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Sleep didn't come easy the morning following my arrival at Haven. With Linus' threats still ringing in my mind, when I did manage to fall asleep I found myself haunted, riddled with nightmares of Emma being killed, tortured...raped.

All because I'd disobeyed Linus' commands.

I eventually managed around three hours sleep before I gave in. I decided to explore the bedroom I'd been given instead.

The room was large, with an en-suite bathroom complete with bath tub and seperate shower cubicle big enough for two I'd noticed. The bed was queen-sized and done in silk sheets and a thick quilt, fluffy pillows, all done in deep reds and maroons.

A large bay window at one end of the room overlooked that same crystalline lake I'd seen in the common room between mine and Miles' bedroom. An oak desk, varnished dark and a matching seat set against one wall.

The floors done in dark red shag pile, the wallpaper a deep maroon with varnished borders.

It all looked so...picturesque.

I'd been left a uniform that matched Miles' on the back of the bedroom door. I showered and soaked my mental wounds and aching muscles. I clambered out, towelled off and then donned the uniform. The measurements were spot on.

That unnerved the Hell out of me.

Either Linus had measured me up in my sleep, or he had fathomed my measurements before he met me.

"The uniform suits you," a cultured voice said from across the common room.

I'd abandoned the bedroom, and had decided to attempt at reading one of the books on the bookcases, while sat at one of those plush, deep red couches. I'd hoped to distract myself from Linus' taunts, Linus himself and Haven. It hadn't worked. I'd read the same line over and over again for the last half an hour.

The youth was about my age, but had the attitude of someone much more mature. You could tell by the way he held himself up. He was taller than me by about a head. His hair was long and thick, bound in a no-nonsense ponytail that trailed in a silken blonde wave down to his waistline. He watched me from the door with narrowed, golden eyes. His skin was semi-tanned like he spent most of his time indoors but his genes had started off naturally dark-skinned.

He was dressed in the same uniform as me, but had replaced the black tie with a deep, golden crevat. It made his eyes look more surreal. He was broad, toned like a swimmer.

"And you are?" I asked without looking up from the book.

"Lian, Lian Broderic. Pleased to make your acquaintance," he gave me a sweeping bow as he grinned at me.

"Nice to meet you," I replied with a broad smile. The smile then vanished, "Now leave."

"My, my, you are an unpolite little pup, aren't you?"

"And your an arrogant pussy...cat," I sniped back. "Lions. Never did like 'em."

Lian's smile slipped a little. "How did you know? I'm very careful when exuding my scent."

I looked at Lian with a raised eyebrow. "Long, golden hair. Golden eyes. Proud, arrogant attitude. Screams Lion to me. Wear contacts and cut your hair if you wanna hide." I slammed the book shut and looked at Lian. "Now leave," I repeated.

Lian watched me for a heartbeat and then laughed. A deep, rolling sound full of promise and...flirtation?

"Your meeting Linus tonight? Am I correct?" Lian asked.

I nodded.

"He must have something terrible on you if he's keeping a rebellious punk like you under wraps," Lian grinned.

He stepped further into the room as he spoke.

"I said leave," I growled. I stood up and fresh rage bubbled beneath the surface.

"I had heard rumours the new student was a hoodlum, but to be so violent, so young. Life must have been heard."

"Don't pretend to care," I murmured back.

Lian laughed again, that rolling, cultured sound. "I don't care. But I can relate. Linus brought me here under the same kind of contract you have with him. Run and something bad happens. Sound familiar?" Lian added. He smiled sadly at me and opened his mouth to say something. He stopped and frowned however, golden eyes turning to see someone else standing in the door.

Luis Strong stood there. He was dressed in the same uniform as me.

Luis was a student?

Lian shrugged and padded back across the room. He and Luis exchanged a look. It was the kind of look that one man gives another when bad blood has spilled between the two of them. When Lian had finally left, and we were alone, the larger man plucked his shades from his face and folded them.

He gazed down at me with pale blue eyes, eyes that held my colouring, but also had that same well of sadness that Miles sported so well.

"Time to meet Linus?" I asked.

He just nodded.