Chapter Two, Part Three.

My footfalls echoed as I walked across the cold marble floor. I had never before been here, but the same instinct that had called me from my bed sang "Home!" in my head.
"Welcome," a voice shattered the silence, echoing in the massive, empty space. It was deep and male, velvety soft and flavored with bittersweet dark chocolate. I whirled.
"Who are you?" my voice snapped sharply against the walls as I dropped defensively into a fighting stance, fists clenched.
"Come now, no need to be so skittish," crooned a tall boy, a year or two older than me, as he stepped into the square of moonlight that had been sneaking through a window. No wonder I hadn't seen him initially- he was clothed entirely in black: a black turtleneck and slacks over a heavy pair of motorcycle boots. What stood out, though, was his hair and eyes. He had dark, chestnut curls, and gleaming yellow eyes. "You don't know me, but I know all about you, Athaliah Cavailier."
I straightened up and stepped back uncertainly. "Wh- How do you know my name?"
He shook his head for a minute, eyes to the floor. I was getting even more nervous with each move he made.
"Like I said, Athaliah," his head snapped up with a predatory smile, "I know all about you."
And then he lunged at me, teeth bared, aimed right at my throat.
I dodged the attack reflexively, moving to the side and throwing a punch at his jaw in one smooth movement. He abruptly stopped his charge and caught my fist in his palm with a motion even more fluid than mine. "Very nice, for being untrained. A little time, and..." He chuckled. "We'll see." And then he pinched a nerve in my neck, and I passed out.