Kyla

I thought it was a bad dream, that's what I convinced myself all those years ago. Until my uncle came into the area of the cave, we all slept, waking Lucas and I up, there was fear held within his eyes. He needed us up that very instant. There had been an attack, and many were dead. Sucked dry the night before, not a single drop of blood remained in their bodies.

I had snuck out and followed the group of teens that were going by the lake to have alone time. That's what they called it. I found myself curious about this alone time so once everyone was asleep, I tiptoed my way out of the cave and followed a little way behind. I didn't see much in the way of finding out what the group of six were up to because within minutes there were a bunch of blurs running around them.

A group of vampires had come out for a hunt, and they had found their prey that night. Unfortunately, once more my curious nature had gotten the better of me. For I too was out in the open, I had become their prey. A hand clamped over my mouth from behind and dragged me out of site. I could still hear the screams of fear as well as what sounded like them slurping away at their meals.

The hand dropped from my mouth once we were well hidden as though it was on fire. I slowly turned and saw an older man with red eyes glaring at me. I took a step back before he countered my retreat. That went on for a couple minutes. Causing him to give me a devilish smirk.

"I won't hurt you." His words caused me to stop moving all together. I knew this trick; he was trying to make me feel safe. I have nothing to be afraid of, then he could strike when I'm most vulnerable. "No, I really mean it little one." He bends down so we are eye to eye. His hand reaches out towards me, moving some of my loose hair behind my ears. Holding my breath I close my eyes, waiting for the final blow.

Instead, his hands are running along my entire body, causing me to shiver. I have never had anyone touch me in such a way. "You will be magnificent. Just like your mother." The last of his words has my eyes popping open. "You knew my mother?" I know I shouldn't be conversing with this monster. My Uncle would be appalled at my actions.

He smiles and looks at me with his now sea green eyes. "I knew your mother very well, and you my dear are going to be something to behold. He's a lucky one."

My brows furrow at his words. "Who is a lucky one?"

"Of course, being as you will be with us someday, I suppose I am lucky too. I will have you when I so shall please. You will be my new favorite toy when the time comes." His words make my heartbeat faster as my body quivers with fear. I feel as cold as this night.

"For now, you will not remember any of this. You will go back to your cave to sleep." I feel lost in his eyes, finding myself nodding my acquiescence. He kisses my forehead and pushes me towards where everyone else lays asleep during the night.

Looking up at the monster from years ago once more I can feel my calm dissipating. "I remember everything." I feel so much hatred towards this man, if I could kill him where he stands I would. The bastard standing before me doesn't show an ounce of regret or fear. No, he smiles at me, pure joy is held within his eyes.

"I'm so glad that you do." He doesn't break eye contact with me, not once. He wants me to see what he has planned for me. I can see it all in the depths of his eyes.

"That's enough!" Diedrek's voice booms across the entire room as he stands from his chair. Pushing his father away from me he takes my hand and pulls me behind him towards the door.

Darius, Satine, and Lucas are right behind us as we walk. He had just opened the door when his father's voice cut into the silence of the room.

"Don't you want to know where we were all this time son?" Diedrek pauses in the threshold of the door. His body taught with tension. He slowly turns around and looks at me. I can see the pure fear and agony in his eyes of what had just occurred.

Bringing my hand to his mouth he kisses the back of it before looking to Darius. He must have talked with him telepathically because the next second he takes Diedrek's place and stands in front of me. Keeping me from the monster's view.

I watch as Diedrek turns to the room, giving his father his entire attention. Before I can reach for his hand he is walking towards his father once more. I take one step in that direction, trying to follow before Darius's arm shoot out and holds me back. Looking at my brother I see he has his attention on me, he only shakes his head, communicating with his eyes that he is not permitted to let me leave the threshold from which I stand.

Not knowing what else to do I put my arms over my chest and watch to see how this played out. Out of the corner of my eye I see my brother give one of his sly smirks before looking forward as well. His attention must be on what Diedrek is doing in this moment. He cannot afford to be distracted with my pettiness.

To my surprise Diedrek walks right to his father, only stopping once they are toe and toe from one another.

"You have two fucking minutes before I walk out of this room. Make them count." Folding his arms over his chest he stares his father down.

Holding so much hatred in one look, if it were possible, I'm sure he would kill him here and now.

This doesn't faze his father of course, and if anything this entertains him immensely. His head falls back with raucous laughter. Everyone at the table joins in like the sheep they are on the inside. Truth is they would be lost if they had no one to follow.

Once he calms down, he stands at his full height wiping away the tears that have built in his eyes.

"Thank you, son. I needed that. Truly." He gives Diedrek the cruelest smile I have seen thus far. Causing me to swallow with fear.

"Well since you asked, Rowland how about you go and get our surprise guest for this evening."

I hear the scrape of a chair and footfalls heading towards the back of the room to another door. The squeak of the old hinges has me jumping in my skin. Darius grabs my hand and holds it tight in his.

This is it; we are about to see his trump card that he holds within his hand. What his plan for all of this is. We can hear footsteps from the other side of the door. I close my eyes as the door opens once more. My brows furrow as a familiar smell hit me tenfold. Causing me to grow dizzy with anxiety. It cannot be.

I hear Lucas' intake of breath. Knowing that he is just as surprised as I am. This cannot be happening. How is this even possible. Forcing myself to open my eyes I look at the person I haven't seen since I was a toddler.

The one person I have only seen in pictures. The ones my older cousin drew from memory. Looking I see he remembered well. He got every crevice correct. Reaching out I hold onto Darius's shoulder for support as I hear.

"It's been a long time. You grew up to be so beautiful." A bitter sweetness dripping from her mouth.