Chapter 13

The Lykae wasn't coming back. That much was certain. Or maybe Michael was just telling himself that in a hope that, someday, he would come back. But after a month of wasting away, drinking minimal amounts of blood in order to keep the pain away, it seemed like the Lykae had forgotten all about him.

As the days passed, Michael found himself spending more and more time at the front door, tirelessly peering out in hope that he'd see him. He never did. With each day that passed the chances of following the Lykae's scent trail diminished.

Michael was never going to see him again.

A sharp knock at the door brought him out of his daze. He'd been sat on the steps so long that he'd let his guard down and his legs had gone numb despite there being no blood in his body to cause it. Glancing up quickly, the little seed of hope died when he saw another boy stood on the doorstep.

Michael hadn't seen him for over month. In all the hype that had surrounded the Lykae, he'd forgotten all about the other boy.

Ian stood on his doorstep, his black hair shining in the moonlight. He was more slender than the Lykae had been – less muscle and a few inches shorter – but he was still taller than Michael. At this rate, everyone seemed to be taller than him.

"Ian," Michael said with a frown on his face. What would he want at this time of night? Even if it meant going out, Michael couldn't. The last time he'd checked – a few days ago – the grating sound had been worse than ever and had put him off trying to escape. "What do you want?"

"Can I come in?" Ian asked, gesturing towards the door. "Or maybe you can come out with me? I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime." His tone made it clear that he wasn't going to take no for an answer. "I haven't seen you at work. Everybody thinks you just packed it in."

Michael shook his head slowly. "No, I'll go back. I've just been having a few…" he paused for a millisecond. "Problems," he finished lamely.

"Come out with me then," Ian insisted, his hands resting on the open door. "You can forget about things for a while…" He raised his eyebrows in a fast, suggestive way. "We can have some fun, maybe?"

Michael was about to utter the words 'I can't. I'm with someone,' but he stopped himself. The Lykae hadn't cared much about Michael. He'd taken everything he held close, stripped everything away from him, and then left without any word or reason why. Instead, he swallowed and nodded. "Ok, just let me get changed. If I'm going out, I'm not going out in these."

No Rest For The Wicked

It was working out perfectly. Ian couldn't believe his luck. How easy had it been too sweet talk the older vampire into coming out with him? And he'd even left him some spare time to make sure all the arrangements were in place!

Could one person really be that stupid?

Out of his eye corner he saw the gleaming eyes of one of the five Lykae that had been sent with him to make sure he carried out the deed. They were strategically positioned in places that would make the job easy, quick and efficient. No one would notice the struggles at all…

The light creak of a step made him look back at the house. Michael was walking down the stairs, and dressed in a fitted black shirt and jeans to match. His blonde hair stood out against the darkness. When he saw Ian looking, he bit his lip, causing one fang to peer over nervously.

"Hey," he said hesitantly once he reached the front door. Suddenly a flurry of emotions came over his face: pain; fear; panic; and, finally, determination. Licking his lips, he reluctantly reached out to touch the space between the door. When his hand got so far, Ian saw him flinch.

What was with the strange behaviour? Was that why the vampire had quit work? Because he was a nut job?

When his hand passed through the doorway a grin lit up Michael's face. His blue eyes sparkled with happiness and the first signs of hope. This was going to be too easy…

"Where are we going?" Michael quizzed him as he took one step out of the door.

"Just somewhere I found. It's dark and spooky, I thought you'd like that type of thing," Ian joked. When he saw a smile light up Michael's face, he started to think twice about what he was doing… Was his life really that important compared to the things they had planned for Michael? Surely if he told Michael, the vampire would be able to protect him? Or at least let him in the house so the Lykae couldn't get to him…

Before he had chance to change his mind, Michael stepped into the right position.

Instantly a Lykae shot out from the bushes, startling the vampire into a frozen shock. Its large, muscular arms circled Michael's lithe body and pinned his arms to his chest.

From where he was stood, Ian could see the panic rising in Michael's eyes. Fruitlessly he struggled against his captor, his legs kicking out randomly. He'd turned into a real vampire; the instinct reaction when they felt fear. His eyes glowed a demonic red in the moonlight and his once little fangs had grown to their full length.

Michael's eyes fixed on Ian, silently begging him to help as he struggled. But Ian just stood and watched. The vampire's breathing spiked and he tossed and turned in the Lykae's arm.

Ian stumbled to the side when another Lykae (this one smaller than the first) barged past him with a cloth in his hand. Drips of liquid dripped off the cloth. With one hand he grabbed Michael's hair roughly, forcing him to hold still. With the other hand, he pressed the cloth over the vampire's nose and mouth.

At this action, the vampire's thrashing increased tenfold and his breathing stopped. His eyes were wide with fear and terror. But even a vampire could only go with oxygen for so long…

Unimpressed with how long he had to wait, the smaller Lykae punched the vampire in the stomach cause him to double over in pain. The air whooshed out of his lungs and he tried desperately to suck in lungful's of air. And in doing so, he breathed in the liquid that was on the cloth.

Within seconds Michael's head lolled to the side, his red eyes still wide with fear.

No Rest For The Wicked

Something wasn't right. It wasn't the fact that it had been far too easy to access the main heart of Bishop's cave network… No, something was wrong.

Shane shook his head to clear his thoughts. It probably wasn't much, he was just missing Michael that was all. As soon as this shit had been cleared up then he'd be able to go back to him and not worry about his safety…

The cave he was in was the largest of them all. At the back, upon a higher rock were two extravagantly carved wooden chairs; the largest had been Shane's before the vampire's had tortured him. The smaller one beside it would be for Michael. The cave was circular in shape and lit with oil lamps set out at regular intervals. There were no drips of water coming down from the ceiling like the cave tunnels, instead everything was dry and the rock beneath his feet was smooth and worn.

And on Shane's throne, sat the Lykae that had destroyed everything; Shane wouldn't be surprised if Bishop had been the one behind his vampire imprisonment.

Just like before, a pang went through Shane's heart and his instincts screamed at him that something was wrong. And it wasn't about Bishop for once. His heart ached deeply and part of him seemed to be filled with an intense longing, a need to find something. Something or someone. Shane wasn't entirely sure which one.

"So, the infamous Shane Collins has finally arrived," said Bishop, his voice giving away no emotion. He sat forward in the throne, his elbows resting on his knees with one hand under his chin. Bishop looked bored. And how that infuriated Shane. "Has your little play pet been keeping you busy?"

In response to Bishop's words, Shane stiffened. Brandon! That Bastard! He'd probably reported back to Bishop… He should have killed him when he had the chance… "Leave Michael alone! Or I swear to God…"

"I have left Michael alone. I'm here am I not?" Bishop murmured softly, a cruel, mocking smile playing on the corners of his mouth. "It's Brandon you want to watch out for. He's terribly annoyed at being beaten by your pet."

"Call him off!" Shane shouted, his voice echoing around the empty cave. "If so much as one hair is harmed on his head…" Shane's threat trailed off as he stalked towards Bishop. As he did, a stronger pang went through his heart, begging him to go find someone or something.

And he was sure that he had to go find Michael. Something wasn't right with him, his mate. Michael was in danger and here was stood here talking!

"Then what are you doing here talking? It was almost too easy to break through the defences around the Glass House –"

Shane never heard Bishop's last words. Instead he ran from the cave, trusting only his gut instinct to find his mate before it was too late.

Hey up, long time no see haha. Sorry for the wait, things have been hectic at the moment. Tell me what you think so far. Thanks for reviewing and reading! Please review! Thanks :D