“Maybe she should eat first,” Tay suggested, pointing to the woman who was still sitting in the back corner, humming away.

“I’m not drinking from her,” I objected. “I told you, I don't drink directly from humans anymore.”

I focused my mind elsewhere; the smell radiating off the woman mixed with the guardian angel blood was intoxicating, and I was contemplating whether I should stick to my horrible donated blood or not.

Aleksandrov gave Eli a nod of the head, like they had some silent understanding of what to do next. He then headed out the door with Tay.

I watched in longing as Eli walked over to the woman, took her by the hand and escorted her out of the room, closing the door behind him. Almost immediately, I relaxed. I didn’t realise how hard I had been tensing and holding myself back from attacking anyone.

I walked over to the sink and splashed water onto my face, hoping this wasn't a dream. I stared at my reflection, trying to picture what I would look like with sun-kissed skin again or normal teeth, and to see my old blue eyes instead of these horrible black ones. I focused on my eyes; I couldn’t remember what my previous colour even looked like. All I could see were the same eyes that killed my mother. Every time I saw them I felt sick… I felt Hank.

The loud clunking noise thundered through the room again and the air soon filled with a sweet scent as Eli entered the room.

“Are you okay?”

“I'm fine,” I lied, forcing a fake smile and walking over to the bed.

I thought about those two words ‘I’m fine’ — it’s funny how they just come out even when you’re far from being okay. In the past year, those two short words had become my hymn. How could someone be 'fine’ when they are like me?

Eli walked over and handed me a bag of blood. I could smell the blood through the plastic, but I didn't take it.

“Where did you get this?”

“We took it, from your house.”

Thoughts of Camilla and Aunt Jen filled my thoughts. I was too absorbed in what was going on with me to ask if they were okay.

“Did you see my aunt? What about Camilla? Are they okay?”

“They were asleep and they’re fine; well, as fine as you can be when a family member goes missing.”

“Gets abducted,” I corrected him, grabbing the blood out of his hand.

His tense green eyes looked at me in amusement as his perfect teeth bit his bottom lip, hiding the smile that hinted at the corners of his mouth. His lips were full and luscious. I forced my eyes nervously from his mouth and down to my bag of blood, hoping he didn’t notice that I was lusting over the plump lips that sat on his face so perfectly.

“A little privacy?” I asked, feeling self-conscious.

I didn’t want Eli to see me drink blood. I didn’t know him, but I knew that I didn’t want him to think even less of me.

“Sorry, Mr Aleksandrov’s orders, I have to make sure you drink it all.”

Slowly I brought the bag to my mouth; the plastic was warm on my lips. I pierced the bag, concealing as much of fangs as I could. Eli watched, his face unchanging. If he was disgusted, he sure wasn’t giving anything away. My brain buzzed and my body tingled as the blood entered my system. I became more energized and less hungry but it still wasn’t enough to quench my hunger for a taste of Eli’s blood.

I squeezed what I could out of the bag before handing it back to him. I darted over to the sink and washed my mouth. Even drinking from a bag can be messy sometimes. A tall blonde woman entered the room as I dried my face and she placed some clothes and a pair of shoes on the bed.

“Here are some fresh clothes,” she said bitterly.

I opened my mouth to thank her but she left before I got the chance.

Rude.

“Get changed and then we’ll go.”

I watched as Eli’s shapely back exited out the door. The privacy I was given was pointless, there was a two way mirror on the wall, he might as well have been standing right next to me. I picked up the sneakers and almost fell to my knees. Thank god I didn't have to wear high heels for a second longer.

One. Two. Three. I counted in my mind. I pulled my dress off fast so I wasn’t exposed for too long. I kicked off my heels and threw on the pair of baggy denim jeans and the light blue tank top that were messily thrown onto my bed.

Perfect fit.

I sighed in relief as my feet slipped perfectly into the level joggers and Eli appeared in the doorway. Once again a small smile played upon his lips— he was so tantalizing.

“Don't worry,” he said. “I wasn't watching.” His full lips broke out in a seductive smile as he ran his fingers through his dark hair.

“Before we go, I thought maybe you’d want to call your cousin,” he suggested, walking over to me and handing me his mobile phone.

I grabbed the phone from his hand, my skin coming into contact with his. He didn't even flinch. If I could blush from embarrassment my face would have been as red as a stop sign. Thankfully, blushing was reserved for the living.

I moved my eyes from his hand to his face, waiting for a disgusted expression to cross his countenance.

No reaction.

“Most people jump at how cold I am,” I muttered.

“Most people haven’t spent a lifetime killing vampires.”

His response got a smile out of me. Here at Sage, they were used to ‘other worldly’ creatures, it was normal. Vampire or not, I still fit in here.

“Don't tell her where you are, what you’re doing, or when you will be back,” Eli explained.

I dialed Camilla's number, but hitting the call button took longer than I expected. Millions of questions and doubts buzzed around my brain. I wanted to put the phone down and never contact her again, it was safer for her. I was dangerous and I brought nothing but danger to their lives. However, on the other hand, she at least deserved to know that I was okay; she deserved a proper goodbye.

Pushing the doubts aside, I exhaled deeply and hit the call button.

“Hello?” she asked slowly.

“Camilla, it’s me.”

“Oh my god, Ruby! Where are you? Are you okay?”

“I'm fine and I’m safe.”

“Where are you? I’ll come get you.”

“I can't tell you where I am.”

“Why?”

“Because I can't.” I swallowed hard, forcing the lump in my throat down.

“Tell me where you are; we’re bringing you home. Do you know how worried Mum and I—”

Beep.

I hung up on her. I squeezed my eyes shut, using every ounce of will not to cry. Electricity shot through my body as Eli put his hand on my shoulder. How did he provoke such a strong reaction from me? I turned to face him and he dropped his hand back by his side, much to my dismay.

“Everything will be okay, eventually,” he claimed.

“She was so hurt that I couldn't tell her anything.”

“It’s safer for you and for them if they don't know where you are or what you’re doing,” He explained, taking the phone off me. “Come on, I'll take you to your new place.”

Eli escorted me out of the door and I was careful not to touch it. I had experienced enough silver burn to last me an eternity. On the bench in front of the mirror (which was a two way mirror, like I assumed) was a pillow and a blanket.

“You slept here? I asked, pointing at the pillow and blanket.

“Yes, Iva— Mr Aleksandrov gave me orders to in case you escaped.”

“You do know the door is lined with silver?”

“You can never be too careful.” Eli chuckled. “Before we go…” He held up a pair of handcuffs.

He had to be joking. The handcuffs swung gently as they hung of the end of his index finger. “You can’t be serious. I’m not going to run; this is what I want.”

His eyes searched mine; I could tell he was questioning whether or not to trust me. I was a vampire, after all.

“Don’t make me regret this.” He sighed, throwing the handcuffs down on the bench.

He turned and began walking up a rocky tunnel and I followed. Fifty metres ahead, the sun peered in, lighting up the exit to the tunnel.

“Wow, you really wanted to make sure I wasn't evil, huh?”

“We take whatever cautions needed to ensure the safety of our school, students, and faculty members,” replied Eli, his voice stern and hard.

“How much do you get paid to say ridiculous lines like that?” I said mockingly.

He didn’t acknowledge my comment, not even a smirk. I smiled and dared to peek at him. A tall, muscular build, ridiculously mysterious green eyes that was hard not to get lost in. His hair, dark and incandescent, had a shine like fine hardwood. I suppose that comparison wasn't entirely fair. Hardwood doesn't swish gently like his hair; swaying with every step he took.

I hadn’t realised how dense and muggy it had been in the cell. It was a relief to feel the cooler air against my skin. We trudged along the soft floor of the forest. The tree's soft whisper against the wind was like a lullaby. It was so welcoming and calm. Despite my situation, I felt safe and secure.

“So you’re a guardian angel?”

“Yes.”

“Where are your wings?” I wondered aloud, as I often did.

Eli laughed. “I assume you expect angel wings to be big and white and feathery.”

“Well… yes.”

“No, they aren't like in the books at all. Our wings are connected to our souls, and like the soul, our wings aren't physical. They are a mass of energy, in the shape of wings, yes, but not physically.”

“Wow, what a rip off.”

“I don't see it that way. If I had massive wings, I couldn't fit through doors or drive a car.”

“Who needs to drive when you can fly?” I commented as I climbed over the rotted trunk of a tree.

“Humans would have a heart attack if they saw us flying around,” he countered.

“Touché.”

I liked hearing his voice; it was deep and husky, soothing even.

“So, can you do anything else other than not really fly?” I asked, as we trudged through the bush land.

“I can do a lot of things, but you’ll find out more about that later.”

I couldn’t help but link his comment to a sexual gesture, what is wrong with me? Of course that wasn’t what he meant, but my libido was hoping that it was.

After ten minutes of ruthless hiking, I could see the cabin. It was wooden (as cabins usually are) and had a very pretty rustic colour to it. We proceeded up the cracked footpath to the front door. Eli pulled a key from the pocket of his dark baggy jeans and unlocked the door, with a loud creak and a slight nudge, it opened.

Eli stepped aside to let me in first.

“Do I tip you now?”

He ignored my joke and entered the house behind me. “This was your mother’s. Apparently she stayed here when she was doing her research.”

“Research?”

He nodded. I pondered on the thought of my mother existing here. The house was amazing; it was like a studio— everything was in the one room, the kitchen was right by the lounge and the lounge was by the bed. The bathroom had its own room, behind a door, for obvious reasons. I walked around the massive room, touching everything and thinking of my mother. Images and thoughts of her ran through my mind.

“Why was she staying outside the border? That’s extremely dangerous. Vampires hunt goddesses.”

“They say your mum was amazingly strong and fantastic at wielding the elements. She and her guardian angel, Michelangelo, were a strong team; they could defend themselves very well. She stayed outside the charms because she had vampires visiting regularly.”

I stopped in my tracks and suddenly felt ill.

“What? Why?”

“Because she was studying them. They were like you, not completely vampires, but not like us either, stuck in the middle. Unfortunately, full vampires came in the night; Michelangelo fought them off so Meredith could retreat to the safety of the school. She made it; unfortunately Michelangelo was never seen again. Soon after, your mother found out she was pregnant and left to make a better life for you. Everything is how she left it.”

I walked over to the door on the left wall near my bed, it was the bathroom. It had a big white spa bath with a matching porcelain sink sitting in a beautiful black wooden bench. The toilet was also porcelain and elegant. In the corner was a big shower with glass surrounding it. I felt like I was in a five star hotel, it was so modern despite the look on the outside.

“Amazing, isn't it?”

I spun around.

“Mr Aleksandrov! I didn't hear you come in.”

“Scaring a vampire, there is a first for everything I suppose.” Mr Aleksandrov chuckled.

I smiled an uneasy smile.

“I just came by to see if you liked your new accommodation.”

“It’s amazing,” I replied, even though I had only just got here myself.

“Good.”

I stepped past Mr Aleksandrov and back into the main area. Tay was here also, leaning on the back of the couch, twirling a silver chain around his finger. It infuriated me just having him around. They say first impressions are everything, and my impression of him was that he was an arrogant, self-absorbed bully.

“You do know silver doesn't kill a vampire,” I blurted.

Tay grinned at me. For a moment, I imagined ripping his throat out with my fangs.

“No, it doesn't kill a vampire, a little piece like this.” He lifted it into the air, examining it. “It wouldn't cause a normal vamp too much pain, but it does great damage to you.”