She shivered. I released her wrist just then, and she backed up on shaky legs and sat on the couch. I sat down beside her.

"Why did Inna attack me? Why did she defend Nathan?"

"Because she loves him." I didn't bother hiding my disgust.

"But how . . . ?"

"Who knows? Part of it is that he's promised to awaken her once she's put in time here.That's what most of the human servants are told." I informed in a matter of fact way.

"Told?"

"Most are unworthy. Or, more often than not, someone gets hungry and finishes the human off."

"This is all a mess."

"It doesn't have to be." The monster in me was only a heartbeat away. "Time's running out. I've been lenient, Roza. Far more lenient than I would be with anyone else."

"Why? Why have you done it?" I saw a different kind of hope in his eyes that I couldn't fathom.

"Because I know how you think. And I know awakening you of your own free will would make you a more important ally. You're independent and strong-minded-that's what makes you valuable." I answered.

"An ally, huh?" her expression was unreadable.

I shifted so that my face hovered over hers. "Didn't I tell you once I'd always be there for you? I'm here. I'll protect you. We're going to be together. We're meant to be together. You know this."

I kissed her lips, drawing her close. She responded at first but then I felt her lips still, those confused expressions back in her eyes. Breathing heavy, I pulled away from her lips for a moment and stared at her. Leaning back down,  I kissed her cheek, then her chin, and then moved to her neck. I opened my mouth wider, attempting for a bite.

"No," she blurted out with an uncanny force that startled me.

I froze. "What did you say?"

"Um . . . no. Not this time."

I pulled back and looked at her. I was more shocked than annoyed. Wasn't she addicted to the bites by now? Where did she find the will to refuse?

"I don't feel good. . . . I'm hurt. I'm afraid to lose the blood, even though I want . . ." she began to ramble.
I looked closely at her, debating whether she was faking it and had other plans. Her faced seemed passionate and innocent. "I want it . . . I want to feel the bite . . . but I want to rest first, get stronger . . ."

"Let me awaken you, and you'll be strong again." I offered again.

"I know," she said, her voice slightly frantic and urgent. She looked away, "And I'm starting to think . . ."

"Starting to think what?"

She turned back to me, "I'm starting to think that I don't ever want to be weak again."

Did she really see it? Was she finally weighing her options? If she needed a clear head to think through that decision, she could take that liberty from me.

"Please . . . I just want to rest. I need to think about it a little more."

"Rest, then," I said, unsure of myself. "And we'll talk later. But Rose . . . we only have two days." I hoped the warning would make her decide quick. She didn't have any options other than turning... Did she?

"Two days?"

"Until Galina's deadline. That's how long she gave us. Then I make the decision for you." I warned.

"You'll awaken me?"

Was she still thinking of death? I'd never let her die. But what if it came to that? Me or her. If I had to really fight her, could I kill her?

"Yes. It'll be better for all of us if we don't reach that point." I got off the bed and stood up, pausing a moment and reached into my pocket. "Oh. I brought you this."

I tossed the puny bracelet to her. Jewellery weren't a big deal. She was. The bracelet was dazzling, and each opal shone with a thousand colors. "Wow. It's . . . it's gorgeous." She slipped it on her wrists, admiring it up close.

I was satisfied. I knelt down and kissed her forehead before heading for the door.

Closing the door behind me, I decided to talk a walk through the maze of trees, just to clear my head. The moon was bright in the sky but for me it was all clear as day. I kind of missed the darkness. The missed the night. I missed sleep.

I wanted to sleep and dream a about her. Her and me, hand in hand. Together — All powerful. I felt a low rumbling in my stomach. I needed to hunt. Caring for her, I'd given too much time away from hunting. I'd lose my self control otherwise.

I started running towards civilisation, hoping to find a prey unawares.