Alrighty, beloved readers, I have returned with the second chapter in this my first published fic! I would like to thank my very few readers for their support:

Despondent Dreamer: Hoorah! Thank you so much for the review! It is so awesome to get a review from such a great writer. BTW, I didn't mean for Mela to seem perfect, and trust me, she isn't. In this little chappie, we find out some of her… problems, shall we say? Yes, we shall!

Shadray: Thank you for the lovely, if slightly belligerent review! I do apologize for the delay in updating, and shall try to squeeze the rest out soon!

The night was warm and balmy, but despite her efforts, Mela could not sleep. The guilt of lying to her sister, who had so kindly taken her in, weighed heavily on her. She stood by the small window carved into the stone, the gentle night breeze sweeping across her skin. She let out a sigh. She very much loved her sister, but forcing her to enclose herself in her tower and away from her friends was something she could not allow herself to do any longer.

Sighing heavily once more, she gathered her things, making sure the elegant dagger she had brandished earlier was strapped to her slim waist. She approached the bed where Damia slept. She gazed lovingly at the young girl, her only family, and sat down. Gently stroking her sister's brow, she began to sing. It was an old lullaby taught to her by her mother. Her voice, saturated by the Siren's magic, filled the room, echoing around the whole of Vellweb.

Syuveil lay awake, hunched over a large tome. He gave a yawn, despite the fact that he had not been tired a moment before. He looked back over his shoulder; it was already dark. Before he could stop himself, he yawned again. It was not until a moment later that he heard the song coming from Damia's apartment. Sweet and soothing, but also very sad, he could feel himself growing bleary-eyed just listening. He closed the volume wearily, coughing slightly as a cloud of dust enveloped his head. A walk would clear his head, he decided. He contemplated getting his cloak, but the night air was far too still and warm for that.

It was a moment before he noticed it as he left. Something small and blue, just darting out of Damia's door. He followed, his natural curiosity prevailing over his better judgment. T'was not long before he caught up to the scurrying form of Damia's older sister, Mela, a dagger resting at her side, and a pack slung over her delicate shoulders.

'Running away,' he thought gravely, still hidden in shadows. He, of course, knew Vellweb like the back of his hand, and swung around a different stair to cut her off.

"Is it not a bit late for a stroll?" He inquired politely as she was about to pass him. She gave no response save to halt in her tracks, her hand subconsciously falling to her dagger. "May I inquire as to where you are going with that pack?" he continued, "I do hope you aren't trying leaving your sister all alone?"

Still, she said nothing, her eyes widened in evident fear of him. He felt himself soften; she might have looked, at first glance like a grown woman, but the look in her soft ocean blue eyes betrayed the fact that she was a confused girl. He took a step toward her, smiling in what he hoped was a gentle and reassuring way. Narrowing her eyes, she backed away. But before she could get far, a wayward tree root caught her ankle, and she began to fall. Syuveil caught her expertly just as she did, feeling the softness of her skin. They looked at each other for a moment before she let out a scream.

"Don't touch me!" she yelped, jumping away from him with an agility that surprised him almost as much as her outburst.

"I-I'm sorry," he stammered, taking another step toward her trembling form, "Let me help you up." This time she did not try to move away, she simply sat there, her eyes unfocused, bright with tears.

"Don't t-touch me," she mumbled, even though he wasn't, "Please.. please, don't touch me… Stop, no, please. Don't hurt me, please." She was still staring at him, but her eyes saw a completely different scene.

Even after four years, she could remember what happened with appalling clarity. Even now, she could feel cold spidery fingers skimming across her skin. The way her own blood trickling down her side from where his knife had pierced her. And then the greatest pain she had ever felt as the man with the black eyes forced himself on her; the terrible humiliation after he got up, leaving her, half-naked, bleeding and crying, to pick herself up.

And, then, with shocking speed, she was back in Vellweb; warm, benevolent green eyes gazing down on her.

"Are you alright?" came the voice belonging to those eyes, laced with concern. She nodded dumbly as she sat herself up. Her whole body felt numb.

"You should go back to Damia while she still sleeps." Syuveil said. Once more, she nodded, attempting to stand. She swayed slightly, but was able to right herself as she walked back to the gate. Just before disappearing into the shadows, she turned to him.

"Thank you," she said solemnly.

A/N: Yay! How did you like, my lovelies? I hope it wasn't too graphic… Oh, well! Please review!