A low growl snaked out of the man's lips as he glared at Derek.

Tension thickened the air around them as the rogue's eyes brightened to a lime green color and red blood spurted from his brow. And she had damn well better be ready to face them. But she knew it would come with ramifications.

Because like the plan or not, it might be their only one.Mario, focused on her, didn't see the rock coming. Indecision filled her chest whether to stop him or not. She knew his plan was to anger Mario enough to pose a threat to him so she could protect them both, but Kylie wasn't sure she could do it. In the corner of her eye, she saw Derek reach for a large stone at his feet. Could he sense the spirits, too? He took a step closer to her-or was it just a step away from the graveyard gate? She took a step back. 'Not without you,' Mario demanded, but his confidence seemed slightly lessened when he cut his eyes toward the graveyard gate. 'Leave,' Kylie insisted, and right then, she saw the spirits gathering at the gates, their mutterings filled with concern for her. I am no fool, child.' As much as she resented it, Mario was right if he didn't harm Derek, she couldn't draw upon her powers to fight him. 'You want me to fight so your girlfriend can protect you. Fight me like a man.' Mario laughed, and the evilness of his tone raked over Kylie's nerves like broken glass. 'I'm not the one who's disappearing, you bastard. He ignored her and stared daggers at Mario. But, like before, Mario disappeared into thin air and reappeared again a few feet from Derek. 'The little man wants to protect you.' Derek didn't hesitate to go at him again. Mario turned invisible and Derek crashed to the ground. Kylie took a protective step forward to intervene. I mean the weakling no harm.' Derek yanked free and went barreling into the freakish old rogue. For you see, the only one I'm after here is you. 'You can calm that protective side of yours down,' Mario said, as if he sensed her defensive side surging to life. The creepiness of the moment sent a shiver crawling down her backbone. His teeth-thin and slightly yellowed with age-appeared below his lip. He is in no danger from me.' The old man smiled. Mario chuckled as if he could read her mind. The words repeated in her soul like a litany. Derek shifted behind her and Kylie reached back and caught him, holding him in one spot. She felt her blood fizzing in her veins and the sense of danger nearly sucked the oxygen right out of the air. 'Very unfortunate,' Kylie said, and breathed in. Even the moon and stars seemed to cringe in his presence. 'We meet again,' Mario said, a hot, dark breeze stirring the bottom of his robe.

Chosen at nightfall