The streets of Phoenixbrook where dark, the street lamps lights had been extinguished and the chaotic disturbance of the previous night's storm had passed. Leaving in its wake a silent calm that brought rest and peace to all the towns inhabitants. It was that mysterious hour where the night is spent and yet the sky has not yet lightened to herald the dawn and all slept, All but one,

The faint light of the stars drifted through the partially open curtains of a bedroom in Everset street and caused the jet black fur of the slumbering snowkitten to sparkle softly. Moaning softly Jarret turned in his sleep exposing his white torso and muzzle to the light causing him to stir and call out softly in his sleep one word which seemed to hang upon the still night air.

"Vardenai"

Tossing again in his sleep that pitch black snowkitten spliced in two by a shimmering swath of white fur sank back into the grip of the dream that so disturbed his slumber.

Jarret was lying on his back struggling against the weight pressing down atop him and holding his arms firmly above his head. Starring upwards Jarret stared deeply into the light blue eyes before him and felt himself fall into them and his struggles grew less and then stopped all together. The eyes glittered surrounded by darkness with a splash of white between them and then suddenly they blinked out and he felt a soft touch of breath against his ears as the being atop him shifted softly and a voice whispered his name like a caress into his ears and the paws holding his stroked along them and across his torso and then he felt something damp and warm trail down between his eyes and across his nose and then the tongue found his and wrapped around it and with a soft mewl Jarret kissed back bringing his free paws up to wrap around his mysterious lover and kissed back feeling the warmth of their body pressed against his own and his paws trailing through his midnight fur. Jarret closed his eyes and sighed softly as the kiss wound to an end and he let his paws fall as with a soft hiss light filled the room. Opening his eyes to look upon his lover Jarret's smile froze as he found himself staring straight into the eyes of the skunk, Russet ti Nostor ei Vardenai.

"No." Jarret gasped holding a paw up to his muzzle in shock the scent of the male skunk flooding his senses now as the light grew stronger.

"Yes Jarret that was wonderful and we are one now," the skunk said leaning forwards again towards the snowkitten and helpless to stop himself Jarret reached to embrace him and welcome him back once more.

Gasping Jarret sat bolt upright in bed clutching the bed covers to his chest and shivering. It was a dream nothing but a dream he re-assured himself no doubt brought on by his fight the night before, but as his senses returned and he took a deep breath Jarret could smell the awful smell of a male skunk strong and fresh in his room only minutes old. Jarret bolted from his bed and dashed out onto the landing to clutch at the banister gasping for breath and shivering his lithe black furred form drenched in sweat and dripping. After a few minutes had passed and the snowkitten had been able to reclaim some of his lost composure he moved back into his bedroom and took a deep breath of the air within and was rewarded once again with the scent of male skunk though fading rapidly now. Shaking still Jarret made his way into the bathroom and splashed water onto his muzzle and braced himself against the basin and breathed heavily feeling the cool water drip down his bare chest. Finally his composure restored Jarret made his way towards his sister Ailee's bedroom and carefully opened the door and made his way inside he needed some reassurance right now and his twin was the best suited for that.

Jarret froze once inside and stared in shock at his sisters empty bed before he slumped down and curled up on it breathing in her lingering scent, she was not due back until the following evening he was alone until then. Shivering Jarret hugged her pillow close and buried his muzzle in it, it was that skunks doing, he had done something to him the night before, he'd make him pay for this, he would watch and wait and when the time was right he'd take the skunk by surprise and no force on earth could stop him, he would free himself from whatever vile enchantment had been placed upon him. Outside the sky began to lighten and dawn swiftly approached the town of Phoenixbrook and within an hour the sun had risen and the citizens began to stir and move about the town on their business as a bright summers day dawned to a Monday morning.

Leana walked up the steps to the Bookshelf as the clock over the library chimed the hour, the silver bell tolling nine times to herald the start of her working day. Sighing softly Leana pushed the door open and walked into the musty interior, it was a shame she had to work she'd have liked to spend more time with Russet, in the three days that he had been here he had caused enough havoc and raised enough questions about the town to get her permanently thinking up new questions for him. She brighten noticeably when she spotted the tall white snow leopard perched atop a ladder precariously trying to reach a stack a books just out of reach. His long white shoulder length hair shrouded his face but she could just make out the look of determination in his blue eyes as he reached for the books his tongue poking out of his muzzle as he concentrated on them.

Giggling Leana waved a paw and the stack of books shivered and shuffled sideways into his outstretched paw, he grasped them firmly and then quickly shinned down the ladder and popped them onto the counter before turning to face Leana and smile warmly at her.

"Leana, good morning," he said happily as he moved behind the counter and began to pour coffee into two mugs, "I hear that you had a rather interesting weekend with your brother's young skunk friend, come you must tell me all about it."

Chuckling Leana moved forwards and embraced the leopard and kissed his cheek fondly, "Oh Kalia you old gossip," she exclaimed with mock severity, "You big fraud you just want to hear the latest gossip about Russet."

"Well of course I do Leana," Kalia said as he handed her, her coffee mug, "The whole town wants to see what his Grace will do next."

"Well the town will have to wait I'm afraid," Leana said with a small smile, "My brother and the Duke are lazing in bed still and when they do decide to get up they are heading out into the country for the day, Russet needs a rest. He revealed a lot to us last night and he does not enjoy being the centre of attention."

"We are a patient people Leana as you know, we can wait, now come and help me with these books and tell me all about how Russet, Eliki and yourself met." Kalia said gesturing towards the stacks of books on the counter.

Smiling Leana moved forwards to help her employer and began to tell him all about the stolen painting and the visit to the lighthouse of Fair View at the small town of North Cliffs.

Leana was placing some books into the front window display a short while later when she saw a familiar dark furred figure walking past the shop, Jarret! On a sudden impish impulse Leana knocked on the glass and when her fellow snowkitten looked in she waved at him smiling broadly in a sarcastic manner. Jarret stopped in his tracks and glared at her before stalking off looking for all the world as if he was carrying all the worlds problems on his shoulders. She watched him walk up the street and he glanced back at her once before he rounded the corner of the street. Smiling happily Leana turned to the door as the bell chimed and a customer wandered in followed by the tinkling chimes of the library clock as it struck ten.

Eliki looked up and out of the kitchen window his eyes roving aimlessly across the flower strewn hill rising above the house. The sun was shining softly and it would be a perfect day for a trip to the fountain he just hoped Russet did not mind the walk as it was quite a way. Smiling happily he returned to buttering the bread and preparing the picnic they were going to take with them, Russet should be back soon. Eliki wrapped up the last of the sandwiches and placed them in the hamper and after checking that everything was in place, plates, food, drinks, cutlery and the runcible spoon he closed the lid and tied the flaps up holding it closed.

The sound of the front door opening made Eliki turn and walk out into the living room just in time to see Russet kicking the door closed a bag dangling from one hand but it was what he was wearing that caught Eliki's attention and made him hold his breath. The skunk was wearing a bright blue silk shirt billowing and breezy and more importantly hanging open revealing his black furred chest, below he was wearing a pair of matching blue shorts that came down to just below his knees but they showed off his ass quite nicely and his legs where out in plain sight as well shapely and covered in soft waving black fur and framing it all was his tail large and fluffy hanging up over the top of his ears. The skunk smiled as he saw Eliki and moved forwards to wrap him up in a hug and Eliki mewled softly as he felt Russets muzzle nuzzle into his neck fur.

"Hey Kitty I got it we can go if your ready." Russet said

Eliki nodded and smiled, "Yes I'm ready but what's with the shirt?"

"Its very hot out there Eliki," Russet said smiling as he took in Eliki's T-shirt and three quarter length trousers, "You'll wish you had one on by the time we get to where ever it is your taking me."

Eliki smiled and went back into the kitchen to pick up the hamper and Russet slipped the small bag into a pocket at the side, "I'm used to it skunky, now lets get going shall we, it is quite a way."

Smiling happily Russet and Eliki set off towards the bus stop and took a bus outside of town to the west, they disembarked outside of a car park with an adjacent picnic area and a small restaurant. They walked around it until they reached a small foot path leading up over a small hill and when they got to the top Russet paused to look down at the site before him. Stretching away for about a mile was the largest hedge maze he had ever seen, The hedges were over eight foot high and standing above them at certain intervals where stone spires and structures and at a couple point it even appears as if the path disappeared under ground.

"Gosh Eliki it is amazing," Russet said softly, "Do we have to go through it?"

"Well we could go around it but I know the path to follow so sure we can take a walk through it we are in no rush are we." Eliki said linking his arm through the skunks and smiling at him as the light breeze caught his shirt and flapped it open. "The place I want to take you is through that forest on the other side, you'll love it when we get there."

The two furs made their way down and into the maze passing one or two tourists making their way into it. They passed along the avenues between the hedges around the tall spires made from wood or stone and even a metal one while all around them flowers bloomed in many different shades and fragrances. After fifteen minutes of walking Eliki led them down a ramp and into a twisting underground passage way all around them stalactites and stalagmites abounded and strange multicoloured quartz crystals glimmered and shone at them from all directions. They passed into a large cavern with a lake in the middle glimmering like some strange subterranean crystal and on the far side water poured down the rocks in a cascading flow, they skirted the edge of the lake and wound their way up a stone passage way and back up and outside into the sun. Five minutes later they walked into the large circular open space in the centre of the maze where a tall fountain stood spraying jets of water high into the air and rising from the centre of the fountain stood a black obelisk identical to the one in the tower map room above the southern gate of Phoenixbrook.

"That makes six," Russet said softly as he stood looking up at it, "You know if you where to put them back in place the Rainbow Bridge may be reborn." The skunk said as Eliki led them back into the maze, twenty minutes later they emerged from the far side of the maze and began to follow the path towards the forest in front of them, sweating slightly now in the mid morning sun. The two passed under the trees and into the shade of the forest and fifteen minutes in Eliki stopped and pulled Russet behind him off of the path and down a slope amongst the trees.

"Where are we going?" Russet asked as he stumbled over a tree root and caught himself on the offending tree, "Its very uneven here."

Eliki just laughed and gave Russet a gentle shove making him stumble down a steep incline and with a startled yell he fell forwards and tucked himself into a ball and rolled through the loam and leaves until he fetched up against a tree. "You evil kitten," Russet mock growled at the snowkitten as he reached the bottom of the incline and tackled him to the ground. Laughing and wrestling together the two furs rolled further down the incline until they reached the bottom where they lay about laughing until they got their breath back and where able to press on deeper into the forest. An hour later Russet and Eliki came to a wide stream with a steep bank on their side and a gentler incline on the other. The far bank was lined with tall trees, sycamores, oaks, beeches but there no gap in-between them and Russet could make out behind them.

"How do we get down there?" Russet asked peering out over the edge of the bank at the steep rocky incline beneath them.

Eliki peered out at it, "There is a slope that runs up the side of the bank which makes getting up easy enough but the fastest way down is to." he stops takes a hold of Russet's arm and leaps out over the stream. With a startled gasp Russet takes a deep breath and holds it before he hits the river with a splash. Spluttering Russet came to the surface and paddles after Eliki's retreating form as he headed for the bank.

"You.you..monster.." Russet shouted after him as he came to the far side of the stream and clambered up on the bank, he leaped on the snowkitten back and bundled him over rolling over until he lay straddled on Eliki's stomach his nose pressed up against his and scowled. "You could have hurt me or one of us could have died doing something like that you, you..irresponsible." he cut off as Eliki places a paw on his muzzle.

"Calm yourself Russet I've made that jump a thousand times or more its perfectly safe and besides the look on your face when I pulled you over the edge was to die for." He smiled and Russet stared down at him then suddenly his paws moving quickly he began to tickle the snowkitten underneath him.

Howling and squirming with laughter Eliki broke free and tried to scramble away but Russet lashed his tail out backwards and tipped the kitten backwards into the stream again and he went under with a startled yelp. Spluttering Eliki resurfaced and glowered at the chortling skunk on the bank and splashed water at him.

"Meany!" Eliki shouted as he climbed out of the water again and shook himself on the bank,

"Oh and your not Eliki?" Russet said raising an eyebrow before standing up still dripping water taking Eliki's paw inn his and tugging him up the bank next to him and kissing him softly 'Come on then you said we were close now."

Eliki smiled and hugged the damp skunk close before leading him up the bank by the paw towards the top of the bank and towards the seemingly impenetrable screen of trees lining the top, Eliki led Russet along the top of the bank for a couple of minutes then pushed his way amongst the trees pulling the skunk after him. They pushed and shoved there way past branches and bushes until they finally emerged in a large clearing.

Russet paused and gasped softly staring out at the sight before him. The clearing spread out in front of him overshadowed by the canopy of the trees letting a soft green tinted life, the clearing seemed to close in part way along but then it opened up again almost like it was spilt in too for a row of trailing vines cast a semitransparent curtain across where the clearing narrowed. Moving forwards slowly his eyes darting from side to side Russet took in the young oak sapling swaying in the wind to the left and on the other side of the curtain of trailing greenery a tinkling fountain and before it a pedestal with what looked like a sundial made out of pure Lapis Lazuli.

"Oh Eliki it is beautiful," Russet said softly hugging the kitten to him and then shivering his teeth chattering.

Eliki wrapped the skunk up in his arms and nuzzled his neck fur, "Get out of those wet things hang them on a branch to dry no one can find us here now."

Murring softly Russet turned and nuzzled Eliki's neck fur before stripping off his wet clothing and hanging them over a low branch as he did so he cursed softly and looked around. Eliki in the process of removing his own wet clothing looked up and frowned.

"What is it Russet?" he asked softly as he hung his trousers over a branch.

"Nothing Eliki I've just lost my scarf somewhere probably when we fell in the stream ah well it doesn't matter I have plenty more of them, now come show me this special glade of yours." Russet said and with that he turned and padded across the soft springy grass and moss towards the curtain of greenery and parting it slipped through.

Eliki smiled watching the retreating form of the skunk his tail bobbing up and down and showing off his ass as he went then turning to face the small oak sapling Eliki laid a paw on it and it seemed to shiver in recognition at his touch and the snowkitten bowed his head eyes closed and murmured softly under his breath.

"Sleep well my brethren and may your souls find rest and peace, Tia Mo Rian sol Moritarium." And wiping the tears that glistened in the corners of his eyes away Eliki headed towards the fountain where Russet was balanced on one foot poor peering into the depth of the crystal clear water filling the bowl. Smiling Eliki moved up behind the skunk and wrapped his paws around his waist pulling him close to himself and nuzzling at his neck fur purring gently his paws stroking down the skunks back. The skunk shivered and murred gently turning around in the kittens arms and smiling at him nuzzling back before lifting his muzzle and placing a soft kiss on the snowkittens nose'

"Eliki honey." he began but Eliki's paw on his muzzle stilled him.

"Hush my dear skunk," he said softly laying himself down and pulling the skunk down with him arms wrapped around his shoulders and his muzzle locked to his in a kiss enfolded into the warm embrace of a patch of wild flowers.

Jarret stood at the top of the bank looking around him with a puzzled frown on his features, he had followed the other two's trail through the maze and across this woodland and down over this stream but he had lost them now, there was no were to go but up or down stream the trees on this far bank where impenetrable.

Sighing Jarret made his way back down the bank to the slowly flowing stream the sun glistening damply off his lithe black and white body fur, slicked down by water and outlining the snowkittens shape. Jarret slowly waded back out into the stream before striking out for the far bank leading back up to the forest above where he had left his clothing before journeying down into the stream. Clambering up the sloping path leading towards the top of the bank Jarret glanced back and sighed, he could not sense either the skunk or the snowkitten Eliki now they had both just vanished like they always did whenever he followed Eliki and Leana out here.

Jarret shook himself dry and closed his eyes and a soft blue light emanated from his fur and then steam drifted away from his now dry fur and he quickly pulled on his clothes, trousers and dark maroon almost brown top and long black over coat, one additional and unusual object Jarret picked up off the ground was a silk scarf, he looped it around his paws for a moment starring down at the stream for a moment before pocketing it and turning back to town. He would wait inside the east gate they were bound to come back through it sooner or later, with that thought in mind the black snowkitten headed back into Phoenixbrook there to lie in wait for his prey the Skunk named Russet.

Several hours later with the sun well into its journey towards the horizon the skunk and the snowkitten emerged from between the trees and laughing and joking made their way down towards the stream. Eliki, holding his bundled clothes above his head began to wade out into the stream towards the sloping ramp leading back up to the top of the bank. Russet however fully clothed, his tail swishing behind him paused on the river bank and looked up at where shafts of sunlight shone down through the canopy of trees illuminating the shady world of the forest floor.

Eliki turned in the water and looked back at the skunk frowning at him. "Well are you coming in I thought you wanted to stop by that shop I told you about?" the snowkitten asked splashing water with his foot paws.

Russet grinned and waved a paw moving up the bank a couple of steps. "I do I just do not wish to get wet hon," Russet said softly smiling at his snowmew treading water out in the stream. The suddenly Russet let out a whooping laugh and charged down the bank and leaped, Eliki cringed waiting for the splash as the skunk hit the water, but it never came and looking up he saw Russet dancing and twirling up a sun beam, clothes swirling around him as he went and with a hop, a skip and a twirling jump he landed on the top of the bank and waved back at Eliki grinning as the Snowkitten floundered towards the bank grumbling under his breath.

"Damn you," Eliki said as he emerged atop the bank his lower torso and legs soaking wet, "Dancing on sunbeams," he grumbled some more as he shook himself fur and began to twist his body around so he could lick and groom his fur dry in the manner that online a true feline could manage. Smiling Russet moved up behind the snowkitten and licked and nibbled at his neck fur.

"Awe don't be upset Ki I'll take you for a trip over a rainbow sometime, promise." The skunk said smiling at the cats expression as he glared up at him. "Now come on I want to see this shop you mentioned before it closes."

Once Eliki had dressed the two set off through the woods back towards town, they emerged from the woods and circled the Hedge maze and the mysteries it contained and joined a bus outside the restaurant and car park at the edge of the parkland. The bus wound itself around the small county lane and soon joined the main road back into Phoenixbrook, Russet murred happily as he looked down at the river passing below them as the bus soared across the bridge and deposited them in the market square.

"Come on Russet or it'll be closed!" Eliki said tugging the skunk after him across the square and into a long street lined with old fashioned shops with the upper storey jutting out over the street.

"Timeless Street how quaint," Russet murmured as he hurried after the snowkitten towards a modest looking shop with a large glass window and in silver letters above it the words "Pure Magick" Chirring softly to himself Russet stopped to admire the display in the front window and Eliki turned from the door and tugged on the skunks arm.

"Come on he'll be closing soon it is already 4.50 and he closes at five." He said

"In a minute hon," Russet said dreamily patting the felines arm, "I just want to have a look at all this." He murred gesturing at the glittering display of Celtic and mystical paraphernalia on display.

Logan Ennion stretched and yawned his ears twitching as he lowered back down to stand on his feet. It had been a long day and surprisingly busy, he had done seven readings today and a spirit communion and he felt drained. Yawning again the rabbit made his way down the stairs to the ground floor and the main shop. He smiled as he caught site of the neatly stacked receipts and accounts Coliu his employer, a pretty young mouse had already done the banking and he could hear the rattle of her bike in the rear yard as she got ready to leave.

Yawning again the Rabbit turned around and began to weave his way past stands and display cabinets towards the front door, it was near enough to five that he could get away with closing a tad early. He had just rounded the last display and was about to head for the door when the bell rang and it swung open. Groaning Logan looked up the pleasantry freezing on his tongue as Eliki and who could only be Russet Vardenai entered and clicked the door shut behind them.

"Eliki hi," Logan said his eyes fixed on the skunk who was wandering around the shop touching items with a smile as if familiar with them or bending down to read a caption or book title. "I was about to close want to come up for a drink?" he asked gesturing towards the stairs.

Smiling Eliki looked back at his skunk as he poured through the polished crystals on display. "That would be nice Logan, you've probably heard the gossip this is Russet, I promised to show him your shop and introduce you to each other." He said turning to the skunk before calling out to him. "Russet come over here and meet Logan."

Russet looked up and smiled and walked over to stand before the rabbit, he held out a paw and shook with Logan smiling as he took in his light grey fur and the black trousers and green shirt he was wearing. "It is a pleasure to meet you Logan," The skunk said happily, "Eliki told me all about you and your shop and I decided that I just had to stop by and say hello and your shop is wonderful, I love shops like this."

Logan smiled turning the skunks paw over and tracing his finger along the skunk's paw pad. "Indeed Russet it is a delight to have the famous Duke of Vardenai in my store, come let me show you around and then we can have a drink."

"That'd be wonderful Logan, please I'd love that." Russet said clapping his paws together, sparks seemed to crackle along his arm fur as ebony black as he was and suddenly a small crystal ball on a stand to his left burst into light, shimmered in the air for a moment before settling back down.

Logan was staring at the crystal his paw on the door latch, in the silence that followed the click of the latch locking the door was extremely loud. "How.." He asked quietly, "No one has ever been able to get that ball to react to anything?"

Russet was staring at it a broad smile on his face, "It is a Larou Ball I haven't seen one since Grandma's it is supposed to warn the owner when danger approaches, guess I tripped it sorry this is a bad place for me to get excited in to many mystical items here."

Logan laughed and came forwards to embrace the skunk, then he picked up the Larou Ball and handed it to him, "Consider this a gift from me to you, come lets take a look round I'll fire up the card machine I get the feeling your going to empty my stock room Russet." The rabbit said happily leading Russet by the paw towards the counter and the main display case.

The rabbit and the snowkitten spent the next half an hour staring in awe as Russet sifted through Logan's stock, he brought a matching Bracelet and Necklace for Eliki and a beautifully woven silk scarf for himself as well as a large diamond blue hooded robe and several crystals and stones and a large torque made of beaten silver and gold for Leana. As Logan stared at the till in amazement as he rang up the final total of Russet's purchases the skunk slipped a roll of parchment over the desk as well.

"A charter mark as well I think you deserve one Logan," Logan nodded smiling as he packaged the last of Russet's purchases, "You might as well leave these down here, come up to my flat I'll make us all a drink."

Happily the two friends followed the rabbit out the back and up the stairs into Logan's well appointed apartment on the third floor above the shop. Logan soon served them all hot peppermint tea and sipping it and nibbling on a selection of biscuits the three chatted and talk amongst themselves. After their second cups of tea Logan suddenly rose and walked around the coffee table and knelt in front of the skunk and placed a paw on either side of his head.

"Come on Russet let me do a reading, it would be an honour to read one such as you." The rabbit said looking into the skunks eyes.

"I don't know Logan, Grandma always told me to be careful around Psychics in case I inadvertently hurt them." Russet said looking a bit worried.

"Don't worry Russet, Logan knows what he is doing, he'll be fine." Eliki said encouragingly leaning forwards to watch.

Logan took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his fingers intertwining themselves through his head fur, his breathing slowed and his ears curled around each other almost like a turban. Then suddenly he let out a piercing yell and tightened his grasp on the skunks head fur and his ears shot up high. Russet yerfed and struggled but he was caught.

"Logan!" Eliki shouted out starting forwards and reaching for the rabbit but before he could touch him the Rabbits eyes snapped opened glittering with a strange light and he began to speak in a language neither the skunk in his grasp or the snowkitten could understand.

Logan sagged into Russet's lap shivering and mewling curling up eyes squeezed shut and his paws wrapped around his head.

"Logan!" Russet said leaning forwards and reaching out but Eliki's paw on his wrist stayed his paw.

"Wait I've seen this before, he has just had a vision and will need some time to recover. Wait there I'll help him into his bed." And with that Eliki heaved the rabbit up to his feet and half carrying him led him into the flats bedroom. When he returned he put his arms around the skunks shoulder and kissed him. "Don't worry hon he'll be fine in a couple of hours, lets pop home and eat something then we can come back and check on him ok."

"Surely we should stay here?" Russet said worry written on his face.

"No, he'd hate us if we babied him, he will be fine and has been through this before, when he's recovered enough he'll tell us what he said." Eliki said reassuringly and led his skunk out of the flat and down into the shop. They picked up Russet's shopping and made sure all the doors where locked before heading out into the street and back across town to the snowkittens house.

Inside the house they found Leana cooking a batch of pasta and mince in a bolognaise sauce.

"Ah there you two are," She said smiling as they walked into the kitchen, "Did you have a nice day?"

"Yes Leana it was lovely the woods were so peaceful and the glade with the fountain in it was lovely as well." Russet said sitting down in a chair by the fireplace

"Yes it was a lovely day sis," Eliki said smiling at his twin, "Though we have to go to Logan's after dinner Leana, he had a premonition when he did a reading on Russet."

Leana looked surprised and glanced at the skunk, "Ok we'll head back after dinner, come along its just about ready."

The three moved into the kitchen and the two male noses in the room began to twitch at the smell coming from the saucepans on the stove. After a frantic couple of minutes with all three of them setting up places at the table, serving up the food and finding the condiments the three finally sat down and tucked into the meal Leana had prepared for them. Eating and chatting the three managed to draw the meal out for a good forty five minutes with deserts thrown in, home made chocolate trifle courtesy of Leana again which Russet whole heartily enjoyed. After they had cleared the table and washed up Leana and Eliki pulled on hats and scarves against the evening chill in preparation to head back to Logan's shop.

"We won't be long Russet," Eliki said snuggling him as they all stood in the hall, "Are you sure you don't want to come?"

"No my presence might spark off another vision or something and I wouldn't want to do that," he said then he grinned, "And besides it is warm in here?"

Leana made a pass at his ears with a paw but he ducked, "Cheeky just you wait," she chuckled then with a hug for the skunk she opened the door and the twins set off back towards Logan's shop.

Russet waved them good by from the top of the steps then went back inside to the warm, he switched on some music and curled up in an arm chair by the fire and opened a book he had found in Eliki's bedroom by his favourite author Ashley Phillips. He settled in happily with a bowl of snacks and a warm drink and read his book. Half an hour later there was a knock at the door and thinking that it might be the snowkitten's returning he got up and headed out into the hall. As he reached for the latch he paused and called out.

"Hello who's there?" the skunk demanded listening for a response, the snowkitten twins would have their keys with them and wouldn't need to knock. When there was no answer the skunk carefully pulled the door open holding up a paw ready to defend himself in need be. As the door opened further his eyes locked with the dark figure standing in the gloom at the bottom of the steps and he moved forwards to get a better look and his eyes widened in surprise.

"You!" he began and then staggered as the world spun and faded to black.

Eliki and Leana entered Timeless street chatting softly in the early evening air their breath misting in the air before them and they where about a hundred yards from the shop when the door banged open and Logan hurried into the street wrapping a cloak around his shoulders, he froze when he saw the snowkittens and they stopped staring back at the rabbit his fur shimmering dusky brown in the light of the setting sun.

"Logan?" Eliki said taking a step forward, "What?" he began but got no further as Logan hurried up to them.

"What are you doing here? Where is Lord Russet? I tried to call your house but there was no answer," the rabbit almost screamed at them hopping from foot paw to foot paw and wringing his paws in distress. "I woke up and remembered what I had said, were is the skunk? He is danger, deadly danger."

"What!" Leana exclaimed staring at the rabbit in shock, "What do you mean? We left Russet at home he didn't want to set off another vision with his presence." She said sounding worried, she turned to her brother and blinked he was already turning the street running as fast as he could towards home, he had ran the moment Logan had said Russet was in danger.

"Eliki! Wait!" Leana screamed and with Logan in tow ran after him.

Eliki had too much of a head start for them to catch up with him and after hectic dash down the tunnel Russet had so recently awoken they emerged into Apple Avenue and ran up the steps and into Leana's house, the front door was swinging open and as they stopped in the living room Eliki reappeared at the bottom of the stairs looking stricken and wringing his paws together.

"He's not here and the front door was wide open." he said softly

Groaning Logan sank to the floor and covered his eyes with his ears. "No I was too late," he whimpered and then began to chant.

He stopped and sobbed softly rocking back and forth, "That's is my prediction, we are too late, he is lost."

Trembling Eliki collapsed into an armchair and stared up at Leana who had her eyes fixed on the window.

"Not yet." She said, "We will find him trust me, no one can hide from me for long, come you two pull yourself together if we have any chance of finding him we must start now."

Russet groaned as his senses returned, his head hurt, what had happened, he'd opened the front door and seen a pair of eyes then...Jarret yes Jarret then, then darkness.

Blinking the skunk opened his eyes and peered around him groggily, the room he was in was dark he couldn't see a thing, he tried to move his arms and legs but found them bound out to either side of him and then it struck him he could feel a breeze blowing across his fur, he was naked! He tried to speak but found he could not utter a sound and when he tried to pull in his power he found himself getting fuzzy headed, drifting back towards unconsciousness so he stopped trying. He'd have whimpered if he could he was bound, powerless and effectively gagged somehow, he was terrified. Suddenly there was a spark of light and a candle spluttered into life then another, until a ring of candles surrounded him and he could see where he was, he was tied to a large frame by leather straps holding his paws in place and one around his waist as well. He could see nothing outside the circle of candles but it was the object that was hanging from the strap at his waist that caught his attention it was his scarf the one he'd lost that afternoon and it was glittering with the cold unfriendly light of a binding spell.

Raising his head Russet shivered as a figure stepped into the light, jet black fur with a splash of white glittering in the candle light, on a lithe, trim body wearing nothing but a simple black loincloth and an intricate necklace of obsidian and pearl hanging around his neck, Jarret, Jarret had him in a binding ring!

"You will plague me no more Skunk," He hissed moving up close to Russet and placing a paw on his chest. The skunk shook and opened his muzzle in a silent scream as he felt something burrowing deep inside him shredding his individuality, "By the end of this night you shall be mine, you will haunt me no longer oh Duke of Vardenai you shall be mine for all eternity and do what so ever I bid, you..will..call.me..master.." he finished the last by touching the skunk again and again causing him to buck and writhe on the frame screaming silently in pain. Laughing Jarret stepped back and ran a paw along the skunks chest fur. "You are mine now skunk, I will teach you to mess with Jarret the Snowkitten." He almost purred as he picked up a long thin sceptre and ran it across the skunks groin, "You will never haunt my dreams again, I will undo whatever you did to me last night then make you pay for it a thousand fold." He finished with a swift crack of the sceptre across the skunks stomach, "you will pay." he hissed.

Ailee let herself into the apartment and set her bags down on the floor, she looked around frowning her dark brown fur glistening damply from the drizzle that had begun to fall outside.

"Jarret?" she called out sticking her head around the door to the living room where was he, she turned about to move deeper into the apartment when she saw the glass case over the mantelpiece was wide open and the sceptre of the Shaylanii was missing. She stared at the case in horror then turned and ran through the rest of the apartment throwing open doors and searching for her twin. She reached the steps leading down to the night club and ran down them but when she reached the bottom she paused staring at one of the stone walls of the small room at the bottom, it was slightly ajar.

"No, Jarret no you wouldn't" she whispered and hurried over and peered in. She stepped back horrified by what she had seen, the old Shaylanii Binding Circle, the candles where lit and a fur was bound to the frame of dismemberment, Jarret was trying to bind someone to him, this was unforgivable, a hidden shame of the Shaylanii clan. Leaning forwards she peered in again, maybe she could stop him, this was forbidden, but the candles where lit, the circle was closed she could not break in, he eyes darted across the form of the figure hanging in the frame, she knew there would be a personal item hanging from the waist strap if they could get that and destroy it before he completed the ceremony it would be revered but she would need help, she could not break that circle on her own. Turning Ailee fled up the stairs and back out into the street heading for Apple Avenue.

Eliki, Leana and Logan had made a tour of the surrounding streets and questioned everyone they met but no one had seen a thing though a couple of furs seemed to be in a bit of a daze suffering from a memory purge or so Leana said. They had just gathered together at the end of Apple Avenue when the patter of running feet made them turn and Eliki yelped in surprise as he was suddenly bowled over by a bundle of damp Brown fur.

"Ailee!" he exclaimed putting his arms around her shoulders in surprise as she was shaking, "What is it? What is wrong?"

"Jarret," She exclaimed shivering, "He has someone bound in the Binding circle, he is using the sceptre of Shaylanii, I need your help we must stop him but I cannot break the circle on my own."

Eliki seemed to go vacant eyes as he pulled her to her feet, "You don't say." He said softly, "What did this fur look like?"

"I couldn't see properly but it looked like a skunk." she paused and blinked, "Hey didn't you tell me about a ..." she trailed off staring at him then turned to look at Leana who nodded. "Oh god, come all of you," and with that the four ran down the street towards the apartment where Ailee and her brother lived.

The four hurried through the apartment and down to the stone room where Leana flicked her wrist causing the stone slab that hid the circle room to slam open, Jarret turned and barred his teeth when he saw them, then laughed.

"You are to late, he is mine you cannot take him and even you Leana cannot break this circle," he raised the sceptre and Eliki reached out to Russet imploringly and took a step forwards but Leana placed her paw over his and whispered to him.

"Give me your power dear," She looked at Ailee and she placed her paw on top of Leana's and nodded. Jarret stared in disbelief as he watched Ailee lay her paw on his enemies.

"Ailee!" he exclaimed, "How dare you?"

"I'm sorry Jarret but this is forbidden even to you, I cannot stand by and allow this. Know that I will always love you but I cannot forgive this."

Leana looked up and her eyes flashed as they locked on Jarret and with a scream a gale blew through the chamber and the dome of power sealing the circle crackled and the candle flames flared, for a moment they remained so locked in combat and Jarret raised the sceptre and braced himself holding his shield in place. Eliki was looking at Russet hanging limply on the frame his paws bound, head bowed, hurting and Eliki reached out his free paw to him and then to his surprise the skunk lifted his head and locked eyes with Eliki and smiled. Eliki's bracelet glowed brightly and a pulse of energy shot along his arm and smashed into one of the candle sconces and with a scream of rage Jarret was flung backwards into the far wall as the sconce crumpled and the candle hit the ground and extinguished.

Ailee ran forwards across the room, ripped the scarf from the strap around Russet's waist and flung it up and pointed her paw at it and it burst into flame. Eliki and Logan meanwhile had dashed forwards and began to release Russet from his restraints and the skunk collapsed forwards into his arms and Eliki hugged him close but Russet pushed himself up and leaning on Eliki and the rabbit turned to face Jarret as Leana approached him murder in her eyes and the skunk raised a paw and with a scream Jarret was flung back against the wall as the front portion of his ceremonial loincloth bunched up as if a giant paw was squeezing it. Limping the skunk moved in front of Leana and glared up at him.

"You are a fool Jarret, I had hoped that last night would have taught you but I guess not," he whispered softly leaning against Eliki,, but he slowly stood up straighter and smiled softly. "But as you can see even your twin sister thwarted you, if you continue to follow this path you will lose all you hold dear." He sagged softly, ears drooping and tail trailing along the floor, "Now I just want to go home and sleep," he whispered he waved a paw at Jarret and with a startled yelp he crumpled to the floor and curled up clutching his groin.

"What..what have you..done...to..me?" Jarret gasped out looking up at Russet, "Dreams...you..on mind..always..will.be.mine" he groaned curling up again.

"I awoke your conscious last night Jarret in the hope that it would help, I also awoke your deepest animal instincts, mainly lust and need, I guess your instincts latched onto me during the transport if you really try you can rid yourself of them but I doubt you have the will power to do so." The skunk said with Venom in his voice then he turned away. "My power always has an odd effect when used in such away in away I am part of you now and you me," the skunk said echoing though unknowingly the words of Jarret's dream the night before and he whimpered at this as they struck right to the very core of his being, he was tied to this skunk now in ways he could never hope to understand.

Eliki and Logan began to help Russet towards the door and Leana turned to follow but she paused as she saw Ailee approach Jarret, she glanced at her brother and her eyes softened for a moment then went as hard as ice as she bent down and picked up the Sceptre of Shaylanii, swung it high and dashed it to pieces on the floor.

"That should have been done years ago" she said then she looked up at Leana who nodded once then smiled at Ailee's grimace and turned to leave after her brother and their friends.

Jarret groaned and pulled himself up right and leaned against the wall and stared at his sister. "Why?" he asked softly, "Imagine the power having him working for us would have given us,"

"Maybe so," Ailee said staring at her brother, "But that is forbidden you should be glad Russet got to you before Leana did she'd have killed you and been right to do so," she looked her brother up and down and sniffed, "You stink go get cleaned up Jarret then you and I are going to have a long talk." And with she turned and strode out of the room.