Hallo! I am terribly sorry it has once again taken so long, but I was very confused as to what should happen next, so I ended up re-writing this chapter about six times. Grr. I'm still not happy, but I got fed up of trying to do it so i left it like this :P

Also, I would thank all my lovely reviewers for saying nice things, please keep on saying them! :) xxx

'Saint Is A Sinner'

Claire's POV

"What do you do with it all?" Claire grumbled as she shoved the third bag of her blood into Myrnin's hands.

Myrnin looked at her blood appraisingly.

"I drink it." He said seriously.

For a moment, Claire just gaped at him, before mentally shaking her head.

He's joking. He's joking. She told herself. Unfortunately for her, she wasn't a very convincing liar. Especially to herself.

Claire laughed a little nervously.

"Seriously, Myrnin."

Myrnin put the bag down, frowning.

"I'm just using it in a lot of my experiments at the moment. I'll be done soon." He replied, without looking at her.

Claire sighed, deciding that, in some cases, ignorance was bliss. She still couldn't suppress the small shudder that went through her. She wasn't sure what she would do if he asked for another bag.

"Okay."

She sat on the couch with a huff. There was a moment's silence, during which Claire found herself increasingly aware of a burning in her veins.

No. No, no, no. Ignore it and it will go away.

It didn't, though. She could smell Myrnin everywhere, and each breath she drew in was torture.

Eventually, he seemed to notice, even though she tried to hide it as best she could.

He frowned.

"Claire?"

"Mm?"

"Are you thirsty?"

Claire clenched her jaw as the thirst grew more intense.

"No."

Myrnin looked at her dubiously for a moment.

"Yes you are." He said.

"No, I'm not." Claire spoke through gritted teeth.

Myrnin looked thoughtful for a moment, then shrugged.

"Ok, then."

Claire's eyebrows shot up.

"Okay?"

"Yes." Myrnin said. Claire thought she could detect a hint of amusement sparkling in his eyes. "I want to see how long you can keep this up."

Hours passed, and the thirst grew almost unbearable. Claire tensed her whole body in an attempt to remain still, and kept her breathing shallow.

It didn't stop Myrnin's scent from reaching her, though. Claire found herself riveted to him, unable to tear her gaze away. Her eyes followed his every movement, and she found herself subconsciously planning a thousand different ways to sink her teeth into his throat.

She was only dimly aware of her fingers ripping through the fabric of the couch as she squeezed her eyes shut, willing the pain and hunger to go away. It only intensified.

Don't do it. Think of Shane. Shane.

The thought cleared her head enough to renew her resolve, and she pushed herself further into the couch.

More hours ground by, every separate minute seeming to last an excruciating amount of time. Claire didn't dare move, fearing that a single movement would break her concentration. She felt, rather than heard, her heartbeat slowing down, as she began to feel lightheaded.

The scientific part of her brain was still mercilessly analysing what was happening to her.

There's not enough oxygen in my blood, so my heart is pumping more slowly to compensate.

If she'd thought the thirst was unbearable a few hours ago, she was wrong. And she knew it could only get worse.

Claire was all too aware of time passing, and it was more than a day later that Myrnin finally took a break from his solid work and left the room.

She only noticed because his scent suddenly became a lot less unbearable. She opened her eyes, focusing on the sounds he was making in the kitchen. A microwave pinging, and the unmistakeable stench of human blood.

Claire wrinkled her nose.

Disgusting.

Myrnin walked back in the room looking obscenely healthy after his 'snack', and passed close to her on his way back to his desk. Claire barely managed to stop herself from attacking. She could feel her self-restraint slipping, and dug her nails into her arms hard enough to draw blood. She rested her clammy forehead on her knees, letting a small whimper escape her.

Myrnin's lilting voice snapped her back to reality, his accent strong.

"Claire."

Claire looked at him sharply. He was pressing the blade of a knife to his arm.

"You need to feed." He said authoritatively.

Claire's eyes widened. "No."

She saw Myrnin start to push the blade further into his pale skin, and knew she had to get away from him. If she smelt his blood...

Claire stood, covering her mouth and nose with her hands, and stumbled backwards until she hit the wall. She sunk into a half crouch, almost ready to fight him off if it came to that. She couldn't let Shane down. She couldn't.

"Claire." Myrnin said again, walking towards her.

Claire snapped.

"No!" She snarled, feeling her fangs snapping down. "Stay away!"

Myrnin stopped, and Claire barely registered his shocked expression.

"Claire." He said slowly. "You need to feed. Even if it's just a little. It's dangerous if you don't. We don't know what might happen."

He took another slow step forwards, and Claire pressed herself into the wall, slipping down it a little way.

"No. I won't. I won't." She whispered, her voice hoarse. She slipped further down the wall, too weak to hold herself up. Myrnin stepped closer to her, and she flinched unwillingly.

"Please, Claire." He said softly. There was a begging note in his voice.

Claire shook her head frantically, and dug the silver necklace out of her pocket. She clutched it tightly in her fist, relishing the pain. It helped her to think clearly, and to remember why she was doing this.

Shane.

"No, Myrnin. I can't. I can't... I can't become something Shane hates."

Tears dripped down her face, and she winced as the silver burnt through her soft flesh.

Myrnin sound shocked. "Claire." He whispered.

Claire didn't have time to react as he darted forwards, simultaneously ripping the necklace from her hands and dragging her to her feet. He held her upper body still with one strong arm, but Claire was too shocked to react.

That was until Myrnin pressed his bloodied wrist to her mouth.

Claire snarled, trying desperately to twist away from him. He just tightened his grip, and pressed his wrist more firmly against her mouth.

Claire struggled harder, clawing at his arms. She kept her mouth firmly shut, but some of Myrnin's blood still found its way into her mouth, setting her on fire. She could barely think. Only the pain of the burns on her palms helped her to keep it together. The pain seemed to burn clearly in her thoughts, helping her to maintain clarity.

"Come on, Claire. I cannot allow you to starve yourself. You will go insane." Myrnin exclaimed in frustration.

Claire growled in response, turning her head away from him and struggling with all the strength she had left, which wasn't much.

Miraculously, Myrnin's arms slipped, and she took the opportunity to elbow him in the stomach.

He let go of her abruptly, and she fell to the floor, scrambling backwards as fast as she could. Claire spat out the blood in her mouth. She was breathing heavily, and could feel the shock on her face in the widening of her eyes. She couldn't believe he had done that to her.

She slumped against the wall, shaking.

Myrnin stood slowly, then started towards Claire again. She flinched, and tried to move away, pulling herself laboriously to her feet. Claire leant heavily on the wall, and staggered a few steps before her strength failed her and she slipped, sliding down the wall and landing on her knees. She couldn't get back up.

Myrnin reached her and crouched down, placing a hand on her shoulder. Claire cringed away from the contact, clutching at the wall and still trying futilely to pull herself away. She jerked her head around with an effort to look at Myrnin in fear.

"No." She whispered, her voice breaking. "Please don't make me..."

"Shh." Myrnin murmured softly. He sat down next to her, pulling a helpless Claire into his lap. "It's okay."

Claire relaxed slightly in his arms, letting her head fall onto his shoulder.

She didn't notice the knife he held in his hand, or realise what he was doing until she smelt the blood. She whimpered, trying to move away, but Myrnin held her in place with an iron arm wrapped around her torso. He guided her head firmly around to the fresh cut on his neck with the other.

"No." She whimpered again, feebly attempting to push his arms away. The scent of his blood was filling her sense of smell, dissolving her self-restraint. It was coming out of the deep cut on his neck in spurts, flowing over her lips and trickling into her mouth.

As soon as the first drop hit her tongue this time, there was no going back.

Claire slowly stopped struggling, and began to swallow the blood.

She stopped thinking, giving herself over to instinct. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she registered Myrnin growling in pleasure, and felt a sense of primitive pride.

She turned around fully, latching onto the cut. Her hand cupped the side of Myrnin's face, and she knelt up, moving so that she was straddling him.

The blood flowing into her mouth and down her throat made her mind reel, filling her with need and lust for both it and it's owner.

Suddenly, annoyingly, something interrupted her.

"Claire." The voice sounded shocked, and tortured. Claire breathed in. She could smell an unfamiliar vampire, and an all-too-familiar human. The one who wanted to take her meal away from her.

Claire sprang to her feet, snarling viciously, and crouched protectively in front of her prey. She was hardly aware that she'd stopped thinking about Myrnin as a person. Her fangs snapped down, and she focused on the human standing in front of her. Something in her told her the vampire was no threat.

The human turned to face her prey.

"What have you done to her?" It demanded angrily, taking a step forwards.

Claire growled in warning, and the human froze, staring at her. She was vaguely aware of the other vampire watching her intently.

"Claire."

She spun around, staring without recognition at the man now standing behind her.

Prey... Her instincts whispered to her, but there was something in his eyes that made her pause. Something clicked back into place in Claire's mind, and her eyes widened.

She licked her lips, tasting blood on them. Slowly, she raised her hand, trailing her fingers around her mouth.

Claire looked at the blood on her fingers in confusion for a moment.

"Wha-...Oh."

She turned to face Shane in horror. He was staring at her blankly.

"Shane..." She whispered.

There was a terrible silence. Claire's gut was twisting, and she was tearing herself up inside. She silently begged for Shane to say something, anything.

But it was Oliver who broke the silence - Claire recognised him now as he spoke.

"I believe Shane came to apologise to Claire. I escorted him, on Amelie's orders." He paused, and Claire didn't miss the smug smirk which spread across his face, aimed at Myrnin. "She seemed to think you might need some help controlling her, Myrnin."

Myrnin growled at him, and Claire blushed, feeling anger boiling in her veins.

Oliver turned to Shane.

"Well? Get on with it, boy."

Shane's fists clenched at Oliver's words, but didn't take his eyes off of Claire's.

She relaxed her position, trying to make herself look as small and nonthreatening as possible. Shane's next words sent more needles of guilt stabbing through her.

"I- I came to say that... I'm sorry for what I did to you the other day. And that I couldn't ever stop - stop loving you, no matter whose blood you had to drink." He paused to glance at Myrnin, and Claire's breathing hitched.

He knows. He knows. She wondered vaguely if Oliver had known too, but guessed not, from the way he was looking at her now.

Shane took a breath, and continued in almost a whisper. "And that I hope you can forgive me." He smiled shakily, and Claire's heart sunk.

Of course she forgave him, how could she not? But she knew that he would never forgive her. She also knew that she had to tell him.

She stood quietly for a moment, putting off the moment when the look on his face would turn from one of hope and love to disgust and loathing. He misunderstood her silence, thinking it meant that she wouldn't forgive him, and his smile faltered.

"You- you won't forgive me?" He rasped brokenly.

Claire almost laughed at his absurd notion. "Of course I forgive you." She whispered, hating the look of relief on Shane's face because she knew it was all going to change after her next words. "But can you forgive me?"

Shane looked confused. "For what?"

Claire bit her lip. Tears were already building up in her eyes as she glanced at Myrnin, wondering if she was making the right decision. Did they really have anything together? But it was too late. The look on Shane's face as she followed her gaze said it all. Anger. Disgust. Betrayal.

"No. You- you said you didn't!" He whispered.

It took Claire a moment to realise what he was talking about. Then Shane's voice came floating out of her memory.

"No-one forced you to screw him..."

She looked at Shane, shocked at his assumption.

"What? No! No, no we haven't! I didn't!" She said quickly, shaking her head. Claire saw Myrnin frown, and was immensely glad that he didn't know what Shane was accusing her of.

Shane looked relieved for a moment, then his expression darkened again.

"Then what? Tell me! Is this about you having to drink his blood? Look, Amelie told me. I don't care about that. I love you!" He said desperately. Claire couldn't help flinching when he said that he loved her; it was probably going to be the last time he ever said it. She shook the thought out of her head, knowing that if she carried on thinking like that, she wouldn't have enough courage to actually tell him.

She shook her head miserably. "No, Shane. It's not that. I-" She broke off, her nerve failing her.

I can't do this.

She looked at Myrnin again, then back at Shane, willing him to just understand.

Shane looked back and forth between the two of them, comprehension dawning on his face, followed swiftly by a terrible anger that made Claire want to cry. Whoever said that vampires couldn't feel was sorely mistaken. If anything, the emotions were magnified.

"You- you and him?" Shane whispered. Then, "You and him?"

Claire didn't answer him. She couldn't. A silent tear slid down her cheek, and both she and Myrnin watched it as it fell to the floor, the droplets scattering with a tiny splash. She couldn't help but feel that that was significant in some way.

"I can't believe this, Claire. What the fuck happened when he vamped you? Did you inherit some psychotic leech gene from him? You've changed."

Each word hit Claire like a punch to the gut. She felt as if she were falling apart.

"No! I- it's not...it was...before." She said desperately, realising her words weren't going to help any.

Shane's features twisted with rage and disgust.

"I didn't mean to, Shane!" Claire cried, tears spilling down her face. "I didn't mean for it to happen."

"Do you love him?" Shane said abruptly.

Claire's stomach dropped. "What?"

"Do you love him?" Shane growled.

Claire could feel her heart fluttering, and she suddenly became aware of the spectators to their conversation. She glanced at Oliver, then at Myrnin. Time seemed to slow down as she held his gaze for a second. The expression on his face cut at her heart. He looked completely defeated; as if he knew that she was going to tell Shane that she didn't love him. And that was what she was going to say. Right? Claire opened her mouth, but she couldn't bring herself to say the words. She realised, with a twist of her guts, that she couldn't bring herself to say them because they weren't true.

But she couldn't love Myrnin...could she?

I'm in love with Shane. Claire told herself fiercely. But doubt had worked its way into her heart. What if she only loved him, but wasn't IN love with him? Her heart clenched as she felt the truth of her thoughts, but she refused to accept it.

"I- I-" Claire stammered. Shane's eyes narrowed. Claire bit her lip as she sensed their relationship hanging in the balance. All it required to survive was one tiny lie on her part. I don't love Myrnin. But as Claire recalled the heartbroken expression she'd just seen on Myrnin's face, she realised she couldn't say it. She couldn't make him believe that she didn't love him. Claire took a deep breath, discarding all notions of lying to Shane. For Myrnin's sake, if not her own.

"I- I don't know - I..." She trailed off, looking at Shane, begging him to understand. She sensed Myrnin tense beside her as she delayed her answer, and hated herself for what she must be putting him through.

"Claire?" Shane whispered. He looked horrified.

She dropped her gaze to the floor, unable to meet any of their eyes anymore.

"Please don't make me answer." She whispered miserably.

Shane's tortured expression twisted in pain for a second before smoothing over, becoming an unreadable mask. That scared Claire more than anything.

"I don't believe it." Oliver murmured.

There was silence for a moment, during which Claire tried to control the tears that were threatening to spring forth.

"Claire." Shane said suddenly. His face and voice were completely blank, devoid of any emotion. Claire swallowed the lump in her throat, and nervously met his gaze. His next words threw her off the deep end. "I think we should break up."

"What?"

"I'm sorry. I can't be with you if you love him. This is too much for me right now." His voice was steady and monotone.

"No. Please, Shane. Please don't." Claire begged, sobs already beginning to shake her body.

Shane had already turned to leave, and something in Claire snapped.

"No!" She shouted. "I know you care, Shane! Don't you dare pretend you don't! Don't you dare!" She didn't care who was watching anymore, she only knew that she couldn't let Shane leave. Once he walked out of the door, that was it. She reached forwards, pulling Shane round to face her again.

"Let go!" He roared.

She could see his mask had cracked. Tears were glistening in his eyes, and his expression was terrible as he pushed her away from him roughly. She felt her shoulder crack as his hand connected with it, but the physical pain was dull compared to the emotional pain she felt.

Claire fell, hitting the floor hard. She stared at Shane in shock. Even at his worst, when he was under Gloriana's influence, he hadn't hurt her. Now he'd done it twice. She felt tears well up in her eyes.

She looked up again to see Myrnin holding Shane in the air by his collar.

"You don't deserve her, little boy!" He growled. Shane didn't answer, and it took Claire a moment to realise that Myrnin was slowly choking him.

She pulled herself to her feet and rushed over, placing a hand on Myrnin's sleeve.

"Myrnin! Stop! Please."

He dropped Shane and turned away, looking disgusted. Shane crumpled to the floor and Claire immediately ran to him, trying to help him up. He pulled his arm out of her grip, standing up by himself.

His expression was furious.

"We're over, Claire." He spat, then turned to Myrnin. "I won't forget this, bloodsucker."

Myrnin growled dangerously, and Claire knew he was close to snapping.

"Get out of my home, Collins."

"Gladly." Shane said. Claire watched numbly as he turned and left. As soon as he disappeared, it was as if someone had flicked a switch. Claire fell to her knees, sobbing in earnest.

"Well." Oliver said. "I don't think any of us were expecting that."

Claire didn't notice him, too wrapped up in her own sorrow. It was like everything that had happened to her in the last few days was coming crashing down on her at once, and she felt something within her break under its weight.

She stood suddenly, forcefully pushing the comforting hand on her shoulder away as she snarled.

"Claire?" Myrnin said, shocked. He stepped forwards, stretching out a hand to her. Claire didn't move, breathing heavily and attempting to calm herself down. She didn't know what had come over her suddenly, but she could feel things stirring inside her. Things she didn't understand and couldn't control. She struggled silently to overcome her anger and her instincts.

"I understand how you must be feeling." Myrnin said quietly, interrupting Claire's inner battle.

"No, you don't." Claire said vehemently. She couldn't stop the tears that spilled down her cheeks. Myrnin moved closer to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Claire tensed up, but he just rubbed gentle circles with his thumb.

"It's OK." He said soothingly. "Let me help you."

Claire, who had been beginning to relax slightly, stiffened again. Anger rose in her unbidden, and she pushed him away violently, screaming,

"I don't need your help!"

Myrnin stumbled back slightly, then caught himself. He made to grasp her hand, but Claire pulled it back.

"Don't touch me." She growled, backing away. Oliver glanced at Myrnin, then moved discreetly to the right, blocking off Claire's exit. Her anger began to boil and she snarled at Oliver, fangs snapping down.

"My, my." He murmured. "The kitten's got teeth."

Claire growled again, blazing with fury, hurt, and a cornucopia of other emotions that swirled inside her, all rising dangerously close to the surface. For the first time in her life, she was aware of really wanting to hurt someone.

Oliver smirked, and she realised that he had been distracting her whilst Myrnin approached her other side. She turned to face Myrnin again, her heartbeat speeding up, reacting naturally to being trapped.

Suddenly, Oliver moved forwards impossibly quickly, wrapping his arms around Claire's shoulders before she could turn around.

She screamed as he lifted her off the ground, pain shooting through her shoulder. She struggled violently in his grip, landing a hefty kick to his shin. Oliver grunted.

"Myrnin, help me, you fool." He hissed. "Calm her down."

Myrnin moved into Claire's line of sight. Worry was etched into his face, and he spoke softly to her.

"Claire, please calm down. Please. I only want what is best for you. I understand that you must be-" He cut off as Claire redoubled her efforts to break Oliver's grip.

"You don't understand!" She shouted. "You don't know! I hate this! I hate myself!"

Her fingernails tore at Oliver's arms, and he dropped her a bit lower. Her feet were almost touching the floor.

"Claire, please. I can't bear to see you this way." Myrnin's voice sounded pained, and Claire stopped struggling suddenly, realising she was getting nowhere. Myrnin looked relieved, but Oliver - wisely - didn't let go of her, or even loosen his grip.

"Let go of me!" Claire screamed. In wild desperation, she bit down on Oliver's forearm without thinking. His blood immediately gushed into her mouth, and she found herself swallowing it reflexively. It tasted good. Not like Myrnin's. Nowhere near how Myrnin's tasted. But she could feel it strengthening and revitalising her. The pain disappeared from her shoulder as it healed.

Oliver cursed and dropped her. Claire landed in a crouch. Her head was spinning from the blood, and her veins were burning and alive. She licked her lips, and stood, stiffening as she caught Myrnin's irresistible scent on the air.

He was approaching her with a determined look on his face.

"Claire. Come on. It doesn't have to be like this." He murmured. "If you would just calm down.."

Claire forced herself to relax her position, and Myrnin relaxed too, stepping towards her.

"Myrnin." Oliver said warningly, but it was too late.

Claire didn't even think; she sprang forwards, grabbing a fistful of Myrnin's hair and wrenching his head to the side. Without hesitation, she snarled and extended her fangs, biting deep into the side of his neck. Warm, fresh blood spurted into her mouth, and she drank it eagerly, allowing it to awaken every nerve ending in her body. Myrnin made a surprise choking sound, and his fingers clutched at her shoulders, trying to prise her off. Claire bit harder, and felt him spasm beneath her. His grip slackened as she drank in more and more of his blood, growling in pleasure.

The bliss was short lived, as a second later, Oliver wrenched her off of Myrnin. Her fangs tore through flesh on their way out, and she whimpered. Her thoughts were scrambled, and she couldn't get her mind in order. This time, Oliver's grip stayed firm, no matter how much she snarled and thrashed around.

Eventually, she realised it was futile to struggle. Oliver was immovable.

She went limp, breathing heavily. Oliver didn't let go, which didn't surprise her; she'd already proven she was untrustworthy.

Claire opened her eyes, and her red, feverish gaze fell on Myrnin. He was kneeling on the floor, one hand pressed to the wound at his neck. His jaw was clenched in pain, his eyes squeezed shut.

For a moment all Claire could think of was attacking him again, but then she felt a surge of remorse at having hurt him, and the red tinge to her vision disappeared suddenly. Her mind snapped back into focus.

"Myrnin..." She whispered hoarsely. "I'm so sorry. I don't - I don't know what happened..." Fresh tears leaked out of her eyes. "I'm sorry..."

Myrnin didn't answer for a moment, then stood abruptly and left the room. Claire broke down into sobs, sagging in Oliver's arms.

"There's no need for that." Oliver snapped. "I would imagine he has to replenish the blood in his body."

Guilt immediately took over Claire, and she only cried harder. She couldn't believe she had done that; it was like she couldn't control what she was doing.

Myrnin reentered the room, and Claire looked up blearily. The wound on his neck was completely healed, and he was doing up the buttons on the cuffs of a clean shirt.

"Let go of her, Oliver."

Oliver didn't move.

"Release Claire." Myrnin said again, his tone changing slightly.

"She just attacked you." Oliver said incredulously.

Myrnin nodded slowly, patronisingly.

"I am aware of that."

Oliver growled.

"Release. Her." Myrnin repeated, his voice deathly quiet.

Oliver dropped Claire, and she fell to the floor, landing on her knees.

Myrnin was by her side immediately, stroking back the hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear.

"Are you OK?" He murmured.

Claire didn't look at him, or answer him. She clasped her hands in her lap, twisting them nervously.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered, not daring to meet his eyes.

"That's quite alright, Claire. I can assure you that you are forgiven."

Claire winced.

"How can you say that after...after what I did?" She said miserably.

Myrnin pulled her into a hug, Claire's forehead resting on his shoulder.

"Because I do know, Claire." He said quietly. "I was like that, only there was no-one to stop me and I- I killed her. I killed Ada, and I'll never forgive myself. How can I not forgive you when I know what I have done?"

There was silence as relief and gratitude washed through Claire. She just let Myrnin hold her, relishing the feeling of being wrapped in his arms - something which only weeks ago would have made her shiver.

Suddenly, Myrnin stiffened.

"What?" Claire whispered.

Myrnin growled.

"Oliver."

He stood, pulling Claire with him, moving swiftly across the lab and stopping in front of the door that led out into the alley. She picked up Oliver's voice before Myrnin pulled the door open, and what he was saying made her blood curdle.

"...she's dangerous." Oliver was saying. He paused, listening to the reply on his cell. "...I know..." He snorted. "Myrnin can't control her!"

Claire cringed, clutching Myrnin's arm tighter. He glanced at her, giving her forearm a reassuring pat.

Oliver turned as Myrnin wrenched the door open with unnecessary force. He was holding a cell to his ear, and he didn't stop talking as the door flew open.

"...I agree completely." Oliver said. Myrnin growled lowly. Oliver ignored him. "...It is, unfortunately, necessary."

Claire stiffened. What was necessary? What was going to happen to her?

Am I...dangerous?

OK, I know it was long, and it dragged, and I'm an awful writer, but... actually I have no excuse. Just please don't be mean to me! :( xxx