I walked into my room, which was large and luxurious. Like the rest of the house, it had a light wall color and dark furniture and drapery. I felt home in this place. I unpacked and explored the large mansion. I found Stephanie and Declan's rooms. Apparently they were coming with Chad and Clove. And possibly, Loraine, Ken and Jesse would join us.

It would be a fun place to be. But thinking about Rane, I wanted him to stay out of my life. He was downright nosy. I scowled and walked down the massive staircase. At the bottom, I saw Rane bouncing around, smiling at me. it was such a cute sight, like he was a little boy. I grinned back, unable to stop myself.

Then he studied me and pouted. "Why do you think like that about me?", he asked gravely. He looked so serious that I felt terrible to have hurt him.

"Damn right, you have to feel bad", he smiled a little.

I laughed. Rane's little antics were so endearing. I pulled him into a hug.

"Glad you think so. Am I really THAT cute?", he winked. He put his arms around me and laughed.

Suddenly I heard a throat clearing. I glanced to see Talon, standing a little away from us, his eyes darkly taking in our close posture. I immediately wanted to jerk away from Rane. But then a thought hit me, he DIDN'T love me. he wasn't my boyfriend or anything. Then what right did he have on who I chose to be with?

I glared at him and Rane whispered, "I agree with you. But only slightly; he doesn't love you….yet".

"Well, a little jealousy couldn't hurt, right?" I suggested, smiling.

"Diabolical. I like it", Rane teased me.

"Are you both done?", Talon snapped. His tone was a lot more irritated then it should have been. I just giggled, moving away from Rane.

Talon rolled his eyes. He pushed past Rane and me and went up to the rooms. I shook my head at him, knowing he was still listening in on us.

"When are the others going to get here?" I asked Rane. I wanted to make sure Clove and Chad stayed away from Stephanie and Dex. Rane laughed.

"A little overbearingly protective, aren't ya? Well, they're due here tomorrow. They're coming early because of some issues at school. But Loraine, Ken and Jesse are coming in a week later and they're staying just for a few days", he assured me. I nodded, hoping tomorrow would get here soon enough.

I ran eagerly down the stairs as the car rolled in. out stepped Stephanie and Chad. I pulled her into my arms, hugging and kissing her.

"Hey Chad", I greeted him, finally letting Stephanie go. He returned the greeting, grinning. Stephanie and Chad walked arm in arm, to explore the house as I watched, woebegone. Stephanie had come to spend time with me, not ….

Well, she can't be chained to my side all the time, I reminded myself. But I couldn't shake away the feeling of hatred and disappointment.

Dex and Clove stepped out of the other side. I went to do to Dex what I had with Stephanie but as soon as he got out, Clove kissed him lovingly on the lips. He grinned at her.

I dropped my wide open arms and just stared at him in rage. I turned away and sprinted into the woods to be alone. Tears flowed freely and I made no attempt to stop them. I had to cry out my sorrows at the moment. I sat down under a tree and cried for an hour. I cried for Mom and Dad, missing them for the first time in 15 years; I cried for Stephanie and Declan; I cried for my friends at Eleanor; and most of all, for Talon.

I was in deep shock, how could Damien Westwood, the most diplomatic and practical person CRY? It was truly unacceptable. As I walked back, I had a firm plan in mind. I knew what I had to do, Damien style.

I was greeted in the living room by all of them, sitting and looking worried. Stephanie jumped up to hug me, "I was so scared. Where were you?".

I gently stepped away from her hug. Her expression crossed from confusion to hurt. "What's wrong?", she asked, trying to hide how much my actions affected her. I shrugged and tried to walk away. Dex block me, "Dae, I didn't even hug you when I came here", and he pulled me into him. I pushed him away, trying not to hurt him. But his eyes revealed that I hadn't succeeded. I patted his hand and walked away. Everyone was asking me question but all I said was, "I'm fine. I just went out for a walk. See you later", and I climbed the stairs.

Rane came up with his vampire speed and blocked me, "Are you really okay?".

I assured him that I was great and went on my way. I had kept my voice cool and emotionless. No one could really know how I was feeling.

I went down at dinner and joined in the chatter as lively as everyone else were. But only with Stephanie and Declan, I was less that interested to speak and joke. I just curtly addressed them and turned away, seeming too eager to look away from them. And I acted like Clove didn't even exist. I plainly ignored her cold glare and fury. I was fine with Chad, Talon and Rane. We kept up an animated conversation.

I went up to bed and suddenly found myself being grabbed. I was now in a closet inside a staircase that went above my floor. "Whoa!" I exclaimed in annoyance.

"Shhh. No one must know we're here", Talon brushed his finger against my lips, obviously hearing my heart's reaction to that. But I jerk away to get free. The closet was smaller than I thought. Talon and I could not even move and we were crushed into it together.

"What is wrong with you? I saw how bad you made Stephanie and Dex feel. What do you want from them? And where were you all afternoon?", his voice was getting more and more agitated by the minute.

"I went out for a while. And I have no idea what you're talking about", I retorted.

"Don't kid around with me, Damien. I need to know why you've been acting weird lately", he was clueless. Of course he hadn't seen how Stephanie and Dex just ignored me. When I was dying to see them. I told him that and I felt him sigh when his cool breath fanned my face. I could barely make out his face in the darkness. And we were just so close…

It seemed to occur to us both at the same time and Talon jerked the door open. We both tumbled out and were greeted by a chuckle. I glanced up to see Rane grinning from ear to ear.

"So….i don't mean to pry, but, uh, what were you two doing in the closet in the dark together at night?", he made it sound so embarrassing.

"We weren't…I mean, we were just", Talon struggled.

"Oh right! You were….", Rane laughed.

"Look Rane, you were reading my thoughts I am sure, and you would have known what we were doing", I stated.

"Oh no, I didn't. I didn't want to listen to you two…..", he snickered.

I rolled my eyes but the blush was unavoidable. Talon stood rigid next to me. Rane showed us no mercy, teasing and laughing until Talon tackled him to the ground. I shook my head at their immature wrestling and called out, "Good night Rane. Good night….T-Talon", I stuttered at his name.

"OOOOHHHH, good night sweetie", Rane mimicked and yelled out an apology when he was being pounded by Talon.

I escaped into my room and locked the door thankfully. I turned around to plop down onto the bed when an arm grabbed me in the dark. I shrieked and spun around to face the person. The light flicked on to reveal Stephanie and Dex, looking at me with pained expressions.

"Jeez, not again!" I groaned. I was tired of explaining myself. I had to assure Talon and then Rane. Now them too? No way! I was beyond tired and hurt. I needed my personal space.

"Guys please, you need to go. Now. I am really tired and sleepy. I would appreciate it if I could just relax for a while. So…", I held the door open for them. But they just looked at me, stubbornly waiting for me to apologize.

"Please leave. You aren't welcome in here now", I snapped. Declan's eyes were filled with tears and Stephanie's brimmed over. Stephanie bolted out the room and Dex went after her. He stopped at the door and whispered, "We still love you, Dae", and was gone. I sighed and leaned into the doorframe. I glanced out and saw Rane and Talon staring at me with wide eyes.

"Now what do YOU want?", I yelled and banged my door shut.

I tossed and turned all night and finally got up to talk to Talon or Rane. I needed one or both of them. I silently tip toed out of the room and went up the small staircase to Talon's and Rane's rooms. I was walking blindly when I ran into something hard and cold. But it felt nice.

I realized that it was Talon!

"Uh…..i was coming to speak to you", I said, not moving away so my face was against his chest. He didn't move either.

"Why?", he asked.

"I had to….", I was interrupted by a voice from behind Talon.

"Well, well, well, are you two at it again? Really you must remember you aren't completely alone here, at the landing. Perhaps the rooms would have been okay", Rane snickered.

I felt Talon growl and then step away from me. "Damien had to talk to us", he said. Rane nodded.

"Duh. I read minds here! I know what she needs to ask and I have the answer too", he smiled.

"You were too tough on them", Talon told me when I explained. I shook my head.

I was not done with them yet.