The rest of the day was like living in a daze. I ate breakfast with Connor and Jo, went to class, took notes. But nothing registered.

I decided to skip lunch to catch up on homework, and to avoid Dean Lachlan, but couldn't concentrate. The Dean's sexual assault, my body's betrayal, were stuck on a loop in my head.

Every time I closed my eyes all I could see was him grinding into me... and my hips grinding in return.

"God, what is wrong with me?" I growled, flinging my history book across the room. I buried my face in my hands, and let out a frustrated cry.

I should have tried harder to stop him.

I should have fought back.

Why didn't I fight back?

An abrupt knock sounded at the door, followed by Lucius' muffled voice. "Miss Ridley, is everything alright?"

"I'm fine," the lie wasn't as smooth as I'd hoped. I cursed, kicking out of bed to pad over to the door.

"May I come in?" He asked, tone somber.

A knot formed in my throat.

Did he know what happened between me and Dean Lachlan?

Or between me, Duke, and Aiden?

Did he know about all of it? All of my dirty, shameful escapades from early this morning.

My stomach churned as I stood back to let him inside. I quietly closed the door behind him, watching as he came to stand in the middle of the room.

What if he didn't know about any of it? What if he was here to tell me the plan was off? That he wasn't going to help me escape?

"Miss Ridley," Lucius began, still sounding grave. "Apologies for intruding, but Gabriel asked me to speak with you... about this morning."

I felt myself pale. "What about it?"

"He wants you to have dinner with him this evening to discuss it in person."

My jaw dropped. "He wants me to what?!"

It had to be some kind of joke, right? There was no way Dean Lachlan could actually think I'd want to see him after what he did.

"Miss Ridley, I understand your anger," Lucius spoke calmly. "Duke is like a brother to me. But, Gabriel must have had reason to do what he did. Just give him a chance to explain himself."

Explain himself.

Suddenly I'm not standing in front of Lucius anymore, but in front of the Dean. He's rocking into me. Panting. Forcing me to crumble in his arms with an earth-shattering orgasm.

I shook the memory away.

"No, I can't." I turned my back to him, fighting tears. "Just t-tell him I'm sick or something."

"Why?" I heard his footsteps approach me. "Did something else happen?"

I jumped when his hand landed on my shoulder. He recoiled, and whispered, "did he do something to you?"

A tear slipped down my cheek.

"Miss Ridley? What did he do?"

Slowly, he turned me to face him.

I kept my eyes down, too ashamed, too afraid of what he'd see if I looked up at him.

Lucius was quiet, his gaze burrowing into me. Finally after an eternity, I heard his breath catch.

"He violated you." It wasn't a question. At least it didn't sound like one.

The fierceness in his tone made me glance up, and the fire in his black eyes told me that what he said definitely wasn't a question-- it was a declaration of war.

"I am getting you out of here. Tonight." He spoke through gritted teeth. "I'm not sure how, but I swear it will happen."

"Duke knows about our plan." I whispered pitifully.

"Shit,"

"He said he would help."

Lucius raised a dark eyebrow. "He did?"

I nodded.

"Good. Excellent." He scratched at his stubble, momentarily lost in thought. Seconds ticked by with him staring off, scratching his stubble, when he finally spoke again. "Okay. Duke has made contact with the harbormaster, and a boat should arrive just before midnight."

I felt my spirits lift. "Really?"

That was quick.

"Wait, I thought he had to be near someone to be able to use his ability on them." I added as the notion occurred to me.

"Under normal circumstances he would." Lucius nodded. "But your blood has made him stronger."

"Oh," I felt a blush creep on my cheeks, remembering what happened when he fed from me earlier that morning. "So what do we do now?"

"Duke and I will get everything ready for your departure. You act just as you normally would." Lucius headed for the door, speaking as he walked. "Go to your afternoon classes and have dinner with your friends. Duke will contact you when it's time to go."

"What about Dean Lachlan's dinner invitation?" I called just as his hand touched the knob.

"I will tell him you're not ready to talk." He said over his shoulder before opening the door. "While I try not to break every bone in his body."

~~~

I did as Lucius had suggested. I went to my other classes, had dinner with Connor and Jo. And I felt great, jubilant even...but I was also anxious.

Time was moving painfully slow, and there was the threat of Dean Lachlan finding out our plan. I tried not to think about it too much, but I couldn't ignore the nagging sense of dread trying to settle in.

"How are you gonna do your hair?" Jo asked from her bed.

I gazed up from the book I was reading, looking at her quizzically. "Huh?"

She rolled over to sit up. "You know? For the ball?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "Guess I haven't given it much thought."

She hopped off her bed and strolled to the bathroom. "I think yours would look great curled." She called from the other side of the door.

"Maybe. What about you?" I asked a second before the toilet flushed.

Jo came back to sit on her bed, gazing up in a dreamy way. "Oh, I was thinking of pinning it up. Did I tell you that Connor's taking me?"

My jaw dropped with a giggle. "No. When did this happen?"

Jo went on to tell me about Connor asking her to the ball during lunch, blushing as she spoke.

"It was adorable!" She gushed. "He had a corsage, and a list of reasons why I should go with him."

"He made a list?"

"Sure did!" She grinned, digging into her pants pocket. "Here, read it."

We spent the next thirty minutes laughing and catching up, with me omitting all my escapades with the vampires of Lachlan Island, of course. And by the time I lied down, I felt more relaxed, more human, than I had in ages.

Then reality set in.

Audrey, Duke's voice invaded my head. Wake up. It's time.

My eyes snapped open, and I quietly got out of bed.

We have your bags, he added before I could look for my luggage. Just get to the dock. Now.

I didn't hesitate.

It felt like a hummingbird was trapped in my chest as I bolted from my room. Each of the rooms on my floor whipped by; the big door leading out barely registered until it groaned when I opened it. I winced, praying no one heard it, then eased it closed.

I'm almost out. I thought at Duke, racing silently downstairs.

Good. He thought back. Just be careful. It is nearly time for Nero's patrol.

I made it outside, and ran toward the dock, taking the steps leading down two at a time. The silver gate that opened up to the shore yelped as I burst through it, but I didn't have time to close it-- Lucius was already by my side, ushering me to the boat.

"Your luggage is onboard." He spoke in a rush, his arm thrown protectively over my shoulders. "I have made arrangements for you to stay with a friend of mine on the mainland. Her name is Simone, and--"

"Wait," I interrupted. "You mean I won't have to live on the streets?"

I'm not going to be homeless?

We were on the dock when Lucius stopped. "Of course not." He gaped. "I would never allow you to leave without a place to go."

I threw my arms around his waist, wishing I didn't have to let go. "Thank you."

He returned the embrace, and kissed the top of my head. But he didn't speak. Not until Duke came up to us, frantic.

"Audrey, you need to get on the boat. Now!" A fireball whizzed next Duke's face just as he finished speaking, making his eyes go wide.

I watched the flame sink into the ocean, hissing as it died out, then looked at the shore.

Dean Lachlan was standing there, his hands completely engulfed in flames.

"That was a warning shot!" He called arrogantly. "Come back to me, and no harm will befall Duke or Lucius."

He cannot get past the point we stand on. Duke thought to me. Run. Get on the ship. Lucius and I will take care of him.

I shook my head "no", but was too afraid to speak.

Duke ignored me, exchanging a glance with Lucius. Lucius gave him a nod, and they both stalked toward the Dean.

I watched, horrified, as Lucius flicked his wrist. Dean Lachlan's own wrist let out a harsh then bent backward.

Dean Lachlan howled in pain, the flame on his injured hand fizzling out.

"Ouch, that smarts." He said with a dark chuckle. "Fortunately, I brought back up."

A fierce wind suddenly ripped through the trees, forming a mini-tornado strong enough to lift Lucius and Duke fifty feet into the air.

"I considered you a brother, Duke," Aiden shouted as he stood next to the Dean. "But you and Lucius betrayed us. And for that you will--AAAH!"

Aiden hit the ground, hands clamped over his ears, face twisted in agony. The wind stopped when he fell, sending Lucius and Duke crashing into the shore.

"NERO!" Dean Lachlan bellowed, sending a wave of doom to wash over me. "Reveal yourself, coward!"

My gaze raked the dark trees, the calm water, wondering where Nero was.

Get on the boat. Duke's silent command sounded strained, weak. Audrey, please! Save yourself.

I took a reluctant step back, tears pooling in my eyes. He's going to kill you guys.

Then do not let our deaths be in vain. Duke thought. Stay safe. And know you are loved beyond measure.

I choked out a loud sob before turning to run to the boat. Trembling violently, I hopped onboard, gripping the handrail as the boat roared to life.

"NO!" Dean Lachlan stood at the waters edge, flames coursing up his body.

The boat turned as it pulled away, forcing me to sprint to the stern so I could see everyone. I leaned against the rail, white-knuckling it, when something jumped up out of the water.

It had glowing red eyes and pointy fangs, and boney hands that snaked into my hair. I barely had time to scream before it hauled me overboard, dragging me down to the darkest parts of the murky deep.