I was lonely.

It had only been two days since I saved Audrey from being a drone. I did this by changing her to be one of my Ethereal children, a change she instantly despised and stormed out on me. She hasn't spoken to me since.

I haven't been able to hang around or talk to Leah much either because she's been trying to calm Audrey down.

If you had of told me three months ago that not talking to my best friend and an acquaintance like Audrey was going to cause me such mental anguish, I would have laughed at them.

But here I was, trying to train my martial art techniques with Mia and failing badly. I was simply too distracted. I hate everything I've learnt about Original vampires and Ethereals. Why can't I be happy by being alone until I meet someone to step into my next chapter of life with?

"Gotta think quick!" My thoughts were halted as Mia's knee smashed into my stomach, knocking the wind out of me and making me sink to my knees.

"I'm SO sorry!" Mia said, hastily kneeling down to make sure I was ok. "You seem a little to distracted for training today. How about we finished early and go get lunch?"

I must admit, Mia was trying to be as considerate as possible. Even though she knew what I was going through, she also knew that there was no way for her to understand it. So she simply tried her best to be there for me. I respected that about her.

I looked at her and nodded. I found I was speaking less and less these last two days. I must look so weak, becoming such a mess simply because Audrey and Leah weren't around me.

I sighed, that's another habit I'd picked up over the last couple of days, I wasn't aware of how much I sighed before. I followed Mia out of the training room to have a shower before lunch.

I smelt the delicious aromas of spaghetti bolognese long before I got to the canteen, one of the perks of having a super sensitive sniffer.

The moment I entered I caught sight of Audrey and Leah, tucked away in a corner and deep in conversation. I couldn't help myself and immediately made my way over to them. Abandoning Mia to the lunch line.

Audrey saw me coming, prompting her to get up and walk out of the canteen. There was no longer hatred on her face like before, it seemed to have been replaced by uncertainty.

"Heya," Leah greeted me. "Long time no see. I'm sorry about her, she's still trying to process what happened between you and her as well as what that means. She seems concerned about how to think of you now."

Just hearing my best friends voice brought a smile to my face for the first time in days. I couldn't help but beam. "It's ok." I replied. "I'm sure she'll sort everything out in her head in her own time. How have you been? I've been missing you, really missing you, like a part of me is missing." I couldn't believe I actually admitted that, but it just slipped out.

"Aww, I miss you too Vi. But I really need to go and find Audrey and help her search the library. It seems that she won't believe anything about Ethereals and their children unless she can find a hunters record of it." Leah looked a little defeated from the fruitless searching, but it explained why I couldn't find them these last two days. "I'm also sure that she misses being around you too. Although she would never admit that, even to herself."

That gave me a little hope as Leah got up and prepared to chase after Audrey. I know Audrey needed Leah more than I did at that moment, but it still made me sad to see Leah go.

"Don't worry," Leah informed me. "This will all blow over soon and we can be one big happy family again." She said as she turned and rushed out of the canteen.

It was then that I knew that this animosity between Audrey and I was hurting Leah as much as it was myself.

I went back to the lunch line and ordered a double helping before going over and sitting next to Mia, who was fully engrossed with her boyfriend. I knew I'd have to find something else to do this afternoon unless I wanted to watch them swap spit.

A hunter in his mid twenties came over to me, his packet dyed jet black hair plastered to his skull with more gel in it then I'd probably used in my entire life.

"Mr. Mayweather and Mr. Lawson would like you and the Ethereal children to come to a meeting after lunch." The wanna be slick hunter said as I had to suppress a surge of anger. Jamie was my child, why did so many people seem to think that he's my boss or my father. Actually scratch that, not even my father could order me around like that when he was still alive.

"Ok, where and what time?" I asked the hunter as he smiled at me in what I'm sure was meant to be a flirtatious way, but only had the effect of making me nauseous.

He told me the place and time. "Would you like me to escort you?" He said as he offered me his arm.

"Nope I'm good." Came my reply. "But I'm pretty sure they're expecting you in the garage so they can drain your hair into one of the engines."

His expression changed from flirtatious to hurt. I actually laughed, albeit not to loudly, as I realized that this guy actually thought he had a chance. Way too much confidence if you ask me.

I almost waltzed out of the room, happy that I'd put a dent in his ego. But it probably wouldn't be enough to get through all that gel.

I found Rupert and Jamie in the room where the pre arranged meeting was to take place. I already knew we were here to talk about our futures. Thinking about how that hunter thought my family could order me around made me want to go back and destroy him. But waiting for Leah and Audrey to arrive excited me too much to follow through.

Jamie was sorting through the leaflets that he'd gathered on the table while we waited. He had casually mentioned to us previously that it would be good for us to go to university to prepare us for the future. He'd also made a valid point that all the Royal vampires would be in high society and the best way to easily infiltrate it is to study.

I sat down in front of the table and picked up a pamphlet for Melbourne University to browse while I waited.

About five minutes later Leah and Audrey enter the room, accompanied by Rose and Rhys.

Rhys was still on leave recovering from the injuries he received at Jake's party. He was running out of leave fast and would have to return shortly.

Audrey sat down next to me and Leah took the seat beside her, interlocking their fingers under the table like they were still in high school. I seriously doubted that Audrey realized that she automatically sat next to me. It was good to have them both close though.

"As you know," Jamie began. "I believe that the best way to hunt the Royals and prepare for the future is to get a good education. We want to be able to infiltrate industries such as media and politics because Royals have a need for power and to control people. No amount of money can replace the connections we will get."

I couldn't help but agree. I'd also originally planned to go to university before all the Ethereal stuff happened, as I told Jamie when we discussed this previously. This meeting was more about giving everyone else their chance to voice their opinion.

Leah was of course keen to get an education that Jamie was paying for and had no issues with the idea. Unfortunately Audrey had more reservations.

"I grew up here." Audrey stated. "I really don't want to leave my family and my home."

Surprisingly, it was her father Rupert instead of Jamie that responded. "I'm going to ask you to reconsider." He said to Audrey. "While what we do here is noble, it doesn't bring in much money and we're literally two hours drive from anywhere. You're being offered an opportunity that I will never be able to give you. Please remember that I will only be a phone call away if you ever need me."

Audrey went silent at that, deep in thought.

It was then Rhys and Rose's turn to speak. Rhys started. "I've already put in a transfer request to the station closest to the Melbourne University. I've sited PTSD from the attack as the reason for the transfer and see no reason for it to be turned down. Melbourne University is the best university in this part of Australia and I will be there to protect you."

Rose nodded to agree with her husband. "I'm more than happy to follow my little sister and stick together as a family, although I think Mum is going to want to stay here. She seems to be having the time of her life with her new friends."

"Fine." Audrey said, apparently responding to the conversation with herself in her head instead of the verbal conversation the rest of us were having. "I'll go with you, but I want Mia to come as well. She deserves this chance just as much as I do."

"Done and done." Jamie said happily. "I'm going to leave for a while to enrol you and sort out our accommodation. While I'm sure that you'd love to live on campus, it's too risky to have so many glowing eyes around that many people all the time. Even though we can cover the glow most of the time with contacts."

I was actually quite relieved at the idea of staying with my family, both blood and Ethereal, instead of bunking with complete strangers.

"It's Christmas in a week so you'll start at the university in a month and a half. I'll organize for us to move in about a month so you'll have to enjoy training until then. Rhys, Rose and Mia, if she wants to, will be coming with us. How does that sound to everyone?" Jamie asked the entire room.

Everyone nodded, it seemed we'd reached a decision rather painlessly, which honestly surprised me.

I started to get up to leave with everyone else when Audrey tugged on my sleeve. "Can you wait a minute?" She asked. "I need to say something."

"Of course." Came my reply.

I waved everyone else through the door and asked Leah to shut it on her way out. I knew she'd wait for us on the other side.

"What's up?" I asked, a little nervous that Audrey would have another outburst at me.

"I need to apologize." Came Audrey's reply. "I've been a complete bitch to you even though you saved my life. But I also need you to understand that all of this, she motioned to her eyes where the green ring wasn't currently visible in the light, is completely new to me and I have no idea what to make of it. Hell, I've been hunting what I've become all my life."

"No you haven't." I told Audrey firmly. "There hasn't been another Ethereal in almost 4,000 years. We are NOTHING like those Royals and you have nothing to be ashamed of."

Audrey nodded at me. "I know, but it still doesn't make it any easier for me. All I'm asking you for is time to adjust and understand. I'll stop avoiding you but please let me have some space until I'm ready."

I nodded my confirmation to her as we went to open the door and greet Leah. Audrey and I were a long way from repairing our relationship, but I was glad that we were finally on the path.