After hours of rolling around my bed, I finally pushed myself to get up. I pulled the dressing gown around me and tried to pretend that it was morning rather than midday. I stared down at my phone again. Nothing.

The coffee steamed from the cup finding its way to my nose. I pushed my knees up to my chest and put the mug to my lips, blowing at the liquid hoping for it to cool down as I scrolled through my emails. Why wasn't he texting me back? I had tried to reach him a few times already, something about him not checking in with me for over a day made me uneasy. I focused on my emails, trying to push those thoughts away. I would have thought that he would have tried to reach out to me by now. Stop Cara. I shook my head as if to try to make those thoughts go away. Stop being so clingy Cara.

I walked down the street, pulling my jacket closer around me. I putting the phone to my ear again, letting the tones ring out as I waited for Taylor to pick up. My feet steered me towards the Royal Star. No response. I tried my best to rationalise, assuming he must just be busy. If I couldn't see Taylor, I could at least check in on Tanya. I knew he wasn't working today, so I would have thought he would have checked in on me, given all that had been going on lately.

The wind bristled up again my face as I turned the corner onto Old Street roundabout, the cars circled round and I could feel the fumes mix in with the coldness of the wind. It would be good to catch up with Tanya. After seeing Josh, she would be able to pull me back down and ground me. I knew I needed it. I skipped across the zebra crossing, letting me feet carry me quickly down a side street and towards the Royal Star. For the first time in a long time I felt hopeful, having dealt with Josh felt like the first step of moving forward. For far too long had I allowed things to happen to me, it was time to start taking control again.

I turned the corner, finding my lips creeping up into a smile as I spotted the Royal Star. Things where finally back on track. My feet moved faster as I approached the pub, opting to turn the corner and head straight for the beer garden. I knew Tanya would be trying to lap up the little bit of sun that was out on her lunch break.

My eyes spotted the back of her head, brown hair cascading down her back. My feet froze and I felt my smile shrivel away as I spotted who she was talking to. Taylor. My stomach felt like it had clenched into a fist, as I slid back around the corner, praying they hadn't spotted me. I took a breathe, pushing my back against the cold wall. Why is he hanging out with her and ignoring my calls? Is he sick of me? Doesn't he care about what happens to me anymore? I allowed myself to wallow for a second, turning around and slowly walking away.

I turned the corner and walked up towards Old Street Station, I knew it was childish of me to walk away from them. But I couldn't help feeling hurt, I had almost worried about him because he hadn't replied to my texts and it turns out he was just busy living his life. Why had I allowed myself to be so dependent on his protection? I continued to curse myself out in my head, turning down another small side street.

My feet clapped against the stairs as I headed down into the tube station, my mind still wrapped up in my anger at Taylor. Why couldn't he just text me to let me know he was alright? A arm reached out and grabbed me, I stiffened in panic before I realised who's magic was surrounding me.

"Why do you always do that?" I stared him into the eye with a deathly glare.

"Why do you always stroll around town completely unaware and unprotected?" he shot back in his arrogant, posh accent.

I pulled my arm out of his grip and carried on walking, anger welling up within my stomach.

"What's your problem?" he hissed in my ear. "Don't want to stay alive?"

I shot him a blank look, anger raging all around me. I had no patience left for him. I would have to loose him.

My speed raised as I walked towards the barricade down to the underground trains. My thoughts were forming a plan as Lucas was keeping pace with me, hissing angrily in my ear. He continue to tell me all about how my safety was the most important thing. I held back from snapping back at him, clearly the only safety that matter to him was his own.

My hand closed around my oyster card in my pocket. A small smile creeped across my face. I knew Lucas wouldn't have a card to get past the barriers and with the guards at this station he would have to get a ticket. But by the time he had queued up to get on of the paper tickets, I would be well out of here.

I hurried towards the barriers, almost running the last few steps towards them. My hand swiping the card across the circular reader, pushing through the barriers. I spun around and watch them shut before Lucas had realises that had happened. I smiled at his confused face as the commuters behind him crashed into his back, as he held up the line. I turned and rushed towards the escalator's down to the platform. Behind me I could here the shouts of security guards. I didn't stop to turn around, I could feel his energy subsiding and I triumphantly smiled to myself as I rushed towards the nearest train and jumped on it. That should teach you to call me first next time.

~*~

I jogged back to my flat, more than my breath catching in my throat. I felt like I had wasted most of this day on nonsense. I had just been running away from my magical problems, not really solving anything.

I turned the corner, almost back at my flat, when I felt the familiar wave of magic radiate towards me. I looked to my left and meet his dark eyes.

"Taylor," I breathed his name, instinctively stopping.

"I saw you this morning," his intensity matched my emotions.

"I'm sorry..." I bite my bottom lip gently, "I just felt stupid."

"Stupid about what?" he moved towards me and I felt myself back up.

"Stupid about relying on you so much. I shouldn't be," fierce independence bloomed with my words as I stared at him, daring him to challenge me.

He moved forwards, I took a few steps back. His eyes stayed locked on mine "Why are you so angry?"

"Why are you so distant? I see Lucas more than I see you," I countered, quickly adding, "and I don't like him hanging around."

Taylor moved forward, his arm grabbing my shoulder preventing me from backing into the wall.

"You know, maybe you should let him," the intensity in his voice had instantly been replaced with a softness.

"Why?" I spat back. Why would he ever think Lucas hanging around would be a good idea?

"I'm sorry I didn't reply and maybe I worried you," he started as if he had read my mind, "but with my parents here, maybe you should be more accepting of Lucas presence."

"Why?" I echoed with even more force this time.

"My presence is known to the royal court now and I am expected to show my face more. I can't keep hiding out in east London," he countered in a soft tone, his arm squeezing around my shoulder.

I looked at him blankly, not allowing myself to create a petty remark out of seeing him with Tanya earlier.

"There is really no way I could explain to the royal court that I turned rogue and that my loyalty lies with you. So it would be best if you didn't run away from Lucas protection," he continued, his voice stayed soft but had moved to serious.

"Why? I don't get it," my eyes challenged him.

His eyes stayed soft but there was no arguing with the tone of his voice, "I'm an heir Cara. In our world warlock's swear their allegiance to me. I wouldn't swear mine to you."

I nodded gently as I felt my chest turn into ice, "I understand completely." 

I sidestepped, releasing my shoulder from his grip. My feet were itching to run away, but I knew that if I stormed off he would only end up following me.

"I'll see you later. I've got some work to do," I cut off.

He shot me a gently look but didn't argue. I turned on my heel and headed towards the flat.

I could sense his magic disappearing as the distance between us increase. Good, he must be walking away.

~*~

I smacked the laptop shut and grabbed my camera from my nightstand. As I stood up my back felt stiff with pain, sitting on my bed and working hunched over for hours had its draw backs. I pulled a jacket on and started going through potential locations in my head. I knew I had to scout some locations for the Amazing Eight shoot.

The cold wind met my eyes, forcing a couple of tears to push out from the corner of my eyes. I pulled the jacket closer around me and kept walking towards the wind, hoping its breeze would blow away the dark cloud that seemed to be surrounding myself today.

Location one. Colombia Road flower market, the brisk winds carried the scents of flowers towards me as I studied the rows of flowers stalls brimful with the vivid beauty of flowers, creating a colourful aisle along the narrow road. I hunched down low, taking a few photos to capture the atmosphere. The contrast between the flowers, the street filled with people and the edgy look of Amazing Eight with their guitars would be interesting. This is good. My fingers adjusted the brightness on my camera. Snap. I should focus on work and leave the magical world alone for a little while. I studied the photos on my camera, happy with the result but not fully convinced it was the right location for the shot.

Location two. A narrow street, where a large brick warehouse had been turned into a street art mural. I run my finger tips along the rough brick before finding the right angle for my test shoots. Snap. Why does it bother me that Taylor have other priorities? I took another photo. I can't expect him to always be there for me. I have to learn how to take care of myself in this crazy magic world. I took a few steps back and studied the photos. They looked good but this kind of location was quite standard for the kind of band Amazing Eight is. It wouldn't exactly make them stand out from the crowd.

Location three. I turned off the busy street and headed towards Bunhill Fields. The tall trees casting shadows on the ground. Further up ahead was a small graveyard, hidden between the tall buildings and the busy streets surrounding this place. A piece of history, buried in the old grey tombstones. I look around, examining the trees, the tombstones and the glimpses of busy traffic I could spot in the distance. This could work. Snap. Focus on what you can do. Do this shoot. Figure out what's going on with you and everything else will fall into place. I snapped another few shots before glancing around again. I had a good feel about this location.

My feet were light and my shoulders felt as if a weight had been lifted off them, with everything that was going on being able to go out and do something as simple as location scout had really helped. A small smile crept along my lips, as I took one last look over my shoulder at the graveyard. It's the perfect location.

"What do you think you're doing here on your own?"

I turned my head to meet his icy cold blue eyes and instantly my fragile happiness was drained from me.

Author's Note: First of all - thank you for being so patient with me. I am sorry for the lack of updates - I've been going through the unfortunate mix of a busy period in my life mixed with a serious writers block. 

I feel really happy that I have updated this story and Steel is soon to follow! I'm going to work hard on getting back on track with both of these stories