I stumbled through the woods after Dana. Okay, so I made myself stumble, after the blood I'd consumed earlier I could have walked easily through the woods. The last thing I needed to do was to make Dana suspicious. She was moving fast through the heavy underbrush, but she was still making a lot of noise. Twigs snapped under her boots and she snagged her jacket repeatedly on branches. She would have freaked if I'd just walked silently and unhindered through the thicket. The last thing I needed was Black Cross suspecting I was something a little more than human, especially since I was going straight into their headquarters.

Dana had agreed to take me to see Lucas. She'd made it clear she wasn't doing it for me, it was for Lucas' benefit only. She told me he was incoherent, heavily medicated, and often unconscious. She told me the only thing he'd said since being rescued was my name. He whispered it in his sleep, he yelled it in his dreams. I felt like a traitor. Here Lucas was, horribly injured, and he cried out for me. While he was in pain, I'd been getting all cozy with Balthazar. I was drowning in guilt.

I hadn't seen Lucas since our fight, and it had seemed pretty obvious to me then that that was the end to us. So why then was it my name he called out? My emotions became a whirlpool, swirling together, rapidly becoming dangerous. I guess I wasn't sure if I really did love Lucas, but I knew one thing for sure, I had to see him. I cared for him. The thought of him injured made my stomach twist in on itself, my heart ache. Lucas had always seemed so brave and strong, almost invincible to me.

"Hurry up," Dana growled, scowling at me over her shoulder. She was definitely going to be pissed at me for awhile, if not, say, forever.

We were reaching the edge of the school grounds when a dark figure stepped out in front of Dana and I. Dana reached for her weapons but I just sighed.

" I'm going, Balthazar. You can't stop me."

" Bianca, this is ridiculous. You can't expect me to let you just walk into Black Cross headquarters."

" Ridiculous or not, that's the plan."

I tried to brush past Balthazar but he grabbed my shoulders.

"Bianca! I will not allow this!" His eyes bored into mine and anger flared. I would not tolerate being told what I could and couldn't do, especially with Lucas' life on the line. I knew it hurt Balthazar to see me running to Lucas' side but I had to do it. Lucas' injuries took precedence over all else.

"We'll talk when I get back. I'm sorry, really, but you have to let me go," I tried.

" NO, you will be unprotected in the hands of the enemy!!" Balthazar shook me as he spoke. The emotional whirlpool I'd been stopped suddenly and anger engulfed me. I didn't like his getting physical with me and letting myself feel angry was easier than letting myself feel the fear or the guilt that both threatened to overtake me.

" Speaking of hands, I'd really appreciate it if you'd removes yours from me. I don't appreciate being manhandled," I practically growled.

He released his grip on me and looked down.

"Please, Bianca, be reasonable," he pleaded. It hurt me to see the desperation on his face, but not as much as it would hurt me knowing Lucas was suffering, asking for me, while I sat back at Evernight pretending everything was fine.

"I can't ignore this situation, Balthazar. I can't let him be in pain and just sit comfortably here with you. I have to see him. I care about him still."

And with that I pushed past Balthazar and continued on. I glanced back to make sure Dana was following and winced at the look on Balthazar's face. He looked so shocked and betrayed.

"Don't try following us, fang boy," Dana shot at him as she resumed walking, " It could prove unhealthy for you." She flashed him an ugly smile and then redirected her attention to me.

"I hope you new boy toy listens because I'd love the chance to change his undead status to just dead."

I just glared at her and marched on.