Here's the delayed chapter 9. Had a bit of trouble at the end of the chapter, but hey. Well enjoy! And keep up giving me reviews about my works! Thanks!

Order 9: A London Tour

Bus Stop. 8:00 P.M.

Skey sat there amongst other people. She had taken off her cross and Iscariot coat so she wouldn't look too stuck out. She wore the rest of her outfit though that she wore under her coat. White jean pants, white gloves, knee high combat boots and a tight blue shirt with no sleeves and that had a collar that buttoned at the neck. Of course, there was a tear drop opening in the front of the shirt that showed cleavage, and more ironic, the collar was white. Men looked at her with lustful eyes and Skey would only smile and let them pass on. She could care less about having sex with a man or partying in night clubs. All she wanted to do is explore London a bit before she had to leave tomorrow. She knew if she asked Anderson or Maxwell if she could go out, they would scream no at her. That's why she snuck out when they all went to sleep. Anderson was a heavy sleeper so she had no problem getting past him, but Maxwell was such a light sleeper. The drop of a hair tie would probably wake him up! But now she succeeded in sneaking past them, she had time to enjoy herself. Skey looked up to see a full moon out. It was a very beautiful color tonight. The shades of a greenish yellow blended in with the shades of snow blue. A cool wind circulated in the city from the North. The double decker bus finally arrived. Skey paid a fee and went up to the top level to look up to the sky. Sadness overcame her again as she thought about the Vatican and such. A man sat beside her. She saw he had a long ponytail, a black business suit with a black tie and so on. He carried a cane, the figurehead on the top the shape of a wolf. Other people sat behind them and to the front of them. Skey didn't mind. The man didn't speak nor bug her so she was left to her thoughts. In the Vatican, she was a misfit. She hated obeying rules, hated Maxwell and wasn't sure if even some of the priests there hated her as well.Skey feared there was nothing to like about herself. Anderson and even Yumie were the closest she had for friends. She didn't want to tell them anything about her life in fear they would turn their lip up at her and leave her to die. Though Skey knew she was sad and depressed, she couldn't help but mask it with the sassiness and obnoxiousness to ward away their worries. Only Anderson had a bit of an understanding. After all, he was the one that found her...The bus pulled out of its stop and made its way onto the road. Skey looked at all the sights from the bus. The people here seemed so nice and courteous. It almost made her forget who she was and what she worked for.

" This place used to be even more interesting; intriguing...long ago."

Skey turned to the man sitting beside her. As he turned, she saw the handsome facial features. The smooth, skin of such fine tone of a tan. The red eyes bored into hers with passionate seduction. Skey gasped and jumped, but he fastened his hand around her wrist and pulled her close. Skey pushed on his chest and though she knew he was a vampire, it still freaked her out no heartbeat whatsoever came from behind the rib cage to pulse gently under her fingertips.

" Shh, now. You wouldn't want to cause a scene...would you?"

Skey glared into the man's eyes but he only 'hnned' and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulling her close. Skey blushed and wanted so much to kill him for touching her. They stayed like this for a while, some people commenting on how cute a couple they made. Skey blushed in fury, gritting her teeth tightly in seething rage. But he was right. Making a scene right now wouldn't have been the best of ideas. The bus stopped at certain stops, tourists snapping shots at various buildings, shops and even people. He stood up and grabbed her wrist tightly then yanked her up. A smile graced his face.

" This is our stop, dear."

They got off and walked down the streets. Many things were going through her head. Running away, fighting him in plain sight or just screaming help. But he was a vampire. He had unearthly speed.

" You don't remember me, do you?...No matter. I'll refresh your memory. I met you long ago...when you worked the streets for money. Rome has always been my home...for over 400 years I have watched it grow and grow and grow. Become filled with the likes of prostitutes, the homeless, thieves, and stressed families who abuse their children. I had always thought of them as less than scum. The maggots of life. Then I met you...this gorgeous child who was confused about life and nearly given up. We talked many times. Remember? I'd pay the fee to not have sex with you, but to simply have an hour or so of conversation. You told me your regrets, your hatred...Every time, I had thought to give you the everlasting life...but never came to a conclusion. I wanted to love you so much, Skey. You, unlike the other whores, had an intelligent mind, goals for life despite your situation. One night, I finally came to a conclusion. I would take you with me, steal you away. We would live together forever in love. Just us...when I went to the hotel, your friends had said you disappeared. Cops were searching for you, but never found you dead or alive. I was devastated, Skey. I searched for what seemed longer than my life had been. Then I found you...as a vampire hunter."

They stopped in the darkness of overcast tree branches full of leaves. Skey could remember faintly him. Yes, there had been a man that paid to simply talk with her. But Skey had so many customers before, that life was one big blur. A spot on her life she had been trying best to erase and forget. The man pulled her against him, looking down in her eyes, but Skey...she didn't feel that way for him. She never kept emotions for any of her customers. She looked away with eyes uncaring and cold. The vampire became confused and seeked to get an affection out of her. The vampire pressed into her body and devilishly kissed her neck, licking the tender skin. But Skey freaked once she felt the cold fangs brush against the skin.

" Let me go! You damned bastard!"

She hit her fists against his chest, becoming furious and extremely uncomfortable. He backed off, the passionate red eyes becoming hardened into ruby-colored stone. Some people had heard her shouting. Sirens were heard off in the distance. The vampire growled at her and grabbed her wrist again, pulling her in against him. A smile formed.

" Skey, I will not give up so easily on you. I may be a vampire, but remember, I was ONCE human. (places her hand on his heart) This heart once was a live, beating heart. But what doesn't change in a vampire is emotions...I'm still human at the truth of my heart...my affection. For my pretty Geisha doll. Do not forget me, my name. Malakai."

Skey fell to her knees, her eyes wide. The vampire disappeared with the wisp of a wind. Dried maple leaves stirred up with his disappearance only to fall back to the ground at rest again. Two police cars had pulled up to her, officers jumping from the cars. They helped her to her feet, a few people stopping to see what was happening. She assured the police she was fine and nothing was wrong. It took her a while, but she convinced them she was fine. They left quickly, Skey standing there on the sidewalk looking down. So much for touring. She didn't feel safe anymore on her own so back to the hotel she had to go.

The Hotel. 10:00 P.M.

Anderson knew Skey snuck out. He didn't stop her because he knew she wanted to tour the city of London. But he was still mad at her. It was getting late and he was beginning to worry. Vampires had been spotted out there in London and there were her swords at the edge of the bed! Along with her coat and cross. She had no way to protect herself. Unlike him, she couldn't regenerate at all. Maxwell had continued to sleep in the bedroom. Coffee was boiling in the pot. In front of Anderson sat a white porcelain tea cup filled with coffee. Anderson looked out the balcony window to the sky. his foot was tapping with frustration and worry. He had half a mind to go out there and hunt Skey down himself and drag her home. The clock chimed 10 at night. It had been about two or three hours he guessed since she left.

Skey made her way up the stairs. The elevators were always noisy and since the elevator was right outside the door, it would be a risk of getting caught. She slid the key card through the processing machine on the door. there was a loud beep that made Skey freeze in utter shock. Since there were no hurrying footsteps coming from within the room, she snuck in quietly. The lock made a soft click as she closed the door and wandered through the dark hallway trying to find the living room. The balcony door could be seen with moonlight shining through it as a sort of guide. She saw someone up though sitting at the table drinking coffee. She froze, still on her hands and knees on the floor. She knew it was Anderson but what was he doing up so late? did he know she sneaked out? Sure enough...

" Aboot time ye got back, Skey. Ah was thinking O' gaun oot there tae look for ye."

Skey scratched the back of her head and stood up, knowing she was caught. The way the moonlight glinted off his glasses in two orbs of white light kept her from seeing his scowl.

" Eh, sorry...I won't do it again. I was just a bit curious about the city."

He didn't say anything but downed the rest of his coffee and went to the couch to sleep. Skey just stood there and was lost. Why was he acting like such an asshole? She mocked him silently as she went to the floor and sat down. She had took extra blankets and pillows and made a bed right beside the balcony door. She opened it a crack to let the cool air come in. She didn't have a change of clothes as didn't the men either. But something interesting happened today. She was admired by a vampire, her sworn enemy and the world's enemy. Much evidence that Integra had given Maxwell too, pointed to him causing this whole vampirism epidemic in Europe. If she was to meet him again...she must find out what he was up to so she could stop him. No matter what.