Ok, I'm so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry that it took so long to update! I was waiting for a package to arrive, which now means I have wi-fi! So instead of writing it all on my iPod, then having to type it all up AGAIN onto the computer, I can just email it to myself! So even though you had a long wait, it means that I can update super fast! :D

Unfortunately, I am also likely to make a lot more mistakes, because I'm not checking it all over again when I'm writing up. I always read through before I publish, but even the best of us miss things! :) So please point out to me NICELY if you spot anything! Thanks!

Anyway, chapter 20. I thought I'd throw a short Shane's POV into the mix. Not very interesting or action- packed, but at least it gives you an insight into what's happening... and there may be more of his POV coming up! Is there anyone who you would like me to write a chapter in the point of view of? Let me know! :) OK, I should probably let you read this now - most of you probably don't even read my ramblings, do you? *sniffle*

ANYWAY, read on!

- oh, and my MEGA EXPENSIVE camera broke this morning, I'm gutted :( -

'By My Throths'

SHANE'S POV

Shane flopped down on the couch with a manly grunt, and picked up his controller. It was a few minutes before he became aware of Michael standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Shane paused the game.

"Hey, man." He said cautiously, standing.

Michael gave him a tight smile, but his eyes were distant. Shane frowned, and coughed.

"Uh...What's up?" He asked awkwardly.

Michael sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Nothing, I just... You don't think there's anything going on between...y'know, Claire and Myrnin?"

Shane tensed, his jaw reflexively clenching at the mention of Myrnin.

"Claire said there wasn't." He said after a while. "And...I believe her."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Do you?"

Shane sighed heavily. "Yeah."

"Ok." Michael said after a minute. "I'm sorry, man. I know things have been tough between you two recently. You'll work it out."

He gave Shane a manly clap on the back, Shane grunted back, and they both returned to their lives, their emotional conversation over.

Amelie's POV

I put my pen down just as there sounds a knock at the door. I know who it is immediately. Oliver. Of course, he has an appointment, but that is hardly the reason I know it is him.

Whereas most have the sense to knock quietly and softly and politely, Oliver knocks on my door with a confident, harsh rapping sound. I sigh very quietly, and smooth down my already creaseless trousers.

"Enter."

The door swings open soundlessly, and for a moment all I see of Oliver is his silhouette framed in the light coming from outside. Then I blink, and he snaps into focus, lounging against my doorframe looking bored.

I clear my throat, and he snaps to attention, somehow managing to maintain his nonchalance even while carrying out my orders.

"Amelie." A small smile graces his face before sliding off again. I see his gaze rake down my body, and instinctively want to hide myself from his roving eyes. However, as this is purely a matter of human dignity, I force myself to sit straight, shoulders back, chin up.

"Hello, Oliver. Please take a seat." I gesture to the chintz armchair in front of my desk, and with a snort, Oliver strolls over to it and sits, draping himself over the chair.

I feel a territorial growl trying to rip its way out of my throat, and clench my jaw, feeling my eyes flash red in response to his rudeness. Oliver notices, and sits a little straighter. Looking a bit less like he is at home enjoying the TV and more like he is sitting in front of his superior, as he should.

"Let's get straight to the point. Have you done as I asked?"

"Yes."

"And?"

Oliver shifts a little, looking slightly uncomfortable. I raise one slender eyebrow at his fidgets.

He clears his throat, and I understand. He is clearly uncomfortable with the topic of our conversation. Which is understandable. I sit patiently and wait for him to begin.

"I spoke with Claire this morning."

"This morning?"

Oliver nods, looking thoughtful. "Yes, she came to see me."

I manage to hide my surprise at this. "What did she want?"

"To ask whether...what I told her about Myrnin was true." Oliver replies with only a slight hesitation.

"Which was?"

He sighs. "I told her that he loves her." Oliver says calmly. I on the other hand, am furious. I expressly forbade Oliver from informing Claire of Myrnin's feelings towards her! Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to disperse the anger boiling inside of me.

"Very well. She knows. Pray continue."

Oliver visibly untenses. "Actually, she doesn't know. I have told her only that I think he is in love with her. I doubted she would believe me, much less bring up the subject with him."

I start to relax, then my eyes narrow. "You doubted?" Past tense.

"Yes. It appears that Claire may have taken me more seriously than I intended."

I take a sip from the cup of blood in front of me, forcing the thick liquid down my throat.

"I smelt blood on her when she came into my shop this morning, and discovered the bite marks on her neck and wrists." Oliver continues, and I say nothing. I already know this.

"However, I also found several deep bruises on her arms. I assumed they had been put there when Myrnin fed from her, but then when I questioned her she let slip that they had happened on another occasion." He pauses, obviously waiting for the information to sink in. What does he expect? A pat on the back?

I nod curtly.

"Did you find out how she got them?"

Oliver grimaces. "Unfortunately. At first she was adamant that she had just fallen over," He leans forward slightly to readjust the cushion he is sitting on before continuing. "But I managed to break her down and she confessed to it having happened during an...intimate...moment with Myrnin." He sits back, wearing a curious expression, to gauge my reaction to his news.

My organised mind struggles to make sense of his words for a moment. I pinch the bridge of my nose, wincing at the sudden onslaught of a headache. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. An intimate relationship between Myrnin and Claire could be devastating for the entire town. Not only is it wrong on a moral level (which no doubt makes Myrnin want it even more), but if Myrnin loses control for even a moment with her, he can and will kill her. And then her friends will kill him, there is no question about that. I also have severe doubts about whether Myrnin could handle the loss, mentally, if he were to kill young Claire.

I look at Oliver sharply.

"You're sure about this?"

He shrugs, a very human gesture I am not given much to. But then, Oliver spends most of his time pretending to be human.

"I am sure." He replies steadily, looking me in the eye. Then he smiles suddenly, a rare twisting of his lips into a lopsided curve. "I have rarely seen someone so horrified at having told the truth. She asked me if I was going to kill her."

I raise my eyebrow, half amused. But the situation is serious.

"Does she plan on...continuing with Myrnin?" I ask wearily.

Oliver thinks for a moment, and I begin to straighten the stationary on my desk impatiently.

"I am not sure. She was asking me a lot of questions. It seems to me that she is trying to work out how she feels about him. She's confused." He says finally.

"Very well. Is there anything else?" I ask. Oliver shakes his head.

"Then you may go." I dismiss him and pick up my pen, holding it poised over the paper. Oliver doesn't move. I raise my head to look at him. He is leaning forwards on the desk, hands steepled, regarding me with sad expression. I sigh.

"Leave, Oliver."

He smiles slowly.

"What if I were to refuse?" He breathes.

I put my pen down and look him in the eye.

"Then I would call my guards in and have them remove you forcibly."

Oliver frowns slightly, but stands and leaves the room without another look. I feel a slight twinge as the door swings shut, but I force it to the back of my mind and pick up my pen again.

Ooooh, so Oliver is working for Amelie? Sehr interessante! R+R, bitte! Make it worth the £60 the wi-fi connection cost me! Haha xxx :)

p.s. Sorry I went on for so long up there, but it's been sooooo long since I updated, so you get a lot of me talking nonsense for the next few chapters probably! :)

p.p.s I wrote Amelie's POV in present tense by mistake, then thought 'what the hell!'. So I left it in. It's weird, because I NEVER write in present tense, then I suddenly did it by accident! Ah, well. I shall shut up now. XD