Hey everyone! I'm sorry that this chapter took so long.. i was having some trouble with writer's block, but i think i'm back on track, so hope you enjoy! R&R

As a child, Shea had heard stories of werewolves and vampires, of merpeople and dragons. Every child does. But the older she got, the more unrealistic those stories had become for Shea. Oh sure, there was the occasional story of someone getting bitten, or the stories of boats being led into reefs by the majestic voice of a mermaid. But Shea just brushed them off as crazies trying to get their fifteen minutes of fame. She had never really believed them, but now, looking into Jason's face, his large fangs – there was nothing else she could call them – made her rethink all of that. Was it possible? She tilted her eyes up into his, but this too made her freeze. A strange look of anger mixed with a hunger forced Shea to turn her head away.

Releasing the pressure that held her to the wall, Jason kept a tight hold on her wrist, as he pulled her towards the door which he once again shut and locked, putting the key back into his pocket. When he had made sure that the door was secure, he let Shea's arm go, and turned his angry glare back on her. 'Don't think that you can ever get away that easily. We'll always be able to find you, don't doubt that, and if you try, it will be worse for you in the end.' His air of calm seemed to be returning, his eyes were back to their normal color, and his teeth were straight again.

'Now as I was saying before your little episode, my friend wants your sister. He's been tracking her for the last few days, but it hasn't been as easy as he thought, and he's getting a little tired. So, he decided that the fastest way was to threaten one of the things that she loved best. And, that my dear, would be you.'

His brown eyes pierced Shea's own, and they seemed to be looking right into her mind and thoughts, into her very soul. She turned away again, this look being to intimate for her comfort. The side of her head hurt where she had been hit, and reaching up, Shea felt a bruise forming. As for her wrist, there was the red marks of his hand imprinted on her skin.

Gathering up her courage, Shea looked at Jason and ask the question that had been on her mind. 'What is your friend planning on doing to me? Just tell me so that I know what's coming.'

'No, he's not planning on killing you, if that's what you're asking. At least, he isn't as long as you cooperate and don't try to pull another stunt like the one you just did. Beyond that, I don't know myself. I just advise that you do what is asked of you, and stay out of trouble.'

Jason stood up from the couch, and made his way over to the door, and pulling out the key, he unlocked it and walked through, pausing only for a minute to tell Shea that her dinner would be up in a couple of minutes, and if she needed to use the bathroom, to yell and a guard would let her out.

Shea's mind was still numb with what Jason had told her, and what she had seen. Vampires? Blood? Did she really dare believe what she was thinking? But what other explanation was there? She didn't have answers to any of these questions, and as she curled back up into the armchair, her mind gladly welcomed to sleep that was waiting to claim her.

When Shea awoke, it was to the smell of food coming from a trolley over by the door. Her stomach rumbled at the thought of it, and until now, she hadn't realized how hungry she really was. Getting up slowly, she walked over to the tray and saw a plate of turkey and stuffing, drowned in gravy, with a heap of mashed potatoes and a glass of cola sitting beside it. Grabbing the plate, Shea went over to the couch and devoured the food faster than she had ever eaten in her life. As she raised the cold glass to her lips, the lock in the door clicked again, and a girl came in this time, dressed in black pants and a white shirt. She stood at the door, as though waiting for something. Shea finally realized that she was here to take the dinner tray, so she put her empty plate on the trolley, and told the girl that she wasn't finished with the glass. Pulling the tray out behind her, the maid pulled the door closed behind her, but She didn't hear the sound of the lock turning.

Hoping beyond hope, Shea approached the door and tried the handle. It turned under her fingers, making her heart leap in excitement. Listen for a minute through the wood, Shea determined that there was no one on the other side, so she opened the door slightly and looked out.

Expecting to see into more darkness, Shea was startled when she tiptoed out of the room into a brightly lit hallway. Her eyes took a minute to adjust to the light, and she saw that doors lined each side of the corridor, and a large bay window with heavy draperies pulled over it was at the other end. The light came from lamps attached to the walls between doors. Creeping her way down the hall, Shea heard the sound of voices coming from one of the rooms on her left. She pressed her ear to it, and was surprised to hear Jason's voice arguing with someone.

'No! We can't do that to her. I agreed to help you…'

'Yes, but plans have changed Jason.' The voice was unfamiliar to Shea and it seemed to be calm, if a little agitated. 'I need to know! That is the only way we are ever going to find the girl. Do you have a better suggestion?'

'I'm sure we can think of something that doesn't involve…' Jason's voice trailed off into a sigh. 'I'll only agree if you promise me that you won't kill her.'

'Now, you know that I can't do that. I'll try my best but I can't promise anything.'

'Then the answer's no.'

'You have no choice. Either you help, or I get someone who will.'

The voices went quiet for a minute, and Shea could hear the sound of breathing coming through the door.

'I'll think about it, and let you know in the morning.' Jason's voice was moving closer to the door. Shea jumped back, knowing that if she were caught this time, she probably wouldn't be quite so lucky to get off barely hurt. She scampered quickly down the hall, back to her room, and was just shutting the door behind her as the door down the hall opened and Jason stepped out.

Breathing heavily, her heart beating franticly from nearly being caught, Shea threw herself into the armchair. Had they been talking about her? What did they need to find out, and why was Jason so intent on her being kept alive?