Darkness (for now...)

Chapter Three

*Ariah's P.O.V.* 

I'm sitting there by the water fountain minding my own business when, suddenly, I'm tapped on the shoulder.  Needless to say I just about jumped ten feet into the air, and turn around in a fury,

"What!?"  and stop in my tracks stunned. My eyes connect with his and suddenly I'm lost again.  Just like before, only this time it's worse, because I know what's coming.  I fiddle with the rings on my hands, the only jewelry I will ever wear, and look at my feet.

 "What do you want Coen?"  Why can't he stay away?  Oh, yeah.  He was assigned to my job.  Figures.  I feel him crouch down beside me, and I scoot over to keep some distance between us.

 "It's beautiful here.  No wonder this is your hiding place."  He smiles and looks out at the couples dancing in the water.  "Remember when that was us?"  He asks voice saddened.  

"That was NEVER us.  We always had something like work in the way."  I snap feeling wounded.  

Coen hangs his head. "You're right, I'm sorry.  What I meant was that was how we used to feel, like we could dance around in water fountains at the park for everyone to see."  He finally looks towards me.

 "Ry?"  

I bury my face in my arms. "Ry is gone, so is Ariah.  My name is Morlei as far as anyone knows, and that's how it's going to stay."  I start to stand to walk away, when I feel my arm being held back.  

"Please give me another chance."  He pleads.  " We can work this out."

"After two years?  That ship has long since sailed Coen."  I jerk my arm away and start stomping off.

"What do you think Grant is going to say?  He was the one who put us together and seems pretty set on keeping us that way."  Coen calls after me.  

I call back without looking back at him, "Grant can shove it where the sun don't shine.  I could care less what he wants right now."

"He can fire you then.  He's not one to put up with this kind of BS, and you know it."  

I stop and turn sharply on my heel.  "Why should I care?  I can always get another job that doesn't require me to pose as a high schooler, Or I could even join with his competion and he knows it."   Coen sighs and runs his hands through his hair.  His incredibly soft hair....I miss him.  Shaking my head sharply I dispel any and all thoughts of how things used to be.

"Fine.  We can be partners, BUT, just partners.  Nothing more."

He nods his head all business like.  "It's a deal.  Nothing more."  He adds grudgingly  "Morlei."

I nod my head in return.  "Good, now we can get to work.  The information I have received has been pointing to the probable appearance of Vampyres."  I do everything in my power to not look at him, I do not need to moon over him.  Especially since I am the one who initiated the 'only partners' rule.

"But, you've dealt with Vampyres before.  Why does Grant think you need a partner for this?"   Coen looks at me.  I hope he can't see what I'm thinking...That would be bad.

"Because Grant beleives that this particular Vampyre is the Alpha.  It's a big job."

"Really?   I'm surprised that Grant trusts anyone but himself to work on this."

I shuffle my feet and look down at my rings.  "He doesn't but I made him give me a challenge.  I guess I got what I asked for."  Yeah Morlei you definitely got yourself a challenge.  I say to myself grimly.

Here we are again at another end of a chapter..I'm sorry that updates are taking so long to get out. I've been so busy with school plays and stuff like that.  As soon as the play is done I'm gonna work harder at updating more often. :)  At least until the next play :) 

But, please Vote Comment all that lovely stuff :)

and have a great day full of laughter!

-What are you waiting for?