Hello my dear readers!

Again, when I logged on to wattpad I was shocked to see how many new fans I had! And this time it really was nearly over night (13 in one night I think!) and since then even more people fanned.

So... THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

It really means a lot to me to see that people like what I write ;)

Don't forget to vote and enjoy the chapter!

Love, Robin

At five thirty Jessica and Eliza came to my bedroom door. I had been locked in pretty much all day, I didn't mind that except for the crawling tension on my skin.

Nathaniel had reached for me a few times more, always asking me if I wanted him to come and get me. I knew he could feel the throbbing in my side where a large bruise was spreading, vividly purple and blue.

Jessica was smiling with fake warmness as she sat down on the bed beside me. 'Feeling better honey?'

Suspiciously I eyed what Eliza was holding, red cloth and a pair of heels. The girl herself wore a tiny black number with slits on either side till high up her thighs. It revealed the long length of her her legs.

'I felt fine this morning, I wanted to go to school,' I told my stepmother with a glower in her direction. My palms I rubbed gently over the rough fabric of my jeans. The damage to it hadn't been too bad, only the top-layer of skin missing where I'd hit the pavement.

'You had a fever,' Jessica said and she reached her hand out to touch my forehead, 'But it's gone now.' Her voice was still sickly sweet but there was a hard edge to her eyes.

'My fever was gone yesterday! I was perfectly fine this morning,' I said as I stood up and out of reach.

'Don't take that tone with me young lady!' Jessica said standing up herself and narrowing her eyes at me. Her sugary manners gone she snapped a hand out and Eliza quickly placed the red cloth in it.

'Put this on and those heels and get your hair and make up done. We're all dining with clients of your father. Don't even think about misbehaving, if this deal falls through your father will have your head.'

The red cloth was pressed into my hands roughly and Eliza tossed the heels down at my feet. The both of them spun on their own heels and stalked out the door with swaying hips. It was near identical except that Eliza wore a black dress while Jessica's was a more stylish blue.

I hated to admit it but they both dressed to kill. Their style a little too revealing for my taste but they never looked tacky or cheap, simply deadly beautiful. With a shock I realized that the pang in my chest was jealousy.

Stupid. They were horrible people, I had no reason to be jealous.

Twenty minutes later I found myself showered and dressed in a bright red dress, sporadically decorated with sparkling sequins. While it still showed off my figure and brought out the red in my hair it was screaming and nothing like the sophisticated dark red dress I'd worn on my date with Nathaniel.

Eliza had stalked back into my room and was running a brush through my hair with harsh strokes. It felt like she wanted to yank all the hairs right off my scalp.

It was hard trusting her with the make up but I forced myself to relax and let her do it. Struggling would probably only result in pain and it the whole ordeal would last much longer too. Besides, Eliza knew what she was doing and I didn't think she'd make me look bad. If that was what she wanted I wouldn't be wearing this red dress but something pink and frilly.

But if they wanted me to look good... That couldn't mean much good either, who was this client we were meeting tonight? A client that my father obviously wanted to impress very much.

Six thirty I found myself following my so called family into a fancy looking restaurant. Hayden wasn't present luckily, he'd been allowed to stay home with the nanny. That both worried me and made me feel relieved.

Whatever it was they had in store for me tonight, they obviously thought Hayden didn't need to see it.

Inside the restaurant a waiter brought us to a private dining room and took our coats from us. Shortly after we'd all taken seats my fathers client arrived with his family.

The man was in his late thirties and so was his wife. The man wore a dark suit that looked expensive and had dark blond hair, combed back neatly to reveal an austere looking face.

His wife was thin and tall with flawless milky white skin and flowing black hair. She looked a little like I'd imagine snow white to look, albeit a darker more dangerous version. She wore a skin following silver gray dress that reached the floor and pooled around her ankles like quicksilver. As she walked she seemed to almost glide.

They were followed in by a young man, at the most twenty years old. He had the same dark blond hair as his father but the flawless pale skin of his mother. Dark intelligent eyes looked around from above a straight nose and a cruelly smiling mouth.

As my father introduced us the boy didn't hide the fact that he was raking his eyes over both Eliza and I with obvious interest.

The man I was told was Wilhelm Johnsen and his wife Mary Ann Johnsen. The boy was called Dmitri and he held my hand longer then necessary. To my horror my father had arranged the table seating's in such away that he was right in between Eliza and I.

Eliza didn't seem to mind the attention he gave her, because despite that he gave me cold chills with is creepy stare, he was still handsome.

But I did not appreciate the hand creeping up my skirt every other minute during dinner. I kept slapping him away and once stomped on his toes really hard. It didn't seem to bother him as he smirked at me. Creep seemed to like it even.

I understood now why they'd dressed me up, I served as a distraction along with Eliza to keep the son busy. If I pissed off this Dmitri I was sure the deal would be off too.

On top of that, Nathaniel had been keeping tabs on me. Checking in mentally every thirty minutes or so to make sure I was still okay. It seemed like he didn't believe I would call for him when I needed help.

Of course his definition of when I needed said help was different from mine. Had he known Dmitri kept creeping his hand up my skirt he'd have been here within ten minutes to teach him a lesson.

A lesson I was sure I wouldn't want to see.

I had to find a way to keep my emotions in check very quickly or he'd know what was going on the next time he'd touch my mind with his.

This mental connection thing was something I was certainly getting the hang off but for now it was still mostly a one way street. I could talk to him if he was within my reach but I didn't know if I reached him until he replied and I could only sense what he was feeling when he allowed me too.

I envisioned a wall made of iron around my mind, putting all my emotions behind it so they were hidden. Just in time too because I had just finished the wall and slapped away Dmitri's hand again when I felt him reach out to me.

' A ghrá mo chroí? How are things?' it was clear that he was extremely worried and fed up with not being allowed to come and get me. He wanted very badly to be able to touch me in a very earthly fashion instead of with his mind.

'It's fine, we're having dinner with a client of my father. I told you not to worry, I miss you but I'll see you soon okay? Now leave me alone I need to concentrate!'

Silence met my thought and although I didn't actually feel any of his emotions I could guess that I had offended him. He didn't like it that I was shutting him out in the least.

'I love you Nathaniel,' I send hoping that would make him feel better. I tried imbuing the thought with as much love as possible without opening a gaping hole in my iron wall.

I slapped away Dmitri's hand again and shot him a glare, which he received with an arrogant smirk on his face. He kept staring at me for a minute or so and I pretended not to notice as I ate, I couldn't wait for this to be over.

Yet this was only the first course and I knew several more would follow.

'I love you too a ghrá mo chroí, more then anything. Be careful,' Nathaniel's thought was a gentle caress that gave me shivers and made my heart clench. There was no trace of offense, just the sincerity of his words that had me near staggering.

Dmitri's eyes snapped to mine as if he knew something had happened and a little flustered about his piercing gaze I stood up quickly. 'Excuse me,' I said as I hurried out of the room towards the bathroom.

I could feel all eyes on me as I left, a look over my shoulder told me my father was glaring. He seemed to think I was being very impolite... Eliza and Jessica and even Mrs. Johnsen looked at me with speculative looks.

But more unsettling was Dmitri, I could not name what was reflected in his eyes but there seemed to be a challenge hidden in there.

I took my time in the bathroom, maybe they'd served the next course by the time I got out. I hoped this dinner wouldn't last till deep in the night because I wasn't sure how long I could keep with politely pushing Dmitri's hand away.

I pretended to touch up on my make up but knew I couldn't stay away for more then five minutes... My father would definitely be mad at me if I did.

As I stepped out into the corridor I realized with a shiver that it was empty except for Dmitri. Bloody hell... Why did he have to follow me?

'Hello Amelia,' his voice was low and suave and as he sauntered over to me, his movements possessed an even glide that looked nearly fluid. Arrogant.

'Dmitri,' I said as I inclined my head just the slightest bit in acknowledgment. My skin was prickling, telling me to get the fuck away from here. Danger, he radiated danger as if he was a predator.

I sidestepped him and started back towards the dinning room but a hand on my arm stopped me, his fingers warm. 'Not so fast dear,' the boy said, his voice had an edge to it that I hadn't noticed before.

'I don't like games, got it? So stop playing hard to get, you don't want to make me angry. My father is very powerful.'

I shivered but I forced out a laugh, 'Your father doesn't scare me Dmitri.' Which was true, it was my own father that scared me... very much. I was terrified of what he could do to Hayden.

'You should be,' he said as he trapped me between himself and a wall. His eyes were cold as he glared at me, it was obvious he wasn't used to this reaction at all.

I pushed at his chest, having deja vu's with Devon and a similar position. 'Let me go, they're waiting for us.'

'They can wait,' he replied darkly. I could pinpoint the exact moment his mood changed, his dark eyes lightened but got more intense. The pupil widening.

The moment that happened he pressed his body hard against mine, one hand sliding into my hair to grip it tightly. He yanked my head sideways and attached his lips to the sensitive skin of my neck.

'Just a taste, a little taste,' he murmured teeth grazing over the skin, pointy teeth. Oh my god... He was a vampire.

'I have a mate Dmitri, a very powerful mate and he'll be seriously pissed off if you bite me,' I said, trying to sound brave. Something I most definitely didn't feel right now, it was only because I'd locked my knees that they didn't shake.

His body tensed and he moved his face so he could look me in the eye, his nostrils flaring as if he was trying to smell something.

'Liar!' he hissed after a short moment his fangs showing which confirmed that he was a vampire indeed. 'You're not marked!'

I felt my stomach plummet and found myself wishing that I at least had the hickey to show him but that had faded and was nearly gone. Not visible enough.

'You noticed before, I can talked telepathically with him,' I said hoping he would believe me and not mistake it for a bluff. 'One thought is all it takes to call him... He can be here in five minutes flat.'

I let the knowledge that this was the truth bleed onto my face. My eyes narrowed and absolutely serious... He didn't need to know that it was still terrifying to be alone with him for five minutes, there was a lot he could still do.

Apparently he wasn't as smart as he appeared because he narrowed his eyes and said: 'You are lying. Besides your 'Mate' is no match for my father.'

I forced myself to laugh again, even though I had no clue whether or not Nathaniel would be a match for his father. 'You hide behind your father... Too scared to fight yourself?' my tone of voice sarcastic but I knew he could hear my heart beating wildly in my chest.

His hand in my hair yanked my head back harshly, his eyes spitting fire. 'I don't need to fight! Your sissy boy will take one look at my dad and run away with his tail between his legs!'

Without waiting any further he buried his face in my neck, his fangs grazing the skin while his free hand roughly pressed my lower half against him. My spine arching painfully.

'The next course is served... Are you coming?'

At that exact moment I could honestly say that I loved Eliza very much. Her timing couldn't have been better.

I shoved against Dmitri's chest hard and was shocked when he actually let go and stumbled back a little. I brought up my hand and slapped him hard across the face, on his cheek a blazing hand mark flaring to life. While the rest of the skin around it looked pale.

'Don't ever do that without permission again! I'm very sure you'll run out of willing partners shortly,' then I stiffened my spine and strode passed Eliza who stared at me with open mouthed surprise.

My hand was tingling from the impact to his face but I felt very satisfied as I sat down in my chair at the table. I plastered a very polite smile to my face and greeted the Johnsen's, nodding at my dad and then smiling at Jessica.

My father looked pleased for some reason.

A minute or three later Dmitri strode into the room, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth as if he'd just eaten. I felt nauseous as I thought about that, was Eliza alright? His cheek was markless again and I wasn't surprised, surely vampires had fast healing powers.

Just then the girl strode into the room herself, smiling wickedly. My eyes scanned her throat and neck and I drew in a relieved breath when I noted that she was unmarked. No matter how much I hated her... I didn't wish for her to be food for a vampire.

As we all sat down and continued eating I noted how all the Johnsens ate little yet their plates appeared just as empty as that of my family. Every plate however had deep edges and artful double layers. I guessed they served to hide the food.

'So, your son seems to have taken a liking towards my daughter,' I heard my father suddenly say. I could tell he nodded in my direction and suddenly Mr. Johnsen was looking at me intently, sizing me up in a way that I was sure didn't bode well for me.

Just at that moment Dmitri decided to stretch his arm and drape it across the back of my chair. I wanted to shrug it off but a look at my fathers face made me decide to grin and bare, I did however stomp on his foot again, with the heel of my shoe.

He didn't even wince...

Mr. Johnsen nodded slowly, 'So it seems, perhaps we can talk business now.' A calculating smile on the mans face told me he knew I knew what he was and that he knew the liking was NOT mutual.

Two more courses followed and then dessert but I had lost all my appetite. I couldn't do anything about Dmitri's arm around my shoulders and it felt disgusting to have him play with my hair and stroke the skin of my neck or throat.

His other hand was also still occasionally trying to make its way up and under my skirt but at least I could keep slapping that one away. At one point he pinched my leg hard and painfully, as if to show me he did not appreciate the slaps.

The hungry look in his eyes combined with a knowing smirk was seriously pissing me off and I was half tempted to call for Nathaniel. But I was afraid that Dmitri's father really was very strong, I had no way to tell. I didn't want Nathaniel to get hurt.

During dessert Dmitri completely ignored Eliza and the fact that she really didn't seem to mind that was unsettling. Very unsettling.

So when at last the deal was apparently made and we were all done eating my father asked for the check and then paid. I was hurriedly getting into my coat so that I could hide from Dmitri's hungry stare. It felt good to hide all the exposed skin.

Knowing my dad would scold me if I didn't say goodbye politely I turned to shake Mrs. Johnsen her hand. 'It was nice meeting you Mrs. Johnsen. Good night.'

She looked utterly startled when I did that and then my father's hand closed over my shoulder. 'Amelia, weren't you listening?' His voice sounded more exasperated then anything, but he also seemed happy, gleefully so.

'Eh... I have no head for business father, my apologies,' I had to wrench the words from my mouth and fight down the bile that rose along with my pride. I had to behave now or I would never be allowed to go over to the Flynn house tomorrow.

'The Johnsen's have offered to take you in Amelia, you are going home with them,' my father said and I immediately understood why he was so happy. He'd finally found a way to get rid off me.

Dmitri's hand fell on my other shoulder smiling at me to reveal all his teeth, all of them straight and white. The fangs hidden from sight.

Shock coursed through me. My dad had just used me as a bargaining chip... I'd pretty much been sold to these complete strangers! And they were vampires too!

'A ghrá mo chroí? Something happened...' Nathaniel's voice in my mind had never been so welcome as it was now...

'I think... You need to come and get me...' I thought as I swallowed convulsively and looked at my fathers face in astonishment. I couldn't believe this was happening, my father was an asshole and he might have kicked me this morning but he wouldn't SELL his own daughter like this.

'I'm already on my way a rún, hang on. Tell me what's going on,' I could hear that he was angry. I didn't care, so was I.

'There's three vampires, my dad doesn't know they are though and he want's me to go with them,' I knew I had to warn him about that. He needed to take back up with him.

'You can't send me with them,' I said at last, everyone had been staring at me as if they expected me to explode and throw a tantrum. I wasn't sure if I would or not, I didn't think it would help but I needed time. Time for Nathaniel to get here.

'Who?' the single thought was sharp and piercing, barely contained rage.

'Yes we can, they will give you a nice room and you can pick up your stuff tomorrow. Mr. Johnsen even has a job for you for the weekends, it will pay for the rent.' My father explained it to me patiently in the way you would talk to a child.

'Johnsen, the family Johnsen...'

I shrugged out of Dmitri's grip and turned to face my father, 'I'm eighteen! You can't do this to me, it's not legal!' I glared at Dmitri openly.

'Amelia! You are going,' my father thundered, 'I'm your father and you'll do as I say. This is what is best.'

Something snapped inside me and I found myself yelling: 'No, you are not my father. A father wouldn't do this to his daughter.' My fist clenched and at the same time that the angry tears started pouring from my eyes I felt the anger spark hotly inside me.