We were there in no time. Jake's house was exactly like I remembered it - not that it should have been any different. The building in the middle of the forest in the center of a small circle-shaped clearing wasn't very big, having more height than width. It seemed to have only two floors according to window placements, though I wasn't sure as the house looked a little higher. Probably an attic or something, I thought. The clearing around the house was pretty much empty, no decorations or even trees closer than the thick line of forest surrounding it.

I noticed that in some ways Jake's home reminds me of Rudy's. He, too, lived in a seemingly abandoned area in the middle of nowhere. But his house was a lot bigger. Also the land around it, where you could fit God knows how many more houses like that. But their garden was empty, too, which I had found weird at first, considering the large family and children. I wondered if it had something to do with them being a family of zebras. Maybe they needed space to run freely or something.

Jake parked his car next to his mum's little silver Audi, which suddenly felt so worthless next to the Chevrolet. After stepping out from the car, we headed towards the front door, me keeping close to Jake as if fearing another hyena attack. The door wasn't locked when Jake opened it, so I assumed we weren't alone.

And I was right. "Jake?" I heard Claudia call out from the room to our left as we stepped through the tiny front room and into a humble kitchen. As you could guess from the outside, the rooms weren't very big. Even the windows seemed kind of small, leaving the house dim-lit. But otherwise, the place looked very homey; it had this warm feeling to it. It didn't need any expensive decorations or furniture.

"Who else," Jake called back casually. He motioned me to go on and as I did, I realized the kitchen was connected to the living room. That was where I heard Claudia's voice come from.

"Your friends came by here again," she said. I saw her sitting on a small couch in front of the TV. At that moment she turned her head. And when she spotted me with Jake, the expression on her face was suddenly turning into fear and concern.

"Um, hey," I spoke up quietly.

"I already met them today," Jake replied to his mom as he came next to me. Then he, too, noticed how Claudia was exchanging looks between us two. Realization hit Jake and he explained, "Me and Selina are getting along just well. She agreed to come." He paused. Then, "I have good intentions."

I recognized then what he meant. As far as Claudia was concerned, Jake had wanted to kill me. Maybe she didn't know yet that things had gone better, somehow. I nodded to confirm Jake's story.

His mother nodded, too, slowly, but remained concerned. I couldn't even imagine what a mother would feel, knowing what her son is capable of.

"Come, let's go upstairs," Jake told me, turning around. I saw the staircase at the far corner of the kitchen. It was in a small room of it's own, behind a door frame without a door. But even so the little space was much darker than the dimly lit kitchen.

Before we headed over there, though, he suddenly stopped in front of the sink. Sticking his face under the tap, he began drinking the pouring water as if he'd been thirsty for days. At that moment I thought maybe at his own home, away from humans, he might show more of the animal that resides within him. Maybe I shouldn't feel so calm about coming here? When he pulled back, he smiled, seeing how I was staring, and signaled me to follow as he continued towards the stairs.

I was calm. I couldn't explain it, but I was.

Second floor had a semi-long corridor, reaching all the way to the other side of the house as I could tell by the window at the end. I followed Jake past the few doors until he came to a stop in front of the one in the far end. He opened it, and I immediately noticed this was the largest room I'd seen in the house so far. A bedroom. Most likely Jake's. The walls were a dull creamy colour, no posters, no pictures. In the far right corner was a bed, a little bigger than a usual single person bed. Under the window at the right side wall, next to his bed, was a table which only held a laptop, nothing else. The left side wall was covered in shelves. I saw loads of CDs, some books, small stones, and a lot of stuff which seemed to hold no meaning, like small wooden figures, feathers, interesting craftwork, trinkets and so much more. There barely was a free space. A little closer to the door stood a small closet and a cupboard on which was a tiny LCD TV. And only one thing left to mention. Something that definitely wouldn't go unnoticed - a huge crooked tree root in the far left corner of the room. It was all scratched and damaged.

Jake noticed I couldn't stop staring at it and a smile pulled at the corners of his lips. "To keep my claws sharp," he explained. "Mum didn't like I was ruining the trees around the house. So I brought one here."

"Okay," I drew out slowly, feeling a bit uneasy now. It's just not something you'd see every day. And it's not every day I come to a home of a human jaguar.

Turning away from it, I instead let my eyes travel over the many items on the shelves. Looking closer, I noticed some golden and silver amulets and charms, and colourful stones, some of them polished, that looked like crystals. I simply couldn't keep my hands away. Holding a little sky blue stone shaped like blade between my fingers I turned it one way and another. It wasn't polished, but it was beautiful.

Jake stepped behind me. "Kyanite," he said.

I put it back gently, then took another one, white and polished in undeniably familiar shape. "Brilliant?" I asked, astonished, and Jake nodded. After that I picked up a green polished gem. Emerald. Letting my eyes fall on all the others that lay there on the shelf, in amongst many I also recognized sapphire, ruby and opal. I didn't know the names of others, but assumed they were all something expensive. They weren't too small, when I thought about it now. Most of them about two centimetres wide. They had to cost a lot, I thought, gaping at the sight of them all. Who would keep such things on a shelf for everybody to see who enters the room?

"Where did you get them?" I asked, staring at him wide-eyed.

Jake smirked. "I like to collect things," he said simply.

I didn't know what to say or what to think even. Slowly shaking my head, I moved on. Letting my eyes travel from the gemstones, I found a big white fang. "Yours?" I asked Jake.

"The first one I lost," he replied. I nodded, ready to move on to see what else I could find here, but Jake's arms were suddenly around my waist, keeping me trapped. His breath touched the skin of my neck and I felt a warm tingle run through my body, making my heart beat faster.

"So... what do you think?" he asked in a low voice, his mouth close to my ear. "Were you expecting something more beastly?"

It took me a moment to answer. I wondered if he did it on purpose. "That root over there is beastly enough."

He laughed, softly pulling me with as he moved over to where his bed was. He still didn't let go as he sat down, making me sit in his lap.

"I'm very glad you're not scared of me anymore," he said quietly. "I'm surprised I didn't see it sooner. You're very beautiful."

I felt my cheeks turning hot. All I could do was to smile shyly.

"Inside and outside," he added, and this time I felt his lips on my neck. I didn't move; my mind went on rampage. Didn't this go a little too fast?

But as his lips moved up my neck and to my jawline, I felt myself relaxing. He then pulled pack, only to gently push me down on the bed. Jake was now hovering above me, and for a moment I saw the dilated pupils of his feline eyes. Then he leaned in, his lips lingering on my collarbone. One of his hands was under my back while the other held onto my wrist. I don't think he even noticed the force he put into it. I might have felt the slightest bit of pain, but it was all washed away with my sudden urge to have him closer. My own arm slid on his back, pulling him.

Jake's lips were back on my neck, then on my jawline. There he stopped. And my head almost rose with him as he pulled back, not wanting this to end. Jake released my wrist, which was now tingling as blood made its way back to my almost drained veins. Holding my gaze, Jake brushed away the strands of hair on my face and smiled. His eyes were a bright yellow - the eyes of a jaguar. But I wasn't afraid. Not even the slightest. He leaned in again, slowly, his lips softly brushing mine. At that moment I felt as if I was melting.

* * *

I was woken by a vague sough, and something was vibrating near my butt. It took a moment before I remembered my cell as I was still a little dizzy from my sleep. When had I fallen asleep in the first place? Looking to my right, I found Jake laying on his side, eyes closed, next to me. He still had his arm around me.

I scooped out my cell.

"Selina? Where are you? Why didn't you pick up when I called before?" It was my mum's slightly panicking voice.

"Um..." I pulled the phone back to see what time it was. A few minutes after eight. "Sorry," I mumbled, failing greatly when trying to hide my tired voice. "I must've not heard the phone ring."

"Where are you?"

"I'm... at a friend's place"

"I called Nicole. You're not with her. And I couldn't get Rudy on the line."

"Rudy and his family are leaving town for a while," I replied. "I'm not with him."

"Oh... But then... who?" Mum knew I had no other friends I would hang out with, if they weren't some of Nicole's friends. And I never was with them when Nicole wasn't around, anyway.

So I bit my lip and said, "I'm with Jake."

There was silence for a few seconds, and I could just imagine a smile making it's way to her lips. "And what where you doing there that you coudn't hear your phone ring?" She sounded too nosy for a worried mother.

"I think I fell asleep," I said bluntly.

Silence again. When she spoke up, her voice was much softer than before. All the concern seemed to be gone. "Oh. Did I interrupt?"

"I was asleep," I retorted, rolling my eyes. "What's there to interrupt if you were worried?" Though I must say I feel very comfortable just laying here with Jake.

"Of course... But will you be coming home some time soon?" She asked it as if I might not show up until morning light.

I turned to look at Jake, who had his eyes open now, but he looked even more sleepy than I did. "Hold on, I'll talk to him for a sec," I told mum, then turned to Jake.

"Talk to me about what?" he mumbled as he looked down at me with his now human eyes.

"It's late," I said. "Can I get home somehow?"

Jake yawned widely before answering. "Sure you can." Then he smiled, and I couldn't help but notice how cute he looked like this, with the messy hair and all. "Though it'd be safe to spend a night here."

"Or maybe you just want me to stay," I laughed.

"That, too."

I brought the phone back to my ear. "He can take me home," I replied, "if I don't want to stay for the night." I discovered myself adding the last part with a little hint of hope. But what was I thinking? Maybe I really did like Jake - the guy I should actually be afraid of. But I also don't know him that well.

"I wouldn't have anything against it," my mum said on the other end. Yeah, that's exactly like her; she's been waiting for long for the moment when I finally begin dating. Guess she wants someone she could talk to about guys.

"Well, I don't know about Jake's mum's approval yet but I guess she'd be fine with it." If I already went this far... There's no turning back.

"Okay then. See you tomorrow, darling."

"See you," I replied, right before she hung up.

Turning back towards Jake, I found a huge grin on his face. Trying to ignore him, I stretched out my arm to put my cellphone on the table. "So... do you have an extra mattress? Or another bed or a couch somewhere in the house?"

Jake looked around us. "There's plenty of room here in the bed."

I hesitated, pondering if he really offered it or if he was simply joking. Even if I liked him, I didn't know if it'd be right. I've never been with a guy like... like this. Hell, before Jake came around, I hadn't even got my first kiss. It might be a bit unusual for a seventeen-year-old, but that's how it just is. I mean, I definitely didn't want to sleep with him. As in, go further with the relationship.

Jake's arm, that was still around me, pulled me tighter against him. "Hey, it's not like I'd do something you don't like. We'd just share the bed. I can even get us separate blankets if you want to."

Having my gaze captured in his, I found myself sighing and nodding.

* * *

We spent several more minutes cuddled up in Jake's bed. But then I got hungry and Jake proposed to go downstairs. Jake's mother seemed utterly relieved when seeing me. I wonder if she thought Jake could hurt me. However, no one said a word on that topic.

Even though there are only two people living in this house, Claudia had cooked a lot more than my mum cooks for our family of three. When I mentioned it to Jake, he said he gets a bigger appetite since he's changing his "habits". And he wasn't lying abut his appetite. Anyways, his mum was an amazing cook. Not that I'd complain about my mum's culinary skills, but Claudia really knew how to prepare a good meal.

She didn't have any objections about me spending a night here. She also didn't ask anything about our relationship or anything. I think she was still a little worried about me but didn't want to show it out. At that point I remembered I know close to nothing about how Jake and his mother get along. From what Claudia has told me, I take it that it's not all that beautiful. She had told me she was actually afraid of her son. Was that really the reason she didn't talk much around him?

Later, when we were back in his room, we at one point heard strange noises coming from outside. Jake opened the door to the balcony, telling me to stay inside. After he had walked out, I heard him talk to someone, but couldn't make out the words. Then Jake returned, only to tell me that he has to go and that he'll be back soon. I noticed the reluctance in his eyes as he said those words. The last I saw of him was when he climbed over the railing and jumped into the utter darkness. He left silence in his wake as he left, making me feel completely alone.

I don't even know who it was that Jake talked to. But when nothing happened within the next half an hour, I became bored even with all the interesting stuff he had on his shelves. I opened his laptop, hoping he wouldn't mind, and used the Internet. I didn't even realize what I was doing before I typed the name "Samara village camp" into Google search. I guess I was just interested in what that place was exactly. Samara village sounded somewhat familiar - I mean, how could you forget something named Samara? Anyway, it shouldn't be too far from Blue Mist.

I wondered what kind of camp it might be, but Google didn't give much results. As much as I did get, I read that it was for kids of all ages. It's proper name was Samara's Training Camp. And it was also said to have all the basic subjects in the program that you learn at school, plus some interesting training lessons. No further information was given, except that it was a friendly place and kids loved it. It didn't even say what they're training for. A few contact numbers, e-mail address and that's it. In my opinion, it was kind of suspicious. But who was I to judge?

After closing the laptop, I waited for another half an hour. Still no Jake. Should've I been worried? As I lay there on his bed, an idea began to form in my head. Then, as I got more bored from waiting, this idea became more and more tempting. I knew I shouldn't do it, but I was curious. Closing my eyes, I tried to concentrate.

I really shouldn't do this... I thought over and over again, and was startled when I discovered I felt completely numb. I had once again gone to the point of no turning back. All I saw was darkness. Trying to brake out of it was no problem, though. I watched myself leaving from my own body.

It felt so weird. Only, this time there was no one holding me back. Limitless freedom - that's how it felt. And when I discovered I can move how- or wherever I wanted, all my doubts were washed away. Before I even realized it, I was at full speed towards the wall, not managing to slow down on time. But instead of ramming straight into it, I went through it. The next moment I was under the vast starry sky, dark and thick forest all around me. Though it was completely dark, I saw everything - more or less. My sight was much better now than through my human eyes. I only hesitated for a brief second, then glided at full speed through the fresh cold night air. Once I knew where I was headed, there was no need to think things over. I was on my way towards Samara village.

I had seen a map on the Internet, showing exactly where this village should stand. I didn't think it would be hard to find. I'll just follow the road straight out of Blue Mist. 

I felt unstoppable. Like a ball lightning, I though. That reminded me: what was my color? I suddenly realized it might be better to stay at darker tones. If I'm correct, souls emit light. It might not be a good idea to fly around at night like a glowing UFO.

As I had assumed, finding the camp wasn't too hard. Samara village was small, but still easy to spot from up high. There wasn't much else but forest around it, and street lights plus light from a few windows gave it away easily. The camp was at the edge of the village, quiet at this late. A huge piece of land with loads of climbing equipment - though they looked a little extreme for yound kids -, small wooden cabins, wooden tables, etc. A huge building separated the camp from the rest of the village, which might have been an apartment house as well as a school. I slowly floated down, to study this place from closer. Nothing abnormal caught my eye. 

I noticed another small building, a little further from the apartment-school, at the corner of the camp. It was a light brown color, while the big building was of red bricks and the wooden cabins... the color of wood. I was pretty sure this was where Shane should stay at. Through the window I could see a faint orange glow. Someone definitely was in there.

But as I glided closer, I began to question myself. Why was I thinking of spying on Shane? And Jake...  When he returns, he'll find my unconscious body. Would he know I'm not there? At least he wouldn't know where I am. Right? I hope so. Anyway, Shane... I shouldn't be doing this. Its just that something about their conversation with Kealan... something about it sounded off. Maybe I was simply paranoid.

I slided through the wall carefully and found myself in a rather empty room. It was dark, the only light came from a doorway near by. It was ajar. I heard silent noises, though I didn't know the source. Going closer, I spotted my reflection on a metal chair leg, and tried to take the color of the floor, which was light beige-brown. Then, slowly and carefully, I moved over to the ajar door and peeked in. Almost immediately I spotted Shane who sat behind a desk, with his back to me. He seemed to be reading something. I tried to get closer, but was a little scared at the same time. So I waited. But time passed and he didn't move, except his steady breathing and turning pages time-to-time. Made sure there's nothing out of the ordinary inside this small room, I wondered if it'd be better to go back home.

At this exact moment, Shane stood up. He took his cell from his back pocket, probably checking the time. Then he turned away from the desk, coming my way. For a moment I was too startled to know what to do. Instead of running, I chose to blend in with the floor.

But Shane didn't even look at me as he exited the room. I still felt a little uneasy, though, so I took time to think about what to do next. Curiosity got the best of me when I glimpsed at the open book on the table. Slowly, I rose from the floor and floated towards it.

And then there was darkness. I couldn't move. I felt my freedom taken away.

Light came back a few moments later, and the scene that came with it wasn't that alien to me anymore. My instincts kicked in faster than I would have thought possible, using every sense I had to find a way out from between his fingers. But of course, I had no chance. Shane brought me up to his eye level to examine me from closer. "A little inexperienced for a spy," he murmured, clearly interested.

Oh, crap...