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I tilted my head toward the ceiling. "Would you rather a vagina for a mouth or a penis for a nose?"

Michael's hand stopped moving up and down my arm to burst out laughing.

"That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard." He laughed.

"Well, you decided to wake me up at half eight, shout in my ear that it's a do nothing day, cook me breakfast and carry me into the living room. So that question is your fault. The timing of everything is so close together my brain just went kaput." I smiled up at him.

He smirked down at me. "It's one of those unanswered questions isn't it?"

I lifted my head up from his lap, turned around so I was on all fours on the couch and then lifted my arms so they could around his neck. He grinned when I kissed his cheek. "No, it's a 'you're screwed either way' question."

"Do I have to answer it then?"

I gave him another big kiss on the cheek and climbed behind him to sit on the edge of the couch. He grabbed my legs and put them over his shoulders. "Will you judge me? Play with my hair."

My eyes widened in delight. Yay. I started to run my hands through his soft hair with a grin. "I won't judge you."

He let out a sigh as he said, "I'd probably say a penis for a nose. That way I can get a nose job."

I laughed. "What if a nose job was impossible and you have to live with a penis for your nose forever?" I grabbed a fistful of his hair and turned his head to look up at me.

He smirked up at me. "Then I'd hide in my room forever." His voice was playfully eerie.

I let him turn forward again and continued to rake my fingers through his thick hair. "What if there's a lion in your room and you can't stay in there!"

"Then I'd kill the lion."

"Mike, you can't use your vampire-ness to get out of this one."

"I'll hide in my bathroom then."

"Your bathroom is barricaded."

"My closet."

"There's a skunk in there."

"My spare bedroom!" He insisted.

"The lions family lives in there."

"Oh, come on. Be sympathetic, I have a penis for a nose!"

I started chuckling and wrapped my arms around his neck. I leaned my chin on top of his head to say, "Fine. You can have the spare room."

"Oh, thank you, I was beginning to think I had no hope." He said dramatically.

"You know you're hair reminds me of a lion."

There was a moment silence. "Really?"

"Yeah because it's so wild. In a good way." I ran my hands up the sides of his hair.

"So I'm a lion?"

I my hands paused. "I said your hair--"

"You think I'm a lion?"

"No, did I say--?"

"Am I the king, Evie?" He turned around in my hands and wiggled his eyebrows at me. "Do you want to hear me roar?

"Oh god," I swung my legs off his shoulders, stood up and jumped over the couch when he tried to grab me. "Michael..."

He stood up and circled the couch slowly... Like a playful predator...

"Wanna see if my bark is as bad as my bite?" He started coming toward me but I backed up. His smile so bright and playful it made me grin but worry about what he was about to do.

I started backing up faster. "Lion's don't bark."

He rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean."

And before I could even blink he lunged forward. I evaded him with a small squeak and ran into the kitchen. A small giggle escaped my lips as I circled around the island and he followed.

"You're my prey Evie! This chase is unwinnable!" He said as he chased me around the island about three times.

"I could try!"

"Obey your king! Come here!" He changed direction and I squealed when he grabbed my waist and lifted me.

"No!"

I started struggling but he easily held my legs still as he jogged into the living room. My muscles were slightly sore, just like John had predicted, after yesterday's work out. But this was worth it. He threw me on the couch and lay beside me with his hands on my waist.

Oh no.

"I swear if you--" I was cut short as I burst into a fit of giggles then hysterical laughing as he started tickling me.

I could just about hear him pretending to roar and then I felt his mouth on my neck pretending to bite me but only kissing me repeatedly.

"Am I a good enough lion?" He mumbled against my neck not stopping to let me breathe.

I hiccupped several times as he paused his moving hands on my stomach.

"I... You..." I wiped my eyes. "You..."

"Speak up my prey!" He looked down at me with an evil grin.

"You're... An ass."

He gasped dramatically. "How dare you! I am your king you are supposed to worship me!"

And once again he started tickling. "Don't. Stop!"

"Will you obey and worship me?"

"Yes! Yes!" I said in between laughs.

His hands suddenly stopped and it took me a few moments to calm down. That's when I realised his hands had slyly moved under my pyjama t-shirt and he was tangled between my legs.

"Promise?" He leaned his forehead against mine.

"If I don't?" I smirked, panting slightly both in excitement and exhaustion.

"I'll show you how bad my bite really is."

"Try me."

He slid his hand further up the skin on my stomach and pressed his lips to mine.

So I decided to skip my lecture today. Not by choice of course. After breakfast I said I was going to get ready to go but Michael had begged me to stay. Or should I say forced me by pinning me downstairs on the couch.

He started to slide his tongue along my bottom lip when the phone started ringing. The house phone.

"Damned phone." He muttered before swinging himself up and walking into the kitchen. I, on the other hand, stood up and ran past him into the kitchen to grab it.

"Michael Reeves' phone, his better and adorable other half speaking." I winked at him as he rolled his eyes but my entire body froze and face drained of all colour when the person over the line presented his name.

"Oh, I, um, I'm sorry. This is Dean Cameron Lake of Simon Fraser University. I'm sorry if I interrupted anything," A throaty chuckled filled the line and I glanced at Michael's unworried face. How could he not be worried?! Oh wait... Dean Lake has never met me. Or knows my voice. I had no reason to be worried. "May I speak with Michael?"

"Yes, one moment." I held the receiver to my palm and smiled sheepishly. "I apologise."

"That should teach you before you grab someone else's phone." He took the phone from my hand. "Hello Dean Lake." He glanced at me. "Yes that is my girlfriend. I'm sorry if she surprised you she can be a handful... Yes..." He chuckled. "Yes she is..." He laughed. "Anyway, sir, I'm sure you didn't call to talk about our relationship statuses."

I scowled at him before walking into the living room and collapsing on the couch. I wonder what Kate and Laura are up to. It feels like its been ages since I talked to Laura or had a day out with her. Maybe we should go to the mall or something.

"Evie?"

I lifted my head and watched Michael walk into the living room with a frown.

"What?" I asked cautiously.

"Dean has ordered a meeting. He says he wants to discuss the first years progress and next years curriculum. I don't understand why he wants to talk about the curriculum now. And on a Saturday of all days."

"Oh. What time?"

"Around five-thirty, six." He said as he sat beside me.

Something about that time made a small bell ring in my head. Six o'clock. Oh. I was supposed to...

"Evie? Is that alright?"

Decision time. I say I'm going to my parents for a few hours and say I'll meet him back here. Or I don't go at all. I don't meet this vampire. I don't risk my life for the gazillionth time... I don't lie to my boyfriend.

'Then don't. Say you're going somewhere. But come to me first. Understand?' That vampire had said with a sly smile.

He must be mad! This must be a joke. He must be tricking me.

Quick decision. It's been about a minute since you've said anything, Evie.

"It's fine." I replied. And I suddenly felt my lips move to say, "Actually, if you're going to be on campus for a while, I was thinking of seeing my parents." I didn't look him in the eye as I said this.

What made me feel beyond guilty was when he said, "Okay. Better than staying here anyway. Would you like me to go to your room afterwards?"

I shook my head. "We'll come back here. Nine, nine-thirty okay?"

"Should be finished by then." He kissed my cheek and grabbed the remote off the side. He lay down in the position I was in and rested his head in my lap.

I stared at the TV blankly as I ran my hands continuously through Michael's hair. His eyes were shut and his breathing was even. He looked so adorable when he slept.

I couldn't help but think about everything. All of the mini and huge lies I've made for that damned vampire. Why was I? I mean, I was telling John but not Michael. Why? What was I afraid of? I know he threatened my brother but that was after the second meeting. And plus Anastasia knew about some things. Why hasn't she told him? I would have thought John would have said something. But Michael hasn't hinted or even made any faces signalling he may know.

The day rolled on by quickly after that. Michael woke up, we played around and laughed about such silly things like how Jersey Shore is a pointless programme although the fact the boys call girls at a club 'grenades' is hilarious.

I was at the door giving Michael a prolonged kiss at 5.35pm when I pulled away reluctantly with a giggle. "You're going to be late."

"I'd rather be late than leave you." He pecked my lips. "I should be finished around seven-thirty."

"Alright. I'll be back around nine. Now go before you get in trouble with the dean!" I nudged him. "I love you."

"And you know I love you too."

I watched him leave with a huge grin on my face but as soon as he was out of sight it was replaced with a frown. Right, let's get this over and done with. I went back in and changed my clothes which took ten minutes; it was only to make sure I didn't bump into Michael on the road.

I pulled out my car keys and jumped into the car. There was no way of Michael and I to bump into each other at Uni because his meeting was on the other side of campus.

As I drove to the end of my road not bothering to go inside the house just in case Katherine was in there. Actually... Would they know? Were they keeping an eye on me?

Only one way I could find out really. Go into the forest and find out if one of them stops me.

I got out of my car and looked down at what I was wearing. Blue jeans, white Converse and a burgundy hoodie. I hoped my Converse didn't get too muddied up. As I slowly walked into the still and silent wood, I checked the time on my phone. 6.02pm. I made sure to stay on the familiar path as I moved in deeper. A sudden gust of wind hit my side and I stumbled to the side. The forest was almost pitch black without the moon. It was too early for it to be out. The sun had literally just about gone down.

As I wandered around the area I recognised from the last time we were all in the forest, I started to wonder where I was actually supposed to meet him. I stopped by a tree and looked around quickly. The woods were eerily quiet...

That was until he dropped in front of me from above and made me scream.

He smirked at me and said, "Right. Let's do this."

"Jesus." I mumbled as I put a hand to my erratic heart. I quickly looked at his blue jeans and black t-shirt.

"Take this," He grabbed my wrist, very lightly, and placed a smooth but sharp wooden stake in my hand. "And do it. Stake me."

"Did you make this?"

"Yes."

I glared at him incredulously. "You're bonkers."

"I'm smart because this'll teach you something."

"Like what?" I moaned. I stared down at the stake and then his chest. "I can't possibly put this through someone's chest. Even if I would find pleasure in doing it to you."

He clicked his fingers and then pointed at me. "See right there. That's what I want to hear. Your aggression, I want to feel it. I want you to imagine me just walking up to your parents house, getting invited in and then slaughtering--"

"That's not fair." I gritted out gripping the stake tighter. "Anyone would be angry at that."

"Good. Use it." He suddenly stepped forward which made me move backwards until my shoulders touched the tree. He picked up my empty hand and pressed it to his chest. "Right here. That's the heart. Do you feel it?"

I'd barely felt Michael's heart beating. I didn't think vampires' hearts did beat. Even if I'd put my hand to Michael's chest. But as this vampire pressed my finger tips underneath his ribcage, I could feel the subtle rise and fall of a heart beating.

I stared at it curiously but didn't get any time to ponder on it because he'd dropped my hand. "Do you feel it?" He repeated.

I nodded.

He grabbed the hand with the stake in it and pointed it exactly where it needed to be. "That's where I want you to do it."

"Are you trying to kill yourself?"

He chuckled. "You won't be able to do it. Really, I am not worried about you killing me tonight." He started doing that weird one-two thing with his feet; that jump around dance move those boxers do in a fight. "Come on, hit me."

"I'm not hitting you."

He paused and tilted his head just like he did that night in the alley. His grey eyes sparkled with excitement. Was he really enjoying this? "Why would you come out here then? Come on, Evangeline." He started jumping around with his fists up. "Hit me, hit me, hit me."

"And you call me the kid." I mumbled as I pushed off the tree and stepped around him.

"Evangeline," He sung from behind me. "Come on, princess."

"Stop calling me that." I snapped.

"Get angry."

"No."

"Come on."

"Stop it."

"Hit me."

"I swear to the holiest--"

He poked me. He actually poked me. He actually poked his finger into my ribs! I stared at him with wide eyes. "You're so--"

Poke, poke, poke.

My patience was wearing thin.

Poke, poke... Poke.

Instead of using the stake, I curled my fist and went to punch him when he grabbed it in lightening speed, spun me around, pulled my arm behind my back so he would have the upper hand if I tried to struggle. He grabbed my head so it was tilted slightly to the side.

I could feel his breath at my neck as he mumbled, "See?" He said in a voice that signalled no fun but all seriousness. "Human's are practically defenceless against vampires. If you did hit me, it would... Sting, yes, and make me stumble back and give you a chance to kill me but the possibility at doing so without me recovering and killing you first would be practically impossible. But, from this movement," He loosened his grip on me and used my other arm as if it were a puppet to pretend to lift it up into the air and use the stake to lightly tap his shoulder. "If this were to happen, then you do this." He repeatedly pretended to tap his shoulder with the stake. "The vampire will let go and you're free to take it out and stab them in the heart."

He nudged me forward and I spun around. I was so confused. It felt like he was... Training me. Like this was going to happen and be was preparing me.

He smiled a little. A smile that said so much. A smile of... Pain. I opened my mouth to say something but he shook his head like he already knew what I was about to ask. "Come at me again."

This time I did it without question. I jabbed the stake forward toward his chest but he grabbed the end of it and started pushing. I was being forced backward; I started using my strength to push forward and he thankfully let up slightly.

"You need strength to be able to push this through a vampires chest." He said with a serious face. "Push more."

"Have you had loads of experience with this?" I muttered sarcastically with a strained voice. I started pushing more. "Dammit, is this not enough."

"Almost. Just a bit more." He started pushing me back more but I groaned and used all of my upper body strength to try and get him to stop.

Finally, it didn't feel like he was pushing anymore when he said, "There. That's perfect."

He slowly let go so it gave me time not to fall flat on my face. My shoulders slumped as the dull ache started in the middle of my back. Great, that's going to hurt later.

For another half hour he told me to try and hit him specific areas like the calf, arm, shoulder and stomach. Vampires still needed recovery time even if they hadn't been hit in the heart.

It was almost ten minutes to seven now meaning time would be up. I was sat on the damp ground against the trees trying to steady my breathing. I was drained I tired. The gym yesterday was bad enough.

I glanced at him standing against a tree with his eyes closed, arms crossed against his chest. His blonde hair flattened to his head, his mouth slightly hitched up in one corner as his mind probably thought about what we'd done tonight. Why he even suggested it will continue to float around my mind.

I was about to call him when I realised... I didn't know his name. Not even a nickname.

So I asked him, "What is your name?"

I could see his jaw clenching and unclenching at my question. His eyes finally opened and looked at me as if I'd suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He walked toward me slowly. I wasn't as scared as I used to be of him but the fear was still there. The fear still kicked my heart into its pouncing speed. The fear still made my forehead trickle with cold sweat.

I could tell he knew I was scared. He could probably smell it.

His hand lifted and I flinched a little. And when it paused mid air toward me I realised he was holding his hand out for me to take. To help me off the ground. I stared at it slightly confused at first and then back at his emotionless face.

But then he tilted his head. Like a puppy questioning why its owner is telling him off.

What could I achieve form this new 'acquaintance'? His trust? Would his trust give me answers? Would it help me find the answers we need?

Or I need?

I slowly, hesitantly, slid my hand into his and let him help me up. His hand was cool, almost too cool. Not like Michael's hands at all. Michael was warm. Almost hot.

He pulled me up. "You need to wash your hair."

I blinked. "Um..."

"My scent will stick to you. Your vampire will know. Change your clothes too. Don't want to risk it, do we?"

I nodded with a sigh. "I have to go now."

"It's funny really. You plan on asking me questions you never ever get around to. It's like you want to keep seeing me." He smirked.

I picked the stake up from the ground and handed it to him graciously. "If I do?"

"I doubt that."

I rolled my eyes before turning my back on him and walking down the trail I'd come from.

But then I heard him shout, "Tate."

I turned around and raised a brow. "What?"

"You can call me Tate."

I stopped walking and tilted my own head this time. "Tate, huh?"

He nodded his head as he shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. "Yes."

"Is that short for something?"

He looked up at the sky before glancing back at me with a small smile. "Might be. Might not be." Tate started backing up. "Just don't think anything of it." And then he was walking off.

Was he beginning to trust me?

As I made it back into the house and scrubbed my scalp, I started to consider that this vampire... Tate... Wasn't actually all bad. Well, he was in the navy.

But no. Wait.

I shook my head and scowled at myself. You're being stupid, Evie. This man is supposed to watch you. He has orders. This could be a trick. A trick to get me to trust him instead of the other way around.

That wouldn't happen, however. I wouldn't let myself. Not when he threatened my brother.

I walked through to my bedroom and thanked god that no one was home tonight. I slipped on another pair of lighter blue jeans, dark blue Converse and my grey hoodie after blow drying my hair.

The drive to my parents house is usually an hour but it took forty-five minutes plus traffic. I was grateful to see familiar smiling faces when my mother answered the door.

"Oh, honey! What a nice surprise." She glanced around me obviously trying to see if I'd brought anyone else.

"Michael isn't with me mom." I said after passing her and walking into the living room. "I just wanted to see you for a few hours." I forced a smile. Thankfully, she didn't question it although she saw right through it.

My father was sat in the living room. I hadn't spoken to him since the phone call... That awkward phone call. Shudder. But he smiled at me like it didn't even happen and patted the seat beside him. For an hour I'd say with my father watching his favourite programme's and the BBC world news channel when I decided that it was time for me to go. Of course, they'd begged me to stay but I promised Michael I'd be back around half nine. I didn't tell them that of course.

After another forty-five minute journey I parked outside Michael's house with a tired sigh. I was exhausted. Completely exhausted. I'd almost fallen asleep at a traffic light. Plus, the guilt inside of me was making me slightly sick.

I didn't want to face him. I couldn't. I groaned and banged my head to the steering wheel twice. I pulled myself away from my car and ran a hand through my hair before entering his house.

The hallway light was on but downstairs was silent. I slugged my way upstairs. As I creaked the door open to his bedroom I saw him laying on top of the covers with a boat load of paper work on his lap.

He glanced up at me with the pen in his mouth but I literally stripped my hoodie off, then my jeans, shoes and t-shirt, not caring that his gaze was practically burning a hole into me, and grabbed one of his white t-shirts lying neatly on his chair in front of his dresser.

I slid into the spot beside him under the comforter with a comfortable sigh.

There was silence for a few seconds before he said, "Was that a strip tease because, Evangeline, that was the most evil thing you could ever do to me."

I smiled into my pillow and turned around so I was facing him. "I'm sorry, I'm just so tired."

"How was your parents?"

"Fine." I replied quietly, my mind suddenly thinking of how... Tate... had taught me how to kill a vampire. "How was your meeting?"

"Boring." He sighed as he started gathering all of it into a pile and then placed it onto his side table. He switched the lamp off on his side and lay beside me. "Tomorrow I just want to sleep."

"You and me both." I mumbled before shutting my eyes.

As Michael slowly fell asleep, I couldn't help but watch him.

I should tell him everything. It would risk my brother's life but the lies were killing me inside. Maybe I should just explain to John. At least that would clear my mind.

But even the idea of telling John about tonight seemed terrible.

I shut my eyes after an exhausted sigh. I loved Michael too much to lie to him. But what would happen if I did tell him? What would Tate do to my family?

Am I really that terrible for not telling Michael?

I buried my face in my pillow with a small groan.

Stress! I hate. And on top of that I have a Greek Civilisation essay due this week.

Murder me now.

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