A.N – Hey J I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Please review! :D thankyou.

THREE.

'You joined a class? Are you out of your goddamn mind?' Zac's voice was hysterical and furious. I just nodded smugly and pulled on my black denim jacket. As soon as he came home after college, he erupted; tailing me around the apartment and practically squealing down my ear. It was actually quite entertaining. Ignoring him the best I could, I carried on getting ready, pulling my shoulder length hair into a messy bun and slipping on some plain black pumps. Like I'd told him earlier; I wasn't hungry, I didn't need to feed, but I wanted too. I liked to indulge.

'I think that you better keep your cogitations to yourself Isaac' I stood straight and despite my frame barely scraping past five feet, I looked him dead in the eyes 'Until I grow tired of it, I will attend that class, and you cannot do anything to stop me'.

Zac knew I was serious then, he always backed away when I spoke to him like I did in the Victorian era; grumbling something unrecognisable he vanished out of my bedroom. I smiled slyly to myself, hearing his bedroom door slam shut, making the walls vibrate and the neighbours to shout through the walls. I was the hunter, and they were my prey. I licked my lips, eager to start, and jumped over the balcony railing that circled the double sliding doors.

The girl fell with a thud to the ground. I'd chosen well, she had been delicious. After a few minutes of letting the fresh blood run through my body, I got out a small box of matches that I always kept in my clothes, and set her alight. I watched with medium interest as the skin peeled off her frail body; when someone fount it, if someone did, there wouldn't be much left. But I just shrugged it away, pleased with my work, and set off to the club. It was a small place, packed with vampires. Zac didn't know it existed, and I planned on keeping it that way. They were all younger vamps, around ninety years old. But the owner; Leonardo, was the only Elder. Elders were much respected vampires, ranging from 900 to 600 years old, they are considered the oldest. Me and Isaac are around 200 years old... But I shoved those thoughts to the back of my mind when I entered the bar. The music wasn't that loud, but voices filled the air, some of them speaking foreign. The beer Leo sold was always flat; he did that on purpose, to keep some of them away. It was always hilarious when one of the newbie's spat out their drink all over the floor. It wasn't a safe place, yet it wasn't out of control either. Yes, the stupid vamps burst into fights, some of them got killed. But it was like a second home, for all of us.

'Ah there you are love' Leo's striking British accent burst from behind the bar 'I have something for you, upstairs, come'. He was so flamboyant and graceful; his long silver hair was always back in a pony tail, showing off his big brown eyes and statement smile. He vaulted over the bar and grabbed my hand, towing me through the dense crowd and round the back. I'd never seen him ever wearing anything other than a well fitted suit, always black, always posh. Leonardo had come from the same place as me; Buckinghamshire. That was where I had met him, I remember him whisking me off my feet and begging me to come with him to America, so I did. I was unable to resist. Of course though, Isaac came along, we were very close back then, unlike now, we seemed to only tolerate each other. Seconds later we were in his office, he let go of my hand and went to his desk, picking up a small box and toying with it in his hands.

'What is it?'.

He looked pained. I sighed when he placed it in my palm 'It was going to happen one day darling, my allies discovered the home, and this sadly, was all that was left'. I bit my lip and opened the box, inside was my mother's favourite necklace, a gold chain holding hers and my father's wedding rings. I shut it quickly and put it in my pocket, looking straight into Leo's eyes. About ten years ago, I asked Leo to do me a favour, to look for the remnants of my old home, and to take anything left behind.

'Thank you'.

He grinned and bounded over to me, wrapping his lanky arms around my little frame. He always did this; Leo was never the one to stay serious for long periods of time. Sympathetic as he was, he didn't like to dwell on the past.

'Your welcome Nina' He nuzzled his chin in my wavy black hair 'At least we got that out of the way ay? It's about time I saw a half decent smile on your face'.

'I hope your not implying that I'm sour faced' I giggled and pushed away.

Leo rolled his eyes and perched on the edge of his desk 'That face of yours is anything but sour, I've always said you are the loveliest being I've ever laid eyes on'.

I hid my smile and looked to the floor. He knew he did this to me; ever since I met him I've been under his charm... And it wasn't fair. I can't remember ever being this pessimistic, always questioning but never this sceptic. It wasn't fair on Leonardo, because I did not deserve him. Not anymore. Ever since the fire, I'd changed. I gave little regard to anybody other than myself. But despite all of this, Leonardo never stopped loving me, he's always been there, a shoulder to cry on, smooth skin to hold.

'Something's troubling you, tell me'.

1811, Buckinghamshire, England.

''Cassandra, Nina, we're leaving now' Father called from at the bottom of the staircase.

'Just a moment' Mother replied, tucking back a stray piece of hair behind my ear. She smiled at me and slid her arm in mine, taking me downstairs. Mother always left her hair down, her golden curls bounced about her petite frame as she paraded down the stairs.

'You look beautiful, do you agree Isaac?'.

'Yes Father, beautiful' Isaac smiled. Mother let go of my arm, only for Isaac's to take its place. I smirked at him and tugged on his tie. He couldn't stand to wear them, but he had to. He rolled his eyes and we followed promptly behind our parents. My parents suited each other perfectly. They were inseparable. Completely different, but insanely similar. My father's jet black hair was going grey at the roots, it was short and stylish, and almost identical to Isaac's. He'd always been strict, but a caring and sweet man. Like my mother, except that she was more childlike. The spring air was scented with all the blooming flowers, it tickled my nose with its refreshing scent as we walked to the park. We were invited to a social event, just a gathering for my fathers work colleagues. Id always enjoyed events like this, ever since I was a child.

'Do you think Grace is coming?' Isaac nudged me softly.

'Im guessing so, since she never misses a chance to get dressed up' I replied, toying with my dress 'when are you going to ask her?'.

'What?' he stuttered, acting dumb 'w-what are you talking about?'.

I sighed 'You're planning on asking her to the masquerade, correct?'.

He fell silent for a few tense moments 'yes' he finally spoke.

'Good, because I don't think it's very gentlemanly to let a girl go without a date, especially, if that girl happens to be your sisters best friend'.

'Has Leonardo asked you yet?' he cocked a sly eyebrow.

'shhhh!' I waked him in the ribs. He was faking being hurt when father turned his head.

'Yes Nina, I've been meaning to ask how things have been progressing with Sir Leonardo; he is the perfect suitor for marriage'.

I felt my cheeks burning dangerously 'I haven't spoken to him since his return from America, father'.

'Be sure to speak the next time you see each other'.

I coughed and changed my attention my jacket, fiddling with the zip and trying my hardest at a nonchalant reply 'Nothing's wrong Leo, just seeing this after such a long time' I waved the necklace in my hand 'Brings back some unwanted memories'.

'I understand, come here' His body language commanded me. I melted into his strong lanky body, and buried my face in his chest. I refused to cry in front of him.