Demitri POV

It tears me apart seeing her like this, distressed and confused. She's been running around the house all morning trying to sort herself out, but in reality all she is doing is freaking herself out even more.

"Riah, love. Calm down, your psyching yourself out." I lifted my hand up to grasp hers gently, but she pulled away before I could. She was looking for the papers stating she was Alyssa's legal guardian, but she just won't accept that Scott can't do anything about Alyssa. He has no relation to her at all, and he doesn't have any say in her life. Riah somehow put it in her head that he's trying to take her away, but I really don't think that's the case. To be honest, he's probably just trying to visit his daughter.

"Riah, he can't take her away. He literally has no say in it. I don't think that's his intentions."

She shook her head, "It doesn't matter. I still need to find them, just in case."

I could feel her anxiety getting worse, causing me to stand up and wrap my arms around her. Her muscles calmed a little under my touch, but her body was still shaken up a bit.
After a few minutes of having her in my arms and staying silent, she pulled away and gave me her lovely, bright smile. "Thank you, Demitri."

I nodded and sat back down, finally having her sit beside me and slouch into the leather.

Sighing, she set her face in her hands. "I tried going around town earlier to see if I could possibly find him, but if he's still in Amiens, he doesn't want to be found." She looked into my eyes, "The last time I saw him was at my going away party, and that conversation wasn't very friendly. I can't imagine he wants to just catch up." Her tone turned sour as she shook her head in irritation.

I understand where she's coming from, I really do. But I honestly don't think her step father would be here to put any harm on her or Alyssa.
But then again, I could be wrong.

"We'll find him, love. He can't hide forever." I gave her a reassuring smile and laced my hand in hers. The warmth of her skin graced mine as I sighed in relief.
Without her touch, I feel lost inside. She completes me with her feisty attitude and caring nature.

Opening my mouth to speak, the front door flew open and Nora swayed into the house with Alec behind her. I was literally just about to ask where she was, I haven't seen her since I woke up to Riah freaking out about three hours ago.

"Hey guys." Nora's voice was low as she entered the living room and sat beside us.
As Alec placed his hands on the back of Nora's chair, he gave me a nod.

Riah took a deep breath and peered into Nora's gray eyes. "Why does it look like you have bad news to give us?"

Nora chewed on her bottom lip as she glanced to Alec. "We don't, not necessarily. We have no news, at all. It's like he never showed up."

The sigh that escaped Riah's lips caused my frown to deepen.
Before I could speak up, Riah pushed herself off the couch and left the living room in a huff.

Nora arched her brow my way in a concerning motion.
"It's not you, really. She's been acting like this since this morning." I took a deep breath as I ran my hand through my knotted hair. I want to follow her into the other room and make sure she is okay, but I know she would rather be alone right now.

"She's just worried Demitri. And until we find Scott, she will continue to worry. It's just what she does." Nora's shoulders rose a bit.

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I glanced back to where Riah disappeared as if looking into the distance could give me answers to what I need to do next.

Riah POV

I can hear them talking in the other room about how worried they are, I wish they'd see it the way I do instead of judge me like I'm acting irrational or something.

Realizing what I was just thinking, I let out a sharp breath and pushed those thoughts away. They care is all, I can't sit here and wish they wouldn't worry about me when I know it's only because we are family.

Sighing, I shuffled up the large staircase, around the winding hall and stopped in front of the black door. Taking the ring of keys out of my back pocket, my hands shook as I fumbled with them. Finally getting the right one, I slipped it into the doorknob and turned it until I heard a click.

The sweet smell of blood swarmed my senses, causing my stomach to grumble. I hadn't realized how hungry I've been lately, haven't really had the time to think about my own needs.

With clammy hands, I tore a bag of blood open with my teeth and dumped the contents into the glass cup placed on the counter. Pulling a chair out and sitting down, I clasped my hands around the glass and slowly sipped at it. A calming rush of emotion washed over me as the bitter liquid slid down my throat.

If you would have told me a year ago that I'd be in France, drinking blood and enjoying it, I'd have laughed in your face and walked away. Of course, that would be anyone's logical response, but still.

I could sense Demitri become more and more worried the longer I sat alone. A sad smile crept across my face, he cares so much.

I'm fine, Demitri. Promise.

After a moment of silence, his voice echoed in my mind. I know, I just worry is all.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I gulped down the last of my drink and quickly stood up. I need to check on Alyssa, see what she's doing. But before I got the chance to shut and lock the door behind me, a rush of blonde flew past me and the moment I realized what was happening, she was already in the kitchen looking around with wide eyes.

"Alyssa, you aren't supposed to be in here baby girl." I tried not to sound too freaked out, but I couldn't help it.

Arching her brow towards me, she skipped around the large wood table and went to reach for the fridge door, when I sped towards her until I was right before her.

The confusion mixed with fear that appeared on her face pained my heart, but she can't figure out what we are, not like this.

"Ri-" She could barely speak as she stood still. That's when I realized what I had just done. I used my vampire speed in front of her, there's no way I can get out of this.

I tried to figure out what I should say, when she turned and ran out of the room. I groaned loudly, then followed her to her pink bedroom and grabbed her arm gently to turn her to me.

Before I could stop myself, I looked into her eyes and slowly spoke to her in a smooth tone. "Alyssa, you will forget what had just happened. You've been in your room all morning playing with your Barbie's." A tear streamed down my cheek as she nodded and gave me a wide smile.

Her icy blue eyes were full of love and trust as her memory of the seconds before disappeared from her mind.

"Ri, what's up?"

I pinched the side of my leg as hard as I could in attempt to stop the tears from flowing, "Nothing baby girl, go back to playing."

Before I left the room, I turned back to her and a sharp pain spread all over my body. I promised myself I would never compel her, no matter what she sees or hears. But the fear in her eyes when she experienced what I had done, how fast I ran, pained me more than I knew it would.

With hesitation, I left the room and made my way towards the stairs, quickly shuffled down them and into the living room where everyone was still sitting.

The way Demitri looked at me caused me to become even more disappointed in myself.

"Are you okay, love?" His voice was a mix of worry and care.

I could barely speak one word before the tears started falling again. Sitting down between Demitri and Nora, I placed my head in my hands.
A supportive hand was placed on my back as I continued to sob.

Between cries, I finally managed to speak. "I had to compel Alyssa. I failed her, Demitri."

Glancing up, I peered into his ocean eyes.

"She got into the kitchen upstairs and almost saw the blood. I had to run in front of her to stop her, but she witnessed my vampire speed."

Shaking his head vigorously, he placed his hand on my cheek and stroked my skin under his thumb. "You did what you had to do, Riah. There was no other way."

I know he means good, but he can't convince me that what I did was okay in any sort of way. I used her morality against her, and there's nothing that will ever make that tolerable.