WhitWhit & Mishy...The SEQUEL xD

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

My sharp ears caught a commotion outside, someone running past my room, probably in a rush for some meeting. I vaguely heard a familiar voice hiss out in barely contained fury and I shot up, my head spinning. Ray. Great, what now? Then I heard soft thud and a gasp, and my instincts flared to life. I jumped up and ran over to the door, swinging it open, wary of what was going on out here. What I saw made me snap and completely lose it. Ray was clutching the left side of her face, Jake towering over her menacingly with a disgusted scowl that made me wish I could pummel his face in right there and then. Then again, I might as well did that. I barely caught the soft sound that escaped Ray as she stood, hunched over. It was a sound of pain. Red clouded my vision, and the next thing I knew, I was out the door and had Jake by the throat, slammed up against the wall. "You'll pay for that." I snarled vehemently, barely recognising the fury that burned through me. He had hit her. The bastard had fucking. Hit. Her. I snarled again, watching with grim satisfaction as his face turned purple in front of me and he gasped like a fish out of water, suffocating. Good.

[Whitney]

Ray

Dammit. Thorn was here. As I rub my aching jaw, I press a hand to his shoulder, clutching it hard and tight, as I tried to pull back. But he didn't budge, of course. His hard muscles and tendons were straining so hard that veins popped up along his arms and neck. "Thorn, please. Stop. He didn't mean it." Although Jake did mean, and he enjoyed it, I still didn't want him to get killed. Which I knew he was, because his face was red and purple. I relish the sight of it for only a moment, before I put both of my hands on Thorn's shoulders and pull him back. I cross my forearm over his chest, clutching him to me like he'd disappear any minute. I put my lips against his ear. "Thorn, stop. For me." Jake made a strangled sound, as he claws at Thorn's hand that was crushing his throat.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

((btw, he's still naked. In his full gloryness ;D))

Thorn

I growled, not wanting to listen to the voice by my ear. Not wanting to listen to how it pleaded, how it trusted. The knowing and firm touch on my arm almost broke through my barrier, but it was the voice that pulled me out of the volatile depths I once swore to never give in to again. I broke my gaze from the man's and turned to look into the emerald green ones I considered beautiful, my eyes no doubt bright and shining, out of control in its anger. Wild. But slowly, she brought me back, and I became humanely aware of my surroundings once again. That didn't mean my fury had diminished though, and my grip on Jake's throat didn't waver. "He. Hit. You." My voice was tight, controlled, but scorching anger underlay my words, the tension so thick even I worried if I would break again.

[Whitney]

((*stuttering gasps*))

I almost thought Thorn was going to go berserk on me, the look in his eyes was completely feral and dangerous and lethal. It scared me, but I had to fight through my fears and embrace what was going on now. I look him in the eye with my soft ones. "He did, no doubt will I deal with him later, though. I promise you I will." I throw a animal-like smile in Jake's direction, noting that his eyes had rolled back in his head. "You're killing him, Thorn. Release him." I plead, as my eyebrows scrunch up in--God forbid me--worry and fear for Jake. I tighten my hold around Thorn's bare chest, clutching his shoulders against me.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

((bahahahaha!! *evil laughter* B) ))

Thorn

I turned back to Jake now, disgust and fury clear in my features before I released him abruptly and he dropped to his knees on the ground like a rag doll. Then I went down on my knee close to him and leaned close so that I hissed softly into his ear, just between me and him, "I can crush your throat with just a flex of my arm. Remember that the next time you do something that makes you wish you had never been born. I don't care if you lock me up for this little stunt, if you pull something like that again--and I will know--I. Will. Kill. You." The threat was loud and clear, even if my voice was barely above a whisper, and I smiled grimly at the look of utter and pure terror that clouded his eyes at my words. Then I stood up and whirled around to face Ray, grabbing her arm as gently as I could and pulled her along with me as I stalked back towards my room.

[Whitney]

Ray

I couldn't hear the words that Thorn had said, but the last four words were loud and clear as day. It made me both terrified and thrilled at the same time; the fact that Thorn was that protective of me, made me want to kiss him until my lips bled. My heart drops to my stomach, though, seeing the pure disbelief and horror on Jake's face. I suddenly love that look on him. Since I've known him, he was this spoiled little brat that thought he knew everything. But seeing as how someone put him in his place. It was priceless. As Thorn grabbed me, his angle making me walk backwards, I saw that Jake was looking at me with a satisfied expression. I knew right then what he was going to do, and it scared the hell out of me. He was going to make sure that Thorn was killed now because of this.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

I nudged Ray in first before slamming the door and locking it shut, then turned to her, my eyes zeroing in on the red mark and dark bruise that had already started to form at the base of her jaw. I stepped closer and reached a hand out to gently grasp her chin, slowly turning her head to the side so I could inspect the damage better. I cursed softly under my breath, through my touch, already feeling the extent Jake's punch did to her. I was mad, frustrated and worried for this woman. What a nice feeling. "Its not broken, but its pretty beaten up." I murmured, my eyes narrowing as I studied the swell, wishing I had some ice. Then I released my hold on her and went to the cupboard, swinging it open and grabbing a small towel. I headed to the bathroom and washed it under the icy-cold water, then came back out to put it gently underneath her chin, over the bruise. "It won't do much, but at least it'll slow the swelling."

[Whitney]

Ray

I felt so little, so small, when Thorn touched me. But it made me feel cared for, as a fluttery feeling appeared in my stomach and chest. And I never had that feeling before, believe it or not. I had been beaten up by Jake before, but I always got him back when he wasn't looking. It was always a feud between him and I. Then, I notice something I should have noticed when Thorn first came in the room. He. Was. Butt-ass. Naked. Oh my, God. As he went into the bathroom, his backside was facing me. I almost felt my eyes flutter at the sight. Talk about buns of steel on this man. By the Angel. Then, he came back with a towel in hand, but I wasn't worried about the towel. My eyes kept glancing down towards his abdomen every few seconds, completely transfixed. Knock it off, Ray. Gutterminded freak. "Thanks," I mumble numbly, as soon as I opened my mouth, pain coursed through my entire face. "Ow." I mouth silently, rubbing the given towel on my jaw.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

((holy shit, you got me laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes xD))

Thorn

I handled her with the care you would treat a precious piece of diamond, my touch so light and gentle, when only moments before, it had threatened to crush a man's windpipe. "Careful." I chided her softly when she winced, then led her over to the bed to sit down on. I crouched down in front of her, nothing else in my mind but to help her with her injury. I gritted my teeth then. Jake should have died. I would have gladly killed him for Ray. I penned that down on my list of things-to-do-when-I-get-the-hell-outta-here. Reaching forward, I let my hand settle over hers, slowing down her movements, "Not so fast. What're you trying to do, dislocate it further?" I muttered vaguely, frowning when she didn't show too much care for herself.

[Whitney]

((LOLOLOL. xD))

Ray

I let a smile creep slowly on my face, careful to not let it go too wide because of the dull pain in my jaw. "I'm fine, Thorn." I whisper softly, as I reach my hand out to cup my palm against his cheek, running my thumb under his eye lightly. I pin my eyes on his. "I might stroke out, though, if you don't put on some pants or something." My voice was hoarse and strangled as I look at him with eyes ablaze. I wanted to smile wider, but I couldn't, as my gaze fills with laughter. Although, I didn't want him to put on any clothes, the sight of him in all his nakedness was about as good as it gets. But my chest was pounding threateningly.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

((;P))

Thorn

My eyebrows furrowed. Pants? What one earth is she talking abo--I glanced down and my eyes widened a second later. Ohh. Then I shot up and quickly whirled around, my face flaming. "Ah, right. Real sorry 'bout that. Wasn't thinking when I dashed out to find out what the commotion was all about." I muttered as I ducked over to the bathroom to retrieve my jeans, then tugged them back on, clearly in a rush that I stumbled a little and bumped against the sink counter. "Ow, shit!" Hissing as I rubbed the bump, I trudged back out, avoiding her gaze. "Sorry." I muttered again and stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. Dammit. How could I have forgotten to put on pants?! That meant I'd even flashed Jake--shudder--my goods. Hell, I ran a hand over my face, scowling at my idiocy.

[Whitney]

((LMFAO. xDDDD Oh, Gawd.))

Ray

I immediately cupped my hand over my mouth, swallowing down a booming laugh that was in my throat. Dear, Lord. He was so adorable when he was embarrassed. I stood up then, walking over to stand in front of him. "It's alright, promise you that." I wink with a smile on my face, not even caring about the searing pain as I did so. I turn my back on him though, and towards the door. "I'll leave now." I open the door swiftly, clutching the towel to my jaw bone. I need to go outside and get some fresh out. If I was bad off before I ran into Jake, this time was far more worse. I felt like I just saw the most precious gold in the whole world, and I was the only one that had seen it. Face aflame, I look over my shoulder at him. "Thanks,"

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

((heh heh))

Thorn

I nodded almost dazedly, watching her leave. It was like I was kicked out of my body and forced to helplessly watch as I made no move to call her back or even walk after her. Dammit. What was wrong with me? "Just--take care of yourself, Ray." I ended up softly murmuring, looking after her with a half-frown, half-amused look. I wondered briefly back to her words when she said she would deal with Jake, then almost scoffed. With what I'd just pulled, I might as well have sentenced myself to my own death.

[Whitney]

Ray

I didn't go back to my room, I just went back in the direction that I was going in before Jake hit me. My jaw was stinging and throbbing like crazy, but it wasn't like I hadn't felt something like this before. It's just...been a while. As I rounded the corner to go into the kitchen, the round table came into view, and Jake was sitting there, along with Angie, Rick, Ashton, Bailey, and--oh, God--Lars. Angie and Bailey were your average girls. Same lean build and same red hair. They were sisters and they hated me as much as I did them. Ashton was the type of boy your wouldn't want your daughter to date, with his black hair and black eyes, and his rock star looks. And Lars, oh Lars. He was my ex, and he was still as handsome as I remembered him, with his light brown hair and green eyes, his muscular body tensing when he saw me. Hell, they all did. Jake especially, but he didn't look as intimidated though. I scrunch my face up at all of them before I headed out the door and onto the porch. I walk off of it and onto the dirt ground. It was still dark, but I could see a hint of dawn breaking over the mountains.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

((OMG. I could kiss you for what you just pulled!!))

Thorn

I was being internally nagged to go after Ray, make sure she made it safely to her room--two doors down. I hadn't heard the sound of a door opening or closing, so that left the option that she went off to somewhere. To deal with Jake? Now that my mind was clear, I could've kicked myself for not seeing the damage I would have caused the second my hand went around the little bastard's neck. I put Ray's position--whatever that was--in jeopardy. Shit. She didn't need that. My mood souring now, I decided the only way to clear this was to pin everything on me. They'd remind Ray she was still responsible for me, but I'd show them how I'd test the patience of even a doe. I walked over to the door and creaked it open, wondering which way to go and exactly where the hell I was in this ginormous house.

[Whitney]

((EEEP! What'd I do? D:))

Ray

I was at the forest line now, leaning against a tree with my arms tightly across my chest. My jaw still tingled every now and then when I opened by mouth or move it a certain way. I take a deep breath of the fresh air that felt way too good to be true, in this situation. Scooting down the tree gently, avoiding splinters and bark from digging into me, I sit on the ground with my legs stretched in front of me. I suddenly wanted to cry right then and there. From the pain in my jaw, to the way Thorn treated me. From pain to warmth it seems like. No one has ever treated me like the way he did just a few moments ago. Hell, Lars never treated me like that, and that's what made me even sadder. I feel a group of tears falling before I register the stinging. Then, I feel a presence behind me. I look back, my neck craning at an almost painful angle, and see Lars and Jake standing on the porch, just watching me. Great. Just what I fucking need. "You know, it's really weird to be staring and stalking." I didn't hear even a breath leave the two, but what I did hear, is several steps being taken in my direction.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

((haha, KISS babe, not KICK xD))

Thorn

I found a stairway at the end of the corridor, and took it down, hoping to hell I wouldn't get lost in the middle of a self-proclaimed mission. It wouldn't look good on my résumé. I almost wanted to whoop with joy when I found myself back downstairs, the kitchen I was in earlier to the left and the table where the Shadowhunters had sat further off to the right in another room. There wasn't anyone around though. It was like a ghost town down here. Frowning, I looked about, trying to find a human soul and trying my damned hardest not to let my thoughts stray to Ray and wonder where she was and whether she was in trouble.

[Whitney]

((I know! xD But what'd I do? O3O))

Ray

A hand clamps down on my shoulder, squeezing hard yet softly. My instincts almost kicked in, but I knew I wasn't in any real danger here. Although, I was seriously pissed off at the moment. I look up slowly, and find myself staring into the green eyes that I once loved. Lars. "What're you doing out here?" He asks gently. I shook his hand off my shoulder, my face contorting in disgust. The prick. I look behind him, and saw that Ashton and the sisters were standing on the porch with Jake. What the hell? "I'm just getting fresh air. Jesus." I say to Lars, but kept my eyes on the group behind him. "What's everybody doing? I'm not allowed to go outside or something?" I remark almost snidely, my tone going dark. Lars only smiled and shook his head, his hair falling into his eyes. "We're just worried about you. You seem...too attached to the demon, Ray." I immediately wanted to punch him for that, to scream at him and tell the whole world to fuck off.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

((Introduce her ex-boyfriend ;) ))

Thorn

Where the hell was everybody? Unless it was their idea to suddenly abandon me in a large cabin in the middle of the woods, a feeling of incredulity swept through me. They were Shadowhunters, they wouldn't be so reckless as to just leave me alone here. So then why couldn't I find anyone? Then my ears picked up voices wafting from behind the kitchen. I strode inside, my eyes darting about, frowning when I realised it came from outside. I followed the long route through the back kitchen and came to the porch door--and halted in my steps. Four Shadowhunters--probably the ones I saw when I came into the house--stood just outside, their voices low and strained as they argued amongst themselves. My eyes narrowed when I saw that Jake was one of them, and my fists actually clenched at the thought of ripping his throat out. Then my view slid off them to land on two figures just by the edge of the forest. My heart leapt. Ray. Then it stuttered. Someone was with her. A guy. And from the way it looked, they seemed pretty cozy. My teeth started to hurt from the way I was grinding them so hard.

[Whitney]

((Hale yeah. ;D I thought that's what you meant. xD))

Ray

I immediately felt Thorn's presence from behind me. It was like I could feel him anywhere within fifty feet away from me. I look over my shoulder again, and see him hovering behind Jake, Ashton, and the sisters. He looked like he was ready to pounce on anyone that would talk to him wrong. I knew Lars had to have known to, because he tensed but didn't look back, he just kept staring at me like I was the most treasured thing on the planet. I return to looking straight ahead, at nothing in particular. "What's gotten into you, Ray? You seem...not yourself." I felt him sit down beside me, only a few inches between us. White-hot anger flowed through my veins, burning me up inside, as I whip my head around to face him. "What would you know about how I've been acting lately?" My voice came out harsh and accusing. Man, I seriously hated everyone at the moment. Lars only smiled and leaned forward, his lips close to my ear. "Because I knew you too well, Sunshine." His old nickname for me made me clench my hands into fight fists.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

((I did ;) ))

Thorn

Blinding, unadulterated, red-filled rage. That was what I felt as I watched the scene before me. No, scratch that, it was the only thing I felt. So much so that the familiar dread, growling unsettled presence stirred inside of me, threatening to resurface as it had not half and hour before. I battled with my inner demon (pun intended) and struggled to push it back down. No. After so many years of keeping it under wraps, keeping it lying peaceful, even if I felt it simmering just below the surface, it still managed to reawaken just as easily. I closed my eyes in pain, feeling the old sensation of having a part of my soul being torn apart overcome me again. How? How did she manage to do this every single time? First with Jake and now...The second I shoved everything back, I took in a shuddering breath and pushed open the door. Loudly. Announcing my presence. I kept my eyes glued onto the little posse of Shadowhunters in front of me and drawled out with the best lazy voice I could muster up under the strained circumstances, "What does a guy have to do to get a decent meal around here?"

[Whitney]

Ray

I felt a wave of relief spread over me, making me close my eyes at the sound of Thorn's voice. Without warning, I got up and walk briskly towards the porch and up the steps. If I stayed there, talking with the others any longer, I would definitely loose my shit. As I start to pass Thorn to get inside the cabin, I grab his shoulder, turning him away from the others and lightly push him back into the kitchen. "I'll fix you something." I look up at him with a brief smile, as we entered the kitchen. "What do you want?" I open the fridge and look inside, trying to keep my mind off of what Thorn probably just had seen. I knew he had to be mad, because I could basically feel heat coming off him as he sat down at the dining table behind me.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

Five heads swivelled around to find me staring levelly back at them with cool eyes, a silent challenge to their surprised gazes. I could see Jake opening his mouth, eyes narrowed as he got ready to deliver a scathing retort, but Ray beat him to it, abandoning her post by the tree with her...admirer--even the word tasted foul in my head--and propelled me back into the house. But not before I caught the eye of the guy who she'd just been comfy with. He had a nice pair of green peepers that glinted sharply as he stared after Ray walking away from him. Ha. Then he locked gazes with me and I let a hint of a smirk just barely shadow my face before I turned around and headed back into the house. I barely heard Ray's questions as I stalked in after her, already catching the angry whispers that had started up the second we disappeared into the house. Simmering, I could only move over to the counter and lean against it, folding my arms across my...bare chest. I faltered a bit. Why the hell was it that after every encounter with her, I seem to lose more and more clothes?

[Whitney]

Ray

I close the refrigerator door, as I hear another pair of footsteps enter the kitchen. I glance toward the sounds, and almost cursing myself for doing so. Lars had entered the premises, sauntering over to lean against the counter beside me. I was sandwiched between two beautiful guys. Lord, help me. I look at Lars, to find him staring at Thorn with his mouth set into a hard line, his bulging muscular arms crossed over his chest deliberately. Then, I look at Thorn, seeing him staring right back. But his eyes held a different kind of hatred than Lars' did. His eyes were white and seething, making my own sockets burn as I look at him. I didn't even dare to break the silence between the two, in fear of them turning their heated gazes on me. Then, I notice that Thorn was bare-chested and breathing heavy. Dear Jesus. My eyes followed the trail of light brown hair starting under his navel and disappearing beneath his pants.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

The demon reared up again and I was almost tempted to let it take over, but instead, I settled for a cutting remark, my smile icy, "About time, Jeeves. Get to work on that sandwich, hm?" My voice was light and degrading as I motioned to the human puppy who had tagged along into the house and conveniently positioned himself on Ray's other side. Asshole. Then he had to take it a step further with those folded arms. If Ray weren't in between us right then, there wouldn't be a thing holding me back from throttling the life out of this guy I barely knew and had just met. Hatred was a harsh word. More like a loathing, detesting, vile, revulsion. Yeah, that was it. The way he glared back at me almost did me in too. It was a look that said back off. Three guesses to who he was telling me to back off from. My posture was deliberately relaxed, and I knew he knew that too. I wanted him to know exactly how much of a threat I was to him, I wanted him to know I wasn't the least bit scared of him. I had no reason to. The swirling sharp anger I read in his eyes was nothing to what I felt. If only he could see...he'd run screaming back to the ugly hole he crawled out from, with his tail in between his legs. The thought of that made my smirk even more pronounced.

[Whitney]

Ray

Oh, God. I send Thorn a look that should have told him to shut the hell up. Even though he was a demon, I was still scared at what Lars might do if they were to fight one another. He had a bad fighting history. Hell, I should know since we had one not long ago. I could tell he was fuming too, the look in his green eyes made me want to back off immediately, but then again, Thorn's eyes just made me want to run and never come back. Without knowing I had moved, I was raiding the fridge again for cheese, bologna, and mayonnaise. I grabbed a loaf of bread from the cupboard over head, and made Thorn his sandwich. Once done, I pushed the plate over in his direction, hoping to have some sort of eye contact with him. I made mine look soft yet firm, telling him to be quiet before something happens that could effect his current situation. I didn't want it to me harder on him, because it could effect me when I have to figure out a way for him to be found guilty.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

The lack of response from Scooby disappointed me, but hell if I let that show. Instead, I decided to be the better man and break off our little staring contest, even if we were far from done. Because, hey, who wouldn't notice the hot woman darting about the kitchen, trying to make me a meal? The second my eyes locked onto hers though, and I read the earnest plea in them, realising it was for me, a sharp, painful sense of betrayal washed over my cool feelings and I felt my eyes harden once again, "I've seemed to have lost my appetite." As I said this, my eyes moved over to Ray's admirer, but I snatched the plate up anyway. "But I'll be sure your efforts aren't wasted." My voice was cynical, directed towards her, and emphasising on the last word. Then I swept out of the room without a backward glance, feeling my heart constrict. She wanted to play that way? Fine. Behind doors we'd be all chummy, but outside, in front of her coworkers...Who was I kidding to think she meant something to me?

[Whitney]

Ray

I felt a stab of pain go through my heart, and all the way down my back. The look Thorn just gave me... It hurt me, and it had to have shown, because I clutched the kitchen's counter for support because I felt like dropping to my knees. I look behind me to see Lars smiling triumphantly, and turning around to walk outside with the others, without a backwards glance at me. The fucking bastard. When I turned back around, I see that Thorn was halfway down the hallway, almost to his room now. I had to run to catch up with him, and when I did, we were both standing outside of his door. "Thorn, please. I...I'm sorry he...was like that." I didn't know what else to say, which made me stutter a little. Boys never made me stutter. I look up at him with pleading eyes, aching for him to touch me or something. God, how I wanted him to touch me. I almost wanted to cry right then and there.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

I shook my head disgustedly. I'd heard the douchebag leave, heard her run after me, but I didn't know why I stopped just outside my room, waiting for her to catch up. Waiting for her to explain. Why? I wasn't in a position to ask for an explanation. She didn't have to say anything to me. Outside, I remained cold, letting my hard feelings get the better of me, "Isn't it obvious? He didn't like the sight of his girlfriend standing next to another guy." I aimed an accusing look at her. I knew I should have expected a girl like her to already be attached to someone. Or at least had a couple of exes. But the fact that I'd let her get into my head and mess everything, throw everything off balance with just one kiss, one touch, one look...She was quite the genius, playing me like that. Getting past my defences and slowly finding her way into me, stripping me layer by layer away. That was her plan all along. And I was a fool to have fallen for it. Hook, line and sinker.

[Whitney]

Ray

I let a confused look appear on my face, making me shake my head at his words. "We're not together, though. Once, we were, but not anymore. I assure you that." I could see hurt in his accusing look, and it made me want to seriously hurt Lars for what he just pulled. Sure, it might have been nothing, just standing there. But it was enough to send both mine and Thorn's relationship--if we even had one to begin with--overboard. I wanted to touch Thorn, to assure him that Lars wasn't with me, to assure him that I wanted him instead. God, forbid me, but I did. And it made me want to cry when he just kept his statue posture unmoving. I stood there, looking at him with soft yet painful eyes. It wasn't on purpose, to make him feel guilty. It was just how I felt at the moment.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

I let her words get inside me for a moment. Just a moment. And I could feel my eyes soften, but they held sorrow. "Even if you're not, you can't keep coming to me, Ray." I murmured, my voice unyielding and soft. "They know that. You'll get into trouble, and you're in enough of it as it is." Then slowly, I reached a single hand out, lightly touching her face, letting my fingers trail down her cheek. I let myself indulge in this moment for a few seconds. Then I pulled back out into painful reality. "Go, Ray." I said steely, my eyes going cold again, but still I didn't withdraw my hand, letting it move slowly down until it reached her neck, where it wrapped around her throat. I didn't put any pressure. I didn't need to, to see the fear slowly creep into her eyes. "Leave, before you forget what you're dealing with." I let my eyes glow silver, hoping the (empty) threat sounded good.

[Whitney]

Ray

His words hit me as hard as a car going one-hundred miles per hour. But the feel of his soft hand around my throat did scare me, it just wasn't enough to convince me that he was being honest. Although, I pushed it aside when his eyes glowed silver, as fear clenched my chest. I let pure hurt and pain show in my eyes, hoping it would effect him in some way. But they didn't, his eyes just glowed brighter silver. I turn my head away, before he saw the glistening tears in the corners of my eyes, and twist my way out of his grip. As I walk down the hallway to my room, I let the tears flow down my cheeks, making my eyes ache and burn. Hunching my back to keep from weeping, I open my door and almost flung myself into my room. Once the door was shut and locked, I slid down the wooden wall, a strangled sound escaping my throat.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

I just stood there, jaws clenched as I watched her stalk briskly away and slam herself into the room. She'd torn herself away from my touch like it was poison. Like she believed my words. And I could see how much I'd just ran her over, first the denial, then wary consideration, and finally the heartbreaking agony that felt even worst than having my soul ripped into half. The sight of the tears she refused to let escape etched itself permanently into my mind, and self-loathing filled me at what I'd just had to pull. But I couldn't have let anything else happen, because then it would lead to revealing buried feelings I thought I couldn't have and wasn't ready to admit. I didn't want to believe we were anything close to that. I couldn't. And now that I changed her view of me, I hoped that would be the last time I'd ever had to do that to her. She needed to be hard on me during the trial. Oh, make no mistake, I'd get out, one way or another, but it was already bad enough that I was involved with her. For the both of us. The sound of her muffled choke behind the door made me flinch, and I finally dropped my guard, my whole body sagging and my shoulders dropping. I'm sorry.

[Whitney]

Ray

I knew right then that I wouldn't get any sleep tonight. The fast pace of my heart beating wasn't helping, and the sting of my eyes each time I closed them kept me wide away. I just lay there in my bed, still fully clothed. I could still feel unshed tears behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall any longer. I was stronger than this, to let a guy get to me like this. But Thorn wasn't just a guy, he was a demon, and that made it that much worse for me to stop thinking about it. I know that should be the last thing I'd think about, but it just appealed to me more, believe it or not. That's when I hated myself for falling for a demon. Falling for him. I just realized it right then. I was falling for Thorn, and not like I had fallen for Lars. This was totally different. What I felt for Thorn was deeper than that, more passionate. I knew I shouldn't be, for the little time that we've known each other, but damn it was there and it was hard. For the rest of the night, I just lay there in my misery, thinking about the trial date for Thorn that was now two and a half days away. What am I going to do?

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

I left. Well, not officially, seeing as how I had no idea where the fuck I was. Just snuck out of the house and walked about in the woods, careful to note the direction the cabin was at before the trees engulfed me. Before I crept out the door, I'd heard another meeting going on, just behind closed doors, the voices low and heated, agitated. In a way, I found it funny. They had a captive they presumed as dangerous running free in the house and had only one of theirs to guard me. Then again, Ray hadn't actually been guarding me. Just the thought of her name brought another tidal wave of feelings to come crashing down over me and I struggled to push it all back. I couldn't think about her now. After that little scene, I might as well had just kissed our little...us goodbye. Instead, I forced myself to think of the trial, and how I would get myself out of there if I was found--unreasonably--guilty. I had the assurance now that Ray would give everything she had in her to see me locked up and on the death row. That was fine. Not. In all honesty, it clearly troubled me, but I couldn't afford to think like that now. I slid out my phone, running through my mental list of who I could get to bail me out on the high chance that I was tossed into the cells--and not the comfy ones I'd been staying in. A name soon came to me, and I grinned.

[Whitney]

Ray

I knew Thorn had come out of his room, because I heard a door open and bang shut in the direction of where he was staying. I didn't bother getting up, in hopes that he'd come to my room, to at least apologize. But he really didn't need to, because it was the truth that he said a few moments ago. I had to let go of him before things get too serious between us. I mean, he was a demon for God's sake. Shadowhunters definitely do not mingle among them, seeing as how they're our prey. But sometimes, it's the other way around. With the Shadowhunter's heightened hearing rune, I could hear a meeting going on two rooms down. Jake and Lars were arguing among themselves, while Ashton and the sisters stayed quiet. "He's got to be put down, Jake. Did you see how he looked at me? Hell, he almost killed you!" His voice had grown frantic, and I could tell he was pacing. He always did that when he was worked up. "I know that, Lars," Jake stated firmly. "But he's not acting the way normal demons do. They usually just stay quiet, and await their punishment. But he doesn't. Especially around Ray." Then, they all got quiet.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

Five minutes later I was still trying to find a bloody signal to dial the number and finally caught a bar, then spent the next ten minutes arguing, pleading, coaxing, and finally threatening the vampire on the other end who answered. An annoyed grumble sounded again for the gazillionth but I waved it off, "Yeah, yeah, I interrupted your beauty sleep. Get over it. Besides, isn't it a little...late, for you to be sleeping in right now?" I squinted against the darkening light that signalled the fall of evening around me and once more, I marvelled at the fact how time seemed to be slipping away quicker and quicker when you weren't paying attention. "Go fuck a blonde." Came the retort, and I snorted, "You wish." And that earned me a huff before the line went dead. Shaking my head, I could tell my mood had lightened. Bantering with a vampire tended to do that to you. Conceited, ferrari-owning, over-sensitive bloodsuckers. Pity I was friends with one. I stumbled across a little lake then, and my eyes perked up. No one said anything about not swimming. Besides, they wouldn't miss me for another half an hour.

[Whitney]

Ray

I lay there in bed, clutching my pillow like a lifeline as I listened intently to the conversation going on a few doors down. "I don't know what to make of this," Lars said, his voice going deep with consideration, I suppose it was. "I don't know either, but the bastard demon deserves a life sentence, if you ask me." I could hear a smile in Jake's voice, making me want to bust through these walls to strangle the prick. I hear Ashton laugh, in his usual laid back kind of way. "Really, Jake? Really? Just because he nearly choked you to death--because you assaulted a fellow Shadowhunter--doesn't give you the right to say things like that. So shut the fuck up before you have something to whine about." I wanted to kiss Ashton right then and there. Him and I were always good friends, I knew he had my back and I had his. I could basically feel Jake's anger through the cabin's walls, as he snorted and sighed. "He's right you know," Lars said. "You can't just go around punching a fellow Shadowhunter when you get told off, or when you feel like it. It could get you into serious trouble, since you're our instructor." That's when I heard a door shut. Guess Jake didn't like being talked down to, in his big instructor-self. I smiled at that.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

I stripped off my jeans and without a second thought, plunged into the icy water, then resurfaced and ran a hand through my wet hair before dipping under again. The cold and silence underneath gave me a chance to get lost in my thoughts again, and my mind strayed back to Ray. Again. She was gorgeous, smart, witty, stubborn as hell. And a Shadowhunter. If we had anything at all, it would have ended at that. But no matter how hard I tried to distance myself from her, how hard I tried to dismiss it and cover it up with my sarcasm, it was even harder to look at her and know that she couldn't be mine. Instinctively, I reached up a hand to trace along the long, five-inch faded scar just lying on the underside of my jaw, the memory of having my whole head almost disconnecting with my body with just the slice of those knives the Shadowhunters carried around with them, flashing across my eyes. I still remembered the name of the woman who almost decapitated me, still remember the cool, calculating look in her eyes as she turned on me. I had expected it, of course, but that didn't make the betrayal any less. We'd spent some time in and out of the bedroom together, I admit that, but I always knew it was a one-time thing and never let myself get too attached to her. Now here was another Shadowhunter with the same situation, except...it was different.

[Whitney]

Ray

For a few moments, drowning in my own self misery, and replaying the words that Thorn had said to me. Leave before you forget what you're dealing with. Oh, Thorn. I haven't forgot for one fucking minute, that's why I'm so screwed up with my emotions right now. I stare up at the ceiling for a long time, probably around thirty minutes at most. Then, I decided to do something I never would have done in a million years. Or with another guy at that. I was going to confess my feelings for Thorn--which felt like a lot, but probably wasn't much to the naked eye. The weight of the feelings on my chest were going to get enough to where I couldn't bare them soon. And anyone that think they know me, should know that. I hate having buried feelings. I knew Thorn wasn't in his bedroom, because I heard his door open and close earlier that night. And for some reason, I knew exactly where he was. Hell, it was the only place to go around this safe house. I used to go to it myself, when I was troubled and needed reassurance from the calm lake water. So, I get up and head out of my door, locking it behind me as I went out. I tried to keep my footsteps quiet at I passed the room where the rest of my fellow Shadowhunters were in. Their voices were muffled, but still there, unaware. I finally go through the kitchen and end up on the graveled driveway before I even knew it. I made my way through the woods that bordered the lake, drawing a silencing rune on myself to quiet my actions from scaring Thorn, if he were around. Sure enough, when I come upon the lake, he was in there. And Dear, God. Did he look even more gorgeous with his glistening wet chest and slick back hair. I just stand there, staring at him, with my mouth open like an idiot.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

Why her? I swam across the lake with long powerful strokes, exerting enough energy to tire myself out. It was a stupid move, but at least it got me distracted from thoughts of a certain green-eyed Shadowhunter. Well, just barely. Thoughts of kissing her and having her in bed kept flashing across my mind. Then I remembered her ex, and how they looked together, and it was enough to get my blood level rising in record time. No one had ever made me feel this way before, cliche as that sounded. I wanted her, badly. And there was no doubt about that. But I had to face the fact there wasn't a chance in hell we could be together. Well, that and the fact that I'd just broke her heart. Maybe after I got out of this I could try getting over her by getting with a couple of willing ladies. The more I thought about that, the more wrong it felt. As much as she disliked me now, I couldn't do that to her. In fact, I'd rather just stab myself in the chest than ever touch another woman the way I wanted to touch Ray, again. I stopped moving through the water for a moment and closed my eyes, my mouth whispering out words of my native language, desire coating my voice. "Lîvre cørrå, délføn-kél..." Untouchable beauty. She was my downfall, but God, how I wanted her.

[Whitney]

Ray

I had took the time to unfreeze my body and sit down right at the edge of the lake, as the silencing rune was just about to fade into yet, another scar. I bent my knees and brought them up to my chest to hug them, then rested my chin on one knee. God, how much more beautiful can he get? My eyes suddenly watered up at the thought, making me want to full-out weep at the thought of not having him. Suddenly, I shook myself out of my reverie. I can here for a reason, and I want to fulfill that reason. I noted that the silencing rune had completely faded, so with Thorn's hearing, he could probably hear my heart beat now. I kept my body unmoving and steady as I watched him body pause in the lake. The words that came out of his mouth were like a caress against my skin. They came out so smooth, and so sensual, it was almost as if I shouldn't be hearing them. But, I don't say anything, as I just want him to find out that I was here on his own.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

The low, humming sound of a thump thump thump made my eyes snap open as I came aware of another presence. Shit. Who else was here? Stupid, stupid, stupid. I should've paid more attention to my surroundings. Funny though, the longer I listened to the heartbeat, the less tense I felt. I'd heard it before, and the fact that I wasn't too freaked out meant there was a good chance it was my favourite Shadowhunter. My? No, she wasn't mine. Frowning, I waited for a while longer, opening up my other senses, her scent drifting to me, her normally controlled and steady breathing, the feel of her gaze on me coming from my right. I stilled, letting the sound of lapping water join in with the silence, giving her enough time to know that I knew she was there. Then I opened my mouth in a sneer, "See something you like?" The words curled around my tongue smoothly, cool and arrogant with the way I made them sound. What was she doing here? I couldn't look at her, because then, everything inside me would come undone again and whatever I'd told her before would all be for nothing.

[Whitney]

Ray

"Hell yes." I reply without hesitation, as there was a hint of desire in my voice. "I do." I let an eyebrow cock at the weird way his voice came out in a sneer, it was sexy. It didn't effect me one bit though, because I was about to tell him everything that was on my mind. I kept my eyes on him, watching small droplets of water bead up from his hair and slide down his back. The water level was just at his lower back, revealing the muscles there. Which, I do admit, was excruciating. I wanted to touch him, to feel his skin against mine. I could only imagine what it would feel like if we were both bare and against one another. Heaven, that's what it would feel like, a small voice in the back of my mind said. It was kind of ironic, and it brought a small smile to my face. A demon feeling like heaven.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

Her answer caught me by surprise. And that caught me by surprise. I had never been caught off guard before, not even by the biggest things. My breath hitched, and the sound seemed too loud, seemed to echo all around us, and I knew she heard, so I cursed myself inwardly for that little slip. Slowly, I turned my head to stare impassively at her, schooling my features into one of boredom, "What do you want, Shadowhunter?" I drawled, but I couldn't help but let my eyes scan all over her body. She was beautiful, as usual, her eyes were bright and sharp, and a layer of yearning just barely covered them. Holy hell. My body reared to life on the inside, but I wrestled my longings down, with not much ease. I wanted to move, wanted to shift away from her, it was either that or start to walk over to her, wading through the water, but I realised belatedly at the last second that I was naked from the waist down, and she'd already glimpsed what was beneath my hips once. There was no need for a repeat. Was there?

[Whitney]

Ray

I gather up every ounce of courage I had in me, which wasn't a lot, per se. And it only made matters worse when he had turned around and was looking at me. But, I pushed down my nervousness. I came here to confront my feelings, right? I wasn't about to back down from that now, I just wasn't that type of girl. So, with that said, I stand up ever so slowly, without breaking eye contact. My hands gripped the hem of my shirt, bringing the fabric over my head, and discarding the material to the right of me. I smiled crookedly in triumph when I saw his eyes widen. My fingers expertly undone my pants. I didn't want my nerves to mess up the image I had in mind. So, without slowness now, I pushed down my black panties, kicking them off my heel, and unclipped my black bra in the process. "But, what do you want, demon?" I asked throatily.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

Vaguely, I felt my eyes widen and my mouth could've dislocated from the way it dropped. But all I could think was, Dear Lord... She stripped. She fucking stripped off every piece of clothing she had on, including her underwear, and dear God, her bra. I felt the sharp silver glow of my eyes blast out fully, and so help me, there was no hiding the desire that slithered along with it. "You don't want to know what I want." It was a part warning, part challenging caress that flew out of my mouth before I could rethink it. My eyes now trailed her from head to toe, clear appreciation in my gaze. By the Gods, beautiful didn't even begin to cover her. "What do you think you're doing, Ray?" My voice had softened considerably, an underlying current to it. She was drunk. She had to be. But why were her eyes still so clear and knowing? My legs stood rooted to the spot, unwilling to move either direction. Desire burned through my veins, but still, I held back.

[Whitney]

Ray

"I know what I'm doing," I said sharply, narrowing my gaze on his shocked one. I felt shivers go up and down my body as he gazed me, drinking in every in of my skin. I took a few steps forward, my feet sinking into the water, toward him. I just kept walking toward him, my eyes glued to his silver ones. I knew what the meant now, and it made me more excited than I should be. I was only a few inches away from him now, the water coming to right below my belly button, and I could practically feel the heat coming off him. I relished it in. Only one step closer and I'd be touching him with my body. But I wasn't that courageous yet. I looked at him with such desire, I thought I would burst. I know it had to have shown, because my insides felt like goo and they were heating up. "And, I do want to know. More than ever." I said it clearly, only a thin layer of lust coating my words.

[Michelle, ~I'm not as think as you drunk I am~]

Thorn

The sharpness in her voice told me she was still very much sober and in control of her actions, and it was like she froze me to the spot as she came into the water and waded towards me. She was like a Goddamn siren, trapping me with her body and eyes. When she finally came close enough I could feel her erratic heartbeat bounce off her skin, I revelled in the fact that the effect she had on me was not lost on her, paralleled to how I affected her as well. Her words made my eyes flutter shut as I stifled back a shiver, my mouth opening up, like I could already taste her on my tongue, "I want to take you, ride you until we're both sore. I want to hear you scream out my name while you lie beneath me. I want you." My eyes snapped open, no doubt blazing.

[Whitney]

Ray

Dear. God. His words sent such violent shivers through me, making heat waves pulse in places I had long forgotten that could heat up. I kept my eyes open though, and when he opened his, they were a lighter silver than ever, nearly glowing. Hell, they were glowing, and it made me want him more than before. I take the step toward him, closing the distance between us. I cup his face between my hands, looking up at him with pure desire and passion. "Then you have me," I say in a whisper, my entire body pressing into his, every line connecting with bare skin was just right. That's when I kissed him. Kissed him hard enough to take even me aback. But it was so worth it, because he was warm and solid and perfect. The taste of salt and something spicy-sweet filled my mouth, making my whole body come alive. I had never felt this way before, not even with Lars.