X • Ricky's POV • X

Two hours of long walking finally brought us to our destination. The tunnels lead out an abandoned mine, which usually is bored up, but I see it was left open for us. Night was still in effect. However, the stars were fading, along with my energy and innocence. The sun's colors were just barely melting into the sky.

"Head back to your pack. I'll close the mine behind you." I told Jacky.

"I believe I'm supposed to deliver you to the safe house. On their doorstep." He replied.

"I'll be fine." I said. "It's only a small walk here into the abandoned town. That's where the guys are. Go."

He sighed. "Alright, but I better not be blamed if anything happens to you between here and there."

"Nothing will. Thank you for your help. I'm going to need the crystal back though."

Jacky ran his hand down it's chain. He reluctantly pulled it over his head, then handed it to me. I understand that the power can be hard to give up. It was Devin's though, so it wasn't mine to give away. Jacky and I said our goodbyes, and I saw him leave. I pushed the boards back up over the mine entrance, including the "KEEP OUT" signs.

I walked a quarter mile to the town. Nothing bothered me, other than the wind. The sun was just starting to become bright, when I found my destination. Not a soul was left in this town, just tumbleweeds and dried up wells. It wasn't the condemned buildings that housed the coven. No, it was what was underneath this rotting wood.

Heading for the old bar, I could already feel my heart restitching itself. It's almost like I had Stockholm Syndrome. No matter what Chris did to me, I loved him. I was ecstatic to finally be in his arms again, if he's willing to embrace me. I did break a lot of rules in getting here.

I slipped my crystal under my cloak. That way, he would only see the chain and assume it was the original one, which weakened me. I knew from my years of sneaking out, exactly how to act to convince him of my innocence.

The floorboards creaked under me. I went behind the faded green bar top, where the old taps were. Pulling one down caused a section of the floor to open. Gotta love vampires and their overly excessive need for secrete entrances. After I had walked down the steep steps, the entrance closed, resuming it's position as a scratched up bar floor.

"Welcome home." Balz's voice greeted me the second my feet touched the floor. "We've been waiting."

He, along with Chris, Ryan, Brent, and Max were all standing or sitting around a table in the center of the room. Candles were strewn about, including a grand chandelier, lit the place. Chris stared at me with discomfort. His lips remained sealed. I guess he doesn't have much to say? If I just saw the supposed love of my life after they disappeared during an attack, I'd have a lot to say. Not Chris though. Well, this wasn't exactly the reunion I was hoping for.

"Where's Mikey?" Brent asked. There was obvious concern in him, but being the fierce demon he's supposed to be, he hid it.

I gently lowered my hood from my head. "He was injured before we even left the mansion. One of Radke's pack escorted me, and I told him to head back once we arrived here." I explained.

"You let a werewolf bring you? Nonetheless, one of Radke's?" Max asked in shock.

"Everyone else had to stay and fight. It was the only option, other than walking alone. I'm sure you didn't want that." I said. "Where's Devin?"

"We were hoping you knew." Ryan responded.

"Devin can handle himself just fine." Chris said. His voice was low, and spiteful. "Ricky, follow me. We are going to speak in private."

I swallowed a lump in my throat as I fell back into servant mode. "Yes, Sir."

Chris walked back to a solid black door. He opened it, holding it for me. I hastily went inside the foreign room. As he closed the door, I saw Brent come to guard it. It was just Chris and I now, in a black bedroom, all by ourselves.

I stood completely still as he slowly walked around me. His eyes scanned every inch, every centimeter, of my body. My eyes shook, but I tried to maintain my eye line, which was straight forward, as a servant's is supposed to be. Chris stood straight in front of me, with his hands resting behind his back. He was so much taller than I was, causing my eyes to be staring right at the ink on his throat.

Chris reached under my cloak and grabbed onto the chain of my necklace. He yanked it with one strong pull, causing it to break from my neck. Then he stared at the crystal in his hand. "Did you seriously think you could fool me?" He asked. I didn't answer, because I knew he didn't want me to. "I don't care what the fuck is going on, even us being attacked, under no grounds do you ever disobeyed me." He said, then lowered himself so our eyes were leveled. "Do you understand me?"

"Yes, I understand, Sir." I replied.

"Good boy." He snit. Chris began walking towards a table, saying, "I surely hope you didn't think that was the only weakening crystal I had."

I heard him open a drawer. Then the distinct sound of a jewelry box snapping open and closed bit away at my pounding chest. Chris came up behind me and pulled the string of my cloak, causing it to fall on the floor. He draped a chain around my neck, secured it, and just as he did, I already felt gravity pull me down. Chris placed his hands on my waist. My body was trembling inside, but I stayed as still as a statue on the outside.

He ran one hand over my wing, as the other fell down to my hipbone. "I know these accommodations aren't exactly the mansion, but it's better than ending up dead. It's not healthy for your wings to be this dirty. I'll have one of the girls wash them for you, okay?"

"Yes, Sir." I mumbled.

Chris walked back around to the front of me. His hand still found it's way on my hip, and the other delicately touched my cheek. "Look at me." He instructed, so I did glance up. His eyes were so beautiful. "I am glad you're safe. I was worried about you."

He was? You wouldn't have known it, for fuck's sake. I'm still glad he managed to admit it, but I didn't smile. That would give him power. Chris leaned down and kissed my lips. It was sweet, and left me wanting more. I know better than to ask though. His lips, along with his warmth, left me.

"Let's get you cleaned up, shall we?" He slightly smiled. "Come."

So I followed him again. He walked out to the main room again, and kept walking towards another room. For some reason he knocked, which was out of character for him. I suppose he has respect for the girls, considering that isn't his property or anything. Kylie answered the door. She obviously wasn't doing well without Devin.

"I need one of you girls to clean up Ricky, especially his wings." Chris told her.

"Come on in, Honey." She softly smiled. "We'll get you all fixed up."