Waking with the taste of dust in my mouth and the wretched stench of blood filled in my nostrils, I lifted my head from the ground and tried to register my surroundings. The dankness of the alley no longer engulfed me. This was an entirely new setting. 'Where am I? How did I get here, and where had everyone else gone? Tom... Bill ..., Sarah!' Getting to my feet, slowly I rotated where I stood. There seemed to be a haze cast over the whole scene. A small fluttering stream of light piercing through the scattered clouds, bathed a small hut a ways off. There, in the distance, a figure. I wasn't alone out here!

Cautiously I began the trek toward the small structure, avoiding the large crater-like holes that spread across this deserted plain. As I walked each ray of light that sawn down gnawed at my flesh, the pain intensified with each step. Suddenly stopping, I stood there trembling. Something felt 'wrong'. Looking to the hut, the figure was still out of focus. A beam of light panned over me, then was directed at my face. A flashlight! Raising an arm, I shielded my eyes from the inevitable sting that light caused, but…it never came. Nothing! Not even the slightest tingle. Why was this? I pushed onward. Hastening my pace,. Jogging, then sprinting as I closed the distance. Breathless as I reached the hut, the strange figure was now gone. Replacing it, was Amber! So happy to see her comforting face, I screamed and ran up the rickety stairs to meet her on the porch. But as I did, she disappeared. 'What the - that is weird?' I brought my fingers up to my teeth. No fangs! Not even the slightest trace that there had ever been! Completely elated, I jumped with joy. I was no longer a vampire! I looked back over the landscape. What was once a cracked deserted plain, was now miles and miles of lush, vibrantly green grass blanketing the land as far as the eye could see. I turned around abruptly upon hearing a familiar voice.

"Tarra, phone's for you." Amber smiled sweetly at me, clutching the portable in her hand. Stepping into the unfamiliar shack, I took the phone in my hand and brought it up to cup my ear.

"Hello?" though I was calm at first, that all disappeared in an instant. I listened in horror to the screams of women that emitted from the receiver! Then the mysterious caller spoke up,

"Time to wake up, Tarra!"

My eyes opened wide. Sharp pain throbbed in my wrists. I had to look down for the source of my discomfort. My arms, hung below my head, shackled to the floor. A long chain pooled under me. Blood dripped from my palms, just as it did from my temple. My feet bound, and hooked to the ceiling. Tom stood before me, then he began to circle. I eyed him cautiously. His dreads appeared damp, as they clung to his back.

"Welcome to Hell! How are you enjoying your stay, my Dear?" Tom voice cackled loudly in my ear. 'Wait, wait...I am Where?' Surely, he meant this metaphorically. He must just be being over-dramatic, although this nightmare was bang on what Hell could be! Hell? Nah, very close comparison, but not hell itself. If this were Hell, then…I'd have to be…

"You'd have to be 'dead', is that what you think Tarra?" I nearly forgot he could read my mind. A fact that I hated.

"But I'm - How, how could I be?" It hurt to speak, as my vocal cords were badly bruised my throat terribly dry.

"Yes, it's true. Immortality does apply to the life of a Vampire, but…" He paused, pulling down a great wooden lever, releasing my feet and causing me to fall in a heap on the blood-stained floor. "…You're not a full, Vampire. Not yet. A fact I elected to keep from you until the time was right." My hands still in cuffs, I loosened the binds around my ankles freeing my feet. Staggering slightly as I brought my weary body to a stand.

"I don't understand. How does killing me solve your problems? What about Bill? Why did you -"

"Its true, I've had you tortured to near death by his hands."

"So you forced him to harm me because you hold some Grudge?!" Scared, maybe I was, but anger was the feeling felt foremost.

"Forced? Who said anything about using force? Please, woman, ... you're not that special. I needent exert myself." The anger began to well up inside me. I lunged towards him, only to discover I was still cuffed. Literally at the end of my chain, my assent jolted to a halt! The pain of the shackles stung me once more.

"I kid you not. My dear brother William, did this to you… Well,… I'll admit, I didn't leave him with much of a choice." He smiled then. What he found so amusing I do not know. 'What do you mean? Why the sudden need to see me dead!'

"Not sudden, not at all 'sudden'! Think back aways my Dear. Remember the night Bill feasted off the blood that you so graciously provided? The night you entered the home of a one Nicolas S'dtrawsser, my recently deceased enemy..." How could I have forgotten? I nodded. "…You felt no familiarity at all towards him?" No! Honestly, I hadn't.

Thomas was determined that I come to a connection on my own, but I could think of none.

"Hmm…?" Tom gave my thoughts a second of contemplation before pulling a small velvet pouch from his pocket, loosened it's synch and emptying the contents into his palm. A small golden key now lay in his hand. Tom snatched up my wrists, squeezing tightly. One by one he shoved the key into their locks. The key was then slipped back into the pouch and shoved into his pocket. He pointed to a small wooden stool that sat behind me, a direction that demanded me to sit. I did so without question, rubbing my wrists gently. The way he moved was always hypnotic. No matter how much I loathed him, I couldn't help but to watch in awe. He went to a small table. On it, in a roll, an aged piece of parchment lie. He carried this over to where I sat. Squatting down on the floor before me, he unrolled the scroll. This single page, held in Tom's hands for me to see, was smothered in beautifully calligraphic wording. Black ink intricately swirled over the paper, this way and that, plotting designs and images. Focussing on the whole picture, I could now see that the words were nestled in amongst the branches of a large tree. At the top, in bold scripted lettering read 'S'dtrawsser'. Briefly following the names down the trunk of the tree, towards the bottom, as the ink appeared newer then that at the top, was the name 'Martin'. Surprising as this was, I was still unable to understand what all this meant.

"No? Still no connection? This…Tarra, is Your family tree!…" Tom shoved the document into my lap as he rose.

"…Please, feel free to review carefully. Something in there is bond to ring a bell, clear things up a bit for you." I was not comprehending all this, but my sense was that it couldn't be good. My dry eyes scanned over the paper. I looked over each detailed portrait carefully. Reading the names and the tiny passages beneath. Nearing the end of the page, my eyes fell upon a familiar face. My Father's face! My heart felt as if it'd beat it's way through my ribs! This cant be! That would mean that Nicolas was my -

"...your Grand, Great, Grandfather." Tom finished my thoughts yet again. In shock, I stared up at him with horror in my eyes horror. Quickly, I stubble to my feet for the second time this night, the stool flying out behind me as I stood. The full realization of Tom's plot revealing it's self, I backed away from him. Chains no longer bound me to this death chamber but still remained twisted around my legs. I wanted to fleet, to save myself from whatever Tom had planned next. My mind was racing.

"Go ahead. I will not stop you,… However, I will find you. I will always find you."

"I don't understand. Why kill me? I've had nothing to do with the horrid actions of my ancestors! I play no part in this!"

"On the contrary. You have everything to do with this. You, are the last. S'dtrawsser killed off my family, my parents. All but William and I. In return, I pledged to show him the same courtesy he showed us. All of his family destined to suffer as I have!"

"I'm already dead! You've killed any future of normalcy I would have had! You've won! What more could you do to me?" A question I shouldn't have uttered. There was always 'more' when it came to dealing with Tom.

"Auh,…the answer to that is endless. As for the first, there are things far worse than death…." He was toying with truth again. I had been foolish to think that I had him figured out. Foolish to believe that he'd set his sights on me for… - 'Oh, you've been a Bloody Fool Tarra!'

"…unlike your friends, ...death will not be your end" Fear overwhelmed me, but I kept my composure. What had he meant by that? Did I really want to know? Maybe I can get through to him, appeal to that hint of empathy I'd seen traces of (or was that just another act?). Or maybe,… an approach more to Tom's style of doing things would serve me better? Slowly, cautiously, I closed the distance between us. Tom made no effort to stop me. His only movement was to perch himself on the edge of the table. The perfect time was now for persuasion. My mouth was dry, my stomach empty. Careful to keep my thoughts deep inside so he couldn't read my next move. I wrapped my arms gracefully around his neck. Our eyes connected, as they had done before. Using the strength I could muster, I pushed him back onto the table with my body. My need for blood far surpassed my attraction towards Tomas, but it hardly disguised it. I swooped down, my mouth suffocating his. Resisting at first, Tom finally surrendered his lips and mouth to mine. Losing myself but for a moment, I dug my teeth into his luscious bottom lip. He didn't scream, for I still held his mouth hostage while I feasted. Tom found a better way to release his agony, biting me back, and Hard! Yet I didn't attempt to pull away. Instead, my fingernails sunk into the flesh of his shoulder. Footsteps could be heard coming this way. 'Not now!', I hadn't finished, I needed more! I had hoped to regain my strength and weaken his, giving me the upper hand I'd need to flee. With frustration I bit harder, creating a tare in his lip. I released my kiss and backed away.

A young woman stood in the doorway now, considering the scene she had just interrupted. Cooly, Tom lifted himself up off the table and stood once more. The pair of us both bore similar bloody streaks down our faces. I watched as Tom licked at his torn lip then swiped a sleeve across his mouth, removing the remnants.

"Yes, Duryea? What is it?" Tom spoke with an angered tone. It would seem I wasn't the only one who didn't 'welcome' this disturbance. The woman slightly resembled one that had been in the alley, the hair was different, streaked with silver.

"They're here." Her voice was faint & timid.

'Who, who is here? Thomas, tell me, what have you done?'

'I do not believe that you are in any position to be giving orders Tarra, and certainly Not to Me!'

'Tell me!' My thoughts held firm. We battled within our minds, challenging each other with our eyes.

"One moment while I contain this wench." Was he referring to me in this way!? The woman seemed pleased with his words. This angered me further! Tom turned back to me. Grabbing me by the arm, he proceeded in dragging me off. Stopping before a horrifically familiar door. 'Oh no! Not in there, not again!' He opened it and shoved me inside. Following as I staggered backwards, he smiled and pushed me up against the wall. He pressed his lips to mine once more, giving me no time to react. There was no biting, just a short but deep kiss before leaving me. Closing the heavy door with a slam and locking it behind him. Alone again, trapped in blackness with my thoughts. I ran to the door and pressed my ear up close. Straining, I could hear him speaking.

"Send them in!" A brief silence followed, then voices could be heard once more.

"William, have you not learned? You know your place. I am in command! You think I enjoy this manipulation? Eternity would be a whole lot easier if you would just cooperate…. " Tom's questions were rhetorical, he did not expect Bill to reply nor did he wait for him too before continuing.

"Leave us now!" Tom waved his arm out at the woman by the door, she made a hasty retreat and was gone. Tom began to circle the pair that stood before him, then stopped suddenly in front of the female.

"As for you… Do you know why you are here?…" The girl that Bill had escorted in shook her head slowly, still staring down at her feet. "…You, my dear are here to help me in my plot…" Tom motioned the shaky woman to the fallen stool. She looked to him, but he did not return her glance, then to Bill. Who indicated that she was to sit. Righting the stool, she did as she was told. "…Do you know the role you will play? No? Well, of course you don't. I will explain. Are you aware of your sweet friend's 'condition'? Sure you are, but you didn't quite believe it did you… until now. Never the less, …You're friend in there…" Tom gestured toward the door that held Tarra. "…Her servitude is mine, that is established, but in no way does this cover the debt owed. I am not through with her yet…" Tom stared off towards the door, his thoughts private. Amber looked in the direction that he had indicated and wondered.

"What,… What are you going to do with her?" Amber spoke out, shaking with fear.

"Oh, my precious girl… I will not bring her to any further harm. And, you can trust that the pain already caused to her, was by all means necessary. She has no clue that you are here. For if she did, my little surprise would be ruined…" Tom turned to Amber and ran a slender finger along her jaw, "…and we can't have that, now can we?" Although his skin was flawlessly smooth, Amber recoiled from his chilling touch. Her earlier thought of the 'new guy' at the Mini Mart being 'Hot', no longer applied. But what of this other 'man' that had brought her here? Frightening still, she didn't feel the same vibe from him as she did Tom. He didn't speak, he hadn't since this nightmare involved her. Tom had barely acknowledged him.

Just what Tom had intended for her, she still did not understand. Amber had lost consciousness a few times since she was snatched from reality, and was unsure of what all had happened to her. Was he going to do to her what he had done to Tarra? Turn her into a monster as well?!

"Sooo, have you…I mean, am I -"

"One of the 'Un-dead'…" Tom had a mocking tone. Raising his hands, two fingers on each forming in the familiar 'quote' gesture.

"Am I de… Dead?" Amber had a hard time bringing this word out.

"No, no you are not. Not yet. Near too, yes, but you are still alive. That is how I need you… for now." Amber stole a quick glance at Bill, who hovered beside her, then stared back over to Tom.

"So...when you say I'm not 'Yet',...'Yet' meaning… meaning you're going to…?"

"Of course not! I could never take the joy you'd bring away from her. No, you have gotten it all wrong…" Tom turned and began to walk towards the chamber's exit. "…I'm not going to dispose of you… Tarra is."

Even with all my senses heightening with 'the change', I hadn't been able to hear all that was said. Only registering bits and pieces, I was still unadvised as to what was to happen next. It seemed like I'd been in here for hours. Not even my own blood was providing enough nutrients to get me by. The longer I remained here, the hungrier I was getting. 'Oh, wait… I pushed my blood encrusted fingertips deep within my pocket, pulling out one of the five vials I had forgotten. Yanking off the cork with my teeth, I gulped down the think liquid, holding back the urge to vomit from the vile taste. Still not immune to it's sting, it burned slightly as it flowed through me. Effective almost immediately, my blood-thirst was held at bay (at least, for now). I tossed the bottle to the stony floor. 'What if that wasn't enough?' Sure, the craving had stopped, but for how long? Bill never told me how much or for how long this would work. With each day, each hour, my need grew! 'How much,. How much?' I reached into my pocket to grasp another, but there were none! 'How could this be?', there should be four more… 'Thomas!'

'I have to get out of here! The Window!'. Not needing to blindly feel my way as I did that first night Tom had locked me in this dank room, I easily found my way through the dark to the small opening. Sure that Tom had sealed it up again, but hoping with my new strength I could still use it to escape. Déjà vu set in as I wrapped my wounded wrists with torn strips of my clothing.

Amber was alone. Her arms and legs tightly bound, she now hung in the same fashion as Tarra had earlier. Beaten for what would appear to be for no other reason then Tom's own entertainment. Not only did this amuse him, but it provided him with the opportunity to feed. Amber slipped in and out of conscious thought. Awaked again to her satiation by an arm firmly wrapped around her mid section. She wanted to scream but no sound came. What would be the point she thinks; 'This is Hell, no one here will help me.'

"It's alright. I'm here to help. I am sorry for frightening you. Forgive me..." Amber was soon reunited with the ground as her bonds were cut. "…I'm Bill. We were never properly introduced." How cordial he was being

"Why are you helping me? Why didn't you stop him before? Is this a trap?…" Amber continued to ask a multitude of questions as Bill retrieved a small gold key that had been hidden under his tongue. This was the same key that Tom thought was still safely stowed in his pocket. Tom may have been running the show, but Bill had a few tricks of his own. With one swift movement Amber's cuffs fell away from her wrist, only to be replaced with Bill's firm grip.

"…Now what? Where are you taking me?…" Her question continued as she was lead silently down a dark hallway. Bill didn't speak. Turning towards her and pressing a single finger to his lips was his only response.

The pair stopped in front of a closed door. A rusty lock held it shut. Bill Had the key for this as well". The door looked to be very heavy to Amber, but he swung it open with ease.

"Amber!" Very poorly lit where they stood, Amber's eyes could not adjust.

"Tarra, is that you? Tarra stepped forward, and the two friends held each other close in an embrace.

"What has he done to you - I'm so, So sorry you're caught up in this."

"I'm so sorry I didn't believe you! I'm So sorry!" As the two clambered together in attempts to console, Bill stood guard at the door, glancing up and down the hallway nervously.

"Ladies, we really have to go. He's going to find out you're missing." Nodding, the girls swiftly took Bill's lead through a labyrinth of tunnels. After what seemed like a mile of sprinting after Bill, we reached a small room. He gently pushed us into a tiny room, closing the door behind. He left us standing just inside the door, we didn't attempt to flee. Regardless of Bill's recent behaviour, I still trusted him. Amber felt the same vibe that he meant well. So, we stayed put. Bill moved about the room, looking for something it seemed. We watched as he peered at each shelf, picking up bottles and setting them back down carefully. Finally finding what he needed, he came back to where we stood.

"Here...drink this!" he said, holding out a capful of liquid toward Amber.

"What is I -"

"Just drink it!" he snapped. His tone fervent. Amber looked to me. I tried to give her a look of reassurance, even though I had no clue what this substance was. Amber downed her share, then handed the cap back. Bill took it hurriedly and topped it up before handing it to me.

"You'll need more then her." I took him at his word, and drank.

"Tarra ..." Bill stopped me before I finished the last gulp. "…I'm sorry for what has happened. I really care about you, Please believe - I didn't want to do any of that -"

"I know Bill, I know…" I swallowed the milky liquid. My whole body began to tingle. My surroundings began to blur. I glanced to Amber through a fog. She started to collapse, Bill caught her. The last thing I heard before all was left in total darkness was...

"I'll find a way. I promise you this!"

"I'm so sorry. Next time, I'll believe you when you tell me your co-worked is a monster…" I let out a giggle in response to this remark and turned on the tap. I let the cool water run over the cloth that I gently clutched in my hands. "…Is this what you've been dealing with this whole time?" questioned Amber as she soaked her wounds in the tub behind me. I nodded, cupping the cloth as I carried it over to her.

"Here. Lean forward." I spoke in almost a whisper, as if I dared to speak louder, Tom would hear me and appear out of no where. As she did so, the bloody gouges and sickening scratches streaked down her back, were revealed. 'Ouch', they sure looked painful! Amber was human, she couldn't heal herself as I now could. I felt just awful about the rot that had infected her life, and all because of me. I poured the clear peroxide I had brought to the tub's edge directly onto her weeping sores. She flinched slightly, as it bubbled away. Dabbing at them gently with the washcloth, thoughts and emotion ran rampped through my mind. It was one thing to mess with me, but Amber… She didn't disserve this!

"I guess this is where the phrase 'choose your friends wisely', comes to taunt me, eh?!" I tried to make a joke, lighten the mood.

"I've known you since Kinder garden. Who ever would have thought that this is where our friendship would bring us?" answered Amber, still sitting in the fettle position as I tended to her. I shrugged my shoulders and headed over to the sink. Tossing the sodden cloth into the sink, I flushed out the blood. The cool water ran in scarlet swirls down the drain.

We had woken up here, back in our home. Both of us laid together on my bed. I wasn't sure how exactly that we had gotten here. Only that Bill had saved me once again from the clutches of his brother, and rescued my dearest friend from certain death.

Looking to the mirror, the evident of my beatings were only faint traces now. Here I am, I'd suffered the torture that Amber had, but you wouldn't know it to look at me now. Amber however, was still shivering in pain from her's.

"He's only doing this because he knows you mean the world to me. He's not just after my family, oh no… that is not enough for him! He's after everyone I know and love!" Returning back to Amber's side, I seated myself on the tub's edge. Amber lifted her weary eyes. She lightly brushed her finger tips over my wrist, tracing the wounds that once were. She looked up to me, searching my face for answers as to what would come next, b I had no answers. Amber rested her head on her knees and quietly sobbed.

"Where is she?!…" Tom's screams echoed throughout the chamber. "…Tell me, and I promise the agony you will suffer will be brief!"

"Threatening me now are you Tomas? I'm no stranger to your rage. Do your worst!" Bill spoke confidently with no fear, as he challenged his brother's words.

"NOW William! Where Is She?!…" Tom lunged, Bill avoided his advanced. Another, and another. Tom's temper increased with each of Bill's successful dodges.

"Why do this? What are you getting out of it?…" Tom turned away and looked down at the ground. "…Revenge? Is that why? Tom,… this is not what Mother would have wanted from you! You know that!" Tom stormed out of the room, with Bill in hot pursuit. He would not let this insanity continue. He needed to get to the true reason for Tom's actions.

They headed down the same path Bill had taken Amber and Tarra, to the exact same room. Tom hadn't needed answers from his brother,… he could smell Tarra. She had been here, that he knew. The rest could be assumed.

"You're going after her? Tom! Leave her alone! Forget about this. Revenge is not the answer. Besides, Nicholas is dead, you have made sure of that. Why do all this? It is not necessary. Let this end here, and now! What is it about this one that you just can't let go?" He spoke louder with every new word, his impatients to finish this heightening. Bill's words relentlessly bombarded Tom as he paced anxiously around the small room. At his end, Tom turns, shouting back to Bill,

"I love Her!" Bill was taken aback by Tom's outburst, almost as much as Tom himself seemed to be that he had uttered this.

"So,… so you treat her like this? You're not being rational. You love her, and yet you continue to torment her!?" Bill found it difficult to understand this. The twisted inner-workings of his older brother were always surprising him.

"I… I, don't know. I didn't ask to be this way. When my other half overtakes me, there's no chance of stopping it. I can't control it,… I've tried." Tom had calmed.

"You always have a choice Thomas. This won't end well. Some one will pay for your games." Tom knew this to be true. At this moment he was no longer a raging monster. He was simply a man in love.

I had done it. Never, would I ever have intentionally commit such an act! But I had done it all the same. There she lie, slain, positioned face first in a pool of her blood. Tears pushed their way out and down my cheeks, the droplets falling to the sheets. Here I was, blood-thirsty monster. Here I was ... a full-fledged vampire.

I blinked my eyes open. Amber was staring down at me with a worrisome expression held on her face. The same girl I had just witnessed, dead on my bed, sat here now, peering back at me.

"Are you okay? Did you have another one of those nightmares?" I laid there. Eyes wide, and gave my head a shake.

"No, ... not a dream. It, it felt more like a,…a vision." A vision I was determined not to release into reality.

Breakfast this morning was quiet. The usually cheery sunlight blocked, the curtains stayed drawn. No laughter. No gails of delight ringing through our Townhome. Instead there was silence and tension. I picked at the fluffy yellow eggs that laced the outer edge of my plate.

"Sorry that there wasn't any bacon left. I was sure that we had more then enough in the fridge?"

"That's fine. Don't feel much like eating anyway." There had been bacon. I had gotten up long before Amber. The cravings were back. I'd ravaged that pack of bacon raw, hoping that whatever merger amount of blood they may have still held would sustain me. Amber rose from her seat.

"Are you finished with that, or would you like to play with it a bit longer? Here, let me take that." She reached across in front of me to take my plate. I could smell it. Her blood. The scent seeped from her skin. Beckoning me. I grabbed her wrist! She shrieked in shock, and the plate dropped from her hand. Gibb barked in a quick, sharp tone. I looked to the small animal, then back to Amber's arm. 'What are you doing, what are you thinking?' These sudden bursts of hunger would one day be my undoing. I released my grip, and pushed myself from the table. Racing towards the door, not bothering with my coat or even my shoes, I ran out into the morn. The sun stung my eyes, but I didn't stop. I ran and ran, Never looking back. I had to find somewhere to go, someplace other than here! Away from Amber. I had thought I'd be able to control the demon in me from resurfacing. I was wrong! It was too strong, too dangerous. I was no longer safe to be around! Not for Amber, Gibb, my family. I had to get away. Far away.

"I knew you would come back. I didn't even have to come for you. Good girl..." I eyed Tom with hatred in my glare as we now stood in the doorway. He was the last person I had wanted to come to, but still… this is where I ended up. Any other options I had were incongruous to me.

"…So what was it? My un-deniable good looks? Or, did you finally discover, you cant survive without me?" I was in no mood for his snide remarks. I stood there, dauntless. At this moment I was not afraid of what he might do to me. I no longer felt any fear standing before him now.

"Don't be a smart-ass! Just let me in…" I pushed him aside and entered. The darkness of what seemingly was becoming my new home was a utopian. I had taken many detours, down dark alleys, through light sheltering trees and brush on my way here in attempts to avoid the sun.

"Actually, I just need a place to stay, for now." I assumed my welcome. The room was a dishevelled. Various items were strewn about. Dirty glasses on tables, discarded clothing tossed to the furniture. Tom followed close behind me as I sauntered around the room the room looking at this and that. Every glance I threw over my shoulder stopped him in his tracks. This amused me and I smirked. I was enjoying this little game, toying with him as had done so many times to me.

"Doing a little redecorating, Thomas?" I noticed a large, fist sized hole torn through the worn wallpaper, then the wall. Turning my attentions back to my investigation. I had never really gotten the chance to explore this place that once was my prison, but may soon be my home. My eyes next fell on a black gown, Thee black gown. It had bee hung delicately over a lampshade (odd, why was it out? Had Tom been remembering his Mother, or our night together?). I marked this as my next destination. Upon reaching the dress, I couldn't help but reach out for it. I lifted the hem into my hands, familiarized myself with the comforting texture of it's beautiful fabric.

"Do Not, touch that!" Tom raised his voice as he pushed me away, knocking me back and against the wall. He moved to me then, ensuring I stay pinned where I was. Again, I found myself looking into these eyes. I had to somehow destroy my attraction to this man. He'd hurt my family, Amber ...me! Not once, but several times. Yet, I still had this overwhelming desire to be with him whenever we neared. Part of me

had hoped that it was only my stomach talking, begging me for more rubescent claret (blood).

"Tarra...?" Tom's voice brought me back.

"Hmm..?"

"Do you remember that night...you and Bill, when I suddenly appeared?"

"Hmm...yes. Why?" my voice a whisper, my mind distracted by the golden ring that studded his lip. Subconsciously, I ran my tongue over my lip.

"..You know I can read your thoughts no matter the distance, right?"

"From 'Any' distance?" I'd known that he could invade my mind while together, but the fact that he may still have this talent when apart… this explained a lot.

"Do you remember Bill telling you of the 'price' you may have to pay in exchange for the Kialbay?" Tom's lips parted, I could now see the fangs peeking. I watched his tongue move as he spoke.

"I do, what of it?"

"Well... that fee is mine to claim…" He brought his lips to my ear, "…Now that you are here, I wish to collect." his whisper sent chills down my spine. Mouth to mouth now, my eyes instinctively fell shut. The golden stud tickled my lip. Then, as it went, our conversation was ended in a passionate kiss. That recognizable flavour filled my mouth. That stinging taste of iron that only blood supplied. I bit at his lip again. He aloud me this, but soon replicated my action with a bite of his own. My breaths became short and quick, was it my hunger or our embrace? I wasn't sure, but Tom's breathing had hastened also. His fangs changed course to my neck. That familiar agony hit me! Even though I was a vampire, this didn't mean I was immune to the pain. Unlike his very first bite, this pain…was welcomed.

I had come here despising Tom, only seeking a roof to sleep under, and now... I was lovestruck...again. I had denied this, refusing to give in to it, but despite all the torment he had put me through, I loved him. Maybe we were perfect for each other but is this what I truly wanted? I was unsure. So difficult to sort all these new feelings out. What I did know was, well… I still plan on getting even. At some point, we'll see who really wears the pants in this relationship.

It was true that Tom had been at this for centuries. He was very well practiced in the art of draining his prey of their vital fluids. It came easy to him. Was I foolish to believe that our exchanges were any different

from those? Tom's fangs were still nestled deeply inside of me. I began to feel light-headed. I was losing more blood than my body was able to replenish! My legs fell out from under me. The floor's impact was sure to follow. But no,… I felt as if suspended in midair. He held me up, his strong arm cradling me in a Tango styled dip. Tom's mouth left my flesh, I looked up at him. Blood trailed down my neck and over my chest. There was a crazed look in his eye. Like a toddler, who had begged for just one cookie. Finally getting it, only to want another. He clearly hadn't been satisfied! 'You just can't get enough, Can you?!', I glared at him. He wasn't done with me just yet. I had still not figured his game. Should I trust his words, or his actions? Both had contradicted each other. If his purpose was to kill me, then Kill me! If it was to love me,… why must he taunt me this way?! 'Are you done?', my mind asked of him. The pain was so fierce, I could hardly find the energy to form thought in my mind. He shook his head. It was obvious now, he only resurfaced for air.

"No! I want More!" Tom panted. Again, an agonizing strike created a new wound. I threw my head back and screamed for all I was worth as his fangs tore through me yet again! The more he drained from me. The more he touched my body, I only wanted him more. Tom reluctantly pried his teeth from the nape of my neck and pulled away. Blood streaked his face. Lifting me up into his arms, he carried me down the dark hallways I'd traveled before. I feared he might throw me in that 'Hell pit' of a room again and be done with me for good this time. Stopping before covering the distance needed to bring us to that door, my spirits lifted. Instead, we entered a large room. This one, I had also been in before. In the centre stood a large bed, this was his sleeping quarters. He brought me to it. Against, his usual fierce unkind nature, he set me down gently on the large duvet. The bed was firm yet very comfortable. I looked up at Tom weakly. Those eyes, no traces of firery red, only rich browns slivered with golden flecks, stared back at me. He raised hand to the side of my face. I flinched and closed my eyes, half expecting him to strike. But, again I was wrong. Instead, his hand cupped my cheek. He caressed it with his thumb and leaned down, his breath cascading over me as he spoke,

"Stay with me, Tarra. Stay with me."