Shadows

Meet the family

 I walked beside her in utter silence as she showed me around the house, I wanted to absorb as much as I possibly could before it would be snatched away from me. The last stop on her little ‘tour’ was the kitchen, there I saw Dante laughing and joking with two others that I did not recognise whilst Seth sat in the corner reading a book.

“Boys” Anna said in a clear and proud voice “We have company” immediately all four boys froze in place, Seth rose from his seat and immediately placed both hands behind his back and bowed, almost instantly after the other three boys mirrored his actions before Anna waved her hand to dismiss it “Victoria, you know my youngest Dante..” he nodded but his eyes remained stern as he observed me closely once more “My eldest, Dimitri” she gestured her hand to the tallest of the three, he had black hair like Dante, stood to at least 6ft tall, muscled and was so ever slightly tanned, he wore a black turtle neck jumper which clung to his physique and tight fit jeans which was supported by a brown leather belt, as I gazed at his eyes I noted that his eyes resembled that of sapphires, a dark yet clear colour. Quickly I averted my eyes and looked once more to Anna who smiled and introduced the third “Then there is Darius” she gestured to the smaller of the three who ended up giving me a cheeky wink which took me by surprise I must admit, his eyes were blue… but unlike Dimitri they were lighter and had a slight tinge of green to them, he wore a white polo neck T-shirt and baggy jeans that hand a chain hanging from the pockets, he was muscled like his brothers but had brown hair like his mother.

  Once all introductions of her sons were done and dusted she introduced me to Seth, even though I already knew his name… but she stated that he was an old friend of the family and was currently residing in one of the many bedrooms situated in the house. She then went on to explain that her friends were old friends and very close to the royal family

“What do mean as in Queen Elizabeth?”

“No! Heaven no, that woman hates us… I mean the Vampire Royal family” I could faintly hear sniggers coming from the boys but one look from Anna was enough to silence them, I felt rather foolish after that I mean I know I shouldn’t … this wasn’t my ‘world’ as they put it…

“How… How come she hates you” I questioned, focussing my sights on the floor

“She’s with the slayers… you must be tired, Dante will show you to your room” I heard a grunt come from his direction and I guessed that was aimed at me, I failed to see why he was annoyed at me when this was all his idea. He brushed past his mother and once more grabbed my wrist, he was gentle at first but as soon as we were out of his mother’s gaze he tugged harder which almost made me yelp with pain

“Quit struggling” he growled

“Let go of my wrist then, I’m capable of following” I spat through clenched teeth

“I cannot trust you, so deal with it” with that we fell in silence until we reached my room, he practically threw me in and slammed the door shut… I was about to turn around to swear at the arrogant asshole when I saw how wonderful this… I mean my room was well it literally took my breath away.

  The first thing I noticed was the giant king sized bed that took up… not even a large section of the room, next to that was a large white vanity cabinet which had a variety of perfumes, makeup and hairsprays. The floor was covered in a thick and fluffy white carpet which also had the occasional black carpet upon that. There was a bookshelf in the corner which more than likely had books on the history of vampirism or some crap like that; I would probably have a look at them later. Wandering closer to the bed I turned my attention to the left of me and saw not one but three different cupboards which probably harboured masses of clothes, there was also a floor length mirror, a computer cabinet which of course had a massive computer perched on it which I guessed must have cost hundreds, there was also a T.V, some chairs and an on suite bathroom. Eventually I slumped down on the bed, feeling its soft mattress comfort and seduce my spine, I began to feel tired almost instantly but groaned as I remembered my boots were still on, sitting myself back up  I began to untie my laces when I heard a knock on the door.

“Miss Cruz?” a polite voice asked

“Just a minuet” I called, frantically untying the laces and kicking the boots off “Coming!” I called as I stepped onto the plush carpet, moaning as it caressed my aching feet.

   I eventually opened the door and was surprised to see the serious yet friendly face of Dante’s elder brother Dimitri, as soon as he was ‘graced’ by presence he bowed his head, probably out of formality before asking for permission to enter the room which of course I gave him.

“I thought it best that I introduce myself formally; I am Dimitri Istrati, the Eldest out of my brothers and heir to this household and my father’s title” He wandered over to one of the many chairs settled in the corner and sat down, crossing his one leg over the other “I ask you to pardon my brother’s ill temper and attitude… he’s had a bad few years” he ran a hand through his hair and over his face before continuing “I suggest you stay in this room for now my dear, the servants will attend to your every need should you want them… just call Willow, Isabella, Eli or Iyaz…” he paused for a moment, his face expressionless before continuing “They will help you in any way, my mother however is discussing what will happen to you so don’t make yourself too comfortable… just in case” he sat up and walked towards me “But stay away from Dante” he warned before hurrying out the door.

  I wandered my way towards the floor length mirror; it had been a while since I thought about my scars… thought about the bruises and pain inflicted on me. I lifted my shirt up til it was close to my bra and cringed when I gazed upon them; the bruise that Serena had inflicted was quickly turning to purple and was ever more sensitive to the cold than the rest of my body. I reached down to touch them but was interrupted by another bloody knock… didn’t these people ever hear of privacy that included giving people space?

“Victoria? It’s Seth, may I have a word?” quickly lowering my top I turned towards the door, wrapping my arms around my waist

“Sure” I breathed, he wandered in and was greeted by one sweet smile that I found immediately infectious, smiling back I gestured for him to take a seat which he gratefully accepted “What’s wrong?” I asked him, curious as to why I was not left alone to sleep yet

“It’s about this evenings events, I am fully aware that the Istrati family have not yet explained as to why you are here”

“Yes that’s true” I nodded

“And I thought it fair that I explain” he sighed “You see Dante is concerned, he has it in his head that you are connected with the masses of slayers that are in England” he closed his eyes and beamed, revealing the ever so tiny fangs that were used to drain his kill, shivers began to spread up my spine as I once more thought of that poor person’s lifeless face staring up at me… blood oozing from his body in a reddened stream, shaking my head I returned myself to the room “Do not trust us in the slightest but feel assured that we will not harm you unless we have evidence to do so”

“Why am I here?”

“Because you are our prisoner” his tone and expressions had saddened “I say our yet I do not even belong to this family… nor any for that matter” he inhaled sharply and the smile quickly returned “Lady Anna shall have a Discussion with Lord Armand before it is decided what we will do with you”

“Why didn’t you just kill me in London, surely it would have been easier?”

“Indeed it should have been, but… things happened… things changed… but you need sleep now, I shall bit you adieu Victoria and sweet dreams” he rose from his seat, bowed down before also leaving my room in a hurry… what the hell was going on? I didn’t bother rooting for some damned and unfamiliar pyjamas, instead I just jumped on the extra-large bed… wanting to enjoy the sleep I was about to have… which would more than likely be my last.