"Hey," Shane said as he joined Kian at the breakfast table.

"Morning," Kian replied. The tone is his voice made Shane look up, and as he met Kian’s eyes he saw a hint of something he couldn’t place. A shiver went up his spine, but then it cleared and he relaxed, shaking it off convincing himself he’d only imagined it. But had he?

-------

"Have you noticed anything strange with Kian lately?" Nicky asked as Shane came out of the shower that evening.

"Why?" Shane asked, the events of that morning coming back into his mind.

"You know, like he hasn’t been himself or something?"

Suddenly something clicked, "Is he cheating?! Did you-"

"No, Shane, no…" Nicky quickly chipped in. "He’s not cheating on you." Nicky sighed; it was now or never. "It’s something else…"

Shane sat down beside him. "What?"

Nicky looked at him. "Shane, I am… I’ve been sent here on a mission."

"A mission?!" Shane was getting a bit confused, what had that got to do with Kian?

Nicky nodded, "I’m here to protect you."

"Protect me?" Shane echoed, "From what; Kian?"

Nicky tilted his head back and forth before he replied, "Not exactly. It’s from a spirit that’s within Kian."

Shane was trying to digest the words he’d just heard. "A spirit?"

Nicky saw the need to explain everything. "Shane, you and Kian have met in past lives. During different circumstances you have always succeeded in bringing Kian down, you have always been more popular and successful than he has. In the 14th century, Kian and you were brothers. You came from a noble family. You were the oldest son and when your father died the estate and most of the money went over to you. You drove your mother, Kian and your younger sister out of the house and made Kian take care of the rest of the family."

He stopped and looked at Shane, he seemed a bit shaken but that was understandable. "Anyway, after a year Kian decided that he’d have to take revenge. A mile outside the village lived an old woman, who had devoted herself to the devil. Back then she’d have been known as a witch. She gave him a potion that would kill him, but when he died his soul would belong to the devil and he’d give him the strength to get his revenge in another life. Kian took it and drank it. You found him just before he died, regretted what you had done but it was too late, he died in your arms, saying he was going to pay revenge next time you met."

By now Shane looked really confused. "For centuries, fate has made sure that your paths have not crossed, wanting to protect you from evil. But, while so far the good spirits have been able to protect you, the evil has been plotting a way to cross yours and Kian’s paths again. They’ve been successful this time…"

Chapter 3 >>