The moment Night realized what Preciser's plan was this time around— leaving only him to fight his pet alone in a shaded area too dark for Sunray— his first thought was Oh, no ya don't!

Instantly he shadow-transferred himself back into another shadow, still close enough to Sunray and the creature, but far away enough so that it would have no choice but to come out in order to fight them.

However, it didn't move.

"Sunshine, try shooting it," he muttered under his breath.

"Can't," she whispered back, not looking over at him. "My weapon can't stay solid in darkness unless I'm touching it."

Oh, crap.

They couldn't just sit there all afternoon waiting for it to come out and fight them, but they also couldn't leave and let it wreak havoc without them there to protect the citizens. This thing was obviously trained.

Night closed his eyes briefly and took a long breath. Okay. Change of plans.

He slowly started forward back into the shadow with Preciser's creature, studying its features critically. It had to be the weirdest-looking thing he'd ever seen, which was saying a lot, since he'd seen a lot of weird stuff. It had two black heads, each having a pair of eyes colored the same that followed him as he moved. Its body was bulky brown like a grizzly bear's, but the claws were curved instead of long, and it had two tails.

Which . . . were . . .

Alive?

The thing had snake tails. Typical.

He stopped a few feet away, his heart rate going about a million miles an hour, wondering what would happen next. He could feel Sunray's tense gaze burning the back of his neck, but he couldn't turn around and tell her everything would be fine, because as soon as he looked away, the creature would lunge. Besides, something told him everything wouldn't be fine.

Apparently, usual behavior didn't apply to this animal, whatever it was. Within a millisecond it flew into aggression, bared its teeth, and pounced.

Behind it! he thought, shadow-transferring himself there just in time as its claws swiped the air he'd occupied a moment ago. It skidded to a halt right in front of the barrier—in front of Sunray— and he tensed, ready to protect her if necessary. She'd already nocked an arrow and raised her bow threateningly, but the creature ignored her, turning back to Night, and she lowered her bow in frustration.

It let out a snarl and charged once more, but Night didn't shadow-transfer again. Taunting it wouldn't get rid of it. Instead, he summoned his seax and pointed the blade towards it, hoping the sight of a threat would discourage it. Of course, the threat only made it angrier.

He dashed forward and smacked it upside the right jaw with the flat of his blade, which momentarily caught it off guard. In that brief silence, he slid underneath it and stabbed upward, just in case it had the same weakness as a hedgehog, but he only hit armored plates.

Of course. He dropped his weapon arm at his side in exasperation. Why the heck is that possible?

He tilted his head back to look at the creature as both its heads glared at him upside-down and roared. He scrambled in the opposite direction, at the moment forgetting about the snake tails, then jumped and crawled sideways when they hissed and lashed out at him. Just as he made it out to clear air, one of the snake's fangs sliced painfully down his left arm. He winced and grabbed it, momentarily stunned, but quickly shook away the pain and leapt further away from the thing, spinning around to face it again and raising his blade.

A small voice behind him made him jump. "Whoa."

But it wasn't Sunray. He could see a boy who looked about eight in the reflection of his lifted blade, standing just inside the dark side of the barrier. A small crowd had begun to gather outside the alley; one of the children must've wandered too close in an awestruck daze. The kid was staring at the monster, an amazed look in his eyes like it was a video game character. Sunray, who obviously had been too focused on the fight to have noticed him pass her, was trying to get a hold of him to bring him to safety despite the risk she would be taking, but the barrier wasn't letting her past.

Night kept his eyes on the creature for a moment longer, then in a flash swung his blade right in front of its eyes. The quick action made it jump back; in the few seconds he had, he spun around and sprinted to the little boy. Scooping him into his arms, he gave him to Sunray through the barrier, then whirled again while simultaneously swinging the flat of his blade just as the creature was lunging at him. His blade smacked into its head, and the impact made it stagger.

It gets stunned too easily, he thought excitedly. This fight can't last long!

-

The fight took forever.

Hours passed, literal hours; Night was certain he wasn't imagining it from exhaustion, because the sun was much lower than it had been at two. He was right; the creature did get knocked senseless easily, but it recovered quickly.

Finally pausing to catch his breath, he glanced over to see Sunray in the corner of his eye. She was pressing herself against the barrier, trying in vain to get through. Still, for some reason, it wasn't letting her. Part of him wanted her to stop trying and keep herself safe by staying in the light, but another part wanted some help. He wasn't used to fighting alone. His right arm kept growing tired, so he'd switch to his left arm, but it wasn't as easy; he was righthanded. Not to mention his left arm had started aching from the snakebite.

He sucked in a deep breath, trying to shake away the exhausted dizziness that had started to cloud his head, then charged the animal yet again, a new idea rising in his mind. Darting around its snapping heads, he grabbed hold of its left shoulder and swung himself onto its back. Immediately it roared and began spinning all around the alley, attempting to shake him off, but he held on tightly.

When it finally stopped what seemed another hour later, he steadied himself and glanced up at Sunray. She had both hands pressed against the invisible wall that separated them, continual black ripples spreading around her fingers. She was staring at him anxiously, still unable to get through.

Stupid barrier.

The underground creature's ears were shaped vaguely like a cat's, giving him a ridiculous idea for a nickname. As it tried bucking him off instead, he gripped its neck with his left hand and snatched from thin air his dagger-sword with his right. Tightening his left-handed grip, he began whacking the blade against the back of its heads, over and over, shouting, "Bad kitty! Bad kitty! Down!"

Apparently, the stupid nickname only made it more furious; its next buck turned into a practical flip. It landed flat on its back but flung him headfirst straight into the side of the alley. He yelped at the impact and crashed back to the ground. For a brief moment he tried to push himself up again, but everything was spinning around him and tilting upside-down, and his head was aching where he'd hit it. With a groan he slumped back to the road, and the world went dark.

He didn't know how long he stayed like that, but the next thing he knew, two black heads were sniffing him, and Sunray was gasping, "Night, snap out of it!"

Blinking multiple times in confusion, he pushed himself up again with a grunt and shook his head, his power quickening his recovery this time. He tried shooing away the creature, but it snarled and continued to sniff him. With a start, he realized it was looking for his dark gem.

Suddenly, his heart nearly stopped. Everything around him had darkened majorly while he'd been unconscious. It automatically made him feel stronger, but it also sent a panicked realization racing through his mind.

The sun was down. Why was Sunray still here?!

She was standing in the weak, yellow beam of a streetlight, hugging herself tightly and shivering. The kind of light she was in was far too dim. If she stayed there much longer, she would lose her power and die.

And Night wouldn't be able to help because he couldn't touch her without hurting her.

Frustration at the painful truth added even more to his strength. He grabbed his weapon and whacked both heads hard, intentionally using its disadvantage to make this work. In the single second it was stunned, he slid underneath again, this time keeping the snake tails in mind as he headed right for them. They hissed and tried to bite him again, but instead of springing back like before, he swung his blade with practiced ease and sliced through both of them.

The front heads bellowed immediately after. Night twisted and pointed his weapon at them, just in case, but then realized he could see right through its body to the sky.

Whaa . . . ?

The whole thing was fading like a hologram. Its roar grew silent as it vanished completely. A little bewildered, Night reached up and waved his hand where it had just been, but there was nothing there.

That's not important right now! He spun and raced over to Sunray in a panic. "Why are you still here?" he asked desperately. "You should've left hours ago!"

She nodded in reluctant agreement, but it seemed vague. She sounded worn out despite the fact she hadn't been fighting as she replied distantly, "I know, but I couldn't . . . I didn't . . ."

He raised his hand to silence her. He could get a more clarified answer on Monday. Now was not the time; the existence of light— and more importantly, her life— were at stake.

Anxiously he scanned the roads around them. Everything other than the weak yellow streetlights appeared bathed in darkness, since everyone was still hiding out from the fight. Most of the shops and restaurants had filled up with people, then locked their doors and turned their lights off, as was the drill. Except . . . there was a brighter light further down the road. One last store still had room and was waiting for someone to take last-minute shelter? His heart rate quickened as he realized even that glow was flickering.

The light gem. It was being exposed to darkness too long.

He turned back to Sunray and pointed down the road. "You need to get there now. Can . . . can you use light's speed in the dark?"

She shook her head slowly.

Oh, no . . .

Trying to hide his worry, he continued seriously, "Just run, then. As fast as you can."

"Okay . . ." she agreed faintly. He kept his eyes fixed on her as she stepped shakily out of the feeble beam of light and began running down the street. It wasn't just the fact that her gait quickly became slow and unsteady that made him want to watch her the whole way until he was certain she was safe.

He drew in a gradual sharp breath as her steps grew more and more sluggish. She'd begun stumbling more than walking, and was shivering violently. Then she halted in a daze, swayed, and started falling sideways.

His mind screaming, NO! he instantly shadow-transferred himself below her just in time, catching her in his arms right before she hit the pavement. Panting, he studied her face and murmured, "No, no, no, no . . . !" Her eyes were closed, her glow dimming, her warmth fading. He hugged her to his chest briefly with his forehead against hers, almost like if he kept her close, she would be alright.

But he couldn't mix up wishful thinking with reality. And he couldn't waste time. He picked her up and rose hastily, then began stepping into a shadow portal. Shadow-transferring was always faster.

He'd barely started, however, when her long hair slid off her chest. The tips slipped inside the portal and immediately turned black.

His eyes widened, and he gasped and quickly stepped back, pulling her closer protectively. The new black part stopped spreading as soon as he did, but it didn't fade.

She was light. She couldn't be shadow-transferred. He'd have to run.

He looked up determinedly at the faint light in the distance, mentally shut off the shadow portal, and bolted forward, running faster than ever before. The deep darkness surrounding him made it much easier than in the daytime.

Finally reaching the now-very-dim shop, he yanked open the door and quickly placed her on the floor inside, then dashed out again before the returning light could burn him. He crouched in front of the glass outside and watched her through it, every inch of him tense with fear.

A few seconds later, she stirred and her emerald eyes fluttered open once more, making Night feel weak with relief. Momentarily she looked bewildered, sitting up and scanning her surroundings, probably wondering what she was doing there. Her gaze met her partner's, a sad, frightened, confused expression, and he put both his hands on the glass like she had done with the barrier earlier. As they watched each other, a heavy realization settled over him.

This was the only place bright enough for her safety. After that experience, she wouldn't have the strength to detransform and make it all the way back home.

She'd have to stay here all night.

Then, he thought firmly, at least one thing was for sure. If she was staying here all night, then so was he.

He couldn't leave her.

• • •

He stayed awake nearly the entire evening, watching over her. A couple hours before the sun rose, he caught himself dozing off, and quickly jerked awake again, looking down at his partner.

She'd been asleep the whole time, making him jump every time she shifted positions. He shook himself slightly, trying to stay awake; there was no point in falling asleep now. His left arm still throbbed from getting bitten the day before, and the poison was making him feel a little nauseous, but it wasn't bad. It was poison, definitely, but it wasn't lethal. No big deal.

As the sky gradually lightened into blue and the sun came into sight, he became aware of the barrier forming and scooted further back into a shadow. Knowing the streets would be occupied soon, he turned and tapped on the glass to wake her.

She sat up slowly, and he tensed as he caught sight of the black ends of her hair. He'd almost forgotten about the accident from yesterday. Now, he would be reminded of it every time he saw her. It added even more to his pain.

At losing his father.

That he couldn't love her because he couldn't touch her.

At all his questions that could never be answered.

She came out the door and skirted around the shadows, brushing the single section of shorter loose hair from her eyes as she stopped in front of Night and met his eyes. Smiling but not shifting her gaze, she whispered, "Thanks."

He swallowed back the lump in his throat and managed to grin softly back at her. "Anytime, Sunshine."

She raised a hand and waved slightly. "See you Monday."

"See you Monday," he replied softly.

Looking down, she turned and began walking up the street, glancing back several times, and vanished behind a building on the right side. A blinding flash of light a moment later told him she'd detransformed.

He stood there for a while, watching the last place he'd seen her. Without looking away he murmured his own detransformation words. 

Turning his back and walking away was one of the hardest things he'd ever done.

• • •

Next problem: trying to figure out a decent excuse to his probably-freaked-out mother. After all, he was supposed to be back at 2:45, and here he was walking home at eight the next morning.

Prepare for a long, long lecture.

A million years later, he stumbled onto his street and began making his way wearily down the sidewalk, tripping over every single crack. He squinted to see up the road, and felt his heart sink as he spotted two police cars pulled in the driveway.

Uh, oh . . .

He made a vain attempt to walk casually up the walkway right past the cops in the front yard, whose jaws hit the ground in disbelief. He struggled up the steps and pushed open the front door, where he found his mother talking with the chief.

She faltered mid-speech as soon as she saw him, and her eyes widened. She lurched forward and pulled him into a tight embrace, gasping, "You're safe!" but then stepped back and slapped his arm, suddenly furious. "Where were you all night?!" she demanded.

The chief walked away as he stammered, "I . . . um . . ." He wanted to stay as close to the truth as possible. "I . . . ran into a . . . creepy-looking . . ." Nickname! Nickname! ". . . cat," he continued, as his mother's eyes switched from angry to puzzled. "And it attacked me. So I killed it." He cringed at that last line, thinking maybe it hadn't been the best idea to add it, and the horrified look now occupying his mother's face told him he was right.

"And that took all night?" she asked doubtfully.

He exhaled. "No . . ." It was beginning to take an awful lot of effort to keep his eyes open. His mind had gone totally blank of anything else to say that made much sense.

She seemed to notice that and softened. "Never mind," she sighed. "Go and sleep now. You look ready to pass out. I'll get the rest of the explanation later."

"But . . ." A protest should've been the last thing on his mind, but weirdly, it was the first. He looked vaguely down at his watch but didn't register the time. "I'm late for school."

"Alex," she said gently, exhaling. "It's Saturday."

"It's— oh." He blinked and rubbed his eyes. Of course. Yesterday was Friday. The day he'd been looking forward to all week but would've dreaded if he'd known what would happen. "Goodnight, then." He stumbled down the hall, entered his room, and collapsed on his bed. It felt more soft and comfortable than anything in the world; that was the last thing he remembered until awakening on Sunday morning.