My heart was beating so fast in my chest I was afraid I was going to faint from the action. I could hear my blood thrumming so loudly in my ears as I ran out of the library. Why had I run?

The truth was, he scared me. The instant feelings I felt for this strange man in a strange place scared me to my wits end. Never in my entire existence had I ever felt this talk less of after just meeting someone. The feeling was like breathing without lungs. It was hard to describe and while it was exhilarating beyond words, it was also very uncomfortable and unlike anything in this world.

I was a coward, yes. So I ran. For heaven's sake I was supposed to be doing all the right things so that I would leave this place and finally have my freedom. Luckily I had even gotten the right book in my haste. I would hate to go back there to find the book for Lady Karayan.

Dear heavens. Why now? Why here? And yet...

Kyle...he had said his name was Kyle. I had never known anyone with the name Kyle. It suited him. The person I had met. I had not even been sure of who he was really. He looked well dressed. Maybe he worked for one of the high noble vampires. He was a vampire though. That was for sure. And that would explain his refined taste in clothing and perfectly articulated words. But he must work for a very high noble vampire if he was going about as he pleased in the mansion with no fear. What if he ran in the famous Lord Kyryaan? Or what if he was the slave of Lord Kyryaan?

But then again, I had never seen him in the slave's kitchen. It didn't mean though. I knew some owners preferred their slaves around them. But no...he was not a slave. He couldn't be. There was something about him that make he appear better than the rest of the world. The way he carried himself. And yes, I deduced that in just the few minutes of meeting him. I wish I had more time with him...

Where was that internal voice from? Darn it. I couldn't go about wanting things. From all indications he was not a slave, maybe he was even a noble himself. Maybe he was very close to Lord Kyryaan too. I had no business in wanting more time with anyone in this place talk less of a person like that.

I knew for sure that I was going to have a hard time because of this. Because of how my body...my very soul reacted to hm. I was in trouble. I was in big trouble.

I quickly rushed to my Lady Karayan's room and kept the book on her dresser. Luckily, she was not there. There was just something about her that made me want to stay away that I couldn't put a finger on. I was going with my instinct and planned to stay away as much as I could. I and Elisa may be her only pets for now but I planned to stay out of sight unless otherwise.

I was on my way to the kitchen when a low, whispered yet determined voice stopped me in my tracks.

"You seem disturbed." The female voice commented and I turned to see the strange dark haired, and dark aura girl from the slave kitchen leaning on a boulder in a dark corner of one of the corridor bends such that it was enough for her to be recognized while at the same time, giving her an easy opportunity to slip into the darkness.

She was leaning casually with one leg propped on the wall and examining her nails with a small smile on her face as if she had not just spoken. It was unsettling and if I was being honest, very creepy. But I had been through worse. It didn't faze me.

"I didn't notice you there." I commented casually. Her smirk widened and she finally looked up from her nails to me. I had to admit, she was extremely beautiful in a dark and mysterious sort of way. I don't know why I was surprised. How had I expected her to look?

"Of course you didn't." She sassed with that same smirk. I don't know if it was the sarcasm or because I had had a long day but instead of having the usual fight or flight response, something felt oddly warm about this girl. Almost as if she was a kindred spirit. I still didn't trust her though. I trusted no one.

"How could I? When you're practically hidden by the shadows?" I asked boldly, crossing my arms over each other, surprising even myself. Normally, I would have let it go and gone on my way but there was something about her.... Her eyes widened, and then she let out a surprised, but short laugh. When she was done, she pulled herself away from the wall and walked a little towards me.

She was tall. Very tall. With a lithe form and long thin legs in the pants she wore. And she was dressed completely in black. She even had the kohl eyeliner to match. She was different. Not your regular slave. If I didn't meet her in the kitchen I would have never even pegged her as one.

"I like you Gabrielle." She said suddenly, a small smirk on her mouth. Her words a simple statement. One that didn't sound like it needed a reply.

"I'm Jaira." She introduced, a secret look in her eyes. Almost as if she knew something that I didn't. Jaira...it was a strange name. Today was full of strange events.

"Well I'm Gabrielle but you already knew that." I said awkwardly, feeling the need to say something but she only smirked. We stood there in silence for a while till I felt I should excuse myself.

"Well, this was nice. But I best be on my way to the kitchen." I spoke then awkwardly moved around her to go. When I was a little way away from her but still in the corridor, I heard her let out a little laugh and then she said

"I know Gabrielle." I don't know if it was the way she said it or the way she laughed before speaking or the way all the air seemed to leave the corridor but every hair on my body stood on end and for some reason my heart started beating very loudly in my chest. I twirled around fast and turned to look at her. She was facing me and a small smile was on her dark painted lips.

"What are you talking about Jaira?" I demanded, afraid even to ask. Had she seen me talking to the man in the library? Was it eve a crime? Or worse. Did she know I was...?

"I know you are a witch."