Vikki

The Bentley pulls up smoothly behind the removals truck. It looks quiet and my stomach settles a bit. As much as I was reassuring Max so he didn't have to go into full protective mode with me, I was concerned Bisleh would put in an appearance. Human males like him, who believe they're alpha by reason of an accident of birth, like to feel they have the upper hand.

But so far, so good. Neville opens the door for me, and I get out, into some rather squishy mud. I notice Neville's shiny shoes are already covered.

"Sorry." I look up at him. "It's the countryside. It gets a bit like this."

"Perfectly understandable, miss," Neville says as he takes a squelchy pace towards the house, which has a long, grass covered path down to the front door. Grass which is now filled with mud because the removals have been carrying out my furniture.

"Look, Tavvick is coming over soon, Neville. Why don't you go? No point both of us getting dirty. Tavvick can take me home."

"But you'll need the Bentley for your belongings," Neville says, voice filled with concern.

"Tavvick probably has a massive Hummer or something. I'm sure anything I need can fit in there."

Neville makes a face. "That is true, but I am at your disposal."

"Tavvick does have a Hummer?" I say, startled by my guess being right. "It's fine, Neville. Max won't mind at all if I don't."

Neville looks down at his feet, and I can see an element of relief in his posture. "If you're sure, miss?"

"I am," I say emphatically. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Yes, miss," Neville replies, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket as he sits sideways in the car and wipes off his shoes.

I make my way into the cottage. The removals are carrying my couch out of the front door as I get there.

"This is the last of it, Miss Graham," A large burly man says to me.

"Okay, I have a few boxes to pack if you're okay to wait?"

"We're on the clock, so whatever you want. We'll stay," he replies, nudging the couch so his comrade moves.

I'm not entirely sure I like his attitude, but it's not like I have much choice. I need to work hard and get rid of them as quickly as possible. It makes me rather glad Max insisted Tavvick come over.

The cottage feels a little sad as I enter. It was my home, and I was happy here, even if I did have Bisleh breathing down my neck some of the time. The place is charming with its thick walls and open coal fire. The view down the valley is one I'd never get tired of.

I run my hand over the kitchen surface. I am going to miss this place.

But I am going to start a new life with Max, and the excitement within me bursts out as a happy laugh which rings in the empty rooms. I grab a cardboard box and get to work.

As I empty the last kitchen cupboard, the landline rings. Initially I'm puzzled by the sound. I'd forgotten I even had the thing, but as mobile signal is poor out here, it always made sense to have a backup. I pull out my mobile and see there is no reception, so it's probably Max calling.

"How's my sexy beast?" I answer.

"I've been called many things, but none of them sexy." The voice on the other end of the line is rough and obviously not Max.

"Who is this?"

"You do know he's only keeping you around because he has a bet with me, don't you?" the voice snaps.

"What?"

"That night, at Arcane, I bet Max you wouldn't stay with him for a month." I finally recognize who is speaking. It's Vulzal. "A bet he willingly took."

"Well, more fool you. Because I am," I retort.

Except my heart is in my boots. Max made a bet about me? That, perhaps, I can understand. But why didn't he tell me? We've met up with the slimy Vulzal on several occasions, any one of which would have provided ample opportunity for Max to let me know about this bet.

But he didn't. Instead he asked me to move in with him, give up my lease on the cottage and any ties I have to my former life.

"I don't believe you will be staying." Vulzal's voice sounds alarmingly close. "Because I can't afford to lose such a bet."

I turn as a shadow fills my vision. Vulzal stands in the doorway to my living room, mobile phone in hand. He gives me a jagged tooth grin and then stands aside.

The shadow I thought he was casting, it moves, swirls, and incorporates into a hooded form. I take a step back from it, and another. But there is no way out of the room other than the doorway the pair of them are blocking.

I am trapped. I press the end call button on the landline phone, but as Vulzal is still connected, there's nothing I can do.

"It would be easier if you came quietly," he says, voice low and menacing. "But if you choose the hard way, my wraith is only going to enjoy it more."

The hooded figure swells, growing taller, wider, and filling the room with a sense of dread. I don't want to, but I can feel it before I hear it, my scream.

Only the room deadens the sound, and I may as well be laughing as the wraith envelopes me in a cloak of shadowy death.