Hey all! Things are calming down a bit at school :) so I may be able to update twice a week. Anywho, hope you enjoy!

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Zoe looked around the room uncomfortably. All the Dhampirs and Moroi made her feel nauseous. Zoe looked over at Sydney only to see that she didn't look a smidge shifty. Zoe felt a pang of jealousy. Sydney never let her emotions show around these…creatures. She was always the perfect one. Even before Carly betrayed the family. With a huff Zoe picked at her sushi. It was the last thing she'd wanted to order, but her father's words rang in her head. No, it was what she should want to order and she would want it. Eventually.

Sighing she stuffed another piece of the San Francisco roll in her mouth. It tasted fishy. Standing suddenly Zoe looked at Sydney apologetically before dashing out of the house. While it was broiling outside in the Californian heat, Zoe felt more comfortable than she did a few seconds ago. Breathing deeply she leaned against the siding of the house. "He…Zoe?" She looked up quickly and straightened. It was that Dhampir. The one with the British accent. Noah…Nicholas…Neil. Yeah, that was the one. "Zoe, you alright? It isn't safe to be out in the sun for long. Makes you overheated."

"I'll…I'll be in in a minute. I needed air. I get claustrophobic sometimes." He didn't look convinced but he shrugged. Zoe nearly sagged in relief. He was leaving.

"I'll stay with you. Just in case. You never know what's lurking in the shadows." Zoe pressed her lips together as he leaned back next to her. "It's nice here. Like London, but warmer. It isn't true, that it rains there all the time."

"I know." Zoe snapped irritably.

"Hm…I rather miss it. Where'd you grow up?"

"Places."

"In the US?"

"Sure."

"I've always wondered what it's like to grow up here. Or Greece or Russia or Australia. It's interesting to see the cultural differences as you travel country to country, or even city to city." Zoe looked at Neil contemplatively. He was different from the others. More…thoughtful. Where Angeline was loud or Eddie uptight, Neil was smart.

"I grew up in Utah." It wasn't much, but it made his face light up.

"Marvelous! What was it like?"

"It was hot. There were…are a lot of national preserves and places to go rock climbing. It's historical."

"Hm…have you ever been out of the country?"

"Yes."

"Where to?"

"What is the point of this?" Neil was suddenly in front of Zoe.

"I want to get to know you. Your sister, she may not like us, but she does talk about education a lot. She talks about science and history and math and English. She rarely talks about family or extra-curricular activities she likes. She doesn't talk about hobbies. You, however, you don't talk much at all. If I talk to Sydney, she'll respond with statistics, you won't. You answer with opinions. I want to hear them. I want to see beyond this." Neil's knuckles brushed against Zoe's cheek. Right over the lily. She sucked in a breath.

"Sydney has hobbies."

"Not outside of learning. Not really."

"How would you know? You got here after me."

"True, but like I said, Sydney talks more."

"Why me?"

"Because. You're. Intriguing." Each word was punctuated by Neil leaning closer. By the end of his sentence they were nose to nose. Zoe tried not to look down too much, but it was oh-so hard.

"I'm a human and you aren't. You're people…they suck blood. Human blood! I…it's wrong." Neil jerked back, but it was a controlled movement.

"You need to learn to be less narrow-minded. Just because the Moroi suck blood, doesn't mean they're evil. There are less cases of Moroi and Dhampir crimes than there are human crimes. Moroi don't just suck blood, they feel too. Did you ever think that Jill or Eddie or Angeline or Adrian or me could possibly get offended by the way you act? You run away Zoe or you turn away or you avoid. I swear sometimes you even cross yourself or sanitize yourself after being around us. We haven't done anything to you.

We haven't hurt you or offended you, but you act like we have. You act like we're going to slaughter you in your sleep. Guess what Zoe, we aren't. Jill…she has people trying to murder her because of her sister, that can't feel good. You are here to protect her, just like me and the rest of the guardians in that house. She has enough problems and you acting like she's the devil incarnate or the bubonic plague isn't helping. I know you have opinions Zoe, your own opinions. Use them." Neil leaned in before turning and stalking away. Zoe lifted her fingers to her cheek. It stinged. Neil had kissed her.

Neil had shut the door behind him before moving into the living room. Sydney was gesticulating some point with Eddie, but wasn't annoyed. She was smiling. Adrian was next to her doing something behind her back she was bound to realize sooner or later. Jill was the only one who had noticed him entering. Which begged the question as to where Angeline was, but it wouldn't be asked until later. Jill had nudged Adrian, who had in turn nudged Sydney. Her distraction stopped Eddie in his tracks. They were all staring. "She is incorrigible."

"Damn." Adrian had run a hand through his hair despite the fact Sydney's jaw had dropped.

"Adrian!" Neil watched the two of them and wondered when they'd both just admit it to everyone. It made him wish for Zoe. She may be tightly under Alchemist control, but she was still beautiful. Still intelligent and funny. "Seriously Neil, don't feel bad." Too late. Sydney's look had made him think that she knew more than she'd let on. He raised a brow. She smirked. Zoe entered. Adrian and Jill scooted away from Sydney simultaneously and Eddie looked away. Neil held her gaze.

"Ready Sydney? It's getting late."

"Sure." Sydney had broken her gaze first and looked over at her sister.

"What's the rush buttercup?" Jill struggled to hide a laugh that had burst out anyway. They had been so, so happy. So carefree. It had been over in minutes. It had been the right thing.

Zoe let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding and dials the number. It rings. Once, twice, three times and Zoe wonders if she got a new phone. A click sounds and then the still air that comes with a left on TV is heard. "Sydney? Sydney I need help."

"Why Zoe?" She answered. Oh, oh praise the saints that she'd answered. Zoe can't keep the rush of tears back anymore.

"The Alchemists. Dad. I…I did something bad Sydney. I think they're on to me."

"Stay calm. Where are you?"

"LA." Zoe hears a muffled curse on the other end of the phone, but she can't tell if it's Sydney or someone else.

"Where in LA?"

"Uh…the star walk."

"Stay put. Stay safe. Someone is coming." Sydney hangs up and Zoe slinks back into the shadows. Stupid. Stupid. Nighttime in a city full of Moroi. What in the world had she been thinking? What felt like hours, but in reality was probably was only a few minutes went by.

"Zoe? Zoe?!"

"Neil?" Zoe carefully moves forward until she can see the caller. It is Neil.

"Oh for love of all things sweet, what you doing out here? Don't you know Strigoi patrol cities at night. You stupid, stupid girl." Neil's tone betrays his relief and Zoe falls into him.

"I need help!"

"I know, I know." Neil cups her cheeks in his hands and smiles. "You're safe with me. Always. I promise, okay?"

"Yeah, okay."

"Let's get out of here." The kiss is brief and when it's over they rush to the car. Zoe's lips are left stinging like her cheek all those months ago.

"I was wrong."

"About what?"

"You guys aren't the evil creatures of the night, we are." Neil's grin told her everything.

"I told you you needed to be a bit more open."

Alrighty, a bit heavy at the end, but it's how the plot ended up. Totally stuck for what P should be…ah! Anyone buying the Young Elites by Marie Lu this Tuesday? Same author who wrote the Legend trilogy. It sounds interesting so I'm checking out. Also, anyone else doing YASH (YA Scavenger Hunt)?

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