Chapter 7 Thank you for everybody who left me a review, esp. loulouflowerpower - I'll keep writing for you :)

Chapter 7

The next couple of weeks were almost normal - a least for Morganville.

Shane's funeral was well attended, probably per orders of Amelie, Claire thought, Shane was not that popular.

Claire continued to have the same nightmare over and over again. She did not like to talk about it, it was private, it hurt and she did not want to analyze her pain.

As hard as it was for her, Claire continued her life - a life without Shane.

After a few weeks, Claire started going back to school but spend most of her time now in Myrnin's lab.

He didn't asked her to come and help him with his research for Amelies cure. It was Claire, who made this decision to come to the lab and work, ...work until she was dead tired and didn't have to feel the pain of loss so strong.

At some point Claire also started to stay over night at Myrnins and sleep in his cot. He didn't mind, he knew she needed company as much as he did.

Claire hated waking up in her room - alone, nobody at her side. She tried to stay a few nights in Shane's room, but her nightmares were even more intense there. One night, she just stayed with Myrnin and some kind of mutual agreement developed out of it, that she stayed in Myrnins room whenever she needed it.

Even Eve and Michael understood her decision to do that and didn't question her.

Claire was walking the familiar hallway to the ballroom.

She reached the big , wide doors and opened them - and she was standing in the Morganville cemetery.

Claire walked to Shane 's grave, which she visited every day since his funeral.

It was dark and scary, but she knew the way which she could have walked blind folded.

Claire reached his grave - and it was open !Panic got a hold of her and she looked franticly around.A way too familiar eerie sound - a scream - filled the air and the overwhelming feeling of the deepest evil seemed to fill her entire body .

Suddenly she felt a touch on her shoulder. Claire turned around and there was Shane, standing just centimeters away,…..opening his mouth to bite.

"Nooooooooooo", Claire screamed and set up. Hot and sweaty - panic pouring out of every pore of her.

Myrnin jumped thru the door within seconds, standing next to Claires bed

." Another nightmare, my little Claire ?"Myrnin sat down and took her hand. A certain familiarity had developed between him and Claire , which wasn't there before - before that certain night , but both felt comfort in it and Claire almost was looking forward to those moments.

"Yes...yes, another one, but...this one was different..."

" In which way? ", Myrnin asked curiously, still holding Claire 's hand and putting it in his lap."Tell me ..."

" I was walking down the hallway to the ballroom, but when I reached the door and opened them, I was in the cemetery. Myrnin,..., it felt so real. I even could smell the fresh soil, feel the cold wind on my skin..."

Claire waited for a moment, but Myrnin did not say anything. He just looked into Claire's eyes and waited for her to continue

." I went to Shane's grave side, but it was empty ...Myrnin, I heard that scream again! "Claire almost shouted it into his face, her eyes filled again with fear. " I heard his scream and I felt his powerful evil aura"

" Did you see Shane?", Myrnin said very calm.

Claire didn't say anything for a few seconds. She wasn't sure , if she wanted to tell him, but Myrnin's quiet presents made Claire feel safe.

"Yes...", she almost whispered it"... But I know it was not him - it was not his presence. It only looked like him ..."

" What did it do? ", Myrnin deliberately used "it" and not Shane's name. He moved a little bit closer to Claire and put his cold hand on her cheek."What did it do? "

" ...it, it ...bit me...", the last part was little more than a breath, but Myrnin eyes got wide and even he showed some uncertain emotion, maybe fear , in them.

" So, if you don't think it was Shane, who did you think it was ?"

Claire looked finally up and was face to face with Myrnin . Her eyes penetrated his and with out any tone she moved her lips : " Magnus !"