Sorry it's been so long. I wish I could've brought my laptop with me on holiday but oh well. Most of you have probably forgotten this story now so I'm only really carrying on with this story so I don't feel guilty about quitting.

All those who are still reading, enjoy. Xx

Claire.

They waited. Claire stood beside Myrnin. He had his arm around her but he seemed somewhat distracted. Claire couldn't quite pinpoint the emotion in his face but he looked thoughtful. She also realised he looked sad as well. Like a child who had lost their favourite toy.

"What's the matter?" Claire asked softly. He looked down at her and didn't answer her. Instead he took her face in his hand and kissed her. But this wasn't just any kiss. It was sweet, passionate and filled with sadness, she could almost feel it radiating out of him. He kissed her like it was the last time he ever would. His hands stroked their way down to her hips like it was the last time he would ever touch her. When they finally broke apart he pulled her into a fierce hug. His hand stroked her hair softly.

Their embrace was interrupted by the sound of Myrnin's cell phone. He quickly checked it and then gave them the nod meaning it was time. He was gone in a flash. The only way of them knowing where he had gone was the slam of the heavy metal trapdoor leading to the machine's underground cave. They all knew what he gone to do. Very soon he was going to tell Alyssa that Shane had been captured, then tell her that she was the only one who could save him (Probably true) but she must not kill Amelie or Eron. Anyone else was fine. Not that Claire expected her to take advantage of that.

…

After what seemed like decades of waiting came the second text from Eron. It was go time. Myrnin quickly opened a portal. Instantly the swirling black vortex turned into Amelie's stunning white office. Claire heard Eve's sharp intake of breath as they saw what was inside. Oliver was staked through the chest. Amelie and Eron were locked in vicious combat. Shane was holding Alyssa tight, who had three dark red scratches on her cheek. Claire remembered, by making herself strong enough to touch, even attack someone, she had made herself vulnerable. Claire quickly turned her attention to Amelie and Eron as suddenly Eron was flung through the air and into Amelie's desk, breaking it in half. Myrnin charged at Amelie. But Amelie was having none of it; she grabbed his arm and, in one swift move, threw him over her shoulder. Michael, Eve and Claire itched their way closer together, uniting against Amelie, who was glaring at them darkly.

A load bang shot rang through Claire's ears. Claire heard Eve's shocked scream, which didn't help Claire's ringing ears. Claire's eyes widened at the sight of Amelie's too-pale blood splattering and her shocked face. Standing not far away in a pile of wood was Eron, her gun at arm's length, pointed at Amelie's head. With a shocked sound Amelie fell to the ground. The bullet wouldn't stop her for long, she would heal in seconds, but it gave them a chance to get the upper hand. Eron took a few steps forward, standing over Amelie, gun still pointed just between Amelie's eyes. Eron looked tense, and then she smiled slightly, a sort of snigger.

"I'm starting to see why you guys don't trust me with weapons." Eron said softly. It all looked so wrong. Amelie was flat on her back with a bullet wound through her head. Eron stood over her, her angry face contrasting greatly with her usual strange clothing. She looked like the Mad Hatter meets avenging angel meets Clint Eastwood. Amelie just looked up at her with a blank, defeated look. Everything went silent for a moment, waiting. They all held their breath as they watched Eron and Amelie. Eron spoke to her slowly and seriously. "You're going to listen this time Amelie. And you'd better listen well. I've only been here a few days and already I know that your town is falling to pieces. Not only that, but apparently the only reason it's like this is because you're grieving. You think you're so great, being all high and honourable. Then you go and let this guy make all the decisions for you." She said indicating at Oliver, who was turning paler by the second. "And you call yourself a Queen. You're pathetic."

Silence fell. Amelie looked from Eron's eyes to the gun. She looked as though she was trying to stay cool. Then she moved slightly, only slightly because she was stopped by another shot from Eron. It was clear Amelie had tried to grab the gun. She withdrew backwards with a large red hole in her head. Claire forced herself to hold back the bile that was building in her throat. Only then did she realise that they had all gathered around behind Eron, even Myrnin was beginning to walk towards them.

Bullet through her head, Amelie looked up at them all. One by one. Eron, gun at ready, said. "Give it up, seven of us and one of you. You may be the founder but even you know you can't win. It takes Vampires approximately a minute and 15 second to get over a bullet wound to the head. I have a lot more ammo. It takes another vampire, willing to save you, to revive from being staked. It takes less than five minutes for us to all pin you down while I rip your head off. And don't think I won't resort to that." Amelie looked down from Eron's gaze. It was true. Amelie had run out of options.

With a sigh Amelie raised her hand towards Eron. The wound in her head was very slowly sealing itself. Amelie looked into Eron's eyes and spoke softly, "Help me up." They could all see clear in her eyes that she knew they were right. Not that she would ever admit it. But they all saw it there. Eron held out her other hand, never dropping the gun, eyes narrowed and watching. Amelie stood up to have Eron's gun pressed gently against her stomach. Eron knew that Amelie wasn't going to try anything but better safe than sorry. Amelie looked thoughtful for a moment then spoke, looking at them all slowly as she did. "I believe it's time for a change. But I cannot do so alone." Amelie looked straight into Claire's eyes. She stepped forwards so she was merely a foot away. "Claire, I ask of you to be a part of my council."

"I…I don't know what to say." Claire couldn't believe it; Amelie was asking her to… help her?

"I'll take it as a yes. Not that I would accept another answer." Then she turned back to Eron, who instinctively raised the gun that she had for a moment dropped. Amelie simply reached out a hand and gently pushed it down. "As untrustworthy as you are. I wish for you to join me also, thereby I can keep close watch of you." Amelie gave one small smile, but it was genuine. "There is always more room for fools." With that Amelie glanced over to Myrnin, who had moved next to Claire. He bowed in his most extravagant way possible. He looked up at her and spoke, "My dear friend. We do quarrel like child siblings, do we not?"

"It would seem so." Amelie replied. She was about to turn when suddenly Myrnin wrapped her in his long arms. Her eyes widened in shock for a moment. Then she slowly hugged him back but only for a moment, then she withdrew. "There is much work to be done. So much that needs fixing. You may all take your leave." With that Amelie walked away, towards where Oliver still lay, they all knew it was too late to save him now. Myrnin ushered them all to the portal in silence.

…

Claire had never expected things to end so well. Alyssa had been dismissed back into the machine to rest, and she needed it to heal from those wounds. She sat on Myrnin's sofa with a cup of tea in her hands and everyone sat around her. Well, not everyone. Myrnin seemed to have disappeared. Claire looked behind her to the kitchen door. Myrnin stood, looking at her. He seemed thoughtful and sad. She had seen that look before. Like a child who had lost their favourite toy. Claire just couldn't understand why he looked like that. What could possibly be wrong? Claire stood, placing her tea on the table in front of her. She then walked to him and took his hands in hers.

"What's wrong?" She asked. He shook away her hands. He replied softly before walking away towards the couch, "Moral epiphany."

Once he reached the couch he looked over to Shane, who was sitting on the floor. Shane looked up at him questioningly. Myrnin looked from Shane to Claire and said, "Stand." Shane did so slowly, his face growing more and more confused. Myrnin walked over to Shane and stood in front of him. With a sigh Myrnin spoke.

"She is a vampire…"

"I know." Shane interrupted. With a raise from Myrnin's eyebrows Shane was quietened. Then he continued.

"She left you for me after some silly quarrel. Yet you still love her?" Everyone looked as shocked as Claire felt. Not because of what Myrnin said, but that Myrnin said it. He obviously noticed their surprise and said, "I'm mad, not blind. Am I not correct? Do you not love her?"

"Of course I do?" Replied Shane, Claire felt her heart over-whelm with emotion as she heard him say it, and to know it was true. Claire knew she loved him back, as she always had. But she loved Myrnin too. Claire felt a stab of hatred for herself for loving them both. But it was true, and nothing could change that. Myrnin carried on,

"Then I cannot stand between you both. But take care of her." Myrnin warned. Shane's face lit up as he beamed. Myrnin flashed over to where Claire stood. He took her hand and kissed it then pulled her over to where Shane stood. Claire turned back to face Myrnin. "Are you going to be alright?"

"He needs you more than I." With that Claire felt a warmth hand gasp hers. She turned to be met by Shane's warm, sweet lips. Only then did she realise just how much she missed him. She missed his touch, his kiss. Now she had it all she wanted was more. After a while they had to pull away. Once they did she pulled Shane into a fierce hug, never wanting to let him go again. Then over his shoulder she noticed Eron, sitting on Myrnin's armchair, looking just as she always did. Claire pulled away from the hug as she thought of something. She looked over to Eron, who raised her eyebrows in response to her gaze. Claire walked over to her and motioned for her to follow.

"I want to talk quickly." Eron got up slowly and confused, but she followed all the same. Once they were far away from the others, not quite out of earshot, but everyone seemed to be hastily making conversation to give them their privacy. Shane still glanced over a few times but Claire knew she would be with him soon enough. She turned to look at Eron and smiled.

"I just wanted to tell you to go for it." Claire said.

"To what?" Eron asked, confused still.

"You know, go for it." Claire repeated, inclining her head to here Myrnin was standing. Eron looked over then laughed slightly.

"You're giving me permission?" She scoffed.

"I'm giving you an order." With that Eron smiled.

"I might just take advantage of that."

"I was sure you would." With that they both smiled. They walked back to the others and Claire sat down with Shane and nestled against his chest. It didn't take long for Claire to join in whatever weird conversation they were having. But she couldn't help noticing Eron standing beside Myrnin. Eron elbowed him slightly and said,

"How about that game of Russian roulette?" Myrnin smiled happily, then spared a glance sideways at her. Claire saw the shine in those eyes.

"My pleasure." He replied, but Claire quickly stopped them as Eron made a move to get her revolver.

"Wait I have a better idea." Claire said, reaching in her pocket to retrieve her phone. She then searched and searched and soon found what she was looking for. She quickly played one of her favourite love songs. "Your song," by Ellie Goulding played. Claire smiled as the sound filled the room. She placed the phone on the tabled and turned to Shane. "May I have this dance? I will not take no for an answer."

Shane grinned and stood, holding her waist and pulling her close. Claire wrapped her arms around him; they swayed together as if there was no one left in the room. They turned a little and Claire noticed Michael and Eve had joined in as well. The only difference was that Eve and Michael both had much better rhythm than Claire and Shane and was certainly doing much more complex moves. Claire looked over to Eron, who for once looked awkward and unsure. Claire smiled and gave her a wink. Eron slowly looked up to Myrnin who, with a smile, bowed and held out his hand.

"No use being left out, is there?" He said as she took his hand. He gently placed his hand on her waist and they began to dance like they had been their whole lives. Claire sighed happily and closed her eyes in content. She felt happy knowing that everything was going to be fine.

So there it is. I would've broken this chapter into two but I really just wanted to finish. I'll try and post a song and thanks chapter but no promises because I'm going to be a bit busy over the next few weeks. It's ridiculous!

I hoped you enjoyed the story. I'm sorry if the ending isn't that good but after Pixistxs gave me the idea to have Shane and Claire back together I just had to do it. I sorta nicked a scene from this book I was reading, but only because it was brilliant scene where the girl found out she loved two people then the bloke she was with let her be with the other one then she told her friend, who had a crush on her ex, to go for it. And who would be better suited to go with Myrnin than the infamous Eron. Sorry about Oliver but I don't really like him. If you're not happy then pretend Amelie brought him back when everyone left. I know this ending doesn't quite wrap everything up but I don't wanna end it at Oliver's funeral.

Love you all for reading. Sorry I've taken so long to get there, so for all those who haven't given up. Thank you for persevering.

Keep reading folks xxxx