A week had passed. Cody never talked to me ever since that day nor glanced even once. I should be thankful for it but for some unknown reason, I was so troubled.

Still, all the things that had happened that day weren't making any sense to me. It was hard to believe but those memories seemed too real.

"Hey."

I looked up and saw Dianna carrying piles of books. Must be for our History subject.

"Hey." I greeted back.

She occupied the empty seat beside me. The library was not one of Dianna's most favorite places but she spent the day there with me because of her history reports.

"You look so down. What's wrong?"

I knew that she would eventually notice but I forced a smile. "Nothing."

"You've been like that for almost a week now and there's nothing wrong? Very convincing," said she as she flipped the pages of the book.

"Nothing. Really." I answered and started to write again.

She sighed in defeat. "Okay, if you say so."

What also bothered me was that after I talked to Cody, Dianna never even asked me about it again. Knowing her, she would never shut up about it.

Is this Cody's doing? I shook off the thought. There was no way he could really erase her memories- well, that was actually what I wanna make myself believe to keep my sanity.

Cody may not bother me at school but several nights after that conversation that I had with him, I noticed some weird noises and saw some shadow like images around our house.

I was not sure if I was just imagining things. But just last night when I put the garbage at our backyard I saw a silhouette on the woods as the moon shone at its brightest. I couldn't figure out if it was a man or a woman and as I took a step to see if I was not just hallucinating it suddenly vanished.

"You're turning 18 next week, do you have any plans?" Dianna suddenly asked.

"Sure. Coz' I have the money to throw a big party." I boringly said.

I didn't know why but I just couldn't bring up myself to be excited about it. I mean it was just another added year in my life, it was not like something has changed. I was still me, Sabrina Jackson, the wallflower, the boring one, an alien in the midst of rich kids. Sucks to be me.

"C'mon its a once in a lifetime event in your life."

I sighed. "You know that I don't even have a single penny to buy new shoes."

She grinned. And I didn't like it, coz' that just means she was up to something. "I know, what I'm suggesting is that... I can tell my dad to throw a party for you."

"What? No." I protested.

"My parents like you so much they'll never think twice to do small things like that." She insisted.

I know that Mr. & Mrs. McKinley can do that but that was just too much for me.

"That's why I don't wanna let you do that. They've been so kind to me and I don't want toー"

"I know, I know.." she rolled her eyes. "but... I already told my dad and the plan for your party was already made."

"What?!"

"I know that you'll never agree so..."

"Ugh! Why'd you do that?" I hissed.

She held my hand and looked at me with her sweet blue eyes. "Sab, you're my best friend. I can't just let you spend your life without even experiencing things like this."

Ugh! She was such a smooth talker. She was the only daughter of the McKinley's that's why she treated me like her little sister. She was popular, friendly, a darling to everyone and an exact opposite of me. I've been very grateful to her that was why whenever she does this I couldn't just turn her down. But this is too much!

"But you don't have to. Being my only friend is more than enough." I tried to reason out.

"Whatever you say is useless now since my Dad already prepared everything. He already told your Dad about it by the way."

I couldn't believe it!

I just sighed in defeat. So I guess I can't really escape this huh?

Her smile widened upon seeing my reaction. "So just be a good girl, okay?"

She must be so happy.

I shook my head. "I don't know if I wanna thank you for this."

"It's going to be exciting, trust me." She excitedly said.

Judging from her reactions, I know that she was the one who organized everything.

I hoped that it was just going to be a simple celebration. Or not. I should've known better.

She almost invited the entire high school and I found out about it just a day before the party. Why does it still surprise me?

"I told you that I don't need a luxurious party!" I complained as we headed to our next class.

She halted and looked at me. "Don't be so upset. It's not that luxurious you know."

I rolled my eyes. "Inviting everyone. Sure, that's not freaking extravagant."

"C'mon now Sab. I'm sure you're gonna love this party, I promise."

Something about what she said made me feel uneasy so I raised a brow. "You're planning something unnecessary, aren't you?"

"Of course not. I'm just referring to the gift that I prepared just for you." She said averting her eyes and started to walk again.

I bet she was really up to something. I just couldn't find out what, but I was sure I won't like it.

"Gift? Isn't this party too much for a gift already?" I followed.

"Duh? The party is from my parents and my gift is different."

"Dianna. That's too much." I pointed out.

"Nothing is too much for me. You know that." She stated as a matter of fact.

I sighed exasperatedly. Letting her do whatever she wanted was really a bad idea.

I felt like I've been so exhausted arguing with Dianna the entire day about the party. I wasted my energy talking to her but to no avail and I ended giving up.

I kept on sighing as I was riding in my bike down the street, headed home. It was already night time and it was pretty dark considering the lack of streetlights in our small town. Not to mention that our house was still on the outskirts of the town.

I stopped beneath the flickering streetlight when I felt something weird, it was like I was being watched from somewhere. I looked around but I couldn't see anyone tailing me or anyone ahead waiting for me.

I sighed. Maybe I was just overthinking again.

I continued to head home riding my bike when I suddenly saw someone meters ahead standing in the middle of the road. I couldn't see it clearly since I only have a dim flashlight serving as headlight on my bike, but it was a man.

I tried to calm myself and tried not to think about who it could possibly be; our house was the last house you could ever see in this town since right next to our house is a vast forest that is off-limits to all town's people except if you have a proper permit from the government.

I slowed down and carefully cast an eye over him.

Judging from his built he couldn't possibly be my father or my brother. He was neither fat as my father nor skinny as my brother. I started to get scared since the place couldn't be more worst; it was the part where there were no streetlights and not a single house nearby.

The guy suddenly turned his head then I saw his eyes. A pair of glowing red eyes was staring at me intensely. "Shit!"

I automatically stopped and turned my bike around; my entire being was telling me to run. Panic engulfed me; I tried my best to pedal as fast as I could to reach the middle of the town not turning my head. I was a little relieved when I saw the flickering streetlight where I stopped earlier, which means I was close to where I am headed.

But just as I was about to reach it the man suddenly appeared in front of me that made me hit the brake so hard and even used my feet to stop my bike but my effort was all in vain. "Damn it!" I cursed under my breath closing my eyes.

I swallowed hard as I opened my eyes when I felt that I suddenly stopped. My eyes widened, he was right in front of me holding the handlebar grip of the bike. The man has a pair of terrifying red eyes, a scar visible on his left cheek and a raven black hair.

I was so overwhelmed by fear that I stood frozen locked in his gaze. An evil grin formed on his face. He might have felt how frightened I am.

As he was about to open his mouth someone swiftly lunged into him, causing me to fall hard on the ground with the bike. My head suddenly spun due to the impact. The next thing I saw was two people moving swiftly like a blur. Then they suddenly stopped, as if assessing each other's next move. My eyes focused on the newcomer standing in front of me with his back facing me; his back was oddly familiar. Cody.

Strange relief washed over me as I saw him. I tried to stand up but felt my left leg took damage from the bike when I fell.

"Stay still until I told you to move." He suddenly said not looking away from the enemy in front of him.

His deep calm husky voice was so commanding that it made me feel like I have no choice but to follow what I was told.

The guy suddenly looked at me then switched back to Cody and out of nowhere he suddenly burst out in laughter.

"What's this, forbidden love between a human and a vampire? How romantic." The guy said.

Cody didn't say a word; he didn't even move an inch. But I wondered what kind of expression he has at the moment. Stupid. Of course, he's wearing his emotionless face again.

"C'mon mate, you know that this kind of thing will never work out. You'll still end up killing her."

"You're a stray." Cody said instead.

The amused faced of the guy suddenly turned into disgust.

"Well what do we have here?" he scoffed. "A royal dog from those tyrants who called their group Covens."

I didn't know exactly what they were talking about but the guy surely dislike vampires like Cody.

I almost laughed at myself on that thought, I was trying hard not to believe that they were real and yet there I was almost embracing everything.

"What business do you have with this girl?" Cody asked.

The guy humorlessly laughed. "Food. What else could it be?"

I flinched at what I heard as chill ran down my spine. So if Cody had been a minute late, I'll be dead meat by now.

"We strays are not like you who bowed down to humans to beg for food. Humans are our food. We're not stupid to follow your rules and just abandon the right way to hunt." He scoffed.

"Is that why you ended up killing the woman you love? She was a human right?" Cody suddenly said without even a trace of emotion.

The guy was taken aback for a moment. His jaw clenched and I could see anger lit up in his eyes. "You could be more annoying than I thought."

Cody. He was looking into his memory. Looking at how the guy responded to his question confirmed that he was right.

"Leave her alone and I'll oversee what happened today." said Cody not giving a damn about how the guy in front of him responded.

Just what the hell is he thinking? Is he that confident that he could beat that guy? I panicked.

"Cody.." I finally said and tried to stand up.

"I said stay still until I told you to move." He said in between clenched teeth.

I didn't know where my guts were coming from but I managed to chuckle at his response. "I own my body for Pete's sake!"

I stood up and moved the bicycle out of the way. I could feel the pain in my left leg, no broken bone just an open wound and blood dripping from it. And the good news was, I was with vampires.

I groaned. Great. I'm dead.

I heard Cody cursed under his breath. "Stubborn Brat."

Then I understood why he doesn't want me to move.

I shivered as I heard the guy loudly suck a large breath.

"The smell of your blood is so intriguing. It does smell like those of a human but a bit different." said the guy. The amusement returned in his eyes. "Now I really want to taste it more. Won't you agree Mr. Royal dog?"

"One wrong move and I'll kill you." said Cody. I could sense how serious he was when he said that, even I flinched as if those words were meant for me.

The guy smirked. "Acting so high and mighty are we? This is why I hate your kind, thinking they are more powerful than anyone."

The next thing I saw was the two of them moving swiftly that I couldn't even see what they were doing. I stood dumbfounded, then I suddenly heard a loud thud and I saw Cody strangling the guy at the post beneath the flickering streetlight. The guy struggled to remove Cody's hand and managed to kick him away but Cody managed to swiftly land a hit at the guys face. The next were blurry images again, I couldn't follow their movement with my bare eyes.

I badly wanted to run but I instinctively stood still. I couldn't run fast enough to get to our house and my leg was not in good shape to ride the bicycle. There was also a fear of not knowing if there were other vampires waiting to ambush me.

They stopped moving again and I saw the guy catching his breath several meters away from Cody. On the other hand, Cody seemed to be unscathed and didn't even break a sweat.

"Let's finish this so that I can have my dinner." The guy said taking out a dagger.

"Cody!" I panicked upon seeing it but when I look at Cody, he doesn't even seem to be fazed.

"If you still have the energy to worry about others why don't you just conserve it and shut up?"

What he said left me speechless. That's what I get from worrying about him? I didn't know how it is possible but he managed to annoy me in that very situation.

The guys suddenly laughed. "Enough of this bullshit and let's end this."

In a split second the guy lunged at Cody. I even held my breath when I saw the dagger just an inch away from Cody's neck. Again they were moving so fast that I only saw smoke like things moving from a place to another. And when they stopped I saw Cody's arm bleeding so badly.

"Cody!" I called out.

Cody looked at me and in a heartbeat, I saw him right in front of me. Dumfounded, I saw the guy in front of Cody with that evil grin on his face. Cody used his right arm as a shield from the dagger that was supposed to be dug deep into my body at the very minute. My knees suddenly felt weak that I fell flat onto my butt.

"Being a knight and shining armor, eh?" the guy mockingly said. "Tell me, why are you so protective of this human?"

"I don't have a reason to tell a dead man." Cody answered.

Confused, I saw Cody slowly move away from the guy but the guy remained standing there like a statue.

"You thought that all I can do is to look through someone's memory and you let your guard down." Cody suddenly said. "You're so full of yourself to think that you can beat me using your poisoned dagger. You're pretty dumb for a stray."

He took the dagger from the guy's hand. "If I can easily look through your memory that means I have easy access to your brain, and what do you think makes your body move at will?"

I closed my eyes when I saw what Cody was about to do. I heard a slow thud and as I open my eyes the guy was already on the ground lifeless with his head detached from his body. I trembled and almost cried.

Cody then turned to me.

"Don't move an inch from there. I'll be back in a second." He said and took the body of the guy then vanished in the woods.

I gasped for air when I realized that I unconsciously held my breath for a minute. After a few seconds, Cody was already standing right in front of me extending his hand to me. "Stand up. I'll take you home."

I was having a second thought if I will take his hand or not. But with trembling hand, I chose the former.

"Where is he?" I asked as I stood up. My knees were still shaking; I felt the pain in my leg and silently cursed at the back of my head.

"I burned him." He said with his poker-face again.

I winced. "W-what?"

"He was about to kill you and you're concerned about what I did to him?"

I was about to open my mouth to argue but then decided to close it again.

He looked at my leg examining it. The next thing I knew was that my feet are no longer touching the ground; he was already holding me in his arms.

"What the hell are you doing?!" I freaked out. "Put me down I can walk by myself."

"You cursed in your mind several times because of the pain and you want me to believe that you can walk? Stop being stubborn, will you?"

My eyes widen. "You- Ugh!"

That was the very first time when I wished that my brain would stop functioning.

"Just shut up." He said.

I was about to argue but before I could even open my mouth my head spun, my surroundings appeared like a blur, and the next thing I knew, we were already in front of my house.

I was astounded and looked at him in disbelief. "What did you just-"

I wasn't able to finish what I was going to say when I saw the wounds in his arms. It was still bleeding.

"What?" He asked as he put me down.

I frowned at him. "You're not looking into my mind right now?"

"I don't do it all the time. Now go inside."

I didn't quite get how his ability works but it doesn't matter at the moment. I need to treat his wounds.

"Come with me inside." I said not meeting his gaze.

"Your family is still awake. Don't be stupid."

Annoyed I looked at him. "Your wounds are still bleeding. I'll somehow manage to give an alibi. Now come with me."

"It will heal soon enough."

"Don't be stubborn and come with me!"

He winced for a second then disappeared from my sight. I groaned annoyed. "Fine, disappear just like that and don't ever come back."

I carefully opened the door as I entered our house. I saw Mom watching TV while Dad was sleeping beside her with the light turned off. It was a good thing since I didn't want them to notice my wounded leg.

"Hi Honey." Mom suddenly turned her head when the door creaked. "The food is in the fridge."

"I'm not hungry, Dianna bought me dinner." I lied.

"Oh okay then." Mom smiled and continued watching.

"'Kay. I'll be upstairs. Goodnight." I went upstairs as fast as I could. I first went to the bathroom to get the first aid kit and immediately went to my bedroom.

"You're too slow."

I almost screamed when someone suddenly talked inside my bedroom. Surprised but I sighed in relief when I realized that it was Cody, sitting at the edge of my bed.

"What are you doing here? I thought you already left?" I asked.

He looked at me with his cold gaze that I was starting to get used to. "You told me to come with you. So I did."

I unconsciously smiled. I was wondering how he entered my room but decided not to ask. I had witnessed enough to even ask if he can do the impossible.

I sat next to him and started to tend to my wounds. I heard him sigh then snatched the alcohol and cotton from my hands. He then sat at the floor and continued what I was doing earlier.

I was surprised, even speechless at what he did but I decided not to comment about it.

"I went through your window." He said.

He was looking through my mind again.

I just nodded in response. Then I suddenly remember that he was also a vampire. Does the smell of the blood bother him?

"I'm not gonna hurt you, stupid." He said answering the question on my mind.

I winced. "Why are you not affected by my blood like that stray guy?"

"Your blood is still of a vampire. That stray is not just a stray but also a rouge. Vampire blood is also appealing to them, but he can't figure you out since you're a bit different."

No matter how hard I tried to comprehend what he said, I couldn't just fully understand it. What is so special about me that they badly want me?

Then he rose and sat next to me again after tending my wound. I thanked him and began to tend his wound.

"Dianna thinks that you like me." He suddenly said.

I was staggered and almost spill the alcohol. "What?!"

"She caught you several times looking at me." he continued without looking at me.

"That's- she's mistaken."

"I know."

"T-then were good." I sighed, relieved that he knows the truth inside my head. "Why did you suddenly brought that up anyway?"

"You were arguing with Dianna about the party and were bothered by what she said about her gift."

I stared at him for a second and almost cursed upon realizing what gift she was referring to. She probably invited Cody to be my date tomorrow night.

"And you accepted her request?"

"Yes. Besides, it'll be more convenient for me. The closer I am to you the better."

I raised a brow. "Convenient?"

"Have you forgotten what just happened earlier?"

I flinched upon remembering what happened. My knees weaken every time I remember how terrifying it was.

"You are lucky to encounter a stray and not an enemy. I need to guard and protect you. That's my duty, remember?"

I remember how he volunteered to guard me just to let Edmondo agree at my request and be brought back here, to my family.

"Enemy?" I then asked.

"Our enemy clan and they're after you."

My brows furrowed. "Me? Why me?"

"How the hell would I know?" He sighed.

I stared blankly at him. I couldn't believe that it was more complicated than I thought.

"They either want your power or they want you dead."

I laughed without humor. "Very comforting. Thank you--wait, power?"

"Yes. The enemies are on the move so we need you to go back to Erebus as soon as possible." He answered me without a trace of answering me about the power thing.

I sat silent for a moment. Trying to take every information into my system.

"And how soon is that?" I finally managed to ask.

"Tomorrow after the party."

"That soon? Are you freaking kidding me?" I almost yelled.

"Are you still being stubborn Sabrina after seeing everything that happened a while ago?" He looked at me straight into the eyes. The gray eyes that he had earlier are now crimson. "Edmondo already issued a command that you need to return to Erebus."

"How about my family?" I almost whispered.

"They'll be in danger if you stay here any longer. For now, they are safe since the enemy doesn't know where you are. I'll take care of them, I'll erase and alter their memories just like what she did to you and this family."

"She?"

"Sssh!" He suddenly stiffened as if sensing something and then he moved swiftly turning off the lights and went to the window.

I started to feel nervous as I looked at him. I was starting to panic. I followed him and looked outside the window. Bit I didn't see anything.

He narrowed his eyes as he was looking out of the window, then for the first time I saw his eyes widened in panic then looked at me.

"Lay down on your bed quickly!"

I was startled upon hearing his voice.

"What are you waiting for? NOW!"

I was looking at him but I never saw his lips moved.

Confused but I still did what he said. And the moment I lay down he was already on top of me.

"WHAT THE F- " he instantly covered my mouth with his hand, pinning me in my bed.

"I'm talking to you through your mind. Now, will you shut up for a moment!" I can hear him loud and clear but his lips didn't move.

"There's an enemy just several meters from your house. He's one of those damn trackers looking for you."

"So what are we going to do and why the hell are you on top of me!" I yelled in my mind.

"It's because your damn heartbeat is giving us away. He heard your heartbeat the moment you panicked and he's still outside trying to figure out what caused your sudden abnormal heartbeat. He's suspecting that we had sensed him. If he gets any closer and finds out that I'm with you he'll find out who you are." He answered then he removed his hand. I wasn't even expecting that he'll be able to hear me.

"If that's the case then you can just leave first." I said in my head.

"He already heard two heartbeats in this room if I disappear suddenly, he will surely know that something's not right!"

"So- "

"Shit!" He exclaimed.

"What now?!" I anxiously asked.

Judging from his reaction, this is really a serious problem.

"Moan!"

My eyes widened in shock. "What?!" I almost scream out loud.

"I SAID MOAN! FAKE A MOAN!" I see urgency in his eyes.

Even if I know what situation we are in, I couldn't just do what he wanted me to do. COZ I DONT EVEN KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

"What the heck? How am I gonna do that? I- "

"Shit! Sabrina do it!"

"I can't damn it!"

"DAMN IT!"

Then I suddenly felt his lips on my neck and hands caressing my back. I felt like my entire being is being lit on fire as my heartbeat even faster.

"Cody! What the heck! stop!" I screamed in my head as I tried to push him away but he didn't stop.

I can feel his lips moving from my neck down to my collarbone. His one hand pinning my right hand and his free hand caressing my back to my belly.

I closed my eyes in defeat and suddenly I heard an unfamiliar voice coming from me. I moaned.

After a few minutes, Cody stopped. And stared at me. "He's gone."

And that brought me back to my senses. I can feel my blood rushing to my head. And without a second thought, I slapped him with all the strength I have.

He didn't say anything and got off.

"Why did you have to do that!" I hissed.

"If I didn't do that not only you but your entire family will be in great danger. And we don't want that to happen, right?" He looked at me with his cold gaze again.

I know. I just freaking hate that he did that.

"Trackers have enhanced sense of hearing and smell. I guess we're lucky that his sense of smell is not as enhanced as his hearing. If he got even a bit closer he'll be able to smell our blood." He explained.

He then walked towards the window. I blinked twice when I saw his arm almost healed. Why does it still surprise me?

"Where are you going?" I asked when he was about to step on to my open window.

"Just stay here. I'll be nearby, I'm just going to confirm something."

"Confirm what?"

"Just shut up and listen to me. Go to bed and gather your thoughts. You're coming with me to Erebus tomorrow." And he left without even a single noise.

I did as I was told. I covered myself with a blanket and started to tell myself that everything was going to be alright, but the fear hasn't left me. Tomorrow. I didn't even know if I want tomorrow to come.

.