I had been too delusional to notice before, but the hallways are- well I don't even have a word to describe it. The floor and ceiling are matching, both smoky smooth marble that you could see your reflection in. Lights that protruded slightly from the rough cement walls made you feel special as they lit your every step. In the distance I could see a wall that seemed to be made out of rock too, adding a roughly neat aesthetic to the place.

The only con was that it was unusually narrow, but even still there was a pro to it. My arm brushed against Kelen's on occasion. Every time it did though I would give him a side glance. He kept a straight face, looked ahead, and showed no physical reaction. And so I did the same until my shoulders were back, my spine painfully straight, and my steps matched his perfectly. I felt how he probably did, arrogant and important and powerful; though I'm sure it didn't affect him anymore like it did me.

A light chuckle from my side had my step faltering, ultimately shattering my mockery of him. Like a balloon, I visible deflated. Glancing over at Kelen, I was met with the slight grin of amusement. "If you want so badly to shadow me, then I suggest you not think so hard about being exact. Focus on intent rather than the action itself. Walk like your worth your weight in gold because you are, not because the action makes you feel your weight in gold....makes you feel like me." He said the last part almost sadly, but his face showed nothing.

I wore my heart on my sleeve at times, but it was because I wanted someone to notice it. I was always so lonely, even with Jackson and Julian. Looking at Kelen's sleeve from the side, I could practically see the imaginary heart engraved; even if it didn't make sense for it to be there, it was for some reason. And I longed to know why.

"You wanna know something?" I asked.

"Hmm?"

"I don't weight that much."

"And your point?" If the ever so slight smile on his face was any indication, he already knew my point. I stopped Kelen and usher for him to bring his ear close, as if I meant to tell him a secret. And when I spoke, my voice several octaves lower, I swore he shivered.

"My weight in gold couldn't buy me even one white picket fence on a hill."

After that....I ran, laughing at the thrill of his shadows chasing after me.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

I had felt like a little kid again, but instead of running away from the monster, I wanted nothing more than to run to it- or rather him. It was...refreshing. Kelen could be or seem cold-hearted, but he just needed the right motivation to open up. I only ever wanted that motivation to be me; and me alone.

Play time was over though when he informed me that I was clear to see Jackson, but first he had inject me with the whatever was in that syringe. I somewhat trusted him, but definitely not completely because we still just met; Beloved or not.

"Make sure you remain still. I don't want to hurt you. Squeeze my shirt if you need, but just don't move." I nodded my cooperation, as he wiped alcohol on my left arm, just above the juncture of my elbow. Kelen flicked the needle for good luck I assume then rested where he was to insert it. His eyes met mine, the question in them clear. I grabbed a hold of his shirt firmly, then bit my lip and nodded.

And in it went.

It was only a pinch of pain really, nothing I couldn't handle, but at the little spike of pain Kelen was thrown away from me by swarm of black shadows. His body slid across the slick floor of the medical room, stopped by his head connecting harshly with the cabinet. Blackness began swirling around him, pushing him down when he tired to get back up.

"Kelen what's-"

"I'm ok, just the shadows reacting to your pain," I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off. "Finish it, June. Just press it slowly until the syring is empty, then slowly pull it out."

"I can't-"

"They won't let up until they know you're not so fragile. I can't get up June. You have to do it." I sighed heavily, finding it hard to fight his command; not that I even wanted to anyway. Picking up the syringe, it having flew from my arm along with Kelen, I inspected the point wearily.

"It's ok June," he reassure, slowing the nervous beat of my heart. "Just follow my instructions. Nice and slow." Nodding with renewed confidence, I did as he said. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but not exactly painful. When I was all finished, the shadows around Kelen had calmed and disappeared. I immediately went to hug him, wrapping my arms around his waist, inhaling his addicting scent. My action surprised the both of us, but it felt almost instinctive; like that's what I knew he wanted. And maybe it was. Maybe it wasn't. Either way, it felt like home.

"Is your head alright?" I fussed, pulling back to feel his silky, obsidian hair for a bump or blood.

He gave his signature chuckle. "I'm quite alright. No need to fret. Just a bad reaction on my part that's all." Once again, I opened my mouth to speak, but he hurriedly continued. "How do you feel?"

I though about it. The familiar feeling of almost being stuck between two worlds was back, my vampire pressing against it's cage for freedom. Everything seemed brighter, more in focus, and I could hear something dripping in the distance that I hadn't picker up on before. "I feel...whole," I answered; it was true enough. I felt confused still. Why was I acting like this? Why was I so comfortable here? What were they keeping from me? Why wasn't I more focused on Jackson and Julian? And most importantly....what the hell was a Flamour?!

"A quarter for your thoughts?" Kelen asked cooly, gesturing for me to follow him. I debated not telling him for a heartbeat, the decided against him. He didn't seem like the judgy type.

"Well I just- wait, doesn't the saying go a penny for your thoughts?"

He smirked full on now and it was quite the sight. "Yours are worth more."

I couldn't help but smile and laugh at that. Kelen wasn't any of the things I thought, he was quietly kind and actually quite cheeky in his own way. Don't get me wrong he could be intimidating and intense at times and he seemed to hold a certain level of authority, but when he let go he was laid back; nice to be around and not just because he smell so good.

"Well in that case. I do have a question."

"Hmm," he hummed and I practically felt the vibration of it, but I was too curious to really think about my body's reaction.

"Why did Clent call me his Flamour? What is a Flamour?"

"Just like vampires have Beloveds and werewolves Mates, Fire Masters have Flamours."

"What is the term for Shadow Keepers?"

He paused, causing me to stop too. Turning to me he gave me a wicked smirk, but his eyes told me that he was imagining something. "I can't tell you that yet."

I threw my hands up in mock frustration. "What about the others?" I called, seeing as he had started to walk again.

"Can't tell you that either. You'll have to ask them."

"But you sold out Clent."

He momentarily glance over his shoulder and chuckled. "He set my shirt on fire two days ago. Payback is...what do they call it," Kelen asked, genuinely trying to remember.

"A bitch," I supplied, jogging to catch up with him.

"Ah, yes. A bitch. Payback is a bitch."