If she had remembered that this would be the last kiss she’d have with her completion in life, she would have made sure it was more than a good morning peck. But she was late in cleaning the chicken coop and Raine had to till the fields. It was just like any other morning and nothing seemed different. All seemed normal.

As she went about her daily duties of cleaning the coop and feeding the chickens, milking goats, sheering sheep, and tending to the horses, she entertained no thought that this would be the last day they’d be together.

As she walked back to the homestead to prepare a hearty stew for dinner, she hoped he'd have enough energy to spend time with her this evening. They'd hadn't been intimate with each other in quite some time due to her illness. She felt good today, not a bone in her body was stiff and she longed to steal some time with her husband after the children had gone to bed. It was a selfish thought that he’d be with her in bed that night.

Skye entered the kitchen to prepare dinner and heard a bang. The broom by the entrance door fell to the ground. That could only be signifying one thing, unwelcomed company was coming.

A bile started to form in the pit of Skye's stomach. She now remembered and wished she didn't. A whirl of light rippled around the kitchen. Raffe's form started to appear.

It was now too late. She had no time for a protection or masking spell around their dwelling. Raffe found them. There was also no time to prepare for battle because it was not in Raffe’s nature to take prisoners, especially when it came to the Gypsy Witches Coven.

She whispered under her breath, praying that the gods would be forgiving. But she knew better. The outcome of this war between them and the Vlad Vampire Clan wouldn’t end well.

She just hoped she could make it to Raine in time. If she didn't succeed, she grasped to her faith of meeting him on The Other Side for another life together.