They met on the bridge as the sun set, fog rolling down on the gray city. For the first time in years, Mist felt the excited, almost jubilant rush she had experienced pranking the bathroom as a child. This was life. This was triumph. Anticipation was half the fun.
"My mother wrote about you, in her final memoirs. She said that you were best friends growing up, but after your . . . incident in Hidden Springs you became bitter and withdrawn. That's when your communication ended."
The woman in gothic clothing answered, "By incident, I believe she means my short encounter with Sebastian Vanderburg, which lasted for slightly more than a year."
"Oh? What happened?" Mist wasn't asking to make polite conversation--she knew little about this mysterious, ominous woman. She needed information to make more judgements as to her usefulness.
"Oh, many things. First, he discovered the Fountain of Youth I uncovered a lifetime ago, and could have eventually shared it with the rest of the town. There was also the fact that he was considered a community pillar in Hidden Springs, and a public relationship would draw attention to me that I did not desire. There was also the fact that I showed him my true form, and he ran away screaming."
Mist just waited for the end of the story, the end that had to come. She needed to know.
"So, I kissed him one last time, in front of the Fountain of Youth . . ."
"And I left his grave there, as a warning."
The lilac-colored woman smiled, having received the confirmation she required. This would be the perfect partner in her war against Bridgeport--Cunning, Fearless, and, most importantly, Ruthless.
"Welcome to the team, Marisa Whitefang."
The werewolf smiled slightly, showing fangs. "I believe the phrase is, Let's Light This Candle."
