This chapter is called Dance, Kiss, Reality! The thing most likely won't let me put in commas and the exclamation point, and I wanted to get this point across.

Marquette sighed, wondering how she had fallen for the guys' persuasions to take her out. It had been two weeks since she woke up, a week snce the reports of the Necrosis came flooding in, and they decided it was time that she left the house and had some fun. They had even gotten her make-up (with the help of Alison and Maddie, of course). All in all, it was really sweet, and she just couldn't resist and tell them no. Plus, the cabin fever had been settling in on her. She needed fun.

She glanced down at herself and smiled. She did look good. She especially liked the looks guys that Berto let in gave her. She had cut her hair, and now it lay in luminescent curls on her shoulders. She wore a black tube dress with knee-high black boots. Black crystals made swirls from her thighs to her knees and also dotted her shoulders and collarbone. Her amulets lay against her chest, the weight comforting and familiar. Smokey black eyeliner and eye shadow enveloped her eyes, darkening the gray even more. Stars dangled from her ears with black jewels in the middle, completing her shadowy look.

Kyle and Samuel moved into the club, leaving her alone with Berto and the crowd. Obie was already getting ready to go onstage with his band, and she was getting ready to go in and see him perform.

Berto grinned at the guy who slipped him the twenty and checked his clipboard. She walked up behind him, looking over his shoulder at the blank object. She smelled a mixture of body spray and aftershave on him, and she had to admit, he smelled great. He looked great with his diamond stud, slicked back hair, and all black clothes. To her, he always looked great.

The guy looked at Marquette and whistled. "Now that's a classy gal. My question is, why is she with you?"

She cocked an eyebrow at the guy. That was low, she thought. She wrapped an arm around Berto's waist, leaning her body into his. He glanced down at her curiously.

"Why wouldn't I be with Berto?" She asked curiously, straining to make her voice innocent and seductive at the same time. She reached over with her other hand to swipe against his chest.

Even though Berto kept his cool, and gave the man a triumphant look as he opened the gate for him to pass through, his breath still caught in his throat at her touch. And she enjoyed hearing that.

"Come on, Marq. Let's go dance," he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her inside of the club.

Obie was already onstage and had begun performing when they walked in. Berto pulled her onto the floor, squeezing them in with the other people. Lights flashed on them as the band dove head first into their music.

Berto's hand rested on her hip, his fingers curling into the fabric of her dress. Others turned to look at them, as if approving of them together, despite their vast differences. She smiled at him, a small one, and grabbed his other hand, placing it on her other hip. She lay her hands in the crook of his elbows, rubbing her thumbs across his skin as she let the music take over her body. This was when her animal side took over, when she wasn't herself anymore.

He moved with her, matching rhythm. Her body moved dangerously as she became the wicked goddess. Berto watched her closely, felt her transform in his hands. She moved closer to him, moving her body against his.

A girl slid in between them, shoving Marquette back. She stumbled, caught off balance, crashing into some guy behind her. The girl with blonde hair pushed up against Berto, placing his hands on her ass.

"Ashley," he hissed, "get away from me."

Arms wrapped around Marquette's waist, pulling he back against the body of someone. She tried to pull away, but it was to no avail.

"Hey, you freak, get awa—" She gasped, her eyes wide at the face of who was holding her. "Stanton!" Fury washed over her.

Stanton smiled down at her. "I've missed you, too, Marquette."

Berto looked over in time to see Marquette's mouth set in rage and a tall, blonde guy holding her. He pushed Ashley out the way at the same time as the guy and Marquette disappeared into a shadow. She had been kidnapped!

Berto growled and ran off to find her.

xXxXxXxXxXx

Marquette glared out at the water, her mouth still pressed tightly together. Stanton picked up her thoughts of hate and rage and laughed. What do you want with me?" She asked through clenched teeth. She had only "met" Stanton once, but that one meeting went off the deep end. She really didn't like him, and the feeling was mutual on his behalf.

"To give you an opportunity, of course. Why, was there something else you wanted me to see you for?" He asked suggestively, his blue eyes looking her over. She blushed, but that wasn't exactly what she was asking about.

"N-no!" She stuttered and folded her arms over her chest angrily. Damn, cocky little bastard.

He laughed. "Look, I'm only here to give you some information. You know, between dark forces."

"I am not a dark force."

"Of course not. That's why you survived alive in Tartarus for three months and happen to be a goddess of death with powers to raise spirits at your will."

She paused, about to say something, but decided better of it. "What information?"

"This weekend would be the best time."

She groaned and shut her eyes, trying to calm herself. "The best time for what?" She opened her eyes to look at him. He wasn't there.

"You could have taken me home!" She yelled into the salty air.

"Which home, Marquette?" Berto appeared beside her.

The one with Celeste, her mind screamed. No, that wasn't right. It was with the Sons of the Dark. That's what she felt.

"Berto, whatever attraction there is between us, it won't work. I already love someone," Marquette said. She looked at him, staring straight into his eyes.

"Yeah, so you tell me, so Aestroth tells me. Now, tell me this. Do you love him because you really love him, or because you are supposed to love him?"

"What? Of course it's because I love him. No one can tell you or decide for you!"

"What about Aidrian, then? How long after he died did you forget your feelings for him?"

It was a week, she remembered. That was strange, but Aidrian had been her chosen mate. Ash wasn't, and she loved him.

"Berto…Why is it hard for you to accept that I don't want to be with you?" she asked softly.

"Because I know you do. Why are you lying to yourself!"

"We'll never work! You even said so yourself that any girl from here that you kiss, you'll kill! And what happens when it's time for you to go home, to your own time?"

Tears rolled down her cheeks, smearing her black make-up. Marquette turned away from him, hugging herself as she walked across the sand. Black mists shrouded her body, staying close, as if comforting her in her grief. Berto shook from anger. She was right, of course, but he didn't care. He ran after her, his shoes slipping over the golden sand.

"Marquette! Stop!" He grabbed her arm, spinning her around.

"What is it that you want?" She asked with a thick voice.

He leaned down so that his lips were against hers, but he didn't kiss her. "Only you."

She pressed her mouth against his, holding him against her by her fingers curling into his shirt. His hands grasped her upper arms, holding, squeezing, them tightly. She opened her mouth to him, allowing his tongue to explore her mouth.

She moaned and broke their searing kiss, falling against him, breathing hard. Her energy had suddenly been zapped from her, but it was so much unlike how she pulled energy away form her body to shapeshift. He held her tightly, whispering into her hair, "I'm sorry."

She nodded. "It's…It's okay."

"Let's get out of here," he suggested. She nodded her agreement softly, and he took her hand, leading her off the beach and towards his motorcycle.

He straddled the Yamaha and motioned for her to do the same. She hesitated slightly, biting her lip before following suit. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing up against his back.

"Let's go home," she said.

AN: Five more chapters to go!

Thank you Demon Dea.