Eugh, I know I'm the worst... it's been far too long since I updated. I apologise. Here's a gripping chapter to try and make up for it!

When we arrived back in Vancouver, a cheque was waiting in our pile of post. My last pay from the Hollister shoot had arrived, alongside a letter.

Dear Miss Bright,

Here is your last payment for your modelling shoot with us. It was a pleasure to work with you. Your photographs have been a huge success and we would love to work with you again in the future if possible. We will be in contact soon,

Jack Martin

Hollister Co. Head Office

I sighed and threw the letter in the bin.

'What was that?' Zed asked, raising an eyebrow. 'A bill?'

'No, just a letter that came with my final payment from Hollister.' I replied with a shrug, sitting down on the armchair in our living room. Zed followed me, perching on the arm of the chair.

'What did it say?'

'It's not important.' I smiled.

'Hmmm.' He frowned.

'Okay...' I sighed, feeling guilty for holding back. 'They'd like me to work with them again. I'm not doing it though, modelling is not for me.'

Zed laughed. 'Okay, if you're sure.'

April 20th was a day that was always going to be remembered. And not for positive reasons. The day started off as normal; Zed and I woke up, had breakfast, and headed to college for our morning lecture in the music building. I should have realised before that things hadn't been right, as Zed had been more protective of me than normal. He had escorted me everywhere, refusing to let me go out with Jenni without him to keep us safe.

I had six missed calls on my phone from Phoenix when Zed and I left our lecture, and that worried me. Zed's eyes widened beside me and I knew that someone was using their telekinesis with him.

What is it?

We have to get home now.

When we arrived home, Zed raced to the television and turned it on. There was an important public announcement.

'Three murders have been commited in Washington DC today and police are assuming these are linked. There is no news yet as to why they were killed, but they all seem to have been electrocuted. Police are uncertain who or what killed these people but they are treating it as murder. This follows a series of unusual murders being commited throughout the USA this week, including a teenage boy being found frozen in New York City last night.'

'It was a savant, wasn't it?' I asked Zed, my eyes wide.

He turned to face me, concern in his eyes. 'Yes.'

'Why are they targetting innocent humans?'

Zed's ringtone rang loudly, so he walked away from me and closed the bedroom door behind him. I sat in silence, wondering what the world had come to.

xx-xx-xx

Zed.

My phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID and saw Victor's name on the screen. I quickly answered, leaving Sky in the living room. She didn't need to know all of the nasty details.

'Vic?'

'Zed? Are you alone?'

'Yes.' I replied, feeling nervous.

'Good. Have you seen the news?'

'Yes, and Yves said it was Savant-related.'

'I am afraid so.' He sighed on the other end of the line. 'There's a new group that have formed and are working together. Rumour has it, the lead guy can absorb the powers of other Savants. He's trying to build up an army and I'm not sure how we can stop it. We have no idea who this guy is, we just received an anonymous tip this morning.'

'Do the police know it's a savant?'

'No, that bit has been kept hidden. But people are being frozen, burnt alive, electrocuted... how long before they figure out that they are dealing with something unusual?'

'What do you need me to do?'

'Lay low.' He replied, firmly. 'At the moment, he seems to know exactly where savants are and this concerns me. I'd tell you to go away, fly elsewhere but I don't think that will stop them. Stay out in public as much as you can, they seem to be avoiding large groups. And don't let Sky out of your sight.'

'It's really happening.' My voice was hoarse.

'What?'

'My vision.' I replied, my throat feeling dry. 'They're going to come for Sky.'

xx-xx-xx

Sky.

'Sky, there's a huge sale on everything at Target this weekend! We should get down there and check out their wedding decorations.' Jenni squealed down the phone at me. 'I bet they'll have exactly what you want for your colour-scheme.'

'Sounds amazing.' I replied with a smile. 'Pick you up at ten tomorrow?'

'Sure.'

I hung up the phone and went to join Zed in the kitchen. I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his muscular back.

'Jenni okay?' Zed asked with a smile, which seemed distant.

'I'm more concerned about you.' I replied with a frown, moving round to his side. 'You've been really weird these last few weeks and even weirder since yesterday.'

'I'm just weird.' He smirked, making me roll my eyes.

'Is this to do with the news yesterday? Because there hasn't been anything reported today. Maybe they've decided to give it up.'

'I just want you to be safe.' He replied, kissing my forehead.

'Of course I'll be safe.' I replied with a smile. 'I can look after myself. Jen and I are going to Target tomorrow to pick up some centerpieces and thinks for the wedding. I know it's still a few months away but...'

'No.'

'No?'

'You can't go, Sky.'

'What? My god, Zed, you've not let me have some girl time in weeks! I love you, but we need space with our friends too.' I frowned, feeling frustrated. 'And other than college, we haven't left this house!'

'I want you to be safe.' He repeated.

'I will be.' I groaned.

'My answer is no.'

I didn't cancel my plans with Jenni. I knew it would hurt Zed, but I was frustrated. Whilst he was still asleep, I crept out of bed, had my shower and breakfast and headed out to pick up Jenni.

'Finally been allowed out then?' She winked as I pulled up in the dorm parking lot.

'Nope.' I sighed, feeling guility. 'I snuck out.'

'You look too glum to be shopping for your wedding.' Jenni shook her head. 'You're supposed to be happy.'

'I'm sorry.' I replied. 'I just feel bad.'

Jenni fastened her seatbelt and looked at me with a look of concentration. My body relaxed and my hands felt less clammy. 'That better?'

'Thanks.' I smiled, feeling much better. 'Come on, let's get shopping.'

Target was just outside of Vancouver. It was about an hour's drive, which was fine because we had a lot to catch up on. We both avoided the topic of the mass killings from the Thursday. It was a scary topic and neither of us wanted to think about savants killing others. It just wasn't right. Why use your powers for bad when you can use them for good?

'It's so busy.' Jenni said when we finally found a parking space.

'Well, everyone obviously had the same idea as you!'

'Right, what's your budget?'

'I don't know.'

'Always helpful.' She rolled her eyes. 'And which decorations do you want?'

'Erm...'

'Come on Sky, there must be some things you saw in your head when you went to look at your venue.' Jenni sighed, grabbing a trolley.

'I just want simple. Elegant, but simple.' I grabbed my phone and looked at the photographs I had taken of the venue. 'Fairy lights. And ribbon. And shells. Stuff linked to the ocean and the outdoors. Zed would like that.'

Sky where the hell are you?!

I flinched as Zed's voice filled my head. Jenni looked over at me, concerned.

Relax, I'm safe.

I told you not to go out.

Zed, please, I just need to be out. I'm fine, I'll see you later.

'Zed?'

'Yes.'

'He needs to relax a bit and he needs to learn to share.' Jenni laughed. 'Come on, let's find some bargains.'

We spent hours in Target, buying cheap white fairylights, ribbons for chairs and even the things we would need for the centerpieces. Jenni had a fantastic idea of using glass fishbowls, filling with some sand, a starfish, shells and a candle. We bought placecards and fake white and blue flowers, making the most of the half-price sale. It was a struggle getting it all into my car. On the way home, we stopped at a diner to grab some food.

'Hey, how can I help you?' A young girl, wearing a namebadge which read 'Maureen', said as we took our seats.

'I'll have a cheeseburger, fries and side salad with a strawberrry milkshake.' Jenni smiled. She was clearly famished.

'And I'll have a cheeseburger and salad.' I replied. Jenni rolled her eyes. 'Some of us need to fit into our wedding dress in a few months!'

'Hey, aren't you that girl from the Hollister spring campaign?' Chirpy Maureen asked before she disappeared.

'That's not going away anytime soon.' I frowned, but Jenni's eyes looked afraid. I followed her glance to the television above the bar. BREAKING NEWS was written along the bottom of the screen.

I edged closer so that I could hear what the reporter was saying.

'Another person was found dead this afternoon, but this time in Wyoming, not far from Yellowstone Park. She was found by a lady who was unable to recall anything about the last two weeks. The victim was covered in burn marks, so police suspect this attack is related to the murders in Washington DC just two days ago.'

My legs wobbled. 'They're getting closer.'

'I know.' Jenni's mouth formed a straight line.

Maureen returned with our food.

'Can we take these to go? Sorry.' I said, concerned about being in a diner thirty minutes away from my fiance.

'Sure.'

xx-xx-xx

Zed.

The door unlocked and I jumped up in the air with surprise. Sky appeared, arms laden with Target bags. I helped her carry the bags, and as soon as they were on the floor, she burst into tears.

'I'm so sorry, Zed.' She sobbed. 'I should have listened to you.'

My heart ached. I hated seeing her so upset. 'Shh, it's okay.' I soothed, wrapping my arms tightly around her. 'You're not hurt are you?'

'No, no, everything's fine.' She sniffed.

'Good.' I kissed her forehead. 'Now go and put on something comfortable and we'll have a nice evening together.'

Sky slipped off to the bathroom just as my phone buzzed in my pocket.

We're flying out to Vancouver tonight. We all need to be together. That way we're more protected- Dad.

I didn't feel like replying. The killer savants were getting closer and I was afraid they were going to take Sky away from me. I wasn't going to let that happen. They could do whatever they wanted to do to me, but I wasn't going to let them lay a finger on her.

Flight gets in at 9am tomorrow morning. Have you told Sky?- Yves

No, and I'd appreciate it if we didn't say anything. Not until we have a plan. There was nothing else that I needed to say.

I must have fallen asleep on the sofa, because I woke up to a tickling sensation on my cheek. I opened my eyes slowly and smiled when I saw Sky cuddling up to me. She was wearing an unfamiliar black silk nightdress that only just covered her butt.

'Sorry, did I wake you up?' She purred, sending electricity through my body.

'How long was I asleep?'

'I don't know,' she whispered, 'I only came out of the bedroom a few minutes ago and I found you fast asleep. I hope you're not too tired.'

'It depends what you have in mind.'

She climbed on top of me, mounting me, and kissing me hard on my mouth. Our tongues danced in her mouth and I was aware of my breathing becoming ragged and of the growing lump in my jeans. Sky smiled into the kiss and ran her hands through my hair as she gently nipped my lip. Every touch set my nerve endings on fire. I stood up, her legs wrapped tightly around my waist, and carried her to the bedroom.

I gently put Sky back on the bed, taking off my shirt and jeans so that there was only one layer of fabric between us. She pulled me closer to her, running her fingers gently over my muscular body. I let out a moan as her hands reached my crotch and then I showed her just how much she meant to me, in every way that I could.

I was woken up by Sky's body shaking and a scream. I jumped up in bed, relaxing when I realised Sky was safely beside me, her naked body protected by my right arm. I kissed her shoulder and that was when I realised she was sobbing.

'Sky.' I whispered. 'Babe, wake up, it's just a bad dream.'

Her eyes widened and she gasped, as if she was struggling to breathe.

'Shh... shh.. it's okay, it's just me here.' I whispered, pulling her close and running my hand through her hair. Her hair and body were thick were sweat, and not because of what we had been up to a few hours earlier.

'Zed?' She whispered, her voice croaky.

'Yes, I'm here.'

She turned around to face me, pushing her bare chest against mine and burying her face in my shoulder.

'It's okay, it was just a bad dream.' I reassured her, despite the fact that I felt sick. I hated seeing her like this.

She looked up at me with her beautiful Bo Peep eyes. 'Promise me you won't let them hurt me.'

My heart leapt and I kissed her forehead, before making a promise I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep. 'I promise.'