Claire

"Claire, great news!" I looked up from doodling on a piece of paper as Myrnin came down the stairs looking excited.

"What? If it's a new invention or something with Oliver, you can save it."

"Nothing like that! I have arranged a meeting between you and Michael. He says he really wants to see you and says he forgives you."

"Really?" I almost couldn't believe him. I hadn't exactly been around to the Glass House in ages, so I wouldn't know if Michael wanted to see me again, but Myrnin was known to make up things.

"Really. Your to meet at Common Grounds. It should lift you out of your depression pit."

"I have a reason to be depressed." I huffed, but decided I couldn't give up the chance of seeing Michael. Staying with Myrnin was nice enough but I would like my own bed and not have to worry if I was going to accidentally slice of a finger looking through boxes.

"Here's your coat and your gloves. It's quite hot out there. Wouldn't want you burning to ashes before you get there." Myrnin lifted me out of the chair and hastily put on my coat and lifted the hood.

"Are you trying to get rid of me? You seem unusually happy today." I straightened out the coat and smoothed out my hair.

"I'm always happy. Off you go." Myrnin pushed me towards the stairs and outside. Casting a strange look back, I set off for Common Grounds.

Amelie

"To what do I owe this pleasure, my lady?" Oliver asked, as I walked into the shop.

"I'm here to meet someone."

"Who?"

"Why do you need to know?" I took off my coat and handed it to my guard.

"If it's Claire-"

"It's not. I can assure you. I made sure she left me alone, the last time we met."

"So who are you meeting, if not the girl?"

"No-one that concerns you." I said. "Coffee. No sugar."

"At your service, Ma'am." Oliver said, with obvious sarcasm. I took a seat at the back of the shop. Oliver would have to walk far, but that was his problem.

I wondered what Michael wanted to talk about. I had been suspicious when Myrnin had come saying Michael wanted to talk with me, but the least I could do was hear what he had to say. Maybe he was apologizing for being annoying for so many years, even though my feelings for Claire had gone.

"Your coffee, Ma'am." Oliver said, putting the cup on the table.

"Thank you, but you spilled some."

Oliver stared at me for a moment. "Has something changed? You haven't been coming to me whining about your lacking control on your emotions."

"Nothings changed. Now hurry up and clean what you spilled. It will damage the table."

Oliver wiped the table then walked away. There were still streak marks, but mostly where Michael would be sitting.

Claire

I walked into Common Grounds and the smell of coffee hit me immediately as usual. I looked around for Michael, but didn't see him.

Who I did see was Amelie, sitting at the back of the cafe in the shadows. What was she doing here? Didn't she have better things to do?

Amelie saw me and stared expressionless for a moment then looked away. I frowned and shook my head. What she was doing here is none of my business.

I went up to the counter and ordered a coffee.

"Your ex girlfriend is at the back." Oliver said, placing the cup hard on the counter.

"I'm not here to see her."

"Who then?"

"None of your business." I said, reaching for the cup but Oliver took it away.

"Tell me."

"Why do you want to know?" I really wasn't in the mood for this. I made another grab for the cup, but Oliver held it out of reach.

"Amelie's waiting for Michael."

How...? "So am I. Myrnin said to meet him here."

"You should know better. He probably wants you two to get back together. I would advise against it. Amelie has already shown how much she despises your company."

I glared at Oliver, then snatched the coffee cup off him, scratching him in the process then went outside.

I learned against the wall and took in deep breaths, feeling the need to rip out his throat fading slowly.

"Why did you do that?" I heard Amelie say to Oliver.

"Thought you didn't care about her anymore. I was making sure she got the message." Oliver replied. I squeezed my hands into fists, feeling the anger coming back.

"She scratched you. Did it hurt?"

"She has no nails anyway. You've probably heard but Myrnin set this up."

"No, I had trouble hearing from the back of your rather small shop. I need to go now, anyway. Enjoy the rest of your day."

The door opened and the smell of light vanilla blew my way. I willed the empty feeling to go away and leaned against the wall and sighed.

"Hello, Claire."

"Your not sticking to your word much, nowadays. Thought you never wanted to see or talk to me again."

"I never said that. But let this be the last time you see me. What did Myrnin want you to see me about?" Amelie's guard watched me carefully. Making sure I didn't pounce on the Founder.

"I don't know. I thought I was meeting Michael. I should've known, Michael doesn't want to see me again." I stared hard at the ground but Amelie didn't say anything.

"I thought Michael wanted to apologize for being a pain these past few years." Amelie dismissively. "But Myrnin loves to set people up." She sighs. "Your belongings have been removed but the ghosts still visit me regularly, and I'm no closer to finding out who Christopher is. Are you still living with Myrnin?"

"Yes. At least he's not busy all the time."

"Come to my house. But you stay in your room at all times, and you do not eavesdrop on my conversations. Also, don't plead with me to spend the day with you."

She has to be joking. "No way. You don't want me there and don't say you didn't say that."

"I need the ghosts to help me find him. They refuse to help without you."

"He's after you, deal with him yourself." I pushed off the wall and walked away down the alley. Amelie appeared in front of me. I could see in her eyes she is annoyed. Good. I thought.

"I think you forget I have power. It's not a request. Come back to my house."

I turned around and bumped into her bodyguard standing behind me. "Say please. Mom taught me about manners."

"I don't need to."

"I won't come, then." I crossed my arms.

Like lightning Amelie had her hand around my throat and I felt a cold crushing force wrap around my head. Amelie wasn't holding my neck that hard but it felt like she was crushing me. "Come back to my house."

"F-Fine..." I managed to get out. Amelie let go of my neck and the crushing force lifted. I collapsed on the ground gasping for air.

"My guard will be waiting for you. Don't delay, I have waited long enough." Then she walked past me, leaving the guard hovering over me. I got up and pushing past him I passed Oliver on the way out of the alley. I ignored him and any remarks he made then went back to Myrnin's.

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