Author's Note- Yes, it's an update. The devil is now ice-skating.

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Oh I'm falling into the mist, And I'm face to face with a life of emptiness. Oh I want to run... but I can't move, Don't want to give in, but there's nothing I can do. I lay awake and try to sort out what is true, I close my eyes, but all I see is you. -Jamie Walters

~*~

Damien and I looked at each other for a few seconds before I spoke. "What just happened?" I asked.

"He gave you to me," Damien sounded as confused as I was.

"Why?"

"Because he has always wanted a tiger around here."

"Haven't you ever met a tiger before?"

"I've never met a tiger who was selfless before."

"I did."

"Really?"

"Yeah, the one who changed me. He saved my life. There was a group hunt and he rescued me. Of course, he did bit me but that's only because I startled him." I realized what I had just told him and shut up.

"Don't be so distrustful." I rolled my eyes at this. "Look at it this way, kitten. You're safe. No one will harm you."

"Yippee," I said dryly.

"You are so subburn!"

I smiled at him. "Thanks."

"I'm suddenly very tired." He did seem exhausted but I knew from his expression that it had more to do with me than the events of the evening. "Come with me." I just glared at him. He stood looking at me then grabbed me and slung me over his shoulder. I squeaked; as embarrassing as that is, I'll admit it. He carried me into his room and dropped me unceremoniously onto his bed.

"Jerk."

He laughed. "Oh, that hurts." He went into a closet to get something. I froze when I saw what it was: a pair of handcuffs.

"You've got to be joking."

"`Fraid not, kitten. Remember: 'she is to stay with you at all times'?"

"But... handcuffs?"

"Yep. Two hands or one foot?"

"Huh?"

"The handcuffs, do you want them on both of your hands or one of your feet?"

"Foot."

"Okay." He snapped one of the cuffs onto my foot and the other onto the bedpost.

"But I would have liked to get dressed first." He looked me over slowly, as though just realizing that I had no clothes on.

"I'll get you a shirt." He left coming back with a black sweater. "Here you go."

"Thanks. Sorry about your shirt."

"It's cool. I didn't like that shirt anyhow." I almost smiled, knowing that that was for my benefit only. I slipped on the sweater. It was huge on me but comfortable. He climbed into the bed covering me as he covered himself. "`Night, Kitten."

"Goodnight," I whispered. He was asleep in seconds. I laid awake for hours lost in thought, scared of my future, and of the vampire sleeping contentedly next to me.

The next evening

I awoke before he did and sat up pulling on the handcuffs. It wasn't doing any good. I pulled as hard as I could and just ended up cutting my foot. I whimpered and stopped struggling. Damien stirred and sat up stretching and yawning. He looked at me with a smile before he breathed in. His smile was gone replaced by a look of concern.

"You hurt yourself," he murmured. He undid the handcuff from my leg and held my leg, massaging my stiff muscles. He moved past the wound massaging the feeling back into my muscles. "The wound isn't deep. It'll heal soon."

"Yeah." This was completely freaking me out. I mean, I expected him to beat me or something. Instead he was being tender. It scared the Hell out of me. I, honestly, would rather if he hit me. That I could at least understand, and it would give me a reason to hate him.

He stood. "Come with me." I just looked at him and he crossed his arms. "Do I have to carry you?"

"I'm not going to follow you like a little puppy."

"I'll take that as a yes." He grabbed me and once again slung me over his shoulder.

"Put me down, you Neanderthal!"

"No," he said calmly.

"Damn it!"

"Hush." He sat me gently on my feet in the bathroom. "I'm going to go get you some real clothes. Go ahead and take a shower. If you try to escape I will punish you." He left. I stayed where I was for a few moments. I then climbed up and opened the window.

"This is too easy," I murmured before climbing out of the window and letting myself drop to the ground. I stood shakily thankful for my `shifter powers. "Okay, obviously that was *not* the first story. Ouch." I looked around then took off running. I was almost to the woods when I was tackled from behind.

"You just can't listen, can you?"

"No," I said glaring up at him.

He chuckled, as though the fact that I defied him was merely an amusing inconvenience. "That's my girl."

"Okay, Dr. Lector."

"Well, come on," he stood pulling me to my feet. "You still need a shower."

I blinked, surprised. "You're still going to-"

He grinned at me. "You're sharing my bed, Kitten. I don't want you to be dirty. Problem is that you've proved that you can't be trusted to be alone?"

"So?"

"Therefore you must be watched."

"Watched?"

His grin widened. "Yes."

"You son of a-"

"Ah, ah, I'm going to let this attempt on my life slide. Don't make me regret it."

"Bitch," I finished, a clear challenge in my voice.

"You never learn." He pushed me hard against the nearest tree and pinned me with his body.

"Let go."

He laughed. "Please don't tell me that you actually expect me to listen to you."

I sighed. "It was worth a try"

His laughter merely grew. "You're precious, Kitten, truly precious." He stepped away and regarded me. "Will you walk with me?"

I paused looking around the forest, at freedom. "I can't."

He nodded. "I understand." He lifted my into his arms as though I were his bride, and *that* was a scary thought. "Can you make this a little easy on me?"

"How?"

"Wrap your arms around my neck."

"No, I don't see that happening." He sighed shaking his head.

"Very well." He sat me down at the door to open it. I looked at the forest and he took my hand. "Don't even think about it."

"What?"

"Running. I've been extremely patient with you, darlin'. You run again and you *will* be punished."

"Bite me," I growled. He used the hand he was holding to propel me to him.

"With pleasure." He bent over my neck and bit it playfully. I squeaked again cursing silently as he released me, laughing heartily.

"You're laughing at me."

"I am."

"Jerk." This only served to make him laugh even harder. He pushed the door open and pulled me inside. He locked the door. I leaned against the wall, glaring hard at him.

"You know, Kitten, for a creature as innocent as you are you sure seem at home in just that shirt."

"I see no reason to freak out. I mean you already saw each other naked. This shirt is *much* better than that."

"True," he acknowledged. He lifted me back into his arms. "Well, let's go."