• I’m a deamon, for crying out loud. A princess demon at that. I can’t cry. Won’t cry. Especially for a guy I had just met a couple weeks ago, and that took me on the best date ever. Even if I did get attacked by some demon during it and Leon nearly killed…

    It was still the best day in my whole 1700 years of living. But the best moment was when he kissed me for the first time. I mean I’ve been kissed before but nothing like that.

    Now, I’m getting side tracked. Lucien has Leon some where and wants me to meet him at the Pier. Alone, or he’ll kill Leon. And I can’t let that happen.

    Like I said, I’m a demon. I think I can take on Lucien. Right..?

    “I’m sorry but I’m going to the Pier alone,” I told Mary-Anne for the thousandth time. “I have to do what he says or who knows what he’ll do to Leon.”

    Pheobe smiled at me from the back seat, “Awe, you really like my brother, huh?”

    I cleared my throat looking away, “No, I don’t. I just don’t want this on my conscience.” Even if I did like him, which I don’t, I wouldn’t let her know that. She would rub it in my face. Pheobe kept smiling, not believing me for a moment.

    I rolled my eyes. “Could you guys just give me the directions so I could go get Leon back?” I was tired of them treating me like a baby. I mean I may look seventeen but I’m way older. I bet I’m even older than Mary-Anne here.

    Leon’s mom sighed in defeat, “Alright, here they are.” She handed me a small sheet of paper with writing on it.

    “Are you sure these are the directions?” I looked at her skeptically. For all I know they words could lead me miles away from where I want to go.

    Mary-Anne just leaned over me and opened the passenger door, exasperated. I shrugged. Not like I had anyone else to tell me where to go. Climbing out I grabbed my backpack and the cell phone Mary-Anne had given me, just in case.

    Why did Lucien have to pick a place to meet that was so friggin’ far away? I thought to myself once again. My feet were killing me after walking around for two hours before and now I’m walking even more. And I think I’m lost!

    Screw this. I pulled out my demon wings and flew up above the buildings. It took me awhile but I finally spotted the Pier. I landed on what looked like a loading dock. On a street lamp was a piece of paper taped to the pole. I pulled it off and saw there was two pieces, one a picture of a beaten Leon handcuffed to a brick wall and the other directions written in neat cursive.

    “Oh, my poor Leon,” I mumbled then gasped when the words left my lips.

    I mean… That so, did not just come out of my mouth. Damn vamp boy. He was growing on me. Him and all his stupid nice-ness.

    Shaking away my thoughts I looked closer at the directions. It said, 1. Leave your bag and belongings where you are. 2. Tap on the door twice.

    I shrugged placing my back on the dock but stuck the cell phone in the back pocket of my jean skirt. The back door wasn’t actually in the back. It took me a while to figure that out. I found it on the left side hidden by a parked truck. People really need to take a class on giving directions, ‘cause these suck.

    After taking a few deep breaths I calmed myself and knocked twice on the door.

    “I told you to tap,” shouted a old mans voice. “Tap twice!” I jumped back from the door as it was suddenly flung open and a man almost the exact identical of my father stood in the doorway. He wore a deep red satin robe and fuzzy slippers. He smiled wickedly around a lit cigar in his mouth. At least I think he was smiling. It was hard to tell with the large scar going across his face.

    Shaking away my thought I glared at the man, “Where’s Leon?”

    The man ignored my question and took a puff of his cigar, looking me up and down. I cringed crossing my arms over my chest. Then he opened the door further motioning me in, “Please come in. He’s in here.”

    I slowly stepped in, making sure I didn’t touch him. It was dark but my eyes easily adjusted. When they did I saw a table with two chairs and a candle lit in the middle. I didn’t realize before but there was soft classical music playing from an old record player. Finally, I spotted Leon chained to the brick wall from the picture.

    I ran over, kneeling next to him. “Leon,” I whispered against his cheek. He slightly groaned and opened his eyes. Well, one eye opened. There other was bloody and swollen shut. I kissed his forehead and moved the his hair out of his face.

    Then, the man from before grabbed my shirt by the collar and threw me back. “Don’t touch him,” the man grumbled sitting at the table. He lit another cigar, ignoring me.

    I could feel the energy going to my hands and I through a fire ball at him. The man jumped back shocked then it turned to anger and he grabbed me by my upper arms. “You little b***h,” he shouted. “You don’t have the right-”

    “I don’t have the right?!” I yelled back at him, pushing him away. “You’re not even worthy enough to be in my presence.” Standing I fixed my shirt and skirt glaring at him. He just smiled slightly sitting back in his chair.

    “Sit down,” this man said pointing to the seat across from him.

    I crossed my arms over my chest again, “I’d rather stand.” Like hell I was gonna sit with this guy after what he did to Leon. I looked at my vamp boy now and saw his cuts were already healing quickly. Leon could almost open his bloody eye all the way.

    The man snapped his fingers and I was sitting in the chair across from him. “So, how are you today?” he asked. This guy beat Leon and threatened me to come down here and now he wants to make small talk?!

    I ignored his question and asked on of my own. “What do you want?”

    “I’m Lucien by the way.” Lucien, I now knew him as, was looking at me as a piece of meat he just won at a carnival. “I’m your father’s brother. Twin brother to be exact,” he continued, “Byran was born two minutes before me which put him in line for the thrown first.” Byran was my father’s name. No one hardly called him that after he became king.

    “So, I’m guessing you want to kill me so you can get the thrown?” I said on a sigh. I was tired of him talking. Is it so hard to just get to the point?

    Lucien smiled wickedly swiftly getting to his feet. “At first I did. I planned to lure you here with the little vampire over there.” Leon pulled at his chains angrily at hearing that. “But after seeing you now, I’ve decided I’m going to make you my bride. That way I can still have the thrown and a sexy wife.” He was next to me running his fingers along my upper arm. I flinched away falling out of my chair.

    “Like hell you are old man!” I shouted jumping to my feet. Lucien only moved closer. And I hadn’t noticed but Leon had broken the chains restraining him and now stood behind Lucien. He had a metal pole in his hands and he took it stabbing Lucien in the back.

    I kicked Lucien in the gut making the pole go further into him. Shocked Lucien fell to the side. I jumped at Leon wrapping my arms and legs around him then I kissed him with all the love I could muster. Yeah, I loved him ok? But I’m not ready for him to know that.. Yet.

    Suddenly there was a pain in my stomach and I coughed as a red burning liquid came up my throat. I looked down and saw a blood covered hand with razor sharp talons coming out of my stomach. I heard Lucien cackle behind me and he pulled his hand out, licking at the blood on his fingers.

    “No!” Leon shouted laying me on the ground. My throat burned and my vision started getting hazy. I couldn’t see Leon anymore. Panic started rising in me when I heard walls crashing and finally a thud. At first I thought Lucien had killed my vamp boy but a second later Leon was kneeling next to me with his shirt wrapped around his hands. He pressed the shirt to the hole in my stomach trying to stop the bleeding.

    My hands started shaking and there was white and black spots in my vision.

    Leon kissed my cheek lightly, his eyes getting misty. “I love you..” he whispered. I wanted to say it back to him but the words wouldn't come out and that's when the darkness claimed me and I blacked out.