Okay, I will most likely have the next four chapters up before 5 p.m (EST), and might even finish the story today! Please review if you think I should write a sequel! – Arietty

Josef opened his eyes, and the only thing visible was the top of the freezer. He wondered why he was in here, not remembering the past event. Then, he remembered. Josef's stomach dropped, and he smacked his forehead; how could he break up with Beth?

Josef sat up, and pushed up the top of the freezer. He grabbed the towel he had placed on the hook on the wall, and wrapped it around himself. He stepped out of the cold, and into the warm.

Josef shuffled over to his closet, and picked out a black dressy shirt, and black pants. It fit his mood, and he ruffled his fingers through his already tidy hair. He sighed, and opened the door. He walked downstairs, and peeked into Beth's bedroom; empty.

He looked around the living room, and saw it was empty, too. He could still smell her tears, and her scent still lingered in the air. Josef shrugged; he could manage.

Josef suddenly realized his fax machine had a new fax, waiting in the tray. Josef walked over and picked it up, examining it. When he saw who it was from, he almost dropped it.

To : Josef Kostan

About : the Dynasty

From : Nicholas Farrell

Dear Josef,

Welcome to the Dynasty! It will be most pleasurable with you added to our elite group. Your first mission had been decided; I want you to report to a warehouse just outside of Los Angeles. Apparently, a pair of newborn vamps has been reported killing innocents. We can't have that, and I know you'll be up for the task.

Hope all is well, and expect you to take care of the business tonight.

Your faithful leader,

Nicholas Farrell

Josef slipped the piece of paper in a drawer underneath the sink. Normally, if he had just received any notice from the Dynasty, he would be thrilled. Now, he was just depressed.

He observed the black burn mark, and felt such hate for the small black burn he almost slapped it on table, so he couldn't see it.

Stopping newborns in L.A? That was simple. He had done that before, many times. Suddenly, a knock on the door broke through his musings. He walked over to it, and glanced through the peep hole. Surprised, Josef answered the door.

"Mick!" He exclaimed, widening the door. Mick stepped in, looking away from Josef, and taking off his gloves.

"You're not going to punch me again, are you?" Josef teased, and Mick shook his head. Seeing Josef still made him very angry. Mick turned to Josef, who was leaning against the closed door.

"Beth came to visit me." Mick said, and watched as Josef's expression fell into one expressionless. He stared back at Mick, and tried to pretend.

"So?" Josef said coolly, his palms starting to sweat. Mick looked at Josef disgustedly.

"I know you broke up with her." Mick said, sitting down in an armchair. Josef remained standing, but moved over to be in front of his former best friend.

"Okay." Josef said, not sure where Mick was going with this. Mick shuffled in his seat, and then looked up at Josef.

"I want to know why." Mick said, examining Josef. Josef looked calmly down at Mick.

"I broke up with her because of you, Mick. See, you're my best friend, and best friends don't..." Mick interrupted him.

"Cut the crap, Josef. I want to know the truth." Mick snapped, and Josef took a step back. He glared at Mick.

"That is the truth." Josef replied curtly, his jaw tight. Mick stood up, and jammed his finger into Josef's chest. Josef looked down at it, and then up at Mick, amused.

"Josef, you better tell me the god damn truth, now." Mick warned, looking Josef straight in the eye. Josef smirked.

"Or what? You're going to kick my ass?" Josef challenged, rolling his eyes. Mick stood back.

"No." He replied. "I'll just go out with Beth." Josef's smirk dropped almost instantly, and was replaced with a rather nasty look. Mick smiled. "I mean, we've already kissed; twice in a parking lot, before you went out, once on the top of my building, before you went out, and once in my apartment," Mick smirked, "after you went out."

Josef's eyebrow twitched, and in a second, Mick was shoved against the wall, and Josef was snarling in his face, his fangs showing, his eyes red. Mick grinned, still normal.

"You still love her." Mick taunted, and Josef still held Mick tightly. Then, he loosened his grip, and pushed Mick into the wall.

"Fine. I do love her. I love Beth!" Josef admitted, hastening away from Mick, kicking a chair out of his way. Mick felt confused.

"Then why did you break up with her?" Mick asked, pulling at his lapel. Josef opened the drawer under the sink a pulled out the fax paper. He walked quickly over to Mick, and handed it to him. Mick's jaw dropped.

"You got accepted into the Dynasty?!" Mick cried, reading through the paper. Josef nodded once, scowling at the paper in Mick's hands. Mick looked up, at a loss for words.

"I broke up with her to protect her; I can't turn her, Mick, I can't. I can't make the same mistake I did with Sarah. Not with Beth. Not her." Josef said all of this very fast, running his fingers through his hair. Mick glanced back at the paper.

"Do you have the burn?" Mick asked, and Josef shoved his hated hand in front of Mick's face. Mick observed, fascinated. Josef pulled it away.

"Do you want to be in the clan?" Mick asked. Josef shook his head.

"No."

"Then quit."

"I can't."

"Why?"

Josef swallowed. "Apparently, I took an oath or something. Anyway, I wanted to be in it at the time, Mick. This was my dream, this was the one thing I actually wanted more than anything, and now that's changed to..." He trailed, looking into the empty bedroom, replaying the times he had been in there with her in his head.

"Beth." Mick answered, and felt his heart drop. Josef nodded, and sat down. Mick put the paper on the coffee table, and walked slowly to Mick. He clapped a hand on Josef's shoulder, but Josef shrugged it away.

"Josef..." Mick started, but Josef cut him off.

"I'd like to be alone, if you don't mind." Josef said quietly, looking away from Mick. Mick nodded, and made his way to the door.

"Oh wait, Mick?" Josef called, and Mick stopped at the door.

"Don't tell Beth." Josef whispered. Mick heard, and left.

Remember to review for me! Next chapter will be in Beth's p.o.v, fyi. Stay tuned, the next chapter will most likely be up in at least 30 minutes!