"What have you got there?"

Mira jumped at the voice that appeared next to her and covered the page reflexively. "What?" Looking up, she saw Asher's face. How spaced out was she that she didn't even notice him walk over?

"You look like you just saw a ghost," he explained, trying to peek around her hand and check out what was on the page, "What are you reading?"

"I was just doing some research for my presentation," she said hastily, closing the book, and trying to forget what she'd just read. She glanced at the clock and internally sighed with relief when she saw the time. "Let's clock out, huh? I should get home before it gets too late."

Frowning, her coworker looked her over speculatively. After a tense moment, he shrugged and let it go. "Sure. I should get going, too."

She smiled with relief and packed up her bag. Asher waited near the door to set the alarm before they walked out. They parted ways on the sidewalk and Mira headed to her SUV. The winter air was brisk against her exposed skin and sent shivers crawling over her. She hastened her pace.

Once inside her car, she locked the doors out of habit more than anything and started up the heater, basking in the warmth that washed over her. Times like these, she missed California. The winters seemed friendlier and a lot shorter. As she pulled away from the curb, she didn't see her coworker peeking over his shoulder, watching her intently as she went.

The winding roads that led home were pitch dark. Mira found herself gripping the steering wheel so hard her knuckles were turning pale. She hunched forward as if that would help her see clearer, but it was no use; the roads were dark as night.

It was slow going, so it was no surprise that she managed to stop in time as a deer limped into her path. The poor doe stared into the headlights, frozen with fear. Hesitating, Mira considered leaving it there. Didn't everyone always say to leave wild animals be? Was there any space to squeeze by it without hurting it? Leaning sideways, she peered into the darkness.

"No good," she mumbled to herself. There was barely any room as it was. She glanced at the clock displayed on her dashboard. 8:47. It was already so late… Tomorrow morning was going to be rough if she didn't get home soon, but…

Since it was already so late, would anyone else be driving along this road? Would anyone else be able to help this poor animal?

"What am I thinking?" She shook her head. "I must be out of my mind."

She unlocked her door and stepped out into the cold night. The deer was still frozen in the middle of the road, gazing intently at her now, fully illuminated by the bright headlights. From this close, Mira could see the rapid rise and fall of her chest, the slight shivering of her legs. The poor thing was terrified.

"Shh," the teen held out a cautious hand, edging closer, "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. You poor thing, what happened to you?"

Mira was close enough to see the odd angle of the poor animal's leg. It must have been in tremendous pain. There was blood dribbling down its flank from what looked like two parallel puncture wounds.

Someone's hunting this late at night?

Nervously, Mira looked around. Was there even a hunting ground around here? Maybe it was an illegal poacher?

"Come on, girl," Mira inched closer, hand outstretched, "We need to get out of here. I'll take you to the vet on my way home. Come on, you need a doctor."

"My, aren't you so kind?" A drawling voice pierced the otherwise quiet night. "What's your name, little girl?"

Mira dropped her hand and turned sharply to face the edge of the woods that edged the road. A young man was stepping out from the tree line, brushing aside low hanging branches as he emerged. He had shoulder-length blond hair and was dressed in a black suit. His eyes were half-lidded, and he had an air of elegance about him.

If it weren't for the dangerous feeling emanating from him, Mira would have thought he was attractive. Instead, it was all she could do not to cry out.

Mira felt her heart seize up in fear. "Who are you?" Her voice was choked and came out as a whisper.

"Forgive me, my darling, I meant no offense. I suppose it's only good manners to offer my own name first." He smirked, looking very much like a wolf. "You may call me Johnathan Sinclair."

Mira felt her skin crawl with nervous energy. Terror shook her heart.

"I don't want any trouble," she mumbled, feeling very much like the deer she'd been trying to aid, "I'm going."

In a split second, the strange man was standing in front of her. She could smell a mixture of mint and copper wafting around him. Mira couldn't look away, staring into his eyes as he smirked. He had pitch black irises, but looking closer, Mira could see they were ringed with deep red.

"Going so soon?" He asked in a honeyed whisper. "Why don't you stay for a while?"

Despite her pounding heart, Mira felt her lips move in agreeance. It felt like someone were speaking for her as the words tumbled from her lips. "You're right. I think I will stay a while longer."

"That's a good girl." Johnathan grinned darkly.

Everything in her body was screaming at her to run, get away from this man, but her legs refused to move.

"Let's go somewhere more private, no?"

"Yes," the words were pulled from her clenched teeth, "Let's go."

Tears were building at the corners of her eyes. She could feel the shadow of death hanging over her shoulders.

I don't want to die, she thought to herself. Please, God, I don't want to die!

Her eyes shut as tears squeezed down her cheeks. They were brushed away by icy fingertips.

"Don't cry, my dear." The man's voice was at her ear now. "It'll taste sweeter if you smile instead."

Against her will, Mira felt her lips curve upward in a sick imitation of a smile.

"Please," she begged, "Leave me alone."

He shushed her, gripping her chin gently. "This will be over quickly."

"Get away from her."

Mira forced her eyes open at the sound of the familiar voice. The fingers disappeared from her skin and she let go of the breath that she'd been holding.

The strange man was glaring at the source of the voice. She followed his gaze, daring a glance at her saviour. Stepping into the light was none other than Jasper.

"I said," he growled darkly, each word said from between clenched teeth, "Get away from her."