Caius walked between rows of grape vines, fuming as he thought back over the day's events. His father, a minor politician, had insisted Caius accompany him to a luncheon with a powerful family who could help his father get a better position. Caius hated meeting with the wealthy. They never said what they meant. It was always word games with them. Lunch was no different. The patriarch of the powerful family promised to speak on Julian's behalf, but only if Julian promised to support limiting the number of immigrants who could live in the city state Delphi. Caius left, unable to stand being in the same room as the man who had just yesterday praised the new immigrants for their bravery in leaving their homes to seek a better life for their families. Caius didn't see his father until evening.

At dinner, Julian announced that he had agreed to support the immigration law. Afterwards, Caius's mother approached him.

"Caius, I must speak with you. Your father has done something terrible."

"Mother, what is it?" Caius asked, wiping away the tears sliding down his mother's cheeks.

"After you left lunch, the real deal was made. Your father did agree to support the immigration law, but he also promised something else, someone else. He promised to give your sister to that bastard man."

"What? Father would never do that to Amara."

"Caius, my sweet son." She stroked his blonde hair. "Your father has always desired power. He will do anything for it, even sacrifice his family. You must protect her. Promise me you will protect her."

Caius gazed into his mother's desperate eyes. He saw she spoke the truth. He had never been close to his father, but he thought Julian loved Amara. He was always doting on her, giving her the finest clothes and jewels they could afford. It was then Caius realized Julian's plan. Amara was beautiful. Suitors were constantly at their door. Julian would often ask her to join him on strolls through town. She would be rewarded with some trinket if she did. It had all been a sham. Julian was showing her off, hoping someone powerful would see her and desire her. Amara was the only one who understood Caius and didn't judge him. She had such a pure soul. He loved her for it. He would do whatever was necessary.

"I'll keep her safe mother."

It was after that talk with his mother that Caius went outside to the grape vines. He shook his head in disbelief. All this time he had thought his father had their best interests at heart, despite doing some unsavory things. Now Caius knew the truth. He would have to leave, and take Amara with him. He was thirty-two, eight years Amara's senior. It wasn't unheard of for a male of his age to set out on his own. Taking his sister with him would be difficult though. Women only left their homes if they were married. On top of that, Amara only saw the best in people, the opposite of Caius. She would never believe her father planned to sell her off to advance his career. Caius was thinking of how he could convince her when he heard a sound to his left. He spun in that direction and squinted into the darkness. He could just make out the shapes of the vines twisting and turning in on themselves. A rustle behind him had him spinning around again.

"Show yourself," he said. His voice came out a raspy whisper. Surely it was his father. He must have found out Thalia had told Caius about the deal. Caius wasn't ready to confront his father, but he was stronger and felt he could subdue him.

Caius held his breath. Twenty seconds had passed and he still saw no one. "Must have been an animal," he murmured. He started to walk again, his head lowered. A few steps later, he snapped his head up. There hadn't been any more sounds, but a prickly feeling was clawing its way up his neck. Arm's reach from him was a man, the most astounding man Caius had ever seen, if he could even be called a man. Threadbare brown rags draped from his body. His toes worked back and forth in the dirt. Black hair hung limp around his face to his chin. His skin seemed to absorb the moonlight and glowed within him. Dark red eyes shown brilliantly against his pale skin.

"W-who are you? W-what do y-you want?" stammered Caius. He was unnerved. He hadn't heard this person's approach.

"You," the man's singsong voice replied.

Caius only had time to suck in a breath before the man was upon him. He tried to scream, but his lungs were being crushed as arms wrapped around him. He squirmed and slammed his feet downward to the ground, trying to throw his weight backward and knock the other man off-balance. It didn't help. He felt a light breeze on the back of his neck, chilling his sweat. Fire burst through his right shoulder blade. The man had pushed him to the ground and had his knees pressed into the small of Caius's back. Hair tickled Caius. Disgusted, Caius realized the man had his mouth against him, where the fire emanated from. Caius tried to buckle him off, but he was losing energy fast.

"Caius. Caius, where are you?"

Her voice sent a jolt of adrenaline through him. He took the biggest breath he could and yelled, "Amara, run. Get away."

The man stopped biting him, but kept his weight holding him down. "Mmm. Who is Amara? She smells delicious."

"You stay away from her, you monster," said Caius.

"She is someone you care for. Ah yes, a relative. The two of you have similar scents. Don't you worry my little friend. I won't hurt her. I will leave that pleasure to you."

Before Caius could answer, the man hit him in the head, knocking him out.