'...like holding burning coal'

[Maalik]

Maalik found himself chuckling heartily, realising the enormity of the question he had just asked. He had been gone a long time, after all, and the Great Game the Kindred played was unceasing.

"Forgive me, perhaps a better question would be, who are the players? I have been hidden here since before the reign of your Prince began. While age itself poses no threat to us, we are far from immortal. I'd imagine most, if not all, of the few that knew me passed long ago."

The old creature paused, stroking his chin as he regarded the woman in front of him. His piousness did not negate his ability to recognise beauty as one might expect. After all, beauty was a gift from Allah, a blessing that could not be ignored.

"After all, a story is little without it's characters," he said warmly, breaking the brief silence with another inhuman smile.