If I thought that the sprawling mansion was gorgeous last night, it's absolutely magnificent in broad daylight. The rays of the morning sunlight stream in through the large arched windows and the large white columns, highlighting the gleaming floor, the high ceiling, and the beautiful and opulent decor.

I'm back in Sacha's private section of the house and I've stepped out onto his balcony where the view is absolutely breathtaking; the well-tended garden, the rolling field beyond that, and the woods that belong to his family that stretches for miles. But I'm not appreciating the view right now. In fact, the view is the last thing on my mind.

I left the breakfast table just a few minutes ago. Without having breakfast.

The plan to meet with the family over breakfast was a disaster. It was ruined before it even began.

Everyone was staring at us and the air was thick with distrust and hostility. Their guard was up and it had caused the hair at the back of my neck to stand on end and my eyesight to sharpen- turning my eyes red. I was ready for a fight and I must have looked feral.

I couldn't help it. It's a purely instinctive reaction since I was the only half-demon in a room full of hostile Nephilims.

Sacha had placed his body in front of me right away and kept my hand in his.

Needless to say, breakfast was the last thing on anyone's mind at that point. Like I said, it was a disaster.

Sacha's father had demanded to talk to him in their office.

"What? You no longer trust your own family that you can't leave her alone with them now?" his father had asked, looking fiercely offended when Sacha made the move to escort me back to his private wing. "You think we'd attacked her?"

"No, but I didn't think we'd get this kind of welcome either," Sacha had replied through gritted teeth before he took me away from there.

He wrapped his arms around me once we reached the privacy of his suite. "I'm sorry, Danica. I thought it'd go better than this," he muttered. "Are you okay?"

I nodded with my face buried in his chest. "I'm fine." I was feeling better. He made me feel better. Rationally, I didn't really think that his family would harm me.

He pulled back, cupped my chin to lift my face up, and his eyes searched mine. When he was sure that I was telling the truth, he nodded, kissed me on my forehead, and said, "I'll be right back." Then he left.

And now, here I am. On the balcony. By myself.

I lean against one of the columns and slide down to sit on the floor. I should have known that they would hate me.

I was so happy this morning, I couldn't think straight. I should have known that it was all too good to be true.

They are a Nephilim royalty family. They might have a witch in their midst, but a witch is not a demon...or rather a half-demon. A creature of hell.

I stare at the sky then I close my eyes against the brightness. That kind of brilliance has no business mingling with the dark thoughts in my head.

But instead of the darkness behind my closed lids, I'm seeing from another set of eyes. Yokai's.

The cat or rather the woodland spirit is roaming somewhere close to their office because I can hear Antoine's and Sacha's voices.

Without my prodding, Yokai treads silently toward where the sound of their voices is coming from. Soon, he is slipping in through the slight gap between the doors.

Antoine and Sacha are facing each other and the older man is throwing a thick file on a desk between them.

Sacha stares at it with a clenched jaw. "What's this?"

"What do you think that is?" Antoine voices out quietly. He's a handsome man still, and looks so much like his son, or rather his son looks a lot like him. They're about the same height and they both have the same dark hair and the same sharp carved jawline and face. "That's her file. At least that's what my people managed to dig up."

"Then you're wasting your time. I already know her past is colorful. I'm well aware of that."

"You knew yet you still brought her home?"

"I brought her home because I knew that she wouldn't hurt anybody," says Sacha. "I brought her here because I wanted the family to get to know her."

"To get to know her?" asks his father. "I don't think that's necessary."

"It is necessary, papa. She's going to be a part of this family. One day."

"What?"

"Don't act surprise, papa. We went over this yesterday!"

"And I've told you yesterday that I do not approve of this! Of her! She's Astaroth's daughter, for God's sake! Don't let a beautiful face fool you! Read this and open your eyes!" barks Antoine, jabbing his finger at the file. "No one will ever approve of the two of you together! "

"I don't care for anyone's approval! She needs us and I'm going to protect her!"

"Then provide her with our protection like we did with Alistair and Oviyan. But choose another for your life companion. There are many more suitable Nephilim women to choose from, Sacha! They are more than willing. Just let her go and marry any one of our kind!"

"You know how this curse works, papa!" Sacha explodes. "I told you she's mine! I don't want anyone else. I love her!"

Sacha's declaration is met by a long silence while I'm reeling. I feel like my heart is about to burst out of my chest. He loves me?

"Trust me, I know all about our family's curse, son," says Antoine quietly after a while. "I'm sorry, son. But you know as well as I do that not all true love is destined to end up together. You know we have to make the sacrifice when we fell for the wrong woman. Look at your grandfather, Gaspard."

"Yes, and look at the way he lived and how he died," says Sacha. "What if it's maman, papa? What if maman was a half-demon? Would you have abandoned her and marry someone else? Someone more suitable? Would you be willing to..."

"But she's not," barks his father quickly.

"Yeah," Sacha says and lets out a harsh bitter laugh. "Lucky for you."

"The Superiors and the Advisors of the Circle will have a problem with this. They will challenge you."

"They can challenge me all they want. Our family is the leader for a reason and the fact remains, I hold the power of our forefathers."

"They will still challenge you, son." His father shakes his head. "I don't want you to make a big mistake. If she betrayed us, it would affect not only us but the whole human race. Astaroth has been using his sons and daughters as his ultimate weapon for centuries. They were trained to seduce, kill, and destroy since birth, they don't know anything else. That girl had her first kill when she was just seven, Sacha. She killed her own Nanny!"

I open my eyes and cut the connection. I don't want to listen anymore. Tears trickle down my face and I swipe it away with the back of my hand but it keeps coming.

I bring my knees up and hug them to my chest. Did he really say that he loves me? Did he really mean it when he said he wanted to marry me?

I don't really know what love is, but I felt a heady lightness and happiness when Sacha declared that he loved me. But that happiness was soon followed by a crushing pain. Does love hurt?

I cared for my nanny, Freyja. She was the light of my miserable life. But it had hurt in the end. I shake my head to dispel the memory of Freyja.

Suddenly, I'm aware of the sound of movement behind me. There's someone in the suite. I was so focused on my own thoughts that I missed the sound of someone coming into the room.

The smell of food wafts in the air, reminding me that I'm hungry.

"Yes, just leave it there, Gaby," I hear someone with a thick French accent say, followed by the sound of the soft clanking of plates and cutlery.

I get up and warily walk inside just in time to see a member of the staff arranging the plates on a coffee table in the sitting area while Sacha's great aunt, Tata Bijou is sitting regally, like a queen on the sofa.

"Merci, Gaby. You can leave now," she says, flicking her hand dismissively at the younger woman who seems to be very intimidated by her. "Oh, and don't forget to close the door behind you."

Once the door is closed behind Gaby, she turns her attention to me. "What are you standing there for, child? Come here, let me take a look at you."

*************************************

Hello, dearies!

My next update is going to be on Friday evening (est). If you want to read four chapters ahead, go to:

https://Inkitt.app.link/RA_NicoleRidd3y

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Have a wonderful week and please stay safe and healthy!

Much love, 

Nicole♥