Enjoy!

Tyler Simms’ POV

It’s all my fault; it’s all my fault. I pace back and forward in Caleb’s living room. Reid is sitting scrunched up in a ball totally in another world blaming himself for letting Lexie slip through the crowd at school. He really likes her, it is odd seeing him like this. Though it ‘s all my fault. I should have kept an eye on them both when the alarm rung. I was in their class for goodness sake!

Caleb is blaming himself as well as only a big brother would. He feel that he had driven Lexie away with the lectures about her powers and drove Rissy away by making her feel unwelcomed into their family. Pogue is blaming himself for pushing Lexie to Adrian in the first place by using on her and Adrian coming to her rescue.

“WHERE THE HELL IS MY DAUGHTER!” Came the shrill voice of an extremely sober Mrs Danvers.

“We don’t know mother.” Caleb replies in a weak voice.

“We have searched everywhere in Ipswich Mrs D.” Reid sighs sadly. “We just can’t find them, I searched for hours...” He stops his voice cracking slightly.

“Shouldn’t it be ‘daughter...S’ Mrs Danvers?” I say in what I could only assume was my voice.

“Explain... I only have one daughter, my Alexis.” Mrs Danvers says confused.

“Karis... father’s other daughter.” Caleb whispers painfully, filling in the blanks.

After an explanation that seems to take forever, Reid suggests we go search places around Ipswich, maybe where Adrian and Triston spent their mortal lives.

For some reason, I felt that this wasn’t going to work.

Triston Blake’s POV

No matter what regret I’m going to experience after this golden moment is over, I will always be glad I did this. For Adrian, for Rissy... for everyone.

For the past few hours I’ve sat by her beside, waiting for her to awaken. Perhaps I used too much venom? No... I’m sure I used the precise amount for “stunning the victim”... or so Adrian says. Is that all my brother thinks of these days? Prey he can feast upon while the world is slowly succumbing the madness of men such as Chase and himself?

A shudder wracks my body as she begins to stir. I don’t have much time... we don’t have much time. The hunger is beginning to consume me... and I can’t bear it. But I must! Rissy is not someone I can throw down on the ground drink from like a tasty snack.

Rissy is the world to me.

Speaking of my angel, her eyes flicker gently as her spirit returns to consciousness. “Come on, Rissy...” I whisper, clasping her hand in mine. “Time is running out, and I need your help...!”

As if I’ve just spoken the magic words, her eyes burst open and even now I can’t resist the urge to smile. Rissy’s eyes are beautiful and clear like warm summer’s day...

“Tristan...?” She groans, still half-asleep. Perhaps I used a tad too much venom in my haste to get her out of Adrian’s range? I hope not...

“It’s me,” I mutter, leaning in and caressing her lips with my own. Rissy grants me access and our tongues tango again, washing away my worries for the time being. If only we could afford the luxury of staying here in this room, my angel and I, forever more... instead of having to walk through the door behind me and face a monstrosity that should never have existed.

But we can’t linger her – we’re still in danger. Despite the magical wards I placed around the room, Adrian could easily destroy them and enter, ripping my angel to shreds. I tighten my grip on her hand – I won’t allow it. Rissy is my angel... My love.

My everything!

I pull away, trying my best to ignore her questioning whimper. “Rissy.” Before I know it, I have her cradled in my arms, almost crushed to my chest. “Rissy, my love... we don’t have time for this. We have to go!”

The reality of the situation catches up to my angel and she snaps herself back from my body, an accusing glare burning into my eyes. “What did you do to me?” She asks shrilly, crossing her arms. “Why the hell did you do that?”

“Rissy-”

“You think you can just use me as you please, Triston Blake?” It’s no good. Rissy won’t give me a chance... and I don’t blame her. The way I’ve treated both her and her sister over the past few days is terrible... I owe an apology.

“No, I-!” I cut myself off with a growl as she opens her mouth to argue. Instantly quietening her, I rage on. “Rissy, it’s not like that! There is far too much as stake here! More than you realise!” The tone of my voice causes her to quiver in fear and wonder. “You need to let me explain... my angel.” Gently, I press my lips to her own. “My love. My... my wonderful shining light...”

“Alright,” she whispers in response, arms wrapping around me. “Tell me, Triston – tell me everything. Before you burst.” I sigh in relief, pressing my forehead against her own.

“Rissy...” I gulp nervously. “Rissy, Adrian and I... we’re Dhampirs. We... we feast upon humans to live and breathe. Wait!” I gasp anxiously as she backs away, horrified. “I can’t do it, Rissy! I can’t bear to touch a human... for fifty years I have lived off animals as a vegetarian Dhampir, stupid as it sounds. But I fail to see the horrors that your race has committed.”

To my extreme horror, Rissy shakes her head no. “Triston, you’re wrong.”

“I-!”

“I am no human.”

Her remark leaves me staring at my angel in wonder. What shocks me the most is the wonderful glow that surrounds her eyes as she twirls on the spot once, twice, before disappearing into thin air. “Rissy!” I cry.

“I’m still here.” Her soft arms encircle my waist from behind, and I spin around, pulling her close. “Triston, I’m still here... and I still love you.” I say nothing in response, but instead I tighten my grip to show I comprehend her sacrifice. Relief floods through me... Rissy would stay. Rissy would help me...

“Rissy,” I choke out, suddenly aware of the tears pouring down my cheeks. “We need to go- my brother, he...” H shake my head, unable to finish.

“What about him?” She asks gently, looking up into my eyes. Her own widen fractionally and she reaches up to wipe my tears away, concerned.

“He’s got Alexis...” I manage to rasp out, catching her wrist. “Please, don’t; we must go.”

In an instant she nods her head, and as a duo – as a team – as partners – we run towards the door. I yank it open hastily, ignoring the protesting crunch of wood against wall, and we bolt down the corridor, our destination clear.

My brother must be stopped at all costs!

Adrian Blake POV

I sit with my head in my hands. What if I have hurt her? What if I have killed her? I would never forgive myself. My Angel has grown on me, her strength amazes me. She deserves more than the idiot Blondie. I can give her more than an extra fast ageing husband, I can give her eternal youth or a live of happiness. Wow I never thought I would use happiness and my Angel in the same sentence.

I look up to her perfect form, I can sense her heartbeat but it is weak. DAMN IT that isn’t right, she is strong, her heartbeat is supposed to be strong.

She seems to be sleeping, but I know different. I placed her into a state of unconsciousness by pressing my fangs straight onto nerve that can cause people to pass out.

Her eyes tighten slightly and relax... WAIT! That’s movement!

“Angel... come on Angel wake up... please... I’m sorry.” I coo soothingly propping her up gently and rubbing her back.

Her eyes flutter open and she stares at me, her eyes defiant to look away.

“Let, me, go.” My Angel says calmly.

“I can’t do that just yet Angel... Chase wants to meet you... you and Karis.” I reply, as if I will let him anywhere near Alexis.

“Who’s Chase?” She asks, as if she wouldn’t my Angle is a curious little thing maybe that’s why her friends call her ‘Little’ Lexie.

“Angel... he’s the fifth.” I reply touching her cheek.

“W-w-what? You mean as in Putnam?” She gasps groggily.

“The very same Angel.” I reply pulling her close. I knew this information would shock and may even scare her, shattering all her beliefs.

Where the hell was Triston when I needed him?