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Raven's POV

Lillian's hair fell in red ringlets down her pale shoulders, striking me to the point where I was speechless.

There were butterflies - no, lions - in my stomach, and I didn't know how to control it.

It felt...weird but right at the same time. Almost normal.

I think I was finally ready to admit to myself what I knew from the very first day I met her but was too afraid to believe it: I liked her. A lot. And I wanted to be with her. Forever.

I could hear her heart beating fast in her chest and I smile. She was nervous.

"Stop sneaking up on me like that!" She shouts, folding her arms over her chest.

God, she's cute when she's sassy.

I ignore her little outburst and concentrate on her beautiful features.

As I looked into her eyes, her cheeks turn pink, a blooming colour which blends in against her freckled skin.

She turns her head to the side to avert my gaze, but I don't miss the smile that she makes on her face.

My attention then turns to her lips, a pale pink that reminded me of a rosebud.

The top lip is thin, but not too thin, and it had a natural cupid's bow shape; the bottom one larger and more plush.

I stared at them just as she bites her lower lip, giving me this urge to kiss them.

I wanted to feel her lips against mine, though they are thin and rough- maybe she wouldn't like them.

I sigh and shake myself out of my daydream.

"Sorry, love. I guess I just have that kind of reputation," I say, sliding my fingers through my black hair.

She looked at me like she wasn't expecting me to apologise but quickly covers her stunned expression.

"I believe you have a question to ask me?" I say curiously, changing the subject.

She instantly looks up, her face changing from embarrassed Lily to curious Lily.

Her tone turns confident and self-assured.

"Yes, I do actually."

I raise my eyebrow in question. I knew what it was of course.

One of the many gifts of being a vampire is that you have the ability to read minds. And I do like picking through Lillian's mind every once in a while.

What? I'm immortal. I can have my fun. It's not my fault your not a blood-sucking romantic like me...

I was smirking at this point, in my own little world, not knowing what was going on on the outside.

And for those of you who are wondering how Lily and Ellie don't remember what happened at the night of the party, it's because I compelled them to forget.

I know. I'm so smart. It's almost shocking.

By this point, Ellie's off down the corridor and Lily's leaning against her locker, one eyebrow raised in suspicion.

"I know what really happened at the party," She states, leaning close to my face which gives me a warm breeze of her minty breath.

My heart skips a beat. Didn't I compel her properly? And another thought follows close behind. Why am I thinking so low of myself?

I used to be the bad-boy vampire that everyone feared. People used to cower when they heard my name. Now, I'm worried about protecting a human girl who I hardly know! What is happening to me!

"And what is that exactly, darling?" I ask with a smug expression plastered over my face.

"I know that I didn't fall down a bunch of stairs," She whispers in a matter-of-factly tone.

"Ah, no, you did. You were unconscious."

"Then where were the police! The ambulance?" She question and I mentally curse myself.

Ok, maybe I didn't think this through enough.

"Uh, they-"

"I knew it! That's not what really happened. I got my eyes on you, Calekor. So watch your back," She threatens, pointing two fingers towards my face.

I burst out laughing. That just did it for me. God, she really meant it. How adorable!

She pouts then stomps away, her converse squeaking on the polished floor.

I watched her as she turned the corner, disappearing from view, then sighed when I realized the bell was about to go.

Through, throughout the hours, my day wasn't so interesting.

Other than going to English and stealing glances in Lillian's direction, it was pretty normal.

But that all changed when I got home...

    "Raven, get in here!" My sister, Rose calls from upstairs.

I made it up there in less than a second to find her sprawled out on our big leather couch, surrounded by multiple dead bodies.

She sighed in delight. "Hm, don't they smell good."

Instantly, this sweet intoxicating aroma hits my nostrils. Oh, no.

I gulp, trying to contain the bloodthirsty demonic creature inside of me.

Since when did I try and contain him? He was always the one I'd always turn to when I was lonely. I'd welcome him with open arms. Now....now was different. And he didn't like it.

The smell attracted me like a perfumed pheromone-laced flower. Its addictive smell lured me in, sent my internal cravings into overdrive.

Rose bites into a girls wrist and, as quickly as she bit it, blood oozes out of the wound.

I form my fingers into fists and dig my nails into my palm, trying to control the powerful urge to speed over there and attack that girl's arm.

Rose sees my eyes clouding over and she smirks, waving the girls arm up in the air.

"You want some?" She giggles, cheekily. No...say no.

"No," I say through gritted teeth. I was pretty sure my jaw would break any second now.

"Oh, well...your loss."

Then she bites into the fresh wound and looks up at me. I couldn't control it anymore.

The unimaginably and indescribably sweet smell took over my senses and before I knew what I was doing, I was sucking the female dry.

I'm sorry Lillian...