《Evening Shadows》


 Prologue - I hate wolves

    Miriam jumped a little off the couch in surprise of how her unborn child had already grow so strong.  She had thought she would have gotten used to it after a couple of weeks, but to her own surprise she had not.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Riley asked. His face showed the worry he has been showing as soon as he found out she was pregnant, ¡°Do you need more food?¡±


    In two steps he was already at the stove putting a big steak on a plate before she could answer his question. He knows food, meat in particular, calms the baby down.


    ¡°No, I feel fine for now. Ask again in twenty minutes though¡± Miriam looked into his big green eyes with a grin around her lips.


    Riley studied her facial expressions while sniffing in the air so he could judge how her chemical balance was at the moment, making sure she was okay. She was sitting on the long couch piled up on pillows to support her enormous bump. Her head leaning backwards with her long black hair falling over the back of the couch. He smiled when he looked at her face. A blush coloured her pale skin, her eyes closed and her lips curled into a smile. She seemed to be relaxed and in no pain. He moved his eyes from her face to her enormous bump and noticed her caressing it gently while humming a lullaby to the baby inside of her. His baby.


    With a sigh he turned his gaze back to the plate with the steak on it. With a quick move he just grabbed the steak and swallows it. His child? What would it look like? A werewolf is what the humans had named his kind.


    ¡°Riley Wulfe Jr, stop staring at me this very moment like you¡¯re still hungry before I get off the couch and smack you around the head, that steak was supposed to be for me.¡±


    With a big grin on his face he looks at her sheepishly, ¡°You will have to be able to catch me first.¡± He laughed and leapt to stop in front of her as she tried to get off from the couch. He lifted her up quickly but gently before she could fall and sat her in the couch again.


    ¡°Miriam, love, you are unbelievable. First you fall in love with a werewolf, then you fall pregnant with his child and now as enormous as you are tries to outrun him,¡± He sighed, ¡°I hope our little pup has your determination¡±. He stared into her eyes that turned from a loving to a furious look and frowned, ¡°I was just teasing you, I won¡¯t call our child a pup. I promise.¡±


    She relaxed and rested her head against the back of the couch. He leaned his head over her bump to give it a kiss. He pulled back and listened to Miriam''s breathing and heartbeat. She appeared to have fallen asleep. He rested his head on the bump.


    ¡°Be good for your mummy little one,¡± he whispered before falling asleep with a sigh.


    Something was prickling his nose. An irritable smell. A familiar smell that had not been there for a while. And then he recognised the smell...vampires!


    Riley abruptly lifted his head up. Quickly checking if he had not awaken Miriam. She was sleeping peacefully. He turned his head towards the front door, sniffing the air, focusing his hearing. They were getting closer to the house. How did they manage to find him?


    He should have listened to his brother and stayed at home with Miriam in the safety of the family''s basement. Instead he and Miriam had decided to stay at her house until the baby was born, just so it would be the two of them at the baby''s birth. Intimate, without others around.


    Shaking his head to clear his mind, he quickly but gently picked her up off the couch and into his arms. He would take her to the attic if there was any danger. They could flee from there if needed. He walked up the stairs and opened the door.


    Miriam opened her eyes, the sound of a door opening alerting her. She looked around and knew something was wrong. She looked up to his face and shivered when she saw the expression on it.


    ¡°What is going on?¡± the question burning in her eyes. He did not answer. ¡°What is it Riley?¡± she asked, this time her voice firm. He did not look at her but answered her question


    ¡°Vampires,¡± he sat her down onto the bed. For the first time in her life she felt afraid. She had not been afraid when Riley had told her his secret because she knew he had a good heart and would not hurt anyone innocent. Vampires... the word itself made her shiver.


    She tried to swallow, the fear was causing a lump in her throat and her voice seemed to come from far away as she asked, ¡°Are they coming for us?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he sensed her fear and added ¡°but they will be dead before they have a chance to get to you.¡± She could feel his muscles tense next to her and a growl coming from his chest. He held her face between his hands gently pressed his lips to her forehead, tears trickled down his cheek.


    ¡°Miriam, love, stay here,¡± he started walking towards the door.


    ¡°But Riley...¡±


    He stopped suddenly and raised his hand as she spoke, his back still to her.


    ¡°Please Miriam. Listen to me. Stay here. Do not come downstairs no matter what you may hear. My brothers should be here soon, they will be able to protect you when I no longer can,¡± his body was tensed and his hands turned into fists hanging next to his sides.


    She felt the tears welling up into her eyes, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Her voice was strangled as the tears caused her throat to tighten. ¡°Are you saying you won¡¯t be coming back?¡±


    ¡°I love you,¡± he whispered the words gently and let his hand fall by his side. He tensed his muscles all over his body and raised his head. His body rippled. He willed himself into his alternate form. The clothes on his body seemed to melt into him as his body enlarged and his skin hardened. Hair bristled all over, and sharp claws shot from his finger. His mouth pulled itself forward and teeth like razor blades glistened in the soft light of the attic. His back bent as the ceiling approached. In his hybrid form he was too tall to stand in the attic. He crouched down on his hands.


    Suddenly he felt Miriam''s hands on his back. She must have somehow managed to get off the bed while he was changing forms. He turned around slowly so he could face her. She hugged him around his waist, her fingers scratching his skin in between the coarse hairs.


    ¡°Please come back to us,¡± he could hear the despair in her voice.


    He nodded once, turned around and was out of the attic in one jump, closing the door behind him


    He waited anxiously in the living room for the vampires to show their faces. He could hear the footsteps coming closer and their smell was so strong now that it agitated him. There were at least three, possibly more, but there were three close to the door. The others might be waiting outside. He hoped his brothers would not take long. He could not handle even three by himself.


    Then there was a short knock on the front door. Without warning the door flew off its hinges. So maybe the knock had been a warning, but he had expected them to wait for him to answer it. They glided into the room, their feet barely touching the ground. Shadows surrounded them, and they were wearing their traditional clothes, black silk shirts, black trousers, shiny black shoes and a long black cloak with a hood that hide their faces deep within its shadowy fold. He waited as the three of them entered, intent not to let them get the upper hand.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± he asked followed with a low growl.


    The vampire standing in the middle of the threesome lifted his head up, pulling his hood back so that it rested on his shoulders. He was slim, his skin very pale and his face had big crimson eyes. A smile seemed to unfold itself in the general region of his mouth. He was everything the myths said they should be. Except he had walked across the threshold uninvited. Stories were hardly ever true, but sometimes people used them to their advantage.


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    ¡°So it is true. He''s here just like she had predicted. But...¡± the vampire looked around with a frown on his face, ¡°where is the girl and the child?¡±


    Riley stiffened and snarled loudly. How did they know about Miriam and the baby? He threw his head back, straightening his back and let out a loud howl. It would only be a matter of minutes now before his family was here.


    Ignoring Riley the vampire on the left looked at the one who had just spoken not even bothering to reveal its face.


    ¡°Our Divinist said they would all be here¡±, his voice filled with anger.


    ¡°Calm now Stefano¡±, the vampire in the middle said. He turned his face to Riley, his lips curling into an evil smile before he moved his gaze to the door of the attic, ¡°Our timing is perfect. It seems the child is still in its mother''s womb,¡± He looked back at the vampire named Stefano and gestured to the stairs behind Riley.


    ¡°You know what to do Stefano. Kill the child. You can have the girl for dinner but save some for me before you kill her,¡± his voice was filled with amusement.


    Riley watched the vampires carefully and lowered himself into a fighters crouch. They would come for him soon. How had they known about Miriam? A Divinist? They had one of those now. It had been so long since they had reared their ugly heads, so long that his family thought they had quickly sunk into oblivion.


    Stefano shifted his weight and he moved with an unnatural speed, zigzagging towards the attic door. Riley''s arm shot out and grabbed Stefano by the throat. The vampire might be fast, but Riley''s reflexes were faster. The vampire stopped in its tracks as its feet were lifted off the ground. The other two vampires just stood and watched. Stefano clawed at Riley''s huge hand as it tightened around his throat and lifted him into the air. His legs thrashed, kicking out at the werewolf.


    Riley twisted and slammed the vampires head into the nearest wall. Stefano stopped struggling and became limp in Riley''s grip. Riley watched for a moment though, to make sure he was unconscious. With vampires it was hard to tell, their hearts didn''t beat fast enough for you to check the pulse, they barely beat at all. Same with the breathing. He couldn''t wait around long enough to check if it was breathing. So he assumed the best and dropped Stefano lifeless on the floor.


    Riley turned his head slightly and could hear his brothers coming from the howls in the distance. Then he turned his head back to the place where the three vampires had stood earlier to realise there was only one grimacing vampire sanding there. Where was the other vampire? The one who had not made any sound? The one still standing there smiled, and for the first time in its long life the smile reached its eyes.


    ¡°You know, Romulus, those red contact lenses really suit you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. But don''t you think you should start running?¡± Romulus pointed at the ceiling. Riley could see a small bit of smoke where the other vampire had gone through the roof. He had that ability? It wasn''t something he had expected.


    A scream came from the attic, the sound of it ran a shiver down his spine. Miriam!


    He was up the stairs in one jump, pulling the door out of the wall. He stretched his head through the empty door frame. Across the room he saw Miriam sitting on the bed. Her face covered with fear, her neck stretched upwards, and her hands gripping the bedsheets in a white knuckled grip. Behind her sat the last of the three vampires, pulling her hair tight and running a long-nailed finger along her throat. Riley stiffened and snarled loudly.


    ¡°Take your filthy hands of my wife¡±, he growled angrily taking s step forwards.


    The vampire just smiled at him and stretched his hand forward, holding his fingers up so Riley could see. He seemed to be examining them, twisting them in the soft light. Then he raked them across Miriam''s bulging stomach, gouging lines into her flesh and tearing her dress to shreds. Blood started to flow down her soft skin.


    Riley leapt forward as the vampire sank its teeth into the throat of his wife. He wasn''t fast enough and could see the colour begin to drain from her face. He lashed out with a huge fist and collected the vampire in the side of the head. It lost its grip on Miriam and was flung across the attic, slamming back first into the far wall. One of its teeth had broken off in Miriam''s neck and was still dripping blood. She looked pale.


    Released from its grip Miriam fell into his arms. Her body covered in blood. So weak she could barely get the words out she said, ¡°You came back to us. Like you promised. I love you.¡±


    He would not have heard the words if he had not been a werewolf. Then she lost conscious. Her head fell sideways. Rage filled his head as he thought about his wife and child. He needed to get them away from here and into proper care.


    ¡°Riley, hand her over to me,¡± the voice came from the little window that led out of the attic. It was his brother Vaiko, and he was hanging onto the drainpipe on the side of the house. He did not hesitate and reached out to hand Miriam to him, kissing her on the forehead. As he was leaning out the window to hand Miriam over he felt a thump on his back and then a cruel laugh. Pain lanced into his neck as the vampire sank his remaining tooth through his skin.


    He couldn''t let go though, he had to make sure Miriam was safe. He could feel the vampire start to poison him by pumping its blood into his veins through his tooth. More was sloshing into his fur as the broken tooth pumped the blood as well. He wouldn''t have long, once the vampire¡¯s blood was in his system it was a matter of minutes before it stopped his heart. Maybe even seconds if he couldn''t get the vampire off him.


    ¡°Take care of her and our child¡± he said as he finally managed to hand her to Vaiko.


    Vaiko simply nodded and then disappeared into the dark, howling for his brother who was about to die.


    He reached over his shoulder and grabbed the vampire by the head. Pulling him over his shoulder and dangling him in the darkness out the attic window.


    The vampire grinned, ¡°Lights out mongrel¡±


    Riley tightened his hand breaking the vampires jaw before he snapped the vampire''s neck. The body fell onto the floor. Unconscious. Not dead though, it would regenerate in a matter of hours. But it wouldn''t be able to chase after Vaiko.


    He could hear the tussle below. The rest of his pack were fighting and he was now sure there were more than three vampires. But Romulus was of the old ways, and would not go down easy. He would have brought plenty of vampires to make sure things went smoothly.


    It was only a matter of moments before he could hear the howl that called for a full retreat. Either the vampires had an edge, or the werewolves had done what they could. All he had to do now was die. He could feel his veins start to tighten as the vampire¡¯s blood made its way around his body.


    He sank to his knees and then slid to the ground, his muscles burning with a cold so cold it seemed hot. His eyes started to feel painful. He blinked a few times. Footsteps sounded and his eyes closed. He opened them one last time to see Romulus standing over him.


    ¡°Damn I hate wolves,¡± Romulus said as he kicked Riley in the side of the head.


    The whole world went black.

 Chapter 1

    Leona reached up and grabbed the t-shirt that flew at her. She quickly proceeded to fold it and pack it down deeply into the suitcase. More clothes flew at her, flung from her closet by Francine, and they all went in the suitcase.


    She was leaving tonight, moving again. It had been this way for her whole life. She could only stay at one relative for a short time, usually a year or two. Problems kept coming up. Sometimes she got into trouble, but mostly it was just the family she was staying with couldn''t afford to look after her any more. Another mouth to feed was always expensive.


    It had affected her schooling greatly, but still she had managed to pass. Then luck had come her way and a scholarship had fallen in her lap. Scholarship for the Under-privileged, or to put it in the terms she considered it, for those without family or money. But if they were going to pay for her schooling, who was she to deny them.


    So she moved again, this time to Gorat''s house. He lived in Brunswick, and it would only be a short ride on her push bike to get to the University of Melbourne. It was a bit harder from where she was now, in Kew. The roads just got far too busy in the mornings.


    She was woken from her daydreaming by giggling from over near the closest. Leona turned her head to look at what was going on. Francine was deep within the closest and was shaking with laughter.


    ¡°What are you laughing at? Found my costume from that last fancy dress party we went to?¡±


    ¡°Nope...¡± the giggling continued, ¡°that would be funny though. No, I found this.¡±


    She turned around fast, holding a small piece of cloth between her fingers and stretching it out. Leona was confused for a moment, before it dawned on her.


    ¡°So you¡¯re hiding G-strings in the closet eh? What have you been up to?¡±


    Leona got up, red faced, and stormed over Francine, grabbing the underwear off her. Then back to where she had been putting things in the suitcase. She held it before her, twisting it one way then another.


    ¡°What''s so wrong about this? I am sure you have a few of these.¡±


    ¡°So I may,¡± Francine said, brushing a hand through her shoulder length blonde hair, ¡°I just never expected you to have any. Your always so,¡± she seemed to struggle to find the right word, her hands making circling motions in front of her, ¡°boyish.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I am, am I? And G-strings make me seem more feminine to you?¡±


    ¡°I would have to say, yes.¡±


    ¡°Well then...¡±


    Leona dropped the underwear into the suitcase and stood up. She turned to face away from Francine. She undid the button of her jeans and pulled the zip down a bit. She flicked her shirt up her back a ways and lowered her pants just low enough to show Francine the G-string she was wearing.


    ¡°So? Do you reckon I''m a girl then?¡±


    ¡°Well, that was a bit unexpected. But yes, yes, fine, your girl enough.¡±


    The door was pushed open rather quickly and footsteps entered the room. Then there was a gasp, and the footsteps retreated quickly to the door again. Leona looked over her shoulder and her face turned into a cherry as she blushed.


    Russell was standing in the doorway with his back facing them and a hand up over his eyes. Leona quickly pulled up her pants and did them up again, and then pushed the G-string sitting on top of the suitcase as deep as she could. Behind her Francine started laughing even louder and it sounded like she was rolling on the floor.


    ¡°That''s the funniest thing I have seen lately,¡± Francine screamed out amidst the laughter.


    ¡°Oh, shut up Frannie,¡± Russell tried to sound impressive, but his voice was caught in his throat, ¡°sorry Leona, I didn''t mean to burst in. Didn''t know you were doing a strip show for Frannie.¡±


    Leona turned even redder, ¡°It wasn''t like that,¡± she started to say before she was interrupted.


    ¡°I know, I know, just trying to make light of the situation. I feel a little embarrassed. And I fear if I turn around your going to pummel me again.¡±


    Leona laughed a little, but stopped quickly.


    ¡°Well, I really came up to give you this.¡±


    One of Russell''s long arms stretched out, holding something in it. Leona was hesitating, so Francine went over and grabbed the bundle off Russell. She opened it up and a dress flowed down. She pressed it against herself to show off towards Leona, smiling and laughing.


    ¡°What''s that for Russell? You know I don''t wear things like this,¡± Leona''s red blushing of embarrassment turned into red of anger.


    ¡°Well, on the way to Gorat''s place we will be stopping by a club and having a few drinks. It¡¯s a little more upper class than we usually go to, so I thought you might like a nice dress. Don''t worry, it¡¯s a present for you, you can keep it.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, like that''s gonna happen.¡±


    ¡°Well, I''m going to leave you in the car if you don''t wear this. I''ll be going into the club, with or without you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you!¡± She reached into the bag and grabbed a handful of clothes and threw it at him. It hit him in the head and then she gasped. She had accidentally grabbed the G-string she was holding up before.


    He took it from his head as he walked away and held it before him. He called back to the two girls.


    ¡°Your welcome.¡±


    Francine shut the door behind him.


    ¡°Look, you try this on, I''ll finish the packing. We are nearly done anyway. And the other suitcase is already in Russell''s car.¡±


    ¡°I said, I won¡¯t be getting in that! There''s not even much of a dress there.¡±


    ¡°Russell has pretty good taste actually. Must have got some help choosing it.¡±


    ¡°Aren''t you listening? I''ll sit in the car.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t think of who Russell knows that would have this kind of taste.¡±


    ¡°No, you aren''t listening to me. Fine then. Give it here.¡±


    ¡°I knew you''d come around to the right way of thinking. I''ll pack, you try on, and then I''ll go grab the camera.¡±


    ¡°Oh no, no you don''t. If you get that camera I''ll give you a black eye.¡±


    ¡°Fair call.¡±


    Francine handed the dress over to Leona and went back to packing. Leona went over and shut the curtains, then put the dress on. It fit very well, and felt comfortable. She turned around in front of the mirror a few times.


    The dress was a dark green, almost matching the colour of her eyes. It had thin straps on the shoulder, hugged her breasts hard, and then flowed down her body, with a split down her left leg, letting her show off her toned legs.


    ¡°Oh my, yes, whoever picked that out sure has taste. We just need you to get something to wear with it.¡±


    ¡°Wear with it?¡± Leona gasped and put her hand in front of her mouth, ¡°What do you mean? Isn''t this enough? Or little enough?¡±


    Looked at her back where the dress line hung low and nearly reached the top of her underwear.


    ¡°I am sure I have a nice necklace that will really set your ample bosom off.¡±


    Leona rushed over and grabbed Francine by the front of her shirt, and pulled her up until they were face to face.


    ¡°I don''t do this, don''t talk to me like I do this.¡±


    ¡°Look, Leona, you¡¯re doing it tonight, may as well live it up.¡±


    ¡°Russell must have some ulterior motive.¡±


    ¡°He looks at you sometimes like he wants in your pants. But he won¡¯t touch you. Not because of the Law. But he views you like a sister.¡±


    ¡°There''s gotta be some reason.¡±


    ¡°Just go with the flow, babe. You look sexy, act sexy. And by the look of the dress, I''d say he''s taking you to a dance club of some sort.¡±


    Francine lifted the suitcase and exited the room, dragging the suitcase downstairs. Leona waited a while and then followed her. She shouted down the stairs.


    ¡°Do you have some shoes for me at least Francine?¡±


    The voice came back up the stairs, drifting from outside.


    ¡°I left them outside my bedroom door, along with a necklace. I''ll be back in in a minute to do your hair.¡±


    Leona scratched her head for a minute. This was getting confusing, there was no way Francine had time to get anything out of her room. Leona walked down the other end of the hallway to Francine''s room and picked the shoes and necklace up. Emerald green pumps with ribbon running partway up her leg, and a large green stone set on a silver chain. She shook her head. Francine had set this all up. The only reason she couldn''t think of anyone who had this much taste was because she was the one who had chosen it.


    She put them on, then went down the stairs and outside the door. Francine pushed the boot of the Commodore down as Leona got outside. She looked around. Russell was there, along with his three mates Samuel, Robert and Kenzo.


    Russell was resplendent in green shirt, top button undone, and straight black slacks. His shirt was un-tucked and his sleeves folded partway up his forearms. His athletic body filled it out well. His black hair was gelled and spiked. Though in contrast the other didn''t seem to have gone to as much length.


    Kenzo, Russell''s brother, was wearing a simple shirt and jeans. Samuel, their cousin, was wearing plain jeans, and a long sleeved shirt, with the sleeves scrunched up to his elbows. He did that just to show off the flame tattoos he had on his well muscles forearms. Robert, the only human that was there, had tried to make an impression and failed. Though he had combed his black hair to a respectable style.


    The four of them whistled, and Samuel beat his chest. Russell waved his hand at them and they ran off, jumping into Samuel''s Subaru Imprezza. Russell motioned for Leona to climb into his car. Leona gave both him and Francine a glare.


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    They just laughed.


    ¡°You¡¯re coming too right Francine?¡± Leona asked as Francine started walking inside.


    ¡°Oh no, you¡¯re on your own girl.¡±


    ¡°You''ve left me high and dry with these four?¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry, Little Lee. We''ll leave those three at the club when I take you to Gorat''s. But we need a parting drink. We''ll only be seeing each other on the full moons now. Unless we bump into each other in town.¡± Russell opened the passenger door as he spoke, and then jumped into the driver¡¯s seat. Leona climbed in, still scowling.


    Russell started the car and headed off. They drove for a while, dodging the traffic as well as they could. They pulled up in a street and got out and walked. A few blocks later they reached the Blue Velvet Nightclub. It was early, so the five of them were sent straight in.


    They stayed down on the ground floor, crowded around a small table, and the others were all buying her drinks. Soon enough all the alcohol they were pumping into her started taking its toll and she felt a little light-headed. Her senses didn''t betray her though.


    She could feel it as the three of them pushed and prodded at her. Not literally. But they set the table up so that she was sitting next to Robert. She could smell his stale sweat as if it was held right beneath her nose. He had tried to cover it up with some other scents. She smelt some deodorant, the spicy scent stinging her nose a little, but above that was that male perfume Joop.


    The Joop wasn''t an unpleasant smell. But the amount he used, mixed with her keen senses, they made it unbearable for her.


    She could feel it. All three of them were trying to push her together with Robert. They wanted her to be with Robert. She knew him a little, and what she knew was horrible. He wasn''t the kind of person she wanted to spend too much time with.


    She stood up from her chair and grabbed the front of Russell''s shirt. She dragged him out of his seat and took him to the stairs. The others all seemed a little confused.


    ¡°I''m going to dance,¡± she called back over her shoulder.


    She dragged him upstairs to where the music was loud, and the bass sent vibrations through her body. The feeling was nice. Even as she stepped on the dance floor she could feel her body want to start moving with the beat of the music. Move it did too, of its own volition.


    But she had other motives than dancing for coming upstairs. So as her hips moved she started guiding Russell over to a far wall where there weren''t as many people. She forced his back against the wall and put a hand on either side of his head. She could see him starting to sweat.


    Her body rolled, from feet to shoulder, and she rolled it against his body. His eyes were dilating, the pupils almost draining his eyes of colour. She smiled. She brought her body in close to his and her lips up near his ear.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re trying to set me up with Robert eh?¡±


    All he could do was gulp and nod. She felt the movement on her neck.


    ¡°Well, if all you¡¯re doing is trying to set me up, come on. You and me, tonight, in the back of your car,¡± she breathed hot air onto his neck as she spoke. Her words were only loud enough for him to hear over the noise of the music.


    ¡°If you want to have a puppy, sure. We''ll go down the store and get a German Shepherd.¡±


    ¡°I know you won¡¯t do it.¡±


    ¡°No, I won¡¯t. But you¡¯re pushing me very close to the edge.¡±


    ¡°And that was the whole idea. I won¡¯t have you trying to set me up with humans. I''ll make my own decisions thank you.¡±


    ¡°But you need to start breeding soon. To continue the line. And you know a werewolf needs to breed with a pure human, otherwise the line will die.¡±


    ¡°Yeah yeah. The laws forbid the mating of two werewolves, because the offspring will be defective. More wolf than man. Too much like an animal. Does it stop us playing around though?¡±


    ¡°Don''t you even consider it.¡±


    ¡°Just let me tell you, if he touches me tonight, I''ll be leaving the club straight away.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    Leona stepped away from him, turned in a few circles as she flowed to the music again. Then like a viper her hand lashed out and slapped him across the face. She laughed at him, turned and walked back downstairs.


    She sat back at her seat and watched everyone''s reactions as Russell came back to his spot with a bright red mark across his cheek. Samuel and Kenzo were a little shocked, but Robert actually smiled. They ordered another round of drinks and got back into the drinking.


    As she raised the glass to her mouth she could feel something on her leg. It came from her right, where Robert was sitting. It was his hand. It moved down her leg, found a gap in her dress, and then started moving back up her leg, slowly making its way to the inside of her thigh. She put the glass down.


    In the blink of an eye she had swung her hand around and punched Robert right in the face. He fell off his chair, blood running freely down his face as he landed on the floor. The other three looked at her as she got up and made for the door. They followed, leaving their friend on the floor.


    As they got outside Samuel grabbed her by the arm and walked close to her.


    ¡°What was that about?¡±


    ¡°I had warned Russell. If he touched me, I was leaving. As soon as I started having that drink he started trying to find the inside of my thigh.¡±


    Russell came up on the other side.


    ¡°You said leave, not leave him out cold on the floor. I didn''t think you would punch the poor bugger.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your own fault he touched you, you know,¡± Samuel hissed at her, ¡°you take Russell up for a dance. You come back all glistening in sweat and smelling like sex, and he comes back with a bright red mark on his cheek. We found it funny, yes, but he''s only human. We know how to control our instincts. He doesn''t.¡±


    Kenzo called out from behind them, ¡°Look, what he''s trying to say is, Robert took that as a signal. We''re fine, there''s no one following. They''ll likely just dump him out the back to let him sober up and wake up.¡±


    ¡°Let me go Samuel.¡±


    Samuel dropped his hand.


    ¡°OK, you and Kenzo should probably head off then, Samuel. I''ll take Leona to Gorat''s place.¡±


    ¡°I think we might go find a few other clubs to terrorise.¡±


    ¡°Fine, just don''t make too much trouble. I don''t want this coming back onto my head.¡±


    Russell took Leona and they headed back to his car. Once there they got in and started heading off for Gorat''s house in Brunswick. The air in the car was thick with tension. Eventually Leona turned to Russell, who was leaning his elbow on the door with the window down.


    ¡°Look, Russell. I am sorry. I was out of line in there. I shouldn''t have done any of that. Not hitting him, and not what I did to you on the dance floor.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? You didn''t do anything to me on the dance floor.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes I did. I shouldn''t have said that stuff.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ok. My own fault. I tried to set you up with a human. I should have remembered how you acted when I tried to do that on your seventeenth birthday. We''ll be at Gorat''s in no time, just let all this slide and start your life at Uni. I''m sure you''ll meet someone there. There''s always plenty of eligible bachelors at campus.¡±


    ¡°Look, don''t even go there right now Russ. I''m on edge enough.¡±


    They stopped talking, though the tension did lessen and the rest of the trip was completed with ease. They pulled out in front of the house and walked up to the door. Russell stopped for a moment to admire the Clubsport in the driveway, he was quite interested in cars. Once she was inside he left, and she knew he was getting his mobile out to find out where Kenzo and Samuel had gotten to. He''d be the one getting them into trouble soon.


    Leona sank into the chair in the kitchen as Gorat took her suitcases to her room. She''d stayed here before, when she was younger. Gorat was one of her father''s two brothers. Gorat and Vaiko. Ida, Gorat''s wife, brought her a mug of warm Milo. Ida was human, as she should be to be Gorat''s wife. She had borne him two sons who were younger than Leona.


    Ida sat beside her and held her hands.


    ¡°You look troubled, Leona. You¡¯re starting University on Monday. I hope you haven''t got butterflies.¡±


    ¡°No, no,¡± Leona shook her head, ¡°it¡¯s nothing like that. Russell tried to set me up with a human. I punched him in the nose in a bar. The human, not Russell. Russell I slapped.¡±


    ¡°Can you just call him a man or something Leona, it¡¯s quite painful to me that you refer to us as ''human'' all the time. You¡¯re still mostly human. But, I understand what you¡¯re feeling. Its fine, it¡¯s normal. You''ll find someone, just give it time.¡±


    Leona lifted the cup and started drinking. It tasted so good.


    ¡°Gorat bought you some study stuff. He also put a desk and a computer in your room. I don''t know much about it, he probably knows what to say to you about it. I''m not up with all this new stuff that keeps coming out.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ok Ida. Thanks for everything. I hope I''m not too much of a bother while I''m here.¡±


    ¡°Of course you won¡¯t be dear.¡±

 Chapter 2

    Leona woke with a start as her alarm blared loudly next to her ears. She lazily reached out from under the bed sheet to turn it off, yawning loudly as she did. She kicked to drag the sticky sheet from her body, sticky from the sweat caused by the hot night. Wondering to herself why Gorat didn''t have proper air conditioning installed.


    She quickly slipped from her night time apparel into some clothes suitable for her first day at University. A white button-up shirt with cut-away sleeves, a pleated black mini skirt and under that a pair of short bike shorts. She twirled a little in front of the mirror in her room. She felt alive and fresh, ready to tackle whatever may come at her this day.


    Rushing downstairs she grabbed a couple of pieces of toast and threw her bag over her shoulder, opening the front door and ready to leave.


    ¡°You¡¯re not seriously going like that are you?¡± Ida called from the kitchen where she was preparing breakfast.


    Leona turned and saw that Ida was eying her up and down, slowly tapping her hand with a spatula.


    ¡°But of course, what¡¯s wrong with it,¡± Leona tried to say through a mouth full of toast. The words came out mumbled, but Ida seemed to understand. The spatula was suddenly pointed directly at her.


    ¡°Firstly, that top looks far too tight, you look like your about to burst the buttons. And why white? Your bra is showing through it. The skirt is way too short. At least you had the decency to put some bike shorts on,¡± Ida seemed exasperated, ¡°as it stands, every man and his dog will have their eyes glued to you.¡±


    Leona swallowed first before speaking next.


    ¡°I guess you haven''t seen what they are wearing in the city then. Compared to them, this is quite tame.¡±


    The spatula swayed in her direction a few more times. Ida sighed and turned around to look after the eggs before they started burning. A small smile of victory graced Leona''s face. She span to leave the house.


    Turning straight into Gorat who was now in the doorway. She bounced off his tree trunk like chest and landed on her bottom on the floor. She blushed furiously and stood up again, taking Gorat''s helping hand.


    ¡°Sorry Leona, didn''t mean to startle you,¡± he blushed slightly as he noticed what she was wearing and tried to hide it by bringing his hand from behind his back, ¡°here, this is for you. A present for your first day of university.¡±


    She looked at the small box. Took it in her hands, and undid the little ribbon that surrounded it.


    ¡°You mean along with the books, and the computer, and everything else you have given me so far?¡±


    ¡°This is a little bit more special to me though.¡±


    Leona opened the box to reveal a pen. It was shining like silver and had engravings of wolves down its side. She held it in her hand and could feel the weight of it.


    ¡°Your father owned this pen. His father had it made for him. It¡¯s not silver if you¡¯re wondering, just stainless steel. Would be a bit dangerous to have silver around.¡±


    Leona held the pen tightly in both hands and pressed it against her heart. Her father had died the night she was born. Her mother had died while giving birth to her. She had nothing of them, no memories, no photos. The house had been burnt down. Her family, aunts and uncles and cousins, they told her that her father had died saving her mother, saving his daughter.


    Tears glistened in her eyes and she wiped them away quickly. No good to be crying on her first day at University. She gave Gorat a huge hug before pushing past him and out the door. She put the pen in her bag and jumped on her bicycle.


    The ride was brief and it didn''t take her long to reach the University. It sprawled before her over several blocks. It had its own roads running through it and building upon building rose before her. She felt small before the immensity of the place. She could see other students going in, and followed them silently. Finding a place to keep her bike and lock it up wasn''t hard. Finding the administration block was a little harder.


    Thankfully there were signs posted around and eventually she found her way there. The women inside were quite friendly.


    ¡°Um, hi, my names Leona. I''m supposed to start today.¡±


    The lady behind the counter lowered her glasses a little and pulled open a draw in the cabinet beside her.


    ¡°Everyone is starting today, dear. Now, what¡¯s your last name? I''ll find your schedule for you. I take it you don''t have one.¡±


    ¡°It''s Remus, Ma''am,¡± she said as she leaned over the counter to see what the lady was doing.


    ¡°Ah, yes, I see,¡± she pulled some files out, ¡°you missed the orientation. So here¡¯s your schedule, and a map, you shouldn''t have any trouble finding your way,¡± she then proceeded to hand a few papers over to Leona who took them with a big smile.


    She left quickly, and started off in the direction she thought she was supposed to be going. A few moments later she blinked as she realised she was standing back in the same spot she had just left from. She turned the map around a few times, and took off in another direction. But the same thing happened, and she was once again standing before the administration building.


    She let out a long sigh she tried to make heads and tails of the map. Her nostrils flared as an overly sharp scent stung her nose. She took a few shallow breathes to try and get rid of it. It didn''t go away though. It was getting closer to her too.


    ¡°I take it your lost,¡± a deep voice echoed from behind her.


    She turned to face it and almost stumbled as her jaw dropped to her feet. Behind her was standing a man that put Russell to shame. He was of medium height, with a slim build, but his muscles showed easily through the tight white t-shirt he wore. His shiny raven black hair was brought forward so that it framed his face with small spike, slightly obscuring his hazel eyes. Over his t-shirt he wore a long sleeved black shirt, left wide open. His pants were straight black leather trousers of very fine quality, and below them heavy black leather boots.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Across his shoulder he held a leather jacket and a bag which was probably full of book. He was leaning against the wall of the administration building watching her, a slight smile on his lips.


    She struggled to speak. The smell was mixing with his looks and nearly choking her. She put the smell down do a cologne he was wearing. A few consonants stuttered from her mouth. She could sense he was checking her out. His eyes were trailing across her face. Over her dark green eyes, her petite nose, and pouting lips. Then down her long black hair that flowed onto her shoulder. She waved the map in front of her to grab his attention again. He reached forward with simple purpose and scrunched the map up.


    ¡°Now what did you go and do that for?¡± she finally managed to get out.


    ¡°Well, it was obviously confusing you more than anything else here.¡±


    ¡°But how will I get to class now?¡±


    He nodded towards the other papers she was holding. ¡°I had noticed as you walked by earlier that you were in the same class as me. It was only proper for me to escort you there, rather than have you wandering around like a lost lamb.¡±


    He pulled himself upright with the grace of a hunting cat and paced towards her. He grabbed her upper arm and span her around. Pulling her along slightly they started off in a direction she hadn''t thought of taking yet.


    ¡°So, um, hi. My name is Leona.¡±


    He just kept walking, seeming to ignore her. Inside he was reeling though. Her bosom was heaving so close to him, nearly bursting out of her shirt. She shifted his belt a little. Her long, toned legs stretched down from the skirt, and his eyes followed them up from her ankles as her skirt lifted a little as she brushed against him.


    ¡°Thanks for helping me out. I doubt I would have found it by lunch.¡±


    The man stayed quiet still. He let his grip on her arm go though. Leona didn''t care that he wasn''t talking, she was lost in his looks. She breathed in deeply, taking in his scent. As she did her top two buttons came undone. He gulped as her cleavage and rose red bra were exposed. Quickly she did the buttons up again.


    ¡°Whoops. So you¡¯re taking the same class as me? Guess I''ll get to see a lot more of you.¡±


    He turned and looked at her briefly, and gave a little shrug. That was the greatest response she managed to get out of him the whole way to class. Before they went in though she stopped, grabbed his arm, and pulled him around to face her.


    ¡°Come on, at least tell me your name.¡±


    He shrugged again, ¡°Tyran,¡± then pulled out of her grip and went inside.


    She sighed a deep sigh and slid against the wall, holding the papers she had close to her chest. Her angel had a name now, and it was Tyran. She stopped daydreaming and went inside.


    Tyran had taken a seat on the far side of the room. Leona looked around to find where the vacant seats were so that she could sit down. As she did she noticed that the eyes of every girl in the room had her eyes squarely targeting Tyran. The other guys in the room seemed to be shifting uncomfortably as they all noticed too.


    Eventually she found the last remaining seat, on the opposite side of the room to Tyran. She would have to watch her angel from afar then.


    The class started without further incident, and it moved through the day with ease. Every now and again she would glance over to look at Tyran, and on more than one occasion she found him looking at her, spinning a pencil around in his fingers. He never had a smile though. It wasn''t a frown, he just seemed to be showing no emotion to what was going on.


    The professor called an end to the class, and everyone filed out of the room. Tyran walked off purposefully towards where the car park was. A crowd of girls started following him, their eyes firmly planted on his back. They stayed a respectable distance away, but were clearly watching his every move. Leona joined the pack and tailed Tyran.


    Halfway to the car park he lifted his arms to slide his leather jacket on, to the sighs and gasps of the gathered group. He seemed not to notice though. Or, Leona considered, he was so used to it that it was just second nature.


    As he entered the car park the whole crowd stopped and waited at the entrance. A few of the guys from class had followed the girls, and were now waiting with him. Leona hears the girls muttering and giggling too each other. Mostly that he was cute and handsome, in a rugged sort of way. They all seemed to have fallen head over heels for Tyran.


    A roar sounded from the car park, and a man on a black motorbike edged in silver came down from between the cars. Tyran''s clothes were obvious. One of the girls fainted, the scene getting too much. Even the boys had to gasp at this. As Tyran raised the front wheel to roar out of the university grounds one of the boys exclaimed to the group.


    ¡°That¡¯s a custom Hayabusa. Only a few of those were ever made. Must be worth a fortune.¡±


    ¡°How did he managed to get one of those?¡±


    This caused another girl to faint. So he was handsome, strong and rich. What more could a girl want in a guy. Leona held her hand against her heart. She walked away from the group signing. Undid her bike, flung her bag over her shoulder and rode back to Gorat''s house, which was her home while she was going to University.


    When she opened the door she could smell a menagerie of scents coming from the direction of the kitchen. Ida was in there cooking dinner for the night. Leona headed for the stairs but Ida called out to her before she mounted the first step.


    ¡°So how was your first day?¡±


    Leona blushed deep red and clasped her bag against her chest.


    ¡°Leona? How was it?¡±


    ¡°It was good Ida, I think I''m really going to enjoy it there.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good then.¡±


    Leona smiled to herself and went upstairs, threw her bag in the corner and collapsed on the bed, her arms spread wide.

 Chapter 3

    Leona threw her pencil down on the table in frustration. The tip broke and she thumped her fist down next to it. She put her elbows on the table and held her face in her hands. The book shifted from under her. She looked up to see what was going on and noticed her professor picking it up and having a look.


    Professor Duncan flicked the book back a few pages to have a look at the work Leona had been doing. His tongue was clicking inside his mouth and it was driving her crazy.


    ¡°Now look Leona,¡± he always tried to sound sweet and understanding when he spoke to her, but he always came off as a know-it-all, ¡°I''ve noticed over the weeks since you started this course that you¡¯re falling way behind. Your grades are currently too low to pass, and you¡¯re already halfway through the semester. Personally, I don''t understand why you''re still here.¡±


    He put the book back down on the table and crouched down beside her.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to lift your game.¡±


    Leona just nodded silently.


    The Professor turned and went back to monitoring the rest of the class. Leona sharpened her pencil again and got back to the work she was doing. It was difficult, and quite a bit above her. But she did try her hardest.


    The bell sounded, marking the end of class. She packed up and walked out of the class with her head hung in shame. She was so lost in her own musings that she ran into someone. She looked down at his feet, then slowly brought her eyes up to look him in the face. It was Adey, the Spanish student in their class. He had travelled all the way from Spain to study Immunology in Australia.


    Leona blushed. He was handsome. He didn''t have the same mystery that Tyran had surrounding him, and he wasn''t wealthy beyond belief. The other boys in the class had already counted that Tyran owned at least five impossible to get motorbikes, one might even have been a prototype. But he did have dashing good looks.


    His chest was muscled. His face was chiselled, he kept himself clean shaven, and looked like he had been carved out of marble by a sculptor beyond belief. And atop his head sat tight curls of light brown hair. His voice was deep also, oozing masculinity. She had seen him playing soccer with some of the other students as well, and he looked quite amazing.


    ¡°I noticed the professor, he spoke to you.¡±


    The only problem with him was his English still wasn''t the best. She nodded though, and dropped her head, trying to hide her blushing.


    ¡°I, er, offer to assist you,¡± he was waving his arms around as he spoke, ¡°you know, my grades, they are good, right? Yes. I help you with your work, help you get good grades. In return, you help me with my English, make it good like all others. Show me Melbourne too.¡±


    ¡°You want to help me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course. You are smart and beautiful. Who would not want to help you out?¡±


    ¡°It is very kind of you to offer this. Where would you like me to meet you?¡±


    ¡°I come to your house, no?¡±


    ¡°No, sorry. I am staying with an uncle. What about the library in the CBD after school tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sure. That is on Swanston street right?¡±


    ¡°Yes it is, not too far from here.¡±


    ¡°After we study, want to get coffee? People tell me Melbourne is home of coffee.¡±


    ¡°Sure, there''s a few coffee shops in the CBD.¡± That was a vast understatement, the whole centre of Melbourne was riddled with them.


    ¡°It is date then.¡±


    Adey turned and left quickly, Leona raised her hand as if to stop him, wanting to tell him it wasn''t a date, they were just going to study. But he was gone too quickly. She shrugged. She was glad someone had offered to help her, she was struggling trying to do it alone. She was even more grateful that Adey had chosen to ask her. Leona was sure studying in the presence of such a hunk would be a wonderful experience.


    She continued on her way to her bike and turned her head. Standing across the road from where she had been talking to Adey was Tyran. He seemed to be looking across at her. His hand was bunched in a fist beside his head. He opened his hand up and fragments of what must have been a pencil fell to the ground. He left briskly, dusting his hand off, and donning his leather jacket he never seemed to be without.


    The next day came around quickly. Adey was looking at her during class, she could feel his eyes on her. Tyran seemed to be ignoring her completely. He had a new pencil though, and was now vigorously spinning that between his fingers. Leona watched as the Professor went over to Tyran and started speaking with him quietly.


    They were too far away for Leona to make out what they were saying, but their body language was speaking in multiple volumes. Tyran grabbed the pencil he was spinning and stabbed the point of it into the desk, and rather than snapping the nib it stood there quivering. The Professor reached down, took it out of the desk and placed it down on its side. He was shaking his head, probably at the action that Tyran had done.


    Tyran casually leaned back in his chair and waved his hand in the direction of Adey, who was watching them. In fact, everyone in the class was watching them now. The pencil had hit the desk with considerable force. The Professor turned to look at Adey for a few moments, then turned his attention to the rest of the class.


    ¡°This doesn''t concern any of you. I am sure you have plenty of work to get on with,¡± he snapped at them, making sure pencils were scribbling on paper before he turned back to Tyran.


    The Professor was shaking his head again, and Tyran shrugged. Tyran had picked up the pencil again and was now tapping it on the table, making a rhythmic tick sound. He nodded very slowly and the Professor let out a little sigh of relief. They both then looked directly at Leona.


    Professor Duncan stood and stretched, then walked over to Leona. She dropped her head to make it look like she was busy, quickly scratching a few notes onto the paper.


    ¡°Leona, may I have a word.¡±


    He crouched down beside her as he had done the other day. She just nodded, trying to read what was in her text book so she could copy some notes.


    ¡°At the end of the lesson today I will be announcing a new assignment. If you fail this one you won¡¯t have any chance at passing this course and moving on to the next stage of your degree.¡±


    Leona''s eyes opened wide in shock. To keep the scholarship she had obtained she needed to pass her classes. Fail one and she lost the money. Lose the money and she couldn''t continue to study at University. She turned her face to look at the Professor.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay though, don''t be worried. I''ve spoken with Tyran and organised for him to give you some help with it. He''s passing the class with the highest grade, so I thought it only appropriate to ask for his aide.¡±


    Leona''s pencil fell from her grip.


    ¡°You''ll have to organise with him when and where to meet. But you should be thankful. It''ll do you good.¡±


    Professor Duncan pat her on the shoulder a couple of times then stood and went over to his desk. He called the attention of the class and announced the assignment, giving a pile of sheets to the people at the front, who sent them back, everyone taking a sheet as the piles went past them.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Leona grabbed one and handed the rest of the sheets behind her. She looked down at it, but her eyes couldn''t focus on it. So she just shoved it into her folder. The bell sounded as the Professor told the class the assignment was due in three weeks. She put the folder in her bag and shouldered it. Then stood and left the classroom.


    She couldn''t decide whether she was in shock because she might fail and lose the scholarship, or whether it was because she now had two tutors who were both good looking. But that last she could hopefully deal with easily. And if all worked out, then the two of them could save her scholarship for her.


    She started to make her way to her bike as she remembered she was meeting Adey at the library fairly soon. She took a moment to think, then decided it might be a little safer to leave her bike here, behind the gates of the University grounds, and just walk to the library.


    She passed by the classroom again, walking with her head down, watching where she placed her feet. When a strong hand grabbed onto her should. She gasped, but when she lifted her head to see who had grabbed her she smiled. It was only Tyran.


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit rude you know,¡± she berated him as he let her go.


    ¡°It was a bit rude of you to ignore your own name. I said it twice as you walked past me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I am sorry. My mind is elsewhere.¡±


    Her nose had adapted to the strange smell that seemed to emanate from Tyran, and her nostrils didn¡¯t flare nearly as much as they had when she first met him. It only really seemed to affect her though when she was close to him. Her nose was better than a regular humans, but not by much. When she turned into her hybrid form, that¡¯s when the superior senses of a wolf really kicked in.


    ¡°Now, what is it you want?¡±


    ¡°No need to be so short with me,¡± his mouth almost seemed to snarl at her, ¡°I am just trying to find out when you want help on your assignment.¡±


    ¡°We have weeks to do it. I''ll talk to you next week about it. Today I am going to study with Adey.¡±


    His mouth turned into a definite snarl when she had finished.


    ¡°I am going to be completing it over the next few days. I would rather you complete yours at the same time as me. I have no wish to go over the same material too many times.¡±


    Leona smiled at him and he raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Okay, you got me. How about tonight? I could come over to your place.¡±


    ¡°Why could it not be done at yours, Leona?¡±


    ¡°My uncle would not approve of me inviting people over, especially young men. He is quite protective of me. Is there something wrong with your place?¡±


    ¡°My,¡± he seemed to strain to find the word he was looking for, ¡°Uncle for want of a better description. He would also not take kindly to me bringing other people into his presence uninvited.¡±


    ¡°You know, you talk a bit strange.¡±


    ¡°I had never noticed. Apologies if it offends.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, it¡¯s not offensive. It¡¯s just odd. Sometimes you switch from regular talk to suddenly being overly formal. But if your uncle would take offence at me being there, then maybe we could meet somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°Well, I will organise something and meet you at Southern Cross Station?¡±


    ¡°Yes, fine, whatever. I am going to meet Adey now. It''s what? Four o''clock? I''ll meet you at the station at seven then.¡±


    ¡°Seven it is then. At the corner of Collins Street. Try not to be too late.¡±


    She laughed at his comment, but he just turned and left. Her mirth died in her throat and she gulped. First she was going to meet Adey, then she was going to spend the evening with Tyran. The only other time she had spent so long with members of the opposite sex was with her cousins. This would be totally different.


    She made her way to the library and found Adey standing out front waiting for her. He waved and walked across to her.


    ¡°I take your bag?¡± he held out as hand. She could sense he was trying to be polite. So she handed it across.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be able to spend too long out this afternoon Adey. The Professor organised for Tyran to give me some help with the assignment, and he''s asked me to work with him tonight on it.¡±


    ¡°We only get it today though. But that is no problem. I am not very good anyway, and he is top student. I was just trying to find excuses to spend time with you.¡±


    Leona blushed. She had been half expecting that, but it was still nice to hear.


    ¡°Would you like to go for a walk then?¡±


    He nodded his enthusiasm at the prospect and together they started walking down Swanston Street. They stopped by several shops, taking a bit of time to look at them. He took her into some clothing shops, and also some jewellery shops. They kept walking until they hit Little Collins Street and made their way left.


    ¡°Do you know where you¡¯re going Adey?¡±


    ¡°Yes. When I first come here, I find this place with coffee. But also, muffins. Big muffins. Taste good too. Maybe we go, sit down, have chat, eat muffins, drink coffee.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good. But I don''t have any money on me.¡±


    ¡°That''s okay. I will pay.¡±


    Soon they made their way to the coffee shop, a little store nestled between a couple of other stores. They sat outside in the warm afternoon sunlight, and soon a waitress came out to take their order. Adey ordered two muffins, one for each of them, and two coffees.


    The waitress told Leona the muffins were made on the premises every morning when she brought out two huge muffins and sat them on the table. They were easily bigger than the two cups of coffee that were brought out only a few moments later.


    She broke a piece of the muffin off and placed it in her mouth. The flavours melted on her tongue. Coconut and white chocolate, mixed with the texture of the muffin. She eagerly ate another piece. Adey was smiling over his cup of coffee at her.


    ¡°I said, didn''t I? They are good muffins.¡±


    ¡°They are wonderful Adey. I''ll have to come back here again.¡±


    ¡°Why not come back here on Sunday with me? I will be in the city again.¡±


    Leona was a little taken aback by that, but nodded yes to him. His smile seemed to broaden, and his eyes lit up with delight. He took a large mouthful of coffee and put the cup down. Over the next half an hour they drank their coffee and ate their muffins, all the while talking about Melbourne and how wonderful it was. Soon Leona looked at her watch though.


    ¡°Oh, I am so sorry Adey.¡±


    ¡°There is no need to apologise Leona.¡±


    ¡°Yes there is, I need to run off. I told Tyran I would meet him at Southern Cross at seven. It''s nearly seven and the station is down the other end of the street.¡±


    ¡°I am sure he will understand. Go now, have fun studying.¡±


    Leona stood up and took off, leaving Adey still sitting at the table finishing off his coffee. He was still smiling as she waved to him. He gave a curt little wave. She rushed, walking as fast as she could without running. It didn''t take too long, but it took long enough. It was after quarter past seven when she got to the spot where she was supposed to meet Tyran.

 Chapter 4

    Leona skid to a halt before Tyran, who was leaning casually against the glass windows around the outside of the train station. She dropped her bag at his feet and leant forward, hands on her knees, chest heaving as it tried to drag air into her lungs.


    Tyran pulled himself off the window and into a standing position with a casual ease and raised an eyebrow in her direction.


    ¡°Why were you running?¡± he asked, turning his head to look down the street, trying to keep his eyes away from her. The position she was currently standing in would mean if he was caught looking he would get a slap on his face. ¡°The tram comes every ten or minutes.¡±


    ¡°You... never said... we... we¡¯re catching a tram,¡± she replied around her huffing and puffing.


    ¡°Well, here it comes now. We should cross so we can catch it.¡±


    Tyran leant down and grabbed her bag by the straps and moved off to the lights. Leona followed after a moment. The walk light turned green and they crossed. Then waited and crossed again.


    ¡°You know, I should have just met you on this corner, but I didn¡¯t know how well you knew Melbourne.¡±


    Leona sighed wearily. A yellow tram pulled up alongside them and they quickly jumped on. Tyran produced two tickets from his pocket and put them into the ticket machine. Tram 96 rumbled away. Leona sat in a vacant seat, Tyran remained standing near where she sat, watching her bag and his own bag, which were on the floor.


    The tram trundled along, stopping every now and again when it reached a tram stop. Tyran was looking out the window, so Leona did the same, watching the city go past. Eventually though Tyran tapped her on the shoulder and then pushed the ''next stop'' button. He grabbed the bags and waited.


    The tram stopped outside of Luna Park and the two of them got out with quite a few others. The sun beamed down warmly on them in St Kilda and Tyran took off in the direction of the beach. Leona followed blindly. They crossed the road and started following the path that ran along the beach.


    The sun was still well in the sky when Tyran stopped. Not too far from where the tram had been, but it was enough that they couldn¡¯t see the roads anymore. Buildings still towered into their view, and the city was clearly visible in the distance, but it seemed quite peaceful there. A few people were exercising along the path, running with their dogs, or skateboarding.


    Tyran walked down onto the sand and dumped the bags on the ground with care. He quickly opened his own and pulled forth a blanket which he lay on the beach. He grabbed a few books from his bag and placed them on the blanket, then sat. He motioned for Leona to sit, so she did.


    Leona looked out over the waves after sitting, her stomach tightening a little. She glanced at Tyran, who was still unpacking a few things. He placed books down, as well as a folder crammed with paper. She turned her attention back to the waves, blushing just a little.


    ¡°There is still something missing...¡± Tyran mumbled almost to himself as he started to sit. Halfway to the ground though he stopped, and Leona twisted her head to look up at him. ¡°I know what¡¯s missing. If you open this book to chapter nine and start reading, I will go and get it.¡± He grabbed a book from the pile he had there and then turned and walked back the way they had just come.


    Leona took the book gingerly in one of her hands and watched as he started walking away. She was confused as to what was going on, but decided to leave it alone. She wasn¡¯t going to fight him. It felt good having guys going to all lengths to try and make you happy. Even if you were supposed to be studying with him. Didn¡¯t most study sessions in movies and television shows end up in kissing?


    She blushed as that thought started swirling around her mind. She clutched the book he had given her tightly against her clothing.


    The crash of a wave snapped her out of it and she released her hold on the book. Quickly she looked around to make sure he was not back already and saw that he was not within sight. The book dropped down to her lap and she decided she better do as he said and have a look at it.


    She ran a finger along the cover and read the words on the front. It was definitely a text book, but not one she had been told about in class. It also had a feeling of age, as if this had been passed down from generation to generation. She turned the pages, careful as they seemed to crackle with what must be age. She eventually got to chapter nine and started reading from the top.


    She blinked a little. She read the titled of the chapter for a second time and started reading the paragraphs again. More intently now though. It seemed what she was reading now was related directly to what they were working on, and what their assignment was. She was a little confused as to why there had never been any mention of this text before, if it worked so closely with what they were studying. But she shrugged that aside and was just glad that Tyran had been able to bring it to her attention.


    She was deep into the book when Tyran came back, carrying two cups of coffee. Leona didn¡¯t notice him at first, but she was forced to look up when he coughed. Her eyes caught onto the cup he was holding up to her. She gingerly took it, mouthing the word thank you, and moved it around the book in a wide arc and placed it on the sand just off the blanket, twisting it to make sure it had a good grip in the sand and wasn¡¯t going to fall down.


    After her cup was secure she went right back to reading the book. Tyran just started talking over the top of her.


    ¡°You''ll find that the text you are reading holds almost everything you need to complete the current assignment. But what¡¯s written there is far from complete in and of itself. When read with these other two texts you begin to have a better understanding of what the subject is about, and how it all works in together. But you need to start from the start.¡±


    Leona raised her eyes to look at the other two text books. They also had the aged look to them. Creases along the binding also showed they had been used quite a lot by whoever had owned them.


    ¡°I won¡¯t keep you here long Leona, there¡¯s a lot to take in in that book. Chapter nine is quite extensive. I just thought you needed to get a basis to work with for the assignment. I''ll let you read for another half an hour, then help you back to the tram. You don¡¯t really seem familiar with the area,¡± Tyran stated as he was sipping his coffee.


    Leona just nodded a little as she read. She hadn''t thought she would be able to sit there just reading. Not when she was in the hot sun, on the beach, with one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. But she was.


    Soon enough though Tyran grabbed the spine of the book and closed it in front of her face. Leona jumped a little and gave a little gasp. Tyran withdrew the book from her grasp and started packing it and the others back into his bag.


    ¡°Now, Leona, we need to organise another time to meet.¡±


    ¡°Um, yes we do. I think with your help Tyran, I could easily pass the next assignment. I just hope next time I am not so boring and sit there reading the whole time. I didn¡¯t even drink the coffee you brought me.¡±


    ¡°That is of no consequence. I didn¡¯t ask if you wanted it, I just gave it to you. But how does Sunday sound to you?¡±


    ¡°I am very sorry Tyran. I already have plans for Sunday.¡±


    ¡°Then next Monday it is. I will not be around for the rest of the week.¡±


    ¡°Next Monday then.¡±


    Leona twisted the tip of her forefinger on her lips then threw her bag up to her shoulder and motioned for Tyran to lead the way back towards the tram.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The following days Leona was content. Her studies were finally progressing, and she thought she might actually do well with the coming assignment. Tyran was nowhere to be seen, as he had said he wouldn¡¯t, but Adey was showering her with attention. And Leona was enjoying it. The other girls in their class seemed slightly jealous though.


    Sunday rolled around eventually though. Not as quickly as Leona would have liked, but she hoped it would take its time to pass, as she wanted to savour every moment.


    She sat on a chair behind one of the tables near the Crown Casino food court, a coffee in front of her. She looked out over the bridge and down the river banks to see if she could see Adey. She looked at her watch. He was supposed to be here forty-five minutes ago. What was keeping him? She tapped the table in front of her and resisted looking at her watch again.


    ¡°I thought you had plans,¡± Tyran''s voice sounded from behind her, smooth and deep as usual.


    Leona started, she had been oblivious to what was happening behind her.


    ¡°Mind if I sit down?¡± He pulled out a chair anyway, ¡°I was on my way into the casino, and saw you sitting here all alone. You had told me you had plans for today.¡±


    ¡°I did have plans. I mean I do have plans,¡± she looks at her watch again and sighed, ¡°No, I was right the first time. I did have plans. But it seems they are falling apart around me. I was supposed to meet Adey here nearly an hour ago.¡±


    ¡°Well, Leona, it seems as though he has stood you up.¡±


    Tyran looks at his own watch and gives a little wince.


    ¡°I have to go, my game starts in about ten minutes. Would you like to come watch?¡±


    Leona looked back and forth along the river again and across the bridge. She couldn¡¯t see Adey. But people had started gathering very thickly along the edge of the bridge and the banks of the river. A few were pointing into the river, and a couple seemed to be throwing up.


    ¡°I think... I think I...¡± she stood up and then her eyes narrowed as she started hearing sirens. Police started walking along the river and the bridge, pulling people away from the edge.


    ¡°I think I would like to see what is going on before we go, please,¡± she started making her way to the river and noticed that Tyran followed her with a little shrug. They made their way as quickly as they could to the edge, where the police had started blocking the way.


    In the river things were floating along, and after a few moments Leona could see that they were body parts. Not just a whole body. This body had been cut or ripped to pieces and left to float down the Yarra. The river swelled and the head came into view. Tyran gasped and Leona vomited onto the grass.


    Tyran helped her get to a crouching position on the grass in case she vomited again. He moved towards the barricade a little.


    ¡°Officer,¡± he called out, waving for a policeman to come over. One came quickly and stood before the two of them.


    ¡°Please, we are very busy here, we cannot answer any questions about what is in the water,¡± the officer spoke as if he had been saying the same thing all afternoon.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have a question, officer,¡± Tyran raised his arm and pointed at the body parts in the water, ¡°but we do know who that is.¡±


    The officer spoke briefly into the short wave radio resting on his shoulder. He lifted the barricade and helped Tyran get Leona onto the river side of it. People around them started complaining, but the officer took them away from the crowd a little. More officers came and stood around them. A number went off to hold back the watchers who were curious about these two who knew who the body parts were.


    ¡°I am Detective Graham,¡± a man in a suit stood before them before crouching down to be at Leona''s height, ¡°I know this must be hard for you if you truly do know this person. But I need you to be strong. Now, who are you?¡±


    ¡°My name is Tyran Vitus,¡± Tyran looked the detective directly in the eyes and the detective looked away quickly.


    Leona managed to get her name out through the dry retching she had started doing.


    ¡°Leona Remus.¡±


    Tyran blinked quickly a few times and the detective looked at him briefly for a moment then back between him and Leona. His eyebrows narrowed.


    ¡°Ok, so care to tell me who this is?¡±


    Leona looked out into the river and gave Tyran a nudge so that he could tell him.


    ¡°Detective Graham, the person out there, is one of our classmates. Adey. He was going to university with us.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god. This is not good,¡± he said in hushed tones, ¡°now, you¡¯re absolutely sure about this?¡±


    ¡°I was supposed to meet him here a few hours ago, sir,¡± Leona said as she turned away from the river.


    A female officer took a blanket and wrapped it around Leona''s shoulder, holding her close and whispering to her that it was going to be alright. The detective stood and walked a few paces away, grabbing one of the officers by the shirt sleeve as he went to pull a notebook out. They spoke quietly together, but both Leona and Tyran could hear them.


    ¡°Detective, do you want me to take statements from them?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you. I don¡¯t want us getting involved with him. It will bring too many problems down on us in the long run. Take down the victim¡¯s name and let the Vitus go. The Remus girl probably needs to be looked after a little before we release her. But if this Vitus offers to take her, then let him.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem? I have not heard of him before.¡±


    ¡°The Vitus'' own so many buildings in this city it¡¯s not funny. They are behind so much that goes on. Just stay out of their way.¡±


    ¡°Mob?¡±


    ¡°No, not even close. They actually do make money legitimately. Just do it.¡±


    The officer shrugged and walked over to the two of them. He flipped his notebook open and took his pen in hand.


    ¡°Could you repeat that name again, and tell me the university.¡±


    They did so as briefly as they could and soon the officer was telling Tyran to head off. Leona looked at him as he walked off, following his back as it trailed through the crowd. The officer was talking to her but she didn¡¯t notice. They helped her up and took her to a squad car. They seemed to be asking her a question, but she couldn¡¯t make it out. Her mouth moved and words must have come out, but she wasn¡¯t sure what she had said. The officers nodded and drove away, dropping her off at home.


    She walked up to her room in a state of daze. Everything was going crazy right now. She had known Tyran was wealthy, but not that detectives would be scared of him. Adey was dead too, she had really liked him. Things were starting to go crazy in her life.


    Gorat and Ida came into the room and started speaking with her. She answered their questions without thinking, but kept out everything she now knew about Tyran. They stood up and looked at each other. When they spoke again it didn¡¯t seem to be directed at her, but rather just between themselves. But for the first time since she had seen the detective she was hearing things properly.


    ¡°Ida, a killing like this can only mean one thing.¡±


    ¡°You are right Gorat. The vampires are still in Melbourne. We may need to deal with them before too long.¡±


    ¡°We must keep Leona out of it though.¡±


    They walked out the door and closed it behind them. Leona lay on her bed and fell asleep. Her dreams were troubled by nightmares.