Okay, sorry for the wait. My old laptop's power circuits got fried and my new one doesn't support the old file's system so I can't open it which really sucks because I've been working on this for ages.

TIP: Don't put your laptop on a blanket so it blocks the ventilation. Just don't.

So last chapter. Thanks for sticking with it, especially those who faved and followed and reviewed.

"I wish I could go back and start over."

What the hades was I thinking! It's…it's pathetic. Clinging on to the past; live for the future is a good motto, too bad I haven't got one.

Now you're coming round to my thinking. You're pathetic Castellan, always have, always will be.

I don't believe you.

Liar.

Yeah, I'm a liar; a liar, a thief and a down right bastard. Maybe I'm gonna start living up to what everyone really thinks of me. My legacy: everything that's bad and no one thinks anything good. My mom might but I don't really know if she knows that I'm dead for…what? A year? Two? Five? Ten? I don't know. I don't want to know.

Forcing myself to keep going, I tried to block the thoughts from entering my mind but down here there isn't much else to think about. Where am I going? I don't know. It's just another thing I don't know.

Step. Thunk. Step. Thunk. Step. Thunk.

Hang on…what's that? Is that-? No, it can't be…

I think you better believe it.

Empousa.

I've been lucky so far. If by lucky you count only running into hellhounds, a Laistrygonian giant, this guy being jammed back into my head and blacking out at the most inconvenient times then I have been pretty lucky.

I'm slightly offended by that.

You should be used to it.

Now, I've never had that great experiences with empousai; either they tried to kill me or hit on me. Neither is really a great option with them being creatures that live off men's blood.

I have met a few empousai in my time but mainly interacted with their leader Kelli. And when you interact with empousai, remember never ever trust them. First opportunity BANG! They'll drain you dry, backstabbing bitches.

Just like someone else we know.

I'm just going to ignore that.

You know it's true.

I slipped inside a doorway, using the shadows to my advantage as the empousa approached with that characteristic step and thunk. Pressed up against the wall, ears strained and sword drawn, waiting for it to slip past so I could step behind and slit its throat. It could never be a fool proof plan but, on short notice, it's the best that I could do.

Which is no surprise that it went wrong.

It was going just fine until it was directly in front of the doorway. It turned sharply on its heel and stared right into the shadows.

Oh, damn.

Kelli.

She looked exactly the same as when I last saw her: fire for hair, red eyes, one donkey leg, one bronze leg and still looking surprisingly slutty. Some things never change.

"Luke. How lovely it is to see you again."

Don't look into her eyes!

Well, duh. The whole don't-have-enough-willpower-and-get-drained-by-the -evil-crazy-blood-sucking-bitch. Done it before, do it again.

I narrowed my eyes and lifted my sword, preparing to strike. "I'd love to say that the feeling is mutual."

It happened in an instant. One moment I was swinging my sword ready to cut into her neck; the next my back was pressed up against the wall, the blade on my neck.

"Tut tut Luke. Is that how you greet all long lost friends?"

"You were never my friend." I growled.

"But I always thought we would be better as something more." Kelli pressed the blade down harder. A drop of blood trickled down the blade.

I didn't have any options. It was be drained or an eternal stalemate. Neither of them I preferred.

Gritted teeth, I growled. "Do it."

What?! No!

"Do what sweetie?"

"You know what." CRACK! I had to blink to fight the black spots that entered my vision. The feeling of pinprick like teeth pressed against my jugular caused goose bumps to break out across my skin. I wasn't scared, I really wasn't. But I was.

Weak.

Irritating.

Pathetic.

Shut up.

"You really sure honey?" Reluctantly, I nodded, well tried. "I am so going to enjoy this." I grimaced as she dragged her nails across my cheek. "Oh, Luke. So pretty, so handsome, so strong. It's a shame to drain someone as perfect as you."

You better know what you're doing.

I hope so too.

Why did I put you in charge of my army and resurrection?

I don't know. It was your choice.

"Actually, maybe I should change my mind. Maybe I should just keep you. My own personal pet until I get reborn and waiting for all eternity. For me. My pretty little toy."

"You tried that once. Remember? It didn't work then and it won't work now." CRACK!

"You're not in charge here anymore. I am. And if you don't start showing some respect then I'll have to teach you some." She scrunched her face up and tightened her grip. "That's such a shame you know. I would have loved to keep you to myself but I'm being told to leave you alone. Oh well, at least they didn't say anything about not draining you. I'll just have to leave your body here for the hellhounds to come and get it."

To say the pain was intense is a major understatement. And to say the darkness was a blessing is another.

I welcomed the darkness and closed my eyes.

This is my life after death.

Thank you for taking time to read this. I really appreciate it.