A/N. Thank you everybody for remaining faithful to the story, getting to know your feelings/emotions/opinions towards the small chapters really means a lot to me! The word this week is employ. Once more, a question for Selene to answer…

Employ

Michael was mumbling some melody to himself, as if wanting to take away the tension that was after them wherever they went. Selene accepted the hand he gave her and allowed the blonde lead her, understanding trusting someone implicitly was exactly the thing she needed in the dangerous world at that moment. Her companion seemed to be enjoying the walk as much as she did.

When the two have crossed some more labyrinth-like corridors, they found themselves in what appeared to be a completely safe place… at least for the time being. Then, letting go of her hand, Michael spoke, the tone of his voice sounding like a relief from the menacing episodes Selene and the one she was ready to protect under whichever circumstances had to face in what felt less than two days' time. Or maybe less.

"Selene," Michael's whisper - for they could not allow themselves talk a note louder, not wanting to come back to the running just yet – was soft, "I have always wanted to ask you…" he breathed in, as if uncertain.

The brown eyes were waiting expectantly. She knew then that this apparent uneasiness could not promise anything frightening. His behaviour towards her, the looks they shared… Selene was ready to answer any question of his. If Michael was indeed to become something more for her – as if he had not already – the vampiress felt she had no right nor wish to deny an answer. Unless the question was like this.

"What kind of means, of charms are you employing to be the way you are, so- so- exceptional?

Selene blinked, imagining he has not finished wording his question properly. Too unexpected, too puzzling… She shrugged, not really knowing how to answer. This could be understood in more ways than one, but she only mumbled something incoherent, before allowing her mind travel away, forgetting that most of the time it only offered dark thoughts to her. Thoughts going so well with the night-life… unfit to wide-eyed humans that had so obviously been meant for the joys of daylight.

Selene suddenly felt the urge to apologise. "I am so sorry, Michael," she whispered. "You should not have been involved in this vampire-lycan war. Ever."

"But we are," his voice suggested it was something of no importance. Both Selene and Michael understood the frailty of this short relatively peaceful time of theirs. "And you did not even know where your interest was going to take you." Michael knew her curiosity had saved him then. Selene would have found some other reasons why she was feeling like saving the unknowing human… curiosity being only one of the reasons, and, as it turned out, soon that reason has lost all importance.

This was the first time when the two had enough time to take a break from the constant chase. The time to actually consider things other than finding ways to get rid of the ones against them. It was funny, the vampiress grimaced to herself at the thought – funny and ridiculously tragic, as every ally she might have had was now against her… simply because the supposed allies had but been playing dirty games against her, Michael purposefully negating every possibility to keep away from the underworld and allowing the dark universe consume him just like it did everyone… Her allies had become her enemies. Everyone but Michael, her one true ally who was ready to share and fight the newly-found enemies with her instead of just running away and pretending it was all just a bad dream.

It's not that he had any choice, Selene sighed heavily, giving Michael a small smile only wanting to smother the effect the helpless sigh might have had on the once-human. It was surprising how much his feelings meant to the cold-blooded creature ever since she found out he was the one hunted by the creatures she despised so deeply.

And now you are one of them. Of course, she had been startled about it at first. At first… And then, the things started happening…

The vampiress realised her thoughts were taking her too far into the past. As painful as the past had been, it was over now and had to be forgotten. As if knowing what she was thinking, Michael awarded her with an encouraging smile.

He saw Selene was lost in her thoughts. She had every right to be so – the things he has got to experience might have made him go crazy if she had not been there for him, making the once incredible sound believable. The mysterious vampiress had some charms about her, and Michael understood very well what this meant. The feeling he had been running away from ever since his loved one died in the terrible accident. But it was true – the sad things were to be forgotten. There were things more important for him at that moment.

"What do you say?"

Selene woke up from the scarce turmoil her thoughts had become and breathed out, suppressing the wish to smirk at Michael, especially after believing to have noted some traces of sadness in his eyes. Now, during this small moment, she wished she did not have to ruin what was likely to become something intimate.

Selene chose to give him a misunderstanding look instead, which provoked a smile on his face, as the not-properly-worded question was uttered once again.

"All I employ is my weapons," she shrugged. "No charms. No such things exist." Selene knew what Michael meant by this, but chose to skip answering the question in the way he was expecting. "I am myself. I fight for things I find worth fighting for." For someone named Michael Corvin, for example. "How could this be of any interest to you?"

Michael sighed, able to read her actual feelings on her face, but gave Selene the question anyway. "Are you serious?" She shook her head.

"I can employ what they used to say I was pretty good at," she shrugged at him. "But it is for you to decide-

"If you mean your kissing techniques, trust me, whoever told you this did not lie," Michael saw the brown eyes grow wide, just before she grinned at him. "Why, thank you, Michael." Selene kept away a grimace from appearing on her pale face.

"Don't say anything," Michael whispered at her, and Selene agreed gladly, as the once-human glued his lips to hers.