It was Wednesday before Dominik spoke to me again; well it was more an order not an actual conversation. Luke had told me in the old days vampires’ marked humans to keep them safe and in return, they were able to feed from them. The whole idea made my skin crawl and I wanted no part in that.

Time was running out and being kept in the apartment was making me nervous. The blood moon was tomorrow night and it seemed that with his feeding off me, it fixed up my aches as well. To keep busy and I starting working out, knowing Gerri’s routine by heart. I had just finished doing squats against the wall and started on some star jumps when Dominik came into the room. I still had no intention of talking to him and couldn’t stop the relief at seeing Curtis appearing behind him. Considering I was in my underwear the moment of surprise of having him walk in was short lived as Dominik threw the robe in my direction. I ignored that too and started to stretch instead.

“Hi Lu” Curtis greeted, not looking at me as Dominik only glared at the pair of us.

“Hey “Gather your things, we’re leaving” Dominik walked out but he had my attention now.

“Leaving? Can I go home?” I asked hopefully and Curtis shook his head, still not looking at me. Grabbing the towel I wiped my brow and stomach, throwing on my jeans and a jumper finally he looked at me. “Curtis?”

“We’re going to Nik’s place”

“Aren’t we already here?” I didn’t like this.

“Where do you think I get clothes from and disappear to each day?” Dominik reappeared, “We go, now 

“I don’t want to”

“I don’t care” Dominik yelled at me, taking a deep breath he turned to Curtis. “If she doesn’t leave in five minutes, do what you have to do”

He left us alone and I sat on the bed, did Curtis know that Dominik knew about him and Luke?

“Come on, don’t make this any harder” Curtis begged, coming to sit beside me.

“Have you seen Luke? Nik knew I got you to move Owen away”

“Yeah I have. We’re working on something. You know if we cant keep you human, Luke will change you” It was hard to think I met Curtis in the street when he defended us against Darvid. It seemed like a lifetime ago now and like Luke, I felt comfortable around him. I think it was more a survival instinct than anything as I was confident that should he attack, I could defeat him 

“Please let me die” Luke missed his family and didn’t want them to be cursed like he was, so he didn’t change them and Dominik wanted to be human again so why make me go through it?

“I can’t let you do that. Neither can Luke. Sorry Lu, it is what it is” He got up and got my bag from the bedside table. “Is this packed?”

“No. What does it matter if I’m just going to die anyway?” The only thing I wanted was the watcher boots. They were comfortable and I could fight in them as that’s what I intended to do. I stopped in the kitchen, grabbing the scissors. It was the only thing with a blade in this place and I needed something no matter how small. 

“Well, you’d have some clothes to start off with” Curtis mumbled, grabbing it anyway and followed me down the hall. I was expecting Dominik to be here but he wasn’t and looked at Curtis. “He’s going to meet us there, he took the bike and I get the car” He dangled the keys in his hand and we went to the car. It was one in the afternoon; vampires are weaker during the daylight hours, more human with their abilities. 

The car pulled out of the undercover parking and I waited.

At the second set of traffic lights no one was around and as we stopped at the red light, I slipped the scissors up from the side of my boot and glanced over at Curtis who was nodding along to a song on the radio. 

“Curtis, I’m sorry”

“What? Why?” He asked confused as I opened the door, slamming it behind me and started to run.

“Fuck!” I heard him get out and turning he was running behind me. I quickly turned bracing my self for him and as soon as he was close enough I rammed the scissors hard into his shoulder. He screamed, going to grab me but I wasn’t affected by the sun or by a pair of scissors jammed in my shoulder. “You make it hard to like you Lu”

“I said I’m sorry!” I slammed the door shut, thankful he had left the car going and despite him chasing after me, put my foot down sending the car flying across the intersection and I headed towards Owens. What ever was coming next, I was going to be ready. Glancing back he was on his phone and I just  hoped it would go to voicemail.

I had door of the warehouse opened in seconds, running out the back to the ring I headed to the storeroom and pulled out one of the flame throwers, and two machetes. I could have grabbed more but I couldn’t carry it all and I didn’t want to waste any more time. The first time they had expected us to be here and I couldn’t risk that again.

Getting back in the car, the tire’s spinned on the gravel drive and I was glad he had a decent car. My mini wouldn’t have survived this kind of treatment and going down the highway, away from the city I managed to breath again only I had no idea where I was going, no money for more fuel and I had a feeling Dominic would already be on the hunt.

I pulled over at a service station, finding some change in the console headed over to a payphone and called Owen 

“Its me, Lu”

“Shit Lu, Luke just phoned. Are you ok?” He sounded worried and I guess he had good reason to be. 

“Yeah I’m fine. Ask my Dad if he ever saw Van Helsing in our family tree” I joked but he wasn’t in the mood to laugh.

“Where are you?” He sighed, and I could hear the radio in the background. He was already in a car.

“Ah, heading to my parents house actually. Look, keep watch ok. He might target you guys to get back at me 

“I’ll meet you there, Terry, Cam and Gerri will be fine. I’ll alert the Watch around here to stick close by them, I was already heading home as everyone is asking about what is keeping us away” I nodded, forgetting he couldn’t see me.

“Ok. I’ll see you soon” The phone cut out soon after and I had a head start but didn’t want to hang around and risk loosing my advantage. Getting home I broke in by the back door, putting the kettle on I set the torch up by the front door and raided Dads shed for a couple of guns and hid some of the axes around the place just in case. With that done, I made a cup of tea and sat in the lounge room, needing time to unwind and prepare.

For what, I didn’t know yet.

An hour later Gerri’s hilux appeared on the drive and went around to the back of the house. I had never been happier to see Owen and ran out to meet him, nearly knocking him over as I threw myself at him in hug.

 “Hi Mr. Stevenson” He smiled; although he looked tense it broke the mood he was obviously in.

“Hello Miss Dames” We went inside and I showed him where I hid everything sitting back at the dining table, he told me about the set up at my Aunts and told me how Mandy was doing over coffee.

“I never expected it to be like this” I admitted, “I am so sorry for all the trouble I caused”

“It’s not your fault” He reached over and hugged me, he was like an Uncle or a second father and I was so glad I had some help now. We slept in hour breaks, thanks to his werewolf senses he was able to pick up on sounds before I could but come morning, we were still alone. I really thought they would come here and while I got us some cereal for breakfast, Owen phoned Gerri and they were all ok too 

I knew something was going to happen, to think otherwise would be a mistake and sitting in the lounge we kept our eyes on the neighborhood.

“Hey Owen, I was thinking” His groan interrupted the sound of his chewing and he looked at me worried.

“Why am I scared?”

 “Shut up” I whined, throwing a cushion at his head he quickly knocked it down saving his cereal.

“Ok, what were you thinking? 

“How do you become a werewolf?” He nearly choked on his breakfast, coughing the milk splattered back in the bowl and I wrinkled my nose in disgust as it poured from his mouth. He had a cough a few more times, taking a deep breath his voice was high pitched and nervous 

“Why?”

“Well that’s what I was thinking, if you could make me a werewolf then would I still be able to be turned into a vampire? He doesn’t seem to like werewolves so that could work in my advantage” It sounded like a genius plan, I was proud of it and since the blood moon was tonight, Luke said werewolves could change with their own control.

“You’re either born with the mutation or you have to be attacked by one then they have to save you too” he said slowly.

“Save?”

“Its more than just a bite or scratch. You have to be practically mauled and then they have to want to save you, licking and cleaning your wounds so the spit can be absorbed into your body to react with the moon light which then causes the change”

“Sounds easy enough” I got up and took our dishes to the sink.

“No. Why do you think I haven’t done it to Gerri? I was made into one, our father was a born werewolf and it never passed into his children so he changed me. He nearly failed too, we can’t really control the werewolf. It has a mind of its own, I was just lucky it wanted to make sure it continued its lineage”

“Even on a blood moon? 

“Especially on a blood moon” He didn’t seem keen to try or to count it as an option.

 “But this could save me from the vampires” I argued but he shook his head.

“No. If I killed you, I wouldn’t know how to live with myself”

 “Better you than the vamps” I snapped and he opened and closed his mouth, not sure what to say and after a few minutes I broke the silence. “So that’s a no?”

“Definitely a no” Frowning I left him on watch and went to shower thankful I still had clothes in my parents house and while there I took a few minutes to admire all the photos I had on the wardrobe door of my old bedroom. The bulk of them were of Ryan, Mandy and I and others of my now dead schoolmates. We never imagined life would be like this, we all had dreams and wants not knowing so many of us would have died so young.

Sitting at my dresser I went through the draws, finding old diaries and notebooks, drawings and reports from school - all unimportant pieces of nostalgia that I’d managed to keep. I went through it the bundles, hoping somewhere in amongst it all there would be some memory; some sign of what Dominik had told me was true.

And I did.

It was a diary entry from when my grandmother died, I don’t even remember writing it but in the entry, I prayed I’d get to see her in heaven and all the lost angels like the one I had met would help to take her there. I ran my finger over the words, hoping to get something from them and the more I tried the less I remembered.

 The sound of something smashing had me chucking it all back in the draw and grabbing the axe from behind my door headed slowly down the stairs.

“Owen?”

“Its ok Lu” I relaxed but kept my weapon raised as I entered the kitchen to find him sweeping up a broken coffee cup. “But open the door”

I stepped over to the backdoor, slowly opening it Luke stood there looking as confident as ever. I shut the door and looked Owen who only shrugged. “You need to invite him in”

“So that does still apply to vampires then?” He frowned at my attitude, knowing all to well what that was referring to 

“Stop being stubborn” Luke called out, knocking on the door. “He is coming, let me in”

“No” I opened the door to find look still standing there only much more awkward this time. I found it odd he was wearing a suit, maybe he was expecting a funeral.

“You’d rather stay in there with a werewolf?” He challenged, looking at Owen the friendship between them was clearly something of convenience.

 “I am no threat until the moon comes up” Owen defended, putting down the remains of the cup he stood behind me at the door glaring at Luke.

 “We shall see” Luke snapped, turning to walk away as Owen growled.

“Shut the door, more are here” Owen went to the table and picked up one of the guns, making sure it was loaded.

“Is Nik here?” Owen shook his head, even he was he had already been invited in but that didn’t matter for him anyway. “Can we kill them?”

“Maybe. It is daylight. I wouldn’t piss Luke off Lu. He is on your side” Owen peeked through the curtains and sighing I stood behind him.

 “I don’t think he has a side, he just does what he wants but the fact is he is here and so are a bunch of other vampires 

“I think you’re right. There’s seven including him and two of them are pretty big guys” I looked outside to where they had gathered, Darvid was there and the giant had an African looking twin. I wouldn’t stand a chance 

‘Well wolf man, you’re as big as them I’m sure you could do it” If we were fighting, would Luke help them or us?

“We need them out the back, I don’t want your neighbors seeing anything”

“We’re on property, the neighbors can barely see the house let alone a bunch of vamps” He nodded and I could see his mind working in over drive 

“I wonder how old they are, from what Luke told me he has quite a network set up and keeps himself surrounded with older vampires”

“And is Luke part of that?” If Curtis and Darvid are, what made him so different?

 “Should we find out?” That weird look he had when he was angry flashed over his eyes and dragging me through the house he opened the back door. “Luke! Come here!”

“Trust me” He whispered and nodded as Luke approached cautiously.

“Come in Luke” Owen walked away from the door and Luke’s smirk didn’t falter as he dipped his head slightly, looking at me I knew he was trying to get a read on what was going and I hoped he wouldn’t see how nervous I was. I didn’t know what Owen was planning so as Luke walked in, he didn’t either.

Owen had the gun against his temple before I could close the door and at the threat the vampire came out. “Sit”

Luke snarled warningly at Owen, but did as he was told. “Lu tie him up”

I fumbled with the rope of the table, careful of how I moved around him and I kept looked at Owen for some kind of sign but he was completely still and once I was done he still didn’t lower the gun.

“Are you working with Dominik?” Owen demanded, and I stood on the other side of the table watching anxiously.

“Why would I tell you?” Luke challenged, meeting my gaze I couldn’t look away. This was it, friend or foe.

Owen stepped back, picking up my axe and pressed it against his neck so the thinnest line of blood appeared at the blades edge and I tried to stop the feeling of needing to help him 

Guess I did consider him a friend.

“Well then you will die for nothing” Owen readied the axe to swing, holding it up proudly my hands covered my mouth as he swung and Luke spoke.

“No!” The blade clipped his chin, as Owen pulled back.

“No what?”

“No I am not on his payroll if that’s what you’re asking”

“For free then?”

“No” The pair glared at each other, neither will to back down despite Owen having all the power right now. “I told Lucy she could trust me, I will honor that”

“And who said chivalry is dead” I joked; yet they lacked to see the humor.

 “Then what about those out there?” Owen demanded.

“I hitched a ride” Luke shrugged, his face relaxing he presumed the danger was over on his life and Owen only laughed bitterly.

 “If you’re lying, I’ll make sure I am the one who kills you”

“I’d expect nothing less” He was practically mocking Owen and the werewolf went upstairs. As soon as I heard his steps above us, I let Luke free. “Do you really not trust me?”

“No offense, you’re a vampire and I kind of have some trust issues with your kind"

“Point taken” He got up and looked around the house, checking out the photos we had up on the walls curiously.  “So what’s your plan? Hide here or get them all strapped to chairs for questioning?”

“Funny. I don’t know. I just had to get out of the city” He nodded, watching as I got a drink. 

“Curtis wasn’t impressed, he must have as many lives as a cat to keep his head,” Luke sighed, running his hand through his hair frustrated. I didn’t actually think anything would happen to him but I guess Dominik could have held him responsible and Curtis was a good guy, he didn't deserve to be involved in this. Neither did Luke.

Neither did I.

“And what about Darvid?” My tone was icy and didn’t go unnoticed.

“What ever is going in that pretty little head of yours, don’t think for a second that you are indestructible Lucy” Luke warned. I didn’t think that at all and I hoped none of the vampires outside thought so either.

The front door opening had us running over and we caught Owen’s arm disappearing as he walked out the front. “Owen!”

He ignored me, shutting the door but Luke chased after him and pushed me back. Gunshots rang out and since Luke blocked the front door seeming happy for Owen to risk his life I went out the back, grabbing the axe in the process.

There were only two left, Darvid and his twin now circled Owen who had the flamethrower strapped to his back. His gun had run out of bullets but he had enough to take down the others. Unlike me all his shots were perfect and he hadn’t missed either.  Not hesitating I ran to the closest one and put him out his misery and I was about to move onto the third when the African giant had me over his shoulder, pulling the axe from my hands he started towards one of the cars.

 “Shit. Lucy I’m coming!” Owen called sending an explosion of orange flames at Darvid but he knew it was going to happen and dodged, tackling Owen before he could flip the switch to bring it to life again 

“Let me go!” It was a weak attempt really, I didn’t stand a chance and no matter how I squirmed or kicked and punched he wasn’t going to let me go. He was like a tank and I'd have more luck in knocking over a brick wall that him.

“Seriously, all you do is attract trouble!” Luke scolded, taking his anger out on the back of the giant’s knee he stumbled, dropping me as he fell leaving me face to face with a vampire. He growled in pain as Luke kicked him off me and helped me stand. “Back inside”

I nodded, for once doing what Luke told me until Owens yelling stopped me. Luke was outsized but since they were both vampires I figured he could hold his own and despite Owen looking like he could be the missing mismatched triplet and the fact he was werewolf, Darvid was getting the better of him 

Grabbing the discarded gun I ran over to Darvid, holding it against his forehead he stopped laying into Owen and looked up at me from where he was kneeling. “Back. Off”

His laugh made my skin crawl but he got off Owen who rolled over groaning in agony. “Really kitten? What are you going to do with that”

“Shoot you. I’ll give you five seconds to go back to your car otherwise you’ll end up like your friends” I warned, thankful my hands managed to hide how scared I actually was 

“I think there is a little problem with that kitten 

“What’s that?”

“Your friend used all the bullets,” He laughed again but I held my ground as I could see Owen trying to get the torch to light up.

“Are you sure?” I narrowed my eyes, hoping to at least make him have some doubt over it but instead he grabbed my wrist, yanking me against him just as Owen got the flame back.

“Positive” He growled in my ear, looking at Owen he brushed my hair back from around my shoulders. “I wonder if it’s the way you taste that makes you so special to him?”

“Let her go” Owen demanded, I was nearly hyperventilating as I felt his fangs graze the skin above my collarbone and my heart was pounding so hard it could’ve broken my ribs to escape.

I should have just gone back into the house.

 “No. Step back and I wont kill her now. If you even think of trying anything I’ll suck her dry” He hissed at Owen as I closed my eyes and the fight to keep my tears back failed.

“Kill him Owen” I was surprised at how calm I sounded and as Darvid’s arm tightened around my chest I opened my eyes to find him looking lost and confused. Looking over to Luke he was in the process of beheading the giant and looking back to Owen I nodded. I didn’t doubt I’d die under the blood moon tonight so at least this way it was on my own terms and I got to take out a bastard vampire too. 

“Lucy…” Owen started and I closed my eyes as Darvid tensed, feeling his body coil around mine like a snake and my head was jerked to the side. I prayed Owen would end it before the pain that was still fresh in my mind would return, I didnt want to be bitten again.

Darvid snarled, a cruel vicious sound from the bottom of his gut and I flinched as his teeth made contact, gasping at the sting but that was all that happened as I fell backwards, being tossed to the side like a ragdoll the whoosh of Owens flame flew over me and groaning I opened my eyes, pushing myself up from the ground I froze as Luke came to my side. 

“I’d go inside this time” What good would that do? Darvid stood as still as I was as Dominik’s first broke into his chest and his heart was ripped out swiftly. I bent over throwing up breakfast before he let it drop from his bloodied hand; the brutal sight was more than I could stand to watch. Darvid gasped, holding his chest he fell to the ground and Owen set him alight; the blackened body disappeared into nothing as the flame diminished and Luke tried to push me back inside. But I wasn’t done throwing up yet. 

“You know, I’m surprised these two are even here” Dominik grabbed the end of the torch before Owen could light it up again one punch had him unconscious on the ground as Luke stood beside me watching him closely. “You run, I kill.  I thought you understood that?”

“Go inside Lucy” Luke mumbled through gritted teeth. His eyes narrowed in on Dominik I did as he said this time and headed into the house.

“I’ll see you in a minute Lulu” Dominik called and closing the front door I felt the room closing in on me and went to the kitchen, hoping the other gun was still there but instead the backdoor was still open and a nervous looking Curtis waved me over.

“What are you doing here? Go help Luke!” But he only shook his head.

“No, he’ll be fine. Believe it or not Nik isn’t as bad as he’d let you think”

“He just killed Darvid!”

“Yeah cause he threatened you. He didn’t kill the wolf did he and I’m still alive” He had a point, he let Luke go that night they rescued me and he hadn’t killed Owen. “So come on, I’m the back up plan”

I didn’t know if I could trust him but if anything happened to Luke I didn’t want it to be for nothing and nodding I followed him to Gerri’s hilux. "I'm sorry about stabbing you"

"Its ok, I get it. You're a bitch" He teased and poked my tongue out at him in response.

"What ever"

He started the car and turned it around, ready to make what could be our final run for freedom only he never got to put it back into drive from reverse as his door was opened and he was thrown from the car. I quickly made a move to get into the drivers seat but Dominik was there waiting and as he leant in to turn off the car, I got out and started to run down the drive. He caught me in no time, I didnt even make it to the front and grabbing my arm he held me back. He dodged each of my blows until I was breathless from fighting with him.

"Why do you have to make this so hard?" He had me up against the side of the house, frowning as he spied the scratch on my neck from Darvid.

"Because I refuse to let you win" I spat defiantly, refusing to let him see my fear although he could probably feel it.

"But Lulu, I aready have" I looked at him confused, where was Luke, Owen? Surely this wasn't the end. It was only early afternoon and until the night took over I still had a chance and it would not be me who died tonight.

"Sure about that?" Adrenaline coursed through my veins, the need to live fuelling me on as I stomped my foot down as hard as I could on his.

"NIce try" He stepped away and as the back of his hand slammed into my face there was no point in fighting the darkness as I fell to the gravel, unable to protest further he picked me up.