Hi dude's and dudette's! I present to you a new chapter!
I wanted to get this out to you sooner, but alas I was distracted. It's pretty hectic here.
We are moving so it's busy, busy, busy around here! But I finally got myself a new bed and it's a pretty French one. You know, the ones with the curves and gentle lines and wooden carvings and stuff. If you don't know what I mean just google Shabby chic ;)

Warning; A jibe at Carrot Top. I don't care if anybody here likes him, I just think he is creepy and it was fun using him in this chapter.

Anyway, on to the chapter~


11 Walking in circles

Cain's mood was foul and his arms full once he came back.

The clerk behind the counter had been difficult about giving them new sheets. But as Cain had slipped the man some money he finally relented and gave them his best pair.

The vampire had offered the dirty sheets on the street where homeless people lived and they had greedily taken them from his hands. After that he had gone to the underground mall where the girl had been attacked by the succubus and picked up the shoes he had bought. But walking further he tossed them aside in favour of other ones. The store his human had been smashed into had been a clothing store.

He had picked out lots of clothing, underwear included, dumped them onto one pile, dropped a lot of shoes on there, put a small fortune on the counter to pay for all the clothes and the damage and left, taking the pile of clothes and shoes with him.

He dumped the pile on the bed and walked to the bathroom. ''I am coming in, woman.''

''I have a name you know.'' A smart voice replied and green eyes threw a glare at him. Her eyes softened a tad. ''But the bath was just what I needed, so thank you.''

''Glad to hear you are feeling better.'' Cain drawled and crossed his arms over his chest. ''Are you ready to come out?''

''Yeah, I am beginning to look like a prune.''

The vampire frowned. ''I am not familiar with that expression.''

''It means my skin is shrivelled up because of the water. It gets all wrinkly and stuff, see?'' She held one hand out to him and Cain cut his eyes down to see that the skin at the tip of her fingers was indeed wrinkled up.

''I see.'' He responded as he began to unbutton his shirt.

The girl began to sputter again and make protest. Her face was red as well. ''You can't do that! Stop taking off your shirt!'' She put her hands in front of her face.

''Stuff it, woman.'' He scoffed at her and took off the blouse, revealing his pale white chest. ''I will not be soaking wet because I have to lift an irritating human out of the water.''

''Hey!'' She yelled in indignation. ''I am not irritating.''

He lifted one eyebrow at her.

''Am not!''

The eyebrow did not move.

She scowled. ''Am not. '' She muttered. ''Help me up?''

Cain sighed at the human and slid his arms underneath her body and lifted her up. With closed eyes he placed her on the edge of the bathtub and then walked out of the bathroom. He was aware of the eyes that followed him. He grabbed all the undergarments and dumped them right inside the bathroom.

The girl gasped. ''There are so many! It almost looks like you robbed a store!'' He could feel her eyes boring into him and heard her scowl. ''You did rob a store!''

He glared. ''I do not have to explain my business to you. Now find your size and get dressed.'' The vampire said and turned back to the door. ''I will be back in to help you change into nightclothes.''

He heard the girl murmur something about how to dry off her backside if she couldn't stand before he closed the door behind him.


Kate sighed as the vampire closed the door behind him and slumped forward slightly. She had not forgotten that he was still deadly and could kill her any moment he wanted to, and that made her tense and edgy whenever he was around.

When he had arrived at the underground mall she was sure he was going to kill her. He looked like he was going to bite your head off if you even so much as dared to breathe. But he had been gentle with her. Like she was very fragile. She scoffed and a bitter smile reached her lips. She really must have seemed very fragile. Very breakable. So human.

When they got to the room he looked ready to strangle her and have her lie in the hotel room for days, before someone found her. And she really felt that fear. Kate always prided herself for not being afraid of death, but staring in Death's eyes for a few times completely threw off that notion. She wanted to live.

And when the vampire had not killed her she knew he would rape her or beat her within an inch of her life for running away, but he did the exact opposite. He picked the glass out of her wounds and he healed her.

Sure, it was pure torture, but that moment right before he licked every gash to heal it when he hovered above her stomach, he looked irresistible. Even erotic. Arousal had spiked through her being for a moment, before the painful process began. It had then been banned from her thoughts very easily.

In the bathtub those same thoughts came back to haunt her as well as everything from the events before that.

What had the vampire done with the girl?Had he punished her? Kate had heard her talk to the vampire, then a wail and after that nothing but silence. She had either gone away or he had killed her.

I hope he killed the bitch. Kate thought venomously and placed the towel on her head to dry her hair. She hurt me really bad! It freaking hurts. I hope he went hard on her!

The raven haired girl tried to get up and grab the hairbrush on the cabinet next to the sink. Pain shot up both of her feet and reminded her of the position she was in. She was crippled.

That bastard left the underside of my feet unhealed on purpose! He knows I can't go anywhere without his help now. But the thought didn't seem so bad anymore.

Yes, she would have to be on her toes around him and not try to piss him off so he would kill her. But he had saved her from other creatures. Several times. He was reasonable safe to be with at the moment. But when I get the chance I will escape again! And I will be successful. Kate let a smirk touch her lips and grabbed the underwear, which was conveniently placed close to her and on her level.

It was a real hassle to get them on and the girl often experienced the excruciating pain of placing too much weight on her feet or stretching the skin of her back. But finally she had the undergarments on. The water lemon pink bra and panties contrasted sharply with her skin, making her seem slightly tanned.

The bra hurt her back, but she was definitely not going to flash even more skin around that being! He had already seen too much.

A knock sounded on the door and a now familiar voice announced. ''I have your nightclothes.''

Kate frowned. How was it again that she landed in this situation? Oh yeah, evil vampires tried to kill them off and he kidnapped and dragged her across the country. ''I am dressed.'' Partially.

The being glided in. Over his arm he had a tank top in a pretty shade of mint green and some black cotton pants. Grey eyes bore down on her and Kate felt the urge to fidget. Had he known what she'd been thinking about? Finding him attractive. Being okay with his company. Planning to escape. Does he know?

The girl searched the marble face before her, but it was blank. Carefully devoid of any emotions. His face was unreadable to her.

''You are staring.'' His drawling voice snapped her out of her observations and she smiled nervously.

''Hold your arms up.'' The vampire ordered and as soon as Kate did that, the pale hands pulled the tank top over her arms. Kate put her arms down and tugged the top in place. The shoulder strap smoothed off her arm and a pale hand reached out. Cold fingers slipped beneath it and placed the strap back correctly.

Kate shivered lightly at the touch and peered through her lashes at the crouched creature before her.

Yes, he was beautiful. His hair looked like silk and not a single strand was out of place. The navy coloured blouse he wore today seemed to illuminate his skin. The skin that was like pale porcelain and so perfectly flawless that most people would die to have it. His cheekbones were high and chiselled and his nose long, contributing to his aristocratic features. His lashes were dark and full and touched his skin like delicate wings and when the greys behind it looked up to you it was like looking up into jewels.

And Kate held her breath as those gems slowly turned to look at her face.

Full lips parted and gave way to a deep velvety voice. ''You are doing it again. Cease it.''

The raven haired girl shook her head to rid herself of such thoughts. So beautiful, but so rude. Kate thought longingly. ''Sorry.'' She muttered. ''Can you help me with the pants?''

He raised an eyebrow at her as if to say You already know I will.

Kate accepted the pants he held out for her and put them on until they were on her thighs. The vampire reached out and hands carefully grasped her sides, pulling her up like she was very delicate. Her feet hovered above the ground.

The girl grabbed the pants and pulled them up. Grabbing the cords she pulled them taut and began tying a knot. ''So, what did you do with the succubus?'' She asked to break the silence.

His eyes were still trained on the top of her head as he answered. '' I beheaded her.''

''Why?''

''What do you mean why?'' He growled.

Kate sighed as the knot failed and undid it. ''Why did you kill her?''

''Would it have pleased you more if I had let her murder you?''

''No, but…She was very strong and very pretty.'' She looked the vampire in the eyes and grey clashed with green. ''Aren't you getting lonely of roaming this world all these years just by yourself?''

Something flickered behind those grey eyes before it was gone again. ''Who says I don't already have a mate?'' The answer came coldly.

Kate felt a slight pang of pain at that, though she couldn't understand why. She was not in love with him. Yes, he looked gorgeous, but he was dangerous and hell, they were not even of the same species anymore! ''Oh.''

Minutes ticked by as neither of them spoke.

I do not feel upset. I do not like him and this isn't any of my business. Why should I care if he has a lover? Kate didn't have anything to do with this, but then why did the thought hurt so much?

''I don't.''

Kate looked up at him in confusion.

Grey eyes bore down on her and an eyebrow rose. It was like he was trying to say that she should have grasped the subject of the conversation already without words.

But the girl was momentarily at a loss of what the subject was again.

Without addressing it further the vampire sneered. ''Are you even capable of tying knots?''

She supposed that was his way of asking if she was done yet. As she quickly knotted the ties she saw the ground move beneath her and she knew he was carrying her to the bedroom. She almost opened her mouth to tell him she could walk on her own, before she remembered that her feet were not healed. With an audible snap she shut her mouth again. He's a bastard. She reminded herself. He has not healed my feet and left me in this misery so that I have no chance to escape again.

Gently he lowered her onto the bed and looked down at her past his nose. ''I cannot provide you with food right now. It is late and there are no suitable stores open at this time of night.'' He sneered as he looked pointedly to her and she got the hint that he was referring to her escape.

Kate frowned. Yes, she had been stupid, but was it really foolish of her to try to escape? Any sane person would to the same.

''Sleep. And do not try any more foolish things.'' He said coldly.

The girl bristled, but kept silent.

The vampire narrowed his eyes, as if expecting protests. As he saw there were going to be none he turned around again. From the corner of her eye Kate kept a watchful eye on him but he just sat down on the window bank.

She was glad for that. She was weary of him lying right next to her, so close to her that he could kill her without even breaking a sweat. Tired to the bone she picked up the blankets and laid down on her stomach. She would only use the bed just for this night, because she was hurt. But I will never voluntarily lie down in one bed with that thing! Pulling the fabric up until she was almost hidden from sight Kate finally let out the sigh that wanted to break loose.


Cain tried to get his thoughts out of the gutter when he suddenly smelled something sweet in the air.

It was the girl. She was content. With a hint of fear and confusion, but still.

He frowned. The human wasn't supposed to feel content in his presence. The only reason he had shown himself to her was because he felt something had been about to happen. And he was right. They had tried to take the girl for reasons unknown. They only said that their master wanted her. Why? What did they want from her?

Once again Cain was at a loss. His thoughts have been running in circles ever since that night. And he never got any answers, just more questions. Who had been the harsh looking vampire? He seemed to know Cain well enough to know he was an Ancient. Of course, that was not exactly a secret. Almost every vampire knew the names of the Ancients. But who was he working for? Who was the boss that wanted his human?

He looked at her covered sleeping form. She had hidden herself perfectly from sight, save for some wild black tresses. Those raked over the pillows and slipped over the edge. They looked like black snakes in the moonlight.

She was still blissfully unaware that her life had almost been ended again that night. The poison they had infected her with was a toxic with only one function; to paralyze someone's body, putting it into a coma-like state, unless one had the proper antidote. She had been lucky he could suck it out of her before it touched anything other than her veins. Otherwise there would have been no helping her. She would have been paralyzed for the rest of her life…Or until he found the antidote. But would he really go through that much trouble for an ungrateful, spiteful wench?

The vampire let his head rest against the windowsill and placed a hand on his knee.

She was crying. Again

But she was doing so silently. Very silent.

Didn't she know that he could smell every one of her tears? Cain quietly sighed. Probably not. But if she didn't want him to know he wouldn't question her.

So he let her cry herself to sleep, trying to figure out the exact reason behind her tears.

Cain saw the sun rise a few hours later and the orb bathed him in its warm light. He was rather fond of it and revelled in the beams. As an Ancient he could stand sunlight, unlike the vampires in stories that perished when the rays of the sun hit them. Yes, there were vampires that indeed couldn't bear sunlight, but he had developed this ability over the span of the years. Most ancients had. But they were with few. Most of them had been wiped out by the newborns or humans. The witch hunt on vampires had died down several years ago, but there were still hunters out there.

Idly Cain remembered the time where he had walked into one. He had been naïve and young. But he had managed to escape and the man later turned up dead. It had been necessary to kill him, otherwise he might have hunted Cain down again. Or he might have found and killed S-

Cain cut off his own thoughts. Let's not go down this road again. Let the past be the past.

The day crawled by slowly and the sunlight had begun to fade when the human began to toss and turn.

Grey eyes observed her. The scent of pain came from her but the vampire knew it was not from physical injury, since she was still too far away into the dream world. This was from mental injury.

She mumbled some words in her sleep and turned over again, her face scrunched up in a scared expression. ''No, please.'' He could hear her mutter. ''Mommy, help me.''

Suddenly she shot up and winced, her hands clutched at her stomach. She panted and wide frantic eyes scanned the room. Her green eyes landed on him and her heart skipped a beat.

He frowned.

She closed her eyes shut and one of her hands pinched the bridge of her nose. He could hear her take deep and slow breaths, trying to get her heart under control again. The other hand was still splayed on her stomach.

The vampire remained silent, wondering what was wrong.

''Sorry about that.'' She said to him even though he had not spoken. ''Just a nightmare.''

More deep breaths and Cain replied. ''Don't bother me with it.''

Green eyes looked up at him and she seemed to get some colour back. ''Arrogant bastard.'' She muttered quietly, before averting her eyes.

He was before her in an instant, snarling. ''You will address me with respect!''

''Respect is to be earned!'' She yelled back.

Cain's hand flew out and wrapped around her wrist.

With a snapping sound the girls eyes flew to her hand. The silver cuff was broken into pieces and fell to the floor.

''I will not repeat myself.'' He growled lowly and stood up. ''I will be back.'' Then he was out the door, slamming it behind him.

''Can't wait for you to come back!'' She yelled after him sarcastically.


''Rude jerk!'' She yelled at the empty room before she flung off the blankets and examined the underside of her feet.

The cuts were healed.

''What the-?'' The girl muttered. ''His words and actions are totally bipolar!'' Frustration surfaced again and she couldn't suppress it any longer. He was irritating, arrogant, vexing and very, very confusing. She briefly entertained the idea of him being schizophrenic, but that possibility was very unlikely.

Carefully Kate stood up and felt pain flame in her right ankle. Apparently her sprain was not healed. ''Big bad bat.'' She cursed him under her breath and hopped to the bathroom.

Taking a shower turned out to be a difficult thing while being unable to use one leg too much. Many times the soap bar had popped out of her hands and even more times she had to stretch herself in difficult positions to get it. She was very glad her back was feeling better today. Otherwise she would have been lying on the floor, screaming in pain.

Kate put the underwear back on and the mint green tank top and looked in the mirror.

I look okay. She smiled at her reflection. But her eyes landed on the big hand-shaped bruise on her neck and winced. Except for that.

Brushing her hair out Kate heard quiet footsteps in the main room. He's back. Where was he gone to in the first place?

The girl's ire at him rose. Who was he to leave her alone here in this dingy hotel room without telling her where he was going or what he was doing? Vampires attacked them, but he still left her to her own devices? Did he just expect her to die? She wasn't able to defend herself from any immortal attackers, as she had proven before! She grimaced at that memory and pulled open the door, ready to give the vampire a piece of her mind.

But the sight that greeted her was totally different.

Clothes were scattered throughout the room and drawers were pulled open, some even flung out.

How the hell did he do that without me noticing?

And instead of the vampire that she travelled with someone else stood there.

It was a man, taller than her and he had flaming red hair in curls that looked like a perm-gone-bad. In his hands he held a bloodied washcloth. As the man noticed the girl standing in the doorway of the bathroom he swivelled around.

His face was so hideous that Kate yelled the first thing that came to mind. ''Oh my god! Carrot Top is stalking me! I knew it!'' She slammed the door and locked it. Shaking with laughter she slid down the door. She knew that she should be scared out of her mind, but her poor brain was looking for a reprieve after all the frightening situations she had been in the last couple of days. ''Hahahaha you ugly son of a-'' Her laughter rang through the tiny room and the girl wheezed.

She heard sounds on the other side of the door and figured that the man was not a happy camper.

The fist that broke a hole through the door above her was proof of that.

But even then Kate couldn't stop laughing. No, it just made the whole situation more hilarious.

Well, if she was going to die today, she was going to die with a smile on her face.


Cain opened the door to the room and paused.

The room was in great disarray. Clothes were everywhere. Drawers were hanging half open in their places and some were even on the floor.

An unknown man with flaming red curls had his arm through a hole in the bathroom door. ''I am not a carrot top!''

This can't be good. The vampire thought as he followed the hand that disappeared through the door. He sighed and his lips thinned. Where was the girl? And what in the world was a 'carrot top'?

''No, you are the Carrot Top!'' A wheezed laugh and giggles came from within the bathroom and told him everything he needed to know.

Feeling miffed Cain put the bags by the door and approached the unknown man. When the vampire was behind him he finally seemed to notice that there was someone other than him in the room. Cain grabbed the man's head and snapped his neck.

Letting the body fall to the ground he knocked the door. ''Open the door, woman.''

He heard a click, a signal that she had unlocked the door and turned the knob. The woman came tumbling out, clutching her sides, while tears streamed down her cheeks. Her laughter did not stop. At the sight of his sour face she laughed harder.

''Why is it that when I am not around you always manage to get yourself into trouble?'' He inquired.

''I am just that fun to be around?'' She giggled.

Cain sniffed disdainfully. How could she be so sad and scared one minute and full of laughter the next? If anything she should be cowering at this very moment. If he had not come that man might as well have killed her. Why was he here anyway? ''Hardly. What happened? Why did you let that man in?''

Her giggled subsided a bit and she pouted. Cain tried very hard to ban the thought that she looked adorable like that from his mind. ''I didn't let him in. He let himself in. I was combing my hair when I heard noise and I thought it was you. So I opened the door to give you a piec- to ask you if we could get breakfast and there he was! And I just yelled the first thing that came to mind.''

''Which is?''

The girl grinned up at him. ''You are not going to like this. I was so astounded by his…beauty that I called him Carrot Top. Then I slammed the door in his face.''

''And you think this is funny?'' Cain asked with a blank face. Surely she did not.

''I thought it was freaking hilarious.'' She bit her bottom lip to hold back the peals of laughter the vampire knew she wanted to release.

Cain bristled and crossed his arms. ''So finding an unknown man taking apart the room, a man that could possibly kill you before you can blink is hilarious?

The girl sobered immediately. ''Well yeah, I know it was dangerous and I should have been scared out of my wits, but I couldn't help but laugh. Maybe my fear ran dry?''

Before she could even gasp the vampire hovered over her and snarled, drawing his lips back like a wild animal, showing off his fangs.

But the girl just blinked and stared at him. She reached out to him. Her fingers paused hesitantly in front of his mouth and then gently touched his fangs.

Startled Cain drew back fast and sneered. ''Don't touch me with your filthy hands, human!''

The girl's face twisted into disappointment. She held up her hands as if to show she was not going to touch him anymore. She tipped her head on the ground and looked at the corpse of the man. The world was upside down but the man was on the ground. He was dead. ''You killed him.'' She remarked quietly before her green eyes slid back to him.

''Yes.'' He stared down hard until she averted her eyes. Cain tried very hard to put up his emotionless front and not let her see just how much she had confused him with her actions. ''Get up. We need to leave immediately.''

Cain turned his back to her as she got up and he heard her softly padding to the corner where he had dumped all the clothing the night before. He heard the slight limp in her steps. The rustle of fabric.

''Was he a vampire as well?'' The voice behind him startled him. She caught him off guard way to many times. It was becoming unnerving.

Peering over his shoulder he noticed with slight displeasure that she had chosen to wear pants. Pants were nice fitting and she did look good in them, but skirts were more modest. More suiting.

The top she had chosen was more to his taste. A simple emerald green long sleeve with a turtleneck that drew the attention to her green eyes. That would look so good with a black skirt. The vampire shivered with delight at the mental image. He banished the thought as quickly as it came. ''No, he was merely human.''

Now it was her turn to shudder. Finally she saw how easy it was for him to kill a useless human.

But as the sparkle in her eyes died down, Cain found himself wishing it back. She turned her head to look at the corpse. ''Why was he here?''

The vampire nodded. "I do not know. But it appears he was searching for something.'' He eyed the strewn clothes and the drawers. The girl followed his gaze. ''Do you think they belong to that creepy guy?'' She asked.

An eyebrow rose at the question. ''You mean that filth that called himself my 'brother'?'' When the human only nodded he shook his head. ''He didn't say anything.''

Big green eyes peered at him inquisitively. ''Did you kill him before asking questions?''

Damnation, she is too perceptive! Discomfort began to creep into his veins. ''He was attacking you so it was only logical to eliminate the threat immediately.''

To his horror she squealed. ''Aw! You care so much about me that you didn't even ask him what he was doing here. That is so sweet!''

''I wasn't doing that to be sweet!'' Cain sneered and he felt his cheeks warm up. It had been stupid to kill the man before finding out whom he was working for and why he was here. It was a mistake and the vampire did not take kindly to her rubbing in that fact. ''You will cease speaking of this and gather basic necessities so we can leave this place before they find us! Again!''

''Fine, fine.'' The girl muttered and spun on her heel to go packing. Or course she had to bend over right as she stood before Cain, and thereby giving him a perfect view of her rounded backside. It was that he knew she was not doing this on purpose otherwise he would have punished her for driving him mad. Okay, that sounded inappropriate. Even in my mind. He thought and raised his eyes to the heavens with difficulty. How the God's must be laughing at him.

While the human gathered some clothes and necessities, the vampire lounged near the door. Just to be safe.

''Where will we be going?'' The girl asked as she folded a knitted cardigan.

''East.'' He drawled lazily. 'Just like I intended.' The words hung unspoken in the air but understood by both. ''A safe place I know lies there.''

''And what will we do then?''

Cain frowned. "I need to figure out who is attacking us and why they are after you.''

Her eyes widened and she sputtered. ''Me? Why would they be after me? They are after you! They have to be after you! There is way they would be after me. I am useless!''

With quick strides the vampire crossed the room and grabbed the girl's upper arms. ''They are not after me. They want you. You heard that creepy guy.'' He said, borrowing the words she had described the black haired vampire with earlier, and that earned him a raised eyebrow. ''Their master is looking for you. And the question is why? Why you? You are indeed as you stated a human. But they still want something from you.''

She looked like she was about to pull her hair in frustration. ''But why?'' Her desperate cry came.

''I do not know.'' He hissed and released her. Frustrated to no end he gritted out between clenched teeth. ''Focus on your task.''

Angry waves rolled off her body as she fumed silently. She could deny it all she wanted but it was still a fact that there were hostile vampires after her. Not him. Her.

He watched her as she packed the clothes in a bag she had found in the pile. She was stuffing them in with more force than necessary and she muttered words under her breath. Probably cursing him.

She could curse all she wanted. It didn't change the situation. He was still her involuntarily guardian and she was his protégé. And she was in danger. So Cain protected her. He protected her from any creature, so she should be grateful. But she was not. She chose to run away over and over and to place herself in danger. She was attracting problems like a magnet. And it was becoming tiresome.

Sudden sounds drew Cain out of his musings.

Footfalls on the stairs down the hall. And they were too fast, too agile to be human.

Springing into action the vampire grabbed the human's hand, which had become frozen when she noticed the state of alertness in him and pulled her flush with his body. Cain was pleased to notice the girl had had enough sense to grab the backpack and with that fleeting feeling he got them out of that dingy hotel room as fast as he could.


Has any of you peeps ever seen 'How to train your dragon'? No? Then go watch it.
And have you seen the new Harry Potter yet? I watched it last week with a good friend and it was awesome! And it had a Beethoven tune in it~ Those of you who know the tune and can tell me which one it is will get hugs and cookies from me~~~