“Oh that girl? I think her name is Rosalie, can’t tell you her last name though.” Amelia offered, at least trying to help the kid out if she was someone from his school. Rather than cramp his style, having helped out at least with the name, she took up her drink and gave his shoulder a pat. “She looks like she could use someone to bounce off. Have a good night, kid.”Amelia then made her way through the crowd.

<3>

Eric was finally at the party, after school, he went home, and of course, his father began to bother him again about go to the gym and train some muay thai, so of course, he went, with his father, and the both of them had to fight, and train together. Which, for Eric was always worse that way, not only because he faces a bit of his father strength, but also because the training is more tough, and there’s barely no breaks, when he goes alone to the personal trainer, his father hired, its better, since he takes things slow and doesn’t spend the whole time pushing him into his limits. If Eric didn’t told his father about the party tonight, he was going with somebody, they would’ve spent there almost the all night, so he just ran home, took a shower, and got himself ready. He is wearing, some black t-shirt, with a leather jacket, dark blue jeans, and some kickers. His dirty blonde hair was messy but with style. He even put on some cologne, and also healed the wounds he had on his eyebrow and lip, he just wanted to look decent for this party. This was like the first impression, and he didn’t wanted to ruin it.
To get here, he used his fathers car, Eric was actually thinking about walking, but his father told him to take his car and have fun. He was just glad that his son was finally creating bonds and doing stuff a normal teenager at his age should be doing, having fun. He parked his car on the first empty space he found, then he locked the car, making sure every door was well locked, and also checked if he had his wallet with him. Now yes, he was ready.
He walked up to the building, but he did not get inside, he stayed outside, waiting for Maha. He told her that he would wait for her outside, and if he wasn’t there, meant he would be late, and since she isn’t around here, means she still didn’t arrived, so he will just wait.

He looked the stunning woman over slowly before smiling his greasy smile “The place is hoppin’, baby.”

She shimmied up to him and placed a kiss on his cheek with one foot in the air. Tweaking that same cheek, she cooed “Keep an eye out for me, Bubba. I don’t like the gropers.” He grunted a gruff response, crossing his arms possessively as Jacque flounced into the joint.

Looking around, Jacqueline watched the young people dancing so close together she thought someone was filming a more modern Dirty Dancing. Rolling her eyes, she shimmied her way to the crowd until she saw her boss sitting on a couch in the midst of all the fun. Dropping her flirty routine, she stuck a more professional yet friendly smile on her face and nodded her head towards Galtem in greeting. She never talked to him much, only when was necessary. Jacque knew he had a reputation, and though she enjoyed the pleasure of the hunt as well, something about him screamed ‘danger, don’t touch’.

Shifting her attention away from her boss, she looked towards the stage that seemed to be beckoning her name. The DJ was off to the side and was playing popular club music that had the place indeeed ‘boppin’. Smirking, she shook her head and walked over to the booth. After a few brief words, the DJ chuckled and switched gears. Climbing onto the stage with the help of the house band, she nodded to them as they started to play Titanium by David Guetta. The DJ spun along with a few of his own tricks, keeping that beat ready for the dancing patrons. Stepping up to the mic, Jacque began to sing and swayed her hips along to the rhythm.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rosalie had looked over in time to see Caleb staring at her briefly. Smiling shyly, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and ducked her head with embarrassment. Turning away from him as he spoke to Amelia about who knew what, she watched the singer that had just arrived. Finishing her soda, she placed the empty glass on the bar and gestured to the bartender that she didn’t want anymore. Eyes fixated on the beautiful blonde singer, she found her hips strangely start to sway to the beat. Smiling slightly, she stepped away from the bar and shimmied her way into the crowd of dancing teens. Lifting her hands above her head, she began to sway and shimmy her hips as she got lost into the song. It was one of her favorites, and Jacque was doing it some serious justice in the disco. Laughing softly as she gave into dancing, Rosalie closed her eyes and just felt the beat.

One that was famous for his late nights in the D.A’s office, was none other than Shane Williamson. He came to NH from Chicago well before River’s funeral, and after a few good wins for his law firm he was approached to stand for the position of the cities D.A’s office. Course, a job like that has its perks, and one of which was to have a sensual blonde name Louisa who served him faithfully, soon becoming his blood doll for his need to feed, as well as other added niceties. After enjoying a good romp on one well worn oak desk in Shane’s office, the D.A decided that he would put in an appearance at the local bar, since he heard that Galtem, his former partner was back in town and throwing a party. With his VIP invitation safely tucked into his coat pocket, he sneered lewdly at his secretary as she slowly put her clothes back on. “If I could have you work like this….all the time, it would make my job all the less stressful.” Louisa winked at her boss, before sashaying over with the hem of her skirt up so high, he could see a flash of her knickers. “You only need to buzz me, Boss.” She playfully wiggled her brow, before turning round to leave, at which he gave her backside a slap, and then spun around in his chair.

“Party time.”

The Disco

Rather than take his secretary to the party, Shane decided he might find something else tantalizing to take home to feast on later. Course, when he entered the crush of the nightclub entrance, the first person he spotted, that he knew was Amelia. Leaning against a wall, and sucking on a straw. Was that…water? Shane thought to himself. Though he was a vampire, he had come to respect Amelia, for her vast knowledge of crime scene investigations, forensics and how to solve a murder through picking up tiny traces of evidence from the bodies or the murder location. She was like a sniffer dog to a criminal’s trail. Her methods were as unorthodox as her attire, but that was just another one of the things he liked about her. Amelia stood out in the crowd. Smirking, he cut through the dancers, that were bumping and grinding with their sweaty bodies to the beat of the music, till he came to stand in front of her, a curl to the right side of his lips.

“And you say you have no social life. What you doing here? And…water? Seriously?” Shane teased, cocking his head to the right. Amelia let the straw go from her lips and sighed. Great, another hunky guy she could never see herself with.“Already had…six…seven…drinks, and one trip to the loo to basically find out what I ate for breakfast. It was colourful.” Amelia quipped, bopping her head in time to the music. Shane laughed and patted her shoulder. “Always heavy on the details. Gotta love that. So…where is Silver tongue? The man of the hour.” Shane knew that Amelia and Galtem went way back, and hoped she might be able to point out where to find him. “Last I saw he was shooing away lap dancers. Say…why don’t you go up to the VIP lounge, that is the best place to start looking.” Shane gave Amelia a small salute, then headed up to the VIP section.

<3>

Selene finished organizing her clothes and turned to pat Magda on the shoulder “My clothes are all set, but please start gathering up Joffrey and Tempest’s things.”Magda nodded silently, not wanting to say anything that would get her hurt. The princess then looked to Desmond with a slight smile “Stop looking so mopey, I expect you to come and keep me sane.” Walking up to him, she placed her hand on his arm and squeezed it encouragingly.

Desmond wrinkled his nose playfully and said “Me? Worried? Impossible. Come now, we ought to go and tell your family you would like to leave soon.”

Selene nodded and stepped out into the hallway. With a sigh, she stopped a servant that was walking by. “Where is my husband?”

The servant looked at her fearfully and said “I ‘eard he was seen down by tha’ stables, your grace.”

The princess nodded and waved her off, giving Desmond a hard look “He is spoiling her again, I swear…” With that, she spun on her heels and walked down the hallway and out of the castle with Desmond close at her heels.

Castle Grounds

Just as soon as Selene stepped out of the castle, she felt something was wrong. Call it mother’s intuition. Walking towards the stables, she felt her heart grow heavy as she called out “Joffrey! Tempest! Where are you, my darlings?” Not seeing them in the stables, she rushed out and looked around nervously. “Desmond, I can’t find them.” Turning to a stable boy, she demanded if he had seen her. He mumbled that he had seen the prince heading towards the courtyard, and Selene rushed out of the stables before he could say anything else. Desmond gave the lad a smile and a gold piece before following the princess out.

Selene picked up her skirts and began to run, her long blonde hair whipping behind her. Desmond merely walked, knowing he would catch up with her and where she would be. The princess began to shout more as she neared the courtyard “Joffrey! Tempest! Where are you?”

By now, the Prince was frantic. He had looked everywhere, all her favorite places to hide, and turned up empty handed. This was no longer a game for Joffrey. He couldn’t understand how a seven year old could just vanish without a trace? Still sporting hay in his hair, from searching the stables, he was now running out of options. Nanny finally emerged from the castle, and she too had come up empty handed. Spotting the Prince, she picked up her skirts and made her way down to the lower grounds, where Joffrey was practically pulling his hair out. Reaching him, Nanny looked tearful

“She’s no where to be found in the castle. Unless you have some secret trap doors, or walls I don’t know about.” the Nanny asked him with a glare. Joffrey shook his head.“Trust me, Nanny…they would have been the first places I would have looked. She’s not on the grounds. Not anywhere I could see. Oh hell…what am I going to tell her Mother?”

Just then..Nanny and Joffrey heard a familiar voice;

“Joffrey! Tempest! Where are you?”

The pair looked at each other in shock. “SELENE! Panic set in. What would her reaction be to find Tempest was missing? Joffrey made a weird squeal sound, like he was going to have his balls ripped off, if Selene lost her temper over it.

“Help….” Joffrey whined, and Nanny slapped him across the face. “Get a grip. Tell her the truth…she has a right to know. And to be honest, wasn’t it Selene that set the girl off in the first place?” Joffrey was gripping his cheek, looking like he was the one getting in trouble. “Alright alright…I’ll tell her. But…if she kills me..I want on my tomb stone. Here Lies Prince Joffrey Brax…he never stood a chance”

That said, he sung out. “Over here, Sweetheart…er….Darling…about Tempest…” 

<3>

Selene perked up at the sound of her husband and went rushing towards him. Smiling brightly, she flung herself into his arms and breathed a huge sigh of relief against his chest. Lifting her head, she batted her eyelashes and cooed softly “Oh my love, I was just so worried! You mustn’t do that, it will be the very death of me!” Turning her cheek against Joffrey’s chest, she began to purr again and looked at Nanny “Hello there.”Snuggling into her husband, she sighed contently and murmured “Yes, about Tempest…I was just so awful to her at breakfast, I can hardly stand to look at myself.” Lifting her head again she rested her chin on his chest while she looked into his eyes. “It’s just that my mother was so hard on me herself, I just don’t know how to get my point across without being so foul and mean. It’s not just an excuse, I will try harder. I do love our little princess and just want what’s best for her. Surely she knows I love her?”Realizing her daughter wasn’t with her husband, she pulled back in his arms and looked around him “Um…where is she?” A though dawned on her and she dropped her arms to swat him playfully “You’ve spoiled her again with another pony, haven’t you! Oh Joffrey, how loving you are…” Reaching up to tweak his cheek, she cooed “You really are the best daddy…” Withdrawing her hand, Selene then looked around as her eyebrows knitted together. Turning to Nanny, she asked“She just off riding, isn’t she?”

Selene smiled and nuzzled more into her husband’s chest as he apologized “Oh you are so very sweet, my love. I am just so lucky to have a husband like you who cares for our daughter so dearly.” An impish grin crossed her face as she began to squirm and wiggle against her husband “I want another…”

She heard Nanny huff but assumed it was from the lovey dovey display of affection the prince and princess were doing. Pulling back, she laughed softly and waved a hand nonchalantly “I’m so sorry, Nanny, I just can’t get enough of this man.”

The princess turned her head to look at a woman she wasn’t very familiar with. Tilting her head to study her, her eyes roamed over her form before returning to the witch’s hues. Another smile broke out as she explained where her daughter was. Looking back at her husband, she laughed “Oh thank goodness! Joffrey, why didn’t you just say so, you goose!” Throwing her arms around him once more, she hopped up off the ground so her feet dangled as her arms were around the demon’s neck.“That gives us plenty of time to go knock the bed around and make me another child!” Glancing at Minerva, she smiled and nodded her head “Thank you for the whereabouts of my daughter.” As she faced her husband once more, she began to plant kisses along his neck and nibbled his ear, immediately disregarding everyone that was around them.

As Selene began to maul her husband, it was then that Desmond finally showed up. Watching the princess like that made him want to vomit, so he turned his eyes to Minerva. Raising an eyebrow, he stepped forward and held his hand out to shake. On his extended arm there was a tattoo of a rune on his wrist, one that displayed his vast knowledge of the more earth elemental magic. Smiling slightly, he murmured “I don’t believe we have had the honor of meeting…I am Desmond, the princess’s personal adviser.”

“Another?” Joffrey’s eyes widened, while his wife was squirming and practically wrapping herself around the Prince. Under the current circumstances the idea of another that was anywhere near the work of their daughter Tempest, had him all tied up in knots. Currently their daughter was “missing”, accept that the witch Minerva had the Princess fooled into thinking otherwise. As much as the thought of a romp in the sheets would be a wonderful stress reliever, part of him recoiled at the thought of making another baby. Hell, he really didn’t even put much effort into the time when Tempest was conceived.

Nanny actually slapped the side of her own cheek, watching this unfold. The Princess was like a cat that had caught the canary, and was positively gushing at the fact that she simply could not get enough of her husband. Selene was oozing charm, wit and sex appeal, dangling from his neck, her feet wiggling. It was so much like the early days, when they were first courting, and it became clear, that Selene wanted Joffrey….right there, right then. The Princesses kisses, and the nibbling on his ear, had him practically turning into mush. You could see his eyes rolling back. She was like a hypnotic drug to his fancy, and when she was like this…so full on and practically eating him up. Selene had won. Joffrey found he had a lopsided grin, and swept her up in his arms, dismissing Nanny and Minerva with a light wave of the hand.

“Terribly sorry…off to bed my wife. Please make sure Tempest is..washed up for dinner later.” Joffrey carried Selene off, humming and nipping at her neck as he did so, leaving Nanny standing there. Nanny gave the witch a sly look and folded her arms.

“Since YOU said she is off riding, YOU bring her up to the house when she is done.” Nanny stormed back off to the Castle, where she was probably going to lay down, and count her blessings that the child’s care was now in the hands of the witch.

Minerva shrugged her shoulders and pouted deliciously, not really caring what happened to the Prince’s daughter. Course, she had company now, and knew that this sneaky devil was one that had his eyes on the Princess. She glanced at his runes, and smirked. “So…you’re the pup that has been sniffing at the Princess’s skirts, hmm? Really wish you would go a bit further. Might give me half a chance to spend time with the Prince.” The witch didn’t care if the Warlock heard her schemes, she knew that he would be able to read her like a book. Rounding on him, she brought a finger up under his chin playfully. “Minerva…is my name. Dark witch of the Night lands, and future Queen…if I get my way.”

<3>

Philippe stared down at the young girl wrapped securely in his wing and couldn’t help but feel a kindred spirit within her heart. He, himself, had been unloved by his own mother and like Tempest, ran away from home as a young dragonling. He had sensed the special magic of this particular valley and had settled here, content to be alone. When Tempest had stumbled upon his lair, he was surprised to feel somewhat pleased at her offer of friendship. He had been alone so long, he’d forgotten what it was like to have friends.

It was her gift to him, her friendship, that allowed him to manipulate the magic surrounding his home to do what he did while she slept.

“Your mother has done you a great disservice, my darling girl. I will correct this so that you will have the weapons to return her words back on her.” he murmured, pulling her closer to his body. He bent his head down until a puff of air from his large nostrils blew gently across her face. As he backed away, a glow surrounded her body, pure white in its intensity with flecks of red, black and gold swirling around. He kept his eyes on Tempest, even when the glow became as bright as the sun. He watched the changes that she underwent, wanting to be sure she felt no pain during the transformation.

Her body elongated and became more feminine, curves growing where they should have. Her face became more elegant, taking on more of her father’s features than her mother’s. Her hair softened to a honey wheat color, growing longer until it draped low to her hips and over her shoulders in a silk-like cascade. Her lips became more lush and full, pouty but just slightly appealing. On a gasp, her eyes flew open, going from their original sky blue color to a brown so light they were nearly red. Wings, black at their base and spreading out to red at their tips sprouted from her back, shredding the top of her dress until it fell to her hips in tatters. He looked upon her new form, pleased, as the glow began to fade.

Tempest, for her part, was panting heavily, as if she had just run from one end of the gardens to the other. She looked at Philippe, awe and shock all over her face.

“What did you do to me?” she wondered.

“I aged you. You are now a young woman of fifteen.” he replied, truth coloring his words. She stared down at herself running her hands along her face and arms, her new and mature breasts, even reaching back to touch her wings.

“What am I?” she whispered.

“You are a mixture of both your mother and father. The same…but different. A Dark Angel, with all the powers and abilities of light angels, such as your mother and that of demons, like your father.” She was truly amazed at this for it was more than she expected when she entered this realm. Philippe had simply done what she had secretly longed for. She felt wonderful. Taking up the tattered remains of her dress, she covered herself and slowly got to her feet. She wobbled a bit as her center of gravity tried to reassert itself do to her new appendages. Philippe steadied her with a wing until she felt secure enough to walk on her own.

“Why do I not feel conflicted?”

“Because your very soul, that which makes you who you are, has always had the best and worst of both your parents. You have a balance within you, two worlds, one soul. Yin and Yang. Listen to that balance and It will guide you wisely.”

She raised a shaky hand to her face, a small smile upon her lips. “Why would you do this for me?”

“First, to thank you for giving me your friendship these last few years. I never realized just how lonely I was until you stumbled upon me. The second reason was to aid you. Your mother wishes to speak to you as if you were an adult and not the young and curious child you started out to be and belittling you when you do not perform according to her plans. I have sensed this from you many times over in the past. I have simply given you the means to fight back, as it were. But if you do not wish to remain in this form, at this age, I am able to return you to your previous form.”

“No!” she exclaimed quickly, blushing in embarrassment. She laughed, a joyous sound. “No, Philippe. I dare not squander such a gift.” She stared down at herself once more, blushing as she held her ruined dress to herself. Philippe spared her further shame by directing her to a copse of trees that would conjure up whatever she wished. So saying, she immediately got herself a new dress, pleased to find their were slits to comfortably fit her wings when they made an appearance. Once dressed, and under Philippe’s watchful eye, she took the time to learn to control her wings, making them disappear and reappear at will, even getting flying lessons from her friend. She took to it all like a newborn duck to water and she couldn’t help but thank the large dragon over and over again with hugs and kisses to whatever part of his face she could reach. His deep chuckle was music to her ears as he gently wrapped his wings around her in his own version of a hug.

It was late that evening when she curled up to his side again. “I should probably return to them soon. My father must be so worried.”

“Never fear, my Tempest Storm.” he began, catching her smile at the nickname he bestowed upon her some time ago. “Though a week will have passed here with us, you shall only be gone two days in your realm.” Philippe told her. She nodded, pressing a hand to her mouth to stifle her yawn. “Sleep, darling. For you shall need your energy to face what is to come.”

She nodded, yawning once more. “Thank you for being my friend, Philippe.” she murmured as she drifted off to sleep. “The pleasure is all mine.” Philippe whispered fondly, laying his head at her feet and drifting to sleep himself.

As Joffrey carried his princess off, she smiled gleefully at getting her way. She purred louder as he nibbled her neck, her feet kicking happily. Raising hand to cover her face, she giggled with embarrassment as servant after servant stared after the happy couple when they entered the castle. Snuggling closer, she cooed “You really are such a good daddy…but I think you’re an even better lover…” With that she laughed loudly down the hallways as he carried her off.

Desmond looked at the ground before facing Minerva with a slight shrug “Woof.” With a smirk, he watched the way she brushed the nanny off, he himself not caring in the slightest if the child even returned. He was, however, quite intrigued by the princess’s request for another child. He knew she longed for a son to dote on, just as Joffrey doted on Tempest. This could work in his favor.

As Minerva placed a finger to his chin, he crossed his arms and gave her an assessing look as she revealed her plans.He chuckled “I must say, I am impressed by your ambition. As for the princess’s skirts, she hardly lets me touch just the hem of her gown.” He frowned at this and stared her down “If you get your way, I get mine…” Stepping away from her, he began to pace with his hands behind her back “You and I could do wonders, I think…” Glancing at her, his smile turned sinister.

center]Selene thoroughly enjoyed the dark delicious sound of her husband’s chuckle, her pulse racing as he placed her gently on the bed. As her husband teased her with his little dance, her own face was serious and calculating, a huntress ready to attack her prey. A small smile curved her lips as her eyes darkened with lust. Pulling her dress down to her stomach, she leaned back on her hands as her blonde hair fell around her bare skin. Licking her lips slowly, she tilted her head and purred “If you can catch my bottom, by all means…” Leaning forward, she lifted the rest of his shirt up to nip at his hip bone. Looking up at him, she smirked and quickly crawled away on the bed. “Come and get me, demon.” She rolled over onto all fours and began to crawl as fast as she could, her hips wiggling her ass enticingly towards him.[/center]

Castle Grounds

As the witch boldly proclaimed his desires to be in the princess’s skirts, his eyes flashed as he grabbed her chin. Leaning forward, he smiled coldly “If I were you, I would not be spreading that around much further. I am her…adviser. A close friend. A better man than that fool of a prince will ever be towards her.” His eyes were still dark as he let her go, but his charming smile returned to his face. Folding his hands over his chest, he began to pace around her. It was something he had never thought of doing himself as he didn’t see how he could stoop so low to get the princess’s favor.

However…her plan did have some advantages. If the prince discovered that Selene was unfaithful, despite the fact that she was under the presumption it was Joffrey, he would surely cast her to the side. The princess would then be left vulnerable and prey to what pretty words Desmond always had to offer. He could convince her that Joffrey never even loved her to begin with and that he was just a selfish demon only capable of loving himself. He clearly didn’t love Selene enough to believe her over anyone else. Perhaps he would even go so far as to convince her that the prince was just using Selene to procreate. It would crush her and it would leave the princess to him. He would then take her back to her parent’s castle while Joffrey hopefully decided to try for a divorce. Her parents would surely back Selene up and Desmond would be there to raise his own child while slowly allowing Selene to love him in her own time. The plan was genius.

Turning towards Minerva, he nodded and held his hand out to shake on their agreement “You have my word, woman.” 

“Don’t ..EVER grab my face again!” Minerva growled in anger, clearly not afraid of the Warlock, since she had a few tricks up her own sleeves. Surely he had to agree that she was about to provide him with opportunity to do what he may well have dreamed of. She shook her head, and you could hear her cracking her neck. “Hmmph…this is why they say don’t ever work with men. All grabby hands, and thinking with their dicks.”

Course, Desmond finally had the time to think about this plan, and he struck his hand out, for them to shake on the agreement. Sure, they didn’t like the other, but for what it was worth, they needed each other to pull this off. The handshake done, and she cracked her knuckles. “Just…follow my lead.” From here, she brought her hands together, and then started chanting, as in a nearby paddock was the black pony. Its coat started to turn white, and she grinned slyly as she strode on over, and placed a saddle on its back, that was resting on the fence railing. Tying it off, she then undid the gate for the paddock so the pony could canter out, riderless. Seeing this, she laughed and then spun fast on the spot before vanishing, and appearing in a window at the Castle, just two doors from the marital suite. She waved down to Desmond, that that was his cue, to do the glamour transformation into Joffrey, as she planned to lure Joffrey away.

Joffrey and Selene’s Chambers

Selene was being provocative on the bed, much to the delight of Joffrey, who had been keeping up his sexy dance routine, even sliding up and down the bed banister pole, as she watched him with hungry eyes. He pawed at her, throwing back his head, and then letting out a howl, much like a wolf does, when looking to the moon. “Hey…little Miss Riding Hood…you sure are looking good….you’re just about everything a big bad wolf could want…….Oooooooo!”

Selene was enticing him being on all fours and her hips wiggling, showing off that gorgeous rump of hers. He wanted to do more than smack it….he wanted too…

“PRINCE!…M’LORD!….it’s the Princess…she has fallen from her pony and lays in a field. Please hurry! Minerva stood outside the marital chambers and then chuckled silently, before going back to looking stricken. Joffrey stopped mid prowl and heard the witch’s cries. “Tempest?!” His fatherly instinct kicked in, and he dived off the bed, reaching for his shirt, backtracking as he begged his wife.

“Don’t move…I’ll be right back to shag you rotten, my Petal.”

He exited the room quickly and was met face to face by Minerva, who grabbed the Prince’s arm and tried to get him to follow her.

“Hurry my Prince…she needs you.”

<3>

Crossing his arms, he watched the witch disappear. Closing his eyes, he felt the earth shake beneath his feet as Desmond called on the earth’s vibrations to decipher her next location. Looking up to the window, he raised an eyebrow and nodded. Clapping his hands together once, he appeared at the nearest corner in the hallway to the marital suite. Placing his hands on the wall, he watched hungrily for the prince to exit with Minerva.

Selene and Joffrey’s Room

Selene laughed wildly as her husband teased her by calling her red riding hood (hardy har har…xD). Flopping onto her back, she opened her legs enticingly while watching him dance on the banister. “Get over here y-” She was then cut off by the intervening Minerva. Sitting up immediately, she tugged their fur blanket over her naked body as she stared at her husband in horror. The witch’s words sank in and she gasped “Tempest!”” But just as she spoke her husband’s name, he was already dressing.

Climbing off the bed slowly, her maternal instincts set in and she rushed towards the door with the blanket wrapped loosely around her. “Should I come look with you?” Worry and fear crossed her beautiful face as she stared at her husband pleadingly. The thought of her daughter hurt weakened her and all she could do was reach out feebly. With a soft whisper, she spoke after him “Please find her, my love…”

How enticing Joffrey’s Selene was, as she presented herself to him in a fashion that few men could refuse. But when the voice of the witch called to say Tempest was in danger, or hurt, Joffrey’s parental side took over, and he had to leave his beloved in a state of undress. Joffrey was in the mood for some shenanigans, but as soon as he left the Chambers, he had a stern look upon his face.

“Come, we go to the stables, and get horses and ride out to this field and fetch Tempest.” Joffrey was in no mood for waiting, and already started to walk briskly, with Minerva taking one look behind her, to see if Desmond was ready to take Joffrey’s place. Minerva gripped the edges of her black skirts, and trotted on after the prince, pretending to care for the little one known as Tempest.

Stables

The gnome seemed surprised to see the Prince enter the stables and immediately shuffled over to the lot where the Prince’s prized stallion was kept. He unlocked the gate, and hobbled in, bringing out the horse, as other stable hands got it ready with the saddle and reigns. The witch was quick to follow, and the gnome gave her a filthy look. So, whatever the Prince was up too, had something to do with the witch. Another horse was prepared for her, as she grinned slyly at the gnome.

“We are off to find my daughter on that blasted white pony you arranged for her.” The Prince said with a face of fury, getting on the back of his mount, as the Witch followed suit. The gnome looked bewildered, and was about to say that he had not followed through, when the Witch made a gripping motion with her hand, that was like she was trying to wring someone’s neck. The gnome spluttered and staggered about, his eyes widening, before falling to his knees in a heap. The Witch changed the expression on her face to one of innocence and concern, uttering;

“Poor fellow…cat got your tongue?” It wasn’t a cat that had it…it was the witch. The Prince had no time for games, and kicked the flank of his horse, cantering out of the stables, with the witch right behind, and together they rode out to the plains of the Night lands, in search of Tempest and her white pony.

<3>

And so, as the week had gone by in the Secret Garden with Philippe, two days passed in the real world and it was time for Tempest to return home.

She stood upon the path that would lead her to home before turning to Philippe.

“I don’t want to go back. So much has changed.” she murmured.

“Including yourself.” Philippe nodded.

“Yes.”

“But you know you must return. I fear there is great danger about to befall your family.”

At that, Tempest looked at him, eyes wide.

“What? What sort of danger?” she demanded. Philippe got a faroff look in his eyes and was quiet for a few moments before he shook his head.

“I cannot see it. The way is blocked for me. You must go now and protect what is rightfully yours. You know your destiny, now you must embrace it.”

She took his words to heart, knowing he had never steered her incorrectly before. She drew the hood of her cloak up over her head. “I will come and visit you often, as much as I am able.” she asserted. He gave a deep chuckle and stared at her with fondness in his eyes.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, my child. Now go. Face your destiny.” Nodding, she turned and stepped through the foliage. Stopping at the point where this world and her own met, she took a deep breath before she stepped through.

She stared about the gardens with a small smile, spotting the places she would play when she was a young girl. Hard to believe that was two short days ago. It was leaning toward dusk and the castle windows were lit with dozens of candles, giving it an unearthly glow.

A horse whinnied nearby and she turned to see her father’s horse cantering toward her…without her father in his saddle. “Ranger! Where’s father?” she demanded. Ranger recognized his master’s little foal by her smell, even though she was in a new form and shook his head, stomping his hoof into the ground. She climbed into his saddle. “Take me to him, quick as you can.” she ordered.

Ranger took off at a fast gallop, leaving the castle grounds and heading out toward the Night Lands…

Picking their way carefully through the dense foliage, they almost trampled right over Joffrey. It was Tempest’s quick thinking in pulling on Ranger’s lead that kept the horse from stomping upon her father’s head. “Father!” Tempest gasped, sliding to the ground. She moved to his side, kneeling beside him. A loud snore greeted her and she felt considerably more calmer. Shaking her head, she shook him. “Father, wake up.” Another snore and a murmured reply. Sighing, she knelt closer until she was right at his ear. “FATHER! WAKE UP!” she shouted.

Tempest laughed, drawing her hood from her head so she could look him fully in the eye.

“I once asked you for a white pony and you went out of your way to make sure I had one. But I changed my mind and wanted a blue elephant instead. And you gave me one. It is a memory I will always cherish.” she smiled, brushing her hand across his cheek. “It is me, Father. Your little Tempest.” she chuckled, looking down at herself. “Well…not so little anymore, but it is me.”

The Prince sat with his face riddled with confusion. His last memories of his daughter were of her asking what the maid was up to, bosoms, and …the painting of Queen Metia in the hall of Ancestors. Tempest..was seven years old, not this teenager that knelt beside him. She spoke fondly of how he had tried to get her a white pony, and instead she wanted a blue elephant. Then he remembers he was about to have sex with his wife, for she wanted another child. Minerva, the witch led him to this very field to find his daughter. The witch was gone, Tempest was all grown up, and yet he had been asleep two days?

Rising to standing, the Prince held his head and looked down at his daughter thoughtfully.“Don’t worry about me…I’m clearly going mad.” What could possibly happen next?

“My my, it seems there has been all kinds of new developments while you all slept…” Desmond appeared. That vile weasel of a man that was always up his wife’s skirts. How Joffrey despised the slimy codfish of a fellow.

“If you mean my daughter….I am still trying to come to grips with that, and for the love of all that is evil, I don’t think I can take another shock today.”

Seems like Desmond was about to deliver the next shock, in spades.

“Your grace, I have come to inform you that your wife has just given birth to your expected son and wishes for you and Tempest to come and greet the royal prince.” 

“The what?’ The Prince’s face simply was aghast. Did he just say…his wife gave birth?

“No…no..no see, that’s not possible. Heh, I would…I would remember laying with my wife. And…I know…I KNOW..I didn’t. She can’t be pregnant…and…WAIT…HAD A BABY?” Poor Joffrey. He looked at his fifteen year old daughter, then back at Desmond and suddenly felt very sick.

“I was asleep….TWO DAYS…..not…nine months…not..eight years.’ The Prince’s mind simply couldn’t cope with all this. It was too much. “She….I…we weren’t expecting ANYTHING. She asked me to …to….and I would have, but I had to go find Tempest..” He then pointed to Tempest. “You…yes…and …why…is this so confusing?”

He fell to his knees, and started to sob.

“This is a nightmare….I want to wake up!” And with that he started to beat his head on the ground.

<3>

“I don’t think you understand. I never knew about the intent of your…family to end its own. That was totally unexpected. Had I known this plan, I would never have invited Lillian. Only reason I did, was I wanted all to see….how I felt about you.”

The Count backed away from her slowly, to give her room to breathe. He instead leaned against one of the stone walls, and folded his arms. “I let my pack, finish what the Roxburgs started….simple as that.”

<3>

“I don’t think you understand. I never knew about the intent of your…family to end its own. That was totally unexpected. Had I known this plan, I would never have invited Lillian. Only reason I did, was I wanted all to see….how I felt about you.” he stated, backing away from her to lean against a piece of the stone wall, arms crossed. “I let my pack, finish what the Roxburgs started….simple as that.”

Elvira was surprised to say the least. She could sense the truth of his words and she had to admit, even to herself, that none of the wolves came close to touching her or her family…except Lillith and he lived to tell the tale. But then what he’d said before that finally registered in her brain and her mouth dropped open in surprise.

“How can you have feelings for me, when you just met me? I don’t even know you. You don’t even know me!” she replied, voice calm. Now that her anger was assuaged, the ground was no longer smoking and smouldering. She moved to sit on a downed tree nearby and where she had stood, the ground was charred black.

She stared at him. “Just who the hell are you anyway? I’ve seen you three times now, and don’t even know your name.”

*Nods to X-Men’s Wolverine

“Permit me, to introduce myself. I am Count Virgo Marulo, second son of the King of Bavaria.” There was no lie about this, he had sent out the invitations marked with the seal of his family, and was known to the Queen of England, who allowed him to set up residence in the country on the large Estate known as Baxter Hall.

Now, for the tricky part. How he knew her. Placing his hands behind his back, he walked with a dignified air, and kept his chin up high, not at all beast like in appearance, but how deceiving looks can be. He didn’t even bother to stop his walk as he answered her next question.

“Five hundred years ago, I fell in love with the most beautiful woman, her name Katarina Adelzhausen. Such beauty, one cannot imagine. Cruelly, she was taken from me. Lead to believe I had died in battle, she took her life and on my return, her body lay in the chapel…dead. I swore…on her grave that I would see her again.” At this point, he took out a locket, and handed it to to Elvira. If she were to open it, the picture within….was of her. Well, her likeness.

Any fool could see then…he believed Elvira to be her reincarnation…the new vessel of Katarina.

“Astonishing…the likeness.”

<3>

His arms went behind his back and he began to pace back and forth as he gave her his explination. “Five hundred years ago, I fell in love with the most beautiful woman, her name Katarina Adelzhausen. Such beauty, one cannot imagine. Cruelly, she was taken from me. Lead to believe I had died in battle, she took her life and on my return, her body lay in the chapel…dead. I swore…on her grave that I would see her again.” He stepped closer to her, pulling a locket from his cloak and passing it to her. Curious, Elvira opened it to see a young woman staring back at her. The resemblance to herself was uncanny.

“Astonishing…the likeness.” He stated.

Shaking her head, she closed the locket and passed it back to him. “I’m sorry, Lord Marulo. But I cannot be the reincarnation of your dead lover. Tis simply impossible.” She stood up as well. “She sounds like one of His Angels.” she emphasised, glaning upward at the canopy of trees and gloomy skies over their heads. “I am but a creature of Hell. Demon, devil, succubus. Whatever you wish to call me. Born from the fires of my father and grandfather, Lord Lucifer himself. There is no goodness and light within me. I am but of the Dark. The Sin of Lust that binds mortal man to his every whim. I feed upon their very souls as sex is my playground.” She stood tall and proud, chin jutted out only so far. “So…I cannot be what you so wish. For that is a fool’s errand you seek…and I do not think you are such a fool.”

So saying, she turned on her heel and started to reach for Jezzie’s reins, intent on leaving.

“So you go on…being the succubus…feast on men and yet…never know love. Tis your choice, my dear.”

He did not move to follow her.

<3>

Her hand, inches from grabbing up Jezzie’s lead, paused. Eyes tightening in anger, she clenched her fist and whirled back around.

“What would I know of love? Useless human emotions! Bah!” she scowled, spitting, unladylike, at his feet. “All it brings is pain and heartache and I’ve had enough of both to last me ten lifetimes!” she snapped, hissing and spitting like an angry cat as she bravely marched up to him. “You would need a heart to know love! You would need to feel…something for someone…to know love! I have neither since they were both so cruelly taken from me! So don’t you DARE give me that tripe!” she shouted, poking him in his shoulder with a talon she hadn’t even known she had transformed.

Throwing up her hands in disgust, at herself, at him, at the whole damn situation, she turned and stomped away, going as far as the treeline skirting the edge of the old building she’d once claimed as her sanctuary.

Doesn’t feel much like a place of safety anymore with people intruding upon my solitude all the bloody time! she snorted, crossing her arms. After a moment, she sighed, shoulders slumped and staring off into the distance once more. His words tumbled through her brain like a tornado and she felt adrift in a sea of uncertainty. “Fine! You win! I have a heart! Big bleeding deal!” she finally ground out, not bothering to look at him. “Shall I rip it from my chest and lay it at your feet as a sacrifice? Would that make you happy?” she snarled, whirling to face him, eyes as black as night. Using her talons, she shredded her dress, ripping it from her body and standing before him naked, her aura flaring high. She pointed to where her heart was. “Go ahead. Rip my heart out if there’s anything left of the fecking thing! I don’t want it anymore!”

On the ground where he had stood, was the locket. It was opened, and the picture of Katarina was staring up at the sky, a soft smile upon her face. Was this done on purpose, and why did the Count chose to leave her, when she had finally caved in to his constant questions. He knew her a lot more…than she even knew herself.

<3>

(thread change)

She snarled in anger.

“BASTARD!” she shouted at nothing. Grabbing up the tattered remains of her dress, she fashioned a makeshift top, not caring in the least it left her arms bare.

There would be some tongues wagging through the gossips of the city when they caught sight of her riding through town in such a way, but she wasn’t an exhibitionist for nothing.

But…despite it all…he had managed to do something that even surprised her…

For a short time…she had gotten beyond her grief.

And she knew then, things were going to get better.

A beam of sunlight that had been fighting to get through the morning clouds paused her attention on something shiny in the dirt. She went to it, picking it up and discovering it was the Count’s treasured locket. She glanced back up to wear the count had disappeared through the trees.

Coming to a decision, she whistled for Jezzie, climbing into the saddle as her friend came near. Turning the lead toward town, she needed to get a new dress before she could make her way to the Count’s estate.

But first she needed to *find* his estate.

—thread change—-

“Good,” Maha laughed when he assured her he was not judging her. “Cause if you were I’d have to do something about it,” she added making the most intimidating face that she could but it didn’t work very well and she ended up just laughing about it instead.
“Alrighty then,” Lizzy said and with that she went to go make their drinks.
“Thanks!” Maha told her brightly and turned back to Eric. “So, how was school today?” she asked with a light laugh. It was funny to her to sit at the bar and talk about school. Or talking about school at all. But it wasn’t a filler question. She honestly was curious. His bruises were gone and she had noticed. It was a good sign to her. Maybe today he hadn’t gotten picked on. It still amazed her that he of all people got bullied at school. It didn’t surprise her that he didn’t fight back. He could take them on any day, but he was too sweet. But why they would pick on a Manzenli boy was a mystery to her.
Lizzy came back with their drinks. “Strawberry… Regular…” she said as she set them down in front of them. “Enjoy!” she said in a sing song voice before going to the next customers.
Maha smiled her thanks and took a drink of her strawberry daiquiri before setting it back down in front of her, much more interested in Eric than she was her drink.

Bar

Bones paid no attention to anyone but Mills now. If Circe was going to do something, she would do it and there wasn’t much he could do to stop it. But he would be bad to not try, right? The girl made her way over to her sister, but not before sticking her tongue out at Bones, to which he merely raised his eyebrows. “Make that two,” Bones said when Mills ordered her whiskey. Just because he was sober most of the time didn’t mean he didn’t still enjoy getting drunk. Tonight seemed like a good night. He looked at Mills and held up a shot in a “cheers” kind of way before downing his. When she spoke to him he shook his head and set the glass on the table before pulling out something from his pocket. “That’s going to be sooner rather than later. Miss Forgetful forgot her wallet in the car,” he said, waving it around for a moment before pocketing it. Ok so she had set it down in the car and he had swiped it, but what difference did it make? He was allowed to be worried right?

Eric stared a bit speechless at Maha when she said she would have to do something about it if he judged her, he was still trying to understand what she truly meant, but in the end he just chuckled along with her. So far, this was being the best night of his live, he doesn’t have an interesting life, so anything can get more interesting than his daily routine, but he was definitely glad that he was with Maha in this party, she was really a wonderful person to be with, and the fewest that isn’t judging him just because he isn’t like his father or uncle. People tend to compare him a lot with them, his father due the muscles, and his uncle due the womanizer reputation. He was different from them.
“Thank you.”
Eric thanked Lizzy when she finally made their drinks. He picked up his glass, and took a small sip from his drink, actually enjoying the way it felt. After that he just placed his drink back down, and heard Maha’s question, about how was school. He thought she didn’t wanted to talk about that because it could be boring for her, but since she’s asking, why not answer her? Its not like he had other subjects to talk about.
“It was good, I guess.”
Today nobody had bullied him, well, the jokes some say while he’s passing by, or the looks, its not something that he cares, he was more glad that they didn’t started to hit him or destroy his stuff again. He did not wanted to be always buying the same book, since they keep on stealing it and destroying it. But today was more calm, and he really felt like something good was going to happen.
“It was more calm than usual, I really feel like I’m having the best day of my life.”
Eric told her with a shrug and a smile. He was being total honest with his words. Today wasn’t the best day of his life It because the day was more calm, it was also because he was here with somebody that actually was interested on him, friends or not.

Rosalie couldn’t believe how embarrassing Alec was acting by shouting after her not to be raped or drunk. She was drinking a coke! She looked over her shoulder huffily at her best friend, but he was already talking to that girl. Rolling her eyes, she swiveled back in her seat and offered the bartender a shy smile “Another coke, please?” He just chuckled and nodded, grabbing her glass to refill it. Rosalie began to play with the napkin in front of her when she saw Caleb move in the corner of her eye.When she looked over, he was giving her the goofiest smile that she thought was adorable. No, adorable was for puppies. It was more breath-taking. He tried to speak to her but clearly had his mouth full. By the time he had swallowed, the bartender had placed her drink in her hand. Turning her head slightly, she nodded her head in thanks but then her eyes flitted back to Caleb’s face. His contagious smile had hers growing into an amused grin. With a small laugh, she shook her head “No, I didn’t, but I was silently wondering who you were. You look familiar, I think we might be in some of the same classes together?”He looked away from her and Rosalie could feel his nerves from her seat next to him. Tilting her head, she wondered what had him so flustered. With his good looks and charming smile, it was a mystery anyone or anything could make him unsettled. When he looked back at her, he began to trip over his words in a way that could have been misconstrued as insults but she could tell he was having hell of a time just trying to make conversation. She began to giggle when he called her gorgeous and struggled over not trying to deliver a line. Raising an eyebrow, she reached out and took his hand to shake it lightly “No, I was really hoping I wouldn’t get hit on since that beast of a teenager over there would probably just ruin my evening.”Rolling her eyes, she didn’t remove her hand as she shrugged. A friendly smile curved her lips once more as she continued “I’m Rosalie Draven. Manzenli sounds familiar but I’m not sure from where…” Seeing his handsome smile again, she blushed and looked away to stare at her drink “So, are you new in town?”

Galtem’s eyes laid on Amelia, she had finally showed up, and she did looked better than before. Now Shane and her was messing around with him due his choices on wanting to leave the womanizer life, did they really thought so bad of him?
“I’m not joking, it will happen.”
He told them with a grin, as he shook his head slightly. He knew it wouldn’t be an easy task, but he was going to make it happen, he wanted to change, and he was going to do it. It was a challenge, and we all know, Galtem loves challenges, and he will do anything to surpass them and show the others that he was able to do it. Its definitely questions of pride, but also he wants to start a new life, he’s tired of having such troublesome life, he’s getting old for that thing, so its time to change.
Galtem chuckled when Shane mentioned the word Juice whenever he saw Amelia’s drink, those all shots for her was probably way too much for somebody who rarely drink, so of course now, she’d rather stay stuck to the juice.
He didn’t said much, he just allowed the two of them talk, while he leaned his back against the couch and took a sip from his whiskey. He was able to listen their conversation about the collar Amelia had around her neck, Galtem sometimes got curious about it as well, but he started to get too used on seeing her with it, that he stopped caring. Then the conversation was about his secretary, oh those times when a Lawyer has a good secretary.

When the night seemed to be perfect and full of joy, something unpredictable happen.
Galtem was laughing at his friends comments while staring down at his glass, whenever he rose his head to stare around the VIP lounge, he saw Jennifer, rushing upstairs and into the restroom. His smile slowly disappeared and his expression turned into a nervous and worried one. Hell, he didn’t even knew what to feel whenever he saw her. With so many places out there, she had to show up here? Of course he knew this was the only disco in this town, but damn. He wasn’t that focus on what Shane was saying, but it wasn’t definitely something that good.
“Don’t go, don’t go. What are you doing, no pick up the glass again, ugh, stop” His mind was telling him to not move, but he was already standing up.
“With so many places out there, she had to show up here.”
Galtem said, as he just walked to the ladies restroom, he could careless if he shouldn’t be there. Stepping inside, he grabbed on some arm from a female that was there, and removed her from the restroom.
“There’s other bathrooms downstairs.”
He told to the poor woman, and closed the door. This restrooms was huge, and he had to take few steps to finally spot Jennifer, and the first reaction he got, was quickly roll his eyes and turn his head. Why? Because of her dress, it was way too up.
“Oh god, your dress.”
He mumbled with a huff. Now he was here, and he couldn’t go back. Maybe if he didn’t acted so awkward and just made this meeting be only about her, everything would be ok.
“Are you ok? Do you need something?”
He asked her, perking up an eyebrow. Trying his best to remain calm, while inside he was extremely nervous, and just wanted to get out of here, but his body moved against his will.

Jennifer stumbled into the bathroom. If people even noticed her awkward entrance, she didn’t notice them. She went straight to the back stall and sat down on the disgusting floor. Something she would have never done in a million years had she been in her right mind. To her surprise, the feeling that she was going to throw up disappeared and she ended up just covering her face and letting the dizziness pass. Galtem had a son. Galtem has a son. Galtem had a son with another woman. Of course she knew that he slept around but it was the fact that he had settled down with one of them. She found herself wondering if he was married. If he was, what the hell was he doing back here? To torture her? She was too lost in thought to even notice him when he grabbed the woman and took her out of the bathroom. She did not look up until he spoke to her. When she saw him her breathing quickened and she thought she was going to have a panic attack right there in front of him. But then something clicked in her brain. No. She would not give him that satisfaction. She was not some weak little girl. If that was how he remembered her then he would be sadly mistaken. She took a deep breath and stood up; adjusting her dress that she was embarrassed was showing all but her underwear. “I’m fine,” she growled at him, fixing her hair so it wasn’t a complete mess. She glanced in the mirror and was pleased to see that she did look fine. All traces of panic had left her face to be replaced with something else. She looked fierce.

“But if you’re offering, I wouldn’t mind some information. Why the hell are you here? Wait, wait. Don’t answer that, I have a better question. Why the hell is there a boy who looks exactly like you with your last name downstairs? No, wait. Even better. Who the hell would let Galtem Manzenli get them pregnant?!” she was shouting at him and it felt good. With every sentence she moved a little closer to him. She was still in shock that he was there but the anger she had felt towards him that she had pushed down and gotten over in the past one hundred years just came flooding back to her. Finally she just slapped him. She’d never gotten to hit him for being with Selene. She’d never gotten the confrontation she wanted. So she decided that one counted for that. Jennifer slapped him again deciding that one was for the kid downstairs. Then she just realized that she was enjoying it and raised her hand to strike a third time.

Galtem tilted his head to the side and remained with a concern expression on, but all he got from her was just a growl. Great, what did he do now, she was already angry at him for worry about her? What was her problem? He finally done the good boy work, which was make sure if she was alright, and she is just pissed off? God, being good doesn’t really help you out in anything, sometimes its not even worth of it.
He took a deep breathe, and rose his chin slowly, gulping, and waiting for the worse. The moment she open her mouth, asking him for some information, her first question was why he was here.
“Well. I..”
He wasn’t able to finish his answer, she wasn’t allow him. She just keep on rambling, she was definitely mad, and he couldn’t know the reason, till she mentioned the word boy that looks exactly like him with his last name. Wonderful, she found out about Caleb, this is why he didn’t wanted people to think Caleb was alike Galtem, he didn’t wanted them to think he had a son when that’s not true, he never wished kids before, they were too troublesome, and now he has a reckless teenager on his hands, and he doesn’t know what to do.
“Cale-”
Once again, he wasn’t able to finish his sentence. This was reaching his nerves, all he wanted to do was just try to be nice and make sure if she was ok, nothing more than that, why in hell did they had to talk about his private life? Why she cared anyway? Didn’t she had William? Then she should stop caring about Galtem’s life. It seemed the more she spoke, the more she let her anger out, the more closer she got, but he did not moved from his spot, he already knew what was coming.

The first slap was probably the hardest he took, his head turned away, as he slowly rubbed his chin, if she used more strength, it would totally be dislocated, but he’s a werewolf, so it heals in seconds. Now he thought he could finally speak, and clear this out, then make her feel bad about the stuff she said. But she wasn’t over it, she had to slap him one more time, and he allowed. He was just giving her the pleasure on hurting him, so it made her feel more calm, but whenever he saw her hand raise for a third strike, that was enough.
Quickly grabbing her wrist, he stopped her from moving it and took a step closer to her, looking down at her, his lips departed.
“You done raging? I bet it felt good hurting me, no? I own this place, I bought this disco.”
He started speaking with a slight frown, and kept a serious expression.
“He’s not my kid, Jennifer. Do you really think I would want a kid? He’s the son of a cousin of mine, or something. His father died, and his mother is a human, she sent him away to Lysander, Lysander couldn’t take care of him due his own children, so all that is left its me.”
Even if Galtem was far from getting some hold on Caleb, there was definitely something he could understand about him, the loss of a father, about the mother part, he never met his, so he could careless.
“I didn’t got anyone pregnant, and I’m not here for get chicks or destroy people lives, ok? Stop thinking so low about me.”
He finally let go off her wrist, but he didn’t stepped away from her. He wanted to, but his body once more, wasn’t doing what Galtem’s mind told him to.

Galtem was glad that Jennifer finally calmed down and stopped throwing fists around when she didn’t knew anything. Ok, fine, the first thought you have whenever you see another Manzenli teenager, is that, he can only be Galtem’s kid, because he’s a womanizer, and they know Lysander would never love other woman like he loved River. So they quickly thought Galtem was the father, or Caleb was just an unknown Manzenli, but that would be the last option.

“Ding, ding, ding!”
He said with a sarcastic tone as he rose his hands in the air, and rolled his eyes. This comment was when she asked him if he bought a disco, and he noticed that she wanted to laugh about this matter, not something he could care, since lots of people seems to be surprised that he owns this. He was just trying to let go off everything that gave him unwanted memories.
“I came back, to start a new life. Yes, I know, laugh.”
He told her with a shrug, since not everybody could believe he was going to change.
“I’m just tired of having a troublesome life. I’m tired of this all problems, I just want to settle down, and have a normal life. Which means stop being a womanizer, and a troublemaker.”
He bite down on his lower lip, trying to hold some chuckle. It was even hard for himself to believe in his own words, but he was going to make it happen. He needed to, he could own this place, but he plans on making this the last party for him. He will keep this disco active, so he can get money, but he will only show up here during the day for a drink.
“This will be the last party..We will have to forget about the past, even if I want to bring it back, I can’t.”
Taking a deep breathe, he stretched out his hand, and moved a stray of her hair from her face, and placed it behind her ear. He was basically talking about his past with her, the happy past they had, and not the troublesome one. He can’t bring that back, William is now with her, he made a promise to William, he promised him that he would stop stepping between their love life, but damn, he’s trying right now, and nothing is happening. He needs to get away from her, but his body wont allow him. His body is totally doing the opposite, he was already leaning closer to her, like he was about to kiss her, and if she did allowed him, their lips would end up touching.

Erica was having the time of her life. The whole time she was dancing she would have a few guys come up and dance along with her, and a few girls also. While dancing she felt the presence of someone she knew. It was Haley. Erica quickly ran in to hug her tightly. Once they broke away from the hug Haley told her about how she saw Mikayla’s other car in the parking lot. A chuckle would slip from between Erica’s lip as she ran a hand through her hair. “Yeah. I hope Mikayla doesn’t get too mad that I used her car.” She said loudly over the music. Ever since what happened with the accident of her crashing and almost dying Mikayla was a stickler about Erica even getting close to a car. Mikayla promise Anya that she would watch over her daughter and make sure she was okay at all times, Mikayla never wanted to break that promise with a best-friend that she had lost. Erica then bit on her lower lip as her mind began to wonder to a different subject.“Where’s Dylan?” She added as she raised an eyebrow. Erica always had a slight attraction towards Dylan, but she figured he would never take anything serious with her because he knew how he was. A player.
 

Bones smiled as Mills laughed. He loved it when he could get her to do that. “Nah, it’s not illegal to help a girl out by finding her wallet for her. You know I’ll give it back. It’s not like she doesn’t practically live in my house all the time,” he said with a shake of his head. The twins and Mills were always over there. It was as if they were a little messed up family of their own. It was practically a zoo when Seph and Circe got into arguments. That’s when he would get upset. He used to have a family. A wife and daughter. When there wasn’t an argument going on it meant something was wrong. But they all loved each other. Once. “Just as soon as she comes in to check with us, she’ll get her wallet b-“ Bones was cut off because he noticed the girl who was sitting near them. His jaw dropped for just a moment before he quickly shut it. “Sorry, I thought you were…” he trailed off. Tess had been just a little girl when he left. Well, maybe not a little girl, but she was barely a teenager. Probably only thirteen. But there was no mistaking those dark hair and blue eyes. They were Bones’s eyes. “Tess?” he said. It was barely audible. Practically a whisper. Could have been lost over the loud music and people shouting. He swallowed hard as he looked at her, almost hoping that the girl would say, ”Sorry, you’ve got the wrong girl.” Because then he wouldn’t have to deal with the guilt he felt even now just looking at what could be her look-alike. Did half-werewolves stay alive forever as well? It was a mystery he’d always wondered when she was younger, but when his wife had taken her the question faded from his mind. He had assumed his daughter was dead. He even grieved her occasionally. Whenever Circe or Seph said things to him that reminded him of Tess, he’d grab a drink and do a toast to her. Apologized to her over and over in his head for being such an awful father. For not staying with them. For abandoning her and letting her mom take her from him.

All that juice had gone straight to Amelia’s bladder, and while she tried to hold it in, she started to wriggle, and then couldn’t fight the feeling anymore. She had been keeping up her conversation with Shane, and then excused herself to use the bathroom for legitimate reasons, not cause she wanted to be sick, but because she needed to tinkle. Heading towards the bathroom, some other girl came out and looked at Amelia, saying; “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.” Amelia was bouncing, and shook her head.“I’m not going downstairs, this is closer.”

Opening the door, the sight that met her eyes had her nearly fall over in shock. There was Galtem, practically licking the inside of Jennifer’s mouth with his tongue while feeling her up something shocking. Amelia thought she would pee her pants in shock. WHAT..THE..HELL? Her mind screamed. Wasn’t Jennifer with the boy next door like William? And then another thought struck her. Galtem said he was trying to curb his womanizing ways…..this…was clearly not a good day for making such pledges. Amelia’s mouth opened and closed like a fish, and she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t just enter a stall and start peeing, while they were at it like energizer bunnies. “Ohhh.” It was the only sound to emerge from her lips, and then she uttered.“I…think I will use the one downstairs.” She spun on her heels, and took off back out of the bathroom, pushing her way through the crowd, with her bladder about to explode.

<3>

This wasn’t as if Jennifer’s brain had shut off and she was just going with the moment. Her brain was very much on. All the reasons of why this was a bad idea were very clear in her mind. The first of which was the hurt expression on William’s face that seemed to be engraved on the back of her eyelids. But she just closed her eyes tighter as she continued to kiss him gently. Her brain was also remembering Galtem’s touch. Galtem’s lips. Everything about him was familiar though it’d been over a hundred years since she’d felt this. Though, this was much more gentle then she remembered Galtem ever being. Nothing about their relationship had been gentle.

He moved away and she was left looking up at him, smiling for a moment. But after a second her expression changed. Was he really the one who was going to stop? After all the years she thought he was the one with no self-control. It should be Jennifer breaking the kiss, not him. But as soon as his lips were off of hers she knew that she should get out of there. Without a word she was going to just leave the room. It was the smart thing to do. But neither of them felt very smart in this moment. His lips found hers again. She couldn’t help but smile. This was the Galtem she knew and she could not get enough of him. His hand moved from her face to her waist. Her entire body was aware of his hands on her body and it screamed for more. He pulled her closer to her. Their bodies fit together perfectly just how they always had. In this moment it seemed impossible that either of them could be with anyone else when they were this perfect together. She responded to his tongue with her own, shivering as his hands ran down her waist and onto her thighs. Her hand moved to the back of his neck, grabbing onto his hair and running her hands through it. He lifted her leg up around his waist and pressed her against the wall. It was a good thing he did because she was just sure she wouldn’t have been able to hold herself for much longer. The dizziness she had felt when she saw Caleb all came back to her but for a completely different reason. This didn’t stop her from pulling him even closer to her if that was even possible. The kiss was aggressive and with every moment she wanted more. The thoughts she’d had earlier about William and it being a bad idea were slowly disappearing and being replaced by only Galtem. His lips moved to her neck and she gasped in pleasure as he softly bit at it. “Galtem…” she said, it almost started out as a moan. “This is a bad idea,” she whispered, but her expression said otherwise. She had to say it, but she didn’t want him to stop. Even as she said the words she held him to her. But at that moment Amelia walked in. Amelia. One of she and William’s closest friends. She and William’s. Her leg dropped onto the ground and looked at Amelia with a horrific expression. “Shit…” she muttered. She was breathing heavily and it started to quicken pace as she began to panic again. What had she just let happen? And why didn’t she feel more guilty about it?

Mills didn’t exactly know what was going on, so she just kind of awkwardly sat, sipping her drink and trying not to look at the two. Seph and Circe were peering at them from their spot at the bar, a little curious. Circe was eyeing both Tess and Alec at the same time, trying to decide which had left Bones speechless. Tess, on the other hand, just stood there, staring at her father. She tried to blink away tears, and a watery smile came to her lips. “Hi.” Brilliant, Tess, just brilliant, just say hi. She mentally reprimanded herself, her hands shaking slightly. She reached to tug at her black corset to occupy them. Suddenly, the garment seemed too tight. She couldn’t breath. And then she realized, it wasn’t the corset – she just really couldn’t breathe. She could breathe in alright, but the breaths didn’t come out, they just stayed and piled up. It was starting to become uncomfortable, suffocating.

Now that their perfect moment was over, the guilt was starting to set in. But to her dismay, that didn’t make the other feelings go away. When he stepped away from her, she only wanted to reach out and pull him back. It was frightening how strong that feeling was. Jennifer managed to keep her hands to herself. She watched Amelia leave, absolutely horrified at the fact that she had walked in on that. Having a witness made it more real. It meant that it had actually happened and there was another person for William to find out from. Galtem seemed as disappointed as she was that their time together had been cut short and she just looked over at him, worry in her eyes. He said that she wouldn’t tell, but Jennifer wasn’t so sure. Amelia met Jennifer and William at the same time so it wasn’t as if she had more loyalty to one or the other. Amelia would end up doing what she felt was right. And that could very well mean that she would want to let William know that his girlfriend made out with another man. But a part of her felt grateful to Amelia. She couldn’t imagine how much worse she would be feeling if they’d gone any further. And there was no question of if they would have gone further. Jennifer would have done absolutely anything in that moment. She looked up at him as he stepped towards her and she swallowed hard, trying to bite back her feelings, but they would not go away. He fixed her dress and his fingers inevitably grazed her skin. His touch was electrifying and she longed to be back against the wall with him on the other side of her. Her lips parted a little when he said the next words. He loved her? Since when? When they were dating, maybe, but after? Or was this recent? He’d been so distant after they dated that she thought he was completely done with her. She was the one who never got over him. Not the other way around. Jennifer didn’t just makeout with every guy she was left alone in a room with, but Galtem might with any girl. But like that? She somewhat doubted he would kiss them likethat. She believed him, but it only made it worse. “No, don’t,” she told him, putting up a hand. Because him saying it only made her realize what she had really known all along. She loved him too. But she loved William. There was no doubt about how much she loved William. When Galtem had been gone, he’d been there. But as many times as she told herself that, she could not deny the strong feelings she had for Galtem. Had always had. He told her she should go. He was right. She looked up at him curiously when he said he made a promise. She wondered what he was talking about, but assumed he meant about him not being “a womanizer” anymore or something like that. She shook her head, knowing she had to leave at that moment or she never would, so she turned to go. But when she reached the bathroom door, she turned back around and walked back over to him quickly and got dangerously close to his face. Her voice was surprisingly strong. “We would have been perfect, you know?” she said, almost accusingly, but she was just stating a fact. “In a world where you hadn’t left and I hadn’t fallen in love with someone else. We were perfect,” she told him. There was nothing else she could say to that, but since she’d already made things awkward enough by saying that she was feeling bold. “And what promise did you make?” she asked in a tone that demanded an answer. She wasn’t going to let him brush it off.

Alec was more confused than anything at this point. Here he had a beautiful woman before him, and he was working his magic, though the water thing may have been a little…lame…it had worked for him before. Though, this woman obviously wasn’t like other of her gender. It intrigued him, and only made him want to try a little harder to get into her head, which was literally no problem thanks to his powers as a Hybrid. Though, as she whipped her head around to face the two behind her, those long dark locks slapped him across the face, throwing off his current mind set.

Normally, he’d have been pretty aggitated by this, and would’ve picked a fight with the woman. This occassion, however, was different. Not because he was attracted to her, but because of her scent. The smell of her hair as it brushed his nose…it was intoxicating. It almost reminded him of his mother’s, but this smell, it meant more than a motherly bond, it meant something totally different. He’s always had a hair fetish, and the smell of hair was what triggered it. At that moment, his very soul had been set on the goal of bedding this woman, and not just one night. Even Rosa had been swept from his thoughts as he even contemplated something…long term…which was a rare thought for him in general.

He was pulled from his thoughts though, as she spoke. “Hi.” she said. She took the time to turn around, and now, at the sight of this man beside them, she was crying, yet she could only manage a hello? Something was up. There was a story here, and Alec intended to sit and get the whole thing. His eyes shifted from her, to the man she spoke to, taking in his appearance as one he knew. He was a werewolf, one of the main pack. Though he himself was part wolf now, he held a slight distaste for them man, signs of his vampiric upbringing. Though, this reunion was cut short when he noticed the shortening of her breaths, and the fact, that her shoulders were not falling with each one. Alec reacted without even thinking it. He placed a hand on her upper arm, gently, almost caressing it. Leaning into her ear, so that she would hear him over the music and crowds, he spoke softly, trying to calm her. “Breathe. Your having an anxiety attack. Just…breathe, calm down, steady your heart and you’ll be fine.”

Alec’s willingness to help her even after she mocked his friend (which he seemed not to have noticed, apparently) sort of added to the comforting she received from him, and she let out a shaky breathe. She gently moved his hand, avoiding looking at him. She’d set it straight with him later that this nervous, scared girl was not her. At least, not anymore. Both Alec and her father. But for now, the shock at seeing him suddenly became an absolutely beautiful joyousness, and as her tears became happy, she completely forgot she worked for Jace, that she had just killed a vampire mere minutes ago. “Daddy!” She rushed forward to hug him, having to stand on her tip-toes even in her heeled boots. She wrapped her arms around her neck with a quiet laugh, tucking the top of her head under his chin. She knew he felt that the divorce was his fault, even though it was really entirely Sarah’s.

Tess remembered that he was always out a lot. And when he was home, he hardly acknowledged Mark as his son, usually because he had awful hangovers. But she still loved him, then and now, only this time, she wasn’t going to let him walk away or let anyone else hold her back from walking away with him.

“Now wait a minute.” Mills’ voice didn’t exactly ruin the moment, and neither did her almost spit take seconds before it. “I’m missing something. Daddy? Tes- Oh. OH.” Finally, it dawned on her, and she smiled a bit shyly, standing as Tess pulled away from Bones. Tess smiled back, now ecstatic that her father had a friend – a pretty female friend. Mills raised her hand just beside her face instead of extending it. “Mills. Already know your name. Incredibly awkward if you haven’t noticed. I’m just going to.” She brought her glass back to her lips to silence herself, looking at Bones, then Alec, then Tess again, feeling a little more out of place than before. She could smell what Alec was, but she wasn’t going to point it out. She just hoped Bones overlooked it for the moment.

Bones never cried. He drank. Even after his divorce and his wife had taken absolutely everything from him, he spent the entire night at a bar rather than cried. But in this moment he was in very big danger to cry. Bones swallowed hard. When he asked if it was Tess she had given him a simple “hi,” confirming that it was. He was in disbelief. He was in shock. It all seemed impossible and yet when he looked at her he wondered how he had even doubted it. She seemed to be a little out of breath. She seemed as shocked as he was. But before he could go to her, the guy she was with had intercepted. Bones noticed him for the first time and wanted to growl. He could immediately tell what he was. A hybrid. Half vampire. Dangerous. But tearing this guy limb from limb would have to wait, because Tess had ran to him and thrown her arms around him. Bones’s eyes began to water and he wrapped his arms around his daughter, who he hadn’t hugged in over a hundred years. It was all so unreal to him that he held her as tight as he could, as if making sure she existed. That this was actually happening. He buried his face into the top of her head, taking in her scent. It was a familiar scent. Just barely recognizable. Mills’s voice brought him back to reality, but he continued to hold Tess until she broke away. As Tess and Mills conversed, he took that moment to wipe his eyes, covering all traces that he’d been crying. He set a hand on Tess’s shoulder, keeping her in arm’s distance. He was not going to let her out of his sight for a long time. “Mills is a good friend of mine,” he told Tess. “What are you doing here?” he asked her, still in complete shock.

Galtem gulped when she said the words ‘no, don’t’. He knew why, but he had to say that he loved her there’s so many things that he regrets on doing, that now he wants to make sure she knows that he always had feelings for her, and he isn’t only using her body as a get away, or for pleasure. He done it because he had feelings for her, even when that thing with River happen. What he did to River was more lust than any other thing, but whenever he had some time alone with Jennifer, he got his brain all messed up, and took him awhile to realize his feelings. Now he knows what are they, and its already too late.
He moved his hand away from her, and took a step back, allowing her to start walking away, she needed to leave now, or she would never get out of here. He began to nibble on his lower lip when he saw her walking towards the bathroom door. He was feeling his heart ache, because he felt this would be the last meeting, and he didn’t wanted that, it doesn’t matter if they would remain friends or not, he didn’t wanted this to be their last meeting.
Taking a deep breathe, he calmed down his nerves, and looked away, as he just waited for the sound of the door closing to show up, but it didn’t. All he could hear now was footsteps from Jennifer, he turned his head and saw her getting too closer to him again, he stared down at her lips then at her eyes, he just felt like kissing her again, but he couldn’t. Having self-control is so hard. Her words hit him deep, because it was the truth. He felt like she was blaming him, but he wouldn’t censure her, they could have been perfect if he wasn’t so dumb and didn’t left her, then she said she fell in love with someone else, William of course, he wasn’t that surprised, but it was still hard to face the truth.

Galtem pushed those thoughts away and took a deep breathe, looked down at his own feet, and placed his hands behind him. While he was looking down, he was thinking if he should tell her the promise, why not? At least she wouldn’t have second thoughts about him, he wanted to let her known that this 100years of his absent he only done it for her.
“I made a promised to William.”
He started with a low voice, before look back at her.
“While I was with Selene..I found out you was drinking, turning yourself into somebody you wasn’t, so I decided to meet up with William. I told him, I would be gone, so you could be yourself again, and have a happy life. I wouldn’t interfere your guys love life again.”
He told her with a slight frown, he knew the differences between himself and William, and that William was only good for Jennifer, but not Galtem. Even if he said he wouldn’t interfere he’s here right now.
“He’s like that all good perfect boy, or something. I figured he could take care of you, so I left. We know you stay better with him, he’s only good for you. I’m not good enough.”
He told her, as he felt his lower lip tremble for couple of seconds, and his eyes getting wet. Was he really going to cry now? The hell, get a hold of yourself, man. Taking a deep breathe, Galtem turned his head away, and took few steps away from Jennifer. Avoiding eye contact.
“Just go, he’s probably wondering where are you.”

Nicole continued nodding her head when Lizzy told her the guy’s name. “Gatlem Manzenli..” She said quietly to herself. Nicole have heard of this name before but nothing in detail about the person. Lizzy then told Nicole about the goth girl, Amelia. The expression of disgust on Lizzy’s face told Nicole that she wasn’t really a big fan of hers, most likely because she was a witch and Nicole knew how Lizzy was when it came to witches. She hated them with a passion. When Lizzy finished what she had to say another women had came along behind the bar counter. Nicole assumed she was a worker as well because of that and she knew Lizzy. Nicole perked a brow when the women asked them both what they were up to. “Nothing much, just enjoying the scenery of the party and talking to Lizzy. What abou-..” Nicole had stopped finishing her sentence as she felt the presence of someone behind her. Stuff like that made her scared or nervous because she never liked to be approach that way. Quickly she looked over her shoulder to see who or what was behind her. Her expression instantly changed from nervous to surprised when she saw it was Matt, the police officer she had met awhile ago. A guy that she had a crush on for the last few years. He was now here, standing right in front of her. A smile quickly flashed across her face as she shook her head softly. “It’s been so long..” She said softly.

Galtem kept his view down, not really wanting to look at Jennifer, if she said something, he would just tell her to shut up and go away. He wasn’t going to break down in front of somebody, doesn’t matter if its Jennifer, he doesn’t cry, not in front of somebody. He needs to get some hold of himself, what he needs is a really strong drink that will make him calm down, and stop thinking so much about this matter.
He felt her hand reaching for his face, and when he felt her touch, it sent him a shiver through his spine, nobody can imagine how much he just felt like holding her and kiss her, this is how it feels to have some self-control, and stop destroying people lives, he never thought he would have to sacrifice so much of himself for make the others happy. But one thing was right in here, Galtem doesn’t deserve her, but William does, he’s good for her, she will have a calm life and happier one with him. When she was with Galtem, it was all based on adventure, passion and danger, because he couldn’t remain quiet on his spot without messing around with couple of people and get in fight with them, it was in his blood being a troublemaker.
The touch of her lips against his, made him forget those thoughts, and his mind just become blank, till it got all replaced with their memories, memories of the two of them, being so happy. This was the goodbye and he knew it, the last kiss. It was gentle but lingering kiss, it lasted long enough to make him want more, but his body didn’t moved, this time his body was doing what his mind was telling it to do.

Whenever she broke the kiss, he looked at her, walking out, leaving him here, reality’s a bitch, that’s for sure. Now that he was alone, he turned to the mirror, and saw how wet his eyes was getting due wanting to cry, then the anger was filling him, so he started to throw fists around, he broke one of the mirrors, and a door. It did left his hand bleeding ,but his werewolf abilities was healing him within seconds.
He passed his hands over his face, and looked up, taking a deep breath, and blinking a few times, controlling the tears to not fall down. He stayed in there, just for a few seconds, so it could calm him down, not enough for get all playful and smiley, but enough to not make him throw another fist. Now he was the one who left the bathroom, he noticed that Amelia nor Shane was here, they probably had left, he was going to have deal with Amelia later. He told them he would stop being a womanizer, but it already started wrong. He walked up to the bar, and told the bartender to give him the bottle and not the glass. The bartender gave him the bottle of whiskey, and Galtem took it as he started to drink it, and walking back to the couch, so he could sit down.

Seeing Nicole smile again, was like someone had illuminated the entire room. Matt stood there for a moment, as though he was drinking her in. He was a man of few words, but when he did speak, it was with a deep raspy tone, almost like he had drank too many whiskeys. Matt raked his fingers back through his hair, and then said in reply about not having seen each other in a while with; “I don’t usually hang out in the ER, unless my partner’s been shot, or..yeah..long time.” His piercing blue eyes held hers for a moment, before he noticed Lizzy and then gestured with his hand a number one, by holding up a finger. “Beer, please.” There was a bar stool just near Nicole, and Matt took a seat, placing both hands on the bar, finger interlocked. You could see by his demeanor that he was a bit of a loner, not one that was used to big crowds and lots of noise. He would be more comfortable in a back water bar. Course this was an opportune place to get a good feed, from any of the girls on the avenue, but suddenly he found the need to feed abating. Why was this? And why did he find himself attracted to Nicole again? He had kept his distance on purpose. Believing himself cursed, he shied away from attention most of the time.

“You…here with somebody?”

This was the first thing he could think of to ask. Last thing he wanted to do, was cut someone else’s lunch.

<3>

Jacque had sung quite a few songs, more than she wanted to count and she felt a little winded. Looking back towards the band, she made a ‘cut it’ action with her hand slicing against her throat. Walking over to the DJ, she blew him a kiss and waved flirtatiously“Take it away, babe.” He smirked and pretended to catch her kiss before he went about spinning some good dance beats for the patrons. The mermaid then walked to the edge of the stage and held her hands out, waiting for the two bouncers below to help her down. In one fluid motion, her feet touched the floor and she adjusted her dress. Looking between them, she flashed a dazzling smile “Thanks, fellas…” As she walked away from them, her eyes scanned the disco carefully. Teenagers were still bumping and grinding, and it made her want to join in on the fun but she was supposed to just be on a break. With a sigh, she looked wistfully towards the bar to see Galtem taking a bottle of whiskey. Raising an eyebrow, she then proceeded to watch him walk towards his couch in the VIP area. Walking towards the bar, Jacque leaned in and ordered a dirty martini, her favorite. Taking her drink, she walked over to the VIP lounge and smiled at her boss from a safe distance “Hey there, boss! You look like you need someone to bounce some harsh words off of.” Stepping up to the couch, she plopped down and crossed her legs. Turning to face him, she bobbed her shoulders and flashed him a friendly smile“So what seems to be the problem? I noticed you haven’t even bothered with a glass, so I assume you’re drowning your sorrows? Lucky for me, I know a lot about drowning…” She smirked at her own private joke and took a sip of her drink. Normally she kept her distance from her boss since she heard he was a womanizer, but something about seeing him this down made her feel bad. If a guy as strong as him could be broken, there was no hope. Jacque didn’t like that. Holding her glass in one hand, she tilted her head expectantly.
 

Galtem’s mind was still focused on Jennifer, he was still thinking about the two of them, but guilt was coming as well. He was feeling guilty because of what he done, he shouldn’t have done that to Jennifer, and now he just hurt William and probably Amelia in some way, he doesn’t know why, but something happen to Amelia or else she wouldn’t act so strange and leave the place.
While he was drowning his sorrows, he heard some familiar female voice, it was Jacque, the girl he hired to sing, she was indeed a wonderful singer, so it was worth of his money. They never become that close, since she tended to stay away from him, probably because of his reputation, having a womanizer reputation can bring you women or make them back off. She noticed how down and stressed he looked, well, he was always with a smirk or serious expression on, so it was normal if people quickly noticed if they saw some sadness on him.
“Women, that’s the problem.”
He told her, as he took another long sip from the whiskey in the bottle. Should he really tell her about Jennifer? Well its not like she knows his friends, nor William, so why not? Its normal tell to one of your workers, that you kissed some guys girlfriend, that was your ex and you done that because you missed her, and loved her. Not like she would really believe on the love part. He’s aware of how bad people think of him.
“I just come back from making out with some guy’s girlfriend. You know, the normal.”
He said with some sarcastic tone in his voice, as he took a look at her before look at his drink. 

Maha raised her glass slightly too him, grinning, before hiding her smile behind her bright-colored drink and took a sip. The only time Maha drank was to have fun. She never drank when she was sad because she felt like it just made whatever emotions she was feeling stronger instead of numbing them. If she was happy, the alcohol enhanced her fun, if she was sad, the alcohol took over and she was a complete mess. If she was angry…. Really bad things happened. But tonight she was excited to be drinking with Eric. Someone she’d had her eye on for ages. Even if he only saw her as a friend, it was much better of a relationship than she’d ever thought she’d have with him.

She nodded when he said school was good. That must have meant that nothing too terrible happened to him. This was confirmed when he said it was more calm than usual. Her smile grew even wider when he said it was the best day of his life. “Well, I’m honored to be spending it with you Mr. Manzenli,” she told him, not even bothering to hide her smile. She was feeling bold, so she looked at him curiously. “You know, you don’t have to be their human punching bag,” she said, unsure if she’d crossed the line. Before he could interrupt, she continued. “You don’t have to hit back to show them that you won’t take it.” She loved seeing Eric like this. She’d never seen him other than around the neighborhood and on his walks to school. She’d never seen him happy. Now she wanted more than anything to keep this smile on his face. But she didn’t know how that would happen if he wasn’t willing to stick up for himself.”

Bar

Lizzy walked back over to Nicole after she finished serving Giles and Lysander’s children. That’s how she knew them. She didn’t care much about the werewolf pack, but once you’d been around this long, you seemed to accidentally know everything about anyone. “Sorry ‘bout that, hon,” she told her friend, leaning back on the counter. When Nicole’s response got cut short she looked to why it had been. An attractive man came up to them. It was blatantly obvious that Nicole knew this man. And seemed to like him. A lot. The smile across her face was absolutely radiant and it made Lizzy look from her friend to the strange man and then back again, only breaking her gaze to blink.
The man looked back at Nicole and ran his fingers through his hair. He was definitely into her. Lizzy almost laughed at his response. He seemed funny. She was pleased her friend would probably have someone to take home tonight, but if she didn’t act fast Lizzy wondered if she wouldn’t. “Coming right up,” she said as she went to go get the man a beer. When she walked away, her eyes flashed with a knowing smile to her friend.

Eric stared at Maha while he listen her saying she was honored to be spending his day with him, he chuckled when she called him Mr.Manzenli. He was glad she was enjoying it as much as he was, her expression could tell him that due the smile she had, at least he wasn’t messing up with anything.
“Well, I’m not a human.”
He teased her a bit, when she told him he didn’t have to be their punching bag. He knew she was right, but if he really wanted them to stop, he would have to scare them away, he would have to hit somebody to make them back off and let them known he isn’t going to be their punching bag for long, or he could just use his werewolf powers, and show a bit of his fangs and claws, maybe that would scare them away, and Eric didn’t had to hurt anybody, but then, that could bring him some problems, even tho there won’t be much humans who will believe supernatural creatures exist.
“I know that.”
He told her as he bite down onto his lower lip. He would have to change some stuff, maybe it was really time to put a stop in this all, and allow himself have a better life. But tonight, he didn’t wanted to think about personal problems, he just wanted to have fun, and let it last as long as possible, since this might be the first and last party he went, its all like a dream, and of course, he wants it to last long.
“Let’s go dance.”
Eric told Maha, so they could change subject. He took a sip from his drink, and took Maha’s wrist, pulling her along to the dance floor, so the both of them could start dancing. He was still holding his drink, having his hand covering it, so nobody would spice his drink. 

“Well yeah, that would make sense.” She said as she placed both of her hands quickly in the air then back. Nicole then turned back around to face Olivia and Lizzy when Matt had sat on the stool next to her. By the look of Lizzy’s expression, Nicole already knew what she was thinking. A small smirk would hang over her lips as she she nodded her head slightly in agreement. For Nicole it was kind of awkward for her. She didn’t know what to say and she didn’t want to say anything silly that would embarrass her. While sitting there for those few seconds quietly, Nicole mind was racing, thinking of what would be the appropriate thing to bring up, but her eyes quickly shifted to Matt when he asked her if she came to the disco by herself.“Yeah…but now I have someone.” She said as she continued smiling. When she said someone she meant Matt. Nicole was just extremely happy to see him again.
 

Galtem was able to chuckle when Jacque said that she wasn’t a woman, well, she was a mermaid, but still female. Then she just began to call him home wrecker, well, he couldn’t call himself like that, even tho that was true, but still. He was actually tired of always flirting with other guys girlfriends or wives, but its not his fault that they come to him, and he simple gives them what they want. During those 100years, he never approached to a woman, he just waited for them to come to him, and all he did was giving them what they wanted. But this time with Jennifer, wasn’t because of lust, but love. He was literally hopelessly in love, and he hated it. Why the hell he had to let her go? Why he didn’t realized how strong his feelings for her were and keep up with her? But no, he decided to break up because he thought it would be the best thing. Dumbass.

Galtem just keep on drinking the bottle, and it wouldn’t take him that long to finish it, he was glad Jacque asked for vodka, because he needed something more stronger, he was already feeling slightly dizzy, but it wasn’t enough, he wanted to feel more wasted, enough to make forget the all thoughts he had about Jennifer that was running through his mind. He’d rather have a blank mind right now.
“What..I’m not a womanizing pig..and my liver is just fine, it heals with time.”
Galtem said with some slight frown upon his face, as he placed the empty bottle of whiskey over the table, and noticed the bartender bringing them glasses and the bottle of vodka, not sure if he should just bring a single glass, or just bring them empty and allow them to serve by themselves.
Galtem sighed out, and picked up the bottle, opening it, he poured some vodka on an empty glass, and slid it closer to Jacque, then he just poured vodka for himself.
“If we count the all years. Its over 110years, that I have been in love with her.”
There was the years he was together with her, then the others months he wasn’t with her and was with Amber, then that couple of years alone, the years with Selene, and now this 100years. Yeah, it has been pretty much time, and he never thought he would find himself so attached to someone, while he always tried to move on by dating other women.
He picked up his glass of vodka and took a sip from it. 

Nicole’s awkward smile was infectious, as Matt found himself nodding and a light shrug. It was reminiscent of how teenagers act when they try to hook up over the cafeteria line. Matt was way passed that stage of his life, but he sensed that Nicole was not brazen like a lot of women these days. Matt noticed that Lizzy had caught onto the interaction between him and Nicole, and didn’t fancy the idea of putting on a real show for her. So, Matt turned to face Nicole, edging closer to her on his bar stool.

“I guess introductions are in order, since last time we met was more in the line of duty for both of us.” Matt cleared his throat, and then extended his hand towards her.“Hey..I’m Matt, Matt Reed.” He hoped she’d take it, and then they could get to know each other…a whole lot better.

<3>

“Drink, drink, drink!”
Behind William, his friends was telling him to keep drinking, so they could win against this guy, and gain free drinks, they was even betting some money and other stuff, William was only there for drink and beat them. They was amazed at the fact that William wasn’t still drunk, that’s the good part at being a supernatural creature, you never get drunk that easily. The minutes passed, and he was clearly having a wonderful time, he was having tons of fun, and it has been awhile since he had so much fun. He didn’t only needed a party, he needed a guys night as well, which was what was happening right now, he thought Jennifer would be good with Seph, its not like bad would happen when she was with her, plus, the both of them were girls, despite the difference of the ages, maybe they would want some girl time.
After beating up four guys, William was already starting to feel drunk, he could feel his head dizzy, and whenever he spoke, he wasn’t making much sense, but he was still aware of what was wrong and what was right, it just would take him awhile to process the information in his brain.
“Ok, guys. Give me a break before I pass out”
William told them with a chuckle, as he slid away into another booth so his friend could replace him.

Jennifer finally showed up, she sat down besides him, but he didn’t looked at her in the first moment, he was watching his friend drinking, and he clearly had an excited expression on, he clenched his fist and moved his arm while moving it and telling him to keep going. Totally waiting for his friend to win. When he finally did, William just began to clap, forgetting that Jennifer was still there, however, her last words caught his attention, and he noticed she looked rather down for somebody in a disco that should be having fun.
“Ook.”
That’s all he said as he stared at her for awhile, before realize she wanted to go now.
“Oh you mean going now? Sure, ok.”
He told her shaking his head before push himself up. He walked up to his friends and just gave them a handshake and a quick hug.
“Jennifer wants to go now, it was fun, thanks for the time. See you some day, guys.”
After this, William just walked back to Jennifer while the both of them left the disco. He looked around, trying to find his car, and whenever he finally spotted it, he just walked up to it, and quickly got inside. Leaning his back against the seat, and rubbing his face. Oh god, his head was already hurting, but he was always more careful driving drunk, because that’s where he payed more attention, and made sure everything went right, and he never went too fast.
“Are you ok? You don’t look that well. Did something happen?”
William asked her, perking up an eyebrow as he stared at her.

Dance floor

Eric was glad that Maha allowed him to tug her along with him to the dance floor. The only reason why he was doing this was because he wanted to change subject, and also because he didn’t wanted her to think he was a boring person. Since she gave them two options, which was drinks or dance, they already got their drinks, so it was time for dance. He never thought he could have so much fun, now he noticed how much he was missing during his teenager life, that’s the dumb phase where everybody does new stupid stuff, but Eric isn’t that reckless. He would never go too far, since it was always needed somebody with a good mind to make sure nobody would hurt themselves.
While the both of them danced, Eric would take a sip from his drink, as his eyes stared around, he could see some guys staring at Maha in a dirty way, and it was bothering him a lot. He tried to distract his mind by paying attention to only Maha. He heard her thanking him because he was willing to come with her tonight, it was better her than any other person, that’s for sure.
“Its my pleasure! I’m enjoying spending this night with you.”
He replayed her with a smile, while the both of them danced.
After awhile, he noticed he finished his drink and so was hers, so he decided to bring them more drinks.
“I will get more drinks for us, stay here!”
He told her loud enough so she could hear him. Carefully, he removed the glass from her hand and just walked up to the bar. He wasn’t sure what she wanted, so he just ordered the same drinks again. This took him probably five minutes or something, but it would be enough to make some guy approach Maha, and that’s what happen.
When Eric was back with the drinks on his hands, he noticed some guy talking to Maha, he could see that she was uncomfortable with him having closer, and he also knew she could make him disappear anytime she wanted, but he couldn’t help but to interfere. Maybe it could be his possessive werewolf playing, or just his willing to help people out.
Taking a deep breathe, Eric relaxed his shoulders, and stepped closer to Maha, getting between her and the guy, Eric didn’t said anything, all he did was just show off his werewolf fangs and eyes. The guy wasn’t drunk at all, he was pretty much sober, that’s why he freaked out and just walked away. This was the only way Eric had to make people back off without hurting them. His eyes and fangs went back to normal, as he turned around and smiled down at Maha giving her the new drink.
“Here you go. I didn’t knew what you wanted, so I just asked for the same one, if you don’t mind.”  

Tempest raised both her head and herself up onto her knees, pressing a hand to her father’s cheek, brushing his tears with her thumb. “That which breaks us only makes us stronger.” she whispered. “Father, please stay stong now. You are a Son of Brax, Demon Lord. And I will be by your side for as long as you need me.” Tears gathered, spilled from her own eyes as she stared at her father.

“Because you needed me to look out for you, Father dear.” She giggled, getting to her feet. “And I couldn’t do that if I was so little. No one takes you seriously when your a child.

“If I could only have kept you younger for longer. Next thing, there will be boys sniffing at your skirts. Oh hell.”

“Devil take ye! I don’t want any man sniffing after me. Disgusting creatures!” Tempest frowned comically. It was an expression so unlike her usual grace and poise, it would have made Joff laugh if he was of a mind to.

“I sound like an old fart. Did I age as well?” She smiled warmly at her father.

“Father, you haven’t aged a day.” She smiled.

“What do I do now? How can I go on with your Mother?”

She would pull at his hand, hoping to tug him to his feet so that she could link her arm through his and take him for a walk through their home, something they hadn’t done in a long time.

“Father…think of it like this. You are angry now because you were both tricked. But she should have truely known you, known your heart to know that the man who was in her bed was not her husband. Once she realizes her folly, she may return. I do not pretend to know Mother’s mind, but I feel as if I know both your hearts. After all…you had me.” She smiled at him. “I may have denounced Mother, but she is still my mother. I love her, but I hate her for what she’s done to us, to you. We must have patience.” She leaned upward to kiss his cheek. “And I think I know a way to make you smile. If you would permit me?”

The Prince and his daughter walked arm in arm along the halls of the Castle Black fog, as both were trying to come to terms with the drama that had befallen them. Joffrey was slow in his step, for he saw no need to rush his daughter along. Truth be told, he felt rudderless, and his daughter was his only true comfort at this time.

The Prince was still very much in love with his wife, but one thing he could never conquer was that he had shown such jealousy in seeing her standing tall with Desmond, and they looked like a couple with a new baby…which they in fact were. Joffrey simply could not get past the fact that she had slept with another man, and bore him a son. Whether she realized she had been tricked or not, didn’t even come into the equation. Horrid images flooded his mind, of his Selene laying with Desmond, saying words of love that should have been reserved for him and him alone. He knew his anger was justified, and for a Demon lord, it was a miracle he didn’t torch the entire room in a blaze of rage and fury. Instead he had tossed the bastard child back at Desmond, and then walked out…walking away from his true love.

Amazed at the fact that Tempest was now showing such patience and using logic in her counter as to how the Prince could go on without Selene, the Prince could only offer her a half smile when she said that she knew a way to make him smile again. Kissing his cheek gently, the Prince replied.

“Remind me to shave…I must have cheeks rougher than a bristle brush.” His lame attempt at humor was his way of trying to mask the pain that was racking his mind and body. Joffrey knew she was trying to cheer him up, and he gave in.

“Alright…lead on. Let us see what you have in store.” 

<3>

“You do not.” Tempest smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder as they walked. She was doing her best to keep his spirits up. It was never an nice sight when a demon gave into depression.

“Alright…lead on. Let us see what you have in store.” Nodding, she led them both out to the gardens, where just a few short days ago, a father had given his baby girl a blue elephant. She smiled with fondness as she recalled the bee and getting stung and every moment afterwards.

“My word. I was a bit of a tempermental child, wasn’t I?” she grinned as she lead him to the garden table. She indicated that he sit before she took a couple of steps back. “When I was…away…I found a way to age myself, as you can see…but I also received these.” She closed her eyes and it only took her a moment of concentration for her wings to come forth. She stretched them high overhead, releasing a deep sigh of relief at the feel of having them exposed for the first time in hours. She relaxed them at her sides and waited to see what her father would think of them.

Childhood memories, were always so good to remember, even the bad times. What troubled Joffrey however, is that by Tempest growing up overnight, that she may have missed some of the best years of her life. Growing up means responsibility.

Tempest gestured for the Prince to sit, and so he did, wondering what in the world it was that his daughter was about to show him, that would make him find his smile.

“When I was…away…I found a way to age myself, as you can see…but I also received these.” 

Much to the Prince’s surprise, Tempest unfurled a beautiful set of wings. They opened up majestically behind her back, and with each beat, they got stronger. Joffrey could see that she was relieved to have them opened, and it didn’t take a fool to see why. To see her relax again, and wait patiently for his reaction, was worth the trip down out of the castle. He just sat there and shook his head.

“I always thought I knew what true beauty was, until now. Tempest, you are blessed. This does touch my heart, and makes up for the sadness of not being able to dote on you as my baby girl. You’re all grown up.”

<3>

Selene turned to stare at her daughter in shock, not believing her ears. She thought she and Desmond were a couple? Why was her family turning against her like she had an affair. Too stunned to say anything as Tempest removed her mother from her life, she stood still as a statue. When Tempest left after her harsh words, she turned to whisper to Magda “Take the baby…” The servant rushed forward to take the baby from the princess, already seeing Selene’s eyes go from blue to pitch black. As soon as the child was safe from her grasp, Selene stalked towards Desmond as though she were a jungle cat.

Desmond’s eyes widened as she prowled towards him, his hands going up defensively as he saw the look in her eyes. “Now listen, Princess…I’ve already established that your husband must have some sort of head injury…we musn’t-” But he was cut off by Selene’s deadly quiet voice.

“Did you see my daughter? Did you see her size…how much she’s grown? Does that look like a head wound to you?”Looking over to her son, she saw how fast he was growing. Such things could only be the work of magic. And who better to perform magic than a witch and warlock. Her eyes flicked back to Desmond and her hands clenched “I know you had your hand in this…Did you dare touch me? Did you dare to take away from me that which is my very LIFE?!” As her voice rose louder and louder, the floor and walls began to shake, the windows rattling as a storm began to brew from the angel’s wrath.

The warlock began to tremble and he backed away from her “You don’t understand! I love you! I only did this for you! That…that man was taking advantage of your pure light. He cared nothing for you, only of that bitch of a daughter!”

That did it. Selene’s wings came ripping out of her gown as she then launched herself into the air. She hovered mid air while naked, only cloaked in a heavenly light that was tinted with her dark anger. Her eyes, hair, and fingertips glowed as her skin was as shiny and pale as a pearl. Staring him down, she screamed “You dare speak of my child that way? My husband?! You will curse the day you dare cross me…” Flying towards him too quickly for him to even react, she tore her claws into him and ripped him to pieces. Blood and guts flew everywhere until at last she had what she wanted. Picking up his head, she turned and spoke coldly to the guards “See to it that this head is mounted on a pike before the castle doors as a warning to those who dare cross the demon prince of the Night Lands.”

Selene was now naked and covered head to foot in blood, and she turned to look at her son while the guards took the head away to do as she asked. What she saw made her gasp. The baby she had given to Magda to hold was now a small child about the size of a ten year old holding Magda. All the magic that dissipated from Desmond when he was killed had left the warlock and was consumed by the child. He had a mop of dirty blonde hair, curls so soft and springy that Selene wanted to touch them. He looked at her with bright green eyes that held the innocence and naivety that she once had herself. Walking towards him slowly, she couldn’t take her eyes off of him “Are you…?”

He immediately stepped up to her, his arms outstretched “Mamma, are you hurt?”

Selene shook her head slowly and knelt down to scoop him into her arms “I am much better now…”

Magda smiled softly and spoke “Your carriage is ready, your grace.”

Standing up straight, all blood fell from her body to reveal her stunningly perfect form as her arms held her son. She looked like a demi-goddess from a mural as she clung to her child. Magda bowed her head reverently as The Saint Selene was now revealed. Selene smiled softly to Magda, all trace of evil gone from her soul as she carried her child out of the room naked, her wings furled around them protectively. They were going home.

As Joffrey sat admiring his daughter’s wings, Nanny came running down the hill, her skirts rising up and her face puffing from exertion.

“Joffy…Joffy…the Princess is gone. Taken her son…and…and..oh..its sickening.”

Coming up to stop just before Joffrey, and bending over to place her hands on her knees, truly winded, the Prince rose from his seat, and started to rub her back.

“The Princess and the bastard child are gone? With that Desmond creep no doubt. Good riddance!” He huffed, showing a foul expression. Nanny looked up at him, with watery eyes and a sick expression. “Desmond is going no where. Well…parts of him are in her chambers…other parts strewn about the hall, but its his head.” she exclaimed. At this Joffrey looked confused.“Bits? Head?…Eh?” He raised an eyebrow, as Nanny finally caught her breathe. “His head….its on a spike for all to see at the castle gates. Guess..the Princess and him had words?” Joffrey shot a look at his daughter, and then shrugged with a queasy look. “I always knew your Mother had a dark side….but that takes the cake, even for me. Guess he got found out.” The Prince rubbed his right eye, and then sighed. It still didn’t change the fact she bore that Warlock a son.

“So…she’s really gone. I suppose the marriage is too.”

<3>

Out at the castle gates, Minerva was seeing the fleeing Princess’s handiwork on Desmond for herself. Oh, this was bad. So the royals figured out that Desmond was the father of the bastard child. That could only mean that she herself was now in danger, if the Prince was ever to clap eyes on her. Chewing on her bottom lip, she started to pace. Back and forth like an endangered creature trapped in a cage. The witch started to pull on her own long brown hair, as she narrowed her gaze, kicking up pebbles with her shoe. How on earth was she to survive the Prince’s rage when her turn came? But just then, one of the farmer’s daughters came up from the shed, carrying a basket of corn for the kitchens. She was such a beautiful girl, with golden hair and a blush to her cheeks. Same height, same weight. Oh yes, this was perfect. The Witch sauntered over and said softly.

“You poor girl, have you walked all this way from your farm to bring the royal house their corn?” Minerva cocked her head as though feeling sorry for the girl. The young lass nodded, her shoes long since worn through.
“Aye…I would love to sit.” The Witch beamed and offered to take the basket. “Here, let me take this from you.” As she reached for the basket, she also pulled out a lock of the girl’s hair. The farmer’s daughter yelped, and the witch pretended it was an accident. “Oops. I am so clumsy at times. Don’t worry though, it will grow back.” The Farmer’s daughter than wandered off to the milk sheds to take a rest as Minerva then threw the basket of corn over her shoulder, holding the strands of hair in triumph. She snuck into the castle, and finding an empty room, she started to braid the blonde hair with her own, uttering an incantation. Slowly but surely, all of Minerva’s hair started to change to the same colour as the Farmer’s daughter. Minerva glanced in a mirror, and low and behold, she looked EXACTLY like the Farmer’s daughter. Picking up a small piece of candy from a bowl on the dresser in the room, she continued to chuckle at herself

“Hmm…little too soft for my likings, but…this will have to do.” Grinning, she blew her new image a kiss, and skipped off into the Castle proper, to see about cleaning up Selene’s room.

<3>

Jennifer remained sitting there with her face buried in Penny’s fur. She could feel him stand up as he told her she didn’t understand. Well he was right about that. She definitely did not understand. She didn’t understand any of it. This whole situation they were in confused her to the max. As he explained, she looked up at him. Of course this had been the reason. It was probably the most selfish thing he’d ever done and it was still for her benefit. Everything he did was for her benefit. How was she supposed to tell him that she was angry, not because of him, but because of her? This one thing he had done wrong in their relationship had been all for her and she had been selfish, only thinking about herself, when she took Galtem and kissed him. Twice. She watched him walk around, not wanting to say anything. Not knowing what to see.

William even admit that he was scared she’d see good in Galtem and run back to him. She couldn’t blame him for this. Isn’t that what she had done the second she realized that he loved her back? It was so easy to pretend to hate someone that hated you, but if Jennifer had known Galtem had had her best interest in mind, she wasn’t sure she would have been able to stay away. She took a deep breath and swallowed hard, preparing herself for whatever she was going to say next. All she did was set the dog down and hold her arms out to him. “Come here,” she said in a gentle voice. She needed his comfort right now even if he didn’t know why. And she wanted to comfort him. Even if it was from herself. She didn’t like fighting with William. It was the worst feeling in the world. He was all she had and she couldn’t risk losing him. But she also couldn’t keep lying to the person who knew her better than anyone else. So she would have to figure out what to do. But not for now. For now she just wanted to hold him.

William huffed out and just shook his head, while he walked around. He tilted his head down, and stared at the ground. He was already feeling his world fall apart, even tho nothing that bad happen. Its just, having Galtem back in town, meant something bad will happen, and William doesn’t want to lose Jennifer, so many years together, and now lose her because one of her ex’s showed up? He always knew she had feelings for Galtem, that’s why he was relieved when Galtem disappeared for this all 100years, however, now that he’s back, he’s fearing that Jennifer’s feelings will grow towards Galtem, and William is the one left behind. Its not easy for him to deal with that, and he has been fighting for her for years, there will be a limit for him.

When Jennifer told him to come closer to her, he just bite down onto his lower lip, and took the courage to look back at her. He forced a smile, since he didn’t wanted her to think he was angry at her, because he wasn’t, he was just angry at Galtem to be back. It might have been a selfish thing not tell her about the promise, but it was only for her own sake, she had to understand that, him and Galtem agreed on doing that.
Pushing those thoughts away, William walked up to her, and slowly got on the bed, while he began to place his palms on her shoulders, staring into her eyes, to let her known that the next words was honest.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t keep it secret. I love you, ok? No matter what happens, I will always be there for you.”
He told her with another smile, but not as forced as the one before. After this, he planted a kiss upon her forehead, and brought her closer to his chest, as he wrapped his arms around her, tightly. 

She was grateful that William came over to her when she told him to. It would have been a very painful rejection if he hadn’t. He set his hands on her shoulders and looked at her with an intense stare. His smile was forced, but she just wanted to fall into his arms right then and there. Wanted nothing more than to just be with him and touching him as much as she could, but she did not move. Jennifer stared back into his eyes. Forced herself to look in the face of the person she would have to hurt so much. His next words just about broke her heart. She just nodded, holding back tears as he kissed her forehead before he allowed her to finally lean into him. She buried her face into his bare chest as he held her tight. It was too much for her and she let just a few tears fall. Maybe the reason she always found herself going back to Galtem was because William was simply too perfect for her. She was always angry at girls for saying that men were “too nice” because she didn’t think that was possible. But maybe this was what they meant. That if they dated someone that much better than them, then they would never be able to compare. William loved her so much, but she didn’t deserve it. She never deserved his love.

Eventually she sat up, looking at him, her eyes no longer wet with tears. “I love you. So much. Please. Please know that. You have to know that whatever happens, I will always love you. That will never change,” she told him, surprising herself that she managed to say these words without crying. She figured those last few tears were her officially being done for the night. The words might have confused him more than anything since he figured they were just talking about Galtem coming back. But before he could respond to it she leaned forward and placed her lips on his and put the back of her hand on his neck, just as she had done with Galtem earlier, pushing him as close to her as he could be. She didn’t want this to be a good-bye kiss like it had been with Galtem. But she could not lie to him either and she didn’t know how he would be able to stay with her if he knew what had just happened. That was all problems for another time, because it was not a good-bye kiss. It was a greeting. A question begging for an answer. She just kissed him and hoped that he would respond.

William placed his left palm on her back, and used his right hand to stroke her hair with his friends, he could hear her whimper, she was probably crying, since he felt the tears against his bare chest, but it didn’t seemed that much. He decided to not ask her why the cry, because in his mind it was rather obvious, she was probably feeling a mess again and William was here for comfort her and fix her whenever she needs him.
After awhile, she finally sat up and looked at him, her words left him slightly confused, but he thought it would be about the Galtem subject, for let him known to not doubt about her love for him. He doesn’t, its just, he can’t truly trust Galtem, everybody has their weakness, and Galtem is one of those guys that is capable to see weakness quickly one somebody and uses them against that person, to get whatever he wants. That’s what William fears.
Before he could tell her something about those words, he felt her lips against his, and her palm on the back of his neck, as she was bringing him closer to her.

He moved his hands up, and placed them on her cheeks, as he cupped up her face and began to respond to the kiss, on the beginning it was rather soft, but long. He tried to pull his head back, but it seemed Jennifer wouldn’t allow him, so he just rushed his lips back onto hers, and began to kiss her with more passion, and using his tongue against hers as well. His hands slid down on her body, till they meet up with her sides, and he just allowed himself to fall back on the bed, and pull her on top of him. He felt like he had his mood ruined, and didn’t wanted to do anything but sleep, however, when it was for show their love towards each other, the mood is completely different. After such argument, they really need this. 

It had truly been a long night, and now Amelia’s head was starting to nod, as the last of her shows was finishing. The kitty that she had found out by the trash can was asleep on her lap, curled up in a tight ball. Amelia smiled down at the kitty, and then scooped him up, while with the other hand reached for the empty dish. Amelia was something of a neat freak, and padded to the kitchen to place the dish into the dishwasher and turn it on.

Wandering past Rattle’s tank, she blew a kiss to the “other” gentleman in her life; her snake, and whispered. “I have a new male to take to my bed.” referring of course to the little kitten who was fast asleep. All lights turned off, she went up the stairs to her bedroom, where she placed the kitty down on the spot nearest her own pillow. A trip to the cupboard and she found an old cat litter tray and litter, from when she had to baby sit her sister’s cat one time. Always good at hoarding such things, this would now come in useful at least with her new house guest. Setting this up in the laundry, she then stretched and yawned, making her way back into the bedroom.

Amelia got into bed, sliding under the covers, and gave her kitty one final pat, before she turned off the lamp beside her. Laying still for a moment, she wondered if Galtem and Caleb had made it home alright. She let out a sigh, knowing that they were no longer her problem. Amelia finally rolled over and drifted off to sleep.

<3>

She felt his smarmy gaze roaming over her body and knew the first thing she would do when she got home was take a scalding, hot shower. She hated dealing with this man. It made her feel dirty.

“Well well well…did you run out of case files in that dark hovel of an office of yours? Hmm? Oh wait..that’s right. You have lost how many assistants in the past month to harassment charges? Ha….and you are in charge of internal affairs? Sounds like a conflict of interest right there, hey Toots.”

She wanted to punch him. If there was one thing she hated more than being called “Louisa” it was being called “Toots”. Her fists clenched at her side and she began to count backwards from 100 in Spanish.

Shane went on smoothly, giving Amelia the ablibi she was so desperately needing, causing Carmen to roll her eyes. She didn’t want to believe a word he said, but since there was potential video evidence and witnesses involved, she would have to take him at his word. He then walked boldly up to Rodger and said. “You do…have the evidence, Lieutenant?”

Carmen stood up, arms crossed and glared so hotly at Shane, it was a wonder his clothes didn’t burn off.

“Be that as it may, whether she was with you or not…there is a definite conflict of interest since she happens to be the ex-girlfriend of the bar owner’s brother. That, in my book is definitely NOT kosher. So until this mess gets solved, I’m afraid I’m going to have to recommend she be removed from this case…or suspended pending the outcome. Your choice.” Carmen smirked. “Have a good day, gentleman. Lady.”

So saying, she turned on her heel and left the office, heading for the elevators at the end of the hall.

Roger removed his hand from Amelia’s shoulder to cross his arms and stare Carmen down as she listed off stupid statistics that supposedly made his team seem inadequate. He didn’t care that the weren’t always by the book, he just cared the cases were solved and the victims’ families could get a piece of mind. However, he was aware that the Queen of Darkness bitch probably didn’t have a heart and couldn’t understand such a sentimental quality. Rolling his eyes, he just began to laugh at Carmen. She really must not have a life to feel like she had to crush testicles constantly. He was quite relieved, nevertheless, when Shane decided to make an appearance. Roger looked to Amelia and spoke softly after Shane shared his own imput. “Vampira, I already had the boys remove your kit from your car when I drove you here. Though I was upset, I still want this case solved.”Looking up, he then watched the battle of wit between Carmen and Shane with great interest. Though Roger didn’t like that Amelia had Shane in her home, he had to admit that he liked the lawyer.

As the evidence was once again mentioned as Shane stood before him, he just nodded and spoke with a smirk “The evidence is being examined as we speak, and as we would not have had such great evidence that could very well put a murder behind bars without Reed’s help, I am afraid I will take her suggestion and put it in the trash can with my leftover Chinese food.” He looked towards Carmen with a triumphant grin since he had no desire to remove Amelia from the case, nor would he see her suspended. As much as it was a conflict of interest, it was not enough to get her removed from the case. There was no substantial evidence that her relationship with Galtem had anything to do with the murder. All they had on Galtem himself was a wallet…circumstantial evidence. No, he was going to fight this. As Carmen walked out of his office and the door closed, he made a silly face in her direction. “I really hate that woman…”

Shane loved watching Carmen take a hit below the belt, and leave the room with that tail of hers tightly thrust up between her legs. He actually wanted to do a fist pump in celebration as she gave her final thoughts on the matter and left empty handed. Pleased with Rodger’s response that they had the evidence that was in part provided by Amelia, he knew that for now, she was going to be kept from suspension and the case.

When Rodger commented after Carmen left; “I really hate that woman…” Shane quipped in exchange.“What’s even better is we just got to make her look like a prize bitch. Did you see the way her lips mimicked that of a cat’s asshole?” A loud laugh erupted from Shane as he patted Amelia on the shoulder. “Keep up the good work, hun. See you in court, for the witness statements on the Lawson case.”

Happy with the outcome, he gave Rodger the trigger finger and fired it off. “Laters.” And then headed out of the office, probably to go annoy the crap further out of Carmen. She had just painted a huge target on her ass, for trying to upstage him, and he never let anyone get away when they tried that on.

Now with just Rodger and Amelia left alone in the office, Amelia rose up from her chair. Tired from being up most of the night, and having the stress relieved somewhat that she was not going to lose her job or be suspended, she had to thank Rodger for this.

Not knowing what else to do, or why this came over her, she went to give Rodger a big hug. Totally out of character, and unprofessional, but she needed too.

“Thank you.”

<3>

Those who saw the brunette beauty storming through the halls were wise to get out of her way. Things had gone so wrong down in Rodger’s office and she laid the blame at one person’s feet.

“Dirty, rotten, no good, son-of-a-” she growled.

“I wouldn’t finish that thought if I were you.” her long-time secretary, Mary stated, entering the office behind her and closing the door.

“You don’t have to deal with that ass!” Carmen growled.

“Why do you let him get under your skin? You must know he does it just to piss you off.” Mary grinned, placing her messages on her desk. Carmen picked up one of the darts she kept nearby and launched it at the door. It hit the picture she had there of Shane’s face from a photoshoot he had done for Vanity Fair dead center in the eye and she grinned. “Do you have to do that?” Mary sighed.

“Yes. It relieves tension.”

“So does sex. Try it some time.” Mary smirked.

“Ugh! Must you be so vulgar? You’re a grandmother.”

“I have to get my thrills somewhere.” Mary smirked, turning to leave. Carmen simply banged her head on her desk…repeatedly.

“I loathe that man.” she sighed, pulling out paperwork on another case she was working on, immersing herself in her work as she often did.

Mary and a few others always complained that she had no life. She never dated, she didn’t go out just for drinks with the other women in her office, she didn’t go out…period. And that was the way she liked it. Relationships just messed things up. And she didn’t want to be tied to any man for any reason.

Her life, in her eyes and mind, was perfect.

So saying, it was nearly 8 at night before she decided to head for home.

Shane didn’t know what it was exactly, but he got as big a thrill of pissing off Carmen, as he did hunting prey for a little midnight snack. He wasn’t about to let her get away scott free for the way she berated him in Rodger’s office earlier, so…he made sure he got one last chance to say ‘Goodnight’. It was well past eight when she exited the police station and he heard the tell tale sound of her car alarm being deactivated as she strolled past the rows of squad cars to her own. Emerging out of the shadows, Shane came up behind her and whispered.

“You always did look more attractive from behind.”

Oh that was a cutting remark, making out her ass was more beautiful than her face. You could say that Shane had a way with words. He was also ready for her too, when she took the time to spin around. She might opt for a face slap, or maybe a good kick in the nuts, either way he was prepared to use what it took to evade her attempts to lash out physically.

“How does it feel to be…wrong about people, Carmen? You, the Internal Affairs officer fucking up so greatly. Heh, I would just love to read about that in the Police union gazette.”

Shane would be wearing that million dollar smile, and have his head tilted in a fashion that he appeared cocky. A right bastard.“And er…watch where you hit me, I’m a lawyer and I know all the rules on police brutality. Hell, I wrote a few of them.” He chuckled darkly.

<3>

Carmen froze in her tracks as she heard that hateful, spiteful voice. And his words made her want to do something drastic…like rearrange his face…with her fists, currently clenched around both her keys in one hand, her briefcase in the other. She just knew he would retaliate by getting her fired or something more worse then that. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.

“How does it feel to be…wrong about people, Carmen? You, the Internal Affairs officer fucking up so greatly. Heh, I would just love to read about that in the Police union gazette.”

Carmen remained silent, taking deep breaths and counting backward from 200 this time, in Spanish. She was not going to rise to the bait. She was going to be the better person here.

And yet he continued picking at her, like a scab, in the silence of the carport. “And er…watch where you hit me, I’m a lawyer and I know all the rules on police brutality. Hell, I wrote a few of them.” He chuckled darkly.

Now it was her turn to chuckle, a sound so sensuous it would make young boys cream their jeans to hear it. She turned to face him, keeping herself relaxed as she did so.

“You’d just love that wouldn’t you?” she smiled, walking toward him until she was just inches from him. She could smell his over-priced cologne and resisted the urge to cough. Instead, she paced around him slowly and deliberately, the click-clack of her heels echoing loud in the silence of the carport. “I wonder if your other lawyer pals know you have a secret fetish to be dominated by a woman, tied up…maybe a spanking with a paddle.” she smirked, standing in front of him once more. She leaned in close, her breath brushing across the sensative hairs on his ears. “Dirty boy.” she whispered huskily.

She stepped back and turned away from him, heading for her car once more.

“You’d just love that wouldn’t you?”

“Being beaten with your briefcase?…Not into that kind of leather, Lou.”

She started to pace around, him, with the sharp click clack rhythm of her heels, matching the swinging of her hips.

“I wonder if your other lawyer pals know you have a secret fetish to be dominated by a woman, tied up…maybe a spanking with a paddle.” Oh…so now we are at the Queen of the night talk. Those bitches charge a fortune to dress you up as a baby in a diaper, or a leather thong wearing sub with ball gag. He really couldn’t picture himself in that get up, no matter how much Carmen tried to make it sound like it suited him. She really tried to stick the claws in with the line “Dirty boy.”

“Not half as dirty as the one in your imagination, Toots. Had I known you were into the BDSM lifestyle, I would have directed you to the Police Commissioner. No secret that he gets off on being beaten with a police baton. Come to think of it…wasn’t it HE that gave you that promotion from your desk job? Heh…oh wow, wait till the guys down town find out about this.” He watched her strut towards her car, thinking she had won this round and he simply chuckled and headed the other way.

“She hates me.” His laughter was all that you could hear as he vanished into the mist.

<3>

Carmen’s fists clenched once more at that hated nickname. She did not turn around. She was tired, she was bitchy and she just wanted to go home and take a hot bath and relax with a glass of wine.

“I hate that man.” she muttered, getting into her car.

“Ahh, but is it hate? Or do you lust after Mr Sexy Lawyer?” her concious asked as she made her way home.

“Shut up. I do not lust after him. And he is definitely NOT sexy!” she stated out loud.

“Methinks the maiden dost protest too much.” her inner self smirked.

“And you have the sense God gave a mule. Now shut it.”

“He did call you ‘Lou’.

“Probably meant it as an insult, the bastard.”

Her inner self shut up at that and she was pleased.

—-thread change to Ocean View Apartments—-

Galtem spent the whole night in the damn police station, when he was clearly innocent. Fine, he had that mob look, but not enough to murder somebody. Just because they found his wallet closer to the body, and that in the past they thought he was a drug dealer, but everything went down hill, because they had no more proofs, this didn’t made him a criminal. He had lucky on the drug thing, because he was a drug dealer, and luckily for him no more proofs were found, but about this murder thing, he has no idea on how the hell his wallet went there. Maybe it fell when he gave Caleb some money.
“Galtem Manzenli?” A guard spoke.
Galtem rose up from his seat, and on his face we could see some bruises, he couldn’t heal himself because he was in a cell full of humans and the guards would notice the changes in his face, so he had to remain with this bruises for awhile.
Yes?”
Galtem finally spoke, and stepped closer to the bars from the cell.
The guard started to open the door, and told him that he was free. He couldn’t understand why, and he told him, that there was no more proofs against him, and there was no need for him to be here, plus his alibi was confirmed, so he didn’t fitted in this murder act. Finally a free man. Galtem just took a last look at those stupid humans in it, and if glares could kill, they all would be dead. He left the cell with the guard, and he just lead him to the right place, so he could get his stuff back. They gave him back his wallet, car keys, cellphone, and finally his leather jacket, wondering why they wanted that, but now it was back, and fine.
Putting on his leather jacket, he shoved his wallet and car keys, into his pockets ,making sure this time none would fall, and he kept his cellphone in his palm. He waited for them to open the doors, and he just stepped outside.

Outside:

Now that he was finally outside, his car wasn’t here, he had to go back to the disco and grab it. That wouldn’t be a problem, due his werewolf speed. But he had other thing in his mind, he was thinking about Jennifer, he spent the whole night thinking about what they done, about what she said and what he said, and that last kiss, it was clearly a goodbye one, but he didn’t wanted it to end like that, no matter how much he told him to stop going after her, his hand was already moving on his hand, and began to type down Jennifer’s number, he still remembered about it.
Taking a deep breathe, he placed the phone closer to his ear, and waited for someone to pick up, but, whenever he heard the second beep, he just hung up. He couldn’t do this, he wanted to call her, talk to her, but he shouldn’t do this, it wasn’t his job be with her anymore, he should let her be happy with William. It was like half of his body was fighting for go talk to Jennifer while the other one was fighting for stop being a love sick fool, and just do this life.
Pushing those thoughts away, he just began to walk on his way towards the disco so he could get his car.

((Thread Change))

Monday, 8 AM…

Mary was busy transcribing notes for a court case when Carmen stumbled into the office. Mary was surprised by her appearance. Her hair looked disheveled, her clothes were rumpled and there were bags under her eyes.

“What the hell happened to you?” she asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Carmen sighed, going into her office. Mary followed her and poured her a cup of coffee which she took with a very happy thanks. Mary sat in the chair across from the desk.

“What happened?”

“Just some bad dreams. I didn’t sleep too well.” was all she would admit to.

“Well you have a mid-afternoon break, two hours I believe. Take a nap on the couch. You know how comfortable it is.” Mary suggested, getting to her feet.

“I might do that. Thanks, Mary.”

“Someone’s gotta keep an eye on you. May as well be me.” Mary grinned, leaving the office and closing the door behind her.

The picture of Shane on the back of the door caught her eye and with a thought it appeared in her hand. Growling, she turned and shoved it face down into the paper shredder.

With a sigh, she tried to concentrate on work, but the dreams she had the night before kept haunting her.

Dream Flashback…

It was two in the morning and she was deeply asleep. The night had been sweltering and even with the fan on there was no air to be had. She had left the doors to the balcony in her bedroom wide open to at least get some air circulating and had forgone clothing, choosing to sleep in the nude.

Something moved in the room, moving closer to where she slept. The sheet covering her naked form was slowly removed from her body. She moaned a little in her sleep. A hand touched her thigh, sliding slowly upward. With a murmur she rolled to her back, tossing an arm across her eyes to block out the moonlight shining through the window. The hand had disappeared when she moved, but now was back, gently teasing across her skin, massaging her breasts.

“Mmm.” she verbalized. Lips began teasing her nipples and with a moan, her back arched up.

“Yessss.” she heard a voice whisper against her skin. Hands parted her thighs and she felt another body press against her, pressing into her as lips nuzzled her neck. She turned her head for better access and felt a sharp pain. She cried out in shock for a moment before the pain disappeared and an aching pleasure filled her. She felt a pull against her neck and wrapped her arms around the person she was with, moaning in ecstacy as he made love to her.

Her orgasm was quick and pleasurable as the man drew back. She had to force her eyes open to see whom she was with and she gaped in shock when she saw Shane above her, licking her blood from his lips.

“No!” she whispered.

“Oh yes. You are mine!” he grinned, fangs glistening in the moonlight…

She had woken up with a shout, hand around her throat, her body drenched in sweat. She had ran to the bathroom, flipping the light on so she could examine her neck. There were no signs of being bitten and she sat down on the toilet lid with a sigh of relief. She hadn’t been able to return to sleep after that.

—

She jerked herself back to reality, realizing she had been dozing off over her work. She stood and poured herself a second cup of coffee, leaving it black and strong and downing it in one go.

She could not be distracted by such thoughts again. He would not win.

Introduction of David Razor aka Ghost.

Not all cops at the local police station are dressed in blue, and wear the badge proudly on their lapels. There is a crack team of specialists, that work in the narcotics and undercover department. One, that sets fear into the eyes of those that see him, is David Razor. Not dressed in suits, or tie, this guy looks like he stepped out of an eighties movie, with a shock white mullet, teased up with moose, long black coat, which he wears regardless of the season, and steel capped boots. A five o’clock shadow of stubble is his trademark, and oddly enough he is one of the few officers that is allowed to smoke inside. The Police Commissioner cuts him a wide birth, since this officer has had the highest amount of arrests in Haven, and the bigger cities, where he is nicknamed “Ghost”. His uncanny ability to vanish from the crime scenes, leaving no finger prints, no trace of his even existing, and yet he nails the big players.

Entering via the back entrance, David has presense, as many of the other officers all look up from their desks, in awe of this guy. He doesn’t even give them the time of day, and heads straight for the Branch detective’s office, a file under his arm. Not bothering to knock, he strides in, and sniffs as he tosses the file on the desk.

In a deep raspy voice he says; “Shipment of about 300kgs of herion going down on the dock, at 8,00pm. Get a team ready and set up surveliance on Josh’s seafood boathouse. That is where Millari is doing the drop.” The Branch detective picks up the file, and opens it, going through the photographs and sees notable public figures involved in shady dealings, hand shakes and then a small usb with video footage of Millari and his latest bitch. Grinning the Branch detective goes to shake David’s hand.

“You did it again, how can we repay you?’

“You can start by knocking off the handshake crap. Usual amount, brown bag. You know the drill.”

And with that, he walked out of the office towards his desk, where he sat down and then slammed his massive boots up on the desk top, pulling out a copy of Rolling Stone magazine.

<3>

Carmen poked her head out her door. “Mary, who’s the best detective they have at the moment?” Mary turned to her computer and pulled up the current police roster.

“What are you looking for?”

“Someone who has an impressive record.”

Mary’s fingers flew across the keys. One name popped up and she made a face. “You sure you want to tackle this one?”

“Why? Who is it?”

“Razor, aka Ghost.” Carmen peeked over at Mary’s computer screen.

“Hmm. Interesting.”

“What do you need him for anyway?”

“Secret project. The less you know, the better.” Carmen stated, going back into her office.

She picked up the phone and called downstairs.

The phone started to ring at his desk, with the red light blinking for Carmen’s office. Drawing down his Rolling stone magazine, he raised an eyebrow, looking at the phone, like it was interfering with his reading time. “Shit, what the hell does she want?” David thought to himself, tossing down the magazine and picking up the handle aggressively. He twirled a toothpick around as he listened to her order to go to her office. David cringed, not over fond of Carmen, but he didn’t have much to do with her either, in fact, he pretty much kept to himself.

He gave her a very short answer, that he would be there in five minutes, then hung up, and picked up his magazine again. Five minutes passed and he let out an audible grunt before letting his boots fall to the ground, and tossing the mag back in his drawer. One of the other officers chuckled to see David having to go see Carmen, and even was bold enough to make a comment.

“Dragon lady got shit on you, Razor?’

David sniffed and then leaned over to Swaski and said. “No man, but by the smell of you, you forgot to wipe. You stink, asshole.” The other officers all burst out laughing, as Swaski went the deepest shade of red, and then hurried to the john.

Not even bothering to knock, David entered Carmen’s office and then yanked out a chair, sitting himself down. He took out a packet of cigarettes and then tapped the box on his palm, before drawing one out and setting it between the corner of his lips. About to get out a zippo lighter, he mumbled.

“You don’t call less you got some big deal eatin’ at ya, Carmen. Sup?”

<3>

It never surprised her that his appearance screamed “You Mom Warned You About Me.” It was how he operated.

He strode into her office without knocking and immediately sat in the chair across from her desk. Pulling out a pack of cigarettes, he placed one in his mouth, returning the pack to his pocket.

“You don’t call less you got some big deal eatin’ at ya, Carmen. Sup?” he asked, lighting the cig.

She slid an ashtray across the desk toward him, hoping he’d get the hint and use the thing, unlike last time when he stubbed it out on the corner of her desk. She still had the burn mark to prove it.

“I need you to do some digging for me. This might probably be the most dangerous case you’ve ever done. Are you in?” she asked without preamble. “I mean this needs some serious discretion attached to it. If anyone, especially the subject, knew about this, it could mean both our jobs.”

She rolled her eyes at the nickname “Car”. “Didn’t I tell you to call me ‘Lou’ on more than one occassion. If you’re going to give me a nickname, at least use one I won’t get teased for.” she sighed. “And yes, this is completely off the books. Let’s just say it’s for personal benefit and be done with it.

“I ain’t agreeing till I know who the target is. For all I know you could be trying to set up the Commissioner. Even if he does deserve a bit of time in County. Make one fat prison bitch though.” he chuckled.

She ignored his crack about the Commissioner (even though she agreed with him about it) and withdrew a file from her desk, sliding it over to him.

“Everything you need is there. I want to know all the dirty little secrets.” she stated. “Usual fees apply, of course.” she added, awaiting his answer.

The mail delivery guy is pushing his trolley through the station going past the various cublicles, and taking out letters and parcels, to put on the various desks, till he comes outside the office of the Internal affairs office. There is a black parcel that is addressed to Carmen, and the mail clerk picks it up, just like its an every day package. He raps on the door, then opens it on the sound of her voice.

“You got a package here.” He places it on her desk and then turns to leave, the box sitting on her desk.

The box has a black and white ribbon, and a small swing tag, that has an inscription on it.

“From a friend.”

If she was to open the box, there would be black tissue paper, but when you pulled that back, there was a dead white dove, resting on a bed of red rose petals. A blank CD is at the bottom of the box, with the words “Play me

There is a song on the CD….just the one. This…was a warning of what could happen to her, if she pushed to hard.

The bird represents a woman, the petals are blood….and she is dying. Its a fate that awaits Carmen, if she is not careful

<3>

There was a knock on her door some time later. “Come in.” she called out. The door opened and a man from the mail room poked his head in the door.

“You got a package here.” he stated, placing it on her desk before leaving. She sat back in her seat, staring at the seemingly innocent box. There was a simple tag hanging from it.“From A Friend”

Drawing it toward herself, she pulled off the ribbon and the top. Something was covered in black tissue paper. She slowly pulled open the paper, staring down at the white dove resting in a bed of rose petals. It wasn’t breathing, it’s dull black eyes staring at her accusingly. There was also a CD inside, nothing indicating what was on it. She placed in her CD player beside her and pressed play. She recognized the song and sat back with a chuckle.

“The nuns always said I enjoyed playing with fire.” she smirked, returning the cd back to the box and closing the lid. Gathering up her paperwork and filing it away for later, she put the box in her purse to dispose of on her way out.

“Mary, I’m going out for the rest of the day. These need to be mailed to the US Attorney General’s offices by overnight mail.” she stated, placing two envelopes in the OUT tray on Mary’s desk.

“Don’t forget you have that meeting with the D.A. tomorrow.” That made Carmen pause on her way out the door.

“What meeting?” she demanded. She didn’t recall setting up any meeting with Shane.

“He called yesterday asking for a meeting with you. Your morning was clear for tomorrow so I slotted him in.”

“He called you? On a Sunday? What were you doing here on a Sunday?”

“Getting your files together for that state case on Friday like you asked me to. Why?” Mary was genuinely confused until Carmen remembered she did ask her to get those files together for her.

“You didn’t have to come in on your day off to do that.” Carmen told her.

“I wasn’t doing anything at home and I was bored. It’s no big deal.”

“New rule. No more working on your day off. Go to the movies or something.” Carmen told her. “And see if you can cancel that meeting.” There was no way in hell she was going to allow herself to be in any situation where she was alone with that man.

Carmen was the first one down to the lobby and she went to the desk to ask the clerk where the luau was being held.

“Out by the fountain. Take these doors to the left and walk straight down the steps. You can’t miss it.” the woman behind the counter was kind enough to tell her.

“Thank you. I’m actually waiting for someone. The lady that checked into Room 546. Could you let her know that I went out to find a good table, and I’ll meet her out there?”

“That won’t be a problem. Enjoy the luau.”

“Thank you.” Carmen smiled. Adjusting the shawl she’d brought over her shoulders, she headed in the direction indicated.

Fountain

With the coming of night, the area around the fountain was lit like New Year’s Eve in New York City. It was bright, it was magical and it was simply fantastic. Wanting to capture the moment, she whipped out her camera and snapped a couple of pictures before putting it away. She found a good spot near the area the dancers would come out and close to the buffet table and waited for Louisa to arrive.

Descending the stairs, Louisa looked radiant in her shocking pink ensemble, complete with matching clutch and shoes. Seeing Carmen, she waved and blew a kiss from across the tiled area, and clattered over towards her, looking a million dollars. Her golden locks bobbed on her shoulders, and she was like your typical tourist, admiring all the beautiful people and the gorgeous setting.

“So pretty. Ooo..birds of paradise. Oh..waiters with lap laps. I so want a grass skirt.” she gushed, finally making her way over to Carmen.

“You look so PRETTY.” Louisa said with a high pitch and tilting her head. “Is this where we sit? Are there going to be fire eaters, cause I love those. Oooo is that the menu? I know I am going to eat way too much and be a Miss Piggy.”

She settled into her seat and placed down her purse.

“Oh my…I think that guy over there is looking at you.” she said, pointing to the guy from the beach earlier. He was holding up a drink and winking at Carmen.

“Are all the natives this friendly?” Louisa asked, accepting a coconut cocktail from a scantily clad waiter.

<3>

Louisa was simply enthralled by the fire dancers. The funny stories they told before they started their acts, the roar of the fire sticks as they twirled them at astonishing speeds. Sucking on her twirly straw, Louisa bounced in her seat to the beat of the drumming, her eyes shining from the reflection of the fire sticks. You would think she didn’t get out much, with her over enthusiastic reactions to the dancers, even getting up at one point and putting on a grass skirt, to have a go at hula dancing, which she was really bad at. Two left feet, but creating much laughter in the crowd, with her infectious laughter. She even waved down at Carmen, like a star struck tourist, and posed for pics with some of the more built male dancers.

Coming back down off the stage, Louisa was given a floral lae to wear around her neck and kissed by a sweet Hawaiian girl. Squealing, Louisa came back to sit with Carmen and then saw the size of her meal, a banquet of cooked meats and fruits, she could hardly believe.

Louisa caught sight of the mystery man, who was trying to get Carmen’s attention, winking and blowing kisses her way, and Louisa erupted in a fit of giggles. “He seems…really keen, Carmen.” Louisa whispered, pointing him out again. “You should go and have a drink with him. I’d wash my clothes on his stomach. Hehe.”

<3>

Afterward, Louisa came back to the table, grinning from ear to ear and flushed with happiness. Carmen had a thought, a small one, that maybe she had a horrible boyfriend or husband back in Florida who didn’t allow the poor girl any fun in her life if this was her reaction to a simple Hawaiian Luau.

“He seems…really keen, Carmen.” Louisa whispered, pointing out the hottie from earlier that day. “You should go and have a drink with him. I’d wash my clothes on his stomach. Hehe.”

Carmen, feeling pretty mellow and happy, and a tad bit reckless, called over a waitress.

“Yes, Miss?”

“Could you see that this…” she borrowed the waitress’s pen and wrote down her room number on a napkin, passing both back to the waitress, “…gets to that man sitting by the bar? The one with the long dark hair?” Carmen grinned. The waitress smiled.

“I’ll see to it personally.” the waitress smiled, walking toward the man. He grinned when he saw what was on the napkin and toasted Carmen with his drink. She toasted him back before turning to look at Louisa.

“Oh my…did I do what I think I just did?” she giggled.

The Waitress was a dear girl, and chuckled as she took the token napkin and made her way over to the bar, where the Fisherman’s friend was straddling a bar stool His reaction at seeing her number written down on the napkin got a nod and then he alighted the bar stool and headed towards the lobby. Louisa watched all this in awe of Carmen, and giggled like a school girl at Carmen’s sudden bravado.

“Oh..my ..god. He’s such a hunk, and buns that look like they could have you bouncing off the wall.” Louisa reached for Carmen’s hand and then leaned forward as the music was very loud.

“Really enjoy him. This is a holiday after all. What happens on the road, stays on it.” She gushed, so happy for her new found friend.

Room 546

In the darkness of the spacious suite, one of the larger black trunks was seen to be open, as a shadow loomed at the window, staring down at the festivities. The figure was watching Carmen and Louisa enjoying themselves, and a dark deep growl emitted from his throat.

“Fuck this up…and it will be the last thing you do, Louisa.”

The Luau

By now the band was playing slow music for couples that were dancing, and Louisa was sucking the last of her cocktail out of the coconut. Her plate was empty and she had a satisfied smile as she patted her belly. “I ate enough for a week. I am a tubby now. I better head up and get some sleep. Have fun with Mister Washboard.” Louisa said, smiling as she got up from her chair, and took her purse. For a reason she looked up at her balcony then gasped as she saw Shane’s shadow. “Oh my. I need to pee. I better run.” And like a frightened rabbit, she was off, before Carmen could say another word.

<3>

Must have been all that fresh ocean air making her horny.

But Carmen was pleased Louisa was having a wonderful time and told her as much. When she mentioned her need to pee and started to rush off, Carmen called after her. “Maybe we can do some shopping tomorrow! Ring my room if you want to go!” She was unsure if Louisa heard her as she dashed off inside.

Carmen paid the bill for dinner, took the last of her drink and started inside to her room.

—-

Hallway outside Room 544

The man from the bar was leaning against the wall, arms crossed casually when she walked up. She paused in the hall when she saw him and blushed when he looked up at her.

“Um…Hello.” she mumbled.

“Hello.” the man grinned, stepping closer.

“I…don’t…usually do this…sort of thing.” Carmen grinned in embarassment, putting her hands behind her back.

“It’s the tropics. You can go wild.” he told her, wrapping an arm around her waist. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart threatened to beat right out of her chest.

“Oh boy.” she gulped as his lips trailed across her check and neck.

“Shall we go inside.” he mumured against her skin. She nodded vigorously, pulling her room key from her purse. He stood behind her, running his hands all over her body as he planted kisses along the back of her neck and shoulders. She finally got the door open and they went inside. He pinned her against the door with a growl and began to kiss her fully. Caught off guard for a moment, Carmen quickly caught on and kissed him back.

He began tearing at her clothes and for a moment she panicked. She began pushing at him, beating his shoulders but he wouldn’t release her. Drawing on her training, she drew back her knee and took quick aim. With a yelp, he dropped like a ton of bricks.

“I’m not a piece of meat to be pawed over like a slobbering animal!” she snapped. “Get out!” She yanked open the door, shoved her foot in his ass and pushed him out. He practically flew into the wall across the way. “When you learn that women are not a food source, come back for a visit.” And with that she slammed the door.

Carmen had a hard time falling asleep. She tossed and turned for most of the night but she just couldn’t settle her mind or thoughts. She was worried about her future, if she still had a job and all that. And she couldn’t help but worry about Louisa. The young woman seemed so sad at times. But Carmen wasn’t going to pry. The woman’s life was her personal business.

Sighing, she crawled from her bed, looking out the balcony door to the beach below.

“Maybe a walk will clear my head.” she mumured. She removed the chemise she was sleeping in and slipped into a lightweight dress and sandals. She would take them off when she got to the beach.

——

She walked along the shore line, the midnight tide splashing against her ankles as she gathered her thoughts together. She knew she had some heavy apologizing to do when she got back, already deciding to pay the medical bills for the man she injured. There was probably going to be some kind of civil suit involved and she knew that her reputation would take a serious hit.

“Why do I let him effect me so?” she muttered, thinking about the DA for the first time in hours. This whole mess she was in was partially his fault as well.

After an hour, she turned to go back inside, noticing from her position on the beach that there was someone standing in the shadows of Louisa’s room. She wondered if the woman was still awake. She headed back in. She could use a bit of a girl chat. Maybe over some late night ice cream if room service was still available this time of night.

——

Outside Room 546

Carmen took a deep breath and lightly knocked on Louisa’s door, just in case she had been seeing things and Louisa was actually asleep…

Louisa had been used by Shane as he dominated her when Carmen had kicked out her potential lover. Normally Louisa would fall to his charms, like all the women in his life, but this time, it was different. She dared not disobey, and when done, she crawled over to the corner of the room, shivering and scared, as Shane went out on the balcony to think.

A few hours passed, and Louisa had fallen asleep sitting up, when there was suddenly a knock at the door. Shane silently crept over and flicked Louisa’s head, which roused her from sleep. She was about to cry out, when he made a slicing action with his finger against his own throat as a warning.

Nervously she got to her feet, and the D.A stroked her hair, and gave her cheek a kiss, almost like he was pretending to suddenly treasure her. He moved into the next room, as she went to the door. It might have been room service, or a wayward tourist who was too drunk to remember their own room. She tried to compose herself, and then opened the door.

Seeing Carmen there, Louisa blinked, and with a shudder, asked;

“Are you okay? I thought you had that date.” Louisa then forced a smile and shrugged her shoulders.

<3>

Rupert came up behind his sister and placed his hands on her shoulders reassuringly, as she was being treated with such kindness by Elvira. An invitation to a Ladies circle would mean that Madeline would be able to get out of the house and socialize with others, something Rupert felt she needed to do. Night after Night, she would sit up with Rupert, reading or doing needle point, trying to fill her hours, so she could put her late husband out of her mind. Even after the few years since his death, she still has not come to terms fully with her loss. Madeline glanced up at her older brother, who smiled at her affectionately, then said to Elvira.

“Why you are mighty kind, Countess. I know I speak on behalf of Maddy when I say thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.” Madeline nodded in agreement, letting Rupert take the floor. He felt like she was his responsibility, and so he often spoke on her behalf in front of guests. Maddy brightened and then asked. “I hope you like masked balls. Always a hit of the season, and for such a good cause.” At this, Virgo coughed, remembering the last masked ball they attended, and he knew it didn’t exactly go terribly well for Elvira’s family. In fact it was the catalyst that tore her family apart.

“With you as Hostess, I am sure it will be a fantastic success.” Virgo said confidently, and winked at Elvira. He was enjoying seeing her making new friends as well, since it was an unexpected pleasure to meet Rupert’s sister. Rupert took out his pipe and started to pack it, as the tea was being served to the guests.

Madeline asked. “So tell me, do you and the Count have children? Unfortunately Baz and I were unable to before he….uhm. sorry, yes, do you have children?” Madeline tried to correct herself, asking something that obviously of interest to her. She took out her cigarette holder, tapping one in the end and lighting it, before exhaling a small cloud of smoke from between her lips.

<3>

“Masked balls are lovely.” Elvira reassured Maddy after looking away from her husband. She took the cup of tea passed to her from a servant and spooned in a small amount of sugar before stirring it gently. She may have been living in America but she was still a born and bred English Lady and would never forgo her manners.

“So tell me, do you and the Count have children? Unfortunately Baz and I were unable to before he….uhm. sorry, yes, do you have children?” Elvira caught the slip but did not comment. She took a sip of her tea before she answered the question.

“Yes, we do. Twins, much to my surprise and Virgo’s everlasting amusement. Their names are Dominique and Damion.” Elvira smiled with pride as she thought about her offspring. And as women everywhere often do, she couldn’t help but talk about them. “Damion is youngest by about five minutes and works with his father most of the time. Dominique, my eldest, is a singer and dancer at one of the speakeasies here in town.”

Madeline listened intently to Elvira speak of her twins; Dominique and Damion. Such wonderful children by the sounds of it, and both working here in New York. “Damion is youngest by about five minutes and works with his father most of the time. Dominique, my eldest, is a singer and dancer at one of the speakeasies here in town.” Exhaling again, Madeline tapped her cigarette and placed it down in the ashtray. She truly enjoyed hearing about the Marulo’s children. “A daughter who sings and dances? Why, she must have got her talent from you, Countess. You must be so proud of them. And is your son as handsome as your Husband?” she inquired, causing Virgo to cough and then shake his head. “Both children get their looks from their mother, not some old beast like me.”He joked, placing a hand upon Elvira’s shoulder protectively.

Over the years, nothing had changed. They were both the same, and Virgo was constantly touching, guarding, or pawing at his beloved Elvira. He gazed down at her with admiration and affection that was rarely displayed by men so consistently.

“I really think we should have some more. Children that is. Might try this afternoon.”

This was bound to get a reply from Elvira and Rupert burst out laughing.

“Now now, no need to be advertising your bedroom prowess here, Count. Make a man like me feel inadequate.”

“I’m sure with the right woman, Rupert, you be doing her night and day. Even from the chandelier.”

<3>

“Oh I couldn’t hold a tune to save my life. She gets that talent from her father. But I do dance pretty well.” Elvira grinned.

“Both children get their looks from their mother, not some old beast like me.” Virgo joked before Elvira could reply, placing a hand on her shoulder. Elvira drove an elbow into his ribs.

“Pay no attention to him. He’s so silly sometimes.” Elvira smiled, staring at him. Anyone with two eyes could see that The Marulos never lost that sense of love and devotion that they’d found for each other on a summer night in a garden gazeebo.

“I really think we should have some more. Children that is. Might try this afternoon.”

Elvira, who had been about to speak to Maddy, whipped her head around and stared at her husband in surprise. “Really? You’d want to have another baby? You never said before.” Clearly, Elvira was pleased with this developement. She’d secretly longed for another baby but didn’t know how to go about telling her husband about it.

“Now now, no need to be advertising your bedroom prowess here, Count. Make a man like me feel inadequate.”

“I’m sure with the right woman, Rupert, you be doing her night and day. Even from the chandelier.”

“Virgo! There are ladies present! Behave yourself, my love.” Elvira exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with humor.

Rupert guffawed and slapped Virgo’s back heartily. “Then I know who to call for tips.”This set off Madeline even more. If this sort of talk got out. She took up her cigarette and winked at Elvira. “You are such a lucky woman, Countess. How ever did you find such a man?”

Oh this would be the tale that would have many a dame’s heart go aflutter. Virgo actually sat down beside Madeline, and then started the tale off.

“Fairest beauty in all London. Captivated me whilst she rode her horse Jezzibel. The way she mounted and rode that horse. I gotta say, made a man like me just want to take her in my arms and steal her away. Cept, I didn’t steal her. I did steal a kiss though.”

Proud of this, he sat back and wiggled his eyebrows at his beloved. Since it was true.

<3>

“I was simply fascinated with him the moment I laid eyes on him. Here was this man, running his horse through the park as if the hounds of hell were after him and he stops beside me, without pausing for a breath and kisses me. Then he takes off again. What kind of man does that?” Elvira wondered. “Needless to say, I was a bit miffed at him for taking such liberties. It just was not the thing to do back then. Certain proprieties had to be followed when courting a lady and he blasted through every one of those rules like they were tissue paper. But, when my father…passed away, rather unexpectedly, Virgo was there for me when I was grieving most horribly. He braved my temper, took care of me and got me through the pain in such a way that I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. And he got me to open my eyes and be the person I was born to be. Made me see that life goes on and if I continued to grieve, then I would miss out on the best thing that ever happened to me.” She gave her husband a look of such love, it was as if they could taste it upon the air. “He is my one and only. Where he goes, I follow and I will protect him as much as he protects me.” she finished.

“I thought Sally was going to take a slipper to us both after the Carriage incident.”Virgo said, taking up a cup of tea and sipping it. He didn’t need to go into details, but Elvira would know what he meant. He placed an arm around her and then nuzzled the side of her head, not trying to get her into a pickle with his banter, he was just proud of her and their courtship, even if it was unorthodox.

“All I know is I got the girl.” He said proudly. Rupert raised his cup in a mock toast and Madeline clapped, loving this romantic tale.

“Now, if only I could find a man that adorable.” Madeline said with a sigh, and Rupert pointed at her and said. “My dear, if you would only go out and be more social, then maybe you would have half a chance, instead of hiding away here.” He was right in a sense, and Madeline looked away, feeling a bit embarrassed that he would point it out so bluntly.

Rupert came around to her side, and then knelt so he could look in her eyes.

“You…have to let him go. To truly live again, Maddy.” Rupert stared into her eyes and she nodded, knowing he spoke the truth. “Who knows…Mister Right might be at that ball, hmm?” At this, Madeline stood up and gave the Marulos a smile, though it was riddled with sadness. “It was really nice meeting you both. Excuse me.” And with that she hurried off inside, leaving Rupert looking at the floor.

“Me and my big mouth.”

<3>

She watched brother and sister speak and felt a bit sad for Madeline as she excused herself and left the gardens. She looked at Rupert who was staring at the ground where Maddy had left him.

“Me and my big mouth.” Elvira and Virgo heard him sigh.

She leaned forward and touched Rupert’s shoulder in a gentle show of caring. “If I may be so bold…what happen to her husband?” Elvira asked gently. She truly enjoyed Madeline’s company and hated to see the young woman in so much pain.

“She would have made a wonderful mother. It was going to be her first.” Rupert added, as he saw a shadow in the second floor window that would have been Madeline’s room.

“I must apologize if this has spoilt your visit. We don’t normally discuss family matters in public.” Rupert said with a sigh, sitting down and toying with his pipe. Clearly this was as candid as he had ever been with the Marulos, and he had to wonder just what they thought of them now.

“This is one of the reasons I don’t have ladies come calling. Madeline….she uh…doesn’t take well to them. Not sure why. Course she adored you both. I guess for her to see a successfully married couple was unique for her. I was so proud of her behavior.” Rupert said, then staring off at the gardens.

It seemed no matter how well off you are, if you are without love…money means nothing.

<3>

“I must apologize if this has spoilt your visit. We don’t normally discuss family matters in public.” Rupert said with a sigh. “This is one of the reasons I don’t have ladies come calling. Madeline….she uh…doesn’t take well to them. Not sure why. Course she adored you both. I guess for her to see a successfully married couple was unique for her. I was so proud of her behavior.”

Elvira got to her feet and moved to sit beside him, taking his hand in hers. “Do not apologize to me, to us.” she began, looking at her husband briefly before returning her gaze to Rupert. “She is your sister and you cannot help be worried about her. And I’m glad we came and met her today. She is simply a breath of fresh air in my life and I am happy to call her a friend. It’s wonderful what you are doing for her. And I’d be honored to introduce her to society again, if that would help.”

She looked to her husband for help, as Rupert was his friend and business partner.

“Galtem! I’ve been looking for you. You’re a very hard man to find, you know. I was starting to think you’d been…avoiding me.” his tone was playful, but Galtem should know better than to believe he as anything but serious. His eyes befell the blonde beauty the man had been speaking with, and a sly, confident, yet respectful grin peeled over his lips. HE reached for his prize as he spoke, hopefully, it’d come when he grasped it in his palm. “And you must be Jennifer. I must say, Galtem has always had impeccable taste.” He approached Jennifer, then, and out stretched his hand. “Andrew Gatsby, a pleasure to finally meet the Blonde Goddess of Derry.”

he chuckled and took a seat beside Jennifer, his eyes catching Lizzy, who he’d spoken to on a few occassions, but has yet to…get around with. Don’t doubt that this fact will change, though. He winked at Lizzy once their eyes made contact, and he turned to pat the seat beside him, and looked at Galtem. “So why not celebrate such luck? Hm? After all, you were once my greatest runner, and closest…associate.” His eyes fell to Jen, who seemed rather…distant at this point, and he nudged her gently, his smile becomming reassuring and gentle, full of warmth and understanding. “And toast…to new friends.”

((Runner: This can be described as a short term for “Drug Runner”. Or someone who delivers and gathers drugs for a gang or other source.))Also, I know I’m using the same gif, was in a bit of a rush. >.>)

((Thread Change))

“Get your slimey hands off my secretary!” 

“Slimey? They are super clean.”

“Mary, why don’t you go and take an early lunch? Take all the time you’d like.”

Poor Mary, she looked like a possum hit by high beam and just as stupified. She agreed with Carmen, without so much as an argument, shuffling out the door, but looking back at Shane oddly, who was pouting like his feelings had been seriously hurt.

“Try Joe’s diner, their hot pockets are breath taking.” He said after her, till the door was closed and the devilish grin re appeared on Shane’s face.

“Let me guess…Nanna had a miraculous recovery, and answered the cellphone in her coffin at the funeral home.”He said with that golden voice of his. “No wait…you realized you left your ten inch dildo in your left drawer of your desk and couldn’t bare to leave without it. Lying…doesn’t suit you, Lou.” He started to chuckle as he walked towards her. Stopping just before Carmen, he licked his lips and said. “You are better looking in the flesh, then in your dreams. I personally loved the one, where you fucked back, moaning….loving the feel of my bite. Delicious, wasn’t it?” He said with a raspy voice.

Grinning, he then headed for the door. “I think I have wasted enough of your time, Lou. We shall reschedule, when your not so…busy.”

And with that, he walked out the door.

<3>