Everyone was acting differently after the festival. Being away from work for that week I hadn't been able to notice it. The human customers seemed more aware of the vampire ones, more confident but it wasn't as if the vampires backed down. Each look that lasted that second to long was shot down with their own staring, when lining up the tension was like electricity in the air as the humans pushed in front of the queue or talked in their groups about the blood suckers.

I think the whole event did more harm than good.

"What is with everyone today? Last week wasn't this bad" Mandy muttered as we swept up the entry. The last of the rush had left and after Owen had to break up two fights I had even more questions for him.

"Being able to go out at night has made them think they're invincible" I observed, glancing at Owen as he sat on his stool by the door, rapidly pressing the buttons on his phone. "Hey Mands, why don't you go on break"

Eager to call Cam, she left me her broom and disappeared out the back.

"Mr Stevenson" Owen looked up, locking the phone he put it back in his pocket as he studied me curiously for a moment.

"Yes Miss Dames"  I had to smile at his mockery, the formal use of my name more of a joke than manners.

"Are you.." I lowered my voice in case anyone may have been listening which was highly unlikely, "are you a werewolf?"

His mouth opened slightly as he stared at me in disbelief before coughing uncomfortably. "No. Why would you say that?"

"I know other things exist, it's not just the vampires. I saw your eyes the other day, that was near a full moon and Luke.." He cut off my rambling now only looking pissed off.

"Luke told you I was a werewolf?"

"No. He didn't say anything about you. I was talking to him and he mentioned something about werewolves and I kept pushing but from what he did say, it makes sense"

"I'll kill him" Owen growled, flexing his hands in a bid to release the building rage.

"Owen, please calm down" I didn't think he would act like this but it didn't help make me believe that he wasn't one.

"Owen? You didn't call me Mr. Stevenson" Finding a change in topic I stuck with it. 

"We always call you Owen, its only Mr Stevenson to your face"

"So Luke didn't tell you that I was a werewolf?" He asked again slightly calmer. I quickly shook my head. Did he just admit it?

"I kind of worked it out on my own" He frowned before taking a deep breath.

"You don't have to be afraid of me, you've known me for years and it doesn't change anything"

"I know. I'm more curious than anything" I shrugged, going back to sweeping but Owen didn't offer any more information or conversation until Mandy reappeared grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Just don't tell her ok?" Nodding I locked my till and headed out the back for my own break. I wonder if he would tell me more about what I wanted to know. Just what else lived on this planet?

"Lucy?" Opening the back door, Luke stood casually outside and I quickly invited him in. 

"Luke, I learnt something out last night. The Night Watchers are planning this big thing with a database"

"I know"

"You do? How?" Michael only told me last night, how he could possibly know was beyond me. 

"I read about it in that file they gave you. You really didn't look at it at all did you? Owen is also in Night Watchers, so are a bunch of other creatures. We have existed for thousands of years; we have to be smarter than humans to live for thousands more" It was like the war after the Coming Out. They set up newborns to fail, they let us think we're winning. We have a festival, people start going out at night again thinking their safe and the authorities think they've got one up on the vampires.

"The vampires at the festival, the ones who would have been photographed for the database - they were newborns weren't they? That's why you left and so many others too" He smiled almost proudly.

"You're learning. We only let them know what we want them to know"

"Then why are you telling me?" His eyes drifted to my hand that hung at my side which only made me nervous.

"I didn't come here about any of that, I came to see Owen. Can you send him out here" Luke took a seat and it was my turn to act smug.

"Sure. Considering after I asked him if he was a werewolf he blames you for telling me" I quickly walked out, amused at the words that followed me but it soon stopped seeing Michael and two other guys I didn't know talking to Mandy. Owen watched them like a hawk and as I started walking backwards Michael saw me.

"Hey Lucy, how are you today?" He leant against the counter casually, and glancing at Mandy she only looked tense and slightly afraid.

"Fine, did you want something?" I slipped in behind my till and looking at Owen, his face was blank.

"Can't I stop by to see my favourite check out chick?"

"No" The duo laughed and again the mentality of the male of our species was questioned but the fact was, he was starting to scare me. I had suffered an incubus attack, there was a werewolf at the door and a vampire in the lunch room but this idiot scared me. Leaving Mandy's side of the checkouts he came to stand in front of me, leaning in close I automatically moved away.

"I told you I'd be watching you, this is just a little reminder of that" I could only stare at him as he winked, nudging the other two they left the store and Owen stormed over.

"What was that?" He demanded. Luke was right; he was like a guard dog. 

"Him being an ass. Luke's out back waiting for you" Owen glanced at his watch cursing and went to the lunch room.

"Lu, what the hell is going on? He is getting really bad" Mandy came to stand in front of me and I told her a little of what happened last night. "Just, ignore him. Cam said he is a bit deranged, he isn't quite right. He is a good fighter and team leader but he is also really egotistical. Stay off his radar"

"I'm trying, trust me I'm trying" But like with everything else, trouble seemed to follow me these days. Our drive home wasn't easy either and I didn't miss the fact there was a Night Watchers van parked on the corner near our apartment. Mandy cancelled her follow up date with Cam on Tuesday night, with Michael following us she didn't want to risk leaving me alone although I'd rather her be away from me and safe.

On Wednesday I told Owen. He changed our training days to Sunday so we wouldn't risk seeing him then and he told some of the higher ranked officers in the watch. Michael had no reason to suspect me, I was not known vampire sympathiser or a blood donor and the fact I had beaten him up twice was known amongst the group so by Wednesday night whatever he had arranged was cancelled and we were left alone once more.

But I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Michael was proving the point that humans were the real monsters in all of this and I couldn't help but be distracted as I talked to my parents on Skype. Mandy was telling Mum about her date with Cam, the pair acting more like teenagers than adults and like Dad I left them to it to go and make a cup of tea. While waiting for the kettle to boil I stared out the window until Mandy's words got my attention back.

"No Mum, there really hasn't been anyone since Ryan. Give her some time, there is enough going on here" I didn't hear what Mum had to say to that and instinctively tried to pull my sleeve down to cover my scar. I hadn't been covering it at home, the irritation that started on Saturday with my sweatband now carried onto anything I put over it. My leather cuff, the metal bangles even the soft wool of my jumper all felt like glass cutting into my flesh.

"Why don't you girls come back round for the weekend?" I took my seat beside Mandy when I was certain the conversation had moved on from my own love life.

"Yeah love, maybe you could bring your friend Luke?" Dad smiled seeing me and Mum raised her eyebrows surprised. We didn't talk about Luke to them and Dad had mentioned him since his birthday.

"I dunno Dad, I'd have to ask him" Or not. I could already see Mums mind working in overdrive and didn't want to add fuel to that fire. By the time we finished Mandy was excited about it. 

"How cool would it be? Your Dad would love it. Luke could learn all about your family" I hadn't told her about my movie night while she had been on her date so I did. She was quiet for some time before punching my arm. "I can't believe you didn't tell me you saw Oceans. I wanted to see that!"

And that was why she was my best friend.

"Go on another date with lover boy and see it" I teased, expecting the pillow as it was thrown into my face while I quickly grabbed one as my own weapon and threw it back against her.

"Maybe I should invite Michael too? I think he likes you, he is just so retarded he only knows intimidation skills. Like remember when oh what was his name? Um, Jesse wasn't it, had a crush on you in year nine. Every recess he'd punch you in the arm or trip you over and the day you cried was when he told he liked you"

"Then I slapped him. Wow I have always been really dysfunctional with guys" And attracted the weird ones.

"So really, you and Michael are just doing Jesse style foreplay" 

"You're delusional"

"It could work though and at least get him off your case. Go out together, well with us. Have some fun, relax" She seemed so hopeful but I couldn't feel the same. The guy was a psychopath and I couldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Why I was about to do this was beyond me.

"Fine" Mandy squealed jumping up to bounce around the room before running off to organise Friday night with Cam. The next couple of days went by rather quickly, the rain kept everyone inside so work was quiet but every chance I got I quizzed Owen about what it was like to be a werewolf. Luke kept his distance, but Owen did give me his mobile number so like the new age people we were, kept in contact via messages. I took my nerves that were building to epic proportions as a sign of my anxiety for Friday night, ignoring the fact it could mean something more and as we got ready it was the time that week I was able to put on my leather cuff with no pain.

I decided Luke wouldn't get a chance to avoid the topic or refuse to answer my questions on the mark tomorrow; I had a right to know about what was going on with it and he had been ignoring it for too long but that all had wait. Adjusting my beanie I found my scarf and loosely tied it around my neck and headed out of my room to where Mandy was letting them in. I slipped through to the kitchen, grabbing my back I still had an assortment of things I could use to defend myself as the trio came in laughing.

I could do this.

"Hey Lucy" Cam greeted me like an old friend, offering a hug I didn't shy away from the contact and offered a small smile to Michael who only did the same. Cam and Mandy were kind of cute together, her happiness was obvious and he was just as smitten with her which left Michael and I standing awkwardly near each other.

"I like your scarf" Michael offered, I just nodded, fiddling with it again. His dark hair was hidden under his Night Watcher cap, a simple hoodie and a pair of jeans completed his look and if I didn't know him better, I would say he was just as nervous as I was. Our tension wasn't anything like what the other two had. It was more the tremor before the earthquake or the storm before the hurricane and the dark look in his eyes made me think it would be just as deadly.

"Come on, we better go or we'll miss the movie" I quickly followed Mandy to the cupboard grabbing our coats Cam acted the gentleman and helped her put hers on and Michael kept a safe distance before heading out of the door before me, waiting as the others headed down to the stairs while I locked the door.

"I was surprised you agreed to this"

"I'd do anything to make her happy" I put the keys in my bag and we headed to the stairwell, Mandys laugh echoing up from the level below us.

"Look, I just want to say this before we go out. I'm sorry for being an ass. I've never met a girl like you before" He went quiet, his cheeks showing a little bit of colour and then it dawned on me. Mandy was right. It was a weird kind of foreplay. "You got under my skin and I did the only thing I know how to do"

"Look, you don't have to say anything. Let's just leave it as what it is and go see a movie with our friends and that's it" I wanted to tell him a lot more but the risk of getting him angry was there and I wasn't willing to ruin Mandy's night. I wasn't forgiving him, I wasn't planning on making him my new best friend and I wasn't stupid enough to think he had miraculously changed and wouldn't threaten me again.

"That's fair" We went down to the street where Cam and Mandy were hand in hand and started the walk to the cinema. The movie had just started when the skin prickled on the back of my neck and looking behind us I was surprised to see Luke with Darvid by the door and seeing me see them, they turned and walked out. I waited a few minutes before getting up. 

"Sorry I need to pee" I climbed over Mandy and Cam and tried to stop myself from running up the aisle and into the brightly lit lobby.

"Didn't know you liked the movie that much" Luke teased as we went into a corner by the concession stand.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, ignoring him. Darvid was like a silent body guard behind Luke and it didn't help put me at ease.

"The blood moon is next week"

"A what?" I jumped as Mandy appeared at my side frowning.

"Blood moon also called a Hunters Moon. It's the wrong time of year for it to happen" As Mandy went astronomical explaining how it occurs Luke cut her off.

"This one happens every three years and only we can see it. I can't believe I didn't realise it sooner. It makes sense now" Luke looked at me as if waiting for me to understand something but it was lost on me.

"What happens on your Blood Moon?" Mandy asked genuinely interested. She had been part of the astronomers club at school and while she said it was just to boost up college applications, inside she was a bit of a star gazing geek.

"Werewolves can change on their own accord. Witches can harness its energy for more powerful magic, the usual kind of things" Luke started to ramble, listing off a number of beings I had no idea about what they actually were.

"So how does this make sense?" I cut him off, we'd been gone for a good few minutes now and I didn't need Michael ruining this.

"How long ago did you get this" Luke grabbed my arm that had the mark on and my blood ran cold as Mandy gasped.

Now I understood.

"He's coming" Darvid finally spoke, his tone rough and amused as Luke elbowed him as if telling him to shut up as I felt my mind shutting down.

"He knows you're here Lu, go home to your parents or maybe even out of state" His words fell on deaf ears. He was actually coming?

"But he's left her alone all this time, maybe he won't. How do you know?" Mandy panicked but I couldn't bring myself to try and calm her down.

"Curtis knows who he is; it's why he came here to scout it out. Sadly my brother is happy to do the work of other vampires for the right price. That's what I was seeing him about the night we were caught as he realised you were the one I came here for" Luke was staring at me intently, as if he was trying to read my mind.

Even if he could it was blank.

"Why would he come back on Blood Moon then" I finally managed to get out knowing the answer but not really wanting to accept it and it was Darvid who answered a little too quickly.

"To finish what he started"

It was a good thing I had already seen the movie. I stared at the screen but none of it was absorbed and Mandy leant against me gripping my arm as if that alone would keep me safe.  

The guys noticed something was up and as the movie finished and Mandy said she just wanted to go home, Cam was crushed.

"What's going on? You don't look ok" Michael observed now that I was unable to hide in the darkness of the theatre.

"That time of the month, I need to go. Mandy, you stay - I'll see you guys later" That always worked with Owen but Mandy wanted an end to the night too and the four of us ended up walking home in silence. I didn't miss the way Cam and Michael were looking at each other and the fact Mandy and I were quiet wasn't helping.

"Thanks guys, we had a good night. I'll call you Cam" I headed inside as she said goodbye; kissing him for a little too long and Michael followed me into the entry.

"I'm still watching you, both of you. Something is going on and I will find out" He promised.

"Why do you even care?"

"I don't. I just want to know what you're hiding" He answered darkly, as his eyes found mine and everything about him made me uneasy.

"Leave Michael" I stated flatly, he took a step towards me and hesitated, shaking his head he pushed door hard and a few seconds later Mandy appeared.

"You ok?"

"Yeah, he seriously needs help" I muttered and we made the climb home in silence. We had just under a week until the blood moon would rise and apparently the vampire who marked me would be returning to finish the job. Considering we didn't part on the best of terms, I had no idea what I should be expecting and after Mandy went to bed I sat in the kitchen. The dark offered some kind of comfort, the ticking of the clock was my sanity and staring at the knife on the table in front of me I thought of my options.

Do I kill myself?

I couldn't let Mandy find me in the morning, or while I did it. I had no idea how long it would take to bleed out if I cut myself. How badly would it hurt?

"Don't be weak" I scolded myself. It was a stupid idea, unrealistic. I fought for my life before and won. I've only gotten stronger since then. I could fight properly now. I knew how to kill them too. If he came, I'd be ready and waiting.

Sunday Luke joined us at training. It was only him, Owen, Mandy and I so we did things a bit differently. Mandy was up first and I watched from the sidelines as Owen coached through the fight with Luke. He switched to his vampire face, scaring her to start with but as it helped him move faster with more agility it was a good lesson. She didn't beat him once.

But I was proud at how hard she tried.

I was feeling better compared to last week, I had my wits about me and no distractions. I didn't give up until I had him pinned and the foam knife against his neck. My body was sore from the hits I had taken but I started to enjoy it. Out of five rounds I had him dead in three and with the odds in my favour I felt better.

"Let's call it a day" Owen clapped, breaking us up as I was eager for another go and Mandy slipped back into the ring looking exhausted.

"What were you two talking about last week?" I asked between gulps of water, starting to stretch I didn't want to be in any more pain than necessary.

"How do you think I keep up to date with the Watchers?" Luke shrugged, and Mandy snorted her water.

"Seriously?" Mandy had only just learnt what Owen was, so this was blowing her mind.

"Us sups have to stick together. We work with the vampires and come up with new plans together. So some vamps die, keeps the humans happy and the world turning" Owen picked up the foam weapons and got out of the ring.

"Well done" Luke extended his hand and I took it without thinking. His grip was too tight and he was quick to twist my arm around to the point I was certain it would pop out of its socket. I rolled with it, moving my body around to lessen the pressure and whacked him on the head with my water bottle, kicking his knee he let go. His face changed once more, hissing slightly as we circled each other. He went to charge and I surprised as Mandy stepped forward, tripping him up he landed hard and she didn't hesitate in jumping onto his back and pressing her water bottle down on his neck.

"Dead"

"Well done Mandy" Luke cringed slightly as his fangs retracted and he got up looking as surprised as I was.

"Yeah, go Manda!" I knew she hated being called that and she crossed her arms angrily.

"See what I just did to him? I'll do it to you if you say it again!" She warned.

"Maaand...." I didn't finish as Luke jumped out of the ring, rolling underneath it as the door burst open.

"What's going on?" Owen moved over to Terry who didn't even see us, well if he did he didn't let is how.

"Vampires are attacking in the city, we need everyone now" Owen followed him and we were left standing there speechless.

"This isn't good. Who would set up a daylight decoy?" Luke scratched his head as we got down from the ring.

"You're the vampire?" Mandy snapped. I didn't know where her attitude was coming from but it  

was interesting to see.

"Go straight home, Owen will pick you up for work in the morning. If he doesn't, don't go in and go to your parents" Luke ran out the door and we finished packing up before going to the car, not really sure what was going on. One thing we knew was vampires never attacked during the day unless they were defending themselves so if there was a group causing trouble now, was that just a sign of what was to come?

The news offered no insight, despite the sirens that started in the late afternoon and into the evening there wasn't a single mention of what was currently going on in the city. But Owen did turn up in the morning, his face bruised in places and his forearm was bandaged. He assured us he would be ok but the newborns had caused havoc. They weren't just newborns, they were completely fresh.

"Someone out there is setting these things loose, they were hours old" He told us on the drive to work. Looking out of the car, the rain that started this morning washed the ashy evidence away. People who had been like us, perhaps shopping or enjoying the rare patch of winter sun, taken and attacked, changed into monsters and dead before they would be able to even understand what was happening.

"Why?" Mandy asked for the fourth time in barely a minute.

"I don't know. Luke's asking around but no one knows anything. Some of the older vampires and thinking of leaving again to avoid any unwanted attention"

"Changing isn't meant to be easy, the vampire doing this knows what they're doing" Owen nodded as Mandy turned to look at me.

"How do you know that?"

"Luke told me"

She was quiet the rest of the way, we all were. What surprised us most was the fact Mr Sloan was waiting by the back door when we arrived. I hadn't seen him for some months; his usual overweight stature had changed to a thinner appearance. His grey hair was still short and his face was kept clean shaven.

"Good to see you Lucy, Owen, Mandy" He greeted each of us and his presence was confusing. He never came to the store, the fact he covered for me when I needed a break was bizarre in itself.

"These attacks last night were bad. They started in the daylight so until it settles down, we're on shut down"

"But what about our pay? We'll be fine, Owen can..."

"Mandy, you'll still be paid. I don't want to risk anything happening to you all. We've been working together for a few years now and insist you go home and stay safe" Mandy stepped forward hugging the man and I did the same.

"Thank you Mr Sloan" He nodded, looking at Owen.

"You're probably more needed with the Watchers. Look after these girls Owen" He smiled at us before going back to his car and without a word we all climbed back into Owens.

"Think you lot can manage to stay inside and out of trouble?" We nodded obediently and had every intention of following through, getting home and curling up on the sofa we watched the TV until it was dark.

"Cams on break and going to come around, I'm going to go meet him" Mandy grabbed a jacket and headed out the door and I was quick to follow. Since we were only in sweaters and yoga pants we weren't exactly dressed for the cold outside and waited until the van pulled up before going near the door.

"Wanna come up?" Mandy asked and Cam nodded, "I saved some dinner for you"

The pair were already sickening and it had only been a week but it was kind of cute too. I went to follow them up but stopped as Luke waved me over before coming in. "Why are you outside?"

"Cam just got here and I was going upstairs but you stopped me?" I pointed out and he nodded.

"I won't go up then, was just checking you two were ok. There was a total of thirty changed, it couldn't be just one vampire making them and we have no idea why at this stage. Feed yes, but to feed and then change them? At least in the war it served a purpose" Luke was confused and if the vampires didn't even know what was going on, it couldn't be good. 

"It's cold, I'm going back upstairs" I couldn't stand around all night chatting and he nodded turning to leave. "Be careful Luke"

"You too" I hugged him again and this time he didn't hesitate before hugging me back before leaving. It was kind of cool having a vampire relative, we had Owen as a guard dog and the thought made me laugh.

From upstairs Mandy's voice drifted down to me from the stairwell, echoing down the walls I yelled back up to her. "Coming!"

"Lu" I looked behind me to see Michael coming inside and my stomach instantly twisted.

"Hi Michael" I gripped onto the railing of the stairs, wondering if he would chase if I ran.

"Who was that?" 'Shit' Did he see Luke? Where had he been hiding? Luke was more careful than to be seen.

"My cousin, Luke" He nodded, coming through the small foyer by the stairwell. 

"Really? I thought he was a vampire" He was testing me I knew it I couldn't help but shiver as my body began to cool down. 

"A vampire? No" I lied.

"You're a smart girl Lu, you wouldn't lie about that would you?"

"Not at all" I wanted to tell him it was none of his business but that wasn't going help right now. "Well I better go back up, I'll send Cam down"

I turned and started up the stairs quickly and hearing his boots squeak against the tiles of the foyer had no idea what he was actually doing. I had no weapons except my fists and screaming as he grabbed my leg, I tripped on the stairs and bit my tongue as my chin knocked the top stair before the landing. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth and I kicked out as he pulled me down towards him. "What the fuck?"

I tried to defend myself but he already had the advantage and pushing me up against the wall his larger and stronger body had mine stuck in place. Deciding to give it a try I went to head butt him but he leant backwards, grabbing my arms the pressure felt like he was crushing my wrists and as I cried out it wasn't because of the hold, but the scar. The shooting pain was sharp up my arm like a cramp and instinctively I want to bend into it to try and lessen the agony I was in but with him controlling my moves I was left gasping as it knocked the wind out of me and I couldn't stop the tears as my arm felt like it was on fire.

"Like vampires do ya? I never saw you as being into that but it explains a lot" His leg was wedged between mine, lifting me slightly I struggled to focus on what was going on as my head began to spin. I had never felt pain like this before, not since I had been attacked and got that stupid mark.

"No. Please, it's not..." Black spots clouded my vision as he slapped me, throwing me to the floor and I quickly bent my arm against my stomach, praying it would stop hurting. I was vaguely aware of the trickling sensation between my nose and mouth and wiped my sleeve across my face before he pushed me up by the stairwell, gripping my hair he pulled back tightly and with my neck exposed studied my neck.

"Missing some bite marks sweet heart. Where do they bite you hey?" My heart was racing as I tried to focus and pressing myself against the wall I used him as leverage and kicked my legs out, finding his stomach he stumbled back, instantly going to hit me again I managed to duck but unable to get a hit in he did and I was being lifted and carried out to the van, struggling to keep my eyes open adrenaline kicked in as he put me down rolling me over as he pinned me again like he had at the ring. "Such a shame"

"What is" I gasped, trying to get some air into my lungs which were burning like my arm. His weigh crushing me as he wasn't being gentle. He came in close, using his own sleeve to wipe the blood from my nose and kissed me. I kept my lips closed, closing my eyes I squirmed underneath him but it was no good. I broke Owens rule, don't get taken down and it was for this very reason.

I couldn't get back up.

"That you side with them, I told you before we could've had some real fun" His voice was heavy with his anger, his breathing as rapid as mine as he tried to kiss me again and his cold hand slipped up under my jumper making me feel nauseous. I was stronger than this, I was better than this.

"We can, show me what I was missing" I muttered breathlessly, arching my back slightly when he went to kiss me this time I didn't refuse. I felt how aroused he was against my hip as he towered over me, struggling with the burning in the base of my throat the second his hand released mine I broke the kiss, stabbing him in the eye with my finger he recoiled, the scream was more in surprise than pain.

"Fucking vampire whore!" He yelled as the van rocked with my struggles to get out from under him but I did it and with the side door still open fell onto the wet concrete roughly. The pain in my arm finally eased enough that I could manage to use it without passing out in agony and pushed up, sprinting to the entry. Slipping in puddle, he was quick to catch up but as his eye was swelling I went for his right side getting in a decent punch I felt my knuckles split but hit him again. "I gave you a chance to prove me wrong bitch"

"Fuck you!" I screamed but he tackled me down and a fresh pain shot through my back as I landed awkwardly. Pushing through I shoved him off again, barely making it to steps as he grabbed my jumper. The cold ate at my skin as it was lifted, exposing my flesh he grabbed at me again leaving a red trail of nail marks on my side and this time as he pulled me backwards I had no idea how I was going to get up again. I had some near misses with death lately and as his hands latched on around my throat my struggling was pointless.

I didn't think this would be how I would die.

I'd been thinking about it a lot lately.

His face was distorted in pure rage, his eyes so dilated they looked completely black. If the incubus had killed me at least it would have been pleasant. Wet, bloody and in agony on the dirt outside my apartment was far from what they had offered and as my hands couldn't keep up the fight to hurt him, to get his hands off me and fell to my sides I just prayed my parents would be ok, that Mandy and Cam will allow Own and Luke to get their revenge because I knew they'd want it. I regretted not being more persistent in my questioning of the supernatural. I never learnt what the mark really meant and now I never would.

The pain went away, fresh cold air that cut at each tissue and fragment of my throat entered my lungs and I breathed in, short fast breaths that felt like I was swallowing knives.

Was this dying?

Everything was black around me, had I not gone to heaven?

Forcing my eyes open the light by the door was blinding, I wasn't dead. I was still in the dirt by the door. But Michael was gone. Gasping I couldn't bring myself to stand. Did Mandy come down? Had Cam chased him away? Did Luke come back?

"Luc..." My name was cut short and instead a scream replaced Mandy's words and staring at the sky the clouds parted to show off the stars. Tiny little jewels against a sea of black and all I could think was how much Mandy loves the stars. As if by some other force, my body was bought upwards and as I took in the familiar perfume I realised it was the warmth of Mandy's body behind mine that I could feel washing over me as I started  to cough. The taste of blood filling my mouth with the acidic burn of vomit and rolling over I threw up, the sound blocking Mandys sobs and still in a daze I looked up and froze.

Cam was beside the van, three vampires were fighting him and it seemed to go in his favour as one was knocked down but that wasn't what made me stop.

It was as if time hadn't touched him.

His light hair had darkened slightly since I last saw him but it was still styled loosely; allowed to sit where and how it wanted. The ridges of the vampiric face was the same as it had been that night he told me who he really was, and the fangs that had torn through my flesh looked as deadly as ever.

My heart stopped beating.

I was sure it did.

Time slowed down then. All sounds fell away apart from the crack of Michaels neck as his head twisted in one swift movement, the limp body tossed the three who were hassling Cam and they set upon it like rabid dogs. Satisfied he turned back to where Mandy held me against her chest, I was numb. I was beyond being cold, every part of me was hurting and maybe I was ready to die now.

He walked in slow motion, large purposeful steps towards us, a tiger stalking it's prey - like a king in his kingdom. I blinked and sound came rushing back.  The savage sounds of the vampires feeding sent a shiver down my spine in addition to the cold that had my body slowing down. Cam was screaming at us to run and each time he tried to come over one of the other vampires lunged at him keeping him back while Mandy's grip was deadly around my chest I couldn't bring myself to move.

Between her sobs she was begging him to go away but it was as he spoke, squatting down in front us like a curious child that I was able to snap out of my coma like state, wriggling my legs up against my body I trembled beside Mandy as we leaned against each other for support and stood up.

"What do we have here?"

He mimicked our actions, standing smoothly his smile still hinted those daggers hidden amongst his teeth as his tongue rolled over them lazily and in a blink they had disappeared leaving nothing but a vampire in a human disguise, one he was so very good at putting on. I knew that even if we ran he would catch us but we had to try instead of standing like lambs in a slaughter line. Should we die at least we will do so with the peace of knowing we had tried.

He watched Mandy and I closely, his eyes roaming over each part of us as if it was for the first time. A frown appeared on his otherwise calm exterior as he took in the red marks on my face that would be bruises by morning; the cut on my chin and my lip, the now drying blood under my nose. Meeting my gaze that almost shy smile that still had the power to cause butterflies to fill my stomach appeared and I held my breath as he spoke again.

"Hello Lulu. Miss me?"