...' He played the words endlessly in his head, trying to decipher her last word... but it was no use. She passed out before he could ask her to repeat it. 

Groaning in frustration, Ivan resigned from the warmth of his bed to embrace the chill of his fourth story window. The small town slept underneath him and he could clearly remember his first night there. It had been spent in the same manner, looking out the same window, haunted by the same guilt, wondering if he could really survive living there for very long. That had been ten years before.  

Shongopovi, Arizona had not been his first thought when seeking refuge. After fleeing the Upper Circles of Hillenia, Ivan sought out large cities thinking that the massive amounts of human aura would help hide his identity but that proved to be unwise. After almost losing his life at the hand of earth dwelling fey, Ivan, with the help of fellow fugitive Elena, began seeking obscure and remote places. Shongopovi was the only one that offered them unparallel safety with an added benefit. Nearby burial grounds shielded their existence from others of their kind while the native people, the Dine, possessed a very different, yet very powerful magic.  

The Dine had been especially weary to offer them shelter. Only after agreeing to have their darkest powers bound under Dine spells and agreeing to teach the Dine what Fae magic they still possessed, were they then allowed to stay. Exhaling sharply, Ivan accepted that his days of safety and anonymity were counted.  

A young woman walked on the opposite side of the street, in and out of the lights provided by towering street lights. With her hands tucked in her pockets, she walked with her head down...but then she stopped. She looked around and with a slight shake of the head, continued walking.  

She stopped again. 

Ivan wondered if she noticed him watching and almost felt embarrassed at his voyeurism, but then, in the inconsistent flickering of the following streetlight, a shadow separated from the night and crept slowly towards her. Ivan rubbed his eyes and focused. He must've been seeing things. There was no way any fey could ever enter Shongopovi without him being consulted first. 

From the moment Ivan arrived at Shongopovi, he had received reports of "lighted creatures" and "solid shadows" lurking just beyond the burial grounds, but they were never able to enter. Only with the blessing of the Dine would they ever be able to set foot into the lands. Without it, no magic wielded could save a fey or any other creature from what ancient magic awaited them. That thought held little comfort as the shadow began creeping across the street in his direction. 

Ivan kept his eyes fixed on the flashing street light, not wanting to give away that he had indeed seen the movement, but it was only getting closer. Had he been free to use his own powers, the ones he knew would disintegrate the shadow, it would not have been an issue...but he was bound.... 

"Crap..." he thought, quickly flipping through his mental catalog of available spells but there weren't any that wouldn't violate his treaty. Nonchalantly stepping back, Ivan turned on a nearby lamp relying on old fashioned light vs. darkness.  

"Boo!" a whisper echoed through the room. 

Jumping back, Ivan knocked into the table and the lamp crashed to the floor. There was silence.  

Deciding that it was either his life or that of the invading shadow, Ivan rolled up his sleeves and brought his elbows together before his chest. A crescent tattoo covered each arm, courtesy of the Dine. Within each half were black symbols composing of Dine spells of protection and defense. Together, they formed the ultimate circle of power and protection. Within this circle, Ivan was safe and was able to use bound magic but only temporarily. 

Like magnets, his arms attached and the symbols burning his skin as they activated. A blue flame instantly shot from one arm encircling his body while a crimson flame came from his other arm, intertwining itself with the first flame.  

Clapping erupted in the darkness. Ivan could feel the shadow behind him but then it materialize into footsteps. Watching the black boots move past him in the blue and red hues emanating from his protective circle, Ivan prepared himself. Seconds later, the lights went on in the room. 

"Bloody hell Ivan! They've turned you into some sort of witch doctor!"  

Ivan paused, letting his eyes adjust to the blinding light and then gave himself a moment to breathe. He didn't even realize he had been holding his breath.  

"Kheelan" Ivan murmured positively "....what are you doing here?" 

The tall blond, flashed his sparkling blue eyes and equally blinding smile, "Is that how you greet your only brother? Behind some pretty rainbow fire?" he asked amused, "Come on Ivan, do you think that's going to protect you?" 

"It has for the past ten years...want to test it?" 

The two men measured one another until finally Kheelan broke first. 

"No need, I was just bluffing" he chukled, walking to a nearby chair. Unzipping his leather jacket, he sat back and laced his fingers behind his head while stretching his legs. 

"What are you doing here Kheelan?"  

"If we're going to talk, could you at least cut out the flames. They're distracting me" Kheelan breathed. Ivan remained hesitant while considering the proposition. Noting his brother's internal struggle, Kheelan stood and pulled up his black t-shirt, exposing his seared stomach. 

"See, I'm harmless" he sighed, pointing at his stomach. Branded onto his abdomen was a Dine binding seal and Ivan could still smell the burning flesh. He shuddered, remembering his own binding. Though the pain was temporary, the burning lingered for weeks.  

Relieved at the sight, Ivan called the flames back into his body. They ropes of fire slowly unlaced from one another and wrapped themselves back into Ivan's arms. Their light slowly diminished until they were nothing but a black ink. 

"That's kind of cool..." Kheelan taunted, "think they'll let me get one?" 

"What are you doing here Kheelan?" Ivan urged sternly, his patience growing thin, "How did you get in? Who sent you? Are you the only one--" 

"Relax, relax, I'm the only one here and I'm doing great, thank you for asking. I've missed you too, considering we're the only family we have--" 

"This is the last time I'll ask--" 

"Elena asked me to come..." Kheelan cut him off. Ivan gazed at his brother curiously then erupted into a sarcastic chuckle. 

"Elena? That's interesting considering I haven't seen or heard from her in two months..." 

Lowering his shirt, Kheelan sat back, "Lovers spat?" he smirked.  

Ignoring his blatant comment, Ivan leaned against the large bay window to face his brother, "So you came because of Elena" he repeated positively.  

"Well, partly yes. She was worried about you and thought maybe you needed someone to talk to that knew....what happened..." 

Ivan turned his back on his brother as the shame revisited him. Living in Shongopovi, no one knew what he had done, except for Elena.....and somehow, Charlotte. With Kheelan there though, it just added to the guilt. No Dine branding could rid him of that part of his being...he was guilty of murder. 

"She also said something about a girl--" spoke carefully as if knowing he approached a sensitive subject. 

"What did she tell you?" Ivan snipped. 

"Nothing" Kheelan raised his hands in surrender "she said it be best if you explained--" 

"Did you mention anything about the girl to the tribe leaders?" Ivan asked, sure there would be serious repercussions if the Dine tribe leaders found out. Not only would he be banned from the town for hiding Charlotte's identity, but Charlotte be banished too. The dangers awaiting Charlotte in the outside world were significant and Ivan wasn't prepared to lose her...not before he knew what she held within her. 

"No, never. There was a little one, Sam I think his name is--" 

"That's the Shaman's son--" 

"Yes, well he didn't believe me when I said that Queen Alastrina had an urgent message for you. Had it not been for Elena being there to argue my case, I don't think I would have gotten in... But aside from him, I convinced the rest" 

Ivan exhaled slowly, still not wanting to relax. How could he? His younger brother from his past life passing the Dine circle...there had to be more. But before he could ask, Kheelan spoke, 

"But I have to be honest with you Ivan...there is another reason why I'm here" Standing, Kheelan paced to his brother, "A very powerful wave swept through Hillenia...about two months ago. It sent the elders into a frenzy. They said such a potent power needed to be found and harnessed otherwise it would consume its host. They have classified her as one of our kind though no record has been found of a changeling bargained in these parts...Queen Alastrina sent scouts to this area shortly after with promises of protection and guidance-- " 

Ivan cursed under his breath. Kheelan obviously spoke of the incidents with Charlotte. He squeezed his eyes, never imagining the incidents from two months before carried such consequence. 

"What do you know about it Ivan...." Kheelan questioned curiously. Ivan leaned forward and rested his hands at his knees. Looking up at his brother, he shook his head slowly. 

Kheelan frowned, "I would never and have never betrayed your trust Ivan--" 

"I know that--" 

"Then tell me what's going on so that I can help you. You won't be able to do it alone--" 

"It's under control" Ivan barked from over his shoulder as he stormed from the room. Sighing, Kheelan trailed his brother into the wide living room.  

"The last time you said things were under control, they didn't turn out so well--" 

"I know how things turned out Kheelan!" Ivan roared, "I live with it every day!" 

"I do too! I was there Ivan! As much as you still blame me for it, I tried to save her life" Kheelan declared apologetically, but it did nothing to ease his brother's guilt. 

"But you didn't! You were supposed to but you didn't!" 

"Ivan...." Kheelan roughly wiped his jaw, trying to calm the angry tremble in his voice "I tried to save her but things didn't turn out as we hoped....I'm sure Maris herself didn't plan on King Xanthus showing up--" 

Mute, Ivan threw his hands in the air, "I don't want to talk about it" 

"Whether you want to or not, you have to accept that you can't hide for much longer. The elders located this great power right above these parts but Queen Alastrina isn't the only one searching for it..." 

"Xanthus" Ivan uttered dreadfully. If matters were severe before, the mention of King Xanthus' name elevated things to deadly. 

"Right. Spies within the Unseelie realms say they are actively searching for it as well...but they're intentions are less than noble" 

"But no one really knows exactly where she is?" Ivan asked, looking for any sigh of the answer on his brothers face. 

Leaning back on the counter, Kheelan crossed his arms over his chest, "So it is this mystery girl?" 

Ivan nodded, realizing he didn't have to do it alone...he couldn't do it alone. With King Xanthus involved, Ivan was sure things would get ugly, fast. As much as he blamed his brother for his misery, Ivan acknowledged that Kheelan never betrayed him and having him as an ally was much more of a blessing than he ever gave him credit for. But most of all, he trusted him and he really needed someone to trust. 

"Her name is Charlotte" he confessed openly, closing his eyes as the next words left his mouth "but she's just a girl Kheelan" 

"A Changeling?" 

"I thought so but it doesn't add up. Changelings are matured Fae when they are traded for humans or bound to a human body. They have a handle on their powers and their need to feed is more of a hobby. But Charlotte is..." he struggled to keep his thoughts focused. All he could think of was how scared she looked that day at the hospital...and how beautiful she looked when she glowed. A shivering desire swept through him but forcing the thoughts from his head, he turned to Kheelan,  

"She is Fae...I am almost certain, but there is some conflict within her...she has no idea what she is or how powerful she is. Her hunger is like that of a developing Fae and perhaps worse --but there's something else..." Ivan sighed, ready to confess to his brother the events of two months before, especially the accusation of murder. The chance never came. Confusion swept over Kheelan's face as he gazed up at a nearby clock. 

"We need to get to her Ivan...fast" he zipping his jacket sharply. 

Following Kheelan's eyes to the clock, Ivan shook his head, "Why?" he asked looking back at his brother.  

"Because when I arrived it was 1:57...." 

"And?" 

"And it's 1:58......" 

Ivan's eyes shot up to the clock in panic. 

"That's impossible...maybe it's broken" he said taking it off the wall. Tossing it on the counter, he walked to the bedroom and picked up his phone. 15 missed calls. Whoever it was would have to wait, he thought, as he cleared the screen and saw the time: 

1:58. 

The phone dropped to the floor.  

"Ivan...a tremendous amount of power is needed to alter time in the human realm not to mention it's forbidden! We're not the only ones who will know about this and i don't think your little native friends will be able to stop Xanthus if he tries to come for her" 

"He can't have her" Ivan thundered, knowing Xanthus probably already had scouts en route to Shongopovi, if not inside already. Grabbing his keys, Ivan rushed to his office. Retieving a key from around his neck, he knelt before his desk and unlocked the drawer. 

"What are you doing? We have to go now!" Kheelan rushed him. Ivan sorted through small bottles of various substances until reaching the vile he seeked. He had to bind her completely and Elven blood would do just that. 

"This ends tonight Kheelan" he said,  

"Like hell it does! I'm taking her back with me. If this is what she can do then she needs to be under Queen Alastrina protection" 

"She isn't going anywhere" Ivan said through clenched teeth as he slammed the drawer shut. Weaving past Kheelan, seeming almost possessed, he grabbed his jacket and opened the door but then stopped sharply.  

"Sam--" Ivan spoke. 

"Ivan..." Sam said removing his wide brimmed black hat "Can we come in?" he asked, as two large men stepped on each side of his wide frame. 

"This is a bad time Sam, maybe it could wait till--" 

"Let me rephrase that--" he said, pushing past Ivan. One of the large men entered with Sam while the other stayed outside guarding the door. Ivan gripped the small bottle tightly, transferring his anger and keeping himself from doing anything stupid.  

"Sam this really isn't a good time--" 

"Seeing as time is suspended, this is a good a time as ever...." he replied dryly and closed the door. 

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