When I finally came to, the car had already passed through central London. I pushed myself up in the seat, letting my eyes scan the streets. We were not too far away from my flat.

"It's quicker if you turn up there," my fingered indicating left in the junction up ahead.

"Good, you're awake," he replied.

I shot him a sideways glance but his face remained calm, as if he had not tried to attack me earlier. As if he hadn't tried to kill me because I might have killed him by going down the magical network with Lucas. He is such a basket case.

As we turned up to towards my street, I felt a small buzzing in my pocket. The warm glow of my phone screen shone up at me, showing a long list of notifications and a lot of missed calls from Taylor. I didn't even have a chance to phone him back as the car stopped and the car door opened.

"Are you okay?" Taylor practically yanked me out of Lucas car.

"Hey, easy..." I replied weakly, almost stumbling over my own feet.

Taylor released me from his grip, his eyes glued on Lucas, "What did you do to her?"

"I just tested her powers. You did say she could use magic but she's a bit weaker than I expected."

"You did what?" Taylor was full on shouting.

"I have neighbours," I added weakly.

"I can't trust your word, Grimstaw," Lucas replied coolly.

Taylor rolled his eyes and turned to me, "My family wants to see you."

This seemed to trigger Lucas even more, "She will do no such thing. She is already exposed enough. I won't have her placed in contact with anymore warlocks."

"You are the one that's placed her in the most danger. I am here to help her. My family can offer her protection."

I suddenly felt my knees go weak again, but I refused to faint for a third time. My hand grabbed a hold of Taylor's shoulder and I could sense Lucas eyes on me.

I steeled myself and spoke as authoritatively as I could, "Lucas, thank you for taking me home. Taylor, I'll call you in the morning. Right now I really just need to sleep."

I turned towards my door, but I could hear them both moving towards me so I spun around. My eyes were staring them down, "You both," I gestured between the two of them, "should figure out how to work to together."

I pointed at Taylor, "You swore to protected me," and added softly, "for which I am so grateful."

I turned and stabbed the air in the direction of Lucas, "And you," I let all of my anger at his cold and selfish ways out, "you should work with him. Because if the two of you can't keep me alive. You'll die too."

I turned around, not wanting or needing to see their reaction. As the door clicked shut behind me I could hear the muffled sounds of the two of them having a discussion. I shrugged my shoulders instinctively, my shoulder blade burning. I forced my feet to walk up the steps to my front door. I just really need some sleep and a magic free day. That would be the best day in a long time.

~*~

The dark short hair on the back of Taylor's head glistened in the sun as he turned the corner. I smiled for a moment, it had really been sweet of him to walk me to my job for the day. As I turned around I felt the warm rays of the sun and as soon as my eyes darted up towards the blue sky my heart instantly felt lighter. It did feel like spring had finally started to warm up. I swiped through my phone to the map, confirming I was only a few streets away from the studio. A smile crept across my face, it had been ages since I had shot in a professional studio. I really should take Shaun out for drinks soon to say thank you. He's really good at throwing jobs my way whenever he can.

The bright morning light flooded through the big windows of the industrial building. At one point it might have been a factory but now it was a chic office building, where one of the units had been turned into a photo studio.

"Hi. I'll be your photographer," I stretched out my hand to the singer.

Her make up was expertly laid and the small independent label she was signed to had been inexperienced enough to accept my asking price.

~*~

I pulled my camera into the bag, a small smile still playing on my face each time I looked over at the pristine set up for the shoot.

"Thank you for today," I handed my card to the singer.

"Oh thank you for being so nice. It was such a new experience for me," she smiled.

I smiled back at her and pulled the shoulder strap of my bag further up on my shoulder.

As I trotted down the stairs to the entrance, I smiled to myself. Every time I was in a real photo studio, it was as if it was validating what I was doing. Just for a moment, all those hours emailing bands and all those photo shots done on street corners and in basements seemed worth it. Each time I was in a studio, will all the expensive equipment I could not afford, it reminded me that one day I could be the kind of photographer that had those thing. The kind of photographer that had achieved those things.

My nostrils welcomed the fresh air after spending the last couple of hours in the constant perfume and hairspray cloud of that shot. I melted into the pedestrians on the street. Maybe I should even go somewhere nice for lunch? Maybe I should just treat myself for once?

A flicker of a shift went through my body, something as small as a hairline had changed in my atmosphere. A new energy had entered the street and for a second, I couldn't put my finger on it. I stopped dead in my tracks, turning my head trying to spot one of Aaron's men. As the instant fear crept up my spine, my muscles tensing, bracing for some kind of impact. I froze, even before I spotted his blonde hair turned golden by the sun, his wall of energy rolled into me. My feet instantly un-glued and I rushed down a side street. Maybe I can just duck out? A couple of side streets and a small taxi ride and he won't be able to follow.

I rushed down the narrow side street, throwing my bag across my body and onto my other shoulder. Defiance welled up in me, I was not in danger and I had not asked for his help. Why can't he just act as a normal person and text me? Why does he always have to go down the dramatic stalking route?

As if he had moved faster than the speed of light, he was by my side. His arms grabbing onto the back of my shoulder, pulling me to a stop.

I whipped around, "I have had enough of you. Why can't you just act like a normal human being?"

He pushed me up against the wall of the building, "I am not a human, Cara. I am a warlock and my life is in your hands."

He bit his lip, hesitating for a moment, "Can you blame me for obsessively wanting to check up on you and making sure that you are fine?"

For a second something new burned in his eyes, something which I had never seen before. It almost took me of guard, before my anger surprised me, "The only reason you care about me is that it protects you."

He stepped back releasing his grip on me, "I don't think that's true."

"Why not?" I countered angrily.

As if challenged by my words, he closed the distance between us, "The only reason I only care about myself is because you have not given me the chance to get to know you more."

"I would rather just have the chance to live a normal human life and not be bound to a freak like you."

He stepped back as if he had burned himself by my touch, anger flashing through his eyes "Taylor gives in to you far too easily. He's allowing you independence."

His hand enclosed my wrist, holding me in place. "You can't have your independence back until I'm on the throne."

I felt the flickers of blue magic flame up from my palms as defiance bloom in my chest. This was all his fault. He did this to me.

The magic sprayed up against him, "Leave me alone."

As soon as his hand release its grip, I was off. My feet moved faster than they had ever done before, as I felt my anger mix with the hum of power.

As I approached the corner, I snapped my head round. He was still standing in the same spot, as if he was frozen. I rushed forwards and rounded the corner.

My eyes locked on the main street ahead, if I could just run through this little alley hopefully I could loose him in the crowd. I felt a shift behind me, a wave of energy rolled towards me and I instantly feared that he had taken up the chase. That's when a hard object smacked into the back of my head, darkness dancing in front of my eyes and I could feel myself fall towards the ground.

~*~

My fingertips felt numb and tingly, I tried to move my hands but I could tell my wrists where bound together. I tried to push open my eyes but a cloth of fabric kept me firmly in the dark. My heartbeat hammered in my throat and I tried to calm down, breathing through my nose as something sticky was keeping my lips sealed. Where am I? I tried to listen, I could clearly hear the footsteps of someone pacing around me. Who has taken me? If it was Aaron's men they would have just killed me.

"What do you think you are doing? You have no right to be in our world," a harsh voice cut through the silence.

I could tell from the tone that it was a female. I tried to shift in my seat, the sticky barrier where still keeping my lips locked so it wasn't as if I could respond.

"You have been messing with the wrong warlock," the voice continued.

"Shouldn't you wait for the court, Miss Brownlow?" a male voice from somewhere to my left added.

"Don't use my name," Miss Brownlow snapped.

Brownlow? Where have I heard that name before? My heart sunk to my stomach when I realised that it was another one of the royal families. Great, another power hungry idiot.

"Fine. Let's go," Miss Brownlow's voice came closer. She roughly pulled at the rope around my wrists.

I felt a pair of strong, manly hands grab hold of me.

"So we're going there now?" the male voice asked.

I felt another hand shove me forwards.

As I stumbled with them forwards, I heard the man ask in a low voice, "The introduction ceremony is taking place right now. Don't you think we should wait?"

"We are going to do this now," the Brownlow girl snapped back.

I felt my mind spin. Introduction ceremony? Court? What is going to happen to me?

I walked with them silently in darkness for what felt like a few minutes. We came to a stop and I could feel the sharp fingernails of Miss Brownlow as she peeled off the tape from my mouth.

"Make a sound and I'll kill you," the tone of her voice convinced me that she was serious.

She twisted my body around, her fingers pulling at the blindfold. My eyes stared straight into golden glided and beautifully carved double doors. I jumped when a strong pair of hands moved into my line of vision. I caught a side-glance of the tall, built guard. In the same instance he pushed the doors open, Brownlow shoved me through the doorway.

The bright lights blinded me and I heard the guard announce, "I present Olivia Brownlow and the human."

Author's Note: Things have certainly taken a dramatic turn. Where do you think she is and what do you think will happen? Where you surprised by the events of this chapter?

I have decided to enter this story for the Wattys and I would love it if you could support Magic's Mark by voting and sharing it with your Wattpad friends :) I love you all so much and appreciate that you have been patient and waited for the new chapter. Next chapter will be up on Sunday and after that it's back to regular updates on Thursdays :)