chapter 5: protected

“Don't run Zero!” Dante hissed behind us. Kale didn't say anything, he just went even faster. “Why don't you give the girl back? It'll save you all this trouble.”

Kale growled deeply and ran even faster. We were already going extremely, inhumanly fast. But Dante wasn't having any problems keeping up. Kale began to move higher in the trees. He turned suddenly, surprising me with his change of direction. It must have surprised Dante too as he fell back slightly but then caught back up right away.

“She was ours first, Zero!” Dante snapped angrily.

I glanced up seeing Kale's jaw tense, trying not to respond to him. He kept going, trying his best to ignore Dante's comments.

“She's not worth all of this!” Dante continued to hiss. Kale spun around and grabbed Dante by the throat.

“Then go away!” He growled and for the first time Zero didn't sound like Kale at all. “If you don't think she's worth it then why the hell are you after her?!”

He whipped him as far and as hard as he could away from us. He was thrown somewhere over the trees. Kale gripped me tighter and took off in another completely different direction, moving even faster then before which probably should have been impossible.

“You OK?” He asked me softly after a moment but continued to pick up speed. We were going so fast I couldn't lift my head to look up at him. So I just nodded into his chest.

“I'm fine.” I whispered, not sure if he could hear me.

“Just hang on a little longer then. We're going back to my clan.”

I swallowed, shutting my eyes a little tighter as they were already shut.

“Won't he follow?”

He didn't say anything for a moment.

“Yes. But only to a certain point. We're not much different from wolves. We have territory, we mark it and we stay off of each others territory. I frowned.

“But what about when your clan attacked us at Dante's?”

I heard him let out an amused laugh.

“I taught them well, I suppose. Attack in numbers...” He sighed. “Dante's alone. He's no match for Zero let alone his entire clan.” He spoke quietly. I was still able to hear him through the whistle of the wind in my ears and the rustling of hundreds of trees all around us.

“When will he stop following?” I asked, grabbing onto his shoulder and digging my face into his neck.

“Umm...” He seemed to stammer as I did this. He cleared his throat and finally answered. “A few miles from the clan, Jamie I wish you wouldn't do that.” His sentence ran together.

I smiled and realized too late that my lips were against his neck. He must have felt the slow movement of my lips against his neck. I pulled back a little, as much as I could really.

“Sorry.”

“Zero!” Dante growled behind us.

Kale let out yet another growl, wrapped his arms so much tighter around me and took off even faster. The speed was starting to make me feel dizzy.

“Zero! You will pay for making me look like a fool!” Dante bellowed out almost right behind us. I never knew he had anger management problems. I flinched at the sound of his voice.

“Back off or i'll do it again, Dante.” Zero didn't sound like Kale again. He sounded angry but also had a mocking tone to his voice.

“I won't give you the honor of defeating me!”

Kale continued to pick up his pace. I shut my eyes even tighter, grabbing onto him just as tight.

“I'm sorry, sweetheart.” He breathed so only I could hear him. “Just a little longer.” He said soothingly. I nodded against him.

Suddenly there was a frustrated shout behind us. Kale didn't slow down but we both knew Dante wasn't following anymore. A few minutes went by and then Kale wasn't moving anymore. He stood where ever we were and waited. It took awhile for my head to stop spinning, the whole time, Kale waited patiently.

I finally loosened my grip and slowly opened my eyes. He set me down but kept me very close to him.

“Sorry about that.” He whispered.

I swallowed, and smiled up at him. I opened my mouth to speak but got sick instantly. I spun around, heading into the trees again. We were back at the black house with the tinted windows. Kale was right behind me. He grabbed my hair as I threw up. That was way too fast then my body was used to.

“I'm sorry.” He repeated. He obviously felt bad, knowing it was his fault I was sick. When I was done, he lifted me into his arms again.

“No more.” I begged, trying to push myself out of his arms. I heard him chuckle.

“No, I'm just taking you up to the house, OK?”

I stopped pushing on him and rested against him.

“Well, okay.” I nodded now. He carried me into the house.

“Master Zero--” Somehow I knew it was Jake that spoke.

“You brought her back, Master Zero?” I heard a pouty, disgusted voice speak. It was Anabelle, obviously.

“Shut up, Anabelle.” He muttered. “Dante is around the area, keep a look out for awhile. He's not the type to leave just because the sun comes up.”

He kept walking as he spoke to Jake and a few others. He took me down the hall, up stairs and then more stairs and to our room with the fireplace. Someone followed us. I heard there footsteps all the way to the room. Kale went in and sat me down on the bed.

“Is Dante after Jamie?” Jake asked in the doorway. I was looking at him, he was watching me carefully.

“Yeah. He just can't let her go, I guess.”

“He could just go find some other human.” Jake muttered. Zero's piercing eyes gazed into mine.

“No...she's irreplaceable. I think you would know that by now." He turned to Jake who nodded.

"Yeah, I know." He breathed. Kale frowned suddenly.

"Alright, lover boy, let's let her get some rest." He moved toward Jake. Jake shook himself and spun around.

"Lover by?" He laughed. "I wouldn't be talking!" He turned to Zero who stood right in front of him with a raised eyebrow. Jake took a few steps back, going further into the hall. He cleared his throat.

"Master Zero." He said in a bidding sort of way then took off down the hall. Zero, now it was safe, Kale shut the door and came over to me.

"Are you feeling better now?" He asked sitting next to me. He brushed the hair out of my face. I nodded. Then I frowned as he leaned in to kiss me. I turned away.

"I need to brush my teeth, Kale." I made a face at him.

He smiled and kissed my cheek. He took my hand then led me to the bathroom across the hall where I washed up. When I came back out Kale was gone, so I headed back to the room.

"Jamie." I spun around before I even got to the door.

"Hi Jake." I smiled.

"Did Zero—I mean you're not—you kind of look a little...like us and--"

"No. Zero wouldn't do that to me, remember?"

Jake frowned.

"Then, you got to Dante?" He asked quietly.

I smiled. "No."

"Then why are you so pale?"

"I got sick." I shrugged. He looked at me curiously.

"From what?"

I had to laugh now.

"From Zero running so damn fast. I'm human, i'm not used to those high-speeds."

He was studying me. I knew he didn't believe me. So I did what I saw them do all the time, I beared my fangs that weren't there. Then without really thinking I grabbed his hand to show our drastic temperature differences. His hand closed over mine.

"Ok," He finally nodded. "I believe you now." He grinned at me slyly. I narrowed my eyes at him. I'm pretty sure he'd be able to tell if I was turned or not. I sighed and pulled my hand away going into my room. Kale wasn't there either. I didn't let myself think too much about it. I layed down, feeling exhausted, my eyes began to shut.

"Where is Master Zero, princess?" Someone hissed. My eyes snapped open.

Anabelle was standing on the other side of the room. She glared into me. I sat up quickly. The blood rushed out of my head.

"Anabelle..." I said softly.

"Awe, he's not here...Whatever will you do?" She hisses, taking a step toward me. I stood just as quickly as i had sat up. "Why don't you just leave, princess? You're nothing but trouble."

I frowned and couldn't stop myself from speaking.

"Trouble for who? You? That is so pathetic, Anabelle. If you get rid of me it's not going to make Zero have any feelings for you." Now I bit my lip.

She continued to glare into me. Then she got this terrbly scary look on her face.

"Listen, you filthy human, you don't belong with our kind. Dante's clan never even so much as gave us a second thought until you showed up--"

"Do you even belong to this clan?! Besides, this clan attacked Dante's first!" I snapped at her, not able to stop myself. Again, I bit my lip and shrank away from her. She was fuming. I could almost see color in her face. Her eyes were going black.

"This clan is nothing without me! Zero is mine! No mortal will ever take that away from me! You think you can just come in here with your warm body and pink tinted skin! You're all the same, selfish little--"

"Anabelle!" An angry voice shouted from the doorway. I jumped. She didn't move, still glaring at me angrily. I couldn't move as my eyes met hers. But then Kale was standing beside me. He put his arm around me. I blinked looking away from her as he pulled me closer to him.

"How many times do I have to tell you to leave her alone? You have no say in anything to do with this clan, damn it!"

"At one point I did!" She sneered.

"I never loved you! Why can't you understand that? I told you from the very begining--"

"He'll just use you too!" She interrupted him, speaking directly at me. He gripped me tighter as I looked at her. I saw the glimmer of tears in the corners of her eyes. "Vampire or human, men are all the same!" She cried out.

The tears fell. I could just tell that she wasn't just angry at Zero, she was hurt. She really loved him. She loved him from the start and she loves him now.

"Shut up." Zero said threw clenched teeth, sounding disgusted.

"Zero..." I breathed.

He looked at me. I stared at Anabelle who looked at Zero, at first seeming kind of horrified, then looking completely jealous because Zero had his arm around me and he looked at me so gently when I had said his name. His normally hard face softening as soon as he turned to me. And maybe she wanted him to look at her that way.

"Zero, stop it." I scolded softly.

She glared at me again. I looked away from her and up at him seeing her face in the corner of my eye twist suddenly to pure anger.

"Don't be so mean. You obviously hurt her. Kind of like she said, vampire or human, she still has feelings."

He stared down at me then finally sighed. He turned to her now. I didn't, but I could tell she still glared at me. He opened his mouth to speak, then shut it realizing how he was about to say it. He cleared his throat.

"Anabelle." He spoke softly but still not the way he spoke to me. She looked at him, surprised by how gentle he was suddenly being. He took in a deep breath and glanced down at me. I smiled softly. He sighed and looked back at her again.

"I'm sorry, ok. My intentions weren't to hurt you or use you for that matter...But it happened so long ago."

I hit his side. His eyes moved to me as I gazed up at him. He sighed again, looking back at her.

"Even though it was a long time ago. I know that you're still hurt but I really am sorry. You should move on Anabelle, there's no way i'm ever going to want anyone besides Jamie ever again."

He said the last part so fast I couldn't stop him, it seemed he couldn't stop himself either. He flashed to the door and opened it. I looked at Anabelle now and was very surprised to see she wasn't glaring at me. She didn't even look angry but the expression on her face was somewhat unreadable. She was looking at Zero then turned to me with the exact same expression and it stayed. Then she turned from me, heading out the door. She stood facing away from us.

"This isn't over." She sounded like she spoke through clenched teeth.

Zero slammed the door. He turned to me. In seconds he was right in front of me, gazing down with a worried expression.

"Do I even want to know?" I asked.

He was quiet for a moment until I looked up at him, meeting his eyes. He sighed.

"If you want to know, ill tell you."

I bit my lip again.

"No Kale, I don't want you to tell me unless you want me to know."

He gazed into my eyes. Then took my arm and led me over to the bed sitting down.

"I told you we had a "thing" when I first became Zero, but what I left out, was I was the one who turned her. That's why she has such a deep connection with me. I was originally planning on just feeding off of her. As I followed her it came to my attention how lonely she was. She lost her parents to a fire, her fionce to a war, her baby to illness and her brother to bandits. I couldn't believe so many bad things to one happen to a single human being. And I knew the feeling of lonliness all too well. So I decided not to feed off of her but casually meet her

She eventually found out what I was. I asked her if she wanted me to turn her, so she wouldn't be so lonely. Right before I turned her, I confessed that the only reason why I wanted to turn her was because of my own lonely, selfish reasons. I had many companions but needed a female in my life. She said she didn't have strong feelings for me, which was true, until I turned her...

When one turns another, it gives those two a special bond. Sometimes, on those rare ocassions, one of them feels the bond stronger then the other. With Anabelle, it was much stronger for her then it was for me. But also, there are those other rare ocassions where both of them feel the bond so strongly that they stay deeply in love forever. Which is actually another reason I don't want you to be turned. I have no idea how you'll take the bond if I or anyone else does it."

He trailed away from the story for a minute, then continued as he gripped my hand a little tighter.

"I didn't exactly use her. She let me. I mean, I had no idea that she thought I loved her. I never loved her. And that's yet another reason I don't want to turn you. I don't intend on treating you like an Anabelle. I'm not going to use you for my sick pleasure. I want so much more then that from you. And I don't mean I want anything from you. I mean, just you being right next to me is enough for me. I don't need anything else. Well, not that I don't want it. But it's not like i'm just going to use you for it. I mean..."

He kept trying so hard to make me understand what he was saying without sounding like an ass. I understood him from the begining, I just let it go on because I found it funny. But now I had enough of letting him stammer so I quickly pressed my lips to his. He shut up instantly. He licked my lips gently before I pulled away.

"I get it, Kale." I smiled up at him. "I love you too."

I ran my fingers down the side of his face very softly. He smiled now, and leaned in, pressing his lips against mine again.

"No." He breathed still against my lips. "I don't think you really know just how much I love you."

He pulled away from me and met my eyes.

"It's hard to control myself with you but I do it because you mean the world to me."

I felt myself blush. I looked away and he smiled.

"I don't think that will ever get old." He laughed.

I looked back at him and couldn't help but return his smile. There were so many other reasons why he didn't want me to be turned. Deeper reasons then I could possibly imagine. But deep down I still wanted to become what he was, because I knew forever wasn't long enough when I was still human.

"How about you get some rest now, you look exhausted." He encouraged me, bringing me back from my thoughts.

I suddenly realized I was staring at him, losing myself in his blue eyes that actually seemed to be a little darker then normal. It also came to my attention that I was exhausted. I nodded. He stood, letting me roll over into the bed. I got under the covers. He sat down putting his arm around me as I cuddled into his lap. He leaned back against the wall. His hand felt cool against my wrist as he rested it there gently.

"Kale?" I whispered tiredly. He pulled me a little closer to him.

"Hmm?" He murmured.

"Are you hungry?" I asked after a moments hesitation. He grabbed me a little tighter.

"No." I could tell he was frowning. "Do I look like it?"

I bit my lip. I didn't want him to leave but I knew he would if I said yes.

"Your eyes are just a shade darker of blue, that's all."

He loosened his grip on me.

"It must be the after effects from the Anabelle incident." He murmured almost to himself.

He put his arm tightly around me again. I felt better suddenly knowing that he wasn't about to leave anytime soon. He wasn't even thinking about it now.

"Now sleep. You really need it sweetheart."

"But Kale..." I began, wanting to absolutely make sure.

"Yes?"

"Will you still be here when I wake up?" I asked as I turned over on my side, falling deeper into him.

"Of course. I won't leave you, Jamie. I'm not going anywhere. I promise." That made me feel even better. I slowly drifted off to sleep as he stroked my hair.

******

I was in a very deep sleep but still a part of me felt him there with me. I felt at ease and was able to sleep very well. But the peace of sleep didn't last too long. I felt him move so abruptly beneath me that it woke me up.

My eyes flew open. I was staring into darkness. I swear he was almost shaking. I heard a deep growl which was coming from the back of his throat. I looked up, trying to see his face so I could follow his gaze. It was too dark. A moment passed before I noticed he had a hold of me very tightly.

"Ka--" Was as far as I got before his hand shot over my mouth.

"It's nothing. Go back to sleep." He told me.

Something in his voice made me think he meant something completely different. My eyes finally adjusted enough to see he was staring across the room at the door.

"What's out there?" I whispered beneath his hand.

"Nothing..." He lied. "He's gone now."

"Dante?" I gasped quietly.

"No." He muttered. My heart leapt.

"Then who?"

"Nevermind. Go back to sleep."

I sat up, confused. My eyes met his.

"Who are you talking about, Kale?"

He sighed. "I thought I heard Jared--"

"You thought?"

"Well, I did. He was here but the clan managed to chase him away."

"What? He came alone?" I asked skeptically.

Kale nodded. "He was just asking for me. He wasn't really being threatening. That's why I didn't have to go out there."

"Jared didn't put up a fight?" I couldn't help but sounding surprised. He didn't say anything at first.

"Something's not right." He breathed in sudden realization.

He gazed at me. The look in his eyes and on his face made me feel nervous. He got up out of the bed.

"Stay here." He ordered as he turned toward the door.

I opened my mouth to object but he was gone too fast. I let out a deep sigh, plopping back down on my pillow. I stared up at the ceiling, not that I could see it since it was so dark. I listened carefully for any sounds of struggle or noises that were strange but there was nothing. After what seemed like hours, but was only minutes, I sat up and headed to the door.

He was going to be upset that I disobeyed him but I didn't care at the moment. When I got to the door, the knob started to turn. I took a step back, assuming i'd get out of Kale's way. In seconds it burst open. It wasn't Kale that came through the door, it was one of the hooded vampires. Whoever it was slapped there hand across my mouth. Then they smiled. That smile was so familiar that I gasped beneath his hand.

"Dante?" I mumbled.

"Who else?" He almost seemed to mock me. Before anything else could happen or be said his hand took hold of the back of my neck. I felt a moment of pressure then everything became even darker.

I woke up to loud voices, screaming and arguing with eachother.

"You can't turn her!" A very familiar voice growled intensly,

"I can!" Another almost familiar voice hissed.

I hadn't opened my eyes yet. I felt as though my arms and legs were bound.

"Not against her will Dante!" He seemed to cry out. It took me a moment to figure out that the her was me. There was a laugh from Dante.

"I have a little bit more respect for human's then you assume, Master Zero." He seemed to be taunting him as he said his title with his name. Kale, or Zero in this case, growled at him. "I would never turn someone unless I knew they wanted it."

"You know nothing of what she wants!" Zero snapped.

"Silence!" Dante hissed.

I heard a strange gasp come from Zero. My eyes snapped open. Dantes back was facing me. I could only see a tiny bit of Zero's dark, messy hair. Surrounding him from behind were the hooded vampires. Dante's hood was down, his silver hair gave away who he was.

I was sitting on what seemed to be a stone chair on the other side of the dimly lit room. The only lights were what looked like hundreds of candles bordering the whole room. Dante moved slightly. I gasped.

"Stop!" I shouted in horror. Tears instantly coming to my eyes. "Oh, Dante, please! Stop!"

To my surprise he pulled his very sharp claws from Zero's neck. Zero let out another gasp as Dante did this. He growled out, more out of anger then pain. I stared wide eyed, mouth hanging open. I couldn't keep my eyes off of the wound made by Dante's hands.

As I stared at the wound, it very slowly began to close. As it did a sob escape my already quivers lips. I couldn't put my head in my hands since they were bound behind my back. I hung my head, trying to make my sobing less obvious. An arm appeared around my shoulder.

"Don't touch her!" Zero hissed.

I subconsciously looked up at him, my eyes wet from the tears. His hardened face turned almost sad as we looked at eachother.

"Don't do that..." He breathed out but I heard him. The hooded vampires had gripped him tighter. There were nearly ten of them struggling to hold him in place. I knew Zero was strong but I had no idea he could be that stronger. Nearly stronger then ten other vampires, it was insane. "Not because of me."

"Jamie," Dante spoke to me now.

Zero's eyes snapped to Dante, glaring into him. I didn't move my eyes from Zero. Dante reached over and turned my face toward him, forcing me to look at him.

"Jamie," He said again, almost soothingly. "You want to be turned, don't you?"

My eyes instantly flickered to Zero, who shook his head. Dante moved between us. He got down at eye level with me.

"If I really wanted his opinion on this, I would have asked him." Dante shook his head in disaproval. He stood, taking a step back and crossing his arms. Zero was back in my view, looking at me carefully. "Forget about what everyone else wants, what he wants. Hell, forget about what I want. What do you want?" He waited for my response. I didn't say anything and he sighed.

"What do you want, Jamie? To be turned? To stay human? What do you want?" My eyes moved from Dante to Zero, back to Dante.

"Tell him what you want." Dante whispered at me. The him being Zero. I looked at Zero now, our eyes locking.

"I..." I began hesitantly. "I want to be turned..."

Zero's jaw instantly tensed. He looked away from me. I swallowed a little hard then turned my gaze on Dante. I didn't like the way Zero looked away from me like that. As if I betrayed him. I cleared my throat.

"But I don't want to be turned by anyone but Zero." In the corner of my eye, I saw Zero's eyes turn back to me. Dante gazed down at me. I looked back at Zero now. "I know you wouldn't make me do anything I wouldn't want to do, and so i'll do the same for you. If you don't want to turn me, then I won't be turned at all."

Zero seemed to sigh and smiled at me. I smiled back. Then glanced at Dante. My smile was replaced with horror. Dante was pissed. He grabbed my arm tightly.

"Stop touching her!" Zero snapped. He completely lost control and with little effort broke away from the others.

Jake came out of nowhere and snatched me from the stone chair. He held me in his arms and we flew out of a door that seemed invisble to me. We found ourselves outside. We had been in an abandoned type of cottage in the middle of the forest. Jake started running faster while unbounding me.

"Thanks." I breathed. He smiled down at me.

"Do you trust me?" He whispered. I nodded with no hesitation.

"Yes."

"Then don't scream, ok?"

I gazed at him curiously, a little bit worried even.

"What?" I questioned him.

He laughed. "I don't know how you always seem to be getting yourself into trouble."

I frowned. "Hey, I do not!"

"Do too!" He teased, laughing. I rolled my eyes at him then looked at the ground, so many hundred feet below us.

"Do you think Zero will be okay?"

"I think Kale will be just fine."

I looked up at him. "How--"

He laughed yet again.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself." He grinned then shrugged. "I eased dropped on you guys." He murmured.

"Oh..." I breathed, looking away.

"Don't worry. Secret's safe with me. Zero or Kale, either way, i've always admired both."

Before I could respond, he spoke again.

"Don't scream, remember."

Then, he let me go and I was falling out of the sky. I looked up in shock. There was a flash and Jake was gone. He had been hit or attacked by an unknown force. I was actually about to scream when I abruptly stopped falling. Someone's arms were around me. I looked up, instantly wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Stop leaving me!" I cried out, pulling back and meeting his eyes.

"I'm sorry." He flashed a soft smile.

"What happened? How did we get there?" I asked. He brushed the hair out of my eyes.

"Unfortunately, I..." He hesitated. "I was thrown off guard. I never should have left you." He apologized. He kissed me sofly and let me go. I was falling again, and also in shock again. I was caught in another pair of arms.

"Amazing! I expected you to scream that time." He laughed. I looked up, childishly sticking my tounge out at Jake. He shook his head. "You could hurt someone's feelings doing that."

"Good!" I smiled.

"Not mine but maybe someone else's."

I rolled my eyes. "Uh-huh."

He laughed then let me go. This happend back and fourth between Kale and Jake.

"This is really getting old." I told Kale when he caught me.

He just kissed the top of my head and let me drop again. We were getting good distance though but each time I landed in their arms, they both looked more and more beaten up. Their hair getting more tossled, their skin looking dirtier. They were alternating fighting and protecting me.

It was Kale's turn now. I had gotten used to the falling when he suddenly stopped, landing on a tree branch. He was looking around intensly. All around us, Zero's vampires landed on other trees and branches. Ours was jostled a bit. I looked to see Jake standing beside us. Kale kept his eyes out, scanning the forest.

"Where'd he go?" Kale muttered.

"Not a clue, Master Zero." Jake breathed. Then spoke again after a moment. "Do you think he fled?"

"Not likely." Kale instantly denied.

"Can you put me down?" I whispered.

He looked down at me. The hardness in his face softened.

"Not likely." He repeated.

I sighed but rested my head against him, obviously not too upset that he didn't put me down. Both Jake and Kale turned there attention to somewhere beyond the trees. Both of them tensed. Kale turned, handing me over to Jake. He pulled me into his arms.

"Protect her." He demanded, not taking his eyes off of the forest.

"Kale wh--" Jake began. Kale didn't even flinch. He wasn't even slightly surprised that Jake knew his name.

"No." He answered whatever Jake was going to ask, without looking at him or away from the trees. "Just get her out of here."

Jake nodded.

"Kale." I let out quickly. He looked down at me, our eyes locking. "I...Kale, I--" As I tried to speak I watched his eyes slowly become darker and darker.

"I know." He breathed. "I love you too." He leaned down, kissing me generously on the lips with insane intensity. He pulled back.

"Your eyes." I nearly flinched when my eyes met his again.

They were piercingly, solid black now. He nodded in understanding. He disappeared, only leaving behind a gust of wind that rustled through my hair. Zero's vampires followed him, emptying from the trees. Me and Jake went in a direction that wasn't even close to which way any of the others went.

I clung to Jake, feeling miserable and hating being away from Kale. I dug my head into his chest. The motion of Jake's running, not that I really felt it, seemed to calm me down. He cleared his throat when I practically stopped breathing. He obviously wanted to say something, so I listened.

"I was in love once..." He began quietly. For some reason my reaction was to grab onto him a little tighter. "Her name was Annabelle."

I looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"You were in love with Anabelle?"

He gazed down at me, looking a little confused. Then it accured to him who I was talking about. He laughed.

"No! God, no!" He let out, still laughing. It took a moment for him to calm down. When he did, he continued;

"Her name was Annabelle Maria Maunchello"

"Big name." I grinned. He laughed again.

"Oh, but Jamie, she was beautiful! She was a royal vampire, the Princess actually. The daughter of one of the biggest clans, that has ruled the same land for generations."

"What land?" I asked, my curiousity getting the best of me.

"Europe. Translyvania. Paris."

"Both?"

He nodded then continued.

"I met her in the states. I had no idea she was a Maria--"

"I thought you said her name was Maunchello?"

And again he laughed. "The girls are Maria's, the men are Maunchello's."

"Oh."

He grinned. "Anyways, we were going after the same kill, this was long before I met Master Zero, we seemed to loath eachother at first but once we got past that...Well, I had never met anyone like her. We were definitely in love, at the time."

"What happened to her?" I asked when he became quiet. He laughed but bitterly this time.

"She was bound to another vampire from a different Royal family. She always knew but never told me. Of course, I was angry when she left but I was sad too. I knew I would never feel that way again." Then he seemed dto change the subject.

"You know, me and Zero, we heard of the very rare occasions when a vampire fell for a human. We used to be disgusted and even outraged by it. Sometimes, we found it out-right hilarious. And now, we both turned into those who we never understood."

This of course made me blush.

"Wh-what are you saying, Jake?"

He laughed lightly.

"Zero...Kale, is so in love with you. You, a human! I am so in love with you. Us, vampires! The predator falls in love with his prey. Traps her, corners her, lures her in but never kills her. He only keeps her, plays with her...Protects her...All the while the prey should be terrified of the bigger, stronger, blood-thirsty monster but she only curls up next to him, sleeping soundlessly beneath his fangs and claws. She sleeps while his greedy eyes caress her, his careless touch wanders across her...What the hell is wrong with us?" He was frowning, angrily. I stared up at him. They all felt the same way. Jake just explained it alot more elaborately.

"Love can be found in the strangest of places, Jake. So, we're technically not of the same species. So, you're a little bit more dangerous then any of my average guy friends. But that's what you still are to me. Sinner or saint, you're still my friend. You, Kale and the others are not monsters." I told him softly.

"Maybe not to you, but to the rest of society--"

"To hell with the rest of society. Those people out there will even judge eachother if it means not being judged themselves. Human's, Jake, do you see the monsters when it comes to "my kind?" I sure do."

"You're not one of them." He pointed out.

"There is always an exception."

"You have more exceptions then we do."

"We have the same amount. I've seen the exceptions when it comes to you guys and I love them like you wouldn't believe." I informed him.

"You love me, but you're in love with him?"

I nodded. He was silent for a moment, then nodded as if in agreement.

"Alright. I can except that. I mean, we all deserve to really feel it and I think this is honestly Kale's first time truly being in love with someone. He has it tough though, being in love with a human and all." I looked up at him, feeling offended. He noticed this. "I just mean how fragile you are. He needs to try very hard to keep you alive and not hurt you in any way himself."

I blushed for some reason.

"I don't think that's going to be too hard, i've never seen him lose control." He tried to assure me. I bit my lip.

"I have" I mumbled, absent mindedly.

He looked down at me as he continued to run.

"What?!" He gasped. I cleared my throat.

"Umm I said I have...not..."

"I heard you before." He stared down at me, still running perfectly as if he was actually watching where he was going. "How?"

"How what?" I looked up, meeting his eyes.

"How did he lose control?"

I made a face. "I don't think you need to here how."

"Well, has he done it since?" He asked carefully.

"No. He's good at protecting me." I smiled at him. He still stared down at me. As he opened his mouth to speak, a voice sang out behind us.

"Jake!"

He let out a groan, sped up a little, then we were falling. He landed hard on the ground. We were at the edge of the forest now. He spun around with me still in his arms. Anabelle seemed to cringe when she looked at me.

"What?" He sighed. She took one last, long look at me then turned her attention to Jake.

"I though you were alone." She muttered. He looked down at me then back at her.

"How did you figure?" He raised his eyebrow. She shook her head.

"Her scent isn't as...strong anymore." She breathed. He laughed.

"Well maybe not to you."

She stared at him. He sighed again.

"What do you want, Anabelle?"

"Master Zero." She whispered.

"He's obviously not here." Jake pointed out.

"Where is he?" She breathed, being strangely quiet for Anabelle. I tensed, not wanting her to go after him, not that we knew where he was anyways.

"Follow his scent." Jake shrugged, pulling me a little closer to him.

"I..." She began but her voice trailed off instantly.

"Anabelle, I can't go with you. I can't let Dante get Jamie."

"I lost his scent years ago." She let out suddenly, tears rimming her eyes. "But she can sense him." She pointed at me angrily. "Can't you?!" She cried.

I started to shake my head then stopped myself. She was right. It was like I could feel him, like I knew exactly where he was. He was running across a meadow, a few of his clan members at his flanks as they chased after Dante. I felt alot better knowing this, but I didn't respond to her when it came to my attention.

"Anabelle," Jake's voice cut threw my thoughts. "You should go help the others. Dante's clan can be pretty damn strong. If you want to help Zero, you have to help the others."

She stared at me for another long moment. Then she frowned very deeply.

"All of this for the human? Has our species really sunk so low?"

"When are you going to let this go?!" Jake hissed at her, irritated.

"I won't, as long as i'm alive!" She cried out.

"Never..." Me and Jake breathed in unison. Jake laughed.

"Stubborn wench!" He growled. She hissed at him, bearing her fangs, making me flinch into Jake.

"Or at least until she's dead." She snapped sharply. Jake growled very deeply in the back of his throat.

"Is that a threat?!" He hissed at her angrily.

"Possibly." She crossed her arms calmly, raising her eyebrow. He glared at her like i've never seen anyone glare before.

"Leave now." He spoke threw clenched teeth. His whole body was unbelievably tense. She glared back at him now.

"You've gone soft, Jacob Nesskey" She seemed to be mocking his name. He was growling again. When she said his full name, it obviously upset him.Then without warning, she disappeared. He was still growling long after she left but he was running again.

"Why did that upset you?" I finally managed to ask. He glanced down at me, contemplating weither he was going to tell me or not. Then he spoke.

"Nesskey, is the name of traitors. My family, just one of the few vampire families who joined with a pack of wolves. My name very rarely comes up anymore..." His voice trailed off. It was most definitely a vampire thing, something I might not ever understand.

"Don't let her get to you...Jacob." I grinned as I said his full first name. He glanced down at me.

"I prefer Jake." He muttered.

"I don't." I muttered back teasingly.

He looked down at me again. "Well then, Jacob it is...but only to you."

I laughed.

"I would still call you Jacob, despite if you hated it or not." I said softly. He didn't have to lean in to hear me but he did. He smiled now.

"Believe me, I know you would." He laughed as he gazed down at me. I had to smile at him, his laugh was so warm.

We became silent now. He ran on through the open field. The air was cold and the sky was clear. I gazed up at the many stars feeling my curious side sink in.

"So, where are we going now, Jacob." I asked suddenly. He glanced down at me.

"Somewhere where Dante won't find you."

I raised my eyebrow.

"Where could that possibly be?" I questioned.

"I..." He began. "I don't know." He mumbled.

I moved a little uncomfortably in his arms.

"He can track me no matter where i'm at." I breathed. He sighed.

"I know. But, if I take you to a large populated area of humans, it will be harder." He spoke hesitantly.

"Humans?" I murmured to myself then finally understood. I gasped, looking at him. "But that's dangerous!"

He kind of looked at me funny then laughed.

"Dangerous? For who?" He chuckled.

"You!" I gasped. He sighed. "And besides, isn't my scent distinct?"

He laughed again.

"I will be just fine, Jamie. And yes, your scent is very distinct but being around other humans is better then nothing." He spoke slowly. I crossed my arms.

"I don't wanna be around humans." I pouted. He stared down at me. It took me a moment to finally meet his gaze. He burst out laughing yet again.

"What are you saying? That you'd rather be with monsters?"

I rolled my eyes. "I get along with vampires much better then I get along with my own kind."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. I am."

We stared at eachother. Finally he spoke.

"You're out of this world, Jamie."

I sighed.

"Yeah, well I just don't want to be around a bunch of humans. It's too much of a risk." I muttered.

"Are you really worried about me around humans? If I were you, i'd be worried about them."

I laughed, only for a moment, then abruptly stopped.

"Jacob, you would never hurt anyone."

"I have to, to survive." He muttered.

"I know." I breathed, understanding.

"But, I would never do that to you--"

"I know." I said again, interrupting him as I looked at him.

"And I would never let you see me do something like that or want you to see it."

I nodded.

"You can't help who you are." I whispered.

He laughed bitterly.

"If only..." He murmured.

We both got very quiet again as he kept running. After awhile we both saw the lights in the distance. It was a city, something I felt like I hadn't seen in a very long time.

"Jacob." I gasped, reaching up as if trying to stop him. He glanced down at me.

"What?"

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked looking up at him with the biggest eyes I could manage. His pace slowed as he looked down at me. Then he suddenly stopped, setting me on my feet.

"This is the only thing I can think of..."

"But--"

"Just trust me." He interrupted.

"I do."

"Then don't worry about me or the humans either. I have to get you somewhere safe."

"In the mist of humans though? Where could we possibly go?"

"There's a man who lives amoung them. He's very good at it. A friend of mine, who owes me one." He grinned then swooped me off my feet and took off.

"What's his name?" I asked curiously.

"Jason." He said quietly then I processed his words.

"A human?" I asked confused. He didn't answer. I looked up at him. The look on his face said no. "Vampires?"

He crinkled his nose.

"Wolf." He muttered quickly. My eyes widened. Did he really just say that?

"A werewolf?"

He shrugged. "Kind of...You can add another species to your list."

"I guess." I mumbled. "Really?"

"Yeah!" He laughed.

And he started running even faster.

Note to the lovelies: as always i hope you're enjoying the story! and also I hope you're enjoying and understanding the pictures on the right. In this chapter that's Jacob off to the side ;) If you have any questions about who the people are or what the pictures mean maybe read the chapter again? or just ask me! I'm always open to comments and messages

The picture in this chapter is Jacob/Jake (even though I already said that, just figure I'd say it again in case you didn't catch it)