Lately on Dust And Shadows...

"Let the game begin!"

...

Before I noticed what was happening Taylor stuck his knife right through its heart, and the vampire turned into ashes. I exhaled a deep breath and started panting. Taylor stiffened. "Julia, come here right now." I didn't need to be asked twice.

And as we were back to back, we noticed there were more. We were surrounded, by at least 10 more vampires.

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

Meanwhile...

||Kayden's POV||

I watched as they pushed her out into the portal, and the hunt began. I was worried sick, but I had to keep strong. Everyone slowly returned to the dining hall where we were before, everyone impatiently waiting to see the winner. I had to keep faith in Taylor to look after her and kill all the vampires. I couldn't help but think, maybe mother picking up her name wasn't just coincidence. Hell, with my parents it's always something more... As we returned to the dining hall, I saw my parents talking privately and carefully, and so I quickly walked up to them. "We need to talk." I said and got their attention. "Yes son. We do." My father said very calmly. "I need to know if Julia going into the Hunt is more than pure coincidence. Did you put her there on purpose?" I asked straight to the point, sounding desperate to know the truth. My mother looked at me with widened eyes. "Son you sound like you don't know us. Of course we didn't put her there on purpose, for god's sake. There are other matters, more important matters, we must discuss." My mother said, sounding as if something horrible just happened. Then, my father turned to me. "Kayden, it's time you did your part as an Anderson." I looked at him with my eyes widened. No, he doesn't mean...

...

"No father! I am not going to marry!" I whispered loudly and angrily and my father threw me a glare. "Listen to me Kayden. I am ill. I am dying, you don't have a choice but to marry and secure the Anderson line. You must stop acting like a selfish, self-centered brat. I am warning you, you will behave as we'll announce the engagement with Samantha or you will regret it. This is a perfect occasion for everyone to hear it from us. I only have two years left according to the witches, I expect to have a grandson before I meet my maker. Are we clear, Kayden?" My father almost threatened me and I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. My father was ill, dying and I had to accept my engagement to this blonde I danced with earlier. And then, it clicked.

"That's why you invited Julia." I said looking down. My mother put her hands on my shoulders like she was trying to shake some sense into me. "You must end this absurd charade with her, son. We were always planning to engage you with her from when you were little but she is no longer the best, and you, my dear, you can only have the best. Samantha is not only a great beauty, even prettier than Julia, but she is in the top 3 in Arizona. Her family also has pure, royal blood and are very wealthy. She is smart, loyal and obedient. Just the perfect wife for you, darling. And you will marry her, so put a fucking smile on your face and be grateful, you have no idea how hard it was to convince her parents to the engagement. Now go and sit next to her while announce it. If you think you have any say in the matter, you don't. You will bow your head and marry her." I always knew she was scarier than dad. It pained me deeply to hear this but after I heard my mother curse, I knew it wasn't the time to argue. I looked at the young Samantha, her beautiful porcelain skin, bright blue eyes and a shining white smile. She looked so cute, so beautiful, hell she was gorgeous. She was wearing a light blue dress and her hair we're falling gently onto her delicate face, her lips full, big and pink. Her smile brightened up the whole room as she grinned at some comment her father made. She was skinny, had perfect curves and was the definition of perfection. I could only imagine how many girls envy her for her beauty and intelligence. Too bad she'll never be her.

I walked over to my seat next to her.

||Samantha's POV||

I played with the hem of my dress as I saw Mr Anderson sit next to me from the corner of my eye. I looked at him innocently and hell, he takes my breath away every time. Never have I ever seen such a handsome man, with such good manners and his eyes, as grey as smoke. He made me so nervous and yet so comfortable. I wanted to be a good wife, make him happy, and I guess he found out about our engagement because he looked me deeply in the eyes, clear sadness and disappointment in them, breaking my heart. Does he not like me? Have I done something wrong? "Hey." He greeted with a dull voice. I gave him a shy smile and greeted him back, politely. "I am sorry if you're being forced into this marriage by my and yours parents I-" "No, don't worry. I always knew I'll have to marry, I'm actually glad it got to be you, Mr. Anderson." Then I realized I interrupted him and I saw he already looked displeased. God, I'm so stupid! "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have interrupted, please excuse my manners." He faintly smiled and then sighed. "It's okay, Samantha. Call me Kayden. You don't have to try so hard, if you don't want this, tell me and I'll try my best to annul the engagement-" "No please don't. I know this may sound selfish but I want to marry you as you're the best I will find. My parents would never allow marriage for love but I believe I will make you happy. Please, I don't want to end up married to some unworthy drunk."

||Kayden's POV||

"My parents would never allow marriage for love but I believe I will make you happy. Please, I don't want to end up married to some unworthy drunk."You gotta be shitting me. What about what I want? My happiness? Does that not matter to anyone? I looked at her and looked away. I knew I didn't want to marry her at all even though she was wonderful. I will never love her. And who am I kidding? Even if I tried my fucking best, I won't be able to annul the engagement. It's me against my parents. Suddenly mother stood up and the room quieted down. "Ladies and  gentlemen, to make this evening even more wonderful, we'd like to announce some wonderful news concerning my dear son..." This can't be happening...

**************A/N*****************

Hmmmm Samantha... maybe she's not as innocent as you think ;)

But guys, don't worry about your ship sinking down *wink wink*

Kayden + Julia= Kaylia (I'm not good with this okay)

Okay so there's Team Kaylia, Team Taylia and Team Kaytha(Samantha &Kay)

I'm Team Taylia for now, let me know yours!

~Sb12