Amelie's POV

As if my life hadn't been a race of two sides for long enough, now I have to contend with the fact the greatest and last enemy of the vampire has somehow crawled from the very pits of hell to once again entrap us. Their poisonous touch is lethal and once again they return to overcome us and to feed from the existence we have so carefully and lovingly made prosper. I broke the chain, I killed Magnus; my power as yet to dissolve to the draug's transformation and with the tiniest of strength I still clung too, I was able to rip away the shred of life he clung to; in so destroying the spawn he had created- leaving us triumphant and his vessel nothing more than black tar… just like the heart I broke with my bare hands.

But yet they return?

The clever manor of their return is one that can be written in many history books and if any are successful in survival, my vampires will be wary of wherever they next come to call home- the forever changing curse of the draug feels like a power-trip in which we will probably never truly escape unscathed. Our last fight left much to be desired yet now with a home already close to being destroyed I can't bring myself to admit they have won; snow is a vestibule of myth and legend- something made fearful only from distasteful movies that incline a horror of non-existence.

I look into the ornate mirror and what I see scares me, scares me more than the path I know lies ahead. I look hollow, look without a hope. My hair is without its gloss, my eyes are without their gleam, my mouth looks like it could no longer articulate the whip like words I know I used to command with such terrible ease. The frighteningly cool ruler I used to see, is a shadow- I no longer ooze power I instead radiate fear. I look across to the bed where Oliver still lies asleep, even in sleep he shows his power, that a warrior lies underneath the persona he so carefully concocted. I have never strayed from the path of leader; I have never seen myself unfit to command the streets that I nurtured in my heart. Even after I lost dearest Samuel, despite some believing my rule was over I stood strong, knowing in myself I still had the power to bring the town to heel.

Although now I find myself doubting the ability I have for so many years took for granted; I feel myself needing the hand Oliver has so kindly given.

The Amelie I know once shone through is pacing in her cage; for I have lost the key.

Myrnin's POV

Stupid, stupid Myrnin. I taunt myself over and over again. Dear Claire has just saw… and her young man. Nakedness was a part of life many years ago; one would not think to comment upon it as an unordinary turn of events; but in these modern years the very idea of being naked in public turns the young into discomfort and the feeling of embarrassment. The laughter coming for Claire and Shane alike made me feel somewhat embarrassed. Claire has seen me maddened, seen my gouge my skin with pins but nakedness I'd think not. Her young man until not that many years ago was my competition for her attention, and now he has just seen me…

A growl escapes into my throat.

Jessie's hand enraptures my own, pulling me closer to her naked form. Many things a man can deny himself but something served up so freely is one that even the strongest of man would fail to say no to. I bring my lips to hers, pulling at her hair to bring her closer as she groans into my mouth. Its then that I feel a weird sensation on my leg, a pulling of such. Not a piece pleasant as it begins to burn, my dumb stupid imagination I think…

Yet it doesn't stop. Only intensifies. Only works its way higher… more pain.

More pain.

I shout incoherently.

I spin on my heel.

Something loses its grip on my leg.

Its only in my spin I see the floor clear of snow.

Its only when I look directly in front of me I see the ghastly creature.

'Draug.' I breath.

It laughs in return as it creeps suicidal closer.

Jessie's scream only makes it laugh harder.