I was getting really tired of this conversation. I didn't like Shane. And now that I knew he had some kind of ability that messed with my emotions, I didn't trust him. It took everything I had to keep myself calm. Why would Erik pick this guy, to protect me?

It didn't take long before the clothes were finished in the washer. I switched everything over to the driers. It was a relief that I wouldn't be stuck in this room much longer. Not only was doing laundry incredibly boring, but being anywhere near Shane just pissed me off. He reminded me of the neighborhood boy I knew growing up. Ricky Stillers. Every girl in town wanted him… and he knew it. He slept with the entire town, but he didn't dare give me the time of day. Not that I wanted him. But he made some pretty ugly remarks to me, mostly about my weight. I was a chubby girl, most of my life. But I never felt ashamed. Not until I met Ricky.

Shane had the same personality. The only difference is he doesn't find me disgusting. Doesn't matter. None of that matters. I just need to keep myself distracted for now. Erik would be coming some time later.

I let my eyes wander through the magazine in my hands. It was nothing I was interested in. Makeup, perfume, things I couldn't afford. There was a long paragraph that I scanned through, relating to how these beauty products were created, it distracted me just enough to not notice something huge crash through the glass windows of the laundromat.

My heart fell into the pit of my stomach, a gasp falling past my lips. Shane moved with inhuman speed to stand in front of me. Both his arms had transformed in front of my eyes. Like Erik and Zane, his arms were just bones now. His clothing changed as well. He had just been in a simple business suit, now he was in some type of black spandex outfit. Form-fitting, sporty and masculine. Wrapped around both of his arms were pearls, vibrant purple in color.

"Stay back," He barked at me.

I took a few steps back, listening to his command. But I couldn't rip my eyes away from whatever just came crashing through the window.

Shards of glass poured all over the floor as a figure stood up from across the room. The lights of the laundromat began to break overhead. If not for the windows, the room would have been completely dark. There was a heaviness in the air, it was suffocating.

Two fiery red eyes peered in my direction, a maniacal smile plastered on the face of the creature. It was grotesque. Hideous. I felt my stomach churning as I averted my eyes. It didn't look human. And it didn't look like an animal I've ever seen. It was a monster.

"What the hell is that thing?" I muttered.

Shane stood with his back to me, he didn't appear overly concerned. "A devourer, so stay behind me. This shouldn't take long." His voice was unwavering. Nothing like it had been before. There were no traces of his arrogant attitude.

The creature slithered up the wall, leaving a trail of slime as it went. It's crimson eyes never left mine.

Shane took a few steps forward and tossed the string full of pearls towards the monster, it went securely around it's neck. An awful sound erupted from it. The sound sent chills down my spine. Instinctively I covered my ears against the shrill noise.

"What does that do?" I took a couple steps further away.

Shane turned just slightly to give me a hard look. "Stop moving around so much. I don't need you getting in the way."

There is the arrogance. But in this situation, I would just let it go. He seemed to have the situation under control. I stayed completely still and just watched.

Shane began to mutter some words, I couldn't tell what language it was. But as he spoke the creature began to wail in agony. The pearls began to glow brightly around the beast's neck. Within seconds I watched as piece by piece parts of the devourer began to disintegrate into gray dust.

Soon it was just the two of us. The laundromat was a complete mess. I didn't even have a chance to gather my thoughts. Shane marched over to me, pulling me up into his arms and slinging me over his shoulder. He bolted from the building, as if our lives depended on it. I clutched myself to him, holding as tightly as I could. The speed took me by surprise. Wind spiraled around us, causing my hair to whip against my face, blocking my sight. It felt like we were flying. I strained to look through the curtain of red curls, but I couldn't see a thing.

"Where are we going?" I grumbled.

He didn't reply, instead he abruptly changed directions. He began charging up the side of a building. My stomach was doing flips as I scrambled to cling tighter to him. I let out a breathless gasp as I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Are you insane!" I snapped.

Again he didn't answer, but thankfully I felt him stop moving. I opened my eyes, taking note of the familiar surroundings. We were standing on my balcony. I unhooked myself from Shane quickly, jabbing a finger into his well-chiseled chest. "We left without my clothes, those are all that I have."

He rolled his eyes, without any hint of amusement. "Would you have rather stayed down there to tangle with more devourers? There are more on the way."

I attempted to straighten up my clothing as I glared towards him. "That first one didn't seem to be too hard for you to handle."

Shane sighed heavily. "That was a weak one and not to mention, it was completely alone. Most likely it was newly turned. I'm not equipped to deal with a horde of them."

"Then what should we do?"

Swiftly he peered in the direction we had just come from. Emerald eyes blazing. "Get inside and stay quiet. I need to call in reinforcements." His voice sounded a bit strained. Without hesitation he put his phone to his ear and sharply turned his back on me.

I didn't argue. What did I know about any of this anyway? I would just get in the way. I stepped off the balcony and back inside my apartment. I felt useless. There really was nothing I could do to help in this situation. I was human. And basically prey. The only thing I can do is run. But I felt that with Shane being here, this was the safest place I could possibly be.

I turned for a moment, watching as Shane began to pace back and forth on the balcony. He was shouting into the phone, but I couldn't quite make out what he was saying. It was beginning to stress me out a little.

I just need to be patient and let him handle this. In the meantime, I should talk with Eddie. It was time to have this conversation. It was wrong of me to cause him to worry. I owed him so much. The least I could do was call and let him know that I would not be working for him anymore.

I snagged the company phone and marched into my bedroom, closing the door behind me. I couldn't stand watching Shane pace back and forth and bark orders on the phone anymore. All it did was put me on edge. How much danger are we really in?

The room was dark, just the faintest of light bled through the curtains of the window. It was humid, the warmest part of the apartment. Sweat instantly started at the back of my neck. I closed my eyes for a moment, taking in a few deep breaths. Anxiety tumbled around uncomfortably in my stomach. I dialed the phone with reluctance. I didn't even know what to say to him.

Would he be mad? Would he demand an explanation?

The phone rang for a while. I was almost relieved that Eddie wasn't answering. It would be easier to just leave a voicemail on his phone. But I wasn't that lucky.

His voice sounded exhausted, as if I had just woken him up from a dead sleep. "Hello," It sounded more of a growl.

I swallowed hard. "Hey Eddie, It's Valerie…" I paused, trying to think of something to say, but words escaped me.

There was a sudden shift in his tone. "Good to hear from you Val, care to explain where you were today? We really needed you."

My heart clenched painfully in my chest. He didn't sound too thrilled with me. But he sounded like he was in control of himself.

"I'm really sorry, I should have called. A lot happened over the weekend and I completely forgot to call in."

"Is everything okay?"

"Well, it turns out that I was offered a job and well… I accepted the position… so I won't be coming into the diner anymore…" It was hard to come right out and say this. I knew this was going to disappoint him.

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a while. But to my surprise, there was a soft chuckle. "Oh is that so, well I'm happy to hear it."

I blinked a few times, pressing the phone a little tighter to my ear. I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly. It didn't sound like this news bothered him at all.

"Oh.. I… erm… thanks Eddie. I really do appreciate everything you have done for me." I said quickly.

"Of course kid, it's been a real pleasure having you on our team. If this other job doesn't work out, we will welcome you back with open arms. Don't hesitate to call me."

"Thank you again," I couldn't help but smile. It was comforting to know that Eddie still valued me as an employee. Even though I didn't show up today. I had been afraid that would have tainted how he felt. But I suppose we did become unlikely friends. Not many people were on his good side.

We continued to chat a little, he wanted to know some details on the place I would be working. Of course there wasn't much I could tell him. He wished me luck and reminded me to call if I ever needed him. The conversation wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it was going to be. It was a huge relief to finally get it over with.

I slumped down on my bed, resting for a moment in the darkness. My thoughts raced as I replayed the events of today in my mind. It was an overall good day. But I desperately wanted to see Erik. His absence made me feel empty. Like a piece of myself was lost. I'd give anything to see him.

After a while the door to my room cracked open just slightly. I lifted my head to make eye contact with blistering green eyes. Shane kept his composure as he slowly entered my room.

"The area is secure for the moment." He reported with no emotion.

I raised a brow. "Well that was fast."

"They went back into hiding. Devourers usually aren't brazen enough to attack someone in the middle of the day. The one you saw was a newly turned one."

"So that thing… used to be a reaper… like you?"

His eyes narrowed, quickly he looked away from me. "At one point…" Shane's body language was screaming aggression and hostility.

A chill ran down my spine.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No," He snapped, completely turning away from me. "Erik is here now. So, I'm leaving." His words were full of venom.

What was wrong with him? Did I do something to piss him off? He had been a jerk earlier, but he down right was acting as if I was his enemy. Like he absolutely hated me.

For some reason that really bothered me. I never liked it when someone was upset with me. In the past, this would have driven me completely insane. But I've learned to let things go. It wouldn't hurt me if Shane hated me. It doesn't matter in the slightest. I already made it clear that I didn't care for him either. Maybe after today, this would be the last time I ever see him again. Maybe he will tell Erik that he doesn't want any part of me. That it wasn't worth all the trouble.

"Fine," I grumbled, turning away from him as well.

I heard a hard sigh, then the door to my bedroom slamming shut. I jumped at the sudden nose and turned to see that he was gone.

I heaved a sigh of my own and let myself flop back down on my bed. I stared up at the ceiling, trying to understand what happened just now. He was acting like a completely different person. Something must have happened that caused this change.

There was no telling how long I laid like that, in complete silence and confusion, before there was a light tapping on my door. My heart nearly sprang from my chest. Realization hit me like a ton of bricks. That must be Erik. Finally.

I stumbled to my feet as quickly as I could and went instantly to the door. Without another thought I swung the door open. There he stood. Dressed completely in black. A dark knight. Beautiful. My breath caught in my throat as his sapphire eyes burned into me.

A smirk pulled at his lips. Wordlessly his arm came out to wrap around me and draw me into his muscular chest. I buried myself in his embrace, pressing my face into his shoulder. I felt like time slowed around us. My heart was pounding so quickly that I was left breathless.

"I'm glad you're safe," He muttered against the top of my head. His hand stroked down through my red curls.

My face flushed. "Of course I am." Turning to meet his gaze, I couldn't help but smile. "Would you like to come in?"

"Nothing would make me happier." He replied with a tender kiss.