He kissed me with a fiery passion that everyone would notice. I no longer cared about what I'd said at the lake. I was pretty sure Ryder wouldn't screw me over. He had quit drinking, he wasn't mad at me for fighting with my dad, and he loved me. He hovered over me and I smiled at him. I felt ready this time. I felt invinsible. As if I were on top of the world.

"Are you sure?" he asked, making sure I was ready.

I just nodded, unaware of how to use my words.

He ripped off his shirt and yanked off my jeans. I gave him a look and unbuckled his belt as he unclasped my bra. I had no clue where my shirt was. I wrapped my legs around him and he held me close to him. He kissed my neck and felt around my underwear. I cringed at that slightly. Molly's face flashed, but I tried to focus on Ryder. I wasn't letting anyone or anything ruin this. This was what we wanted. I was ready, and so was he.

He looked at me and laid me down gently. "Now, let me know if this next part hurts, okay?"

I nodded as he carefully entered me. I surpressed my scream and held onto his back. My legs twitched at the pain. He must've noticed because he looked worried. I shook my head, assuring him it was okay, and he seemed uncertain. I was afraid for him to take it out. I was afraid that would hurt worse. He kissed my face slowly as he eased out. Which wasn't painful at all.

I exhaled and looked at him. He watched me carefully and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"You're amazing," I breathed.

"I'm surprised," he chuckled.

"At what?" I asked.

"This is my first time," he admitted.

"Me too," I said.

That technically wasn't a lie. This was my first time willingly. And Ryder was just so great. Considerate. Thoughtful.

"You wanna stay the night out here, or do you want me to drop you off back at your house?" he asked.

"Let's stay," I said kissing him.

We dressed ourselves and laid next to each other. He held me close and I laid there. When he was asleep--like deep asleep--I silently cried. I hurt all down there, and Molly's face wouldn't escape my thoughts. But Ryder was amazing. I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes, and tried to forget the pain.

The sun was bright through the windows. I opened my eyes and Ryder was still shirtless. I rubbed my hand over his eight-pack and felt his chest. He was so warm, so soft... And waking up next to him like this just reminded me that last night was real. I had given him my virginity. And I don't regret it.

"Morning," he smiled at me.

"Good morning," I kissed him.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm great," I said.

"Me too," he said.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I looked. I had ten missed calls from Dad. I rolled my eyes and ignored them. He called again and I answered.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?!" he yelled.

"Out," I said.

"Come home," he said.

"Kinda busy at the moment," I smiled at Ryder.

"Are you with that Ryder boy?" he asked.

"What's it to you?" I asked.

"Did you have sex with him?" he asked.

"That's really none of your business," I snapped.

Ryder held out his hand for the phone. I handed it to him and Ryder sat up. "Hello?"

I waited as he talked to my dad.

"Yes. Yes. I don't know. I'd never hurt her, leave her, or anything. I love her too much. Well, then if that's the case, I'll do my part. I understand you hate me now, but it wasn't forced on her. I would never do that to someone. Okay. Bye," he hung up and handed me my phone back.

"What was that about?" I asked.

"He asked if we had done it, and asked if you were okay, and was mad that we had, but was glad that it wasn't forced," he shrugged.

"What about when you said, 'Well, then, if that's the case, I'll do my part'?"

"Pregnancy possibilities," he shrugged again.

"You used protection last night, right?" I asked.

"Of course," he nodded.

Then I remembered him slipping it on.

But they didn't always work.

Oh well.

"You'd really raise a child with me?" I smiled.

"I'd do anything for you, Kate," he said.

We got out of the truck and walked around. We were walking like a regular couple when a girl came up to me and asked, "You're Kate, right?"

"Who're you?" I asked.

"A friend of Molly's," she said.

I paled.

"Who?" Ryder asked.

"I heard you killed her," she ignored Ryder.

"I had to," I whispered.

"Who?" Ryder repeated.

"Molly was my friend. And your little girlfriend killed her," she said.

"I had to," I repeated.

She flashed her fangs at me and I jumped back, and Ryder guarded me.

"Come on, Kate," she hissed.

"Get away from me!" I yelled, throwing a ball of magic at her.

She fell to the ground, still as a board. I looked at Ryder and he slowly bent down to feel her neck.

"Nothing," he said.

I exhaled.

"Who's Molly and why did you kill her?" he asked.

"I didn't want anyone to know... Some people found out, but I didn't want them to..." I looked down.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

I breathed, took his hand, and led him back to his truck. We sat in the bed of his truck and I swing my feet nervously.

"A few months ago... I..." I breathed again. "I don't know where to begin... All of it is so complex and twisted."

"Just try," he squeezed my hand. "We have all day."

I nodded, still looking at my feet. "This man had just kidnapped me and Darnellel. So were in this mansion looking thing. I still don't see the point in it... Anyway, Harvey, the man who took us, needed me. So I followed him and I walked in the room, and all these people circled me. He wanted me to fight them all. Molly was one. She said, 'Let me handle her' or something like that... So, naturally..."

I was starting to hyperventilate, but forced words out.

"She led me to her house. The moment we were both in... She had the door locked... My wrists above my head... And her above me saying it'd be over soon..." I practically broke, but was still barely able to speak. "Have you ever had a girl violate you like that, Ryder? It's... It's terrible... It's possible... And so after she let me go, I took time to heal... And then I needed my mom. So on my search for her, I ran into Molly and her friends... Then she tried again... I wasn't about to let her do it again, so... I killed her..."

I brought my knees up to my face and buried my face in them. I felt Ryder's arms wrap around me, then I felt his chest. That was the hardest thing I'd ever done. He kissed my head and rubbed my arm. He didn't say anything and I was grateful for it. I just wanted to sit here and cry. I really didn't care I was crying anymore. I cried so many times without anyone there for me. Darnellel was there once or twice, but other times, I was alone.

Suddenly, the silence scared me. Why wasn't he saying anything? Was he scared to? I looked up at him, wiping my tears away and he looked at me. I swallowed and my throat hurt. He kissed the corner of my eye. "I should've killed her."

"Why?" I whispered.

"She hurt you," he said as if I were stupid.

I chuckled slightly and shook my head. "You didn't know."

"Not to make you uncomfortable, but... How does that happen? I mean, a girl could obviously do that to me, because I'm a guy and we have opposite parts, but I don't get how two girls and two guys," he shivered at the image.

"It's possible," was all I was going to say.

"Okay," he nodded in understanding.

I rested my head on his chest and he held me.

"So you're a sorceress," he said.

"Yep."

"Isn't there some way... I could become a sorcerer?"

"People who want to be apart of magic or something have to go to this huge building and talk to the president of it. And if your reasons are good, he'll let you. But most of us are born like this," I said.

"Okay," he kissed my head.

We just sat there, the rest of the time. This time, I was happy. This time, I was with someone who cared. This time, I would see the world more clearly. This time, I wouldn't be brought down so easily. This time, I take on whatever life threw at me. This time, I wouldn't be afraid. This time, I'd fight.

****

IT'S OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha. Just the first book, anyway. Can you believe Kate finally gave it up?? What do you think will happen in the next book?!?! Thank you to all of my supporters!!! I can't believe I got this done!!!! And it's all because of you guys!!!!!!