Chapter 7

It was pitch black. I couldn't see anything. I took a step and hold out my hands until they reached the wall. I started walking having it as my support. I took only slow and careful steps. My heart was racing. Where the hell I am? I fought the urge to cry for help. I wasn't afraid of the dark but the fact that I didn't know how I got here made me uneasy. And I couldn't remember anything.
The only thing I could hear was my own breathing. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. Everything's going to be ok. I just have to find the switch and I'll be able to figure out where I am. It's that simple. Then I heard something creaking and suddenly there was light on front of me. A door opened few meters away from me. I blinked a few times letting my eyes getting used to the light. I felt relieved because this way I was finally able to see something but I was afraid as well because no one came out. I was thinking hard if I should go in or not. I turned around and looked behind me but there was a dead end. I don't know why but a sudden terrible feeling took over me. I felt like I should run and get as far away from there as possible. But unfortunately, I had no choice but to go into the door's direction. I wanted to get away but I could see from where I stood that the other side of the corridor was a dead end as well. I sighed and when I reached the door took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. I went in.

There were candles in the room almost everywhere. A person standing in front of the window. His back was turned to me. I approached him trying to make as little noise as possible but the floor wasn't on my side. It was old and with every step I made a loud sound making it clear I'm here. When the man heard me he turned around. And I gasped. It was the new student, Damien. I haven't seen him for a week now. But I heard a lot about him from Aido. He said I should be really careful around him because cause he's dangerous. As if I didn't know that already. He looked at me and smiled. And that little smile made me shiver with fear.

"Took you long enough to come in." he said with a chuckle and started to walk towards me. I turned around to run out of the room but the door closed right in front of my face. I cursed under my breath. Well, not that I had somewhere to go anyway. I don't even know if there's a way out of here. I turned around slowly and met two red eyes. He was already at my side looking at me with a smirk on his face. "Sorry, I can't let you go yet. Last time we barely had time to talk to each other. But now…" He leaned close to my ear and whispered. "Now we have all the time we want." I tried not to freak out and surprisingly my voice was calm when I opened my mouth to speak.

"Have you ever heard of personal space? 'Cause you're crossing the line." What the hell was that? This wasn't the thing I wanted to say. What the hell is wrong with me? He could kill me and I wouldn't even have the time to blink. His smirk grew even wider.

"I don't care about things like that. The only thing I'm interested in is you." Well…the feeling is sooo not mutualI don't understand. What does he want from me?

"Where am I?" I asked him wanting to know the answer so I could get out of here.

"That's a secret." Asshole.

"Then why am I here?"

"I told you already. I wanted to talk and spend some time with you." He started to circle around me.

"Then talk." I said irritated. He stopped right in front of me and laughed.

"In these past years you've matured so much. You're beautiful and very interesting. Maybe it's a good thing I let you live back then." To let me live back then? I was confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't worry. You will find out soon." He leaned closer. "But now let me enjoy our time together." He said as the sudden feeling to flee took over me again. I wanted to get away from him but I couldn't even move. He put his hands on my shoulders and moved closer. My legs felt really heavy and I couldn't move my arms either.

"What's going on?" Saying I was freaking out would be an understatement.

"Just let me have a taste." He leaned close to my neck ignoring all my words. I saw his fangs coming out and he was ready to bite me. But suddenly everything faded away and I was in my room sitting on my bed and breathing heavily. I was sweating and shaking. I heard my phone ring and looked at it. I got a text message from Barbie. I sighed. It was only a dream. Thanks god my phone woke me up. It's a good thing Zero found it and gave it back to me. I made a mental note to thank Barbie later as well. I laid down again thinking about the dream I've just had. It felt so real. But it wasn't right? I mean it's not possible. But what did he mean by letting me live back then? I've only met him a week ago. I shook my head. I shouldn't be thinking about things like that. It was just a dream. Yes. Only a dream. I decided to read the message that Barbie wrote me. And I couldn't help but laugh. Leave it to Barbie to cheer you up.

Hi Sis! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

How does it feel like to be 18?

Where are you going to celebrate it?

That reminds me. How do they party in Japan? o_O

Well, whatever. Call u later. Bye.

She's insane. I smiled. Today is my birthday and I totally forgot about it. I looked at my watch. Hmm… It's already seven. I don't have a lot of time to run. I shrugged and decided to go anyway. I wanted to see Zero. He was acting suspicious since the time we ate lunch together. I wanted to ask him what's going on and I knew in class he wouldn't answer in front of everyone.

By the time I got to the stable Zero wasn't there anymore. And Lily was sleeping. I didn't want to disturb her so I turned around to walk away but something on the table caught my eye. It was a note…from Zero.

Liz!

Meet me here right after classes. I want to talk to you. It's important.

Zero

P.s. I won't go to class today.

I was surprised. He has never left a note for me before. Maybe I'll find out why he's acting so weird. I hope everything's alright. But one thing is certain. I will definitely come. I walked out and headed to the night dormitory as usual. Aido was already waiting for me with Rima, Ruka and Takuma. Actually, zhey weren't as bad as I first thought. They became my friends as well. Well except Rima. She was still giving me the cold shoulder and the stink eye. Not that I really cared. Aido greeted me with a smile on his face.

"Hi Liz. You're late today. Did you oversleep or something?"

"As a matter of fact I did." I answered and Rima giggled. "What? I'm not allowed to have some rest sometimes?" I don't know why but I was a little irritated. Maybe because I didn't sleep so well.

"I didn't mean it like that. I was just only asking." Aido defended himself.

"Sure you didn't."

"Hey, I'm telling the truth. Tell her Takuma." He said with a pout and turned to his friend who just sighed and looked at me.

"He didn't mean it." Then he looked back at Aido. "Happy?"

"Yes, I am. See Liz, I told you…Hm…Liz?" By now I wasn't paying attention to them. I was looking at Damien who was talking to Kaname. When he felt my gaze on his back he turned around and smirked. Kaname saw me as well and nodded as a sign of greeting. I nodded back. Damien looked back at the other vampire and said something to him. I saw the other man sigh and walk away, while Damien came over to us.

"Good morning. How are you everyone?" He was smiling at us.

"We're fine, thank you Damien-sama." Said Ruka as polite as she could. "And you?"

"I'm fine as well, thank you." Now he looked at me.

"And you Elizabeth? It's good to see you again. It's been a week since we last saw each other."

"I-I'm…"I cleared my throat. "I'm fine thanks."

"That's great. I heard you were the new student before I arrived. And now that title is mine. But it's hard. Would you please sometime show me around or something? It'd be really helpful."

"No." Everybody gasped at my answer. Aido looked at me like I was crazy. Ruka looked worried. Even Rima seemed to be taken aback. But Takuma just smirked. I rolled my eyes at them. "I mean…I heard Zero already gave you a tour. And as you said I was a new student as well. But I still have a lot of thing to catch up on so I don't have much free time. Sorry." I decided to explain myself before my short answer got me into trouble. I can't believe just because he's some royal ass everybody's doing what he wants.

"Oh…I see. Good luck then." He didn't seem angry. Actually, he had an amused expression on his face.

"Thank you."

"Well, it's time for me to get back to the dorm. Have a nice day everyone."

"Good bye, Damien-sama." As he walked past us he was looking only at me. And I didn't give him the happiness to think I will back down. I held his gaze the entire time. After he left I turned to the others.

"What?" They looked at me as if I had grown a second head.

"Nothing…It's just…" started Aido but Takuma finished for him.

"It's just that it seems Damien has taken an interest in you." I sighed.

"Yeah, I noticed. I just don't know why and what is it that he wants from me. Any ideas?" I looked at them. But nobody was able to give me an answer. They were as clueless as me. "Thought so." And there was silent between us. But guess who couldn't take it anymore?

"Enough with the depressing talk. Today is someone's birthday. "He said sung.

"How-How did you know?" I was confused because I didn't tell anyone.

"A little blonde bird told me." Little blonde bird? Ohh…

"Cassie…" I groaned. "But how did she know?" I asked looking at the others.

"No idea. I was surprised that she came to talk to us. At first I thought she's one of my fans." I laughed.

"Of course you did."

"What did you expect? He's a womanizer." Said Takuma smirking.

"It's a shame he has never had a real girlfriend before though." added Ruka. My eyes widened.

"You're kidding."

"No she isn't." This time Rima was the one who talked. And I was even more surprised. She has never talked before while I was here.

"Ok, ok. That's enough. We're not here to discuss my love life." Said Aido. I looked at him and he was blushing. I smirked.

"Really? Then why else are we here?"

"Because today is your birthday." said Takuma.

"Right." I groaned. "Please tell me you didn't buy anything for me." But it was too late. Aido took out a box from his pocket and handed it to me. I was only staring at it.

"This is from the four of us." He put the gift into my hand and kissed my cheek. "Happy birthday Liz." The others did the same thing, except Rima who was standing at the background.

"Thanks guys." I said after I hugged Ruka back. I opened it and gasped. "You can't be serious. It must have cost a fortune." It was a beautiful silver necklace with a butterfly pendant. It was breathtaking.

"Don't worry about that. But I hope you like it." Said Aido.

"Of course I do." I hugged him again. "This is beautiful."I was really happy. It felt nice to know I have friends who care about me. Even here. They smiled at me and I smiled back. "I think I should go. Sadly I have school. And I have to find Cassie and interrogate her." I smirked.

"Alright. See you later then." Said the others and started to walk towards their dorms. Except Rima. She stayed behind. I looked at her questioningly.

"I need to talk to you." She gestured behind her. "Where nobody can hear us." She looked very serious and this made me worry.

I knew she wouldn't hurt me so I nodded. She went further into the woods. And I followed her. After a wile we stopped.

"So what is it?" I asked. I didn't want to be rude but I was already late for class.

"You need to be very careful around Damien."

"Tell me something I don't know." Why is everybody telling me that. They could say at least something specific. She sighed.

"No, I mean…He's planning something. And it includes you." Now I was interested.

"What is it?"

"I don't know that. The only thing I know is it's dangerous and you're not safe." So much for getting smarter. I sighed.

"How do you know this anyway?" She seemed to be uncomfortable with my question.

"I know him. We lived in the same house when I was little. And he was cruel, rude and scary even back then. No one dared to disobey him…Trust me I can tell when he's planning something. And it usually doesn't mean good." She looked me in the eye. "Be careful."

"Why are you telling me this? I thought you hated me." She sighed again.

"It's not that I hate you. It's the opposite. I'm…jealous." Jealous? I was taken aback.

"Why would you be jealous? You're beautiful, smart and…" She shook her head.

"I envy you because you have a lot of friends. You're always cheerful. And you're always yourself…And I can't do that." She looked down to the ground and said nothing else. I smiled.

"Of course you can. Nothing is standing in your way. You know what? I will help you to find yourself." She looked t me surprised and I smirked. And then we burst out laughing.

"You're weird you know that?" she asked still chuckling.

"Yeah. I've been told before." I smiled. "Thanks for the info. I'll be careful I promise."

"Alright. See you later then."

"Bye." And with that I went to class where my favourite biology teacher almost took my head off for being late.


When finally the first class was over I approached Cassie who was smiling at me.

"How did you know?"

"Know what?" I rolled my eyes.

"That it's my birthday, ailly." she shrugged.

"You told me."

"I did?" I asked surprised.

"Yes. Two days ago when you were so drunk you didn't even know what you were saying." She smirked.

"Very funny…So how did you know?" She looked at me guilty.

"When we became friends I looked into your bag to find your ID card. And I did. I found on it every information I needed." I gaped at her.

"You did WHAT?"

"You wanted the truth." I couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, god. You're a smart one." She smiled.

"Yeah, I know. By the way. This is yours." She handed me a bracelet. Friends Forever was written on it. I hugged her and put my gift on.

"Thank you. It's beautiful" But then I looked at her suspiciously. "Who else did you tell about this?"

"Just Aido. Nobody else." I sighed in relief. "Why?"

"Nothing. I just don't like getting presents."

"Why?" I rolled my eyes.

"I don't know. I just don't. But don't worry. I like your gift very much. And I'm gonna wear it everyday." She smiled.

"Good."


Classes were boring. And I was eager to go and see Zero. I just didn't know what to think. Why would he leave a mysterious message? Was everything alright? Is he ok? Did I do something wrong? I gasped. Maybe he figured out what happened between me and Damien. Shiiit…That's not good. I don't want him to know. He has enough problems to begin with. And he has to focus on them. I can take care of this myself...No. I don't want to go to the stables anymore. I groaned.

"Mmm… Liz?"

"Yeah?" It was Cassie.

"What are you doing?"

"Huh?"

"You were hitting your head into the desk."

"I was?" She looked at me like I was crazy.

"And why are you still here? Class is already over."

"Riiight." I guess I was thinking so hard I didn't notice the time. I stood up.

"Well then…"Maybe I should just say I'm sick and don't go.

"Are you going to meet Zero?" I blinked.

"How do you know that?"

"I met him this morning. He told me to remind you about your little date." She smirked.

"It's NOT a date!" And why did he think I'd forget about our…meeting?

"If you say so."

"It's not a date." I defended myself again.

"Then what is it?"

"…"

"Thought so."

"We are only friends." I told her.

"And you don't want it to be more?"

"N-no." I crossed my arms on my chest and turned away from her. Actually, I don't know. I mean yeah he's hot and nice-at least to me and Yuki- he is strong and brave and sexy and…argh…never mind.

"You're in denial."

"I am not." She sighed.

"Whatever. Now go before you miss your date."

"I told you it's not…You know what? Never mind." I started walking. "I'm going. See you later."

"See you…And use protection." She shouted after me.

"Idiot." I was blushing.


I was nervous. I hoped for the best but expected the worst. I was biting my lip. Who knows what he wants. I noticed I was already standing in front of the stable. How did I get here so fast? I gulped then went in.
As soon as I took a look at my surroundings and saw Zero, my jaw dropped. I was staring at him in disbelieve. When he sensed me watching him, he turned around and smirked. WHAT THE HELL?