After Rome left his room, Ly moved off into the kitchen to confront her father. Clayton was searching through the fridge when the vampire walked in and gave him an appraising look. “Alex tells me that Rowen was the one who bled all over the living room and that it had nothing to do with you at all,” the older man said stiffly, as if he suspected Ly had attacked someone in the next room.

Ly shrugged, he knew nothing about what had happened before Rome had come to him, and he didn't care in the slightest. “Rome says you can help me,” he said, sounding his usual bored self. “Was she right?”

Clayton's eyes narrowed. Rome had told him this was coming but he was still unsure as to weather he should help Ly or not. It was obvious the vampire was after revenge. “Maybe,” he said slowly. “Depends on what you need.”

“Names,” Ly replied. He tried to look relaxed, unconcerned, but it was harder than usual for him. Standing in the same room as a man who had once been part of a hunters club, a man who had once killed Ly's kind because of some warped idea that killing vampires would keep people safe. It didn't help that he could also feel Rome's heart beating not so far away.

“What names?” Clayton faced Ly fully now, knowing that whoever the young vampire was looking for would die hours after he learned their name. He didn't know if he would be able to live with that. It was hard enough living with the guilt of what he had done before.

“I really only need one,” Ly answered. “The name of the president of the hunters club Matthew Scott belonged to. I need to know who he is and where I can find him. Can you do that, or is it beyond you?”

Clayton kept his face blank and ignored the insult Ly had just paid him. No amount of insults would make him do something he didn't think was right. However, now that he knew it was hunters the vampire was after he was feeling less reluctant. “What's the club called?”

Ly frowned. He knew hunters clubs had different names, but he had never thought to find out what the club Matthew Scott belonged to was called. “I don't know,” he said slowly, angry at himself for overlooking such an important piece of information.

“Well that makes it harder,” Clayton said, taking a seat at the kitchen table. “I might be able to find what you need, actually I probably already have the name. Alex picked me up a list of club presidents from a vampire club in the city when he went down to visit Rome. It wasn't easy to get, no-one besides the clubs own members are meant to know who leads them. But there are two problems. One, without the club name the list of presidents will mean nothing, and two, Rome told me not to help you, not yet at least.”

Ly's face darkened, not only from anger, but from frustration and embarrassment. He was so close to finding out who had ordered Scott's death, finding the man who tried to frame him for the murder, and the only things that stood in his way were a stupid name and a young human girl.

He could feel Rome close by, in fact, she was hiding just outside the kitchen, listening to their conversation. Her heard beat quickened when she heard her fathers last sentence. If she thought Ly didn't know she was there she was a lot dumber than he believed.

As if his thoughts had summoned her, Rome stepped into the kitchen. Her face was set with a determined look, but Ly could tell she was nervous, and also angry. The anger he could understand. They had been linked together, against her will, she must blame him for that. Involuntarily Ly's eyes flicked to her neck, it was only then that he noticed she was wearing a high necked jumper to hide his fang marks.

“I know the name of the club Mr Scott belonged to,” the young woman said, looking Ly straight in the eyes. “Melissa told me a the names of a few clubs, but she said there was one which was the best at what they did. I asked her how she knew, but she wouldn't tell me anything else.” Rome paused and took a deep breath, as if gathering the courage to speak her next sentence. Ly felt the anger inside her rise. “I'm not going to tell you the name until your shoulder is healed.”

Ly almost lost it. “Who are you to withhold this from me?!” he snapped, trying to keep his own anger back. “Since when do you know what's best? I will do what I have to do to find this guy and I'll be damned if I'll let you stop me! Give me the name! Give it to me!”

Clayton stood up and walked quickly to his daughters side. “The name will do you no good without the list of presidents,” he growled. “You keep acting like this and I won't give it to you, no matter what Rome says.”

Ly stood there, shocked. Only one other time in his life had someone flat out refused to do what he said. Being a member of the Aleron family meant having vampires running around, ready to do anything he wanted them to, he even seemed to get his way with his brother, most of the time. But this was different and he knew that he was never going to force either of the people in front of him to give up what they knew without doing what they wanted first.

With a growl of frustration and a look of pure poison for Rome, Ly marched out of the kitchen and back to the guest room. He knew she would still be mad at him because of the link between them and he couldn't really blame her for that, but he had never thought she would be that angry that she would stand in his way. Not when it was this important.

Rome let out a small sigh when Ly left the room. She had thought she was all right with him going off to look for whoever it was he was looking for, healed or not, but when it came right down to it, she wasn't willing to let him leave. So they couldn't be together, so what. She still didn't want him to throw his life away and it made her so mad to know that he didn't value his own life in the slightest. He would run off into danger and get himself killed without one thought as to how that would impact the people who knew him.

Still, the look he had just given her, as if he would never forgive her, really made her regret what she had just done.

Clayton put a hand on his daughters shoulder. “Don't worry too much about him,” he said, as if he could read Rome's mind. “He's not going to stay mad forever.”

Rome gave her father a weak smile. “You don't know him as well as I do,” she said. “I don't know if he's ever going to forgive me for this. He's never been that mad at me before. I mean, just before he...we'll anyway, it doesn't matter, as long as he doesn't get himself killed.”

Clayton frowned, looking down at Rome as if he had never seen her before. “You've changed Rome,” he said softly, putting his arm around her shoulders. “I remember a time when you would have been in tears if someone, anyone, spoke to you like that.”

Rome was about to reply when she hear the guest room door open. Seconds later the front door slamming told her that Ly had left the house. She looked outside quickly and noticed that it was getting dark.

Clayton saw the worried look on his daughters face and sighed heavily. “I'll go get him,” he said, suddenly sounding tired. “He won't get far anyway, not in his condition.”

Rome just shook her head. “No, I'll go. Even if he is mad at me he'll still probably listen to me more than he will to you.” It was Rome's turn to frown now. There had been something on her mind ever since she had brought the young vampire to her family. “Dad, you knew Ly's family right? I was wondering what...I mean, I know he hates vampire hunters because of what happened to Tristan, but I was wondering if it went deeper than that.”

“He hasn't told you anything about his family?” Clayton asked, face grim. Rome shook her head. “Well if he hasn't mentioned it then it's probably better if I don't either. If he finds out I told you he would be even more angry with us than he is now. If you really want to know maybe you should ask him.”

Rome only sighed and nodded, before leaving the kitchen to follow Ly.

Ly had reached the shopping district before Rome finally caught him, and even then she had to run to keep up. “I know you're mad at me but that's no reason to go running off. You really should be...”

“You have no right to tell me what I should and should not be doing,” Ly hissed through gritted teeth. HE didn't want her anywhere ner him right now and the fact that she had followed him really grated. “And who ever said I left because of you? Not everything I do is because of you. You are not in control of my life. I left because I ran out of cigarettes, satisfied?”

“Maybe if you stopped acting like a child I wouldn't have to tell you what to do,” Rome snapped back. “If you would just grow up and listen to what other people...”

“I'm not the one acting like a child,” Ly hissed. “I'm not the one who says one thing and does another. You say you want to help me, but all you're really doing is keeping me here, trying to force me to do what you want. My brother tried to do that to me, he tried to control me as well. Well I won't be controlled. I won't be kept here until it's too late to find out what's going on!”

“I'm trying to help you,” Rome cried, frustrated. “But you're just too stubborn to see it. I won't let you go running off when you have no idea what you're running into. I won't let you be so stupid.”

“What do you want from me?” Ly asked turning to face her, anger and confusion clear in his haunted eyes. “You say you want to help, but then you drag me to the home of a vampire hunter. You say he has the information I need, but then you refuse to let him give it to me. Do you expect me to be happy about that? Are you really that mad at me that you would stop me from finding out who's behind all of this? Do you really hate me that much?”

Rome stopped dead, completely shocked. He didn't know. He didn't realise that the reason she didn't want him to go after this person was because she was afraid he would get hurt. He thought she was trying to get back at him, to punish him in some way for letting her give him her blood.

When Rome failed to respond, Ly just shook his head and continued walking. It was a few seconds before he felt slender arms slide around him as Rome hugged him from behind, buried her face in his long black coat.

Ly was too shocked to say anything at all. “I hate this,” he heard Rome's muffled voice from behind him. “I hate that you're always mad at me or that you think I'm mad at you. I just want things to be like they were before, when none of this had happened.”

“If you're not mad at me then why don't you give me the name of Scott's club?” Ly asked, all the anger was gone from his voice now, leaving him sounding tired, as if he was about to give up. The feeling of Rome's heart was almost painful this close. “Why did you make it so hard for me?”

“Oh Ly,” Rome said, and the young vampire could feel the smile on her full lips. “For someone so smart you really do say the stupidest things sometimes. I only did that because I don't want you to get yourself killed. You don't know what you're getting yourself into and it would be stupid to go off and confront this guy when you're still too weak to spend the whole night out of bed.”

Ly frowned. “You were worried about me?” She had worried about him before, when no-one else had felt the need to, when everyone around them had been afraid. There were only three people in the world who had ever felt the need to worry. Two of them where dead. He scowled and tried to pull her off him, but she held on tight. “I don't need you to worry. I can take care of myself.”

“Obviously you can't,” Rome said, trying to make her voice light. “Look at the state you're in. You only just walked two hundred metres and you're already out of breath. If you can't even get out of my grip I don't think you're in any condition to be going anywhere an your own.”

Ly only just realised how hard he was breathing. He turned to her to tell her it was only because she had made him angry, but at that moment she gave him such a wide smile that he could only shake his head.

“Come on,” Rome said, taking Ly's arm and leading him towards the shopping district. “I'm actually surprised you've lasted this long without cigarettes. It's probably not a good idea for you to be wondering about, but it can't be fun for you to have to stay in the house all day.”

They walked in silence for a while, Rome keeping a tight hold on Ly's arm, but Ly didn't know if that was because she thought he would try to get away or if she thought he was about to collapse at any moment.

His shoulder throbbed painfully and he could feel his energy draining, but he kept his mouth shut and kept walking. He wasn't about to tell Rome that he needed a rest and then get a smug “I told you so” look in return.

So she was worried. He had made her an outcast amongst her friends, had dragged her into danger, had yelled at her, scared her, taken her blood, and she was still worried about him. She was completely ignoring the link between them, which wasn't really hard for a human, as they felt nothing, but the was she had acted when he explained the situation to her had made him think she would never even be able to look at him again.

She may have been able to ignore it, but Ly certainly couldn't. He could feel her, every beat of her heart, the flow of her blood through her body, the nervousness she felt underneath the calm expression on her face. She was strong, stronger than he had ever suspected the first time he met her. Stronger than every other human he had met.

It was only when Ly stumbled that he realised he had been staring intently at Rome. The girl herself squeaked in surprise and managed to keep the young vampire from falling. “Are you all right?” Rome asked, maintaining her grip on Ly's arm as he straightened himself. “Maybe you should sit down for a while.”

Ly didn't protest as Rome led him to a bench outside a small set of shops. Her heart beat had quickened again, but now it was concern she felt, rather than anger or frustration. In Ly's opinion concern was worse.

“Don't look at me like that,” the vampire growled softly, turning away from Rome. “I'm fine.”

The young woman frowned, but nodded anyway. “If you're sure,” she said slowly. “You just stay here and I'll go and get you some cigarettes, I think I know which ones you like. I'll be back in a second.”

Before Ly could say anything Rome darted off towards a shop and disappeared inside. She felt...embarrasses? Now she felt embarrasses! He shook his head, wondering if he would ever understand what the girl was thinking.

Now that he was alone he took the opportunity to view his surroundings. Rome family house was built on a hill just outside the small town where they now were. Small really wasn't the perfect word, tiny would have been more accurate. To Ly, who had grown up in a city, this place hardly classified as a town at all.

The shopping district consisted of one street, with only a few basic shops like a supermarket and a petrol station. There seemed to be a small cinema at the end of the street, across the road from the pub, which was one of the largest buildings in town and seemed to be doing great business, even this early in the evening.

Aside from the people in the pub and a small group of young people, the street was fairly empty and it wasn't long before Ly was beginning to wonder when Rome would get back or if he would have enough time for a quick drink at the pub before she did.

Ly was about to go looking for Rome when he saw her emerge from the shop, only to be stopped by the group of people standing standing close by. Ly felt Rome's shock, but she wasn't frightened so he assumed she was in no danger. She must know them, he thought as she stood up and moved closer.

“Wow Rome,” a tall young man was saying as he gave the red-head a tight hug. He sounded as surprised as Rome felt. “I haven't seen you around here in years. I thought your family moved to the coast or something.”

“We did,” Rome told the group, which consisted of three guys and two girls. “We just came back for a short time. Mum wanted to make sure everything was all right with the house up here. It hasn't had anyone living in it for so long so...”

“Hey, are you doing anything now?” the young man said, a large smile on his face. Ly felt Rome's heart beat quicken. Was she nervous? Excited? Suddenly Ly felt extremely jealous. “We're just about to see a movie and maybe go out after, you should come with us.”

“Sorry John but I can't,” Rome replied, returning his smile with a small one of her own. “I really should be getting home. I only came down here to pick up some things and my parents will be wondering where I went.”

“Just call them,” the one known as John said, shrugging of Rome's objections and flashing her another wide smile. “We haven't seen you in ages. You have to come out with us.”

“No, I really...” Rome began, but was cut off by a young woman with short, curly, brown hair.

“I didn't know you smoked,” the brunette said, pointing to the small blue and white cigarette packet in Rome's hand. “I never thought you would be the type, not with parents like yours anyway.”

“Oh, these aren't mine,” Rome said quickly, going bright red. “I was just picking them up for...” she hesitated and Ly could almost here her wondering how much she should say about him. He smirked. Maybe it was time to help her out.

“They're for me,” the raven haired man said, stepping in beside Rome and taking the cigarettes out of her hand. The other five all looked startled, not having seen Ly approach. They watched him in silence as he flipped open the cigarette packet and pulled one out, placing it in his mouth.

Rome was looking just as surprised as her friends and Ly knew she was trying to figure out what she should tell them about him. “This is...a friend of mine from...the city,” she stuttered, struggling to come up with a story on the spot. “He...drove me up here...on his way home.”

Ly only smirked at her discomfort. He now knew why she had stopped her father from helping him get revenge, but it didn't make him feel any better about the situation. Seeing Rome struggle with the situation was strangely satisfying, though he still felt jealous. How well did Rome know the other man? Why did her heart beat faster around him?

John seemed to be the first to recover from Ly's sudden appearance. “Hi, I'm John,” he held out his hand to the vampire and smiled. Ly only glanced at his hand without offering his own. John frowned, but went on anyway. “This is Alice,” he pointed to the short brunette standing next to him. “Rachel,” the girl with the black hair just behind them. “Tony and Jason,” the two guys on his other side. One with dark brown hair and matching eyes, the other tall and blond. “We're friends of Rome's from when she lived around here.”

Ly didn't reply, he only smirked and fished a lighter out of his coat pocket. So these people were her friends were they? Rome had never once mentioned them to him and he found himself wondering why that was. He had heard numerous stories about her room-mate, Samantha, and even a few mentions about other people from uni or school, but never this group.

“This is Luke,” Rome said, glaring at Ly, who grimaced. She had to pick that name. It was so...common, so ordinary. Ly let his eyes travel over the rest of the group, still wondering why Rome would keep them a secret, and noticed that the brunette, Alice, was smiling at him. “He's going to be staying with us for a few days.”

“Only a few days,” Alice said, pouting slightly before smiling at Ly again. She seemed to think she was being cute. Everyone else just ignored her.

“So how about it Rome,” John said, acting as if his friend had never spoken. “Are you going to come out with us tonight.” He glanced at Ly. “Luke can come too, if he wants,” he added, as if Ly was just an afterthought.

“I really can't,” Rome said, looking a little distressed whilst Ly glared at the other young man. “I have to get home. My brother was just in an accident. Nothing really serious, but I really want to know how he's doing.”

John shook his head before reaching out and taking Rome's hand, as if to pull her closer to him or drag her along behind. Ly stiffened, only just managing to keep the snarl of his face. He had no right to touch Rome like that. Her heat shouldn't be beating that fast for him.

“Come on Rome,” he said, lowering his voice and giving the young woman a warm smile. “We won't stay out too late.”

Without thinking, Ly grabbed John's wrist, causing the young man to look up, startled and drop Rome's hand. “She said she didn't want to,” Ly said darkly. Slowly he tightened his grip on the other man's wrist until John was squirming in pain. “I trust I don't have to worry about you trying to convince her to do anything she doesn't want to.”

“Let go of me you...” John began, but stopped when he saw Rome put a hand on Ly's shoulder. The young vampire glared at her and she took a step away from him, alarmed.

“Let go of him, Luke,” the red head said, putting a slight emphasis on his assumed name. Ly growled but did as he was told. When Rome was sure Ly wasn't going to attack John, she grabbed his arm. “I'm sorry guys, but we really have to get back. Maybe I'll see you later.” With that she dragged Ly away from the startled group.

Rome didn't let go of Ly's arm until they were well away from where they had met her friends. When she did she turned to him and crossed her arms. Ly knew she was angry before the gesture, but he didn't really care. She had no right to feel excited around that guy.

“What's wrong with you?” Rome scolded. “Do you have to be so hostile towards everyone? For once can't you leave a conversation without someone wanting to kill you. John was being perfectly nice to you and you had to...”

“Who is he?” Ly growled, anger bubbling to the surface now. He hadn't even realised how angry he was. “He's more than just your friend! He might have been perfectly nice to me but he was being more than nice to you. Do you think I didn't know how you felt? Or couldn't see what he was trying to do? You have no right to feel anything for him! You gave me your blood! You belong to...” he trailed off, only just realising what he had been about to say.

“What Ly?” Rome said, she still sounded angry, but now she was feeling sad and frightened. “I belong to you. I know that we are linked, even if I don't really understand it, but you said it didn't mean anything for me.”

“It doesn't!” Ly cried, frustrated with himself for forgetting, once again, that Rome wasn't a vampire. She was human and she didn't understand. She couldn't understand. “It shouldn't. Shit! Why do you have to make everything so hard? Forget it. Forget everything.” He marched off.

Rome caught up with him a few seconds later, looking thoughtful. Ly tried to ignore her, but he found it difficult. It would have been so much easier if she would just become a vampire. That way she would feel the link between them. She would know what it really meant, but she didn't want that. She wanted to be human, had rejected his offer and rejected him. Everything he had been brought up to believe told him that she belonged to him, that she shouldn't even look at another person and feel anything, and if she was a vampire that's how it would be. But she was human and that meant he had no right to be jealous.

“We use to go out,” Rome said softly. Ly turned to her and she blushed bright red. “Me and John. Only for a short time. I don't like him like that any more, but I still feel a little nervous around him.”

Ly didn't say a word. He felt disgusted at the wave of relief that washed over him. No matter what he told her, or how much he tried to deny it, the link between them had a strong hold over him. If he survived the confrontation with the man who had ordered Matthew Scotts death, he didn't think he would be able to let Rome live a normal life without him.

Hey everyone, sorry this chapter took so long to come out. I was spending some time on my Naruto fic, which I've been neglecting. Also, this chapter didn't really seem to fit right so I tried to fix it as much as possible, but in the end I gave up.

Anyway, thanks for reading and for all the great reviews,

Kwin

P.S I think it was in my last chapter that I mentioned an extract from another story I was writing. Well I posted a chapter and I would really appreciate it if you would read and tell me if it's worth continuing. I wrote it a long time ago and I don't think I did a good job proof reading, but I hope it turned out all right anyway. Thanks again.