Now I know these general notes are fairly annoying, but this is seriously need. Read and burn this in your mind. Seriously. Say to yourself, "Self, I need to read and burn the following words in my mind." Got it? Good. All right:

DO NOT HATE ADELAIDE E AFTER THIS CHAPTER. CONTINUE TO REVIEW EVEN IF CHAPTER TEN IS MINORLY UNSATISFACTORY.

All right, that's it. Happy reading!

Also, if you do review, try and try not to write spoiling reviews. Some read reviews before the chapter and eh—the whole thing's ruined. That's it!

Alocin: Just curious, does your name mean anything? I just thought it was really interesting. Any who, reviews like yours will just bloat my ego, but what the hey—keep them coming! And I appreciate any one who appreciates the quotes. I hope this was soon enough.

Aife Bisclaveret: Hiya! That whole no boring chapters comment was very generous of you! I'm glad you noticed the contrast between Rita and Maria. Because I was so attached to Maria, it was hard to create a character to be the polar opposite. And aren't the Snows just precious! And trust me, a family like that…gets very annoying after a while.

More power to ya for disliking Bryan. Don't like him very much myself either, but he is a convenient means to an end. And, of course, Jared… If I inserted a pro and cons thing for him, I would have had to add a whole new chapter. Precious boy has that many pros. And cons? Probably two. Rita would never full own him, for that leather couch holds a special place in his heart. Secondly, the potty mouth. But I think that's it! Besides that totally disheartening phone call wiped that option away, didn't it?

I was very selfish about Ash. I like to have any reason for him to pop up. He's, in my opinion, one of the best male L.J. Smith character. Then again, as you very well know, I got my bad boy attraction. And about things looking set for a good part…um…yeah…don't hold your breath.

Neona-deniker: Let's just be polite about it and say, very delicately…Chapter 8 sucked! A filler chapter, I'm very well aware, but then again, so was chapter 9. Lord love a duck, Neona-deniker, that living room thing wasn't supposed to make you love Bryan more! Eh, maybe this chapter will change your mind. And one must always remember that, to survive living with Maria, Valdis must be just as deceitful. So, basically, yeah he'll get her there. And property…mystery's a wonderful thing, ain't it? But, please, oh please, don't hate me for this chapter!

Maria24: Hey, great name! Not that I'm partial or anything…ahem. Interesting, unique, and good job-ness is all I've aimed for with this fic, so yay for me! I feel just awful though, because you wrote such a sweet review but I can't help you out! Through some freak accident, mix-up thingy, all but two of my Night World books have been donated to charity. Why poor people would want to read about blood sucking mean people, I don't know. Any way, the ones I have are the earlier ones, so they don't list all books. Sorry! But nine sounds like a good number…

Lilith: Relieved to hear from you again! But now I'm a bit timid because you loved last chapter, but this chapter is shorter and er…bad. Seriously. Brace yourself, dear.

Martha: Hey, thanks so much for reviewing. I don't know how boys talk on the phone with each other, so hopefully that's accurate. The thing is…oh well, I'll just let you find out for yourself. This is not as long, but damn it's got alotta action.

Vague Verity

Chapter 10

"What woman, however old,

~*~*~*~

Anomina

She was here. Back in the stupid little town. There was a sense of relief when he realized it, immeasurable as it was unreasonable. It didn't matter whether she was here or in Antarctica; she would always hate him.

Yet that tingly feeling in his hands refused to fade on his way to Chemistry. He had always been able to ignore it before, when the unnerving prickles crept up just as something important was happening. Whether it was because of Rita, he wasn't sure. He would see once he reached class.

"Mr. Amaro, how good of you to join us." The caustic greeting meant more than his tardiness for that morning; five days after Rita left, Adrian stopped attending himself. It just seemed pointless, or at least moreso than before.

As he closed the distance between himself and the assigned seat, he tried to casually observe her. The worry lines were emphasized by her look of concentration as she filled out a worksheet. Looking from his make up packet to the one sitting on Tana's desk, Adrian noticed the considerable difference in size; his was at least three times as thick. Huh.

For the rest of the class, he covertly studied her. The harsh scrutiny of the wolf and vampire was as subtle as a neon, flashing sign. The best opportunities came when Tana—no, Verity was forced to pass things back to him.

He was looking for whatever her boyfriend was talking about, that night in the woods. He supposedly ruined something. But looking at the woman before him, Adrian saw nothing broken. Comparatively, this one was stronger now. Wiser, eyes wide open. Where Tana had turned away from the world, this one faced it head on, and with a brave face at that. He hadn't broken anything, nothing was lost. At least that's what Adrian told himself.

During health class, she checked out early. Many of the girls did. The one fact that disturbed him was that she left with Smith. But as much as it disturbed him, it also brought relief. Verity wouldn't be out primping for the Soiree if Bryan Smith was with her. Perhaps they planned something else. Adrian didn't want to think about it; he was just happy she wouldn't be there tonight.

~*~*~*~

"So…you're my date, right?" Rik wanted to smack himself as soon as the words left his mouth. There was something called subtlety, but he felt he was born missing that gene.

Fayth looked over her shoulder and shrugged. "Sure, but it's not like we'll really be attending. We have a more important job, you know—"

"I get it," Rik cut in, standing awkwardly behind her. She was wearing a simple pink dress; she had had it for years, and wore it to every special occasion, be it wedding or funeral. He thought it funny that the most feminine color was to be worn by the strongest, non-fluffy girl he had ever met.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she said, with a teasing smile, when she noticed his stare. "Even if that suit is as old as this dress."

He stretched uncomfortably when her eyes ran over his form. "I still don't understand why a man would need so many layers of clothes… It's stupid. The more important the party, the more uncomfortable you gotta be?"

Fayth laughed and finished her curls. "Don't worry," she reassured him, straightening his tie, "I think you've just grown. But it's okay, we'll be retro-cool."

The two left the room and joined the others in the living room. Winnie sat impatiently, her gaze alternating between her nails and the front door. Rashel and Quinn were bent over all possible exits and entrances of the Anomina High gym. He really didn't understand the point, though. If they were going to try to keep anybody who could be a dragon out, nobody would ever get inside.

Rashel spied Fayth and nudged Quinn. The vampire looked up and then faced the couple fully.

"Are we all ready then?"

"No," Winnie snapped. "Where the hell is your best friend?" she asked Rik.

He shrugged. "What does it matter?"

Winnie grit her teeth. "I'm positioned in the upper left entrance, the third most used. Should I come across any hostility, I need some stupid brute force to distract it while I build up my power. Things work in a certain way, Rik!"

The front door opened the same time Rik opened his mouth. Jared looked at all of them and smiled when his eyes rested on Quinn.

"Hello Sergeant Peppers!" he laughed and saluted sharply.

Rashel grabbed her soul mate before he could pounce on the wolf. "It's military cut," she explained evenly. Her eyes ran coldly over his attire. "Is that what you're wearing to the Soiree?"

Jared's smile became puzzled, and he still addressed Quinn. "I'm not going to the Soiree, Colonel Sanders."

Winnie looked to Fayth, who looked to Rashel, who looked to Quinn. The leader stared at all three women until remembrance hit. "Oh," he sighed and turned to Jared. "Jared Luna, your presence is cordially requested tonight to escort Winnie—"

The other words were stuck in his throat when Rashel punched his arm. "John! I ask you to do one thing, one thing! Ask him, John, hurry up and do it, I said. And what did you say? I will, Rashel, just hold on. I'm talking to my retarded friend in Arizona!"

"Now, now, I don't recall saying 'retarded.'…"

"You guys?" The pair turned to Fayth, who was trying to ignore the laughing Rik. "It's a moot point any way."

"Why?" Rashel asked angrily. "Winnie still needs a partner."

Fayth shrugged helplessly and pointed beyond them. "Because Jared just sneaked out the window." And, sure enough, one of the windows in the living room had been open, the freezing wind causing the girls to shudder.

~*~*~*~

"I really don't want to go, Bryan," Verity explained as she watched Bryan break yet another window. "And you really should make an extra pair of keys."

"I will," he assured her when he opened the door, "as soon as I find the original."

He persuaded her to come to his bed room. Through the hall way and up the stairs, she pleaded in vain. The Soiree was unimportant. They could always go next year. It was probably too crowded. She didn't even like dancing.

Bryan stopped so suddenly that she ran into him. His eyes were like warm, dying embers. "Please don't lie like that," he requested quietly, obviously hurt. Guilt assailed her as soon as he looked down at their entwined hands to avoid her face. Before she could apologize, he opened his bed room door.

Bryan stepped further into the room, waiting for her opinion. He rubbed his sweaty palms against his shirt. His hopeful smile wavered when she didn't say anything.

"I didn't know the size exactly," he explained nervously. Bryan picked up the hanger and brought it closer for inspection. "But it seemed long enough…" Her hand reached out, but she drew back her fingers abruptly. "You don't like it."

Rita stared at it for what seemed like eternity. "No," she said softly, never pulling her eyes away from his gift, "it's perfect." Bryan was confused into silence for a few minutes, and then asked:

"What's the problem, Verity?"

She smiled a smile he knew well. That old soul smile, a cross between knowing and apologetic. Basically stated that he was too young to understand.

But then it was replaced with a curve that was normal. Her flash of perfect teeth showed some real, teenage excitement. "It's perfect," she repeatedly excitedly. "How did you know I wanted white?" He shrugged, and handed her the dress.

"It seemed to be the appropriate color," he answered with a grin as he grabbed his tux. He didn't know why he was grinning like an idiot, but her smile had that effect on him. She laughed softly as he left her to change.

~*~*~*~

There were maybe twenty or so already there when the Daybreak team arrived. One of the mingling happened to be Adrian Amaro.

"God dammit, how the hell did he beat us here?" Quinn swore angrily and rushed into the streamer filled gym. The others swiftly followed him, almost bumping into one of the door people. Rik, seeing as he wasn't officially part of the group, took the time to apologize.

"Sorry about that," he told the pale, curvy girl sausaged into an electric blue gown. "We…just heard the punch was super this year." The human giggled. "You should try it before they run out," he grinned and turned to assume position.

"Wait," she called out, and hurriedly waddled up to him. "You're Rita's friend, aren't you?"

Rik was vaguely alarmed. Had he met this one before? "Yeah…"

"I'm Ophelia. Here, you forgot your card. We promised the sponsors to hand these out once they, like, doubled our funds. It was Rita's idea," she explained, and then waddled away to hand out more.

Rik saw the card was a coupon to the local Doughnut Hut. On the back, written in calligraphy, it said:

Love seeketh only Self to please,

To bind another to Its delight,

Joys in another's lose of ease,

And builds a Hell in Heaven's despite. ~ William Blake

Please enjoy the 332nd Anniversary of Anomina.

So they were trying for the anti pregnancy message. Rik smiled as he joined Fayth at one of the entrances. Fat chance; the Anomina Inn was booming with business tonight. Any fleeting love message would be lost on the drunk, horny idiots.

"What are you smiling about?" Fayth asked, nodding coolly to their temporary allies.

He almost spoke the truth, but decided against it. Fayth wasn't one of the drunk, horny idiots, and he wouldn't want her head filled with anti-love poetry. Instead, he said, "I was just trying to imagine Jared in a tie."

~*~*~*~

Jared waited in the back yard until the team left. After that, he took a walk around the neighborhood, not caring if the rest of Anomina thought he was crazy for being shirtless. He didn't mind missing the Soiree; like he told Rita, he had plenty ahead of him. Parking was hell, any way.

Of course Rita would be there. Of course she would, she planned the whole thing. And Anomina would welcome their long lost president once they saw what a great job she did. He didn't really see the decorations at school, but he knew Verity wouldn't do anything less than brilliant.

Except date that prick.

The werewolf was never one for self pity. He decided a good long nap would cheer him up, and briskly jogged back home. The five story boarding house looked dark and remote. Looking up at the second floor, Jared realized he didn't have his keys. He had lost them weeks ago, in the woods at Buffington's party. And, damn them, his friends had shut and locked the windows.

He scratched his head, looking for any other way to get in. Breaking a window wasn't an option, he still owed money to Quinn. Desperate and longing for his leather couch, he walked around back.

Thank…some supreme being. One con about being an atheist; he had no clue as who to thank when something good happened. Sometimes God, or Jesus, an influence of listening to so many humans for years. The landlord still hadn't repaired that hole in the basement wall. Shifting to wolf form, he squeezed through the narrow opening, and then found the stair case leading upstairs. He just hoped that new tenant below them wasn't home…

It looked like he wasn't going to get arrested for breaking and entering tonight. The apartment was identical to his own, except messier. Curious, he meandered a bit before returning home. Whoever lived down here was a freak.

There were all sorts of jars full of nasty, inedible things. Vials and bowls of unidentifiable ingredients were strewn about, leaving a stale smell in the air. Maybe it was an experimenting chef.

Come to think of it, he never saw his downstairs neighbor. Jared stopped in his tracks when he recognized a scent. Almost like activated Dragon's Blood, except stronger—and lighter some how. If that was possible.

That was impossible. Or at least that's what he told himself as he frantically searched the apartment. He didn't care about leaving a mess; he had a good feeling whoever had this new potion wasn't going to stick around. The werewolf found a few fire arms, tri-colored bullets, but those didn't matter. There was nothing stronger than Dragon's Blood. What they sold in witch stores was usually diluted; they got weaker. Nobody could have stronger Dragon's Blood. It was impossible.

In his clumsy search, Jared didn't see a skull near his foot. He took one step, placing one foot on it. The fall wasn't so bad as a fall could be on a hardwood floor; he landed on a pile of hard, thick papers. The most he got was a few paper cuts from the short edges.

He ran out of the apartment in seconds.

~*~*~*~

"Oh would you look at that?" Rashel pointed out. "That's awful."

Quinn turned and saw Rita's friend being bullied. One of the basket ball jocks held the cards far above the human girl's head. He was about to move to stop it, for Rashel had always handled herself, when the jock threw it over her head, sending the welcome cards all over the snack table. Verity's friend and the other door attendants were frantic to retrieve them all.

"They won't stop being jerks even at a formal event," Rashel observed, thoroughly disgusted. "I don't see how Rita manages them."

"She did run away after all…speak of the devil." Rashel turned and followed her date's gaze. Student body president and escort were announced, and won the prize of being the latest to the party.

"How the hell is she keeping it on?" she wondered aloud.

"That silky toga, or that fake smile?" Quinn returned, distractedly moving his eyes to Amaro. Hopefully, the planner had seen his soul mate come.

Verity greeted her students politely, and pointedly turned away from anybody with the words, "I'm sorry" pouring from their mouths. She and Bryan visited the cliques formed around the dance floor. The popular simply had to tell them they were the cutest couple. The less fortunate were happy to say hello to the president that had done so much to them, except the vegetarian club. Who knew one could hold such a long grudge over leather pants?

She even kept her composure as they approached the group of Bryan's kinds. Trepidation was inevitable, despite the fact that he told them they were neutral. They regarded her with a surprising amount of respect, and even smiled during the polite conversation.

"Why do I feel like I'm on parade?" Bryan asked amusedly as they nodded to this group and that couple. Verity turned and widened her brittle smile at him.

"Don't be silly. We're just strengthening ties, after all. If I decide to stay for my senior year, I want to stay president." The words stopped when she spied two blue eyes staring intently among the glamorous throngs. "Bryan," she started nervously, "let's go dance."

Bryan surveyed his partner questioningly as he led her to the dance floor. That public smile was still there, but her eyes were distracted, straying from here to there before turning away sharply with a gasp. He tried to discern was perturbed her, but saw nothing in the crowd of seniors except other couples. Perhaps she was scandalized by the proximity of the dancers. The theory was kicked out of his mind when he drew her into his arms, and she shyly moved closer into his arms to rest her head on his shoulder. Not even light could have passed between their two bodies. If he hadn't sensed her bashfulness, Bryan was sure he would have froze up in fear. Which was plain shameful. He had held plenty of girls; this one shouldn't turn him into an amateur.

While Bryan inwardly scolded himself on his timidity, Rita cursed the small number of this year's senior class. If less had failed into her grade, perhaps this gym would be more crowded. More couples slow dancing. Less chance of seeing somebody. Less chance of being stared at with angry, ocean blue eyes.

And he was dancing with Ophelia, of all people. Rita knew it was wrong to think of others when dancing with a very attached date, but her soul mate's rage was nearly palpable. She wasn't sure whether he chose Ophelia as a partner out of the kindness of his heart, or a silent threat to herself. Going to up to her and pulling her away wasn't very likely; Miss Brown was in seventh heaven.

Verity could only watch, helpless as she swayed in Bryan's sturdy arms, as her other half came closer and closer to the center of the floor. Those eyes of unfathomable depth burning into her own. Her arms tightened reflexively around Bryan. Sheer will power allowed her to turn her head, so that she could only see Bryan's neck. She felt his heart quicken at the action. Her own heartbeat probably raced faster than his. Only human she may be, but she'd have to be in a coma not to feel the soul mate link strengthen with each step Adrian took. Rita's mind began to consider the possibility of heart doctors when hers skipped a few beats; Amaro and Ophelia stood directly behind Bryan.

The music, the chatter, Bryan's heart beat, the artificial moonlight…everything faded away. The only things that existed were Adrian's indigo eyes, both sad and angry. Rita instinctively knew that any other girl would have fallen under his spell with just one glance, and that she never would. They were on the same level, their eyes riveted to each others with equal intensity and regret. It wasn't right, he seemed to argue with no vocal words.

And she knew what he meant. It didn't feel right, here in Bryan's arms. Being held by any other man but your soul mate just felt odd. Almost, but not enough. Her face became defiant. It wasn't her fault Adrian couldn't hold her. He lost that privilege on his own.

Faintly, she heard her class mates murmur some surprise. Silver confetti fell from the heavens….well, the ceiling. Verity smiled; she knew they'd like it. Simple, plastic, snowflakes creating an almost perfect night. Adrian's eyes flickered up and then back to her. A little rueful smile rested on his lips. He knew what he lost.

It came time to announce Mr. and Mrs. Anomina. Verity pulled away from Bryan to join Mr. Williams on the stage. On the way, she noticed Ophelia regarded her with an annoyed look. She didn't blame her; after all, she had disappeared from school and dumped the majority of student council responsibility on her. And then the poor girl's dream partner goes and stares at another girl. Poor Ophelia.

She resolved to apologize to her friend as she called Marjorie and Jason to the stage. Even more confetti graced the celebration. The spotlight dance was off to a rocky start when the Marjorie momentarily stumbled. The spiteful look on Ophelia's face caught Rita off guard, and it was hard to tell whether she had tripped Marjorie on purpose. Then she dismissed the thought entirely; so Ophelia was a bit irritated with the entire evening, there was no reason to suspect her of malice.

All her movements were graceful. Even as she turned her head from left to right, there was some admirable elegance in it. Adrian leaned against the bleachers, watching her look for the mosquito. White was her color, he conceded to that. That thing, that glorified scarf she wore…showed too much skin, and more curves that he was comfortable with. It wasn't tight, nor strappy like that barbaric concoction at the Christmas party. It sort of hung from her shoulders, and rested on, instead of clung to, her skin. He hated the fact that these boys obviously appreciated her body just as much as he hated the fact that he appreciated it, too.

On the other side of the dance floor, he caught sight of his associates pulling Bryan away from the floor. Verity's date looked concerned, then bewildered as they spoke to him quietly. Adrian smiled, disappointed, as Bryan nodded and followed the dragon's partners. There was a possibility they lied to him to get him away, but he wouldn't think about that now. He had told his team mates that they could save whoever they wanted to. There were no Night World loyalists under the spell of snow, and very few neutrals. Now, he had to go and rescue his soul mate, who was wandering around the edge of the dance floor. Idly, he wondered if one tug in the right spot would make the dress fall away completely. Amaro smiled. For that she would certainly kill him.

By the jostle of the crowd before her, Rita knew alcohol was not far ahead. To her left was a wall of, what some people called, "freaks." And they, as always, did not look happy at this school function. The only option left was to turn and walk through the pairs lost in their private, romantic world. They probably wouldn't notice her weaving in and out, searching for a certain vampire.

She had neatly managed avoiding that wandering spotlight, until a familiar hand rested on her waist and held her in a very tender embrace. Bryan had been short enough for her to rest her head on his shoulder, but now she couldn't even reach Adrian's. For a few seconds, she held him with equal affection, arms winding around his neck as his own slid to and around her waist. The orb of light rested on them for more than necessary, making Rita note to demote whatever junior was in charge of that one.

Verity couldn't help it; the rightness of the touch overwhelmed her. She felt as if she had just returned home after years of restlessness and wandering. Her head on his chest, his chin nestled in her curls. This was completion. This was right.

Reality set in. Her arms stiffened, and she pulled away. His grip tightened, keeping their torsos together until she drew her head back and frowned at him.

If she had done that to discourage him, she was sadly mistaken. Adrian didn't take in the tenacity in her eyes. Instead, he burned in his mind her lips, slightly parted and cupid bowed. Her skin, glowing in this shimmering darkness. Her hair, the sheen of those dark twists and curls. Glitter had dusted everything on her, everything beautiful. Snow flakes in her hair, twinkling in her eyelashes. Everybody thought she was plain, bordering on unattractive with her soberness; they were wrong. Unable to stop himself, he leaned in and breathed her in.

Verity watched him, with eyes growing saucer wide, as he leaned forward. Instantly she drew back, angry at the temerity of the man. Thank goodness he only closed his eyes and breathed in, as if sampling something ambrosial. He remembered himself and finally gazed at her, but did not reassume his original distance. Adrian simply continued to watch her, the ocean in his eyes still churning with regret and something new—wonder, maybe, or surprise. Her ire faded.

"You're scarred," he murmured as his hand ran along the vase-caused line on her arm. Verity didn't look down; instead she continued to watch his expression. No disappointment, as she expected. Just bewildered realization.

"Yes," she answered softly. "For some time now. For a long time now."

And he nodded, registering the enormity of her light reply.

"These are my class mates," she explained gently, knowing his mind was vulnerable. He nodded. "These are my neighbors."

His eyes narrowed. Rita noticed, stupidly, that he was far more handsome when angered. "I know," he responded, voice clipped and hard.

She was losing him; those impenetrable walls were up again. On her tip toes, she tightened her hold on his neck, so that she could whisper in his ear. "Please, Adrian. Please don't kill them."

He said nothing, he did nothing. Except keep the same position, his cheek tangent to her own. She felt fingers dance up and down her bare back, and could tell he was in deep contemplation. "Please, Adrian. Don't…"

"They're waiting for my signal," he interrupted. He sounded so final, and absolute. Sensing a weary argument, Rita rested her head on his chest again. His breath hitched at that.

"Adrian," she pleaded shakily, "these are my friends."

"No, they're not Rita. They're not. Please don't lie like that." She glanced up once he said those last words. But he was not watching her; his eyes traveled to the walls of the gym. Rita, by some unknown instinct, perhaps his, knew that the Night Worlders were there, watching him dance with his human soul mate.

"They're not," she admitted, still in a hushed voice. "But they're people, Adrian. They're daughters, and sons. They're sisters, and brothers—" That hand on her waist was suddenly painful.

"What would you do to stop them from dying?" Rita's head jerked up, startled. Goodness gracious, he was completely serious. Her teeth clenched, and she tried to break away from him altogether. "What would you do?"

Just when he thought she reached the limit of loveliness, she became angry. Defiantly, she raised her chin, the sharp green tearing into him. "Ask you nicely," she ground out.

"And?"

"Say please," she added acidly. To her irritation, he saw that he was pleased. For goodness sake, she hadn't given those answers to please him. Verity hated to see that complacent curve on her soul mate's lips, for it was so similar to the old days. Eager to wipe that grin off, she said viciously:

"And maybe fuck you once or twice just to get a 'Hell yes' out of you." His stare became basilisk, and he was ready to lecture her when he thought better of it. Her volcanic thoughts warned him to release her. As soon as he did, things got interesting.

~*~*~*~

Bored out of his mind, Bryan wandered out the main double doors. He knew they, the Night Worlders, despised him. But, considering his father's position, he had to be tolerated. And kept safe.

The humans of this town were fairly amusing, but not worth rescuing. After whatever Rita's soul mate had planned, Bryan was sure the population would bounce back after a year or two. Just as long as his date was safe, Smith really didn't give a damn.

He contemplated bumming a cigarette from one of the students, but decided against it. Rita disliked smoking, although she never vocally said so. Funny how tolerant she was of certain things.

The street lamps only gave so much light, yet Bryan could discern the faintest silhouette rushing towards him. No, not him. The main doors. Some half naked idiot who thought he would be let in—

"Luna?" he called out. The figure did not slow down, but the vampire thought he distinctly heard an obscenity being muttered.

Jared had been only a few feet from the door, but Bryan, when motivated, was always fast enough. He blocked the glowing entrance in seconds.

A bare, muscled arm gave his shoulder a rough shove. "Move it, Smith. This is important."

Bryan smirked slightly, and crossed his arms. He had never really thought about Rita's friends as threats before. Then again, he hadn't really thought of anybody but Rita before. "Do you really think I'd let you in just so you could come and steal my date?"

Jared fidgeted, snarling violently as he tried to pass through. "Damn it, Smith!"

Bryan lost the smile and pushed him away. "Stay away from her." Idiots always had the best of intentions, of that Bryan was very well aware. But this mutt, no matter how noble, was not going to ruin Verity's night.

"This isn't just her!" the werewolf yelled back. The punch came without warning, sending Bryan back a few steps. Luna determinedly tried to speed past him, but not before Bryan's leg shot out, snapping his knee cap. For a few crucial seconds, the werewolf stumbled, the bone shattering and mending painfully. Momentarily, retaliation filled his mind and Jared swung back, landing his fist squarely on Bryan's jaw. As the vampire reeled, Jared scrambled into the gymnasium.

~*~*~*~

Adrian shook his head at the Night Worlders.

The double doors burst open. Somebody flicked on the lights. The music was cut short. Only the glitter fell steadily.

"Verity!" His dance partner searched the crowd. The familiar voice brought simultaneous waves of pleasure and apprehension in Verity.

"Jared?" Her eyes darted this way and that, and then turned to Adrian, as if he were responsible for it.

Quinn and Rashel jumped from their relaxed positions. Rashel turned to her soul mate, a question ready on her lips. Before she could ask, he nodded. "Of course I put people on the front doors, what do you take me for?" Across the gym, Rashel signaled Fayth and Rik. Fayth's shrug showed she had no idea what was going on, either. Quinn mentally asked Winnie what the hell Jared was doing here. Winnie's reply was a curt "No clue."

The vampire soon followed, and heard his date's name being called. Bryan turned to his so-called friends; they had told him they had pulled Verity to the girls restroom. Within seconds, he was running into the crowds, too, searching for the same person.

"Verity!"

It was ridiculous how much his voice affected her. Simply the sound of her name, and her hands tingled uncontrollably. Him calling her evoked more joy than Bryan's journey to New York. But she wouldn't think of the guilt of that. No, not now. The Jared induced guilt would come later.

"Jared," she called out, and saw the werewolf break through the perplexed couples. "Jared," she scolded severely when he approached, "this is a formal event. Where on earth is your tie? Or your shirt, for that matter…"

But the werewolf simply shook his head tiredly. An urgent message struggled to break free, but unfortunate exhausted pants kept interrupting. "Verity…you have to—"

The next part wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this. Not for the most perfect boy.

It was then that the shot came—the funniest sound, not the loud bangs from the movies. Almost like a single, swift shaft of wind—and then the next—and the next…

Verity saw everything happening very rapidly, and later could only remember the half seconds and blurred images that mattered. But only one person filled her mind. One second Jared was before her…

A bloody opening on his heart.

Jorge had that wound. And now Jared had it, too.

Rita's eyes wavered in split seconds, seeing the past and the present—

Jorge's kind brown eyes, widening, mouth opening in pain.

Jared's lip muttering soundlessly, pupils dilating in anguish.

Rita reached for him, just as Gitana reached for him… and then he was gone.

Her class mates either ran or hit the ground. Adrian grabbed her arms and attempted to drag her from the floor, but fell himself as a bullet tore through his shoulder.

"Jared!" she called out frantically, just as she had been moments before. Panicked, she realized he was nowhere in sight. Verity, still trapped in Adrian's arms, stumbled on top of him. She rolled out of his grip, but kept low to the ground.

"Jared!"

She saw the voiceless screams as the girl next to her was shot through the leg, and heard some boy choking on the falling glitter. Rita craned her neck to find Walter, belly up because turning face down is not an option when there's a bullet in your stomach.

After some crawling, and the realization that the fire had ceased, she found Jared directly before her. Rita slipped in the pool of blood trying to get to him.

"No," she breathed, grasping at his slippery body. "No, Jared, don't—"

His eyes were open, staring at nothing until Rita hovered over him. "Jared, please, wake up—"

He wasn't cooperating. The arms were lead heavy, and his head lolled back when she tried to cradle his shoulders. No carrying wouldn't work, she should have known that. What a stupid, stupid idea. Her mind was slow one minute, then chastising the next.

"Jared, come on, get up—" She couldn't drag him, he was too heavy for that. "Help," she finally called out. Panicked, she wiped the unbidden tears from her eyes. Verity knew she had to help him somehow, but couldn't think of anything herself. She couldn't see who was coming with tears in her eyes. "Help, somebody…"

But every body else was helping the others. The ones who were still breathing, her mind rationalized. But she ignored the fact, and jiggled the still boy in her arms. "Jared, Jared, please don't—"

She hugged him, and squeezed the tears away. They hugged only once before, and that was when she saved him. She couldn't save him this time. Somebody placed a hand on her shoulder, somebody was gently unlocking her arms. Jared slid off her lap, his head still turned towards her. Rita reached out and touched his cheek briefly, then frowned at the red marks she left.

Jared was dead. Trying to save her. Just like…

"You weren't supposed to die again," she whispered, feeling betrayed. "You weren't supposed to leave."

Stupid, unimportant fools. Rita stared at one Daybreaker and then the next. Stupid, unimportant apologies. Empty comforting words. She rose from the bloody floor, and quietly slipped out of her now crimson shoes on the way out. Mechanically, she avoided the puddles of glittering blood.

Bryan would be waiting by the car. Barefoot, the rocks bit into her feet. She was glad for that, because it was the only indication that she had feelings left. There were lines and lines of police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks.

One officer even tried to stop her for question, but withdrew when he saw the empty look in Verity's eyes. There would be no information drawn out from a girl in shock. Bryan wasn't by the Land Cruiser. She stood there, not understanding what was wrong, not even wondering what she should do next. If anybody asked her later on how long she stood there, staring at the spot where Bryan should have been, she would have no answer for them.

She was being hugged. Bryan was asking her if she was all right. For some reason, it didn't register, nothing did. Verity remained silent. Bryan looked around, weighing the situation.

"We won't be able to leave for a while," he told her. "They're checking the cars for fire arms, and the traffic must be impossible—"

"I don't want to stay here," she thought aloud. Not so much an objection, but a fact. It would be unbearable to see Jared being wheeled out. Bryan studied her and then nodded. It didn't make sense for him to ask her to hold on. And it didn't make sense for it to get so windy. But whether the course of events made sense or not, she was happy to find herself in front of Bryan's mansion. He carried her into the house, and up the stairs.

Bryan perched her on the marble bathroom counter, hoping she wasn't too cold. The bathroom was bare, and he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, to wet it under the hot running water and wipe her face clean. He was relieved to see that her eyes were focused on him, and on his actions. For a while, he was worried she had been scared to dumbness.

"Did you know it was going to happen?"

The blood was gone from her face, but the glitter was impossible to wipe off. His hand moved on to her neck. "No."

"And if you did, would you have stopped it?"

He rinsed the cloth clean, and then began to wipe the dried blood from her arms. She repeated the question, but this time her voice broke.

"If you asked me to," was his reply. He expected some relief from his answer, but instead heard a long pent up sigh. Bryan looked up to see tears falling from her bent head. She turned away, to let her hair act as a curtain, and block his view. Her hand shot out and kept him at bay, but her fingers clutched tightly to the lapels of his coat. It appeared that she was trying to stop it, holding her breath and biting her lip every once in a while.

But it wouldn't do, and after a few long moments of trying, her hand dropped. Bryan inched closer, and warily wrapped his arms around her. Thankfully, she leaned into him.

Bryan knew for a cold hard fact that this was the wrong time to do it. She was vulnerable, bewildered, and trusted him completely. To read her mind would have been very, very, very bad.

Just one little peek. It's not fair. Jared's not an old soul…they're not the same…he shouldn't have died for me…

Everything bad happens in Anomina.

She was going to leave again. She regretted coming back, and she was going to leave. He knew it, he could see where that thought would lead. The only person who could have kept her here had died just minutes before. Verity would leave the town and then him. Maybe for good.

And he couldn't bear it. He simply couldn't.

"I can take you to Paris." He hardly knew what he said aloud until Rita lifted her head and stared at him with surprise. "Or Lyons, or Nice." Bryan's words became rapid and forceful. "I can take you to see those cave man drawings that we learned about. Rita, you could see Rome, or Greece. Or London and Bath. I'll take you any where you want."

"Bryan," she began uncertainly.

"There's this awesome place in Tahiti. I've seen the most beautiful Tabu beaches…"

"Bryan—"

"And a great little restaurant in Morocco. You'll love the katbane chicken. Or maybe Maui. The dawn in Maui is incredible…"

"Bryan—"

"Or we can go some place cold if you want. I remember you loved playing in the snow. I'll take you to Canada, or Switzerland. See the silver swan in Russia. Austria, Japan—"

"Bryan, we couldn't possibly—"

"And I'll stay with you. I'll take you everywhere, and I'll do anything to make you happy. Just come with me, Verity please. I'll make you happy."

He closed his eyes and felt her refusal in her caress on his cheek.

"We're just children." The three words were sad and hushed. He grabbed her hand, and kissed it, holding it tighter when she tried to pull away.

"Then we'll grow old together." He braced himself. "Will you grow old with me?"

Verity became deathly still, instantly understanding what the question meant.

~*~*~*~

has not the bridal favours and raiment stowed away, and packed in lavender, in the inmost cupboards of her heart?"

William Thackery

Before you hate me, don't you think it was hard for me too?