Wow, guys, eight whole reviews last chapter! Can you say awesome? :D Let's try and beat that with this one, 'kay? Love you too! Haha, hope you like this one - I know you'll like the next one ;) Enjoy! xxxxxxxxxxxxx

'Love Bite?'

Claire thought she must have screamed, but her voice sounded like it was coming from a long way off. Her vision swam in front of her, and her eyelids drooped. She fought to stay awake, knowing somehow that if she closed her eyes now she would probably never open them again. Instead she focused on the pain of her blood being drawn out.

She sagged, all strength leaving her body, and felt Myrnin's arms tighten around her, holding her up. At the same time, a small tremble started in his body. The hands gripping her tightened momentarily before loosening, becoming just a light pressure on her arms.

Claire tried to say something, but the words just came out in a mumble. Myrnin suddenly stopped feeding, though. Maybe he had heard her. He lifted his head from her neck, and her head flopped to the side. She didn't have the energy to lift it up, and she could feel her neck throbbing. Claire vaguely heard Myrnin saying something. He sounded scared. She tried to speak, but her words were whisked away as strong arms suddenly picked her up. She had the weird sensation of flying before she landed on something soft. Her head rolled forwards, chin resting on her chest. There was something wet running down her neck and wrist.

Blood.

The word repeated itself over and over in her conscience.

Just as she was closing her eyes, something jarred her back to consciousness. She felt an uncomfortable prick at her inner elbow, and heard someone desperately shouting her name. For their sake, she dragged herself out of the murky waters that had been creeping up on her without her even noticing.

Claire concentrated desperately on staying awake, forcing her eyes to open again. Her vision was blurry but she could make out a dark head hovering over her.

His mouth was still smeared with her blood, contrasting vividly against his pale skin. Claire reached up, with an effort. It felt as though she was trying to move through syrup. She trailed her fingers along Myrnin's lips, wiping away the blood gently. She lingered more than she should have, hand trembling as she traced the outline of his upper lip, feeling the hardness of his fangs underneath the skin. She felt him smile, just a small curve of his lips.

Her eyes drooped shut again, and it took every ounce of determination Claire had to open them. She was so tired.

"Claire?" Said a distant voice. She tried to turn her head, but her neck screamed at her in protest. A cold hand was on her forehead, brushing the hair from her face.

"I am sorry, Claire. So sorry." Myrnin whispered in her ear, his cool breath tickling her earlobe. "You can sleep now. I promise you will wake again."

This time, when her eyelids closed, Claire gave in, and slipped deep under the surface of unconsciousness.

Claire woke feeling lethargic but very much alive. She opened her eyes, and found herself staring at her bedroom ceiling. The was a dull ache in the side of her neck, and in her wrist. She could hear the sounds of zombie's brains being blasted downstairs, and stood slowly, stretching her legs out like a cat.

Claire stumbled downstairs into the living room, still a bit woozy from the blood loss. Shane was ensconced on the couch, deftly killing zombies on his game, and Eve and Michael were sitting side by side on the floor, watching. They all seemed completely unconcerned, and she realised that none of them had any idea what had happened. That she had almost died.

The looked around when she entered the room. Eve looked around, smiled and jumped up, starting to come towards her before freezing with a look of horror on her face. She made a sort of choked, strangling sound.

Michael stood too, matching her expression.

"What the hell?"

"Wha-?" Claire started, confused. Eve steeped forwards, eyes wide.

"Claire, you're covered in blood!" She shrieked. "Are you OK?" Eve said a little hysterically.

Claire looked down at herself. Oh shit. She was still covered in blood from the wounds at her wrist and throat. She hadn't even noticed. Her hand started to move on its own to cover the bite marks on her neck that were still bleeding sluggishly. Too late, she forced it down to her side. She saw Michael's eyes narrow as he saw her wound, and heard Eve's gasp.

"Who did this to you?" Shane growled. He was standing up, looking dangerously angry. On the screen, his character was being eaten by a zombie, but he didn't care.

Claire didn't meet their eyes, staring at the floor instead. Her brain was working desperately to think of an excuse. Anything. Michael lifted her chin gently, and she could tell he was trying to ignore the blood.

"Claire?" He said softly. "Who was it? Don't worry, we'll tell Amelie, she can deal with them. I won't let Shane do anything stupid." He said, throwing a glance over his shoulder.

A tear dripped down her face, and Michael wiped it away. He clearly thought she was crying because of the trauma she'd supposedly just been through, but she was crying because she was scared of what they'd say when they found out she'd let Myrnin do it. It would be (in Shane and Eve's eyes anyway) the ultimate betrayal.

She let out a small sob, and buried her face in Michael's shoulder. He stroked her hair and made shushing noises. The fact that he was being so nice to her just made her cry harder.

She pulled back, wiping her eyes. Her friends all looked so worried, which made her feel so guilty. But why should I feel guilty? She asked herself. I saved Myrnin's life.

"Claire-Bear, what happened?" Eve asked in the same tone of voice she'd used when Claire had first met her outside the Glass house, covered in ugly bruises (courtesy of Monica Morrell and Co.) and crying her heart out. Michael and Shane had moved into the corner, and were arguing furiously in low tones. Shane looked murderous; Claire's guess was that he just wanted to go stake whoever had bitten Claire. He'd probably be twice as eager if he knew it was Myrnin. Eve was watching her with a worried expression on her face.

Claire bit her lip, stupid tears welling up in her eyes again. Eve's expression softened, and she pulled Claire into a hug.

"Oh, CB, don't worry. I'll personally stake and behead the leech that did this to you, screw Amelie's rules." She said, making Claire laugh a little. Eve held her at arm's length and looked into her eyes.

"Who was it, Claire?" She asked quietly.

"It was-it was...oh God-..." Claire looked at Eve, desperately willing her to understand. She saw Eve's eyes widen and her mouth drop open a little bit. Her hands flew to her mouth.

"God, Claire, no. No, no, no. Tell me it wasn't Myrnin."

Claire nodded miserably.

"Fucking leech. He won't get away with this, Claire"

"No! It's not what you think! It- it wasn't his fault!"

Eve's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I was...willing."

"What?"

"He was dying, Eve!" Claire cried. She couldn't stand the look of disgust on her friend's face. "I couldn't just let him die! He's my friend!"

Eve shook her head as if to shake away what Claire was saying. "Sorry, Claire. That's just sick. If you wanna be his little pet refrigerator, that's fine, just don't expect me to be talking to you anymore, 'kay?" With that Eve walked away, into the kitchen. Claire turned around to Michael and Shane. From the looks on both of their faces, they'd heard.

"How could you, Claire?" Shane yelled, pissing Claire off.

"Yes, that's right!" She snapped angrily. "How could I save the life of- of my best friend? I'm such a disgusting person! Screw you, Shane!" Claire screamed, and leaving a shocked Shane behind, she turned around and opened a portal straight into Myrnin's lab. And she ran through, to the one person she knew would always be there.

So yeah, what do you think? Please please pretty please review? I promise I'll update tomorrow if you do! :D xxxxxx