Who could possibly be after me? I hadn't upset anyone, had I? What was going on? I was useless, why could anyone possibly want to hurt me? I was hardly capable of taking over the world or something.

I was sat in my living room, Zed cradling me in his arms and Simon and Sally watching me with worried eyes. Victor and his new FBI partner, Jenna, were sat across the living room from me, a voice recorder and notepad in their hands.

'So Sky, could you please just tell us what happened, starting from the beginning of the party.' Victor smiled, though I could tell he was worried from the aura surrounding him.

'It was getting really hot in there... it's like a greenhouse... I needed some air... there were loads of people outside.' I took a deep breath before continuing, my hands shaking. 'I went to the gardens to get some peace and sat down.'

'How long were you sat there for?'

'I'm not sure... about five minutes maybe. I heard a noise and then I started to feel a bit suspicious.'

'Like someone was watching you?'

'Yes.' I shuddered. 'I moved away from the bench and that's when the first bullet came towards me.'

'How close was it to hitting you?' Victor sat forwards, his eyes full of concern.

'Very. I think it only missed my head by a few centimetres.' A tear rolled down my cheek. 'There was another one when I was running, but that missed be by quite a bit.'

'We will find out who did this to you, Sky.'

'Yes we will.' Zed growled, making me jump. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead. Sorry for scaring you.

'Thank you Victor, and you Jenna.' Simon said, his voice nervous. He shook their hands and led them to the door.

'We'll make sure to keep you updated, Mr Bright.' Jenna said, before they disappeared into the night.

'Sky, honey, you'd better try to get some rest.' Sally whispered, her eyes red from crying.

'I'll make sure she does Mrs Bright.' Zed replied, scooping me up into his arms.

Simon eyeballed him, before relaxing. 'Goodnight you two. You know where we are if you need us.'

Zed carried me up the stairs and placed me on my bed. He sat beside me and kissed my forehead, both cheeks and then my nose.

'I am so glad you're okay. I never would forgive myself if something happened to you.'

'Why was someone trying to kill me?' I asked, my voice as small as I was in height.

'I don't know, baby. But I will find out who it was and when I do, I will kill them.' He was growling in anger again. I reached out to hold his hand and he relaxed.

'I thought everything was okay now.'

'Me too.' He wrapped his arms around my small waist and pulled me close. 'Me too.'

The next day the weather was reflecting my mood; I woke to the sound of rain hitting my window and a cold chill in the air. I cosied up to Zed, who was still sound asleep next to me. I changed my position slightly and noticed his arms tighten around me, keeping me safe. He slowly opened one eye and looked at me.

'Everything okay?' He whispered.

'Yes.' I replied. 'Just getting comfy. Did you sleep okay?'

'Sort of. I was worrying about you and your twitching.'

'Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you awake.'

'I don't think I could have slept properly anyway.' He gently kissed my lips.

Zed refused to leave my side over the next week, and Simon couldn't complain; as long as I was safe, he was happy. Zed and I didn't leave the house. We didn't want to be stalked, so we stayed in and watched movies, made music, had my friends over and just tried to relax; the weather was still pretty bad, so we weren't missing out on much.

'I think we should go away for a few days.' Zed told me the following Friday. He'd been sat patiently whilst I watched a re-run of The Vampire Diaries.

'Where?' I replied with a laugh. 'Aren't we supposed to be saving for college?'

'I've got some savings.' He shrugged. 'It just might be an idea whilst things die down a bit.'

'Where would be go?' I asked, realising it might not be such a bad idea to get a way for a bit; it would keep Sally and Simon out of harm's way.

'Well I've heard you and the girls talking about a roadtrip to California a few times... we could head down there?'

'Are you serious?' I squealed, feeling slightly excited. I'd been obsessed with 90210 when I was back in England and I'd always dreamed of heading to Los Angeles to see where the stars lived.

But, California was hardly cheap. It was an expensive place to go on holiday and Zed couldn't spend all of his savings on a 'short escape'. That just wasn't fair.

'We can't go.' I sighed, shaking my head.

'Why not?' He frowned.

'It'll cost way too much money. I can't have you spending your savings on a short break to Hollywood.'

He took his hands in mine. 'That's too bad. I got plane tickets to LAX for my birthday and I've already looked into some of the hotels.'

'Wait, what?'

He smiled. 'I had a vision months ago of you and I posing for a photo in front of the Hollywood sign. I asked my parents for plane tickets for my birthday. We just have to choose a date to go.'

'And you didn't tell me?'

'I wanted it to be a surprise.' He shrugged. 'I know it's hardly the best time, but still. Mom and dad paid for the expensive bit. Last minute hotels won't cost too much.'

This was really happening? Sky was going to Hollywood?!

'Don't get too excited.' His eyes turned serious. 'There's something we have to do first.'

'What?'

'Ask Simon.'

'No.' Was the blunt response Simon gave when he and Sally returned from work that evening.

'But-' Zed started.

'No buts thank you.' Simon frowned. 'If I were you, I wouldn't say a thing. Sky wasn't in any danger until you came along!'

Zed frowned and looked heartbroken. 'I know, Mr Bright, and I'm so sorry for that. I never meant for anything of this to happen. I love your daughter and I want her to be save, which is why I think California is a good idea. No one would expect her to be there, especially if we don't tell anyone. She would be safe, and we have some family friends there that would look out for us.'

Sally looked at Simon and I could tell she was considering the idea.

'He might be right Simon. A week away from this madness couldn't hurt.' She touched my dad's shoulder gently.

'But what if something happens there?' Simon ran his hand through his hair.

'Right now, there's a bigger chance something will happen to me here.' I frowned. 'They knew I'd be at the art gallery, what if they know where I live? I'm fed up of being trapped inside this house.'

'You're right, sweetie. You shouldn't have to spend your last summer before college trapped inside.' Sally sighed and looked at me sympathetically.

'Who is going to pay for all of this?' Simon looked at Zed and I, still uncertain about the idea.

'I am, sir. I was given the plane tickets for my birthday present, and I have more than enough savings to take Sky away for a week. My parents have offered extra money should we need it.' Zed replied, confidently.

'Okay.' Simon sat back in his chair. 'You are going to go away for one week only. Sally and I will take you to the airport and pick you up. You will contact us at least once a day to let me know everything is okay. We will give you some emergency money should you need it. You will get Sky back to me in one piece, do you understand?'

'Yes, sir.' Zed replied, swallowing. Sometimes your dad scares me.

And so he should.

'Thank you!' I grinned, wrapping my arms around Sally and Simon. 'I'll text you everyday, I promise!'

'I promise I will look after your daughter.' Zed told Simon, reaching out to shake his hand.

Simon didn't move. 'You'd better.'

That Monday, we flew to LAX airport. Simon and Sally were still uncertain when we had been dropped off at the airport, but I know that they thought it was for the best. Zed's parents had managed to book us into a hotel next to Santa Monica beach, which had a last-minute holiday deal on. At the airport, Zed's family friends, the Carmichaels (who were also savants) had agreed to pick us up and drop us at our hotel safely. They had been debriefed about the situation, and had given us their address and phone number in case we needed it.

'Hello and welcome to Santa Monica Beach Hotel.' The receptionist smiled as we headed over to her counter. Her hair was bleach-blonde and her fake eyelashes were thick and sparkly. 'How may I help you today?'

I noticed as she eye-balled my boyfriend with interest, whilst waiting for a response. She didn't even look at me.

No need to get jealous, honey.

Get out of my head, sweetie.

'Hey, we have a room booked under the name Bush.' Zed smiled. His parents had suggested we had booked the hotel under a different surname; his mother's maiden name Bush. Anything to keep us safe.

'Welcome, Mr Bush.' The receptionist smiled sweetly, typing into the hotel database. 'You have room 103. It's on the first floor and has a beautiful view of the ocean. If you need anything, please don't hestitate to call reception.' With a whisper and a wink she added, 'I can be up there in five minutes if you need.'

I clenched my fists at my side and looked at the glass wall, which showed the aqua swimming pool and overlooked the ocean.

'Thank you,' Zed squinted at her name badge, 'Rachel... Come on beautiful, let's go and see how comfy the bed is.'

He took my hand and I noticed the receptionist, Rachel, squirm.

Stop trying to make Rachel jealous, I laughed in my head.

I'm not, I'm just telling the truth.

And he was.

After settling in to our room, we changed into our bathing suits and headed down to try our the swimming pool.

'I'm not sure I should be letting you out in public dressed like that.' Zed smirked as I took off my beach dress and laid it down on a sunbed by the pool.

'It's not like it's a good view.' I laughed, looking at my boyish, petite figure. At least my breasts and butt had grown a little recently; it evened me out a little.

'So why am I not the only guy staring?'

I looked around and realised my boyfriend was right. A few guys were looking in my direction, trying to be subtle with their sunglasses on. I wrapped my arms around my stomach, self-consciously. 'Great.'

'It's not just you getting jealous today now, is it?' He laughed, leaning forwards to kiss me.

I smiled, kissing him back. 'Don't suppose you fancy rubbing suntan lotion into my back?'

'You don't even need to ask.'

We decided to have dinner in the hotel that night as we were both pretty tired from the heat. I dressed myself up in a dip-hem back pale pink dress and silver sparkly flip-flops. I quickly text Simon and Sally to let them know all was okay and that we had been enjoying the sunshine. After dinner, we headed for a walk along the beach to watch the sunset. We found a bench on the sand and sat down, admiring the orange and pink sky.

'Why can't every day be this perfect?' I sighed, looking at the sun just above the sea on the horizon.

'I know.' He put his arm around my shoulders and kissed my cheek. 'I wish it could be too.'

'It's so beautiful here.'

'It's beautiful anywhere you are.' He whispered.

I turned to face him, to be met with the familiar gold aura. I smiled as he kissed my nose.

'I love you, Sky.'

'I love you too.'

He pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it, revealing a beautiful silver ring encrusted with sapphires.

'Are you proposing to me?' I gasped, in surprise.

'Not yet. I don't think Simon would agree to it right now.' He replied, slightly disappointed. 'This is a promise ring. A promise that I will keep you safe and I will love you for as long as we shall both live. A promise that one day I will take your hand in marriage.'

I let Zed gently place the ring on my right index finger. It shone in what was left of the sunlight.

Only one question filled my mind at this moment: how long would we both live for?