Three days later Gates sauntered into the kitchen and was greeted by the sounds of a heated argument taking place between Izzy and Shadows. Gates secretly wondered why it had taken so long for Izzy to blow her fuse with Shadows since their arguments were becoming infamous in the mansion.

“You can’t expect me to stay in this house forever Shadows!” snapped Izzy angrily as she banged her fist on the kitchen counter. Shadows regarded her coldly, standing a mere four feet from the furious raven haired beauty.

“I do expect you to stay here Isabel and you will.” Growled Shadows, his hazel eyes glinting wickedly. “This discussion is over.”

“This is far from over Shadows. You can’t exercise your will over me the way you do with all of your sex slaves!” spat Izzy venomously.

Shadows flinched at Izzy’s choice of words, she still hadn’t forgiven him for their past together and he didn’t expect her to.

“I exercise my will over you Isabel because you live in my house therefore you will follow my rules. Comply then complain.” Glowered Shadows, pulling himself up to his full height so that he towered even more over Izzy. She didn’t back down and her grey eyes burned with fury.

“You can exercise all you want Shadows. I’m going out, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Sneered Izzy, turning on her heel. She desperately needed some time away from the mansion but Shadows was resolutely determined to ensure that she didn’t step a foot out of the front door.

“Oh no you don’t!” roared Shadows, barreling after Izzy who was exiting the kitchen, brushing past Gates with a small victorious smile. Shadows grabbed Izzy and flung her unceremoniously over his shoulder. He stomped up the stairs, ignoring Izzy’s shouts and screams of protest as she attempted to flay wildly. He carried her to her room and threw her harshly onto her bed. Blinking furiously, Izzy marched behind Shadows, but he was a lot quicker than he looked and Izzy was staring at her locked bedroom door.

“Let me out you ignorant, thickheaded asshole!” screamed Izzy banging on the door.

“You can’t leave and that’s final!” shouted Shadows, his temper at an all-time high.

“I’m not some animal you fucking cunt!” shrieked Izzy, still pounding her fists against the door.

“It’s for your own good Isabel! I keep telling you that Jake Night is out there, waiting for you.” Yelled back Shadows, crossing his arms across his chest.

“He’s always been out there Shadows and you know it. Send me out with extra security!” bellowed Izzy, kicking the door with her foot and wincing in pain.

“Things are different Isabel. Stop acting like a child. You can’t leave and that’s that.” Thundered Shadows. He retreated away from Izzy’s bedroom, a string of muffled profanities following him.
Walking back into the kitchen, Shadows gave Gates a wary look as he sat on one of the bar stools. He raked a hand through his slightly grown out hair and let out a loud sigh of complete frustration.

“You know that you could have handled that differently right?” asked Gates mildly, pulling on his black leather jacket.

“She’s beyond infuriating Brian! She damn well knows that she’s at more risk than ever before and yet, she insists on going out.” Said Shadows throwing his hands up in exasperation.

“Maybe you should try to keep a lid on your temper when you talk to her. One of you has to concede at some point otherwise it’s always going to end in a shouting match whenever you two talk.” Gates’ voice was curt and his eyes were dark.

“Maybe you should tell her that.” Muttered Shadows mulishly.

****

Izzy sat fuming in her room, thoroughly upset by Shadows and his flagrant disregard for her feelings. Cranking up the volume on her iPod, Izzy drowned out the world, listening to the soothing words of Disturbed. She closed her eyes and eventually drifted off to sleep.

“You will always be mine.” Breathed Night in her ear as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

“You’re wrong.” Whispered Izzy, fear coursing through her veins,

“Shadows can’t protect you forever. You will be mine.” Night’s words were cold and callous as he pulled Izzy’s back flush against his chest. “Such a fiery beauty.”

Izzy struggled against Night, twisting her body away from him. He released her without warning and Izzy toppled to the floor. Scrambling away from the man with the vacant blue eyes and a sinister smile, Izzy screamed out for help. Night’s smile widened.

“No one will save you from me my beautiful one.” His voice was soft and threatening. “Give me what I want and you will feel no pain.”

“I have nothing you want Night.” Spat Izzy, pulling herself to her feet.

“You have everything I want.” Snapped Night, reaching out for Izzy with his slender fingers. She recoiled from him and he backhanded her harshly, causing her head to whip to the side. He grabbed her and pushed her against the cold stone wall. His fingers clawed at her waist. “You will remember that you belong to me Isabel. You bear my mark.” His fingers pressed into the brand on Izzy’s waist; the one that he had put there last year. “You are mine.”

“No!” shouted Izzy, pushing at Night’s chest. “Let me go!”

“You can never truly escape me Isabel.” laughed Night darkly, his lips ghosting at the skin of Izzy’s neck. “I will always be around, watching, waiting.”

Izzy’s eyes snapped open, her heartbeat erratic as she sat up in her bed. It had been months since she had last dreamt of Jake Night. With everything that had happened over the last week, it was no surprise that the dreams had started again. Alone and scared, Izzy climbed out of bed, her entire body trembling as Jake Night flashed in her mind over and over again. Touching the long healed brand on her waist Izzy winced, not out of pain but in fear. She would never truly be free of Night. He had made his mark on her body. She would forever be reminded of him.

Fifteen minutes later, Izzy came out of the shower and stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of Shadows sitting on the edge of her bed. She shifted uncomfortably under his steady gaze. They regarded each other coldly for a few moments until Shadows let out an agitated sigh.

“I’m sorry for how I acted earlier.” He said dryly, his tone unconvincing to both their ears.
Izzy scoffed and walked over to her closet, pulling out a pair a track pants and a vest. “Let me guess, Brian told you that you’re being an insufferable ass.”

“Brian told me nothing of the sort. I’m here on my own accord.” Snapped Shadows irritably.

“You’re also invading my privacy. As you can see I’ve just come out of the shower and I have no desire to change with you in my room. Get out.” Demanded Izzy, pointing at the open bedroom door.

“Do you accept my apology?” asked Shadows without much emotion in his voice.

“Yes Shadows, I accept you half assed apology. Now get out.” Sighed Izzy still pointing at the door.

****

“So since you’re confined to the house I was thinking we could do something here.” Stated Jimmy, his eyes twinkling in the blazing evening sun as he and Izzy lounged by the pool.

“What did you have in mind?” asked Izzy dully.

“I was thinking we could practice our bartender skills.” Chirped Jimmy, clapping his hands together like a child.

“I have no desire to consume alcohol Jimmy. Not after the last experience I had.” Stated Izzy warily, shifting onto her side so that she could look at Jimmy who was now sitting up in his lounge chair.

“Who said you were consuming anything Iz? I’m sure we could get Matt and Brian to be our guinea pigs for the night.” Beamed Jimmy, his eyes silently pleading for Izzy to accept his offer.

“Who said that I want Shadows to be a part of our night?” mused Izzy, giving Jimmy a fake smile.

“Oh come on Izzy!” sighed Jimmy “You two fight all the time. Just put that shit behind you for once and try to enjoy yourself in your temporary yet extremely lavish prison!”

“That’s not even remotely funny Jimmy!” shot Izzy, her temper spiking involuntarily at the thought of being confined to the house.

“It is if you really think about it.” Chuckled Jimmy, hoisting himself out of his lounge chair and stretching.

“Fine. Bartenders for the night. At least we can get Shadows good and drunk for the fun of it.” Giggled Izzy as Jimmy grinned at her. “But you have to get them to agree to be our lab rats.”

****

“There is no way in God’s name I’m drinking that!” barked Christ, backing away from the kitchen counter. “It looks like shit!”

Izzy gave Christ a feigned look of hurt, placing the glass of muddy brown liquid onto the counter. Jimmy laughed loudly at the distressed look on Christ’s face as Shadows and Gates snickered at him.

“We’ve all taken our shots Short Shit. Now it’s your turn.” Chuckled Gates, running a hand through his unruly raven colored hair.

“That’s not fair. You guys got the good stuff. I get the shot that looks like diarrhea!” shrilled Christ, his hands outstretched in front of him as if to ward of Izzy and her failure of a concoction.

“Take the shot!” cackled Gates, slightly intoxicated. “Take. The. Shot!”

“Aw fuck it!” snapped Christ, snatching the shot glass filled with murky brown liquid. He downed it swiftly, screwing up his face as he slammed the small glass onto the counter. “Fine! Happy now. That was disgusting!”

“May-hic. We shou-hic-d. stop-hic” Shadows’ cheeks flushed as he began to hiccup uncontrollably. Jimmy and Izzy doubled over with laughter while Shadows held his breath, shooting both of them murderous glances.

“Aw….big bad Shadows has the hiccups. How adorable.” Slurred Gates as he accepted a shot of red liquid from Jimmy before downing it.

“That’s fucking gay Gates.” Snickered Christ, accepting the same shot from Jimmy who smiled evilly at him

“You’re fucking gay you gnome troll.” Gasped Shadows, his cheeks red from holding his breath.
Jimmy and Izzy exchanged amused looks before exploding into fits of laughter all over again.

They had spent the last hour and a half practicing their bartending skills. Shadows, Gates and Christ had all volunteered, after being badgered by Jimmy for well over half an hour each. Now, the three men who acted as Jimmy and Izzy’s lab rats, were all significantly drunk, having possibly consumed every type of alcohol that was in the house.

Jimmy popped open a bottle of champagne, causing Gates to jump out of his seat and look around the kitchen with wild eyes before muttering obscenities under his breath.

“Cheers my awesome bartending buddy!” Jimmy handed Izzy a glass of pink champagne.

“Cheers. To getting Shadows, Gates and Christ plastered!” laughed Izzy, clinking her glass against Jimmy’s. “They’ll be sporting major hangovers in the morning.”

“Payback’s a bitch ain’t it.” Chuckled Jimmy, raising his glass in the direction of Shadows who was groaning softly while holding his head.