Chapter 11

Serena spent the whole day in her room. The servants had kept bringing her things to eat when she asked for it. Thalia had left a little over an hour now and she was all alone. She was watching the notebook when Damon walked in. Serena had smiled at him when she saw him. But he didn't smile back.

“Damon” she said. She felt disconnected from him. He didn't answer. She got up. “Damon whats wrong”

“Nothing” he said. “I'm alright. Go back to watching your movie” He walked into the bathroom and closed the door locking it behind him.

He came out twenty minutes later in nothing but a towel dripping wet from the shower. He grabbed clothes out of his dresser and walked back into the bathroom. Serena was in complete shock. His upper body was flawless. He came out of the bathroom again ten minutes later in a pair of black track pants. He hung the towel up on the bathroom door. They watched the rest of the notebook together but by the end of the movie was was sitting on the far side of the bed and she was sitting on the other. Confused by his actions and behavior she let it slide. She turned off the TV and they got into bed turning off the bedside lights. He turned his back to her. She laid there stunned. She turned her back to him. Had she done something wrong. Tears began to slide down her cheeks. She couldn't read his emotions because he oddly didn't have any. So why was he acting like this.

Damon's POV

He could feel everything she was feeling. He knew she was crying. It took all his will not to roll over and pull her into his embrace. He had to be strong. He had to be strong for her. She would understand. This was all for her protection.

When Serena awoke she was alone. No one was awake and watching her. Damon's side of the bed was cold. She got up and got dressed and made her way out of the room. It was oddly quiet. She made her way down the stair case only to run into Charlotte. She smiled when she saw Serena.

“How are you” she asked.

“I'm good...how are you” she said.

“I'm good” she said.

“Could you tell me where could find Damon?” Serena asked.

“He's out in the court yard shooting off some arrows” she said

“Thank you” Serena said.

“No problem” Charlotte said. Serena walked towards the court yard. She could remember when Damon gave her a tour of the place. He had repeatedly expressed that the archery courtyard was where he went when he needed a break or when he needed to think. Serena stood at the doors and watched him shoot bulls-eye every-time the arrow hit the target. She took a deep breath. She pushed open the doors and walked into the courtyard. He was about to shoot an arrow as she walked in. He had paused a short fraction of a second and then released the arrow. He picked up another arrow and shot it. He pretended that she wasn't there. She knew he was pretended and the most frustrating thing was that she didn't know why he was ignoring her. She could deal with him ignoring her for something she did but she didn't deserve this. Not one bit.

“Did I do something wrong?” She asked. He didn't answer her. “Damon answer me” He didn't even look at her. He kept shooting arrows. She stood in front of him so he couldn't shoot anymore unless he wanted to shoot her.

“You better answer me because I don't deserve you ignoring me. If I did something for you to be mad at me then tell me so we can resolve this.” she said. His face was emotionless. He said nothing. She couldn't read him.

“Fine” she said. “don't answer me. I don't care” She had hopes he would sigh which would signal that she won but he didn't. She turned to walk away and then came running back at him this time she had tears in my eyes. She pounded her fists on his stone chest.

“Tell me please. Tell me what I did to deserve this” she said. “God damn it tell me” He closed his eyes and sighed. He gave in. He was going to tell her.

“I don't love you. I never did. I don't need you. This whole soul-mate thing is stupid. I only love Regan” he said his words were cut and harsh. They meant to penetrate and thats exactly what they did. Serena's heart shattered into a million tiny pieces Tears streamed down Serena's face as she doubled over in pain. Damon doubled over in pain as well. Serena squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath trying to hold back the tears and the pain. He was lying. She had felt the love he had for her before he became a statue. Something happened to him and now he was pushing me away.

“I don't believe you....your lying.” she said through tears. He didn't say anything.

“I don't love you. I never did. I don't need you. This whole soul mate thing is stupid. I only love Regan” he shouted angrily. Serena felt like she was suffocating. She turned from him and ran. She ran past Aleron, she ran past Thalia and Raze. She ran out the front door of the keep and into the alive city of Dalkieth. She didn't stop running. People stared at her and watched her. She ran and ran until her legs couldn't carry her anymore. She ended up at the border of Dalkieth and Silvercast. She made her way into the forest where she found a tree and that’s where she collapsed.

Chapter 10

Dalkieth

Something inside Serena shattered.. The stake in Serena's hands dropped onto the bed and her body went limp. Damon could now feel her emotions once again. He had broken the trance. He got up and picked up the wooden stake. It had appeared out of no where. He tucked her back into the covers and walked out of the room.

Moremead.

Lucian fell to his knees clutching his head.

“Argh” he screamed. It was like something was killing one of his many lifelines. He could feel he could no longer control Serena. Had she done it. Had she killed Damon. Was she dead. No she wasn't dead. He would feel something different altogether. No someone had broken the trance. He was in pain. Intense pain.

Dalkieth

Serena rolled over into someones arms. She jumped ten feet out of bed when she did. She opened her eyes to see a startled Damon who had been laying beside her. She felt weak and she grabbed hold of the bed poster to keep herself from collapsing. Damon rushed to scoop her up. He placed her back into bed.They said nothing. She watched as he stood and went to leave.

“Don't go” she said. He looked down.
“There are two guards on the balcony and a guard outside of the door” he said. He opened the door.
“I don't want them I want you” she said. He sighed. He didn't turn to face her. “Damon I forgive you” He turned to stare at her.
“You shouldn't forgive me. I couldn't protect you when I should be able to protect you” he said.
“But I don't want to be mad at you. What happened wasn't your fault” she said. She was behind him now using all her strength to stay standing up. She placed her hands on his shoulders. He turned to face her. He had dark circles underneath his eyes. His eyes were dark compared to the honey gold color that they usually are. She brought him back to the bed. She pulled her hair away from her neck.
“No its to dangerous I haven't in a bit. I could kill us” he said. He looked away. She placed a hand on his cheek and made him look at her.
“I trust you not to” she said. He just nodded. She tilted her head to the side without warning he bit into her flesh. She tensed up at the initial pain and then relaxed. She could feel his emotions fighting against him. She closed her eyes and willed him to know when to stop. She felt him fighting with himself and finally she felt him stop draining her blood. His fangs were gone and then she felt the coolness of his tongue on the bite. The pain was gone in moment and so was the bite mark except for two faint pink dots on the side of her neck which would always remain there. She felt dizzy.
“Are you okay?” he asked She nodded. His picked her up and placed her in bed. He tucked her in and then climbed in beside her. He wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled into his chest. Something was bugging him. She could feel it.
“Promise me you'll never leave me?' she murmured on the edge of sleep.
“I promise to protect you for all eternity.” he vowed. He closed his eyes. He felt off. Weird some how. How could he protect her if he didn't feel strong enough to protect her. If he didn't feel he could protect her because he failed her twice. He almost killed her once and the second time she was kidnapped and all he could do was feel sorry for himself because there was nothing he could do to protect her and it was his fault to begin with. It was all his fault because he couldn't get his head straight.When she was asleep he got up and called for Thalia. Though she was spending her time with Raze he needed her to watch Serena. He needed to talk to his father.

Damon's POV

I knocked on my father's office door.

“Come in Damon” Aleron said.
“I need to know if its possible to turn my love for her into strength to become her protector. I can't protect her just because she's my soulmate and i'm supposed to love her. If I love her I feel I can't protect her.” Damon said.
“If you protect her more than you show your love for her the more she'll hate you” Aleron said.
“Its a lose, lose situation, but I couldn't bare to lose her again even if it means she'll hate me” Damon said.
“I'd rather her hate me then lose her, because losing her means losing myself and the chances of her coming back in another life is slim. I may lose her forever”
“What do you want to do then” Aleron asked.
“They have asked me to teach at the Academy. I might do that. It will give me time to get stronger and start training again. Even though I finished at the academy there is more that I can learn. I'll be teaching three nights a week. I'll come home every night that I teach that way I'll always be here to protect her. The more she hates me the stronger I'll be”
“Are you sure you want to do this” Aleron said. Damon nodded. “Then I have no choice but to go along with your decision”

Serena's POV

When I awoke I was alone in the bed. Damon's spot was cold. He had been gone for awhile. I rolled over to see Thalia sitting in a chair reading a book.

“Where's Damon” I asked.
“I don't know” she said. “he got me in the middle of the night, interrupting my time with Raze so he could take off” she didn't sound like she was in a good mood.
“Well I'm sorry your time with Raze was interrupted. Can you tell him I said thank you for saving me”
“Will do” she said. She turned back to her book. She was reading Twilight. How ironic. “You know this chick Stephanie Meyers has it all wrong. I mean she makes us vampires out to be sparkling faeries. And faeries don't even sparkle. She makes it seem like were pansy's” I didn't say anything. I had read twilight many times the whole series to be exact. I had loved that series. I had seen all the movies to.
“I mean we can go out into the sun, we can run really fast, have heightened senses but we don't sparkle and we don't eat animals unless we really have to” she said again. She threw the book with distaste into the fireplace. “I think I should go visit this person and introduce myself”
“So is Dracula a made up story to then? And what about the vampire books by Anne Rice?” Serena asked.
“the books by Anne Rice are make believe. I have read those and they were definitely better than the Twilight Series but still what people come up with in their imagination. As for Dracula his story is a bit fabricated. Dracula was part of the high council some couple hundred years ago when everyone on the island lived in peace and harmony. My family is actually related to him. If you ask Damon I'm sure he'll tell you all about our family history. But we have always been able to go out into the sunlight and the human girl Lucy who was eventually changed into a vampire was my great great grandmother. We don't sleep in coffins as you can already tell and we don't change into bats unless your part shape shifter.”
“Wow” I said. So all that was fabricated to make an interesting story. I would have never known. Ever.

Chapter 9

Moremead – Raze's POV

I watched my father walk into her room. This was totally unexpected. The servants were supposed to bring her down to him not him go to her. Now he couldn't control what happened to her. I wonder if my father had heard me talking to her. In that case I was in serious trouble. But that was impossible. Father was down in his office just before he went to talk to her. After a few minutes the guard walked out with the servants in tow. My father remained in the room for a few minutes. I watched from my hiding place. After a few minutes he walked out, Serena on his arm with a smile on her face. Something wasn't right. He took a short cut to the bottom of the stairs and made it look like he was coming up the stairs.

“My beauty this is my son Raze” I heard my father say as I approached them. I looked up. She smiled. It was like she didn't recognize me at all.

“Pleasure to meet the son of such a gorgeous man” she said smiling. My father smiled.
“Raze join us for breakfast” my father said.

“Actually I've got some business to take care of” I said.

“Well then you will most definitely miss a great breakfast” my father said.

 I nodded in response. I watched as my father led Serena on. I watched them make their way down the stairs and towards the dining room. He let Serena in first. He turned to look back at me with an evil smile on his face. Something was wrong. Very wrong. It was something my senses weren't picking up. My father walked in and closed the doors behind him. It finally clicked.
“She's under his possession” I said aloud but not loud enough for anyone but myself to hear. This was very bad. My father could make her do whatever he pleased. This made getting her out very difficult.

Serena sat in the room she had woken up in. She was once again alone but now sitting at a vanity staring at her image. She looked absolutely gorgeous. There was a rock on her finger. An engagement ring. She was marrying Lucian. She has never met a man so...so extraordinary. So different So perfect. He promised her a life of riches and good fortune. He promised to take care of her forever. She smiled at that. Today he showered her with gifts after their serious grand breakfast where he confessed his love for her. What a silly man. There was a knock on her door. She got up and opened it. Raze stood there.

“Raze what a pleasant surprise” she said.
“May I come in” he asked.
“I'm sorry I'm not supposed to talk to you without your father present. He is such a wonderful man” she said.
“Oh alright” he said. She closed the door and walked over to the window. She didn't hear the door open again or Raze sneak into her room. He walked up behind her and hit her in the head with his head with such force she fell to the ground unconscious.

Raze scooped her up into his arms bridal style. He carried her over to the empty short walk in closet. He closed the door behind him. He tapped a normal looking floor board with his foot and it popped up. It was the size of an attic door. It had stairs leading down. He walked down those stairs. And pulled the door closed behind him locking it from this side. He walked down the steep wooden stairs into the cool dampness. It was dark yet he could see perfectly fine. He walked down the corridor until he came to the cellar. He set Serena down in a chair. He pushed a shelf out of the way to reveal a door. He opened the door and looked out. It was raining and dark. It was cool. Thalia and Damon stood there waiting patiently. They looked at Raze when the door opened.

“Where's Serena is she okay?” Damon asked.
“She's fine physically but my father today had possessed her mind. I don't know if or when she wakes up if she'll still be under his influence. Damon you have to know that the bond between soul mates, may not be able to break the hold. I don't know if my father is going to make her do anything. I think he found out somehow that I spoke to her earlier before she saw him.”
“Where is she?” Damon asked. Raze walked back into the cover room. He picked up Serena from where she had been in the chair. He handed her over to Damon. Damon looked down at her. She looked fine and he felt better now that she was in his arms. Raze pulled Thalia into a hug.

“Are you okay” Thalia asked him.

“Yes I'm fine. If my father finds out I helped you I may not and if his guards find us we won't be” Raze said.
“Your right lets get out of here” Damon said.
Thalia led the way back to the hidden carriage a few miles from where they had met Raze.

Lucian smiled as he watched his son leave with the vampires and his fiance. Things were perfectly falling into place except for the fact that his son had betrayed him. But he would deal with that later. When Serena woke up Damon would die and she would find her way back to him and he would then keep his end of the promise to make her his queen.

“My lord they've escaped” a man said kneeling before Lucian.
“Let them escape. Keep your eyes out for my son and the girl” Lucian said.
“As you wish my Lord” the man said. He stood and bowed before leaving the room.

Dalkieth – Serena's POV

When I awoke my head was extremely sore. When I woke up I wasn't in my room in Moremead. I was in Damon's room in Dalkieth. Damon. Without moving I looked beside me. He laid there asleep. Out of nowhere a wooden stake appeared in my hand. I placed the stake over his heart and brought my hand back ready to strike. His eyes opened and he looked at me with complete ease. Like he had predicted that it would happen.She couldn't feel his emotions.

“Go ahead” he said. “Do it, I Dare you”

Chapter 8

Ironport – werewolf kingdom

Serena lay in and out of consciousness. The medication they kept giving her made her nauseous and drowsy.. She hadn't seen Regan in awhile. There was no light except for when they brought her food. The food consisted of grimy porridge that was sometimes cold and made her gag but she ate it anyway. They had chained her legs to the wall with thick cuffs they sometimes cut into her skin if she moved around to much.The door opened and bright light spilled into the room. Serena looked up through the haze of the drug to see a figure in her blurred vision.

“uncuff her ankles and bring her upstairs to get her ready for the travel” the man said. The man disappeared and another man walked in. he unlocked the cuff on her ankles and picked her up bridal style. She had no control over her body. It was numb. Everything went dark.

Dalkieth - Vampire Kingdom

“Father” Thalia said. “I have gotten word from Raze that Serena was brought to Moremead. He said he can get her out if we meet him outside the castle gates near the back entrance tonight”

"Tell him will will be there” Aleron said. He didn't look at his daughter. She knew that she had disappointed him but he knew that it was beyond her control where soul mates are concerned. He looked up at her small child like face.
“I'm not mad at you....or Raze for that matter just surprised that you'd hide this from me. Especially with your brothers going through it. It must be hard on you to be apart all the time” he said.
“We meet two days a week in Brightvale” she said.
“Does anyone else know?” he asked.
“No only you” she said.
“Well I'd like to tell your brothers, that way they won't attack him tonight when we rescue Serena” he said. She nodded. “But other than that i'd like it kept in the family”
“Of course” she said
“Not because i'm ashamed I would never be ashamed but someone could use that against us, against you to or against Raze and I only want to protect you” he said. She nodded.

Moremead - Werewolf Kingdom

When Serena awoke up she was in a bed of black silk sheets. Her head was clear and she felt amazing. She didn't know where she was but the sun was shining in through the large windows. She could see clearly though her eyes hurt from being in the dark. She could hear the door being unlocked. The door opened and a guy walked in who was roughly about her age.

“Hello” he said. He seemed friendly. He put a finger to his lips. He looked out into the hallway and then closed the door.
“Don't be afraid I'm not here to hurt you only help you” he said. “I'm a friend of Thalias”
“Where am I?” she asked. Once again he placed a finger to his lips.
“Two of my fathers servants will come to get you within the hour. They are to get you ready to meet with my father. Do not speak unless he addresses you with a question. Do not look him in the eye and do not defy him. You will tell him that you will help him, no matter what. It will do you well if you listen and do what I tell you. I will come get you later. Speak to no one that I have spoken to you and you will soon be safely in Damon's hands” he said in hushed tones and then as fast as he had appeared he disappeared out the door locking it behind him.

After awhile like he had said the door was unlocked and two servants walked in. One with a pile of clothing and the other with a pile of towels. A guard walked in and stood in front of the door blocking the only exit.

“Follow me” the older servant said. She opened a door that led to a bathroom. Serena followed the older servant and the younger servant followed her. The older servant turned on the taps that were attached to a huge bathtub in the middle of the room. She placed rose smelling soap into the tub making it instantly fill with bubbles and then threw in pink and red rose petals that floated on top of the water. When the bathtub was filled she turned off the taps. She turned to Serena.
“Undress and get into the tub” she said. She began to undress when the servants turned around to face away from her. She slid into the huge tub of water. The servants came over and gently began washing her. They washed her hair last,

When she got out they dried her and dressed her in a long dark green silk gown that fitted her perfectly. It was a halter neck and had a slit up the side and the back was open. They gave her silver heels and jewelry to match. They placed her in front of a mirror and table. They brushed out her long auburn her. They made a braid crown on top of her head by french braid and then proceeded to french braid the rest of her hair down her back lacing dark green ribbon through it.

Serena's POV

“She is finished” the older one called to the guard. But it wasn't the guard that responded.

“She is, is she” Came a male voice. The maids dropped to a knee before him at once. I dropped my head and followed their actions.
“My lord I wasn't aware that you were present” the old servant said. I hadn't looked up yet. I was afraid to. I knew this must be the guys father. I followed his instructions.
“Servants you are dismissed” he said. I stayed in my current position. He placed a warm finger underneath my chin and made me look up at him. He studied me for a moment as I was forced to look him in the eyes. He was gorgeous. Tanned skin, bright golden yellow eyes. He was young and handsome.
“You may rise my beauty” he said. His voice was compelling as I felt the pull away from Damon to the pull towards this man before me. I stood up. He was much taller than me.
“Will you join me for breakfast My Lady?” he asked kissing my hand. I smiled warmly
“Of course My Lord” I replied. He held out his arm for me to take. I took it. He led the way out of the bathroom and to the guard. The guard moved out of the way and took a knee. He led me out of the room and into a hallway. We ran into a boy about my age. I had seen home somewhere before. But the thought wasn't registering.

“My beauty this is my son Raze” he said. I smiled.

“Pleasure to meet the son of such a gorgeous man” I said with a smile. The man on my arm smiled.
“Raze, join us for breakfast” he said.
“Actually father I've got some business to take care of” he said.
“Well then you will miss a great breakfast” his father said. He led me into huge dining room. Two plates were set near the end and food scattered about on platters. He led me to my seat and pulled out my chair. I sat down and he pushed it in.
“Thank you” I said.
“Your welcome” he said. He served my plate first taking an interest in what I liked and didn't like and then he served himself.

They ate talking now and again. She took an interest in him. When the meal was done he sat back drinking from a crystal goblet.

“Do you like it here?” he asked. She was silent for a moment. It was almost as if she had gotten her brain back and she wasn't compelled.
“I love it here” she said.
“would you like to stay here forever?” he asked.
“as long as I am with you i'll stay here forever” she said.
“then you must do one small task for me and we will be married by the end of the week” he said.
“and what task is that?” she asked.
“I want to you kill Damon Silverstone”

Nomad Atara Wintermute

Name: Atara Wintermute

Title: Nomad

Age:

Hair Colour and Style: Long dark curly black hair, the length of her hair is at the bottom of her back

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Clothing: brown baggy pants, dark brown hiking boots, dark brown riding cloak, brown leather belt, white shirt

Physical Appearance: small body, lean, athletic, 5'4, muscular, darkly tanned
Werewolf: Small bodied, chestnut brown fur, lean and slender body

Personality: down to earth, loves nature, quiet, strong minded. loves solitude, not afraid to speak her mind about what is right, care free

Powers: Is able to transform into a werewolf at will

About: Atara is the oldest daughter  and the eldest child of Lucian and Elizabeth Wintermute. Atara witnessed the death of her mother by rogue vampires and how Aleron Silverstone attempted to save her. At the age of 18 she was disowned  by her father when she accepted the soulmate bond between her and Jared Everett a shapeshifter. She refused to let go of the bond like her father demanded. She left her title as lady in her fathers kingdom and moved to sparrowford where she accepted the title as nomad.

Archantist Jade Wildfire

Name: Jaden Wildfire (Jade)

Title: Archantist

Age: 17

Hair Colour and Style: Auburn red, long pin straight, layered, mid back length

Eye Colour: Earth Brown

Clothing: dark brown loose robe, dark brown leather riding boots, brown leather belt, dark green riding cloak

Race: Witch/Shapeshifter

Physical Appearance: 5'6, 130lbs, athletic, curvy, lean, darkly tanned, freckles, slender

Powers: Has an affinity for air, earth and fire, can talk to animals, and understand them, has a knack for alchemy, cn do most spells both easy and difficult, can shapeshift into an auburn coloured fox

Personality: quiet, calm, collected, friendly, assertive, helpful, down to earth, knowledgeable, likeable

About: the younger sister of Charlotte and Lily and the youngest daughter of Akassa, is half a shapesifter, lives in castle Brightvale, is soulmate to Knight Calden Bloodfang.

Nomad Paul Everett

Name: Paul Everett

Title: Nomad

Age:19

Hair Colour and Style: long and shaggy, midnight black

Eye Colour: Clear Ocean Blue
Clothing: Black riding breeches, dark brown leather boots, black leather belt, white dress shirt, black riding cloak

Race: Shapeshifter

Physical Appearance: 6'2, 221lbs, athletic, slender, lean, lanky, naturally tanned

Powers: has the ability to shapeshift into a jaguar
Personality: determined, thoughtful, likeable, friendly, successful, talented, skillful, sincere, honorable

About: lives in silvercast, is a shapeshifter, shapeshifts into a jaguar, is soulmate to Lady Lillian Wildfire. Parents died at the hand of Nizel and he wants revenge

Physical: