Trellen moved uncomfortably on his bed of black silk sheets, his thoughts on only one person… Evey.

Never in his long years had he been so unsettled about a woman… and never had he feared one as much too. Vampires did not fear, Trellen did not fear, but since her unexpected presence into his life Trellen hadn't been himself.

He gazed around his dark chambers, stone walls surrounding his four poster bed that had been with him through the ages. Aligning the bed were elegant silk black sheets with blood red lining. Underneath the queen sized mattress rested a layer of his homes native soil. Without the soil he would not be able to rest, nor travel more than a hundred miles from his home. He sighed, what was home anymore? He had various homes around the world, all adopted by different names. No one knew the real him though. Yes his name was Trellen, but what of the last? He had never met anyone worth sharing such information. His secret was a dark secret that he didn't want one exposed to… he didn't want them to find the fate he had had for these dark years. He wasn't sure if he wanted to share with Evey the horrors of his life. She was completely entranced by him, and this was not of his doing. He stirred slightly, not being able to find the rest he needed. He could smell the warm sun, he could sense the slow ascent into the sky and he knew he wished for nothing more but to be able to share his dark gift with someone. When Evey found out who he really was… she'd never want any part of him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Two days had passed since the last time Evey had seen Trellen, and she was beginning to feel discouraged. Where they moving to fast? She sighed; she usually wasn't as forward as she was with Trellen… but he was just so enticing. What drew her to him so heavily? She closed her eyes as she leaned against the sofa in the seating room hoping to receive some sign of him in the next few days. She glanced out the window at the retreating sun, wondering if tonight would be the end to her waiting. She turned at the sound of the door and was greeted by an anxious looking maid.

"The master of the house wishes your attention Madam"

Evey almost snorted, "Oh does he?"

The maid gave her a look of pure terror at the sound of Evey's sarcastic tone, "Yes madam he does… it is not best to keep him waiting".

Evey wondered what the horrors this maid has seen before in her life. Was Trellen truly as bad as the maid him seem?

"Where does he want my company?"

The maid motioned toward the door, "He waits for you in the gardens".

Evey frowned, the gardens? She nodded her head at the maid and made her way toward the small rose garden that occupied the south corner of Trellen's land.

She reached the garden in no haste, and marveled at the sight of the pale moon washing over the blood red roses. She scanned over the garden and saw no sign of Trellen. Sighing, she spotted a small bench and made her way to sit down. Before she could rest her bottom she felt two strong arms pulling her gently back up.

"Trellen" Evey's voice came out in a mere whisper, feeling comfort in the arms she hadn't felt in days.

"Dearest Evey".

Evey froze; this wasn't the voice she was expecting. Still confined in the man's embrace, she turned slowly and was greeted by none other than Mark Decourti. Evey panicked… how had he found her?

"I assure you I mean no harm".

A scream began to rise in Evey's throat at the man's compassionless words. Before she could utter a single word, Mark placed a finger gingerly over her lips.

"Screaming will do you no good." He motioned toward the bench she was about to sit down on previously, "Sit". His word was not a statement, it was a command. Her body did as Mark told and he joined her on the small white bench.

Evey scanned the man next to her, wondering why he hadn't taken all she had and left her dry. Fear, panic and confusion painted her face as she became painfully aware of the dangerous situation she was in.

He looked at her, his green eyes piercing a hole deep within the core of her being, "Why do you fear me so?"

Evey sat dumbfounded for a moment. Hadn't Trellen told her that Mark was a ruthless killer? Wanting nothing more but to rid the world of every possible human?

She realized she hadn't answered and shook her head, "You're a killer".

Mark laughed a bitter yet gentle tone "Oh yes… I am a killer".

Evey shuddered visibly as Mark wrapped one arm around her waist pulling her close to his side. He bent down and whispered in her ear, "We are all killers".

Evey pulled away from the man's embrace, not liking the way he so freely touched her.

"Trellen is not a killer".

Mark laughed his odd laugh again, "Did Trellen tell you that?"

Evey nodded, confusion painting her face more than fear.

Evey watched as Mark gazed down at the ground. His facial expression showing that he was thinking intently about something.

"Believe what you want Evey, but remember looks are easily deceived".

Evey frowned, "Why are you telling me this?"

Mark looked down at the ground once more, "Because I am usually deceived for something I am not".

Evey turned at the sound of footsteps behind her and saw nothing. She turned back to Mark to discover that he was gone and the bench now had embedded deep into the granite a "D".

"Decourti" Evey whispered.

"Why do you speak that name?"

Evey turned at the sound of Trellen's voice, tonight he once again wore all black. His hair was slightly rumpled and he seemed to be harnessing a slight growth of facial hair.

"H-He…" Evey stopped herself, something told her not to mention his name to Trellen.

Trellen sighed as he resumed his position next to her on the bench. He wrapped an arm around her waist just as Mark had done moments earlier. She sighed; it did feel so good to be in his embrace again.

"Where have you been?" she blurted out. She immediately flushed, not wanting to seem so forward.

Trellen chuckled lightly, "I have been around… thinking".

Evey cuddled into his side a little more, "About?"

Trellen turned and looked at her. He said nothing as he began to run his fingers idly through her hair, never breaking his intense stare.

Evey realized he wasn't going to share with her that information and went back to starring at the ground. His hand that had been roaming in her dark hair left her hair and traveled to her chin. He tilted her chin lightly, giving her a look she had recognized in Mark's eyes. What was it about both men that made them so similar?

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-AesSedia