Kyla

I sat there on one side of the couch; with my knees close to my chest as my cousin Lucas talked with me and calmed me down. It took a good couple of hours to get me to stop shaking. Once I did Diedrek sent me and Satine to get ready in our bedroom.

He, my brother, and cousin all went into his office to discuss a few things. I'm not certain what was agreed on, and frankly as of right now I do not care. All I care about is putting one foot in front of the other and not falling face first against the floor on our way to the enormous dining room table where we are about to eat dinner.

"I have you, don't worry baby girl." I swallow the fear down my throat as I look to the side. Just the visual of Diedrek here standing beside me calms my fast-paced heart. He gives me a smile; I can tell he is just as worried because it doesn't reach his eyes. That thought makes me lift my shoulders; take a steady breath and raise my head high in the air. I will not show fear in this monster's presence. Diedrek, Darius and my cousin have enough to worry about.

Thinking of them my head moves to the front looking at the back of Darius's head as he walks in front of us. He doesn't show any emotion on his face, hasn't sense we saw our father in Diedrek's wing of the castle. His body is taught with tension. You would think he was made of steel for the way he's carrying himself in this moment.

Shaking my head, I get myself out of thoughts of my brother and pause my footsteps. I turn around slightly to see my cousin Lucas. He has on the garments of a blood slave. It consists of black slack pants with holes in them, and a bright red shirt two sizes too big. The red shirt is to match the blood in case the vampire owner is a messy eater.

His head is bowed down; he's playing the part so well. I know it must be eating him up inside. He must feel my stare because he moves his head up only slightly so he can see me. We stare at one another for a moment until he lifts one brow and nods his chin my way. Telling me he's fine and that he's got my back. His eyes tell me to keep my ass walking. So, I turn back around and do just that.

When we make it to the doorway of the dining area; I can only make out half of the table. I see both of Diedreks brothers sitting to one side, with my father Tristan, sitting across from Alaric, with an older man sitting beside him. From this angle I cannot make out who that could be, but when he turns his head to the side, I see the white of his eyes causing me to take a step back. I haven't seen him since the day I was captured and brought to Diedreks living quarters.

"That fucker invited Mendrick." I hear my brother grumble from his spot standing in front of us. At the name leaving his mouth, Diedrek pulls me back and steps in front of me to investigate the room. A growl works its way up his throat. "Of course, he did. He isn't taking any chances knowing what Kyla is to me."

"What does it mean to have Mendrick here?" No one answers my question at first.

Making me believe they were so preoccupied and weren't paying attention causing them not to hear me. Then, after a few quiet moments my brother growls, "he is an immensely powerful vampire. One of the oldest. If anything goes down, he can freeze time, causing us to freeze along with it." He looks at me out of the corner of his eye. To gauge my reaction, I am guessing.

At his words, my entire body begins to shake once more. I recoil into myself and try to step back. The feel of Lucas' body colliding with my back tells me he moved to stop me. Diedrek turns, facing me head on. He places his hands along my shoulders; trying to look me in the eye, but I close them so he cannot see the new fear that has grown in the last couple of seconds.

"I will not allow anything to happen to you or anyone else. Us together are a deadly combination and he knows that. He's only trying to make it even. I have the same power as Mendrick, and I can only guess since we are mated it's more powerful now. They cannot nor will they dare hurt us this evening."

The voice in my head has grown quiet. Letting me know he is waiting for my response. He's waiting for me to open my eyes, look at him so I can see the truth held within his irises. I want to, really, I do, but I cannot bring myself to open them.

"Cousin," I feel Lucas' hand land on my shoulder, letting me know Diedrek moved one of his, giving him room to come to my side.

"Look at me." I shake my head with fear.

"Now." His voice sounds abnormally demanding. This causes my eyes to open without me meaning to do it.

He looks deep into my eyes. Telling me all I need to know from him. I give him a nod with tears growing in my eyes. He steps back and takes up his position as a blood slave once more. Diedrek places his hand along my shoulder once more and looks me in the eye. I can see determination and strength held within. He's letting me know with just this look that we will all be okay. I bring my hand up to my eyes to wipe away the moisture that is quickly growing there and nod my head to him once more.

He kisses my forehead, lingering in that position for a while. I have a feeling he is preparing himself for the moments to come. Once he has himself put back together, he turns around, looking away from me. He fixes the sleeves of his suit coat, and buttons it up. My brother takes his place standing beside him.

They walk into the room, just as they do I feel a small feminine hand placed in mine. Although compensation of sweat has built in her palm and I can feel her body shaking, I tighten my hand around hers. Satine and I look towards one another for a moment before facing forward. I take one final deep breath and step forward into the room. She releases my hand and walks behind my brother to one side of the table, as Diedrek takes a hold of my now free hand.

"Well, well what do we have here?" The sound of his voice sends a chill down my spine.

I take my eyes off the table, slowly bringing it up to look into the sea green eyes of the monster sitting at the head of the long table. My breath hitches because the man looking at me with evil in his eyes, a small devilish smirk feels familiar.

"Hello sweetness. Come and sit beside me so we can get to know one another." With those words said, my heart feels as though it stops beating all together.