Though he sat at her lunch table again, Cassie didn't return to it. In fact, she didn't come into the cafeteria, for three days in a row. He was growing impatient and aggravated with her. While every other girl in the school was throwing themselves at him, she was doing her best to avoid him at every turn.

Now, finally, she was back in the cafeteria. He watched as she walked through the crowd with an ease and grace. She was unable to move fast as it seemed like everyone wanted her attention. Though she spoke with everyone, and smiled kindly, he could sense her impatience. He was just as impatient as she was. He wanted her over here, with him, where he could finally try and talk to her again.

He slid into the chair that had become his, and tapped his finger impatiently on the table as he waited for Cassie to reappear. People slid in around him, and though they talked to him, he barely acknowledged them as his gaze remained focused on the wall she had disappeared behind. He still didn't understand why he was so enthralled with this girl, but he was. He dreamed of her every night, haunting dreams that left him shaken and unfulfilled in the morning. He longed to know what she would really feel like in his arms, not just what her ghostly dream image felt like.

"Hello," he glanced over at Marcy, giving her a brief nod as she slid into the seat next to him and leaned in annoyingly close.

Devon knew he had a large group of admirers now; there was nothing he could do about it, but Marcy was by far the most persistent and overt. She moved closer to him, and her small hand dropped onto his arm. Cocking an eyebrow pointedly at her hand, he grappled not to lose his patience with the clingy girl.

She chose to completely ignore the impatience rolling off of him in waves. "Are you going to come to B's and S's tonight?"

Devon glanced back at where Cassie had disappeared. He hadn't been back to the restaurant since he'd first seen her. She hadn't returned there either in the past three nights, choosing instead to go to Melissa's house with Chris. He found himself more than a little pathetic for knowing that, but he had to make sure she stayed safe.

He tried to convince himself that his behavior was reasonable, but he knew he was bordering on becoming an obsessive stalker. He barely recognized himself anymore and it was a brutal realization to know one girl could make him become something he never thought he could be. Then again, it had been another girl who had completely changed him in a way he'd never expected.

However Cassie was an exceptional girl, she was a unicorn, he realized with a start as she reemerged from the lunch line. She was a rare, never imagined find. Her smile was easy and cheerful as she conversed with the girls by her side. He'd only known her for a few days, but he'd come to realize she was never alone. There was always someone by her side, demanding her attention. It was annoying, especially when she was so giving of her time with them, while she ignored and avoided the hell out of him.

Mark honed in on her like a missile on its target. Devon's senses went on high alert as he felt an undercurrent of annoyed impatience running through the boy. Mark arrived at Cassie's side and touched her elbow to gain her attention.

She took a small step back as she turned toward him. Anger rolled through Devon as Mark moved closer to her. Using his height as an intimidation factor, he bent over her. Cassie's eyes narrowed sternly, her shoulders straightened as she tilted her chin up proudly. Devon was impressed by her show of strength and defiance, but he wished she would simply back away. The instability he sensed within Mark worried him, he knew the boy would crack if pushed, and Cassie seemed determined to push him away.

Devon rose to his feet, with every intention of intervening. Her safety was his number one concern, and around Mark, he knew she wasn’t safe.

Chris appeared at her side suddenly and used his shoulder to push past Mark. Chris smiled at Mark, but there was coiled tension in his solid frame, and no sparkle in his sapphire eyes. He spoke briefly to Mark while nudging Cassie further back. Cassie didn't look pleased to be pushed out of the way as she glared at Chris's back.

Chris finally managed to disentangle the two of them from Mark, though Mark stared after them as Chris continued to steer Cassie toward the glass doors at the back of the cafeteria. Devon suddenly recalled Melissa's words on his first day. The seniors sat outside when the weather permitted. Until now, he hadn't noticed that a fair amount of seniors was missing as his table was packed with girls, who wouldn't leave his side if he remained inside.

If he moved outside now, they would only follow. The last thing he needed was a gaggle of giggling teens following him around while he tried to talk with Cassie. He watched her as she moved woodenly toward the doors, her tray clenched in her hands, her head held immobile, and her neck straight.

He felt the breaking point when she lost the battle and her head turned toward him. The impact of her gaze was like a lightning bolt as it struck him. It sizzled through his dried veins and caused his deadened heart to vibrate with pulsing electricity.

She hesitated briefly, her eyes warmed as a wave of heat flooded her porcelain cheeks. Her thick dark lashes swept down to shadow her eyes as she bowed her head. Her golden hair fell forward, hiding her face as she hurried on. She dropped her sunglasses back into place before following Chris outside.

Disappointment filled him as he turned away from her, his irritation mounted as he spotted Mark. He was still staring after Cassie with a thunderous expression on his face. Mark hesitated for a moment longer before turning and slinking over to a table packed with boys just as large and muscular as he was. They were all wearing black and gold jackets with a white horse on the back.

Devon had no idea why they were all wearing the same coats, but they seemed to think they were special as none of the boys were taking them off, even though it was hot in the cafeteria. Devon shook his head; he didn't understand human customs at all, least of all teenage ones. Staying here for much longer was going to drive him crazy, but he wasn't leaving here without finding out exactly why he was so drawn to Cassie.

And that meant finally getting closer to her.

He turned back to Marcy, deciding to use her clinginess to his advantage for a change. "What do you know about Cassie?"

Marcy was taken aback as she leaned away from him. He should have taken a different approach, he realized belatedly. "Why?"

Devon shrugged negligently. Leaning closer to Marcy, he placed his hand briefly upon her arm as he sought to soothe her. "I'm simply curious; Mark seems to truly like her."

She relaxed, but her eyes still radiated distrust. "He's liked her for awhile, but she just strings him along like she strings Chris, and everyone else along."

Devon quirked an eyebrow, he wondered if it had been Mark, or Chris, that Marcy liked before he had walked into this school and she'd become fixated on him. "I thought she and Chris were just friends."

Marcy shrugged, her eyes darkened as her nose scrunched. "That's what they say, but I doubt it. There is something strange about that relationship, neither one of them really date anyone else." Her bitter tone confirmed it had been Chris she liked.

"Come on Marcy, you know they're just friends," Kara interjected as she leaned forward and rested her chin on her hands.

"He sleeps in her room Kara," Marcy retorted. "You can't tell me nothing has ever happened between them!"

Kara shook her head as she rolled her eyes. She turned toward Devon, her pretty face softening from irritation to kindness. "They've been friends since they were little. Cassie's parents, and Chris's dad, were killed in the same car accident when they were only a year old." Devon kept his surprise over this revelation hidden as Kara turned toward Marcy. "So yes, I believe nothing has happened between them."

Marcy rolled her eyes but tried to keep her irritation hidden from Devon. She failed miserably. "Cassie's parents are dead?"

Kara nodded as sadness crept over her delicate features. "Yes, and so are Melissa's."

Devon started in surprise. It was a strange coincidence, but it also explained the strong bond they appeared to share. Though they were all popular, and always surrounded by people, they still remained aloof and mostly separated from everyone but each other. When they were together they were like one unit. A unit that was able to communicate without saying a word.

He'd been amazed, impressed, and a little confused by the closeness of their bond. The fact they’d all experienced the loss of a parent definitely explained the bond they shared. Unwillingly his gaze went to the windows, but he couldn't see Cassie amongst the crush of students who had finished eating and moved outside. A whiffle ball and bat had been brought out and a pickup game was starting.

"That's awful," he muttered.

Though he couldn't understand, or relate to her sorrow, he was beginning to get a better understanding of her life and what made her tick. She was so proud and strong but at the same time, lonely and hurt. He found himself more determined than before to get close enough to ease her unsettled mind.

He rose suddenly, ignoring the startled looks Marcy and Kara shot him. "Excuse me," he mumbled before swiftly moving through the crowd toward the glass double doors.

The excited sound of laughter and chatter suffused him as he stepped outside. He scanned the crowd, but didn't spot Cassie amongst the mass. He did spot Melissa though. Winding his way through the students, he steadily made his way toward her. Melissa turned toward him, a dark eyebrow lifted as her mouth quirked in a small smile.

"Hey stranger," she greeted warmly. He hesitated, briefly puzzled by the startling amount of knowledge within the dark eyes studying him. He was certain she knew exactly why he was here, and she was happy about it. "How is everything going?"

"Fine." His gaze darted over the crowd as he searched for Cassie, but he didn't see her, nor could he smell her delicious scent.

"You seem to be making a lot of friends."

"I suppose."

Her smile widened, her smooth dark olive complexion shone in the sun. She knew why he was here, and she was enjoying the torment she was handing to him. He didn't know if that pissed him off, or if he wanted to join in with her obvious amusement.

"Not interested in friends?"

Only one, he almost told her, but he bit back the words. "Of course." Though Melissa was enjoying this conversation, he was tired of being toyed with. "Where is your friend Cassie?"

Melissa quirked her head to the side, her exotic eyes slanted as her hair fell forward. "Having most of the female population chasing you around isn't enough for you?"

He knew she was trying to be playful, but his patience was at a snapping point. Melissa sensed this as her smile slipped away and a strange sadness crept over her. That dark look passed over her eyes again as they seemed to pierce straight into his soul.

"No," he said simply.

She snorted in surprise as her eyes sparked with amusement once more. "Good," she said flatly. "Cassie went home."

He frowned in surprise as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Why?"

"Not feeling well."

"She ok?" he demanded, surprised by the wealth of worry and concern filling him.

"She's fine, just hasn't been sleeping well."

Devon frowned as he recalled the strange dreams plaguing him that Cassie was always a part of, and that haunted him throughout the day. Dreams he didn't want to have, but looked forward to every night just the same.

He hated what Cassie was doing to him. He should leave this town, but he couldn't leave without knowing her, not yet anyway.

* * *

"Cassie come on! Pay attention!"

Cassie tossed aside the stake she'd been holding and stormed over to the bench. Grabbing a water bottle she squirted it into her parched mouth. She was exhausted, she could barely function and had been completely blowing off her training for the past week. She was doing awful, and Luther wasn't about to let her forget it.

"You are so very lucky that things have been quiet this past week!" he barked at her. "You wouldn't survive five seconds in the field!" Cassie was struggling to control her temper, he was right after all, but she was just as frustrated as he was with her inability to do anything right. "What is wrong with you?"

Cassie shuddered as she thought of the many things wrong with her lately, and they were all centered on one very disturbing, frightening man. "I'm tired." Although it was the truth, it was also a very poor excuse.

"Tired! Tired?" he demanded harshly.

Cassie hung her head and peeked up at him from under lowered lashes. She deserved whatever she got, but it was still killing her to keep from defending herself. Luther pulled off his Lennon style glasses and cleaned them briskly on his shirt. He was relatively calmer when he slipped them back on.

"All right." He tugged on his graying brown hair as he paced briefly away before turning sharply on his heel and coming back. "Maybe I am being too tough on you. Maybe you should have a break, you all should. We'll take the rest of tonight off."

Taking time off wouldn't help her. She knew that. Just as she knew that none of them could afford to lose time practicing their fighting skills. "Luther…"

"No, no." His muddled English/Egyptian accent became slightly heavier the more discombobulated he became. "A night off will do us all some good, you'll come back refreshed and recharged. You are the best fighter we have; if you don't get your act together we're all at risk."

Cassie bit on her bottom lip as she struggled to keep hold of the resentment and shame threatening to consume her. She had to get her act together, and she had to do it soon. She was overtired right now, that was her whole problem. She just needed some sleep.

Fighting to keep hold of her uncontrollably swaying emotions, she glanced around the converted garage. It was packed full of weapons, punching bags, and exercise equipment. Luther had added onto the two car garage a couple years ago, making it twice as big as its original size. She'd spent a lot of time in this room, poured a lot of sweat, and shed more than a few tears and blood.

She hated everything this room represented and the change it had brought to her life. Turning away from the metal swords and crossbows strapped to the wall, she focused her attention on Luther, Melissa, and Chris. "It's time to go home," she said.

"Yes, yes," Luther agreed. "Rest for the next night, and then we'll hit it hard again tomorrow."

Cassie nodded, though the last thing she wanted was to come back here. However, she didn't have an option. She would come back over and over again until they left town, or she died. Both options sucked.

"Will you be ok after tonight?" She nodded in response to Luther's question. His aggravation had been replaced with a deep concern that rattled her. He was the closest thing to a father she had, and right now he looked completely worried about her. She didn't like it one bit. "Are you sure?"

"Cassie." She turned toward Melissa, hating the knowledge in her onyx eyes. Though Cassie hadn't mentioned her dreams to anyone, or her bizarre attraction to Devon, Melissa saw far more than most people. She always did. "Maybe a sleeping pill would help you."

Cassie hid her surprise, and nodded briskly as she turned toward Chris. He offered her a wan smile as he held his arm out to her. Though she loved them both dearly, there were times when she wished they didn't know her so well, or possess such probing gifts. Hiding her irritation, she slipped her arm into Chris's and squeezed it briefly as she leaned against his side.

She'd always hated taking any medicine, but maybe she should take a pill tonight, she was so damn tired she could barely see straight anymore. And if she didn't get some sleep soon, she was scared she would break completely.