All right. here's a new chapter. sorry for the wait. anyway, i hope you like it!


Chapter Seven

Tiberiu's eyes flickered to the small silver charm in his lifemate's hand and then back to her face. Her gray eyes were dark with confusion and fear, her full lips trembling. She was beautiful, this girl. But Tiberiu found he did not like her fear of him. Frowning, he lowered himself to the ground, careful not to come too close.

Avery trembled as Tiberiu sat before her. A part of her wanted him closer yet another warned her to keep her distance. Caution took hold of her actions then, as tiny black threads began to appear. With a small oath, Avery began to suppress them, not wanting to feel the darkness in this familiar stranger. Another shudder passed through her as she forcefully pulled back her magic. Though she expected difficulty, Avery found her energy easily subdued.

Dark eyes watched as the girl struggled to overcome her strange ability. Tiberiu did not want to cause his lifemate any pain by moving closer but, as she began to shake, he stood and moved to take hold of her, gritting his teeth against her magic's attack.

But he felt nothing. Instead, his lifemate sagged against him, her breathing shallow.

"I stopped it," she whispered, sounding relieved. And then she stiffened. Realizing arms surrounded her, she pulled away.

Tiberiu stared at her for a moment before giving a small smile. "What is your name, little one?" he asked her.

Avery turned away, feeling the strands of magic breaking free from her grasp. "Avery," she answered. She did not understand her need to tell him her name, but it did not matter. All of her thoughts focused on keeping her magic at bay.

The girl winced and Tiberiu frowned. "You are hurting."

His voice slid against her, a dark, intimate tone that sent shivers through her. Inwardly chastising her lack of control, she nodded. "It's been a while since I offered any resistance to my ability," she confessed. "I've let it grow wild." Avery bit her lip. She should not be talking to this mysterious man. Though his dark eyes seemed familiar, she knew they never met before. Though he warmed the chill deep within her, she knew

Tiberiu's dark eyes fixed on Avery's lip. Her white teeth tugged at it gently and, even as he watched, a tiny bead of blood welled up. Groaning softly, he dipped his head, stopping only inches from that crimson temptation. "You fight against it," he whispered, "when it only needs to be tamed."

Avery's eyes widened as Tiberiu moved closer. Her skin flushed and her heart began to flutter in nervousness. Or anticipation. She saw desire, dark and burning, flare into his eyes and she shivered in fear. In need. He moved even closer, his lips just a hairsbreadth from her own and she stilled. But, more amazingly, the energy inside her stilled as well, as if waiting for something. And then the world began to spin.

Tiberiu closed the distance between them, his lips brushing against hers. He caught he tiny bit of blood, taking it into himself even as his lips moved against hers. After a moment, he pulled back, eyes still fixed on her. He nearly smiled in triumph. The kiss had burned through him like fire. And he now had a connection to her; the small bit of blood had opened a pathway to her mind. Though it was only tenuous at best, Tiberiu knew their connection could only strengthen.

Avery opened her eyes, looking at him in confusion. For her, the world moved, shifted until he was at the center. Her magic had been quieted, not by her own power, but by him. She frowned, fear blossoming in her. Who was this man that he could mean so much to her with just a simple kiss? "What—?" Avery shook her head and fell silent, too many questions trying to reach the surface.

Tiberiu smiled softly at his lifemate's confusion and then offered a hand. "It is not good to stay in these woods at night," he told her, his voice filling the sudden silence. "Allow me to escort you home."

She stared at his hand for a moment and then reluctantly took hold, allowing Tiberiu to draw her from the boulder. Avery watched him for a moment as they began to walk, still confused. He drew her like a moth to flame. And she feared getting burned. Her heart contracted, and fear spilled into her. She did not want him hurt. But, as always, her magic proved unstable. She could not be trusted to keep anyone safe.

Tiberiu frowned as he heard his lifemate's thoughts. She feared her own ability. But he did not. Her magic, so attuned to the darkness in others, needed only stabilization. Though her power woke only to protect her, it tied to her emotions. And, without the second half to her soul, such turbulence made her magic unstable. Yet he already found the path to her mind. And it would not be long before he unraveled her unique ability and it lay bare before him. Once he knew the secret to a weapon, he could help to control it.

When they neared Gabriel's home, Tiberiu reluctantly pulled away from Avery. He bowed. "I will return later, if you wish."

Avery stared up at Tiberiu for a moment and then nodded slowly. She did not know what it was that pulled her to him, but she would find out.

Smiling, Tiberiu took hold of Avery's hand and kissed it before disappearing into the night.

She stood for a moment, eyes fixed to where he stood. And then, as she felt her power waken again, she turned and entered the house.

"Avery?"

Avery looked up, dazed, to find Francesca standing nearby, worry on her face.

"Where have you been?" Francesca rushed forward but stopped a few feet from the young woman. Avery looked confused, tired.

Shaking her head, Avery moved past Francesca and collapsed onto one of the numerous couches. "I went walking in the woods earlier." A small smile lit her face. "I guess I fell asleep," she added sheepishly. "I hope I didn't worry you."

Francesca watched Avery for a moment and then smiled gently. "You didn't worry us too much," she assured her. "I did, unfortunately, have to call Gregori. He is quite...anxious about your condition."

Gray eyes fixed on the Carpathian woman and Avery sighed. "He wasn't out looking for me, was he?"

Laughter welled up from Francesca. "He knows you're safe. It's quite easy to inform him. And he would have known if something happened to you." Francesca turned to leave the room.

"Oh." Avery straightened and looked around. "Where is Skyler?"

"She went over to see Josef. She decided to finally forgive him. You can go if you'd like. But, I'm afraid you'll have to wait for someone to take you." Francesca looked back. "We wouldn't want you to get lost in the woods."

Avery shook her head. "I just wanted to talk with her. I suppose I can wait until she comes back."

"Well, I'm glad the two of you are getting along. It's unusual for Skyler to take to someone so easily, but she wanted to talk with you as well." Another smile graced Francesca's beautiful face. "You seem to be a good influence on her." She went into the other room then, leaving Avery to her thoughts.

After a while, Avery stood and returned to the room given her. With a smirk, she reached into one of her bags and pulled out her worn copy of Howl's Moving Castle. Though the book never seemed popular, Avery enjoyed the story of young Sophie and her adventures as an old woman. In the story, the Witch of the Waste curses Sophie in a case of mistaken identity, turning the young woman old. And, while the curse eventually wears off, Sophie continues as an old woman, not realizing until the very end, that her own unique powers kept her that way...and affected those around her.

As Avery read, she could not help but smile. She liked the foolish Howl, semi-hero of the novel, and his attempts at making Sophie jealous. The story comforted her, even when she felt tumultuous. It reminded her of her brother, bringing to light only the good memories of him. She had not read it in a long while.


Avery glanced at the clock beside the bed and frowned. Dawn approached. She had read the night away, engrossed in her book. Sighing, she lay the book on the bed and crossed over to the window. The first faint colors of morning appeared before her eyes and she settled down to watch them grow. But, just as the sun began to peek over the mountains, something along the tree line drew her gaze. Frowning, she peered into the gray. And gasped.

"Alaric?" she whispered.


sorry it's short, but it wanted to end there well, i hope you enjoyed this chapter. please review! and let me know if you see any mistakes or anything...like the one i made last time, having josef out in the middle of the day...luckily, i changed it. well, anyway...please review!