Tega awakened to an empty bedroom with a pounding headache. Her vision was still blurred and there was a tiny burning sensation in her chest. The chill of the hardwood floor paralleled against the heat in her body.

Making her way over to the window she noticed her location was deep in a wooded area. It was pitch black with only a tiny glimmer of moonlight.

"What are you doing in here?" a small womanly voice sounded as the door crept open.

Tega looked at her without saying a word then walked over to her.

The small woman sighed, “You must be one of Nario’s friends.”

“Um, yeah,” Tega replied.

“Come with me,” the woman turned around and headed for the kitchen.

The house was a tiny wooden cabin. The walls were covered in trophies of all kinds from animals to beasts to witches. It kind of grossed Tega out since having human heads on the wall wasn’t something a normal person would do.

“So, this is your home?” she asked as she sat down at the table.

“Tea?” the woman offered as she lifted an old kettle from the stove, “Yes, it is. My name is Amaria.”

“Yes. Tea would be fine,” she agreed.

Amaria poured two small cups of tea and handed one to her as she sat down at the wooden table across from her.

“So, how do you know Nario?” she asked.

“Well, it’s kind of a long story.”

“Well, we have time until he returns.”

"Um, he is an old friend I met one day while hunting down a new lead on a pack of werewolves. He was the leader of the pack and was very difficult to take down."

"Oh, my. You must be something special Tega," she flashed a kind smile.

“I guess so. How do you know him?”

“Nario is my half-brother.”

“Half-brother? Hold on a sec. How did you know my name?”

“I know a lot of things, but I must say I have never heard the story of how you two met.”

“Oh.”

The front door of the cabin swung open as a bloody man stammered in.

“Oh my gosh!” Amaria ran over to him and caught him just as he began to fall to the floor.

“Nario?”

A blood trail followed them into the bedroom. Laying him down on the bed, Amaria hurried to the bathroom to get some towels.

“What happened to you?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

"No, you're not! You're severely wounded!"

“Move Tega!” Amaria covered his body with hot wet towels. She then held her hand over his chest as it began to glow.

“What the—?”

“Magic mend and candle burn,

Sickness end, good health return

By the light of the moon and the path of the north

Let illness be purged

and good health flow forth

Let not this simple spell coerce

Or make their situation worse

Hear now my humble plea

As I will it, so mote it be!”

Suddenly his chest began to glow, and a small symbol appeared in the middle.

“What are you doing to him?”

“It’s a healing spell.”

“But doesn’t he heal on his own? Being a purebred, I mean.”

“True, but he can’t heal this type of wound on his own.”

“What do you mean?”

“These wounds were inflicted by a warlock.”

“Can’t be?”

“He has been attacking us since he met you. Trying to get your whereabouts.”

"Why doesn't he just find me? He found me easily before."

“Your friend put a spell on your soul blocking him from tracking you.”

“Suri?”

"Yes. The Witch."

Tega sat down beside him as they watched his wounds slowly healing.

“There. That should do it. Let him rest a bit,” she stood up and headed for the door, “I’m going to get started on dinner.”

Tega stood up and walked over to the window. She couldn’t believe that Suri protected her like that. The thought of her stating that she was sorry made Tega think harder about what happened.

A small groan sounded from behind her as she saw his reflection in the window behind her.

“Are you going to be okay?” she asked turning to face him.

Grabbing her arms, he backed her into the large bay view windows.

"Nario?" she whispered as he leaned in for a kiss.

"Don't talk," he replied as he kissed her gently.

She raised her arms to his chest as she began to push him back slowly. The reaction only made him deepen his kiss.

"What do we have here?" a voice spoke out in the silence.

Tega broke their kiss as she turned toward the voice. Amaria was standing in the doorway with a huge pot in her hands.

"Don't you knock?" Nario smiled down at her releasing his grip.

Pushing him away from her, Tega quickly exited the room. Nario stood by the window sill staring out of it.

"You must be feeling better?" Amaria broke the silence.

"Yeah."

"So, if you’re hungry. I made beef stew.”

“Cool.”

Amaria walked over to Nario, "She is going to be the death of you."

Nario looked over at her then looked back out of the window. Amaria smiled then stood beside him and staring out of the window.

                                                         ******

Tega was sitting on the patio when she noticed a rustle in the bushes. Reaching for her weapon she came up empty-handed. She had forgotten that she was transported there, and all her weapons were back at home, “Not good!”

Although unarmed, she was ready to take down whatever came out.

Heart pounding!

Mind racing!

Suddenly a huge rustle and out popped a small deer. It had to be a baby doe since it didn’t contain antlers.

“Whew!” she sighed as she headed back into the house.

"Anyone in the mood for some drinking?" Amaria announced as she entered the house.

Suri pulled two bottles of wine from the fridge and joined them on the couch.

Tonight was going to be a day off for the hunters. Glasses were full of sweet wine and liquor. Everyone laughing and having a great time.

"Hey Tee? Come join me by the fire," Nario called out to her.

Tega walked over to the fireplace and looked down at him, "What is it?"

"Sit down," he smiled up at her.

"What?" she laughed.

"Come here," he grabbed her ankle.

"Fine," she smiled as she sat down beside him.

He moved around behind her and pressed himself against her. Amaria noticed them interacting and quickly exited the bedroom.

“Goodnight you two.”

“Night.”