A/N: Hope you all enjoy the suspense, mystery and intrigue this fic brings! Happy reading!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately none of it's mine….

He stared down at the soft brown hair falling across her forehead. She looked beautiful, so much so that the urge to take her almost overpowered him. It was only years of training in self-denial that prevented him from doing just that. Her name reinforced it as well, Temperance, it meant 'moderation' or 'control', something he was using in abundance throughout this night.

She sighed, shifting in her dreams, curling a hand under her cheek in a childish manner. Sleep lorded over her like an oppressive master, keeping her consciousness at bay.

Moving to the window he checked to make sure the slatted blinds blocked all glimpses if light from the streetlamps and passing cars. It wouldn't do for them to be disturbed this soon. After all half the fun was in the wait.

A beige blanket appeared in his hand. Draping it over her to ward off the chill, he smiled at the gift he'd been given. Smart, beautiful, characteristics that usually eluded him in the women he chose, but not his time. This was his moment, his opportunity. He only wished the time to keep her could be extended, but he knew the rules. Come morning she'd be gone, vanished like so many before her…by morning she'd be dead.

tbc……..