a/n: Bonjour! Sorry it has taken me ages to post. Classes have been so busy. But I hope you enjoy! I'll put up a new one soon. I promise!

Btw... big thank you's to my first reviewers! This is for you all!

Did that just happen? I shake my head to clear the perplexing and obscured visions.

No.

Yes.

Never.

You wanted.

Did not.

You lusted.

No.

Lust-ed.

I smack my head in frustration. Kartik had lunged at me; he tackled me. It was as if I was a suction pulling him to me. I couldn't have stopped him.

Yes I could have.

I just hadn't wanted to prevent it – his perfect, full lips against mine; his big, comforting hands on me.

On me.

On me.

I stop walking through the forest and sink into the shadows. I am tainted, ruined before my season has even started.

A burning hate boils in my veins. I deplore him, hate him with every element of life. He didn't even hesitate, ask permission. He just took it, stole it from me.

Oh, yeah. That's a gentleman.

Simon wouldn't have done that.

Simon.

What would he think? His prized Gemma now a filthy whore, touched by an Indian. He would ignore me, of course – shun me from all parties and gatherings. If asked of my acquaintance, he would answer 'only in passing'. How low have I gone?

Warm blood floods my mouth. I have bitten a whole in my lip out of pure aggravation. What has happened to me? Kartik may be an Indian, but he is human. They deserve to bleed – I mean, live. They have every right I do; every right to live and love and… bleed. Indians are individuals, too. Aren't they?

I try to stand to clear my thinking. Of course they're human; Father would be ashamed. But, oh, the taste of blood is overwhelming. All I can think of is blood. Kartik – kissing – groping – blood – Simon – innocence – blood – Indians – life – blood. What is wrong with me?

I attempt to stop the bleeding, but it only worsens. My lip is releasing so much red liquid I begin to fear I will die from it. Someone has to help me! The forest blurs past me. I'm in a haze – chanting, calling, begging for any assistance. Can no one hear me?

Suddenly I'm picked up and thrown back against a tree. My exposed, sensitive skin cracks as it scrapes against the bark; I'm slowly oozing blood all over. The liquid is so potent in my mouth; it's suffocating all my senses.

Oh, yessss. Drink it up. Taste delicious, no? Soon you'll be one of us.

My heart comes to a frightening halt as my veins ice over. I know that voice, recognize it from my hideous nightmares. It is from the Realms; one of Circe's demons. I jerk my head in swift turns, hoping to catch a glimpse of my enemy. But, oh, the blood, it taste so good. Focus on the blood, Gemma. Drink it up, poppet.

Soon.

I'm unexpectedly snapped back to the world. My lip is swollen, bruised from a cut or worn out by Kartik. I do not know.

Kartik's indecent behavior seems a distant memory to me. What was that evil doing here at Spence? I thought I secured the Runes for those who would share. Circe wouldn't share.

But she would share with them. That wicked, black world - the Winterlands.

What have I done?

a/n: I know that was really short. I'm really sorry. It'll get better! Promise! (Please review! Thank you! lol.)