"We're a fine collection of Hollywood horrors," said Brianna, with a wry smile.

"What kind of horrors?" Flame looked puzzled.

"Sorry, it's one of those Earth things." Brianna was from the same world as Aidan, a world much different from Aretha, a world called simply "Earth" by those who lived there.

"Ah," said Flame. She had gotten used to Brianna and Aidan sharing an incomprehensible language of in-jokes and references that nobody else understood.

"What do I look like then?" asked Aidan.

Brianna grinned. "Like Count Dracula. Only shorter, and with wings."

"What!" Aidan yelped. "You mean I'm a vampire?!"

Lavasida grinned, showing his own sharp fangs. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

"I... uh... but you're the Dark Lord! You're supposed to be one. I'm not... I don't want to be... I mean me as a vampire is ridiculous!"

Brianna sighed. "No more so than me being a zombie, Aidan. We're just going to have to cope with this. Hopefully we can find the shard quickly and return to Aretha and to our normal selves."

"Yeah." He was about to say more, but a long howl interrupted him. Everyone looked at Lon with shock. Moonlight streamed down around him, the moon had just come out from behind the clouds. He howled again, then shifted, completing the transformation to wolf form, and ran down the hill and into the trees.

"That idiot." Lavasida shifted too, and a black wolf streaked after the gray wolf into the dark.

Brianna sat down with a sigh. "What next? I suppose we'll have to wait for them to come back."

So they settled in to wait. Aidan leaned tiredly against the trunk of one of the few scraggly trees that grew on the hilltop. He wasn't really physically worn out, but he felt emotionally battered. He hadn't expected anything like what had just happened. Flame Song settled in next to him gingerly, giving him a troubled glance.

“What is it?” asked Aidan softly. He knew her well enough to know that something was bothering her.

“It’s just…” She sighed. “I don’t know. This vampire thing. I don’t like it. I don’t like the thought of you as some kind of undead.”

Aidan ran his tongue over his fangs, feeling their sharpness. He took a breath to speak, suddenly aware all over again that he wasn’t breathing normally. “I don’t exactly like it either.” He reached out and took her hand in his.

"Your hand is cold..." Flame still looked worried and tense, and Aidan felt a stab of painful sadness. His heart might not be beating any more, but it could still feel.

“Flame… you know I would never hurt you, no matter what.”

“I know,” she said, and consciously made the effort to relax. “I just can’t help but worry. What if it changes you? What if you become like other vampires? I mean I know Lavasida is an honorable man in his own way… but he’s hard, Aidan. He’s cold-blooded and inhuman. I couldn’t stand to see you like that.”

Aidan sighed, closing his eyes. Flame had just voiced exactly what he’d been afraid of and exactly what he’d been trying not to think about. “I won’t. Maybe if it was just me I might,” he said. “But it isn’t just me. I have you. So long as you’re with me I could never become cold. You’re my Flame, you’ll keep me warm,” he added with an impish smile.

The worried expression vanished as Flame Song smiled back. She squeezed his hand gently. “You're right. I'm sorry.” Aidan caressed her hand, running his fingers over her smooth skin. She sighed softly and relaxed further, letting out a sigh of released tension. He smiled and leaned in toward her, resting his raven-haired head on her shoulder. Flame was taller than he by three inches. Not a really significant difference, but enough that it was more comfortable for him to rest his head on her shoulder rather than the other way around. He could recall a time when that had seemed odd, but now it was just the way things were. They leaned together comfortably until Flame let out a yawn.

"Tired?" asked Aidan.

"Yes. I'm still not quite recovered from that flight down, and tonight has been a bit too exciting."

“Well, I’m afraid we’re short on bedding, but if I’ll do as a pillow, feel free to go to sleep. I don’t think I’ll be able to fall asleep tonight.”

Flame Song smiled and laid her head in Aidan’s lap, and moments later she was snoring softly. Aidan smiled down at her, remembering all over again how much he loved her. He could never get over the fact that she’d agreed to marry him. Even after nearly three years it still seemed like a miracle. He gently stoked her fire-orange hair. He could hear her soft breathing as she slipped deeper into sleep. He could hear too the gentle rhythm of her heart, as clearly as if he’d had a stethoscope to her chest, could see the faint pulse in her neck, and even smell the scent of her blood… No! He broke off his gaze, a shudder going through him. He forced down the sudden surge of hunger that swept over him, clenching his teeth and squeezing his eyes shut as he tried to block out sound, sight, and scent. I must do nothing to harm her! Nothing!

He opened his eyes and stared up at the cool, distant stars for a long time. I have to keep this under control, he told himself. Maybe I can talk to Lavasida. He’s been a vampire for who knows how long. He’s sure to be able to help me control myself. I’m sure we’ll find the shard in just a day or two, and then we can leave here and I’ll be back to my normal self.