It was dark outside. The sun had set over an hour ago. Katharyn stepped out into the cool spring twilight and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and let the night air wash over her. Inside, the phone rang. "Goddess," She murmured, turning and going back inside. She walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone.

"Hello," She said in her crisp British accent. The voice on the other end sounded agitated. "All right, Lily," She said. "I'll be right there." Placing the receiver back where it belonged, she walked into the bathroom and stood before the mirror.

Katharyn studied her reflection. Her eyes were a very silvery amethyst color with a hint of ambery topaz around the pupil. Her creamy skinned oval shaped face was framed by long auburn hair with sorrel coloured accents. Kate took out a brush and slid it several times through her abundant hair. It spilled over her shoulders in loose waves. Making a face she pulled it into a long braid that ended at her waist. Picking up the keys to her black Mercedes convertible, she headed out the door.

Lily Redfern paced back and forth on the rug in her house. Where was Kate? She should have been here by now! There was a tap on the door. Lily walked over and threw it open. Kate walked in, tossing her wrap- around Ray-Ban sunglasses on the table in the entryway.

"I'm here," She said with a smile. "Now what is the rush-- and what is so important?" Lily grimaced.

"Circe just called me. They've found the fourth Wild Power. But Circle Daybreak is already moving in." Kate Redfern- Harman's eyes widened.

"What are we going to do?" She asked Lily, her eyes with their hint of amber colour, so like Lily's, widening in surprise. Lily shot a look at her.

"You tell me."

Katharyn Redfern-Harman was a vampire. But there was more to it. She was also a witch-- and the combination was very powerful. She was more than 2/3 vampire-- and what was left over was witch. She looked beautiful and deadly, which was not her fault. She was more evil than Lily at her worst-- or best, depending on how you chose to look at it.

Lily ran a hand through her long hair as Kate's convertible sped south from Boston on Highway 75. Kate had been silent, reflecting. Now she spoke. "You're sure this is where he is." Kate said, wearing her dark Ray-Bans even though it was nighttime outside, and there was no moon. Lily nodded.

"Yes," She said, casting a glance at Kate. "I'm sure."

"Well, since all other attempts at bringing a Wild Power to our side have failed miserably," as Kate said this she shot a scornful look at Lily, who scowled at her, "The only thing we can do is kill him. The sooner the better. What's his name?"

Lily's voice was a whisper. "Aaron." She said. "Aaron LeBlanc." Kate nodded, cold and precise. "All right," Lily said. "Get off on this exit. We're almost there." About 10 minutes later, headlights off, the Mercedes pulled into the driveway of a large split-level, two-story, brick house. As silent and stealthy as a cat, Kate got out and stretched langorously. She was wearing a black velvet jumpsuit.

Lily surveyed the area. She pointed to a window on the second story. "That's his room." Kate nodded. "Come on," She said, and took a wild leap. She landed on the roof beside his window, which was open, then crawled into his bedroom. Lily glanced up, then followed suit. Kate motioned for Lily to stay back. "Get by the car and warn me if anybody comes." Kate said. Lily nodded and jumped back off the roof.

Standing over Aaron's bed, looking down at him, Kate was surprised to see that he was handsome-- almost inordinately beautiful. He had thick, ash- blond hair and a finely boned face, a mouth which looked innocent now, but might be sensuous if he were awake. Kate had been studying him for a moment when she saw. He was awake. His eyes, a beautiful, clear colour of green, were open. He was looking at her. "Hello, Kate." He said, looking at her with wide, guileless eyes.

Katharyn was caught off guard. Her eyes widened. He grinned, fully awake. "Thea told me your name, told me who you were and what you wanted." He spoke softly. "Do it quickly now and get it over with." She stared into the green eyes for a minute, then pivoted and turned away. "I don't take orders from vermin," She said shakily. He pulled himself up into a sitting position and gracefully swung his legs off the bed, turning to face her. She couldn't help but look him over. He was wearing a pair of boxer shorts. He had a fine, lithe-muscled body and would be tall if he stood up.

He patted the bed beside him. "Sit down," He invited, looking at her. "If I already know you're going to kill me, vampire, what do I have to be afraid of?" He smiled, his eyes flashing. Kate's mind was reeling. The vermin is even telling you to do it, girl! What are you waiting for? Kill him! Kate sighed and plopped down beside him. Her arm brushed his, and then something happened that she could not control.

In a noiseless, heatless explosion, she was thrown into Aaron's mind. All she could sense were his arms around her, holding her to his chest as she pitched forward. And his mind... was every colour of the spectrum. Jade green, yellow, purple-violet, blue, red. She fell into a white light where the most secret places were exposed. Their thoughts were floating to each other on a cool breeze. Kate gave a mental gasp.

What are you doing to me?

I'm not doing this! He cried mentally. I've never felt this before....

No!! Kate cried. I don't want this!!

Wait... please... Aaron said as Kate tried to draw back mentally. She felt their fingers entwined...and she didn't resist. She couldn't-- her body was disobeying her for the first time ever.

Don't fight it, Aaron said. This is right. Kate relaxed.

What is this? What's going on?

Aaron replied, Don't you know? It's the soulmate principle.

Kate could make sense of things. Her face was now less than an inch away from his, and she was staring into his fathomless green eyes. Suddenly he moved forward.

"Wait.." She said. It was a mistake, turning the touching of their lips into a kiss. It was desperate and sweet. he pulled back shakily and she took a few deep breaths. He pulled her gently into his arms and she rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. He smoothed her hair as her mother had done when she was a child. See? He said, not aloud. It seemed they had a mental bond now. If you don't resist it, it's wonderful.

She smiled and looked up at him, feeling the warmth for her radiating from him. She found herself touching the back of his neck and finding his hair soft and nice to touch. She spoke softly. "I've never felt this way before."

Then a voice came from the open window. Kate and Aaron jolted up with a start. It was Lily. "So are you going to kill him now?" Lily asked coldly.