* Chapter One ||

"What is wrong with you?" I screamed at the mirror in frustration. That was a good question, what is wrong with me? Why did I even insist on telling anything to Ekil? Taking in a deep breath, I examined my face. My skin as white as ivory shone orange-ish, reflecting the rays from the hanging light bulb that flickered like an annoying firefly above my head. My flat eyes, a deep red, held so much hesitation and uncertainty. I didn't know what move I should make now that I slipped up and told Ekil about my family, my real life. Mind you, I was just told about all of this news as well, so you could see how I would run to my best friend with such information without even thinking about it.

I sighed and splashed cold water on my face, as well as pulling my long blonde hair into a ponytail; watching myself carefully as it made a mess of curls fall down the side of my face and the ends hitting my waist.

"Claudia, darling? Are you alright?" I heard Ekil's smooth voice call out from the other side of the wooden door. I had to gather myself before being in his presence again. I had to be confident. But confident was something I was not. Confident was something I never was, nor probably ever will be. I pushed my thoughts of confidence out of my mind though, and thought of my sister; the lioness she is. With such fierce attitude, and unbleached words. She just eluded confidence.

I had to be like her. I smiled to myself as an idea invaded my brain. I was always a good actress. I could do this.

Stepping out of the bathroom, holding my head up high. "Yes, I am fine." My voice sounding unusual to myself. Ekil eyed me, his violet orbs taking me in. As if he didn't believe me. I knew that he knew me better then this. If anyone was to be foolish enough to believe my front of confidence, it definitely would not be him. His head shook from side to side and his usual crooked smile dropped to a flat line I don't remember ever seeing before. "Claudia, you need not worry-"

"I have every need to worry Ekil! I don't belong here! They'll take me away, they will. You and I both know it." I tried to keep my voice steady, but my cries seeped through my words.

"No, I won't let them-"

"They'll kill you." I stated simply, interrupting him. His shoulders lifted up to a shrug as he smiled smugly.

"Well, then I guess they will have to kill me. I will not let them take you." His usual formal words were dropped, and it sounded odd to me. I wasn't used to him speaking so casually. I thought about his words, and even the thought of them hurting him over me punched a hole through my heart. I wouldn't let him get hurt over my disgusting condition.

"No! Ekil, I won't let you-"

"Won't let me what Claudia?" He pleaded, "You expect me to just let them take away my only friend?" I went silent. I could not bear to even think about the pain he would experience. But he would get over it. I would be brought to where I belong, and he could find someone else, someone better.

I managed to find my voice after what seemed like an eternity of silence. "Ekil, Morose is no longer my home. I don't belong here."

He took me in again, examining me. So badly he wanted to believe I belonged here, and maybe I did; once upon a time. But not now. This was no longer my home. I could see it in his eyes, he was fighting with this fact. He knew it himself, that I had to go. But he would accept death before admitting it, and it saddened me to no end. I do not want blood spilled over me.

I could see he was about to object, so I caught him before he could. "Morose is a much darker place then where I need be Ekil. I am not accepted here, I mean I was; but that was when I was one of the Blood Children. It turns out I am not. So I can't stay here Ekil. I have to go." Even explaining this much hurt me. I had not wanted to accept this, but it was true. I am no longer a Blood Child, I never was. There are no halves when it comes to Morose, you're either a Blood Child, a Moon Child or nothing; none of the aboves are treated as outsiders. And I knew once word got out to anyone else that I am part Nephilim, I knew that I would be banned from my home. Seemed a little silly, but it was true. Every one from Morose hated the Nephilim's and anyone who claimed their homeland as home.

"I'm not letting you leave here. Not without me." I sighed and shook my head.

"No. Ekil, you need to stay here. I'm not leaving just yet. Okay? Let's just drop the topic please." I begged of him, I didn't want to speak about it anymore, just thinking of leaving hurt me. What would my dad do? Would he be happy to see me leave, or would he mourn the loss of his youngest daughter? Would he miss me? As I thought back about it, I doubted it, I mean I know I was the least favorite out of my sister and I. I wasn't anything like her. She was so confident, knew what she was doing and where she was going in life. She loved makeup and pretty things and could make anything look good. She did modeling and had managed to graduate school with the top grades. Got scholarships at all the good schools, and got herself a great job. Myself on the other hand had the worse self-esteem either, and only know that I'm going to have to leave Morose. I hate makeup, or anything remotely girly. I don't have the body for modeling, I don't have a job period, and certainly don't have the top grades at school. I'd be lucky if I have the top grades within one of my classes. My father and I rather got along come to think of it. There was no doubt in my mind that he wouldn't miss me.

"Claudia, darling?" Ekil's voice broke my rapid thoughts, and I looked at him. "We have class my darling, I know you are not in the greatest mind state, but we should go."

Great.

The only thing that upset me worse then the thought of being a Nephilim and having to leave everything behind, was going to class. This was going to be a long day.

* Prologue ||

I always wondered what had bothered him so much, what was he running from? Whenever we were together, its like he had to look around to make sure nobody was watching. Almost like he half expected a chick to pop out of the bushes and curse at us both for being together. If the events in the pass week and a half hadn't happened, I maybe would have believed this was the case. But I knew better. Much better then that. I knew he wasn't ashamed of being next to me, like I always assumed he was.

I knew.

I understood the constant paranoia that battered at his brain and left him scared. I just wished I could break this fear. Shatter it. Smother it. I wanted him to be safe, and feel safe. I don't know what I would do if anything were to happen to him. Even just the thought of anything going down made my heart sink into the pit of my stomach and made me go numb all over. I guess this is what love was. Yeah, I love him.

But I knew the only way to prevent anything from happening, the only way to keep him safe; was to keep him away from me.