When the electric shutters descended to protect Marcus' home from the oncoming dawn, I felt a strange comfort in shutting out the daylight. For me, daylight had always been my sanctuary, those blessed hours when I knew I could move around freely, without fear of what I might encounter in the dark. Daylight meant strictly no vampires and yet, here I now was, happy to be wrapped in the arms of one and glad that I would get to spend the rest of the day inside this new prison cell of my own making, together with Michael.

After the first time in the bath, the sex that had followed didn't relent in its intensity, and in the end, it was only my exhausted body that begged me to stop. I think even Michael was grateful for the reprieve, although I'm sure he could have lasted a little longer if I'd insisted.

Each time, however, I'd felt that same yearning I'd experienced in the bath. That same hunger for him to bite me. Each time I'd bared my throat, almost pushing myself against his mouth, secretly wishing he would pierce my skin with his incisors and each time, I could the sense that he knew, but I couldn't work out whether he was horrified by it, or knew it was a line he just couldn't cross.

I didn't even know what would happen if he did. Would he try to bring me into the blood? Could he? Or would it be that point where my curse resisted my desires and took control, forcing me to stop denying my natural instincts and attack the vampire in my arms?

Whatever the outcome, all I knew now, as I lay beside him, watching the natural rise and fall of his chest as he slept, was that it had left me confused and ashamed. I shouldn't have wanted him to do it. It should never have even entered my thoughts. But it had, and the disquiet had crept into my veins once more, mingling with the ever-present buzz of my curse, until eventually I had to untangle myself from Michael's sleeping form and go take a shower.

Once showered and dressed, wearing clothes that Marcus had already prepared for me before he'd brought here, I headed to the kitchen, keen to check out the packed fridge.

Considering he was no longer human; Marcus had done well to stock the refrigerator with every taste sensation imaginable that could bring a hungry girl to her knees. My eyes lit up as I scanned the shelves and my stomach growled with want. In the end, I grabbed fruit and yoghurt, zapped some pastries in the microwave and slathered them in extra butter and syrup, and finished with eggs, bacon, and toast, all washed down with fresh orange juice. At the dining table, surrounded by the remnants of my feast, I rubbed my groaning stomach and consoled myself with the fact it had been a long time since I'd eaten anything.

When the ring tone interrupted my thoughts, I jolted, staring wildly around the room, searching for the source of the sound, before I remembered Marcus leaving the mobile phone on the coffee table by the couch, eyeing Michael with an intense disapproval before he left us alone.

Rushing to the table, I picked it up and hit call accept.

'It is done.' Marcus' voice was clear and crisp through the speaker. 'Tell Mr. Quinn I will have a car waiting at sunset to take him to his friends.'

My heart murmured. He'd done it. He'd actually done it.

'Where are they?' I asked.

'They will be returned to the same place from which Mr. Dufort took them. Be sure to tell Mr. Quinn he will be leaving promptly when the sun sets. I do not wish to have to send my security team to search for him.'

I ignored his terse tone. 'Marcus?'

Silence greeted me, but I knew he was still there, waiting.

'Thank you.' And I meant it.

The line went dead.

I stared at the phone in my hand, a wave of emotions tumbling over me. I was happy for Michael. Thrilled that he would be reunited with his family. Glad that I had helped make this happen for him. And yet...

'He did it, didn't he?'

I looked up to find him casually leaning against the doorway, his hair sleep-tousled, dressed in his t-shirt and unbuttoned jeans, his feet bare. I didn't want to catch the understanding in his gaze, but I did, and I covered it up with a massive grin that would probably not have looked out of place on a waxwork model.

'I told you he would. I knew Sébastien wouldn't be able to resist a deal like this. They'll be returned to the beach house. He's going to have a car ready to take you to them at sunset.'

Michael said nothing, just gave a barely imperceptible nod of his head and remained where he was, but his eyes never left me as I rushed over to the table, pretending to be embarrassed about the mess and keen to clear it all away.

'Sarah...'

I hurriedly brushed any spilt crumbs into my hand and threw them onto one of the plates, stacking them together with hands that just seemed intent on trembling as I did my best not to look at it him.

'Marcus was pretty insistent I make sure you're ready to go on time. Looks like he's enjoying this whole over-protective dad thing, huh? But it's great he got them back,' I babbled, my words tumbling over one another.

When he said my name again, I gasped, feeling the rush of air whoosh in as he sped across the room to encircle me from behind. His mouth was by my ear, his hands grasping mine as he wrapped my arms around my body and embraced me, resting his head on my shoulder.

Tears sprang hot and unwanted to my eyes, and I swallowed, feeling his loss already like a knife to the gut, even know he was still with me.

'You don't have to do this. He can't keep you here,' he whispered, his voice cracked and hoarse.

'I made a deal,' I insisted.

'So, you're Dufort now?' His joke was weak, and he knew it, but I smiled anyway, even if I did have to push back the sob to do it.

He pressed his mouth to my cheek and stayed there for a few seconds, his lips soft and warm upon my skin which buzzed a little at the contact. I closed my eyes and the tears pushed over the edge and trickled down my face. Michael squeezed me tighter.

'I have to stay,' I said. 'It'll be okay. I'll be safe here.'

'You'd be safer with me.'

It was my turn to say nothing then, but the truth was, I wasn't sure I believed that. I knew Michael would keep me safe as best he could, but his mission now would be to find William and the other trueborns, and I couldn't help but feel it was better for me not to be there when he finally found them. I knew Marcus' opinion on the trueborns came from a point of bias, of just wanting to protect me from the unknown, but even I sensed that there was something about this part of our strange quest that left a sour taste in my mouth and knotted my insides with an unsettling feeling that I couldn't untangle. I couldn't explain it even to myself, and I knew there was no way I could voice this to Michael.

No. It was better this way. I didn't like it, but I'd been doing things my whole life that I didn't like. Now didn't have to be any different than it was before I'd met him. Besides, I wasn't so sure that Marcus wouldn't retaliate and try to hurt Michael if I reneged on our agreement.

'You're not going to change your mind on this, are you?' He sighed, defeated, his body sagging slightly against mine.

I turned in his arms, reaching up and linking my hands behind his neck. 'What can I say? You're an arsehole, and I'm a stubborn bitch.'

'Exceedingly stubborn.' He frowned, but let me press my lips to his anyway, our tongues sliding into each other's mouths with ease. He pulled back out of the kiss, sucking on his lower lip and swallowing. 'Hmm, you taste of bacon. And syrup.'

'I had quite the feast.'

He glanced over my shoulder. 'So, I see. Are you still hungry?'

God, I loved that look in his eyes way more than what could be considered healthy.

I ran my tongue over my teeth. 'Ravenous, actually.'

Michael grinned, flashing incisors and that familiar throbbing heated the base of my stomach, making my mouth water with want.

'Lucky for you, I just might be able to do something about that appetite of yours.'

'Oh, lucky me.'

***

The rest of the day sped cruelly by in a blur, with the knowledge that sunset was inevitable.

When it finally arrived, both of us were showered and dressed, and doing our best to avoid each other's gaze, but when the elevator pinged to announce its arrival, Michael's hand found mine, our fingers naturally curling together in a way I knew I'd miss, as much as I'd miss his mouth on my body and the way he whispered my name as he came.

The elevator doors opened, and the fake Jason Statham stood there, his face blank and unreadable. God, the thought of being left with this emotionless machine filled my chest with dread and I squeezed Michael's hand tighter, noting how Jason's eyes flitted to where our hands met.

'He didn't think Michael would leave, did he?' I said.

'If Mr. DiCenzo had thought that he would have sent the whole team, Miss Solomon,' Jason replied curtly, nodding to Michael to get into the elevator. I noticed his hand was poised over the gun on his hip.

As I went to accompany Michael into the elevator, Jason raised his hand. 'Just him, Miss Solomon.'

Michael hesitated, turning to me. 'Maybe you should stay here. I really hate goodbyes.'

I scowled at him, before releasing the full force of it onto Jason. 'If Marcus thinks I'm going to let Michael leave without watching him getting into that car unharmed, then he's got another thing coming. He can argue with me about it later, but it's not an argument he's going to win, trust me.'

'Mr. DiCenzo isn't somebody used to losing arguments.'

I stepped into the elevator. 'He is now.'

Jason eyeballed me, before sighing and tapping the code into the panel. I had a strong feeling he was going to curse the day he'd been charged with being bodyguard to the boss' brattish daughter.

Michael smiled and shook his head, but I hated the sadness in his eyes and the way his thumb kept lightly brushing over my wrist because it didn't feel like enough.

The elevator descended smoothly all the way down to the basement level, which, I discovered as the doors opened, was an underground car park filled with a disgusting number of expensive-looking vehicles. Waiting directly in front of us was a blacked-out Mercedes-Benz SUV with the back passenger door already open and the usual contingency of Marcus' goons waiting, their attention fixed upon Michael.

My heckles rose naturally when I saw them, but I sensed Marcus' presence and my gaze flickered to him as he approached. If he was disapproving of the fact I'd accompanied Michael, he didn't show it.

'I thank you for your promptness, Mr. Quinn,' he said, his face unreadable as he looked at Michael. 'I had a feeling that my daughter would attempt to keep you locked away in her apartment forever.'

Michael bristled. 'Yeah, well, your daughter sticks to her word.'

'As do I,' Marcus replied, aiming a small smile my way. 'Clearly a family trait. My car will take you back to Kent, Mr. Quinn, and there you will find your friends returned and unharmed.'

'And Dufort? Does he know Sarah is here with you?'

Marcus laughed softly. 'Sébastien Dufort does not know where here is. While he may come to realise that Sarah and I reside together, he will not be able to gain access to her without the knowledge of my location and so far, that has been unobtainable to him.'

'So far.' Michael whistled low and shook his head.

Moving towards the open door, I followed behind, bending my neck to investigate the back seat.

'Looks fancy,' I said, trying to appear upbeat when I felt anything but. 'At least you'll be travelling in style.'

'I'd rather be travelling with you,' Michael said, glancing around before brushing a wayward lock of hair behind my ear.

My chest tightened and I knew if I spoke, I'd probably break, so instead I just offered a weak smile and hooked my thumb into the belt loop on his jeans and shuffled closer.

'If you need me,' he said, lifting my chin with his fingers and looking into my eyes. 'You call me.'

I nodded and swallowed. 'Text me along the way, and make sure you phone me when you get there. Let me know everything's okay, yeah?' I already knew he wasn't planning on staying at the beach house. It was too dangerous. With both Marcus and Sébastien aware of the location, it would be madness to stay put, and once Michael was certain Dufort had kept his word, they were going to move on to another safe house.

'Yeah,' he breathed out the word.

'Farewell, Mr. Quinn,' Marcus called out and I turned sharply to say something, but Michael caught my hand in his, and shook his head.

'You know, Marcus, none of this was necessary,' he said, gesturing to the security team who were looking far too ready for a fight for my liking. 'You never had to use all this force. But men like you and Dufort you just can't help yourselves, can you? It's always about a display of power. Flexing the muscles of your wealth and authority. I'm only leaving because Sarah made a deal and I respect that – I might fucking hate it, but I do respect it – and when my work is done, I'll be coming back here for her.'

Marcus sighed and smiled. 'Mr. Quinn – Michael – I fear you have misjudged me. I am not your enemy. My only wish now is to keep my daughter safe.'

'Is it?' Michael shot back. 'Well, let's hope that's true, because if you don't, if something happens to her, then it's not Dufort or the Council you'll have to worry about, and this fortress of yours and all these men won't be able to protect you. I can promise you that.'

My heart soared then. I didn't much care to be in a tug of war between Marcus and Michael, but it was hard to hear him say those words and yet stop my heart from picking up a beat. I'd been on my own for so long, dealt with all this shit without anyone fighting my corner, that I couldn't help but feel stunned to know that I'd finally found someone who would risk everything for me, even if that person did happen to be a vampire.

I was still gawping at him in awe, when he turned to look my way, pulling me towards him and pressing his mouth against mine in full view of everyone. I was sure I heard a hiss of disapproval but had no chance to check whether it was Marcus or one of the guards before Michael drew back, sucked gently on his bottom lip as if attempting to savour the taste of our kiss.

'Stay in contact,' he said.

'You too,' I nodded, swallowing hard and doing my best to plaster that smile back on my face.

He glanced over my shoulder. 'And keep alert,' he whispered close to my ear. 'Careful who you trust.'

'I've been doing that my whole life. Practically an expert.'

Pulling back, Michael stared into my eyes, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something more. Instead, he ended up flashing a smile that looked as fake as my own, before planting a small, soft kiss by the side of my mouth.

'See you soon, Sensor. Try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone.'

'I'm practically prisoner in a fortress. I'm going to spend my days looking forlornly out of the window and trying not to eat everything in the fridge. What kind of trouble can I possibly get into?'

Michael gave one last wry smile and climbed into the back of the car. As he closed the door, I felt my heart lurch in my chest, the black-out windows hiding him from my view. He wasn't even gone and already I felt the world slipping sideways.

As the car began to move away, I took a step back, flinching when I realised someone was standing close behind me and that familiar prickle of unease cascaded down my spine.

Marcus had moved to my side, watching as the SUV sped through an exit on the other side of the car park and disappeared into the night.

'I am sorry.'

I'd expected some parting shot. Some sarcastic quip about Michael leaving and how glad he was to be rid of him.

But an apology? And one said in such a tone as if he understood my pain?

'Are you?' I said. My chest hurt. My throat burned. 'Really?'

Marcus turned to look at me then, a soft solemnity in his eyes that surprised me.

'Believe it or not, but I am not a monster, Sarah.' His gaze touched my face, a splinter of pain etched on his features. 'I understand the complexities of such a thing as this. I have felt the agony of separation.'

'Yet you seem so keen to ensure we're kept apart.'

'I am keen to ensure your safety and nothing else.'

A buzzing alarm startled me, and I looked to where the parking lot doors were closing, a persistent beep announcing their closure, until finally, the outside world was closed off to me completely.

'I was safe with him.'

Marcus raised one dark brow. 'Were you?' He studied my face. 'Sarah, I understand only too well the undeniable pull of one's own species. We might try to deny it, especially to ourselves, but the need to be with our own kind can sometimes be overwhelming. After all, what is the alternative? To be alone?'

'You seem to have coped pretty well?'

'Have I?' Marcus said, his tone sharper. Seeing the surprise on my face, he smiled, his eyes warming. 'Maybe that can be a story for another time. But trust me, to travel this life alone turns the world into a desolate wasteland where the heart struggles to exist. Human or vampire, it matters not. We all seek ourselves in others. We all hunger for the familiar. And when we find it, when we discover those whom we seek, well, that can change everything.'

I frowned. 'You're suggesting that meeting with others like himself, other trueborns, could change Michael?'

'Think now, how you would feel, having never met another Sensor in your life, having never met anyone who trulyunderstands why humans should fear the night in the way that you do. Imagine that Sarah. Imagine finally meeting someone with exactly the same experiences, thoughts, feelings, powers, and tell me that would not change you?'

I stared at him as he began to walk back towards the elevator, feeling a chasm opening up inside my stomach, the darkness creeping out into my body, infesting my veins with a rot I couldn't bear. I glanced back at the closed entrance to the parking lot, unease consuming me.

No. It wouldn't change Michael. He was coming back. He said he would.

'Will you join me for dinner?'

Marcus was waiting by the open doors of the elevator, gesturing for me to follow. With the security team lined up, their attention now solely upon me, I had a feeling this wasn't an invitation I could decline.

'Sure,' I said. 'Got nothing better to do anyway.'

I moved into the waiting elevator, feeling the crush of bodies as the guards followed me in.

'Perfect,' Marcus smiled. 'We have much to catch up on, you and I.'