Wow! It's been a while, eh? :) Sorry I haven't updated, I've been way busy D: AND I have an announcement! For those of you who love the Darren Shan Saga (and Mr. Crepsley!) and the Infernal Devices, Prequel series to the ever amazing series the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, you're in luck! I'm writing a crossover for the two series with Mr. Crepsley as a love interest! :D I'm so proud, I've only just been able to wrap my mind around a world where Mr. Crepsley was romantic, I personally have never been able to write him like that, but thanks to some stories where Mr. Crepsley is the love interest, I've been able to write him as so :) so yeah, check out my story, Living a Lie, and I'll let you get to it! Enjoy ;)

Darren and I stood outside the mouth of the cave where the Vampaneze were as the sun rose. I shivered, even though it was quite warm. Darren looked at me. "Vanessa, we don't have to go, we can go back to Vampire Mountain and bring a small army—" he began but immediately stopped when I looked into his eyes. I don't know why, but his eyes filled with hurt as mine bore into his.

"It's already sunrise, Darren. And it's not that, it's just…" I trailed off, looking out towards the sun and biting my bottom lip. Darren gently took hold of my chin and pulled my face to where I was facing him. My eyes widened, he hadn't touched me like this since he and Larten had killed Murlough…

"Is it just because of Steve?" he asked me softly. I nodded, tears prickling my eyes. I pulled my face away and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand before the tears could run down my cheeks. "He's just so different now and…" I trailed off, unable to utter the words that I could barely think. Darren frowned and stepped in front of me, crossing his arms across his chest. "He's not worth it, Van." He said, his voice quiet and stern.

"Who's not worth what?" a familiar voice asked from the mouth of the cave. Darren looked up at Steve, who returned his gaze. I watched, confused, as they began to glaring. "Nothing Steve, really." I said, walking towards the cave as Steve jumped down, never taking his glare off Darren.

He darted his arm out and yanked me to his side, snaking it around my waist. I flushed as he trailed feather like kisses along my jaw. Darren's eyes were a mess of emotion as Steve spoke. "That's good, baby. Why don't we go have some alone time? He whispered huskily into my ear as he stared at Darren.

"I think its best that she gets sleep, she hasn't slept a wink for the past four days." Darren said, harshly pronouncing each and every syllable. Steve let me go and help m face up so he could see it. He had a frown glued to his face. "Why haven't you been sleeping? You need to stay in good health." He chided. I swallowed.

"Someone close to me died in the battle." I whispered hoarsely, nearly choking on the rising lump in my throat. Steve was about to ask another question when a guard—who seemed familiar—approached the mouth of the cave.

"My Lord, it's nearly sunrise, you need your rest if you wish to start the search tonight." The Vampaneze said. Steve nodded and politely took my elbow, leading me to the cave as Daren followed behind.

Steve ushered me to his coffin. I bit my lip and shook my head. "No, I'm fine. I won't be able to sleep anyways." I explained. He shrugged and leaned over, kissing me deeply, before climbing into his coffin and shutting the lid.

I turned and walked over to the remains of the fire where Darren sat, staring moodily into the embers. I sighed and sat next to him, snuggling into his side like I used to when we were traveling with Mr. Crepsley. The Vampaneze from before came and sat next to me, careful to stay in the shadows of the cave.

"So you're this Vampire Princess I've been hearing about lately." I nodded. "Yeah, that's me." I turned to the man and furrowed my brows. Why does this man seem so familiar? "My brother is a Prince." He said quietly, looking at me from the corner of his eyes. That's when it clicked.

"You're Vancha's brother." I stated. I'd only met the Prince once, but he made an impression. The Vampaneze laughed at whatever expression seized my face. "Yes, my name is Gannen." He said, stretching his hand out to me. I took it and shook it firmly. "Vanessa." I said, even though I was sure he knew my name. We sat in silence. "You seem different than the others." I said. Gannen slowly nodded.

"Yes, most are filled with…bloodlust." He said, for lack of a better word. "Or crazy." Darren muttered, referring to Murlough. I shuddered at the thought. Darren felt it and wrapped his arms around me, rubbing small circles into my arm with his thumbs.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up." He whispered. Gannen looked uneasy. "I was…attacked by Murlough a few years back." I explained. The look of unease still didn't go away. "What is it?" I asked. He shook his head slowly and looked at Darren. "I would advise you not to do that. The Lord is possessive and jealous. He said, referring to the way Darren was holding me.

Darren held me tighter in response. Gannen shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "So I assume you killed Murlough, then?" He asked, addressing me. I shook my head no. "Our mentor did. I was incapacitated at the time." I said in a small voice. A look of understanding crossed Gannen's face,

"Oh, dear God. I am truly sorry. Vampire or not. No woman should be subjected to that." He said sincerely. I flushed. He was the only other person aside from Darren, Evra, Larten and I to know about this. "Thank you." It sounded like a question. Gannen yawned and I realized we were keeping him up.

"Gannen, you can sleep. We're not going anywhere." I smiled warily. He smiled back. "I know, I just wanted to see why the Lord wants you so bad." He stood up and paused. "He spoke of you even before Mr. Tiny came with news of a pact between our clans." He said quietly before going to his coffin and retiring for the day.

I sighed. "Vanessa, try to get some sleep, okay?" Darren whispered as he lay down on the cool stone floor of the cave, me still in his arms. I nodded and curled up into the familiarity of Darren's chest, sleeping soundly for the first time in years.