I have to say I missed my Guardian Angel. I hadn't had many dreams since Morrigan left, other than the normal nightmare's. Usually consisting of Julius and I and I would wake up feeling so guilty and horrible. Though I knew it wasn't my fault. I knew I was bewitched into thinking everything was okay. That I was tricked into forgetting that I had ever met Silas. I still felt guilty. I knew I shouldn't and that it wasn't really my fault, but still, I couldn't help it.

The next day was awkward. Tristian barely spoke two words to me. Okay, so more than two words, but you get my drift. He was unusually quiet and I had a feeling that it had to do with the fact that I went out last night with Portia and Silas, though he didn't want me to. It probably was stupid of me, not knowing what was out there or if there were more wolves out on the hunt, but still, I had to know what happened. I had returned to the house to call the police, well Steve. He wasn't so happy to hear my voice, but I still told him none the less to be on the look out for a pack of wolves in the evenings. He just told me okay and he would alert the troops to be on the lookout for any calls regarding a disturbance due to animals. Tristian was gone from the house when I returned. I had hoped he would be there so I could have someone to talk to about everything, but he wasn't. Couldn't say I blamed him either.

We were out tending to the horses. Romeo, my favorite, Tristian was coddling. Normally Romeo didn't like men, but he seemed to take to Tristian pretty well. I was brushing Fauna when I turned and caught his eye. He smiled at me and continued brushing Romeo. "You know, brushing a horse is supposed to be calming to the soul." He said.

"Must be true, or at least, I've always thought so." I replied while stroking Fauna.

"Did you find anything last night?" he asked.

"Yes. The body was a girl I knew at work. She had been missing for quiet some time." I paused. I looked up to see Tristian had stopped brushing. He was paying close attention to what I was saying. "She was attacked by a pack of wolves. Werewolves. They kidnapped her, tortured her, stripped her naked and then set her out to run so they could hunt her."

Tristian didn't say a thing after that. I saw as his face marked worry. I knew what he was thinking even if I didn't have to see it or hear it straight from him. He knew that Morrigan had a werewolf in her service, could she have a pack of them banded together to get back at me? I felt the question linger in my throat until I finally asked it, "You don't think it's..."

"I don't know." Answering before I even had time to finish the question, knowing what I was going to ask.

We continued the day in much silence. We tended to the horses, mucked the stalls, fed them fresh hay and even took a short little ride out into the pasture. It felt nice to ride with someone. Tristian was exceptionally skilled. He had managed to take out Romeo, much to my surprise and Romeo didn't object. I took my new horse out, Star. She was almost all white with a few brown spots on her. She was a rescue and her leg was on the mend. I didn't ride her for long because I didn't want to stress her leg, but I knew she needed the exercise.

Tristian ran circles around us, Romeo obviously loving the exercise and the running that Tristian was giving him. I hadn't see Romeo so free until now. They ran, pranced and bucked. Tristian laughed as Romeo neighed. I laughed as I turned into the stable again to put Star in her stall. The exercise was good for her, but her leg had started to swell again from the exercise and she would need to rest for a bit. I took the saddle off and gave her an aspirin before I walked back towards the house. Just as I got to the door I turned around to see Tristian and Romeo once more. I smiled thinking how perfect it would be to have someone that enjoyed horses like I did. Maybe Silas liked horses, clearly when he was a human that horses were the only thing to get by on except for your feet. Who knew, maybe he rode better than Tristian.

I walked in the house and settled on getting ready for the evening. I had to work at Ruben's tonight so I jumped in the shower to wash off the stink of barn on my skin. The water was really hot and the bathroom was steaming when I stepped in. The hot water rushing down my neck. I heard the door to the house open while I was scrubbing up. Tristian must be back from his ride. I had better wash up quickly so he could use the bathroom next.

Once I was out, I wrapped the towel around me and headed out of the door, just as Tristian was heading up the stairs. My hair still wet, dripping on my shoulders, I froze. "Oh, hey."

"Sorry, I was just going to ask to use the shower. I need to get going soon." Tristian apologized, looking down to the floor.

"No, that's fine. Go right ahead. I just need to get changed for work anyways." I walked past him towards my rooms.

"Ani?" he called as I walked past him.

I turned slightly, "Yes?"

He paused for a while until he spoke, "Nothing. Just be careful when you go to work."

I just nodded and went to my room to get changed.

When I put on my normal attire when working at the bar. My skinny jeans with knee high boots and a long sleeve shirt that was cut low, a long necklace and pulled my hair up in a high bun. I did my makeup and grabbed my cardigan. The moment I opened the door, Tristian was standing there, about to knock. "Oh! Christ, you scared me."

"Sorry. I was about to knock." Tristian said.

"I see that, I'm actually running a little late. Did you need something?" I asked.

"It can wait. I just..." he paused, "I'm worried about you and your involvement with the Vampyre's."

"There's nothing you can say to make me stop seeing them. I'm bonded to Julius, which, rather you like it or not, and I surely don't, I don't have a choice in the matter. As for Portia, she's my best friend and I wouldn't give her up for anything. Silas...well, we're on shaky ground and I don't think he wants to see me either. So really, I don't think you have much to worry about" I lectured.

Tristian just nodded his head and walked away, without any other word said, he was gone. Poof! I hated when he did that. Just left in the middle of a conversation. It made me wonder where he disappeared to. Maybe that old basement that he took me so long ago? I just shrugged at the thought and left the house.

I thought about a lot of things on the drive to the bar. What was the connection to Tristian that I had? Yeah, he was gorgeous, despite the marks on his face. He was strong, kind and protective. He was funny and compassionate. Plus, he seemed to want to be with me. I wasn't sure if it was because he had any feels for me over the past few months we had spent together, or if it was just simply because he wanted to be around someone like him. I was after all, after what he's told me, a Halfling, half human, half Danu, or Fairy as most people might call us. I wasn't sure what that all meant, but I figured I would know sooner than later.

Then there was the question of Vampyres. I had a connection to Silas, who in turn, changed my best friend when she was dying, therefore making her a Vampyre as well. Though she wasn't like Silas. Silas and Julius could walk during the day, the sunlight didn't affect them like it did Portia. Portia couldn't stand the sight of sun, but she wasn't restricted to sleeping during the day. She was still awake, she would just have to stay out of the rays of light. She had done a lot of research once she was turned. I thought that being one of them really suited her. Her business had grown significantly because now she had another connection to the dead. Especially with all the other Vampyres out there that managed to creep around in the night and made people think they were merely just ghosts. She was able to bring them out of their crypts and into the modern world. Vampyre's seemed to be everywhere. Silas had kind of become her partner in crime with her business, following her around, making sure she didn't get into trouble. She had told me it was because she was still a young Vampyre and the thirst provoked her often, she needed someone to keep her in line.

And of course there was Julius. Julius who blew up my phone cell phone so much that I resulted to just turning it off. He called me insistently. I had got to a point of just not returning or picking up his calls. Even Ruben had installed caller I.D. on his phones at work to know when Julius would be calling. He even blocked the club that he owned, The Down Under, number from calling the bar. It really was a stalker level that Julius had with me. Honestly, in some ways, I couldn't blame him. Though, I didn't know what he so persistently said he wanted to talk to me about. I wasn't interested, I didn't want to talk to him. As much as he would try to make me feel like a princess in his presence, I didn't want to be coddled.

Now that left me with lingering thoughts of Morrigan. She had put a spell on both Julius and I. We had falling in love, briefly. We had bonded and I believe more to Morrigan's credit than our own. She had used us both. Now that she has been gone, not a word has been spoken of her. But II still feared that she would come back. It left me edgy. I had nightmares of what happened and what would happen if she came back. It was as if she could affect my dreams. Needless to say, I hadn't slept very well for a few months and it was affecting my school work. Which then, I was glad that Tristian volunteered to go to classes with me, even signed up himself to go to the community college.

I tried to get all my thoughts together as I pulled into the parking lot of Ruben's. It was six in the evening, just in time for the dinner rush. There were a few cars parking in the front, but what I noticed most was Bikes. Not bicycles, but motorcycles. Bikers. That was usually a bad sign, as we normally got groups of bikers that would come in and cause a lot of ruckus. "Great, this should be an interesting night" I said to myself. Now I wished I had changed into something a little more modest. Bikers could be very touchy.

The music was loud when I entered, but not near as loud as the men seated in the middle of the bar. They took up a good two thirds of the bar. From the amount of bikes outside, I wouldn't have guessed that many people. All dirty and grungy looking with long curly beards and skinned heads. Tattoos that covered them almost from head to toe of skulls and naked women. They wore leather jackets with a howling wolf on the back. Embroidered on the top and bottom in a crimson red it read, "Lupe's Fiasco"

"Like what you see darlin'?" one of them asked me as I stood there examing the jacket. A Wolf? I instinctively wanted to reach out to touch it when the big, burly man snatched it away and growled at me.

I backed up and raised my hands as I went towards the bar to relieve a much tired Ruben that looked like he was ready to kill someone any moment. "Hey, what's up?"

"Hey..." he answered breathlessly. "Those assholes are a handful, just an F.Y.I."

"Sounds like it. How long have they been here?" I asked, hoping that they would leave soon.

"Hey! Barkeep! Bring another round of drinks! We're thirsty over here!" one yelled from the center table. He had short cropped hair that was buzzed on the sides, giving him a mohawk kind of look. He had scar on his right cheek and what looked like silver teeth. You know, like the kind that rappers wore, but not gold.

"Coming right up, Sir." Ruben called and grabbed another pitcher from the bar and filled it to the brim. "At least they are giving me money."

I shrugged and checked on the rest of the patrons at the bar. It was still early, but we did have some regulars sitting round. I was hoping that Steve would drop by, but didn't for his usual dinner and drink.

It was really slow tonight at the bar. The bikers kept most of the patrons away. They would rough house with the males and try to seduce the women, grabbing their asses and pulling them down into their laps. Ruben was at his wits end. I had even seen the little guy so fired up before.

"You know, if you don't do something soon, the only business you'll have is with them." I pointed out and just in time. One of the men, the same one that called for the drinks came up to the bar and smiled at me.

"Hey, darlin'. What's your name?" he grinned.

I grimmaced, "Ani, can I get you something?"

He looked at me lustfully up and down, settling on my breasts for last, "Oh yeah! I'd love some milk." He raised his brows and took a pass at me, but I blocked him just in time for a vision to come up to view.

Ripping clothing. Woman screaming, running, hunting. Attacking.

I pulled my hand away from his as he caught me and pulled me towards him as I set my shields up. I knew who this was, he was a killer. I picked up a bottle and smashed it on his head as he tried to grab for me again. This time, Ruben jumped in. He grabbed his shot gun that was under the bar and pointed it at the man's nose.

"Drop her, or I'll drop you!" Ruben shouted.

Everyone in the bar froze. Our normal patrons sunk down in their chairs and the rest of the motorcycle gang stood, eyes hungry and angry. I heard growling as I tried to send images to Ruben of their nature. That they weren't what they seemed, but I don't think I was focused enough, as he just pressed the gun harder into the man's face.

"Dog, you okay?" one of them asked coming closer to the bar.

The man with the mohawk answered with a laugh, "Just fine. Why don't you all just take a seat, I need to show this pup how to behave."

In a matter of seconds the man that they called Dog turned around, grabbed the barrel of the shot gun, just as it went off, the bullet hitting the ceiling as the biker tossed Ruben onto the bar, choking him. "I would think next time about pointing a gun at someone you didn't know. I was just being nice to the lady at the bar" he whispered into Ruben's ear, still cutting the circulation off from his neck.

"And I suggest you let him go, or you'll be my next snack" a glorious voice boomed from the entrance of the bar. Portia, who stood there with all her glory and with Silas behind her. I had never been so happy to see a pair of Vampyres in my life.

Dog let Ruben go and looked over at Portia, not realizing what exactly she was. "Now, I'd be glad to, honey, if you give me a reason to."

Portia was on him in a split second and Silas flanked her, trying to protect his child from the other beasts at the table that were huffing and puffing. No doubt trying to blow the bar down. I was relieved that the bar was made of brick just then. Portia pinned him up against the wall, her teeth baring, "I would eat you for dinner, but you smell like wet dog and I'm not interested in spoiled meat! If you touch him again, I will be sure to cook you well done!"

Dog put his hands up in the air in surrender. "Ok, fine lady. Whatever you say."

"Get out! All of you!" Portia yelled as the bikers reluctantly got up out of their seats and left the bar. Not before Dog, obviously the leader of the group turned around at the door and yelled.

"You won't live this down, Vamper. We'll be back."

"I hope you will!" Portia's eyes flaring a brilliant white as the door slammed in her face and she rushed over to Ruben. "Darling. Are you alright?"

"Saving me again? Is this going to be a pattern?" Ruben coughed, rubbing his neck from where the gang leader had hold of him.

Portia laughed and kissed his cheek. "Let's go to the back, I'm sure Ani can take care of the bar for a few minutes."

They left without any other words, Ruben nodded to me and Portia nodded to Silas and then we were alone. The rest of the patrons cheered Silas and Portia for getting the bikers out, though you could tell their uneasiness for two vampyres being in the bar, regardless if they knew them or not. Many people knew who Portia was, but they didn't know what she was until now. I think that made a few patrons a little uneasy and they left pretty abruptly. I couldn't blame them. Though it would have been nice to leave at least something for a tip, or at least try to pay the bill. Most didn't even bother and I wasn't so worried about flagging them down either. There went some business. I was sure they wouldn't return any time soon if they knew there was a pack of rabid animals waiting to attack this place.

Silas helped me pick up from the tables and get everything back in order. It was only nine in the evening. The bar doesn't close until two so I had quite a few quiet hours ahead, I had hoped some of our more reliable regulars would have come in by now, but maybe they would later.

"Ani?" Silas spoke up for the first time since entering the bar. He didn't say anything when I started to pick up the pieces of what was left from the bar when the biker's left, he had just joined me in cleaning up, silently.

"So now you're talking to me?" I said bitterly.

Silas just looked down, as if ashamed. "I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap." I put the rag I was using to wipe the tables down and walked towards him. He didn't move away. "I don't want there to be anamosity between us."

"I don't either" he said as hopeful as he could.

"Can we just try to be friends?" I asked, hoping that he wouldn't turn my offer down again.

Silas looked away and then sat down in the chair he stood in front of, his hand resting on the table, the other on his head. "I don't know if I can do that."

"Why not?" I insisted, standing in front of him. I wanted more than anything to just be friends with him, why couldn't he just give me that. After all we've been through, he couldn't he just be my friend?

"Because!" He slammed his fist down on the table, breaking it in half. I was a little shocked by his outburst, and feats of strength that I moved back a few feet. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."

Tears brimming in my eyes. I tried to hold them back to keep from ruining my makeup. I brushed them away quickly, "Because, why?"

"Because, I still care about you too much to simply just be your friend" he said, standing up, close to me, his hand reaching out and wiping the tear that fell down my cheek.

"I don't like this either, but it has to be this way, you know that Silas" I begged, looking into his beautiful, ocean blue eyes that I loved so much. His angular face that was no match for his cousin's. Silas was gorgeous.

"It doesn't have to be this way, it can't be" he continued and pulled me closer to him, wrapping his strong arms around me, repeating, "It can't be."

I pulled away, but not far, just enough to see into his face, "But it has to be. It's not fair to you. To me. Or to Julius."

That is what did it for Silas, when he finally walked away, when he turned his back, "Julius...you seem so concerned for him."

"I didn't want this to happen Silas! But the truth is, it did happen. It happened to me, it happened to him, we were both victims and you know that!" I yelled, grateful that there wasn't anyone else left in the bar at the moment except for Ginger, the local drunk that was half passed out on the bar top, who paid no mind to us yelling.

"So you think" he said as he turned away again, grabbing another over turned chair to put under the tables.

"So I think what? That Julius planned it all? I doubt that. I've talked to him about it, he knows that it was all a spell set by Morrigan, and you know that too. Did you really think I would run to your cousin after being with you? Who do you think I am? Do you think of me a whore?" I yelled at him, grabbing the chair that blocked my access to him and threw it aside. "I broke things off with you and with him. I broke it off because I knew that no matter how I felt about you, that there was always going to be that bond between Julius and I. I couldn't do that to you and I can't do that to him. It's not fair!"

"Then bond with me and the bond would be broken!" Silas cried.

"I don't want to be bonded with anyone! I just want to be myself. I don't want to feel your rage or lust, or his rage or lust. I just want to feel myself. That's it! I didn't ask for any of this!" I finally felt exhausted and sat down at the closest chair. My hair had come undone and it hung in my face. I put my head in my hands and cried. I didn't want any of this. I didn't want to be able to see visions, I didn't want to hear thoughts. I just wanted to be a normal woman, with normal family and friends. I wish this had all never happened.

Silas's hands found mine and he pulled them from my face, "But you've never given me a chance to be with you, Ani. You don't know how it will play out until you try."

I just shook my head. I didn't want to try and end up like this again. I didn't want to hurt anyone, emotionally or physically. It was draining and taxing on me. I couldn't do it. "I don't want to lose you, but I can't be with anyone now."

I think that is when the straw broke the camels back, Silas took my hands from my face, and lifted my chin. He looked into my eyes for what seemed like forever before he said, "Ani. I'm in love with you. I have been since we first met. I have been since I saw you in this very bar that first night we met, before all this happened. I loved you even more when I told you what I was and you didn't get scared of me. You accepted me for what I was. I risked my life and everything for you. Ani, I don't care about the bond with Julius. I don't care about anyone else, I just care about you. And if I can't have you, then I can't just be your friend. Do you understand that?" he pleaded.

I just nodded my head and started to cry more. Silas wiped the tears from my eyes and rested his hands on either side of my face. His eyes searching for an answer I couldn't give him and then finally, he kissed me.