I realize I have left a few questions unanswered, but I wanted to wait for the right moments to answer them. Don't lose faith!

Also, I know you will all like the chapters I have been writing recently (32 and 33). I don't mean to sound over-confident about my writing, but the content of those chapters, as well the few to follow, is much more… romantic

I hope to continue updating regularly.

Scared of Lonely

I stretched out my limbs, pushing my arms and legs out as far as they would go. Of course, they could go pretty far, as my bed was at least a Queen size and seemed to go on forever on every side. I sat up, pushing my tangled hair from my face, and looked around the room.

Truly, I was lucky. How many people were kidnapped, only to be given a luxurious room to sleep in, a chef that would whip up practically anything you liked, and an almost weekly shopping spree? I thought of Ethan and suddenly my heart was swelling. I sighed and fell back into bed.

Why could I not hate him anymore? I didn't like him, but I wasn't loathing just the sight of him like I used to. I should hate him, he kidnapped me. He was arrogant and cocky, and yet that drew me to him even more. The fact that he was so willing to protect me didn't help my cause much either. I didn't want to want to be around him. Developing feelings for the vampire would only complicate things further.

As if he could read my mind, my door swung open and the weight on my bed shifted. I rolled over, still wrapped snuggly in my blankets, and narrowed my eyes at him. He was the one making me feel this way. It was some sort of vampire magic.

Ethan raised his eyebrows, "Why are you angry with me this time?"

"No reason," I grumbled, bringing my blankets up to cover my arms. Ethan was close to me, though on top of the blankets, but I still felt a nervous shiver run down my spine.

"How did you sleep?" He asked in a breath, his voice deep and fluid. I felt myself relax into the mattress just upon hearing it.

"Good," I answered with a nod. He stared back at me, his eyes dark and unmoving. "Are you thirsty?"

"Very much so," he replied, his arms reaching out to where I was. I didn't fight when he pulled me close to him. I wouldn't admit it, but I liked being near him. "I want you."

My stomach flipped and an electric current sent jolts through my nerves. His face, smooth and cool, was a few inches away from mine. I could feel his hands through the comforter, splayed around my hips as he gripped them tightly to hold me to him. His minty breath was blowing softly against my neck and I felt goose bumps growing.

"You always want what you can't have," I scolded, putting my hands against his chest as if to push him away. Not only was it impossible because he was like a brick wall, but I couldn't muster up enough of my will to push him away from me. "Besides, that's just the hunger talking."

His face was nuzzling my neck now and I shivered slightly at not only his close proximity but also because his cool skin grazed mine. His dark hair smelled absolutely wonderful, masculine and strong. I couldn't help but bring my hands up to run them through it, marveling at how soft it felt between my fingers. Ethan's hands were now drifting lower, and despite how loudly my heart was screaming "Keep going!" my brain knew it had to stop.

"Ethan," I breathed, my voice coming out wistful and husky. "You need to feed."

"Now?" He groaned, his mouth moving against the side of my neck. I felt him place a soft kiss there and felt like crying at how badly I wanted to stay in this bed forever.

"Today," I told him definitively, pulling myself away from his vice-like grip. He looked to be in pain as I backed away from him. "I can tell the thirst is hurting you."

"I'll call Isaac," he nodded solemnly, not meeting my eyes. I noticed he was still; he wasn't breathing.

"Go," I shooed him away, climbing out of the bed away from him. Moving to the opposite side of the room, I watched him patiently as he sighed and pushed himself out of my bed. For some reason, I couldn't stand to know that being near me was causing him pain. "Find me after you talk to him."

Ethan didn't say a word or even look at me before he disappeared from the room. I moved to the bathroom and undressed, stepping into the shower quickly just in case anyone tried to interrupt.

I smiled into the hot water as it cascaded over my body. Getting out of bed during winter was one of the hardest things to do. I hated pulling off the covers and feeling that gust of cold air. I shivered and turned the dial farther to left, waiting for the temperature change I so desperately wanted.

The thought of being home alone while Ethan and Isaac went out to feed made me feel so nervous that I wrapped my arms around myself. Technically, with Mary, Hanna, and Jacques in the house I wouldn't be "alone", but it wasn't the same as having two invincible immortals standing guard. I craved the reassurance that she wouldn't have easy access to me.

Not to mention, I had been waiting for this chance for a while. Ever since Ethan and Isaac returned from their "boy's night out" last week, I'd been curious as to what that night entailed. I wanted to know how they went about choosing their prey, secluding them, then feeding from them. The only hitch was getting Ethan to allow me to go with.

"Audra," I heard a deep voice from the other side of the shower door and reflexively covered myself.

"What are you doing in here?" I hissed, afraid that Ethan could still see through the frosted glass.

"You asked me to find you," he answered, moving up close to the glass. I watched his dark outline carefully, my heart pounding in my chest.

"I didn't think you'd be that fast," I muttered, though I knew he could hear it. "What did Isaac say?"

"He said yes, of course," Ethan's voice held curiosity, and when he spoke again it was filled with suspicion, "Why?"

"Well," I began, sounding sheepish. "What would you say if I told you I wanted to tag along?"

I cringed as he answered, "I would say no."

"Why not?" I argued, glaring at the shower door as I rinsed the shampoo from my hair.

"Because that isn't something you want to see," he retorted, his distorted shape moving away from the door. "That isn't something I want you to see."

"But I want to know what it's like," I pleaded. "It can't be dangerous. You and Isaac will both be there. Besides, if I stay here alone, who knows what will happen to me."

"That had better not be a threat," Ethan growled, and I assumed he thought I would put myself in danger on purpose.

"It wasn't," I promised him truthfully. "But you know what I'm talking about." Surely he knew I was referring to her, right?

Ethan was quiet for a moment, and I took that as his period of deliberation. I'd made as much of my argument as I could. The only thing left to do was wait.

After a few more minutes of silence, I looked back at the glass doors. His shadow was gone but I wasn't about to go opening the door while I was in my improper state. "Ethan?"

"Fine," his snarl came from across the bathroom, bouncing around the small room loudly. "But don't complain to me when you find it isn't what you expected."

"I don't have any expectations," I shot back at him.

"Isaac won't be here for a few hours," he said gruffly, irritated at losing the battle. "I'll let you know when we're leaving." Even though I couldn't hear him leave, I could tell by his tone that he was angry with me and had stormed out. I grinned to myself in the shower.

I threw things around my closet, trying to find the right outfit. Ethan had found me thirty minutes ago, his face still blank and his voice vacant, to tell me Isaac would be arriving soon. "Soon" could mean three seconds to a vampire, but Isaac still hadn't shown up and I still didn't have anything to wear.

"Audra," I heard behind me and instantly my heart sunk.

"Hey," I greeted Isaac with a slight pout, "you weren't supposed to be here yet. I'm not ready."

He chuckled, his pale cheeks rising. He didn't seem confused so I assumed Ethan had already told him I was going with. "You need help," he affirmed, flipping through the clothes hanging on both sides of the closet. When I opened my mouth he added, "That wasn't a question."

"Where are we going?" I asked as he threw a pair of black skinny jeans at me.

"Just to a bar uptown," he answered with a shrug. "Ethan's very opposed to this, just so you know."

I scoffed, grabbing the shirt he was thrusting at me and waltzed out of the closet. "I know. He's been ignoring me all day." Isaac chuckled as he followed behind me, until I walked into the bathroom and let the door swing shut behind me. "How do you feel about it?" I asked, knowing he could hear me perfectly well through the solid wooden door.

"About having you accompany us while we feed?" It was quiet for a moment. "I don't think it's the best idea."

I narrowed my eyes at the door while struggling to get my other leg into the pair of jeans. "Why?"

"It could be dangerous," he reasoned. I rolled my eyes at him and tugged on the shirt he'd chosen for me. "Besides, it's going to be hard to bait anything with you there."

I opened the door, keeping my eyes low. "I'm sorry," I told him honestly as I reached for my purse on the bed. He was right; it would be hard to attract anyone with me following behind. I was just a plain, boring human. "If I'm going to be a burden I'd rather just stay here."

Isaac smiled sweetly at me and put his cool hand on my shoulder. "I only meant that the other humans would be too intimidated to approach us once they see such a beautiful woman next to us." I blushed and had to look away from his intense, coffee black eyes. "You can't be left here alone," he informed, his lips curving slightly down. "Jacques and Mary won't be much help against-" I gave him a frantic look, "you-know-who."

I nodded, "I've already thought of that."

Isaac gave me a sympathetic look and motioned towards the door, "Ethan's waiting downstairs."

"Alright," I sighed. "Let's do this."

"Just one more thing," Isaac grinned, disappearing into my closet and reappearing in a second. He held his hand out, my red stiletto heels dangling from his long, pale fingers. My memory flashed before my eyes of the night Ethan had thrown out all of my old clothes, leaving only the pair of heels behind. He'd even insinuated that he wanted to see me naked in them.

I smiled at them, taking them into my hands as I laughed at a silent joke only I was in on. Isaac probably thought I was crazy, but I slipped on the heels carelessly and beamed up at him. "I'm ready."