Kyla

Listening to his story about our sister gives me a mix of emotions. I feel so sad for what she had to go through at such a young age. Then there is a part of me that knows just by what he has told me if she was sitting here with us now, she wouldn't want me to feel that way for her. No, she would tell me she's a survivor, that she doesn't need anyone's sympathy.

Which brings a sense of pride I feel for her. To have overcome such hardships. Surviving living with those monsters. Another thought comes to mind. If Darius had helped her, what had he endured for his actions?

My eyes lift from my hands to the vampire sitting across from me. The man I now know is my brother. He must see everything I'm thinking because a sad smile grows on his lips. His green eyes growing watery with unshed tears.

He sits up, on the edge of his seat, leans over and places his hands along mine. We sit there like this for a while. Him holding my hands in his, studying them, and me sitting her quietly giving him the time he needs to gather his thoughts. Finally, his head lifts, I see his nostrils flare with the deep breath he pulls in. On his exhale he begins by saying "it wasn't an easy time for me. I seriously thought I was going to die." He shrugs his shoulders.

"With the amount of blood, I had lost, if I was human I would have died for sure." He looks away from me for a moment to gather himself. When he looks back to face me, I find myself asking him, "He hurt you that badly? With no disregard even though you are his own son?" The last few of my words come out broken. My heart along with them.

"They." I gasp at that one word as a menacing tone leaves his lips. "Our father, his men and our ruler had their fun torturing me. His sons thoroughly enjoyed themselves." I take a moment to collect my thoughts. It takes all my will power to hold back the tears that want to fall. But I will not let them. That's not what he needs right now.

"How long?" My voice comes out hoarse. Clearing my throat I try once more, " how long did they hurt you for?"

"Close to a week." My hands fall to my lap. Before one makes its way up to my face covering my mouth. Shaking my head, I start to stand from the couch, but he stops me with his hands along my knees.

"Hey, it's in the past. Don't feel sad for me. I made it out of that and promised myself I would never allow anything like that to happen to me again." Knowing he's right, he deserves better from me in this moment, I sit back down. Covering my lap with the blankets once more I hold out my hands, palms up. He smiles and places his hands in mine.

"How did you do that?" I'm curious to know. He smiles and shrugs his shoulders. "How else? Diedrek got me out of there, and for years I trained every day. Growing stronger, faster, learning my craft to become more powerful. Now our father is afraid to really get on my bad side."

"Diedrek saved you from the torture?" He nods his head in answer. "How did he not stop it from happening to begin with?"

"I was sent away that week. Two of their trusted men were sent with me to find the three sister witches. I didn't know what he wanted with them at the time, but I soon figured it out." The familiar voice comes from the now open door. There stands Diedrek, Satine right behind him. There is a strong part of me that wants to stand up and run into his arms. But the sister part of me knows my brother needs me a little more right now. So, I simply remain seated.

"That he did!" The excitement coming from my brother has my face turning to face him once more. "Once Diedrek figured out what was happening, when he was close enough to hear, he came bursting in and said a few words. Sending my father and his brothers flying into the wall." He lets out a laugh.

"That was enough for the warriors that follow our fathers to run in fear. Apologizing fiercely as they ran." The tears in his eyes have gone away. In their wake is pride. He's proud of what my blood mate had done that day to rescue him.

"Not that any of them really got away. Once I unchained him and got him cleaned up, I paid each one a visit." A sardonic smile grows along Diedrek's lips as he walks into the room.

Satine closes the door behind her. We hear the lock turn into place as she joins us in the living area. Diedrek lifts me up, sitting on the couch he places me on his lap. Bringing the blanket over both our bodies. My brother, Darius sits back in his chair, placing an elbow along one arm he holds his chin in his hand. Looking at us with humor in his eyes.

Satine makes her way to stand in front of the fireplace. Letting the fire warm her back. "So, there is one thing I am confused about. If you were that powerful years ago, why hadn't you taken over and just taken control of the monsters that feel they own everyone." My brows furrow over my eyes as I try to work it out in my mind.

"I wasn't quite that strong. I mean I knew some spells, and none of them worked on my father. He simply stood there, head titled to the side and studied me. Once the rest were able to pull themselves together again and stand up, they came after me. They couldn't torture me, but they had other ways to get back for what I had done." He leaves what they could have done to him to my imagination, his eyes tell me it wasn't anything good. He must see me studying him because he brings a hand to my chin and pinches it, bringing my head down a little so he may kiss my forehead. Giving me comfort although it should be the other way around.

"I was still too small. We barely had any muscle. We were scrawny little vampires." All of us laugh at the visual he paints. "Took us years to get to how we are now. Unfortunately, within those years their followers have grown, as well as their power they withheld. I'm not at full power yet. Won't be for another three days."

"What's in three days?" I place my fingers along his lips. Tracing their shape with my finger. He opens his lips and nibbles my fingers.

"It's my birthday. The day I ascend and come into full power. Which is another reason I know he will be back here sooner rather than later. And we still don't know what, or who he will bring back with him upon his return."