Despite the morning being cloudy, by midday it's now clear, even a little warm and sitting outside with Alfie and Lola, no, new snake, it's kind of easy to forget what had happened last night. Right now, I'm happy to forget, but I am willing to remember something else.

"So Alfie, how you doing now bud?" I crack the seal on another bottle of cola and take a sip, watching him as he follows the bottle. He doesn't answer. "Alfie?"

His tongue flicks out and I think that is as close as he can get to licking his lips. Does he even have lips? He has a mouth so I'm going with yes.

"Good." He gets out, watching as I put the lid back on.

I can feel his disappointment. "Want some?"

He nods. 

"How about we try something and then you can have all of this." I leave out the part about my plans on starting him on health kick and cutting out the soft drink from his diet.

He nods again.

"Alfie, Elise needs to work out what's going on up here." I point to my head, "Can you help me remember what happened when I was in hospital asleep?"

His head tilts slightly, and I can see his brain working in over time to work out what I am asking.

"Alfie find Eliseses movie?"

"Movie?" Now I'm the one looking confused.

"Alfie see what Elise see. Movie."

"Memory Alfie. It's a memory. Movies aren't real, what is in here, is." I point at my head again as I realise I have to cut down on his TV time too.

His tail comes around my waist and I’m lifted as he curls himself up enough for me to then sit on him. Mini snake wakes up at this, releasing my arm and goes to sit under the plastic garden chair in the shade. "Alfie try."

I have no idea if this will work, and looking into his eyes, everything begins to fade away. His eyes get larger, expanding from their sockets until all I can see is black. It's nice; familiar. All my worries disappear and I feel like I'm floating. Everything is suddenly great. I don't know what is happening exactly, other than right now, I am content with my life, with the world. 

I feel invincible.

What a stupid thought.

The feeling of peace starts to shake as I get my mind functioning once more. Is it over?

"Don't go that way." I don't know that voice.

What is he talking about?

"Why not?" The darkness disappears, and instead everything is bathed in a silver glow. I know I want to go that way; it’s calling to me.

"You're not ready for what is in there."

"I think I am." I argue.

"Stop being so stubborn. Come have a drink with me."

Turning around I'm back in Darius's bar. Music plays from the stereo; I can't pick the tune, but it's catchy enough. The place is empty, and it's only the bar lights on. Not seeing Darius there is strange, but Alistair finishes wiping down the counter, throwing a lazy smile my way before producing two shot glasses. He doesn't look like his portrait. He's taller than I expected him to be too, and daring to go closer, the silver scars across his neck were not in the painting.

I can also see some family resemblance. His hair is mostly silver now, much greyer than Dads, though I know what to expect from his looks in about ten years time – maybe less if I keep up this kind of stress on him. One thing is clear though, whoever did those paintings sucked. Even in the old photographs, I never realised how much Alistair and his distant grandson look alike.

"What are you in the mood for?" He asks casually.

"Am I dead?"

"No Elise. You're not dead." He picks up the tequila from the top shelf, shakes his head and goes for the whisky instead. 

"Did I stop the Lord Alpha?"

"You did." He fills the glasses and I take a seat on the stool. "Cheers!"

I cough the second the acidic amber liquid burns my throat, and he only laughs. "So, do I call you grandpa or what? Mr. Bunting? Alistair? Ali?"

"Grandpa. Let's roll with that." He winks.

"Do Grandpa's say things like, roll with that?"

He shrugs, filling the glasses again. "I'm not exactly your typical grandparent am I?"

"True. So, ah, how’s the afterlife?" 

"Been better. These are trying times for all of us Elise. We see all, and what from I've been seeing - it's not good."

"No shit."

He laughs. "My wife would be turning in her grave hearing you talk that way. She was a proper lady and ladies do not talk like you."

"Well, my Mother would agree with her, but I don't really give a," I pause, "damn."

"You're a Bunting through and through!" I like his laugh, it’s warm and friendly. 

This is my chance to get to know him, find out all the answers to any question I could possibly have and all I've done so far is swear in front of him and take shots. Well done Elise.

"Good to know. Apparently I'm not like other Hunters, so at least I have something going for me."

He turns serious in an instant, just like how Dad can snap between moods like someone is flicking a mood switch. On, off. Happy, sad. Angry, so mad you should just run away…

"You have a lot going for you. You're not like other Hunters because you're not like them. You're like me and my Great-Grandfather. Seems to have skipped a couple of generations here and there, but I'm sure your kids won't be so unfortunate."

"What are you talking about?" Had he had a few drinks before I got here?

"We see things differently. It's not all black and white. We live in the grey and that is how I was able to talk to a god into the Treaty being created. Had he come up against you, I wonder how that would have turned out." He smirks, pushing my full glass towards me and I think my distant Grandfather is trying to get me drunk.

We're so related.

"Now, we don't have much time and because of some laws that blah blah, I can't tell you anything that will interfere with the future yada yda. He'll come after me and give me what for if I do, but I can tell you a few things that once you work out for yourself will become crystal clear. I know you'll work it out and don't worry, you've got a good friend of mine watching over you."

"Who will come after you?"

I can't read the look that passes over his face, but it disappears before he smiles once more. I know before he says it all on my own. "Cain."

"But-"

He holds his hand up to silence me and obey.

"You're not going to remember any of this. When the time comes, some of what I will tell you, will make sense and become clear. It's all I can do to help. Now, you need to go back to the Academy. Dracula is working with some powerful demons, most of which he met on the other side. He has been planning this for a long time, and last year was just a test for us. He has a few of those planned, and worse than that, something about you has taken his fancy. History tells us he is planning on messing your mind up good and proper too!"

"Yeah, well it’s not going to work. I’m good at picking dreams from reality now. Why do I need go back to the Academy?"

"Elise, he is simply toying with you now. The important thing is not to let him get a drop of your blood, or for you to get any of his; real or imaginary. Now, what he wants is at the Academy. Cain was a smart man, and the Treaty was more than just some paper we framed and took some pictures with!” He pauses, almost like he is listening to someone else talk before nodding slightly. “By destroying her, he thinks that is how he will get revenge on his maker and with it all falling apart, he has this idea in that thick skull of his, that he will even become more powerful than Cain."

He leaves his standing position on the other side of the bar and comes to sit beside me.

"Hang on, you said by destroying her?" I feel like I'm three, being read a bed time story and I hang on every word he says.

"Yes, the Treaty is actually a person; an Oracle. Her name is Portia although you may know her as Ms. Huntington."

I blink and suddenly I'm staring at Alfie's face once more. He starts to pant, swaying like he is dizzy before his head drops into my lap. "Alfie can't. Alfie tried."

"Oh Alfie, I know you did. You did good pal, I'm so proud of you!" I stroke the top of his head as his eyes close. My head hurts and I can only imagine him suffering the same. "Here."

I grab the cola and he is miraculously cured as I pour it into his mouth.

"Thought you were going to start trying to break his habit?" Dad yawns, squinting as he comes out.

His arrival has, Princess, rushing back to my side and he instantly stops. I hadn't actually told anyone about her yet. "What is that?"

"She is, ah, the newest addition the family?" I extend my arm, and he looks at, Fluffy, cautiously. "Alfie ripped the head off the one they summoned and that's how baby Apophyts are made."

I smile. 

He frowns.

Alfie burps.

Dad frowns more.

"So, good sleep?" I change the subject.

"Yes actually. Not as young as I used to be!" He yawns, and takes a seat. "What are you doing out here? Have you slept?"

"No, but I'm good. I tried something with Alfie, and you know how I can't remember anything from where I passed out? It was because dear old, old, old? Grandpa Alistair made it that way."

'What?" He really frowns now, and so I tell him what Alfie can do and what I got to see, minus the Treaty talk. I know he is my Dad, but if Huntington wanted him to know, surely he would by now or she would have said to have tell him.

"Amazing!" Dad gushes.

"That went better than I expected." I look at Alfie who nods.

"So you don't know what else you were told?" He asks.

"No. Alfie couldn't do any more than that and I only seem to learn things as they happen."

“That’s annoying. It could have saved us a lot of time last night.” Dad sighs. “Hungry?”

“Always.” I smile.

He finds his shoes and with everyone else still asleep, we head back to the campus, which has been totally cleaned up in the space of a few hours. It’s business as usual as our mass meeting of supernaturals hang around the place. For some of the shifters, it’s the first time they’ve been here and are curious about their new surroundings.  The final years walk some of them around, telling them about the training grounds and all that boring stuff. Some make the most of the pool and as we pass the basketball courts, Ronaldo is in President mode, rearranging patrols and getting filled in on our current position.

The serenity of being at my parents’ home is lacking here. It’s madness. The halls that had been so empty and abandoned last night are bustling with activity. A few of the Hunters who recognise us nod or smile in passing, and the vampire staff stop to talk with Dad while I take Alfie and his shadow to his old enclosure.

“Alfie, does she have a name?” I let her leave my arm as she takes in her surroundings. Like Alfie, this place has her wagging the tip of her tail in happiness.

“Alfie.” He says.

“No, that’s your name.” He looks at me for a moment before sighing and following after her as this place really is too small for him now. Sure he fits, but he can’t run around like he used to. “I’ll think of something. You okay here if I go eat?” 

 His head disappears under the water and I doubt either of them care or even notice that fact I’ve left them. I find Dad and we go into the food hall. The dragon is gone and so has the majority of the seating. No one seems to care, sitting on the floor or leaning against the walls as they all talk and eat.

“Ellie!” The high pitched, feminine screech has me instantly stopping as each muscle tightens with tension.

Turning to look behind us, Dad chuckles to himself and keeps walking to join the food line and I get stuck with Penny. Joy.

“Oh it’s been so long!” She squeals, hugging me with the same enthusiasm Alfie has for his stupid cola addiction.

What I really want to say is, not long enough, but well, we’re friends. Kind of. I’d seen her fighting last year, and Daddy issues aside, she had given it all she had and survived. Despite our location, we weren’t at school anymore and I should get over my issues with the owl eyed red-head.

“It has!” I agree, trying not to vomit from how, sweet, I sounded.

“Elise! Lovely you to see you again!” Harry Grimm appeared behind his daughter, and I bite my tongue to save him from experiencing my sarcasm.

Sure we nearly died last night, the world was kind of the brink of being overrun with all kind of bad, but facing off against my Mother if she found out I spoke disrespectfully to one of their oldest friends and allies – give me Drac any day.

“Likewise!” I agreed.

He moved away to join Dad and I hadn’t realised Penny was still holding me until I was being dragged away from where I actually wanted to go in a mist of her jasmine and sugar perfume. We actually found a place to sit and the couple of Hunters that were beside us, weren’t shy in looking her way. Yup, we’re back in high school all over again. Penny forgot all about me as she smiled coyly at them, her bight blue eyes practically sparkling with interest; until the older guy further up coughed too loudly not to notice and they all went back to their food.

“So, how have you been?” Just like that I had her attention again.

“Well, I didn’t nearly die last night and so far so good this morning, which is a bonus. How have you been Penny?”

“Bored. It’s all kind of exciting isn’t it? Dad had us looking at some weird ice castle thing in Greenland. I guess the whole giant snow man monster was alright, but the cold made my skin dry and isn’t it great being able to kick ass together again?” She gushes.

I don’t know what to say, so I go with the smile and nod. “Yeah, we totally kick ass together don’t we.”  Not.

“Look, I know in the past, there has been competition between us. You had this whole bad girl image to maintain and my Dad cares about my well being enough to try and keep me out of harm’s way. This isn’t high school anymore. I’m not a threat to you Ellie, you don’t need to keep being so hostile towards me!” She pouts, “I’m sorry you lost your boyfriend, and that you ran away. If you had come to me, I would’ve been happy to be a shoulder for you to cry on! You could have travelled with us and well, you could’ve kept in shape a little more.”

She frowns, looking me up and down as best she can considering we’re sitting. I’m not stupid, I know exactly what she is doing, which is ironic considering she’d just told me we’re not in high school anymore. Any scrap of nostalgia I had for her disappeared and I make a note to go back to Bob and scrub out the part about leaving her my shoes if I died.

So, I remind myself to be the bigger person and once again - smile, nod. “Well, good chat!”

Having lost my appetite, I go to leave and instead of just letting me go she has to follow. Her heeled boots are a weapon in their own right and the clack of her steps has me rolling my eyes before I stop and turn to face her. Now I think about it, her whole outfit is totally impractical considering current circumstances. Luckily the building has heating, because the thin poncho she has over her singlet isn’t exactly warm and her jeans look so tight, I’m surprised she can even walk in them.

“What do you want?” I snap, done playing nice – especially because now there are no witnesses.

“To talk to you. I have missed you, you know!” She sighs, “I don’t know how to be nice to you! I’m sorry. You’re not fat. You’re just, muscular, and I know you’ve been having a real hard time with that vampire trying to kill you and I get you probably don’t have time to get your hair done these days and-“

“Penny, save it. I am so not interested in anything you have to say.”

I keep walking. She follows. Great.

“Elise, please listen!” Her steps quicken until she is at my side. “I’m sorry. Last year was a big wake up for me and now Dad bought me here. I’m scared.”

What happened to caring about her well being? If he did, he wouldn’t have left his daughter in the dark about our life and make sure she kept in shape. Worst part was, I felt sorry for her.

“We all are.” I tell her.

“Look, if you’re not busy later, could we do some training? I honestly haven’t even touched any kind of sword since last year and Dad said I could go with the final years and hide when we’re attacked again. We keep fighting over whether or not he should actually let me be a Hunter and last time I loved it. I loved the killing! I’d never felt better being out there that night and fighting the bad guys!” She then proceeds to burst into tears.

 Oh god.

Where is Raya when I need her, she’d know how to deal with this. Awkwardly I step closer to her, looking around for help; which of course is nowhere to be seen and pat her shoulder. The last few months have been beyond emotional for me. I’m not used to dealing with me being like this, let alone other people.

 “Fine. I’ll help you with a few things and if we survive this, I’ll see what we can do about your Dad.”

“Really?” She sobs, wiping the mascara from under her eyes.

“Yeah and as cute as your boots are, you can’t wear them.”

Penny nods and we start to walk back out to Mum and Dads house. Let’s see if any of my fat clothes will fit her and I know we have the same shoe size. I go through my things and get her something to wear. Turns out, my clothes fit her and we both keep quiet about that.

Mum comes out of the bathroom looking rather refreshed and smiles, yet the awkwardness on her face is obvious. “Girls! What a lovely surprise. I knew you were coming here Penny, but I didn’t expect to see you, here?”

“Elise is helping me with some training Mrs Bunting.” Penny answers, all charm, blue eyes and that butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth smile.

I hate her.

“Oh that’s lovely of you Elise. Be careful, and don’t work too hard. You never know what’s next!” She warns.

We both nod and start to leave before she stops us. “I’m doing some washing. The guys have all gone, do you know if Logan would want anything washed? I did tell them to put things in the hamper, but no one did.”

“Don’t worry about it Mum. They all know how to use the washer.” She shrugs and keeps going with her cleaning duties. I know why; she cleans when she is nervous kind of how I like to use a punching bag.

“Logan is staying with you guys?” Penny asks as we reach the oval.

The lawn is dead in patches, missing in others and the only sign of what happened last night.

“Yeah?” I wonder if she’ll jump into girl talk.

“I thought you hated him. I saw them before Christmas last year and he was with your brother and CJ. Said you’d disappeared and wouldn’t talk to him.”

“Things change.” A lot.

“It’s good you can still be friends, I thought it would have been awkward, but you were with that other guy right? So romantic what he did for you. How could anyone compete with that? I guess it all worked out with Logan and Sam too. Despite everything, I couldn’t do it. You’re a better person than what I am.” She says absentmindedly.

“Worked out with Sam? What are you on about?” I ask cautiously.

“Before we went into the cafeteria, I saw them, you know, together. How you’re now living with him af-“

“Logan was with Sam?” I stop walking and grab her arm a little too hard.

Her face pales. “Never mind. So are we off to the gym or wanna stay out here?”

She pulls herself free and starts to practically run from me and throwing the sword I had in my hand, it lands just in front of her. Penny squeals in fright as she nearly trips on it and I’m in front of her in seconds.

“You and him, you’re together aren’t you?” She asks regretfully.

“What, did you, see?” I growl.

“I’m sure it was nothing.” She mumbles.

“Nothing doesn’t make someone presume a person is with another person!”

 My mind can’t comprehend what is happening right now.

“Dad went to see Huntington and I said I’d meet him in the cafeteria. I was walking down the stairs and I saw him just below me. I was going to go say hi and instead saw him walk over to her, they talked before she kind of threw herself at him and the pair of them ended up making out like teenagers. I didn’t want to interrupt so left them to it.” She looked away, and I pulled out the sword from where it had been embedded into the dirt.

I’m going to kill him.

Her, then him.

No, Logan first.

“Maybe it wasn’t what it looked like?” Penny offered.

I take a long, deep, slow breath. “Maybe.”

She’s right. Maybe Sam was actually choking and Logan was giving her mouth to mouth?

Thing is, I can make my own mind up about that and see if she is a, lying to stir me up or b, really did just see the wrong thing. We get inside and for the second time that afternoon, I use Alfie.

“Alfie, I need to see Penny’s movies with Logan in today. Can you do it?”

Penny lets Alfie look in her mind, everything happens so quickly and all her memories of the day rush by like I’m in a tunnel. Sure enough, she is walking down the old wooden steps when everything stops to play in slow motion. Logan looks left, then right, then smiles and Sam appears from the corridor, waving at him.

They talk, Penny moves further down the stairs and I can’t hear what they’re saying. It doesn’t matter. Sam puts her arms up and as Logan leans down, they go around his neck. She pulls him to her and well yeah, they make out like teenagers.

Penny is dazed when Alfie breaks the connection and the worst part is; I don’t feel anything. I want to be mad, I want a lot of things, but none of it comes to me right now.

“Alfie help Elise?”

“Yes, thank you.” I answer curtly. “Right, well, training then huh?”

Fear passes over Penny and Alfie flicks his tongue out at her, clearly sensing it.  

“You know I think I’m-“

“Training. We’ll train.” I tell her, wanting a distraction while I try and actually process this before I do something I could, maybe, regret later.

Alfie leaves mini Alfie behind and comes with us. Something gets in my eye as we make our way to the gym and passing Zane, I don’t stop for him despite the fact he must notice something in my eye too. He shadows us, keeping close, but says nothing. There is space down in the back corner and we go there. No one looks at us, a few look Alfie, but apart from that, we’re left alone.

I start us with some basic warm up moves.

We find some weapons and start to spar with one another while I tell her what to do. She knows stuff, she just doesn’t get it do it very often. Jordan soon joins us and my mind is elsewhere, letting him knock my sword free. I turn violent, rambling about having to improvise and it turns to full body combat. Penny moves away, while Jordan just tries to stop me from actually damaging his face.

Zane is called away as Ronaldo comes in, and when Jordan finally makes me stop and Penny takes my place to go over some other things with him, I watch Zane draw new battle plans up on the board. A part of me knows they’re wrong, but I can’t be bothered listening to it right now.

“You wanna go again?” Jordan snaps me out my daydream and I nod.

“Let’s go, first to draw blood.” I decide. It’s too harsh, but I can’t help it.

I’m feeling a lot right now, most of it rage. It hurts. I need to make something or someone else hurt too.

“You’re taking this really seriously.” He points out, glancing at Penny who busies herself twirling her dagger like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.

Then I hear her laugh.

Sam is sitting with a group near Zane and clearly something just happened over there as even he has a tiny smirk on his face. He looks up and it disappears as we look at each other and he comes straight over. Seeing him go, Sam looks too and she shuts up as she sees me glaring at her. Instantly she turns to the other girl, says something and gets up to leave.

Sam is nearly at the door when Zane stops by the padded black mat we have and I’m done.

“Elise, you okay?” Zane asks.

“She-“Penny stops as I take off. “You two might want to stop her!”

Sam glances back once and disappears out of the doors.

Run; I will find you.

I see her go up the stairs to my left and sprint after her. It doesn’t help that as I get to the top she has literally run into Logan and she ducks behind him while he just stands there looking completely confused as to what is going on.

“She knows. She has to know!” Sam whispered, loud enough for us to hear.

Jordan, Zane and Penny catch up as Logan tries to get Sam to let him go.

“What are you on about?” He asks confused.

Oh, so he is going to play dumb.

Chris is holding a book and he looks pretty happy with himself; despite what ever is going on with the rest of us. “Hey Ellie, Logan told me about baby Alfie and we think we just found a name for her! Anippe. She was the daughter of the Nile and-”

What surprises me the most is Penny charges forward and slaps Logan, hard. It’s amazing how quickly you can change your opinion of people.

“What the fuck?” Logan holds his cheek and I clench my fists set on doing much more. “Can someone tell me what is going on?”

“I agree!” Jordan declares and comes closer. He and Zane both have the same grim look on their faces. “Sam?”

“I am so confused, what did I miss?” Logan manages to step away from Sam, and looks at her like she has three heads. She narrows her eyes at him slightly, clearly unimpressed with his behaviour.

“Penny saw you.” I manage to tell him.

“Saw me? Saw me what?”

Chris punches Logan arm lightly, shaking his head. “I told you women hate it when you drink straight from the carton! Must be that time of the month or something.”

“She does it all the time, Bunny, come on!” He argues.

I can’t speak and instead stare at his shirt. His red shirt. He had been wearing black before. “Logan, what have you been doing today?”

He starts to look worried; really worried.

“Um, woke up, had a shower after Chris and then your Mum said you’d come back up here so we went for a walk and then Chris wanted to go to the library cause of the Centaur, so we thought you might be there, but then we got distracted with-“

Relief flooded my body, starting in my chest. The warm feeling spread all over and without thinking I really did throw myself at him. Jordan groaned, Zane muttered something about not understanding a single thing I do, ever, and Sam gasped. She could go to hell for all I cared, and while Logan did kiss me, I could tell he was completely lost as to what was going on.

“I’m sorry, for a second there, I thought you really did kiss her!”  I let him go, breathing out a sigh of relief.

Now Logan looked pissed. “What? Sam?”

“I saw, you and her!” Penny protested, pointing her finger at Sam.

The reality of what happened hit me then, and I almost wished he had. Well not quite.  “No. He didn’t.”

“But, you did that mind thing and saw it!”

“I know, but that wasn’t Logan. Red shirt, and he’s been with Chris since getting up.” I pointed out.

“I don’t understand!” Sam muttered.

If she hadn’t actually done what she did, I might feel sorry for her.  Logan looked at Sam, then me and frowned. “Elise, I have honestly been with Chris all day. I wouldn’t, I didn’t-“

“I know. Penny did see Sam making out with you, but it wasn’t you. It was Dracula.”

The ‘what’ that echoed around me could have been funny if not for the circumstances. It was then followed by, how, why, where, when and general confusion. I tried to enjoy the moment; Logan didn’t cheat on me. It did mean that Dracula was running around the place with the ability to look like any one and his fucking with me wasn’t limited to nap time.

Just peachy.

I glared at Sam ignoring everything else. Logan took my hand, and as he held me, I think he was trying to calm me down. It wasn't working. Her cheeks went red, and if she could disappear, now would probably be the time for it to happen. No one moved as they realised I was quiet and if looks could kill, we'd be in the presence of one dead Tracker.

Bigger.

Person.

I went to take a step forward, set on scratching her eyes out or just tearing her apart in general, but Logan stopped me.

"Don't.” He whispered into my ear, his grip on my hand tightening.

"You're defending her now?" 

"No, but it's not the time or place!" Looking around, we have more of an audience than just our group.

Sure we have to worry about Dracula and well, while nothing did happen between them it's kind of not the point. Sam fucked up. Who knew I could be this jealous?

Then again, if it actually had happened, Logan would be dealing with a sore jaw as well as Zane and Jordan, probably Dad and I'd be in full bitch fight mode against Sam.  Violence is not the answer; but it does feel good.

"This is really awkward." Sam dares to mumble.

I'm going to let her have it and as I open my mouth, Zane takes over.

 “Sam, go back to your team. Now!" She scurries off, not needing to be told twice. Smart girl. "Elise, you're pissed. I get it. Deal with it later. I’m going to tell Ron and get everyone on the lookout.  We need to work out something so we know we’re well us.” Zane concluded.

“Blood. If in doubt, try and make the person bleed.” I tell them, not hiding how pissed off I am.

“How do you know that?” Jordan asks.

“Lucky guess.” Thing is, so far none of my lucky guesses have anything to do with luck. “Just, trust me on this!”

“You’re the expert!” He held his hands up in defeat and everyone moved out, leaving Logan with Chris’s book, Penny completely confused and I still just wanted to hit something. A lot. 

“If his plan was to try and mess with us, I can’t be seen with the you, you. Let him think he is winning. Stay with Zane, and the others. He might try and take you out so there is less chance of his disguise being blown.”

“You’re right. Fuck, if I find him he is dead.” He pulls me close, and I savour his kiss. “I love you. Please don't obsess over this. I waited a long time for you Bunny, there is no one else. Tell me you know that."

"I know and I do, love you." I feel ridiculous, but no matter how I feel - I know Sam is suffering more and that makes me feel so much better. "Besides, if I doubted you, you'd be going to the hospital by now."

"I promised you, remember?" I nod and he kisses me again until Penny coughs and looks at the book now in her hands uncomfortably. "Stay safe. Oh and seriously, page twenty-two. Ani could be a go for Alfie’s friend.” 

I look at the book and then at Alfie who leaned in closer. “What do you think? Anippe or Ani for short?”

“Alfie. Anippe. Elise will tell story?” He nudges the book and the pharaoh on the cover is something he is able to recognise.

“Soon bud, I will read the whole book to you guys once this over.”

Alfie nods, happy with that.

“What will we do now?” Penny asks, looking around as if she was expecting Drac to jump out and get then and then.

“Well, I’m going to return the library book and then I’m going to try and find a vampire.”

“What about me?”

“You’re going to help!” She isn’t happy about that, but why not throw her in the deep end.

"I think you did good. I would've slapped the bitch and gone all kinds of crazy."

"I wanted to. I still do. Did you know Zane locked me in a boat shed with her once? If he tries that shit now, it isn't going to end well."

She laughs. "Seems like just yesterday you two were trying your best to hate each other. He's always been in love with you, I could tell, even back then. I wish I had that."

I ignore her and don't say anymore; mostly because I really do want to go and rip Sam apart. Who goes for someone they know is in a relationship. She didn't even say sorry, or look guilty. No, she looked guilty. Logan's right. I'm obsessing over it.

We drop of the book and make a quick stop to check on Anippe, who seems more than happy with her name. Like Alfie, mention Egypt, Apep or any of their gods and goddesses, and you have their attention. Deciding Alfie could be a target, I get him to stay in the enclosure and hide out in the biology room beside it. He’s going to let me know if he see’s anything and at least this way, Drac will come to us.

The downside is, I have to make small talk with Penny so she fills me in on her adventures since I last saw her and I give in to the girl talk request. I tell her about living as a civilian and being found by the guys as well as the crazy that followed up until Logan and I got back together.

“So you never slept with that normal guy?” She asks, looking disappointed.

“No. Way too complicated to go into. I’m trying to stop being so, impulsive? No more one night stands either.”

“Shame. I’ve only ever been with our kind. Humans aren’t as strong as us, I wonder how different if would be?”

Yup; biggest battle of our life could be happening any time now and this is what we’re talking about. Apparently me nearly being turned into a vampire, or just generally dying a couple of times wasn’t as important either.

‘Here!’ Alfie tells me, his voice clear in my mind just as there is a knock on the classroom door.

Instantly, we both reach for our weapons. “Elise, it’s Drew. Can I come in?”

Drew is meant to be on patrol now.

“No!” I want to know his angle on this so quickly lock the door. “Go away! I don’t want to talk to anyone right now!”

“I know about Logan, it’s why I’m here. Are you okay?” The handle wobbles.

I go back to Penny and whisper into her ear. “Punch me, as hard as you can in my stomach. I need to look hurt.”

She hesitates, but does it.

“Elise?”

“No Drew!” Penny has a mean left hook and my wobbles as I bite back tears. I put the axe over on the wall and Penny tucks her gun in the back of her pants.

“Come on, we’re friends!” He argues.

I nod to Penny and she slowly goes over to the door. Amazingly, she seems to know what I’m thinking and opens it slightly. “No, not right now.”

Of course he pushes past, which is a very un-Drew like thing to do. I do nothing as he rushes over to hug me, and focusing on him completely I can’t sense a single thing not human about him. I don’t know how he does it, but what the hell was Cain thinking creating something like this?

I force myself to cry and Penny cautiously approaches.

“Can we have a minute?” He asks.

I sniff, wipe my eyes and nose and Penny looks at me wide eyed, clueless as to what to do. “Go Penny. It’s fine. Tell Zane and the others not to look for me. I just, need a minute.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.” She frowns, and leaves.

Part one, check.

“Are you okay?” Drew asks, opening his arms and I fall back against him.

I focus on the dull ache of my stomach and every sad movie I’ve ever seen. The Notebook comes to mind, the start of Up, Marley and Me. I can usually bring the tears on and off, but when I’m snuggling up to a vampire that makes me want to hurl, it’s a little harder to do.

“I thought he loved me. He said this time it’s for real!” I sobbed, wetting his shirt as I carried on. “I hate him!”

I let Drac go and take a few deep breaths. “I’m sorry!”

“Don’t be. He is an asshole.” He tells me, “Come here.”

“No!” I snap, wiping my eyes, “I’m gonna kill him! He can’t do this. Not now. Not after everything!”

I grab the axe, and start to leave. Drac comes after me and it’s then Alfie nudges the door open silently.

Hello part two.

“Elise, stop. You don’t want to do that!”

“Yes I do!” I argue.

He grabs my arm, and pulls me with strength Drew doesn’t have so I'm flat against him. I look up into his eyes; they’re not Drews. There is no warmth there, nothing that draws you in – it only pushes you away. I guess Drac can look like who ever he wants to, but some things you can’t copy. For a second I wonder what he said to Sam, but quickly let it go so I don’t lose my focus.

Not now.

Everything happens so quickly. One second I’m about to storm off to "kill Logan", the next I’m against him with his lips on mine. I freeze. I literally cannot move as shock has my system shutting down. Logan is going to be pissed. I am too, that jerk did not just do that!

Maybe it’s actually better I can’t react right now.

“I’m sorry, I just really wanted to do that.” Next the coldness of his lips touches my cheek; going lower to my neck and I know his plan now.

“It’s. I-“ I answer breathlessly, tilting my head slightly as he kisses my neck. His hands tighten on my waist, before one snakes up my back, preparing to hold me in place when he bites. “My, what big fangs you have!”

He pauses as my whispered words reach his ears. In the same instant I use all the strength I can muster and push him off me as the axe is thrown towards his neck. Of course he dodges it, and swiping at my hand I’m pretty sure he must break my wrist from the pain that shoots up my arm. I drop my weapon, praying Penny has got to the others and they’re all coming now.

Dracula makes a move to grab me, eager to make that bite a reality, yet Alfie is there behind him and his tail emerges in front of me; spikey and covered in Dracula’s guts. He hisses at me and with my good hand, I dive to pick up the axe. I want to end this now. I want him dead.

I scream with effort as I swing, and I feel the resistance of his flesh as the blade slices his arm and chest. I missed. With an agonizing scream, his whole being dissolves into black dots. No, not dots, wasps or bees or something tiny and terrifying as they swarm around me. Alfie hisses, thrashing the spikes as best as he can while I try and do the same. It feels like fire ants are torturing my skin yet I do like Alfie, swiping at them as best I can. I twist, set on chasing after it, yet instead my head feels like it explodes.

I can't move.

I can't breath. 

The hum of the creatures disappears and I don’t even remember falling, but I know I have because opening my eyes, I can see all the wheels on the chairs. Familiar black boots soon replace that vision and I’m moved so the bright lights of the roof now look at me. Faces start to break into the light as I can feel something heavy on my chest. It hurts.

Did Dracula get me?

Air whooshes into my mouth, warm and delightful as I suddenly gasp with the urge to cough. The pounding on my chest stops, tightening instead and I feel like I’m choking again as I realise I’m practically eating Logan’s stupid red shirt.

“Back. Off.” I lazily lift my arm and he realised his mistake, backing off with the bear hug.

“Sorry!” Desperate, quick kisses cover my forehead and cheeks, before I finally get enough focus back to look around.

My crew is all here and Alfie. I’ve barely taken one real breath before the still bloody tip of his tail is at my chin and I’m left gagging as he forces his spit into me.

“No matter how many times I see that, it still grosses me out.” Logan mutters, more like he is talking to himself.

“Wanna kiss?” I offer, leaning back against him. 

“Maybe after you’ve brushed your teeth, used a litre of mouthwash and brushed your teeth again.” He tells me.

“What happened?”

“You pissed him off and Alfie chased the swarm of bees until they broke one of the windows to get out. Believe it or not, you actually slipped in his blood and hit your head on the desk. Hard."

"What can I say, I'm talented like that!"

"We were stuck outside the room, there was a shield or something stopping us from getting in. Hitting the bugs did nothing.”

Great, so I hurt myself , they all got to see it and Drac got away. This just keeps getting better and better.

“And Alfie?” I sighed, tempted to go to sleep only Logan keeps me awake and I know why.

Concussion. I gave myself a concussion.

“He’s fine.”

Suddenly I'm on something soft and opening my eyes, Logan has put me on one of the beds in the infirmary. It was pretty crowded in here as it was so how I got a bed, I have no idea. The doctor is soon there and sends everyone away. It's nothing new to me and I'm allowed to back to my parents house for some R and R. I'm already feeling better thanks to Alfie and yet disappoint begins to eat at my stomach instead. 

I didn’t kill Dracula.

He got away.

Again.

The only comfort I had was that we had hurt him too and the next time we met, I would do everything I possibly could to make sure it was for the last time. Especially since the second I did fall asleep he was there determined to keep making me suffer. Unfortunately for him, I was expecting it; wanting it and for the first time, I managed to kill him.

“Enjoy this, your victory won’t last!” He sneered, rolling onto his back before he turned to dust.

“Keep telling yourself that!” I answered, throwing down my sword.

I hope he heard.

---

Bit of drama, now more action. Maybe... 3/4 chapters to go!!