“How old are you?”

“Seventeen”

“How long have you been 17?”

“A while”

“Stop,” I said closing the novel my friend Em was holding.

“What’s wrong?” she raised her eyebrows questioning.

“Get real,” I scolded.

“I don’t know why people write fiction. Why can’t they write something practical? They are filling your minds with crap.”

“It’s the bestselling novel. You don’t know how to appreciate a good writer.” She huffed.

She rose from my bed and slammed the door against my face.

Wow! It seems that I had another fight with her. Seriously, why can’t I keep my mouth shut? I may be more realistic and practical but I can’t rub it on my friends. It’s their wish if they want to live in a fantasy and non-existent world. I fell on my bed thinking how I should make it up to her when I heard mom calling. I hurried down the wooden stairs.

Mom stood at the last step frowning; She must have seen Em barging through the doors.

“I lost it again; she is reading twilight, now.” I sighed.

“You have to learn to respect their space…”she started all mother like.

“I know…”I cut her off.

I went into the kitchen dad was munching on a bowl of cereals. I turned to see what he is watching, Twilight???

“Dad…”I cut off with one look from mom.

An Idea struck as I was watching the movie, I ran into my room. Mom called after me.

“I have an idea to calm down, Em.” I called out to her.

I logged on to my system and browsed through websites until I found what I wanted. I relaxed on to my chair as I knew how happy Em would be when she’ll see my gift. Em is my only friend since childhood. Though we are exactly opposite in every way we liked each other enough to put our differences behind. I am almost 5’7 and have perfect curvaceous body; my half curly hair brushed my shoulders, honey colored eyes that match with my hair, perfectly carved nose and lips. Em is good 5 inches tall, short and spiked black hair and everything about her is tiny face, lips, eyes and nose. She is almost like a nerd her face always covered behind those yellow pages of novels. Sometimes we would have a welcome addition to our little group but they turn out to be after my looks or money. We decided in later years that it will be just us from now on.

I walked impatiently on my lounge for the courier to come, I checked in the mailbox every few minutes later. I found it after I came back from lunch. I ran to the last house on our lane. When I knocked at her she gave me irritable look, she was still angry at me.

“Um… I have something for you.”

“What?” she scowled.

I gave her the courier cover, she frowned. I gestured to open it up. She tore the cover as over enthusiastic child. When she saw the CD of Twilight, she jumped in joy and dragged me into the house. She ran to the living room with me behind and hurried to set up the home theatre, sat cross legged, eyes fixated to the screen.

“Who’s that?” her mom called over the noise.

“It’s Ilene, mom. She brought twilight movie.” She shouted still the enthusiasm not dead in her tone.

“Got over your silly fight, huh?” she shouted from the kitchen.

Em nodded mutely eyes glued to the screen. I don’t want to watch the movie but if I get up she will be upset again. I played some songs in my mind for a while and got bored.

“I’ll make us some popcorn.” I said.

She nodded. God! I could at least miss half the show now, I thought. I hurried into the kitchen. Aunt Lucy smiled at me. She is a woman in mid 40’s. She is a lovely person besides mom.

“Glad that at least you live in reality.” She smiled.

“Yeah! It seems I’m the only one.”

She showed me the pop corn packet and hurried to prepare meal for Uncle. When the pop corn is done I still have another 10 minutes time.

“Where’s uncle?” I asked trying to make conversation.

“Trying to skip the movie?” she smiled.

“He had an appointment with the doctor.”

“What are your plans for tomorrow?” she asked.

“As usual Mom invited some people for the party, I don’t think I have any time to spare since she scheduled every minute of tomorrow for me.” I said.

“Don’t you like partying?”

“What’s the point when most of the people are mere strangers to me?” I smirked.

“I would rather spend all the time with yours and my family.” I said.

She smiled.

“Why are you so averse to those films?”

“It’s just they aren’t real.” I said.

“Vampires? Were wolves? Huh? “I smirked.

Aunt laughed at my distaste.

“You should go now or she’ll get dubious.”

I nodded and took the bowl of pop corn; thankfully the movie is at climax. I sat beside her and shoved the popcorn into her hands. After another 10 minutes of torment, the film finished.

“You missed the good part.” She said.

I made a face that I was sad for missing but internally I was happy that I missed.

“They should have considered you for a role in this film. I mean you are so like a vampire.” She said absent mindedly.

I shifted uncomfortably. True, most of the descriptions writers gave in books are that Vampires are pale skinned and alluringly beautiful which fit me perfectly or at least this is what most of them thought. I hate it to be even compared with some nonexistent creatures but I took them as compliments so that I wouldn’t fire away on them.

“What’s your dress color, tomorrow?” she said all smiling.

“Don’t know. Let’s go and see.” I said.

“Mom, I’m going to Ilene’s home. Don’t wait up.” She called.

We raced to my home as always I won the race. We fell on the couch heavily breathing. Mom entered laughing.

“Another race? Who won? Let me guess, Ilene.” She smiled.

She went in and brought us some orange juice. We drained it in one gulp. Mom laughed at us.

We hurried into our room bellyful; Mom never lets us leave even a tiny bit of food she says that even that tiny bit gives us lots of energy. We fell on my bed opposite to each other.

“I can’t believe it’s your 16th birthday tomorrow. I think Aunt invited the whole town for the party.” She stated.

Though I can’t see her, I know she must be laughing like mad; she knew how I hate parties. I smacked her. She burst into a fit of laugh. I waited patiently for her to calm down.

We played for a while; she dozed off into sleep while I read her pride and prejudice.

I woke up rubbing my eyes. Em must have left early. I walked into wash room and when I came back, there’s a pair of new clothes on my bed. I hurried downstairs, the house is entirely transformed, and did she at least take a nap yesterday? I thought. Furniture is moved and entire place is decorated with glow lights and decorative flowers and creepers.

“Happy birthday, honey.” Mom hugged me.

“Ta-da.” Dad said moving aside to show a big cake sitting on a round table.

“Dad.” I ran to him.
He embraced me in a bear like hug. Em’s family is also there. They wished me in turn. This is just what I wanted, who needs a party of strangers who doesn’t even know me or care for me?

Aunt and Mom went inside to make the party preparations. Dad and uncle sat watching a football match. Em and I sat chatting.

“Close your eyes,” she said and sat me before the mirror.

“Wow!” I exclaimed when I saw a fancy chain around my neck. The locket is heart shaped and a small white stone is embedded into it.

I hugged her in joy. I played dress up with her and finally settled on a pink frill frock that is just a few inches down her knees. She is amazing in it.

Mom called us down as she set us our lunch. She is worried about something and her face showed signs of stress, Dad looks the same.

We ate chatting happily; though mom and dad are smiling I could tell its just façade.

“Just say it.” I said to dad squeezing his hands rested on the table.

“What?” he asked.

“You are asking repeatedly, should we say it” I said.

“How did she know what I’m thinking in my mind, did the change start?” he thought.

“What change?” I scowled.

“Nothing honey, I’ll talk to you later.” He whispered.

I nodded.

Mom rushed me upstairs to get ready, first I helped Em to get ready and then she helped me. Mom brought me blue floor length gown that fit my curves perfectly.

“You are stunning.” Em whistled.

I brushed away her comments. We walked down when I saw half of the hall filled. Everybody stared in awe for my beauty and audacity. I heard someone having bad thoughts about me; I turned in the direction of voice.

“Did you listen to that stupid’s comments?” I asked Em pointing to the rough looking guy standing at the far end of the hall.

“Did he say something?” Em frowned.

I nodded.

“How can she hear him when he is so far away from her?”

“But I heard,” I said.

“What? “
I repeated her sentence. She frowned and said that she is just thinking it but didn’t say it out loud. I nodded my head in belief.

“Wow! Freaky. You can read my mind. Why didn’t you say so earlier?” her face elated.

“There’s no such thing like mind reading. I must have interpreted your facial expressions. You know I know you very well.”

“Then what about him?” she asked pointing at the guy.

“I must have seen lust in his eyes.” I said and hurried in to the crowd not wanting to make a scene about it.

People greeted me; I heard them all praising my beauty. I heard some girls smirking about me by telling others my most embarrassing moments. I felt like punching them right in face but something is fishy here. I mean how come I’m hearing everyone’s thoughts as clear as they are speaking it aloud. I must be coming down with some illness which I never did. Truly speaking I never was ill in all my 15 years of life.

As soon as I’m sure that I greeted whole crowd not leaving anyone behind and done with cake cutting. I went to my place of salvation, roof of my home under the star lit sky and full moon, safe and secure under the wide spread night sky. Strangely, the full moon nights offer me great solace. I lay back on the roof staring at the night sky, taking in the wonders of the universe that lay above me. I plan to travel there sometime.

“I knew you would be here.” Em said slumping onto the floor beside me.

“I just came here.” I groaned.

“No, you are here for almost an hour.” She said fidgeting with her straps.

In disbelief I glanced at my watch and she is right, it’s an hour exactly.

“Come, let’s go. There is someone to see you.” She said tugging my hands to get up.

“What the party is still on?” I said in disgust.

“No, everyone left. These people just arrived.” She said.

Reluctantly, I stood up and with one last glance at the night sky, I followed her downstairs. I saw a couple most elegantly dressed standing against the walls. They are so identical, pale skinned, thin and deep black eyes that stared at me expressionless. Who are they? I heard them thinking fondly how grown I am and how so like them. Who are they? I turned to see Mom; her eyes are red from crying, Dad stood beside her rubbing her shoulders.

I ran to her, knelled on the floor beside her. I took her hands into mine.

“What’s wrong?”

“Em, we must go.” Aunt Lucy called.

I glanced at them. Em is staring at me reluctant to move, her dad towed her away. She mouthed that she would come back again. I nodded.

“Mom…” I called raising her chin to look at me.

She embraced me in deep hug. I heard the strange male clear his throat. I felt like kicking him out of the room. Why is he even here? This is a family situation, Damn it.

“We are not your biological parents. We adopted you from them.” Dad choked.

“What? Am I hearing you right?” I screamed.

“Yes, he is right. You are our daughter.” The female said in her musical voice.

“You stay out of this.” I snarled at her.

What’s wrong with me? I’m snarling at someone I barely knew. Mom never brought me up like that and I know my manners but this is something to be angry at.

“Is he right?” I shouted.

Mom nodded and closed her eyes sobbing.

I stood in trance for a few minutes while taking in the bitter truth. I sighed after a long pause. What if they are not my real parents but I love them as such and they me. What’s the problem over wailing about something I can’t change?

“Mom, I don’t care if you’re not my real parents. I love you and that’s what matters.” I said rubbing her hands gently.

Her cries grew more loudly.

“We came to take you back home.” Musical voice said.

“What?”

“They left you under our protection and said they would come back one day to get you.” Dad said.

His voice is rugged holding back tears and being strong for mom. I couldn’t take this anymore, Am I parcel to leave whenever they don’t want and claim whenever they want. Anger flared in me.

“We had no choice but to leave you here; for your own safety.” The man said in deep masculine voice.

“Whatever, I’m not going with you anywhere. I have my family and life here.” I snarled.

“You have to go for your own good and others too.” Dad said in a final tone but I didn’t miss the pain he had taken to say just the word.

“Fine.”

I stomped into my room and collected all my things and threw it into a suit case. I dragged the suitcase down making as much noise as I can. Dad stared at me, Mom looked up and tears spilled silently across her cheeks.

The man hurried towards me and carried my suitcase with ease. The female placed her hands around my shoulders and towed me towards the door. Mom ran towards me, she pried me away from her shoulders and hugged me crying. My shoulders are wet with her tears. I registered the shock that the woman expressed when Mom touched us.

“Honey, we have to hurry. The sun will rise in a few hours.” The man called.

“Be good.” Mom said.
I nodded.

“I’ll come back to visit you.” I said.

She smiled weakly and she thought I know you can’t its goodbye kiss to you, she said kissing me on the cheeks.

I allowed the woman to sit me in the car and strap me up. I lost in silence for a few minutes.

“What’s your name?” I asked absent mindedly.

“I’m Tristan and your mom flora.”

Mom? That felt weird. I closed my eyes and finally let the tears roll down.


I woke up, my throat hurt from all the crying. I am in a king sized bed wrapped up in soft covers. I winked my eyes to clear my vision. Straight to me there is a wall and a painting of a woman staring at full moon, is hung. There is a couch and two arm chairs on both sides. To my left there is walk in closet and right there is another double door. The room was well decorated with mostly red roses which I happen to like most. I tried to get down from the bed but my feet didn’t reach the floor. I had to jump slightly. It must be built for a good 6’ feet tall people. I tried to open the double doors but it took all my strength, it made creaking sounds but it didn’t budge. I tried once again, huh? Easy this time but my smile disappeared when I saw two men standing just outside catching the door open for me. Who are they? Who keeps people to open the doors? A woman about 30’s hurried to me bending her head all the while.

“Anything you need, my lady?” she asked still bowing which made difficult to see her face.

“Um… I want to see Tristan and Flora.” I said.

She gasped. How dare she to call the king and queen with their names, she thought. Where am I? In an insane asylum, my mind smirked.

“What’s your name?” I asked her.

“It’s Mary, my lady.” She said.

“Don’t call me my lady.” I said.

“As you wish, my lady.” She said.

Is she playing with me? Anger flared. Before I made some snide comments, she assured me into a huge room. I took in the surroundings. I thought my room is huge but this thrice as big as it is. Who are they? Trillionaires? I thought.

Flora is sitting in an arm chair with a book in her hand and Tristan is behind the desk, scribbling.

“Honey, you are awake. Had good sleep?” they said in unison.

I slumped on to the nearby chair. I have so much catching up to do; if I’m going to live here.

“Who are you?”

“Your parents.” They said.

May be this isn’t a good question.

“Which part of the state is this?” I asked after racking my brain for a good question.

“It’s night world.” Flora replied.

Freaks… I thought.

“Like Disney world?” I smirked.

They didn’t seem to catch my mockery but they smiled.

“Can we talk while having breakfast?” Tristan said.

I nodded. I need to think about my questions, He rang a bell and the same woman entered.

“Get her ready and bring her into dining hall.” He ordered.

She nodded head bowed.

“I can go myself and l doesn’t need to be taken care of. I can fare myself well.” I said in crude tone.

The woman gasped again. My biological parents just flashed a smile. They are totally nuts, I thought.

She is so much like you, I heard him say when the door shut behind. I walked briskly to leave Mary behind but she seems to catch up however fast I walked. I heard musical laughter ringing through corridors. A boy about my age strikingly handsome smiled at me. I glared at him and walked away. This place is a maze; I am lost in the endless corridors. I gave up at last.

“Where is my room?” I sighed.

She led me through some twists and turns and assured me into my room.

“Thanks, I can keep up from here.” I said.

She bowed and left me to ponder myself. I walked into the closet and found many pairs of dresses from all brands, all types and all colors. Hundreds of shoes, sandals and jewelry, I sighed. Em would be excited to see this place and then I remembered that I didn’t say goodbye to her. May be I can mail her. I would ask Tristan later where I would find net connection.

Mary is waiting for me at the doors as soon as I set foot outside the guards and Mary bowed to me. She walked through endless corridors; do I have to walk the whole city just to have breakfast? That’s what I felt like I’m doing now; running 50 miles just for a glass of water.

“Will we reach there at least for time of dinner?” I smirked.

She just nodded. God! I’m going to be crazy, if I stay with them for one more day. She assured me into a room. At last I’m here, the smell of food is contagious, my belly groaned telling me how hungry I am. Why everything has to be huge, I thought. The dining table ran through the whole length of the room. It’s about the length of a train, Tristan sat at the head of the table. Flora sat to his right. I sighed and walked all the way to them dragging my feet heavily. I sat beside Flora and smiled at them invitingly.

“Ilene, he is your brother Mitrik.” She said pointing to the one opposite to her.

He flashed a smile at me. He is so much like Tristan, pale skin, deep black eyes, rough brown hair that hung a little bit down the usual length. Girls would die over him.

“Hi,sis.” He said.

I always wanted a sibling; it’s practically boring being only child at home.

“He is your cousin, keetes.” She said pointing to the boy beside him.

He is the one who laughed at me in the corridor. I didn’t see him before but he is totally gorgeous. Who are these people? A family of hot models, huh? I mean even the people working here seems to be good looking. Must be the climate of this place, I thought. I mean ever since I came here, it’s like I’m in a freezer that explains why they are so paler than me.

“Tristan, Can I use your computer. I need to send a mail to Em.” I said.

Mitrik burst into laughter. I glared at him. Keetes mouthed him to stop. He is trying hard to control his laughter. One look from Flora made him stop.

“We don’t have that facility here.” Tristan said.

“What? You have enough money to maintain a palace full of servants but you don’t have a computer.” I scowled at him.

“We didn’t feel the need of it.”

They must be kidding, in this computer era everything is based on it and they didn’t even see the need for it.

“You can write a letter, I will ask someone to take it.” Flora insisted.

“Letter, huh?”

“It won’t amount you much to get connected.” I pleased them.

Mitrik burst into laughter again.

“What’s wrong with you? You are like the person from laughter therapy.”

He is in a fit of giggles. Keetes punched him but that had no effect on him. Flora stared at him which reduced his outburst to some extent.

“Honey, it’s not a problem of money. Electronic devices won’t work in this world.”

“Why won’t they work? It’s not like you are in Stone Age.”

“We don’t use anything artificial here.”

“What about the lights?” I said searching the hall for the source of light.

“What?” I exclaimed when I couldn’t find a light.

“How?” I stammered.

Flora took my hand and walked me gently to the window; the window sill touched my waist and extended a good 3 feet length above me, providing a good view. I could see lot many houses scattered across; they are tiny dots from here. She tugged me and pointed at the moon.

“It’s full moon.” I exclaimed happy to see one thing that remind me of home.

“It gives us light million times more than your moon.”

What is she nuts? There is no such thing like your moon and our moon. For entire earth it’s just a single moon and single sun. But one thing is true the moon shone million times brighter; may be because this part of earth being close to the moon’s orbit, I decided.

“What will you do when there is no moon?” I asked.

Wide smile spread across my face thinking I hit the correct question. She smiled.

“The moon never changes. It’s always been this way here for thousands years.”

She must be kidding me, of course. The moon shrinks and grows all the time, may be they thought morning sun as moon, haha. What a naïve people they are? I laughed thinking about it. She frowned.

“You see you must have mistaken morning sun for moon.” I began to explain.

She sighed.

“The sun doesn’t raise here. It’s the night world and it’s the moon always.” Tristan said walking towards me.

My head reeled at what he said. They must have escaped from the insane asylum, all these people must be or I must be thrown into asylum. My parents must have known that weird thing that I did on my birthday party, Reading minds and they thought I’m insane and they left me here.

“Are you mad?” I shrieked at them.

They froze at my high pitched voice. Tristan turned back and nodded at Keetes, he stared at me and I felt instantly calmness spread over me. May be I could reason with them when I show them and explain about Sun.

“You must eat something, first.” Flora shoved me into my chair.

I ate the food hungrily until a belch escaped my lips and that’s when I noticed that they aren’t eating anything.

“Won’t you eat?” I asked eying them all.

“I’m, little sis.” Mitrik said raising a glass at me which is filled with red liquid.

“What’s that beetroot juice?”

“It’s blood.” He said it with an expression that made me feel like a freak.

“Blood, are you kidding me?”

“What do vampires drink, ha?” He said that with a casual tone as if it’s a matter of fact.

“You all are nuts.” I said running away from them.
I remembered my way well this time so I ran into my room. I fell on the bed keeping my watch beside which I brought from home. It showed exactly 9pm. I checked it after a few minutes it showed the same, I counted until 300 which would be exactly 5 minutes; I peeked at the watch, no change. I picked it up and gazed at the dial, the seconds didn’t move an inch. Damn! The battery must be exhausted but its brand new watch gifted on my birthday. The shopkeeper must have lied to mom. I sighed and fell on the bed. I drifted back to sleep and after what seemed to be hours, I woke up and walked to the window. It’s still the moon, I must have overslept, I thought.

I fell on my bed thinking about home and family, Em and her stupid novels may be Em is behind all these she wants to tease me for scolding her to be real…
. Aunt Lucy and her fresh pancakes, mom must be devastated after I left her. I didn’t have a proper goodbye with them. May be I could convince Tristan to send me home one day. I dozed off into sleep with images of home, family and friends in my mind. I woke up again and checked it’s still moon. Damn! I seem to have no control over sleep. I will be wide awake this time, I thought. Many times my eye lids started to drop; I washed my face or pinched to keep myself awake. I glanced at the window but there is no change. I could feel the energy almost drained out. As hours passed it became hard to keep my eyes open.

“Ilene, wake up. Tristan please do something.” A musical voice rang.

It was filled with concern.

“You should make her drink or else she won’t find energy.” Another voice said which I recognized as Mitrik.

I heard scurried footsteps a while later, I felt some glass material pushed to my lips. It smelled really good.

“Ilene, drink.” Flora whispered right in my ear.

I tried to wake up but the stupor is so strong and I couldn’t will it to wake up. I felt two strong hands heaving me up and something soft and cushiony is placed against my back. She forced the liquid into my mouth. It flowed through my throat and all my senses are coming back to me, instant energy crept up my body. I wanted more of it; I gulped mouthfuls into my mouth frantically catching the glass. I gripped the glass so tight that it broke in my hands and I heard a low chuckle.
I opened my eyes assessing the mess I made. Glass splinters were all over my bed. Red color liquid is all over my bed sheets. Blood! I shrieked as I saw the cut on my hands. I heard snarls all over the place.

“Keetes, attend to it. “ Tristan ordered and shoved everyone out of the door.

“Please don’t be afraid.”

“It’s just a cut, why would I panic?” I smirked.

He nodded and took my hands into his tentatively. He watched my bleeding hands and took few deep breaths and gently placed the bleeding finger to his mouth and sucks the blood. My eyes went wide, what is he some maniac? He sucked my blood. It grossed me out.

“What are you doing?” I said slapping him vigorously and trying to shove him away.

“There it’s better,” he said.

“Get out.” I shouted at him and moved away from him to the corner of the bed.

God! Where did you sent me? I have been nothing but good and you throw me in to this place. I sobbed hiding my head. A strange wave of calm washed over me. Instantly I felt relieved, I squinted in his direction and one glance at him brought everything back to me. I shivered and then calmness, what’s happening? Why am I having these crazy emotions, It’s like remote switch; one second fear and then calm. I must have gone mad, I sobbed into the pillow curling myself up into a ball.

“Sir, I think you should explain her everything or else she will go mad.” Keetes said in warming tone.

“Keep check on her emotions.” Tristan replied.

A wave of calmness spread over me. I raised my head and saw Tristan sitting in front of me, his eyes filled with concern. He reached out and gently took my hands into his, rubbing the back of it.

“Ilene, please listen me out first and don’t panic.” He said.

I nodded.

“You have been watching for sun, almost three and half days. Did you find him?”

I mouthed no.

“Good, this place where you live now is Night world. We never see day light here. We call ourselves as night people or we are known as vampires as in your world.”

I nodded mutely.

“This world is a place for immortals like us and mortals even doesn’t know that this place existed.”

“You say that this place is an entire different world. May be it’s just a mysterious place just like Bermuda triangle.” I supplied.

“Bermuda triangle is where spirits live once we enter into it there is no coming back. Didn’t we come back for you and bring you here?” He asked.

I nodded, yes they did. Still I didn’t believe in magic and mythical creatures. There has to be some logical explanation.

“Didn’t you start to read minds suddenly on your 16th birthday?” he asked.

How did he know about that? May be Em told him. I nodded.

“How come you did that?”

“I don’t know.” I mouthed.

“I will tell you how that happens, when a true blood turns 16, his true identity starts to reveal though there are three steps to gain access to their full power. Do you want to know how I knew your power?”

“Em must have told you.”

He shrugged.

“It’s my power to sense what powers others have.”

I nodded my head in disbelief.

“Did you not a few minutes ago, your emotions flickering between fear and calm?”

I nodded.

“Well, that’s because keetes here has the power to control emotions.”

I glanced at him and he still was staring at me concentrating on something.

“Didn’t you have instant energy after drinking a glass of blood?”

“I drank blood…”I stuttered.

“May be I have an infection, you know like in the movie people go wild in the movie after they are infected.”

“Did you go wild? No, you just got energy out of it.”

“Don’t you stand out in a group of people with your pale skin and strikingly handsome features?”

“It’s just the cool climate that keeps yours and mine skin pale.”

“Does your skin tan in hot sun?”

“May be it has something to do with my combination of DNA”

“Did you catch fever, cold or anything in all your life?”

“No, I feel tired that’s all but that is because I have good resistance power.” I explained.

He nodded his head in disbelief. This is going to be difficult how I can make her see what we really are when she is trying to find out a logical explanation for everything. He thought.

“Hey, sis. Look at me.” Mitrik said from far end of the room.

And in a blur he is beside me on the bed.

“How did I do that?”He asked.

He must be a track racer but even then he can’t cover it in less than half a second.

“You must have super speed.”

“So you believe in super powers but you won’t believe in vampires, huh?” he asked.

He caught me there.

“Well, may be your vampires and this is night world but…” I waited to form correct sentence.

Tristan sighed. At last, he thought.

“I don’t want to be like you, I want my life back.” I said.

Tristan and Mitrik’s eyes went wide.

“You can’t deny who you really are.” Keetes said squeezing my hands gently.

His one touch made butterflies in my stomach, I blushed.

“You said that we need to follow three rules to become a true blood, what are they?” I asked tentatively.

I formed a plan in my mind.

Tristan sighed.

“1. You need to drink from a vampire.
2. You have to bind your heart to a true blood.
3. You need to take solemn vow of vampire royalty.”

“If I don’t do these then I’ll not be like you and I can be myself, right?” I thought out loud.

Tristan gave a weak smile.

“As keetes said no matter what, you can’t deny what you truly are and someday your natural instincts will make you drink blood.” He sighed and left me to ponder on the situation.


My body ached from all the sleeping. I stretched myself on the bed. I have been in this room too long, I need some air, I thought. I took ten human minutes to get ready and pushed the doors open. Wow! I alone managed to open the doors?

I walked along the corridors peeking into every room to see where Tristan and Flora are. Mary scurried towards me.

“Do you need anything, my lady?”

I brushed her off. She gets on my nerves with all that my lady thing and top of that she thinks I’m some freak. I found them in the same room that I saw previously, they are positioned in the same way.

“Hi, good morning… or is it good night.” I said.

He laughed.

“How are you feeling?”

“Great.”

“How do you count days here?” I asked.

“I mean we count it as a day till sun set to sun rise.” I thought out loud.

“The brightness of the moon helps us to count the days.” He said.

“I don’t see any change in its brightness.”

“You will notice every minute detail when you become a true blood.”

“I doubt it.” I smirked.

Flora gestured me to sit down.

“Flora, I want Mitrik and Keetes here.” He said.

She nodded and closed her eyes for a while and in a few seconds I saw Mitrik and keetes sitting in the opposite couch. I gasped.

“How…” I stammered.

“Didn’t I mention about powers? Your mom can send messages to others through her mind.”

I heard something about this in Indian mythology, people using minds to communicate.

“Trying to explain it logically?” Mitrik chuckled.

I scowled at him. He laughed still.

“Ilene, it’s been nearly 5 days since you came here and we didn’t announce your arrival. So we are planning a party to introduce the princess to the night world.”

“You too?”

“Party, that’s fun.” Mitrik smiled.

“Why shouldn’t we celebrate an occasion?” Tristan asked.

“You’re not humans, Isn’t it what you said?”

“That doesn’t mean that we don’t have to party.” Mitrik scowled.

“Ilene, though we may not be mortals, we are in many ways like them. We sleep, love, live and party. “

“Then why can’t you be one of them?”

“Because though we are like them we are not.” He said.

I frowned. He is clearly confusing me.

“We can’t walk into sunlight without losing our energy. We crave for blood more than anything. Our powers make us stand out and we don’t know when our animal side will take over and if some mortal is near, he would get hurt. We don’t want risk that and most of all we don’t age.” He said.

“What do you mean by you don’t age? I mean like never…”

“We age only when we choose to.”
“Wow!” I exclaimed.

There food habits must be really healthy to let them live for a long life, I thought.

“You said that I’m one of you but I am eating and I definitely grew in terms of age. I can walk in sunlight and I don’t have super speed like you people.” I said.

“The changes will be gradual and will be taking place from when you turned 16 until then you are as normal as human.”

“What’s with the royalty? Are you really king?”

“We true bloods are rare and we are the direct descendants of the vampire blood. We have powers that normal vampires don’t have.”

“You said there are more out there. They are vampires too and they have vampire blood too but what made you above them?”

“As I said true blood is hereditary and those out there are made into vampires by being bitten by another vampire.”

“The rules? Did Mitrik follow them too to become like you.” I asked.

“The rules are different for male vampires born in the clan.” He said.

“Honey, later.” Flora said and she must have sent some message because I saw Tristan nod.

“Ilene, are you willing to attend the party?”

“Do I have a choice?” I asked.

His answer was no. Wait! I can use this to my good.

“Okay, I’ll attend if you will do one thing for me.” I said.

“You have to send me back home for a week after the party. I want to give perfect farewell to my friends and family.” I said.

“This is your family, little sis.”

“Yes, you’re my family but still they brought me up so fondly and I owe them at least this much.”

“Okay, you can go.”

Flora glared at him.

“But Mitrik and Keetes will come with you.”

“Why them?” I asked.

“You don’t know the dangers that lurk behind you, now that you are officially the princess of night world.” He insisted.

“What about Mom and Dad, they will know that they are not normal.” I said pointing Mitrik and Keetes.

Flora flinched when I called them Mom and Dad. I heard her thinking when will she call me Mom.

“Your foster parents knew what we are. We told them everything when I left you under their protection and we even said that we’ll be back on your 16th birthday.”

This explains why Mom and Dad are pretty much tensed on my birthday and the change dad spoke about.

“You said that you left me for my own good. Why?”

“At the time you’re born. There is a war against our enemies and I didn’t want to risk your life.”

Why do I feel that he is hiding something from me? I nodded.

“When is the big day?”

“Tomorrow and that comes to you, I want every arrangement done as soon as possible.” He said eying Mitrik and Keetes.

They nodded.

We left them.

“Can I leave on that next day?” I asked tentatively.

“Keetes, make arrangements for your journey.” He said.

“Oooo….. human world. I’m going to have lots of fun.” Mitrik whistled.

“Sis, Is that a question bank? I wonder how many are left still unanswered.” He said tapping my head.

I smacked him on the shoulders.

“You know you shouldn’t play with a vampire.” He said exposing his fangs.

“I can get one too, if I saw a dentist.” I smirked.

“This are natural, sissy.” He smiled.

I brushed him off.

“You don’t talk or what, apart from playing with my emotions?”

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled.

“No, it’s okay. I really needed your waves of calmness.” I flashed a smile.

How beautiful she is? Her smile… he dropped off in the mid sentence. He must have remembered that I’m a mind reader.

“You need a hand with the preparations?” I asked smiling.

“Where’s the venue?”

He gestured me to follow.

“I can’t keep up if you run and where’s Mitrik?” I asked.

He slowed down to human speed.

“He will be there.” He said flashing smile.

I don’t know how much effect I have on him but he is totally ripping my heart apart with his alluring smiles.

He assured me into an empty room that is as big as a cricket stadium. Mitrik is taking to someone probably a servant because his head is down.

“Hey, what are you doing here princess?” he smirked.

“I am trying to help.”

“What kind of help? Bugging us with questions, huh?”

I scowled at him.

“Ilene…” I heard someone call me.

I turned to see who it was when I saw a girl about 18 run towards me and embraced me in deep hug. I looked puzzled at her, I mean I never saw her and she acted like she did.

“Ilene, she is Pearl my sister.” Keetes introduced.

She flashed a brilliant smile. A boy about her age walked towards her, placing his hands around her waist and slightly pulled her to him. She giggled and he kissed her lightly on the lips. She kissed him back. I heard a low chuckle.

“Ilene, he is Pearl’s mate Quint.”

I nodded. He gave me a knowing smile.

“Boys, now stay away, I’ll take it from here.” She said in a musical voice.

She danced through the hall lightly on her feet. Mitrik tugged me.

“She doesn’t like interruption. Let’s just go.” He said.

I nodded and walked away to my room. A little while later I heard a small knock on the door. I said come in still not taking my eyes away from the full moon. I heard footsteps coming towards the window I’m standing.
How beautiful she is? I wonder even full moon would shy away in front of her beauty. How can such perfect thing exist? I heard someone’s thought. I swirled to see who it is, he must have realized what he did so he made a stern expression and said.

“Pearl, wants to know whether you like to make any changes to the decoration to which she did.”

I nodded and tagged along him. I could see him trying hard to keep his thoughts in control.

How could someone change the entire hall into a party area in no more than 20 minutes? Well, maybe she used her unnatural abilities to do it. I must say I didn’t expect such great work from her. As soon as I saw the place my face lit up.

“What do you think?” she asked grinning.

“You must be an event organizer.” I said smiling.

“I don’t know what that means but the expression on your face says that you like it.”

“She loves it.” Keetes said with a smile of appreciation to her sister.

“Do you want any changes?” she asked.

“No…….”


“Mary, please loosen it up a bit. It’s hurting.”I screamed.

She tightened the threads even closer. It’s like my body is shoved into some rectangular box, even I have problem with breathing. Why the hell should I wear this dress? I screamed in my head.

“Can’t I wear normal dress?”

“No…”

“You will spoil the fun, darling.” Pearl said dancing and halting lightly in front of me.

I sighed. She whisked away Mary.

“Why is she so cold towards me?” I thought aloud when I saw her staring at me in displeasure.

“Mary doesn’t know who you are.” Pearl replied.

“What does that have to do?”

“She hates to work for anyone except royals, once the party completes see the change in her.” She smiled.

I nodded.

Pearl helped me getting dressed. She is more like Em loquacious, graceful, fun loving. A tear escaped silently as I thought about her.

“Thinking about someone back home?” she asked.

“Don’t you worry; Keetes said that you’ll be leaving right after the party. Have fun.” She said patting me on the shoulders affectionately.

I want this to be over quickly, I have only hours to wait but even those hours seems to biting away my peace. Pearl walked me into the party area, as I neared the place I could hear metallic laughter’s, light music and loud voices immersed in conversation. I heard a glass tinkle as I stepped in.

Tristan is holding the entire attention of the people.

“I know that you all are wondering what this celebration is for? I’m honored to introduce my loving daughter and the princess of night world, Ilene.” He said all smiling.

In one swift move, he is beside me and enveloped my arms into his and walked me on to the stage. I felt nervous when I saw thousands of eyes scrutinizing me. My mind was buzzing with their thoughts; some liked me even praised the way I carry around myself and my beauty. Some snubbed for some obvious reasons like me being the princess and prettier than them. I felt the chills creep up my spine when I heard some vile thoughts about me in the group. I frantically searched for the person that could soothe me. I saw Keetes standing beside Mitrik far below the stage. He must have felt my gaze, he smiled at me. Dad towed me into the crowd his hands secured around me. I mouthed him to help when I passed by him. Instantly I felt a wave of calmness and warm feeling wrapped around my mind. My head hurt so much to hear the thousands of voices. I didn’t pay any attention to what Tristan spoke; I mechanically greeted everyone, not paying attention.

After the introduction people piled around the tables to get their drinks (which I mean blood) in groups, when each one grabbed a glass, Tristan cleared his throat and raised a glass for me. Flora quickly shoved a glass into my hands. I felt like my stomach is upset, I looked at her pleasing.

“People expect you to drink just take a sip.” She pleased me.
I nodded but couldn’t make my mind to do this. Keetes switched glasses before anyone could notice and I pretend like I drank.

Tristan took my hand and walked to the middle of the room and he moved his body in perfect rhythm to the music, couples joined us one by one. After a few minutes, a handsome guy cut Tristan off, Tristan smiled at him and gestured him to take over. He pulled me towards him rashly and wrapped his arms around my waist. I heard him obsessing over me, his hands travelled and I shoved him away uncomfortable. He pulled me more closely this time.

“Can I have a dance?” Keetes said cutting him off.

I sighed thanking his good timing. He glared at keetes thinking of shoving him in the mud and beating him to death. I flinched at his thoughts.

“Who is he?” I asked putting all my hatred into the words.

He smiled at me.

“Dustan, he is a royal like us.” He said but the way he said it sounds like he doesn’t like him.

“You know he is thinking of how to beat you to death.” I said tentatively.

He laughed and I felt butterflies in my stomach.

“He thinks so high of himself while I would like a chance to get him dusted for even thinking about you like that.” He said.

He drew me close gently and we swayed in perfect harmony. His thoughts are filled with pure love and care towards me. I replayed the sentence he said over and over; feeling pride over that he is protective about me. I moved closer resting my head on his chest and heard him thinking how perfect we are like this and he felt the need to protect me against the unpleasant feelings of others. I smiled at him and moved even closer.

“Can I have a last dance with my sister?” Mitrik asked breaking me from my reverie.

I scowled at him for breaking such a perfect moment.

“What was that for?”

I nodded in disbelief and took his hands. He swirled me to the center of the floor.

“Enjoying the party, huh?” he asked.

“Our mortal parties are way better than this.” I smirked.

“Your mortal, huh?” he smirked.

Though he always teases me, I kind of like him. I heard someone thinking, why didn’t he ask me for a dance? I turned to see who it was. A girl was eying Mitrik behind my back.

“I think she wants to dance with you.” I said gesturing towards her.

He saw her and shrugged his shoulders.

“Why don’t you ask her? She is beautiful.” I insisted thinking I could back to Keetes arms.

He brushed off my comments.

“Do you like someone?” I asked.

“These people’s hearts are as cold as their skin.” He smirked.

I nodded.

One by one the guests took leave of us. I excused myself saying that I need some rest. Thank god! I ate before the party or else I wouldn’t have lasted long.

As I walked into my room, Mary scurried beside me. How couldn’t I have ignored her similarities with the queen? She was thinking. I grinned inside.

She helped me to get out of that stupid dress and helped me pack my things. I was bouncing happily waiting for the time to come. When someone knocked at the door, I practically ran. My face dropped when I saw Tristan and Flora standing in front of me.

“Thanks for enduring all that.” Tristan said.

“You looked brilliant all the time. I’m proud of my daughter’s beauty and heart.” She winked at me.

I’m still not used to feeling her as mother but they really love me and ask in return nothing but my love. I saw an image in my mind dressed in the purple ball gown walking in between the people and flashing a smile randomly and the people watching me with awe. I didn’t think of looking in a mirror, I must have. I am like a Cinderella, in that costume. Flora winked, after she stopped playing images in my mind. I thanked her.

“The ride is here, sir.” Keetes said entering.

“Give us a minute.”

“This is important, please don’t speak to your friends about this place of course they wouldn’t believe but please don’t mention for your own good. Take care of yourselves.” He said kissing me on forehead.

Flora embraced me and gently pressed her lips on my cheeks.

“Give our best wishes to Mark and Lilly,” Flora called.

I nodded.

“Take care of my daughter. She is your responsibility now.” He said.

I couldn’t mistake the worry in his face. I hugged him and his face registered shock. I did the same to Flora. She is crying happily in her mind. If she was a human, I’m sure happy tears would run across her cheeks. I felt better for making them happy.

It’s the first time I’m seeing the outside of the palace. The palace is as huge as I expected to be, giant and towering into the sky. The carvings of different human stills outside made it more beautiful. At the centre of the ground, there is a small pool with a lady statue sitting in the center, her hands raised towards the moon. The entire place looked serene and illuminated by moon’s light. The gate is high and an arch rose above, and creepers were intricately designed in it.

A Rolls Royce parked in front of us turning my attention towards it. My bags were already set into it.

“Hop in, Sissy.” Mitrik yelled getting inside.

I glanced back once again and found Flora and Tristan looking at me from the centre lounge in the first floor. I waved at them. Flora snuggled into his arms; I wish she’ll be back soon. She thought.

We passed through the silent streets and took us almost half an hour to leave the night world beside. The car skidded to halt and I winded down my window to see what it was. A man was standing and our driver gave him some metallic coin like thing. He checked in and gave us way to go.

“What’s that for?”

“To prevent any intrusions, the coins open us gates into and out of the mortal world.” He explained.

After a few minutes I heard the familiar sounds of traffic, Mitrik woke up startled.

“What’s the noise?” he screeched.

“Welcome to my world, brother.” I smirked.

He winded down his window and saw into the night sky. He is staring widely at the cars and stores lined in the streets.

“Why are they staring at us?” he scowled.

“They are staring because you are staring at them.” I smiled.

He is truly amazed by this world; I could see his enthusiasm growing by every minute. The shops are replaced by rows of houses and I waited eagerly as I neared my home. Keetes saw me impatient and smiled at me.

“There it is.” I pointed them my home and they craned their necks to see it since it’s still far away.

As they car skidded to halt in front of our home, I jumped out and ran. I buzzed the bell impatiently as none answered it for a while. I thought I would see Dad or Mom but I was truly surprised to see Em answering the bell.

I jumped on her hugging. She gazed at me to see if she is seeing right. She let out a loud peal of laughter.

“Aunt, see who is here? Didn’t I say that she’ll back?” she cried.

She dragged me in and I compiled. She rushed me into my room not letting me go. Mom is in my bed and dad is talking to her something, she shook her head as tears rolled down.

Mom… Dad… I mumbled tears rolling down my eyes. Dad turned towards me eyes wide with surprise, he shook mom’s shoulders to look at me and she shrugged him off. When she saw me she shook her head in disbelief and caught her head in her hands crying loudly.

“Not again, don’t make me see her again.” She moaned.

Mom has changed a lot over the week, she is so thin and her eyes have black circles. She seems to be crying her life out and Dad is as dishelmed as mom.

“Mom, it’s me. I’m real.” I said taking her hands and making feel my face.

She frantically traced her fingers along my face and when she recognized the truth, she hugs me so fiercely even I was unbalanced. Dad did the same.

“How…” she cried.

I sat her on the table when I saw Em racing down to get some water for mom. I told my story and she listened to it and exclaimed and worried at the necessary sentences.

“Who are you?” I heard Em shouting downstairs.

We ran to see what it was. Em was blocking the doorway and I saw Keetes standing all puzzled and irritated. Mitrik was staring wide mouthed at Em. I remembered that I had left them at the doorway. I rushed towards her. She pushed me behind with all force, I didn’t know that Em is so strong.

“She is not coming with you this time.” She said fiercely.

I realized why she is so worried; she must have thought that they are here to take me away as my parents did, a few days back.

“Em, Let them in.” I said with a knowing look.

“Fine, but you are not going anywhere this time.” She huffed before letting them in.

“Em, this is my brother Mitrik and cousin Keetes.”

Mitrik extended his hand; he is still got the dazed look. She glared at him and I could see that hurt him so much. At least mom and Dad are hospitable they invited them in.

Mom sat me on the chair never taking her eyes away from me. Silent tears rolled down her eyes and squeezed her hands gently.

“Honey, let’s get them something to eat.” He said.

Mom rubbed her eyes and hurried into the kitchen. I ran inside to help her; I wanted to spend maximum time with her.

Em, is still wary about them. She helped us setting the table and threw wary glances at my brother. Mitrik is still staring at her. My brother excused us saying that they have no appetite. Mom gave an approving nod, she wouldn’t let anyone sleep without eating but I think she knew that they don’t eat.

Dad saw them to our guest room and after dinner Em left us making me promise that I wouldn’t go until she returns again.

I saw Mitrik trying to figure out tv set on the table.

“Hi, this is not much compared to your home but hope you’ll feel cozy.” I said slumping onto the couch.

“What’s this rectangular box?” Mitrik pointed to TV set.

“It’s called Television; we can watch movies, songs, games from across the world.” I said plugging in the TV and flipped through various channels. Their eyes went wide with excitement.

I laughed at them. There is still more to see, I’ll show you everything but promise me that you’ll not ask me about how they work because I’m no technical student to explain their working and even if I do you won’t understand. They nodded.

I took them to my room and showed them my laptop, mp3 player, home theater, I-phone, I-pod and all my electronic goods. They are excited to see more and more. I explained how to use them. Mitrik borrowed my I-pod.

Mom knocked at my door,

“Honey, do you remember its Em’s birthday tomorrow. She will not be happy if you forget it.”

“What? It can’t be, her birthday is on 16th December. It’s still July.”

“It is December, honey look at the date on your mobile.” She pointed.

I did and yes it is December 15th.

“How could that be? I’m only 6 days away from home.” I frowned.

“Our time is different from theirs.” Keetes explained.

I nodded.

“These six months she is always there for us helping me cope up with the situation though she is as much devastated as I’m when you left. “ Mom said sighing.

“I have a plan to make her happy; I’ll surprise her with a birthday party.” I said.

Mom smiled. I set at once to the kitchen to prepare handmade cake using mom’s recipe. Keetes helped me while preparing it.

I called her just a few minutes before 12.

“Em, it’s me Ilene. Can you ride home it’s very important.”

“What?” she shrieked.

“You aren’t leaving again. I’ll be there in 5min. Please don’t go, you promised me that you won’t. Please…” she begged.

“Stay on the line. I’m coming.” I could hear her hurried steps on the wooden stairs.

She was panting for breath as she reached my door. I felt guilt for making her suffer. I hugged her close to my heart and whispered happy birthday into her ears. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I missed you a lot.” She cried.

Em changed a lot over the six months, her hair grew longer and brushed her shoulders, her skin is paler than before and her cheeks blushed pink from all the running and crying.
What a sweet little angel, I heard Mitrik thinking. I twitched when I understood all his weird behavior towards Em. He is in love with her. Mitrik is a good guy but I don’t want Em to end up like me so I detest this relation.

We took her into the main hall where Keetes set the cake.

“Hey, remember to say it’s good.” I said smiling.

She stayed in our home for the rest of the night. Early in the morning she woke me up and said that I should come with her to home. I nodded and when I’m downstairs, I saw Mitrik and Keetes trying to read our newspaper.

“I’m leaving to Em’s home today; I’ll see you in the evening.”

“What? You aren’t going alone anywhere.” Keetes said.

“Of course she isn’t going alone and it’s not like my home is far away. It’s just a few blocks away.” She huffed.

What a over protective freak? She scowled. I smiled at her thought.

“You know what Tristan asked.” Keetes said carefully.

I dragged Keetes away from her.

“I have to go.” But… he started. I cut him off,”If I have any trouble I’ll call you…” I requested him giving my best of smiles.

“Why did you let them go?” Mitrik started as soon as Ilene is out of his view.

“If you have a problem you should have spoken to her before.” Keetes said slumping on to the couch.

“We have a long day ahead, what do we do without her?” Keetes thought out loud.

“Em…”
“What are the plans for today?” I asked sitting beside her.

“We can talk; we sure have a lot to catch up.” Em said setting her book on the table carefully.

I moved into the bed and leaned on to bed side making myself comfortable. Em placed her head on my legs and sighed.

“Where do you live now?”

“Night wo… um… Knight Woods.”

“Strange name never heard of it.”

“It’s really a smallest village like place.”

“Are you comfortable with the sudden change?”

“I don’t have choice.” I said.

“Well, you do have choice. You can say that you need to finish your schooling. If you really want to live here, you can give them a good excuse.” She insisted.

How can I say that I’m no longer a normal person to lead a normal life? I never lied to her; it’s becoming more difficult to keep secrets from her.

“If I say that I want to finish schooling, Tristan would literally set up a school for me there.” I said.

If I can’t give her whole truth maybe some of it will be better.

“Tristan is super rich; they are like a royal family there.”

“I figured that out by myself by seeing the car.” She said.

“You can’t go legally since your still minor.” She’s still thinking of various possibilities. I must think of something to divert her from the topic.

“Aren’t you throwing party?” I asked.

“No, I didn’t expect you would come back so I decided not to celebrate.”

“Well, I’m here now.”

“I’m not interested anymore. I just wanted to be with you.”

“What about a movie?” I said cheering her up.

“Sounds good.”

I promised I won’t go anywhere… this is my town and I know every nook and cranny so there’s no danger. I tried to convince myself.

“What are you up to now?” Em asked. She is clearly worried about something, she thought.

“It’s okay if you bring your brothers with you.” She said peeping at me to see any change in my mood. I pretended to be happy about it.

“Emma…”

We hurried downstairs; Em’s aunt and cousin are home. They greeted her.

I turned to leave so that they would have a family get together. Em caught me before I could take another step. Please don’t go… she thought. She is still worried about the day I left her without a word.

“We are still going to movie, right?” I winked.

“What movie?” Em’s cousin Stace began.

I shut her off and walked towards home. I know the guys would be excited to see more of my world. As I opened the door, I saw Keetes pacing to and fro frantically.

“You’re back.” His entire face lit with joy.

“I’m back with good news…”

He frowned at me.

“Where is Mitrik?”
“He is on play station.”

“You’re early…”

“Em’s aunt visited…” I said pushing the door to Mitrik’s room.

“Hey, I have news.”

“We are going to movie, evening.”

“Movie???”

“You’ll see…”

We played games for a while. Mom set us lunch and called for us. Keetes and Mitrik tried staying in with their blood bags but Dad assured that they are fine with it.

“How’s your new home?” Mom asked.

I explained her everything and my fascination for the huge palace reflected in mom’s eyes. Dad listened intently poker faced. I told them about Flora, Tristan, Pearl, Quint and Mary. Keetes helped me by supplying words when I tried to describe the palace grounds and rooms.

“I wish I could take you there.” I said a bit too loud for them to hear.

Keetes gave an uncomfortable expression like he is feeling sorry that I couldn’t do what I wish for. I gave a half hearted smile towards him.
I called Em before leaving to the theatre to make sure she is on her way.

“Em, Are you still in for the show?”

“Yeah! But… there is a problem, Stace is coming too.” She said.

We didn’t like Stace, we always tried to keep her away from our group. She is so full of herself and we put up with her for the sake of her mom who is really good person.

“It’s okay, we still can ignore her.”

I pushed the end button and got into our car. I asked our night world driver to pull down at Em’s home. Em hopped in and sat between me and Mitrik, Stace took in each of us in the car. She is surprised at the size of our car. What??? That bitch Ilene is adopted by super rich people or what?? I wish I could show her my real home she would die with jealous over me. Her thoughts went crazy when she saw two stunning guys in the car. She first set her eyes on Mitrik but seeing that how he is staring at Em... she decided on keetes.
As soon as I heard her thoughts I turned to see what the fuss is all about. Mitrik is staring at Em… How could a mere human be so beautiful??? I heard him thinking. He must have realized me prying into his mind, he zoned out at once. I scowled at him. Is he in love with her? No, that can’t be. He is just fascinated like all other things of this world. I thought.

“Where do you live? Can I get your number?” Stace is saying practically falling on him. I laughed at Keetes as he uncomfortably moved away from her and she seems to move like magnet towards him.

“Um… could you give the driver instructions? He doesn’t know the way.”
What’s her problem always interfering? She gave and artificial and turned away to give directions still jabbing my mind with her abusive thoughts.

Keetes has no luck even in the movie, Stace occupied the chair beside his leaving Mitrik to sit beside Em which he is glad to do.

“Enjoying the attention?” I asked leaning close to Keetes.

“I wish I could use power to change her disturbing feelings…”

“Why not?”

“She would go mad…”

“It will be fun…” I murmured and laughed hard imagining her like that.

“What happened?” Em poked me.

“The man eater is after keetes and he is really uncomfortable with it.”

Em leaned forward and saw Stace trying to tap her fingers over Keetes. She fell back in her chair and started laughing.

I wonder what her lips taste like. I heard Mitrik thinking.

“Could you control Mitrik’s thought, that’s my best friend he is thinking about.” I said in irritated voice.

He nodded and a few seconds later Mitrik scowled at Keetes, I gestured him that I’ll strangle his throat if he has anymore thoughts about her, He dropped his head down.

Everyone is pretty surprised when they knew what picture I took them too. Eclipse…

“This writer is pretty close…”

“Are there were wolves in night world?” I asked seeing Jacob.

He nodded.

Guys actually liked the movie, I see that Em and Mitrik are quiet immersed in conversation, once or twice I heard them laughing hard. Stace is persistent of being noticed and Keetes ignored her all the way home. As soon as I reached home, I fell sound asleep.


“Wake up.” I heard Em’s voice ringing in my ears.

I sat rubbing my eyes.

“I…” she is struggling to tell something.

“What???” I said hitting my head on to the pillows again.

What should I say? Should I even say it? What will she think about me? This is Ilene, my best friend I’m talking about. I told her everything and now I’ll do the same. She is having flood of thoughts.

“Just say it…” I said.

“Last night I had a weird dream; It didn’t even feel like dream. It felt real.”
She sat cross legged and she began, I caught glimpses of what she is saying, Mitrik standing at her bed post and she sleeping. I couldn’t connect them.

“I dreamt of Mitrik coming to my room last night…” she blushed red as I another vision of Mitrik sharing an intimate kiss with her.

“Give me a minute. I’ll be back…” I ran downstairs still anger bursting through me.

I stomped into Mitrik’s room. He is asleep in the bed and Keetes is reading newspaper. I jumped on to him and pounded on him. He woke up startled.

“Did you go to EM’s room, last night?” I shrieked at him.

“What…?”

He let go off my hands as he understood what I am so mad at. I pounded him fiercely on the chest still sitting up on him. He tried to ward me off but the blows grew fierce. I could see his vampire instincts kicking in and he is restrain over me grew stronger. I’m oblivious to the changes and continued attacking him; He caught my arms and whisked me away causing me to cross land on to the other wall, Keetes jumped to restrain both of us as we walked with vicious looks at each other.

Keetes sent waves of calm to each of us, Mitrik slumped on to the bed trying to subdue his anger.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered in defeat.

“Sorry??? Do you know that you’re going to break her heart just for your fun? You know this won’t work and still you are playing with her feelings…” I ranted on about his heartless thoughts.

“Calm down… He loves her. He can’t help what he feels for her.” Keetes pointed.
I stared at him and he nodded.

“This is not going to work anyway, you know that. Just stay away from her. I seriously mean it.” I said stomping away into my room.

“Where did you go all of sudden?” Em asked.

“I just remembered something that I ought to do.” I said.

“What was all that noise downstairs?” she asked eying me carefully.

“It’s just the T.V.” I said hurrying to wash room to avoid more questions.

As I hoped into shower I heard her thinking about the night events. The cold water seemed to cool my senses a bit.

“What are your plans for today?”

“We can go shopping.” I said.

“Boys won’t be interested in this plan…” she murmured.

“They are planning to spend the day on play station.” I said.

“That sounds fun. We can team up and play…”she said.

I wanted her to be away from him, she would surely fall for his charms and I don’t want to see her heart broken. I paired up with Mitrik, he is still sore about the morning fight. AS our game continued, I began to see a good partner in him. Em blushed hard when ever their eyes met occasionally.

Em’s mom called late in the noon.

“What do you want to do in the evening?”she asked none in particular as she stepped out the door.

“We don’t know what tourist places are here.” Keetes replied.

“We can go the mall, today.” She asked and glanced at me for approval.

“I think I’ll buy something for Tristan and Flora.” I said.

We went shopping that evening to the mall, I warned Mitrik to stay away from her right before we go. Gladly, Stace left for her home. We went to a ride on roller costars, Em felt a little bit dizzy and we decided that we would sit and let the guys enjoy the rides.
Keetes and Mitrik are jubilant after the rides. They bought us ice cream and we set out for shopping. I bought Ink pen for Tristan and two similar chains for Flora and Pearl.

As I walked through the shops alone, I heard some drunken teenagers thinking bad stuff about me. I walked as fast as I could to the place where I left them. I ran into Keetes on the way, he must have sensed them since he is walking towards the drunkards snarling. I caught his hands before he could go pouncing on them.

“You can’t control your instincts once you are in a fight so let it go.” I said squeezing his hands. I took all my strength to restrain him going after them. I dragged him away, Em is observing us dubiously and Mitrik is trying to talk her out of it.

“What just happened there? “She asked us dubiously.

We walked away together. Guys sat us in a restaurant and went to order us some food and fill themselves up with blood. She is the girl from the mall, I heard someone saying. I am shocked when I saw the drunkards from the mall. I tried to ignore them as they approached us. I nudged Em and we walked away from them into the crowd to find the boys. One of them caught my hand, covered my mouth with another and dragged me into the dark alley. Another boy caught hold of Em. They smelled of alcohol, I winced as they began to feel me. My vampire instincts began to kick in, I caught hold of them tightly not to let them in. I punched at his face mustering using human strength even that was strong for him. He loosened his grip over me, I kicked at him once again and ran to help Em. Before I could help her another two guys closed on us.

Keetes jumped on the middle guy heading towards me from nowhere. Mitrik took the other guy, I punched whoever came near us. I heard a sharp gasp from Em and looked the way she is staring at. Mitrik is strangling one of them.

“Go and stop him before he does something…” I pushed her towards him.

Keetes on top of another guy, I ran to him and dragged him away from the half dead person. Keetes was really hard to control, he is into killing spree. As I walked him away he slowly drew back his fangs. Thank god! It’s a dark alley. Mitrik is standing leaning on to the wall and Em’s staring at him hands interlocked with his.


All the time we traveled back home, Em is staring at Mitrik so fondly, she held his hands passionately. Mitrik was uncomfortable with my glare but couldn’t help to steal glances at his love. I felt really uncomfortable and anger flared as I saw how Em is immersed in him. Keetes saw the whole thing and tried to calm me, he squeezed my hands gently. I sighed and leaned onto his shoulders and closed my eyes unable to see them like that. I must have dozed off into sleep; I woke up as Keetes gently put me to bed.

“I’m sorry, I woke you up.” He stood there watching my face and wrinkling his face, “Can I talk to you now?” I nodded.
“You are angry at Mitrik, please don’t be he can’t help it. I have never seen him so devoted to a girl, he loves her so much may be you should leave it be.”

What is he talking? Can’t he see this won’t work?

“I know this is forbidden but everything has its own way in the nature, we can’t forbid one’s feelings too. It just happens.”

“You don’t know about her, she is never the one to go after boys, If she loves him and he has to leave her one day and I doubt she would cope with it.” Slowly my anger seems to be catching up.

“Hi, what’s up?” Em came into my room, Mitrik tagged along. I gave him an evil look, he is so immersed in her that he didn’t catch it.

“I have something interesting to say.” She said jumping to my bed with the same childish enthusiasm, I have seen many times.

“Guess what? We are going to the island, tomorrow…”

“I don’t think we can, they don’t like sun and mom won’t accept…” She cut me off “Aunt agreed and we’re not travelling by daylight. In fact we’ll be leaving in the early hours and you know that place it’s always raining so there is no problem.”

“But…” she waved at me “There is no but… it’s all fixed. Go to sleep, we have a long day tomorrow.” She shoved off the boys into their rooms. She closed the doors behind and slumped onto my bed.

“Em… um… Do you like Mitrik?” her face lit up and she blushed red. “I don’t think he is good for you.” She frowned. “Is he with someone?” she asked barely a whisper. “No” her face lit up again, “but… I don’t think this relation will work.”
“Why? It’s not like we’ll never meet again, he will wait for me until it’s time and then I’ll come to your place until then he would be visiting me or calling me. Most of all I can be with you…”

“It’s not as easy as you think…” “Don’t you like to be with me?” she stammered.

“You know that it’s what I want more than anything….” Her face has a puzzled look. “We have more ways to be together than this…” Why is she so hard about this? Is there anything that she doesn’t want to say? Does it have anything to be with the place she lives in? She started thinking.

It’s no good talking to her, it will only make her dubious about me and that isn’t good for her. Mitrik is the one I should talk to… he will leave her alone for her own good.

I sneaked away from the room as soon she is asleep. Keetes opened the door for me and Mitrik is sound asleep, I slapped him to wake up.

“What are you nuts?” He shrieked.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay away from her?” I scowled. “Yeah, but she is the one that’s…” I snapped him.
“Don’t you see you’re putting her in danger, if you really love her why don’t you see the risk in it for her?” “What if she likes the risk?” he growled obviously pissed off by my attitude.

“You are staying away from her and tomorrow you’re telling her that you don’t like her.” I screamed. “No, I won’t. In fact I’m planning to say exactly opposite.” “What?” I grabbed his throat. “I will say that I love her.” He choked and pried my hands away.
“I love her and I’m going to say it now.” He said heading towards the door. I pushed him away and he hit the wall, scrambling down. He let his fangs out and he visibly snarled. I know I pushed him beyond boundaries, I may be a vampire but he is stronger than me and has years of experience. I shivered at the feral animal mode he is now in. He made a pounce at me; I stood straight to feel his blow and stupidly thinking I could counter act him. The blow was never felt since Keetes took it. The strength in his punch sent him hitting the wall very hard and things in the side shelves fell over him. He staggered to his feet, blood pouring through his punctured chin.
Seeing Keetes wounded and blood gushing had mixed emotions from me one I was drawn to his blood and another fury raged on Mitrik, My anger is more subtle than the hunger, I charged against Mitrik and he pounced towards me. Keetes is in between us again. He pushed me and Mitrik separating us by arms length.

“Focus, Mitrik. She is your sister, she is only worried about her best friend and she is acting purely out of instincts and you know better than to do that.” He is been sending us calm waves all the time.

“Ilene, you can sort this out by talking, Fighting isn’t going to save your friend. You’re making its worse and look your family is out.” She said pointing to them.

Em is staring from the open door dumbfounded and my parents are standing in the doorway. Dad quickly rushed to the aid of Keetes but keetes said he needs to use bathroom and left us. He came in wearing a bandage to his chin.

They sat in silence waiting for us to explain, “I’m sorry we are just having an argument and then it got heated…” I whispered. “What the hell…” Em shouted at last.

“What about the crashing sounds? Did someone get hurt?” mom asked concerned. Thank god! Mom and Dad knew that they aren’t normal people and they knew too well that it’s all part of being of a vampire to lose control. Em is dubious about the unexpected calmness, she expected a storm as soon as she saw the room, she is starting to question, and it’s not good.

“Okay, now back to your bedrooms. We need to wake up early.” Mom said hurrying upstairs.

I slumped onto the bed before Em could ask any questions; I pretended to be sound asleep. This is totally weird, why would they take it coolly? What are they fighting about? Ilene is never the one to be in fights and Mitrik why is he so weird looking at that second? She slept repeating those questions over and over in mind. I’ll deal with Mitrik, tomorrow. I thought as I drifted to sleep.

“Wake up… we have changes in plan.” Em shook me awake.

“What change?” I asked stifling a yawn, “Your parents won’t be joining us.”

“Why?” I asked and she shrugged her shoulders. I ran to their room, “Why aren’t you joining us camping?” Mom is worried about something; she is pacing around the room frantically.

“Your aunt is sick; we are going to see her.” Dad said one hand over mom’s shoulders. Aunt Lucinda is a kind heart, if she is sick maybe I should go too.

“I want to see her too…” I said. “Honey, you can’t come, if they saw you there would be too many questions besides you promised your brothers this camping.” I stood there contemplating what I should do, Dad has a point too but I want to see her. “We’ll back by evening…” I nodded.

I waved them good bye as they left us something told me that this will be my last goodbye… Em and I packed us some food and an extra pair of dress for each of us into the backpack. Mitrik is his usual self chatting and laughing.

“Does this hurt?” I asked Keetes pointing to his chin. He laughed and took the bandage away and there isn’t even a scar, “We heal fast.” He smiled. “Hurry up, the sun will be up in few more hours and we have to reach their before.” She called.

“I gave a thought about what you said last night, you are right. I can’t see her hurt over me but… It’s just I can’t stay away from her. I’ll leave for home tomorrow and that way I can keep her safe.” He said.

There’s something wrong in the way he said that, he is trying to hide something from me, he thought about random things to keep me away from his head but I got a glimpse of Em lying on the floor in blood. I gasped, what is he thinking? What’s that picture?

“Hop in, you’re wasting time.” Em pushed me forward before I could ask him more.

Is he planning to hurt her? No… Mitrik said he loves her he wouldn’t hurt her but what do I know about him or the vampire psychology. I can’t believe that he would hurt her; he may be wrong about loving her but still as far as I know him he is a good guy. I need to talk to someone about my uncertainties. Keetes… he will help and he knows Mitrik well.

“Can I ask you something?” I mumbled. He nodded, I told him about what I saw in Mitrik’s mind and about my doubts, and I felt really guilty to even doubt my brother but…

“You need to know something; Mitrik is really a kind hearted person for a vampire. I doubt he would hurt his one love. He really loves her so much and he isn’t going to hurt her. In fact he said that he would do as you asked him, yesterday.”

For a minute I felt safe about Em… but still something is nagging in my mind. Keetes squeezed my hands and winked. I can trust his word. I saw Em holding hands with Mitrik, I frowned. He tried to move away from her as I glared at him but his heart went out for her, just to be with her, hold her hands and whisper sweet nothings. I felt really sorry for him, he is in love after many years which is forbidden and he can’t help it.

“Have fun while you can…” I whispered. His smile broadened and I felt genuine happiness for him.

I knew there is a kind heart behind this tough façade; she is true to heart… I heard keetes thinking fondly about me. I flashed him a smile, he is dazed by it and pretended that he is enjoying the scenery outside the window.

My eyelids felt heavy due to lack of sleep and I dozed off. Em woke me up as we are almost there. As the trees loomed on us and I could smell the wet sand and water, my excitement picked up. Dark clouds hid the sun and the light is barely sufficient. The trees got thicker and the breeze was chilling my senses, I could smell everything perfectly.

“We got to stop here; we need to walk from here.” We got our backpacks and started walking through the narrow pathway. Em led us followed by Mitrik, me and Keetes. The bushes are thicker than the last time we saw. I knew very well where we hid the boat last time as soon as the trees cleared us to view the shore, I raced Em to the hiding place of the boat, we got it out with help of the boys hauled it to the shore.

“There it is…” Em pointed in joy and I shrieked clapping hands. It felt good to see this place after so long… We jumped out of the boat and ran to the shore. It’s a very small island, people prefer the other islands that are just few paces away from this one, but our families liked this one a lot may be the serenity in this place attracted us. We always camped here rather than going to the island next to this which is a tourist place.

“It’s calm… isolated… peaceful… like it.” Keetes exclaimed.

“Let’s show them our place.” I said and took Keetes hands and ran him towards the small shelter we made as kids, of course only the logs were left. We played on the shore sometimes, getting our feet wet and pushing one after another into the water. Keetes and Mitrik are enjoying the sight while we sneaked behind them and pushed them into the water. They are caught unaware; Mitrik chased Em… and pulled her back into the water. Keetes scooped me up and dumped me into water.

“No… I’m going to get you for this…” I said and splashed the water over his face. He mimicked my moment soon others joined us. We spent some time swimming.

“I’m hungry… let’s eat something first.” Em pleased.

“Why won’t they eat anything? Are they vampires, huh?” she laughed as the boys left to wander over the island.
I was quite taken aback when she said that but when she laughed, I knew she is just joking like her usual self, I pretend that it’s a good joke.

“They have a bad appetite today…” I said, “What do you want to do later?” I asked diverting her mind.

“Let us change into dry clothes first…” she said. We walked into the bushes… It is hard these days to keep the food down, I felt sick… I tried to change trying hard to keep it down. I heard the trees snap and could smell keetes nearby.

“Don’t come any near.” I shouted and he halted right before my bush.

“Are you sick?” his voice filled with concern. “Give me a second, I need to change.” The uneasiness in my stomach grew more minute by minute. “You’re not well…” he said worried.

I puked all the food that I ate and he offered me a bottle of water as I emerged from the bushes.

“It’s just I can’t keep my food down these days...” I said.

He smiled at me, “What? I thought you are worried about me.” I huffed. “You are changing… your human blood must be 90% replaced by vampire blood by now…”

“What?” I paced around the beach thinking. I thought I had more time to change… I’m trying to accept it but this is too soon. I thought.

He sat me on the sand and took my hands into his and gently massaged my shoulders sending calm waves. “It has to happen someday…”

“I don’t want that day to be today…” I practically cried.
He felt sorry for me but I know he can’t help it. I leaned on to his shoulders worrying about my future. “I heard that vampires have great thirst for human blood, what if… “I trailed off.

“I’ll never let you do anything that you’ll be repenting later. The thirst won’t last longer…” he said.

“Thanks…”

“How will the blood change?” I asked. “After you turn 16, the vampire blood is more like a virus that has been inactive until the and once it is active it starts taking over your body slowly by mixing up with your human blood.”

“Can’t we stop it if we know the reason?” he smiled. “You know that you grow each day as a human but can you stop it? Some things have to happen.”

Mitrik and Em walked towards us. I saw Em’s face down and Mitrik is torturing himself with his thoughts of her. Em is crying out loud in her mind, “I think he turned her down…” I said eyes on Em.

“Ilene is not feeling well; I think we should head home now.” Keetes said walking over to Mitrik. I thanked him, I don’t want to see them like that and I don’t think we are going to have fun anymore.

I tried to talk to Em... But she just sat staring into the space, she is screaming inside playing images of Mitrik one after another. Mitrik is worrying about her and scolding himself for putting her through this. My head began to ache by their intense feelings, Keetes is having a tough time but he is continuously staring at me to see how I’m holding with it? My mind was a jumble of thoughts, love, care, hatred…

Our journey home seemed to be longer than anything and on top of that my parents called and said that they wouldn’t be home tonight.

“We have to um...” Keetes said shoving Mitrik out of the car as we neared the lane of shops. I waved at them as I knew they are in need of blood.
“Em… um… we are home.” I said. She nodded and mechanically got out of the car and unlocked the door and went in. I got the backpacks out and walked thinking how I should pacify her when I heard a sharp cry. That’s Em… My senses are on high alert and I ran in.


Em… I ran in fearing about the worst that could have happened. There is no source of light but I could see a silhouette standing over Em… my body is on red alert sensing the danger, My mind screamed at me that if I don’t kill him we don’t stand a chance to live. What should I do? I’m never in a fight not even in mortal fight. My eyes strayed over the person taking him in and fixed on the vein that seemed so luscious at his neck.

My eyes traveled towards Em… I caught his eye movement towards her lying under his feet. She struggled to get away from his grip; he stamped her more viciously snarling at me.

“Let her go…”I snarled. “Only if you become my snack…” he snarled viciously. I moved tentatively towards him, we circled each other while Em slowly crawled away from him. His eyes are bloodshot and chills crept up my spine as I saw him more like an animal. He lunged at my throat but I am too quick, I took a side step and hit him in his ribs, he growled but didn’t seem to be affected. He made another motion to get but managed to get a few strands of my hair. He pulled them so hard that my head began to ache, I fell down and he leaned over me inhaling my scent, I could see his hunger flaring by my scent. He is so lost in taking my scent that he didn’t notice Em charging him with a knife; she managed to make a gash over his arm that caught my hair. He let me go and with a swift movement he twisted Em’s hand, she cried in pain. I lunged at him, he is so fast with his movements that he managed to throw me away as I hit the wall and fell on the floor; He gave an evil grin and stabbed her in the stomach as her blood spilled my senses become more alert and fury burst in me. I lunged at him as he leaned over her for a bite. I used all my brutal strength to pin him down to the ground, he twisted under my hands and I could see out of the corner of my eyes; Em taking sharp breaths and trying to control her pain as she stood up she fell on the floor limp, My gums began to itch and sharp pain shot exposing my canine long sharp canines without any further thought, I bit his vein and drank the hot serving liquid, he twisted meddling with my joyous meal, I used one hand to pin him and another to give him a sharp and quick blow on his head. He fell limp and I drank until he is an empty shell and kicked him off in the ribs with my feet. He slides hitting the table and scattering the things.

I stood in trance as I enjoyed the warm liquid flowing through my whole body; it felt unusually warm. I flew open my arms enjoying the better senses, I could see the tiny dust particles floating around, hear the crickets sharp noise and the smell of an intoxicating liquid… human blood… My eyes are wide open as I smelled the contagious smell; I walked towards the human drenched in blood lying on the floor. I licked my lips and I could taste her sweet blood on my lips as I imagined how luscious she would be that made me want her only more. I picked up her body into my laps and leaned over her as she went on whispering Ilene… that felt oddly familiar. I frowned and glanced at her familiar features. A flash of memory passed my mind as I saw her playing and laughing with me and another where she slept beside me all comfortable as I read her from a book. Em… I whispered and as the realization hit of what I was about to do… I shivered.

I felt a sharp blow sending me crashing over the wall… “Stay away from her…” I heard a familiar voice snarling.

I crept into the corner and hid my face in my knees sobbing… “Shh…Shh… she is going to be okay.” I heard someone whispering into my ears. I peeped at him and he pressed my hands comforting me. I stole a quick glance at her and she is so still and fear crept upon me.

“Mitrik, you have to make a choice...”

“Please… take me out.” I said as her blood scent overwhelmed and my throat hurt so much.

“Can you manage alone?” Mitrik nodded eyes filled with pain. “You know what you saw and you need to choose fast before she lost more…” he trailed off as he saw Mitrik’s tortured expressions.

As I walked past the house I could feel the flow of blood and the intoxicating smell, it literally set my eyes and throat into fire. Keetes placed his arms over my shoulder; I buried my face in his shoulders and began to take deep breath and let it out, to calm myself. Keetes let me into our car and closed all the doors and windows shutting the outer world completely.

I rested on his laps as he began to sing a lullaby in his melodious voice; I focused only on his song and my slowly fading breaths.

I woke up in my bed, first thing I noticed is that my throat hurt very much and it seems to be very dry. “Here drink this. You will feel better.” I drank the liquid and it set my body into fire and I felt warm and energized. With absolute content I opened my eyes and Flora smiled at me.

I hugged her; I knew how much I missed her as soon as I saw her. She is stunned at my sudden display of emotions and overwhelmed with joy. Her pure joy made me remember Em and everything flashed in my mind as if a movie is being played.

I quickly shoved away the bed covers and jumped onto the floor. Em… Mitrik… I began to cry as tears rolled over as I remembered that hateful night. “They are fine…” Flora said squeezing my hands gently.

“I want to see her…. It’s my entire fault; I should have stayed where I am. Now… her family will hate me forever…” I cried.

Flora took my hands into her and led me through a couple of passages. She slightly pushed open the door. “Go on…” she said. I frowned at her, she shoved me in. I walked in tentatively, what’s this supposed to mean? I found a huge bed same as mine, inside wrapped up in all covers is a small figure, her face contorted in her sleep as if she is having really bad dreams.

Em… I whispered as if my voice would wake her up. I watched her from distance for a while, Thank god! She is alive and breathing. I sat on her bed; she seems to be fighting with something unconsciously ad every few minutes she let out painful cries. It hurt me very much to see her suffering. I should take her to a doctor maybe he’ll give some medicines to lessen the pain.

I saw Mitrik hiding his face in the bed covers, one hand enveloped in hers. I shook him; his eyes showed the hell that he has been through.

“Let’s get some medicines to lessen her pain…” “There is no medicine for the excruciating pain of venom, she has to endure it.” He said squeezing his eyes shut as her cries grew louder than before.

“What venom…? “ I trailed off as I realized what he said. “You… changed her…” I screamed.
He lowered his head and nodded. “What…? “ I cried. “She is going to hate us for the rest of the life… we took away her family and destroyed her normal life…”

“I can’t let her die…” he mumbled. “You could have taken her to hospital…” “There is nothing the doctors could do; she has lost all her blood…” Keetes said as he entered the room. “You are not a doctor…” he sighed. “Do you want her dead when you have the chance of giving her a life…?” I know I could have done the same as Mitrik but that doesn’t change the facts… she would hate me.

“She will be conscious soon, won’t she?” I asked staring at her face wrinkled with the all the pain she has put up with. “Soon…” Mitrik mumbled.

“Did you consider the seriousness of the decision you made?” Tristan asked as he entered the room, He gave a quick over Em… and sighed. “I know what I have done… and I don’t regret it.” Mitrik replied never taking his eyes from Em… “What about your future as king…?” Tristan insisted.

“She is my future… without her it’s nothing.” Tristan sighed and sat beside his son, “What about our legacy for the throne… You know we have been ruling this world since so long and if you are to marry her… you know the rules…” he whispered.

“You still have Ilene…” he gave him a knowing look. Has he seen it coming? Dad thought. Mitrik gently squeezed his hands and nodded.

“What do you mean by that…?” I asked. Tristan glanced at me, “Your brother has the ability to see the future…” he continued still looking at me, “he says he saw you becoming the queen…” I cut him off.

“I never wanted to become vampire or a pure blood and you think I’m going to rule this place… n…” I was about to say never when I heard Mitrik begging me in his mind. “Just say yes for this second or else he won’t accept Em… please….”

Tristan raised his brow, “Nothing…” I mumbled. Tristan gave a quick glance at us, rested his eyes on Em… for a second and then swiftly walked away.
“Mitrik, I don’t want to be a queen…” “We’ll think of something to stop it…” he said curtly. I could feel Em’s heart beat slowing down. I felt tense as her changing phase came to an end. Will she forgive me? Keetes stood beside me… gently squeezing my shoulders and flashing his confident smile to boost up my confidence.

I felt her rate pulse and I didn’t feel even a beat, I snuggled close to her whispering to her about our good times, I did it for me to keep myself cool and confident that things are going to be okay. Hours passed… by endless waiting. Neither of us moved an inch from our place, Keetes stood by the bed post staring at us, Mitrik sat beside Em… entwining his hands into hers, staring into space thinking about how it will go after she wakes up; he came up with endless possibilities of her being angry but never once he thought she would readily accept the situation she is in.
I felt her finger’s tap gently on mine… I pulled myself up and stared at her for any signs of consciousness, her eyelids rolled… she whispered incoherently. Em… I called her. Ilene… she opened her eyes slowly, her soft eyes turned blood red, her tan is gone and she is like white chalk and there is an unusual glitter in her skin so like ours. Mom… Dad… she whispered, Mitrik and I looked at each other ready to take whatever it is, keetes placed his arms around my shoulders and thought. It’s going to be alright.


“Where am I?” her voice has an unusual sweetness in it. “You are home.” I said as she sat up, glancing all the room. “Home?” she frowned. “It’s his home.” I said pointing to Mitrik who is now staring at her with a sweet smile playing over his face.

“What happened? Where are mom and dad? “She went on. How will I say that she is no more going to see her parents or how will I tell her what we did to her? We stared at each other; none of us is strong enough to give her the news. “What’s wrong?” she asked eying us.

“Em… “She urged me with her eyes to continue, “I’m a vampire.” I sighed. She burst into laughter. “Are you making fun of me?” She said still laughing.

“She is right, we all are vampires.” Keetes said.

“Is today April 1 or what?” She asked.

“Remember… I read minds on my 16th birthday… and you always said that I looked so like a vampire.” “So?” she asked. I’m a vampire, I said exposing my canines, her eyes went wide and she looked at Mitrik and I understood what she is thinking.

“He is a vampire too… In fact we all are.” I waited for her to say something or even a single word or sigh. But she is still that I began to suspect that she is in terrible shock.

“The person who attacked us back home… Is he a vampire too?” she mumbled after a while. I nodded.

“I have to use wash room…”she said and I knew that she needed some time to think alone. We nodded and I showed her way and we left her to think about it. If she is acting this way after learning only small part of the truth, how will she take the whole truth? I heard Mitrik thinking.

She faced it better than me, I said holding his hands. He gave a weak smile and nodded. As we rounded the next corridor, I heard her shriek, we ran into her room and found her sitting down crying, hiding her face with her hands, there is mirror attached to the wall directly above her, I guessed pretty much what has happened. She must have looked at the mirror and is terrified by the change in her body.

“What happened to me?”She sobbed as I shook her gently. I nodded towards Keetes and he began to send her waves of calmness, she shivered. “Am I going mad?” she asked.

Mitrik carried her into the bed as he set her down, she caught him by his collar and shook him and shouted, “What did you do to me?” I could see his tortured expressions.

“We couldn’t let you die and if you are in my place, I know that you would do the same thing…” I couldn’t believe that I said that thing. Em stared at me… I know that she would hate me forever but I couldn’t see my brother suffering.

“You changed me…”she stated her face down.

“Can I live with you now, forever?” she mumbled. “What?” I asked unable to understand what she meant.

“If this is what it takes to live with you and him forever…” She is cut off as Mitrik and I hugged her shrieking with joy, I didn’t expect she would agree with it so soon. She is certainly better than me in accepting the life the way it is.

“Did you honestly think that I would be mad at you?” she asked pushing us away from her.

“What else did you keep from me?” she said punching me playfully.

“That we are some sort of royalty here and your boyfriend is a prince here…” she blushed and I heard Mitrik thinking; I miss the pink in her cheeks when she blushes. I kicked him in his ribs without her noticing it. “Sorry,” he mouthed.

“I should probably call me mom and dad, I guess they are worried sick about me.” she said getting off the bed. We stared at each other.

“What?” she asked frowning.

“Em… um… there is much you have to know about this place. Electronic goods won’t work here…” I mumbled.

“Are you kidding me?”She scowled.

“This place is an entire different world; it’s not like mortal world. We co-exist paralleled, more like Philip Pullman’s parallel worlds… “She cut him off by shrieking at him, “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Mitrik stood helpless, we stared at each other. “Leave it to me, I’ll talk to her.” Keetes said and he sent a message to me to take Mitrik out.

We strolled aimlessly at her room corridor; it seemed like hours before Keetes stepped out. “What took you so long?” Mitrik glared at me. “How is she holding it?”

“She took it better than Ilene, she is upset that she can’t see her parents again. Let’s just leave her alone for some time to think it out.” Keetes replied.

I didn’t see Em again that day, she locked herself in the room for the day, Mitrik strolled aimlessly near her room. He is worried that she’ll hate him or worse leave him and he hopes that she wouldn’t hurt herself. I pitied him and I have the same doubts that he has.

Our family is gathered in the day room, each of us busy doing something when we heard a gentle knock on the door. Tristan and Flora swiftly walked away leaving our youngsters some space.

“Em…” I mumbled. I looked at her to find any signs of anger; her mind is a jumbled puzzle to me, a mixture of strong feelings towards me, Mitrik and her parents. I know that she is still having trouble to accept the fact she won’t see her parents again. We waited holding our breath to listen to her.

“My throat…it hurts…”she squeaked. Keetes made a swift move to the corner and brought her a glass of blood. She saw at it with disgust. “Drink, it’ll help.” He replied. She closed her eyes and drained the glass in one gulp.

“Do you drink it all the time? Just blood…huh? Is this why you have a perfect body?” she laughed tastig the last drop of blood.

I squealed in joy and hugged her, I could see in her mind that she doesn’t hate us and she has come to accept her fate gracefully. “Thanks…”I cried. Mitrik stared at her wide mouthed, his mind shrieked with joy. He lifted her up and kissed her gracefully on the lips.

Keetes and I cleared throat, Em… blushed and hid her face in Mitrik’s shoulders.


“I think it’s time to celebrate.” Flora said, coming in her hands wrapped in Tristan arms. They welcomed Em… heartily and Flora already thought her as part of family and she thought she well deserved Mitrik.

I scurried towards them gleefully, “Em… she is my mom, Flora and Dad, Tristan.” I said. They stared at each other’s face and then squeezed me in between them giving a warm hug.

“I hope we aren’t late for the family together.” Pearl said as she danced into the room and Quint silently beside her.

We all circled together in joy and drank to family, after many days it felt like I’m having a loving family here too…


“When do you plan to have your wedding?” I asked as Em… sat herself conveniently on the arm of the sofa Mitrik is sitting in. He kissed her gently and she wrapped her arms over his shoulders. It’s been quite a few days since Em… joined us and all these days I never had a minute with her alone, she is always wrapped up in Mitrik’s arms. It seems I have to get used to it. They stared at me as I questioned them.

“It’s not easy…” I cut him off, “What’s so difficult in it? There is bride n groom and you have the permission of parents…” I continued.

He swayed his head,” That’s not it, If I get married the pressure will be on you, I wanted to give you more time at least I owe you that much…” he said.

I forgot about the legacy thing, “What do we do?” I sighed.

“Wait until he sees something…” Keetes replied as he walked in. I raised my hands I defeat. I sat there for a while and as I left I saw them kissing passionately. Em hardly has time for me these days.

I sat on my window staring at the full moon, hoping it would calm down my internal turmoil. I wanted someone in my life who thinks I’m his whole world.

As I’m immersed in thinking about my future, I heard Keetes thinking “What’s she so upset about? I wish I could take away all her pains…”
I think it must be my vampire side, because the next thing I know, I’m kissing him passionately and he seem to be shocked at first and after a while he kissed me back and wrapped his arms tightly around me drawing me closer. I felt light hearted as if I’m flying in the air, I didn’t know how much time we spent like that but it must be long enough to make me breathless, I withdrew from him. He is shocked and disappointed and his mind screamed about how delightful my lips were, I ran away from my room embarrassed for the most stupid thing I ever did.

Days passed without any unusual occurrences, I shied away from Keetes all the time and he seemed to be distant from me, it’s like an unseen barrier is between us. I’m constantly in his thoughts and about the passionate kiss, I never paid to attention to any things if he is near, he seemed to draw me into his stance all the time.

“Ilene, focus…” Em said waving her hands in front of my face.

She spread a catalog of different designs of ball gowns; I picked one randomly not paying much attention since my attention is somewhere else. Keetes is stealing glances towards me from the room since that day Keetes is different and he made no attempt to hide his feelings towards me.

“Do we really have to do this?” I asked. “It’s our tradition to throw celebrate this ball every year.” Pearl replied squinting through the catalog.

“Girls, did you pick your dress?” Flora asked coming in. We pointed the folded pages in the catalog; she frowned when she saw my pick. I shrugged.

There is great hustle as the day neared in; every person in the palace seemed to be busy with work. Invitees are being sent to all the night world residents. The palace grounds turned into a decorative set for the soon to be held ball.

Finally the great day has come, people flooded our palace doors. Tristan arranged more attendants to take care of the guests. About 1/3rd of our population must be vampires, there are so many of them standing around me in flesh here. I wish the ball is soon over and they all left as early as possible, I want my house all to myself. There are some faces that I recognize from my party, Dustan my enemy is walking into this palace at this very second.

She is more beautiful than before her change, how I wish… I closed my mind from hearing his vile thoughts. This is something I learnt from Keetes… speaking of him, where is he? He walked into the room glaring at Dustan.

I walked away from him ignoring all his dirty thoughts about me. As I walked past Tristan’s room, I overheard something about me. I stood quietly for a while.

“Honey, I’m worried. You know we have kept her away from them for years but I think it’s not going to be easy from now on. The worst thing is we have to hide her from him for the night.” I heard flora’s voice.

“Yes, but she won’t just do what we say, she will ask questions and what do we tell her…”he is cut off in the middle as Flora passed him a message to stop.

“Um…I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to eavesdrop…It’s just that…” I stammered.

There is a knock on the door and a maid entered bowing her head. “There seems to be some trouble with blood supply, sir.” She said.

Tristan glanced at me with pleading eyes to excuse him, I nodded to go. He left and along tagged Flora. There is something going on in the palace, I walked mechanically to my room and to the window repeating the sentences I overheard in my mind. From whom are they protecting me? I’m so immersed in my thoughts that I didn’t notice someone coming from behind.

Dustan enveloped his hands around my waist; I whisked his hands away and glared at him. He is oblivious to my anger, he grinned.

“What?” I scowled. “You are dancing the whole night with me and none else...” he stated.

“You wish…” he cut me off, “If you don’t, I know your family secret which they have been hiding for years and trust me; It won’t be good If I spill the beans…” he said.

“What secret…?” He smirked at me with triumphant smile and left. “I’ll be waiting for you at the hall…” he called.

What is that secret he is talking about? I’ll find out soon but that means enduring his snide comments and his filthy hands around me for hours… I sighed.

Two maids helped me to get into my dress, flora ignored my choice and she chose another one for me pink floor length ball gown and pearl set to go with it. My hair is made into a bun and strands of it falling on the sides brushing my shoulders. I looked exquisite in it. As I walked into the ball room, it is filled with many strange faces.

I spotted Keetes in the crowd. He walked towards me, I kept my eyes trained on his well built body, and I must have stumbled because the next thing I know is I lay in his arms and gazing at his deep blue eyes that took my breath out. He smiled at me and in an attempt to help me out; his lips met mine and lit my whole body with fire with one touch.

Someone cleared his throat, I turned to see Dustan glaring at him, Keetes helped me to straighten myself when Dustan offered his hand, and I took it gracefully though I wanted to be with Keetes. Once I get the truth out of him I’ll leave him to dust, I thought.

We danced silently for few minutes. “You said something about my family secret?” he smirked. Oh! I would give anything to wipe that smirk out of his face.

“Not so early…” he said. Why is she dancing with him? Does she like him? No, that can’t be true. I mean a few seconds ago we shared something… I heard Keetes thinking. I sighed thinking that I can at least be close to his thoughts. Dustan’s hands travelled over my body and I slapped him off. He groaned.

Dustan is literally thinking to run away with me… willing or not. God! He is such a jerk. “Do you want to know the secret?” he asked. I nodded. “Meet me at the back yard…”

He has another Idea along with telling me the truth but first he has to tell me the truth and I could out run him if he tried anything. Can’t I? But the question is, is that worth all the trouble? I could ask Mitrik or Keetes about it, what if they don’t know about it or not willing to say like Tristan and Flora? Anyways I’m vampire royal and I have nothing to fear.

I slipped off without anyone noticing me, before that I saw Em dancing exuberantly in Mitrik’s hands. They are oblivious to the world around them; they are so immersed in their own little group. Keetes is talking to a group of vampires on the far end.

I walked to the back yard carrying my gown in hands. I bathed in the moonlight. Dustan walked to me a few minutes later.

“Let’s walk into the woods, we don’t anyone to hear the secret, right?” he said. I searched his mind and he meant those words so I felt no harm in walking.

He let me through the thick forest. “I think we have come long way…” I stated. Some kind of fear started stirring in me. “What’s the secret?” I asked. His wicked grin broadened.

“I wish to have something before I give you the truth…” He advanced towards me. I could feel his mind bursting with the horrified images of what he is planning to do. I kicked him and ran away, He is too quick, and he stepped to my front. He threw me over his shoulders and I kicked him. How silly of me? I underestimated him. He brought me down somewhere deep in the forest. I tried to break from him but his grip grew even stronger on me. I whelped in pain, I may be a vampire but young at that one and he has ages of experience, how could I have not thought about it?

I kicked him with the point of my heel. He groaned in pain, I took my chance and with every ounce of strength I ran away from him urging my legs to carry me faster. He pounced on me from behind and pinned me to the ground. He slapped me drawing blood from my cheeks and mouth. He tore pieces of my dress; I closed my eyes as he brought his cruel mouth forcing on mine.

I didn’t feel anything; in fact I couldn’t even feel his weight over me. I flicked my eyes open to hear a loud growl and a huge beast standing on Dustan with its paws on his chest. It let out a loud howl and ripped his hands away. Those gore sight made me want to throw out. I slumped on the ground unable to watch the beast tearing him part to part. I saw it turn towards me; I could feel its earth brown eyes watching me intently. I closed my eyes as it walked towards me. I could feel strong hands scooping me up and carrying me away. I thought it must be Keetes rescuing me but he didn’t smell anything like him, In fact he smelled very different from us, he smelled like forest and wet mud. He felt really cozy after I smelled him. His mind is filled with deep love towards me; his thoughts are warm and filled with love. He hugged me close to his chest as if to protect me from any harm. He is eager to hear any word from me and see me smile. He is going to keep me with him even the cost of his life or pack. How could one love someone so much after a first meeting? I peeped at him and he is staring with the same earth brown eyes that I saw before in the beast. I closed my eyes out of fear, where did the animal go? I thought.

I could feel the smell of blood and my savior twisted uncomfortably, I heard all my families at once.
“What happened?” I heard Tristan’s voice. The stranger put me down gently and I stood up bracing myself, now that I’m back with my family, I felt confident enough to steal a glance at my savior. He is way taller than me and his chest muscles are neatly carved. I blushed as I recognized that he is shirtless. I made an attempt to walk towards the worried faces of my family.

I stumbled as my sore knee pained. It must have hurt when Dustan pounced on me. I didn’t hit the ground, Keetes was on my right supporting my shoulders with a distraught look on his face and the stranger on my left supported me with the same painful expression playing on his face. The funny thing about it is that they both glared at each other for touching me.


“Stretch your leg.” Mitrik twisted my ankle to make sure where I broke my bones. “Don’t worry, the pain won’t be longer, we heal faster.” He smirked. Em snapped at him and fussed.

Keetes sat me on the chair, my savior walked uncomfortably and stood right next to me, eyes filled with concern. His concern and love towards me is so intense that I involuntarily blushed.

“Um…Thanks for saving me… your name?” I asked tentatively. He is surprised but he wanted to hear more from me.

“Conan…”he smiled, he really has a beautiful smile.

“Conan… can we talk in private for a second?” Tristan cleared his throat to break his intense stare at me. Conan nodded mutely without taking his eyes away from me. I have never seen anyone in the night world being so oblivious to Tristan after all he is the king. I wondered who this stranger might be.

Tristan led him to the other room and shut the door behind but I can feel and hear every movement of the muscle that the stranger made, how could it be so vivid? Distance is always a problem for me to read mind being a young vampire but the strangers thoughts are so vivid, it’s like his mind is part of mine.

“You betrayed us…”he accused Tristan, “It is the only way I could protect her…” Tristan voice reverberated in his mind. “From whom…?” he said with derision. “I just wanted to give her a chance to choose her life partner… you know… um… Keetes is bonded to her.” Tristan said coldly. “But…I’m the one to first imprint on her and so she will be mine.” He concluded.

“We agreed that this will be her choice.” Tristan said rising his tone. The stranger laughed. “You are clever…”

“If she has to get to know me, she has to live with me.” He insisted. “She can’t live in the woods, I won’t agree to that.” Flora shrieked.

“She is right; she can’t live in the woods. It’s not safe for her there one of your clan may try to attack her.”

“She still has trouble with accepting what she is and I don’t want her to know how much more her life is complicated.” Tristan added.

There is an involuntary pass before he started speaking again. “I’ll take her somewhere else…”

“No…” I heard Keetes shrill response. I glanced over the room, he is nowhere to be seen, and when did he leave? I pictured them glaring at each other, somehow I don’t want anyone hurt.

“What’s wrong?” I heard Em’s worried voice, I broke my attention from the conversation inside and faced Mitrik, and he stood still and stared at the space with a deepening frown on his face. I know from experience that he is having a vision.

Mitrik left without answering worried Em, Em tailed him and I watched them go for a while and having nothing to do, I followed them in.

“I have seen them coming after her.” Mitrik stressed. Tristan stared blankly at him, Flora slumped on the chair without a word, and seeing them I understood that something is really wrong with the vision. “Not again, we have been away from her for years….” She lost her words.

“Who are coming?” I added,”After whom?” Everyone stared at me then Tristan and Flora stared at each other. Flora pleaded Tristan to not to tell me.

“Mom, I can handle anything…” “They are after you…They have been once when you are a kid that’s the reason why we left you at a human’s house.” Tristan added. I’m sure that he didn’t give me the whole truth because I can see him struggling to keep his thoughts from me and I’m even more sure that even if I demand him about it, he wouldn’t say.

“We need to keep her somewhere safe, where they wouldn’t find her.” Keetes replied.

“I know of a place but It’ll take some time for us to get the place ready to live in until then someone should keep her safe…” Mitrik said turning his attention towards Conan.

Conan nodded. “She is not going with him alone…”Keetes snarled.

“It’s only three day’s arrangement and then we can be together…”Mitrik tried to explain. Keetes still glared at him. “We have to leave now… every moment we waste throws her into danger…” that information stopped Keetes from going towards Conan. Keetes left reluctantly, Mitrik promised Em that he will come back soon.


“Just go to her room before anyone senses you here. Em… stays with her.” Flora said directing a disgusting glance towards Conor.

Em walked me to my room, Conor tailing us. We locked ourselves in the room. I sat thinking what’s all this about. Conor was stealing glances towards me; I couldn’t make myself hate him. There is something about him that makes me more comfortable.

Em sat on the window sill glancing towards the sky; I know it’s hard for her to be away from Mitrik. What about me? It’s even hard for me too. Three days passed inside the room, occasionally, mom or dad comes in carrying blood to quench our thirst. None is allowed out or in, we barely spoke to each other except for the huge sighs each of us take from time to time. Conor was more uncomfortable than both of us, he being in his enemy’s shelter and being closed in a room.

Each time I smiled at him, I could hear him thinking fondly of me as to how my smile could erase all his tensions. Not even a second in the day passed without him thinking about me. He thinks that everything I do; sleep, talk, sigh, think… everything is beautiful in his eyes. I never felt such fanatic devotion from anyone. It’s even a big mystery as to how I could hear his thoughts clearly. Each time I tried to ask I shut my mouth voluntarily.

Three days later when I’m deep in sleep, I felt someone waking me up; I shoved the hands away and snuggled into the warm bed sheets. Someone pulled me up away from the covers and I tried to wake but I couldn’t make myself open my eyes.

I felt someone carrying me away; I could feel the rhythmic beat of a heart and earthly smell. I hugged him close so I could smell that, I hear a low growl but ignored it.

Feeling warm and cozy once again, I fell asleep again. I woke up in my cozy bed; I stretched and laughed at my weird dream last night.

“Finally… you are up. It surprises me how you sleep like a rock?” Em teased. I smiled. I sat up, glancing at my surroundings for the first time. I’m not in my room, finally they must have let me out but the walls are made of wood and there is no room in palace that is built with wooden walls. Curiously, I got up and as soon as my feet touched the ground, I saw even the floor is wooden.

“What’s this place?” I asked. “It’s our new home and hide out for us.” She said. “Are we still in the night kingdom…?” I asked myself.

“You will be surprised; if you know where we are…” I frowned. “See for yourself.” She said leading me outside the house. We walked through the sandy floor and up above the sun is well hid behind the dark clouds. Our wood house is small and cozy, well tucked between the tall and dense trees. She led me through the trees and finally the trees cleared to view the vast stretch of water that lay ahead us. A single thought fluttered in my mind.

“This is our island…” she said excited. “How… why…?” I asked confused. “They wouldn’t be looking for us in mortal world… they aren’t clever enough…”Mitrik smirked coming towards us. “What about the rule that vampires should keep away from mortals…?” I asked. “You yourself mentioned that people never come this way and it is in constant cover of clouds so there isn’t any problem even with the sun.”

“Come on… admit it. You admire my clever ideas…” he said boastfully. “Yeah! I do…”I replied smugly.

Keetes walked towards us from behind the trees, I rushed towards him and gave him a hug. He didn’t even hug me back; he just gave a weak smile. “Let’s get back to the house, I need talk about something.” Mitrik said in a serious voice.

My eyes searched involuntarily all the sides to see someone, “What…” Em prodded. I shrugged and walked towards the house. The house was small and cozy enough with little furniture. We had two rooms and a living room; it was just more than enough for us now.

“We never went this far into the island…” I thought out loud. “Obviously, the boys did.” Em said. “So, girls how do you like our work.” He said looking around the house. “What…?” we said in unison. “I thought you just found out this house which already belonged here. I mean four days... is very less time for you to construct this cozy home.” “Time runs different in mortal world remember?” Mitrik replied to me. “Four days in our world is four months here and we are what vampires with extraordinary powers so it’s just nothing…” Mitrik replied.

“I just wanted to give some pointers, Stay hidden whenever you see a mortal passing by. Don’t do anything that shows our presence here. Each day one of us will be awake just to be safe…” I cut him off.

“Where is Conan?” I asked. At the same moment I caught a glance of Keetes shifting uncomfortably. “It is too much for him to stay here along with four other vampires.” Mitrik snapped.

“He must have left…” Em supplied. At the same instant I could feel his heart beat growing louder and smell his presence as if he is somewhere close to me. “No, he is here somewhere, I could feel him.” I said.

Almost as I finished my words, he walked in shirtless. He is tall and strong, well defined body and his brown skin shone very well. He is perfect in many ways. I must have been staring at him since I felt Em slapping me to get her attention.

“I’m sorry, I need to go…” I said feeling embarrassed. I cursed myself for behaving like that, what happened to me there? I should be more careful from now on.

Days passed by, I got bored to death. Each day silent walks across the beach, unexplained coldness between us. Only Mitrik and Em seem to enjoy, Keetes never uttered a word to me and Conan always stared at me fondly, he never asked for more, he just wanted to be there with me.

“We’ll just go for a walk across the mountains. Will you be safe?” Em asked. I nodded, we have lived here for days but nothing unusual happened.

Mitrik and Em left hand in hand. Keetes is nowhere to be seen; he must have gone for another long stroll of his. These days his only excuse from staying away from my vicinity is long strolls on the beach.

I sat leisurely gazing at the sky and fell asleep on the arm chair in the porch. When I felt someone shaking me vigorously, I woke up to see Conan bending over me nervously. “Come…” He urged. The tone of his was made me wide awake.

“What happened?” I asked. “Shh…” he hushed me and he enveloped me in his arms and started walking me towards the dense forests ahead. Though he pulled me closer, I could only feel his need to keep me safe from something. I tried to poke his mind to see what it was. He stared at me astonished for few minutes and then soon switched to the protective mode. He scooped me up and ran deep into forest. In between the runs, he halted for a second and twitched his ears to listen to any sounds and then proceeded.

He brought me to the entrance of what seemed to be a cave. He put me down and I took a step back as I saw his eyes ferociously, glowing yellow in color. “Please… don’t be frightened.” he said as if he felt my fear. Truly, I was beginning to feel that something is going on, Ignorance about it only made me worry more.

We sat silent for a few moments; he pulled me into his arms suddenly. “I don’t want them to catch your smell.” He whispered. “Do I smell that bad?” I thought. He chuckled and I raised a brow. He was high alert again and I peeped into the darkness along with him. We moved deep into the cave and when I saw a movement in the darkness and when I could see their face clearly, I knew they were vampires and I understood what he meant by smell. Vampires have the ability to track the persons with their scents.

In our attempt to move back we walked our dead leaves which made a sharp sound enough to alert them. One of them came running into the cave. Conan put me back and hit him hard against his chest, he went flying back. He ran out into the forest pursuing him. There were three of them he is tackling, he is pretty impressive and soon was able to put one vamp down by tearing his neck off. It was a gore sight. Another three of them joined, he was able to deal with them. One of them left the fight and walked towards me, I could feel my pulse beating hard.

“I know you are here…” He smirked. He caught hold of me and started dragging me towards the mouth of cave.

I am a vampire and a true blood in that one? I must be stronger than him than why not fight him? I thought and kicked him in the ribs with all my might. He winced a little and slapped me hard on the face cutting my lower lip with his finger nails. Conan smelled my blood and he raged at them, I slowly got up my feet to give it one more try before my family joined the fight helping Conan. As soon as they joined Conan rushed towards the vampire who is standing above me, ready to strangle my throat. He pushed him away; his mind is filled with single image where he hurt me. This only angered him very much, he battered him to death. The cries of the vampire; as each fist made hard impact on him were so loud that others began to retreat but my family saw to it that none walked back alive.

Conan was still furious beating the already dead person. “Conan…” I called. He winced as it was the first time he heard me call. One word from me calmed him, I wondered how his mind worked and I felt proud about how much he loved me.

“He is dead…” I said.

We gathered in the moonlight outside the cave. “We’ll make sure that none has wandered out alive. You take Ilene back to House.” Mitrik said to Conan.

I thought about the fight all the way back to home. “How come I am so vulnerable when I am a vampire?” I asked myself.

“You are not a true vampire, yet. You have to follow three rules to become a true vampire and gain all your power and strength until then you are as vulnerable as a human in a vampire body.”

“Thanks for that, I thought I have already transformed.” “Transformation is just a beginning…” he replied.

He walked me back to the house; I hit the bed thinking about how I don’t anything about my own life. I fell asleep for a while and woke up as soon as I heard Keetes shouting.

“You should have taken better care about this, Why didn’t you see this coming? What if she was hurt…?” He shouted at Mitrik in distraught.

“I’m sorry; I will keep better watch on her future from now on.” He replied meekly.

What if something happened to her? I could never live by that…? He cried out loud in his mind. After a while he relaxed a bit.

“I’m sorry, it just made feel weak that I couldn’t do anything to protect her…” he stopped in mid sentence as he saw me peeping.

“Guys, stop all this fuss. I’m still alive right. Stop thinking about what happened. Think about the present.”

I looked around the room and found they were all thoroughly tired. Just go and have some rest for a while, I’ll watch today. They opened their mouth to protest.

“Just go…” I ordered in a furious voice.

As they retired to bed, I went searching for Conan. He was sitting in the porch.

“I just remembered that I didn’t even thank you.” I said. He walked towards me; his eyes are now in deep brown color. Anyone could be so lost in his deep eyes, I stared at him and him me, I don’t know how much time I stood there, but Keetes thoughts pulled me back from my reverie. He was watching us from the windows and he felt pure hatred towards Conan for even having a chance to look at me like that.

“Um…Thanks…” I stammered and walked back into the house not wanting to plant any more hatred between them.


Days passed there is no unusual occurrence again still we were cautious all the time. Soon I lost track of days that I spent in the island even the island didn’t offer me comfort. I wanted to be free once and for all.

“Ilene…” Em rushed into my room when I was sitting on the window sill staring at the clouds.

“Come on… you got to see something.” She hurried me. At first I thought there is another attack but the joy on her face meant something probably good is going down there. After all these days something is turning out to be right then.

We soon rushed to the beach as I used my vampire senses to see to couples getting down the boat… my smile broadened on seeing them. I took one step front when someone pulled me behind the bushes again closing my mouth.

“What…?”I shrieked when I saw Mitrik holding me back. “Remember the rules…” he pointed. “I know… but these are my parents.” I insisted. Mitrik remained stubborn. I whisked off his hand and took another step forward.

“You are probably going to freak them off…” Keetes murmured. I frowned. He sighed. “Remember the last time when we left mortal world…? We caused much havoc than we can explain and the worst thing above all that we needed to take away Em… with us without any further delay. So… we thought it best to create an alibi for your death.” I glared at him this is all going wrong. “We blew up your house and made it look like you both are dead in that accident…”

I was shocked to core, mom should have cried a lot over my death. I couldn’t believe that they did this. I crumpled onto the floor. Em ran away into the house crying and Mitrik ran after her. Keetes staid a while looking at me then he too left. I didn’t know how much time I sat there crying about it and cursing myself for all the pain that I put them through.

“Ilene…” I heard mom calling. My heart thudded listening to her calling me may be she must have seen me and it’s all for good. I sprang to my feet at once and heard dad calling me this time.

I saw them running after a little girl in my opposite direction; she must be like 2 years kid. Finally dad caught her and sat her on the shoulders like he used to do with me.

“She is your sister; your mother was already pregnant when you saw her the last time…” Conan said. I didn’t see him coming. They sat at our usual spot holding hands the little girl wandered off collecting the shells.

Tears rolled on mom’s cheeks, dad wiped them away involuntarily. “I miss her…” mom cried into his shoulder. Dad hushed her. They sat their silently thinking about the happiest moments they spent with me. I leaned onto Conan’s shoulder watching them.

They got up to go after a long time when dad looked for little Ilene, she is nowhere to be seen. Dad and mom ran everywhere searching for her. Conan at once dashed into the water. He dived low into the water. He didn’t resurface until so long. I could feel him struggling with the salt water. I could feel him searching desperately for something then I saw her inside the water. My heart pounded in my chest. I cried again and prayed to god to not to put my parents through this again. I begged him to keep the little girl safe.

Conan resurfaces carrying the little girl in his hands. I rushed to him and took her into my hands. She has no pulse and she is as white as a sheet. “She is no more…” he whispered.

“Conan…help her please. They can’t live through this again.” I cried sinking my head in his bear like chest.

I could feel him troubling to decide about something in his mind. “Whatever it is if it helps her to live I would do it at any cost.” I cried. H gave it some thought and then decided that he couldn’t see me crying anymore. He kneeled down and cut his vein with a sharp object, blood flowed from him. He put his hand to her mouth, letting a few drops of his blood into her mouth. He pulled his hands back nothing happened.

“Your blood and my blood have some special powers to heal faster; I didn’t want you to hurt so I did it myself.” he said.

I stared at her she is so like mom, her eyelids fluttered and she slowly opened her eyes. I took her into my hands and showered her in kisses. She laughed at me.

“Don’t you go anywhere alone like that and promise me that you want make mom and cry again.” I said. The little girl stared at me with bright, big, blue eyes.

“They are coming. Let me take her.” He said. I kissed my sister one more time before I ran away in the opposite direction and hid behind the bushes to see.

My parents ran and mom caught her from Conan’s arms. He smiled and explained that he saved her from drowning. My dad thanked him and invited him over a cup of tea. Conan said no politely and they left.

Mom wrapped her into a warm towel and I could hear my little sis blabbering in incoherent words though dad didn’t understand anything he nodded. We made a strong impression on her mind; I wondered how clever she is at her age. She scanned for us through the whole shore. She saw us and waved at us.

“She is very clever for a two year old…” I thought out loud. He shifted behind me uncomfortably.

“I have something to tell you…” he said. “I think it has something to do with the doubts you had in your mind before saving her…” I supplied.

He nodded. “Sometimes when we offer our blood to humans they might change into one of us…” “It is a rare case though.” He hurriedly put.

“That entire thing is she is safe and my parents are happy…” I said ignoring his words in joy of seeing my parents and having a little talk with my little sis.

I enveloped my hands into his and started walking towards our home satisfied. Keetes was standing in the porch; he winced when he saw our closeness.

“I’m sorry… I …” I raised my hands to stop him. “It’s okay.” I said smiling. I gave an appreciative kiss and hug to Conan before I went into my room singing with joy.


These days I strolled across the island aimlessly and usually Conan accompanied me all the time. He is really a good friend of mine, he makes me laugh. I learnt that he has close affinity to all the animals here.

One day I saw a rabbit leaping across the woods. I tried to get it but it feared me very much and ran away from me. I ran after it for a long time and sat vexed throwing stones into the water.

“Come with me…” Conan dragged me to feet. He hurried me through the trees until we found a huge tree where there lot of burrows. “Stay hidden.” He said. I crept behind the bushes. He made a low whistle nothing happened for a second then he whistled once more. I could hear the fluttering of wings in the sky, I stared amazed at the sky as flights of different birds alighted on to the near branches and some of it sat on his extended arm. In my amazement I didn’t see all the rabbits coming out from the burrows. There are deer’s, rabbits and all other little animals which dwell in this island.

“Come…” he called me. I walked silently not to disturb or tread on any little animal.

He caught a rabbit by the ears and gave it to me and he showed me how to catch it, Rabbits should be caught by its ears. Rabbit’s fur was so warm and soft.

“How…?” I asked amazed. “We have natural affinity to animals.” He said. “Since you are an animal…” I thought out loud.

“I’m sorry…” I said as soon as I hear what I said. “It’s okay. I can’t deny whatever I am and I’m proud that I’m a part animal.” He said smiling. We stayed there for a while playing with the rabbits. He gave them a treat of carrots which the rabbits happily munched on and some grains to the birds.

“Ilene…” I heard Keetes calling and as soon as they heard his voice they ran away into their hidings. I was disappointed that they had to leave early; I wanted to spend more time with soft feathers and long ears.

“You spoiled everything…” I said making sad face and walked away. I could feel him stunned.

I walked along the shore for some time and then walked back home. “You made a wrong decision, the more you keep away from her the more she goes for Conan.”

“I don’t want to pressurize her with all these… I mean she already has a lot to do and now she has to choose one among us and her decision will either lead to our destruction or construction. I can’t put her through this.”

“Can you live by if she chooses Conan?” Em asked. He was distraught at the mere thought. “I can put myself through anything if she is happy.” He said weakly.

“You are not thinking fairly. What about the night world and Tristan and Flora? What about the bond that you shared with her, you know that it’s her or else none.”

“Show your true self to her and then it’ll be her decision to choose between you. It won’t be a true fight to win her heart if you are acting this way. Remember.” Mitrik added.

Keetes was acting this way so that I wouldn’t feel burden of anything. Well, he had it in the wrong way. I was really worried about him all these days; I thought he didn’t love me enough to fight for me with Conan. Those occasionally glimpses of his envy towards Conan were the only comfort telling that he still had feelings for me.

I slapped him on the face and gave him a big hug. “Idiot, you are such a dimwit. I thought you didn’t like me or wanted me…” I shouted.

He was shocked at my sudden exploding.


My life was full now, I had Keetes. We used to have long walks across the beach, hours and hours we spent time staring at each other fondly.

On the first day after our re-union, Keetes and I walked aimlessly, holding hand in hand. We sat near by the rocks and I splashed the water using my legs, it was my favorite pasttime. Conan used to bring me here. I didn’t know how it happened; one second Keetes was gazing at me fondly and the next second, I found him kissing me gently. I blushed hard and dropped my gaze down on to the water where I saw stunned face of Conan.

He was glaring at Keetes, I could see his nostrils flaring and his whole body trembling, I watched amazed at his transformation into a wolf. I could see the pictures he imagined in his mind. He wanted to kill Keetes for laying hands on me. My head shrieked at the possibility of what was going to happen next.

“Keetes, watch out.” I cried. Keetes with his vampire reflexes was able to ward off his blow but I doubt he would contain Conan’s fury. Last time I saw; he was brutal in killing Dustan.

Keetes squared his shoulders ready for the fight, he used his hands to punch him on the chest and throw him off. The trees he hit fall apart and he picked up himself very fast and dashed towards Keetes. I stared at them, as they hit each other and I could tell none of them wanted to give up. The blows, cries, whimper,snarls were too much for me to hear.

I collapsed on the ground crying to stop. They were so immersed in the battle that they igored my pleas. I thought I should do something soon or else one of them is going to die and I couldn’t even think of that. I couldn’t think of anything and I saw them fighting even more fiercely. Without even a further thought I jumped of the cliff where they were fighting now.

In my rush to do something,I never thought of; what If they didn’t see this? The worst thing of all is I never knew how to swim. I cried at the top pf my voice before I hit the cold water and before the huge waves crashed over me.

The salty water made me cough, With all the experience that I had in swimming lessons, I tried to swim back to the shore but that experience wasn’t enough for the high tidal waves here. If I was a mere human, I could have died but being a half vampire there is no word like death for me. The only thing that hurt me was the rush of water that threw me up and down like a doll.

I saw two faces in the water as I struggled to keep myself above the water. They swam like fishes towards me and caught me and brought me up onto the shore.

“You idiot girl, what do you think you are doing? What was all that? Were you testing whether you turned into a vampire or not?” Em snapped.

“I was just trying to stop them.” I said sitting up and coughing the water. Keetes and Conan looked at each other embarassed.

“You… say that you love her but still you’re doing what she hates most.” She shrieked. “You can’t win her by fighting over her. To gain love; love is the only way.”

“Sorry, we’ll never fight again.” They whispered. From that day on I spent equal time with them, though I was sure of choosing Keetes something told me that I can’t hurt Conan like that so I spent time with each of them.

Keetes was purely romantic, he used to take me for moonlit night walks and walks with him were full of pleasure, serene and comfortable. Conan was full of fun and joy, time with him made me feel alive, I could be the old Ilene with him no prentensions or anything.

One day while I am with Conan, Mitrik came rushing towards us. “I need to talk. Go to home immediately meanwhile I’ll go and look for Keetes.” He said ran away in his vampire speed.

“What happened, Em?” I asked curiously as I walked in. “Don’t know, we were talking and all of a sudden, he had a vision and then he ran away calling he’ll be back soon.”

“I could tell that something is really wrong.” Em said. I tried reading Mitrik’s mind but he must be running; I didn’t get anything from his muddled up mind but all I could make out is the need to rush to night world soon.

After a few seonds they walked in. Conan was standing by the corner. “I see them planning an attack on the palace in a few days.” He said grimly.

Em gasped. “They want Ilene at any cost so they wanted to check every nook and cranny of the palace, dad didn’t allow that so they are trying to break in.”

“Ilene isn’t there; Tristan should have allowed them to check.” Conan replied. “Once they knew she isn’t in the palace, they would trace out her soon enough. That’s whyTtristan wanted to give them a false notion that Ilene is still in the palace.”

“They need us…”Mitrik slumped on to the chair catching his hand.

“We should go…” I replied. “You’ll be caught easily if they saw you…” Mitrik added. “I’ll stay here then, you should go and help them.”

“You wouldn’t be left unprotected. One of us will stay here.” Keetes said. I knew exactly what he was thinking. “No, they need your help more than me.” I whispered.

“She can’t stay here… I won’t be here to tell her when someone was planning to attack. It’s not a safe place anymore.” He said.

“I’ll take her to the woods.” Conan replied grimly. “Even in your pack some people think she should be killed.” Keetes pointed.

“I know some hide outs in woods and I’ll contact with my loyal supporters only.” He said convincingly.

“That’s not a bad idea.” Mitrik thought. I could see Keetes begging him to not to agree with the plan.

Mitrik packed his backpack with bottles of blood and made arrangements to leave. Keetes was unwilling to leave me behind but he had to.

“Take good care of her. Even if I see a scratch on her on my return, I swear that I’ll kill you.” He warned Conan.

I gave him a hug and a kiss, I know Conan would be hurt by this but I couldn’t think of staying away from Keetes even for a day or two. I have also seen glimpses of Conan realizing how much I love Keetes sometimes he would feel disappointed that he lost his chance but sometimes he would hope not. He thought that this was the time for him to make me love him as Keetes won’t be there.

“Leave as soon as we left.” Mitrik suggested before he left. Conan nodded.

“How do we reach there now?” I asked. “Pack your things and be ready.” He said and left.

When he came back, I packed my backpack with what ever clothes I had and some supply of blood. Though I was a part vampire, my apetite is like a vampire, I smiled at the thought. How I was so different from even vampires. I never fit in a place.

“Let’s go.” We travelled by a boat into the nearby town. We stayed hidden until the way is clear and then crossed into the forest ignoring the ‘dangerous’ sign. We walked for miles and miles. I was excited of seeing the other part of night world. We spoke very less, at frequent intervals, I asked whether we were anywhere near to the place. He smiled at my eagerness.

The trees grew thicker and denser, he stopped after sometime. I found two tall trees forming like an arch in the sky.The creepers hung lossely like a curtain as if hiding the things behind these trees.

“Outers are’t allowed into this place…” “Then how will I come?” I asked. “Catch my hand and I’ll take you in.” he said. I caught hold of his hands and he scooped me up and walked in through the thick curtain of creepers. Everything changed at once as if I walked right through the television screen into a beautiful world. I forgot how beautiful the night world used to look. The moon shone brightly over the trees illuminating everything with it’s silvery light.The green grass mat that lie below my feet is soft and cold.

“There is a hide out few kilometres away. We can go there.” He said. “I can’t walk.” I said complaining like a pampered child, sitting on the grass.

He scooped me up and carried me away. His ears and eyes were alert straining to hear any unnecessary noise but my eyes weregazing at his well built body and the perfect features of his.

He put me down as soon as we reached the mouth of a cave. He walked me in, the cave was clearly visible how could this be a hide out? We walked until we reached the other end of the cave. “Where do we go now?” I took a step back as he groped across the wall of the cave and then he pushed it at a particular point and then lifted the huge stone easily like a cotton fur ball, the wall stone revealed another cave inside well lit and well furnitured. Even the tiny rays of moon filtered in through the roof of the cave.

“Won’t anyone see us from the roof?” I asked as I found a small hole on the roof. “Our pack never come this far from the land as this place is sitting right on the border of your world and my world.” He assured. I nodded.

“Just give me a second.” He moved the stone aside and replaced it. As the stone began to cover my view from him, I felt nervous of staying alone here. I wanted to cry,”Don’t leave me alone.” But I’m not going to be seen as a coward.

After sometime I heard piercing howl and every nerve in my body failed at the sound. I trembled with fear. As soon as the howl died down, I began to search for Conan’s thoughts. I felt him close to the cave and unknown comfort spread through me and I knew I would be safe no matter what.

I waited hours for him but still there is no sign of him, I could feel his thoughts but not close enough. I slept on the chair waiting for him. I woke up on the rock bed and in front of me a girl about 18 sat staring at me, I panicked and jumpstarted to go out. She laughed merrily, I heard her thinking that I’m cute and I would make a nice meal for her… My legs shook , keeping my eyes trained on her. I started to walk to the mouth of the cave even if I did I don’t know how I would open that huge door. I just wanted to keep away from her, Her thoughts were filled with how Yummy I am…

“Are you trying to escape,huh?”she asked laughing. In one pounce she is standing above me. “Joy… that’s enough.” I heard familiar voice. My nerves calmed down a bit. “You are scaring her…” he snapped at her. He picked me up and sat me on the chair.

“Ilene, this is my sister Joy…” he said. She extended her hands but I looked at him thinking whether I should give or not. “She was just playing with you…I told her that you can read mind and I also mentioned that you’re still a human through only first stage in your vampire cycle. So she was just messing with you…”he assured.

“I’m sorry…”she said still laughing. I smiled and shook her hand. “Did you receive any information about Keetes?” I asked him.

The war is still going on, I mean vampires get never tired and they cannot be wounded, so the war must go on until one of them gives up or one of them kills the other. I nodded. “I’m bored…” I said after sitting idle for many hours. “Let’s play something indoor since we can’t go out…” joy said. We played memory game, words building,tic-tac-toe until we got tired. Joy enjoyed like a child, she is funny and childish which doesn’t go with her appearance. She looks bulky,tall and fierce so much like her brother.

I don’t know how many days passed like this, I enjoyed their companion very much, They used to go out when I was asleep. They used to take turns watching over me. Each day I asked Conan about the war, he always said that it was still going on… I missed Keetes very much. Conan was always likea crying shoulder for me whenever I was worried about them, he was there soothing me and assuring that everything is going to be okay.

“Ilene, do you think I’ll ever have chance?” Conan asked pulling my hair away from face. He must have thought I was asleep. I shifted to the other side and he jumped back away from me. I’m not doing him any good by keeping my choice secret. I decided I would tell him tomorrow that I have chosen but what if he leaves me in this place? I shouldn’t tell him maybe… But I can’t cheat him anymore. He is a good guy and I can’t do that to him.


Next time when I woke up, Joy is staring at me smiling. “You sleep a lot…” she teased. She was so much like Em… I liked her companion very much. She taught me different ways to protect ourselves from attackers. This was a recent way we found to spend our time.

She left when he heard Conan coming, I thought about last night and decided to take my chances. He sat silently staring at me as if he knew that I wanted to talk to him.

“Conan…” I didn’t know how to start… Conan waited expectantly…I shifted uncomfortably. “Um… you know…I mean… I made a choice…” I blurted out… His eyes went wide. I could feel his mind begging that it should be him… I could feel his joy and at the same time he is worried about me chosing Keetes over him. I waited to hear his thoughts completely, I don’t want him to go mad and leave him, I mean I don’t want to miss a good friend. When I was completely sure that he wasn’t going to do anything drastic.

“Keetes…” I mumbled in barely audible voice. That did it, I felt a blast of emotions in his mind, anger, fury, betrayal, he stared at me with his deep eyes and I saw tears escaping through his eyes. He faced away from me and he shifted into wolf at once and broke through the cave walls and ran into the forest. He left me… I shouldn’t have said it. I slumped onto the floor, looking through the hole into the forest. After sometime I heard a loud howl, I knew it was him and I could feel the pain in that howl. My heart felt like a lead heavy, I did this to him. I could hear his continous howling, Each time I heard it, it felt like someone was punching a hole right through my heart.

I cried sitting there… I curled up into a ball on the ground. I never gave happiness to anyone, my parents they loved me and I left them nothing but pain. Tristan and Flora they always loved me but I gave them nothing but trouble. Now…Conan, he just wanted to be loved back which I denied ballatantly. I was nothing but a heart breaker. I sobbed.

“You are here,princess… Glad! That I stumbled upon you on the way…” I heard a rough voice. I turned to see him, another vampire. I tried to see a way to get out but he was covering my way to the exit. Why do you want to live? When you are giving everyone nothing but pain, my mind scolded me. Yes… If I die then everything will be over once and for all. I closed my eyes waiting for him to finish what he was here for.

“Clever princess knew that she couldn’t outrun me,huh?” he smirked. I could feel him moving closer to me. He lifted me by pulling at my hair, I winced in pain but that was nothing comparing to what I did to Conan…I deserve everything. He bent over my neck and smelled, I was ready to feel the pain that he is going to inflict.

“No fun… In killing you so soon.”He said and threw me away. I hit the cave walls,blood began to ooze from the back of my head. “Run…princess. Make it fun for me…”He said with a vicious snarl. I gave a weak smile and stood motionless, I know I could run for a mile before falling unconscious but I don’t want to put up a fight, I want to be dead.

He was vexed seeing that I didn’t put up any fight. “Let’s just get over with her…” I heard another voice and I noticed for the first time another vampire standing against the walls of the cave.

He walked over to me in nick of a second. “Do you want the first bite?” The first vampire who wanted to torture me asked. I know that he was playing with me but I didn’t move or panick. The other vampire bent over me and pulled me and began to nibble on my neck and then I felt his sharp teeth stinging in. I could feel him sucking out my life, he was madly happy about the delicious liquid I offered him.

“Enough… give her to me…” The first one’s voice was demanding now. He withdrew his fangs unwillingly cursing his friend for denying him the tasty meal. He let me fall on the ground and kicked me towards his friend. That’s when I heard a loud growl and saw Joy pouncing at the first vampire. She made a nice blow but the second vampire was trying to attack her from the opposite side and threw her out into the forest. I gasped as she hit the tree. She stood up abruptly ready to act. I knew it’s going to be difficult for her with two vampires since she is still the younger wolf. I wanted to help her, I tried to stand, I caught the near by wall and used it’s support to stand up. As soon as I stood, my legs gave it away and I fell down. I stared at her helplessly, she was fighting a loosing battle.

“Please…Conan. Help her, she needs your help…” I prayed repeatedly. The first vampire caught her while the second one advanced towards her. I shut my eyes to stop seeing it. I heard near by tree shatter to the ground… I opened my eyes expecting the worse to happen and saw Conan striking each of the vampire feircely. I relaxed knowing that she would be safe. I could feel my strength leaving me. Conan killed them in nick of a second. He rushed towards her who now changed to human form and limping, she pointed towards me. He saw me covered in blood and rushed towards me, he took me in his laps.

“I’m sorry…” I mumbled when blackness consumed me.

I could see images of keetes and Conan flickering in my mind. I slowly opened my eyes to see that I was lying surrounded by wooden walls. I cursed myself for still being alive.

“She is awake…” I heard someone shouting. I tried to see who she was, I only saw her back and she was running out the door. I got up from the bed and my legs still felt weak and I started walking towards the door when I was blocked by some wall, Not wall… some person, I smelled the earthly scent and knew who it must be. I slowly raised my eyes to see Conan… tears were slipping through his eyes.

He picked me up and gave me a big bear like hug, he kissed me all over my face. I blushed at his sudden out burst. He must have realized it and put me down. “I’m sorry…” he said and put me down.

Joy walked in at the same instant, she hugged me tightly. In came another 10 members, They all towered over me like Conan and Joy.

“This is our family or our pack you can say.” Joy said introducing them. Sam, Jake, eddy, flint…I don’t remember other names that well. I just nodded and said hello to everyone. I felt weak and as I was about to pass out again, Conan caught me and carried me back to bed.

He gestured towards Joy and she went away while the others left too. Joy returned with a glass of blood, I frowned. We knew that it gives you strength so… she said. I nodded, Conan helped me to drink it. I relaxed on to the bed.

“Where am I?” I asked. “In our house…” she replied. “We couldn’t think of taking you elsewhere with your condition.” She said.

I nodded. “I’ll leave you two to talk…”she said and left. “I…I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left you that way.” Conan said in a low voice. I didn’t know what to tell, “I’ll never do that again whatever your choice is.”he said. He sat there for a while taking my hands into his.

After a while Conan left and Joy walked in, “Hey, how are you feeling?”she cheered. “I’m healing…” I smiled. She looked at me as if she wanted to say something. “What is it? Say it.” I said.

“I don’t know what happened between you and bro but I just wanted to say this, he loves you a lot and he has gone through a lot to be with you. Just, give him a chance.” She pleaded.

“But…” “I know that you think you love Keetes…” she said cut me off. “I’m not thinking, I know it…”I tried to protest. “If you do then why did you let Conan kiss you, why did’t you stop him?Can you leave him for the other?” she asked. “You don’t have to give me the answer, just think it for yourself. “ she said giving me a weak smile.

Why didn’t I stop Conan? I mean I was blushing instead of reacting why is it so? Was I really in love with Keetes if not then How will I know whom I love? I know I don’t want to lose anyone of them. I was sure that I could live by but when I saw Conan hurting himself, I knew I couldn’t. It hurt me very much to see him hurt.

At regular intervals Conan peeped in through the door to see how I was doing, each time I saw him the questions tortured my mind. I figured that I should know who will be my best my partner. So, I started comparing them each. They both care about me; To make me happy they tried to sacrifice their love. Love, I could never say that one loves less than the other. I thought for a while to consider other factors. I couldn’t think about it. I sighed heavily as I’m getting no where.

“What happened?” Joy asked. “I was just…” “Trying to figure out what love is?”she asked. I nodded. “You don’t have to figure it out, It just happens and you will know when it happens, All I wanted to say is just give it sometime. Don’t rush into something…” I nodded. She is right, I’ll let time decide who is good for me.

Two days passed by and I felt strength return into my body by the regular intervals of blood I have taken. Conan’s home is built of wood, it’s huge. When I went out, I saw many people running here and there. Everyone stopped their work when I stepped out. All the pack’s families live here, There are some kids hurrying here and there. It almost felt like I was back to mortal world. When I turned sideways Conan stood beside me from nowhere. I saw a cute little girl scurrying towards us. I bent down towards her and asked what her name was. “Rose…” she said in her cute little voice. I picked her up and kissed her cheeks, she smiled and kissed me back. I played with her sometime when Joy came in.

“You finally met my daughter?”she asked. I frowned, Conan nodded. “You never told me about her…” I complained. “I thought I should just take you to her instead of telling you.”

“Who is your…” I stammered. “My mate? Austin. He is the second in command, I mean beta.”she said proudly “Where is he?” I asked. “He is out on a mission.” “What mission?” I asked. Conan went away by the time. “Conan asked him to make sure that your family members stay alive…”she said. She called Rose and she scurried to her. “Do you want to see around?” she asked. I nodded.

‘First,let’s give her a bath, Rose do you want to go to the pool?” she asked. “Yes,mama..” She took us to the pool, It’s just in the backyard of the house. I took plunge along with them,it felt good. Rose seemed to like me,she played with me all the time, she stayed in my room.

Conan’s pack members are friendly, they gave friendly gestures whenever they saw me. Their home is bigger than I expected, the house is divided into ten large parts one for each pack member and apart from that there is a huge common kitchen, dinning area and living room. I much less of him during my stay and his only excuse to it is that he had to run some errands.

Joy always took me with her whenever she went to the pool, I was never allowed to go further from it. I lost track of days, The war still went on but the good news is that there is great chance of us winning, that news made me feel better.

I taught Rose many poems that I learned from mortal world, she used to give performance after dinner when they all gathered in the living room. Soon children began to gather in my room to listen about the human life, they found it fascinating and their exclamations made it more interesting to tell. I enjoyed this very much. Sometimes they used to sleep in my quarters as I sang them my favorite tunes.

I noted something odd in these days, some of the children sat paired up always, they never oce sat differently and there is flint’s boy who is always hovering around Rose. Even Rose is particularly drawn towards him. It felt queer, I mean it’s not like they are in love, I mean they are just kids.


“hey,didn’t you sleep?” Conan asked as he saw me sitting wide awake. “You didn’t sleep…” “I was just going to bed and I usually come here to see you before I go to bed.”he said embarrassed.

“Do you want to go for a walk?”he asked after a while. I nodded. I tip –toed outside the room, careful not to wake Rose and Flint’s boy Jack who are asleep on the other side of my bed.

We walked silently to the pool and sat there for a while staring at the stars, I noticed two stars sitting very close so like Rose and Jack, What’s between the two kids? I thought again.

“Um… I need to ask something… “I said. Conan adjusted himself so that he could see my face, “I noticed something odd… I mean Rose and Jack are just two kids but still there is something about them… They just act like…”

“In love.” He finished it for me. I nodded. “Jack has marked Rose as his mate.” He said. “Isn’t he too young to think about that…” “He didn’t think… it just happened. He just happened to choose his first mate in an early age…” he said defensively.
“Wait, you mentioned first mate does that mean he will more mates?” I asked. I shouldn’t have said that, now she will think that I’m not good enough for her. He thought. “Male were’s have more than one mate… I mean…They wouldn’t go for other mate until his first love is no more…” He confused me.

“I love you so much that I couldn’t go for another girl until you’re no more. I mean the love for you is what keeps me for going after another. We male were’s are so bonded to our first mate that sometimes that we don’t see the need for another one thought there is still a chance. It’s like we are eternally bonded.”

“I have never seen anyone having two mates… atleast not in my clan and I suppose I’ll never see…” He finished that last sentence with emphasis. I nodded.

“How do you mark your mate?” I asked. “When you see a person you’ll feel a strong pull towards them like in humans,if you see a person that you like you turn back to see them once again, that pull is greater in us. We see nothing more than them our entire world goes empty just that person stands in front of us… we feel the urge to stay with them forever. If the same happens with the female we mark them with their acceptance.”

“Does it always have to be the male to mark?” “No… usually the stronger one of the two will do it first and then the other follows…” “How do you mark him/her?” I asked.

“It’s always been male were’s doing the marking ceremony for years, First they drink some amount of blood from his mate and then seal their bond with a kiss, they kiss her on the wound that they make which helps them heal it. Usually drinking from her and healing her needs strong mind and magic inside you so it’s always been male were’s for years…” he finished. He seemed to be lost in thought for sometime but after a while he burst into laughter. I frowned.

“Eddy is a special case if you seem to think about it… It’s his mate Jane that marked him first. We all laughed at him internally but he is a good guy…” Conan said smiling.

“I can’t imagine hurting her…that’s what he always said…”Conan added. “That’s so sweet of him…” I said smiling. “Yeah! That shows how we love our firstmate.” He said with a triumphant smile knowing that he made a clear point.

I felt cold and wrapped my hands tightly over my chest and burrowed my face into my knees. “Do you want to go in?” he asked. “I don’t feel sleepy, yet.” I mumbled with chattering teeth. He stared at me as if thinking what to do,he scooped me up and sat me in his laps and entwined his arms around my body, I rested my face on his well defined chest as warmth spread through me.

“You are hot…” I said, his skin is very warm even in this cold climate. “I know…”he laughed. “I didn’t mean that…” I slapped him. He chuckled. “What…?” I snapped. We sat in silence for a moment. “What if your first mate doesn’t love you back…?” I asked tentative to bring up the subject. He flinched at the question. “It would leave us broken hearted…”he said grimly. But I could feel his pain and all the memories from the day that I told him my choice, he cried internally at his loss. “Please…” I said kissing him gently on his neckline trying to sooth him as I drifted into sleep.

The next morning I woke up in my bed and it felt that last night was a dream. I stretched out on my bed and yawned. “Had a goodnight outdoors?” Joy smirked. I woke up startled. “Oh! Don’t play innocent, Last night when I came to pick up Rose, you weren’t there. I went to search for you that’s when I saw you…” she said hiding a smile.

“It’s just I couldn’t go to sleep so we had a walk…” I said, she played a picture in her mind; Conan and me sitting in his laps entwined in his arms, what about it? She asked. “I was really cold…” I said embarrassed. She played another image whereI kissed him gently… “It’s… Are you spying on me?” I said crying out loud. I ran after her to teach her a good lesson but she out runned me soon. I raced her to the pool where Rose was sitting clapping her hands.

I felt completely at ease with this place, it seems I was back to mortal world with all the families and children around.


Keetes was waiting for me lying on the floor as his body convulsed with pain, he was trying desperately to reach me, I was standing behind the scene looking at him not even making a move to help him. I woke up startled and knew it was a dream but may be the dream is trying to say something to me, may be Keetes need me, without even a thought of what I was doing… I ran dashing through the doors. I pushed myself to run even faster. My entire mind was clogged with image of Keetes lying on the floor helplessly.

I raced on… till my breath became ragged and I couldn’t hold it any longer. I slowed my pace enough to catch breath and than doubled it again, I stumbled and fell on the ground, I felt someone on top of me, I struggled under the heavy weight that is pinning me to the ground.

“Ilene…Stop fighting…”I heard the familiar voice of Conan. He released me, I gathered up myself and the tears slipped through my eyes involuntarily and I began to cry.

“What’s wrong?” He sat beside me lifting my chin and wiping away the tears. “Keetes…” I mumbled in between the cry. He flinched as I said his name. “Dream… Keetes need my help…” I stuttered.
He was lost in thoughts as I said him about my dream in between muffled cries. “I’m sure he is fine. Don’t worry about him. I will send a person to keep him safe if that would be any consolation to you.” He said. I nodded.

“Now…Let’s go back home before anyone else spots you.” He said and helped me to stand.

“Can we just go and check on him? I mean… we could return before anyone see us.” I pleased still thinking about the dream.

“They are fighting to protect you and if you walk into the war like that all that they have been doing will go waste...”He said. I nodded though I very much wanted to run away to Keetes.

“Where do you think you’re running away. You should have caught by northern wolf tribe and been their meal if it weren’t for us seeing you…” Joy scolded.

Conan growled at her for talking to me like that and she in turn gave a threatening glare.

“Promise me, now. That you wouldn’t run away like that again.” She asked. I nodded. “That’s not good enough…” She chided. I promised her.

I was thinking about my whole life since I entered night world, it was nothing but a mess, how did this happen? That was when I noticed that I had never known why I was kept hidden from others or why these members are after me and wanted to kill me, I never asked these questions, I always took it granted if they asked me to run, I run and if they ask me to hide, I did. How have I become a puppet in their hand, may be the ignorance of this place, a small part of me answered. Well, then from now on I’m not doing anything without knowing why I have to do it.

I ran to Conan from my room. “Conan…”I called as he was about to sleep on the couch. “I have a question and you will answer without hiding anything.” I said. He nodded. “Who are these people that are after me? And why do they want me dead?”

He stared at me for a while thinking if he could tell or not but decided he should, He gestured me to sit, I did.

“Vampire royals have a ceremony when a child was born; they read the future of the child and her part in the kingdom’s development, in front of the whole community. When you were born Mitrik saw something that he shouldn’t be seeing…”

“What did he see?” I asked.

“He saw that there will be a war over you between the mythical creatures and one of the side will fall…”

“They wanted to kill me because I may cause war…” I stated. “When you are a year old, your mother was attacked by some of the people who believed that you should be dead for good. I happen to pass by at that second and saved your mom and…. When I saw you I imprinted on you. When you imprint it is very difficult from staying away so I began to live with you since your parents never wanted to part from you… Later I came to know that Keetes has been bonded to you. I was very childish at that time, I thought your parents will take you away from me and I ran away with you in my hands…Soon people began to know what happened. They knew now what the war will be about and it would be between the vampires and werewolfs.”

They attacked the palace to find and kill you. Tristan came over and explained the situation and he said that if I truly love you I should keep you safe by giving you away to the mortals where they won’t find you.

I thought over it for a while. “Will you really wage a war if I choose Keetes?” I asked. He flinched. “I don’t think I can ever do something that hurts you…” he said.

“Well, as far as I know Keetes is thinking the same thing…” If we are in understanding terms and two of them have no plan of waging war or anything, then what’s the problem, the problem is you… you haven’t made a choice and after you do when one of them steps back then may be people will believe that you are of no harm, a voice answered in my head.

It’s time that I make a choice then but how? If it is before meeting Conan I could have blindly gone for keetes but now it is difficult, I can’t even thinking of hurting one of them. The decision is to be made sooner or later.

If I chose Keetes than I can be with my family and if I choose Conan then may be…“Wait…I have something to ask. If I choose you can I still be a human?”I asked Conan.

He gave me a weak smile. “You will never be a human…” Joy cut him off. “Ilene, it’s enough, go to bed…” She said.

She pleaded her brother not to say anything…”She has to know everything before making a choice, I can’t see her regretting her choice later…” he said. “What if she chooses him after listening to you…” she said gritting her teeth. “It’s always her choice…”he said.

“If you choose me one day you have to become one of us…” he said. “That means I have to be a werewolf…” I asked. “No…Part vampire and part werewolf… and this is also another reason for them to kill you because they will never know the outcome of our relationship…” he added sadly.

My head reeled that means I can’t be a total vampire or total werewolf… and my children they will be entire different species. So, this is what the war was about me and my choices. I can see now why they wanted to kill me.


I sat up all the night thinking anout what to do? Around early in the morning I drifted to sleep still not figuring an answer to my questions.
I woke up to the noise in the house, I stretched myself in the bed and went out to see what the noise was. People were hurrying here and there, I caught Joy in the group shrieking orders to everyone.

“Joy…”I called her over the noise. She turned to me. “What’s all this?” I asked. “The elders are coming so we need to prepare for their arrival.”

“Who are the elders?” She looked at me and gave some orders before walking to me. “Elders are like our ancestors…” “Why are they coming?” I asked.

“I have no idea…but I’m sure it’s an important matter.” She said. “You stay indoors and don’t come outside unless asked, okay?” she looked worried about something.

I walked into my room and shut myself behind the doors and waited for a long time, I could hear the commotion die down after a few hours only to be replaced by a lot of voices. I peeped through my window and found that they were creating a bofire by the river, I closed my windows too but could hear the loud chatter and laugh.

I was bored, I could talk to none or see, it was like I was locked in this room. Having nothing else to do, I decided to take a nap.

“Ilene…” I heard someone tapping the door, I yawned lazily and rubbing my eyes opened the door. Seeing Conan at the door brought a smile to my face.

“Come with me…” he said. “Where to?” I asked. “The elders wanted to see you…” by the sound of it, it seems he didn’t like this, if he doesn’t like it I’m sure I won’t like it too.

There were lots of people than I usually see around here, they are on full party mood and as soon as they saw me they dropped whatever they are doing and stared at me, I felt uncomfortable under their stares, Conan placed a hand around me assuringly. People began to sit down, we walked past all of them to the center of the circle where there are three members sitting in the centre, they looked so normal but I wouldn’t be cheated by their appearance, If you look closer we could see their feirce looks and a powerful aura around them. They studied me as I walked towards them. I felt ucomfortable.

“All for this girl?” I heard one of them smirking. “She sure is a beauty.” I winced at their thoughts and tried to shove them of my mind.

Conan gently squeezed my hands and assured that he was there for me with a gentle smile. I gave a weak smile. “What did you decide? Is she going to be one of us?” One of the elders asked. He was tall and ferocious.

“It’s her choice,sir…”Conan said humbly. “I don’t think you should put your pack at risk for a girl who may not be with you…”another one said in gruff tone.

That words stung me. “She is one of us,sir and we are going to protect her at any cost…”one of Conan’s pack member said, I didn’t dare turn to see who it was.

I clutched to Conan avoiding contact with the threatening figures. “The decision is taken by the pack so we have nothing to do with it, let’s enjoy the moment…” The third elder said smiling at me.

The party started again as the people piled back into groups slowly resuming whatever they are doing before. I stood unable to decide whether I should go or stay. The third elder called me, I looked at him in the eye for the first time, though he looked powerful and ferocious, there is an unusual glint in his eyes that made him look kind.

I carefully made my way towards him. He took my hand and walked me to the pool a little away from the pack. “Please don’t mind my brothers for their rude way, they are just worried about Conan…”he said eying the rest of the elders. I nodded.

“You know when Conan has imprinted on vampire royal, we all were worried about his future with that girl but when the girl died Conan was shattered... I’m happy that he found you…”he said. I nodded.

“Have you taken a decision yet…?” He asked tentatively. I nodded no. He laughed merrily, I looked at him as if he was mad. “Matters of heart, they are very complicated…”he laughed.

“Take your time to decide but don’t be too late about it, because you may never know what tomorrow brings…”he said.

“May the powers of moon be with you…”he said and left me to ponder. I sat beside the pool still thinking when I heard a screechy voice of a girl.

“What does he even see in her? He left me first for that leech now he is leaving me for a mere human girl…” I focused on the voice and turned to see who it was. A saw a girl with stern expression glaring at me, I smiled at her and she scowled.

As Conan was passing by her, she stopped him and was flirting with him, Conan ignored her obviously and excused himself from her and walked towards me.

“Do you want to go inside?”he asked. I leaned on to him thinking about my future. Why can’t it stay this way, I can’t even imagine hurting one of them but the decision has to be made. My head throbbed with all the thinking.

“Conan…I need to talk to you.” Joy said interrupting my thoughts. I looked at her she is still worried but as soon as Conan stood up she drew him away form me frantically. They discussed something for a second and I tried to hear their thoughts but left it alone since my head is already in pain and I don’t want anymore pain.

Conan quickly ran towards me,”Pack your things quickly and meet me in the hall…”he said. “But… what happened?” I probed his mind and found out the reason for his worry, someone is coming after me. I ran into the room and packed what all I needed.

Conan walked in quick strides into the woods, “Will they be okay If they came looking for me?”I asked. “They can take care of themselves, it’s you we are worried about…” he said. “You don’t have to worry, you are there with me, right?” I said. He smiled.

“Where are we going?”I asked. “Mortal world.we will stay there for a while…”


Though we entered mortal world, we travelled during night and rested in the rent rooms during the day, I find it hard to be in sun without fainting so Conan decided to travel during night.Days passed there is no sign of stalkers.

I grew more anxious about Keetes, if the war has ended then it only means that one of the group is dead. I wanted to ask about Keetes but kept my mouth shut because if something terrible happened, I don’t think I can hadle it.

We are running out of money, I could see the frustration in Conan’s face whenever he saw me trying to cope up with the situation. He wanted me to have a comfortable life but he couldn’t do anything to help me.

“Can’t we fight them? I’m really tired of all this running…”I shrieked at last unable to hold it any longer.

Conan jumped from his chair where he was sitting and watching over the horizon for intruders. He stared at me wide mouthed.

“I think I’m done with it. Can’t I just say that I have choosen my life?”

“Do you think they would give you time to talk?”he asked tentatively.

“Whatever, I just wanted to be with my family and lead a normal, tension free life…”

“I’m going back to my family…”I said determined.

I couldn’t take the internal turmoil anymore, I wished to end it even if it takes my life in doing so. We waited for the sun to set down and as soon as it did, we started walking in the night roads. The night had unusual chill today as if it is aware of the dangers that lurk in it’s shadows.

We tried to be inconspicious by hiding in the shadows whenever we feel a presence close to us, but I had a strong gut feeling that someone is watching us.We kept walking until I heard the crunching sound of leaves, before we could run and hide, four vampires landed gracefully in front of me.

Their red eyes and their snarls paralyzed me, Conan flung them aside and shrieked in my mind to run but I stood there not knowing if I could just do that. Conan was surrounded now, they kept running at him and he dodged of their blows, three tried to keep his focus on him and one of them slipped away from the group and was about to attack from back. No…I said running to him.

With all the strength I could, I punched him in the stomach sending him long away and falling with a thud sound. The other vampires soon enough regained from the shock, two of them dealed with Conan and one started heading towards me, I had no tactics all I have is brutal strength and it’s use is very new to me. I promised myself that I’m not going down without a fight.

I punched him in the face, I tried to avoid his blows by ducking but couldn’t keep up with how fast he made his moves, blood began to trickle from my body parts. I stayed focused and kept hitting him and I was glad that I could atleast hit one or two times.

While I was dealing with him, the one I puched first came from back and caught my hands, they snarled viciously. Conan was still fighting pretty hard, I didn’t see him trying this hard before, these people must be pretty good, I thought.

“Don’t kill her, brother. She is needed alive.” The one holding my hands said. “It’s waste that we need to deliver her without killing…” his face lit up as something struck his mind. I tried to search his mind and flinched at what he planned to do to me. I waited for the sharp pain of his fangs on my skin. I closed my eyes thinking at least now everything will go back to normal and my family would be safe.I heard a growl and then I could feel the ripping sound of flesh. I opened my eyes to see a wolf tearing through the vampires skin.

It was a white wolf, it wouldn’t be Conan, he is huge and has brown fur. This one is too small…It must be younger one. I thought. The one holding my hands was distracted by the new entrant, I used this distraction and lunged at his throat and ripped his head apart before he could even understand what was going.

Conan was finsihed with the other two vampires by that time. I walked to the white wolf beside him. “Hello…young lady. Thanks for the help.”he said.

Her jaws twitched and I thought it was a grin, she went to the dark corner and came back fidgeting with her torn clothes. Her head was held down, all I could see was her black curls that were like a mess. She looked young must be around 15.

“I don’t think we are safe here anymore and the sun will be up in few more minutes. Do you like to come with us?”he asked tentatively. The girl nodded still trying to fix her dress. We ran into the forest nearby as the sun chased us in the sky. We found a small hide in and went into it.

I relaxed on to the branch of the tree and for the first time looked at the young wolf girl. She looked so familiar with her twinkling brown eyes and oval shaped face.

“Thanks for the help. What’s your name young girl?” Conan asked. “You don’t remember me…do you?”she asked sitting cross legged on the floor.

He stared at her but couldn’t seem to remember. “You saved me from drowning when I was a little kid…”she said.

“She was there too in the island…I was 2 years old at that time…”she said peeking at Conan to see if he recognized her.

His face began to contort, I invaded his mind to see what the problem was, his mind was playing images of a little girl drowning in the sea and he swimming towards her and carrying her in his hands. I looked close at the girls face, I gasped as I realized he was holding little Ilene…

“My baby sister…” I said still confused. My little sister looked at me puzzled. I rushed to her at once and embraced her in a big hug and cried. I don’t know why I cried; seeing her after all the time or seeing her in this state.

“Ow!” she said keeping her hands on the ground for balance. “I remember you reacting the same way that day too…” she said pushing herself away from my hug.

“She is your sister…”Conan replied meekly. “What?” she shouted. “Where is mom and dad. Please tell me that they are safe…” I begged.

She held her head down. “They are no more…” she mumbled. “What do you mean by no more?” I said shaking her hands vigorously.

“They are killed by vampires…” That truth hit me hard, I fell on the groung unable to digest the truth. “You are lying…”I shouted. “If they are here then why would I be in this state?”she replied.

Tears began to make their way out… I stared at her still unable to believe it. “Mom hid me in the basement when they attacked us…I could hear the screams and I wanted so much to help her but I couldn’t, she locked out the basement door from outside, as soon as the cries died down I tried to pry open the door, I don’t know how many days I lay there, Soon I grew vexed of sitting there and waiting for someone to come, I used all my strength that I could find and bolted out of the door. I didn’t even find their bodies, I ran into the streets crying out loud, people stared at me as I ran through the streets one of the police men fired at me, I barely missed it. I ran into the near by forest. I was so devastated at my condition and shocked at how the people stared at me. It’s then I realized… that i'm in wolf body.” she said, two tiny tears dropped from her cheeks.

“That was my 14th birthday…”she said hiding her head in her knees. I walked up to her and hugged her comforting her.

Anger flared in me, they have no right to do this, she is just a little girl and she has seen the worst in her life. I am not going to let them live with what they have done…

Conan came back with food for us after a while, my sister seemed to hold it together. He gave it to her as she hurriedly muched on the food. Mom and dad have taken care of me like a princess, they gave me everything before I could even wish for and now I’m going to repay them by taking care of my little sister.

Conan brought me a bag of blood as soon as she saw it her eyes went wide. “Is that blood?” she asked. I nodded. “You are like them…”she said and her words held so much of hatred.

She started to run away from me…her words hurt me so much, she thinks I’m like them who wouldn’t? Conan raced after her and brought her back, she fighted trying to break from his grip. He sat her down.

“Please…Don’t kill me.” She sobbed. “I won’t I’m your sister…” I said dumbly. I could see the images of two vampires sucking out of mom and dad, I flinched at the image.

“She won’t do anything. I promise…”Conan said strangely that eased her nerves a bit but still she sat away from me.

I told her my story and how I’m different from rogue vampires that kill humans. I checked her while telling my story to see if she was following, I could see her nod sometimes and cry sometimes.

“I’m sorry that I doubted you…” she said meekly. I know she needs sometime to sink this all in, after all she has been with the idea that every vampire is bad for days.

She lay down for a while and I watched over her, her mind is filled with images of Conan when he saved her. How could she remember him so vividly and she seems to have a strange attraction towards him.

“Little girl…wake up. We need to go now.” Conan woke her up. She blushed as he stood close to her. I observed her all the time we walked… she secretly peeks at him and when he would say something,she would stare at him with admiring eyes.

“We need to be in the night world before sunrise…” he said hurrying us. We were almost there when he stood abruptly, “Run…”he commanded. We didn’t wait to ask why because we know they are back. We ran as fast as our legs could carry us.

A group of 15 vampires caughts us and rounded us. Conan and my sister immediately changed their forms, they bared their teeth at them. I stood grounded making fists, I’m going to take them down for killing my family, I thought. I punched and kicked whoever came near me, I dodged off some blows, Conan was fighting 5 vampires at a time, my little sister has having her own fun from killing them.

I let the instincts control my body, they were like an animal hunting down its prey, I took down one vampire and was fighting my way through the others when I heard a low howl and saw little Ilene on the floor as one of the vampires attacked her. I dashed towards her but was caught off by two strong arms, They knocked me out. Last thing, I saw was Conan rushing to Ilene for help.

“Save her…”I said before blackness consumed me.


“The princess awakes after a long time…” his voice screeched, my head hurt.

He dragged me to my feet. I adjusted my self trying not to fall. “The beautiful princess is going to die…” he spat.

“Even after doing everything, they couldn't stop you from dying… “He laughed. “True, I lost so many good members of my army but I got you anyway…” he said.

“Your army…?” I frowned. “Yes…of course the rogue vampires, I want you and they wanted a place in the night world so I found it a good deal…” he said.

“It has nothing to do with the prophecy…” I stammered. “Wow! What a shame that such good brain is going to be wasted…”he smirked.

“Yes…my dear this has nothing to do with prophecy who cares about the kingdom all I care about is my son and you…”he spat “you have taken my only son away from me…”

“Dustan???”

“Dustan my only son…all I wanted is revenge but I never thought it would be so simple all I had to do is bring up the prophecy and people began to feel insecure while they kept your family busy, I sent my teams to get you here alive so I could finish you with my own hands.”

There was a huge sound at the gate that broke his stance on me. He hurried to the window to see what it was, I turned to run but he was too quick, he caught me by the wrist and threw me on to the wall, I fell on to the floor hitting the hard rock wall.

“Your family is here but it’s too late…”he sneered.

My family is here, Keetes must be here then. “That wolves escaped from before but now I’m going to finish them too…”he said.

What wolves??? That’s when I remembered parts, Conan and little Ilene fighting with vampires before I blacked out, so they are safe.Thank god!

He lifted me up.”You know your mortal parents are very juicy, it’s such a waste to kill a pretty woman like your mother…”he sneered.

He is the one that killed my mom…anger flared in me. I kicked him with all the force that was left in me. He let me go but soon straightened himself.

“Is that it princess?” he sneered. I kicked him with my legs as he closed on to my neck. Something flashed by my eyes and soon he was pinned to the ground. Keetes stood up on him, glaring at him.

My heart fluttered on seeing him, how silly of me? There is a war between rogue vampires and night world that is going on here and I was just a few minutes away from death a few seconds before and now as soon as I saw him…

Dustan’s father used all his strength and threw Keetes off from him. He landed with a thud, He blackflipped and stood on his legs in fraction of seconds. Everything was blur, one second Keetes was down and next second he was down.

One of the rogue vampires climbed through the window and charged towards me flashing his bloody teeth. He lunged at my throat, I fell down and then for the second time I was unconscious.

I woke up as my throat was on fire. “Drink…”I felt a glass pressed to my lips. I took it hastily and drained it in one gulp. I heard a low chuckle.

I opened my eyes and was comforted to see the familiar walls of my room. Keetes was staring down at me. I jumped into his hands at once.

“I missed you so much…” I cried showering him with kisses. I heard another chuckle and backed away him knowing that we are not alone.

I saw my family Tristan, Flora, Em, Mitrik, Little Ilene and Conan grinning widely. “Oh! I missed you too…” I said grinning sheepishly.

They all laughed at once. I got up from the bed and hugged each of them. When it came to Conan, I knew my heart has already made the decision and I stood there for an awkward moment not knowing what to say.

“I can understand but at least we could be friends…” Conan said hugging me lightly. I returned the hug.

“My baby sister, I know mom and dad will be so proud of you because I’m…” I said smiling. She hugged me and I could feel that the cold feelings she had for vampires had already broken down.

“Dad…When can I take charges as a queen?” I asked. My dad was confused for a second.
“We can arrange it for tomorrow…”

I looked at my kingdom people and took a deep sigh.

“As a queen I command all the members of my kindom to stop hunting humans and if one does that he will be given punishment of death. And I will arrange a team of best trackers to trace out the rogue vampires and it’s either they live according to our rules or die…” I said in a final tone.

I could hear a few whispers but I know none would dare question me, that’s why I chose to be a queen of night world by fullfilling all the three rules set to me.

As the people dispersed, Keetes walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist and drew me close and kissed me.

“What was that for?” I asked smiling. He kissed me again, "I think... I know" I giggled, He kissed me again.

Tristan and Flora patted my shoulders and I could see their faces beaming with pride. We walked to the window and I saw two distinct images marching towards the woods.

Conan offered to take little Ilene as a member of his pack since it would not be right for her to be here, Ilene jumped at the idea and I smiled at her knowing that she would love to be with him. She promised to visit me frequently.

“I wish Conan will soon come to love my little sister…” I said sighing.

Mitrik squeezed my hands and winked. I know what that meant. Em joined us holding hands. The two couples watched as the future to be couples disappeared into the woods.


I hope you enjoyed reading this book, thanks for the stars and comments, I'm working on the sequel for this book, It's called crescent moon, You'll find it in my homepage. Ilene's decision to eliminate every rogue vampire changed everything... The main characters of this book will be the next generation of the royals. Their hardships,love, friendship, betrayals and their one mission to uncover the secrets of the long lost night world.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 08.05.2011

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Widmung:
To my friends and family for their love and support. cover art, is from some amazing artist which I found online, thanks to him.