Nora steps into the cabin, her nose crinkling at the foul smell. She steps around the miscellaneous items Mr. Dev had left, holding her skirts well off the ground, though they were already beyond saving with the large tears.

"Blasted man, he could have at least taken his things." she huffed, eyes set on the enormous trunk beside the lone bed. It was reminiscent of the one she kept in the Alcock residence. While she hadn't opened it since packing away her old belongings from Paris, she knew there would be another set of clothing buried away somewhere in its depths. Nora unlatched the trunk, the hinges crying out as she tossed the lid open. Set atop of the clothing was a simple piece of paper with a single line of neat letters.

The woods are a lovely place to hide secrets.

Nora's heart thudded in her chest; she flipped the paper over, looking for anything else, but finding nothing.

"It's handwritten." her fingers brushed over the black charcoal. Eyes narrowing, she tossed a look towards the door. "The only persons who've been here are whoever dropped of this chest and that blasted Mr. Dev." Nora glanced to her trunk, stomach tightening. "Who acquired this? Surely none of the Alcock's would just hand off my belongings."

Elijah never would have allowed it.

Her flesh chilled as the blood drained from her features. It took everything she had to keep the note from crinkling in her hand as a scowl took hold of her features.

"The woods?" she said, setting the paper down. "It's clearly a trap, but if this is how they want to play things, fine." She set her violin case down and pulled out the most suitable piece for her plans; an old blue and tan gown made of rough cotton. Unlike the one she currently wore, made of fine silks and many laces, this one had little layers, making movement easier.

It took Nora moments to change, her muscles relaxing in the old material. "Much better." Her gaze over the rest of the space. Aside from the note, her trunk had held nothing out of the ordinary, and there was little else in the room, save for the junk on the floor. "Time for the woods then." She took one step, but froze as Elijah's words came to life in her thoughts.

"I'm not telling you to cease your investigation, Miss Poyntz; truly, I'm not daft. I'm telling you to at least be smart in the way you conduct them."

Her chest tightened, and the walls began closing in around her. She bit down on her lip, hand curling into a fist at her side. A ragged breath forced its way down her lungs and she turned, grabbing her violin case. She hated the thought of turning it into a weapon, but she'd do what needed to be done. With her mind set, she made for the door, and whatever lay in the woods.

***

Silence, save for the occasional crinkle of foliage beneath her feet, surrounded Nora as she trekked through the trees. A dirt path had greeted her when she'd arrived at the edge of the campsite.

"Honestly, if there was anything here, I should have found it by now." She ran a hand over her hair, nose crinkling when she felt the dry cat food. "Saints, if Elena ever saw me like-"

A soft melody lodged the words in Nora's throat. Her steps froze on the rocky path, her throat closing up. She pressed her lips into a tight line and forced her taught limbs to move towards the sound. Nora's ears twitched, recognizing the melody of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. It was her favorite song, she'd recognize it anywhere.

But what's a piano doing in the forest?

Every step Nora took carried her closer to the music, as every beat of her heart shook her body. She knew few pianists, and there was only one she admired for their play on the masterpiece.

A small, circular clearing met her, sunlight streaming from the sky above, dressing the brilliant instrument in golden rays. She had to squint against the bright gleam until her eyes adjusted. The music was louder now, but it all fell away the moment Nora's eyes fell on the pianist.

His back was to her, his black suit nearly blending in with the piano. Brown hair was slicked back, a slight messy tussle to it. The man was in perfect form, his body moving with the music, becoming one with every key stroke just as Nora did with every thrum of her violin.

"Impossible," Nora whispered. Her thoughts spun, and the word seemed to tilt as the pianist stilled. He turned and the moment the brown-eyed gaze met her own, the hard beat of her heart stilled. Oxygen flowed freely from her lungs, and the world moved once more.
Of course, Nora. Elijah wouldn't be here.

"Hello," there was a cold, underlying chill to the voice that didn't match the warm smile he wore. Nora shifted, moving her violin case and gripping the handle with both hands.
"Good afternoon, sir. Apologies for interrupting your piece."

The man stood; he waved a hand in the air. "No trouble at all, dear. Your interruption was good timing." He made steps towards Nora.

More a prowl than a walk.

Nora's muscles grew taught with every step. The atmosphere chilled as the sun became concealed by a cloud. Shadows overtook the clearing, setting the fine hair on Nora's arms on end.

"You see, I was hoping to get some input, and you," his eyes raked up and down Nora's form, stopping on the violin. "Appear to have an ear for the fine performing arts."

Nora's gaze searched the man for information. He was well-groomed, his suit uncreased. His brown locks offset pasty features that were pulled over a sharp jawline and high cheekbones. There was a slight sunken look to his cheeks, as if he were on the malnourished side.

Nora's brow twitched. She forced a smile to her lips. "I would offer my help, but my expertise lies in the stringed instruments. You should search elsewhere for your input." Her tone was forceful, meant to end the conversation. Instead, the air became electric as gooseflesh rose over her body. The man lost his smile, flames turning over in his eyes. Nora took an involuntary step back, her instincts kicking in as the brown irises bled to a deep crimson.

"How unfortunate for you, my dear." The man's hand shot out, his fingers biting into her skin. A gasp ripped past her lips as he yanked her close, his feral breath roaming over her face. His lips curled back, revealing sharp canines.

A scream built in her throat, but fear froze it on her tongue. The man's hand traveled from its place on her arm, his strength never failing as it slid to her wrist. Her body trembled as he lifted her wrist, bringing the pale, unblemished skin closer to the sharp fangs. It was the prick, light enough to have been from a needle, but painful enough to have been from a knife that pulled her from the grips of terror. Her hand tightened on the violin case, and she slammed it against the side of the vile thing's face. His grip loosened enough that Nora could pull free; she turned and ran down the trail she'd come.

"What was that-that-that creature?" Her voice shook on every word. Behind her, shriek sounded, sending her already pulsing heart into overdrive. She was taken back to the time she'd raced down Whitechapel's decrepit streets, trying to escape the clutches of a mad killer.

"Trouble seems to find you wherever you go, Miss Poyntz."

Elijah had never spoken truer words. A glance over her shoulder told her the man was drawing nearer. Her gaze whipped forward, searching for something to aide her; the old violin case could only do so much. There was nothing but sticks and minor debris scattered around the trail.

"Saints, nothing like this would harm that beast." Her voice came to a sharp halt as she spoke the word. Elijah had spoken the same thing at one point. He'd finished his studies for the day and took to the old lore books.

"They're nothing but mindless fairytales, Elijah." She'd told him. His rich laugh filled the warm space between them. A fire crackled in the hearth, and a brass glow blanketed the room, highlighting the dark, angelic qualities of his face. His devilish smile curled his fine mouth, and the deep seas of his eyes swirled with humor, the affection in them enough to halt her breathing.

"Ah, but that's where you lack in your thinking, Nora." Every time he spoke her name, it sent a thrill through her body. It wasn't appropriate in the eyes of society, but society need not know what happened behind closed doors. He snapped his book closed and stood, walking to her. "Every mindless fairytale could also be called a mindless lie, and in every mindless lie," he rolled one of her curls between his fingers; their eyes locked. "There is but at least a semblance of truth."

"A semblance of truth." She echoed the words. Everything he'd ever told her about myths flooded her thoughts. Knowledge was power, and every bit of it she never studied on her own, Elijah supplied her with through conversation. "Vampire," the word sounded childish, surreal even. Another glance over her shoulder told her the beast was nearing. "Okay, what did you learn? Dhampir are half human, half beast. That's not him, from the looks of things. Strigoi can't go out in sunlight, which only leaves Moroi." She focused on the word, associating with it every strength and weakness. Her eyes caught on something orange off to her left and her heart leapt as she saw the weird-looking equipment. She ran for it; the corner of her mouth twitched, an adrenaline high kicking in. "I've got it."

"And I've got you, my dear." His voice was beside her ear and a shrill scream tore from her throat as he slammed her forward into the orange fabric, collapsing what she believed had been a tent. Her violin case fell to the side, and she scrambled forward. "Ah, ah, ah," the man sang the words like a sick song; his fingers curled around her shoulder, yanking her onto her back. Nora's hand brushed cold metal, and she gripped the object with every ounce of strength she had. With a grunt, she lifted it, and her muscles strained as pressed the sharp end deep into the Vampire's chest.

The man stilled; all went silent in the world as she waited and watched. His eyes morphed from laughter, to realization, to fear, returning to their original brown. His lids drooped and his head fell to the side. She heaved his body off of her, chest rising and falling. Her eyes scanned the man's unmoving form. A dread filled her body as she set in. A life for a life. Shock made her body tremble; the scarce contents of her stomach traveled up her throat, depositing itself on the ground. A loud screeching sounded through the forest, the same as what she'd heard upon arrival at the camp. A moment later, Mr. Greybo's voice sounded.

"Would Miss Nora Poyntz please return to the campgrounds? Miss Nora Poyntz, please return to the campgrounds."

"Bloody saints," she muttered, wiping at her mouth. "What could that possibly entail?" She looked back at the Moroi, the back of her throat burning once more. Nora wasted no time climbing to her feet and scooping up her violin case. Whatever it was, she was sure it was better than remaining here.