The lobby of the theatre was packed and not just with human fans of the stage. Vampires outnumbered everyone else by at least three to one and Logan had hold of my arm so tightly, I started to get pins and needles from the lack of circulation. The fact he wouldn't shut up about how much of a bad idea this was and that we should just go didn't help my mood. So while trying to ignore his constant whining, I instead focus on finding where I needed to go. I had a box seat and spying the stairs, stomped on his foot to make him let me go.

I was glad I decided to dress up a little for the occasion. My black cocktail dress blended in nicely with the other patrons, and taking off I politely smiled at the elderly humans also making their way up to the higher levels. The vampires didn't even flinch as I slipped past them, then again why would they? One young Hunter in six-inch heels and a purse that barely had room for a tube of lipstick wasn't a threat to any of them. Besides if I did try anything I'd be drained before I could blink there were that many of them around. A few did stop or at least glare in Logan's direction as he lacked my agility in dodging and weaving through the crowd.  Finding the door I needed to go down I eventually did as he asked. Logan only pouted as he came up beside me. Despite how good he looked in a suit it was hard to get past how much of a pain in the ass he can be.

"Evening," I smiled sweetly at the group of five vampires that went by and they all returned the gesture without a word heading in the direction I needed to go.

"This place is crawling with vamps. I don't like it, we need to go!" He snapped for the hundredth time.

"I'm not going until I find out who sent the note. Now go do whatever it is you do while I go and watch some god dam ballet!" I hiss, turning to show one of the theatre's attendants my ticket and without another word followed her down to my box.

An ice bucket with a bottle of champagne is already set up between the four chairs that make up the private seating area and I'm obviously the first to arrive. I take my seat and a waiter appears, opening the bottle he hands me a glass.

"Thank you." He only nods and leaves the compartment giving me a second to look around. I can’t shake the feeling of being watched, but with all the vampires around it’s hard to pick what I’m actually sensing. The stage still has the curtain down and from the pit below; the orchestra are going through their warm up. There is a steady hum of voices as everyone arrives and in the other boxes, only vampires occupy them. Was my mystery person a vampire? Thinking of Reece and the state he had been dropped off in, panic began to bloom in the pit of my stomach. I didn't want to admit Logan could be right and pulling out my phone, decided to text to him. If this was an ambush, we were screwed.

"I wouldn't drink that if I were you," The knowing voice made me squeal and turning to my left, I couldn't hide my shock at seeing the woman beside me. "I know free champagne is hard to refuse darling and like all things in life, if it's too good to be true..."

I made sure to close my mouth, looking around no one paid me any attention after my outburst or any interest in my guest. Staring back into the glass I decided to take her word for it and poured the bubbly liquid into the ice bucket. "Who are you?"

There was nothing apart from the prickling sensation over my skin to tell me she wasn't human. Her outfit was more like a costume; definitely something you wouldn't wear every day. The red gown resembled something from a medieval period and she even had a crown proudly positioned amongst soft blonde curls.

"Lasandra Cowans, you may have heard of me?" She asks hopefully and all I can do is shake my head. "How is this possible? Lady Macbeth meets tragic end? It was in the papers for weeks!"

"I'm not from around here, sorry. So ah, you're a ghost?"

"Yes darling, I'm a ghost!" She growls, not impressed with that fact. Then again I wouldn't be either. "Something about you made it hard for me to stay away though. Who are you and why would the help be slipping party favours into your beverages?"

"I'm Elise, a Hunter?" I wonder if she would even know what that meant, and from the confused way her head tilts side, I guess not. "You heard of a vampire slayer? I'm like that, but with everything that's not a vampire or a werewolf shifting thing."

"There are vampires here tonight Elise, I see them all the time and even half the cast is that way too!” Lowering her voice she leans in closer, “Is that why they're trying to drug you?" She tosses her hair behind her shoulder, looking behind us to the door as if someone might hear us.

"I thought coming here tonight was a good idea only now I'm not so sure. Did you see who told him to do it?"

"No, but I was standing in that corner watching you and saw it happen. Very smooth, I bet he cheats in poker too! Oh I love it, it's like we're in a movie. A murder mystery!" She claps her hands together excitedly. "I love your shoes and you’re the first hunter I’ve ever met, I'm going to help you!"

"Help me how?" I wasn't sold on the idea and I couldn't remember much about ghosts.

"I already stopped you from taking a nap, isn't that help enough? Now darling what I can do is listen in and report back. You'd be amazed at what goes on behind the scenes at a show!" She stood up and before I could stop her she walked through the balcony and hovered over the crowd. Then she completely disappeared. My nerves were frayed from being  surrounded by vampires and being alone in the booth with nothing other than a few cheap tricks to defend myself didn't help. Neither did almost being drugged.

As if the situation couldn't get any better, and much to my horror - the lights began to dim. Standing to leave, I wasn't going to wait around. I barely took a step when the door opened and in walked two men, one of which was very familiar. 

"CJ?" Gone was the lanky and awkward, long haired brown eyed boy my brother used to bring home every holidays when he started going to the Academy. I last saw him at their graduation and my brothers best friend had really come into his own. Times like these I wonder why I hate what we are…

"Good evening Miss Bunting. I do apologize for being late," Chris introduced with a smile and ignoring his friend who simply went and took a seat I jumped into his opened arms. “How you doing Ellie?"

"Well considering I thought the reason Jordan stopped mentioning you was because you were dead, much better!"

"You think those monsters could really take me out?" He finally let me go and ushered me to take a seat.

"Well you did look like you stepped out of a bad eighties music video most of the time so ah, yeah?"

"Ellie, this is Zane." Chris introduced us and all I got was a nod from the Slayer. Everything about his aura was intimidating and not just because I didn't know him. Instinctively I shifted in my seat, trying to keep some distance between us.

"Come on CJ, what’s going on? Are you with Jordan?" I sounded like an impatient child, but could my brother have been hiding out with his friend?

"Not now, it's about to start!" Sure enough the curtain was up and the music filled the hall, sending the audience into silence. I had no idea what was going on as ballet wasn't something I'd ever been interested in until now and before long, I forgot about what was going on. I was enthralled and as they took a break between acts, Zane was the one to bring me back into the moment.

"We know the werewolves are after you, we don't know why. A colleague of mine was very interested in you, again we don't know why." He managed to speak void of any emotion and my joy at seeing Chris again as well as the performance soon disappeared. They were both older than me and with the house lights back on I could see a scar that ran down the length of his jaw, which then disappeared under the collared shirt. His black hair was cut short military style and without the distraction of the show - it hit me just how scary he actually is. I needed Logan.

"Settle down Zane, she is just a kid. Ellie we came here because this is a surprisingly safe place to talk. The vamps don't want trouble and are more interested in the stock market than what we are up to. Because there are so many vamps, no one else will come in and if they do they won't cause trouble either." Chris took my hand and yet something didn't feel right.

"Well care to share what's going on CJ? I'm kind of feeling like the third wheel here," I look between the pair of them and shiver involuntarily at the glare Zane sent my way. My sarcasm isn't missed and I resist from rolling my eyes or throwing even more attitude back at him. I'd rather face the devil himself than piss this guy off even if Chris was here, Logan somewhere out there and a ghost playing a game of Who Dunnit.

"Champagne? This is one of my favourites," In a bid to ease the growing tension, Chris got up to inspect the label and sniffs the contents curiously before pouring two glasses, offering one to me and taking the other one himself. Zane was watching me too closely and Chris hadn't taken a sip yet. 

My gut instinct warned me against the good cop bad cop scenario they had derived and Chris's question made me wonder if they knew what was hidden within the bubbles. "Have you tried it yet? I arranged it just for tonight."

"No, I'm not a big drinker." I lied, taking that question as, ‘how much have you already drunk for the drugs to kick in’

"Well, you'll love this. Trust me," He raised his glass to mine, smirking confidently. "To old friends!"

"Elise! You're..." Lady Macbeth reappeared and Chris wasn’t the only one to jump at her sudden appearance. Zane looked between the two us confused, and I realised he couldn’t see the ghost. The vampires in the box below us looked up, more annoyed at the sounds of the ice bucket being knocked over than anything else and I took the chance to drop my own glass, faking my fright further.

"Who is she?" Zane demanded as she must have finally become visible to him. Both men moved behind the chairs as if to block off the door defensively.

"Chris, Zane - Lasagne the ghost." I introduced, waving my hand in her direction.

"Lasandra!" She hissed, folding her arms defensively across her chest.

"Right." I mumble, opening my purse to pull out my phone. I really needed Logan and I wasn’t too proud that I couldn’t admit he was right. We shouldn't have come.

"You're working with a ghost?" Zane asked, his tone back to being empty.

"You like to have business meetings at the ballet?" I was quick to retort.

Lasandra smiled, and I can see why she was into acting. Her presence was rather commanding and her blonde hair framed a pretty face. Maybe she had been too short to be a model?

"You two are needed by his Lordship," She pointed across the audience the box above the one opposite us. “He says he isn’t happy about Hunters being here and that was not part of the agreement when he gave you permission to be here!” 

All three of us looked over and sure enough the old man sat between two women who had to be his granddaughters. His binoculars were raised and staring right at us before slowly moving down over the crowd and then back at the stage.

“Shit, he said he’d stay out of our business if it didn’t involve vampires!” Chris cursed, and Zane only deepened his frown. “Elise, stay here. The second half is about to start anyway and it might not be safe to be wandering around with a pissed off vampire.”

“You don’t need to tell me twice, we’re a little outnumbered.” I agreed, looking at Lasandra who discreetly winked at me. The duo left and I breathed out the breath I didn’t realise I had been holding. “I need to get out of here!”

“I know, I just remember I saw them speaking to him before they came over here. When I came back and saw them with you, I got suspicious!”

“Thanks Lasandra, I don’t suppose you saw the guy I arrived with did you?”

“No, sorry darling. You better go, they’ll be back soon!” She hugged me, sending the strangest feeling of emptiness through my body.

The lights began to dim and slowly the orchestra began to play. I never got to see the curtain rise as I left the room, creeping down the corridor I kept trying to phone Logan. If they knew he was with me, could something have already happened to him?

“What now Bunny?” He growled.

“Where are you?” I whispered urgently, trying to keep discreet as I rushed down the stairs. Thankfully no one was around now with the second half starting.

“Are you ok? Getting a hot dog outside, I’ll be there in a sec!”

“No don’t, I’m coming out. I’ll meet you at the car.”

Looking around the lobby from where I leant against the stair rail, a few staff members loitered around cleaning up from intermission. Taking my chances, I slipped off my heels and sprinted across the area to the door. I kept running down the street until I finally saw Logan standing by his car. Seeing my less than glamorous return, he started to run to meet me.

“Start the car, we need to go!” I screamed at him, daring to look back towards the theatre there was nothing to tell me I’d been followed.

“What happened? Who did you piss off this time?”

“Funny. We need to get out of town, like now.” I threw my stuff into the back and shifted in my seat to reach around to where my bag was. “This is going to haunt me, I know it. But you were right – I shouldn’t have gone.”

“What happened?” I expected an ‘I told you so’ or some gloating, but instead he only sounded concerned.

“It was an old friend of my brothers and some slayer. I don’t know what the plan was exactly, but I wasn’t going to stick around to find out!”

Finding pants and flat shoes, I pushed my chair back and awkwardly pulled them on. As we stopped at traffic lights, I got Logan to unzip my dress and managed to get out of it before tossing it behind me. “Stop looking you perve!”

“Bunny, come on. You haven’t got anything I haven’t seen before!” He grinned, shamelessly checking me out.

“Eyes on the road idiot.” I slapped his cheek playfully, before realising I didn’t actually have a shirt. Reaching over to the backseat again, I pulled out a sweater and ignored the dopey look on his face as I had to twist around to sit back down, practically pushing my chest in his direction. “Thought it wasn’t anything you haven’t seen before?”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it.”

“Perve.”

He only laughs and as we get onto the highway and leave the city behind, I wonder just what would have happened if I stuck around. It was hard to imagine someone I grew up with wanting to cause me harm, we were both Hunters. The fact Jordan wasn’t behind the note hurt, and the more I started to think about my brother, the more upset I became. Leaning against the window I stared out into the darkness, letting my eyes follow the white line that the car headlights lit up beside us and slowly I fell asleep.

“As nice as having a wet patch of your drool on my arm is, I need you to wake up,” Logan’s voice gently broke into my dreams and opening my eyes, I quickly sat up. We were in a hotel car park and Logan was rolling his shoulder. Sure enough on the white sleeve of his shirt, there was a perfect damp circle. “Morning.”

“Morning,” I sigh, rubbing my neck which ached from the angle I had fallen into against his arm. “Where are we?”

“Someplace no one will ever think of coming to, come on.” He got out and stretched before going in the back and grabbing out our bags. I followed him towards reception and said nothing as he reached over the abandoned counter and grabbed a room key. Going to the elevator, it wasn’t as nice as the places I usually stayed in and the musky damp smell that greeted us as we stepped out onto the floor our room was on woke me up.

“Why do I have a feeling staying at the theatre could have been a better option?”

“Get over it princess. We need a place to crash and work out what to do next,” He paused finding our room and opened it up. “Home sweet home!”

Walking in, the room was considerably better than the hall and most of the building. What surprised me was the fact there were three photo frames on the TV cabinet and toddler Logan was hard to miss. “What is this place?”

“I told you, home sweet home. My Dad used to own a couple of these chains and while the ownership went to his rather human step-sister, she knows about our kind and what we do and keeps me a room ready for whenever I need it or come by.”

“Are we safe?” Moving to the window we had a clear view of the main road and car park, none of which was even remotely familiar to me.

“It’s totally off the radar and she has a light fae working in reception so it’s going to stay that way.”

I had heard of safe houses like this. The ‘good’’ fae often helped out our kind and loved to help people in general, so like the one working at the college, working a reception for peaceful travellers would be ideal for her. If this fae had been aligned with Logan’s family, we’d find out pretty quickly if there was any trouble coming our way as their senses were incomparable to ours.

“So as I was saying, I told you that was a bad idea! Why couldn’t you have listened to me, just once!” Here comes the lecture.

“Save it, I’m sorry alright?” Kicking off my shoes I made a dive for the bed. “CJ was my brothers best friend, I don’t get what he was doing.”

I felt completely deflated as I curled up against the pillows. I just wanted to sleep and forget it had happened. Logan stripped down to his boxers and disappeared into his bathroom. Hearing the shower I tried to fall back asleep, yet my mind wasn’t going to shut off. At least that’s what I thought until Logan woke me up as he came to lay beside me.

“Don’t stare at people, it’s rude.” I growled, instinctively shifting closer to him.

“Remember that time we were in the bathroom and…” Logan started.

“Say it and I’ll have you sleeping out in the hallway.” I warned, finally opening my eyes to glare at him.

“I told you I wasn’t going to let you forget it.”

I tensed as he reached over and gently kissed my forehead before rolling onto his back. “Get some sleep.”

“I’m trying to, but some idiot keeps waking me up!” I grumble, though I lack the anger in my tone.

“Love you too Bunny.”

“Go to hell Logey.”

--

I wake up before Logan. It’s nearly midday and going through my bags, realize I left my phone in the car. Leaving the room the level we’re on seems deserted and walking past reception, the fae was quick to pounce.

“Hi I’m Sonya! You must be Logan’s friend. It’s so great to have him home and even better to meet you!” It’s like she has red bull injected straight into her veins and was way too happy for me to handle.

“Yeah, hi.”

“He said you weren’t a big talker, but that’s ok. Not everyone is and I can talk enough for two people and…”

“I get it. Thanks.” I cut off her rambling and walk outside. Its surprisingly warm and going to the car the cool breeze is a nice contrast to the sun against my skin. Finding my phone, I slip it into my bra as my jeans don’t have pockets and decide to get out some of our weapons from the trunk. I’ve barely lifted the lid when the black hummer pulls up beside Logan’s car and Sonya comes running out of the door.

“Elise! Get inside!” She screams, her albino completion turning golden as she holds her hand out to the car.

Turning, I freeze as Chris jumps out of the passenger side and rather than run, I make a grab for the sword on top of the bag. If he chases, I wouldn’t get away and at least I can defend myself and raise the sword defensively. How the hell do all these people keep finding me?

“Put it down and come with us.”

“Like hell!” As if that was going to happen.

“Fine, your choice!” He shrugs, pulling out a small handgun that had been strapped to his waist. Taking aim at my leg, a low cheap shot. He fires and instinctively I drop the sword, the flash of red hitting the blade.

“What the f…” I don’t finish as he fires again, this one hitting me in the leg. It’s a dart, not a bullet and I look at it before looking at him. “What are you doing?”

“Taking you with us,” He pauses, looking at the gun and takes aim to shoot me again.

“Elise!” Logan screams, and I don’t look at him as I take a swipe in Chris’s direction.

In that same moment the world begins to tilt and my vision goes blurry. My only weapon starts to feel too heavy and I drop it with a clang. I can hear Logan’s voice, but not the words and stagger backwards in the direction I think he is coming from. I lean over to try and find the dart in my leg, only I move to far forward and end up falling down. Laying on the paved car park is more comfortable than I expected it to be and running my hand over the hard surface, it starts to give way until I feel like I’m floating through the air. The more I focus on it, the more each breath seems to make me blend into the nothingness and I keep trying to fight the urge to give in.

“You should’ve just drunk the champagne,” I know that its Chris. His words break into the silence that surrounds me and while I still feel numb, I realise I am being carried. There is no energy or ability left in me to fight to free myself, I can’t even form any words and the groan is all that comes out of me. Somehow I am able to force my eyes open, and the midday sun is blinding as it comes through the car window. Closing my eyes again the hum of the car moving is all I can hear before... nothing.