Yes, it's finally done! *phew* I don't know what I'm supposed to say. I'm not sure how much you'll love this final chapter but I got to the conclusion that was the only way things could have ended. Thanks for your patience and for reading and reviewing my story. Your comments mean a great deal to me. Now that it's over I should get a life haha.

Many thanks to Keaira again for being my beta.

Enjoy!

Helen had requested the meeting. They were all waiting for her and Druitt to appear. It had been three weeks since they got injected with the Source Blood and they had all managed to keep their powers under control. Nigel was on the couch having fun by making different parts of his body disappear. Watson was reading a Physics book. Apparently, after his mind reached new heights, he stopped being concerned anymore about controlling the information he learned so he was eagerly trying to expand his knowledge.

Nikola was standing on a chair watching them and wondering what Helen had to tell them. The memory of his blood lust was still vivid in his mind but thanks to the ingenious Helen Magnus and her new Medication, he was now doing excellent at controlling his vampire transformation. Because he scarcely felt the need to sleep, he was spending all his nights practicing, discovering new sides of his powers but also studying about Sanguine Vampiris to find out what he was. He had become fascinated by the greatness and power of the "ancient ones".

Suddenly Druitt showed up with Helen in the middle of the room. That was John's power – teleportation. Gracious as always, she greeted the men without letting go John's hand.

Again, Nikola was bothered by the gesture. But this time he knew what caused that. He couldn't admit it but he knew all too well he was jealous.

There was happiness in Helen's eyes while Druitt had that look as if he was admiring his trophy again.

"My friends!" Helen started. "You must be wondering why I asked for this meeting."

There was no doubt, when she talked everyone's attention was caught by her words.

"I have some wonderful news I want to share with you." She said and rolled her eyes through the room.

"Me and John got engaged last night!"

The others started applauding and congratulating them. Nikola was frozen in his chair. He felt like somebody just burned a hole in his chest and ripped his heart. He tried to take a deep breath but he ended up suffocating. A deep pain took over him, a pain he was familiar with. It was the same kind of pain he experienced after he had lost his brother. This time it was Helen the one he was loosing. Their voices became just a long incomprehensible background sound for his thoughts.

He raised his gaze just to meet Druitt's mischievous grin enjoying his victory. Anger started to darken his thoughts. And then he felt that blood lust again. Just a quick attack and Druitt will never know what hit him. But she would know…

"She chose him!" A voice screamed in his head.

The voice was right. She chose him. How could she? Wasn't she able to tell what kind of man Druitt was? Nikola decided to end this once and for all. He felt his inner demon quickly growing inside of him but this time he made no effort to resist. His eyes blackened. Every muscle in his body was waiting for his mind to command the attack.

A hand gently touched his shoulder.

"Nikola?" Her voice suddenly brought him to reality.

He raised his gaze to meet her deep blue eyes filled with concern.

"Nikola, are you alright?" She asked in a whisper.

His anger backed down for a couple of moments. How could she have such an effect on him?

With a grimace on his face Nikola answered,

"I'm not feeling very good. I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me."

He rose from the chair and turned to face her.

"Congratulations on your engagement." He said struggling to control the tone of his voice while he placed a soft kiss on her hand.

Before walking out the door Druitt suddenly materialized in front of him.

"Won't you congratulate me too?" He asked in a sarcastic tone.

So close… All he had to do is raise his hand and in a fraction of second his long nails would rip him apart. He turned to take one more look at Helen hoping to gain a little more self control. He then turned to Druitt and grabbed his arm.

"If I hear you don't treat Helen right, you'd better watch your back Johnny boy!"

Then he left leaving Druitt all astounded by his actions.

Nikola was surprised as well. He could not recognize this new side of him. But he didn't have too much time to settle his thoughts. The anger and the blood lust were back stronger than ever. With his heart broken to pieces he went rambling through the city. The storm had started but he didn't care. Big cold raindrops were hitting violently the ground. His clothes were soaking wet but he could not feel them anymore. All he could think about was that Helen had chosen Druitt.

"Of course she had!" A voice replied in his mind. "Have you ever tried to let her know what you feel about her?"

He hadn't. And now he was paying for his mistake. In a low whisper he cursed the day when he'd first seen her. Why did Helen Magnus have to enter his life?

"The scent…"

A young girl was walking in front of him. In just a moment his eyes blackened, his nails grew and he clenched his vampire teeth with excitement.

But then the memory of a promise made not very long ago invaded his mind.

"Promise me." Helen's voice had pleaded him.

Why should he care now? He knew the answer all too well. He loved her. And as much as he wanted to hate her, as much as he wanted to forget her, his heart just wouldn't let him. The thought of her was the pain and at the same time the cure for his scattered mind.

So he struggled to gain control over his actions once again. Even though his instincts told him he needed to feed, Nikola refused to allow his inner demon overcome him again.

He understood then he would spend the rest of his life loving Helen from a distance even though his entire being would end up suffering. Even if he would have to deny the very nature of what he had become. There was no going back.

But he would never allow himself to be so vulnerable in the future. He would wear his mask of selfishness and arrogance, indifference and recklessness to shield his true feelings. He would bury himself in work and study and he would not allow his mind to wonder about her. However he would never give up hope. The hope that perhaps, one day, Helen would be able to see beyond his mask and understand…

~Fin~