1I stumbled out of the tavern, my head buzzing pleasantly, the forest tilting. Behind me, my men were hanging on each other for support all the while singing off key some kind of ditty.

"I'm gonna fly home," I slurred, awkwardly spreading my wings.

"Akira, ish that shuch a good idea?" Collin said, pausing in the singing.

"Sure, why not?" I shrugged, hopping along the ground, flapping my wings. I was air-born for a second, then landed awkwardly, then I was finally air-born, leaving my men behind me.

The men laughed at my attempt to fly, and they stumbled along the path toward the castle. The night was pretty much silent, except for the sounds of the crickets and owls. Then there was a loud CRACK! and CRUNCH!

The men looked at each other like "Was that Akira?"

"STUPID TREE!" a scream resonated throughout the forest, shattering the night's silence.

The men looked at each other and cracked up and continued on their path. As they walked, they would occasionally hear SMACK! "STUPID HOUSE!" or SQWUAK! "STUPID BIRD!" or CRACK "STUPID TREE!" After few "STUPID TREE!" They heard "GOD DAMN THESE TREES ARE EVERYWHERE!"

(A kid was awoken by the sound of a thump, as if something ran into the side of the house. Then he heard "STUPID HOUSE!")

I laid on my back, gazing up at the twirling canopy of the forest, muttering to myself about the trees being everywhere and always in my way.

"That's because you're in the middle of a forest," a voice said.

I tilted my head back and squinted to try to bring the person into focus.

"Danika?"

"Yeah," she nodded, unfolding her arms. "Jeeze, I hate to be you in the morning."

"Shuddup," I muttered, struggling to sit up, but only fell back.

"I guess I ought to help you back to the castle." Danika said, coming over and placed her cold hands on me and helped me to my feet. I swayed unsteadily on my feet before she took my arm and placed it around her shoulder, helping me to stand. "It was foolish of you to try to fly back. What the hell were you thinking? Especially with Lutrina or Zachara plotting to kidnap you."

"Look at all these trees," I muttered. "Just waiting to jump out at you when you least expect it."

"Yeah," Danika sighed. "Those trees sure are tricky."

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"Megan sent me. Well, actually she didn't really mean to. I heard her laughing her head off at you and your adventure with trees, and through her I knew that Zachara is plotting to capture you. I didn't really have anything to do, so I came looking for you. It wasn't very hard. All I had to do was follow the thumps and cracks and the cursing of random objects."

When we arrived at the fort, Danika wasn't exactly greeted warmly. The men didn't trust her because they thought that it was Lutrina/Zachara in disguise.

"I'm a vampire," Danika said, rolling her eyes as the men that weren't drunk drew their swords. "Lutrina can only shape-shift into that which has a heartbeat. I, however, have been dead for a very long time, and my heart has ceased to beat. Go ahead, feel if you must."

Erikson hesitated a moment before coming forward to press his fingers upon her neck, feeling for a pulse. He nodded when he felt nothing. Erikson took over the drunken me and helped me to my chambers.

"If she wishes to stay, let her stay in a chamber without windows," I said before passing out.

Erikson returned to find Danika still standing in the entrance.

"If you wish, you can stay. We can arrange for a chamber without a window."

"Is that an invitation?"

"Yes, come in if you wish."

Danika smiled before stepping in and followed Erikson through the castle to her new chambers.