My face landed on the mat…for the ninth time in two hours. I've been training with King for about a week and a half now and I always end up on my ass, face, back, knees, and my dignity. But, I was making progress. After three days of training with King, I finally went from 20 lands onto the mat daily to only 15 lands. Oh yeah! I was a badass.

Sike.

"You suck," I groaned into the mat.

"I would love to make a smart remark on that, but I'm not feeling it today." King grabbed my shoulder and rolled me over. He leaned over me and smiled. "You're not quittin' on me are ya?"

"Shut up!" I moaned.

He held out a hand. My mind thinking quickly, I took it, but thrust my free hand at his nose, causing it to twist in an odd angle. King didn't even cry out, instead he let me go. I barrel rolled off to the side, standing with as much grace as an elephant.

King smiled wickedly at me as his nose replaced itself. I used to get grossed out by it, but now, it almost seemed natural to me.

"Smart," he said.

"Thanks." I quickly turned around and grabbed a bō staff. He copied my movement. I sneered, "Bring it on, tick."

Do you think that pissed him off? Ha! Of course it did, that's why I said it! Before I could block, the staff came at my left shoulder—hard. I staggered back and began to get into my 'zone' as I like to call it. I'd thrust, lunge, kick, punch, and smack King and he'd whack, shove, stab and elbow me right back. It was a battle I didn't want to lose, even if it was training.

Then, after twenty minutes, I got my chance to really hit him. He dodged a kick at his neck by leaning back like in 'Matrix', making his crotch an easy target. I twirled my staff like a baton and thrust it at the vulnerable spot on any man, vampire or not. King gasped and choked on the air he didn't need.

"Not…fair…" he groaned.

"Life's not fair. You taught me that." I couldn't help but smile. I was in a good mood now that King was on the ground, near groveling at my feet. "Am I right to say that training is over for today?"

All he could do was nod. I patted him on the head like a dog, put my staff in its proper place and skipped out of the room.

………

For the rest of the day (or night, if you prefer) I went to the library. It used to be my favorite room, until I was told I had to start my training, forcing me to give up my love for books for the time being. But, now I actually had time to visit the dusty books and sit in the chairs that were from the 1500s. The moment I opened the door, I knew I was where I belonged.

The library, like most manors, is the largest room. It had rows upon rows of shelves full of books. Mystery, fantasy, romance, suspense, science fiction, action, horror, biographies, history, they were all here, in this library.

In the center of the library was a long table where someone could study or work (a table that no one used—ever). I wandered up and down the rows of books until I found the one I've been looking for: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, my favorite author.

I can't tell you why that book was my favorite. I loved it for different reasons. I loved it because it was in a time where the men were gentlemen who courted young girls and the women were ladies with the ability to make the smallest of movements arouse any man. The men seemed to respect women more in that time rather than the time I live in now, where the only men I see stare at me with a hunger I do not wish to fulfill.

I immediately went to the large bay window that had a chaise placed directly underneath it, so it would be in direct sunlight while you read, I suppose. The people that owned the manor are gone, so it's not like I could ask them.

I opened my book and began to read. After I read about 32 pages, my eyelids began to get heavy. I fell asleep with the book in my hands and a question that bounced around in my head:

What are the Events?

…………

-Drake-

She's an angel. He has finally decided that he would make no more attempts to keep away from her.

I'll have her. And I can smell that she'll gladly have me as well. She may put up a fight in the beginning, but she'll give in.

His eyes drank in the vulnerability of Zoey. She was like a small child when she slept. Her lips were parted ever so slightly, and the book that lay on her chest rose and fell with her breathing. That retched book covered what he wanted to touch and see most in the world. He couldn't die without seeing those pink and perky breasts he's dreamed of night after night. Well, actually, he couldn't die period.

Just take her! Vidd most! His inner voice was testing his restraint again.

I cannot. Ő csak egy gyerek! But no matter how many times he said it, he didn't believe it.

He reached out a hand as if to touch her sleeping face, but pulled back before his fingers could touch her lips. Abruptly, he stood and strode from the room.

She will have me and I will take her!

…………

I woke up with the sun streaming in through the window. I smiled. I've never woken with the sun. It was rather refreshing. I laid there for a while before standing, putting back the book, and walking through the empty halls to my room.

I was groggy from my nap and could barely see due to all the black that was spotting my vision. It wasn't until I ran into my door frame that I realized I had completely blacked out. I moaned and fell to the ground, bringing my legs to my chest.

"Ow," I moaned to no one. "That hurt."

At least I made it to my room, where I tried to crawl into my bed, still in my work out clothes from earlier that night. I pulled the covers over my head and settled into my pillows. My head was pulsing but I ignored it and yanked a pillow to my side and hugged it until my eyes fell and my breathing went even.

…………

-King-

"Drake!" he yelled, making the walls quake a fraction.

Drake turned from the vampires he was talking to and faced the furious King. "Yes, King? Is something wrong?"

"Is something wrong? IS SOMETHING WRONG? You fucking prick! You know I can't go on another assignment when the Events are barely three weeks away! Zoey isn't ready! I'm not leaving until she is, so that means your precious assignment would have to wait until after the games are done." If King could breathe, his breathing would have been increased and if he had a heart, it would be pounding with fury.

"Well, now that you put it that way, I'll have the games begin tomorrow and we shall see how long Zoey can survive. Besides, the sooner the bett---"

King slammed his body against Drake's and crashed through the window, landing on the grass—two stories down—with a dull thud. King slid his hands around Drake's throat and hissed in his face:

"Don't toy with me, Drake! I will kill you if you put Zoey in any danger while I am gone! God help me if I don't."

Drake, looking rather bored, gave a small chuckle and kicked King hard in the stomach, sending the hothead a few dozen feet away.

"Leave now and you might get back in time to watch Zoey fight for her life."

King stood, his face showing all sorts of disgust and hate. "One finger and your dead."

And with that he left.

……………

I woke up later than usual, lying in my bed with my eyes closed. I could tell that it was dark out and that it must be around 10 o'clock. Just a badass trick I learned from my tutor when I was growing up: how to tell time no matter where or what you're doing. I'd like to tell you that anyone can do it, but I'm not a liar.

I'm getting too much sleep, I decided, trying to get myself to open my eyes and get out of bed. But, the headache that was working up a storm in my skull wasn't helping me get up anytime soon. So I lied there, eyes closed, thinking.

And that was when I realized something: King didn't come to wake me up at sunset as he did everyday for nearly two weeks. I chuckled too myself. He's probably too butt hurt because I squished his beloved balls.

I opened my eyes and worked my way, slowly, out of bed. I was still in my training clothes and hadn't taken a shower yet. I grabbed my robe and made my way to the bathroom. I turned on the water and debated on whether to wash my hair or not. Deciding on washing it, I stepped into the shower and began to clean myself. After I conditioned my hair, I stood in the shower, letting the hot water massage my tense shoulders and back.

I closed my eyes and began to sing, "Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby…"

She hummed the rest of the song, forgetting most of the words. Without completely realizing it, Zoey began to cry. No! No! Forget them! Forget her! She's dead!

Sommerfield, also known as Mom, used to read 'Wizard of Oz Chronicles' to me every night before bed. And then, that one night when Drake found her, the last story she read was 'Emerald City of Oz'.

Stop it, Zoey! They're gone. It's been too long! Stop!

I rinsed my face and body one last time before turning off the water and stepping out of the shower. I towel dried myself and put on my robe. When I went back to my room, towel drying my hair, and my headache nearly gone, I was too occupied with my thoughts to notice the figure sitting in one of the wingback chairs by the fireplace.

"Hello, Zoey," he said and I jumped back, landing on my bed.

The chair faced the fire, hiding the man's face, but I knew who it was. I've heard that voice for many years now.

"Drake…?"

A/N: I'm evil‼‼ Haha. Anyway, I am so so so sorry I am very very very late with the update. I will be updating a lot more now, I promise! Thanks for sticking with me, readers!

Translations:

- Vidd most! --- Take her now!

- Ő csak egy gyerek! --- She is just a child!

Review puh-lease! I'm working on the next chapter and it will be posted, hopefully, by the end of the week!

Much love:

Willow

;D