"Oh Draven," I said softly finding words one last time before I gave myself to this place forever.

"I'm sorry Keira....... but not even he can get to you here!"

That's when I cried and crumbled to the floor despite the arms around me. My legs folded underneath me and I felt his body do the same. I cried out at him "NO... NO,...PLEASE.... NO!" I turned to face the man and without looking, through fear, I pounded my fists against a huge chest of pale muscle.

"You can't take me! I want to go back...please let me go." I pleaded with the man in between sobs. He lent his head down to rest on mine and soothed back my hair that was flowing wildly in the wind. I looked up to see his blond hair doing the same but the colour was darkened by the now stormy skies. It was like the G.o.ds had turned angry and had taken away the sun as punishment.

He waited for me to calm and then whispered down into my ear.

"It is too late for that now...far too late. Even your dreams are not safe from me. You will be mine Keira....you will be mine and soon!" With that I finally looked up to find Lucius staring down at me with eyes filled with blood. Red tears ran down his cheeks and landed on my hair, making the contrast scream out. They weren't just filled with blood, but they looked as though made of blood. The irises were flamed and licking out at the deep veined liquid that made every living thing possible.

His blood was on fire.

I screamed out and used every last shred of strength I had to pull my mind back to my own control. I thought of Draven and the love we had shared not long ago. I thought of the waves of pleasure he caused me to feel. Then I saw us both, locked in each other's bodies, bound so tight we looked like one. Everything in sync, the way we moved, every breath, every scream. There was no greater force than ours making love and this is what brought me back, it was what freed me from my own dreams, the ones Lucius held in his hands.

I bolted up with a start and felt Draven shift quickly next to me.

"Keira, what's wrong?" His worried voice made me smile. I was just so happy to be back that I turned quickly and threw myself into him. He was caught off guard but he held me securely like he knew how much I needed it. He gave me a minute like this before asking me again.

"I'm fine, just a bad dream." I said knowing I should be telling him about it but for some reason I couldn't let it out. Why did this keep happening? Why could I never speak about it? As soon as these thoughts entered my mind it started to shut down. I started losing the questions, like losing a thread on a knitted sweater. Like it was being pulled so quickly it started to disappear until there was nothing left to hold on to.

"Are you alright? Tell me about it!" Draven pressed for an answer I couldn't give, so I lied.

"I can't really remember it now, let's just forget about it. How long was I asleep anyway?" I asked trying to dodge anymore questions. Draven looked unconvinced but let it go anyway.

"Only minutes, you pa.s.sed out on me...I was worried I went too far." He looked like he did when he was guilty but I smiled back at him.

"No, you didn't. You can never go too far." This is when his guilty looked turned to steel. He frowned and pulled me close, holding my head the way Lucius had done in my dream. I tried not to shudder but I couldn't help it, thankfully Draven took it for a chill and covered me up with the blanket.

"Keira, you still don't understand how much I hold back with you. If I ever totally lost control I could hurt you and I would never allow myself to do that. I would never forgive myself!" He said the last part under his breath but I heard it anyway. He held me protectively in the coc.o.o.n of his arms and I sighed at the idea of him holding back on me.

"How much do you hold back?" I asked trying to look up at him but he held me still, preventing it.

"A lot. You are fragile Keira, much more so than my own kind." This hurt me. In fact, it cut into me like a blade.

"If I'm so b.l.o.o.d.y fragile then why be with me if you have to hold back!...I mean, why not have one of your own kind to satisfy your real needs!" I know this was spiteful of me to say but I couldn't help what came out. He pulled me roughly back to face him and I could see the anger and hurt mixed into one. I almost whimpered out my sorry as soon as I saw his face. It was stone...emotional stone. I knew I had gone too far and I knew that I had truly hurt him with my words. He pulled away from me and got up out of bed without saying a word. I wanted him to shout at me, to shake me...anything but the cruel, cold hard silence that I had never received from Draven before.

"You had better get up and get dressed" He finally said and now I wished he hadn't!

"You want me to leave?" I asked in shock. Draven had never, ever before once asked me to leave him and I could feel the tears quickly start to form.

"Your cousin will be here soon, you shouldn't keep her waiting." He said without looking at me once. All the while I had watched him get dressed, keeping his eyes to the floor. Then he simply walked over to the door and opened it. However before leaving completely, he stopped with his hand on the handle and was about to look up to see the pain on my face only he didn't. Instead he shook his head as if trying to get something out of there and left. He closed the door with a bit more force than what was needed making me jump at the slam. Then I cried....again.....for the hundredth time today....

I don't know how long I had been crying for but it didn't feel enough. I wanted to get up and find him. I wanted to beg for forgiveness, tell him how stupid I was but I couldn't move. I was locked there and frozen in my misery. Here I was, just had the best s.e.x of my life and I had ruined it with only a few words! I hated myself for it! I would never forget Draven's face. The face of someone hearing the cruellest words they had ever heard. On hearing them from the lips you kiss in pa.s.sion. The lips that smile upon seeing you. The lips that tell you they love you. How could I have done that? I wasn't a cruel person. If anything I was usually the one that kept her feelings under tight grip but today what had happened? Of course I had no one to blame but myself....my stupid, stupid self!

I carried on like that till the minutes ticked by but soon the sound of Abba was interrupting my mental scolding. I got up and didn't even care that I was stark naked. I felt numb so what did it matter? I found my phone inside my jacket pocket, which was placed over a chair...that Draven had probably placed over a chair.

"Hel..." I didn't even get chance to finish before a voice starting screeching at me.

"Where the h.e.l.l are you?" Hilary's voice boomed on the other end making me wince.

"Umm...coming, where are you?" I asked trying to calm her down but it didn't help and yet again I was stupid to believe otherwise.

"What do you mean "Where am I?!" I'm at the f.u.c.king club!" Her foul language wasn't a shock, I already knew there was about zero percent ladylike manners in her!

"Right, well stay by the bar and I will be down there. Give me ten minutes."

"Ten minutes! Get down here now or better still, send Dominic to keep me company." She said and I could hear the smirk replace the p.i.s.sed off face.

"Look the longer I'm on the phone the longer I will be...so just..." That's when she hung up. Now instead of wanting to cry I wanted to scream! I was close to giving up but instead I ran in the bathroom to get the quickest shower I could. I was almost crying again at the thought of washing away Draven's scent but it couldn't be helped.

I kept my hair dry and once out of the shower tried to smooth it out as much as I could without the use of a hairbrush. I quickly dried myself, to a degree but when pulling on a pair of clean jeans I realised I'd missed my legs as I found getting them on without tugging was difficult. This is when Sophia came in. She found me in a bra and bent over the arm of the chair pulling the waistband with frustration. I turned to see her walk in, hoping it was Draven, when my hand slipped and smacked me in the face, before rolling backwards off the seat, landing on my back. I looked up finding her peering over the seat with an amused look.

"Wow, you even make getting dressed look dangerous." She mocked.

"It's a talent" I replied sarcastically. I got off the floor and grabbed the top I had picked off the armchair and pulled it on with embarra.s.sment flooding my face. It was a long sleeved black top with a faded peace sign on the front. I thought it a good choice and hoped Draven would find the deeper meaning.

"So...what did you say to my brother to turn him into such a foul mood?" Oh great, now the Demon sister to contend with.

"Why what did he say?" I asked sheepishly as I pulled my gloves up. I noticed her glance briefly at my scars before I hid them from sight.

"It's not what he said...It's more like what he just destroyed." I couldn't hide my shock and also couldn't help but ask, "What did he just destroy?"

"Oh, only a priceless vase that was given to him as a gift from the Qianlong Emperor, who was the fifth emperor of the Qing dynasty in 1736! Let's put it one way, one like it sold at auction for about $80."

"Thousand!" I screamed hoping I hadn't caused his temper at such high costs!

"Oh no, not thousands, think bigger, think millions!" She said coolly and I fell back into the chair.

"80 million dollars! Oh G.o.d!" I held my head in my hands and it felt like it weighed a ton.

"Oh come on, it's not like you broke it...well threw it across the room, smashing out the window and landing in the canyon below, but that's beside the point. Besides he will just fix it again, That is, when he's in a better mood....What happened?"

"It's all my fault, I said something really stupid!" I said shaking my head but she just smiled at G.o.d only knows what.

"Come now Keira, my brother is a big boy. Ok, granted he has anger issues but he will not stay mad for long. After all he did send me in here to check you were alright." At this my head whipped up as though on a bungee.

"He did?" I asked full of hope. I mean he would have to care if he sent Sophia to check on me...wouldn't he?

"He did!" She said repeating my words. At that I stood up and grabbed my jacket as it was cooler now without Draven to warm me. It was always colder without him in the room.

"You never told me what you said?" Sophia asked me as she followed me down the hall. I only stopped before I opened the door that led out to the club.

"It doesn't matter but do me a favour?" She nodded and grabbed the door for me.

"Tell Draven that I'm sorry!" I said and walked out into the crowded s.p.a.ce that was the VIP. I knew what I must have looked like, eyes still red and puffy from a day's crying, hair un-brushed and wild. I still had little wet hair that clung to my neck and could feel the frizz trying to escape the clip I twisted it up into. My clothes clung to my damp skin and felt uncomfortable as I walked. But I did walk...I walked on and through the club with the look of someone trying to hide their pain. I carried on until his table came into view and the man himself.

I noted he too had changed and his look was haunting me. It was so harsh and cold, it was hard to believe it was the same man. His permanent frown forced his eyes smaller and fierce. He was shooting back drinks with little care and one gla.s.s I saw him crush into a tiny crumpled piece that he threw aside. My gut hurt at the sight of his anger, knowing I was the cause was crushing. I almost wanted to go up there. Get down on my knees and beg but I couldn't, for one ....I was frightened.

Vincent saw me and his look filled with pity. I don't know whether it was for his brother's anguish or mine. Draven noticed his eyes and looked my way. For a second they softened at the sight. He noted the redness in my eyes and closed his own. But then when he opened them, all I saw was a purple flame engulf them. It was like he had just played the words I had said to him over again and all he found there was his hurt. Then he swiftly turned his face from mine and barked an order for another drink. Everyone on the table looked too scared to speak, of course the only one smiling was Aurora.

I sighed and looked back down at feet that I made move towards the stairs. Of course, no will in the world could stop me from looking back before leaving. I found Draven staring at me but when I saw this he knocked back his shot gla.s.s and threw it aside making it smash at Loz's feet. I looked away one last time and ran down the steps before the tears could start again.

I found Hilary easily on account of what she was wearing. She had on skin tight, black leather pants that would have put Sandy from Grease to shame on the tightness level. She had matched this with a red leather halter top that laced up the front. She had pulled it on that tight that what little b.r.e.a.s.t.s she did have, were now closer to her chin. I think she had mistaken "Gothic nightclub" for "Wh.o.r.e house chic".

I couldn't help but look at the door as means of escape. If only I could get away with running from everything. At the moment it was more my guilt I wanted to run from but I knew that would follow me where ever I went so what was the point?

Hilary was standing at the bar and had her back end sticking out at an awkward angle. If this was to show off her body more, to me it just made her b.u.t.t look bony! Don't get me wrong, I'm not usually a mean bitter person and very rarely b.i.t.c.hy but where my cousin was concerned....well, it was fair game!

She hated me for some unknown reason that I couldn't care less about but years ago this unfounded hate would drive me insane wondering why. I had no idea what it was all based on but one thing was for sure, I had become an expert living with it. I swallowed every insult, put up with every snide comment and had to accept just about every stupid and outrageous thing she did, which, given her s.e.xual tendencies, I was surprised the girl hadn't gotten into more trouble than she had. This was a girl without limits! Older men, younger men, married men and even a convicted man, so I'd heard. She had done it all... literally.

"About b.l.o.o.d.y time!" She said as I joined her. I didn't reply but just waved at Mike, ignoring her.

"Hey Kaz, just can't get enough of the place?" He joked and I laughed out, one of those fake laughs that you reserve for hiding true feelings. No one ever suspects they're not sincere and it's better than just saying out right that you're not in the mood for jokes because you think your boyfriend hates you right now!

Mike looked to my right and waited for me to introduce my evil cousin and from the sounds of the clearing throat next to me, he wasn't the only one.

"Umm sorry, Mike, this is my cousin Hilary, Hilary this is Mike my work friend."

"Work friend?" He c.o.c.ked his head to the side at my cla.s.sification of our friendship.

"Well, we only see each other at work" I reminded him.

"Yes why is that?" He asked making me smile for the first time in what seemed like hours. My smile was my answer and his flirting didn't go unnoticed.

"Hi, I'm Mike, your cousin's work friend." He said smiling but Hilary was uninterested due to his interest in me!

"Charmed!" She said as he took her hand to shake but her face spoke volumes, she was less than charmed. This was until she spotted another contender...the lovely Jack. He came up behind me and gave me a hug. I turned into him and it felt good in his arms. I wanted to stay there and tell him all my problems. He was such a good friend, the type you could spill your life's woes to and he would just sit there and listen, not ever judging you, he wouldn't give that "I know how it feels c.r.a.p". When did people even know how it felt, how could they when everyone experiences their feelings differently. Look at Hilary for example, she displays her hate for me openly but I keep mine hidden. Sometimes people use pain and sadness to harbour it into something positive, while others hide it away and cry until they are empty. This is why I loved Jack. And this is why I had to keep him away from the venomous Hilary before she infected him with her poison.

"Jack!" I said his name like it was a lifeline and he knew something was wrong when he saw my face looking up at him.

"Keira are you alright?" The very question had me close to tears, but I closed my eyes to push them back.

"Sorry Jack, this is my cousin Hilary." I said hating introducing her but not having much choice. He turned his attention to my cousin and she looked more than happy with her discovery. I mean, who could blame her, after all, apart from the Dravens, Jack was the most handsome guy in the club at anytime. Tall, athletic build, bronze coloured hair that flopped in his toffee brown eyes that had flecks of gold. That soft featured face that housed one of the greatest smiles I had ever seen. It was enough to melt any woman's heart...except mine that was.

Nearly once, but my heart had already been captured by another, but it was still flattering to know how Jack felt about plain old me. He was also one of the only people that knew my true past which was special for other reasons. I could trust Jack, I knew that, and it gave me so much comfort to know.

"Hi there, nice to meet you." he said and this time she gave him more of a reaction than she had done with poor Mike.

"Well h.e.l.lo there, Keira didn't tell me she had a friend that works as a model." She said, shamelessly flirting. Jack smiled and then she was lost, that smile was all it took for any female with a s.e.xual urge and Hilary had that in the millions.

"Did they teach that English charm at your school?" Jack asked flirting back causing Hilary to flutter her fake eyelashes at him.

"Oh no, I was just born with it." She replied winking, which almost made me want to gag! I cleared my throat and tried to put a spanner in the works before the engine went into overdrive.

"Umm Jack, is RJ here?"

"Oh Kizzy Cat, more handsome friends for me to meet?" She said putting on her nicest charm that I knew was as fake as the platinum hair on her head! A moment ago she was biting my head off, now I was Kizzy Cat!

"RJ is my sister and I think she's on her way with the rest of the gang." Jack said tearing his eyes away from Hilary and back to me.

"Designated driver tonight then?"

"You got it!" He said and gave me an affectionate chin shake like I was a child. Hilary looked like she wanted to scratch my eyes out because of it and this made me smile.

"But hey, can I get you lovely ladies a drink?" This was when Hilary barged in front of me and took her place next to Jack.

Jack bought us both a drink, but by the time the rest turned up I was already on my third while the other two were still on their first. I had quickly become the third wheel and if it hadn't been for Mike I would have been stood there like a right loner! They were flirting with each other like peac.o.c.ks show their feathers to attract a mate. It wouldn't have surprised me if the humping would soon begin. Hilary would flick her hair back every now and again which would land in my face. Jack would try and include me but before I could answer Hilary would interrupt as though the question had been aimed at her.

Thankfully RJ's pink spikes came into view and I almost ran into her arms.

"Whoa there sparky, where's the fire?" I gestured over my shoulder at the corrupt and the corrupter that were so close it looked as though they were sharing air!

"Ah the dreaded cousin has landed then?" She said dryly.

"Please help me!"

"Lead the way my young padawan." I laughed at her Star Wars reference.

"Hilary, this is my sister RJ." Jack said as he received an elbow in the side.

"Oh hi, Keira mentioned you." She said rudely making RJ turn an evil glare her way. If there was something you didn't do, it was p.i.s.s off RJ!

"Hey!" She said, unimpressed and turned back to her brother.

"Yo Bro, you wanna get me a drink or what!" She said clicking her black painted nails at him to get his attention away from Hilary.

"You know I'm not your wallet Rach!" He only ever called her this when he disapproved of something his sister did.

"Shut up Jack! Anyway I bought you the T shirt you're wearing, so if it wasn't for me you would be half naked by now...and this is the thanks I get...I don't know, kids today." She said to me with a smirk.

"Umm, naked sounds good to me!" Hilary said, making Jack blush slightly before giving her a wink.

"Come on Hilary, I will show to our usual spot." Thankfully RJ intervened and dragged her away, leaving me and Jack at the bar. We needed to talk.

"Jack, I think I need to warn you about my cousin."

"Warn me, she seems really nice." He said smiling. Deluded but smiling.

"Yes seems so but I know her, she's..." Before I could continue he stopped me.

"Keira, if this is going to be a b.i.t.c.h session I'll pa.s.s. I like to make my own judgments if that's alright with you?" It was the first time Jack had ever snapped at me and I was gobsmacked. But I didn't give up.

"Look, I'm just trying to warn you that's all. She may seem nice but...."

"That's enough! Look, you might have some issues, but here she is, come all this way to see you and this is how you treat her, trying to warn your friend against her. Frankly I'm surprised at you, I wouldn't have pegged you for the jealous type, Keira, but I guess what she says is true..."

"WHAT?" I shouted making some of the other customers stare at me. Did I miss something?