Fireflies.

The phone blasting right beside my ear, dragged me from the Dream. Its annoying tune grating on my senses. A groan just above my head told me I wasn't the only one being jolted awake.

Eric's hand tightened on my hip as I tried to turn to answer the blasted thing, his iron hold making answering it impossible. I closed my eyes and tried to force away the heat of the dream, it was racing through me. And the scene still vivid in my mind.

I ran my hand up his chest, the phone finally going through to message bank. I traced my fingers along the contours of his chest, again taken back by just how incredibly perfect he was. No one had the right to bare such a close resemblance to a god. Or an angel.

After a moment I realised he was awake, his fingers brushing under my tank top to run along the base of my spine. Each touch was re-evoking the dream.

As if guessing my thoughts, his hand slid along to hold my waist, his fingers slipping under my thin top. I lifted my chin to look up into his eyes, and he met mine with a heated expression. Power and desire crackling within their grey depths. He lowered his lips to brush along mine, each touch feather light.

Which wasn't what I wanted. Reaching up to slide my hand behind the back of his neck, to tangle in that midnight hair, I brought his lips to mine. His kiss changing instantaneously into something demanding, hungry and I answered. I didn't want safe, I was tired of safe. I wanted power.

And power I got, catching my bottom lip in between his strong teeth, he shifted slightly, pulling me down as he hovered above me. Again letting me feel just the hint of every curve, nothing more. He was infuriating.

He released my lip, and brushed his lips along my jaw, tilting my head back he pressed those sculpted lips to my ragged pulse. Those talented lips continued their hungry kisses on the sensitive curve of my neck.

Groaning in frustration as he pulled back, as if he was finally aware of what was really happening.

"Estelle." He breathed as he rested his forehead against mine, those eyes closing as he fought for control.

Every muscle in those strong shoulders, taunt as he fought against the emotions that consumed both him and me.

"I'm not that breakable." I argued.

He just sighed in frustration.

"Please Eric." I breathed against his neck, as I shifted my hold on his hair, yanking his hair back so I could kiss the curve of his neck.

He moved so quick I almost missed it, he had my hands unwound from his hair and pinned above my head in a single fluid motion. I felt a flicker of fear, it was easy to grow use to his easy, fluid movements. But he was an Immortal. He could really break me.

I was at his mercy, his hold was complete, there would be no way I could get out of this. Something in me released at this, I was in someone else's hands.

With my hands restrained in an iron grip he gave me a dangerous smile. Shifting ever so slightly, so he held my hands in one hand only he set his other hand to work.

Sliding his hand up along my hip, across my abdomen in feather light touches, was like throwing gasoline on a spark. I arced up slightly, pressing my skin against his fingers. A small almost gasp escaped my lips. He rose his eyebrow in surprise, not expecting the reaction I gave.

His lips returned to my neck and his low, intoxicating voice washed along the curve of my neck.

"Interesting. It seems you have a taste of restraints."

I said nothing, my reaction surprised me too. I was usually fighting for dominance, fighting to not be weaker, at someone's mercy. So what the hell was with this. My body apparently wanted what it wanted. Because as he slid his hand up higher to brush against the side of my chest. Just missing the curve of my breast a soft sound of frustrating escaped my lips.

"Hmm, very interesting." He breathed once more.

"Bastard" I breathed back, although my breathing slightly more ragged.

His hand disappeared and I glared at him, he only smirked back. His hand reaching down to slide along my thigh, his touch again feather light. Those strong fingers, teasing.

He moved his hand up higher. As he passed the inner curve of my thigh my lips again betrayed me, as did my body, arcing up against his once more. Annoyingly his hand continue sliding up along my hip, ignoring the good parts.

He let me have his eyes, and I melted against his gaze, heat and unwavering desire was setting the inner storm alight.

"I'll make you a deal" he said in that husky voice of his, the words brushing across my lips.

I said nothing, just kept a hold of his gaze.

"If you can break my hold on your wrists I'll give you anything you want." He moved his lips closer, just a breath apart once more.

I rose an eyebrow and tried to break free of his hold. Only to be still contained. I tried again, throwing my strength into it. And still nothing. I glared.

"That’s not fair you're an Immortal."

"Yes, but you shoved me off the first time we meet and you aren't Immortal." He said with that slightly arrogant curve of his lips.

"I hate you." I glared.

He chuckled softly, the sound surrounding me in a warm embrace. "No, you don't darling."

He was right, I didn't.

I sighed, realising this wasn't going to get me anywhere. My glare remained unwavering though.

He pressed his lips to mine, in another earth shattering kiss. God he was a good kisser. Finally he let me go for air, and a soft gasp escaped my lips which triggered another chuckle to cross his.

That annoying voice was silently yelling at me. Where did your back bone go? A kiss, and your all weak kneed like some hormone ridden teenager?! I promptly ignored that little voice.

It was easy too, as he hadn't moved and his body -even pressed lightly as it was too mine- was intoxicating.

Another phone started to go off. I was going to chuck all phones out the window, no joke.

But this one was Eric's and he shifted slightly to grab it off the bedside table, his eyes remained on me though. As did the small amused smile that pulled at the edges of his lips.

Rising the tiny device to his ear he averted his eyes as whoever it was started speaking. I payed close attention to his every movement, the way his eyes hardened. Sliding back into place were the steal plates that kept everything in, and gave nothing away. I silently sighed.

Those grey eyes had moments ago shown such emotion, it was impossible not to melt into a small puddle on the floor. The look to his eyes were now cold, calculating. He was the Eric he was when I had first met him. The Eric that scared me a little.

I slid out from underneath him, as he shifted. The conversation growing more aggravated and I payed close attention to the clips I got.

…." Tell her she still has South America"

Another unintelligible mumble.

A sigh from Eric as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

More mumbles.

"She knew the risks going into the agreement, and she knew what would over throw it.- "

Whoever it was cut in.

"Yes, I know she likes the area but things have changed Jeremy."

They tried to cut in again.

Eric's voice could cut steel, "Enough, I'll deal with her." He hung up the phone and gave another frustrated sigh.

I pretended to not hear as I made my way to the bathroom. I felt a little bit stronger today, it wasn't much but it was something.

I made my way to the sink and splashed water over my face, the cool water refreshing me some. Although I almost gasped as I looked at my reflection. My hair was so brittle and frizzy, it looked unhealthy. As did the pale edge to my complexion and lips. My skin was pulled tighter over my jaw and cheekbones.

I looked away, shocked. I looked sick, and thin. I had always been slim but this? This, was wrong.

I slid on a pair of thin cotton, long pants as I made my way to the kitchen. Trying to shove away my haunting reflection. I paused though as I found Eric. He had his back to me, his eyes attained to the busy city that was displayed in my large circle window.

"Zak and Patch will be here in an hour to pick you up and take you to the Court." His voice was slightly distance.

"And they are?"

"Part of my Invisiblis.-"

"Inviliba huh?" I rose an eyebrow as I cut in.

"Invilibis. The seven guards that follow us around." He's voice was again careful.

"So what every Immortal gets seven guards?"

"No."

"No?"

"No." That was the only answer I was going to get apparently.

"I'm not going with some Immortals I don't know. I'll drive myself."

"Estelle, for once listen to me." His voice was frustrated. "And you don't have a bike.

Fucking Melrose. "You don't own me." I said instead.

"No?"

"No." I said firmly.

"Until the stone hangs around your neck, you will be under my constant protection." He still hadn't turned around.

"I don’t want it."

"Your opinion matters little."

"Bullshit it does." I exclaimed as I made my way over to him.

"We have a lot riding on you and this is out of your hands." What the hell did that mean?

Cryptic bastard.

This was going to be one long ass day.