A/N: Hey there everyone! Happy Thanksgiving! Um...yeah I've been busy and nit picky but here's your chapter! Yay! Sorry though. I hate to keep y'all waiting, I'm just trying to make the story as good as possible!

Chapter 33

Faith POV

I went up to the roof two days later. The window had been locked but I didn't allow that to stop me. I quickly came back with a bobby pin and picked the weak lock. I sat on the roof looking out at the setting sun and tried to calm myself.

My life flows on in endless song,

Above earth's lamentations,

I hear the real though far off song

That hails a new creation.

No storm...can shake my inmost ca...calm

I broke down into a mess of tears. I couldn't sing that line... I didn't believe it anymore. I was definitely in a storm, more like a tsunami and a hurricane mashed together and I was shaking. I couldn't feel that calm anymore. It was just constant turmoil.

No storm can sh...shake my inmost calm

while to that Rock I'm clinging..

I couldn't give up. Cling to the Rock, cling tightly and your calm won't shake. That was my problem, I was losing my grip. I was letting the storm overtake me.

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, thou art with me," I quoted tears running down my cheeks. If anything was my darkest valley it was this. Nothing else had ever tried me so. Nothing had made me feel so alone.

"Thou art with me, thou art with me," I repeated, "but where? Please, Lord, where?" I whispered as I buried my face in my hands.

It was maybe ten minutes I sat like that before I lifted my head and kneeled. "God, I don't know what you're doing with my life right now. I don't know why you're allowing these trials to plague me. I don't know and perhaps I never will. I'm having trouble accepting that, I'm trying though." I paused, took a deep breath, and swallowed back my tears, "But I do know that there is a reason, and that you have a greater plan in this. I may be just a small part of this grand plan. But I know and am assured that you are here with me. You will bring me through this. You will help me and guide me and will not forsake me. Even though I walk through the darkest valley."

I began humming again as I curled up against the chimney and watched the sun sink below the horizon. And then it just happened. I felt an overwhelming wave of peace wash over me as I sat in silence watching the last rays of the sun touch the earth before disappearing below the horizon. I breathed it in deeply feeling the comfort in my heart and letting it wash away all my doubts and worries. I was loved, I was cared for, and I was not alone. "Thank you," I whispered drowsily as I drifted off.

Eric POV

My bride had a terribly annoying habit of disappearing. I'd have to remedy that soon. I searched everywhere but then came to the conclusion that there was only one place left. Somehow she'd gotten onto the roof...again. Hopefully not with the intentions I'd thought she had the first time. I rushed upstair. Sure enough, the lock had been picked. I was amazed to find her sleeping, though it was doubtful that she'd meant to fall asleep here. I looked closer, she had the faintest hint of a content smile on her face and I could tell she having a lovely dreamless slumber and I was reluctant to interrupt that. She hadn't had a full nights sleep for a while, she needed it. I decided to stay up here with her rather than risk her waking up as I brought her downstairs. I sat down next to her and waited for her to wake. It wouldn't be long, she couldn't be very comfortable up here. My guess was confirmed when she woke sleepily maybe an hour later.

"Wher...where am I?" she yawned.

"On the roof."

She suddenly sat up and tried desperately to wake herself, "Oh my gosh, I..I didn't mean to fall asleep up here. Oh my gosh I could have fallen or...oh no." She seemed to register that I was up here and that she wasn't supposed to be. She gulped and curled up away from me, "I'm in trouble, aren't I?" she whispered.

"No," I said with a heavy sigh, "I was sure you'd come up here at some point. I've neglected to allow you back up here and for that I apologize."

She seemed caught off guard by my apology but merely nodded slowly. Something seemed different about her. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on but if anything she seemed less fragile and almost...peaceful.

I offered her my hand, which she took with hesitation, and helped her up and back inside. Once we were indoors she paused at the window looking down. Unsure of her intentions I gently grabbed her arm but when she met my eye briefly I saw the calm assurance in her eyes. Confused at this nuetral behavior toward me I lessened the urgency of my grip. "What is it, love?" I asked gently, almost afraid to break the silence.

"I-I miss being outside. And it's so beautiful I just want..." she drifted off.

I quickly weighed the pros and cons. She was behaving rather oddly but she seemed stable enough. There had been no reports from Caleb so the others were not in the area. I risked her trying to run but as I saw her look out at the woods I knew that was not at the forefront of her mind. "I didn't know you missed it so much. You should have told me," I said gently. She nodded her cheeks coloring slightly. "I'll take you tomorrow if you'd like," I offered.

She smiled wanly, still gazing out the window, "I'd like that."

"Come, you need to sleep," I said softly, my hand trailing to her back as she turned away from the window with one more longing glance.

I was feeling generous so I led her to our rooms and left her to sleep alone after stealing a chaste kiss from her lips.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

I took her to the forests the next morning seeing as the shade would be more comfortable for me. I knew she would love the forest though. I was right of course, but surprised - I don't think I'd ever seen her this happy. She'd walked beside me for a while is awed silence but as soon as the castle was out of sight she'd been unable to repress a joyful laugh which rang through the woods as she ran ahead then stopped to slip off her shoes before starting up the hill in front of her. I watched with amusement as she got to the top and laid down in the grass, catching her breath for a couple moments before she straightened out and crossed her arms to roll down the hill. She came to a stop at the bottom and laid there a while giggling sporadically with content smile on her face before she rolled over a little and seemed to suddenly remember I was there and she blushed furiously before getting up and brushing herself off.

I seemed unable to get the image of a younger Faith doing the exact thing in the past out of my head. What Faith had just done seemed to hit home how young she still was, she may carry herself with maturity but she was still a girl, something I seemed prone to continually forget.

She had wandered back over to grab the books she'd brought but I had been so lost in thought I hadn't realized where she'd gone with them. "Faith?" I questioned, feeling guarded that she might have run off. No response. I tried again with more urgency and was surprised to hear her call back from nearby. "I'm right here." I followed her voice and was surprised to find her high up in a tree looking down at me. I must have looked shocked since she giggled, "You seem to forget I climbed out onto the roof," she pointed out and then lifted her book again and leaned against the trunk. Once again, I had underestimated her, and though I couldn't believe I kept doing it, it was almost enjoyable to watch her surpass expectations.

Faith POV

It was liberating being outdoors after so long. I had felt so sequestered inside the walls of the castle and now I was finally able to breathe something other than stale air. I smiled as I continued to read, I'd always enjoyed peace and quiet in a library or comfy chair but something about reading surrounded by nature was invigorating and made the story come even more to life. I was grateful that Eric didn't attempt to make me come down nor did he try to talk to me, he merely sat patiently at the foot of my tree and read his own book. True he was virtually trapping me up in the tree, I wouldn't be able to get down without him noticing, but at least it wasn't invasive. I shook my head sadly, Is this what I'd been reduced to? Being happy with this so-called "space"? I took a cleansing breath and pushed the thought aside to contemplate later. I was going to enjoy my day.

I stayed up there for a long time with my thoughts and my book. I even started quietly reciting pieces of Scripture that came to mind. I surprisingly wasn't hungry, though I'm sure I'd spent at least an hour or two in the tree. I looked down and was surprised to see Eric sleeping. I smiled and started singing as I'd wanted to when I first climbed the tree.

What though the tempest 'round me roars

I know the truth it liveth

What though the darkness 'round me close

songs in the night it giveth

No storm can shake my inmost calm

While to that Rock I'm clinging

Since he is Lord of heaven and earth

How can I keep from singing?

Eric POV

I sat at the bottom of her tree, not wanting her out of my sight but not wanting to intrude. She seemed so happy, in fact, I'd never seen her so happy or neutral toward me. It was shocking to say the least. She hated me, by her own proclaimation, and she'd been so reserved after last week- where had this come from? If this is what I'd gain from fulfilling one of her requests I would be sure to do it more often.

She stayed there a long time. I stole another glance at her when I felt a stirring in the air. She was softly reciting Scripture the same way I'd seen when she'd run from me and I saw the glow halo her whole body. She was radiant, still somehow so pure, and even though I wanted to hiss and distance myself from her at this moment, I was, at the same time, somehow enthralled with how meticulously she recited. I leaned back against the tree and closed my eyes and when she finished her passage there was a long silence before she again did something unexpected. She began singing. I froze, I'd heard her before at the choir event but this was somehow even more beautiful. It was soft and reverent, clear and poignant and by far one of the most enamoring things I'd ever heard. She must have fancied me asleep because she continued singing quietly yet without fear as one does when they think they are without an audience.

I love you Lord

and I lift my voice

to worship you

oh my soul rejoice

Take joy my King

In what you hear

May it be a sweet sweet sound

In your ear

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

I looked up as the darkness began to set in. "Faith," I said gently, as not to startle her, "We ought to head back, it's getting dark."

I got up and watched how she swung down gracefully from the tree. She was silent as we walked back but it was a content silence rather than the strained silence that had existed between us for so long. Faith and I stopped to talk to Marissa and Maxwell respectively, but Maxwell had things to report so I gently told her to go on upstairs without me.

Caleb POV

I'd been keeping a close eye on the traitors, watching their movements and logging everything for Maxwell but nothing was making sense. They were biding their time with no hint at when they were ready to attack. I'd sent in a spy to be one of their recruits but he still had no information. It was like they were all waiting for a certain time, a certain cue. I huffed under my breath in frustration, I wanted nothing more than to take the traitors on and be done with them but they were just as powerful and, in a few cases, more powerful than me. They would pay soon enough though for their crimes against our Dracula.

"I have just as much right to your power as you do, and frankly, you aren't doing a very good job. I remember Xavier's sneering face, "Face it. You couldn't even protect your weak little intended. Wasn't she a treat though, she would have been well worth the wait...but I guess...the early bird gets the worm," he taunted snidely...

I shake away the memory. Xavier would pay, Eric could only retaliate though, otherwise there would be widespread revolt and Eric could not afford that. Xavier had to strike first before we could crush him. No proof had meant no revenge until now.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

"Caleb? Caleb?" I heard a whisper. I woke quickly to see Quinn, my fellow spy. "What news?" I asked hurriedly.

"They've set a date. They attack in a week."

"Why have they waited so long?"

He shrugged, "They didn't say. But they're ready to overthrow. They're going to storm the castle, kill the Dracula and steal his bride. They seem to think they have a claim to this bride though."

"Technically," I huffed under my breath, "but she's been claimed. They're just using her as leverage."

Quinn was silent for a while. "What claim do they have?"

I merely shook my head and finished the message to Max, "We need to head back to the castle."

A/N: So there you guys have it. Chapter 33! Hope you liked it, I thought I'd give you something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. :) You can express your thanks in a nice review. *wink* Love all y'all!