Little Miss Photogenic- CHAPTER 3 - Edited.

Chapter Three

My eyes nearly fell out of my head. My hands fluttered uselessly over his beautifully shattered body, it was as if a switch had been flicked inside my head - I couldn't live without him.
I knew instantly what I needed and what was wrong. I rolled him over as gently as I could, cradling his head in my arms. I tried to search for any obvious injuries but all I saw was his blood soaked shirt. I ran into the bathroom, my mind racing a million miles per hour. Once I returned to his broken body, bandages overflowing out of my arms, I placed a pillow underneath his head with my free hand and tore his shirt off. I wound bandages tightly around his wounds and dabbed gently at the gash above his left brow. His lids fluttered gently and opened, his eyes spinning around the room until they found me, peering over him. He let out a startled gasp and groaned. I mumbled something about him staying still and everything was going to be OK, when he tried to get up. Only to be pushed gently back by my firm but gentle hands. My brain was so busy worrying about his condition it had not even started to remind me that this handsome boy was the animal from my nightmares. The animal that had made me scream for hours on end, only to give comfort to its human form. I could feel it coming though, any second now, my eyes would become glassy, I would meet no ones gaze, and I would freeze and eventually pass out. It hit, and I fell unconscious, onto Ryder’s motionless body.

I stirred, my head thumping and my ears ringing. My hands clutched my forehead as I laid back in my bed. Ryder must have moved me. 'Ryder' - I thought while bolding upright He sat at the end of my bed holding a ice pack to his injured arm which i now noticed was in a sling. “Ryder…you’re the animal…” he started to come closer to me but I scrambled up near the bed head in fear. “NO! Don’t come any closer…please…” He nodded, a serious look on his features, understanding. I quivered deeper into the sheets. My natural instincts told me to run for the door, to flee from this animal, but my curiosity had overrun those instincts and a few prominent questions flashed in front of my mind, questions I needed answers to. “What are you...Why am I here?" I said them with a force he was not expecting. My eyes narrowed when he did not say anything. I wanted answers and I was going to get them whether he liked it or not. My mind was made up. I sat there; quiet until he realized I was not going anywhere or doing anything until he told me what exactly was going on. "Gypsy," he let out a sigh, "I would never hurt you." His words twisted with real pain and anguish. Ryder cared about me, he cared about me more than I ever thought and I was hurting him by being frightened. “I am a shape shifter, my family has been like this for centuries, and a spell was laid on us hundreds of years ago, back in England by a witch. She made us like this…I was going to be king. However, because of what I am. I never did. You are here because, you are a power, stronger then me, and the only way I can vanquish this…this curse. Gypsy…I should have died over 120 years ago…” The words repeated themselves over inside my head, unable to grasp the concept that the glorious man in front of me should be buried 10-feet under with a crown on his head in West Minster Abbey. “You…You were going to be King? I never heard of a ‘King Ryder’…” He laughed something I was not expecting to hear from him given his three broken ribs. “When the turn of the century came, I didn’t feel like Prince Louis IV would get me many places. So I changed my name…I wanted something unique and one that would still fit me just fine in another 100 years.” He smiled sheepishly, one of his smiles that were my favourite. The man I had learnt about in history, famous royal family that just disappeared out of existence, no trace left of where they were or where they were going. The famous “Le Dimal” family. “YOU are Prince Louis Le Dimal IV? One of the most promising kings in English history?” He nodded grimly, “Oh wow…this is heavy.” He whispered to me that I could say that again, knowing I was right. “I know this may be a shock, but that other…wolf you saw that was my estranged cousin, Balthazar. He went mad with power and lives in northern Scotland now. He was trying to kill me because I had a human, and well… he likes to make the more beautiful ones his live portraits, the most photogenic ones stay in his room…that was going to be you. I couldn't let that happen.” He looked ashamed to tell me this and I could see he was ready to be rebuffed. A sharp gust of wind blew out of me at his mention of the word ‘photogenic’. However, my concern was the fact his relative stole people and made them living pictures. And that Ryder saved my life. I did not know what to say, or what to feel. I owed him my life. I shuffled closer to him and gave him a long hug. It was all i could do at the moment, i was still scared but it felt like the right thing to do. I pulled away awkwardly, as i had a thought. One thing was still puzzling me, well a lot of things were but this one was more prominent then the rest. “You said I am a power… what do you mean? Am I like you?” he shook his head at my words, a pained expression on his face. He obviously didn't like me being involved with the dangerous world he was involved in. “We are not sure, but we do know you are not at all like us, you will be something even more powerful then God himself. A shape shifter who has powers to control the environment and its people around it.” I felt my mouth pop, and my eyes widen. That could never be me that would never be me. I was just me, someone who should be dead at the moment if not for my quick thinking and successful cliff jumping. “But, I can’t do anything…I’ve never been special, or had any inclination that I was…magical. How do I find what I do?” I was confused; this was all a bit too much to take in, in such a small amount of time.
“We aren’t sure of that either, but we will be training you to be like us. My family is scattered around the world, they are coming here to help me. Everyone except my cousin, Balthazar, the one you just met.”
“When do I begin?” I asked.
“Tomorrow, get some sleep Gypsy. You’re going to need your strength.”
I sat there in shock, and he walked up to where I was sitting, stroked my cheek gently, his hand setting my face on fire and walked out, closing my door behind him with a resounding clang.

This was not something that I was expecting, that I would start so soon. I decided to have a bath and mull things over there. The hot water was bliss, its gentle fingers enveloping me and pulling me gently under and massaging my stressed muscles. I let out the large gust of air I had been holding, and closed my eye’s hoping it would dull the headache. It did eventually; the calming waters gentle movements helped me get a better view on what was happening and what I was preparing myself for. It did eventually, the steam and relaxing water clearing my mind of distractions. I wondered what I would be able to do, ‘…we do know you are not at all like us, you will be something even more powerful then god himself. A shape shifter who has powers to control the environment and its people around it.’ I thought this over, a sharp knock on the door brought me back to earth. “Yes?” I called out, not wanting to get out of the soothing water yet.
“Gypsy, it’s just me. I need to show you something, but I will wait until you are out.” His voice sounded distracted, something unlike him, he was usually so sure. I sighed, knowing this would be something to do with my training regime or the person I was being trained to kill. I got out and got dressed, pulling my damp dark hair into a bun and quickly did my makeup, mumbling incoherently to myself the entire time. I padded out barefoot into my room, and saw Ryder sitting on my bed clutching something in his hand. “I’m here, what do you need me for?” I asked gently. He got up and walked over to me, “Turn around.” Was all he said, and lifted something over my head. I was confused but followed his orders. It was a necklace I realized, as he fastened it around my neck. I turned around to meet him, and I looked down at what was now mine. It was beautiful, on a long white gold chain hung a sphere, which was encrusted with amethyst and topaz, and I gasped and held it gently in my hand admiring it. “Ryder…it’s beautiful. Where did you get this? It looks like it could easily be a hundred years old and more…” Then it came to me that it probably was, given so was he. “It was my mother’s,” he started, looking at the ground then back at me, “When she was first shown what we were and what she was, she killed herself, and I managed to save this, to remind me of what I’ve lost. Nevertheless, I thought, it was kind of like you and me. With the amethyst and the topaz, working together as one.” I nodded, knowing what he meant exactly. “Thank you. It is amazing I love it. Ryder? Does this mean you lied to me before? About your family? Never knowing them and all of that?”
“Yes. I was only doing it to protect you. Now you know. I'm sorry. Please forgive me for my lies.” Ryder was so selfless, and I had already forgiven him before he had asked. I hugged him tightly and pecked him on the cheek. I stepped back, I could see my reflection in the glass, the stunning purple and yellow orb glittering gently against my cream t-shirt. I looked quite pretty like this but I will look better with my hair dry, I thought. Ryder came over to me and spoke, “I’m going to go and make some dinner, anything in particular you would like? Myself, I'm in the mood for tacos.” He said cheekily, the thought of tacos made me drool. “Yes please, taco’s sound great.” I smiled and went over to the bathroom, to start drying my damp hair.

It was raining when Ryder called out to me and told me that dinner was ready, I had been sitting on the edge of my bed listening to it softly patter on the ground above me like nothing had ever happened, doing nothing but thinking when he called out. I went to the kitchen and sat down at the bench, beside him, where he was laying out the mincemeat, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese in separate bowls. It smelled delicious, taco’s was still one of my favourite meals. I ate my share (three overflowing ones) and sighed contently. “I have to say, that was very nice. Thank you Ryder.” He smiled and nodded as he was putting away the dishes and pans. “No problem, I’ve been feeling like Mexican for a while so it was going to happen sooner or later.” I chuckled, noticing his unusually good mood. “Do you want any help?” I offered, picking up the dishcloth he had abandoned on the white stone bench. He brushed me away shaking his head, “No, its fine. I’m all done.” Ryder took the rag off me and placed it away under the sink. I glanced around the room, not knowing what to do. He turned around and stood across from me, leaning on the bench. “So Gypsy, what are we going to do now?” He asked. He was curious, his eyes deep in thought. “Well…I'm not sure. Did you have anything on your mind?” I was stumped for ideas. I did not want to back to the horrors on top of the earth and I was pretty convinced if I watched a movie I would be asleep in 10 seconds flat, something about this place made me constantly tired. I was sure it would be better if he decided. “I have plenty of things on my mind but I doubt you would enjoy any of them. Well maybe one thing, there is something I would like you to see but that would mean going back up top.” He point upwards to the roof. Maybe some fresh air would do me well my sane part of my brain thought. The other half had other things to say. NO WAY! You are going to regret this! It was telling me. I decided to ignore my other half and be sane for one evening. “OK. I’ll go, I will need some shoes though, are there any in the cupboard in my room?” I was already walking out as I spoke the words to him. Knowing the sooner we went, the sooner I would be back to get my rest for tomorrow. “Yes there is, I would get some boots, its cold outside, but you should already know that.” I nodded, I was confused but I did not say anything. Nevertheless, oddly enough, he was right, Ryder was always right. I did know it was cold outside, I even knew it was going to rain before it happened, I could smell it in the air. In addition, I knew I had never been able to do that before the explosion. But I did not mention that to him yet. I opened my cupboard doors and found the tan knee high boots he must have been talking about. I slipped them on and surprise! They fitted perfectly. I grabbed a tan coat as well while I was there, i could sense it was going to get cool. That was a little weird but I ignored it and went back to the stairs where Ryder was waiting for me. He was standing by the hatch, a black trench coat on and arms held behind his back like a gentleman. I heard his breathing hitch when he saw me; I blushed but kept walking towards him. “OK. Lets go.” I said, already making my way up the stairs. A question came to me as I was opening the hatch and stepping out onto the earth. “Ryder?” I asked.
“Yes?” He was closing the hatch behind himself and locking it with a finger print code. “How are we getting there?” my confused tone was easily picked up on. “We drive of course.” And with that, he pressed a button and the earth opened up and some stairs leading down to a massive 6-car garage was in view. Ryder grabbed my hand and pulled me the nearest car on the left hand side. It was a sleek and shiny black Ferrari California convertible. My jaw dropped, this had to be the most beautiful piece of machinery I had ever laid my eyes on. “It’s gorgeous.” I murmured as we climbed in and fastened our seat belts. He nodded and grinned in agreement. Therefore, he was a car guy. I thought to myself. Another part of the Ryder puzzle unlocked. Then he put his foot down and we were speeding away into the dark night, with the roar of pure power completely unmasked.


Chapter 4 will be on its way once people review!! Thanks Guys!

General Note: Big paragraphs tend to dissuade readers. Try shortening them.

First of all, remember that with each quote, you should start a new paragraph. There are many instances in this story in which you do that.

My hands clutched my forehead and I realized I was not on the floor anymore and was in my bed, I sat, bolt upright and my eyes flickered wildly around the room, in search for Ryder.

This should be made into two sentences. And there are misplaced commas.

Example: My hands clutched my forehead and I realized I was not on the floor anymore and was in my bed. I sat upright and my eyes flickered wildly around the room in search for Ryder.

He sat, at the end of my bed, holding an ice pack to his bandaged arm; I now noticed was in a sling.

The statement after the semi-colon is confusing. Try changing it to "that I noticed was in a sling"

“I would never hurt you Gypsy, I can’t.

Comma after you.

Moreover, if you did die… I would find a way for me to follow you sooner rather then later.”

For easier reading, try changin to: If you did die, I would find a way for me to follow (etc)

I am a shape shifter, my family has been like this for centuries, and a spell was laid on us hundreds of years ago, back in England by a witch.

Try making this into at least two sentences. Otherwise, it is leaning towards being a run on sentence.

However, because of what I am. I never did.

Make two sentences into one. Example: However, because of what I am, I never did.

You are here because, you are a power, stronger then me, and the only way I can vanquish this…this curse.

No comma after because and power.

Gypsy…I should have died over 120 years ago…”

Comma after Gypsy instead of ". . ." would better suit the flow.

the words repeated themselves over inside my head, unable to grasp the concept that the glorious man in front of me should be buried 10-feet under with a crown on his head in West Minster Abbey

Great sentence. Remember to capitalize the first word in the sentence.

“You…You were going to be King? I never heard of a ‘King Ryder’…”

Instead of ". . ." after Ryder, add a comma.

So I changed my name…I wanted something unique and one that would also in 100 years would fit me in fine.

After name, replace ". . ." with a period.

The man I had learnt about in history, famous royal family that just disappeared out of existence, no trace left of where they were or where they were going.

Try to explain this better. And I believe learnt should be learned.

And that Ryder saved my life.

I feel this is not needed because you reiterate it in the next few sentences.

Everyone except my cousin, the one you just rudely met

The word rudely doesn't seem to fit well. Consider a different word choice.

“Tomorrow, get some sleep Gypsy. You’re going to need your strength.”

Comma after sleep.

I sat there in shock, and he walked up to where I was sitting, kissed me on the forehead and walked out, closing my door behind him with a resounding clang.

This is another run-on sentence. Try splitting it into seperate ones. Example: I sat there in shock. He walked up to where I was sitting, kissed me on the foreheard and walked out, closing my door behing him with a resounding clang.

(Nice word choice!)

“Thank you. It is amazing I love it. Ryder?

Period after amazing.

--- - ---- -- - ---- - - -- -

I haven't finished editing, for its late and I should get some sleep.

If you would like me to do the rest, just PM me.


Final Remarks: Over all this piece was very interesting. My main suggestion is that you read over your work a few times before posting it. By doing this, you will self edit. This saves reviewers a lot of time.

Also, try refreshing yourself on some grammar rules. It helps to look them up from time to time.

Good work! I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

My eyes nearly fell out of my head. My hand fluttered uselessly over his beautiful body, not sure what to do. As if a switch had been flicked inside my head, I knew instantly what I needed and what was wrong.

Did you mean to say just "hand" and if so, what is she doing with the other hand? Or did you mean to say "hands"?
Also I think this one wasn't working for me, it's really plain. The part that really bugs me though, is:

not sure what to do. As is a switch had been flicked inside my head, I knew instantly what i needed and what was wrong.

It sounds silly, I think you should just try and write a smoother transition about how she knew what she wanted.
My eyes nearly fell out of my head. My hands fluttered uselessly over his beautifully shattered body, it was as if a switch had been flicked inside my head - I couldn't live without him.
Then you would carry on about how you rolled him over and such.

I rolled him over, checked his pulse, and ripped off his shirt. I ran into the bathroom, ripped up the towels, and soaked them in water. I wound them tightly around his wounds and dabbed gently at the gash above his left brow.

This also wasn't the greatest.
I'd suggest printing off your work then going through it and circling the first word of ever sentence.
It seems like you were rushing just to get to the next part and didn't take time to describe this,
you forced it.
Remember characters are humans, they have other senses, not just thoughts and simple actions, they feel and they think.
Tell me if you think this is entertaining, worth of a read:
I walked home yesterday. I knew I was late and my mother would be mad. I avoided her the whole night. I would have climbed through my window, but I’m not very coordinated.
BORING. You got to give the reader more.
I couldn't live without him. I rolled him over as gently as I could, cradling his head in my arms. I tried to search for any obvious injuries but all I saw was his blood soaked shirt. I ran into the bathroom, my mind racing a million miles per hour. Once I returned to his broken body I placed a pillow underneath his head and tore his shirt off....
Now the reason I didn't finish this is because the rest is out of my reach. I don't know how well he can heal. Broken/fractured ribs take a long time to heal, I hope you considered that.
Also why would she move him if he had broken ribs? & why did she wrap wet towels around him? Check into first aid for this thing, or mention how she had no clue what she was doing.
Dabbing the cut on the eyebrow was nice though. *thumbs up*

I mumbled something about him staying still and everything was going to be OK, when he tried to get up. Only to be pushed gently back by my firm but gentle hands. My brain was so busy worrying about his condition it had not even started to remind me that this handsome boy was the animal from my nightmares. The animal that had made me scream for hours on end, only to be comforted by the arms of its human form. I could feel it coming though, any second now, my eyes would become glassy, I would meet no ones gaze, and I would freeze and eventually pass out. It hit, and I fell unconscious, onto Ryder’s motionless body.

GREAT! you reinforced it was that dog again, loved that. You also described how it made her feel, and i loved how you described her feelings before she passed out. That was a cherry on the top.
I underlined the one problem, she was comforting him, not the other way around.

My hands clutched my forehead and I realized I was not on the floor anymore and was in my bed, I sat, bolt upright and my eyes flickered wildly around the room, in search for Ryder. He sat, at the end of my bed, holding an ice pack to his bandaged arm; I now noticed was in a sling.

Haha, okay now you're probably annoyed with all my nit picking! I'm only trying to push you to be as good as you can be! There is so much potential in your writing, you just need to break out!
"I realized" is over used. I understand she's discovering new things lots but you have to break out of the habit of recycling words over and over again. If you have to don't say anything about realizing a change. Move around it, here's an example:
My hands clutched my forehead as I sat upright in my bed - Ryder must have moved me off the floor. My eyes flickered widely around the room in search of him.
Also, if he's at the end of the bad and she sat up, why did she continue to search? He's right in front of him.
My hands clutched my forehead as I laid back in my bed. Ryder must have moved me. Ryder - I thought (panicked, whatever you'd like to say) bolting upright. He sat at the end of my bed....

“NO! Don’t come any closer…please…” He nodded, a serious look on his features, understanding. I quivered deeper into the sheets.

YES! I WANT TO HUG YOU! I love her reaction, it's so real, anybody would have done the same thing, no matter how sexy the man! Thank-you for being realistic here!

I realized I had to get out of here before I became the lunch. However, I had some questions first. “What are you...Why am I here? You should have eaten me by now.”

Oh hold that last thought. Why does she think she is going to be the lunch? He didn't eat her last night, she even said she trusted him. I thought she was backing away because she was just freaked out. She has no reason to think this *frowns*
I'm happy she's asking questions now. They are much needed.

My eyes narrowed when he did not say anything. I wanted answers and I was going to get them whether he liked it or not. My mind was made up. I sat there; quiet until he realized I was not going anywhere or doing anything until he told me what exactly was going on.

Oooh! I like this reaction as well, so human.

I would never hurt you Gypsy, I can’t. Moreover, if you did die… I would find a way for me to follow you sooner rather then later.” I felt my jaw drop. I had no idea he felt that way about me, that he loved me that much.

When you wrote this did you slap yourself? Don't get this lovey so soon! All relationships need to build, I can't stress that enough! Also, I feel like Edwards Cullen and Bella are in the room *shifty eyes*. Also, you're making me not like Gypsy for just assuming he loved her, nobody assumes that somebody loves them - not unless they are high on themselves.
"Gypsy," he let out a sigh, "I would never hurt you." His words twisted with real pain and anguish. Ryder cared about me, he cared about me more than I ever thought and I was hurting him by being frightened.

Oh the plot thickens, great job, it sounds like you did your research!

“I know this may be a shock, but that other…wolf you saw that was my estranged cousin, Balthazar. He went mad with power and lives in northern Scotland now. He was trying to kill me because I had a human, and well… he likes to make the more beautiful ones his live portraits, the most photogenic ones stay in his room…that was going to be you. I couldn't let that happen.”

I think she should have asked about the other wolf or dog, what ever. It would give the situation/conversation a more natural flow. Don't change what he says though, it's great.

And that Ryder saved my life. I did not know what to say, or what to feel. I owed him my life, and I would be forever in his debt

Cheesy.
Maybe just have her move closer to him, wrap her arms around him and say "you saved my life", no "forever in my debt" cliche.
For a transition into the next sentence you can just have her pull away puzzled... and walla, cliche demolished!

“You said I am a power… what do you mean? Am I like you?” he shook his head at my words, a pained expression on his face. “We are not sure, but we do know you are not at all like us, you will be something even more powerful then god himself. A shape shifter who has powers to control the environment and its people around it.”

Was he really in pain? I would assume puzzled, confused... I can't see him being in pain for not having that knowledge.

*Giggles in excitement*
I love where this is going though, a shape shifter who can control the environment! Unique!

“We aren’t sure of that either, but we will be training you to be like us. My family is scattered around the world, they are coming here to help me. Everyone except my cousin, the one you just rudely met.”

Rudely is an understatement, if he's joking or being cute, tell us that.
Also, just a thought for the future, if he's not dead, I'd give his cousin a name.
I'm not trying to shape the future of this book but he sounds like the villain and if he isn't dead people like him tend to pop back up in our created worlds. So name please. www.babynames.com is great to get started.

I sat there in shock, and he walked up to where I was sitting, kissed me on the forehead and walked out, closing my door behind him with a resounding clang.

Tisk, tisk, what have I told you, read your comments Missy! Everybody is saying the same thing, too much too fast. He should go up to her and put his hand on his forehead, or wipe the hair out of her eyes. Simple!

The hot water was bliss, its gentle fingers enveloping me and pulling me gently under and massaging my stressed muscles.

Wonderful descriptions. *Cheers*

I let out the large gust of air I realized I had been holding, and closed my eye’s hoping it would dull the headache.

There's "I realized" again.
I let out a large gust of air I had been holding in.

the calming waters gentle movements helped me get a better view on what was happening and what I was preparing myself for.

How could she have gotten a better view on what she was preparing herself for? She doesn't know what's going on, rewrite and describe better.

I wondered what I would be able to do, ‘…we do know you are not at all like us, you will be something even more powerful then god himself. A shape shifter who has powers to control the environment and its people around it.’ Ryder had said. While I thought this over,

Love it, but we know Ryder said it, it only happened a second ago. Delete the "Ryder had said." and the "While" at the start of that next sentence, that will fix the problem.

I love how you always make her go and do her make-up and stuff, that's just so real, it really makes her unique. It makes me feel like I know her habits, great job.

Then I realized it probably was, given so was he.

"I realize" *snarls*, you know what I'm thinking.

Okay, so I'll finish the rest of this tomorrow!
It's super late.
Goodnight genius=P
Review ya later, Telina=]

Just a few more things I noticed =]

'Ryder' - I thought with bolting upright.

I thought while bolding upright

I realized I had to get out of here before I became the lunch. However, I had some questions first.

I still think you should change this. Maybe say something like:
My natural instincts told me to run for the door, to flee from this animal, but my curiosity overrun those instincts and a few prominent questions flashed in front of my mind, questions I needed answers to.

I wanted something unique and one that would also in 100 years would fit me in fine.

That makes no sense.
I wanted something unique and one that would still fit me just fine in another 100 years.

We are not sure, but we do know you are not at all like us, you will be something even more powerful then god himself.

God is a name, capitalize it.

a resounding clang

Great word choice!

I hugged him tightly and pecked him on the cheek. I stepped back a step

*Giggles* Yes we know you took a step when you "stepped back".

I ate my share (three overflowing ones) and sighed contently.

One thing I like about her character is you make her eat lots, it's different from any other "pretty girl" character, and I enjoy it, once again, it makes her seem more real.

Ryder took the rag of me and placed it away under the sink.

The rag of me?

Then he put his foot down and we were speeding away into the dark night, with the roar of pure power completely unmasked.

Oh this is different I think *is possibly losing her mind*
I thought chapter 3 was longer, and I also thought they drove away in the day.
I think I like it better!

I'm going to separate your paragraphs again.

Chapter Three

My eyes nearly fell out of my head. My hands fluttered uselessly over his beautifully shattered body, it was as if a switch had been flicked inside my head - I couldn't live without him.

I knew instantly what I needed and what was wrong. I rolled him over as gently as I could, cradling his head in my arms. I tried to search for any obvious injuries but all I saw was his blood soaked shirt. I ran into the bathroom, my mind racing a million miles per hour.

Once I returned to his broken body, bandages overflowing out of my arms, I placed a pillow underneath his head with my free hand and tore his shirt off. I wound bandages tightly around his wounds and dabbed gently at the gash above his left brow.

His lids fluttered gently and opened, his eyes spinning around the room until they found me, peering over him. He let out a startled gasp and groaned. I mumbled something about him staying still and everything was going to be OK, when he tried to get up. Only to be pushed gently back by my firm but gentle hands.

My brain was so busy worrying about his condition it had not even started to remind me that this handsome boy was the animal from my nightmares. The animal that had made me scream for hours on end, only to give comfort to its human form. I could feel it coming though, any second now, my eyes would become glassy, I would meet no ones gaze, and I would freeze and eventually pass out. It hit, and I fell unconscious, onto Ryder’s motionless body.

I stirred, my head thumping and my ears ringing. My hands clutched my forehead as I laid back in my bed. Ryder must have moved me. 'Ryder' - I thought while bolding upright He sat at the end of my bed holding a ice pack to his injured arm which i now noticed was in a sling. “Ryder…you’re the animal…” he started to come closer to me but I scrambled up near the bed head in fear.

“NO! Don’t come any closer…please…” He nodded, a serious look on his features, understanding. I quivered deeper into the sheets. My natural instincts told me to run for the door, to flee from this animal, but my curiosity had overrun those instincts and a few prominent questions flashed in front of my mind, questions I needed answers to.

“What are you...Why am I here?" I said them with a force he was not expecting. My eyes narrowed when he did not say anything. I wanted answers and I was going to get them whether he liked it or not. My mind was made up. I sat there; quiet until he realized I was not going anywhere or doing anything until he told me what exactly was going on.

"Gypsy," he let out a sigh, "I would never hurt you." His words twisted with real pain and anguish. Ryder cared about me, he cared about me more than I ever thought and I was hurting him by being frightened.

“I am a shape shifter, my family has been like this for centuries, and a spell was laid on us hundreds of years ago, back in England by a witch. She made us like this…I was going to be king. However, because of what I am. I never did. You are here because, you are a power, stronger then me, and the only way I can vanquish this…this curse. Gypsy…I should have died over 120 years ago…”

The words repeated themselves over inside my head, unable to grasp the concept that the glorious man in front of me should be buried 10-feet under with a crown on his head in West Minster Abbey.

“You…You were going to be King? I never heard of a ‘King Ryder’…” He laughed something I was not expecting to hear from him given his three broken ribs.

“When the turn of the century came, I didn’t feel like Prince Louis IV would get me many places. So I changed my name…I wanted something unique and one that would still fit me just fine in another 100 years.”

He smiled sheepishly, one of his smiles that were my favourite. The man I had learnt about in history, famous royal family that just disappeared out of existence, no trace left of where they were or where they were going. The famous “Le Dimal” family.

“YOU are Prince Louis Le Dimal IV? One of the most promising kings in English history?” He nodded grimly, “Oh wow…this is heavy.” He whispered to me that I could say that again, knowing I was right.

“I know this may be a shock, but that other…wolf you saw that was my estranged cousin, Balthazar. He went mad with power and lives in northern Scotland now. He was trying to kill me because I had a human, and well… he likes to make the more beautiful ones his live portraits, the most photogenic ones stay in his room…that was going to be you. I couldn't let that happen.”

He looked ashamed to tell me this and I could see he was ready to be rebuffed. A sharp gust of wind blew out of me at his mention of the word ‘photogenic’. However, my concern was the fact his relative stole people and made them living pictures. And that Ryder saved my life. I did not know what to say, or what to feel. I owed him my life.

I shuffled closer to him and gave him a long hug. It was all i could do at the moment, i was still scared but it felt like the right thing to do. I pulled away awkwardly, as i had a thought. One thing was still puzzling me, well a lot of things were but this one was more prominent then the rest.

“You said I am a power… what do you mean? Am I like you?” he shook his head at my words, a pained expression on his face. He obviously didn't like me being involved with the dangerous world he was involved in.

“We are not sure, but we do know you are not at all like us, you will be something even more powerful then God himself. A shape shifter who has powers to control the environment and its people around it.”

I felt my mouth pop, and my eyes widen. That could never be me that would never be me. I was just me, someone who should be dead at the moment if not for my quick thinking and successful cliff jumping.

“But, I can’t do anything…I’ve never been special, or had any inclination that I was…magical. How do I find what I do?” I was confused; this was all a bit too much to take in, in such a small amount of time.

“We aren’t sure of that either, but we will be training you to be like us. My family is scattered around the world, they are coming here to help me. Everyone except my cousin, Balthazar, the one you just met.”

“When do I begin?” I asked.

“Tomorrow, get some sleep Gypsy. You’re going to need your strength.”

I sat there in shock, and he walked up to where I was sitting, stroked my cheek gently, his hand setting my face on fire and walked out, closing my door behind him with a resounding clang.

This was not something that I was expecting, that I would start so soon. I decided to have a bath and mull things over there. The hot water was bliss, its gentle fingers enveloping me and pulling me gently under and massaging my stressed muscles.

I let out the large gust of air I had been holding, and closed my eye’s hoping it would dull the headache. It did eventually; the calming waters gentle movements helped me get a better view on what was happening and what I was preparing myself for.

It did eventually, the steam and relaxing water clearing my mind of distractions. I wondered what I would be able to do, ‘…we do know you are not at all like us, you will be something even more powerful then god himself. A shape shifter who has powers to control the environment and its people around it.’ I thought this over, a sharp knock on the door brought me back to earth.

“Yes?” I called out, not wanting to get out of the soothing water yet.

“Gypsy, it’s just me. I need to show you something, but I will wait until you are out.” His voice sounded distracted, something unlike him, he was usually so sure. I sighed, knowing this would be something to do with my training regime or the person I was being trained to kill.

I got out and got dressed, pulling my damp dark hair into a bun and quickly did my makeup, mumbling incoherently to myself the entire time. I padded out barefoot into my room, and saw Ryder sitting on my bed clutching something in his hand.

“I’m here, what do you need me for?” I asked gently.

He got up and walked over to me, “Turn around.” Was all he said, and lifted something over my head. I was confused but followed his orders. It was a necklace I realized, as he fastened it around my neck. I turned around to meet him, and I looked down at what was now mine. It was beautiful, on a long white gold chain hung a sphere, which was encrusted with amethyst and topaz, and I gasped and held it gently in my hand admiring it.

“Ryder…it’s beautiful. Where did you get this? It looks like it could easily be a hundred years old and more…” Then it came to me that it probably was, given so was he.

“It was my mother’s,” he started, looking at the ground then back at me, “When she was first shown what we were and what she was, she killed herself, and I managed to save this, to remind me of what I’ve lost. Nevertheless, I thought, it was kind of like you and me. With the amethyst and the topaz, working together as one.” I nodded, knowing what he meant exactly.

“Thank you. It is amazing I love it. Ryder? Does this mean you lied to me before? About your family? Never knowing them and all of that?”

“Yes. I was only doing it to protect you. Now you know. I'm sorry. Please forgive me for my lies.” Ryder was so selfless, and I had already forgiven him before he had asked. I hugged him tightly and pecked him on the cheek.

I stepped back, I could see my reflection in the glass, the stunning purple and yellow orb glittering gently against my cream t-shirt. I looked quite pretty like this but I will look better with my hair dry, I thought.

Ryder came over to me and spoke, “I’m going to go and make some dinner, anything in particular you would like? Myself, I'm in the mood for tacos.” He said cheekily, the thought of tacos made me drool.

“Yes please, taco’s sound great.” I smiled and went over to the bathroom, to start drying my damp hair.

It was raining when Ryder called out to me and told me that dinner was ready, I had been sitting on the edge of my bed listening to it softly patter on the ground above me like nothing had ever happened, doing nothing but thinking when he called out.

I went to the kitchen and sat down at the bench, beside him, where he was laying out the mincemeat, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese in separate bowls. It smelled delicious, taco’s was still one of my favourite meals.

I ate my share (three overflowing ones) and sighed contently. “I have to say, that was very nice. Thank you Ryder.” He smiled and nodded as he was putting away the dishes and pans.

“No problem, I’ve been feeling like Mexican for a while so it was going to happen sooner or later.” I chuckled, noticing his unusually good mood.

“Do you want any help?” I offered, picking up the dishcloth he had abandoned on the white stone bench.

He brushed me away shaking his head, “No, its fine. I’m all done.” Ryder took the rag off me and placed it away under the sink. I glanced around the room, not knowing what to do. He turned around and stood across from me, leaning on the bench.

“So Gypsy, what are we going to do now?” He asked. He was curious, his eyes deep in thought.

“Well…I'm not sure. Did you have anything on your mind?” I was stumped for ideas. I did not want to back to the horrors on top of the earth and I was pretty convinced if I watched a movie I would be asleep in 10 seconds flat, something about this place made me constantly tired. I was sure it would be better if he decided.

“I have plenty of things on my mind but I doubt you would enjoy any of them. Well maybe one thing, there is something I would like you to see but that would mean going back up top.” He point upwards to the roof. Maybe some fresh air would do me well my sane part of my brain thought. The other half had other things to say. NO WAY! You are going to regret this! It was telling me. I decided to ignore my other half and be sane for one evening.

“OK. I’ll go, I will need some shoes though, are there any in the cupboard in my room?” I was already walking out as I spoke the words to him. Knowing the sooner we went, the sooner I would be back to get my rest for tomorrow.

“Yes there is, I would get some boots, its cold outside, but you should already know that.” I nodded, I was confused but I did not say anything. Nevertheless, oddly enough, he was right, Ryder was always right. I did know it was cold outside, I even knew it was going to rain before it happened, I could smell it in the air.

In addition, I knew I had never been able to do that before the explosion. But I did not mention that to him yet. I opened my cupboard doors and found the tan knee high boots he must have been talking about.

I slipped them on and surprise! They fitted perfectly. I grabbed a tan coat as well while I was there, i could sense it was going to get cool. That was a little weird but I ignored it and went back to the stairs where Ryder was waiting for me.

He was standing by the hatch, a black trench coat on and arms held behind his back like a gentleman. I heard his breathing hitch when he saw me; I blushed but kept walking towards him. “OK. Lets go.” I said, already making my way up the stairs. A question came to me as I was opening the hatch and stepping out onto the earth. “Ryder?” I asked.

“Yes?” He was closing the hatch behind himself and locking it with a finger print code.

“How are we getting there?” my confused tone was easily picked up on.

“We drive of course.” And with that, he pressed a button and the earth opened up and some stairs leading down to a massive 6-car garage was in view. Ryder grabbed my hand and pulled me the nearest car on the left hand side. It was a sleek and shiny black Ferrari California convertible. My jaw dropped, this had to be the most beautiful piece of machinery I had ever laid my eyes on.

“It’s gorgeous.” I murmured as we climbed in and fastened our seat belts. He nodded and grinned in agreement. Therefore, he was a car guy. I thought to myself. Another part of the Ryder puzzle unlocked. Then he put his foot down and we were speeding away into the dark night, with the roar of pure power completely unmasked.