A/N: Well, since I'm getting to the end of the chapters that I already have written, my updates are officially shorter…

Disclaimer: I don't own the vampires' names, and the basic concept belongs to Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, but the rest, is mine. Including the plot, and the characters.


Chapter 7: Invitation

Part 1

As soon as we are out of Elliot's house, we bring ourselves to New York. I spy two girls on the street turning into an alley. Though it is mid-afternoon, the lane has a certain kind of darkness to it. I smile. The teens have walked into a vampire street. Over there,I motion to Jagar, and head over to the girls.

"Excuse me! We're lost, can you help us?"

No, I respond in their minds, and grin as they faint with shock. I put my arm under her back to hold her up and feed. Jagar does likewise.

Okay. So. Vida,Jagar says. I don't think she trusts you enough.

It's because Nikolas keeps intruding. What we need is a diversion.

Fine. But you can't cause it, because Vida doesn't trust me at all. Why don't I start a fight with Nikolas?

Perfect! I smile. Oh – but on one condition.

Jagar rolls his eyes. I promise I won't die, he assures me.

Of course, you won't die. I smirk. It's Nikolas I'm worried about. You can't kill him.

What? he whines. I raise my eyebrows and he sighs. Fine. I won't kill him this time.

Good

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The first thing in see in Onyx is the flash of gold eyes. Immediately I realize Vida's there. I quickly do a mental scan and see that Nikolas is with her. I bring myself in front of them and pull out some blood.

Vida, I nod. She blinks in recognition.

Leave, Risika, Nikolas commands.

Vida frowns at him. Nikolas, she says, her voice venomous. Stop. I am not some 50-year-old fledgling who needs your protection at every step. You forget that being older does not mean being stronger. My alliances are not you problem! And if Risika is secretly trying to kill me, fine! I can deal with her myself. So stop warning me and stop trying to protect me! Just STOP!

By the end of this rant, my triumphant gaze has returned to Nikolas, as has Vida's. I shoot him a malevolent smirk, but don't leave. I wish to see his reaction.

Though Nikolas is skilled at containing his emotions, I can still slightly feel the shock in his aura, mixed with a hint of anger.

Brushing past Vida, Nikolas grasps my neck and slams me into the wall. I won't forget this, he warns. When this is over, you will pay!

If you say so, I respond evenly, ignoring the sting of my healing bones. As he turns to leave, I call to him, "Wait! I didn't get to tell you what I came here for!" He ignore me, but knowing that my voice will still reach him, I add, "Jagar was talking about fighting you."

This catches his attention and he teleports back to me. Why are you telling me this?

Just thought you might want to know. If Jagar just ambushes you, you'll be dead in about fifteen minutes. This way you have at least a small chance of winning, I say, and leave.

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I ascend the stairs to find Jagar lying on the couch. Though to any outsider he seems calm and controlled, I know him well enough to see through the façade. Jagar is, in actuality, bursting with excitement, and I can barely blame him. He glances at me when I arrive and stands. Ready?

Are you?


A/N:
... if anyone's actually reading this, review! I'm not going to update for no one!...actually, I think I'll stop until I reach 6 reviews, which is probably overreaching just b/c of the miniscule-ity of the AAR community, but oh well