The characters seemed to revolve around each other, not committing, but feeling each other out, testing the waters so to speak. The anticipation build...ng toward a glorious conclusion. There were small points of humor that lighten the tension just enough to keep me and them on edge. The humor wasn’t distracting but made the characters real people to me. These were not words on a page, they were human because the author breathed real life into them. They had insecurities, concerns, second. Where was the white hot heat that they once had, when all that mattered was to touch and feel, to give and take, to drown in each others veneration? Gone with the years, ground down by life. ‘I’m leaving you………’ She stood and walked back out to the mirror on the dressing table, the one where she had sat only minutes before and standing sideways looked at herself. Placing her hand upon her naked tummy she frowned. Still slim her belly was only a little rounded, her breasts still small, her back. The smile dies on her lips under his hand as her eyes bolt open. Her hands fly from under the blankets, reflexively, to grasp his arm. Turned in the position she is, she can only see a hint of arm, but she can sense the rest of him behind her, large and foreboding. She tries to nod slightly to indicate her understanding, but the sharp knife tip is digging into her neck, and all she manages is the tiniest of movements, a muffled, frightened gurgle escaping her throat. She holds perfectly still,. “Yeah.” you manage. The woman grins.“Don’t look so afraid. I won’t hurt you.” she promises, smiling.“Are you sure?” you ask warily.“Positive. Do you have a name?” Mystique asks.“Jason Wall.” you respond. Mystique smiles.“Mr. Wall. I believe you have acquired the powers from a ring known as the Enchanter. The ring reacts only to certain DNA, and mine failed, so I set up a base to see who ends up possessing the Enchanter.” Mystique smiles.“Powers?” you ask, gaping.“Yes. You’ve already gone.