I feel a chilling breeze on my naked back as I awaken. I turn to see Clay still sleeping on his back. I can't stop staring at his tattoos. The snake descending his right forearm and the wings on his chest. The concealed tattoos on his left arm that were covered under the pillow, as well as the moon and sun in the centre of his abdomen. the blue rose with the twine ribbon. I remember how I trembled under his touch last night when his muscles under his skin tightened, pulsing the tattoos on his arms and chest. Even just thinking about it makes me anxious.

"Good morning, like something you see?" He laughs. I blush, feeling caught off guard.

"I was... I don't know, I'm sorry." I say, covering my face with my hands. I could die of embarrassment right now. He sits up to join me and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ears.

"Don't be sorry, this," He points to himself, "is yours to look at or do whatever you please with." He states with a smirk.

"Clay!" I swat his arm, and he falls back, all dramatic, and starts laughing. I grab my phone, and it's eleven in the morning. Shit. "Crap, I'm going to be late."

"Don't go. Stay in bed with me." He pleads.

"Clay, I have to go, I promised him." He gets up, gets dressed, and walks out the door.

"I'll call you after, and maybe we can figure out what happened when you know..." Showing him my wrist.

"Yeah, whatever, I'll see you later." He shows no emotion, he just walks out. What the hell?

I glance at the time, and it's ten past eleven. Crap, I have to get ready. I take a quick shower, throw my hair up into a bun, throw my clothes on, and slip my shoes on. I need a coat or something. I grab my hoodie jean jacket, grab my phone and keys, and head out.

⁂

Zack is waiting inside the tiny bistro near the campus when I get there. Logan and Brie join us after two minutes. I start to hear familiar voices as time goes on. As we converse, I look up to see Sloane, Bronx, and Thair enter. Clay is directly behind them. He treats me like a total stranger. Why is Clay with her? Sloane beams at me as if she has just won something. The table next to us is taken by them. I take a deep breath and try to control my tears as I stare at Brie and Logan. I'm not sad; in fact, I'm enraged.

Oh, how everything can change in one night!

Logan whispers, "Just pretend he isn't here." I nod and try to continue our conversation. Everything is fine until I hear Sloane laughing. I then look over, and she is practically all over Clay. She is sitting on his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. He doesn't seem to care that I am sitting right here.

I can feel myself getting red. "Aw, Clay, I think that one is jealous," Thair says, looking at me.

Everyone else besides him laughs. He looks directly through me. It hurts like a blade went through my heart. I want to smack him because of the mocking malice in his gaze. I nod as I stand up to leave after Brie murmurs, "Go."

"Look, she can't handle a joke. She's running." Thair taunts. I turn to face Clay, anger building up, but I keep calm.

"It's funny how the tables have turned. You can't seem to grasp that I'm the one girl who won't do what you want. I know what I'm worth and what I've got, so screw you!" I say, shaking my head like he is a disappointment.

He lets out a sly chuckle and says, "And you were merely a girl to toy with." He says and looks away.

He got what he wanted, and I stand there looking like a fool who fell for his mind games, but he seems to have forgotten that I'm better at this than he is. I can take advantage of the fact that he despises Zack. Even worse, when Bronx was all over me, he became quite envious. I secretly smile.

"I'll tell you what. I can't believe I let you hurt me, out of all people. You've got me thinking of what I can do to humiliate you right back". He looks directly into my eyes, and I can see he's worried about what I'm going to do.

I walk toward Bronx, and he smiles, knowing what I'm about to do. I lean down and kiss Bronx. My tongue divides our mouths, and I hear his moan as he becomes aroused by my kiss. I internally smile. Clay jumps up, and I turn to face him. "You started this, and I'm going to end it. Now I can forget your sorry ass." Looking right into his eyes.

"That was awesome. I told you I liked this girl." I hold my tears back as Bronx says that while I walk away.

As I leave, I can hear Logan defending me. "Clay, what is wrong with you, man? That was cruel, even for you!" He spews at his best friend. I gasp as the cold air hits my lungs. It hurts, but I just want to feel numb. I want to hide from the world.

"Invisibillis,"

I whisper, and like that, I'm hidden in plain sight. Just in time, Clay comes running out and searches. "Fuck!" He yells as he pulls on his hair.

Brie, Logan, and Zack walk out behind him. Zack says his goodbyes and leaves. "You screwed up big time, Clay; she will never trust you after the stupid shit you just pulled in there," Logan yells at him.

"Are you kidding me? She's the one who kissed Bronx," he yells.

"Yeah, because you were being the asshole you always are and went and tangled yourself up again with Sloane. You're the idiot here, Clay. You can't handle the fact that she played you at your own game. If you loved her, truly loved her, you wouldn't be such a pretentious dick." Brie shouts.

Tears stream down my cheeks as I realise that this is the reason I never risk my love and keep my guard up at all times. He makes me feel weak, and even though I've never had trouble getting what I want, I freeze when it comes to him. He used me precisely as Brie had forewarned me. I ought to have understood better than to believe his lies. Never again will things be the same. I won't take part in his amateurish screenplay.

I lose control of my emotions and am unable to maintain the invisibility spell. I dash into the alley, hide there, and wait for them to leave. I go to Mr. Michaels's bookstore once I am certain they are no longer around.

⁂

"Good afternoon, Raven," Mr. Michaels says.

"Raven, I'm so sorry he did that." I turn to see Zack standing there. "It's okay." I respond. "It's not okay. He hurt you."

"What happened?" Mr. Michaels asks, looking down the bridge of his glasses. "That vampire, Clay!" Zack says with disgust in his voice.

"What did he do?" Mr. Michaels frantically asks. "Nothing," I interrupt before Zack can say anything else, "but I do have one question; that's why I'm here." Looking at the old man, "Clay fed off me last night."

Before I could finish, both of them jumped toward me, asking if I was okay. "That's the problem; it didn't hurt; it felt." I blush. "Good." Shocked looks on their faces "I don't know." I pace back and forth. I have no idea what happened; how do I explain this? Both are looking at me for more of an explanation. "God, it felt like a connection between two people having sex," I shout. I can feel my face turning red, feeling embarrassed at what I just shouted.

"Oh," Zack mumbles. "Miss Beauregard, you aren't playing games with me now, are you?" Mr. Michaels exclaims, now he is the one pacing back and forth. "This can't be good, no, no, no," he stammers.

"What's not good?" I'm so confused. "You and Clay have bonded," He tells me.

I look to Zack for clarification. Centuries ago, a link was formed between Abel, the vampire, and Celeste, the witch. It was widely assumed that a mutual affection had blossomed between them. All that they came into contact with was left in a state of ruin. The culmination of their journey culminated in an encounter that would be remembered for generations to come. The witches and vampires came into conflict with one another as a result. Despite the individual choices made by all, there remained a faction who remained steadfast in their adherence to Abel's teachings. This unwavering devotion ultimately gave rise to the prophesied arrival of my personage, yet also brought with it the ominous threat of retribution from Abel's loyalists.

Could this day get any worse?

"Actually, this may be good," Mr. Michaels says, scratching his head. "You two might be the ones to bring order to the supernatural world since you are different. It makes sense."

"No, it doesn't," Zack states. "I was sent here to protect her. How can I protect her without revealing myself to the one who keeps hurting her?"

"We just have to be careful. No one can know who you are," I tell him.

"He's already told you to stay away from me!" He shouts.

"I know, let me deal with that. To him, you're just some human boy. Let's keep it that way." I plead with him. "You're my friend, and no one, not even Clay, can't tell me I can't be friends with you." Giving him a reassuring look. He nods, and my mind wanders to Clay.

If this is how love should be, Let me make it very clear that it's not for me.