Disclaimer: not mine. Period.

A/N: Sorry I haven't been able to post this up. My Computer is VERY twisted. First, the mouse stopped working around Christmas, and then we lose the Internet, and then we get it back, and then we can't do anything on the Internet except get mail. We can't even send mail, only get it! My computer is very twisted. I need a new computer. Oh, well, enjoy this story. I'll get the next part up as soon as possible, but its only half way written right now.

Twisted Flower

By: Molten Saffire

Chapter 2

~~~~~*Rowena*~~~~~

Taking care no one was around to see me, I reappeared in a dark alley near the SingleEarth building, breathing heavily from the effort it took to remain invisible for so long. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes tightly, trying to keep the walls from swimming; that little trick always took so much out of me. Once I was certain I could walk again without tripping over my own feet I opened my eyes, and checking to make sure the night was silent, I left the alley.

I ignored the sounds of joyful partying continuing from inside SingleEarth; there was once I time when my life was as carefree as those inside, but those times were long past and gone. Feeling my mind turning towards an unpleasant subject, I desperately tried to think of something else, only to find everything around me dark, dreary, and unpleasant.

I walked through streets lined with shops, up one, down another. My traitorous mind kept reminding me I had nowhere to go. Not having enough money to pay the landlord, I was just kicked out of the damn dump that was the only thing I could remotely call my home. There was no one waiting for me tonight, no one to feed me; I was the last of the line of the Twisted Night, and my family had been dead for years.

Tearing myself from these painful thoughts I concentrated on finding a place I could find something cheap to eat. Dominique had paid me kindly to deliver the message, but the payment could only last so long.

Finally I spot a sign, half lit and half hidden by shadows.

Ambrosia.

~~~~~*~~~~~

With a creak the door to Ambrosia opened, revealing a slightly disheveled witch coming in from the cold. The vampires sensed her power instantly, several of them grinning from ear to ear in anticipation.

Rowena looked around the bar, her mind spinning ceaselessly. 'Holy…How the Hell do I get myself into these situations!?' she thought to herself as she got into a fighting stance. Inwardly she was berating herself for not noticing the aura of demons in the area.

By now many of the vampires in the bar were watching her, trailing her with their raven black eyes. She tightened her mind shields, controlling her fear and calming an ever-increasing panic at the same time. Her head clearing slightly, she could finally make out some of the vampires surrounding her. Unfortunately, some very prominent vampires happened to be in the bar that night, many of whom she'd recognize, but, thank god, none of them should recognize her. Jager and Risika were sitting in the bar, probably the only vampires in Ambrosia who paid no heed to her. Recognizing Risika from the description she heard on the streets, Rowena's eyes widened, her self-control lost for a moment, as a flash of fear went through her eyes.

Aubrey, standing languidly in a shadowed corner, was stalking her with his eyes, the fear in hers catching his attention. In her mind he laughed, ~It seems like a little sheep got lost in the woods this evening. You're so very, very far away from home, little witch.~

Anger instantly replaced her fear, as Rowena heard the arrogance and pride in Aubrey's voice. Her head cleared instantly, fury burning away everything else. ~I don't have a home,~ she snapped back into his mind. He smirked back at her, obviously not intimidated. Seeing the smirk, Rowena decided to play a different game with this vampire. Pinning his eyes to hers, she walked up to him slowly, almost seductively. Licking her lips, she smiled at him, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. Instead, a fire burned in their dark depths, a cold fire that sent shivers of ice shooting down his spine. Reaching him, she put her mouth close to his ear, her neck dangerously close to his fangs. The blood pumping through her system seemed almost to call to him, but Aubrey held his self-control. He wanted to see what this girl thought she had up her sleeve. Sensing his desire, she laughed softly into his ear, before breathing a treat for only him to hear. "Never, ever, call me a little witch again, leech, or you'll wish you never set your eyes on me."

Aubrey chuckled out loud, a dangerous gleam in his eye. She was in dangerous territory, and they both knew it. She just didn't give a damn. She stalked away from him slowly, an inviting smile curving her lips. He wasn't fooled, though. He could sense her power, and he knew she was dangerous. He also knew he wasn't the only vampire she had seduced before. The only difference was, all the others took the bait.

"Is that supposed to be a threat?" he whispered in a slow, threatening drawl, as she turned her body back towards him.

"It's supposed to be a fact," she answered as ice began to coat all the windows.

A laugh came from behind her. By now quite a few eyes were on her, from her tight black jeans to her blood red halter top and flashing black eyes, which now whirled towards Risika.

"Look around you, sweetheart. Any one of us could kill you in a second and there would be nothing you could do abut it."

Rowena was barley conscious of the words as her anger finally reached her peak. The windows began to shatter, one by one, glass and ice spraying in every which way.

~Foolish witch,~ Aubrey's voice hissed through her mind as he grabbed her arm harshly, forcing a cry to escape her lips. She turned her face towards his, knowing he was the immediate danger. Her mind barely registered that all the other occupants of the room, besides Risika, had already left.

Panic began to enclose her mind as he held onto her arm even tighter, his fangs closing onto her pulse point. Surely she would have a bruise on her arm the next day. If she lived, that is. Her anger began to lessen as fear and desperation gnawed at her throat. Her blood was already his. This was the end.

A/N: Don't ask me how the hell I got this up. I really don't want to talk about it. Lets just say it's a painstakingly long process. And my mouse still isn't working, which makes things worse. Please review. I am going through torture posting up these stories, and I'd like some creative criticism on my writing. Don't worry; I'll get your reviews. I check it during school. 'Till next time…