Cheri formed her hands as if she were gripping imaginary tennis balls and launched herself at him. She dug her fingers into the bicep of the swinging arm and ripped at the muscle, while striking the forearm on the same side, straight in with the heel of her palm.

She ripped into his face with the middle and forefingers of her right hand, raking along his nose and mouth. With the other hand, she struck his neck and dug my fingers in, grabbing the windpipe.

The technique called for her to pull it out, lacerating his throat and killing him. But there were other options. She pushed rather than pulled, momentarily closing the windpipe against itself, cutting off his air. Breathing heavily and sweating profusely, she was beginning to tire.

A double palm heel blow to both ears, ripping downward along the cheek and collapsing onto his throat, stepping under and inside his flailing arms to shoot an elbow upward into his abdomen, rolling into a palm heel strike to the groin and back into a rising elbow to the underside of his chin, arcing down into another palm heel onto the bridge of his nose.

His body jerked from one direction to the other, in rhythm to the opposite lines of each attack.

"Excellent! I'm amazed at your progress.", Dante announced. He has been teaching her fighting techniques for the past few weeks.

Cheri looked at her stuffed opponent, his head would need more stitching. It was hanging down, with some stuffing showing. She couldn't say anything at the moment so she nodded at Dante.

She was bent over with her hands on her knees trying to slow her breathing. Dante walked over with a glass of water. "Thank...you", she managed.

"How's the training?", Nic asked walking into the room they were using for training.

"She is a quick learner, just look what she did to our stuffed buddy", Dante replied with a sympathetic glance at the dummy.

Chuckling Nic nodded in approval. "Are you going to be alright?", he asked Cheri. She smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

Turning around and walking towards the door he threw over his shoulder, "We have to talk later Cheri."

She has been with the vampires for a month, hard to believe. Nic has been trying to find a way for her to return home, but nothing has worked out.

The mage has seemed to disappear or is very good at avoiding everyone. She missed her friends and family more than ever, but these vampires were starting to grow on her.

Dante was like a brother to her, it was his idea to teach her how to fight. He said, you never knew when it would come in handy. She liked the idea of being able to kick some butt if she had too.

Issac has been a non-stop flirt, which she didn't mind it at all. He came up with some pretty horrible pick-up lines that never failed to make her laugh. She hoped that was why he said them. Lately she hasn't seen much of him. Nic has had so many jobs for him and Blane to do.

Nic is...Nic. He confused her. She would catch him staring at her or sometimes he seemed to make excuses to be in the same room with her. Other times he would be withdrawn and unapproachable.

Arturo and Eve were hilarious to watch. They were always doing or saying something that would make the other jealous. She guessed they liked the making up part.

Blane and Trina are really cute together. Most of the time they would only have eyes for each other and forget they weren't alone. Cheri also noticed they would always be connected in someway or another. It could be fingers, hands, arms, anything that kept them connected. It was sweet. Trina hasn't been happy that her mate has been working a lot.

Alec and Marquis are best friends. They are a quiet pair when they were at the castle. Outside was another story, they were always on the hunt for the next female vampires to spend the night with. It was comical sometimes. They seemed to be breaking hearts all over the village.


After a long soak in the bath tub, Cheri felt a lot better. Letting her hair drip dry she longed for a hairdryer. Walking into the bedroom, she got her brush and started working out the tangles. She heard commotion coming from downstairs.

She opened her door and head out of the room to see what was going on. She heard Nic ranting and raving, footsteps could be heard frantically running from various rooms down there.

She walked downstairs, not being able to take it anymore. She had to know what was happening. Maria and other maids were walking briskly around in a frantic search for something.

"Are you sure?", Nic's voiced boomed in the kitchen.

"Positive, I don't know how they got here, but there are a lot of them.", Blane rushed.

"Are you okay Blane?! How did this happen?", Trina bellowed.

"We need to find that damned mage, Issac needs him.", interrupted Blane's reply to Trina.

Hearing that Cheri rushed to the kitchen to find it in a frantic mess and Issac lay on the a long table bleeding. She ran to Issac, but arms grabbed her around her waist.

Let me go! What happened to Issac?", she yelled. Nic was holding her back.

"Don't go over there, if Issac regains consciousnesses he could still think he is in danger an hurt you.", Nic explained.

Cheri stopped her struggles knowing that Nic was right, but she really wanted to be near Issac. She was so used to seeing him laugh and smile, he was so dead looking at the moment (no pun intended). Eve was with him and looked to be checking over his wounds and possible other wounds.

She leaned back in Nic's arms, he hadn't let go. He kissed the top of her head and started shouting out orders. She looked around for Blane and spotted him by the sink. He was bloodied, but seemed fine. His eyes full of worry for Issac. Trina was tending to him.

Turning around in Nic's arms, she looked up at him, "What happened?"

"There have been some disturbances in the southern edge of the realm. So I sent Issac and Blane out to investigate. The disturbances have been happening more and more. As they were walking the area they were ambushed by Storm Broods. They are demonic vampires, more demon, from Ele'mabo Realm", he explained.

It shouldn't surprise her that there are other realms, but it did and it was scary to think that some of those realms had demons. She looked at Issac, must have been a lot of them, Issac isn't a small vampire.

"Come on guys, we need to find out where the Storm Broods are, where they came from, and could someone find that damned mage?!", Nic yelled out.

"We might need to search the village for a healer, no one has seen the mage in weeks.", Eve told Nic. He nodded and shouted out for a search to start in the village.


The search in the village was a success. There was a healer there and she did what she could for Issac. Cheri learned that even though they lived long lives, they could still be killed.

Certain weapons could kill them, being beheaded, to many wounds would take a long time to heal making it possible to bleed out. Cheri hopped Issac would recover quickly, she missed his craziness.

Nic still wouldn't let her go near Issac. With nothing else to do and not wanting to sit in her room an think over the past few hours, she went to the library. She wanted to see what books the castle had to offer.

She didn't see anything that she could understand so she walked to the window and looked out. It had started raining a few hours earlier. Watching the rain fall and thinking of everything that has happened today, she didn't hear Nic when he approached.

He stood right behind her, he gently lifted a piece of her hair to his nose. She turned and their eyes locked. She saw something in the depth of his eyes she never saw before, she couldn't tell what it was though. She offered him a smile.

"You're hair...always has a lovely scent, please forgive me", he stated with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Highness", she said playfully. His eyes sparkled. He's so handsome, she wondered if he knew that.

Without thinking, she raised her hand up to his stubbled jaw and lightly rubbed her thumb over his cheek. He placed his hand lightly over hers, slowly, he drew her hand to his mouth where he kissed the inside of her palm.

Without looking away from her eyes he leaned down and brushed his lips over her lips. A soft moan slipped from her lips making him deepen the kiss. She remembered the feel of his lips the last time they kissed. It was heavenly. She slid her arms over his chest and around his shoulders.

Opening his mouth, she did the same, their tongues touched and then began to swirl around each other, making up their own little dance. She reached around his neck and pushed her hands through his hair as his hands lowered to her butt. Their kissing beginning to turn frantic with need.

Nic lowered Cheri to the sofa laying half on top of her. Nic moaned in satisfaction and moved his mouth to her jaw, kissing up towards her ear. He was making her feel things she had never felt before. She was panting, enjoying the kisses he showered down her neck to her collarbone. She began to wonder if she should stop this before it went to far.

But she wasn't sure if she wanted this to stop. Their lips found each other again and Nic's hand was making it's way up to her chest when a voiced yelled through the castle, "Issac's awake!"

Sitting up on the sofa and straightening their ruffled clothes, she turned to Nic, "We should go see him." Nic nodded quickly hiding a troubled look before she could notice.


Nic couldn't believe what almost happened in the library. It wasn't what he intended when he went in there. But seeing her at the window looking at the rainy sky, she reminded him of an angel.

If they weren't interrupted he wouldn't have been able to stop. He can't let that happen again. She was only a guest, she wanted to go back home and he didn't want to get to attached when that happened. Besides, what was going on between her and Issac, he wondered.

They flirted endlessly driving him crazy. He loves Issac like a brother, but it bothered him to think Cheri liked Issac. He's a good vampire, but it caused painful sensations in his chest when those two were flirting. So he made sure Issac had enough work to do to keep him busy. It probably isn't the right thing to do.

Everyone was in Issac's room, with him sitting up in the bed. They were firing questions at him, he was barely keeping up. Nic cleared his throat loudly to get their attention. They stopped and looked up at him.

"Give him some space, he's been through a lot", Nic said with a smile, knowing everyone meant well, they were excited that he came around.

"How are you feeling?", Nic asked Issac.

"Like I was attacked by a herd of giant elk", he said and chuckled.

"That's better then being attacked by Storm Broods, so you must be feeling better", Nic offered.

Cheri walked over to Issac's bed, "I'm so glad you are going to be okay, I was really scared", she told him.

"I must be in heaven because I'm looking at an angel!", he exclaimed looking at her. Nic groaned inwardly. Cheri hit Issac lightly on the arm laughing. This display really gets on his nerves, Nic thought.

Everyone laughed at Issac's comment, but it made Cheri feel good to have Issac back. She looked over at Nic and saw a hurt look flash in his eyes. She wasn't sure what to do, she liked them both, but she wasn't looking for a relationship. She wanted to go home.

They both seemed interested in her, Issac letting it be known, while Nic looked like he struggled with it. He's the King, why was he even bothering, she wondered. Wouldn't he need a mate with royalty? She wouldn't be good enough for him. No, he was just attracted to her, that's all.

He wanted what all men want, so why should she feel guilty over her friendship with Issac? She thought back to the library, that couldn't happen again, she thought. She looked up at Nic and blushed remembering in vivid detail what happened.

Seeing her blush Issac made it worse, " Cher-Bear, is all this man meat getting to you?" He rubbed his naked chest while wiggling his eyebrows at her. She followed his hands not meaning to and blushed harder. He's ripped!

Everyone was now laughing at the situation, Cheri wanted to hide. She turned to look at Nic, but he was nowhere to be found. He must have left, she thought.


Days went by with her training, helping Issac recover, and thinking. Nic was gone most of the time now trying to hunt down the Storm Broods with a small army of vampires. When he did come back he avoided her. She felt trapped in a situation she didn't know how to get out of.

She used her training sessions to work out all the frustration. The mage was still missing, she wondered if the Storm Brood had gotten to him. If that was the case she was stuck here and would have to figure out what she was going to do about it.

She decided to take a walk in the vast garden that connected to the castle. It was so beautiful and calming. When she came to the swing she sat down enjoying the sun and wonderful aroma the flowers emitted. She closed her eyes and thought of Earth.

A weight on the swing next to her made her open her eyes. Eve smiled at her.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?", Eve started.

"Yes, it is. I love coming out here."

"So do I, so...what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nic seems to be avoiding you, everyone sees it."

Cheri wondered if she should tell Eve about the library. She quickly decided against it.

"I don't know, I'm rather confused about the whole thing"

"Well I think Nic has a thing for you and seeing Issac flirt with you makes him jealous.", Eve stated matter-of-factly.

"If that's the case, why doesn't he make his feelings known?", Cheri replied.

"I don't know, Nic is complicated. He's been alone for to long, I guess he's forgotten how to have a relationship with the opposite sex."

"It doesn't matter anyways, I'm still going to find a way home."

"Yeah", Eve said with a hint of disbelief in her voice.

Did Eve think she would change her mind? Or did she think it wouldn't happen since the mage has disappeared?


Later that night when Cheri noticed Nic was in his office she decided to go talk to him. She hoped it wasn't a mistake.

Knocking on the open door she peeked in, "Hi, can I come in?"

"Sure", he said without looking at her.

"How is the hunt for the Storm Brood going?"

"Not good and we haven't found the mage either.", he replied with exhaustion lacing his voice.

Cheri walked over to stand in front of the desk, she laid her hand on his, stopping him from writing. He looked up at her then.

"You need to rest", she said gently.

"I'll rest when I'm dead", he stated. Removing her hand from his, she cupped her hand over her mouth to suppress a giggle.

"Go ahead", he said and fought his own laughter that was bubbling at the surface.

She started laughing and he soon joined in. When they finally stopped he leaned back in his chair and studied her. She started feeling a little self conscious. She wore a white dress that Trina used to own. The straps were made to hang off her shoulders an rest on her arms.

"You're beautiful", he added, making her blush.

"So are you", she admitted nervously. He smiled at her. His smile made his silver eyes light up. That was enough to make her swoon, but she kept herself together.

"Cheri, I have to admit, I have no idea if you will ever go back home.", he said softly.

"I have been wondering the same thing."

"Would it be so bad to stay? I know you would miss your family and friends. I would like to think that you've gained new ones here though." He looked at her expectantly.

"Oh yes, you all are so wonderful!", she exclaimed. She decided then and there that she would enjoy her new home and friends, but she wouldn't entirely give up on going home either. It just wouldn't be in her every thought, tormenting her.

He rounded the desk and stood in front of her. She felt his closeness, her hands itched to dive into his hair again. Her body began to tingle all over.

Issac walked in and stopped, "W...what are you two doing?" He managed a smile.

Cheri turned around to look at him, "Talking." She smiled at him suddenly feeling nervous.

"Did you need something?", Nic asked Issac.

"Yeah, there are some villagers here to speak with you", Issac replied. Nic nodded an left.

"Walk with me?", Issac asked Cheri.

"Sure", she replied hesitantly.


They walked to the gardens which was lit up with outside lamps. Cheri had never been out there at night. The lamps gave it a warm, inviting feeling.

She noticed out of the corner of her eyes that Issac was walking with his hands shoved in his back pockets, deep in thought.

"Beautiful night", she said breaking the silence.

"Yeah, almost as beautiful as the woman walking beside me", he said with a sly smile. Cheri blushed.

"Cheri, I wanted you to walk with me because I wanted to ask you something", Issac admitted.

"Okay, fire away", she replied.

"Is there something going on between you and Nic?"

Surprised by his question, she thought of what to say. She wasn't sure she knew what was happening.

"I would like to know the answer to that too", she finally confessed.

"Nic is hard to read sometimes, but I think he likes you. I haven't seen him act the way he does around you with anyone else."

"I must admit I like him too, I just don't know how to handle his mood swings. Sometimes he acts like he likes me, other times he avoids me. I don't know what to think."

"I thought you liked him too. I don't want to complicate things for you, but I want you to know that I like you too.", Issac announced.

That admission had taken her aback. She knew he flirted with her, but didn't know if that was just his friendly nature. She didn't want to admit it, but she liked him too. How messed up was that? She likes two vampires and they liked her. Who would have thought?

"Issac, I don't know how to handle all this.", she said.

"I understand and I don't expect anything right now. But don't expect me not to try to win your heart, Cher-Bear", he winked at her. She giggled at the nickname, it was somewhat endearing.

Suddenly Issac leaned in an started kissing her. It surprised her and she let out a squeal. She lightly pushed him away, swaying a little on her feet. She liked the kiss, but her feelings for Nic were making her feel guilty.


Nic watched from his window as Issac leaned in and kissed Cheri. He felt mad, he felt hurt, he also felt betrayed. Turning from the window, unable to watch anymore, he walk over to his desk.

His thoughts and feelings getting the best of him he swung his hand out in a fit of rage, which caused several items on his desk to go flying across the room.