Ok, so tomorrow, being Friday, is my birthday. I'm going to be 15 (Learner's permit, here I come!)! So to celebrate, I decided to give you guys the next chapter, and give everyone a cookie who reviews! Most of the time it will be in Maria's POV, but I've decided that, when important parts come along, it will switch to other people. Especially Larten, since he's not too good at sharing his feelings.

Chapter 3

Larten's POV

I gently set the girl's unconscious body onto my bed. After cleaning her up and closing her cuts, I was able to get a good look at her, and frankly, I found her just as beautiful, if not more so, than when I first saw her. I growled at myself with frustration. Arra was my mate. How could Gavner tell me to just forget it all? I saw the whole thing with my own eyes! And now I am looking at this strange woman with the same expression as I had with Arra? But I could not help it. There was something about this woman. What was her name again? Mary-Ann? No, no, it was Maria.

I looked down at her. She was curled up; her original pained expression was replaced with peace. With a sigh, I turned away from her and left the room, to let her rest.

Maria's POV

I woke up with a terrible headache. The room was dark, so I thought it was night. I had hoped the whole fight was a dream, but I knew it wasn't. As my eyes adjusted, I saw I was in a strange hotel room with what felt like a twisted ankle, and a really bruised back. I was surprised to see my cut healed and my head not bleeding. But mostly, I was surprised to be alive!

I heard voices outside my room. Or thought I did. But they stopped when I made a soft groan trying to sit up.

"You should go check on her." I heard the old man say, most likely Seba. A few footsteps echoed, and then the doorknob turned. In stepped the orange haired man, carrying a glass of water. He smiled softly at me.

"Glad you are awake. You lost a lot of blood." He sat down at the foot of the bed and handed me the glass of water. "Here, drink this."

Normally, I wouldn't accept things from strangers. I had more common sense than that. But these people saved my life. They wouldn't try to hurt me, would they? "Thanks." I said, gratefully accepting the glass and taking a few sips. A moment of awkward silence passed between us, a moment only I could break. "So, may I ask your name?" I asked.

"Larten. Larten Crepsley." He replied, offering his hand. I shook it.

"I like that name. It has a nice ring to it. I'm Maria Daniels." I smiled.

"You have a lovely name yourself." He said, his deep emerald eyes sparkling. But the way he said it reminded me of the man, Glalda, and the events before I passed out.

Total panic took over as I realized the situation I was in. "How long was I out? And who's Glalda? Dammit, what am I gonna tell my parents!" I tried to get up, but Larten calmly pushed me back down.

"You are in no condition to get up right now. I am sure we can think of a cover up story. No one would believe the truth. You were unconscious for a day, and it is now eight-thirty at night." He said calmly.

"And Glalda?" I asked.

Larten growled menacingly. "He got away, but he will not next time. He will pay for his crime."

"What crime did he commit?" I asked cautiously.

"Murder." He muttered, looking down into his hands. I tried changing the subject as quickly as possible.

"There were two others. I know you and Seba, but there was a brown haired man with heavy breathing."

Larten smiled. "He is Gavner Purl."

"And the green haired man? The one who kept flirting with me?"

Larten chuckled. "Vancha March. Good friends of mine, but they can get on your last nerve in a matter of seconds. They are staying in another room, so I will introduce you later." He stood up. "In the mean time, you should rest." He exited the room.

I lay back down. There was a charisma to Larten, one that told you to trust him. But there was something else, too. He seemed to be hiding something, and I was curious to find out what.

Like I said, read, review, and get a cookie! See you all next chapter!