Chapter 2

I was escorted back to my room after the last of my tutors. I walked in and could smell the aroma of food just waiting for me in the corner. Christophe, Shanks and Ash inspected my room thoroughly while Nat was helping me put my malaika harness up on its holders. They all seemed to notice the white envelope at the same time I did. Shanks grabbed it and handed it to me.

"I wanted to give it to you sooner, but then all that crap happened" he said gingerly.

I could smell him, the strawberry incense and healthy teenage boy. I opened it up and couldn't stop the goofy grin that spread across my face…

Dear Dru,

First and foremost, I send my love. I'm sorry it took me a bit to write you back. The retreat has really been keeping me busy. I miss you. And I'm hoping that within the next few weeks I can get out of here. I'm so sorry I won't be there for your birthday, but just know that I will be thinking of you. It is thinking of you that help me get through the toughest of times here. The thought of you helps me keep my sanity. I took your advice by the way and wrote a letter to my mom. I haven't sent it or anything but it helped to get what I was feeling out of me. You mentioned in your last letter that you have been doing sting operations. I almost lost my shit but as soon as you said the wulfen don't let you go in alone, I figured everything is okay. Tell everyone hi for me. By the way do me one favor and dream with me tonight. I love you Dru.

Love Always, Your Goth Boy!

It's been so long since I last seen Graves, almost three years now, but we write each other like crazy. The first year was really hard on him, I could see the dried up tear stains on the paper he wrote to me on. I'm sure he could see mine too, but the past 6 months he has seemed so much better. A complete turnaround if I say so myself. I couldn't wait to see him again. I laid there tracing his handwriting for a while and eventually drifted off to sleep.

The next few days were a blur, tutoring was always interesting. I didn't need too many now. I was learning a lot about my maharaj heritage, and actually found that class to be my favorite. But nowhere near sparring, it just didn't compete. I used to spar only with Christophe, but since I had bloomed he suggested that I needed more of a challenge. I would spar with a few of the teachers no less than 2-3 at once, and sometime wulfen teachers. I was told that it would keep me on my toes in the case with multiple attackers. It was pretty fun knocking a bunch of old djamphir around on their asses.

The time finally came when we were getting ready for our next sting. We were heading to some sort of gothic/emo/total rave club. A place where my style out rules Nat's and actually makes me seem like I have a fashion sense. My boots went perfect with my black leather shorts and black halter which to my appreciation didn't show my stomach. Nat on the other hand kept it simple for once with black pants combat boots of her own a flowing deep purple strapless top. Of course Shanks and Ash kept it even simpler with an all black outfit. Although, Ash made sure to cut the sleeves from his shirt, which was what he did to all of his shirts. Christophe wore the usual, although he would be posted on roof anyway.

We arrived to an underground club that you couldn't hear a thing from outside. It smelled stuffy and of body odor, smoke, alcohol and a number of other things I choose not to describe. Nat and I took a seat at the bar where a scruffy biker looking bartender didn't even card us when we ordered. With just a bright smile from me we were given our drinks, a Jim Beam and Coke for me, and some fruity thing for Nat. The rave was getting pretty crazy and we eventually made our way to the dance floor. It felt good and I felt free. I was turning in a circle and I suddenly felt a gaze on me. I mean guys always stare in our direction especially with the way Nat dances on the dance floor. But it felt like it was such a heavy stare. I slowed my movements and eventually met a pair of eyes that made me come to a complete stop.

He looked so familiar, and yet I know I have never met him. His facial features were beautiful and went so well together. He was broadly shaped with a familiar look to him, and I was having a hard time placing it. His hair was dark, and looking into his eyes, his dark eyes, made my entire body tingle. Then he gave a familiar crooked smile and that's when I immediately seen it. It was Christophe in his aspect, and when Nat gripped my shoulder I turned to look at her than back at him and he was gone. We left the dance floor and something bothered me very much. It was so dark in this dimly lit space, but I could swear that was Christophe. I push the button on my ear piece just as I sat back down at the bar.

"Everything all right Dru?" He murmured.

"You should know, where'd you run off to-"my words were cut short when I seen him in the reflection of the mirror behind the bar. But I didn't hear music coming thru the ear piece at all.

"Dru I'm here, is everything okay? Do you need me to come in?" I was surprised at his question, and still stared at the mystery guy whose lips I noticed didn't move as Christophe spoke.

"I'm either losing it or my beam was spiked, but I swear I'm looking right at you Chris," I say to him as I point the guy out to Nathalie who gives me a confused look.

"That's not possible Dru; I'm out-" pause, "Dru get out NOW!"

Not even a second later Ash was beside me giving me an urgent look that screamed we gotta go immediately. Whenever Ash gave me that look I followed, I knew better than to not to. I turned to search for the guy but he was gone. He just vanished. We made it out and back to the schola safely where we were debriefed about all of it. On the way back Christophe looked very disturbed, but stayed silent. It wasn't till we reached my room that he finally spoke, "Dru can we talk?"

"Sure, what's going on?" I asked nervously. He shut the door and placed all the locks and sealed it up with the bar.

"Dru you said you seen me inside, correct?" I nodded. "That is not possible because I was outside the entire time." He started to pace and I started to get the funny feeling that something was very wrong. "I'm not sure how that is even possible but let's try not to worry about okay, I will find out what I can and as soon as I know anything you will be the first I tell."

"Promise…" I was suddenly aware that I was shaking. He gripped my shoulders and whispered into my hair.

"I promise Kochana," and that was all he said before he asked to stay and stand guard at my window which I was okay with.

My birthday was coming up pretty fast and before I knew it we were going over the last bit of party plans. I was never big on birthdays what with my dad and me moving around the country. It was never a big thing for us. Gran always made me my special meal and a cake to go for dessert, but we never did anything worth planning for either. So when Nat suggested we have a party when I was turning 17 I declined but we did end up having a nice big dinner with presents and enough food for an army. I guess we needed dinner for an army seeing as my friends consisted of wulfen with the occasional djamphir. But this year, it was my 20th birthday and I let her go all out. We would still have the exact same guests, but I let her plan the get together how she wanted. It was payback for the surprise party we threw her a few months back. It went well after she stopped crying for about 2 hours! Happy tears, but tears nonetheless. The day for my party was almost near and I was approaching it with dread.

Chris and I haven't spoken about the guy at the rave since that night he stayed with me. I could tell it had bothered him so I kept trying to lighten the mood to distract him.

"So plan on being there for my party?" I asked while we were on our way to the caf.

"Wouldn't dream of missing it," he said simply and kept walking at a quick and steady pace. "Is everything okay?" It was like he was trying to get farther away from me.

"All is well," and that was all I got. I know he's keeping a distance out of respect for me. I know how hard it must be for him to be around me and still need to be around me because he refuses to let anything happen to me. I will always respect him for that, I just want him to see that, and so I back off and don't push any further.

We arrive in the cafeteria and go to our normal table. I looked down at my pasta salad and then said out loud that I should have gotten a grilled cheese and warm milk instead. Within a second of a blink it appeared in front of me. I look up at Christophe and he's actually smiling. I smiled back thanking him and got a slight nod of a head. Nat and Shanks waltz up to us all cozy with each other and I feel a ping of jealousy. I know I shouldn't because they hardly ever do that around me anyway. They feel bad because I'm alone without graves and they don't want me to be uncomfortable. But jeez they have been dating for almost 2 years! I remember because he asked her the day of my 18th birthday! It was his birthday present to me. He asked what I wanted and I said for him to get off his ass and ask Nat to make them official. Lord knows she complained about when he was going to everyday before that!

"Hey guys…." I say with a smile.

"Hey ya Dru! Ready for the big night tomorrow night?" He asked as him and Nat let go of each other's hands discreetly as if I didn't notice.

"What a silly question, of course she is right Hun?!" Nat said enthusiastically.

"Can't wait," I said sarcastically, "Where's Ash?" Just then I see Ash in the doorway facing out. "What is he doing?"

Christophe spoke up this time, "He's watching over you. He thinks it's best to watch what's coming in your direction and sniffing out everyone as they pass. He's been perched on the roof above you window every night since the last incident."

I had no idea. I looked at Ash and smiled even though I had chills running through me at the mention of the incident at my window. We still haven't figure out what it was. We have had random attacks here and there, but nothing serious. I've even been included in the fighting rather than standing behind my guard. But first the window tapping than the weird guy at the rave, I just hope that's all the surprises for the rest of next year. Hell even the year after if possible!

After Nat braided my hair that night and we talked until I couldn't anymore I asked her to open the window and tell Ash to come in. He willfully did but perched himself against my window. When Nat retreated to her room Christophe came in glanced at me then took one look at Ash and looked pleased. He was about to say something but instead turned and walked out. I could feel his presence along with Benjamin's outside my door. I talked a little to Ash but he was in Guard mode. There's no getting past that! I eventually drifted off to sleep and prepared myself for the next day that was ahead of me.