Hello again - Yes, I know it's a bit soon, but honestly, I feel bad for making you wait so long last time. :) (And also I'm really excited about putting the next chapter up - it's a good 'un, methinks!)

'A Significant Change'

Claire's POV

Claire thrashed wildly as Francois drank from her, but he didn't stop.

"Stop... I'll tell you... I'll tell you..."

She didn't know the answers to his questions, but she would try anything to stop the pain.

Francois didn't even hesitate. He seemed to be in some kind of feeding frenzy.

Just as Claire began to be able to think around the pain in her neck, he bit harder, growling in frustration. Claire screamed again as her blood was drawn out.

Eventually, Claire began to feel the effects of blood loss. Spots appeared in her vision, and she felt numb and lightheaded.

Just as she thought she wouldn't be able to stay awake any longer, a miracle occurred. Francois' force on her neck disappeared.

Claire opened her eyes and smiled in giddy relief.

Then she blinked and opened her eyes wider as she recognised her saviour.

Myrnin.

He was holding Francois by the neck, blazing with fury. His hair straggled around his pale face, which contrasted with his all-black outfit.

He snarled at Francois, fixing him in a bright red stare.

He was beautiful.

"Don't touch her!" He growled, and Claire knew what he was going to do an instant before he lunged forwards and tore into Francois' neck.

Claire noticed all this with vague interest. She couldn't muster up the strength to even move. She could feel the life slipping out of her body.

She'd let her eyes slide shut, and forced them open again in time to see Myrnin ripping Francois' limbs off, one by one.

Claire knew she was dying whilst Myrnin was preoccupied with avenging her.

I don't want to die.

Somehow, she managed to make an infinitesimal noise in the back of her throat, just as Myrnin ripped Francois' head off.

He whirled around to face her, snarling, then stopped as he caught sight of Claire.

He took a step towards her, worry etched into his face.

"Claire-" He began, then stopped as his eyes fell on her bloody neck.

Myrnin changed again, and moved towards her purposefully.

Claire couldn't move as he bent down next to her, breathing in deeply.

She gasped as he latched onto her neck and began to suck her blood out of the punctures left by Francois' fangs. He was literally sucking the life out of her.

She looked at him, and was shocked to see his brown eyes, completely in control, meet her own.

"I can't lose you, Claire." He whispered.

Claire tried to shake her head. She didn't want this. She would - quite literally - rather die.

But Myrnin just stroked her cheek and smiled sadly. He'd already made up his mind.

Tears slid down Claire's cheeks as she let her eyes slid shut.

A moment later, she felt something wet drip into her mouth. She was too weak to swallow, but it trickled down her throat, leaving a white-hot trail of pain behind it.

She began to writhe as more of Myrnin's blood poured into her mouth, coming faster now.

Suddenly an unbelievably searing pain tore through her body, and Claire let out a piercing scream.

She felt Myrnin press his wrist to her mouth more securely, one hand on the back of her head.

Claire whimpered, shaking her head, then screamed again as a new wave of unbearable pain crashed over her body.

Her muscles seized up, paralysing her where she lay. The pain spread through her whole body, waking up her numb limbs and coursing through her veins.

Claire screamed until she thought her lungs would burst, but Myrnin was relentless. He tilted her head and more blood flowed into her mouth, choking out her screams of agony.

Claire's back arched in pain for a moment, and then her eyes rolled back in her skull and she went limp.

The dredges of pain seemed to be retreating, withdrawing to one point in her body. All of a sudden the intensity of the pain in her throat was too much, and Claire knew she had to do something, anything to relieve it. Before she knew what she was doing, she bit down on Myrnin's wrist.

She moaned as his blood flowed in her mouth, soothing her burning throat and calming her frazzled nerves.

It exploded on her taste-buds, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine. All too soon, Myrnin pulled his wrist away gently.

Claire let it slip from her numb lips.

The blood had dampened the pain into nothing, and restored her clarity.

She opened her eyes to see Myrnin crouching worriedly in front of her, in perfect HD. It was surreal.

"Claire. How do you feel?"

She felt good. Too good for what she'd just been through. Anger rose up in her suddenly, and she snarled, then winced in pain as something forced it's way through her gums. She tentatively poked the intruder with her tongue, and gasped as it met with the impossibly sharp edges of two fangs.

"No." She whispered. "Oh, please, God, no."

"Claire -" Myrnin began.

"No!" She cried, tears streaming down her face. "This is your fault! Why couldn't you just... let me... let me..." Claire trailed off, starting to sob uncontrollably.

A moment later she felt Myrnin's strong arms lift her up, holding her bridal style. She didn't know when he'd dealt with her restraints, and didn't care.

"It's going to be OK, my little Claire. I promise." He murmured.

Claire had the vague sense they were moving, but she didn't know or care much where he was taking her.

She only knew that she was in Myrnin's arms the entire time.

Eventually, they entered the lab. Claire knew because she could smell it.

Myrnin tried to put her down, presumably on his couch, but she clung to him, burying her face into his shirt.

In the end Myrnin lay down on the couch, with her curled into his side.

He stroked her hair softly.

"Rest, my love."

Claire didn't process what he had said, and fell immediately into a much-needed sleep.

Ok. You know the drill. Please review, blah blah blah blah blah. :)

The good news is, Claire + Myrnin are alone in the lab next chapter... ;) Haha xxx

So add this to your story alerts if you wish to know what happens! xxxx