So, uh, -awkwardly rubs neck- yeah, I haven't updated in a long time… But I'm here now! Uh, in other news, I actually figured out that I spelled Fang's Archangel name wrong. Woops… I spelled it Metarton when it's supposed to be Metatron. Oh, well, I'll just keep it as is. Too late to change it now : 3 I feel like Richelle Mead who published the wrong name in a book xD Poor Richelle…I feel your pain.

So, yeah. Check out my new story: Place For Fear. I plan to have some major tension, shock, and horror into that book. –waggles eyebrows- R&R If you'd like (:

Anyway, Enjoyyy.

MPOV

The drive to school was terrible. I had to pull over at least twice to catch my breath and scratch the itches that were consuming me. I literally felt like I was on drugs.

The car felt as if it was closing in on me from all sides. My palms were drenched in sweat; I couldn't get the seatbelt undone. I pressed the button over and over again.

"Come on, come on, come on!" I slammed my fists against the steering wheel.

That's when Fang showed up.

He opened the car door and pressed the button on my seatbelt once. The belt slid across me and settled itself back where it belonged. Cupping my face in the palm of his hand he tilted my head to face him. His deep obsidian eyes bore into me, eyebrows furrowed.

"Max," he breathed. "Are you okay?"

My lip trembled. With a sudden need, I fisted the front of his shirt and pulled him to me, allowing his strong ropy arms to envelope me. I sobbed into his chest, letting everything out. Fang pulled us inside the car and shut the door, putting me on his lap. My body shook; my eyes were sore; my arms ached; several different spots on my body begged for me to scratch them. But I paid no attention. All I cared was that Fang was here and he was going to take care of me and I didn't have to worry about going through this terrible process all by myself. My Angel was with me, and, for the love of My Lady, I could not express how thankful I was for that. Could not begin to describe.

It had to have been at least ten minutes before I ran out of tears. My head rested on Fang's chest so that I didn't have to support it myself. I gulped, afraid to ask what I deep down already knew.

"Was that my first episode?"

I felt Fang sigh, his chest moving my head.

"Yes."

"So early, so soon…" I trailed off as I closed my eyes against the world. I didn't want to face it. Not now. All I wanted to do was go home, curl up on the sofa, and fall asleep.

"Sometimes it's like that. Other times, you get them all at once. This one was very calm, but they'll get worse as the day wears on."

I didn't answer him; I was too focused on that dream of going to sleep. Fang's words started to fade and the darkness behind my lids beckoned me like a mother's voice to a young child. I reached out for the darkness that could take me away, that could put me asleep. Just as I grabbed hold, I heard Fang's voice say.

"Oh, and whatever you do—don't fall asleep."

A little late for that.

As soon as I pulled myself into the darkness, a scene unfolded itself around me.

I ran my brush through my snowy white hair. The candles on my vanity and dresser flickered once in sync before igniting into a larger, brighter flame than any candle would be able to manage. I dropped my brush, surprised at the sudden outburst of light. Michael must be near.

Sure enough, Michael's strongly built frame appeared behind me in the mirror. His dark hair captured the candle's light well, showing off gold in his hair. Green eyes watched me carefully, like a cat ready to pounce.

To busy myself, I bent down to gather up my brush. Michael beat me to it.

In the blink of an eye, he reached down, covered my hand in his rough, callused one. His eyes met mine.

"Let me, Gabrielle." Michael's voice was smooth, compelling. Had it been anyone else, they would have melted under his will.

But I was not anyone else. I met his gaze with ferocity of my own.

"I thank you for your courtesy, Michael, but I believe myself capable of replacing my brush to the vanity."

Michael's grip tightened on me, claws biting into my soft skin. Insane heat scorched the top of my hand, forcing me to jerk away. The wooden chair on which I sat wobbled slightly with the sudden move. After a glare at Michael, I looked down to assess my hand. There were small burns wherever Michael's skin had touched mine and tiny indentations where his claws had dug in. I clutched my hand gently to my chest, my unmarked hand covering it as if to protect it from further injury.

"You hurt me."

Michael tossed the brush lightly on my vanity. The loud clattering sound made me flinch; I was not used to hearing loud sounds. He didn't look at me as he shrugged and crossed the room to my wardrobe, where he stroked the dark cherry wood it was constructed of.

"You will be fine. I am quite sure that the high Archangel Gabrielle can handle a burn mark or two to her precious skin."

"You ignorant fool! I have not yet fledged! This skin will be scarred!"

"Well in that case, my sincerest apologies, Milady," he sneered.

His hands ignited once more, burning the wood underneath him. The foul smell of it burned my nose. I rose from my chair and pushed on Michael's chest. Surprised, he backed up a few steps.

"I beg you not to burn my furniture, Michael."

He glowered at me. "And I begged you years ago to not strip me of my title." A step closer. "But what did Gabrielle do? She stripped me of my title. My power."

"You deserve no power!" I snapped.

Faster than I could see, Michael was in front of me, gripping my wrists in a vice-like hold. Claws broke skin again, and I feared his flaring temper would burn me again. As much as I struggled, I could not pull my hands from his grasp.

"I possess power, Gabrielle. Just not the kind that you may have in mind."

Leaning closer, he barred his teeth. Fangs gleamed in the candlelight. I jerked back in terror, but he held on.

"I have fangs instead of teeth,"

Nails dug into my skin further. I whimpered quietly in pain.

"I have claws instead of nails."

Fire scorched my skin. I opened my mouth to cry out, but nothing came but air.

"I have fire instead of light."

Michael dropped my hands roughly and I backed away.

"You have made me a monster." He tugged on tufts of his hair.

"I did not make you this! You made yourself this!"

He spun around, fire alive in his emerald eyes. A couple steps were take towards me as if he wanted to lash out, but he kept his hands at his sides, curling and uncurling his hands. He opened his mouth, decided against his words, then closed it again. I smiled, knowing I had gotten the last word for now. Something in my confidence must have set something off in him, because before I knew it, he was speaking the words that made me fledge.

"I should have killed you years ago along with your worthless soulmate, Matarton."

Red entered my vision as I dove at Michael, my full powers starting to course through my veins. Michael screamed, the candles went out in wisps of smoke, and I woke up.

Sorry for the shortness! I'm going to make next chapter longer cause Max is going to, like, explode during lunch or something. And then the chapter after that, Max is going to explode again during musical practice and Fang will have to whisk her away. ;) And then she fledges in the chapter after that! So be expecting those to be up soon! And no, im not lying. Im actually going to update on time ;)

Review? :)

~Shiver