A/N: okay guys I'm back, although it hasn't been too terribly long so I guess that's a bonus for you guys. I did only get a grand total of 3 reviews on the last chapter...really guys? Shoutout to all my reviewers though. I love you guys. Especially those of you who I can count on regularly! :) For the rest of y'all, step it up since this story's coming to a close fairly soon- oops. Did I just type that? ;) soo...feedback? please? Love you guys!

Chapter 35

Eric POV

Something was wrong with Faith. Her eating habits were hit or miss at best, she'd started pacing everywhere she went, always deeply consumed in thought, and had been very purposeful in avoiding me. The last straw though, was when I'd come into our room one day to change my shirt I'd heard her sobbing her heart out behind the bathroom door. I had wanted to rush in right then to comfort her, but something told me it wouldn't help. I had to know, so I'd confronted her, yet I still hadn't gotten her to talk in time. She'd been as closed off as ever.

I'd locked her in the room for safekeeping until Marissa and Maxwell could get her out of here. I wasn't going to risk her in the slightest. I was putting her on a plane the next morning to make sure she was far from any of my competition. Having Maxwell and Marissa accompany her would ensure her safety at the safe house and the flight would make it harder to follow her if someone was sent after her. Now, as the remaining loyal vampires gathered at the castle we began to prepare for the coming attack.

Faith POV

I wanted to scream but mouth didn't seem to be working as he stalked over to me. DO SOMETHING my logic tried to scream at me. I ducked around him as he tried to cage me in a corner, "What do you want with me?! Why are you here!" I gasped out as I continued to evade his approach. He was toying with me I could tell. If he was a vampire like Eric, and I had a strong feeling he was, he was much too fast for me to keep out of his reach.

"I do hate to repeat myself, but I am your mate and I'm going to make you mine." he said as he closed in on me.

I evaded him barely again, "But, I'm Eric's mate..." I said uncertainly. Was I just every vampire's mate now? "Get your own!"

"I believe that's what I'm doing," he said, amused at my distress.

"No! What makes me so desirable anyways?!" I quavered.

Surprisingly he stopped and stared before suddenly throwing back his head and laughing, "He really hasn't told you anything, has he?" he sneered and suddenly lunged again. I ducked but his arm shot out and grabbed me pulling me flush against him, "And if I'm not mistaken he's made my job so much easier," he said suddenly thrusting his face into my hair and smelling deeply before looking up with a sickening grin, "So considerate of him." What was going on?! I tried to squirm away as he looked me over lecherously, "Mmmm I don't think so," he said trapping me further in his crushing hold. "Enough games," he hissed salaciously, and with that he picked me up and threw me on the bed.

Eric POV

I could see the traitors prepared for battle far in the distance, but they weren't advancing. They were waiting. For what I had no clue, but something felt wrong...

Faith POV

My lungs decided to start working right then and I let loose with a scream, "HELP, PLEASE HELP!" He climbed up on top of me and pulled open my shirt without a thought for the buttons and quickly unhooked my bra flinging it to the side. I kicked and screamed tears streaming down my face but I couldn't move. He had me completely immobile and it made me realize just how gentle Eric had been with me. Did I really just think that? I didn't have time for these revelations. Where was Eric?! "NO STOP IT STOP IT. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT," I continued as he ripped off my pants.

"You're wrong there. I have every right," he said before pulling me into a punishing kiss. If I'd thought Eric's kisses had been terrible they were nothing compared to this. It was vile, disgusting and I couldn't pull away for breath. I was going to pass out. I struggled harder, if possible, thrashing, kicking and finally screaming as I broke away from the kiss. He didn't seem phased. "Your attempts to thwart me are...adorable at best, but really quite unnecessary," he said, "Lets quiet you down a bit." My arms were still trapped in my shirt underneath me and he quickly ripped a piece out of it...NO he was going to gag me! I twisted away howling and screaming before he captured my head. "ERIC!" I bellowed.

"It's no use," said the man with a sneer. "He's much too far to hear you. No one is going to save you, girl," he said tilting my head up to stare into my eyes before kissing me again and then stuffing the cloth inside my mouth.

Far...hear...my brain was desperately trying to remember something. I could feel the fog rolling in. Everything was fuzzy. What was I upset about again? I felt a niggling in my mind. Suddenly all I wanted to do was relax. POWERS...my mind broke in briefly but it only served to confuse me...I felt fine, didn't I? NO, YOU DON'T my own thoughts finally came crashing through again. I was getting a headache as I tried to sort my thoughts from the planted ones. YOU HAVE TO FIGHT - I finally realized what was going on. The haze broke.

I'd been right, he was a vampire. I was getting molested and he'd been using his powers...wait...that was it. My answer. Eric had done the same thing when he'd forced the mental connection. I'd never initiated conversation with it before though. Could I even? NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO TRY. Before I could try to concentrate I shrieked as I was invaded by the man's wandering hands. I was running out of time. I sobbed, I going to be raped...again. Lord, help me, I need your help. I prayed as hard as I possibly could. I just needed a moment of peace so I could concentrate. In this situation though, that peace would be nothing short of a miracle. Please, Lord, I need you! And it happened. For a split second that feeling of peace washed over me and blocked it all out for the faintest moment. I seized my chance and pushed every ounce of strength I could muster into the connection.

ERIC HELP ME!

Eric POV

What was going on?! They were sitting and waiting forcing me and my allies to sit and wait as well. This was infuriating. It had been much too long. Something was definitely wrong. But what...

ERIC HELP ME!

I stumbled as I was slammed with a rush of urgency and fear that almost knocked me over it was so powerful. Faith. No.

"Master?!" Caleb ran forward to steady me, "What is it?"

I shook him off, "Faith," I said as I grabbed a stake,"Stay here!" I yelled back, and ran with all the speed I possessed, afraid that I was already too late.

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

I slammed open the door to find Xavier on top of a sobbing Faith. NO. He couldn't have. He looked up in surprise and suddenly howled in pain and keeled over, falling off the bed. Faith had dealt him a well aimed kick in the split second he'd been distracted. I pounced on top of him hacking at him with blind fury. How dare he take Faith behind my back, hadn't she been through enough?! I heard a shriek from Faith as someone else enter the room. I pinned Xavier momentarily and looked. Fuck. It was another mate. Two at once. I could have taken two if one of them wasn't Xavier. He was a match for my power, the closest to an equal I had. Xavier grinned and turned the tables suddenly, lashing out and pinning me to the floor as he called out to the other, "Get the girl!"

Faith screamed as the man advanced but I couldn't watch as I had to continue to wrestle with Xavier. Suddenly, Faith spoke up through the madness in the most surprising way. "You won't touch me," She said her voice not quavering in the slightest, completely steady with conviction even with tears still streaming down her face and her eyes closed tightly. Xavier and I paused at the same time and stared as Faith began to glow, though it was barely noticeable at first, "Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men. For He who avenges blood remembers; He does not ignore the cries of the afflicted!" she glowed brighter almost blindingly as she cried out to her God. The man started to back away slowly. Xavier and I could only watch in disbelief as she suddenly screamed again in righteous fury. "The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?!" I continued to watch in shock as the other man hissed and charged at her, teeth bared, aiming for her throat and...evaporated. As soon as he got within a foot of Faith, he'd begun to glow before he vanished, incinerated so quickly he didn't even have time to scream. There wasn't even ashes. But Faith didn't seem to notice still completely caught up in the power that held her; her eyes still closed as she held out her arms in surrender. "Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you,'" she pleaded softly, "O Lord, that's what you promised! I am afflicted, I am fearful, I've tried to be strong! Please save me..."

Faith POV

My mouth hurt from trying to spit the gag out. I tried to kick again as the man finished undressing me but I was completely trapped as he yanked my legs apart, No, Lord! Please! I can't do this again! I prayed fervently feeling more and more certain with every passing second that I hadn't reached Eric or that he simply didn't care as I'd always believed. For all I knew he might have orchestrated this. Suddenly the door slammed open and the man's attention was immediately off of me. I acted quickly, kicking upward as hard as I could. It worked, surprisingly. As the man keeled over I looked toward the door and caught a glimpse of Eric. He'd come? Had I made him feel guilty about allowing this to happen? Had he somehow not known? I spit out the gag, pulled the covers of the bed over my lower half and could do nothing except lean forward into my knees and start sobbing again. I heard a noise though and looked up to see another man in the room and I screamed out in fear.

"Get the girl!" the first man called out, I looked over to see him on top of Eric trying to pry the stake from his hand.

"NO!" I screamed. I wasn't not going to let this happen again. Something in me snapped. That was the last straw. I felt strength surge into me unexpectedly...

Child...you are never alone

It was almost like a gentle breeze - I felt arms of comfort surround me holding me, Lord? Why?! I'm suffocating under this burden you've given me! Please help me, Lord! I can't do this!

Cast all your cares on me, my child, You are not alone

I took a deep breath and let myself curl up, legs bent so I was more steady and I shut my eyes tightly as the comfort I felt around me gave way to peace. "You won't touch me," I stated, unsure of whether I'd said it out loud or too myself but knowing it was true.

You know my Word. My promises are true

I felt the slight prod. I needed to continue to have faith, I do, Lord, it's just so hard. So I started to quote the promises I could remember about The Lord helping the afflicted. I felt peace and love and was completely caught up in the presence I felt. The whole situation faded away. I didn't know if I was still quoting Scripture or not because all I could feel was safety and comfort.

Eric POV

Xavier was having trouble focusing while hearing the Scriptures quoted and I quickly took advantage of the situation. I was able to deal him a blow with the stake but I missed his heart as he turned at the last second. I impaled his shoulder instead making him screech in pain. I tried to deal another blow but missed as he rolled onto his feet and snarled at me, "I'll dispose of you, have no doubt, and I'm going to enjoy it so very much." With a last look of fear toward Faith, he jumped out of the window and ran. I considered following him but then realized he was going to his rebellion. They wouldn't attack for a few days since Xavier had been hurt. Or would they? I still had to get Faith out of here. Speaking of Faith...

I looked back over at the bed. Her ethereal glow was still there though it was slowly disappating leaving her still naked, her tattered shirt hanging off of her as she sobbed into the comforter. I had no clue what to do. For the first time I was afraid. Truly, sorely afraid. And of who? Faith! A girl who had up until this point seemed helpless. Stubborn of course, surprising without a doubt but never powerful and terrifying. She was finally beginning to live up to her position...but I'd never heard of it happening to this extent or this early... At this moment I wanted nothing more than to run away from her after seeing what had happened to the last man who came near her. She'd always been so helpless, so trusting - so foolishly trusting in her God. but was it foolish?! I was dumbstruck to say the least. What I'd just witnessed was impossible and it scared the living shit out of me. That hadn't been Faith herself. It never had. She was only an outlet, she'd been channeling something much more powerful. How had she called upon such power though? Scripture? Had her chanting been the key? No she'd hadn't been chanting, she'd been pleading with all her soul. I don't think I'd ever heard something so pure. Yet, it hadn't affected me as much as it had Xavier. Was I becoming immune to Faith's purity? I was a creature of darkness, how had I not snuffed out her light completely?

Because light pierces darkness...

I did feel different since Faith-... was she changing me? My thoughts were interrupted by a bout of hiccuping sobs. I still had to deal with Faith somehow. I couldn't just leave her after what had just transpired. As much as I wanted to run after what I'd seen happen I couldn't just leave her... Did she even know what had happened? Did I even believe it had happened?

I steeled myself and slowly, silently walked over to her. I could feel the air around her tingling with the power it had just held but thankful it wasn't burning any longer.

"F-Faith?" I tried quietly, fear creeping into my voice, what if she turned on me? I'd been the root of her misery thus far. She continued to sob as if I had said nothing. I climbed up on the bed beside her tentatively and gently wrapped my arms around her. She was warm and I felt that same power discharge as I had when she'd run from me that night so long ago.

"Leave me alone," she gasped between sobs as she half-heartedly fought my embrace before collapsing into it, sobbing anew. I held her as she cried her heart out holding her to my chest shushing her comfortingly and stroking her hair.

Faith POV

Slowly the feeling faded away after what felt like a couple of seconds and I felt the world come back. I felt the apprehension, the fear and the righteous anger but also the fatigue of what had happened but I knew that it was over somehow. I had no idea how but I didn't really care, instead I collapsed into a pillow and drew the comforter up a bit higher and began sobbing in fear and pain, but mostly in relief.

"F-Faith?"

No, I couldn't deal with this right now. I couldn't deal with him. I felt the bed give beneath me as he sat down beside me and wrapped his arms around me. No, I definitely couldn't deal with this, whatever this was.

"Leave me alone," I sobbed and tried unsuccessfully to fight my way out but he calmly continued to hold me, his grip not tightening or loosening. I finally collapsed into his embrace and only cried harder as he began to gently stroke my hair. Who was this man? He was acting completely out of character, this couldn't be the same man who'd stolen everything from me. I was still sobbing but now my sobs intensified as I made a new realization - I was crying in shame. Was I really so starved for comfort that I was willing to accept it from Eric? Was I giving in? Was he reveling in the fact that I was forced to cling to him for solace? I tried not to think about and willfully avoided looking into his face afraid I'd see triumph in my fall.

"I'm so sorry, love," I heard him whisper at one point. He was sorry? For what exactly? Was he feeling guilty for orchestrating this? Sorry that I was so distraught? Or was he trying to play me further into his grasp by making me think he hadn't been aware of what had been happening? I started swallowing my sobs and trying to get myself under control and finally the sobs turning into hiccuping breaths and sniffles, something much more manageable. I sat completely still, unwilling to acknowledge that I was still clinging to Eric for comfort.

Eric POV

"I'm so sorry, love," I whispered more to myself than her. I'd failed her, I'd failed her in so many ways. We sat that way until my legs started falling asleep but I refused to move until her crying was finally replaced with only small sniffles and catch breaths. I knew I should go find Caleb to tell about what had happened, but Faith was my first concern right now. Everything else could wait. I didn't want to ruin this moment where she was gladly accepting my presence and comfort, but I had questions I needed to ask. Questions I didn't know if I wanted the answers to.

"Did he hurt you?" I finally asked steeling myself for the possibility of it being the answer I didn't want. She sniffled as she extracted herself from my embrace and quickly pulled the remnants of her shirt around her tightly.

"H-he didn't succeed if that's what you're asking," she barely managed not meeting my gaze.

Relief washed over me immediately. He hadn't been able to complete one bond at least, "He didn't do anything?" I tried to clarify.

"Aside from traumatize me forever and ruin one of my favorite shirts you mean?" she snapped at me like a wounded animal.

I had to decency to realize the terrible wording but still went after my answer, "He didn't bite you or anything else though?" I rephrased.

"No," she said quietly, still clutching her shirt. My hands came up to her face and I bowed my head against hers with a sigh of relief, kissing her forehead gently before getting up. Still she refused to look up. I walked over toward the wardrobe to get her something to wear.

"Why did you lock the door?"

Faith POV

"Did he hurt you?"

I quickly freed myself from his grasp but kept my gaze down. "H-he didn't succeed if that's what you're asking," I finally was able to say, the painful memory much too fresh.

"He didn't do anything?"

"Aside from traumatize me forever and ruin one of my favorite shirts you mean?" I bit out caustically.

"He didn't bite you or anything else though?" Really? Was there need for any more clarification?

"No," I said quietly, pulling the remains of my shirt around me tighter. I felt him cup my face with his hands and lean his head against mine with a sigh of relief. I refused to look up at him, still afraid of what I might see. He kissed my forehead and then got up. As glad as I was that he was leaving, I still had to know, or at least let him know that I wasn't going to make the same mistake again.

"Why did you lock the door?"

My voice was still quavering and barely more than a whisper.

I heard him sigh, "I was trying to protect you."

"By locking me in?"

"Not locking you in, locking others out," he tried to explain, I heard him rummaging in the wardrobe.

"You left me here for h-him," I finally whispered in accusation. Silence - prolonged, painful silence followed. I hadn't heard him move but he was suddenly there in front of me, jerking my chin up so I would meet his gaze.

"What?" he whispered as he searched my face.

"You left me here for him!" I yelled with more conviction.

"You think I wanted this to happen?!" he was looking at me with shock. Did he think me a fool?! It was so obvious!

"YES, I do think you wanted this to happen!" I said slapping away his hand. "You wanted me to call out for you! You wanted me to see how much worse you could have been when you forced me! You wanted me to see that I have nothing left! You wanted me to be afraid so I'd have to choose something to do! You want me to see that I'm utterly alone and reduced to accepting comfort from YOU. YOU! YOU WHO BROUGHT ME INTO THIS MISERY IN THE FIRST PLACE. So FINE. Just continue to take EVERYTHING away bit by bit! You got what you wanted! YOU WIN," I screamed.

Eric POV

I threw the night gown I'd grabbed for her onto the end of the bed. I was in shock. I turned and began walking, needing distance to process what she'd said. She thought this had been my plan?! How could she rationally think that? Hadn't I rushed to come defend her? Hadn't I held her in comfort as she'd sobbed. But as I listened to her rationale it became clear how easily she'd interpreted everything I'd done in the worst possible way. And who could blame her? She only saw what she wanted to see. And she refused to see that though I'd made mistakes in obtaining her, I loved her, I loved her so much it hurt and I was only pained further by her accusation. "You think I'd risk you like that to prove a point?! Faith, I could have proved any one of those points with no outside help if I'd wanted to, why would I bring in a variable?" I said continuing to pace, "You think I want you to be afraid for your safety at every turn?! You think I wanted to put you through that kind of pain again? Why would I want you broken any more than you already are? You've suffered enough-"

"At YOUR hands!" she interjected acridly.

"You give me absolutely no credit, Faith!" I stode over to her and met her gaze fiercely.

"AND WHY SHOULD I?!" She yelled in my face.

I let silence fall as we stared at each other, both of us refusing to back down. "Because I came when you needed me," I finally said calmly, remembering that I was pushing the same girl who had vaporized a man.

She deflated visibly so I took a step back, glad of my quick thinking to be able to rescue the conversation without stirring her emotions any further. "Why did you come?" she finally whispered.

"Why did you wait so long to call out to me?" I retorted, unable to keep the hurt out of my voice.

She shrunk back, "I didn't know how-h-how to initiate conversation, and when I finally did I didn't think you would come. I didn't even know if it had worked."

I sighed and sat down beside her again, "Why would you think I wouldn't? You listed all your ideas I know, but rationally, why would I go through all this trouble just to flippantly give you to another man?"

"What trouble? It's been trouble only for me ever since you decided to waltz into my life! So what if you weren't directly related to this mess - It still wouldn't have happened if you'd just left me ALONE. WHY?! What made me so desirable then and what makes me so desirable now that ANOTHER man just molested and almost raped me?!"

"Leaving you alone was not an option."

"I'm tired of this! Can you just be straightforward with me for once?! Of course not, that's asking too much!" she continued on her tirade.

"You're exhausted and being unnaturally hostile Faith, now is really not the time for explanations." I tilted up her chin as she glared at me and quickly wrapped her shirt around her tighter.

I backed off, I would get nowhere with her in this state. I grabbed the nightgown from the bed and reached for the tattered remains of her shirt while she stubbornly held the sheets against her chest but allowed me to slip the shirt off her arms and the nightgown over her head.

"Get some rest," I said shortly and quickly left the room.

As I walked back to inform Caleb of what had happened I reviewed everything that had transpired. Amazing how it had gone from saving and comforting to fighting and screaming in such a short amount of time. What was I going to do with this girl? She stubbornly continued to fight ME when I'd been the one to help her! It was infuriating! How was I ever going through to her? To show her I wasn't the enemy? Yet she'd shown such a frightening amount of power, something I hadn't expected until much later. She was just so young...why did she have to be so young...I sighed to myself as I arrived back where Caleb was patiently waiting. At least she would be safe...

A/N: Yay! That's the longest chapter I've written - fun fact. Over 4,500 words. Not to pat myself on the back or anything... ;). So that should keep you all satisfied for a bit seeing as it was long and not really a cliffhanger. Bible verses are from Isaiah ad Psalms. Stay tuned. Things are getting interesting! PLEASE REVIEW. I crave feedback!