Trista sat in her small studio apartment, papers and books littering her floor, a black cat curled up next to her. Candles where arranged in a perfect circle with a picture in the senter. Trista's emerald eyes seemed to almost glow in the candle light. A smile played on her seemingly gentle features. Trista began reading in latin from the paper she held in her hands, the flaimes from the candles grew higher with every word she spoke till the final word was said and the picture burst into flaimes. Trista let out a soft laugh as she reached down and pet her cat.
" Well Midnight shall we head to bed?" She asked looking at her cat. Midnight replyed with a small meow and headed towards the bed. Trista blew out each of the candles and made a mental note that she needed to clean the mess in the morning. Slidding into her warm bed she turned off the lights and was quickly asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Somewhere on the other side of the states. Alex McLean was not normally a morning person. He actually hated mornings usually wishing he could sleep till noon, but for some reason this day he was up bright and early showering and dressing. He walked down stairs to see his girlfriend of three years pacing the room like a caged animal.
" What's wrong?" He asked looking at her.
" This. Who is she Alex?" Sarah shouted at him throwing the newspaper she was holding in her hands at him. Alex looked at her and then down at the paper that she had tossed at him.
" Baby it was nothing." Alex said trying to sooth the angry woman.
" Fuck you. How long Alex how long?" She shouted at him.
" A few months." He answered shrugging his shoulders as if it where no big deal.
" Didnt our engagement mean anything to you?" She asked him. It was then he noticed the bags that where sitting by the door.
" Baby come on." Alex pleaded with her.
" I'm leaving. I wont stay with a man that will cheat on me." She shouted. She walked over and picked up her bags. " " I'll send for the rest of my things."
" Baby it was one mistake."
" One mistake to many. Dont call me." She said slamming the door leaving Alex standing there stunned and confused. Looking down he saw the picture and the byline.

** Backstreet Boyu AJ McLean was seen here kissing and cuddling with a blond that wasnt his fiancee. Wonder who the mystery woman is.**

" Son of a bitch!" Alex shouted throwing the paper across the room.

Trista had woke early the next mornring to the crying of her cat.
" What's wrong?" She called out to her upset feline. She wasnt sure what could have upset her small cat so much. Climbing from the bed she made her way to the cat.
" How strange. I know this picture was burned last night." She said picking it up. She ran her fingers over the edges of the picture, not even a burnt corner. She looked at the picture closer for a moment and realized that it was a differemt picture.
" This isnt even the same one. Midnight where did you find it?" She asked looking down at the black cat. Midnight just looked up at her and meowed. Trista placed the picture on the stand and reached for her leather bound book. She slowly ran her finger over the serpent that was enlayed into the cover. The gold coloring and emerald eyes glowed in the light.
" Says here when a picture appears after a cleansing ritual is performed that either the male or female in the picture will be the next to be the person's lover. To be the one that competes their soul." Trista let out a small laugh and shook her head in disbelief.
" I highly doubt that. Chris couldnt handle me how is someone else supposed to." Trista said heading into the kitchen for the broom. As she passed her stove she noticed that the pot she had been using the night before was still steaming, walking back into the living room she quickly cleaned the mess and walked into the kitchen to put away the broom. She held the picture of her mystery man.
" Well let's see how well you fare." She said dropping the picture into the boiling pot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alex sat and listened to the rambings of someone selling something he didnt need on television. Sarah had sent a friend of hers to retrieve her things as she had said. Not a word was spoke of Sarah's where abouts and Alex had to admit in some ways he really didnt care.
" God this sucks." Alex muttered as he changed the channel again. He stopped when he came to a news report.

*** Sarah Martin Fiancee of Alexander McLean was seen out last night at a posh new club with a few of her friends. A man was hanging off her arm and every word it seemed. And it was proven that man was not her fiancee. Maybe the two have finally called it quits. More when this story develops. ***

Alex looked at the television in disbelief, he knew that things where over between him and Sarah but he was surprized to see her out with another man so soon. His phone rang startling him out of his thoughts.
" 'ello?"m
" Hey J, what's up man?"
" Not alot Nick. You?"
" Nothing at all. Hey I was wondering do you want to go out with me and Mel tonight?"
" Nah that's ok Nick. I don't want to be the third wheel."
" Actually Mel is bringing one of her friends. Frist time since we started dating that I will get the pleasure of meeting one of her friends."
" I dont know Nick."
" Oh come on Please man. It'll get your mind off Sarah."
" ALright Fine you convinced me. When ya comin?"
" We will be around to get you around 4. Be ready."
" Alright see ya then." Alex said hanging up. Maybe getting out would do him some good. He was only moping around his house and that was even depressing him

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Trista moved around her apartment trying to clean up and get ready to actually go and do some good old fashion shopping when her phone rang.
" Hello?"
" Hey Tris, it's Mel. What's up girl?"
" Notta up here. How are you Mel?"
" I am good. Hey I've got a date tonight and wanted to know if you'd like to come along. He's bringing a friend along."
" Sure sounds like fun. I havent seen you in weeks. How's that boyfriend of yours doing? I dont have to hex him now do I?"
" No. and he's doing fine. You behave yourself with that."
" Oh I havent hurt anyone with this. Plus you know the only reason I started this was to hide something else."
" You mean your telekonesis. I really dont think anyone cared. You never really did anything to draw attention to yourself till now."
" Yeah I know but I am also practicing a craft my great great grandmother had taught my great grandmother who taught my grandmother who taught me. Mom didnt want anything to do with it. But I promise for you I will be on my best behavior."
" Thank you."
" SO when do I expect you and lover boy?"
" By four sound ok?"
" Perfect. See you then." Trisa said hanging up the phone.