To everyone who has read/subscribed to/enjoyed the story so far, I am very sorry for the stupid amount of time I had left between updating. I have now completed the story, so will be uploading a new chapter everyday (hopefully!). I know its not excuse, but my laptop died and I had already written the whole thing. I couldn't quite bring myself to do it all over again, but now I have, and its a little bit different to the first time, but it will make no difference to you :) Hope you enjoy, sorry if it disappoints.

Chapter 9

Liz looked up into the face of her supposed soul mate. His face had contorted again into that terrifying expression and as he bent down onto his knees to bring himself to her level, she felt all the recently discovered love for him inside her evaporate from her heart leaving behind cold hard terror.

A silent tear slid down her cheek as he advanced, and he brushing her hair roughly from her neck. She was frozen in shock as she realised he was going to bite her and kill her. Why must he kill her? Surely he could trust her to keep his secret? She knew he had felt her mind, and her love for him. He must not love her at all, he just wanted to rid her from his life. Did a soulmate even mean love? Would he have ever loved her? Or was she to him what he had suggested, only good for one night. Waves of sadness crashed over Liz as with sudden clarity she realised that without his love her life was not worth living. This beautifully cold boy whom she barely knew had managed to steal and then shatter her heart all within the space of 10 minutes, and she felt pathetic because of it.

Sighing and resigning herself to her fate she closed her eyes, feeling his breath on her neck, when a bright light and roaring engine interrupted the silent night.

Wrenching her eyes open she glanced up to Stefano to see him staring at something over her shoulder down the gravel drive. Twisting around, she saw a large black 4x4 tearing up the massive driveway heading directly towards them.

Within seconds Stefano had scooped Liz up into his arms into the house. He placed her down in a coat closet onto a plastic box in the corner. He looked down at her and brought his face to hers.

"Stay here and do not utter a word." He whispered against her lips. "These people are very dangerous and will try to kill you if they find out about you. I will not be able to protect you if they find you, so do your best not to get caught. Try not to breathe if you think they're close, and do not even attempt to escape. This is not over Elizabeth."

She felt an electric tingle as his lips brushed hers in an almost loving manner, hope sparking through the pit of her stomach. He was obviously trying to protect her from whoever had come up the drive way, maybe he didn't want her to die...

She looked up from her thoughts in time to see him close the closet door immersing her in complete darkness, a thrill of fear shooting through her as her eyes struggled to adjust to the dark.

After a few moments she heard the doorbell to the large house ring and slow footsteps squeaked the floorboards above the closet. She heard Stefano open the stiff front door and a husky Italian accented female voice floated out across the hallway.

"Ciao Stefano! How I have missed you my dear bambino. I shall never leave you again for so long, I 'ave so missed our beautiful love making. You will always be my best bedroom dance partner."

"Hello Carlita. It is very nice to see you too. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Oh Stefano! You silly boy, do I need a reason to come visit my favourite armante? "

"Of course not Carlita" He replied.

From the closet, Liz heard a slight scuffling and the wet sound of lips on lips. Her heart had plummeted to the bottom of her stomach and overwhelming jealousy coursed through her body. She had heard enough and knew enough Italian to know that this Carlita woman had just called Stefano her "lover", and she had no doubt in her mind what a bedroom dance partner was. Any hope that she had gained in that one kiss now fled from her body, and she once again felt cold an empty. Tears flooded down her face and she knew she had to escape this house before her heart broke any more. She heard movement from the couple as they broke apart.

"Come Carlita, let me show you upstairs. I'm afraid it is a bit of a mess, I had a little human problem earlier, you may be able to smell her. Unfortunate rat, she thought I might have feelings for her and attempted to make me her boyfriend. The mess upstairs is the repercussions of having a deranged human girl after you. I've dealt with her though. Should be dead out there somewhere by now."

"Oh Stefano! You naughty boy! Although I wouldn't be able to resist you either if you were to try to drink from myself too. These vermin are so easily lead are they not."

"Well I think most of the Nightworld understand my feelings on vermin."

"Yes that is true Steffy, and what a reputation too. However, I did not come to talk about those rats. Lead me to your bedroom where we will have more important matters to discuss."

As she heard them make their way up the stairs, Liz could no longer hold onto the sobs that were rocking her body. Slipping from the coat cupboard she launched herself out of the front door closing it as quietly as she could behind her and into the cold night, almost collapsing from the grief overwhelming her. Past the dark car and down the drive she stumbled, not daring to look back at the house that contained the only man she would ever love who was currently having sex with another woman.

Reaching the bottom of the drive Liz looked either way down the dark country road. There were no street lights and barely any moon light with the tall dark looming trees above her.

As she stood making the decision of which way to turn, Liz heard a slight noise behind her and turned towards it.

A hand clamped over her mouth from behind and an arm snaked around her waist pushing her body against the person behind her.