Exton

"Violet stone... The Amethyst tear." Ob nods. "I think that would be good. The Spirit Stone, a stone of health and good fortune." He puts the basket away, putting the handful of stones given to Pandora in a separate small bag.

"Traeger, have you ever heard of Allah's Light? There must be music in your soul for it to call to you. It was gifted to my People, along with the power to shift into one creature. Our shift form is not a birth form, it is chosen. Some, like Silk, end up with more than one shape by accident."

He spins the blade, twirling it with practiced ease. There is a commotion on the stairs to the lower level. Keon and Guunnar drag the two shifters into the hallway. Keon hands the female to another Rider who steps from the shadows and bows to Pandora. "Mistress, We take leave of you. You shall never set eyes on these two again. That I promise." He winks at Ob and Pandora.

Ob tugs Pandora's hand and leads her to the back door. A band of mounted Riders wait as the shifters are forced into the coach. It is black, unrelieved black, except for the bones acting as hinges and door knobs, A skeletal creature sits in the driver's box. It turns a skull face to Ob and Pandora and suddenly it winks. It lifts a mask, revealing the beautiful face of a woman. her dark eyes exotic, strangely familiar, her ebony skin glowing in the moonlight. She drops the mask and is once more a Reaper's employee.

Ob waves to Keon and the woman on the seat. With a flick of the reins, the coach lurches into motion and soon slips into the shadows. In moments, it is gone.

Ob is laughing as he pulls Pandora close.

"THAT was Silk's Mother."