Destruction was bound by things as exquisite as he was.

Amongst the great wonders, amongst the largest of populations. Of ordinary people.

Amongst all the population of ordinary people.

He was exquisite.

Maybe there were others just like him.

He was something entirely new to me and all I could do being at the brick of a great new world, was wonder.

Maybe there were others like him. But I was sure— nobody could be as exquisite as he.

My fingers gazed the slight dent on the place where my neck met my shoulders and sighed.

His mark.

Our conversation from last night kept going on and on in my mind, I couldn't be rid of it, I couldn't get it out.

How ironic was it that only just earlier in the evening Dominic had all but confirmed my suspicions — and then Beasty had called.

He had hung up.

And that had confirmed my suspicions once more.

I didn't know what his name was, I didn't even know if I'd ever know, but the knowledge of ever knowing him, even with a stupid nick name I had created in the highest peak of frightened delirium — seemed enough to last a life time.

I didn't know if I'd ever come across him, or if I'd ever recognise him if I did. But the thought of ever being in his presence for a minute seemed enough.

I didn't know why he had bit me. But that bite mark served as a confirmation that he had actually happened, and as stupid as I sounded admitting it — I was all right with that. I was all right with his mark.

Another sigh left my lips as I settled back in my seat. Waiting for our professor had become a ritual. Professor Heirnzberg was always ten minutes late into class.

Always. Especially the morning ones.

"You, all right?"

Surprised, my eyes darted to a concerned looking Abigail sitting beside me.

She leaned closer and I smiled.

"Yes, I'm all right Abby,"

Abby visibly cringed and pulled away. "I hate that nickname,"

I chuckled. "Well too bad you don't pick your own nicknames, aye?"

Abigail eased into her seat as she rolled her eyes, "Yeah, too bad for you too. You have way too many nicknames yourself,"

This time I was the one who cringed. "Touché,"

"Good Morning everyone! Beautiful day here in Berlin today, isn't it?"

Instantly, complete silence overtook the entire lecture hall, and everyone turned to face the sharp featured, grey haired man standing in front of the white board.

Professor Heirnzberg was a very testy man when situation devised it, that was a known fact, but today he genuinely seemed to be in good of spirits.

Looking around I shrugged when I noticed no one was daring to reply.

"It sure is, Professor!" I called out, smiling brightly for extra measure.

Seeming pleased, Professor Heirnzberg smiled back at me, his sharp perfectly aligned teeth near to sparkling under the hall's brightly lit lights.

"Good morning Miss. Fredson! It's good to see you so happy and healthy!" Mr. Heirnzberg turned to face the rest of the class.

One extraordinary thing about Professor Heirnzberg? He remembered each and every one of his students' names.

"This year, the department and I have decided to bring in a very different sort of task for this year's batch. That is, all of you." He paused and did a sweep around the class, as if making sure he had everyone's utmost attention.

Pleased. He continued, "We have conjured up a list of volunteered houses, mansions, castles and also a palace, all of which hold impeccable amount of history and mystery to stimulate each one of your creative minds into producing something wonderful."

As if on cue, dozens of excited and surprised hushed whispers began floating around the room. I, however continued listening intently to Professor Heirnzberg.

"This is not a one semester thing and so you have the whole two semesters, and the actual break period if you wish to use that too — to stay at your designated place, to compile your story, inspired by the mystery and history of your allocated house, and so on."

"So, sir, all of these listed places have volunteered or agreed on having a student play resident on their property for the entire year?" Jaydin spoke up from beside me and I turned to watch him as he spoke before turning towards Professor again.

Professor Heirnzberg shook his head as he leaned forward, resting his hands on his table.

"Good question, Mr. Hall. Every student will have three months of their liking to stay at their distributed locations. After the three-month period, they may visit the properties if necessary, and if the owners allow it. The compilation of their stories may have the period of a whole schooling year. " Professor Heirnzberg eased back up before moving in front of the table and seating himself on it.

"Also, all properties listed are all legally voluntary or approved of by the owners — some of whom also happen to be the governors of this very institute."

Professor Heirnzberg turned to face me, directly, before he spoke again. "Any more questions?"

On reflex I shook my head, then blushed when everyone else echoed out an audible, "No."

Professor Heirnzberg smiled, his twinkling eyes still on me.

"Alright then, there are some rules with this task as this involves actually staying in somebody else's property. Whether with them or in a property they happen to own, it is still their property and it is so very risky to have college students lounging in, even for a school project. So, each of you will sign a form saying that if any mishap happens in these locations with the owners so called assets, the college will not be held accountable and you will be completely at fault if proven guilty,"

I visibly heard as people around me gulped, I myself one of them.

"You may also refuse to partake in this task, whereby you will be given a separate method of earning yourself the same amount of credit this task provides. All of you who do not wish to participate, especially all you ladies, please lift your hands, I have to sort out the other's locations in this very class period."

My eyes darted over to Abigail's. Her eyes met mine and we both shrugged.

Placing both options forward— something told me to choose the first offer. It just seemed more — mysterious.

Do you really need any more mysterious?

"I took kickboxing," Abigail shrugged again as she toyed with her pencil.

Apparently — yes.

I sniggered. "Martial arts,"

Beside us Jaydin gulped, "Yep, you girls are all right."

As Professor Heirnzberg jotted down the girls' and guys' names down on his paper I let my mind wander to the shining golden eyes I had not been able to remove from my memory for the past month.

A loud smack jolted me out of my thoughts and I straightened in my seat instantly, my eyes now on Professor Heirnzberg.

"Alright then, the rest of you, please pick only one chit from the hat as I move around with it, remember, no cheating, only one chit." He spoke out loudly as he began walking around the class.

Three minutes later, chits distributed he moved back to his desk as I toyed with the small tightly folded piece of paper between my fingers.

"Alright then, Andrew, why don't you start, what did you get?"

My eyes darted to Andrew. The quiet, dark haired boy who was actually come from Scotland.

Carefully he unfolded his paper and read aloud, "Shadowood."

My breath hitched in my throat.

The whole estate was said to be haunted.

I felt myself calm down when I noticed how determined he looked, in fact, he actually seemed to all right with his location.

Gutsy.

One by one each one of the participating students called out their locations and one by one my heart beat accelerated with the feeling of excitement.

These properties were either haunted, or held incredible war related history, or mysteries that one actually would love to write stories about. A few even had a warming love story in the background fit for any historical romance author's inspiration.

I couldn't wait till I found out what I had in store.

"Miss. Parker, what did you get?"

Beside me Abigail unfolded her paper and frowned, confused, she looked up at the class, "I got... Redanward Estate"

My eyes widened as I heard her, Redanward Estate was a huge estate renowned for the nineteenth century smuggling lord, Gilroy Ohalm being its owner. The intricate number of tunnels that connected to the main mansion and lead as farther as to the private shores — was another feature worth knowing.

Abigail really did get a good catch.

My eyes met her just in time to catch her grinning as she recalled what Redanward Estate exactly was.

"Ah! A good one to pick out Miss. Parker!"  Professor Heirnzberg turned to me,

"Miss. Fredson?"

Sending a small smile to the professor I looked down at the paper as I unfolded it.

The name came out clear and I stilled.

Still shocked, I looked up.

"Oakenfield Castle,"

~^~
"I can't believe you got Oakenfield Castle,"

Another shiver ran down my arm at the mention of that name and I pulled my blazer closer to me.

"For a castle with such a sinister history and a bucket full of myths, it sure has a very soft innocent name," I muttered in response.

Beside me, Abigail scoffed as she leaned forward on the counter.

The traffic in the parlour today seemed slower than usual days, I suppose it was because of the storm that had forecasted for later in the evening.

Not that I believed the weather reports, after all they were hardly ever right until the very last minute anyway.

"Did you know, the owner is actually one of our University's governors,"

I groaned, "Oh great! A strict old man to add to the haunted castle!"

This time Abigail laughed, "Don't let the banshees hear you say that. Reckon they protect the males of that castle a little too fiercely,"

This time I shivered again, but from disgust.

Shaking my head, I continued to look down at the log book when a smooth looking hand placed a single strand of rose on my log book.

I looked up — and smiled brightly.

"Lessie! Is that for me?" I smiled as I reached for the white rose.

Looking up, I noticed Hugh standing behind her, smiling at me with gratitude.

The boy got his girl! The friend zone was now dead.

My smile turned to a grin.

Lessie nodded and I brought the rose up to my nose to take a whiff.

Beautiful.

"Thank you! I love white roses! How was the dance? Hello Hugh."

Hugh smiled as he sent me a small wave, "Hey."

Lessie however found my palm and wrapped her smaller ones around it, "No. Thank you. I went to the party wearing my dress, with Hugh. You were right. I don't need to change myself. So, thank you."

Smiling soothingly, I pressed my other palm on hers.

"It was my pleasure! I'm just happy you enjoyed yourself and made a good decision."

I guess that was it. Sometimes one had to just give it a leap. Jump into the unconventional. The new. Sometimes fairy tales didn't have a prince and a princess after all. Just a little lost girl and a strange golden eyed beast.

~^~
Dusk seemed at its peak as I watched the lights around our university campus light up one by one, twinkling in the darkness.

"Why are you even going to study in the library?"

Rolling my eyes, I turned to a curious looking Abigail, "Because we have an exam coming up next month?"

Abigail brought both her hands down to her thighs in exaggeration, "Exactly! NEXT month Olivia, next month! Why do you want to study in the library today?"

I shrugged, this time pulling open the car's door and getting out, my bag in hand.

"I don't know. The earlier the better to be honest," I mumbled back as Abigail got out of the car as well.

Giving in, she shrugged as well. "Oh well, if you decide to do better things with your night you know where my dorm is,"

"Yes mum," I called back as I began walking towards the library. Pressing on the lock button, I eased when I heard the distinct click and beep of my car shutting lock.

Telling Abigail, the real reason for me avoiding home would have sounded ridiculous. But it was true. I was avoiding the solitude of my home because of all the thoughts that were just waiting to crash back in when I in my room. I didn't want to think about him.

Quickly, noticing I was already thinking about him I shook my head and fastened my pace.

Walking up to the library had always seemed like a big of a job when I was initially a first-year student but somehow with two years almost happening it seemed like a small walk in be gardens at this stage.

I let out a small huff of breath as I walked into the cold chilly library.

Strangely so, the library seemed slightly on the more unoccupied part of the university today and I frowned in confusion as I walked further into the large room, sending a small smile towards the librarian.

Quickly finding my spot I melted into the seat and began working on the upcoming exam.

I was determined to finish at least an eighth of the revision for it tonight. And then I would go back home, to Letty and aunt Prue.

And all the thoughts my room would bring.

Solitude.

~^~
"Miss"

I groaned as I brought my head up and looked at a concerned looking Librarian.

"Miss, are you okay?" She ushered again, and despite my splitting headache I looked up at her and nodded, then shook my head when the headache increased.

"Miss, it's nearly ten o'clock. You've been here for four hours. Maybe you should go home and rest?"

Ten O'clock?

"Yeah. Yes, I think I should," I mumbled, pressing my temples as I grabbed all of my books and shoved them into my backpack.

Quickly shuffling out of my seat I shot out of library, but not before sending a "Thank you," towards the librarian.

Exiting the library, the last thing I had heard was very loud "Take care," echoing behind me from the librarian.

Despite my already calming headache I smiled, madam librarian had broken her own library's number one rule.

Maintain complete silence.

"Uff!" The impact of colliding into someone hit me strong, and I let out a loud yelp as I felt myself flow backwards from the sudden collision.

Immediately two strong arms reached out and grabbed mine, pulling me forward.

I let out another "Uff," when my face smacked against a hard chest. The expensive cologne on the person's black probable Armani suit, struck a familiar chord and I looked up, then froze.

"I suppose looking while you're walking isn't something you usually do?"

I blinked. The man's dark intense eyes pierced into mine and I flinched backwards.

Immediately his arm wrapped around my back and pulled me forward.

"And to top it all you're clearly clumsy and sick,"

I flinched again.

Then looked down at his arm, wrapped around me.

"I'm sorry," I blurted out, then twisted so that he would let me go.

This time. He did.

Despite myself I looked back up at him and froze again. I couldn't see the man clearly; the light only partially illuminated his features — while I stood in the light.

I could however make out his almost shoulder length hair, and the slight shadows of a stubble on his face. I frowned when I noticed I couldn't say much about his lips because it was pulled up into a thin line. I couldn't see his eyes anymore, but strangely the shadows in which it hid still held me captive. It felt like I'd seen those eyes somewhere.

"Are you quite done staring yet?"

I almost groaned as I felt a deep blush take over my face. "Sorry," Flustered I extended my hand out, "Hi! I'm Olivia."

I watched fascinated as the corners of the stranger's lips pulled up in the smallest of trace of humour.

Reaching out, he covered my hand with his, "Rome."

My eyes widened when complete warmth fell over my hand. Beasty's mark tingled as sparks shot under my skin. I snapped my head towards Rome's to see his eyes slightly widen too.

Almost stiffly, he quickly ripped his hand from mine.

"What was that?" I whispered, almost to myself as I pulled my open hair to one side and automatically began soothingly massaging Beasty's bite mark.

Instantly Rome's arms reached out and pulled me against him, a low growl rumbled out of his chest. I gasped when I felt his lips against my mark. The sparks took over again as I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand.

Gulping down my fear I moved a little back and looked up at Rome. His shining golden eyes only made me gasp louder.

"Who are you?" I whispered, my hands clutching to the front of his suit.

We stood motionless for a second before I felt his hands move from him back to my arms. Still, in the shadows he leaned forward and reflexively I held my breath.

"Beasty,"

His whisper echoed around me in the darkness as Immediately he twirled me around and I let out a small yelp.

Forcing myself to stop mid spin I looked up only to see that Rome was nowhere in sight. Rome was now gone. Rome. His name was Rome.

My headache came crashing back as tiny black dots began taking over my vision.

My world darkened — but only after seeing the familiar golden eyes before me again, I swooned. And then fell into the darkness.

The feel of two familiar strong arms around me, the last clear knowledge in my mind.