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  My father had bent down and was examining the screen. I felt a pang of panic but he didn't seem to think anything of it and just jimmied it back into place. He stood up, "Yeah, let's eat," he said and took me by the shoulder as I led the way back to the house.

  After we were inside Evan and I washed up then we hurried to the dining room. My mom and dad were already seated and waiting for us. As soon as we sat down my father took up his fork and knife and started eating. My mom did too, but not with quite so much enjoyment as my dad seemed to have.

  "Everything's cold," she sighed and tossed a hard look at me as if to indicate that it was my fault.

  "What?" I glared back. "I'm to blame? What about Evan? He's the one..."

  My dad spoke over me, "Let's just eat; Emily and Evan both understand what they did wrong, don't you?"

  "Yes," Evan nodded emphatically while I just stared in disbelief. My father waited expectantly.

  "Yeah," I reluctantly agreed.

  "And it won't happen again, right?"

  "Right."

  "And?" my father gave me another hard look.

  "And..." for a second or two I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say, "I'm sorry..." it sounded more like a question than a response but it satisfied my dad and he resumed eating.

  My mother and Evan followed suit so I picked up my fork. I wasn't feeling very hungry and while everyone else ate I just sat there absently pushing the food on my plate around. I thought about Daemon and wondered where he was and what he was doing. I could feel the weight of his amulet tucked beneath my shirt and resting against my chest.

  "This is me," I remembered his words and smiled to myself.

  "Why aren't you eating," my mom asked.

  "I'm not hungry," I shrugged.

  She must have thought I was feeling guilty for worrying her and my dad and using a softer tone encouraged me to try something. I gathered a tiny bite of chicken onto my fork and took a reluctant nibble. It tasted awful and I hurriedly reached for my milk and took a hasty sip. It was no better than the meat I had just tried and I nearly choked on it when I tried to swallow. I forced it down my throat then wiped my mouth with my napkin.

  My parents and brother frowned and I fretfully peered at each of their curious faces, "I'm...I'm not feeling well."

  I stood up and raced from the dining room. I made it upstairs and to the bathroom my brother and I shared. I wretched once or twice but nothing would come up. When I realized I wouldn't or couldn't be sick I used the edge of the sink to pull myself up and splashed some cold water on my face.

  Feeling it trickling down my cheeks made me realize that I was desperately thirsty and I started cupping handful after handful and slurping it down. When I had finally had my fill I looked up and studied my reflection in the mirror. I tilted my head this way and that and couldn't seem to take my eyes away from myself.

  "It's uncomfortable, I know..." Daemon's words echoed in my head.

  There was a loud rap on the door and I jumped when I heard it, "Emily, are you alright, sweetie?"

  I took a deep breath and braced myself, "I'm fine. I'll be right out."

  I turned back to my reflection, blinked once or twice and tried to shake the uneasiness away. I dried my hands and wiped my face before feigning what I hoped would be a look of unconcern as I opened the door.

  "What's wrong, honey?" All her earlier anger was replaced with heartfelt concern.

  "I think I'm just tired," I mumbled.

  She lay her palm against my forehead, "Are you sure sweetie? You look a little pale," she took my hands and gave them a gentle squeeze, "and you feel like ice," she said completely forlorn.

  "I was just washing up and the water was really cold," I shivered in emphasis.

  "Hmm," she bit her lip, "Well if you're sure you're just tired maybe you should get ready for bed and try to get some rest." She braced herself and looked as though she expected me to argue against it.

  "I think I will," I yawned.

  She looked suspicious when I readily agreed but said goodnight anyway and kissed my cheek before heading back downstairs. I went to my room and changed into my pajamas. Once I was ready for bed I pulled the covers back and tucked myself in.

  I really thought I was tired and would fall asleep quickly but every time I closed my eyes they popped right back open. Eventually I gave up and for a while I just lay there in the dark staring at the ceiling and picturing everything that had happened that day.

  "He could have killed me!" I suddenly realized. "What if I had died? What would he have done? Would he have left me there? Would they have found me? What would they think had happened to me?"

  Absently, I reached for Daemon's amulet and studied it as I held it up to a sliver of light that was shining from outside. Thinking about him brought tears to my eyes.

  "It was my fault. I made him...I begged him to let me help him...and I...I...I liked it. I loved the way it felt; being swept away from myself and into Daemon. Then...oh, then his blood was racing through me and electrifying me from the inside out. It was...it was...incredible," I closed my eyes and felt all over again the strange ecstasy of hearing our heartbeats crying out for one another.

  By then I knew it would be impossible to fall asleep if my thoughts kept running in the same direction. I anxiously tried to think of something else but everything I tried to distract myself with made me realize that he was not the only thing that was bothering me as I lay there wide awake with his charm in my palm and my fingers running over its smooth surface. It was too bright, or at least it seemed too bright to sleep. And the noises! It sounded like the crickets were right outside my window even though my bedroom was on the second floor. Then there was the air rushing from the vents and the hum from the air conditioner every time it kicked on.

  "Ugh," I moaned and buried my face in my pillow.

  When I turned the chain Daemon's amulet was on got caught on one of the sheets and gave me a bit of a choke. I decided I had better not fall asleep with it around my neck so I sadly slipped it off and hung it on my bedpost. It must have been after midnight by then and after arranging myself and forcing my eyes shut one last time I finally began to drift off.

  Hours later I was awakened suddenly.

  "I know you're here Daemon," a woman's voice grumbled. "I can feel you! I can smell you!" she moved from the shadows and picked her way across my room.

  "Who are you?!" I demanded.

  I surprised her and she swiftly turned towards me, "Better yet," and the next thing I knew she was beside my bed and had me by the throat, "who are you?" she lifted me up as I struggled against her. She turned me towards the window so she could get a better look at me.

  Choking and sputtering, "I'm...I'm..." and as I tried to say my name she gave me a little toss and I landed roughly back on my bed, "Emily."

  "Where's Daemon? I know he's...here...," her voice changed suddenly sounding full of disbelief. Then she frowned and looked me over again. She bent in close and clutched my chin forcing my mouth open. She sniffed my breath and turned her head in derision. "What did he do to you?!" she demanded.

  I scowled at her challengingly and refused to answer.

  "Oh, is that how we will play this game? Very well," she seized my hand and brought my wrist to her lips. She took a violent pull from my veins then tossed my hand back towards me. She took a step away, "Ah, I was so close...so close to killing him," she smiled a sinister little grin, "but you...I see...and he...and so..." her eyes had a faraway look as she considered what had happened.

  "And now he's long gone, isn't he?"

  "I don't know where he is. He left," my voice trembled and an involuntary sob escaped my lips, "he just left." I buried my face in my hands.

  A long moment passed then I felt her hand brushing the hair from my face, "There, there," her voice oddly comforting and full of concern, "don't cry. I understand," she soothed, "your heart...your poor little heart. It feels like it's been torn in two."

  "Yes, yes!" I cried.


  "I know how to fix it, Emily."

  "You do?" I looked up my eyes full of hope.

  She smiled, "Of course I do. Come with me," and she reached for my hand.

  "Where are we going?"

  She nipped her finger and put it to my lips, "Taste," she commanded.

  I reached out and sucked the blood from her fingertip; for some reason I couldn't stop myself.

  "Carah," I whispered.

  "Yes, Emily, I'm Carah, and I am going to help you; help you get better and help you forget Daemon...forget all about Daemon. Come," she said and full of obedience and little else I took her hand and followed.

  Carah led me outside and when we got to the sidewalk in front of my house she drew me towards a car that was parked along the curb. She opened the door then motioned me in. After doing a quick scan of the area Carah glided in and sat beside me. The driver turned and looked at her full of curiosity and confusion. She just nodded at him to start the car then rather than wait for a reply he shrugged and did as she suggested.

  "Will we be gone long? My parents are already mad at me and I don't want them to wake up and worry if I'm not there." I struggled but managed to ask.

  Carah gave and odd little chuckle, "No, not long at all," she smiled across the seat at me, "It has been a difficult day for you and you must be very tired. Why don't you stretch out and rest while you have the chance?" her voice was very soothing and though I wanted to distrust her my eyes were suddenly heavy and my thoughts were utterly confused.

  "That sounds nice," I mumbled. I couldn't make any sense of where I was or what I was doing or why I was doing it. I found myself yawning and curling my legs up onto the seat. Before I knew it I was sound asleep.

  I woke up when the car finally stopped again. It seemed like it was morning but the windows were heavily tinted and I couldn't tell for sure. I pushed myself from the corner I was slumped into and looked out the window. We seemed to be in a canyon of sorts and there were gates ahead of us with two men standing at rigid attention in front of them. Carah put the divider up between us and the driver as he lowered the window to speak with them. After they exchanged a handful of words the men opened the gate and waved us through.

  "Where are we?" I asked somewhat awestruck.

  "Just be patient, Emily," she said and left my question unanswered.

  A quiver of suspicion ran through me and though I wanted to put up a strong front I became more and more aware of the situation I was in and started to panic.

  "I need to get home. My parents are probably worried and Evan, too."

  "Soon, Emily," she reached over to take my hand but I batted her away.

  "Am I being kidnapped?"

  Carah guffawed, "I'm trying to help you!"

  "What kind of person tries to help someone by kidnapping them?"

  "I think you know that I'm not a person at all," she said and smiled.

  There was something sinister in the sound of her voice and her look made it even more foreboding. I tried the door handle but it was locked. I began running my hands over the panel looking for the switch.

  "Let me out!" I shouted and banged on the window, "Let me out!"

  I turned back to Carah and she just shook her head and smiled at my fruitless efforts. Then I remembered the amulet and I reached for the chain. My eyes filled with fear when I realized it wasn't there and I quickly recalled what had happened to it.

  "I'm sorry," Carah's expression softened, "but it would be infinity easier on you if you would just cooperate. I brought you here to help you but other than that the less you know the better."

  She sounded sincere and I started to regret the harsh way I was speaking to her as well as the severity of my accusation. I was about to apologize but then my mind seized upon the idea that no matter how believable she sounded Carah couldn't be trusted.

  "You're...you're not sorry! You're just trying to...to pacify me!" I lunged for her; hitting and clawing at her face.

  She grabbed my wrists, "My you're a feisty one!" she grinned wickedly. "Is that you or is Daemon still in there," she loosened her grip and after letting go laid one of her hands over my heart, "somewhere?" she was silent a moment as if she were listening or trying somehow to sense what was going on inside of me. The car pulled to a stop and she quickly dropped the attempt, "Ah, here we are."

  Carah let my other hand go and slid across the seat towards the door. A moment later the driver came around and let her out. After she exited the car she bent down and beckoned me to do the same, "Come," she said and stepping back held the door for me.

  I thought about trying to escape as I scuttled across the seat and hopped out but Carah intuitively grabbed my collar as soon as my feet hit the ground. She seemed impossibly strong and I felt helpless against her grip. I quickly realized how useless it would be to try and get away and since I was unable to do anything else I looked around at my surroundings. We were in an underground garage of sorts. There were several rows of cars, trucks and motorcycles; perhaps a dozen or so of each parked in precise intervals across the expansive floor.

  Carah looked down at me, "Now then. I need you to do everything I say and if you do not..." she put her hands one on each side of my face and I felt her thoughts rippling across mine. "Do you understand?" I couldn't keep the fear from my eyes and my heart felt like it would burst through my chest. Reluctantly I nodded. "Good," Carah released me. "This way."

  She pivoted on her heel and took several steps then looked expectantly at me and I began to shuffle after her. Carah led us to an elevator and rather than going up it brought us further and further down. When the doors slid back she nudged me to get out then followed right behind me.

  I glanced around and was surprised to find that we were in a hallway that looked very much like the entryway or foyer to someone's home. The tiled floor gleamed under our feet and the walls were hung with various pieces of artwork. There were several small, round tables with two chairs each facing one another and in between these were plant stands of various shapes and sizes spilling over with an array of foliage.

  The walls lining the hallway had several breaks in them; doorways leading into vast rooms on either side and as we walked I glanced in and could see that they each seemed to have their own purpose. One was littered with gaming tables; billiards and chess boards, backgammon and many other games that I just didn't recognize. Some of them were in use and when we walked by several of the room's occupants raised their heads and stole curious looks at us.

  Some of the other rooms were clearly offices with desks and computers, filing cabinets and such, then there was what seemed to be a library, and something that looked very much like a small theater complete with a movie screen and three rows of staggered seating to view it from.

  When we reached the end of the hallway we turned left and after a handful of steps I noticed that there was a long stretch of wall that was entirely glass. In places it was covered with condensation but as we walked past I could see that behind the glass was a vast indoor garden. There were trees and flowers and shrubs all at the peak of their bloom. I could even see a number of small animals and birds flitting about and I couldn't help marveling at the beauty of the sight of it all as we passed by.

  There was nothing along the opposite wall except artwork and plants stands in similar profusion to the main entryway. At the end of the hallway there was only one way to turn and that was left again. There was a wide doorway set a number of feet back from the turn. It was closed and there was a man standing in front of it and I couldn't tell if he was either guarding it or just waiting for us to arrive.

  "Is he in?" Carah asked the man.

  "Yes," he replied.

  "Will he see me?"

  The man closed his eyes and concentrated, "He wants to see the girl first."

  Carah's jaw visibly clenched, "Of course."

  The man nodded back down the hallway indicating to Carah that she should leave. Again, I started to panic; my heart was racing and thoug
h I didn't like her and distrusted her completely I clutched at Carah not to leave me. "Please," I begged.

  She shook herself free from my grip and after giving the man a vicious glare callously whirled away. I started after her but only got a step or two when suddenly my feet wouldn't obey me. I tried to move but was frozen in place and unable to do anything but watch as Carah rounded the corner and disappeared from my view.

  "Emily."

  I spun around though it was not of my own volition.

  The man opened the door, "Go in."

  "No," I whispered and willfully tried to stand my ground.

  The man smiled, "Strong," he said, "good." He looked hard at me and the next thing I knew I was walking through the doorway with him close on my heels. I heard the door whisper closed behind me. It was dim and I had a hard time making anything out.

  The air seemed cold and the room somewhat dreary compared to everything else I had seen so far. I felt myself trembling both from my fear and the chill of the room itself. My eyes slowly adjusted and I got the impression that we were in a living room though it was much larger than any I had ever seen.

  There was a huge fireplace and furniture scattered around it; coffee tables and chaises and lounge chairs. Some of the walls had bookshelves and others had portraits, pictures and paintings hanging from them. Though there were no windows there were drapes at appropriate intervals cascading from the ceiling to the floor to give the impression that there were.

  As we approached the fireplace I noticed a man standing in front of it with his back toward us. It looked as though he was staring down into the flames and that he was quite engrossed by their flickering light.

  My heart caught in my throat and I stopped short staring at him across the distance between us. Slowly the man began to turn and I could see a bit of his profile. He seemed to pause for a moment, hesitant to face us for whatever reason. As I gazed across the short distance to where he stood I felt like I was looking at something that was divinely made; something magical and unearthly.

  He visibly composed himself, or that was what I imagined him to be doing and turned fully around.