Chapter 3

***solange***

I flicked through more useless books, throwing them to one side onto a growing pile. Each batted and broken book was worthless; I cared not for the useage of Wolves hair on deadly stake wounds to the arms or legs, the venom carried in our veins solved that pretty much right away, no, I was searching for the affects of Hypnos on humans. Quinn had been down later in the evening to check upon my brother and friend; to find them huddled up close together under the hello kitty blanket I had given Lucy for her 6th birthday; god how time flies. Quinn had said she looked perfectly healthy, depending on what your take on healthy was. In other words, she was green faced, sweaty and shaking. It sounded (to me) like a flu, or something along those lines. "Useless" I cried, throwing a thick book onto the wooden floor creating a crashing noise. "Solange, keep it down" I looked around to see my mum stood in the doorway. "dont throw those books about, they have passed down over the years." She scuttled into the room, collecting the heavy books and placing them gently back into the book case.

"Whatever are you looking for?" She commented, scanning my red face. "Hypnos effects" I mumbled through gritted teeth, she nodded scanning the bookshelf to my left; she ran a long, white finger down the spines of several books before it came to rest on a red leather book. With ease, she took the heavy book down and placed it carefully on the desk infront of me. "Is Lucy ok?" She asked, turning away. "Im not sure" I heard the door click slightly as my mother left; I ran a finger down the contents; hypnos history, hypnos on rabbits...why would you put hypnos on a rabbit? vampire hypnos...human hypnos. I flicked throught he dusty pages to page 458. It was blood stained and written on old parchment. My stomach churend as i read the first line.

"the effects of hypnos on humans has never been clear" It read grimly. "the halos-ra created it for use on their foes, humans not being a big threat, the effects tend to be acting odd" well shes snuggled up to my brother...thats odd "odd marks appearing on the skin; bruises are very common, green tint to skin and sickness" I shut the book with a snap. the halos-ra would pay for making my best friend suffer.

"Sol' you cant fight the halos-ra without help, your not even 16 yet" Max mumbled behind me. "I can!" I cried turning to face my older brother "Sol' your not even turned yet...when you turn and your strong enough then you can fight the halos-ra but right now you gotta rest up for the change" I felt my face pale slightly, Nicholas nearly didnt survive the change, what if i didnt...Would Lucy completely forget me? "Solange you'll be fine ok? Trust me" I nodded slightly biting my lip, a coppery taste filling my mouth, I shivered slightly. A life time of blood drinking? I was not looking forward to this.

***Lucy***

I woke to the feeling of being crushed...I lolled my eyes slightly upwards to see Nicholas' face, his arms wrapped tightly around me crushing me to his chest; in the films this might look all mushy and romantic but right now its just so damn uncomfy. I groaned slightly, trying to ease away from him, a sickly feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Nicky..." I whispered slightly horsely. "Nicky...wake up" His eyes flutted and he looked down at me. "Good god your green" He cried. "Its the hypnos powder, you'll be fine soon" I nodded slightly without thinking burying my face into his shoulder, I could feel my heart speed up. "Slow down your heart its not good for your health" Damn Vampires. "Nicholas, I just had a strange thought..." He looked down at me "Do tell" "what happend to my parents?"

I felt him tense up, why the question came to mind, I dont know but it did. He sighed gently before shrugging "Ermm..well im not really sure" He mutted, stalling for time ay? "Look Lucy im not really sure...how about you get some sleep ay? you must be-" "Nicky, stop trying to stall. Just tell me" "Lucky, shut up and sleep" I groaned, I had the urge to punch him in the nose...but then again, he was alot stronger than me so that would end up badly. "Look, fine, im not the best person to tell you ask mum" I sighed slightly closing my eyes, I was going to ask Helena about this...the Drakes were hiding something from me. "How long till the change?" I mumbled to Nicholas, my voice laced with triedness. "A day" He whispered. "The halos-ra are closing in"