Cornelius was screaming outside, reminding me that Milena was slipping into darkness. Was it because of the jet black serpent that came with her soul from behind the veil? Or was it the maliciousness of the Dark Lady? Or even the resentful ghost of Cecylia? Or a combination of all those things?

I looked at Tomek. He was worried sick about his sister, and if you asked me, rightfully so. The evil in me was responding to her cruelty with glee, which only confirmed my suspicions.

Even Francesco, with all his hatred towards vampires, was really on edge. Torture didn't sit well with him, even it was a leech being tormented. He kept close to me. Too close for me not to burn with desire. And it wasn't just sex that I wanted. The collar on his neck was blinking green, catching my eye and reminding me of the power I had over this handsome man. I so wanted to exert it. And so hated it at the same time.

Milena came to us in the morning. We didn't ask her what became of Cornelius. I think we were afraid of the answer we would get. Cowards, we were all cowards.

The necromancer knew where to find the supplies so we had a meal together. We ate in silence, our hearts heavy with all that has happened. I wanted to find myself a room for the day when Francesco suggested that I should join him in his. I was far too exhausted to fight the temptation any longer. So I agreed.

Tomek shot me a frightened look when he realized where I was going to sleep. Poor lad knew I was a monster and was worried for my mate. Of course he was right. With all the fatigue and raging lust I would have trouble controlling myself for sure. I silently prayed it wouldn't turn too ugly.

Without much thought I took off my shoes and threw myself on the bed. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. First mistake. Francesco's sweet scent hit on my nostrils, waking me like a shot of espresso. Shit.

He lay down beside me. I felt his gaze on me, heard his breading becoming ragged, his heart beating fast. This shouldn't be happening.

I turned onto my side and looked him in the eyes. He smiled at me awkwardly, suddenly shy like a boy. His long hair was loose on the pillow. I pushed away a strand from his face. My fingers tingled when I traced his beard. I wanted him so much that it hurt. I swallowed hard.

Cruel thoughts flashed in my mind, making me burn with passion. The images of causing him pain were repulsive and exciting at the same time. I moved away from him. Only slightly, it was all I could muster. He slid closer to me, his hand on my waist. I should have pushed him away, but I couldn't.

I should have ordered him to run away from me. I couldn't do that either. What I did instead was to command him to make love to me. He was sweet, gentle and considerate. It took all I had in me not to fall on him like a predator on its pray, brutal and blind.

He gave me pleasure like I have never felt before. Strange enough with his every move peace was flowing through my body and mind, the darkness recoiling, the light finding its way out, flowing through me like a clear stream. Francesco's brown eyes were warm and sweet like honey when we locked our gazes in the rhythmic dance of our bodies.

There was so much more than lust in me now. There was want, and love, and longing. He was like a safe harbor, like a long lost home. I melted in delight, for the first time in a long while not torn by the sinister instincts. He was mine, we belonged together and everything was as it should have always been.

Light exploded before my eyes when I came with a loud scream. That's when the vision started. I was sitting by a stream, it's cold water gently caressing my fingers, like a living thing, nuzzling me like a lazy cat. I raised my hand and the water flowed up after it, glimmering in the rays of the morning sun. I knew I could make this water go wherever I wanted.

I heard footsteps and turned abruptly, the water following me hastily. Among the lush trees there he stood with a roguish smile on his handsome, Asian face. Anael.

"Join me, Ada. We could rule the world together," he coaxed.

I felt his energy flow up to me, hot and foul.

"Never," I snorted with disgust. "You're an abomination."

"You will be mine, If you don't want to be my partner, then you'll be my slave," he grimaced, his form suddenly flowing into its female version.

"You've tried before. You will fail yet again," I responded with disdain.

I didn't feel fear, only resentment.

"But now I'm already a part of you. You will not deny me," she said triumphantly.

I shuddered at the thought.

"Ada! Ada, wake up!" Francesco was holding me by the arms.

I came to my senses, still shaken by the vision. Was it of the future or of the past? Without a word I cuddled into my mate, looking for comfort in his warm embrace. He hugged me tightly, gently stroking my back. I felt tears running down my cheeks. When was the last time I cried? I couldn't remember.

I told him about the vision. It felt good to finally be able to share my concerns instead of keeping them down inside me. About the fear that I was becoming a monster. That I would be hurting the people I care for.

"You're not going to hurt anybody," Francesco stated with conviction, wiping away my tears with his fingers.

"You should know the best I can be a beast, when I lose control. I've already hurt you..." I protested, looking him straight in the eyes.

"But you didn't. Even when you were on the edge you were restraining yourself not to hurt me. The night that Lily provoked you, you barely controlled your body, but yet you made sure not to cause me pain," Francesco's words surprised me.

"But I saw you the next day. The bruises and cuts... I must have been brutal..." I felt ashamed of myself.

"You weren't. I mean, you kind of were, but we both got carried away. We both enjoyed it, you're just really strong... The pleasure got you ecstatic I suppose," he smiled sheepishly.

For a long time I stayed silent, trying to process what I've heard.

"So why did you avoid me afterwards? I thought you got scared of me?" I asked finally.

"No. I just felt like a jerk. You weren't in control of yourself and I lured you to my room and practically made you make love with me. It was like using a drunken woman," he admitted guiltily.

"I... you did nothing wrong. You took a great risk to help me. I'm so glad I didn't make you pay a high price for that," I whispered and kissed him fervently.

I haven't felt this safe and calm since I went into the First Lab.

We stayed in Francesco's room late into the night. I just couldn't let go of this new found comfort. It was probably around midnight when we emerged from bed and went looking for something to eat. Strangely enough there were no vampires to be seen anywhere.

We brought some food from the kitchen that we managed to find fairly fast and decided to have the meal in the lounge. Unexpectedly only Robert was there, a pile of books in front of him on the coffee table.

He looked up when we came in, but seemed disappointed when he realized it was us.

"Where are Tomek and Milena?" I asked, munching on a sandwich.

"Milena took her vampires and went out to look for the woman that introduced her to the cult. I have no idea how she intends to find her, but she seemed convinced that she'd succeed. Tomek wanted to go with her, but she protested. He was worried for her, so I showed him how to cast an invisibility spell and he went after her," the wizard recounted.

It was obvious he was upset about his son taking the risk.

"In the meanwhile I looked for information about this Anael that Milena mentioned. I went through the volumes," he pointed to the old, leather bound tomes on the table. "Cecylia sure collected an impressive library. It appears, that Anael is no god, but a demon."

Well, I was rather expecting that. I wondered if the serpent I saw on Milena was coming from him.

"Did you find anything useful? Like where to find him or how to fight him?" Francesco asked impatiently.

"Not really. All I have on it is an old legend, I guess. About five thousand years ago Anael was roaming the earth freely. He was corrupting everything he touched. Procreation he turned into infertile lust, competition into mindless cruelty and survival of the fittest into a bloodbath. He went too far and had to be stopped. That's when a gifted human was chosen. Ada got the ability to wield the forces of nature. She challenged Anael. They fought, the battle going for days and nights on end. The land was destroyed around them, but none could prevail over the other. And then something happened, but there is no record of it. Only the outcome is known – Anael was finally defeated, his powers crushed and he himself imprisoned behind the veil. Ada on the other hand lost so much of her humanity during the battle, that she became akin to gods, immortal. But she didn't want to be like that, so she locked her memories and powers within herself and started living one life after another, without remembering the past. It is said, that when the dire need comes, she will awaken to fight the evil once again," Robert finished dramatically.

I shot a look at Francesco to see if he was thinking what I was thinking. He nodded. I was just going to tell Robert about my vision, when Milena came back with her vampires. Unexpectedly Cornelius looked radiant, though his eyes were haunted.

Before I could start any conversation the old vampire took a hold of Francesco, dragging him away from me and locking him in a grip, threatening to break his neck. His offspring surrounded Robert, cutting him off of me. I stared at Milena, sure the attack was her idea. Tomek was nowhere to be seen.

"It's nothing personal, Huntress," the necromancer addressed me smiling apologetically. "Please put away your weapons and you'll be taken to the dungeon. Behave yourself or you'll lose your fated mate," she said calmly.

There wasn't even any malice in her voice.

I gritted my teeth and unstrapped the knife from my belt. My axe was still at Francesco's room. I threw him a glance to see how he was doing. My heart was aching at the thought of his suffering, but for now I had to play along with his captors.

You'd think that being a seeing one I would choose my companions better. Second betrayal in less than a fortnight. This had to end.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked the necromancer.

"To make the world a better place," she smiled warmly.

She must have lost her mind completely.

"By attacking your friends?" I inquired studying her face for any signs of hysteria.

"You'd try to stop me from doing what is necessary," she responded simply and turned away from me, letting me know that our conversation was over.

She ordered the young vampires to drink Robert's blood. Compelled by her power they fed moderately, taking turns, with only small sips from the wizard's wrist. He was pale but didn't oppose them. I clenched my fists. For now I had to withhold my anger.

Oncethey were all done, three of the leeches escorted me to my cell. It was thesame one that I spent the day with Lily in – it still had the bed and bucket.How considerate.