Chapter Text
Prologue
I was sitting in my bedroom trying to build a castle out of blocks that was as tall as me, which i was finding surprisingly harder than i expected, it wasn't looking as grand as i pictured in my head.
I have always loved my bedroom, it was perfect, i have a bookcase full of books, i have a large box full of blocks and bricks, a comfortable bed and nice clothes.
A few minutes ago Sebastian, the butler who thought my building was advanced for a young girl of thirteen, came in and told me he would be out for a few hours collecting from a near by town with a few of his assistants.
I told him to take his time.
My father was in the grand hall with his warrior friends.
I look a lot like him, Sebastian says i am a feminine version of my father but only in looks, i take after him in my blond hair, my smile, my fangs and apparently my beauty.
My father is a well known and feared Vampire Royal, he is famous in the Immortal world for his fighting skill, he has never lost a battle. But the thing that makes him so fearsome is his cruelty, his cold mind, his brutality towards anyone who defies him.
“he goes through women like he goes through clean shirts” i hear the maids whispering.
My mother included, she is my complete opposite, dark brown flowing hair, blue eyes, tall and outrageously beautiful. Though i do have her eyes that is the only trait we share.
Her personality would be described as vain, charming when she wants something, nasty and above all looking out for only her self, she is more concerned with her appearance and glittering gold than anything.
I am not the only child that has come out of my father's relationships, he has had thousands of women and many had children with him.
None of them expect him to house the children for long, soon his patience wears thin then he casts them out. The ones that live anyway.
My mother made a grave mistake one night.
She knew it wouldn't matter how beautiful she was she would be thrown out too so she ever so often stole gold here and there, maybe valuable ring or two.
It was working well until she got too greedy and stole too much.
My father started to notice and when he found out he went ballistic, i remember that day.
He dragged her by her hair into the main hall, a kind maid quickly snatched me and ran with me out of ear shot.
I wasn't scared because i didn't know what was going on, it was only after was i told what happened.
My father cut off her head and tossed her remains off the palace grounds for the stray animals to rip apart.
After she died my father sent a few of his men to make a count of all that she took, one stuck out among all the other things that went missing.
As a one last slap in the face to him she stole a ring, a small gold rose surrounded by diamonds on a small silver band. My father reserved this ring for this future wife, the one chosen by fate.
He searched and he searched but he never found it, my mother hid it some where he would never think to look.
Days after her death my father started to think what to do with me.
Sebastian asked if he could take me on as his ward, to raise me as his assistant.
My father smirked, “my bastard as a butler's assistant, of course go on and take my left overs” he shrugged.
In that one shrug my life was saved, i doubt my father knew what he was doing he could just as easily of tore my head off like my mother.
Sebastian kept me out of my father's way just to make sure he would have no reason to change his mind, not that he would need one if the mood swayed him.
He was making more and more enemies each day.
My father has always been slightly crazy from blood lust, his eyes are red from all the blood he pours down his throat, people say his eyes were naturally amber.
He is reckless at times but i think that's mainly from his huge ego, he thinks he is invincible, incapable of dying because of his fighting skill.
My father is vastly wealthy and powerful, he has his own army which lives in the same castle as us, our castle resides on the side of a snowy mountain.
Apparently this is one of his lesser estates, though i have always wondered why he never returned to the main kingdom.
Sebastian told me once that i might have powers that most Vampires don't, mostly from my Father but i think my mother may have had a gift or two she may not of known of.
My father Mikhail a powerful Vampire, my mother Anna a cunning Vampire when she wanted to be, i can only imagine what powers i have received.
I have always been more talented, intelligent, cunning and braver than any other child and even some adults.
People say I'm like an adult mind inside a child, Sebastian could not be anymore proud of me.
He treats me like I'm his student and Vampire royalty both at the same time.
I pulled myself out of my deep thoughts and continued with my little project, my goal was to make it look like the castle i live in.
As i tried again to build the roof i listened to my father's army laughing.
I must of sat there for at least an hour trying to do the roof and the arch way, my elbow accidentally bumped the side of it and it was destroyed in seconds.
I heaved a sigh, i have spent almost two hours perfecting that damn creation, i guess i have to start all over again.
As i gathered the blocks up i froze at the sound of . . . . . nothing.
It was silent, why wasn't the army laughing any more?, where was the sound of my father's voice.
I stood up and brushed the dust from the floor off my black trousers, i was wearing a dark green top and black shiny shoes, Sebastian loves to see me dressed all smart even if I'm not going anywhere.
I opened my bedroom door to see no one was there, i made my way through the long corridor to see a maid running towards me, she looked frightened.
“where is every one?” i asked, she didn't answer she just ran past me.
I went to the grand hall which was empty, i trotted over to the window to see the army was outside fighting.
“Miss Anya!” a voice gasped, i turned to see one of the maids.
“what's going on?” i asked her.
“the castle is under attack by an enemy of your father's, he brought along with him a ruthless band of Demons, you must escape they have already entered the castle” she told me in a frightened tone.
“where is my father?” i asked as i looked back at the scene from the window.
“i think he might be fighting along with the army, Miss Anya you have to hide . . . .” she was cut off by a loud bang down stairs.
“oh my god” she gasped and ran.
I watched her run then i looked through the window to see if i could spot my father but as i did one of the Demons spotted me and then ran into the castle.
My heart clenched with fear.
He was coming after me!
I ran through a door and down some stairs and hid in a cleaning closet as people ran by, i could hear Demons running across the floor boards, i had to find a way out so i can hide.
Sebastian won't be back in time, it's completely up to me to ensure my safety.
I ran out of the closet and went down to the kitchen, it was at the back of the castle so the Demons wouldn't be there yet. I opened one of the draws and found a knife for a weapon, i threw on my cloak and ran out the back door.
Outside was cold and wet and even though it was night the sky was brightly lit by the moon, i sneaked down the stone steps and found my self facing the woods.
I didn't know where the rest of the servants went but my best bet was to escape and hide in the woods.
I ran into the woods, i got deeper and deeper until i found a large willow tree, i could hide at the base of the tree and no one would see me if they ventured this far.
I sat with my back against the tree, i held the knife just encase a Demon attack but it was very unlikely i would win in a fight.
I was a thirteen year old Vampire, i haven't hit Immortality yet which means if i get hurt its permanent there is no healing in seconds for me, i have no fighting skill that would benefit me against a trained, ruthless Demon attacker.
I sat there for what felt like ages, my eyes began to feel very heavy so i closed them for a second.
I woke up to the sound of growling, i can't believe i fell asleep that was so stupid a Demon could of killed me, but by the sound of it a Demon was already here!
My heart pounded in fear, i was going to be killed by a Demon and there was nothing i could do about it.
But i refuse to be a coward.
I stood up and walked out of the willow trees cover.
A Demon was standing a couple of feet away from me, he looked at me as if he had seen my face before.
No doubt that his leader told him who lived inside the castle.
“brave just like your father” he sneered, he was carrying two butcher knifes.
He saw me frown at them.
“are you not afraid” he gestured to me with one of the knifes.
“i would be stupid not to be” i told him.
“yet you do not run” he observed, his disgust for me was overflowing in his voice.
“why do you not run?” he asked as he rolled his neck never taking his eyes off me.
“do you really care?” i asked as i pointed my knife at him.
“no, not really” he prepared to pounce as he did i didn't see my life flash before my eyes, which was strange normally that would happen before you die.
As he lunged for me with one of his knifes raised in lightning speed.
But just as quick a creature lashed out of the shadows and took the Demon down.
I couldn't believe my eyes the creature was the size of a tiger, but it was Grey large cat creature with black stripes, it had large fangs, black claws and blood red eyes like my fathers.
The red eyed creature bit into his neck and tore him apart with his fangs and claws as he did the Demon screamed in agony.
Once the Demon was killed the creature stepped away from his body and looked at me.
It didn't look like it was going to attack but i could be wrong.
The red eyed creature sniffed the air and then faced me, it cocked its head to one side at me and then to my amazement began to shrink to the size of a normal cat and walked up to me.
It still looked the same just smaller, it rubbed his head against me.
I smiled at the creature, it saved my life, i went to my knees and stroked it's head, i didn't know what it was but i am happy it came at the right time.
“thank you for saving me” i told it.
Something nagged at the back of my mind.
Something i forgot?
Then as if i was being hit on the head with a shovel, it hit me.
The thing i forgot.
My mind was whirling in chaos, how could i forget.
I looked back at the castle in dread.
How in the name of Lucifer could i have forgot my baby brother!
I sneaked my way back into the castle through a wooden door that was hidden behind trees, this door lead to the wine cellar, i didn't like it down there it was cold and creepy.
“But i have to”
I nodded in determination and opened the door and quietly shut it afterwards, the wine cellar was brightly lit, but it always was, my father's army liked their drink a little too much, the servants were always coming and going through the cellar to collect lots of bottles for them.
I slowly made my way through the vast cellar, isles and isles of wine racks that almost reached the ceiling in height were every where, it was like a maze of wine but i knew my way through it. The kitchen staff often sent me down to collect wine for them when they were preparing for one of my father's big parties.
It was silent as death, no movement above me so that meant if there was anyone in the house they were on the top floors.
My brother's crib was in the left side of the house the furthest away from the servant's quarters, it was supposed to make a statement to the staff not to think they are above their betters.
My brother is my fathers heir to the royal title, his army and his wealth.
It was very rare my father saw me but once his true heir was born he told me that my purpose in life was to protect his heir.
It was meant to be a heinous insult to me, his bastard child protecting his heir, to be the heirs servant.
But i didn't see it that way.
Maybe just maybe i would sway the new lord to be a kind Immortal, nothing like his father.
I have only seen the baby once, when i was scrubbing the floors outside his room. I knew what he look like and he was the only baby in the castle so it would be hard to make a mistake.
I opened a narrow door to the kitchen, a large gourmet kitchen that only served blood and wine.
Seemed to be a heartbreakingly waste of a good kitchen.
It was strange for the kitchen to be empty even on a slow day it had more than six servants. Now it was bare, it seemed unnatural.
I left the kitchen and went up the narrow winding stairs case the servants took when they were taking the private blood to my mother when she gorged on it behind my fathers back. Through out her pregnancy with me she gorged almost constantly through out her nights, blood brings strength, she thought i would turn out to be a strong killer for her so she could take over the castle for her own. To this day still no side effects to the masses amount of blood her drank.
What a disappointment that must have been.
The use of this staircase was to deliver private items to the people of the house.
I was out of breath by the time i got to the floor that my brother was on.
I took a minute or two to catch my breath then i ventured out, it was silent and no one was about but i kept my wits about me.
With each step i was terrified that someone would catch me.
It felt like forever the walk from one side of the house to the other, then finally i found his room.
I still could not believe i left without him, how could i forget, i knew i would kick my self for many years to come.
But if i can save him this night maybe he may forgive me later on.
I sneaked into the room and i walked with soft steps to the crib.
Suddenly my heart froze.
Foot steps!
Someone was coming, i hid behind the large, elaborately designed, toy dragon my father got him.
It was like a plush toy statue.
I could easily see through the many tails the dragon had, i knew without a doubt i could see but who ever was about to come in the room could not see me.
A shadow of a person at the opening of the door.
My heart thundered in my chest, will my hear my heart beating?
Please don't let them find me, please don't let them find me.
I chanted the words again and again in my head.
The figure entered the room.
I could see the person now.
A large, burly looking man, large Demon horns sprouting out of his forehead, he wore trousers that was splattered with blood, his black tank top showed minor wounds covering his chest, large arms with array of scars all over them.
His hands had dried blood on them, his eyes were cold and logical.
He made his way through the room, closer to the crib now.
My heart was still in the moments he stood over the crib looking down at the baby.
After a few moments more he left.
What was that all about?, was he only checking up making sure he was still their?
That means i had a window of opportunity.
I listened as he exited the room he bumped into another of his comrades.
“he's still their” the first voice said.
“good, we'll come back for him in a couple of hours but come back every thirty minutes just to be on the safe side” the second voice told the Demon.
“where is Mikhail right now?” the Demon asked.
My father's still alive.
“he's being interrogated and tortured in the main hall, his bitch is already dead” the second voice chuckled darkly.
His wife is dead?
He only found her a year ago.
“have we found out anything?” the Demon continued with his questions.
All i could think of was how long it would take until they left, leaving me to save my brother, after few minutes they did leave.
I waited for a few minutes to make sure they were gone then i came out of hiding and picked up a baby bag and filled it with things he would need.
I slung the bag over my shoulder, picked up my brother carefully and left the room.
My heart wouldn't stop it's scared pounding until i reached the staircase door.
Once i safely slipped down the stairs i silently thanked my brother for being quiet and sleeping peacefully.
I slipped out of the castle as silently and quickly as possible.
I only had thirty minutes.
As i left the castle i bumped into the large cat that saved me.
It followed me.
I looked into the cats large eyes and saw loyalty, an idea arose in my head.
Thirty minutes later i was riding the cat creature with my baby brother in tow in blinding speed.
I had to admire the silent stealth of which this large creature moved.
The baby slept on in my arms safely tucked under my cloak to keep him warm.
Right now they would of found out that the baby was gone, first they would search the castle then they would venture out.
I looked behind me to see how visible the tracks were, to my surprise there wasn't any.
This beautiful creature was so fast, graceful and stealth like it wasn't leaving any foot prints, it was almost gliding over the floor.
We carried on like this for two hours but i was wide awake and alert.
No time to sleep when i have someone to protect.
This creature took me far away, once we exited the protection barrier that was on the edge of my father's vast land.
I was taken to a large city.
I knew of this city, i heard tales of it, it was one of few cities where Immortals come, raise and adopt children.
Maybe he will be safe here.
I knew i could not look after him, i would be lucky if i could outrun those Demons.
My mission was simple.
Find a good home.
The creature stopped by a large river on the edge of the city, i got off and patted the creature on the head and kissed it's cheek.
“i know you can't understand me, i know you probably hear meaningless babbling but from the heart thank you” i said with so much emotion a tear ran down my cheek.
I wiped away the blood tear, i could have been mistaken but i would of sworn the creature understood me.
I followed the river to a point where three people were paying to get a ride on a rowing boat to get far on the other side of the city.
If i give him to a family as far away from the barrier as possible it would be like finding a needle in a hay stack.
I paid the man with gold coins i stole from the castle.
Like mother like daughter.
We set off, half way through, I smiled.
I felt safe, this was happening, i was saving my baby brother from my father's influence and i escaped that foul castle and all it's vile occupants.
The baby slept on not knowing what was going on around him.
I took a moment to look at my brother, the little blonde infant in my arms, from what I've heard his eyes were amber like our fathers, it was foretold by an oracle that he would he handsome and strong like his father.
Hopefully the similarities stop there.
As i rested their in the boat i looked around me.
The man i paid was rowing the boat his face was nervous, slight sweat dotted his face but it wasn't from rowing it was from fear.
But from what?
The other three people that paid were just as nervous, even though i was half Immortal i could hear their hearts beating fast in fear.
Hell i could smell the fear coming off them!
Again what are they scared of?
We stopped half way through at another stop to collect more people, two more.
“coins will give you safe passage to the other side of the city” the man who owned the boat said.
Suddenly we were surrounded by men with weapons.
But not the Demons from the castle.
Phew, they haven't found us.
“you criminals are under arrest” one of the men said boldly.
These people were criminals?!
We were taken off the boat and stood by the river.
A man on a horse stopped by the men, the leader by the way they treated him.
“lord Salvador” a person whispered in fear next to me.
I heard about him in books.
A blood thirsty Witch, he was a bounty hunter that took the law into his own hands, he apparently saw everyone as villains and only he was good and pure.
“take these vermin creatures to my home” he said in a deep mechanical edged voice.
“what are you hiding?” one his men asked me, he was referring to the bundle under my cloak, my baby brother he couldn't see.
“stolen items is it?” he hissed in disgust.
“retrieve them” lord Salvador ordered coldly.
RUN
My instinct screamed, for the first time my instinct roared to life, i have never felt it before now.
I rammed my knife into the stomach of the man who was blocking my exist to flee.
Once the man fell to the floor in surprise and pain i ran.
“i will take care of her, just get the others” i heard Salvador say to his men.
I ran faster and faster, much faster than i expected from myself.
My adrenalin was pumping from my fear, not just over my brothers protection but my own as well.
I did everything to loose him, went through ally ways, under low bridges, dodged left and right, i finally made it through it's many shop filled streets to homes surrounding a clearing in the town.
In the middle of the town was a stone platform that was surrounded by steps to reach the large well on top of it.
I ran up to a house and banged on the door.
“please help us” i cried.
All the houses lights were off but i had to at least try and save him!
I heard the sound of Salvador's horse.
He saw me and raced over to me, he grabbed the bundle under my cloak and pulled, i refused to let go.
His shoe connected with my face and i hit the floor with a cold hard jolt, i felt weak and dizzy.
He held the bundle in his hands and frowned at it.
The bundle started to cry softly.
He opened the bundle of blankets just enough to see the child's face.
“a fanged monster” he gasped in horror.
He eyed the well and i knew his plan.
“no please stop” i cried weakly, the wind was knocked out of me from the fall.
He rode his horse to the well.
“please” i coughed my voice back to life.
He gripped the bundle in one hand and raised it above the well.
“Stop!” i cried out, something rushed through my body.
Salvador froze.
The colour part of his eyes turned red, he couldn't move.
I stood up and frowned as i neared him.
“you can't move” i breathed.
Did i do that?
Test it.
“give me my brother” i told him and he did, i held my brother lovingly to my chest.
“would you of really killed him?” i asked.
As if compelled he said “yes, that vile monster should be sent back to hell”.
I looked down at my baby brother.
“are you compelled to do what i say?”
“yes” his answer astonished me.
“okay” i sniffed back tears, my mind was still wrapping round the fact that i almost lost the person i risked my life to save.
“i want you to climb to the top of that tower” i nodded to the largest tower in the city.
“then jump off and do that three times” hopefully by the third he should be dead, but i wanted him to suffer first and this was the only thing i could think of.
As Salvador ventured off to do as i commanded i went off on my mission too.
The second the people here find out their happy safe haven has been polluted by him they will find him and kill him if the falling doesn't do the job first.
Eventually i came across a couple, they were talking about the fact they couldn't have children and decided upon adoption.
I appeared in front of them. I assessed them quickly.
The woman was a pretty brunette dressed in a long brown skirt and black top, the man was blonde wearing a shirt and trousers covered by a black over coat. They didn't look poor.
I looked up at them and as i did their eyes turned red like Salvador's.
Well that clinches it, i do have the power to control peoples minds.
“i want you to adopt this baby and raise it as your own, you will do everything in your power to protect him, i know you two want a child badly and so here i have one” i told them.
Their eyes returned to their natural colour.
The woman looked delighted, the man was over joyed to the point of tears.
They brought me to the hotel they were staying at, it was the most expensive looking one in the whole city.
Their room was large with a balcony, everything dripped with wealth, the only thing that stood out was a beautifully designed crib in the corner.
I placed my baby brother in it and hung the baby bag on the post at the bottom of the crib.
“thank you oh thank you” the woman gasped at me but kept her distance as if afraid i would change my mind at any moment.
“what do you two do?” i asked as i turned away from my brother to face them.
“we are Witches we use our magic to protect people, we have more than enough money to care for the child, we promise to be good parents” the man promised me and i knew he was telling the truth.
“after i leave i won't come back” i lied, later on in his life i will track him down to see if he is evil like our father.
They nodded with wide eyes, they looked excited but scared at the same time.
“may i say goodbye in private?” i asked of them.
“yes, of course you can, we will be right back please don't leave until we come back” the woman begged and dragged her man out of the room with her.
I looked down at the baby for long moments, i stroked his hair soothing him when he started to cry.
“hush now beautiful thing” i said in a soft tone.
“my brother, i have nothing i can give to you, but one thing . . . . this chance that you will live away from vile Vampires and their cruel warriors, but a day might come when we meet face to face, we may embrace like old friends, my gift to you my brother is the contents of this bag” i waved to the baby bag “and the family i have procured for you” i waved to the door that they exited through. My father was right on one point, i was my brothers protector.
After a few minutes they came back arms filled with things needed to care for a baby.
I motioned them to come to me, they walked up to me and the crib, i looked into the woman's eyes to see how desperate she yearned for a baby.
“he belongs to both of you now” i told them and stepped away from the crib.
The woman looked surprised as if she couldn't believe it.
She held the baby in her arms, her man wrapped an arm around her and looked down at the baby lovingly.
“i can't believe it” the man choked on his tears.
“he's so beautiful” she breathed gazing down at the baby.
I moved over to the balcony to give them a moment.
The view was something to admire.
I looked over at the tower of the city, i could see what looked like a dot from all the way over here falling from the top of it.
When i walked back in they were sitting on the bed cooing at the baby.
As i gripped the door knob to the room i smiled to myself.
“thank you so much” the man called after me.
“i pray we meet again baby brother” a single tear ran down my cheek, i left the room, i left the hotel and i left that city with out looking back.
I reached the edge of the city as i sighed breathing in the fresh air i only just now appreciated to it's glory.
Freedom.
Something nudged my back, i turned to see the cat creature was back, i noticed it's claws were covered in blood.
It wanted to follow me.
“i think i will call you Lychee” i smiled and mounted his back.
“lets go” i said and at my words it ran off with me.
I sat on a cliff with my back resting against the large warm body of my new cat friend. I looked up at the full moon in wonder.
Werewolves would be prowling at this hour, but this particular area was deserted besides i had my protector here with me.
I stood and stretched my legs not wondering too far away.
The view here was amazing, the cliff over looked a grassy/rocky land and just beyond that was a village.
It has been two days since i left the castle, I'm on my last bottle of blood I've been able to procure.
Lychee's head pricked up sharply.
“what is . .” i was cut off by movement in the trees.
Sebastian appeared out of breath a few feet away from me.
His usual smart clothes were slightly crumpled and blood splattered across his clothes and face.
His intense eyes were locked on me even though he looked like he was about to fall to his knees.
“Sebastian” i breathed, he appeared in front of me and fell to his knees, he held me firmly to him and shuddered in relief.
“thank god your okay” he gasped.
“I'm sorry i worried you” i told him as i placed my arms around him.
His arms around me were strong and warm, i felt totally safe and all i could think was . . .
This is the first time he has ever hugged me.