Disclaimer: The Night World is the property of L

Disclaimer: The Night World is the property of L.J. Smith as are any of the characters you recognise like Thierry, Hannah, Keller, Lupe etc.

Spoilers: All of the Night World books especially Witchlight as this story occurs at the same time as Witchlight.

Author's Notes: Just to remind you ^=thought, "=speech and ~=telepathic communication.

Part 8.

Des unlocked the door using the keys Winema had given her. ^Okay,^ she thought, ^upstairs and second door on the left.^ She entered Winema's room and was taken back by the emotion it elicited from her.

The room was painted a dark navy and there were glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to the ceiling but that wasn't what caused the lump to form in her throat. There were pictures of Winema and her parents all over the room, pictures that reminded her of her own family. It was almost a year now since, since they had died. She thought about them everyday and it still hurt much more than she'd ever admit. She grabbed the cases off the wardrobe and began to empty the clothes from Winema's chest of drawers.

She was onto the third case when she felt the breath on the back of her neck. Her first thought was Gwern and her heart gave a strange leap but then she turned and her heart plummeted to her feet like a stone.

"Hello sweetheart," the oh so familiar voice said as he clamped a hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming. "Miss me?" he asked.

She did the only thing she could and bit down hard on his hand.

"That wasn't smart sweetheart but then you've never been accused of that particular attribute, have you."

As Des stared at him she could see anger flare in those golden eyes. As memories threatened to engulf her she drew her gun. Her heart was beating so hard and fast it felt like a fluttering bird trapped in her chest.

"Bullets, don't hurt me," he told her exasperatedly.

"Wood tipped ones will," she said softly.

"Please, I'd have that gun out of your hand before you noticed I'd moved, Daybreak obviously need to get there act together, that thing's about as much use to you as a water pistol."

"Try me," Des replied.

"Another time," he told her and disappeared out the door. He threw a parting shot into her mind as he left, ~Of course we both know you can't shot me, you wouldn't even try.~

Des felt her breath coming quick and shallow, she couldn't seem to catch her breath. A panic attack, she hadn't had one since the last time she had seen him, bathed in moonlight and blood. That time she had blacked out, she was not going to let that happen this time. She took a long deep breath and let it out slowly, she was stronger now and she wouldn't let him do this again. She thought she was strong enough now, she hoped that she was strong enough now to kill him or die trying. What the hell was he doing here anyway, was it some huge coincidence or had he come after her. She didn't know, she didn't think she wanted to know.

Gwern could tell something was wrong the minute Des returned to the house. He didn't know why or how he knew it was something more than the ordinary, how he could tell that this black mood or depression or whatever was different from the black cloud that seemed to constantly hang over her.

He watched as she brought shopping bags from the car into the house. For some reason he couldn't take his eyes of her, he studied the way she moved, every motion of her body, every movement of her hands, the way she brushed her hair behind her ears constantly. ^Maybe I should ask her what's wrong,^ he thought. ^No what am I thinking, I don't care what's wrong with her, as long as it doesn't interfere with her work I don't give a shit.^

As she carried the bags into the house Des couldn't help but notice Gwern leaning against the wall watching her. She found conflicting thoughts running through her mind, ^Why can't he help me? If he tries to help me I'll smack him. I hate him so much.^ She couldn't help but feel attracted to him and she hated herself for that, hated even more the desire she felt to kiss him.

She began to unpack the bags, filling the fridge and presses. She knew Gwern had come into the kitchen even though she hadn't heard him or seen him, she could just sense his presence, it made the hairs on her arms stand up.

She refused to look at him concentrating on the tins in front of her. She sensed him moving towards her, his essence threatening to engulf her. She felt his breath on the back of her neck as he bent towards her. She felt her body tense unsure, confused about what he wanted and what she wanted. She drew herself together trying to make herself as small as possible, trying to keep him as far away as possible. Even so something else was sending a tendril out, searching for something in him.

She felt his breath on her ear as he whispered, "Keep out of my way vermin. You're kind mean nothing to me, I will have no problem returning to Thierry short a person, just remember that."

She felt the tendril hit a wall and pull back hurt and confused, just like she felt. She felt she should be happy or relieved about Gwern's attitude or at least she should feel anything other than what she was feeling, hurt, sad and a longing she couldn't explain