After that dreadful phone call, I wasn't able to fall asleep. I tried calling him back hundreds of times, not even caring just how annoying that was to him. But no matter what I did, or how much gin I've poured down my throat, I wasn't capable of shaking it off.

He called me. He reached out. And he told me to stay away from him.

Now, any normal girl would accept that for what it really was. He didn't want me to meddle, he didn't want me to help him and he most certainly didn't want me in his life. But I wasn't a normal, healthy, functional girl, I was me. And he knew me.

He had to have known I would never give up on him if he reached out. If he truly wanted me to forget about him, he would let me fight this futile battle until it exhausted me, and then I'd give up on my own.

So, sticking to my twisted thought process, I decided the phone call was actually a cry for help. He didn't say 'leave me alone,' or 'stop wasting your life on me.' No, what he really said was 'help me' and 'find me.'

Fuelled by this new, completely rational realisation, I jumped out of my bed the moment the dawn broke, and dug through my closet. After dressing myself in a dark-red, sleeveless, tight Dior bodysuit with a flare leg, and putting on a pair of white Jimmy Choo sandals, I rushed to William's room.

Tina was already there, dressing the tall vampire in something other than flare jeans. Now, dressed in regular jeans and a black, fitting shirt, he looked handsome enough to show his face on campus and see Sheila after two years. Thomas even borrowed him his watch.

A sleek, black Jaguar waited in front of the mansion and William and I drove away. The biggest problem was the fact we were both terrible drivers. William was still used to carriages and my driving instructor told me my driving abilities were similar to those of a blind woman.

But, we were immortal and the ride was only an hour long, so we figured we'd get to campus safely.

"I don't understand why you've had to dress me in these ridiculous clothes." William complained as I took the sharp left turn towards the campus.

"You haven't seen Sheila in two years." I said. "Is glitter truly your idea of wowing someone?"

"Glitter is the greatest accomplishment of humankind. I dare you to change my mind."

Old William slowly reappeared the more time I've spent with him.

I let out a laugh, "An expensive watch is better."

"Is that what you're trying to do?" William glanced at me sideways. "Show them you're better off without them?"

"I'm still the queen of pettiness."

"Is that why we're here in the Monday morning?" William chuckled. "Because you knew everyone would see us?"

"Precisely."

I haven't told anyone Ian called last night, because I knew they would look at it rationally. They'd tell me he might be right and that I truly should leave it alone and live my life. I wouldn't let them spoil my happiness, so I kept the phone call a secret.

From the third try, I managed to parallel park the car in front of the campus, very near the place my human life ended almost three years ago. The black Jaguar stood out amidst the other, plain cars and I couldn't help but feel proud of myself, especially since the campus's front yard was filled with people.

As William and I exited, I forced confidence in my steps, and walked across the pathways with the ancient vampire by my side. Nervousness tightened around my throat.

I felt ridiculous and fake pulling this stunt, especially considering the car was rented, but I also felt resentful and bitter. These people shunned me, for better or worse. They decided I wasn't allowed to be a part of their life.

The least I could do, to satisfy my petty soul, was prove to them the life without them has been better than they thought.

"Everyone is looking at us." William murmured.

"Let them." I whispered back.

People recognised me and whispered amongst themselves. This university was small and the abruptness of my departure probably left rumours spreading around, especially since Thomas and I left at the same time.

I sincerely hoped the news of my return would circle the campus with the same speed, because I had no idea how to show up at Caiden's door. A part of me hated coming back to beg for his help, but a part of me was insanely glad that I've been given this excuse to show up.

William, on the other hand, did not seem to revel in the idea of flaunting in front of Sheila.

"You okay?" I asked as we walked through the green yard in front of the campus.

Morning classes were just about to start and the students were on their way to the lectures, leaving their dorms in a hurry. I had to admit I even slightly missed it.

"Completely fine." William's eyes jumped up and down campus, probably searching for his long-lost love.

I was just about to swallow my pride and phone Caiden, when he stepped out of the building and his hazel eyes briefly flew over me. He stopped in place and slowly turned around. Confusion, disbelief and surprise passed over his face.

I waved awkwardly and offered a tight smile. Caiden walked down the stairs and stopped in front of William and me.

Caiden was still slim and tall, the same as ever. His dark hair remained long and uncombed. However, there was no tiredness I was so used to seeing in his eyes. His gaze was clear and focused. There was also no fear inside, something that so protruded the last time I've seen him.

He was actually wearing jeans, which was probably an equivalent to seeing William in a grey, dull suit.

"Chloe?" A small crease formed between his brows. "What are you doing here?"

"We have a job for you." I put my hand on my hip and smiled thinly.

William stood awkwardly next to me.

"Is that your Jaguar?" Caiden nodded towards the car.

I nodded, "Like it?"

"It's getting towed." Caiden grinned.

I faced the car and cursed, "Shit! Why?"

A blue tow-truck stood next to my car, the claw-like thingies getting attached to it.

"You probably took the professor spot." Caiden chuckled. "They react fast when someone does that. Probably an ego thing."

"William." I sighed. "Go deal with that."

"On it." The ancient vampire seemed more than eager to get away from all the students.

"So, aside from paying a hefty fine for parking in the wrong spot, what are you doing here?" Caiden asked.

"Can we go talk somewhere?" I decided to jump straight to the point. "I'm feeling a bit exposed out here."

Caiden let out a sigh, but nodded nonetheless, "Let's get a cup of coffee."

I was used to talking to Caiden in his room, which he barely even left at the time, but this was a different Caiden. This was the Caiden that drank coffee in cafés, wore jeans and didn't look like depression ate him from inside out. This Caiden was a stranger to me.

"Sure." I mumbled. "Lead the way."

William hopped after us and I was pleased to see that the Jaguar was still in its place. William took care of it.

Caiden let out a small laugh, "I forgot the rules don't apply to you."

I let that one slide without commenting. Caiden led us to the café/bar nearby, where I made a fool of myself on multiple occasions. One of the freshest memories was my birthday two years ago, when I was so jealous of Greta, I ruined my own birthday. They changed the interior; made it more modern and more Live Laugh Love. Even though I generally liked the aesthetic, something about the inspirational messages in cursive and the small cacti decorating the shelves ruined the vibe of the bar.

This was the place where we went to get drunk, not inspired or motivated.

"So," Caiden pulled out the chair around the corner table and sat, "How have you been?"

"Us? Fantastic." William jumped in. "Living our best lives."

I palmed my face, "Fine. We've been fine."

"Fine is good." Caiden's smile didn't reach his eyes. "What's going on in the vampire world?"

At least now he was capable of saying the word out loud.

"Oh, you know!" William threw his hands in the air, "Death, wars and enemies-"

"Nothing much!" I cut in. "But we do have a job for you."

I've decided the best possible thing to do was get to the point, because being petty was one thing, but having an ancient, flamboyant vampire expose your pettiness was something completely different.

"What kind of a job?" Caiden already sounded fed up with me and my nonsense.

"We need you to hack a software for us." I said and kicked William, who took out his laptop.

"Oh, that's it?" Caiden actually smiled. "I thought... I don't know what I thought."

William turned the laptop towards Caiden, but he simply laughed.

"I'm going to have to check it out on the computer back in my room." He said. "What is it about?"

"Oh, ancient vampire cults." I shrugged.

"Sacred Order?" Caiden asked. "Didn't think those guys would use any sort of technology."

"Not all vampires are ancient." William said. "Some are young, like Chloe, with envious skills. And I'm certain they are choosing people based on how useful they could be."

"Good point." I mumbled. "Can you do this for us? We'll pay you."

"Maybe." Caiden squinted at the screen. "I'll check it out. And it's probably going to take some time, so it will cost you."

"No problem." I cut in quickly. "You'd really help us out."

My heart instantly hammered in my chest. If Caiden could do this, we would most definitely find useful information about the Sacred Order. We were getting closer. Ian could go screw himself, there was no way I was stopping now.

"Alright," Caiden stood up, "Let's go to my room. Just you, Chloe."

William and I exchanged a glance.

"Will you be fine?" I asked.

He nodded, "Maybe I'll go look for her."

Caiden's sideways gaze cut through him, "You should let her come to you."

And he left the café, but I had no other choice but to follow him.