I have to give thanks to my very gifted and talented Beta, Kristine, for her amazing work. I have to thank all of you who have added me to your favs and to your author alerts, you guys rock. There are only 3 more chapters to go before this story ends and I move onto the next book in the series Chosen. I hope all of you will follow me on my jurney as I unravel the mystery of our beloved Erik Night.

The cold air whipped around us, engulfing us in a blanket of snow. It was really beautiful and truly magical as if everything stood still, frozen in time. We slowly made our way through the two inches of snow that covered the sidewalk. I was amazed by how much snow had fallen within the last few hours.

Every few steps I would glance over at Zoey. Why was she so quiet? What was she thinking about? Was she thinking about him again? It seemed normal and I was trying to accept that, right now, Heath was in danger. I wasn't sure if he was dead or alive or if he just got wasted somewhere and hadn't returned home. I knew she had been worried for him for the last few hours. With every fidget and every sigh I knew deep down it was for him. I didn't know why it was still bothering me so much to know she was thinking about him. It had been about a month since she had seen him. I knew he sent her text messages. She often complained about it. I just figured and hoped he gave up trying.

"This snow is awesome," I said aimlessly, searching the curtain of snow in front of us wanting to fill the silence.

"I kinda remember it snowing like this when I was six or seven. It was during Christmas break and it sucked that we didn't miss any school," Zoey finally spoke.

I gave her a simply grunt to acknowledge her story as I got lost in my own thoughts.

I could see Zoey at age seven dancing in the snow trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue. Her head leaning back and her tongue stretched out catching the cold, white flakes. I could also see her pouting at the idea of going to school instead of have a fun filled snow day.

I knew she was pulling at stings to ease the uncomfortable silence between us. It was unusual for us but there were other things on her mind… and mine. I just wish she would talk to me, open up to me, let me help her in any way that I can. I wondered what she was feeling; if she was thinking about him or if she still had feelings for him. Did she wish they were still dating? Did she still want to be with me?

I had to know if she still had feelings for Heath. And if she did, where did that leave me? I cleared my throat, wondering why it was so dry, as I tried to ask her the one question I needed answered. "You still care about him, don't you? I mean, as more than just an ex-boyfriend."

"Yes."

My heart stopped. It was the answer I was dreading. She still had feelings for him. Did she not want to be with me? Did she really want to be with him? I was actually afraid to ask her if she wanted to be with him. I was sure the answer would be the end of me. I wasn't willing to give up on her yet.

The short walk from the girl's dorm was too short for this conversation. As we stopped at the stable doors, I noticed the soft, glowing gas lamp above us illuminated her face as she stared off into the courtyard.

"And what about me?" I asked, trying to stay as calm as possible.

She looked up at me with a sincere expression. "I care about you, too. Erik, I wish I could fix this, make all of the bad stuff go away, but I can't. And I'm not going to lie to you about Heath. I think I've Imprinted with him."

WHAT?

After that one night I saw Zoey lick Heath's blood, I researched imprinting and what it does. I knew they may have had a little bond from that experience but to be fully imprinted would have required a lot more blood. It just didn't make sense.

"From just that one time on the wall? Z, I was there, and you hardly tasted any of his blood at all. He just doesn't want to lose you, that's why he's so obsessed." I let out a soft sigh, "Not that I blame him," I added giving her a cynical smile. I could really relate with the guy considering I am just as obsessed with her as he was.

She looked away from me, staring out into the snowy night.

"I saw him again," she almost whispered.

"Huh?"

"It was just a couple days ago. I couldn't sleep, so I went to the Starbucks at Utica Square by myself. He was there putting up posters about Brad. I hadn't meant to see him, and if I'd known he was going to be there I wouldn't have gone. I promise you that, Erik," her voice was strong. I could tell she was telling me the truth, even if the truth hurts. I was glad she was being honest with me despite what it was doing to my heart.

"But you did see him," I said firmly.

She only nodded.

"And you fed from him?" I asked, hoping she was going to tell me she didn't but before she could answer I somehow already knew the answer was 'yes'.

"It – it just kinda happened." She stammered out.

It just happened? How the hell does it just happen?

"I tried not to, but he cut himself. On purpose," she paused to take a deep breath and then continued, "And I couldn't stop myself." She just stared into my eyes asking me to understand where she was coming from. And in a bizarre way, I did. I understood about blood lust; the desires and pleasures that come from feeding off of blood. Even though I had never fed on human blood, fledgling's blood always gave me a surge of pleasure making me want more just to have that feeling again and again. I could only imagine what human blood could do to my libido. I winced as I imagined what it actually did to hers and then sighed realizing that she was feeling that rush of pleasure, an overwhelming sexual desire, for Heath - not me. So, I could understand her reason for wanting to feed on Heath's blood. If the roles were reversed, would I have been able to stop?

"I'm sorry, Erik. I didn't ask for it to happen, but it did, and now there's this thing between Heath and me, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it," she said softly.

What could she do about Heath? I read about breaking an imprint and it would be painful for both parties involved. I couldn't bear to see her in any pain, even if it would get rid of her desire for him.

With a deep sigh I raised my hand up to her hair and brushed away a small amount of snow that coated her brown locks.

"Okay, well, there's a thing between you and me, too." I slowly brushed my fingers through her hair.

I couldn't help but compare myself with Heath. He did have a history with Zoey but he was only human. Zoey and I were fledglings and if we make it though the Change we would become Vampyres. It only made sense for us to be together.

I continued, my hand lighting brushing her cheek. "And someday, if we make it through this damn Change, we'll be alike. I won't turn into a wrinkled old man and die decades before you will. Being with me won't be something other vampyres will whisper about, and humans will hate you for. It'll be normal. It'll be right."

Before she could say anything, I wrapped my hand around her neck and pulled her towards me. I pressed my lips against hers with all the passion, want, and need I had for her. I wanted it to convince her I was right. We were perfect for one another. Heath was her past, I was her future.

I parted my lips and grazed my tongue against her bottom lip asking for entrance. She complied as her tongue met mine. She was warm and soft as our mouths became one. She stepped closer to me; wrapping her arms around my shoulders pulling my body closer to hers. I reveled in the feeling of her body next to mine. It had been too long since the last time we kissed like this.

I took my other hand and caressed her cheek. She tilted her head back to deepen the kiss. I let out a soft moan as my body became alive. My blood pumped through my veins in a thunderous cadence. I was fighting to breath but couldn't care less. All I wanted to do was to feel her lips, her touch, and her body against mine. It was beyond words.

She pressed up against me, and I could have sworn she felt what she was doing to me. The want, the desire, and the need to be with her consumed me, controlled me. I snaked my hand down her back and pressed her even closer, wanting her fully against my body.

I don't know how long we were like that, and I couldn't find it in me to care.

All too soon I broke away, needing to breathe and get my hormones in check.

I pulled back slightly resting my head on her forehead as I took slow, deep breaths. I closed my eyes and listened to her breathe.

I felt Zoey's cold hand caress my cheek. I slowly opened my eyes. Her voice was low and soft, "I really am sorry."

It was nice to hear but unnecessary. There was a lot we had to work out and a lot we needed to talk about.

I turned my head into her hand and kissed her palm. Lingering there for a moment before whispering, "We'll figure this out." We have too.

I looked deep into her sad eyes.

"I hope so," she whispered her voice was full of doubt. It hurt my heart knowing that she didn't know what she wanted. It seemed I wasn't enough for her, I couldn't give her my blood like Heath could. She would never get that rush from feeding off my blood. I knew there was no comparison and I couldn't compete with an imprint. No matter what I did there wasn't anything that could change her mind about Heath, unless their imprint was broken. I would have to face the facts that she would always be tied to him, bonded with him until his death.

She pulled away from me. I reluctantly let her go. After all she did come out here to be alone.

"Thanks for walking me here. I don't know when I'll be back. You shouldn't wait for me," she said as she stared to open the door.

Suddenly something clicked as she started to walk through the door. If she did imprint with Heath she actually could locate him.

"Z, if you really did Imprint with Heath, you might be able to find him," I said. She paused and slowly turned to face me.

I had asked Professor Nolan about Imprinting shortly after Zoey's wall incident. She told me all about the feeling of true blood lust and what it can do for a fledgling and a vampyre. She also told me when a vampyre and a human Imprint the bond is a binding connection. I also remember her telling me that a vampyre can 'call' to their human by imagining the blood lust and letting it take over their senses.

"While you're brushing the mare, think about Heath. Call to him. If he's able to, he'll come to you. If he's not and your Imprint is strong enough, you may be able to get an idea of where he is," I spoke with little emotion. It was tearing me up inside knowing she was going to have to think about him, his blood. She would have to concentrate on what if felt like to see his pulse, to hear his heart beat, to imagine feeding off of him. It made my stomach churn.

"Thank you, Erik."

I gave her the best smile I could muster. It actually hurt to fucking smile. I wasn't sure if she would really come back to me. Would I lose her to Heath? I knew she liked me but would she ever love me?

I didn't want to say goodbye in fear that I would lose her. "Later, Z," I said curtly. I felt like an ass for not telling her that I was falling in love with her, that I wanted her to choose me, that I will always be here for her no matter what, and most of all, how I special she was to me. No, I didn't do that. All I did was tell her 'later'. What kind of goodbye is that?

I quickly turned away from her and walked into the white blanket of snow.

I wasn't sure where I was going but I was heading down the sidewalk wanting some time to think about us. I knew I didn't want to go back to the girl's dorm and just wait. I wanted to be alone, to think.

As I walked blindly into the snow, my thoughts were racing with questions, doubts and fears of Zoey and our current situation.

What was I going to do? Do I just accept that Heath will be a part of our life, assuming that Zoey and I will still be together? Did Zoey still want me?

I just didn't have the answers.

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