Claire's POV ( reader's perspective )

The wedding was cancelled. Shane had ended things with her. Claire was devastated. She thought he was the love of her life. They had only just got engaged. She could not comprehend it. Claire did not know what she had done wrong. She tried to be a loving partner, she thought he was happy. And yet here she was, newly dumped. He mentioned there was someone else. A vampire. Which only confused her more; he hated most vampires. Not her though. She vaguely remembered that it was Jesse, the new vampire to Morganville. And it broke Claire's heart that some random woman meant more than she did.

She walked the streets of Morganville, unknowing as to where she would go. And yet, she walked. And walked. After several harrowing minutes, she found herself where she knew she would be welcome, wanted even. She sluggishly stepped down the slate grey steps. And as she hit the last one, she heard him.

"Claire? What a pleasant surprise… what's wrong?"

She entered the laboratory. Myrnin was fiddling with a new device. Claire was uninterested. She flopped down on the couch and suddenly broke out into heart wrenching sobs. In the next second, he was there, gently holding her and stroking her hair.

"what is the matter little one?". as he spoke, she cried more. Myrnin did not know how to help so he just pulled her close and wished her pain away. Hours had passed when she finally calmed down. Her head lay on Myrnin's shoulder. As the minutes passed, her breathing slowed, and Claire drifted off into an uneasy sleep. He sighed and gently kissed her forehead.

Myrnin's POV

I was testing out the microscope. I did not need it; however, I knew Claire would love it. Claire. My assistant, my friend, my love. She did not know of my feelings. And yet they were still there. I reminisced about when I met her. She was small, fragile. And now, she is a woman. A godlike warrior. An engaged one. Just thinking about her caused an intense bloodlust. I quickly supressed it. I had fed earlier. I would not drink unnecessarily. I missed her. I hated to admit it but my unbeating heart yearned for her warmth, her smile. I had never felt this for anyone, not even Ada. It was at this moment I heard the angelic tap of her feet on the steps, I knew she was approaching. I smiled and called out to her.

"Claire? What a pleasant surprise." As the words flew from my mouth, I heard her heartbeat. It ached with pain. I knew within that instant that something was wrong. I could now smell her, physically she was fine. This was the only thing that stopped me from running to her, to give in to the urge to protect and claim her. Not wanting to startle her I called,

"What's wrong?" I grew embarrassed at the worry in my voice. I quickly busied myself with the microscope. She was just a few feet away now. She fell onto the sofa defeated. And she sobbed. The sound rang out and echoed around my lab. I felt like I had been stabbed in the chest. Anger and fear consumed me. I ignored this and with inhuman speed rushed over to her. One thing was clear; protect Claire. I embraced her, inhaling her honey scent. I ran my hand through her blond hair in a feeble attempt to sooth her.

"What is the matter little one?" I pleaded for her to tell me. I needed to make her pain go away. It agonised me that she hurt so. She cried harder and I instinctively pulled her closer, willing her to be okay. She stiffened at first then sagged against me. We clung to each other for hours. Her heart slowed and her breathing calmed. I sighed in relief; I knew she would be okay. After a few minutes, her breath became slightly heavier. I felt her drift off to another world and prayed to the gods it was better than the one she had temporarily left. Once I knew it was safe, I pressed my lips to her forehead, practically hurling all the love and peace I mentally could. I silently pleaded with her unmoving figure. And within that moment, I made a promise to her. If she recovered from whatever this was, I would confess my undying love. I no longer cared about the pathetic boy she loved. She would be mine. No matter what. No one would get in my way….