Clan Lore and Mutual Enemies.

I once knew an operative who said that nothing worthwhile is ever easy. He claimed to relish a challenge. He'd have loved this gig!

Erynne had been wearing a burned-out Talisman -little or no magic left in it. I had to either get it recharged or find a functional Talisman.

That meant taking a portal to Siberia, where a family of Shaman in Icewind had called operatives several times, with the same recharged Talisman, by using a male to say the Invocation. ( It let them avoid the penalty clause. )

I was about to give up and portal back when a Shaman called Running Fox joined the party. He claimed power -and had the vibes for it. He was wearing the skin of a bear that'd killed his people, too. That's a strong charm, for them.

By then I'd realised what I ought to do. I reminded them that I'd been marked - the bite from Danseen could have turned me Lycanthrope! (I'm an actor. I kept a straight face when I said it.) I had not been taught the Trails of Survival, and Icewind owed me! I claimed my rights under the Outlier Bond.

When he gestured toward the Danseen-girl I showed the brand that Erynne had put on me, during a hot July in another dimension.

Erynne and me are married by Clan standards, committed, with promises made and sealed. Her Mark seals me as a member of Corona, too - and, Shaman or not, he had no more right to demand that I take another wife than I would have had to demand the same of him!

That improved communications a lot! The Lamia is threat to all, especially 'changers, and I left there with spells that would run from power-circles there, in Icewind! It meant we wouldn't have to set-up much in Sunnydale, if we got a fast chance at her.

Icewind have a way with charms and I was given amulets that harness the powers of Shaman long-dead to strengthen the mojo.

The Danseen–girl had stayed as close as though she thought herself a bride, until we neared the portal. Then she was gone. A little later I found the burned-out Talisman and a portal disc were gone, too. I don’t have time to delay.

I have the spells against the Lamia. The sooner the better, for those. Once I get the charged Talisman back to Erynne there’s at least a chance that I can take her back to my home dimension. She’ll be safe, that way.

She's mortal. That changes everything.