Kellin’s POV

Well, it looks like we were back in our old holding cell. Woop-de-do. I sighed as the vampires came in. You know, I wasn’t exactly all for leaving. I guess I kind of just went along with the crowd and went because the girls were bull headed and determined to leave and if we let them, they might just die out there.

Actually, with Misty’s hot temper, she would’ve just punched through the world and gotten out quite fine.

However, I was pretty content working here. Sure, the cells weren’t the best. I would love to have a bed, actually. My neck hurts day after day. But the job wasn’t so bad. It was better than working on the farm back in my old home. My dad wasn’t yelling at me all the time to work harder or whatever. I was doing pretty well here. They kept me fed too!

“Hey.” Lily’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She smiled weakly at me. Alan was at her side, just hanging in the background. I smiled at her.

“Hey.” She was my “Master” or whatever. Since Alan turned her, she had been the one to feed off me. I wasn’t displeased or anything. Lily was gentle, careful, and didn’t make me always feel lightheaded afterwards.

“So, I’m sorry about the whole deal and stuff. I haven’t been here long enough to really understand what was going on.” She shrugged. I shrugged back. It was a whole shrugging game. Her face lit up when she realized that it wasn’t so hard to talk to us. The others gathered next to me. We were back in our old cell again.

“It’s fine. I was just going to make sure Blue didn’t fall into the water.” Jaime chuckled. Blue glared at him, but then laughed silently.

“Honestly, I wanted sunlight. I hadn’t seen the sun in so long.” Tony sighed wistfully, as if the rays were a dream that had slipped through his fingers. I chuckled.

“Well, I brought down blankets and some stuff to say sorry about.” Lily tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ear. Alan tilted his chin up and took interest in the lantern glowing in the corner. He was always a quiet one.

“Oh, thanks.” Everyone chorused. Unlike the girls (Who could hold a grudge ‘till Hell froze over) Tony, Mike, Vic, Jaime, and I were all relaxed. We don’t hold it against them. They’re human, err, were human, just like us, right? Not the same, but still…

“So, the door’s unlocked. The corridor door will be locked because of the night hounds have a tendency to sometimes wander in here and of course, Misty likes to tease them.” Lily chuckled. We all laughed and the other feed-sub decided flip us off.

“Thanks, Lily. Hey, do you think we could go outside sometime? Tony likes the sun…” Vic gestured over at the Turtle laying on the floor, moaning about the sun. Lily smiled and nodded.

“It’s kind of snowing, like, really hard…but we can figure out something.” She suggested. With a wave and a smile, we all thanked her as she filed out.

Honestly, I didn’t have a bone to pick with the vampires, so why hold a grudge?

Blue’s POV

I watched out of the corner of my eye as Austin hugged Jynx. Or maybe it was Jynx that hugged Austin. Either way, they didn’t give a damn about who saw them right now. I’m glad they were happy. I guess Jynx was a person that easily forgave people.

However, I was not one of those people.

I might not say much, but I can hold a grudge longer than most people. So when Ghost Sola sat down in front of me, I glared at him until he became uncomfortable and looked at the two things he had brought me. Grey-Girl with by the door talking to Chris. Misty was angrily growling at Balz, who took it like a man.

I was in the furthest corner, the wall to wall side and glaring at my old Master. When he looked up, I crossed my arms. He looked back down at the cold stone floor. A chess board was in front of him. He had his legs crossed with a blue blanket in his lap.

I knew his ploy.

Ghost’s finger slowly moved out and gently tapped a pawn into place. It was his classic first move. I had his moves memorized. He never varied from his usual pace. I knew which of my pieces to move next.

And he was just waiting for me to do it.

But I wouldn’t move.

He looked down at the board. Then up at me. Then at the board. Then up at me. His hands raised to offer me the blanket. Arcing one eyebrow, I challenged him to push further. He sighed and fell back into his slump.

I itched to move that pawn.

But I had to stay strong.

That man had traded me to Jack as a bet. How could he!? How could he do that!? I thought he loved me, not just throw me away like a prize to be sold off.

Well, I’m human. I make mistakes.

Oli knelt down next to Ghost, who was focusing intently on the pawn he knew I would move.

“Come on, mate. She’s not moving that pawn.” He laid a hand on his shoulder. Ghost shook his head, not responding to him. I shivered slightly. Ghost snapped his head back up to me. His hands held out the blanket so that it ruffled against the bars. I shook my head. He settled his present back into his lap.

We stared at the board longer and longer.

He wouldn’t move until I made a move.

I just was a bitch and didn’t make a move.

Good luck getting to me, Ghost. You can’t do it.



Misty’s POV

“You’re such an asshole! You freaking buttface! Why can’t you be….urg…ugh!” I struggled for the words. Just a flood of anger was burning my mind into a pile of ashes. Balz looked at me with a straight face. I could punch that blank expression off his lips right now.

“You’re right, I am an asshole.” He explained calmly.

“You’re damn right, asshole.” Clearly, my vocabulary wasn’t up to par. Days in the forest without insulting Balz and I had lost my touch. Shoot.

“Are you going to come up with something original or just stick to your usual curses?” He questioned with a smirk. I leaned against the wall of my cell, tapping my heel impatiently.

“What, you want more?”

“Come on, babe. You’re a gem. You got more.” He clicked. I ran my fingers through my hair and rolled my eyes. Typical Balz. He’s just toying with me. I won’t give in.

“I hate you.” I growled out. Somehow, it felt wrong on my tongue, like I wasn’t meant to say those words. He broke into a wide grin.

“Come on, baby girl. You love me, you know it.” He tempted. I just wanted to wrestle that boy to the floor and punch that smirk off his cheek, or at least attempt to. It would be just like old times. More punching, more punching…

We used to always just roll around on the floor. I could try to punch him, but his nimble reflexes would catch my wrist before I could hit him hard. He would always let me push him around, although Balz obviously knew that he could overpower me in a split second.

“Don’t make me beat your-“

“Oh dear, you seem to be throwing around your empty threats again.” He teased. Freaking tease. I’m going to kill that boy. Trying to calm myself down, I remained strong. I won’t let him get the best of me.

I glared at him silently, my lip curling into a snarl.

“Come on, darling. You’re itching to punch me. Just do it. Come on. You can do it.” He stood with his arms behind his back.

“No, shut up.” I growled and paced back and forth. God, that man can get to me sometimes.

“Oh, you know you want to.” He chuckled. Okay, okay, that does it. I’m going after him.

“You’re lucky a door’s separating you from me.” I snarled, staring at the lock as if my eyes could bore a hole through it.

“Actually, it’s open. Leave anytime you want.” Balz suggested.

I was off like a rocket. Pushing past Chris and Grey-Girl, I bolted through the doors and pounced on top of Balz, as if I was a graceful feline. He laughed and tumbled to the ground, clearly unhurt. That made me more ticked off.

“Shut up, butt.” I snarled. He pinned my wrists and I fell into that ethereal stare of his.

“I knew you couldn’t resist me.”

“You’re just lucky that you’re a vampire and have quick reflex, otherwise I would’ve taken that smile off your face a long while ago.” I snarled. He flipped me over so he was on top of me. I squirmed under his grasp.

“Come on, babe. You love me too much to hurt me.” He pouted. God, I fell for that every time! It was melting my cold heart as I thought about it.

“Yeah, and that’s what’s stopping me from trying too hard.” I sneered. He let me push him off as I jumped back on him. That man just couldn’t stop laughing, gleeful that we were back to normal.

And yeah, I love this punching bag of mine.


Luna’s POV

Jack and Alex walked into the cell. I huddled over Annabelle’s body. She was still sick, very sick. I hadn’t seen anyone this ill since the old woman in my old village died when I was ten. Jack looked at me softly. Alex was worried, but wouldn’t approach as I held out my arms to stop him. Annabelle coughed hard behind me.

“No.” I stated firmly. I don’t care what they have to say. Jack had abandoned me last time I saw him. He was going to feed off of Blue. That felt like a deep betrayal in my mind. I was so angry at him. He had just left me!

He was going to leave me! That’s what hurt me most. He was just willing to leave at a moment’s notice. I don’t talk much, I don’t act aggressive very often, but right now, I was willing to punch Jack right in the face.

Wow, I felt like I had the temper of Misty, who was currently wrestling Balz on the floor.

Annabelle still didn’t wake up from her slumber, occasional coughs wracking her body. Jack opened his hands out, the gift still in his grasp. I glared at him.

“Please, I’m so sorry. I can’t express how horrible I feel.” Jack pleaded. I didn’t answer.

“Annabelle?” Alex asked. I turned to him and shook my head.

“No.” I responded simply.

“Luna, please, won’t you forgive me? I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I won’t keep you chained up. You’re my girl. My girl. No one else. I don’t want anyone else. I was foolish to ever look away from you.” He pleaded. My hands clenched into fists. How tempting it was to hit him here and now.

“No.” I repeated. He set the blanket down in the corner, holding his hands in surrender. Alex took a step to me, but Jack held him back.

“A minute.” He asked quietly. Alex nodded and held still.

“I know you’re angry and hurt. Is there anything I can do to help you?” Jack asked. Yeah, just get out. That would help me feel better.

“Stop being stupid.” I told him. He smiled weakly and nodded.

“I’ll try.”

“Yeah.” I whispered. Looking at Alex, I saw the worried glances he passed to Annabelle. She shivered and I saw the green blanket in his hands. With a sigh, I stepped aside.

I’ll deal with Jack for now. Alex can go help Annabelle.

Alex passed me a wary glance. I silently let him pass through guard. He rushed to her side, kneeling down and feeling her forehead. She shivered under his gentle hand. I ripped my gaze away right as the man laid his blanket over her shaking body. Turning back to Jack, I balled up my fists until my fingernails dug into my palms.

“You’re angry.” He pointed out. I rolled my eyes. No duh! His hands were empty and up in surrender. I kept my steady gaze on him.

“Please, is there anything I can do?” He kept on begging me. Without warning, his eyes brightened, like an idea just popped into his head. I raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

“Hit me. Do it. Get your anger out. I’m sorry. Get revenge.” He nodded.

Jack barely got the word ‘revenge’ out before I socked him right in the jaw.

The entire room fell silent as Jack Barakat’s head whipped back. He was reeling, putting his hands up to his face to make sure he hadn’t been shattered into a thousand pieces.

“Go Luna!” Misty whistled quietly. Even Blue looked up in shock. As soon as Jack realized he was still alive, he turned back to me and was grinning from ear to ear.

Me, Luna the-girl-who-had-never-even-hurt-a-fly, had just punched the vampire. I had shocked everyone, including myself.

With all his vampire speed, he swooped me up into a giant hug, burying his face into my neck and kissing the hollow behind my ear, whispering over and over, “that’s my girl.”


Grey-Girl’s POV

“I’m sorry.” Chris kept on whispering to me. So many apologies in such a little time.

“I know.” I responded quietly. His hands tucked the blanket around my shoulder. I currently stood outside my cell. After Misty made her vicious dash at Balz and Luna punched Jack, I had quietly stepped out towards Chris.

“You know I love you.” He whispered to me. I leaned into his chest.

“Trust me, you’ve told me that over and over.” I grumbled. He brushed a piece of hair behind my ear.

“Why’d you leave? I hate to intrude on the personal musings of the inner Grey but I can’t help but want to satisfy my inner curiosities.” He smiled. I rolled my eyes and looked at the chaos around me. Misty was insulting Balz who was just laughing back at her.

“Sun, woman’s rights, everything. When Jack came down to feed off of Blue, it was like the straw that broke the horse’s back, you know?” I responded lightly, adding a shrug to be sure.

“Oh, I see.” But he didn’t. I dropped the matter. I didn’t feel like talking about it right now. Around me, it seemed like everything was normal, but I knew it wasn’t. There was one last thing to shatter, one last thing to shake our world.

I just didn’t know when.

“We’re not pets, you know. We aren’t disposable.”

“Trust me, I know. I almost lost you to the blizzard. I’m not letting you go again.” He whispered and kissed my temple. I hummed in pleasure. Behind me, Blue was still holding her grudge against Ghost in the cell. Neither of them moved.

“We don’t like being treated like prizes.” I added in. Chris softly frowned.

“It’s no excuse, but living forever…it’s disorienting. You lose track of how to act, how things aren’t immortal. You aren’t immortal. You can be hurt easily, unlike us, who have hundreds of years to heal. We lose track of that sometimes.” Chris murmured. I nodded. I guess it would be easy to lose sight of the little things.

There was silence between us.

“I wonder when Blue will stop hating Ghost.”

“Give it a decade or two and maybe she’ll move that knight.” Chris responded. I turned to look at her. She was staring at the floor. Ghost was staring at her. A moment later, she laid down and turned to face the way, falling asleep instantly.

“I would give it forty years. Then, we’ll see.” I sighed.

“Actually, she likes chess more than she’ll admit. She’ll give in soon.”

“Yeah, and my uncle is a night hound.” I chuckled.

“I heard they make good uncles.” Chris responded lightly.


Blue’s POV

Everyone was asleep, scattered around the room when I woke up. Ghost was leaned up against the wall, eye closed and the chess board still in front of him. I shivered as the cold set in. Someone had extinguished the lights for the night as the people around me snored.

My fingers itched to move that pawn.

I rolled over to better face the board. Studying the way Ghost’s breaths made his chest rise and fall an easy rhythm, I felt the ache grow from my fingers to my heart.

I forgot how much I missed our chess games.

So with tired limbs, I moved over barely an inch, just enough for me to snake my hand through the bars and gently pick up the white knight with a knick out of its ear. Placing it on the usual square, I let it fall into place.

My move was made.

As I curled back into myself, I watched Ghost through the darkness. I could make out his pale skin just well enough to see his lips twitch into a smile.

I couldn’t help but smile back.

Notes