Chapter 3

I don't own the Morganville series...Rachel Caine does!

My brain surely wasn't working correctly. Did she really just say she wants me become a vampire?

I suddenly jumped out my chair, making it clatter to the floor. I looked at her like she just lost hundreds of yearsofwisdom in one suppose-to-be simple conversation. This time, I didn't even consider holding back my thoughts. I think that the "White Queen" finally needs a dose of the 21st century youth.

"Have you lost every bit of your mind?" I screamed so loud that it made Oliver's smile disappear, only to be replaced with a scowl. Myrnin flinched back and lowered his head in shame, which I still didn't understand why, nor, at the moment, cared.

"I beg your pardon?" Amelie questioned, clearly taken aback. I have never really screamed at her. Get use to it! I sneered coldly to her in my mind.

"I have done everything you have ever asked me to! Now, you want to take away the only semi normal thing in my life and turn it into something damned!" I screeched loud enough to deafen dogs miles away. I couldn't help it, I was so angry!

"Now, what am I taking away that is vital to you?" Amelie said, growing slightly angry.

"My humanity! By turning me into a vampire, you are taking away my conscience. The very thing that makes me feel." I said, attempting to calm down, but not really getting there.

"So vampires don't feel, now?"Oliver snorted, his arrogant smile already returning. The only thing that stopped me from slapping him was the fact it would hurt me more than it would hurt him.

"Apparently, at least emotionally. I have seen you kill two people and walk away like it was nothing more than killing a fly. I have changed so much since I have lived here and the only thing that hasn't changed is my humanity. If you take it away, my conscience will be destroyed! In a matter of years, I could be like you!" I cried out, desperately trying reach out to Amelie.

Seeing that her mind was made up, my knees buckled under the sudden weight of my fate. Before I could hit the floor, a pair of cold, strong arms caught me and set me in my now upright chair. I buried my head in the unknown chest of the person who held me, and cried miserably.

After I was able to control the water flow, I realized it was Myrnin who was attempting to soothe me. I looked up at him and saw those big, dark eyes that always were so mysterious to me but now they were filled with nothing but misery.

" I don't understand. Why are you so-" I began.

"Upset? I could have stopped all this if I wanted to, but Amelie is correct, Claire. Morganville needs someone to control the machines. You are perfect for the job, little one." he said ashamed.

"So you want to stick me in a box and keep me hidden away...like Ada?" I said accusingly, suddenly wanting out of the traitors arms, but ,sadly, when I tried to get out, he just tightened his hold.

" No, no, little Claire. I made a device that allows you to control the portals and still roam free around the town," he said trying to get me feel better. Which I did...but only a little.

"Also, Claire, your tribute to the town won't go unrewarded. If you do this for myself and the town, I will allow Morley to leave, along with his followers. Just as long as they sign a agreement that they will not speak of the town." Amelie said seeing that I was finally calming down.

"So, just to be clear, I make the deal, you let Morley and his followers leave, forever, I don't want that...thing to come back and do this to us all over again," I added so coldly that Myrnin looked at me in surprise, "Shane and Eve are safe, I get turned into a vampire, and I can still work the portals and stuff while roaming around Morganville, not in a box, right?"

"That is all correct," Amelie said, glad that I finally caught on.

I sighed deeply and leaned back, closing my eyes along the way. This was a big deal. One that most certainly does not havea loophole. Then, I thought of how the other deal doesn't have a loophole either. I was so frustrated! I know one thing though... I can't make my decision here...too many eyes.

"Can I have time to think about this?" I asked ,completely exhausted now.

Oliver snorted "Why? All three of us already know your decision. Your not strong enough to handle the deaths of your morbid best friend and your pathetic lover. I swear, humans these da- AHHH!" he screeched as he fell to the floor.

While he was teasing me, I had reached into my backpack and pulled out some silver dust Shane gave to me. When I had just enough of his rant, I blew it into his face.

"Yes, you can think on it. Do hurry though, you now have two days to make your decision," Amelie said, clearly amused at my actions, while Myrnin rolled on the floor laughing so hard the glass shook in the cabinets.

I got up, grabbed my backpack and left. I could feel Amelie's eyes on me the whole way but I just didn't care enough to break my thoughts on the life changing choice.

What am I going to do? I questioned myself while stepped out into the cold, black night of my nightmare, Morganville.

~*Tiff*~