Oh wow. I'm really sorry this took so long, I've just been really busy. But hey, school and exams are all done now, so I can focus on writing. So here it is, I really hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Thank you so much for the support I've been receiving too, I really appreciate it!

I made my way to Paris after London, taking in the beautiful architecture and art. I explored the city for days, viewing the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and much more. I took my time at each, not wanting miss a single detail in the beauty surrounding me. I was again forced to view the marvels after sunset, wanting to avoid human contact. There was only one thing I needed from humans, and it certainly wasn't conversation.

I saved the best treasure for last, forcing myself to wait a while before viewing it. The Louvre, the most famous museum in the world, amazed me when I finally visited it. I stood outside the museum for what must have been at least an hour, admiring the beauty of the architecture. Nothing, I decided, could be more perfect.

"If you think this is amazing, you should see the interior."

The voice so startled me that I turned quickly, letting a small growl escape my lips. I immediately stifled it, seeing that the speaker was a vampire, and sensing that she meant me no harm. I felt embarrassed that I had left myself so unguarded, so enrapt with the building that I hadn't heard her approach.

"Sarah Warman," she offered when I remained silent. I nodded, reaching out a hand.

"Jasper Whitlock."

We stood in silence for a few moments, observing one another. Sarah was tall and slender, with dark curls falling down her back. I felt an odd sense of relief when I noted that her eyes were red.

"Have you ever visited the Louvre?" she asked, gesturing to the palace in front of us. I shook my head. I had never been to the Louvre; I had never even been to Paris. "Your first time, then? You really must join me."

Her smile was warm and inviting, and I felt it would be rude of me to reject the offer. I could sense a slight infatuation in her, but quickly dismissed it. Her affections were misplaced; I was not looking for a companion. Surely her attractions were fleeting, and could not possibly last long.

We entered the building together, and I once again found myself astonished. I'd heard of the beauty of the museum, but still…it was amazing. We strode through the halls, surrounded by the works of masters, stopping at each painting in order to view it properly.

"How long have you been in Paris, Jasper?" Sarah asked, studying me.

I didn't take my eyes off the painting as I answered. "Only a few days. I don't imagine I'll be staying long, either. And you?"

Sarah wasn't pleased with my answer. Her disappointment flowed out of her in waves. "I arrived in Paris a week ago. I haven't decided how long I'll be staying."

We moved onto the next painting, Da Vinci's Madonna of the Rocks. There was an awkward silence between us, so thick it could almost be cut with a knife. I stood in front of the masterpiece, struggling to come up with something to say to her. It wasn't that I didn't want to be here with her. I didn't particularly want to be with anyone tonight.

I was saved from my struggles by an interruption. "Who's there?"

We both turned, gazing down the long corridor. An unfortunate guard had found us, and was approaching us hesitantly, gun drawn. He had, oddly enough, addressed us in English. Perhaps he'd heard us speaking. I felt a familiar longing in my throat, and felt excess venom start to fill my mouth. I started towards him, letting out a low growl. I felt a wave of fear pass through him, and he took a step back.

"Stay where you are!" he commanded, shaking. When I didn't stop, he tightened his grip on his gun. "I mean it! Stop!"

I reached him, taking away the gun and tossing it aside. I calmed him with my powers, and he stopped struggling against me. My teeth found his pulse and I bit in, savouring the warmth of his blood. I finished him and let him fall to the ground, turning back to Sarah.

"Shall we continue?" I asked, moving back towards her. Sarah smiled in response and we continued down the hall.

When dawn approached, we parted, going our separate ways. We continued to meet at the Louvre for weeks, refusing to rush through the beauty all around us. All the while I was with her, I could feel her infatuation slowly growing, but I would not acknowledge it. I couldn't. She would just have to accept that I couldn't be with her that way.

"What caused you to leave your coven?" Sarah asked the last day as we stood in one of the many rooms. We'd been here for five weeks, and her feelings for me had only grown.

I hesitated at the question, not sure how to answer it. I'd had over a year now to think about it, but my decision was no clearer to me than it had been the day I'd left.

"I was dissatisfied with my life," I stated, not looking at her. "I…I'm not sure why, but I just felt I couldn't live with them anymore. I felt like I needed to search for something…so here I am."

Sarah nodded in understanding. "You've left others behind," she guessed. "People who care about you."

It felt good getting this all out. I'd been keeping silent for so long now, hardly letting even myself recognize my feelings. I recognized the irony of it; I, who could sense and manipulate the emotions of any person, could not understand my own.

"Maria…" I started. I paused, trying to rein in my emotions. "My maker," I explained. "She didn't want me to leave, but she let me go."

Sarah sat down on a bench. "My maker was killed by another vampire," she offered, as if her own pain could lessen mine.

"You were close?" I asked, sitting beside her. She nodded, and I sensed extreme pain. "Lovers?"

She looked up at me, confused. "How would you..?"

I leaned back. "I can sense emotions, and manipulate them. You just had so much pain when you mentioned him…I figured there had to be something between you."

"You can sense emotions." I knew what she meant. "Why have you been…I mean, if you know how I feel about you…"

I stood, moving away from her. There it was. I'd been naïve to think that if I ignored her attraction it would go away. "I can't Sarah. I've known how you felt about me, but I just can't return those feelings."

"You're looking for something…" Sarah started, walking towards me. "Maybe-"

"No." I turned towards her, shaking my head. "No, Sarah, I may not be certain what I'm looking for, but I know what it isn't, and it's not you. I'm sorry."

Sarah closed her eyes, turning away from me. If she could, I knew she'd be crying now. "Jasper…please…"

I shook my head, backing away a little. "I have to go, Sarah."

She turned on me, looking extremely pained. "You're leaving?" she stared at me for a moment, confused. "Why?"

I smiled kindly, trying to comfort her with my power. It only worked a little. "I'm still searching," I reminded her. "I'm sorry I can't be what you want me to, Sarah, I truly am. I don't think it would be fair to continue leading you on."

Sarah nodded in agreement, resigning herself to the pain of leaving. "I suppose you're right," she admitted. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Jasper."

I turned away, glancing around one last time at the art around me. I couldn't stay here. I still had my search to carry through.

"Good bye, Sarah," I said. I didn't wait for a reply. I left the Louvre, left Paris, not looking back. I couldn't. Not when I could feel so much pain left in my wake.

There. I hope you liked it. Next time I'll try not to wait a month before updating, I promise! Please keep the reviews coming, I love receiving them!