Yellow eyes glinted in the darkness like two flickering embers, gazing at the young witch with a predator's delight.  A sinister smile crooked his pale lips as he sauntered out of the shadows, bathed by dappled streams of moonlight peering from the forest canopy.

	He stood before her, his height towering, teeth flashing white.  Hair like liquid midnight spilled over his broad shoulders, his pale skin glowing in the dark---but it was [i]unnaturally[/i] pale.

	[b]"Is it not so a pretty girl like you travels the forest [i]alone[/i] at night?"[/b]  Matthias purred, feigning concern.  [b]"Awfully tempting to the beasts of the wild.  Tell me, what brings you out so late?"[/b]

	Without waiting for an answer, his eyes trailed to the basket in her hand.  His grin stretched to his ears.

	[b]"I see.  Gathering a few ingredients.  Are you a witch by chance?"[/b]  His voice lilted with a barely contained joy.