Clothes. Toothbrush. Flashlight. Food. Camera. Knife (just in case of bears). I didn't think I was forgetting anything. All I had to do was tell Adrian I was going camping. I put my fully packed rucksack on the bed. I walked downstairs, Adrian was sat watching TV in the living room. I sat down on the couch next to him.
"Hi, dad." I said, trying to sound casual.
"Hey Ella. You're up early." His eyes never wandered from the TV as he spoke. I watched him curiously. It wasn't like him to ignore me.
"I'm going camping today with a friend." I wasn't asking, it was a fact.
"Ok, Hun. Have fun. Stay safe." He said still staring at the TV. I was shocked, I'd expected a big commotion but he'd just let me go. It had gone easier than expected.
I ran upstairs, got my rucksack, slung it over my shoulders and ran back downstairs. Jethro would be here any minute. Just as my mind started to wander there was a knock at the door. My heart skipped a beat. I walked slowly to the door. I gasped as I opened it. I still wasn't used to his supernatural beauty. He hugged me gently. His eyes were aquamarine blue again. He'd fed recently. His eyes got darker the hungrier he got, when I'd seen them the first time, they'd been pitch black so he must have been really hungry.
"Ready to go?" he asked in his beautiful voice.
All I could do at that moment was nod. I managed to concentrate after a second. "Bye Dad." I called behind me as I shut the door.
It had been a long, merciless hike through the forest to get up here on the mountains. Jethro had set up camp and had lit a fire. The night air was warm and damp. I took off my jacket and my shoes and socks but it did no good. It was very warm. The coolness of the stone ground under my feet felt good. Jethro smiled at me from across the campfire. I smiled back; finally glad to be alone with him.
"Aren't you scared at all?" He asked, genuine curiosity on his face.
I was confused, "Scared of what?" My eyes widened slightly. "The bears and lions?" I'd almost forgotten about them.
Jethro looked puzzled for a moment, "No silly, you know I wouldn't let them hurt you." He looked down sadly and then his eyes met mine again. "I meant scared of me. Scared of being alone with a monster." There was a touch of sadness in his tone.
"You're not a monster." I whispered.
"A creature who hunts down and takes blood from innocent creatures. Seriously, Ella, if that's not a monster I don't know what is." He looked angry now, but I still couldn't understand why.
"It's the circle of life, Jethro." I was scared to speak in case I made him angry but I forced the words out anyway, "One creature dies so another can live. It's the way it's always been. Predator and Prey." I smiled, proud that I'd come up with something intelligent.
I saw a smile tug at the side of his lips. He was by my side in a second. But his perfect face was too close to mine, my breath caught in my throat. "So if I'm the predator, are you my prey?" He teased; he smiled glancing at my lips and then into my eyes. I could feel his cool breath on my lips, confusing me. He was too close; I couldn't focus. He realised what his closeness was doing to me and he smiled smugly and moved his head slightly closer. Our lips were millimetres apart now.
"I love you." He whispered, and then I felt his cool lips on mine. I felt like I was going to faint. His lips were cold but soft like the rest of his skin. I felt his arms wrap around my waist and I responded by wrapping my arms around his neck. I desperately wanted to kiss him properly. The kiss only lasted a few seconds; it was only a peck on the lips. But it was enough to make me dizzy. I crushed myself against him, pressing my lips to his again, wanting more. But he pushed me back gently but with ease. He chuckled slightly then looked into my eyes. I was pouting like a five-year-old again.
"Don't test my self control yet." He smiled, but I continued to pout, "I'm not as safe as you think."
"I'll take that risk." I said quickly pushing myself against him again. But he caught me before our lips could meet and pushed me back again.
"Well I won't." He was serious now, "I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Nothing will happen to me." I protested, "I trust you."
"Well I don't trust myself," He said, "I don't know how in control I am. Please, Ella. Please don't push me." He looked pleadingly into my eyes. His pained expression made me feel guilty and made me want to comfort him, but I knew that wouldn't help.
"Ok." I sighed in defeat. He smiled and then pulled me close to him and hugged me gently.
"I think you should go to sleep, you look tired." He said, caressing my cheek with his cold hand.
I nodded and let him carry me to the tent. I crawled inside and collapsed on the cushions. He crawled in the tent and laid next to me. He wrapped his arm around me, his cool body helped a lot in the warm tent. I pressed back against him.
"Is this ok?" I asked, anxiously. Hoping that this wasn't too much for him to handle.
"Yes, just fine." He sighed with pleasure and kissed my head lightly. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." I whispered and relaxed.
Sleep came quickly and before I knew it, it was morning.
My vision was blurry at first, but it soon adjusted to a dull vision of blue. The tent was such a dull colour. Not a lot of light was coming through; it must be a cloudy day. I found my clothes lying next to be, where Jethro had laid next to me last night. I put them on, found my toothbrush in my bag and brushed my teeth, then brushed my hair. I crawled outside the tent; the ground was a darker shade of grey and was moist. It had rained last night. A bitter wind bit at my exposed flesh and whipped my just-brushed hair out of place. I sighed with frustration. This was an uncharted island off the coast of Tasmania, it was supposed to be warm. But it rained a lot here and it was cloudy and cold. This really was a weird place. Going against nature. Like the creatures in it, I thought fearfully. I saw Jethro standing motionless a few meters away from the tent. He looked tense, like the slightest noise would set him off. I didn't want to approach him, so I spoke from where I was.
"What's wrong?" I could only whisper from fear. But he heard me.
"Francis." He said tonelessly, confirming my fears. "He's been here recently…but that's not my main concern."
"What is?" I could hardly even hear myself say it, but his sensitive hearing picked it up with ease.
"There's another Lycan heading this way. They're following your scent. I don't recognize their scent. It's probably one of Francis' pack, investigating." In a split second he was by my side. "I won't let it hurt you." He whispered comfortingly in my ear after taking one look at my horrified expression.
"I'm not scared for me!" I choked out the words, trying to rush them, not sure how much time there was before this werewolf arrived. "I'm scared you're going to get hurt!"
"My main concern is protecting you." He said calmly but his eyes blazing with rage, "Don't even try to make this about my safety."
I just looked down sadly, not wanting to think about Jethro up against a huge wolf. The difference in size would be unbelievable. But I wasn't sure about strength, could Jethro take on a werewolf in wolf form. I shuddered at the thought. I saw Jethro's eye widen slightly and then he was gone. He was a few feet away from me, poised to strike at any moment. Then it all happened quickly. A huge wolf with chocolate brown fur leapt out from the trees, landing gracefully on the hard stone of the camping grounds. There was a low snarling sound and I realised it was coming from Jethro. It sounded much more menacing than the one I'd heard come from Tyrone on the night he'd fought over me with Francis. The wolf crouched like a lion ready to strike a low growling escaping from it's jaws.
The wolf glanced at me, its amber eyes blazing with fury, but as I stared back they softened and I suddenly recognized it. I leapt up, running forward. Jethro caught me as I tried to pass him. The wolf let out a bark and it's growl intensified, the wolf stepped forward still in the crouched position. Jethro stepped back and hissed. I didn't dare look at his face, afraid of what I'd see.
"No, Jethro!" I whispered urgently, "Please, let me go to him."
Jethro glanced at me, but I didn't look at his face. The sight of his fang and his blood red eyes would scare me.
"Are you insane!" He hissed back.
"Trust me on this, Jethro." I whispered, "Please!" there were nearly tears in my eyes now. The wolf had stopped growling and was simply looking at us now, but he did not relax his defensive position. Slowly and reluctantly Jethro let me go. I made my way slowly over to the wolf. Not sure if my earlier theory was right. I stopped just a few centimetres away from the wolf.
"Connor?" I whispered, praying I was right. And this wasn't one of Francis's pack. The wolf relaxed it's defensive position and stood up properly. He stepped forward, bent his head down and nuzzled me. Yep, it was Connor. I threw my arms around his big furry neck and hugged him softly. It had been so close to him and Jethro ending up in a fight. He lifted his head slightly, so my feet no longer touched the floor as I held onto him. There was a flash and I was in Connor's arms. The wolf had gone and there stood my Connor. He stroked my hair comfortingly, misreading my relief.
"Shh. It's ok. I wouldn't have hurt you. You know that." He whispered comfortingly. I glanced over at Jethro, his eyes were back to their luminous aquamarine and his face was controlled not to show any emotion, but I could tell he felt uncomfortable.
I let go of Connor and led him closer to Jethro, but he stopped a few feet away from Jethro and I remember the whole vampire, werewolf, war.
"Connor this is Jethro. Jethro, Connor." I gestured at each one as I said their name.
"So the infamous Jethro turns out to be a parasite." Connor laughed dryly. "You know how to choose 'em, Ella." I glared at Connor for a long moment, but he ignored me turning back to Jethro. "So you're the guy whole stole my girl." He addressed Jethro directly now.
"No, not really. She came willingly." Jethro said calmly.
"Well, I'll have her back now thanks." Connor said, a touch of anger in his tone now.
"Sorry, not possible." Jethro said, still as calm as ever, his face a mask covering all emotion.
"And why not?" Connor said through his teeth.
"You have someone else, you told her to find someone here. So I'm afraid you're too late. She loves me now." There was a hint of smugness in Jethro's tone as he watched Connor's eyes narrow with anger.
"No one can love a parasite. And a parasite can't feel love." Connor replied, trying to control his anger.
"Well I love her, she loves me, I'm not a parasite and maybe you should leave before you upset her anymore." Jethro waved his hand as a dismissal. I was shocked, Jethro hadn't even looked at me once since talking to Connor and he already knew I was upset by what was being said.
"I've looked after Ella since she was eight. She is rightfully mine! And I'm not gonna let a filthy bloodsucker come here and ruin my relationship with the one I love." Connor was almost shouting now.
"What about her?" Jethro gestured towards the trees. I looked too; I hadn't noticed that we weren't alone. I slender young woman stood by the trees looking frail and scared. She had long, flowing blonde hair, tanned skin, a heart-shaped face, blue eyes and a body that would rival Courtney's. She was wearing a tight jeans, a tight pink crop top and sandals. She was beautiful. Emily, I thought with a twinge of hate. Connor's new love, how could he possibly want me back when he was that. You need to take a good look in the mirror sometime, Jethro's voice was in my mind again. I looked at him, but his eyes were still on Connor as he judged his reaction. Emily looked at Connor, there was no emotion portrayed on her face.
"That's different!" Connor whispered angrily, turning back to Jethro, "I couldn't help that! That was an accident!"
"Well maybe you should take your accident and leave. So me and Ella can be happy together." Jethro was still as calm as ever; I wondered what he was actually feeling inside.
"I love Ella! And I'm not leaving her in the protection of a bloodsucker when there's a bigger threat out there coming after her!" Connor was close to snapping.
"Two bigger threats." Jethro corrected.
"And what's the other?"
"A Rogue."
Connor's eyes widened slightly with fear. He turned to Emily. And summoned her forward. He held her close to him, safe in his arms. The way he used to hold me, a pang of jealous hit me hard. I saw Emily eyeing up Jethro, and she smiled at him. He returned the smile half-heartedly. The jealousy bubbling up inside me. How could I compete with Emily? Even Courtney wouldn't even measure up to Emily's beauty. She'd taken my Connor, now she wanted Jethro? I may not be a supernatural creature but I could take Emily down, I was sure of it. She even went near my Jethro and she'd regret it. I saw Jethro smile slightly and shake his head. You're way more beautiful than her, Jethro assured me in my mind, you own my heart and my soul and that will never change. I smiled slightly but I wasn't convinced, I was still thinking up ways to torture Emily.
Aww you're cute when you're jealous, his voice said again. I looked at him; he was smiling again and shaking his head. I suddenly felt cold hands around my waist, rubbing gently. I looked up, but Jethro hadn't moved, he was still watching Connor carefully. A flash of panic rushed through me, this wasn't Jethro doing this. But before I could say anything the hands moved to my neck and all my fear disappeared. I couldn't help but feel relaxed. A beautiful soothing voice whispered in my ear, "Come with me."
I looked at Jethro, still relaxed. His sensitive hearing hadn't picked it up.
"Go to the tent." The voice whispered, almost as light as the – now – gentle breeze. I obeyed without hesitation. I got up and started towards the tent.
"Where are you going?" Jethro asked, now looking concerned. He probably thought he'd upset me.
"I'm just going to sit in the tent," my voice was almost as relaxed as the one that had spoke to me. He looked suspicious but then nodded. I continued and crawled into the tent.
"Climb out the back, I'll be waiting." The voice whispered again, "but please, don't get caught."
I obeyed again. Why couldn't I resist the soothing voice? How could it have such power over me? All I knew was that I wanted to be with him, whoever he was. I unzipped the back of the tent and quietly climbed out and zipped it up again. I walked forward into the unfamiliar trees but I had a strange sense that I knew where I was going. I walked on and on; no light was hitting the forest floor. I tripped over outgrowing roots a few times. But it didn't put me off. I just got back up and carried on. I wondered what Jethro would think of this.
The trees started to thin out and light started to get through; I knew I must be near a clearing.
Sure enough as I walked on the trees grew thinned out until I was eventually in a small clearing and in the centre stood a boy. No older than me. He was a vampire I could see that much straight away. He was gorgeous. He had long blonde hair, almost the same shade as Aiden's but not quite. He had glowing emerald green eyes. And wore plain jeans and a black T-shirt. It made his pale skin look even paler. He summoned me forward, a smile on his perfect face. I obeyed, no hesitation. I wanted to panic but I couldn't, not in his presence.
"Hello," he said, his voice more real now, but still as soothing and light as the wind, "My name is Shade. There is no need to be afraid." He smiled even wider, but it didn't quite touch his eyes.
"I'm not afraid." I protested. "Just curious." Where had all this confidence come from? Was it his presence – Shade's presence – that made me feel safe and at home. The way I always felt around Jethro or Connor. I started to feel a little dizzy, my knees buckled and I fell. But cold arms caught me before I hit the floor. Shade stood me back upright. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small bottle full of a bright pink liquid. He unscrewed the lid and handed the bottle to me.
"Drink it. You'll feel better." He promised. I took a sip from the bottle; it tasted good. Very sweet. I quickly finished of the small bottle and handed it back to him. "Better?"
I nodded, strangely I did feel better, and I had a strange sense of power. But that soon faded away. Suddenly the forest began to spin and the ground moved underneath my feet. I felt dizzy and a little sick. I staggered to the side to keep my balance, but my vision was growing darker and blurry. I groaned as my head started to ache and throbbed violently. I felt myself fall, but I didn't hit the ground. I was in Shade's arms, but the world was still spinning out of control around me. My vision started to black out even more.
"Sleep, my dear one." Shade whispered, "Everything will be ok, when you wake up."
The spinning quickened its pace and my head throbbed more violently than ever. I let the last of my consciousness go, hoping for the peace that came with sleep. My world darkened and the spinning slowed. And I was gone.