There was thunder up above in the real world. Magda and Francesca kept pent up all week pacing the floor space of our tiny apartment in punishment for my little escapade on the tube. The vision of the man turning into a monster played over and over in my head. His body coiling and contorting as the woman helplessly watched on in horror was burnt into my memory. Hugging my knees into my chest I sat on the bed and tried to forget that poor woman’s face as the monster devoured her. There was another loud rumble of thunder above. Michael said he would come home early today. Nothing more was ever said about the night Michael abruptly left me after we made love for the first time. Micheal pretended it was all the overwhelming emotion he had experienced in that moment but I knew he was lying. Keira had spelt it out quite clearly for me- who the hell runs away just like that? Hours I had spent typing into search engines on the internet browsing through dating site after dating site for other girls whose partners had experience a sudden sense ‘heightened emotion’ after sex. I wanted to prove Keira wrong but I ended up proving her right. There wasn’t one single case where a man just abruptly left because he was confused by his emotions. I felt so childish. All this crap I read in books and seen in films were miserable lies. Relationships hurt especially when the person you love is keeping secrets from you.

Magda knocked on the door and poked her head through, “Good news kid your off from parole.”

I waved my hands weakly in the air and pretended to care, “Yay.” I said flatly.

“I left your blood on the side. Me and Fran are going out, okay hunny bunny.”

“Great!” I smiled.

I got up and drank the blood quickly and got dressed. Michael  left a note on the side. He was going to try and get the evening off to spend with me. Part of me felt happy while the other part felt pissed. Why would I want to spend time with someone who lied to me.

I knocked on the door and Sheldon opened it, “About fucking time!” He yelled, ushering me in.

I followed him into his Spanish styled villa where Stephen was laid back on the sofa sipping a cool glittering tequila.

“I can’t believe you fucking dragged us into this.” Sheldon said slamming his fist against the table.

“Dragged you into what? What are you talking about?” I said confused.

Sheldon picked up a thick wad of paper and shook it in my face, “Have you any fucking idea what the fuck you have gotten yourself into!”

Defensivly I snapped, “No I haven’t.”

“A whole pile of shit. Deep doggy doo doo up to my god damn eye balls,” Sheldon replied

“The files you wanted aren’t  kept on the government data system.”

“Shit.” I sighed.

“It means these are really top secret- the kind of top secret that even vampires are assassinated for seeing. Me and Stephen had to cover our tracks really good to make sure your boyfriend wouldn’t be knocking on our door.”

“So if you didn’t find the files what did you find.”

“Where the files are kept. Now the question is how bad do you want these files?” Sheldon asked pulling out his laptop.

“Pretty f-ing bad.” I replied.

“Good, because I have the feeling this is going to blow your mind. The files are kept in a secure archive by the slayer department. The awesome news is that I know where the archive is, the bad news is that the archive is not exactly a locked filing cabinet. The archive is on a boat, a decommissioned passenger ferry to be more precise.”

“I know.”

“What do you mean ‘you know’? How?”

“When Magda and Francesca took me to England we went by boat. I was in the archive. I remember hiding in a room full of files, I even peeked into a couple.”

“Looks like you will be going back there. The boat will be docking in Portsmouth three nights from now. You have until then to come up with a plan to get sneak out of the hotel, get to Portsmouth,  break into a ship and steal the files. Me and Stephen wish you the best of luck.” Sheldon said snapping his laptop.

“Oh no, don’t think you can walk away from this. You two are now involved in this. There is no way I can do this by myself.”

“No one can do this. This is mission impossible.” Sheldon said.

Stephen interrupted, “Keira could help.”

“Keira?” I said dryly.

“Yeah, she seems like bitch but trust me she can help you.”

“Ignore, Stephen, he doesn’t know what he talking about,” Sheldon laughed nervously, “Stephen shut up right now.”

“Get a spine Sheldon,” Stephen replied nonchalantly. “You know Keira and her husband are the only ones made enough to pull that sort of stunt.”

“Keira has a husband?” I replied in shock. How the hell did that happen? Keira was so slutty, the thought of me touching another man made me want to vomit. How the hell did manage to be so promiscuous while having a mate.

“Yeah, but not the type you can bring home to Mommy and Daddy. Keira is definatly the girl to help you.”

This wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Keira was the type of person whose personality was so abrasive even in these dire circumstances I really didn’t want to ask for her help. Deep down I really didn’t trust her and I quite honestly, I hated her.

“Keira hates me, and I hate her. I really don’t see why she would want to help me.” I said frankly.

“This isn’t about you Lorna. This is about Emma, Keira’s sister. I’m sure Keira would put aside her petty grudge to bring her sister’s murderer to justice.” Stephen replied.

I fell silent. All this time I had been trash talking Keira, I had forgotten that she had lost someone so dear to her. Vampires shared  strong family bonds. I realised that when Magda spoke about Leandro, her estranged grandfather. Even though he had virtually condemned her to death I could still see flickers of affection and warmth when she spoke of him.

“Fine,” I nodded. “Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.” I said.

“Yeah well, if we all wind up fucking dead, I’m going to be really f-”

I slammed the front door behind me before Sheldon could finish his umpteen cuss of the evening. Putting my hands in my pockets I walked along the corridor to the elevator to find Keira. God knows how I was going to explain everything to her, but I really needed her help. If my vampire parents or Michael ever found out what I was planning I would be dead for certain.

Keira wasn’t hard to find. Like usually she was skulking about the bar trying to lure seedy old men into her trap. I can’t believe she was married. Tonight a poor Swedish tourist was slumped against her looking very pale in the shadowy booth. Sasha was hovering about too but he was too engrossed with two six foot models to notice me. Quietly I slid into Keira’s booth; she didn’t notice me because her face was buried into the man’s neck. The smell of blood hit my nostrils and I felt my fangs pop out. Crap.

“Hey.” I said covering my mouth, glancing nervously about.

Keira lifted her head for a second and gave me a cold curious stare.

“Why are you mumbling?” She asked, letting  go of the man. He slumped over the table semiconscious and Keira dabbed to the corners of her mouth with a napkin.  

“Teething issues.” I said.

She smiled mockingly and pulled out a silver case, flicking it open she removed one of the long fine cigarettes and placed it in her mouth and lit up.

“Do you smoke?”

I shook my head.

“Neither did I until I died,” Keira said exhaling a cloud of white smoke. “Daddy always tells me off for smoking in the bar ever since that silly public ban. Are you sure you don’t want to try one?”

I shook my head again. The man next her made a gurgling noise and said something in Swedish before passing out. Keira groaned and covered his face with a napkin. Turning her attention back to me she said,

“So what brings a girl like you to my booth?”

“I need a favour.” I said still covering my mouth.

Keira giggled and raised her hand over her mouth intimatating me, “Poor little baby. Maybe if you ate some real food you would over come this little toddler stage.”

Picking up the man’s arm she offered his wrist to me. I pushed the man’s arm away and shook my head trying to concentrate of anything but the overwhelming stench of blood.

“Sheldon and Stephen said you would probably be able to help me.” I said.

Keira pretended she didn’t hear me, “Did you ever find out what Michael was hiding from you?” she asked.

“I didn’t come here to discuss my personal life.” I replied.

“I know, but I find it so deliciously interesting.”

I bit my tongue and tried not to get up and walk away. Keira smiled pleasantly and snapped her finger at the barman who promptly came over with two long glasses of blue cocktail. Carefully I scrutinised the drink for silver.

“No silver,” Keira smiled sipping the juice, “I saw that embarrassing fiasco with Sasha. Michael looked like he was going to tear his head off when you grinding up against Sasha.”

“I wasn’t grinding!” I snapped.

“Relax! Enjoy the cocktails.” Keira said.

“Look,” I said losing my temper. “In three days time I need to go to Portsmouth, but I need to go undetected.”

“Why the hell do you want to go Portsmouth?”

“I need to break into the Slayer’s file archives to get some files that might help find your sister’s killer.”

The cool demeanor fell from Keira’s face and for the first time I saw real anguish beneathe those black eyes. She nodded her head slowly and said quietly, “Go on.”

“The files are kept on an old passenger ferry that sails about doing I don’t know what. In three days it is going to dock and this is the only opportunity I am going to get to break in and grab those files. Do you think you can help.”

Keira nodded, “Yeah, I can get you there.”

“No one can ever know we are gone, especially my parents and the archangels soldiers. Michael would kill me.” I said.

Putting out the cigarette, Keira leaned back against the seat, “Fine, but you need to get yourself grounded first.”

“Why?”

“Because that is the only way this is going to work. Trust me. Get yourself grounded and I will arrange everything else.” Keira said.

“Okay.”

“You need to go now, I can see one of those slayer bastards lurking in the shadows. Don’t worry he’s not a vamp, he’s a human, so he wouldn’t of heard out conversation but you need to go now.”

I got up and walked out the booth and out the bar. Looking over my shoulder I realized that the man from the bar was following me. Quickly I dashed to the elevator and went down straight back into my apartment. The thunder storm raged on above. I lay on my bed and tried to watch some television but I felt sleepy. I closed my eyes and drifted into a light sleep.

A loud bang woke me and Michael stepped into my room soaking wet. He unbuttoned his shirt snapping, “God damn British weather.” Flinging his shirt across the room he grabbed a towel that was hanging from the side of my chair. I sat on the bed staring at his chest that was covered in a thin film of moisture. The heat inside began to stir and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t look away from him. Michael pointed at the television where a reporter was standing outside a derelict building that had been cornered off.

“Fucking monsters everywhere.” he muttered. He hadn’t noticed I had not said a word since he walked in. My mind was fully occupied lapping up the glory body of his toned chest, I was almost tempted to sneak a photo of him with my phone. Michael stood still watching the tv for a few moments longer before walking over the mains and pulling the plug.

“Barry is going to be all over my ass because of this,” Michael said pulling out his cell and turning it off, “If the guys want me they can wait til tomorrow.”

Michael changed into a pair of sweat pants that hung over his hips leaving nothing to the imagination. I forced myself to lie back against the bed and close my eyes and listen to the low rumble of thunder from above. Beside me the bed gave way and I felt Michael’s arm brush against mine. He felt so warm, and smelled so earthy.

“How have you been amusing yourself without me?” He asked nonchalantly.

I rolled on to my side to look at him but this was a mistake. Inside fire grew stronger and when I saw those dark flecks of hair fall across his eyes all I wanted to do was kiss him. My hand involuntary rested against his chest as I leaned towards him. Michael closed his eyes putting his arm around me and gently pulling me towards him. The clothes that I wore suddenly felt like heavy armour, Michael ran his hand under the seams of my t-shirt tugging at it as his mouth captured mine. His kisses were slow and torturous. His then hands skimmed down over my shoulders and I felt the softness of his lips combined with the stubble of his chin move slowly along my neckline. I couldn’t breathe. Leaning into him  his tongue swirling over the beating pulse in my neck. He was going to bite me again. I could feel his teeth scraping over my skin waiting for the perfect time to sink in but he held back. Moving away he said, “Lay back.” His eyes were feral and unrestrained and there was a wicked curve to his mouth. Obediently I lay back against the pillows of my bed, my hair cascading around me. Michael moved over me, virtually imprisoning me with his body. 

“Do you realize how beautiful you are?” He asked leaning down and taking possession of my mouth before I could even reply.  I could feel his hardness pressing against me and my thighs seemed to move apart to accommodate him without any conscious thought. Michael removed his  sweat pants without me even noticing and slipped his hand up my thigh and pulled down the hem of my panties. Keira words echoed in my head, Michael would try to control me using the power he had over my body. Suddenly I felt myself turning cold and Michael lifted his head up for a moment and looked down at me.  He read the expression in my face and for one moment I thought he was going to ask me what was wrong but he didn’t. Instead he bent down to my neck and flicked his tongue over the pulse. I shuddered against him and felt his teeth scraping back and forth. The heat was rising and building, I wrapped my arms around his neck and braced myself.  The desperation and need to be one with his flesh was clawing away inside of me. He sunk his teeth into me and plunged himself into me. The ecstasy and agony was a feeling that no words could adequately explain. I wanted to scream his name to the heavens but forced myself to cry into his shoulder. The sensation of him burying himself into me over and over was so intense I thought I was going to die from the sheer combination of agonizing bliss. Michael gently retracted his fangs and wiped the blood from my neck. He grabbed on to the bed sheets either side of me and bit on to a pillow next to me as the climax began to build. Pleasure built up in waves until eventually the frenzy peaked and sent Michael and I crashing back down to earth.

Michael rolled off me heavily breathing, while I lay still in a sort of hazy dream like daze. Michael slashed his wrist open with his teeth and offered it out to me. The blood poured down his wrist in bright red streaks. My fangs popped out in my mouth but I pushed his wrist away.

God I felt so awful lying here knowing that in a few days time I was going to betray him. Concerned Michael leaned over me,

“Hey, you need the blood. You are looking pale again.” He said.

“I’m fine.” I said rolling away from him.

“Are you mad at me?” He asked, as I got up.

“No. I’m going to take a shower.”

“Lorna-”

He called after me but I left the room and crossed into the bathroom. I couldn’t sit there next to him knowing I was lying. The thought of betraying him made me sick to my stomach. Locking the door I took my shower and washed my hair. There was another loud bang of thunder and the lights blacked out just as I was getting out the bath.

“Crap.” I muttered to myself.

Michael banged on the bathroom door urgently and I fumbled through the darkness and unlocked the door, “It’s okay, I’m not afraid of the dark.” I said.

He dragged me against him and shut the door locking it, “This is a modern hotel with two back up generators. This isn’t a black out. We are under attack.” He said.