Hey finally finshed this up sorry it took a while but I hope this makes up for it man I was moving my fingers so fast to get it done my hands are shaking. Anyway let me know what you think :).

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Disclaimer: I do not own the amazing series called the house of night.

Chapter 4: Guilty Punishment

As soon as we got inside I felt firm hands close around my shoulder "Are you sure you are alright?" Rephaim asked, his eyes wide with concern. I nodded vigerously "I'm fine Rephaim really. These are just scratches. I've felt worse trust me" Rephaim shook his head and said "he could have killed you." I thought about how he had begged me not to go, how he reached for me after I jumped out of his arms, how he said he had to see me again. No, I don't think he could have killed me. But seeing as I didn't want to explain all this to Rephaim I lied. "Yes he could have, but he didn't so there's no point in worrying. Can I go to my dorm?"

Rephaim hesitated but Jill, the school nurse, said. "Let her go Rephaim. I see no fatal injures she's not bleeding I see no reason to heep her in the infurmry. Just as long as you remember to ice those wrists." She added to me. I nodded eagerly and looked at Rephaim expectently. He sighed and said, "fine just be careful." And come back immediately if you think you have a concation." I mumbled "ok" and ran out of the room. As I did I heard Rephaim call out. "And stay away from Avinash, I don't want him-"

His voice faded the further I went. And I didn't stay to figure out what he was going to say. The only thing Rephaim's words did was bring up the guilty memory of Avinash saying. "I must see you again." I squeezed my eyes shut and pressed my three fingers against my forehead. Trying to earse the memory of his voice. It was jsut so appealing! Even the memory of it sent shivers down my spine. And that was not good.

When I reached my room I slammed the door shut and fell onto my bed. NOt for the first time glad that I didn't have a roommate. This way I could cry in peace. What had I done? I had betrayed my Goddess! Sure some supernatural mojo was in work but that was no exuse.

I kept expecting Artemis to appear out of thin air and exact he revenge. To strip me of my Huntress title and walk away laughing. But to my surprise it never happened. The Goddess didn't come and take everything away. I wondered why, a warning? A message to stay away from Avinash? I cringed when I thought of his name. Of how it sent shills down my spine, and beaterflies a flutter in my stomach.

"No, no, no not going to happen" I scream. I flung a pillow over my head and curled into a fetal position. I wouldn't let him get to me like this. I wouldn't let him mess with my head like this. I wouldn't let him win. I looked up at my window and spoke strongly to him. "I won't let you win. I won't let you make me break my oath. I'll fight against whatever you've done to me. And then I will be free of you. This I swear, so mote it be." Then I roled over and went to sleep.

Avinash's POV:

Avinash laid in his nest thinking. What on Earth was that? He still couldn't get his mind around it. He had wanted to hold her, embrace her, love her. A foolish mortal girl he ddin't even know. But even as he said that his mind rebeled the thought. It told him he'd known her forever. Which was rediculas! Of course he didn't know her, he just met her today. Plus he was the son of an immortal as she was just a mortal child. He had lived for centuries, she hadn't. This whole thing was crazy, she shouldn't be invading his thoughts like this! He should just forget about her. But then, Avinash thought, she shouldn't be able to invade my mind and soul either.

Making a noise of disgust Avinash kicked out and turned over to his side. He couldn't believe the things he'd said. He had asked for her love, he'd begged for her to stay with him, begged! Rage swalled within him. He had wanted to touch her. He had wanted to stop her retreat from him. Of course she would retreat, he was a creature of nightmares and shadows, he deserved the obvious hatred in her eyes.

Avinash nashed his beak together at the obvious show of weakness he displayed. She had broken down his barriers and reached inside him. And instead of being enraged or trying to stop her he let his will cramble. He had embraced her without a thought, let her see him valnerable, and even bagan to believe he loved her.

The Raven Mocker closeed his eyes and with a sigh tried getting Malina out of his mind. Just then his breath was knocked out of him. His eyes flew open in shock. Her name echoed around his mind, Malina. And just like that the walls he'd carefully put around himself came tambling down.

His heart ached. It had been aching sence he'd left her presense. He'd just chose to block it out. But at the thought of her name he became aware of it. He misseed her, he needed her. He was right to tell her he needed to see her soon. Because he did, he had to see her face, hear her voice, and (though he hated to admit it) feel their connection again. The cord, he needed to feel what it was like to be inside her soul again. Just thinking aobut her sent a finger of desire to crawl up his spine.

The more rational part of his mind told him he should not be having these foolish thoughts. That he was a creature born from hate and lust and Darkness who could never know love. But he couldn't hear it. The part of Avinash's mind that longed for her was too domanite. And a creature such as he can know love. Avinash thought, Rephaim knows of love. Confuse by feelings he did not understand. And stressed and tired beyond even his great strength, the Raven Mocker pulled himself into a fetal position, cocooning himself in his wings. And let sleep take him under, he let it blanket him in dreams, banashing all thoughts of Malina and love and everything of that impossible manner.