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  I took him all in at once – his black hair, grey-green eyes, thick brows, firm jaw and full lips. I couldn't breathe I was so captivated by what I saw. He looked just like Daemon only...only...I couldn't put my finger on it because something seemed to brush the thought aside.

  "Emily," he smiled with a warmth and affection that implied he knew me and that we were dear friends. He reached for one of my hands and brushed a kiss across their knuckles. "I'm so sorry to bring you here like this," he looked down at me and examined me from head to toe. "Carah told me what happened," he sighed. "It was very..." he paused as though he was searching for a suitable word, "unfortunate."

  "How..." I started to ask.

  "I know everything Carah knows," he assured me.

  "Where are..."

  "Let's sit," he glanced over his shoulder, "and I will tell you everything you need to know for now."

  I followed him to one of the chaises and rather than sitting down beside me he drew one of the lounge chairs up and sat directly across from me.

  "Wait outside, Avery," he called over his shoulder to the man who brought me in.

  When we were alone he pulled his chair in somewhat closer to me and took my hand again. It was terribly unnerving for me and I couldn't find the courage to look at him. He sat quietly for a minute or so while I stared at the floor contemplating my situation.

  "Emily," he reached out his free hand and tilted my chin so that I would meet his eye. "Emily, I am Herrik."

  "Eric?" I wasn't sure I heard him correctly.

  "No, Herrik, with an H," he grinned.

  It was infectious and I found myself smiling back.

  "And this...he glanced around...everything you see...everything you've seen, is my home. Actually, there are many, many others who live here, too. Carah and Avery who you've just met; some like me and some..."

  "Like me," I finished for him.

  "Yes, but only if they choose to stay...if they come of their own free will."

  "Is that why I am here? I don't want to stay," I said confident that I understood what he was suggesting.

  "Perhaps, but before we talk about that and you make any decisions," his voice sincere and solemn, "I want to talk to you about how you are feeling right now."

  Somehow I knew he understood how desolate and lost I felt so I didn't bother trying to hide it. My lips trembled and my eyes flooded with tears. There was some strange emptiness inside me, a sadness that just wouldn't go away.

  "Imagine what it would be like to feel that way every day for the rest of your life. One of my kind has done something to you...something...unforgiveable...something...forbidden. It was wrong for Daemon to take so much from you and worse to give so much back. I want to help you, Emily; I want to right this terrible wrong and free you from a lifetime...a lifetime of heartache. You will never be the same, no matter what Daemon told you. You will never be the same."

  I had no idea how he knew so much and I certainly didn't want to believe what Herrik was telling me. I tried to say no, the word stuttered on my tongue once or twice but I couldn't bring myself to say it.

  "Just one day, then," he pleaded "let me try and help you."

  "Why?" I asked completely dumbfounded by his earnestness that I stay.

  "For the same reason you helped Daemon. Because it is right, Emily, because it is the right thing for me to do."

  I shook my head then I studied his expression for a moment; he seemed as though he was being completely honest but despite my desire to believe him I felt that if I disagreed he would just force me to stay anyway. I decided to take what I thought would be the safest approach, "One day, then I can go home, right?"

  "I promise."

  Chapter 3

  A moment later Avery returned with Carah in tow.

  "Emily has given us one day," Herrik began. "Avery, do you know when Artur is expected to return?"

  "He didn't say. I can send for him though; I'm sure he would put his errands aside under the circumstances," Avery cast an odd glance at me.

  "Good. Emily," Herrik held his hand out to me and I slipped from the chaise and moved to his side. He wrapped his fingers around mine then faced me and after giving my hand a gentle squeeze he said goodnight. "You'll need to get some sleep and once I've had a chance to speak with Artur and once you are rested I will come for you." Then he kissed each of my cheeks and though I did manage to mumble a hasty goodbye it completely overwhelmed me. For a split second I was reminded of Daemon again; the way he looked and the feel of his lips.

  Herrik nodded to Carah and quickly turned away from us. It felt very dismissive and I was confused by my sudden drop in importance. I looked longingly over my shoulder as we neared the door and saw Herrik motion Avery to the chaise I had so recently vacated. Herrik had his back toward me but I could see Avery's face. It was very expressive as he listened intently to whatever it was that Herrik was telling him. Herrik seemed to be giving Avery instructions. He looked confused and maybe even a little hesitant to hear them but nodded once or twice in acceptance and understanding.

  I followed Carah as she lead us out and back the way we had come, winding our way down the hallway past the garden and towards the elevator. This time we went up and after a number of floors the doors slid back and Carah hurried out. It was too dark to see much of anything but I heard the click of a switch and our surroundings were suddenly bathed in light. We were in a very small hallway; like a receiving area for people getting off the elevator.

  "What is this place?" I glanced around.

  "We are on one of the apartment levels," Carah said. There was a door directly in front of us, "And this," she said as she punched a code into the keypad, "is where you'll be staying tonight."

  "An apartment?"

  "It was this or the dorms. Herrik thought you would be more comfortable here. This way," she said her voice somewhat agitated as she started leading me away from the elevator.

  Once we were through the front door we walked down a short hallway that ended in a state of the art kitchen. There were two islands – one obviously there for food preparation and one with stools surrounding it for casual dining. Everything else was fairly standard kitchen fare – a stove, a refrigerator, a sink, and lots of cabinets and what looked to be a pantry as well.

  Beyond the kitchen the apartment split off to the left and right. Carah pointed towards the left, "The first room to your right is the dining room and if you go further along you'll come to the living area." She didn't take me that way but instead led me to the right, "Here is the bathroom," she flipped the light switch and let me look it over briefly, "across there is an office..."

  She started walking again and when we got to the end of the hallway she opened a pair of double doors and ushered me through.

  "This is the bedroom."

  It spanned the entire length of the apartment and was beautifully decorated and elaborately furnished. It had a small sitting area arranged around a fireplace and there was a large television built into the wall above the mantle. On one side of the room there was a large walk-in closet with a changing area as well as a vanity tucked into the corner off to the left of it.

  When I looked toward the opposite end of the room I gasped out loud because there was another of the long glass walls and behind it a garden like the one I had seen on the lower level only much, much smaller. It was beautiful and a very welcome sight knowing somehow that I was still very far below the ground above. The garden gave the impression of looking through a window to the outdoors and made the room and the overall environment seem much more natural.

  "Can we go in?"

  Carah shook her head, "No, the apartment gardens are for decoration only."

  "Oh," I sighed.

  As I looked longingly at the greenery the lighting within the garden slowly grew dimmer making it seem as though the sun was setting and night was falling. I watched in silence for a moment but turned back to Carah when I heard a strange ring coming from the front of the apartment.
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br />   "That's the doorbell," Carah explained and waved me to follow as we went to answer it.

  Carah stood back and let me open it and when I did I found Avery standing there.

  "Herrik thought you might like to freshen up before you rest. He sent me with these for you," he handed me a bundle of clothes. "He hopes they will be comfortable for you to rest in and promises that tomorrow he will have something more appropriate and properly fitting for you when you wake," Avery cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. "He would like me to ask you what sizes you are."

  I raised my brows, "Oh, uh, OK. Do you need me to write them down?"

  "No," Avery shook his head, "I'll remember."

  I rattled off all the appropriate numbers and he nodded after each one of them. When I had given them all he looked expressively at Carah. She turned to me and said, "Would you excuse us for a moment?"

  I turned and reluctantly made my way through the kitchen and down the hallway to the bathroom.

  I took a long, hot shower and when I was done bundled my hair into a towel and sorted through the clothes Herrik had sent to me. I slipped on a pair of boxer style shorts with a drawstring waist and cinched them tight around my hips. He had sent several tops as well, mostly t-shirts but one was a silken dress shirt and when I ran my fingers over it I imagined that it was one of his.

  Smiling I tucked my arms into the sleeves and rolled them up before fastening the buttons one after the other. I ran my fingers over the fabric then hugged the shirt to myself and took a deep breath of the clean, fresh scent it gave off. Once I was dressed I wandered back towards the kitchen thinking that was where I would most likely find Carah.

  She and Avery were sitting at one of the islands talking in hushed tones. "I can't imagine why Herrik is keeping her. And why does he need to consult with Artur? Why doesn't he just make her forget and send her home? You know Herrik better than any of us; what is he planning on doing with the girl?" Carah asked.

  I wanted to hear what he had to say so I stopped midstride and held my breath waiting for Avery to speak. It was so quiet that for a moment I thought he wasn't going to answer and almost started walking towards them again.

  "I wouldn't be able to tell you; even if I knew. I can guess though."

  "And what is your guess?" Carah demanded.

  "She is the closest thing he has to Daemon right now. If he takes that away from her, well..." Avery didn't finish the thought and somehow I knew he sensed that I was there and I was listening. It seemed foolish to try and hide the fact so I walked into to the kitchen and glanced at each of them in turn.

  "Ah, there you are. It's late," Carah said with a smile.

  "I know."

  "Come, sit," she patted the stool to her right.

  I sat across from her instead and as I took my seat Avery stood up, "Goodnight," he said and without waiting for a response from either of us hurried off.

  Carah watched him go then turned back to me. She reached across the island and ran her fingers over the cuff I had made in Herrik's shirt. She raised her brows, "He sent you something else as well," she stood up and went to the fridge. She brought out a glass of wine and set it before me.

  I shook my head, "Oh, no...I'm too young to drink."

  She gave a soft chuckle, "Yes, you are," she sat back down, "but you have had an exceptional day and it will be a busy one tomorrow, too. Herrik wants to be sure you are rested and this will help you sleep," she edged the wine towards me.

  I wrapped my fingers around the glass and gave it a hesitant sniff. I didn't like the smell of it as I held it under my nose and was about to put it back down but Carah was steadily gazing at me and I found myself taking a tiny sip. It wasn't at all what I expected; I wasn't sure what I was expecting but certainly not that I would like it or enjoy it in anyway.

  I drained the glass without thought and put it back down on the island.

  "Good," Carah hopped up. "Is there anything else you think you might need?"

  I shook my head no.

  "Very well. Herrik will send for you in the morning."

  I watched her leave the kitchen and heard the front door open and close. Suddenly I felt terribly alone; scared and alone. The events of the day began turning over and over again in my mind. I buried my face in my hands, "How did this happen?" I asked myself. "How can this be happening?" I felt more than a little lightheaded and overwhelmed by it all and decided I had better make my way towards the bedroom to try to rest. "I wish I were home!" my mind cried out.

  As I crawled into bed I thought about my family and though I felt terrible for myself I felt doubly so for what they must have been going through. I pictured my mother and father and Evan and how frantic they must all be knowing I was missing.

  "It's just one day," I whispered to myself. "Herrik promised he would help me and then I can go home."

  I couldn't imagine what he planned or thought he might do for me. "Why doesn't he just make her forget and send her home?" Carah had asked. "Could he do that?" I wondered out loud. Avery seemed to have some way of controlling people; I experienced it myself. "He must be able to or why else would she have said it? She couldn't have known I was there."

  The more I considered it the more the idea appealed to me. I started to wish that I had never found Daemon and imagined how differently things would be right now if I hadn't. Then my heart involuntarily wrenched with longing and I couldn't stop myself from remembering all that Daemon and I had shared. I touched my lips and closed my eyes; I tried picturing him but it seemed to be Herrik that I saw instead.

  I started to cry; my head was so full of complicated ideas. Then something strange happened. I thought I heard somebody whispering to me, comforting me and as I stifled my sobs and strained my ears the only sound they caught was the rhythmic chirping of the crickets in the nearby garden. Before I knew it the noise seemed to block out everything else and it lulled me into a deep sleep.

  When I woke the following morning I quickly opened my eyes hoping that it was all a dream and that I would find myself at home. It only took a glance to realize that I wasn't where I wanted to be. As I tried to accept the fact I lay in bed for a few minutes regretting where I was and wondering what I should expect next. Then I began to realize that I could smell something cooking and it quickly acquainted me with how hungry I was and thoroughly distracted me from all my desperate ideas.

  "Breakfast?" I wondered.

  I slid to the edge of the bed and hopped down as my belly rumbled hopefully. I cautiously opened my door and the aromas intensified. Treading lightly I made my way to the kitchen and there I saw a young woman perhaps in her early twenties or so standing at the stove with a sizzling pan of bacon on one burner and a skillet covered with a fluffy pancake on the other.

  "Hello?" I softly called.

  She jumped and smiling spun towards me, "Oh, my you scared me! You walk like a cat!" she laughed.

  Her happy expression was so intense I couldn't help smiling back.

  She wiped her hands on her apron before holding one out in greeting, "I'm Penny," she said.

  "Emily," I reached out and she gave me a hearty shake.

  She was very pretty with red hair and bright blue eyes. She had a heart-shaped face and her skin looked so soft and smooth; like she had been polished to perfection.

  "Herrik sent me to make you breakfast. I hope you don't mind. You didn't answer your door this morning and when I went back down to tell him he gave me the code to let myself in."

  "Oh, no, it's fine!" I assured her. She wasn't like him; despite how beautiful she was I knew immediately that she was a girl just like me. Everything about her put me completely at ease.

  "I hope you like pancakes."

  "I do!"

  "Are you hungry?"

  "Very," I nodded.

  "Good! Sit down," she motioned to the island.

  There was a place already set for me complete with silverware, a glass of juice and a plate with a generous serving of fresh fruit alre
ady arranged upon it. There was also a huge vase of flowers that hadn't been there the previous night resting on the edge of the island. I looked them over as I took my seat.

  "Those were outside your door this morning. I brought them in and put them in some water for you just to be safe. There's a card..."

  I pulled it from the pick that was holding it in the vase and opened the small envelope.

  Dearest Emily,

  A gift to show my regard and the happiness you have brought me by staying with us. I look forward to seeing you once you are ready to start your day.

  Herrik

  Penny stood over me while I read the brief note. She smiled as she filled the remaining space on my plate with pancakes and bacon. The doorbell rang just as she turned away, "Oh, I can get that for you; enjoy your breakfast," she said and hurried off to answer it.

  I slathered my pancakes in butter and syrup and took several big bites before she returned. My mouth was stuffed full when she came back and she shook her head at me disapprovingly.

  I took a huge gulp of juice and shamefully washed it all down.

  "Who was at the door?" I asked as I continued my breakfast.

  "Avery," she said, "he left some packages for you. I'll help you with them once you're done eating.

  I hurriedly cleared my plate and was tempted to ask for seconds I was so hungry but my curiosity to see what was in the boxes helped me check my appetite. I brought my dishes to the sink and thanked Penny for going through so much trouble, "Can we see what Avery brought now?"

  "Of course."

  She followed me to the front door and helped me open each of the packages. Much to my surprise there were quite a few and each box was filled with clothes; dresses mostly, some skirts and tops as well and shoes in a variety of colors and styles. They were all quite pretty but as I looked them over I began to feel suspicious; not only of the clothes but the flowers and Penny and breakfast. Their generosity seemed more like an effort to convince me to stay rather than common kindness.

  "I'm not staying!" I narrowed my eyes at Penny.

  She shook her head in confusion, "Why would you say something like that?" I didn't have a ready answer as Penny looked at me expectantly. "Well," she said awkwardly, "we might as well get these to the bedroom so you can get changed."