Lex pushed me roughly down the stairs into the hallway. I could see Alec standing by the entrance of the manor; he must have known Lex was here, but obviously not quickly enough to come to my rescue.

"Leave her alone Morvan," Alec growled to Lex as he was still pushing me down the stairs.

"Now why would I want to do that?" Lex growled back just as fierce.

"She's got nothing to do with this, she's just a link, whatever bone you have to pick with the Valik is nothing to do with Darcy, leave her out of it," Alec shouted.

Lex let out a low cackle that made me shiver. "Ahh you see Valik, by taking the girl, I not only upset you and your Placing plans, but I get a little added bonus for myself."

Alec snarled. Lex and I had reached the ground floor now, only a few meters from Alec. I could now see that his eyes were black, huge pools of darkness that were scary to look into. More vampires had joined us now, mainly the security Alec had set up around the house to protect me, which hadn't worked very well obviously. Lex was surrounded by them; but as I thought about it what could they do to try to save me? A wave of sadness hit me. I realised that this could possibly be the last time that I would see Alec; I knew that if he or any other vampire here tried to save me I'd be dead within seconds. Even if I did make it out of here alive, Lex would only kill me later anyway; just like everyone else who had crossed his path. I could feel my eyes begin to fill up with tears, I wished they wouldn't, I closed my eyes to try to calm myself and make the tears go away. Only when the growls and snarls stopped did I open my eyes again, dryer then they were moments ago.

"Morvan, I'll ask you one more time. Let her go," Alec said.

"Hear this Valik, if you or any of your men try to save your lovely link here, she'll be dead before you know it. So I suggest you move out of the way and carry on your business as usual."

I was doomed.

There was silence. Alec and Lex were staring at each other intently for what seemed like hours. I was getting more and more scared as time went on. I could hear my heart pumping blood around my body, blood that would probably be spilt soon. Alec suddenly broke the stare and looked straight at me, into my eyes. But it was not the same stare he gave Lex. As he looked at me, his eyes returned to their normal colour as I saw the anger ebbing away from him. He looked hopeless, which didn't exactly make me feel any better myself. He had always been there to save me, too many times in fact. I suppose there's a limit to the amount of times your life can be saved; and by the same person to. I felt totally helpless myself, at the end of the day, all I was, was a pathetic human, I didn't understand why Alec had gone through such great lengths to keep me alive, I wasn't worth it. At least now Alec could get on with his life, I wouldn't get in his way anymore, I owed him too much already to have hope that he would save me again. Alec gave me a look, as though to say he was sorry, then returned his gaze to Lex.

"You hear this Morvan," Alec retorted, "I have no choice but to let you go now, but as soon as you leave, I'll be after you, and so shall every vampire of this coven, you've broken the law and practically asked for your own execution coming here today. If you even lay a finger on her, I'll make sure your death is slow, painful, and merciless."

Alec stepped aside so that the doorway was free to walk through. I looked down at the ground, unable to look at Alec anymore. Why couldn't he just give up on me?

Lex gave a cackle of laughter. "I'd like to see you try Valik."

Lex pushed my back without me expecting it, making me jump and almost fall over. He grabbed the top of my arm tightly, cutting the circulation off, pushing me forward all the while. Looking into Alec's eyes for what was doubtlessly the last time, unwanted tears rolled down my cheeks, while being roughly manhandled out of the door. I was leaving what was now my home, my sanctuary, something only a short while ago I would have given anything to do, but now, it was the total opposite.

Before we had walked very far, Lex had picked me up and slung me over his shoulder. I was too sad to care about how violent he was being. His pace picked up and I closed my eyes, hoping this nightmare would be over.

He stopped before long and put me down. I swayed on the spot, dizzy from being upside-down.

"Dante, take the girl, don't even think about trying anything," I heard Lex say.

As my eyes started to focus I realised we were in a forest, probably the same forest I could see from my balcony. There were men everywhere, vampires by the look of it. They all looked menacing … and hungry. They must have been Lex's men. Before I had a chance to take in anymore, I was picked up again and slung over, what must have been Dante's shoulder. I didn't get a chance to see what he looked like, but I could tell he was much younger than Lex, by his posture. I closed my eyes again, but before the dizzying motion started, I heard Lex's voice.

"Now then Darcy, let's get you home."