Snap. I felt the imprint of a hand. Again.

I looked the other way – each time I looked at the place where she lay, it was like a slap in the face. A well-deserved one. How naïve could I have been, to think that if I left Tia alone for one day, Raphael wouldn't take the opportunity?

A fury was growing inside me – it had nothing to do with Raphael, he was currently decaying somewhere in the forest. We'd taken care of him – but I took no pleasure in drinking his blood, for it was tainted with the bitterness of hate and rejection. We hadn't bothered with ceremony – we had just put him in a secluded part of the forest. He deserved what he got. No, my anger was turned inward, to myself.

I was holding the iron top of the bed post in my right hand – a small ball of iron attached to the top of the bed post – and I tried to regain control before I snapped it off. It was too late. With a snap, it broke off. I snarled angrily and clenched my fists without realising what I was doing. I looked down. The ball of iron was now just an unrecognisable lump. I hissed in frustration and, throwing the useless lump of metal into the corner, I strode outside. I needed time to think.

I decided to go to the forest, as there were fewer mammals around to witness me tearing the trees down. As soon as I reached the forest, I heaved a sigh of relief. Here, I could maybe puzzle out what to do. I didn't want to change her, I realised. If I did, it would already be done. The venom would be burning through her veins and she'd be screaming for it to stop. We had already brought in a doctor and he had treated her wounds, but what about the future? This wasn't going to happen again, but I would have no choice. No matter how much I pretended otherwise, Tia was put in danger by my presence.

Leaving was out of the question, obviously. I wouldn't be able to do that. It left me one option – to change her into a vampire.

Unless – something inside me twinged – unless Tia didn't feel the same way about me as I felt about her. In that case, she could find someone she loved and just… move on. The idea hurt, but it offered me an alternative.

Her being a vampire would be so much more practical. She would be able to fight off anyone who attacked her. I would not be putting her in danger by being with her. But all of this was purely hypothetical; it depended on the fact that if Tia loved me as I loved her, then I would have to change her.

If.

A twig cracked behind me.

I spun around, ready to attack. A hiss burst through my lips and I took a defensive stance.

"Easy, Benjamin. It is I – Amun."

I sighed and flopped to the ground.

"What is it?" I asked shortly. I wasn't usually so rude to Amun, but just then, I wished to be alone with my thoughts and the trees.

"Tia is close to waking up." He pronounced her name with slight distaste. "Kebi asked me to tell you."

I nodded slightly. It would be a while before I would be able to have a conversation with her – especially the type of painful conversation I was anticipating. Wasn't in any rush to get home. Some part of my subconscious suddenly noted that Aum was talked. I mentally slapped myself and concentrated on his words.

"… And really, Benjamin, I don't think she's good for you. I don't wish our coven to become bigger. You will find someone better in time. Maybe you should just let her go."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Amun didn't like Tia? How could anyone not like her? Especially the man I considered to be my guide, my role model?

One line kept flashing in my brain like a sting.

Maybe you should just let her go… My subconscious whispered.

Stop thinking like that! I told myself fiercely.

You wish her to be in danger permanently by being with YOU?

I'm being manipulated by my own brain. This is ridiculous. I'm not continuing this conversation anymore.

As you wish. Eventually, though, you'll see I'm right, that sadistic part of my mind noted gleefully.

I realised that Amun was waiting for some sort of sign or acknowledgement. My sluggish brain had to struggle to try and think of a diplomatic way to tell him to go away. Eventually, I forced some words out.

"Amun… I… Need some time. To think." The words sounded half-choked to me but Amun obviously understood. He withdrew silently, leaving me alone with the trees. I heaved a sigh of relief.

Now, where to start?

Something was tugging at my mind, dragging me back to watch a scene from my memory. I resisted, I didn't want to see it. Too many painful memories. It was so recent…I didn't want to relive it before I was ready. But I was weak and emotionally drained. I gave in and let the memory take me back… it was as clear as if I had gone back one day in time.

Slowly, I walked through the woods. I felt very full; I could almost feel the liquid sloshing around inside me. I had fed more than usual, bagging two unsuspecting villains. The first had been satisfying, I'd disposed of a stalker. The second had been a thief, presumably trying to smuggle a diamond necklace away. I didn't see it, I was too preoccupied with the rush of blood and adrenaline through his veins. With my talent for the elements, I'd immobilised them with a mini tornado and made my move. I used to think it was repulsive, monstrous even, but after time I had come to realise that it was a part of my nature and couldn't be helped.

I smiled as I realised why I had hunted today. I actually hadn't been thirsty at all. I always ate when I was stressed – a trait that had come with me from my human days. It was good to know that my mind wasn't completely that of a predator. My smile faded, though, after I remembered why I had been stressed.

Tia.

I still hadn't made a decision. Of course, I hadn't spoken to Tia yet either.

I made a mental note to speak to her about it as soon as I reached home. The thought made me nervous, and I slowed down to an almost human pace as a reflex.

Then I kicked myself.

Why was I nervous? To that, I had no answer. All that I knew was that I felt a certain dread when it came to thinking about our unavoidable conversation. Perhaps it was a reflex reaction to avoid pain.

I sped up again, pushing against the feeling in my legs which made them feel like liquid. Instead of going straight home, I took a detour.

Soon, I was passing bleak, frowning houses. I stopped outside an apartment block. The university dorms.

I stepped inside and looked around

It was deserted.

I panicked for a moment, wondering if Tia was safe. I was running through all possible scenarios when I saw the sign.

HAVE A GOOD SPRING BREAK! It screamed.

Right. So that was where everyone was. I heaved a sigh of relief and turned to Tia's apartment.

The door was unlocked, so I turned the handle and went inside. No one was home. There was tea spilt on the floor and books scattered across the floor.

And when I walked into the living room, I drew in a sharp, furious breath.

Raphael had been here. Raphael had her somewhere. And one thing I knew for sure: whatever he was doing, it could be fatal for her if I didn't find them fast.

And when I found them, Raphael was going to pay.

*****

I followed their trail easily across town. Raphael smelled sour and unwashed, which undoubtedly he was, while Tia's was stronger and sweeter.

And then I realised where the trails led and I gasped in horror. Raphael hadn't taken her anywhere – she had been chased. Meaning that she would have had less energy to fight back when the chase ended.

The trails led to my house. I swore under my breath.

Suddenly, the dead silence was filled with heavy breathing and drops of liquid falling to the ground. I could taste panic and fear in the air. A sharp, metallic hint of blood hung seductively in the air. I automatically held my breath, resisting the temptation.

I angled for my front door, but I realised that it was locked and they couldn't have gotten in. I tuned my ears to outside sounds. Intake of breath.

"Just so I don't forget you," a raspy voice murmured. Raphael. My head exploded with fury, so much so that I missed what he said next.

"He'll – find – you," another voice gasped. Tia. Warmth and protectiveness blossomed in my heart.

"Oh, I don't think so. Should I kill you slowly, do you think, or quickly? This knife is very sharp – you saw how easily it cut your thin little wrists. One little flick and you would be dead. On the other hand, I could saw very gently. You would die gradually. What's your opinion, Tia?"

"I hate you Raphael," Tia said through gritted teeth. She inhaled shakily. The next thing I heard was a sharp object slicing through tender flesh. I realised that I was frozen to the ground, so absorbed in Tia's last moments that I hadn't thought of preventing these last moments.

I turned the corner into an alley. I felt a strong flash of déjà vu. I was still holding my breath, thankfully, as there was a pool of blood on the floor. I heard the flesh being sliced a second time, a third. As I took a step forward, it cut through a fourth time.

"Tia!" I shouted. Raphael turned to me and dropped the knife. Tia's neck dripped blood like something from a nightmare. She collapsed, sliding down against the wall.

I let a snarl rip from my throat, jarring me from my horrified state. I slunk into my hunting crouch and hissed at Raphael. He took a step back and began to run. As he did so, a small vial fell from his pocket. I scooped it up and clutched it tightly in my hand. Then I let my fury, hate and pain burst from me in a sudden rush of speed. I overtook him easily, skidding to a stop facing him. I shepherded him into the alley again and backed him against the wall.

"What do you want from me?" he shrieked. Fear infused his voice. I could see that he was prepared to do anything to escape death. Good. I would enjoy seeing the bastard grovel before I killed him anyway.

"I want your blood, Raphael," I said. "As much of it as you took from Tia."

"What are you going to do?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out." I snapped with sadistic enjoyment. "Go on, you bastard. Beg. I'm sure you would do that over what I have in mind for you."

As I had been sure he would, he pleaded with me for a full ten minutes. As I was about to pounce on him and suck the blood from his veins, Amun and Kebi arrived.

"Benjamin?" Amun asked.

Kebi gasped. She stared at Tia and let out a choked sound of horror. She turned to me and I saw loss and anger in her expression. It was an expression which promised violence.

"Kill him slowly, Benjy," she hissed. My anger mounted. It was confirmation that Tia was beyond saving. Together, we paced towards Raphael and pounced.

Everything went quickly after that.

*****

Remembering it, I was even more grateful. The cuts on her neck actually weren't as deep as they looked. Raphael had been drunk, maybe, or so mad with anger that he didn't look where he was slicing. There were four different cuts on her neck, one on each wrist and one on her forehead. She also had a mild head injury. Could be worse.

It was only after we'd disposed of the body that I discovered the small vial that had somehow reached my pocket. I guessed soon enough that the substance inside was not red wine.

I drank a sip of it. I didn't want to be reminded of that day – but I did want a part of Tia inside me. It was foolish, but at that point, I hadn't known that Tia was going to survive. I wanted those drops of blood to live on inside me and if she died, I'd have something to remember her by – something inside me.

I was almost hyperventilating. I came back to the real world with a bump and shook my head to clear it. Slowly, I rose. My muscles felt stiff – for the first time since I was human. I made my way back home in a daze. It lasted even when I walked through the door to Tia's room. I hadn't even noticed that my legs were carrying me that way.

"Benjamin?" a voice asked from the bed.

I took a deep breath and turned to face her.

A/N: I'm sooo sorry the update took so long! At least I did update :D
See, I made this chapter longer for you guys *hopeful face*
I can't BELIEVE I got a Facebook ban. Jeesh. But there's no law that says I can't use it when my dad's not looking! HAHA. :D
Thanks to: Neliz, Alyaa - my two best girls (in school... you rock as well, Mitu) and to Taka and Yoo Jin - my two best guys, cause they stick with me even though the couples rumour is out. Love ya!
Does it seem kinda lame to you that I have almost the same number of story alerts as reviews? My reasoning is, if I have more comments, more people read the story. Remember, I can see how many visitors I'm getting.

No need for a disclaimer. You know the deal. But, I'm going to introduce a new character soon! Oh and a teeny lil spoiler ((not even Mitu knows this), the story is NOT GOING TO BE LIKE TWILIGHT, with Edward/Bella staying together the whole time. No, there's going to be some conflict. *evil cackle*

new york gal: Yay! I just couldn't live without your reviews! Thanks for another great one :D :D I hope you liked my excuse for Tia not getting turned into a vamp. Trust me, when she does, you'll hate what happens, but it'll work out!

'Twilight for eternity': MITU! Haha, I know how much you hate that nickname :D :D. See, I wrote the chapter without you eating me if I procrastinated.

Jade Taylor: Yay, a new reader! Really? My story is the best Benjamin/Tia yet? I'm so happy :D. Hope you liked the chapter!