Chapter 7

Eve screamed. That was all Shane heard as he stared down at the consequence of his anger. The shrill, eerie sound chilled his bones, and he shivered as he returned to normal. From the second Eve's scream died, Shane's senses slowed. He felt his body being jerked upright, and he smelled fresh blood, but he couldn't tear his eyes from Claire's prone body, lying still. His ears could hear her heart beat, but only faintly.

He watched her, aware of little else, until she was lifted up by a vampire.

Suddenly, everything came into focus and sped up. He tried to scream, but no sound escaped his mouth as he saw Claire's limp body lifted by the vamp. Unable to move, he stared after them as they parted the crowd.

"Shane." He didn't turn his head. "Go home, Shane. Take Michael and Eve. If you still wish to visit her, she will be in Founder's Square for the next two nights. Myrnin is taking her to the Elder's Council building. But after two days, Shane, she must die." Finally, he moved. He stiffened, nodded, and went to Michael and Eve, who was sobbing.

"Shane," she sobbed, and then gulped. "Shane." She gripped the front of his shirt. "You won't let them, right? They're not going to take Claire. Right?" When he didn't answer, she screamed, "Right Shane! They're not going to kill Claire!" Instead of responding, he just hugged her into him, and she sobbed harder as they walked to the car.

"Michael! Let's go!" he heard no movement behind him, so he turned around. Eve's sobs subsided. Michael was standing there, amidst the other vampires, arms crossed over his chest, mouth set. "Michael?" Shane was mortified by how needy his voice sounded.

"No, Shane." His face softened the tiniest little bit. "He was my grandpa. Grandpa Sam. He was there my entire life, and now he's gone, because your girlfriend decided to kill him. This is where I belong."

"Michael?" Eve whispered. She twisted so that she was free of Shane's embrace. Michael turned his face away, refusing to look at her. It was clear that Eve was trying to be strong. She puffed out her chest and wiped her eyes. "Well, I guess that's that then." She turned on her heel and walked out of the alley.

Shane didn't know what to do. He was choosing between his best friend, and the love of his life, and, being a vampire, he was tempted to stand with his best friend. But at the moment, his love for Claire was penetrating the mask that was the monster he had become. He turned around and walked the way Eve had.

"Shane!" He stopped walking, but did not turn around. "Tell her I'm sorry."

Shane forced out a laugh. "Michael, sorry's not gonna change anything. And trust me, even if she did forgive you, she would never forget." Then he kept on walking. Once he was out of the alley, he whispered under his breath, "I know I never will."