Jack was uncertain what time it was when he woke later, but he knew immediately that Hannah wasn't beside him and that night had fallen. He dressed quickly and headed down the stairs, but before he even made it to the first floor he realized he wouldn't find her there either. The only person he recognized within the tavern was Timber, and he was too busy flirting with one of the waitresses to notice him as he slipped out the door. He followed the pull of Hannah's blood coursing through him to the mercantile down the road.

It was a strange sensation, tracking her through the town, but one he was extremely grateful for as his frustration and irritation grew with every step he took. She knew she was in jeopardy, knew that Calvin was a threat to her and yet she was wandering around as if it were completely safe to do so. He was struggling to control his temper as he hit the wooden walkway and arrived at the store.

He almost ripped the door off its hinges when he jerked it open. The effect her blood had over him was even more powerful than he'd realized. His gaze drifted down to his white knuckled hand wrapped around the handle as he took some time to steady himself. He was infuriated with her right now, but scaring her wasn't going to do either of them any good.

Finally regaining control of his anger, he stepped into the dimly lit store. His eyes found her immediately as she stood by the back wall with Kara at her side. Ellen appeared from amongst the racks with a blue dress held before her as she inspected it. "What do you think of this one?" she inquired.

Hannah looked toward her, but whatever words she'd been about to utter died on her lips as she kept turning until she spotted him in the doorway. The mere sight of her had helped to ease some of the growing tension within him, but the beautiful smile that lit her face made the frustration almost disappear.

Ellen and Kara glanced at her before turning toward him. Kara's gaze slid over him before turning back to Hannah. "I have to check the back for some supplies, could you help me Ellen?"

"Of course," Ellen rushed out.

She gave Jack a quick smile before following Kara out of the room. Jack's attention returned to Hannah as she began to ring her hands before her. He'd never seen her look so nervous before. The last of his annoyance melted away, he walked over to her and grabbed hold of her hands before she could twist the skin off of them.

"What are you doing here?" he asked quietly.

Her brow furrowed as she looked up at him from under eyelashes that brushed against her cheek. "We needed some things for the tavern."

"Why didn't you wake me first?"

"I thought you might like some sleep, you've been getting so little of it lately."

"That doesn't matter, you shouldn't be out alone."

Her gaze drifted past him to focus on the door. "I'll be fine; I know this town and the people in it like the back of my hand."

"And if Calvin comes after you?"

"He wouldn't..."

"He would," Jack interrupted. "Until he has been taken care of you can't be roaming around this town without me."

Her eyes flew to his face, her mouth pursed as her arms folded over her chest. "I did survive just fine all these years without you," she retorted. "And I don't need a babysitter."

Jack stepped closer to her as he bent to meet her fiery green eyes. "As long as there is any threat to your life or wellbeing I will be with you in order to make sure you survive just fine for many more years to come."

Her jaw remained stubbornly set. "What happened between us gives you no right to boss me around. You don't own me Jack and if this is the way you're going to act then I can assure you that what happened between us today will not happen again."

He slammed his hand against the wall as she moved to get away from him. She jumped a little but when her eyes came back to his they were the color of a roaring fire. "I don't own you but there is a connection between us Hannah and you know it as well as I do. You will do what it takes to keep yourself safe, even if that means taking me with you wherever you go. I warned you Hannah, this is irrevocable."

Some of the wind seemed to go out of her sails as her shoulders slumped and her eyes returned to their vibrant jade color. "You can't order me around Jack. I understand you believe us linked..."

"We are linked. You know that as well as I; don't try to deny it."

Her gaze darted away from him, she shook her head and looked at him again. "I can't."

Relief filled him as she finally admitted it. He couldn't stop himself from touching her porcelain cheek. Her eyes drifted closed as she turned into his hand. There had been many women over the years but right now, he couldn't remember a single one. Her skin was like satin beneath his fingers as he slid them over her cheek and into her hair. Her lips parted, the last of her ire faded as he pulled her a step closer. He relished in the fact that he affected her as much as she affected him but that realization fled his mind as he was drawn to her like a bee to a flower.

Her fingers curled around his arms as his mouth claimed hers. His body became more rigid as he caught the lingering taste of his blood within her mouth. He could smell it within her veins, drifting through her system, marking her as his. The last thing he had expected, or wanted upon walking into this town, was to be irrevocably bound to someone for an eternity, but as he touched the warm recesses of her mouth, he knew he never would have changed a thing.

The distant ring of a bell going off grudgingly pulled him away from her. His gaze drifted to the backroom Ellen and Kara had disappeared into as the bell began to ring again. "Must be some new instrument," Hannah murmured. "Ellen is always playing with them."

"She is talented," he remarked. "Are you ready to head back to the tavern now?"

She gave a brief nod. "Just let me get Ellen."

He took a reluctant step back to allow her to pass by him. He walked to the front door and peered out at the shadows that had settled over the town. Candles and lanterns flickered in the windows of the homes and businesses lining the street. All of the buildings were lit, except for one.

An uneasy feeling settled in his stomach, he grabbed hold of the knob and pulled the door open. The cool air brushed over his skin and worked its way through his clothing when he stepped onto the walkway. His gaze remained focused on Calvin's somber house as humans and vampires brushed by him. He didn't pay them any attention though as he took a step closer to the house at the end of the road. There was absolutely no movement over there, not even the dogs were patrolling the gates.

He stretched his hand back for Hannah's as the door opened behind him. He didn't have to look to know that she was the first one to emerge. "What's wrong?" she asked as her hand slid into his.

"There's no movement at Calvin's house."

Her gaze drifted down the street to the eerily tranquil house. "That's strange," she murmured. "I'm sure he's just out around town somewhere."

"I'm not so sure," he said. "Come on, let's get you back."

He kept hold of her hand as he stepped onto the road with her. The tambourine in Ellen's hand jingled as she walked beside Hannah. Ellen tapped out a melodious beat against her thigh as she moved. She was seemingly unaware of the song she wove through the night but men and women stopped to listen as she walked past them. Though there were many people on the street tonight, he didn't see Calvin or any of his cronies amongst them.

He held the door to the tavern open for Hannah and Ellen as he stepped back to let them enter. He spotted Braith and the others amongst the crowd of the tavern. Braith's head tilted toward him as he approached, Aria stopped in the middle of dealing the cards in her hand. A dark eyebrow rose questioningly as her gaze drifted to his hand, wrapped within Hannah's.

"What's going on?" Braith demanded.

"There are no lights on at Calvin's house, I've got a feeling that something's not right," Jack told him bluntly.

Braith dropped his cards on the table and rose. William and Daniel stood beside him. Timber and Xavier looked up from the table where they had been rolling dice. Aria grabbed her bow and arrows and hopped to her feet as she slung them over her back. "I'd prefer if you stayed here," Braith told her.

Aria's braid fell over her shoulder as she shook her head. "Not going to happen."

A muscle in Braith's cheek twitched but he didn't protest any further. Jack used to find his brother's irritation amusing, now he found himself sympathizing. As Hannah's eyes met his he realized there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to keep her safe. "I'd like to come too," she told him.

Jack's jaw clenched but he gave her a brief nod. Truth be told, he'd prefer to have her near him anyway. "We should check the donation center first," Jack told them. "I know he spends a fair amount of time there."

"Fine, let's go," Braith said.