16

"I need a workout," Scarlett said as she stretched. The tray was cleared out, not a single piece of meat was left on the tray. Gallus stared at her mystified.

"You're kidding right?" Gallus asked. Scarlett looked at him confused. "You want to work out?"

"All that meat needs to go down Gal…see you in two hours," she said and walked away. Gallus watched her leave. He needed a break from this dempire, he thought he was starting to understand her but she was even more complicated than when he first met her. His body slowly dissipated with a sigh that escaped his lips.

Scarlett stood on the roof with a grin spread widely across her face. Xander and Nathan were sidelined from their match earlier, Driguez was thrown off like paper; he used his wings to steady himself in the air. He was far from the island but it was still very clear in his eyes. He touched his left cheek with his finger and brought it to his lips. Blood didn't taste right if it was his. He flew back to the island and just as he got to the roof of the mansion; his eyes caught sight of someone on the roof.

"Scarlett?!" he called. Something glimmered under the sun- a dagger, a blood stained one- so she was the one who cut him.

'Fight me Driguez, with everything you've got' her voice echoed in his head.

"You sure about this Scarlett?" he asked. Scarlett launched at him in mid air. Driguez knew she'd never flown before. Hell! He wasn't even sure if she had wings. He was right, Scarlett knew she'd never flown, she just launched at him because she really needed someone to spar with and Driguez was the best option, it had been a while since she sparred with him. Surprisingly, black majestic wings grew from her back. They were big enough to cover her whole form, her lips spread in a grin.

"Awesome!!!" she exclaimed and flew around trying to get used to the flying.

"Isn't that Scarlett?" Scarlett heard Debbie ask. She looked down from where she hovered above the sea. Nicole grinned at her. She swooped down on them and grabbed Debbie.

"Hey Deb…I'm sorry I haven't had the chance to talk to you, you're like me, a hybrid so it will take some time before you can fly, but you have better chances than me. Here let me give you a tip, don't die," Debbie hung onto Scarlett's back tight. "You ready?"

"Ready? What am I getting ready for?" Debbie asked. Looking into Scarlett's eyes, she already knew the answer to that. "No! I can't…I'll fall to my death,"

"I want to spar with Driguez mid air and I'm not sure if I can land yet which means I can't drop you on the ground myself, I may hurt you, so you'll have to get to the ground yourself,"

"I'm pretty sure you'll be fine at landing Scarlett…" Debbie tried to say but got cut short with Scarlett's momentum. Scarlett flew higher and higher, past the clouds and above them.

"I'm taking you this high because it'll give you enough time to not die, don't think about death…I promise you won't get hurt,"

"Scarlett can we go through this, please…"

"You ready?"

"Scarlett please don't let…" Debbie held onto Scarlett tight but she didn't realize when her grip on Scarlett wavered and she found herself falling. Her words were replaced with a high pitched scream.

'What the hell are you doing Scarlett?! She can't fly!' Chris voice echoed in her mind.

'She'll be fine Chris, look at her, she's stopped screaming' Debbie's scream had long died down. Her heart still rammed against her chest, she was scared, scared to death. What if her wings didn't come out? The tip Scarlett had given her was nowhere near helpful and she was seriously running out of time.

Scarlett didn't bother watching Debbie; she just knew Debbie would be able to do it. Scarlett didn't exactly know why she wanted Debbie to be able to fly but it was a parting gift to her. Scarlett flew head on towards Driguez who watched in horror as Debbie fell fast to the ground. He wondered why no one was doing anything to help her but then Scarlett was the female and younger version of Nicholas, Scarlett wouldn't let anyone near Debbie if they tried and she would try to justify that she was helping Debbie. Nicholas was there as well watching with keen interest as Debbie fell. Even if they begged, Nicholas wouldn't let anyone help Debbie or catch her, so they all stood with dread and horror evident on their faces as Debbie fell.

Scarlett's punch sent Driguez tumbling in mid air.

"For someone who just learnt how to fly, that was some mid air punch," Driguez coughed. His grey eyes changed to dark red, his face paled and cracked. He growled and his fangs grew longer as he attacked. Their fists collided hard, dark magic oozed from Driguez and swarmed toward Scarlett. He was getting the upper hand and Scarlett would be down before she even got started. "Don't think just do, the magic has a mind of its own, let it flow but give it limits," Driguez instructed and flew backwards.

 Scarlett was surprised, she initially wanted Driguez to hurt her so badly so she could rest and no one would disturb but now that she thought about it, if she got hurt, she would either have trouble healing or she wouldn't be in her world of peace. She was glad Driguez was teaching her how to control her magic. She smirked at him and closed her eyes. Dark wisps of smoke flew from her body. They collided again but this time, dark magic against dark magic.

'You're a fast learner' Gallus' voice echoed in her mind.

'You'll probably teach me more of this' He chuckled but then unconsciously he heard Scarlett's other thoughts. She wanted to leave and this was her last moment like this with her family. When the hell did she plan on telling him this?!

***

The Quinn family watched with anxiety as Debbie got closer and closer to the ground. Nicholas and Regina had wide grins on their faces.

"Looks like your training methods have rubbed off on Scarlett grandfather," Zev commented.

"Which isn't good for any of you, your grandfather's ways are too risky and I don't want anyone practicing them," Ramona said with a warning tone.

"We need to help her, she'll die," Xander yelled.

"Don't listen to her Zev, it's the best way to learn, experience is the best teacher after all…and you'd better stay put Xander," Regina said.

"Wait for it…" Nicholas said. "There we go!" he chuckled as grayish black wings grew from Debbie's back. "The power of experience, once you're stuck in a dire situation, you always find a solution," Debbie shrieked in excitement, she was barely seven feet above the ground and really wishing that someone would save her but she'd saved herself at the last minute. She flew upwards enjoying the feel of the air as it blew on her hair but stopped abruptly when dark wisps of smoke came at her.

"Control it! Aim at your target, don't let it attack just everyone, channel it and remember to give it limits," Driguez said. Scarlett sighed; dark magic wasn't easy to control at all. They fought for a while. Her elite team watched her intently and surprised. They didn't think she was that fast a learner. Scarlett still had enough adrenaline coursing through her veins, she still wanted to fight but Driguez had taught her what he could for the day and he was exhausted but he promised to teach her more. Tomorrow, they were returning to the main land and probably after sleeping for two or three days, she would leave.

For someone who'd never flown before, Scarlett landed on the ground with grace. A large figure pushed her to the ground making them both tumble. Scarlett lay on the ground with a wide smile on her face. She sat up and looked at the figure that had pushed her down. A large lycan sat in front of her, its eyes shone bright magenta.

"Nicole!" Scarlett exclaimed and hugged Nicole's furry body.

'I'm sorry about your birthday Scar, I'm sorry about everything you've been through, I couldn't do anything to help you' Nicole whimpered as she spoke to Scarlett through telepathy.

"That's not true Nicole, you've always helped me and I'm happy you're here, I've missed you and…I love my birthday, it was the best ever,"

'I'll let you get some rest; your grandfather sent for a cruiser, it'll be here tomorrow'

"A break from reality would be nice,"

'No! I said rest Scarlett, sleep, not a break from reality…if you do that, you'll have nightmares again and then we start all over,"

"Okay Nicole, I'm going to get some sleep," Scarlett said. Nicole ran off to hunt while Scarlett went to take a shower. It had been a while since Nicole went out to hunt.

***

A dog like figure ran past the trees and jumped over fallen trees. It stopped at a clearing where a black back pack hung on the branch of a tree. Its nut brown fur had bloodstains on it. It leaped and landed on the ground with the back pack its mouth. It let the bag fall to the ground and let out a loud howl as its bones returned to its normal position painfully.

Nicole lay on the ground naked, she sighed to herself as she got up; her body was covered in mud and blood. Behind a few shrubs was a small body of water, she grabbed the bag and took long strides to the water. She washed herself up with the water and when she was done, she got out of the water and took a small towel from the bag and dried herself up.

She'd already worn her trousers and was just about to zip up when she heard a twig breaking. She turned around but there was no one there. She grabbed her shirt from the bag and stood up to put it on when her eyes met a pair of dark blue eyes. Michael's fiery hair was damp with water. He wore a sleeveless black shirt and a pair of ash shorts.

"Um, I'm sorry, I'll…" Michael stuttered and turned away. He heard a light chuckle from Nicole. Nicole pulled her sleeveless shirt over her head and stared at Michael's back.

"Uh, you can…you can turn around," Nicole said.

"I was uh…I was taking a night run when I heard you howl, it's been a while since we had a night run together," Michael said with a smile on his face.

"You remember my howl?" Nicole asked.

"Of course I do, it's different, unique," he said. "It's one of a kind…the best I've heard," he crossed the distance between them. His hand caressed her cheek. "You're beautiful," Nicole's gaze never left his. He stared at her with emotions racing through his eyes. Her heart thudded against her chest. He leaned in. "Don't move, I...I want to try something," He breathed. He leaned closer. Nicole shivered as his hot breath caressed her lips. She moved closer to him. "Don't move," he whispered louder. His lips grazed hers and he smiled against her lips. He kissed her again, this time his palm cupped her cheek. He deepened the kiss as his other arm went round her waist and pulled her closer to him. Her hands dug into his fiery red hair and she responded to his kiss.

His hands went to her legs and he pulled her up. Her legs went around his waist not breaking their kiss but making it more intense. Nicole's back collided with the trunk of a tree. Michael pulled back, their breaths both ragged. He stared at her for a few seconds before his lips met with hers in a passionate yet rough kiss. He nibbled on her bottom lip and smiled when she shivered. He kissed her chin and then her jaw before he went back to her lips and sucked on it. He went back to her jaw and trailed kisses to her throat and slowly to her neck earning a muffled moan from Nicole.

"Mm…" he let her catch her breath before sucking her neck. He nibbled on her skin and kissed it as though wanting to imprint his mark on her. He licked her ear and nibbled on it causing her to moan out his name. Nicole fumbled to take his shirt off but Michael stopped her. Her hands went to his neck and he kissed her hard. Nicole tried to take of her own shirt but Michael held her hands above her head and kissed her. "Stop trying to take your clothes off," his hot breath fanned her lips.

"Please Michael…" Nicole moaned.

"You have no idea how much I want you right now…but I won't," Michael lips travelled down her neck and stopped in between her breasts. He stayed still as his breath tickled her skin. Nicole arched her back toward him pushing her chest forward but Michael bit his lower lips and planted a soft kiss on her lips. Nicole let out a frustrated groan and leaned her head on his chest. "That was amazing," he said ignoring her reaction. Their breaths were uneven and Nicole chuckled before nodding in agreement. He put her down and smiled when he saw her flushed face. He placed his head on her chest with his hands on her waist holding her close to him. He breathed in her scent and turned her around, her back against his chest. His head rested in her nape and he sucked on it, marking every single inch of her skin his lips touch as his. "You're amazing," he said and licked the skin behind her ear. He liked the way she shivered with just that little reaction.

He sat with one knee bent and the other one straight on the ground. He took her hand and pulled her to him, letting his knee fall as Nicole fell on him in a straddling position. His eyes locked on hers as he kissed her slowly.

"I can't have enough of these," his thumbs caressed her lips as his eyes stayed glued to them. Nicole's hands found their way under Michael's shirt and she caressed his chiseled abs under her palms earning a soft moan from him. She pulled his shirt off and smiled when he didn't stop her then she ran her fingers through his chest and stomach before she kissed his abs sensually. He stroked her hair with his fingers and inhaled her scent while letting her trace the tattoo on his chest- fangs and a full moon. Nicole giggled as his breath tickled her ear lobe. He bit it and soothed it with his tongue.

"Mm," He held her closer to himself and kissed her.

"We should…we should stop…Nicole," Michael said. Nicole ignored him and kissed him harder, pushing her tongue into his mouth. She tugged at his hair and pulled him closer. Nicole moved to his nape. "My turn," she whispered into his ear and kissed his neck. She sucked and nibbled on his skin copying everything he did to her. "Nicole…let me…" she sealed his lips in a passionate yet wild kiss. Her kisses went down his abs and she licked them while her eyes stayed fixed on his face. "Mm, hmm…Nicole," he grabbed her ass and grinded her against him which caused Nicole to fluster a little. He grabbed her neck and kissed her like his life depended on it. Nicole could see the raging lust in his eyes. "I really can't have enough of your lips Nicole," he said. "Tell me to stop Nicole…please," his voice sounded strained.

"Michael, we…I, Mi…mm," she moaned and after a pause, her voice came out as a shriek. "Michael!" Nicole shrieked as his lips circled her nipple through her shirt. Michael stopped and leaned on her shoulder trying to steady his breathing.

"I'm sorry, I…"

"It's alright…I'm, I'm just…"

"We'll take it slow," he said. Nicole gave him a slow and gentle kiss and sat with her back against his chest, she leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes while inhaling his intoxicating scent.

"That was indescribable," Nicole breathed as she closed her eyes.

"You're beautiful,"

"You've said that,"

"You're amazing,"

"That too,"

"You're…" he paused and held her face; he gazed into her sky blue eyes. "Mine, you're mine," he said and smiled. Nicole faced him and hugged him, letting her head rest on his chest.

"Do you think Scarlett wants to leave?" she said after a long pause but he stayed quiet.