Darius

Once the portal closed, taking my older sister and the one I have loved my entire life from my view, do I holler out into the night. So loud, everyone around me, human and vampire alike, need to use their hands to cover their ears. I can see the trees shaking with force, as I slam my fists into the ground causing it to split in half below me.

Everyone, other than my youngest sister, and best friend take a few steps back. Getting further away from me, not knowing what I'm going to do. Not that I can blame them. I'm very easy going until you hurt someone, that means a lot to me. Then it's game over for you.

I feel a hand land on my shoulder, a feminine grip trying to pull me from my hurt and pain. Looking up at my baby sister Kyla I can see the tears welling in her eyes. I have to remember that her and Satine had become close these last couple weeks.

"Where the fuck could they have taken them." Diedrek's voice cuts through my thoughts.

My best friend, my brother, is pacing the ground behind me. Yanking the strands of his hair with both hands. He's very protective of Satine, being one of the many reasons I haven't acted on my feelings. After tonight, once I have her back in my arms, I'm not hiding anything anymore.

I will claim her in front of everyone. Showing all that she isn't to be messed with ever again. Kyla pulls me up from the ground with an arm wrapped around my waist. I find I have to lean my body against her, I feel so weak. Not because of the battle that I was just a part of, but because the one woman who isn't part of my blood, I care about was taken away from me.

Not by just anyone. By two of the monsters of this world who have done everything in their power to hurt her. "I shouldn't have allowed her to come here with us tonight." My voice comes sounds hoarse. I realize that I have tears falling from my eyes, rolling down my cheeks.

I wipe them away with my hand before anyone can see. "It's not your fault Darius. She wanted to help, and whether you allowed her to come with you or not, she would have found her way here tonight." Kyla places her hand over my heart.

Most vampires don't have a beating heart, but our family here does. Because we all have witches blood coursing through our blood from our mother's. Placing my hand over hers, it takes my addled brain a moment to understand what she just said.

"Still, she is my responsibility. I should have stopped her in one way or another." I state firmly.

I see from the corner of my eye that her mouth opens as though she's ready to say something, but Diedrek speaks to the both of us first. "I have the sister witches on the search to find them brother. She was my responsibility just as much as she was yours. We are both at fault." His head falls to his chest.

"Neither of you are at fault. This is her fight just as much as it is all of ours." Both of us look up at her, and she continues "she wanted to fight alongside the both of you. You're both special to her in your own ways. She wouldn't have allowed you to do this without her." My baby sister stands between the two of us, looking strong and fierce.

Waking us both up from our pity party. We both stand tall, our heads held high, as we make eye contact. Both of us thinking the same thing. It's time for us to find the rest of our family and put a stop to all of this once and for all!

With a slight head nod, he gathers Kyla in his arms. Turning around, to give them a moment together, I make my way to where the three sister witches stand in a circle. Everyone is giving them a good few feet of distance, trying not to bother them.

Unfortunately for them, I'm not one known for my patience. "Have any of you got a hit on where they are yet?" I stand beside Bunny, my legs spread, and arms crossed over my chest. Showing each of them I mean business. I will not take as an answer.

I will be sure no one eats or sleeps until I get word on where my older sister and the woman I love are located. Bunny opens one eye and squints at me. Giving me the stink eye. Showing me exactly how annoying she finds me.

I simply raise one eyebrow at her in return. Showing her how much I give a shit what she thinks of me. She sighs heavily, turning her body towards me, she copies my stance. "We haven't been able to feel them or hear them at all. Meaning they have someone blocking us out." She worries her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Do you or Diedrek know what witches could be working with them to block them from us?" She stares me, letting me know how serious this situation really is.

Diedrek answers before I can, "Well there is the Smithsonian family. I was supposed to marry Richardson's daughter Anna, but I sent word after having a discussion with Darius that it wouldn't be happening." I look at him out of the corner of my eye.

The son of a bitch actually listened to me and took action. I'm proud of my brother, but they are definitely a possibility. "What witches do they have working with their family? I know there aren't many witches left in this world. I say more to myself then anyone else, rubbing my chin with my thumb.

Diedrek and I study one another wondering the same thing. We aren't certain which families are even still alive. His father and mine killed most of the witches and warlocks. So, they wouldn't have anyone who could take them down.

"The only family I can think of that are just as powerful as the three of us are the Stroker brothers." At Bunny's answer both our eyes shoot to her. My brows furrow in confusion. I've never heard of them.

"They are two brother's that we grew up with as children. Their mother taught them how to cloak themselves as humans so they couldn't ever be found by the vampires. However, I had heard that they searched out the Smithsonian's years ago." She answers our silent questions.

"Why would you not tell me about this Bunny?" Diedrek growls at the witch.

Kyla wraps her arms around his center, trying to calm him down some. From all the events this evening, and his birthday coming up in two days, he's on the edge. His eyes keep going from brown to red. Showing how close to truly losing it he is.

Bunny's sister grab each of Bunny's hands, being her support in a terrifying time. Studying us as we are them. "I didn't know how true it was. We barely hear a thing from back home, but there are rumors from those we grew up with that spread around." She bows her head, her eyes looking down at her feet.

Everyone is silent for a moment, all of us thinking about where to go from here. Kyla steps a few paces in front of Diedrek. "Tell me about Anna, and the Stroker brothers." A determined tone to her voice.