Chapter 1

Claire's POV

The past few weeks had been relatively quiet, at least for Morganville standards. My days had basically consisted of going to school and working at the lab with Myrnin. He'd been his usual crazy self and I'd had enough. He was spouting on about some stupid idea he'd had but I couldn't understand what he was trying to explain. Other than that I'd been hanging out at home with my roommates and arguing about basic, mundane things like whose turn it was to do the dishes.

Today, Shane and I were drowsily cuddling on the couch when the doorbell rang. Classes had finished early and it was Shane's day off, neither of us wanted to move.

"Let Michael get it," Shane whispered in my ear.

"Mmm…" I replied not really paying attention.

"Michael," Shane called when it rang again.

"I don't think he's home," I said. I heard Shane make a noise of irritation in the back of his throat. "I'll get it."

"No," he smiled, playfully pulling me closer.

"It could be important." To both Shane and my own frustration I stood up and went to get the door. Although it was still daylight outside, I was apprehensive. When someone turned up at your door unannounced in Morganville it was never good news.

The doorbell rang again. Someone was impatient. When I swung the door open, I wasn't expecting who was stood there. Instead of an obviously angry vampire there was a blonde girl tapping her foot impatiently. Great. I'd take a vampire any day than one of Monica's friend.

"Look whatever Monica's sent you here to do I'm not interested," I said and began to swing the door shut.

"Monica? Like I'd have anything to do with that bitch," she replied which made me hesitate. I heard Shane get up from the sofa and begin to walk to the front door. He must have heard the mention of Monica's name. If she was lying, it probably wasn't going to end well for her. Shane was so protective lately

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Claire, what's going- Taylor?" He said.

"Shane," she said smiling. Without an invitation she stepped inside and hugged him. "It's so good to see you."

"Yeah you too."

She pulled away and looked at me. "This one's new," she stated.

"This is Claire, my girlfriend."

"It's nice to meet you," she said. Before I knew it she engulfed me in a hug as well.

"Right. Who are you?"

"I'm Taylor. So where's Eve? And Michael," she asked practically ignoring my question.

"Eve's at work and I have no idea where Michael is. What are you doing here?" Shane asked.

"I was in the area…" she said walking down the corridor. I looked up at Shane confused. Nobody was ever just in the area in Morganville. All he did was shrug and follow her as she entered the kitchen. "Nothing's changed much around here."

As we came in the kitchen, Taylor hopped up and sat on the counter. "Well…" Shane said. "Actually, before Michael gets home there's something you should know. Michael's a-"

"Vampire," she finished. I looked from her to Shane because I thought she was joking. Clearly she wasn't because she continued, "I know. Amelie told me the day it happened. You know the rules."

"Oh yeah of course. I didn't think."

I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about but before I could ask I heard the front door slam shut. "Yo I'm home," I heard the familiar voice of my gothic roommate call. "Is anyone in?"

"In the kitchen," Shane and I yelled at the same time.

Eve must have been shopping because she came into the kitchen with numerous bags in her hand. She was jabbering on about something or rather but stopped instantly when she saw the girl sat on the counter.

"Oh my God Taylor," she said excitedly. Immediately she dropped her bags and ran across the kitchen to her at the same time as Taylor jumped down. With a lot of jumping and screaming they hugged each other. I couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Eve was my best friend and she hadn't so much as looked at me since she arrived. "I can't believe you're here. You should have called."

"I know but I thought it'd be better to surprise you," Taylor said pushing her at arms length. "Loving the outfit by the way Eve."

"Thanks. I bought some other stuff today. Want to come and give me your opinion?" Eve asked.

"Come on Eve," Shane said. "She just got here."

"No it's fine. I'd love to Eve. Lead the way."

Excitedly Eve picked up her bags and took Taylor's hand, leading her out of the kitchen. I sighed and miserably sunk down into a chair. It looked like another Kim situation was happening and I was still feeling the affects of what happened last time.

"What's the matter grumpy?" Shane asked kissing the top of my head and then going to the fridge.

"Nothing," I lied. Shane set two cans of coke on the table and sat down opposite me.

He had just opened his mouth to say something when the backdoor opened and Michael rushed in. "Hey," he said removing his hat and jacket.

"Sup man," Shane said. "Where've you been?"

"Council meeting."

"How come I didn't know about it?" I asked annoyed.

Michael gave me a long look and then said, "It's nothing important. Where's Eve?"

"She's upstairs," I mumbled.

"You'll never guess who's here." Shane said grinning.

"Who?" Michael asked. There was a frown encroaching on his forehead.

"Taylor."

"No way," he said, the frown completely disappearing. "Where?"

"Upstairs with Eve," Shane replied. Michael had gone before the sentence had completely left Shane's mouth. "What?" he asked me when I began to stare at him.

"What's the big deal with her?" I asked. There was a heavy sense of grouchiness leaking through into my voice but I couldn't help it. I was upset that everyone knew what was going on and I didn't.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean why is everyone falling all over her? Who exactly is she?"

Shane laughed a little and I opened my can. "That's a long story."

"I've got time."

"Taylor is…" he started to say but stopped seemingly a loss for words. "Well, I guess you could call her a vampire hunter of sorts."

So this is my first time at posting something I've written. I'll take any constructive critism you have so please go ahead and review. Tell me what you thought and I hope you enjoy the story. I'll try and post the next chapter sometime this week.
Thank you.
Paige