My feeling toward Anastasia was almost immediate. When the sun rose, I remained up, thinking about everything I had seen and what Silvanus revealed to me. I wanted to desperately tell my other siblings and warn them, but I knew they wouldn’t listen. They didn’t trust or like Silvanus. To them, he was just another Deamhan who used power to dominate over everyone in the vicinity. So, I kept my mouth shut and eventually I fell asleep, cradling the amulet in my hand.

  In the days that followed he ordered that my siblings be kept on a strict feeding schedule while I had the luxury to eat whenever and whomever I wanted. He ordered the humans to stand in front of me and he showed them off like cattle at an auction. I picked out the most delicate ones: average size males with brown hair and darker skin. I found their blood easier to devour, unlike the paler males whose blood tasted watered down. During one of these ‘auctions’, Silvanus had his minions bring in a girl with long dark hair and big brown eyes. He called her Adele and he offered her to me as something to snack on between my meals. I examined her bite wounds and I briefly mentioned to Silvanus that she’d fit Finley’s desire more than my own. However, Adele belonged to him and he bluntly refused.

  My siblings were given one orphan girl a week. Weakened by lack of food, I knew that her blood wouldn’t satisfy their hunger. By the end of the week, they all had become so ravenous that Branda lost control and killed the girl before the rest had their turn. This angered Silvanus and he barred them from eating. This didn’t sit well with Finley and one night he left the room and returned with five rats he’d caught in the horse stables just behind the sanctuary. Feeling pity, I secretly shared my male meals with them and during one feeding period, I traded my human for their rats.

  Rat tasted terrible. The blood was cold and I fought against my body’s attempt to regurgitate the liquid. Afterward, Finley discarded the rat carcasses and we promised to never tell a soul. They continued to eat rats and mice until Sunday when Silvanus brought them a fresh meal: another orphan girl.

  I begged Silvanus to be lenient. I missed my family, even Anastasia whom I rarely saw. I couldn’t find any bravery inside me to tell my siblings that I would soon leave them for America. I badly wanted to but Silvanus said I had to keep quiet on the subject. If they found out, they would do something drastic that would jeopardize their own lives and I didn’t want that.

  By the third week, he allowed them to leave their room and to go outside, but not far. That week went by without any problems. I began to spend more time with Finley and I felt our bond growing stronger. I refused to let my feelings toward our sire ruin the last month I had with him. We got to know the majority of the Deamhan in the sanctuary. Silvanus continued to warn me about my bond, but what better way to severe the relationship I had with my sire than by growing closer with my sibling? Anastasia also noticed the growing bond I had with Finley but she never said a word. She didn’t have to. I saw it in her eyes when I was able to find her. Soon the tension between Silvanus and my siblings decreased and our new lifestyle consisted with an endless supply of humans to feast upon.

  This also meant that we had the privilege to attend his parties, called ‘Gatherings.’ Deamhan from all across England came in droves to see me, the most important Deamhan in the Deamhan world. During these festivities, which sometimes lasted for days, we gorged ourselves on humans and ran around the vicinity carefree. There wasn’t any reason to worry about anyone or anything. Silvanus instilled in us how special, beautiful, and dangerous our species could be and together, we were strong and untouchable.

  During this particular Gathering, Finley and I stood in a corner and watched the Deamhan as they mingled. Silvanus turned his meeting room into a lounge, complete with large cauldrons of blood for the Ramanga. His minions stood silently against the wall for the Lamia, Lugat, and Metusba to handpick them. He also brought in other humans that Deamhan caught and chained them against large posts located in the middle.

  Finley’s quietness began to bother me. I pulled on the sleeve of his shirt to get his attention. “What’s troubling you?”

  He continued to sip on his bloody drink and he licked his lips. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

  “You’re lying, Finley.”

  He turned toward me with hostile eyes. “This whole place troubles me. I don’t like it here.”

  “It isn’t the most welcoming of places but there is still a roof over our heads.”

  “I’d rather starve on the streets of London than spend one more day in his house under his control,” Finley replied. “He’s breaking our family apart, Maris. We’re barely holding together as it is. I rarely see Anastasia and the twins ...they don’t even acknowledge our family’s connection. They hate it here just as much as I do and they also want out.”

  As Finley and I sipped on our chalices full of blood, a rosemary scent filtered into the room, suffocating us in its enchanting smell. Looking toward the door, I saw a medium sized woman with hazel eyes and auburn hair entering slowly. Several Deamhan standing near the doorway also noticed her entrance and they nodded to her and moved out of her way. She walked around, looking like a lost child at first, until Silvanus greeted her with a hug.

  Her age interested me. Like Silvanus, the scent coming from her indicated an old Deamhan. I watched him take her hand gracefully and lead her toward the chained humans in the center of the room.

  “I wonder who she is,” I said to Finley.

  He wasn’t interested. “Just another Deamhan who has come here to order us around.” He sipped from his chalice.

  “Not every one is like that,” I replied.

  “You’d be surprised how many are just like that,” he said back.

  I understood his frustration, but I didn’t have any way to console him. “Let’s go outside, away from all of this,” I whispered to him. “We can gaze at the stars, like we did yesterday.”

  “I don’t want to gaze at stars.” He looked at me.

  “Maybe we can just walk somewhere?”

  “Where could we walk to, Maris?” Now annoyed, he glared at me. “Within seconds Silvanus would have his minions searching for you, his precious darling Ramanga.” He placed his drink to his lips and this time he finished it. “I’m going to get some more.” He walked toward the large cauldron and I slowly followed him.

  “This isn’t how I want things to be,” I said to him.

  “It doesn’t matter. This is how things are now.”

  “I don’t want you to be cross with me, Finley. I did what I could to make sure that you were treated better.”

  “Yes, you have.” He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “I guess we should be thankful that Silvanus hasn’t kicked us out of his sanctuary ...yet. Oh and while I’m at it, I should also be thankful that instead of eating orphan girls, we now survive off sloppy seconds.” His voice carried a sarcastic tone. “You don’t get it. We know that Silvanus has you where he wants you. He has his prize. Now nothing matters to him.”

  “So you are upset with me.”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “I’m not upset with you, Maris, just the pedestal Silvanus and other Deamhan have placed you on.”

  We made our way through the crowd and for a moment, I saw Brandy and Branda together, near the opposite side of the room, standing quietly. I waved to grab their attention but they didn’t return the gesture. They, too, looked annoyed and after a few moments they walked out of the room. After making it to the cauldron, I saw Silvanus and the woman in conversation. He looked at us from the corner of his eye before speaking.

  “Ethel, I’d like you to meet Maris.”

  The woman turned to me and her eyes gazed into my own. Feeling uncomfortable, I smiled briefly and turned back to the cauldron.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Maris.” She eyed my scar. “The vampires really did a number on you.”

  Finley refilled our cups with blood.

  “She’s the one who will change everything,” Silvanus said to Ethel.

  “Yes, be it good or bad. Are you sure that the information has survived her transformation?” she asked.

  “I got a glimpse of it. It’s still there.”

  “This is a risk, Silvanus,” she replied. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

  Silvanus nodded. “I couldn’t be any clearer.”

  Ethel moved toward me. “Maris, may I ask you a question?”

  I had no reason to deny her so I nodded.

  “What do you think Deamhan should do against the vampires?”

  Not being able to think of an answer to her broad question, I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  Silvanus chuckled. “Why even ask?”

  “I’m curious,” she replied. “If it was up to me, I’d kill every last one of them.”

  “But it isn’t up to you.” Silvanus sipped his blood.

  She grabbed his wrist and dipped her finger in his chalice. “It should be.” She licked her finger and almost immediately, she groveled. “Ehh, that is so disgusting. I don’t know how you Ramanga can drink that stuff. Tastes like metal.”

  “Acquired taste.”

  “I guess so.” She wiped the blood from her finger onto his wrist. “You have to admit, it would be easier to just kill them all off. You wouldn’t need to worry that they would come for her or for us.”

  “We don’t need another war,” Silvanus replied. “The Ancients have made that quite clear.”

  “Not all,” Ethel said with a smile on her face. “This Ancient Lamia doesn’t agree.” She pointed to herself.

  I wasn’t comfortable being shown off as some trinket that needed to be protected so I tugged at Finley to leave.

  “You aren’t an Ancient,” Silvanus replied as his canines dropped from his gums.

  “I should be.” Her voice carried a sexual tone that put even me on edge. She gently swiped her hand against Silvanus’ face and slowly walked away.

  He watched her quietly pick one of his minions from the wall. She took his hand and led him out of the room.

  “Ethel is overbearing at times.” He sipped his drink. “She thinks too highly of herself.”

  Finley retorted before sipping his drink. “Like most Deamhan do.” He walked away and melted back into the crowd. I stepped up to Silvanus so that he wouldn’t react to Finley’s rude statement.

  “You’re wearing your necklace,” Silvanus said as he stepped back.

  “I’m always going to wear it.” I placed my hand over my chest. “It’s underneath my clothing.”

  Standing tall over me, he leaned slightly forward. “Please do. It would be a shame if something happened to you.” His tongue moved over his teeth. “Will you excuse me?”

  ###

  I searched the entire sanctuary for Finley. I went outside, interrupting a few Deamhan, and then I headed back in and up the stairs to my room, finding him not there either. Eventually I made my way to his room and before I reached the door, I heard a familiar female giggling and Finley laughing with her.

  “Maris! Come in!”

  He smelled me before I opened the door.

  He sat in a reading chair with a human sitting at his feet. He had her wrist in his mouth and he fed from her like a suckling baby. Upon realizing that it was Adele, I angrily pulled her wrist away from him.

  “Leave.” I growled at her.

  “No. This is my room.” Finley stood up and licked the blood from around his lips. “She doesn’t have to leave.”

  The female moved back.

  “She shouldn’t be here.”

  “Why? Because the only person that can have her besides Silvanus is you?” Finley smiled. “Taste her! Her blood reminds me of when I used to eat strawberries. You remember how strawberries tasted, right?”

  I stood over them. “This is dangerous.”

  Finley stood up and lifted her to her feet. They began to dance. He spun her around then pulled her into him as their bodies rocked back and forth. Her silk, flowered pattern dress hugged her hips as they danced. “Why would any Deamhan keep such a tasty treasure away from anyone else?” He pushed her toward me. “Why didn’t you tell me she tasted so good?”

  I heard Finley speak in my mind. She smells sweet.

  I nodded. She did smell sweet.

  Taste her, Maris.

  I shook my head. She isn’t yours to eat. I noticed that her eyes moved to the left side of my face and to my scar.

  “I promise I won’t tell Silvanus,” she replied, looking at Finley. “He won’t ever find out.”

  “He always finds out.” I pointed to the door. “Go. Now.”

  “I’ve claimed her.” He pulled her back toward him and he gently lifted her head to the side, revealing her long neck. “She’s mine.”

  “She isn’t yours to claim.”

  “She isn’t yours to claim either.” He rocked back and forth with her. “But here you are, trying to make her do what she doesn’t want to do.” He turned Adele around to face him. “Do you want to go?”

  “No. I like it here.”

  “As you can see, Maris, she’s perfectly fine with me.” They continued to dance but I had had enough. I forced her away from Finley and I pushed her toward the door.

  “You won’t meet Silvanus’ wrath because of her. I won’t let you, Finley.” I pointed to the door. “Leave, Adele, and don’t make me ask again.”

  Adele nodded and she left the room.

  Finley grabbed a towel from his nightstand and began to dab away the blood from his lips. “Did you have a nice little talk with Silvanus and Ethel?”

  I sat on his bed. “Please, stop being angry with me.”

  He sat next to me. “Did they tell you how precious you are to all Deamhan?” He mocked.

  “I didn’t come here to talk about them. I wanted to make sure you were fine,” I replied. “Obviously you were more than fine. You seemed happy breaking one of Silvanus’ rules.”

  “And so?” He tossed his towel to the floor.

  “He will kill you if he finds out. That doesn’t bother you?”

  “No,” he replied. “Are you on his side now?”

  “What do you mean by that? I’ve bonded with you, Finley. I deeply care about you.”

  “I can look out for myself.” His fangs retreated into his gums. “There is no need for you to be bothered by my wellbeing.”

  “That’s not the point.”

  “What is the point then, Maris?” He stared out his bedroom window at the darkened scenery.

  Not knowing what else I could do, I wrapped my arms around his waist. “I don’t want to leave for America. I want to stay here with you.”

  He turned to face me. “You’re going to America?”

  “Yes, he is sending me there.” I hugged him tighter. “There’s another Ancient—”

  “No, no.” He shook his head. “I’m tired of these Ancients. They can’t force you to go where you don’t want to go.” His jaw tightened. “I’m telling Anastasia and the others tonight, and then tomorrow, we’ll leave this place for good.”

  I moved my chest closer to his, unaware that my amulet began to singe his skin. He quickly pushed me back and a look of fear covered his face.

  “What was that?” He pointed at my chest.

  I froze, unsure to tell him the truth behind my mother’s family heirloom, but he asked again.

  “My amulet.” I pulled it out from underneath my clothing. “Silvanus says that it protects me from any Deamhan.” I looked up at him.

  “That’s impossible.”

  “I thought so too, until a few seconds ago.”

  The skin on his chest healed immediately and I slowly took the amulet from around my neck and placed it in the palm of my hand. “I don’t know exactly how it works. It doesn’t work on me and it didn’t work on Anastasia when she sired me.”

  “By touch,” he replied.

  “Please don’t tell the others. No one is supposed to know.”

  “Why?” He tilted his head to the side. “Did Silvanus tell you that?”

  I nodded.

  “He only said that so you wouldn’t use it on him,” Finley spoke. “That’s exactly what you should do.”

  “He isn’t the enemy,” I replied. “He’s told me a lot of things, Finley. He’s showed me so much about Anastasia and who I am—”

  “What did he tell you?”

  I began to explain the images to the best of my ability. However, I didn’t tell him what Silvanus said about me. I didn’t think he was ready to understand everything yet. After I finished, Finley lay back on his bed and held out his arms to me.

  “Lay here with me, Maris.”

  I joined him and buried my body into his side. Staring at the ceiling, I could hear the distant chatter of the Gathering still going on in the meeting room and the gentle human screams as the Deamhan devoured them. We remained there, listening, and soon I wanted to know what he thought about my revelation.

  He kissed me gently on my forehead and answered my thought. “I don’t care about what Silvanus showed you. It isn’t something that I don’t already know.”

  “You know about Anastasia?”

  “We all know but she is our sire.”

  His point had torn into my core. I had to make him care. I wanted to make him see sooner or later, but for now I ignored my feelings toward the whole situation. I just wanted to lie next to him, away from everyone and everything. I emptied my mind and until the sun rose, not once did I think about the problems we would potentially face in the upcoming days.

  Eventually silence swept over the sanctuary as all Deamhan closed their eyes and fell asleep, waiting for the following night to come.