A.N - Sorry sorry sorry! I was going to update this chapter last week... But since it's the first week of the holidays, I procrastinated! Arghhhh. I'm here now though

Oh yes, just to let you know; the entire chapter names, asides from chapter one, are lyrics from songs. So is the title of the story, if you want me to write a list next time of the songs included, I will. Just let me know

The drinks were in full flow now, defiantly better, livelier. I could see even Xander had loosed up, begging me to dance to some shitty techno music. After a while the music had died down, the songs got slower, and couples began to dance together. Xander pulled me close, his soft hands resting on my waist, as we moved side to side.

'You look like you're enjoying yourself' I commented, trying to keep my smile away.

'Well I'm lucky enough to have the prettiest date here' He grinned.

I cocked an eyebrow, and then frowned; something smelt off. Something foreign. I inched forward, sniffing in Xander's air, he moved in too. Oh great, I thought, he figured I was going to kiss him.

'Damnit!' I cursed, causing him to open his eyes abruptly. He looked disappointed. But now that I really saw him, he looked terrible; his alluring tan had vanished, replaced with paste as white as my own, pupils dilated behind the mask, the whites tinged with red. He looked close to throwing up, or worse, passing out.

'How many drinks have you had Xander?' I implored.

'I dunno, four maybe?' He said and rested his chin on my head. I yanked away, too fast and shouted 'Isaac!'. I knew that he would hear me.

'What happened?' He prodded, Marilyn in tow.

'Get him out of here' I directed at Marilyn, her racoon eyes were wide and she agreed. 'It wasn't just alcohol those idiots put in the drinks' I admitted, staring him straight in the eyes.

He made a frustrated sound and flared at me I knew it was a bad idea. I cannot believe this Nina, you being in the college is dangerous already! And now you've gone and let my friend get poisoned by and illegal drug!'.

'You know what? I didn't intend for this to happen, at least believe that!' I shot back, ruthless. 'Go, now! I have something I need to take care of'. I shoved him away, blocking his curses as I trudged through the sweating bodies.

...

'Hey babe!' They chorused.

I fount them in the parking lot, gathered around a van with several bottles of beer. I wanted to make them suffer, intensely, but I didn't have the patience for it tonight. One of them, average, olive skinned, limped over to where I was poised.

'I could make an exception for a pretty white girl like you'.

'I wish I could say the same' I smiled and pushed my brows together sweetly. Before he could calculate it, I lunged, and dove my petite hand into his chest. I loved that; the sound of ribs crunching, a sound of life being crushed. I dropped his heart to the ground and jumped on the others. I heard the first guys body gravitate with a thump, whilst I snapped the other three's necks.

...

'How is he?' I pursued, rushing into the apartment through the balcony. On the way there, I enjoyed the task of licking the blood off my hand, disgusting, but absolutely divine.

'Passed out' Isaac replied in monotone. I could sense he was trying his best to calm his emotions.

'I can smell it on you'.

'Hmm?' I went to knee; down beside Xander who was sprawled on the couch. He was still pale, now though he looked peaceful in unconsciousness.

'You killed them'.

'Well done brother, it didn't take you long to catch on' I applauded him.

'Give it a rest Nina' He mumbled. 'I'm going to Marilyn's place, for the night probably. Don't kill him while I'm gone'. I rolled my eyes when he slammed the door behind him, making Xander twitch.

Wait, he wouldn't have left me here alone if he didn't trust me not to harm his friend. I smiled. It seemed my brother still had faith in me.

After a few moments I got up, silently slipping off the painful heels and leaving them beside the couch. I untied the silk mask and flicked it away, not caring where it landed.

Xander's breaths were deep but ragged; the drug had done a real number on him. I was under debate as to whether I could use this to my advantage, and have him as a late night snack, or whether to leave him be to sleep it off... or maybe cure him.

'Stop it' I whispered to myself, and ran a hand through my sleek hair. 'He's mortal; I cannot get involved with him'.

But despite whatever my brain seemed to throw at me, I was contradicting myself terribly; I felt a strange pull to this boy that I couldn't deny. And yes, I say boy, considering the fact that I was a good few hundred years older. This strange pull, not only from his truly irresistible smelling blood, but also because I wanted to protect him, to help him, to cure him. Or possibly even to love him. That was out of the question though.

I had Leonardo.

A safe haven.

A person I could go to that could love me inevitably, no matter what dreadful things I always do.

But what if I was wrong? His love. I'd grown up with Leo, I was comfortable with him. I've never known anything but him.

What if it wasn't real?

'Freda?'.

I gulped, confused, and knelt back around to Xander.

'Who's Freda?' I asked softly, moving his sweat matted hair away from his face. He was still asleep.

'Mom?' He sounded so troubled, and suddenly so young.

Abruptly, he shot up, eyes wide, startled. 'Hey, it's okay, you were dreaming' I soothed.

His breathing slowed and he looked down at me. 'What happened?'.

'The masquerade got sort of... out of control. You were a product of that, you were drugged' I spoke quietly, tonelessly – hiding that I was disgusted and neurotic at the way things had turned out. 'Would you like me to take you home?'.

'No' His voice had returned back to its usual deep lullaby.

'That's fine. You just rest okay?'.

He nodded, sinking down into the couch. Nervous.

I thought about compelling him to sleep, which however, didn't seem quite fair. I couldn't control him, not like all the others.

My phone lit up from the corner of my eye, vibrating, signalling a call. Reluctantly, I went over and answered, unprepared for what was to come.

Review Responses:

Laura: I'm glad that you felt bad for Xander! Haha :D it means I'm doing a good job. Oh and just in case I didn't make it clear, Zac is short for Isaac :D

Thanks for your review, keep em' coming! :D

Until next time...