___________________________

"And these vampire's, they've been bothering you and your partner since September?" 

I nodded. "The last thing I wanted to do was involve you-"

"No need to worry, dear." Pam smiled. "Vampires like these do tend to annoy permanent residents like me. I'd like to talk to John about it, if you don't mind."

She could try, I thought. This morning I'd try calling Michael but it went straight to voicemail. I was worried of course but I called Kate straight after and she'd said they'd gone home for a well deserved sleep. Michael would try and call me later; that was the message sent to her for me.

Now, I was in the middle of lunch with Pam whilst Amy and Chelsea frolicked about the mountains. Of course, having this conversation in a crowded mess hall wasn't exactly planned; no one paid the slightest bit of attention to our conversation. Some young men leered at Pam; some older men even had the audacity to stare whilst with their own family. But Pam didn't pay them any mind. 

I said John's number and watched her pull out her Samsung and dial the numbers. She held the phone to her ear for almost the full thirty seconds when she smiled. "Hello Jonathan."

She winked at me. "It has been too long... Yes, she's right here. She tells me you lot have a bit of a rogue problem." She said in her darling English accent. "Mmhmm... Give me a moment," She held the phone away from her ear and pressed "mute". "I'll talk to John outside. Then we'll discuss everything."

I watched her - like everyone else in the room - leave through the doors and turned back to my bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. I wonder if they found Tate last night... And if they did, was Tate still alive? 

The thought had me surprisingly worried. Despite saying I didn't care to him, I still do. But it's a two way street. If they got Tate, they could get to his maker and the other vampire. I finished my sandwich and sighed. But I didn't think I wanted him to get hurt...

Pam returned after another five minutes with a bright smile on her face. "John hasn't changed one bit." She laughed. "He asked me to keep an eye on you. How do you feel about that?" 

I blinked. "I, uh... I-"

"I can understand if this is your freedom from all of this then I can respect your wishes. It's not nice having to always be watched. I know of your witches so I get if you want your freedom this week."

"Umm..."

"Tell you what," She picked up my phone from beside my plate. "If something happens, you call or text me. I'm sure you don't want me with you twenty-four-seven. Okay?"

I nodded with a small smile. "Okay. Thank you."

"No problem. Now are you ready to get back on the slopes?"

I groaned. "Let my food digest."

"Come on, you're almost a pro! A few more jumps, a smoother finish and we'll have you on the easiest black diamond slope by this evening. Willing to put the work in?"

I exhaled sharply and stood up. "Alright."

"That's the spirit!" She winked. "By tomorrow, you won't need me and you'll be with your friends."

"They'll make fun."

"I highly doubt that." Pam giggled and grabbed my hand. "Come on, sweetie. Let's get you to expert before the day is out!"

***

I started counting the dial tones for the fifth time since Tuesday night, yesterday morning and night and this morning.

Today, I rode with Chelsea and Amy on the mountain. Amy complemented how fast I'd gotten used to skiing and Chelsea only said, "I'll beat you tomorrow in our race."

Right now, they were getting ready to go out. Amy, already being nineteen, won't have any trouble getting into the bars or clubs or wherever they wanted to go; Chelsea, well, she knew her way around bouncers and if that didn't work, she always had her legit fake ID she's had since she was sixteen. Bad influence that girl is.

I didn't feel like going out tonight so I agreed to just have a night in to myself. 

"Evie?" I turned around from the chair on the deck to Amy's softly smiling face. "We're going now."

I nodded with a small smile of my own. "You look nice." Amy had her long wavy brown hair pinned up and she'd removed her glasses probably to replace them with contact lenses. Her body was hugged by a deep purple plain strapless dress and her slender legs were covered by clear tights. "Have fun. Make sure Chelsea doesn't bring anyone home."

She giggled. "Believe me, she won't."

She closed the door with a wave and I watched as her and Chelsea walked across the living room, leaving the fire burning, and out the door.

And as soon as they'd left the repetitive dial tone stopped.

I sat up quickly from my relaxed position and mumbled, "Michael?"

A throaty familiar chuckle filled the line and my insides warmed to the sound of it. "Hello, stranger."

My lips curved upwards into a huge smile and pulled my feet up onto the chair. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. And how are you?"

"I could be doing better."

"Why, what's wrong?" He asked slightly panicked.

I shook my head with a grin. "Well, these past three days I've been missing a certain man's company."

"You do realise if you're not talking about me, I'd most likely-"

"Oh, hush Michael you know I'm talking about you." 

"I miss you too." All playfulness had disappeared from his voice. 

There was a pause between us both and I stared up into the starry sky. The moon was out tonight shining a beautiful creamy colour. The stars were bundled into their own constellations that I wasn't familiar with.

I finally diverted my attention back to the phone and sighed. "May as well get the gloomy parts of our conversation over with."

He made a deep hum of agreement before saying, "We didn't find him."

How did I know?

"He was long gone before we got there."

"What time did you get there?"

"Around nine. I know it was a stupid time to get there. His scent was barely there; we couldn't follow it."

I wrapped the blanket tighter around my body. "What've you been doing since Tuesday night?"

"John and I have been to your empty dorm, your house and my own repeatedly. That vampire hadn't been to any last night."

I sighed heavily. "This isn't working. We need to find-"

"I don't want you worrying about it while you're with your friends, Evie. Please just don't think about it until you're back."

"You know I can't do that."

"Try. Let's not talk about it. Let's talk about how your trip has been. How're your friends?"

Michael wasn't going to know if I did think about it anyway. So for now, I'll forget it. "They're great. They've gone out tonight. I didn't feel like going with so I've got a huge blanket, Amy's laptop ready in the living room and the food in the fridge to keep me occupied."

He chuckled. "Sounds like a fulfilling evening. Where are you now?"

"On the deck. And before you ask, yes I have my hoodie on, thick socks and a huge blanket. So I won't freeze to death, you over protective oath."

"I wasn't going to ask you that anyway." He snapped but I could practically see the grin through the phone.

"Sure. Okay." I laughed. "Where are you?"

"In the bedroom getting ready to do another all-nighter with John. But at the moment, he's still sleeping so judging by the snores downstairs I have an hour with you."

"Only an hour?" I sighed. 

There was a slight pause. "As soon as you get back we'll have forever and then some."

"Forever?" I mumbled.

Once again, another pause. "Are you going to over analyse the word forever and then get into an argument about it like we always do?"

"No," I dragged out the 'o'. "Not tonight."

"Good. Now tell me how much of a badass you are at skiing."

"First of all, badass is an understatement because I'm the queen," I smiled at his musical chuckle before carrying on. "And second, I don't always argue about it. I stop the argument from happening by not advancing onto the topic further. Now I'm going to do the same thing." I inhaled and exhaled deeply. "So anyway... I'm a snow queen."

Thankfully, the last part made him laugh so the conversation that was supposed to last an hour ended up lasting almost two hours. However, it made me miss him even more.

For ten minutes we'd played around pretending to be one of those enormously corny couples by talking about what specific things we missed the most about one and other. At one point we'd stopped talking completely and even the sound of silence between us felt right. 

I sat with the phone cradled in the blanket as I stared mindlessly at the sky. Michael promised to call tomorrow morning and I already couldn't wait. 

The air was beautifully still tonight. My thoughts stayed on Michael throughout the evening. How just by meeting him in that cafe back in September resulted to this. I'd never have thought I'd be in a relationship like this at eighteen. Maybe at twenty, maybe even twenty three. But I loved it. What if my parents never moved to Canada? What if I didn't agree to go with them and went to Columbia instead with Chelsea instead?

My eyes suddenly became heavy as those thoughts flooded my mind. I guess those 'what if' questions are what haunt a lot of people nowadays. 

As my dreams progressed into a deep sleep mode, I felt and heard a thump.

At first, it was part of my dream. I was in Michael's class with Kate talking about going swimming which was weird and the floor vibrated from the thump. But then there was a scrape against the ground and my eyes opened.

I looked around the empty deck and sat up. The moon had switched positions drastically and the air had become chilly. Oh, dear how long had I been out here? 

I picked up my phone and glanced briefly at the time. Ten fifty-five. I sighed and stood up to walk back inside. Thankfully, the fire was still burning so the living room was nice and toasty. I turned around to shut the door but paused.

Oh. 

At first we just stared at each other through the sliding glass door. He was shifting from foot to foot awkwardly and I noticed how he stood slightly rigid and uncomfortably. I was surprised he'd even be here. Not because of the fact he didn't know where I was but because of the things I'd said to him about Aaron.

Guilt coursed through me and I sighed. "Tate-"

"That's why I'm here," He interrupted. "To talk. So before you rush out whatever you want to say, think about it first."

I gave him a small sad smile. "Okay. But," I opened the door wider. "I don't want to talk about it outside. It's too cold." His eyes narrowed for a moment before he figured out what I was getting at. So to clarify, I finished, "Will you please come in?"

"You're... Inviting me in?"

"Of course. This isn't my house is it? But my last name is on the contract downstairs in the lobby. So I have the right." 

He probably saw right through what I was trying to do. I was trying to show him that I did trust him. That what I did and said was stupid.

"Are you thirsty?" I asked referring to how he was standing earlier. I sat down on one of the couches.

"Yes. Animal blood is hard to stick to." 

The fact he'd actually tried to drink animal blood like I'd asked just made me feel even worse. He really was trying. 

He sat on the opposite couch to me, the furthest might I add. We both sat in an awkward silence. I knew I was the one that should speak first. I mean why shouldn't I be? Now that he was actually here, what happened that night won't exit my mind. They way I spoke to him... Sure, I was angry but I was so belittling and didn't even give him a chance to explain himself. I watched as his eyes remained on the flames. His posture had grown slightly still however his foot seemed like it was tapping to an invisible beat. The silent taps felt like a clock. It was driving me slightly insane in fact. So I spoke:

"You know I'm sorry..." I whispered. 

Tate's posture never changed as he replied, "I'm going to be honest, Evie. I don't think you should be." He closed his eyes. "You had a right to be angry with me. After all, I did say that about your brother didn't I?"

I nodded slowly in agreement but he wasn't getting the point. "But... You're not-"

"Alright enough." He sighed and his foot stopped moving.

"I'm only apologising--"

"Which you shouldn't be." He all but growled.

I gave him a reproachful look. He leaned back on the couch and ran a hand through his blonde hair. "I'm sorry."

I smiled softly at him. "Apology accepted. See? I forgive you."

"So easily?" Tate's head tilted to the side. "I don't think I deserve any-"

"Can we stop talking about it?" I stood up and put another log into the diminishing fire. I went to sit beside him because I found the distance pointless. I tightened the cream blanket around me. "Let's talk about how you knew I was here, shall we? I mean I've been here since Tuesday. What clicked in that head of yours?"

He chuckled. "Your parents, actually. Tuesday night."

I raised a brow. "It's Thursday... Have you been...?"

He smirked and shook his head. "I haven't been here before. You know how long it took to find this place?"

"You know it still irks me to know you follow me for your maker."

"I'm not supposed to watch you anymore."

I blinked at him. "W-what?"

"I have gotten too close to you, apparently. I have been relieved, if that's the right word, of watching you. However, they never forbid to do so afterwards. They're both stupid like that."

I folded my arms over my chest with a smirk. "So now you admit there is more than one?"

"When I was told to watch you, there were ties to that ask that stopped me from saying things. But now that small bound has disappeared, I can almost do what I wish. I admit I still can't say a few things. And right now, they believe I am hunting in Delta." He leaned forward on his knees and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "After you yelled at me, I confronted them about what happened. And that's when they believed I was losing myself. So they released me from the bound believing I wouldn't come to see you again. Naive creatures however my maker can be smart and devious when she wants to be."

I hung on his every word suddenly relieved that everything that was going on right now wasn't going back to any of his... Friends.

I smiled at him genuinely for the first time in the days I hadn't seen him. "Are you happy?"

"Happy?" He said the word like I said it in Japanese.

"Tate, I'm sure you know what happy means."

"Yes, I'm not an imbecile." I scowled at him. "But I haven't felt such an emotion since the 1900's. And that way before going off to war."

I spun on the couch and crossed my legs so I was facing him. "What was the first world war like? I mean reading about it, it was the worst one of the two because of the diseases however everyone acknowledges number two more so than the other."

"World War 1 was terrible. The trenches were what carried the diseases but being in a submarine wasn't any different. The living conditions were ghastly and the hygiene was worse than being dirty. But number 2 was what really changed the world. It was destructive, bloody and easily the most politically changing event ever to happen."

I sat silently as Tate described his living conditions in the sub and how he switched roles in the second war to being on the battlefield. He pulled the edge of his white t-shirt down to show me his swallow tattoo that represented how many miles he'd travelled. He was a hand talker that's for sure. His hands waved in front of him as he described the planes, the guns, the men... But I was so intrigued. Why hadn't I asked Michael any of this?

I could see the care free smiles he was practically throwing at me and the way his grey eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Even his clothes seemed more relaxed. His faded blue jeans, a v-neck white t-shirt and a green jacket. This was the Tate I hadn't had the privilege to meet. This one was smiling, laughing when I asked meaningless questions, relaxing against the couch like there weren't any worries in the world...

The only sounds in the room were the crackling of the fire and the wildlife sounds outside. Amy and Chelsea wouldn't be back until early hours of the morning so I didn't have to worry about getting Tate out. 

"You're tired," Tate said softly. "I should go."

"No, it's fine." I leaned my head back on the couch and stared into the dancing flames. "I like the company. My friends won't be back for hours, it's only midnight."

There was silence in the room again and I shut my eyes. 

But then Tate mumbled the words, "You said you hated me."

I tugged my bottom lip into my mouth and swivelled my head toward him. "I said it because... I thought you..."

The side of his rough hand touched the corner of my own. I looked down at the sudden contact and smiled a little. This was a different Tate. The burden of having to watch me every night was finally lifted and I was happy for him.

"Whatever was said was because of your anger," He said with a small smile. "So in my mind, it is forgotten."

"Alright." I replied. "I am sorry though."

"It's forgotten, princess."

"Don't call me that." I mumbled as I buried my body deeper into the pillows. "Disgusting nickname."

"That's not nice, is it?"

I mumbled a slur of words I didn't even know what I said and ignored his stupid smug chuckle.

We sat in a comfortable silence after that. I'd shut my eyes but I hadn't realised I'd slid sideways on the couch until my head hit something hard. I was in too deep of a sleep to take much notice. 

That was until I felt my body being cradled into his chest. I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes or comment; his scent however was intoxicating. His caramel, sweet scent. My head softly hit the pillow and a cover was thrown over my body delicately. 

I fluttered one eye open and smiled at his blurry figure. "Thank you." I mumbled unintelligibly before turning onto my side.

"You're welcome," I heard him reply just before I fell into a deeper sleep.

****

I sat at the breakfast table the next morning with a cup of coffee staring off into space thinking about... Everything.

The girls were still asleep. They probably came back at three or four, which disobeyed one of my parents' rules. I didn't care because I wasn't exactly going to tell them. 

Today and tonight was our last full day here. And judging by the way both of them slept, they'd be missing out on most of today. 

But that wasn't really what had me up at eight in the morning. Part of me was thinking about when Michael was going to call me telling me he obviously hadn't had any success with finding Tate because well, he was here. Which I needed to tell him. 

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Well, the timing is right, I suppose. But the name on the screen wasn't Michael, it was John. "What?"

"Good morning to you too?" John chuckled. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, John. You?" 

"I'm great! A bit tired, not at all chipper."

"Funny. Where's Michael?" 

"He is at Anastasia's house. Sleeping. And has been since seven. We didn't get back until six. He's very tired. Told me to tell you he'll call you later and that he loves you."

I smiled suddenly feeling brighter. Although the words didn't come directly out of Michael's mouth the term still sounded intimate. "Fine. I forgive him. Find anything?"

"Yes."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Okay... What?"

"We followed his scent to your