It was an open field we came up to. Dante's clan was a good few feet away from Zero's clan, their hoods were up. Dante was in front. I looked, seeing the whole pack standing beside the whole clan but it was strange because in the mix was one of the hooded vampires. Only his hood was actually down and I gasped.
It was him. That face that haunted me from the very beginning. The very first one I saw. His features were softer then I remembered. His eyes were red around the rims. Who was that? Was it, could it be Jared? My mind couldn't think on it too long before my eyes found Zero. My heart was about to burst out of my chest. He was too busy glaring at Dante to notice we were there.
"It doesn't have to be this way, Zero. You can give the girl up." Dante shook his head.
"Not likely." Zero's glare deepened. Dante sighed.
"This isn't necessary--" His voice abruptly cut off.
His head turned. His clan's heads turned. The wolve's head's turned. Zero's clan's head's turned. Everyone was looking at us as Anya set me down. Zero's eyes widened as Dante smiled.
"I guess they didn't catch your scent earlier..." Anya muttered.
I didn't respond. My eyes were locked on Zero's. It seeemed like every emotion flashed across his face before finally deciding on anger. He glanced at Dante. It happend too fast. I think Dante moved toward me, but Zero lunged forward. And now Zero's clan and Jason's pack were fighting the hooded vampires. This was exactly why I came here, this is exactly what I was trying to prevent! I ran forward, Anya grabbed my arm.
"We have to--" I was interrupted by loud growling. I looked in the direction of the noise, seeing the pack had transformed into big wolves. They looked just the way they did in my dream, only bigger.
"Anya!" I gasped. I ran forward, she grabbed me again. I turned away from the fighting, seeing Zero attack Dante. "Do something, Anya!" I pleaded.
She looked at me helplessly, not sure what to do. Obviously she was contemplating on weither or not she should leave me. She seemed eager to go fight. She sighed.
"How much more trouble could I get into with him?" And then right in front of me she transformed.
My eyes almost popped out. She nuzzled her head against me momentarily as to say everything would be okay, then she spun around, leaving me on the side lines. I didn't like this at all. As soon as she took off, I followed.
Or I tried to, but something caught my leg and I fell forward. A long, grey arm caught me around the waist, lifting me to it's side. I let out a scream as we ran in the opposite direction of the fight.
"Put me down!" I screeched. "Take me back!" I looked up. My voice was lost. He wouldn't look at me. His big hazel eyes stared out in front of him. It was definitely Shane. He too, looked just the way he did in my dream. That dream....Zero came to mind instantly.
"Zero!" I shouted, remembering how the turn out of the fight had not gone in his favor in my dream. Shane seemed to cringe. His mouth opened slightly, showing his sharp fangs. I was still looking at him, though it was uncomfortable with the position of my body.
"Shane! Please, take me back!" I begged. He shook his big head. He didn't seem too dangerous to me.
"You have to! You don't understand!" I cried.
He seemed to run faster then suddenly stopped. I'm sure we were a good distance away from the fight. He set me down. I had no idea where I was, so I didn't try to run back. His eyes shut, he flinched and looked in pain as he was suddenly human again. He was naked! I looked away, not wanting to see anything. But it was as if he didn't even care he was standing here in front of me like this!
"Then explain it to me, Jamie!" His anger took me by surprise, I looked at him. "You have no idea of stupid that was! I can't believe Anya would even think about bringing you there!"
"Shane, I had a dream about Dante and Zero--"
"Let me guess, something bad happened to Zero." He rolled his eyes, interrupting me. He continued without letting me respond. "It was a dream Jamie."
"But--"
His hand was over my mouth now.
"Do you have any idea how angry Zero is? Not only is he pissed at Anya, he's furious with you!"
"Me?!" I gasped, shocked. Zero didn't get mad at me.
"Yes, you! He knows you talked her into it."
"What's so bad about it?" I crossed my arms.
"Dante just needs one second, one perfect moment to get to you. That's why we've been trying so hard to keep you away. Nobody wants to see you turned."
"But that's the only way to end this!" I let out. He stared at me. "Take me back." I begged quietly.
"No." He didn't even hesitat, he didn't even have to think about it. His voice was hard.
"Shane..." I pouted.
"No." He repeated the same way. I turned away from him. I wasn't going to win this one.
"Please..." I breathed.
He didn't say anything this time. I just felt his arms wrap around me. It was as if he was oblivious that he was still naked as he pulled my body against his.
"I'm sorry, Jamie. I won't take you back there."
"But, nothing can happen to me if you're there." I muttered, staring into the empty forest ahead of me. He laughed.
"That's not going to work."
Now I was glaring at the empty forest.
"Well you should at least put some clothes on."
He didn't move. After a moment he sighed.
"I can't trust you," He muttered. That confused me a little. "But I can out-run you." He seemed to conclude. He let my waist go and disappeared. By the time I spun around he was back in his werewolf form. I jumped back, surprised.
"What happend to turning into a werewolf during the full moon?"
His eyes, now five times bigger, rolled up into his head. I grinned at him.
"I like this. It's actually quiet when you're around for once." I teased.
He shook his head, rolling his eyes again. Then very carefully he reached over. I didn't move. I was hardly breathing. His claws looked sharp! He moved his arm carefully around me once again. He pulled me to his side and we were flying.
"What happend to "I wouldn't deny you what you wanted, no matter what it is you ask for"?" I mocked.
A low growl came out from the back of his throat. I glanced up at him. He was looking at me. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh, don't give me that look! You know I'm just teasing you."
I was also trying my hardest to forget about the fight that was taking place at this moment. It was like my dream, but real. And that scared me. I wanted to go back so badly. I haven't seen Zero in nearly two days. Thinking about it now, I was surprised I was able to handle that whole month without him.
He took me all the way back to the house. It's a good thing no one I know really drives, this would be alot of wasted gas. He set me down on the porch. I glared up at him.
"So I'm just supposed to sit in the house while my friends are out there?" I was a little irritated.
He gave me a look that said 'wait until I change forms, so I can talk.' I sighed, going into the house. I sat down on the couch. It took him a little longer to re-appear. He must have changed forms and came into the house without me noticing. He came downstairs and into the living room, finally fully clothed.
"It's better if you stay out of it." He told me, sitting down.
"I didn't even want this fight to happen in the first place! What if people die?!"
"What people?" He frowned.
"You know what I mean..." I set my glare on him.
"Quit glaring at me." He glared back.
I continued to glare but then sighed, giving up. I glanced out the window, then at the clock, 2:00 am. My eyes finally moved to Shane.
"Seriously, what are we doing?" I stood. He did the same. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped and grabbed me.
"What the hell?!" He gasped.
I looked up at him, more confused then ever before.
"He got away." He was wide eyed as he flung me onto his back. "He got away from Zero and everyone else." He sounded shocked.
"Dante got away? But how do you know?" I breathed. He glanced at me as if he just noticed me.
"His scent. He's almost here." And he was out the door in a second.
"What about Zero?!" It hit me with a sudden realization. He didn't answer. I smacked his shoulder a couple times. "Shane! What happened to Zero?!"
"He's...fine..." I didn't like that hesitantation.
"Take me to him." I tried to demand.
"I can't."
"What? Why?"
He didn't answer. I didn't like that either.
"Shane!" Jake's voice called out from the distance. Shane turned in the direction of his voice. We caught up with him quickly.
"Explain." Shane ordered.
"They randomly took off right in the middle--"
"Wheres Zero?" I interrupted, not able to wait.
"He went after them. Jason and Anya went after Zero." Jake gave me a strange look.
"Why would they 'go after him'?" I stared at him. He winced, not wanting to tell me.
"He wasn't exactly himself." He spoke carefully.
"Has he been hunting?" I asked, not sure what he meant by that. He shook his head.
"It's not that..." His voice trailed off. Shane and Jake exchanged a look and I got annoyed.
"Just tell me!" I snapped.
"He got hurt." Jake informed me. My eyes widened and I seriously started hyperventalating.
"Zero got...he got...he..." I gasped as Shane dropped me to my feet and spun around. Jake was right next to me in seconds too.
"It's OK!" Jake patted my back, worried.
"Deep breaths, Jamie." Shane added to the concern.
"It's not too bad. Dante bit him. It'll heal within a few days, but before that happends the pain will be terrible--"
Shanes hands were suddenly over my ears as Jake spoke.
"Stop! Too much information, Jacob!" He hissed at him. I think I stopped breathing all together now. I looked up at Shane. He knew what I was thinking, my dream wasn't just a dream afterall.
"I-I'm sorry..." He whispered. Jake looked at him and their faces faded to black.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
My eyes were shut but I felt the whole world spinning around me. Half of my face felt warm, warmer then usual and the other half felt very cool. It was a comfortable feeling actually. My eyes snapped open.
"Finally!" Shane sighed pulling his hand away from my face.
"Don't do that to us ever again!" Jake shook his head, then he pulled his hand away from my face too.
That's what that strange temperature was. They both helped me sit up. I was laying on the ground. Then I remembered everything.
"Zero!" I gasped.
"Anya and Jason are right behind him--" Jake began. I stood now.
"I can't handle this. You have to take me to him." I pleaded. They both stood now too. They glanced at eachother.
"I'll take you." Jacob finally agreed. Shane crossed his arms, muttering something under his breath. Jake shot him a glare, grabbed me and started running. Shane was right behind us.
I couldn't help but wonder just how much pain he was in. The thought of him in pain never actually accured to me aside from the time Dante dug his nails into his marble skin. I always just worried because it was a natural thing for me to do. He always just seemed unbreakable to me. I needed to get to him, we needed to find him.
It seemed like hours, but it was probably only minutes before we caught up with Jason and Anya.
"What are you doing here?" Jason glanced over at us.
"Did you really expect us to stay away?" Jake raised his eyebrow. Jason sighed.
"Not a smart idea, Jacob Nesskey." He shook his head. When Jason said his full name, it didn't upset him like it did when Anabelle said it. Jake shrugged.
"She's stubborn. I don't think you could even begin to realize that."
"Zero's not going to be happy." Jason seemed upset.
"He'll get over it." Jake laughed, then made a face that I think I wasn't meant to see. Anya nodded, agreeing with what Jake was saying.
"How far away is he?" I asked in a small voice.
"He's close by, just a few minutes away. I'm sure if you said his name he'd come running." Anya grinned at me. I looked at her for a long time.
"How bad is his wound?" I asked now. Her grun swayed.
"It sounds worse then it really is." Jason answered for her.
"He's slowed down." Shane informed us. My heart leapt.
"No. He's stopped following Dante. He's coming back this way." Jason corrected him.
All four of them stopped running, becoming quiet. I waited, fidgetting anxiously. Jacob seemed to get annoyed and set me down. He rolled his eye, patting me on the head. I moved away from him as all heads turned in one direction at the same time.
Of course I was slower to react. My heart exploded in my chest as soon as our eyes met and then it sank. He had dark circles under his eyes. He looked paler then normal if that was even possible. And then, because he was bare chested, I saw the deep gash that was purple around the edges on his shoulder. The pain was obvious and deep in his blue eyes.
"Zero." I could only breath. I didn't move. Of course I wasn't fast enough, he was in front of me in seconds. He took my hand, using his good arm. "Oh jeeze, Zero! Are you okay?!" I cried out. He pulled me against his body, pressing his face into my hair. After only a few seconds, Jacob interrupted our moment.
"Did you lose Dante, Master Zero?"
Zero looked at him.
"No. I caught Jamie's scent. I just couldn't stay away from her any longer." He looked down at me now as I pulled away slightly. He grabbed my face with his hand as he gazed down at me. "Besides," He continued, glancing at the others. "She never wanted this fight anyways." He was looking at me again.
"No, I didn't. I still don't." I agreed. I couldn't say anything else. I dug my face lightly into his chest.
"The clan's still trailing him. They're going to keep Dante's clan away for awhile longer. Your pack is also on them."
"It won't be able to last long." Jason told him.
Zero didn't answer right away. I looked up at him, feeling his body tense. He was cringing. His eyes were closed. Then finally he opened his eyes and answered him.
"I know. I think we have to do this Jamie's way." He answered in a low voice. Everyone gasped, including me.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Shane hissed. Zero glared at him.
"Master Zero, you can't!" Jake added instantly. Zero sighed.
"Turning her is the very last option. I'm not talking about that right now."
"What?" Everyone seemed to ask in the same confused tone. He sighed again.
"I'll tell you about it later," He cringed again. He pulled me onto his back. "I'm going back to the house.
Jason nodded and Zero took off leaving them behind. I pressed my face into his back. He really ran faster then Shane or Jake, even in the condition he was in. He reached up, taking my hand. He laughed.
"I guess you haven't gone this fast in awhile."
I couldn't answer, even as much as I wanted to. It didn't take long for him to put me down. He didn't turn around, so I went around him. His body was tense again, his eyes closed. I waited until he finally opened his eyes. He frowned.
"Sorry." He muttered. Now I frowned. I took his hand.
"I don't know why you're apologizing." I shook my head, leading him inside.
The sun was nearly about to rise. We went downstairs. He shut the door behind us and turned to me. I was staring at the gash now. It looked terrible. It was hard to believe that Dante's bite did that to him.
I lifted my hand subconsciously, touching the edge very lightly with my finger tips. I saw his body tense as soon as I did it. His fists clenched, his jaw tightened and his eyes closed. I pulled my hand away fast. He relaxed a second later. His eyes told me he was hoping I didn't cathch that my touch was what did that.
"How bad is the pain?" My voice came out softer then I thought it would. He let out a deep sigh.
"Liveable. It'll be gone in a few days, pain and gash."
"Shouldn't you bandage it up?" I was eyeing it again.
"It's not like I'm bleeding to death." He chuckled. "Besides, it'll heal much faster if it's opened."
I met his gaze now.
"Kale," I hadn't said his name for a long time. He smiled when I said it. "I was afraid it was going to be longer then a month this time."
He grabbed my arm, pulling me closer to him again.
"I'm not going to lie to you, Jamie, it was going to be much longer then a month." I tensed at his words. "But things happened that were unexpected. I think if anything, only have to leave you one more time." He told me. I pulled away.
"Kale--"
"It won't be for awhile. I'm here now." He kissed my forehead to calm me.
It didn't calm me. It sent a wild fire through me. So when he decided that a kiss on the forehead wasn't enough, I was estatic. He took my face in his hand and brushed his lips against mine. The world spun, but in the best way possible this time.
"What did I say before I left you the other day?" He asked, pulling back a little. I grinned up at him.
"Where did we leave off?" I asked. He laughed.
"I'm pretty sure I remember." His lips met mine again. I tried to force myself to pull back, but it took a moment.
"I don't want to hurt you." I breathed into him. Even though he knew exactly what I was talking about, he burst out laughing.
"You hurt me?" He continued to laugh. Then he rolled his eyes when I glared at him. "The pain is nothing compared to how I feel when you touch me." But then he sighed now. "I think I should be worried about hurting you though." He stared at me, deep in thought.
"You won't." I whispered.
"It's different when you say that to me because you've seen me lose control before and that was just kissing you! I can't imagine the damage I'll do to you if we—"
"Kale, don't talk like that." I interrupted. He smiled.
"Sometimes, even when I'm very far away, I can still hear you say my name."
I was blushing, although I'm not exactly sure why that was so embarrassing. He was laughing again as he rested his cool hand on my face.
"It never gets old. I love you, my Jamie."
"I love you too." I could only manage to breath as his eyes penetrated mine. His grin widened.
"That's better. It sounds sweeter when you're not angry."
I rolled my eyes now but I couldn't say anything because his lips stopped me. It wasn't long before we were interrupted. He was having an inner battle with himself as if he were debating on weither or not to push me onto the bed and let me have one of the things I desired most. He pulled away angrily when whoever it was knocked on the door. He was at the door in a flash, yelling as he opened it.
"Can't I have even a moment with her without one of you interrupting?!" He growled.
"Sorry." Jacob muttered. He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Master Zero. Inconvienant, I know but you have a visitor." He seeemed a little concerned. Zero stared at him for a moment then sighed.
"Send him down." In a way it almost sounded like he was complaining. Jake nodded and hesitantly spun around after glancing at me.
"Send who down?" I asked, coming up behind him. He turned to me, taking my hand.
"Jared." He informed me.
Before I had time to react he was in the doorway. I tried not to look at him, knowing I would probably just start trembling. I felt his eyes on me.
"She's not leaving, so go ahead." Zero's voice sounded so different. It was one of the few times where he actually sounded like Zero rather then Kale. My eyes instinctively looked up at him. Jared waited a moment then spoke. His voice was hard and icey, just like always.
"Dante decided."
"On what?" Zero asked irritated.
"He won't stop. His mind is set on her. But too many are protecting her, he's gone for other clans."
Zero's hand gripped mine tightly, his face was furious. Jared continued;
"We followed until we figured it out. Your clan and the muts are filling them in upstairs."
It was then that I heard silent murmuring coming from above us.
"Other clan's are terrified of Dante's. Most are his rivals. They won't want anything to do with them."
Jared shook his head. "Some female is with him. She seems pretty confident she can convince other clan's to join them."
First Zero looked confused but then he was instantly furious again.
"Anabelle!" He hissed. I gasped. Jared frowned.
"You know her, Kale?"
I gasped again. Jared looked at me. I was looking at him now. His face looked even scarier for some reason.
"She didn't know?" He raised his eyebrow. Zero glanced at me.
"She didn't know you figured it out. She's known before anyone else." His voice was Kale's now. "And yes, I know the female." He sighed deeply, looking at me.
"It'll take a few months at the most. He's going to try for as many clans as he can get." Jared informed quietly, which wasn't normal for him. Zero looked at him now.
"Fine then. We'll talk about this later."
Jared nodded and Zero shut the door. Other clans? This was turning into a war! He must have noticed the look I was giving him.
"It'll be fine." He squeezed my hand. I shook my head. I couldn't believe I let it go on this long.
"Turn me, Kale." I said as evenly as I could.
"No." He said just as evenly but firmer. Now he was glowering at me.
"Do it." I glowered back. I wasn't asking anymore, that was getting me nowhere. I was demanding. "Do it now, Kale."
"We are not having this discussion again, Jamie Luna Lamberg!" He hissed.
"There is no discussion anymore. You are going to turn me."
"Never." He spoke between his teeth. " I will not turn you ever!"
"We don't have a choice anymore!"
He glared at me.
"Everyone out there," He pointed towards the door angrily. "is fighting for your humanity, Jamie! All of them are willingly fighting to keep you alive! So if I go and turn you, their efforts will be in vain!" He snapped at me.
My eyes instantly flashed to his wound. It was only there because of me. He feels pain, something that he absolutely should not be able to feel, because of me. Of course, every reason that I should stay human makes complete sense. But my reasons to be turned make sense too. I was still eyeing his wound, he realized this and grabbed my face gently.
"Don't you dare blame yourself. Our choice is to fight for you now, weither you like it or not." He spoke to me softly.
I wasn't going to win, not this time. I sighed and pushed myself away from him, sitting down on the edge of the bed and pouted. He laughed quietly and sat beside me. I didn't move, not even when he pulled me onto his lap, wrapped his arms around me and dug his face into my neck.
My anger didn't last long. I relaxed, leaning into him now. We were quiet for a long time. He was so still I kissed the top of his head to see what he would do. His face was suddenly only inches from mine. His eyes pierced into me. He was making my thought process mixed up. I just needed to know one thing. I shut my eyes. My head slowly cleared.
"How did Jared find out?" I asked. His sigh about knocked me out as his hot breath hit my lips. He had moved closer without me realizing it.
"He found me earlier. He asked me why I killed "Kale". He assumed I was dead because he never saw me after that last time I helped him escape. At first he accused me of kiddnapping you, falling in love with you and when "Kale" came for you, I killed him. But as he said it outloud it seemed to confuse him. When he finally got it, he felt stupid but impressed that I was able to be two different vampires for so long. He's surprised that Dante never figured it out."
My eyes opened now. "Why is he here?"
He laughed. "To my surprise, the only reason he was in Dante's clan was because he was loyal to me, or Kale I mean."
My eyebrows shot up. He shrugged.
"I never imagined Jared would be fond of me." He chuckled. Then stopped abruptly, looking at me seriously. "I shouldn't do this." He spoke as if to himself. "Maybe if I didn't love you so much, I'd be able to resist." He muttered. I finally understood. I took his face in my hands.
"It's not a crime to give me what I want every once in awhile." I breathed. He rolled his eyes.
"I'll give you the world, Jamie....Just not my world." His voice was dangerously low. My eyes shut for a moment.
"I know." I sighed.
Once again his lips crushed mine. I forgot how to breath. For a moment, I forgot how to move. My entire body was frozen while a hot fire spread all over me. He was the hot fire. My eyes opened a tiny bit. His half opened eyes were locked on mine.
You'd think I'd go limp under his gaze, but his eyes only reminded me of one thing; I wanted him so badly it almost ached. I swung my arms around him as soon as I was able to move. He should have let out a gasp or cringed or something because I hit his wound but he didn't seem to notice.
He only effortlessly pulled me out of his arms, and onto my back. This was definitely where we left off. His hands strayed as he continued to kiss me. My hands strayed. There was no way either of us was about to stop. We both wanted this. It seemed like nothing could ruin this moment.
But something happened that neither of us expected, something that was out of our control completely. I felt a sharp pain that made me gasp out loudly. It throbbed. It felt like pressure, sharp pressure, followed by something warm and wet. I whimpered beneath him. He threw himself off of me.
"Damn it!" He shouted, his eyes wide with too many emotions. But the emotions were too hard to make out, all I saw were black eyes that would forever haunt me...It all happened so fast then I was screaming, screaming like I had never heard before.
"No! Jamie, no! I'm sorry, Jamie! I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Oh, Jamie! No Jamie! Jamie!" He cried out, reaching for me.
His black eyes were getting lighter. That's all I could look at as the pain engulped me. The door burst open. Gasps filled the room followed by growling and hissing too.
"You selfish bastard!" Someone spit out, beyond furious.
"Just help me before it spreads!" Zero growled but a helpless tone filled his voice at the same time. My breathing felt heavy now, my eyes shut tight. Is this really what it felt like? Was this really what I wanted?
"Make it stop!" I heard myself cry out and scream at the same time.
My thought process wa too far gone. It was after I said that I realized how it must have hurt Kale. Of course it was an accident, but the other's didn't kno that. I heard arguing, distant arguing. I felt cold hands somewhere on my body but I couln't tell where. Everything was suddenly numb and then everything was suddenly gone.