Right, hullo! Once again I am sorry it has taken me so darn long to update :) Thank you to everyone who has reviewed - I'm really happy with the amount I got last chapter, thanks for all of your support for this!

I will just say that none of the guesses as to who nabbed Claire have been right yet!

So, I hope you like this chapter - I always love writing Myrnin :P

'Restrain Yourself'

Myrnin's POV - set before Claire is taken (obviously) but after Myrnin's little chat avec Amelie.

I waited impatiently for Claire to arrive, trying to perfect my nonchalant appearance, my feet resting on a very aptly named foot stool.

I flipped open a random intellectual looking book, and perched some spectacles on the end of my nose as she entered. My nostrils flared as I smelt her, and I don't quite know how I managed to not rush across the room and take her. Sink my fangs in her white throat, and feel her warm blood pulsing down my throat. I licked my lips, vision fringing red.

I didn't look up, though I desperately wanted to.

"You're late." I said, in a very business like tone.

"S-sorry."'Claire stammered. I could sense her confusion from across the room.

I snapped the book shut and stood.

"Don't let it happen again. Have you read the material I asked you to?"

I finally dared to look at her, and immediately wished I hadn't. She was still standing at the top of the stairs, light from the doorway haloing her slim body, drawing my eyes to her curves and shapely silhouette, and my mind to places I was determined not to go. For Claire's sake, if not my own.

I turned away again, pretending to ignore her whilst I rearranged the books on my table according to the author's date of birth. In reality, every sense that was available to me was focused on Claire. I knew her every breath and her every movement without looking at her.

So I heard her come down the stairs, and stiffened slightly as the sweet aroma of her skin filled my nostrils again. I do hope she didn't see my eyes flash red momentarily as I struggled to regain control of the beast inside, which was beginning to pace it's cell, looking for a release. I would not give one, and it quietened.

Ever since I fed from Claire, the hunger, the thirst, has become stronger, threatening to overpower me regularly. It bothers me now much more than it has done recently, and I fear it may have to do with Claire's blood. Even the thought of it has my teeth sharpening in anticipation. I am addicted to that most addictive of substances for me, and the one person whom I would not take it from is in possession of it.

I became aware of the fact that I was standing stock still, gazing at Claire's neck hungrily. She in turn was completely still, the fear she was trying so hard to hide etched into her face. Still, little Claire was doing all the right things to not provoke me. She didn't try to run as I approached, nor did she beg. Clearly relying on my self control for her own safety. Foolish girl. I -

Suddenly, I realised what I was doing, and withdrew my hand from her neck, stuffing it into my pocket and stepping away from her quickly. She was too tempting.

"We will continue studying the eighteenth century beliefs on how to cure mental afflictions." I said quietly, too ashamed to look at her. I saw her nod out of the corner of my eye, and watched her over the top of my book as she walked over to the bookshelf she'd insisted in putting said book back on last time and climbed the ladder to reach it.

My eyes travelled not unwillingly over her body, tracing her every motion. Every movement she made seemed so (for lack of a better word) seductive. The way she stretched out a fragile, slender hand to reach for the book, the way her back arched, the way she bit her lip, and the way her right foot lifted from the rung and her leg bent, toes pointed just so. She wobbled, but quickly regained her balance and gave a small cry of satisfaction when she finally pounced on the book, much like a small kitten with a ball of string.

Claire jumped from the ladder with new confidence in her athletic abilities, and twisted her ankle on landing. I saw her wince in pain, and quickly look at me to see if I had noticed. Of course, she couldn't have known I was watching as the book hid half of my face, and my hair fell into my eyes, disguising the direction in which they were turned.

She limped over to the couch and sat, perched on the edge of the seat.

"Continue reading." I said without taking my eyes off the book I held in front of my face. I didn't even know what it was called.

We sat in silence for a while, and I didn't read a word the whole time. I was infatuated with Claire.

After about half an hour, she shifted positions for the thirtieth time, and looked at me in exasperation. I pretended not to notice in the hopes she would return to her book.

"Myr- Myrnin?" She said in a small voice.

"Yes?"

"Um... About what happened the other day -"

I frowned at her over the top of my book.

"Is this question relevant to what we are studying?"

She bit her lip, then shook her head and returned to her book.

I actually attempted to read the book I held in my hands; after a few minutes it became clear that the book was entirely banal and I was inclined to defenestrate it. I would have if not for that fact that to get to the window I would have to pass in front of Claire. It had reached the point where I could hardly refuse that part of me which was hellbent on eating Claire. Quite literally. Only out of pure selfishness did I not ask her to go home. I couldn't bear the thought of her leaving of her own accord, much less asking her to. Even though I knew it would be detrimental to our relationship if I were to lose control and bite her a third time. If she survived. O, but for another taste of her blood!

I cannot describe the torture of being able to smell her and being unable to taste her. Worst, I was actually attempting to exercise some self-restraint, something which I had never done before and hope never to have to do again. Although I would do anything for Claire.

It was driving me insane, sitting there, watching her and not being allowed to have her.

I finally snapped my book shut, and engaged Claire in a trivial conversation, delighting in every word I coaxed from her lips.

However, as I continued to catalogue and relish every movement she made and every moment in which she lived, I realised I was only feeding the insane inferno she seemed to have lit within me. I really would have to distance myself from her as much as I could bear. Amelie was right.

Just like that, I switched it off. Mid conversation. I cut off my sentence and snapped,

"Get back to your reading."

Then I returned to my own book, and attempted to distract myself with its contents.

I could feel Claire's shock at my sudden complete change of personality. Then just like that, it turned into anger. I felt it from where I sat, righteous anger and indignation at my actions.

"Myrnin -" Claire began in a dangerously low voice.

I looked up with an expression of mild interest painted on my face.

"- what is your problem?" She seethed.

I was curiously aroused by this new side of Claire.

"I don't know what you are talking about." It came out sounding immature and petulant, and she narrowed her eyes.

"Why are you acting this way? Whatever Amelie said to you -" Claire hissed, but stopped when a low growl ripped from me. It started in my chest and clawed its way out of my throat, almost too deep for her to hear. But hear it she did.

She of course assumed it was a threat, not some strange way of me expressing my... appreciation of her feistiness.

Claire's eyes widened and she stood up, whirling through emotions at an alarming rate. She finally settled on being even angrier than before, and turned on me, furious.

"For God's sake, is that all you've got? 'I'm a big badass vampire, I'm going to kill you rather than talk!' Grow up!" She shouted, rather ruining the effect when a few tears spilled onto her cheeks.

I smiled inwardly, and shrugged, looking bored.

"Is there a point to this little outburst?"

Claire drew in an angry breath, then shut her mouth again, looking surprised.

"No." She said. "I was frustrated."

I picked up her book from where it had fallen to the floor, and tried to hand it back to her. I didn't know what else to do. I hated that I was making her miserable in my attempt to protect her.

Claire just glared at me angrily.

"I'm leaving." She announced, grabbing her bag and exiting the room without a second glance.

I stared after her for a while, wallowing in the emptiness I felt after she left.

It was as if a wide, yawning hole had opened up in the middle of my chest. Clutching the book in my hand, I ran to the kitchen, grabbing three blood bags. Not even waiting to warm them up, I drained them, blood dripping down my chin and neck.

But it wasn't enough. I drank a fourth, and a fifth, before realising what I craved.

I stepped out of the door into the dim light, not bothering with shoes or sun protection, and ran down the street. It wasn't long before I came upon a man walking hurriedly down the road. I presume he was trying to get home before dark.

I caught up with him silently and quickly, falling into step beside him, much to his shock.

"Hello." I said pleasantly, smiling at him and showing him my sharpened teeth. The man's face drained of colour.

"B-but..." He stammered.

"I'm going to eat you now." I continued, as calmly as if we were discussing the weather. The man was still struggling to get his words out. I rolled my eyes like I have seen so many adolescents do.

"Do hurry up with your last words, we don't have all night you know."

His sense of self preservation seemed to finally kick in, and he started to run.

"Oh I do hate it when they run." I sighed to myself. Well, actually, that's not entirely true. I do so love the hunt.

I prowled after him at a leisurely pace, stalking him through the otherwise empty streets. After a while I grew tired of chasing him, and melted into the shadows. The foolish man actually slowed down and stopped, breathing heavily and leaning forward on his knees.

I waited until he had nearly gotten his breath back, then made my presence known again, delighting in the horrified expression on his face. It really was quite amusing.

I took him back to the lab after he tripped and fell the third time.

I only took a little blood; I found the idea of not killing him immediately quite thrilling in the oddest way.

I even patched him up and put him on the sofa. The imbecile was too scared to move. Lucky him - if he had moved, I probably would have killed him now, rather than later. And that wouldn't have been any fun at all.

I offered him a herbal tea, and he spilt it on the floor when it slipped from his shaking hands.

I could see the whites of his terrified eyes, and smell his fear. However, I smiled indulgently and cleared away the broken shards of mug.

When I returned to the main area of the lab, I discovered that he had passed out on my sofa.

OK, please please please review, guys! I'm sure the writers amongst you will know that people reviewing your stuff and telling you they like it not only boosts your author-ego (get it, like alter-ego? Pahaha :P) but motivates you to carry on with the story! :)

Anyway, I'm aware that some parts of this chapter don't quite...fit, but hey, I wrote this at three in the morning, what else can I say? :)

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