So sorry about the wait guys…lack of time, motivation, and inspiration.

My head was spinning. I believe Crepsley would have kept going with small breaks (breathers, really) in between had I not yanked on his neck and made a whimpering noise. When he stopped fully and let me down, I fell backwards flat on my back and stared at the dark sky. "All the effects of being drunk without the fun." I mumbled, finally getting my ability to see straight back.

When I sat up, I noticed Crepsley turning away with a hint of a smirk on his face. Was he laughing at me?! "How far are we?" I stood and dusted myself off.

"Nearly three hundred miles away. To put it in perspective, Mistress Ivy, we traveled four to five hours within a mere thirty minutes." He bragged slyly while informing me, looking around us to make sure no human was near, no doubt. We were on the outskirts on a town, of which I had no idea. After a pause, he looked over at me and asked casually, "I know you are not a whore."

"Huh?" Startled, I looked up with my body tensing. My comment…well of course he had heard it; I said it loud enough for Steve the human to hear it, why shouldn't a vampire I was hopping onto not hear it?

"Have I ever led you to believe I thought you were a whore?" Such a foul word leaving his graceful tone, I thought, was nearly blasphemous.

I shook my head and tried to play it off, suspecting he was oblivious to what was the truth. "No, I just…I was thinking about my marriage. Arranged marriage, I mean – and how I became a…you know."

"A half-vampire. Say it, Mistress Ivy."

My brow raised. "Why do you keep calling me that? Stop mocking me." I avoided the word like the plague – though I was pretty certain I could live through that too.

Not missing how I dodged, Crepsley leaned against a tree and grinned widely in the moonlight. It was enough to make me shudder, how much of a predator he looked. "The last thing I would wish to do is mock you – for now, at least. Do you truly wish to know why I continue to call you 'Mistress Ivy'?" When I nodded, he spoke with a hint of humor, "Because a gentleman does not address a lady by her name without permission." I could feel the heat in my cheeks.

I started to walk around to get the feeling back in my legs, also to just scout about. I had no idea where we were if we were over four hundred miles away from home – I had only ever traveled about a hundred on a family vacation. It was both upsetting but exciting to be alive in this moment.

Before I had time to get sad about my losses, Crepsley spoke up, "The sun will be up in two hours and we still have many miles to travel. Come, are you ready?" I hesitated, not quite liking this method of travel. Still, I knew it was the fastest so I hopped onto his back once more – this time without any "evil" staring me down.

I couldn't sleep. We had stopped in the middle of a dense forest once the sun rose, where Crepsley made a bed of the ground and used his coat as a blanket – all the way up to his face. I supposed I had a small blessing thing, that I could still deal with sunlight as a halfing. Still, I couldn't sleep because it was light outside and I was still…well, traumatized from it all. No, not traumatized but…taking it all in.

By the time noon rolled around, I had gotten bored where I was. Crepsley had said not to wonder off, but just a peak around the area wouldn't hurt! Not only that but I was hungry, maybe I could find some berries.

When I started to roam, I caught on very quickly how far up north we were. It was cooler here and the vegetation was different, greener. I started to thumb through the bushes when I heard something move. I looked, my heart rate speeding slightly, to see only…a bunny. A rabbit stared at me curiously as I did it. My hunger peaked.

I made to jump and grab, but the rabbit was too quick. By the time he hopped away, I had already cursed fairly loud and stood to dust myself off once more. I looked up and realized the sun was slowly sinking…perhaps I should get back, I thought.

I turned to retrace my footsteps, but before I could move forward, I flew backwards. I grunted from the impact of hitting a tree, feeling something just as heavy pressed against me. "I believe I told you to not wonder away." It was Crepsley! How was I surprised at that?

Glaring up at the man, his hand around my shirt collar and our bodies against the tree, I tried to fight blushing. "Yeah well…when have I ever listened?" I pointed out, struggling beneath him. "You can let go of me now. No one saw me…so get off." When he merely only looked amused, I punched his shoulder.

"Hm, you are weak…you must not have eaten yet." When I gave him a dull stare, he explained, "If you do not drink, you will lose your strength."

"Drink?" The curious question slipped out before I could stop it.

Once more, he gave me that predator smile. "Drink blood, of course." He only chuckled when I shuddered. "Have you forgotten what you are so soon?"

"How can I forget? I'm being whisked away for what I am." I glared at him before turning away, pausing. Already I had started to become more…mouthy with him, comfortable even.

"Regardless it is time to travel once more." As soon as he said this, the sun disappeared completely. I raised an eyebrow and wondered if I'd get that good at telling time one day. "Hop on."

"Where are we going to anyway?" I did as he said, grimacing when he gripped my legs a bit harshly. Was he toying with me?

With a grin, he set off.

Sorry guys, short chapter. Had to get it out and set it all up. Next we will see the Cirque! ;)