I had to do something before I went crazy. In waking up, Ivan was gone. Nothing greeted me, just a simple note on the pillow which read 'Meeting with elders, then work. See you tonight."

Nice . Normally that would have felt to be the worst thing--you know, waking up to an empty bed especially when things were so in between and new. But I quickly realized nothing was worse than waking up in an empty bed in a strange, empty house. Yes, it was my house, but it wasn't my home. My house and I were strangers. Back when I was-well, human Charlotte, my home was school...and Casey's house. The only time I'd spent in it were sleeping, showering and...sleeping. Dinner was always at Casey's so eating was never part of the equation. But I digress. Empty house, no good.

Somehow I still found myself pacing the entire house about a million times. It was as odd of an experience as the past few months had been. It's crazy the things you never notice when all alone in infinite silence. Anything and everything from uneven floor tiles to dust beneath random furniture to the rhythm of the refrigerator turning on and off. On and off. Yeah, I had to go out of there because stir crazy was just around the corner.

Twenty minutes later, I stood outside the place where it all began. Sounds crazy, I know. But Ivan did say Kheelan and Elena would be handling everything. And who knows, maybe seeing some old friends would help...and I'd see Ivan as well. Killing two birds with one stone didn't seem so bad.

Walking inside, my palms were sweating profusely. I had made that walk a million times, but it felt like the very first. People walked all around me. Some said hi, others just stared. Then came-

"Charlie!" I nearly slammed into the wall at the all too familiar scream.

"I've been calling you all morning! My mom text me that they discharged you last night. Why didn't you call us? How did you get home? How are you feeling? Charlie, we were worried!" Only Casey could make worry look so adorable. Looking at her flushed cheeks and widened green eyes were more like staring at a confused child. Fighting nostalgic tears and just overall weird emotions of mourning my old self, I pulled her into a hug. Holding each other for a minute, I reluctantly broke our embrace and stepped back. Gosh, how I missed her. Swallowing the knot in my throat, I spoke,

"I got out yesterday night. They said I was fine" I shrugged sheepishly.

She nodded yet I don't think she heard a word I said. She was still reeling from me being there in front of her. Finally snapping from her dreamlike nods, she leaned against the wall, "But how do you feel? Is everything okay?"
My mouth yo-yo'ed as I fished for words but nothing came out. Talk about an insanely loaded question. Was everything okay? No. Could I tell her? No.

So I lied. "I'm fine. Really."

"Really, really?"

I nodded. She searched my face for a long moment, and then sighed, "Well I guess now that you feel good, we need to get you looking good too. You look crap Charlie."

There was my Casey. Always so sweet. Her telling me I looked like crap was her own little way of saying that...I looked like crap.

Hoping to get a word in protest, she cut me off, "We need to do something with this first." She tousled my hair, "How many different colors do you have going on there anyway? I see some black, blond, red-"

"Red?" my stomach plummeted as my hands jerked to my head. How would I explain blood in my hair?! I had washed it last night! Running my fingers through it, I didn't feel any rough spots where blood would have dried...

Before I could ask where the red was, her eyes widened. Shelifted my fingers,gawking at my hand. Crap! The fusion marks.

"When on earth did you get those?" she yanked it closer. Pulling up my sleeve an even bigger gasp debuted. I pulled my hand back just as forceful, utterly embarrassed and even more unprepared.

"I-I got it...yesterday! Right, I got it yesterday."

She stared blankly, "Charlie, you were in the hospital yesterday. If full arm tattoos are now done at County General then I think I need to pick a different hospital."

Rolling my eyes, I pulled down my sleeves, "No what I mean was I got it done last night, after they discharged me. You know, pent up steam after being in the hospital for so long" I shrugged sheepishly.

She was quiet for a moment then shrugged herself, "Most people would have just gone shopping but hey, whatever floats it is what I say."

"I don't think you're the only one that says it-"I teasingly rebutted when a hand on my shoulder sent me spinning. Hoping it to be Ivan, the smile on my face widened then faded just as sharply.

"Jaime, Hi!" I tried to sound chipper but trailed off as the memories of our last interaction flooded my head, saturated in guilt. Recovering, I smiled but that too vanished when I took a good look at the person standing before me. It was Jaime, but more of the boy that once was. He looked worn and strung out. Shifting from one foot to the other, suffocating in nervous energy, his hands fumbled nervously with his jacket zipper.

"How are you? I didn't know you'd gotten out yet. I visited you almost every afternoon. Except for the days I had football practice.  Those days I'd visit you in the mornings. Are you okay?" he asked all in one breath. I myself felt fairly winded by just listening to him.

I forced a smile, "That's really sweet. I'm--"

"That's good. Really good. Listen, are you doing anything afterschool? You know just to catch up....." he rambled again, shifting his backpack from one shoulder to the other. His fidgety movements left me just as stressed but I wasn't going to overreact. I was determined to get a handle on things, starting with my life.

But cut off, I remained silent. It didn't matter what I said, Jaime looked like a man with a made up mind. What exactly he had 'made up' his mind on, who knows but whatever it was had him as tense as a rod ready to snap. Casey must've noticed it as well, quickly standing in between Jaime and I, "Hey Jaime. Charlie's just getting back. Maybe you can talk to her later--"

Running his hands through his hair roughly, he stepped aside, trying to bypass Casey, "This kind of doesn't concern you Casey. Stop being such a cockblocker-"

Casey's mouth dropped as the shock left her frozen. Taking it as the opportune time to reach me, Jaime stepped between Casey and me. He closed in quickly and I was left staring at his broad chest. Lifting my head to meet his gaze, his blue eyes pierced mine intently...almost dangerously. There was a desperation in his eyes that was confusing almost animalistic.

"I visited you," he whispered as if in prayer, "I waited for you to get better and now you're better so we can talk and spend some time together. I need you Charlotte. I've been going crazy for weeks waiting for you--"

Crazy was one way of putting it. But I didn't say that, of course. Opening my mouth to speak, it was instantly shut when he took hold of my arm. His grip was so frighteningly tight, it almost burned and would no doubt bruise. Shocked, I attempted to pull away but he jerked me closer.

"Why don't we find somewhere to talk?" It wasn't a question. And the wild look in his eyes also alerted me that it wasn't safe. Pulling me forward, I suddenly felt myself anchored back by much firmer hands. Instantly feeling the resistance, Jaime stopped. Turning violently, his whole demeanor seemed to tense, then ease into a furious simmer.

"Is there a problem?" A dry voice cut through, his accent just as cutting. Relief washed over me, as did absolute abandon. Jesus Christ how could I possibly be thinking of last night when I had just been two minutes away from being dragged out by my hair.

Jaime never released my arm, instead moved closer behind me, "No sir."

Casey's eyes shot from Jaime to Ivan then to me. Widening my own eyes, I shrugged pretending not to know what was going on. In all honesty that was half true.

Ivan's gray eyes seemed to darken slightly but so icily that I shivered. Suddenly, an intense heat shot through me starting at where Ivan held me. Jaime's hand jerked back, his fingers rubbing feverishly. With a slight smirk, Ivan dropped his hands from me as well.

Jaime stepped back, keeping seedy eyes fixed on me, "We'll talk later."

Subconsciously I found myself coiling back into Ivan. Watching Jaime turn and leave, we all stood in a loaded silent moment until finally Casey exhaled sharply, "That was weird...."

I was mute.

Thankfully Ivan spoke, "Ms. O'Dean, a word please...." His tone rather rigid. Though that was his norm, he seemed a bit more on edge. In my own delusional mind, I would have chalked it off to jealousy but that was wishful thinking...I think.

Casey stepped back, "I'll go to class...or something, somewhere...." she blubbered, her hands flying in all directions then she abruptly turned and disappeared into the crowd. Smooth Casey, very smooth.

Once alone, Ivan just stared at me. Nothing through our minds. Nothing being said. Then--

"What the hell are you doing here?"

I went to respond but he continued, "You know what, never mind. Go wait in my office." He retrieved a piece of paper from his suitcase. Expectantly I glanced down at the paper, hoping to see an office number or a phone number or anything really that would justify being handed a piece of paper. But no, it was just a piece of paper.

"It's a piece of paper..." I echoed my thoughts.

His intensity didn't lighten, but at least his tone did. He sighed, "Lesson one: Glamour."

What the hell did he mean by that? Had we started training already? But before all that, why was I beginning to feel like we'd taken five steps backwards. The coldness was back and the distance and I hated it. Granted, we were in public but his note had held the same tone. Yeah, yeah I'm beginning to sound a bit brittle but things were so unstable at a time where I needed consistency. Ivan was as predictable as the weather...before all the fancy weather predicting software of course.

"Just wait in my office. I'll have Kheelan come and get you-"

"I made it here by myself perfectly fine. I can get home fine by myself."

"No," he snapped dryly, "Charlotte, I don't want you going anywhere alone. You shouldn't have come back today. You were supposed to be resting--"

"I was going crazy in there and ..." Ugh, why was it so hellishly difficult to tell him that I smelled him everywhere? That with every creak and every noise I wished it to be him? That I completely and utterly missed him? Last thing I wanted was to seem all clingy and needy. But hell, having him in front of me, I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. I bit my lip and took a cowards exit, "I was just extremely bored."

"Bored? So you came to stir up some trouble?"

What? I shook my head, trying to make sense of his statement but then I felt it. Jealousy. Finally!

Suppressing a dumb smile, I lowered my head, "Ivan, I don't know what that was about, that thing with Jaime--"

"I do." hesaid with an alarming finality. If he said Jaime were a faerie too, I would officially quit. But in crossing his arms over his chest he said something worse, "He's addicted."

Whoa. Gasping, I leaned in, "He's on-"I dropped my voice a few octaves, "He's on drugs??"

He eyed me curiously which left me feeling utterly stupid but then he seemed to realize I really had no clue what he was talking about, "No. Not drugs. That would be easier to deal with actually. He's addicted--to you."

Fortunately he kept speaking because I was having a hard time coming up with a sensible sentence that didn't contain the phrase "What the-" and something that rhymed with Duck.

"That's why humans and Fae aren't supposed to mate. It creates an uncontrollable urge in humans. Though you two never..." he tensed, "finished what you started, he still had a taste of you, of your life force. He experienced enough to leave him so desperate and wanting more. It's very dangerous and he'll be highly unpredictable until..." he trailed off. Not exactly the best place to trail off.

"Until what?" I encouraged.

"Until he gets a fix," he said rigidly, but before I could protest, he made it worse, "Or until I can handle the situation."

I stopped breathing. Handle? No, no. We didn't have the best track record at handling things that didn't consist of pulverizing people.

He scoffed, "I'm not going to kill him. I mean until I can mix up a potion to ease the urges."

Thank God.

I eased, "What am I supposed to do in the meantime then? Hide out at home forever? Spend the day lying alone in bed?" Wow, I hadn't expected that to come out that way but it seemed to get the job done.

For a moment, Ivan stared on, blankly. But then his expression softened, "I'm sorry that I couldn't stay longer and that this is moving so fast but I had to talk with the elders-This probably isn't the best place to get into this." he stepped back, intending to leave, " Go to my office and wait for Kheelan-"

"But-"

"Charlotte," his tone extremely inflexible, "Go." I stood my ground. I mean, eventually I would go but he had to stand my wrath even if only for a few seconds. Plus, it wasn't all in retaliation. The longer I stood there, the longer I was near him. Guess he sensed my reasoning though because without another word, he turned around and walked away. Bastard.

**

I knew the way to his office because-well I just did. Somehow. I hadn't gotten around to asking him about my hair but let's face it: Coming up with excuses to keep him near then turning around and voicing concerns about hair color really weren't the best ways to establish depth if you know what I mean. Besides it didn't matter. Kheelan would be arriving soon and I could just ask him to take me to the drugstore to pick up some dye.

Reaching his office I found a locked door. Brilliant. He gave me a piece of paper but no key. What did he expect me to do, Pick the lock with an 8.5 x 11? Mindlessly pulling out the sheet of paper, almost hoping it said "Gotcha!" my fingers instead fiddled with something cold and hard. Retrieving it, I couldn't help the frown. A key.

The memory of Ivan's voice floated through my head, "Lesson one: Glamour"

How creative. Logical though. How on earth would he explain giving keys to a student, especially one whom he'd just rescued? He was still a bastard...just a clever one.

Making sure the coast was clear, I opened the door and slipped inside.

The office was eerily neat and bare. Only filled bookcases lined the walls while various Rembrandts hung sporadically. His desk was void of any pictures. Just a pencil holder with a few pens and highlighters and a calendar. Walking to his desk, I set my bag down. Instantly, I caught sight of a stack of books stacked neatly on the corner of the desk. Each book was more than 1500 pages and there were three! Furthermore, they were written in symbols I had absolutely no understanding of. Faerie stuff for sure. Sighing sharply, I sat back then noticed at the bottom of the stack was a black spiral notebook. Succumbing to curiosity, I pulled it out and flipped it open...then nearly slammed my head on the desk. He couldn't be serious.

The top corner of the page said "Notes for C.O.D." Reading on, page after page laid scribbled to the last line with notes. The notes referred to each book by color and pages by symbols. Ivan was preparing it all for me. He really meant it when he said we'd start training right away.

Sighing, I set the book in front of me and dove in but within minutes, I snapped from a daydream. I couldn't do it. There was no way I could study. Not there at least. It felt like Ivan was hovering over me, staring and mentally reprimanding me.

Sitting back, I pushed back from the desk and twirled in his chair losing myself endlessly in thought when-

"Mischievous thoughts?"

The velvety voice drew me to a sharp stop. Framing the office door was Kheelan dressed in all black and wrapped in lust. Cocking his head, a sexy curve assaulted his lips, "Sleep well?"

Surely he meant something else by that, the midnight gleam in his eye a dead giveaway. Shaking his sex appeal from my bones, I laughed lightly and gathered all the books, thrusting them all into his chest. There was no way I was carrying them all.

"That is between your brother and me." I said passing him and locking the door, "And I'm afraid I can't share any mischievous thoughts with you any more considering-" I trailed off. Over his shoulder, I noticed Jaime watching us from down the hall. Was he waiting for me? I instantly wondered what would have happened if Kheelan hadn't shown but pushed the thoughts from my head.

Sensing my apprehension, Kheelan turned.

"Is that him?" he asked tightly watching an unmoving Jaime, "Ivan told me he's developed quite an addiction."

I nodded, pulling his arm, "Let's go. Ivan said he'd handle it"

"But I can handle it so much quicker" he said coolly. An iciness shot through his skin, burning my hand where I held him. Oh he fully intended on handling him. Dammit with these people and handling!

Braving the burn, I pulled him back. There was so much more going on than some boy with an obsessive crush. We couldn't afford recklessness. Such worries were pointless.

"Leave it Kheelan" I said, "Let's go before class let's out and it becomes impossible to get out of this place."

Turning and walking away, I doubled my prayers hoping he would follow. Whether Jaime was still watching or not didn't matter, he was the one in more danger anyway. Thankfully Kheelan appeared next to me and without any issues we left the school. Strangely enough, it really felt as though that would be the very last time.

Exhaustion totaled me within minutes of climbing into the car which by the way was a different one from the day before. I haven't a clue what happened to the Navigator from the prior night or the small convertible Ivan drove. All I know was that once again, I was inside a stolen car with a non-human. It was almost comical thinking of what I would say if we were pulled over. I could probably tell them the truth and they'd start laughing.

"And we're here." Kheelan announced, pushing the door open. Expecting to erupt with excitement upon arriving at Ivan's apartment, my volcano waned as my mouth dropped. The place was a disaster. There wasn't an inch on the floor that wasn't covered in glass or downed furniture. Pictures were shattered and...was that blood on the floor? Dear God. Still--it was better than being at my house by a long shot.

Noting my shock, Kheelan walked ahead, kicking pieces of glass away with his foot, "It just needs a woman's touch." He grinned over his shoulder.

I could've slapped him. Rolling my eyes, I stepped forward and hearing the crunch underfoot, I realized one thing for sure. The apartment needed someone's touch, whether man, woman, cat or dog. No one should live in such conditions, not even for a night, which brought about another rather depressing thought: Is that why Ivan spent the night at my place? No...dumb, dumb thoughts. He could have just stayed at a motel for that matter.

"So kitchen over there," Kheelan began the saddest version of a tour I could have ever imagined, "bathroom through there," then he paused, grinning widely, "And through there-"

I scoffed, "The bedroom I can only imagine."

"I was going to say Ivan's office, but yes the bedroom is in that direction too" he laughed. Refusing to move a step further before being armed with a broom, I tossed my bag on a nearby chair, the only one upright for that matter. Kheelan made for the door.

"I thought you were staying until Ivan got home." I protested, disappointment tingeing my voice.

"Sorry Princess," he squeezed a shoulder in passing, "I'm meeting with Elena. She isn't too thrilled with you joining our little band wagon. She'll get it, eventually."

"I could care less if she gets it or not. She isn't the only one not thrilled." I debated my next words. Though I strongly felt them, I didn't want to cause anymore ripples in our already strained group. But better out then festering inside right?

I sighed, "I don't trust her Kheelan"

"Funny," he chuckled pensively, opening the door "she said the exact same thing about you. Maybe it's because you guys have more in common than you think." He said, granting me a kiss on my forehead. He added, "Lock up behind me and don't open the door for anyone. I can just shadow up and Ivan has a spare."

Nodding obediently, I watched him walk out and proceeded to lock the door. Throwing my head back in complete exhaustion, I closed my eyes. Though tired, sleeping just didn't seem logical. I needed something else. Whatever that 'something else' was would make me feel better. Problem was though, whatever 'it' was purposely evaded my mind.

I stepped back. Ugh, glass. Maybe a cleaner apartment would improve my mood.

Two hours later and I fell back on the microfiber couch, absolutely fatigued. Fatigued but thoroughly proud. I'd managed to get the place back to some sort of livable state though a pile in the corner of the room of broken furniture stuck out like a sore thumb. Eh, something was better than nothing. But I was tired, and now sleep seemed like the only logical solution. Sitting back on the couch, I closed my eyes, feeling uninterrupted sleep but seconds away.

The phone rang. Shit. So much for interrupted sleep. After the second ring, the machine picked up,

"Charlotte, its Ivan."

My mood perked instantly. Running to the phone, I adjusted my voice. Couldn't sound too desperate, "Ivan, hi." I said, my voice betraying me. Instead of sounding cool and collected, I sounded winded and wanton. Praying he didn't notice, my prayer was instantly granted as he dove straight into the barrage of normal, concerned spouse questions. Everything from 'Did you lock up?' to 'Is kheelan still there?' was asked, though I probably should have said Kheelan was still at the apartment all for a rouse. But knowing Ivan he'd just move onto the next question. It was still thoroughly annoying though. Not comparing brothers but endearments came so easily to Kheelan. Princess here, love there. With Ivan it was "Charlotte this, Charlotte that." After last night, I'd hoped things had changed.

His voice cut through my thoughts, "I'll be home later tonight. Don't open the door for anyone. Kheelan can-"

"Shadow, I know." I muttered "and you have the spare. I got it." I stifled a yawn, " I'll see you tonight."

There was an awkward silence. Then another one. Then finally he spoke, "Right. I'll see you tonight." He said sternly with an uncomfortable tightness. I rolled my eyes. Typical. "Oh, and Charlotte, take the bed,"

My heart leapt.

" I don't want to wake you when I get home."

My heart sunk. Son of a....very, very wicked woman.

I muttered a sleepy 'Okay' and that was it. He hung up. I all but slammed the phone down, ready to pass out on the bed, when the phone rang again. Peeking at the caller ID, it was Ivan again. No doubt he probably wanted to tell me to stay away from his things or that maybe it's best I go home. I was being melodramatic I know, but let's get one thing straight: At my age, I'd experienced things that should never be experienced by anyone. In my defense, I had all the right to not want to be alone and to be irked.

I picked up, but didn't say anything. Why prolong whatever lecture followed?

"One last thing--"his usual dry tone greeted me. I remained silent.

There was a sigh, than another moment of silence before "...never mind. I'll see you later."

Click.

Right. Did I expect anymore? Whatever. Practically crawling to the bedroom, I pushed it all from my mind and passed out.

Charlotte! Wake up!

Something woke me. I've no clue what it was but I woke with a fast start. Shooting up, the sweeping darkness caught my attention. No light poured in through the curtains which could only mean I'd slept the rest of the day. And it was night...and Ivan wasn't home. Lying back, I could have kept on sleeping was it not for the weird feeling that swept through me. Pulling up the covers and attempting to dissect the sensation, I drew a blank. Rolling over, I buried my head into the pillow and caught Ivan's fading scent. A smile crept onto my lips. He'd be back. Soon. How did I know this? Well because he was my common...and for once I could wait for someone to come home to me. Whether he was happy about it or not, I don't know. But I was.

Suddenly I felt it again: Confusion and worry. But the worry wasn't mine. I was as confused as a feather in a windstorm but who could be so on edge? Channeling my thoughts, it was easy to tell that it wasn't Ivan. I felt him more tired than worried. He was fine.
A sharp pain seized my stomach...Maris.
My heartbeats instantly quickened in response to her frantic spell. It was as if she sought to claw out of whatever hole she was in but would hit an electric barrier. Surely that was Ivan's spell but she kept trying to get out! What was making her so desperate?
Standing quickly, I paced the room trying to focus on suppressing Maris,but she was putting up a hell of a struggle. The nausea gripped my knees, sending me tumbling to the floor. Closing my eyes, I focused on her. There was no way on earth she was getting out. But in truly sensing her I realized, she wasn't trying to get out. She was...scared? The urge to run out the window clawed at my bones. Was she insane? She rattled more by the second, squeezing my stomach to the point where instead of breathing, I swallowed heave after heave.
"What the hell is your problem!" I growled but she didn't stop. Practically clawling at my chest, I took hold of the necklace Robert gave me. Squeezing it tightly in my hand, I centered all my energies on it within my hands. Instantly a cooling sensation flushed through me. Steadying my breathing, I let the soothing energy flow through me and finally Maris started calming though she didn't seem willing. It was much like sedating a mental patient...but she was in some ways wasn't she?

Slowly and slowly my heartbeats returned to normal as Maris' effect subsided. Then, in one last burst of power, I heard her voice like a desperate whisper-

"Run, Charlotte, Run!"

*****************************

I know I say this on almost every chapter but thanks to my usual crew that read and comment on the chapters. You guys know who you are!I'm thrilled you've all stuck with the story and it's great to have you to share it with :)

To all new readers, thanks for reading <3

PS-See that sexy man on the cover?That's Ivan ;)