Duncan graced her with an enchanting, masculine smile tinted with just a bit of teasing. "As my lady wishes." With a tilt of the head, acknowledging her request, he returned to the fire and offered her a seat on the log he had so recently vacated.

She perched on the edge of the log. Lily fluttered in the tree branches above, and Duncan settled on the ground nearby.

"Might I ask why you were tracking me? " he said.

"Well, I..." How can I tell him he is to be used as a prize in a scavenger hunt? For that matter, how do I capture him or tame him in less than twenty-four hours? I didn't even think to bring rope. Devlin looked down at her feet and muttered something to the ground.

"I'm sorry. I didn't catch that," Duncan said congenially, his dark features lit up in merriment. With a tilt of her head, the fairy measured his character as she often did new creatures.

"Well, listen, it's like this. You seem like a nice enough fella, especially for a vampire, and I know this is a lot to ask, but I need to borrow you for ceremony tomorrow night."