Erik held me close as we snuggled in the love seat watching the opening credits of his special edition star wars movie. Everything had been so hectic and with the whole 'heath imprinting' situation and the 'my mentor's quite possibly evil' thing I hadn't had much time for my boyfriend in the recent weeks. I buried my face in his neck and smiled out at my friends, Damien and Jack were cuddled up on the floor together and the twins were ogling an oblivious Cole who sat between them on the couch, "this is so close to perfect." I whispered, pressing my lips lightly against Erik's neck, he grinned and wrapped one of his strong defined arms around me and I reveled in his scent. It felt so good to just relax and ignore my problems, just be a normal…. Well not miserable vampyre fledgling for once. Then Erik let out a cough, I glanced up at him, but he looked fine so I leaned into him enjoying the warmth of his skin. But five minutes later he coughed again, I stared at him and this time in place of his usually cool expression there was panic. He coughed again, this time I smelled the sweet cloying seductive scent of his blood. The twins had stopped babbling and Damien and Jack both turned to stare at Erik who was now in coughing fits. "No." I whispered as I stared at the scarlet line of blood slipping down the corner of his mouth, "Z, I-I don't want to die." He whispered, desperation in his blue eyes as their whites turned red. "Erik, No, you'll, you'll be fine." I whispered, holding him close ignoring the blood that spilled onto my clothes. "Erik, you can't die, you just can't!" I was crying hysterically, his arms were around me and I felt their strength fading "Zoey, there's nothing I can do. But, before… before it's too late, I want you to know, I Love you Zoey Redbird." He whispered into my hair as he slumped against me, shuddering while blood poured out of his ears and nose, and his mouth spraying the pastel carpet with red splashes as he coughed again, his eyes were almost completely red, and he was crying, the tears were pink almost red as they slipped down his face. I kissed him, ignoring the taste of his blood and whispered against his lips, "I love you too Erik. I love you so much." He looked into my eyes, clasping my hands in his, "Then I have no regrets." He murmured, and slumped over in my arms, his eyes sliding closed while I screamed at the ceiling, and the people around me bowed their heads. Nyx, why did you have to take him? He was so close! why! I gently lowered Erik's head to the cushioned couch and knelt beside him, tears flowing freely down my cheeks. "I'm so sorry. I love you." I murmured stroking his unresponsive hand. This was the way of the world, this was the way of my world. I had to accept it and move on, but as I stared at Erik's face so still and peaceful I knew I might never move on, because love had a way of keeping you…