A/N: Here's chapter twenty-five! Didn't think I'd make it, but what do you know…anyway, this is a very Harper-oriented chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bloodlines.

Final Death sounded excellent right about now. Maybe even just having him drain her dry and throw her corpse in the fireplace as she hung onto a thread of her life. Yes, she would prefer that to this.

"So where did you get that dress?"

Harper gave a slight sigh, poking her salad. The leaves were all dark green and wilted, most of them had brown and white spots on them. Tess still eyed it enviously, "It isn't a dress."

"It isn't?" Tess asked as she looked her over, "A coat…?"

Harper nodded.

"Where'd you get it then?" Tess smiled, "It fits you so well…"

"It was given to me."

"By who?"

"The Prince."

"….he bought you a coat like that?"

Harper nodded slowly, "Yes, he felt that I needed something with pockets."

"Pockets…hmm?" She asked.

Harper nodded as she looked out toward the dreary streets of Santa Monica.

"You must have been flattered."

"Flattered?" Harper asked.

"Well, it does draw quite a bit of attention to your hips."

She looked down at the slits of the coat, "I suppose. I don't think that was the intention."

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?" She laughed.

Miss Rivers looked extremely peeved, "Excuse me?"

"Men do little things like that as a hint." She said, putting on a mask of feminine wisdom, "He thinks you have a nice ass, so he got you something that accentuated that. And he certainly isn't wrong…" Her eyes drifted back to Harper's hips.

Harper stabbed her salad again, a prong of her plastic fork broke, "He is my boss. We have a strictly professional relationship." She said, before her eyes met Tess's. A sudden ferocity filled her chest as she spoke up, her gentle voice could have quite the hiss to it, a venomous flame to it that overrode her fear of Kindred, "I can guarantee you, you were not Embraced to join the romantic society of vampires that do not exist." She said lowly, her eyes darting to the elderly woman behind the counter, "Yes, you're eternal, yes, you're young forever, thrust into a plethora of depressing creatures who are also stuck in a restless, ageless, predatory, demonic state. I understand just how enticing that can sound, but you have no clue what is inside the minds of them at all. They are not humans, Tess. Especially the Ventrue." She sat back, "They cannot feel, they cannot sense damage, and they most certainly cannot love. Attraction is dead, caring is trivial. Profit and power is the balance that their mind is set on, nothing more." She averted her gaze and stabbed her salad as Tess looked amused, "You're a Toreador, you don't understand…you kept that sliver of humanity when you died. They didn't. It's you and the Brujah that…have that sliver of hope. The heart still beats in your mind. The other clans?" She looked up, "They can kill, they can lie, cheat, slander, defile, mutilate…" She stabbed her salad again, "And never feel an ounce of guilt. They don't feel…they feel fear, they feel anger, sadness, happiness…that's…it, at most."

Tess sat back, still smirking, "You really think so…?"

"Yes." She left her answer curt.

"Then what about fucking?"

Harper flinched, blinking, "What?"

"Isn't that attraction? Lust? Something vampires can't feel? I've witnessed Ventrue, Malkavian, all sorts of clans put that on display."

"I believe I've already mentioned cheating, slander and defilement."

"Oh, I don't think it's defilement if both parties are willing."

"There is a difference between lust and adoration."

"I'll ask again." Tess leaned in, "Have you ever had a boyfriend? A special friend…?"

"I don't see where that ties in." Her eyes were as bored as ever.

She smirked, "A woman with an appearance such as yours couldn't pass as a virgin in my eyes."

Harper took a sip of her water, which tasted like dish soap, "He's long gone, it hardly matters."

"What was his name?" She asked sweetly.

Pushing her salad forward, she let her stomach roar and grumble, before she eyed the lady behind the counter, who was in the back doing dishes. She peered around for security cameras before she took out her blood bag and drank the entire thing. Rarely did she ever down the entire bag of blood so quickly, it usually left her nauseous or feverish. "Dalton."

"Dalton…a strong name…" Tess sat back, "Where did you meet him?"

She took a sip of her drink, "I asked him to Prom my junior year." She said softly, "And when he denied me…" She looked out the window, "I simply asked again."

"And he said yes?"

"No. I asked him every day for two years…." She said softly, "Before he said yes, on my birthday of my senior year." She crossed her legs, "We….were going to live together." She said eventually, "Before he went to the marines. I got a call that he was killed…and….spent the night at Mercurio's. The next day, I woke up as the Prince's ghoul."

"I'll keep it between us." Tess smirked.

"Yes…" Harper mused as she sat back, mentally reminding herself to ask LaCroix to wipe her memory at some point. She flinched as she felt her pocket buzz, then she took out her cell phone, "Hello, sir?"

"Miss Rivers." LaCroix's voice was as rehearsed as always, "Miss Voerman has returned."

"Has she? Very well, we will head out to meet her now. Do remind me to ask you a favor upon my return."

"Oh?" His voice didn't sound nearly as emotionless and monotone, "Ask me a favor?"

"It isn't nearly as bad as it sounds…" She chuckled nervously, "Apologies."

"Hmm. Very well. I'll see you upon your return." There was a slight pause, "And…please…call if something happens."

His voice sounded so small and quick, like he didn't want those words to escape, "…of course…sir…good evening."

"Good evening, Miss Rivers…" He said. She didn't hear him end the call as he usually did, so she shut her phone closed and stuck it in her pocket, a bit weirded out.

"Are we off?" Tess asked.

Harper stood up, "Yes, we're…off." She said as they left the Surfside diner and headed back for the Asylum.

"So you're straight?" Tess asked as they walked inside.

Harper didn't bother dignifying that with a response, "Hello, sir." She approached the bartender, "We need to see Miss Voerman."

"Didn't you stiffs already go up there?"

"You see, it appears Jeanette was there, not Therese. We need to speak to Therese."

"…okay…" He said slowly, "Yeah, go on up."

Harper motioned for Tess to follow as she took the manila folder from her coat and they entered the elevator.

"Does…Therese look anything like her sister?" Tess asked.

"They're nearly identical. Well, Therese has a much more appropriate taste in fashion."

Tess crossed her arms, "What clan is she?"

Harper actually had to think, "I believe Therese is Ventrue, and her sister is Malkavian."

"Ah, I see…"

The short ride stopped as they both got out and Harper gently knocked on the door. After hearing a greeting, they both walked inside.

"Ah, Miss Rivers." Therese said with a slight smile, "Nice to see you again. And you are…?" She looked at Tess.

Tess did everything she could to keep her eyes off her exposed chest, "Tess Perry. Camarilla fledgling."

Therese held a hand out, "Very nice to meet you, Miss Perry. Therese Voerman. I am the proprietor of this establishment," She took the slightest pause, "With help from my sister, of course. Baroness of Santa Monica."

Tess nodded, "Pleased to meet you."

"Who was your sire, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Mister Lorcan."

"Ah…" She said, an undeterminable look on her face, her black lips almost flickered to a scowl before she smiled again, "Well, it's always nice to see new members."

"I apologize for disrupting formalities." Miss River said, "But the Prince wanted me to give you this." Harper handed her the folder.

Therese took the folder and paused as she opened it, "What is this…?"

"I'm…not sure…" Harper seemed to panic, "I wasn't directed to look inside, I felt as though it is private information."

"I'm sure the Prince would be more than happy to address any concerns pertaining the document, whatever it is." Tess added.

"Very well…" Therese sighed as she folded her arms, clearly upset, "Is that all?"

Harper seemed hesitant about conducting the interview, "I hope you don't mind me asking something…rather…off the cusp…?"

She raised a brow, "I don't have time for games."

"Of course not." Harper insisted, "There's…just….been someone after me." She said quietly, as if she didn't want Tess to hear, "Someone who wants to gather the Prince's attention by erasing one of his ghouls from existence." She said. Therese was rapt with curiosity, any ill-will had fled, "I…I was wondering if you would be of any help…I can't bring this to the Prince's attention for obvious reasons…he would send some sort of fleet and get quite carried away…"

"So you're asking me because…?" She shook her head with confusion.

"Because you're…the smartest woman I know." She said, "And I'm not allowed to talk to Kindred outside of my duties…"

She looked at Tess, "You can't speak with her about this?"

"She's…a fledgling…"

"Of course…" Therese looked outside, "You're going to have to be very quiet about this. It's extremely unorthodox to even talk of such things, let alone bring them to an elder Kindred like this. A burden, I think, don't you?"

"Please…" Harper's pleading look was exemplary, "I…just want to live to see tomorrow…"

"Very well…I suppose fire can be fought with fire…" She muttered, "I know of an assassin you could very well work with….she's…" She sighed, "Inefficient, selfish and hasty…but…" She paused, "I'm sure given enough time, she could get the job done."

"Do you know where I might find her?"

"I do not. I have her email, I'll send it to you."

"That would be lovely…"

"Of course. But the Prince can not find out about this. He isn't entirely fond of this particular assassin."

"Of course. Thank you so much, Miss Voerman. Is there anything I can do to repay you?"

She thought for a moment, "I would like you to gather a-hundred guests to visit Gallery Noir. It's been struggling to regain funds after the paintings have been decimated."

"Very well. I will do everything in my power for you."

She nodded, "I do hope to see you again." She said as they bid farewell and headed outside to the streets again.

"Are they twins?" Tess asked as they went outside.

"It's likely." Harper mused, "I never asked. She doesn't like to bring up Jeanette."

"Oh, how come?"

"She's an Anarch….it was strange how she mentioned sharing the club with her…Therese has managed that club singlehandedly for as long as I've been here…"

"Hmm…." Tess hummed as she peered over Harper's shoulder. Harper was on her phone, scrolling through emails. "There it is." She said, "We need to go back to Venture Tower."

"Why?" Tess asked.

"My laptop is there. I can trace the assassin from her email, find out where she is."

"I had no clue you were so tech savvy."

"Yes…I…" She crossed her arms as they started walking to the nearest cab, "Had a night off when Mister Golden decided to stop by and educate me…"

"Mister Golden…?" Tess asked quietly.

"Mister Gary Golden." Tess said, "The Nosferatu Primogen."

"Oh…the Nosferatu…yes, I've met one of them…" She said, "Do they all smell so offensive?"

Harper sighed as she shook her head and they entered the cab, "I…have a migraine…if you wouldn't mind…being quiet for a while…"

"Of course, I understand." Tess said. Rightfully so, it was silent on the way to L.A. It was silent when they walked to the tower, and silent when they entered Harper's room. Then it broke, "Your room is lovely."

"Thank you." Harper said as she walked towards the office and sat at her desk, opening her laptop and skimming through her emails. She began clicking around, digging for information about the assassin as Tess puttered around.

Out of curiosity, Tess opened her refrigerator, taking out a blood back, "Is this…LaCroix's blood?"

"Yes, it's for Mercurio. I have to deliver it when I find the chance."

Tess looked at it for a moment before she stuck it back in the refrigerator, "Do Kindred have blood types?"

"They have bloodlines, I'm not sure about blood types." She said, "I've tracked her down."

"Oh, good. Where is she?"

"Follow me." Harper said as she stood up, "Are you prepared for a fight?"

"As prepared as I ever will be."

She nodded, feeling the gun in her pocket out of nervousness. They headed out from the room, out of the building, and towards the street.

"Where is she?" Tess asked.

"The last text she sent was picked up from this direction."

"Ah, I see…" Tess said, "I suppose if I meet this Gary fellow, I'll have to thank him for teaching such valuable information to this mission….is he at least somewhat handsome?"

"He's a Nosferatu, Tess."

"What a shame…" She sighed.

Harper didn't bother digging into the fact that Tess didn't even know the man and was upset that he wasn't beautiful. She had decided to stop entertaining Tess's comments. "She's around this corner, I believe."

"Very well." Tess said, watching as Harper slipped a pistol from her pocket, "Isn't that a bit of a Masquerade Violation?"

"No. It's a criminal violation. One that can go on my record and LaCroix can pay off with ease. You on the other hand need to be more careful. No Celerity."

"Yes ma'am."

Miss Rivers decided not to let the authoritative feeling go to her head as she turned the corner with her gun and fired.

The bullet hit Angelique square in the chest, but bounced off due to her armor. She was carrying a shopping bag of food that was quickly dropped as she saw her hunters.

Tess stepped back with shock, "Bulletproof armor…?"

Harper grit her teeth nervously and fired at her head.

Angelique held a hand up and blocked that as well. She ran forward with two knives and staked Tess in the chest, knocking her to the ground and paralyzing her. She then looked at Harper, "Harper Rivers…"

Harper backed away into the street, people screaming bloody murder at the fight that broke out. She fired again at Angelique's face.

Angelique swerved out of the way, sticking her knife into the back of one of Harper's knees. She yelped and fell to her knees, before she heard the sound of a sniper fire. The echoing around the walls was resounding, as was the splitting pain in her left shoulder. Had her heart been pierced? Perhaps it had, because it was only a second later that she hit the ground like a sack of potatoes.

Angelique sneered and stepped on Tess's throat a few times, hesitant to leave a Kindred alive, but not wanting to kill any more Camarilla than she had to, due to her situation. She ran off with her bag of groceries.

The warehouse across from the Last Round was the epitome of monotonous and emptiness. That is until recently. As the rundown establishment was now characterized by a weak fire to the side, and a gruesome corpse that was not only headless, but gored through a metal beam. A bum huddled in the corner in fear. Shaking and paralyzed with fear, he only stood up when he heard the door to the warehouse creak open and then shut again.

"Ah…I see…" Victor's refined voice said as he entered the room, "I had pursued this path this far to see if I could aid that delightful fledgling Slade with his hunt or Muddy…but it seems his trial has now intertwined with my own to discover the identity of this serial killer…"

"D-D-D-Did you see it?" The bum quivered, rising only when he came to the conclusion that Victor would not harm him.

"I'm afraid I haven't. You wouldn't mind filling me in on the situation, would you?"

"He done tore him up. Right in two. Ripped him 'part like a rag doll." The bum recounted with horror.

"I see that." He clasped his hands together, "Start from the beginning."

"These two guys…the dead guy and the other'n…uh, they showed up. I been living here so I hid, I thought maybe they was owners or…or cops come to clean the place out."

"Ah. Two people. So there was a survivor?"

He nodded, "The dead feller called 'em 'Muddy'."

"Interesting. Did you get to observe what they were doing here?"

"Uh, they was waitin' on someone. They was gonna do some kind of job they was sayin'. But the person they was meetin', well he was late, so…the one guy leaves to find a phone and call him and the dead guy stayed. Well, that's when the killer…yeah, that's when he showed up."

He smiled, "You speak as if he didn't use the front door."

"One second he wa'n't there an' then he was; like out of the shadows he come up. Scared the shit outta the dead guy. I liked ta scream but I couldn't breathe."

"And then he killed him? I doubt conventional weaponry could've even hoped to achieve what we see here tonight."

"Oh, that killer, he grew these claws! I swear it…I saw it. The dead guy went white, like he seen the devil, then the killer grabbed him around the neck an' lifted him up an' started cursing at the guy."

"What did he say?"

"Oh, I-I couldn't hear too good. Somethin' about revenge for what he did or what they did. T-The killer made sure the dead guy knew who he was, and then ripped him open…uh, just tore him apart. He did it real slow; made the guy scream."

"I see…" He took a few steps forward, it was doubtful that the bum ever saw someone examine something as gruesome as a murder scene with such grotesque and scientific fascination. Then he blinked a few times, as if he had forgotten something as an afterthought, "You will forget what happened here, and leave." He held a hand out as a blue glow came from it.

"Okay, okay, I will! I don't never wanna think about that again!" The bum ran off.

Victor examined the murder for a bit longer, finding nothing of interest aside from a key to the Luckee Star Motel. Hollywood? He wondered, so the next part of his sleuthing trail led him to Hollywood, which was especially unfortunate because it didn't rank amongst the friendliest place for those of the Camarilla. He would have to be very careful if he was going to pursue this path, as he had got this far, there was no use in turning back now.

"…Harper! …Harper! …I need you to open your eyes, Harper…"

A groggy and slightly comforting sound filled her ears, but opening her eyes? Far too daunting. She can't say she didn't try. She gave it the normal effort it took to open her eyes, but once she could tell it was going to take a bit more than that, she quickly gave up. She was exhausted, and this darkness was nice.

But not as nice as the sound of the voice. She didn't like it, but at the same time, she wanted to hear more. She wanted to go back to a time when that voice wasn't as bad as she remembered.

"Embrace her or she'll die." She heard a rasp.

"No." The voice said, "That would go against her rights as my assistant. She made it clear she does not want to be Kindred without permission."

"Her funeral."

A prolonged silence took reign as she slipped into an unmemorable dreamlike state. Then a light. It was bright. Getting brighter, and brighter. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes, her pupils dilating under the brightness as she faced a set of lights to her face, like that of a dentists, "There you are." A pretty nurse stood above her, "It's alright, just relax. You're in the hospital."

"Hospital…?" She asked softly, wondering if she was in Santa Monica. The last thing she wanted were the many diseases left on the hospital beds.

"Just relax. You have a guest…and after the visit's over, we're going to do an operation to repair your torn ligaments and fractured shoulder blade."

She gave a slight nod, which even then, was extremely painful. She left, and who else would replace her, but her boss. He closed the door and stepped in like a shadow, looking over her with concern, "I was sure you would perish…" He said softly. Too softly.

She closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to see the look on his face, "That's what you wanted, isn't it…?"

"No."

"Please don't lie to me on my deathbed, sir…"

"You aren't on your deathbed." He said as she peered an eye open and watched him fiddle with the IVs.

"Yes I am…either I'll die in the next five minutes due to all the drugs I'm on since they hardly react with your blood…or you'll Embrace me…which I'm sure you're doing right about now…"

"I'm not going to Embrace you." He said firmly, "It was your wish to remain a ghoul, so be it."

"….then…why am I…?"

"I heard about the attack and found the pair of you lying in the street, surrounded by investigators. After I made them run off, I suppose, I took you here and left Tess for the others."

She closed her eyes again, "You saved my life…?"

"I suppose I did."

Flattered, sure. Uncomfortable? Undeniably.

"In five minutes, my blood will have you healed. I needed to take you here to ensure the press wouldn't pronounce you dead."

"…and…having me mysteriously heal…?"

"They'll think nothing of it." He said with a smirk.

"You're Dominating an entire fleet of doctors and nurses…?"

"Do you think I am unable to handle such a task?"

"…I think you're an idiot for going through all this effort for me…"

"I think of you as a very worthwhile cause." He said, after a short pause he added, "I would do the same for any of my experienced members in the Camarilla…"

She swallowed hard. Maybe the Prince wasn't all bad. Sure his mouth was loud and his temper was short and he could be heartless, but deep down, he had good morals. Or at least enough to save a person's life when they've just about been serving as his slave for over a decade.

"Thank you sir…" She squeaked.

He chuckled softly, "Miss Perry's performance was poor, I suppose?"

"Yes…I…I would like you to wipe her memory….I told her too much…"

"Is that so?" He asked, "Consider it done."

"Thank you…" She gave a sigh of relief.

He looked at his watch, "And since there's still two minutes, I'm sure an explanation is needed pertaining what she was told.

"I just…told her about Dalton…" She said softly.

"….Dalton…?" He raised a brow.

She shook her head, "My…boyfriend…before he was killed…"

This was definitely new information, but he played it off as if it was familiar, all tied together with a nice neat bow of his expressionless face, "Ah, of course. I suppose someone of her…loquacity should not be trusted with such information."

"No…" She said, "Is she…?"

"Dead?" He finished, "No. She survived. The assassin left her alive for…whatever reason."

She let out a small sigh of disappointment, but again, it was small, "And the assassin?"

"Miss Frost is handling matters as we speak."

Angelique dropped her bag of groceries on the table and let out a long sigh, combing her fingers through her hair before she started putting the food way respectably.

Cadmus looked up from the book he was reading, or, what he was trying to read. It didn't look like he was making very much headway, "Back again?" He smiled, then it faded as he saw the look in her eyes, "Did…something happen?"

"Day one and the Cammies are after me…"

"…what…?"

"They're trying to kill me. Two of them. The Prince's ghoul and some random Toreador…"

"Shit…already? Maybe you should stay here so we can sort this-"

Miranda barged into his room, "Cadmus, I need your help killing an assassin ghoul…" Her big, galaxy eyes froze, "You…you have Angelique Luna…in your room?"

"Miranda, wait-"

"We saw her at Santa Monica?" She narrowed her eyes, "Why didn't you just kill her there?"

"I'm not killing her, and I'm not letting anyone near her."

"It's the Prince's orders now. You have no choice."

"Screw the Prince."

There was a pause as her eyes widened. She raised a hand towards Angelique.

Cadmus stood up with rage, "Don't you dare try to use Suicide on her."

"What is the meaning of this, Cadmus?"

Angelique nervously backed away and stared heading towards the door.

Miranda's eyes slid over to her, she ran up and tackled her down, drawing her blade and shoving it towards her throat.

"Get off of her!" Cadmus snapped.

"She needs to die." Miranda said.

"Why? LaCroix can have thousands of ghouls scuttling around like insects, yet I have one and it's a huge problem?"

Miranda looked bewildered, looking into Angelique's eyes, "She's your ghoul? For how long?"

"Well…not really yet…it…it's complicated…"

"Her?"

"Just get the hell off of her."

She blinked slowly, stepping off of her. "She needs to die though. I cannot return to LaCroix empty handed."

"Pfft…he can bullshit around with Harper and a bunch of other ghouls and that's a-okay?" Cadmus asked as he helped Angelique up.

"What…what do you mean by that…?"

"Come on, Miranda…you saw the way he was holding her face…I don't think they were just chatting about missions and the lovely Camarilla, do you?"

"No…no…that's not, no. That's not true. You're lying…you're trying to distract me…from my mission…"

Cadmus blinked, "Uh…sure…" He said, surprised at seeing her freak out over this.

"Look." Angelique said, "What if I just…'die'….?" She asked.

"No, Angelique, I don't want you to die." Cadmus looked worried.

"Miranda just killed me. I died." She took her belt off, "Angelique Luna isn't a real name anyway." She said as she started pulling her suit off, "Someone give me something else to put on and a pair of scissors."

"Angelique…w-what are you doing…?" Cadmus backed away and shielded his eyes.

As Miranda watched, her eyes got bigger and bigger.

She threw her heavy armor to the floor, in nothing but her undergarments as she grabbed a pair of kitchen scissors and cut her hair off short, "Someone get me something to wear already, it isn't exactly warm in this vampire cave…"

Cadmus and Miranda exchanged a glance, "Do you want a kimono or do you want a bunch of leather?" Cadmus asked.

She looked from Cadmus to Miranda, cutting off another lock of hair, "I won't fit in the dress…I'll take the leather."

Cadmus went into another room to get some of his clothes, while Miranda raised a brow, "So…we're going to fake your death, essentially?"

She nodded, "A lie to the Prince won't matter when he's swimming in an ocean of his own." She said as she looked at her reflection in the microwave, slipping the leather jacket and jeans on as she slid her fingers through her bob, "Glasses would be better. Contacts too, but I don't know if we could find a safe colored contacts in L.A…" She muttered.

Cadmus felt a lump in his throat as he saw the new Angelique.

"Well, she certainly looks like your ghoul now, alright." Miranda said, "Very well." She looked at Cadmus, "For you, I will lie to LaCroix, but you know her history. It's why I was even sent here in the first place." She remarked as she turned to leave the room.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be careful."

She turned around to look back one last time, this time with a smile, "It's interesting to see you care about someone else so much like this. Very cute."

Cadmus looked to the side out of embarrassment as she left, "Pretend you didn't hear that." Then he turned to look at her, "So what should I even call you now?"

Her cheeks blushed, "My name is Fleance." She said, "But…just…call me Starr…it's my last name…"

"Right…Miss Starr…" He looked away, "So…if…if you don't like my clothes…I…I could buy you some new ones…"

"I could buy some." She said, "I don't think you would buy the right size." She said with a smirk before she blushed, "I…have to wear a lot of child's sizes…"

He looked back, "You're right…" He said, "I…probably would screw up and buy the wrong size…"

"I'll do it later…this is fine for now." She said as she adjusted the jacket, "Miranda…what's her last name?"

"Uh…pretty sure it's Frost."

"Frost…" She repeated, "Alright. Just…for future reference…" She muttered, "I'm going to nap."

"Alright…just…be careful the next time you go out…or…or take me with you…okay? I…I don't want you to die…"

"Of course." She said with a smile, before she paused, "Can I…have a drink…?"

He took a knife out, prepared to listlessly cut his wrist, then he froze, "Angelique…this…this is number three…"

"Uh huh. Forgive me if I pounce."

He walked forward after cutting his wrist open, holding it up to her mouth. She gently held his wrist and started drinking from it. Again, she was very reserved, drinking a few sips before she gently pulled herself away. She cleared her throat afterwards, dusting off her coat. "Thanks."

"No problem." He said, "Go get some rest."

She hugged him, "Okay, sir."

He paused, blinking a few times before he finally accepted the hug and squeezed her back.

A/N: Daw…is it just the blood bond, or is it something real? What'd you think? Let me know with a review! Thanks for reading!