Diedrek

I don't waste any time walking to Kyla and wrapping both her and Satine in my arms. "It's going to be okay."

I look Darius in the eyes, "I need you to go to the woods. Her family and the others should be on the outskirts by now. I need you to bring her cousin Lucas here as soon as you can. We are going to need him now!"

He wastes no time leaving the room to do as I ask. I can feel both girls shaking against my body. I know they are frightened, but I must get them to calm down before going to dinner.

"Come to the couch. We will sit down and talk this out." They both follow me to the seating area in the room.

Once they have both sat down, I walk to the chair and grab both comforters that Darius had placed there earlier. I maneuver a cowering Satine out from Kyla's arms and place her head along the pillow to one side. I rub her hair out of her face and place a kiss along her forehead. "Close your eyes and get a little rest. You need it." She says nothing in return only grabs my hand and lifts it to her cheek.

I feel a lone tear land along my fingers. I wipe it away as I look into her eyes. "I got you. I will not allow anything to happen to you." I see her gratitude and understanding in her eyes before she closes them. I watch as her chest lifts and falls with each slow breath she takes.

Once I know she is calm I make my way to kneel in front of Kyla. My beautiful, strong-willed mate. I know she will be able to manage this. She is strong enough. I can feel it in my bones. I bring the comforter I have left in my hand and wrap it around her body before looking into her eyes.

I can see so many emotions behind those beautiful emerald globes. She has many questions building behind her exterior. There is sadness held within, I can see the tears forming. Her eyes looking like a lily pad floating along a pond. I bring my hands to both her cheeks and hold her in my grasp. Bringing her forehead slowly to mine I don't break eye contact. Showing her, I am here for her. Through this entire thing.

"Ask me." When my words leave my mouth, she jumps a little in her seat.

I can see the gears shift behind her eyes. She swallows, the movement of her throat gaining my attention. She looks so vulnerable in this situation.

"He said that a being can be marked as a vampire's possession." I nod my head at her, lifting my chin telling her to continue.

"How is that possible? I thought a vampire could only mark the one that is his true mate." She tries to look down at her gathered hands. So, she can look away from me but I will not allow her to do it. I hold her head tighter with both my hands telling her as much. Her eyes shoot back to me.

"No looking away from me baby girl. I am here for you and with you. We do this together. I'm not going anywhere." I wait for her to show me understanding in her eyes.

When I see it, only then do I explain. "He wasn't lying. A vampire can decide to bite and claim a person, witch, or another vampire. It's different in the way that instead of them working together as one, the vampire male or female has all the power." Her eyebrows furrow with confusion.

"When our bond grows the both of us will be like one entity. My powers will be your powers and vice versa because we are true mates. However, with a marking the vampire controls them in their mind. They can take away their powers and use it for themselves." Her face changes with my words. Almost like a fleeting memory has come back and she understands.

"That's why my mother couldn't use any of her powers. It's how she died. Tristan, he took her power to use for himself leaving her powerless. For all those years he had control of her powers and mind." I nod my head with sadness. What she says is the truth.

"Then, how come my aunt didn't use her powers on that day? I don't understand." I let her look down now to her hands as I stand to my full height to walk to the fireplace. I need to calm my rising emotions before I can calm her down.

"Because" a young man's voice breaks the silence. My head whips around, and I can see standing by my door her cousin Lucas with Darius standing behind him. Lucas is looking at his cousin Kyla with purpose, his chest rising and falling hard with each breath he takes. He walks over to his cousin and takes the position I just left. Kneeling in front of her, he takes her hands with his. "She used her little powers she had that day to protect us."

One of her hands leaves his, to reach out and run her fingers along his cheek. "You're really here." She cries out with disbelief clouding her tone. I can see in her eyes she didn't believe it for herself until she touched him.

"Yes, I am. I told your mate over there I wasn't allowing you to stay here without me." He gives her a boyish smile and she laughs aloud. Within seconds she's wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him close to her body. If it were any other male specimen, I would put a stop to that. I think to myself, folding my arms and spreading my legs. Watching the two of them embrace, fighting my need to break them apart.

"Even if it was me?" Darius walks up to stand beside me.

I don't answer his question, just look towards him with my eyebrow raised. He smiles and pats my shoulder with his hand.

"They are set up in the trees. Remarkably close by, waiting for your word on when to attack if they are needed." I nod my head once more, so he knows I have heard him.

He laughs close to my ear. "Always a man of few words." I grunt at him causing him to laugh harder.

Once he sobers up, he turns his head to the side, looking me dead in the eye. "You think they will strike tonight at dinner?"

I turn back to the fire, giving Kyla and Lucas a moment alone. I watch the flames as they rise higher and crackle. "No, I think my father is going to be too curious about her to want to strike. He will wait for a more opportune moment once he knows all the facts." I don't look away from the fire, but I see him nod his head in acquiesce in my periphery.

"This is going to be one hell of a long night." He says from beside me. I don't answer him. I find I can't. All I can focus on is the flames burning, the sound of Kyla's voice, and my own heartbeat.