Disclaimer: See previous chapter.

Chap. I

The rain had ceased pouring over the city, but the dark clouds still loomed over the horizon. Selene stood near the window, looking out at the landscape passively. The Death Dealers that had been chasing her and Michael had long moved on, but that she knew was only temporary. They would be back. She just hoped that Michael would heal before that time. Speaking of which, she turned to look at the young man in question. He was resting in a bed, asleep. Moving away from the window, she looked down at his wound, which was almost gone now. His healing abilities had quickened thanks to his hybrid blood. As she looked, he seemed to be at peace in his slumber. It was somewhat similar to when she had brought him into the mansion.

"He's resting well."

Selene didn't turn to face their host and merely kept her eyes on Michael. The man dumped an object on the floor next to her. Selene looked and saw that it was a sleeping mat.

"You look like you could use some sleep yourself."

Selene now turned to him; her cold eyes piecing into his, "I don't need it."

Ethan folded his arms, "You're going to be stubborn, aren't you? Very well. But the bag is there if you change your mind. He's using the only bed in this house." he noted to Michael. "And I assume that you'll want to be near him when he wakes."

Selene didn't respond at first, simply because she didn't know how. She wasn't used to such kindness for absolutely no reason.

"You may have put yourself in danger now." she said finally.

Ethan looked away and shrugged, "I'll risk it."

Selene continued to focus on him, trying to decipher the mysterious man, "What made you think of opening the manhole?"

Ethan's head turned to the side and grinned, "Let's just say I've been in situations like that."

That didn't say much and Selene felt frustrated within. But on the other hand, it made some sense now. In either case, she and Michael couldn't stay there long. With his wounds nearly healed, he should awaken in a few hours. And by nightfall tomorrow, they could move again. But where? She wasn't sure about that. But she had to keep going. The Death Dealers were on their tails and they had to stay a step ahead of them to survive. But how long would that last? It would only be a short matter of time before Marcus, the last vampire elder, was awakened. And when that happens, the vampires will be on the hunt for her and the hybrid that was with her.

"I could always ask what happened to you two." Ethan started. "But I'm guessing that either you say 'It doesn't concern me' or not say anything at all. What will it be?"

Silence...

Ethan gave a short sigh and moved away, "I'll leave you two alone. Please try to rest."

The man walked away, leaving the former Death Dealer with the injured hybrid. Selene frowned and sat down on the bed. She continued to gaze at Michael's innocent-looking face. The entire night had been chaos, yet the only thing she was certain was that she felt something for this young man. After all, she had turned against her clan to save him. It was overwhelming and it drove her to protect him at all costs, even killing the vampire elder Viktor, whom she considered her own father. Until she discovered his betrayal.

Until she discovered that it was he that killed her family. After the battle, they tried to leave the area, but were gunned down by the few Death Dealers who had seen what she had done. Michael was about to fight back, but a bullet had hit him in the shoulder before he could change. Though it seemed that the silver nitrate didn't hurt him as it did before, the wound itself was horrible. Selene was forced to protect him once again and managed to pull him away and onto the surface. It was a risky move, but she had little choice. She had to save him.

Brushing a hair away from his brow, Selene then lifted herself up from the bed, only to find herself strained. The night had been long and difficult and she hadn't slept or rested for a good couple of days. Not since this whole thing started to tell the truth. At least she wasn't hungry. The last time she fed was...

Michael...

Unconsciously, she bit her lip. She still remembered the taste of his blood on her lips. Though it was slightly tainted with silver and it was done to save his life, she enjoyed it. The taste of his blood was intoxicating, like an elixir. Though that was the crime Viktor was guilty of, she at least understood, in part his addiction to it. But still, she had to let that go. Now wasn't the time to dwell about it. Seeing the sleeping mat still on the floor, she opened it and laid it flat on the side of the bed away from the window. She then moved to the same window and closed the curtains. Even though the side she picked would cause the bed to cover her body from sunlight, she wanted to be sure. After that task was done, she began to remove her jumpsuit top and set it on the side. She was surprised at how fast she settled onto the mat. Her body demanded sleep, but her mind remained cautious about their mysterious savior. 'Why?' she wondered. It just didn't make sense to her. They were complete strangers to him, yet Ethan helped them and possibly saved their lives. There was something about him that was familiar, but her mind would work right now. Sleep was winning this battle. But she had to know.

'Why did he really save us?'

That question was soon quieted as her eyelids shut close...