AN: Hope you guys are enjoying the story thus far. It's summer, so I can get a lot more written faster. :) This is also a reminder of the poll I have on my profile. It's for the cover of Followed, and yes, I will be making covers for these books.

Also, two new characters are introduced, and they belong to my peeps XxXChiharu-Chan-1000-SpringsXx and Fireflies Glow.

Yes, I have been introducing a lot of characters, and then not showing them, but they shall make more appearances as the story progresses. They are all key parts of the plot.

And last, enjoy, and review please! :)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Melinda

Blood-sucking 101. The class worst than ANY other I could've have ever imagined. This class makes History seem like a fricken theme park. OHMIGODDESS! This can't possibly be held as a credit! Like honestly? All of this is like common sense people! Well, they aren't really people, but yet they are, because they aren't human, so they're a type of people who are not humans. And when I say they, I guess I mean we, cause I am also a vampyre. Gr!

I didn't pay attention in class. While the High Priestess Cross Lady went on about something I had no interest in. I instead decided to write a note to Gonzo, who was thankfully sitting next to me. I used the little pencil that nearly poked out my eye first period.

This class sucks

I casually slid the paper in his directions. He looked down at it, and looked up at me, giving me a half smile. He used his black pen to write down a quick response and sent it back.

Pun not intended?

Nope. Is she really for real? Teaching us about how animals react to us?

Well, we are different. We are the only animals besides bats who drink blood.

Mosquitos. You saying we're mosquitos?

No. :P

Well, I am NOT a bug. Bugs are gross.

Grosser than being a Vampyre?

...Maybe...

NOT!

Kinda figured

So what are you doing when classes are done?

I'm helping Tonya set up for the meeting.

Doing the Queen Bee's bidding I see

She is my girlfriend

So whipped you are

Yes Master Yoda

Fall for her deception you must not. Trust in the Force my young Padawan.

You do know you are the one who's younger right?

I am older experience-wise

And what experience do you have?

You'd be surprised ;) You have been gone for a month. Who knows what I've done in your absence?

You kiss anyone?

If I did, I wouldn't tell

You date anyone?

Maybe...

You 'do it' with anyone?

Hell no!

And there's the answer I was looking for. You haven't done much at all have you?

Besides visiting relatives, ignoring grouchy teachers, and slugging buttheads, no, not really. We have to go see a movie.

Will you bug out if I ended up dragging Tonya with me?

She doesn't like you hanging out with other girls does she?

Not really

Controlling B-

Be nice

Don't scratch out my words

Watch me

Gonzo took his pen and scratched it furiously across the paper, blotting out my writing.

"Hey!" I shouted, trying to steal the paper. He managed to grab both my hands in his one, and pin them down. I proceed to kick his chair, but it didn't even budge. He'd gotten a lot heavier.

"Stop scribbling my-!"

"A-HEM!"

Gonzo and I froze, and slowly in unison, our heads turned toward Cross Lady at the front of the class. She was giving us a disapproving look, like a mother catching her children tossing their vegetables in the garbage.

"What was the last thing I said Miss Bree?" She asked, tapping her nails on the desk.

"You said 'The animals that hates us the most are wild cats, such as lions, tigers and cheetahs,'" I recited, quoting her word for word. "'It is quite ironic because domesticated cats love us the most. It is because they are wild that makes other cats hate us. They feel threatened by our power and feel the need to-', and that's when we cut you off." The class was dead silent, and staring at me in complete shock. I even surprised myself. I could tell Cross Lady was actually quite impressed because a smile was tugging at the corners of her mouth, but she cleared her throat, and stood straighter.

"That is right, Miss Bree," she nodded. "I'd like to ask that you don't distract Greg anymore. He isn't able to multi-task as you can."

"Sure thing," I smiled, giving her an army salute. I heard Gonzo mumble under his breath, but he looked amused.


"Freedom!" I exclaimed, throwing myself out the door.

"There's still one period left genius," Gonzo laughed.

"But I'm freed of that mind melting room," I sighed, stretching. "Seriously, I thought I heard bubbling inside my head."

"It's important stuff though Lin," he said, walking down the hallway. "It's suppose to teach us about the changes our bodies are going through and how to deal with it. Also to prepare us for the lives we're going to lead once the Change is complete."

"I already know what I'm going to do," I sighed, being careful on the stairs. "I'm going to find a nice dark cave, and plan the deaths of people who taunted me growing up." Gonzo gave me this stern look, but I knew he knew I was kidding.

"Greg!" the voice made my spine writhered in pain.

"The Wiotch has arrived," I groaned.

"Be nice," he sighed, giving me a quick noogie. "Behave yourself the rest of the day."

"I have art next," I grinned. "What could I possible do with some pencils and a hot glue gun?"

"Behave," he laughed, heading off in the direction of his girlfriend's voice. What does he see in her? I asked myself, leaving the building.

"Mew!" My leg was attacked instantly by my favorite fur ball.

"Hi cutie," I smiled, picking her up. "Hey, maybe you can be my muse." She tilted her head at me curiously.

"Something I can draw," I laughed. "I'm not really good with it, but you never know. Maybe I can just makes some weird Picasso imitation. That'd be cool."

"Mew," she purred, rubbing her head against my neck.


Rhinestone looked like she would fit perfectly in the Art room. Paint had been splattered practically everywhere in beautiful chaos. There were tables and easels scattered everywhere, and people were already beginning to take their places. I headed over to one table, but stopped dead in my tracks. The Crazy Cat Girl was seated there, a pencil furiously making its way across her page. I turned to go to the next table, but decided against it yet again, because the Guitar Guy was lounging there. He too had a pencil, but had a thick sketch pad on his lap. I looked around awkwardly, trying to figure out where to go.

"Merry Meet Melinda Bree," a soft voice greeted. I turned calmly, to see a woman who was a full foot shorter than I was. She was a teacher, that was for certain. She had a filled in Mark, with Tatoos that made her look like a panda bear.

"Professor Panda I'm guessing?" I said.

"Yes," she smiled. "I'm so glad you decided to take art. Is there anything you are particularly interested in?"

"Um, not sketching," I replied, remembering my earlier fail.

"Maybe something with paints?" she suggested, motioning to the empty easels. "I've got any type of paint you can think of."

"I think I'll try it," I nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Panda smiled. "Just make sure not to get any on her beautiful fur." Panda ran her hand soft over Faith, who purred in response.

"I'll make sure," I said, heading over to an empty easel. There were already some paints set up in front of the empty canvas. Rows and rows of them. Watercolors? I guessed, picking up the brush.

"Time to find my inner Van Gogh," I sighed, putting Faith on a nearby stool. She didn't object, but looked around displeased. A group of brushes of various sizes stuck out of a large cup of water on the table next to me, and I picked out a random one.

"Hmmm," I said thoughtfully. "Which color should I start with?"

"Mew," Faith replied, licking her paw.

"White, of course," I grinned, dabbing my brush into the white paint. It was kind of silly, the paint really didn't show on the white canvas. "Now some blue." I dipped my brush into the water, than into the lightest blue paint I had, and brushed it next to where I put the white paint. "Green...Red...Yellow...Purple..." I added these colors one by one, each on a different part of the page.

"What am I doing?" I huffed, blowing a piece of hair out of my face. "It doesn't even look like anything. Man, why don't they blend?" As if to answer, when I stroked my brush against the canvas again, the paints moved. It was barely noticeable, but I noticed. I watched memorized as my paintbrush lightly touched the canvas with my watercolors, and the colors blended, and swirled. I don't remember how long I actually sat there, but I was pulled out of my trance when Prof Panda tapped my shoulder.

"That is a...very intriguing painting Melinda," she said, examining from over my shoulder.

"Huh?" I asked, shaking my head. I was so fascinated with how the paints were blending at my will, that I hadn't realized what I was actually drawing. I sat back in my stool, and allowed my eyes to trail over the page.

"What the hell?" I whispered. The painting was just...so complex. It was like a a chaotic disaster created from soft colors. There were five large towers of earth; four made a box, and one stood in the middle, and on each tower was something different. One looked like it was crumbling from the dangerous winds that surrounded it, and the winds had gold symbols etched in it. Another looked like a giant geyser, with crystal water bursting out the top, and carving multiple rivers in its sides. The waters had sapphire symbols in it. The third was on fire that had bronze symbols. Powerful flames exploded from within the tower in all directions, nearly engulfing it. The fourth was larger, and surrounded by large thick vines and roots that bore jade symbols. The center tower stood calmly amongst the chaos the other towers were causing. There was a haze around it though, as if it were possessed by a ghost with amethyst symbols.

"I...I drew this?" I stammered, shocked by my own work.

"Yes, I've watched you," she nodded. "You were so focused, you didn't even notice the trouble we had with the squirrel."

"I...drew this," I repeated, not able to swallow it.

"You should enter it into the Art Show," Prof Panda beamed.

"Whoa, what?" I asked, giving her a weird look.

"We have an Art Show once a year at a local venue," she explained with a smile. "People come to look, and even buy some of the art work."

"You want me to sell this?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "It only took me...what an hour?"

"Forty-five minutes actually," Prof Panda corrected.

"Only forty-five minutes?" I gasped. "How is that even possible?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Maybe you have been gifted by the Goddess."

"Gifted?" I snorted. "Yeah, right."

"I'm sure you are," she smiled sweetly. "Many of us are."

"I doubt she'd gift me," I huffed, putting down my paintbrush. I just realized it was a different sized one from the one I started with. "So...what do I do with it?"

"I can hang it over here to dry," Prof Panda suggested.

"Sure," I nodded. I let her take the canvas and put it on the sill next to my stool to dry, and everyone's eyes in the room watched tentatively. I couldn't help but try to shrink away when they leaned toward each other to whisper about it and glance at me, but I didn't really care. They were just jealous of my raw talent. I made something in forty-five minutes that they couldn't in hours.

"Mew!" Faith yawned, stretching from her perch on the chair.

"You fall asleep?" I laughed lightly, scratching her head. "I'm sorry. I don't really know what came over me." She nuzzled my hand forgivingly.

"How about I try this 'Gift' by painting you?" I suggested. "But this time we try normal paints."

"Mew!" She chimed, sitting up properly.

"Okay," I smiled, picking up a brush, and dipping it into normal paints. This picture wasn't as successful as the first. It was a white smudge on blue background with lopsided eyes.

"Yeesh," I blinked, grimacing. "That didn't turn out too good." Faith made a face at me, and turned around to groom herself.

"You're welcome," I muttered, picking up the painting to trash it. As I made my way across the classroom, I was given weird glances. The kids leaned over to whisper to each other, and some even motioned toward my painting. Is it that odd to paint something great?, I asked silently. I dropped the canvas in the garbage, and turned to return to my stool when I could hear some guy mumbling right beside me.

"Something you want to share with the class Junior?" I asked, giving him an evil glare. He instantly shut up and shook his head. "Good." I said, marching over to my stool. I then noticed Guitar Guy standing next to my stool, looking over my painting on the wall. I slowed down to a stop just behind him, not sure what to say. Is he gonna bag on it?, I thought. Or perhaps he's captivated by it? Maybe even impressed that I'm good in more than one art form. Just keep your cool, I instructed, taking in a slow breath.

"See something you like?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips. This startled him, and he quickly turned around, looking a little guilty.

"Just looking," he muttered.

"And what do you think?" I asked, my eyes no longer able to hold his gaze. I instead looked over at my chaotic masterpiece.

"Well, it is interesting," he shrugged, turning to look at it as well.

"You're telling me," I laughed. "Didn't think I had it in me."

"You're gifted," he replied bluntly.

"That's what Prof Panada said, but I think it was just a fluke," I shrugged. "The painting I did of Faith was horrible."

"You're not gifted with painting," he said quietly. I tried to get a look at his face, but most of his hair was covering it. I did get a glimpse of his eye however, and it looked glazed over.

"Then what am I gifted with?" I asked in the same volume of voice. Something in him shook, and startling me, and I took a hasty step back.

"S-sorry," he stammered not looking at me. He quickly moved away from me and back to the table he was sitting at. My heart was pounding, confused on what had just happened. At least he didn't want to kill me, I thought.


"You came!" Amethyst cheered. Just like I had promised, I had come to the stables after class to check if she were still in one piece.

"Of course," I smiled. "So why'd she drag you away?"

"She wouldn't believe me that I was Chinese, and not Japanese," she pouted. "So she dragged me to see if I had Manga in my room. Which I didn't, because I left them all at home."

"Why'd you leave them at home?" I asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"Because I was too obsessed," she sighed. "My mom said I should take a break from it, and leave all my managa related items at home, which I did sadly."

"Ah," I nodded, patting her on the back. "Well, let's not talk about it, and go get some dinner."

"We can't yet," she said, making a face. "We have to go to the Ritual first."

"That's now," I groaned. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Nope," she said, shaking her head. "It's now. We get fed afterward."

"That's just torture man," I complained, holding my stomach.

"Lunch was only a couple hours ago," Amethyst said, making a face. "How can you be hungry so soon."

"This is me, Amethyst," I sighed. "I live off of eating."

"Why don't you call me Amethyst-Chan?" she asked

"It's better than 'Amy' isn't it?" I shrugged.

"Yeah it is," she nodded, "but it's my name."

"Not a fan of nicknames?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Not really sure."

"Well, it's also better than my nicknames for other people," I smiled. "Like Crazy Cat Girl, Guitar Guy, Prof Panda, Cross Lady..."

"You call the High Priestess 'Cross Lady'?" she gasped in surprise.

"Not to her face," I laughed. "I would never do that."

"But still...," her voice trailed off.

"Don't worry," I reassured her, patting her shoulder. "I show my respect for my elders. Especially highly powered ones."

"She has an affinity for spirit," Amethyst smiled in admiration. "It would be so cool to have an affinity."

"What's spirit?" I asked.

"It's the fifth element of course," she replied. "It lies in the center of the Circle, while he other four elements are on the four corners."

"Like a compass?" I asked slowly, something clicking in my head.

"Yes," she nodded with a big smile. "Each element is actually located on each direction. East is air, south is fire, west is water, north is earth, and spirit is the center." Something inside me went cold when I imagined it. Just like in the painting..., I thought, imagining the painting that was drying on the shelf. No wonder Prof Panda was fascinated by it. It represents a Circle casting...But I doubt that there are mounts involved.

"Hello?" Amethyst asked, waving her hand in my face.

"O-oh sorry," I muttered, shaking myself mentally. "Zoned out there."

"You really don't like all this," she said, looking sad.

"Don't worry, its just this whole turning-into-something-I-hate thing," I shrugged. "And having to follow their rules and ways of life just isn't helping."

"Well, when you make it through the Change you're free to do what you want," she pointed out.

"And here's to the next 4 years of hell," I smiled. This got her to smile a little. There was a small line up outside of the Temple when we arrived. I had expected everyone to be inside, especially at the pace we had been walking at.

"Why are they lined up outside?" I asked, making a face.

"Well, everyone gets a pentagram traced on their forehead, and you have say 'blessed be' when they say it to you," she explained.

"They have to do that for every kid?" I asked, making a face.

"That's how it works," chimed the girl on the step in front of us. I looked up and blinked at her. "And then we all get in a large circle around this table with offerings and a statue of the Goddess. And then as a poem is recited, the High Priestess dances around the circle, then she calls-"

"She can experience it for herself Ophelia," snapped the girl above her.

"Aw, but I like explain things I know," she pouted.

"Well can it," she snapped again. "We're about to enter, and I'm trying to feel my zen."

"Sorry about her," the girl closest to us whispered. "She's a control freak." I blinked again at the characters before me. The girl right in front of me had ringlety blond hair that just passed her shoulders and blue eyes, and looked uber bubbly: the stereotypical dumb blonde. The girl above her had dark brown hair that flowed down to her mid-back, and styled in a very fancy fashion that framed her face and dull green eyes. She had a ton of make up on too, so that plus her fancy hair led me to the conclusion of snotty biotch, just like Tonya. Perhaps they knew each other?

"I'm Ophelia Hollow," the blonde grinned, holding out her hand. "I'm a Fourth Former."

"And I'm tired of hearing you talk," the brunette glared.

"That's Leilani Almirah," Ophelia continued ignoring her. "These rituals are the only time that she is actually calm and nice.

"Ritual hasn't started yet," Leilani said with attitude. "Nice girl still not here."

"She better hurry up if she doesn't want to be late," Ophelia gasped, looking around anxiously. Leilani shook her head, and grabbed her arm.

"Come no bubble brain," she growled, dragging her into the temple. Amethyst and I stood there staring blankly after them.

"The classic dumb blonde and snotty bitch," I observed. "You draw the same conclusion?"

"Uh...pretty much," she nodded.

"Alright, let's get this done and over with," I sighed, climbing up the steps. The foyer was filled with incense, which made me gag. I hated the smell of incense. Gonzo tried burning some of his cousin's in his room once. I wasn't sure what the scent was suppose to be, but it just totally ruined any possible love I could have for them. The scent reeked, and it filled his entire room. I sprayed like half a bottle of Febreeze, and the smell was still there. We left the windows open and went for a very long walk before we went back inside. I did my best to hold my breath as I followed the line throughout the temple, but it still got to me.

I remained the whole time, thinking over my painting again, and the system of casting a circle that Amethyst had explained to me. How could I know?, I thought. I obviously didn't, but how could I paint something that had to do with the Goddess without even knowing about it? I know nothing of the Goddess. I really don't want to know anything, but that's impossible now that I live here. Did she really gift me...?

"Blessed be," Amethyst said in front of me. I finally realized that we had made it to a large arched doorway, where a vampyre woman with long silver hair held in two ponytails stood with a stone bowl. To my utter surprise, Amethyst just smiled at me and hurried through the doorway, leaving me alone with this woman. I stood their awkwardly, not sure what do do.

"Merry meet, Melinda Bree," she smiled sweetly, her voice thick with an African accent. "Come, step forward." I sucked in a sharp breath and stepped forward. Her eyes were a shiny silver, just like her hair, but her skin was a rich color showing her African decent. Her tattoos looked weird. They looked like cloud, but they also looked like rocks. I couldn't distinguish which it looked like more.

"Place your right hand over your heart," she instructed, dipping her finger into the bowl.

"That reminds me of that Holy Water in Church," I said, doing as she instructed.

"Yes, it does," she nodded, drawing a shape on my forehead, "but it is oil, and not Holy Water. Welcome to the House of Night, and your new life. Blessed be."

"Blessed be," I replied, quickly removing my hand. "Um, what's your name?"

"You may call me Gaia," she smiled.

"Like the Titan personification of Earth?" I asked.

"You know your Greek mythology," she smiled with amusement.

"Old hobby," I shrugged. "So, do I go in now?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I hope you enjoy it."

"Thanks," I replied hesitantly, entering the room. Yeah right, I thought.

"This way," Amethyst waved over, waiting for me not too far from the entrance. "There's a spot over here." I followed slowly behind Amethyst, making sure not to run into anyone when someone grabbed my arm. I turned around to see Taryn.

"Hey," she grinned widely. "Mind if I stand next to you?"

"Uh, sure," I shrugged, looking over at my roomie. She shrugged too, but I could see a wary look on her face. The three of us took our spots, in the crowd, and I could see into the center of the circle perfectly. There was a large table, like in the dining hall, covered with food, but it also had a statue of Nyx, just like Ophelia had said. Curiously, I looked around the circle, wanting to see if I could find Gonzo. To my dismay, I found Tonya first, and she was standing with her side pressed into Gonzo's. What does he see in her?, I asked silently. I hope I see it soon, and if not, I'm gonna have to talk to him.

"When the High Priestess evokes each element, we have to face that direction," Amethyst instructed.

"Evoke?" I gasped. "What are we doing? Summoning demons?"

"Oh I wish," Taryn smiled with a sharp glint in her eye. "That would be so cool."

"Summoning demons is dangerous," Amethyst gasped. "How could you-"

"Hey Amethyst-Chan," someone said from her other side. It was Raphael.

"Oh hey," she smiled friendly.

"Is that her boyfriend?" Taryn asked in a voice only I could hear.

"He wishes," I replied. The room was hushed with movements from the edges of the room. In unison, four people moved to just inside the circle, evenly spaced out just like a compass. I recognized Rhinestone as one of them, and another was Gaia, but I couldn't name the other two ladies.

"East is first," Amethyst whispered, turning back to me. Two more figures appeared in the doorway that we had just entered. I watched in curiosity as the sound of a violin filled the air.

"That's Professor Volante playing," Taryn said, her eyes watching the taller of the two figures. "He plays music while the the High Priestess dances." The shorter woman had begun to sway with the music. I recognized Cross Lady's long blonde hair, as it swayed in the glinting candlelight.

Unexpected change comes to thee tonight my child

But do not fear the darkness and sleep...

"That's Professor Yuzki," Amethyst whispered. "She's the Vampyre Poem Laureate."

"And she's Japanese," Taryn gushed, earning a glare from Amethyst. Yuzuki's voice was so beautiful. It responded well with the bitter-sweat cry of the violin, as if an answer to its plea. Cross Lady now left her side, and made her way around the circle, moving gracefully in each step of her dance. Professor Yuzuki was slowly making her way to the center of the circle.

Our Goddess calls to you, to fulfill your purpose

Your eternal promise you must keep...

For a vampyre ritual, I had to say it was intriguing(I will never admit it to Gonzo). It was different from the sacrificial image I had in my head. It was beautiful how they blended the music, the dancing and the poem.

Awaken once more, reborn again

With your new found gifts that are far from cheap.

I didn't even realize it, but both Cross Lady and Professor Yuzuki made it to the center of the circle at the same time. Cross Lady then lifted a goblet from the table, and lifted it above her head.

"Welcome Nyx's children to the Goddess's celebration of the full moon!" she spoke strongly.

"Merry meet," all the adult vampyres replied.

"Were we suppose to say that too?" I asked curiously. Amethyst shook her head in response.

"But we gotta turn to the East now," Taryn whispered as Cross Lady walked to Rhinestone, who put a fist over her heart and turned her back on her. I guessed that was East, and turned in that direction along with everyone else. This is kind of lame now, I thought, my good impressions of ritual fading.

"I summon air from the east, asking you to gift this circle with knowledge and fill it with learning." Rhinestone pulled out a yellow candle from the folds of her fluffy robe, and held it out for Cross Lady to light it with a taper. The candle flickered as Rhinestone put it down on the floor at her feet, and Cross Lady moved around the circle to the next vampire, and everyone turned to face the south. I saw Amethyst shake her head, and hesitate as she turned. I gave her a questioning look, and she only shook her head.

"I summon fire from the south, asking you to gift this circle with strength of will and bind it." My back was to her, so I couldn't see her light the candle, but I could tell she did, because everyone turned to the west. Lame, lame, lame, lame, lame, I groaned silently, wishing I could be somewhere else.

"I summon water from the west, asking you to gift this circle with compassion, and bestow healing and understanding," she spoke, lighting the blue candle in the next vampire's hand. She lifted it up, and then placed it on the floor, and that's when I was overcome by the strong smell of salt. I gasped slightly, trying to catch my breath. It felt like the floor had instantly turned to water, and the waves splashed lightly up my legs. Is this suppose to happen...?, I wondered looking around, but no one seemed to be feeling anything, but Taryn was eying me strangely. I felt myself being drawn to the center of the circle, as if I had to go, but I resisted, not wanting to draw attention to myself.

"I summon earth from the north, asking you to gift this circle with manifestation, so that any prayers and wishes will be fulfilled." To my dismay the feeling of water disappeared, and I was left with nothing. What was that...?, I wondered, not paying attention to what Cross Lady was doing. First the painting, and now that...That tracker, and this Goddess have effed me up. I should seek revenge. Yeah, maybe I should track down the tracker. The tracker shall become the tracked. While I was plotting evil plans in my head, Cross Lady continued on with the ritual.

"Lastly, I summon spirit to complete the circle, and gift us with connection, so we may prosper together." I honestly zoned out after that, and stared down at the floor, lost in my thoughts. Thoughts of finding the tracker, of what I was going to do, but not of how I was going to find him. Thoughts of messing up Tonya, and getting her away from my Gonzo, but not of how I was going to do it without upsetting him. Thoughts of my life after I made it through the Change, and of how I would never commune with anyone in this society again, except Gonzo, but not of how I would avoid them, especially at night. I snapped out of it when I received a nudge from Amethyst, who gave me a scolding look.

"Close your eyes, Children of Nyx," Cross Lady smiled. "Send up a message to Nyx, ask her a silent desire. Tonight, the veil between the worlds is thin, and perhaps Nyx will grant your dreams or reply." Great, this really is like church now, I thought seeing everyone close their eyes. Oh I have a message, I thought, closing mine as well. But it's not a request, well I guess it is, but its nothing for my personal stake, 'cause I don't need anything from you, but proof. I wasn't really one for believing in the high and mighty of the People of Faith, and I'm not gonna believe in you either, because I have no proof. You give me some, and I just might start believing...probably not, cause as you should know since you are all big and important, that I don't like anything vamp related. I guess I do have a question for you then. Why me? Why choose someone who hates your kind? Ack, look at me. I'm gonna stop before I get into a fight with the tooth fairy now. I opened my eyes, and watched the rest of them send their silent prayers up to their deity.

I could've laughed at them, but I saw someone staring at me, and the air was caught in my throat. Guitar Guy was staring at me from across the circle. His hair covered one of his eyes, but the other stared intently at me, locking me in his blazing blue gaze. Blue seemed to be my color. The blue candle, now his blue eye...but why was he staring at me? My mouth went dry, and my heart was skipping beats, when his gaze suddenly softened, but didn't pull away, even after Cross Lady started some long sermon thing. It didn't really matter, I never payed attention to sermons in Church, and I wasn't going to start. I kept on staring back, until he finally looked away, and I realized that the whole room had said something in unison, and started moving toward the exit.

"Wh-what happened?" I asked, looking around, confused.

"You fell asleep with your eyes open didn't you?" Amethyst said, looking disappointed.

"That's talent," Taryn grinned.

"N-no," I stammered. "I didn't..." I tried to find Vince in the crowd, but he was already gone. What's his deal?, I wondered silently. That staring was kind of creepy...

"This way to food Mel," Taryn grinned, grabbing my arm.

"Mind if I join you guys?" Raphael asked sheepishly.

"Of course not," I smiled. Well, I survived my first ritual, I thought, and I don't even remember half of it. I had a weird enchantment with water, and then I was stared at by the guy who I thought would want to seek revenge upon. Not to mention I made that weird painting. This place is messed up.