Shapeshifters, wolfmen, the daylight guardians of the vampiric royals. They guarded the blood drinkers for centuries. However, when the Rothschild family took the throne by means of assassination, they proved the wolves not only unworthy as guards but also spread their biased ideas of the wolven race.

Wolves were demoted to slaves and mistreated. Soon there was an uprising and the Rothschild lord was slaughtered, allowing the Evans family to take control.

The wolves migrated west into the dense forest, leaving the vampire territory off the coasts. The Rothschild ideals were not forgotten however and battles still sprung up between wolven and vampiric traders, since they held the whole coast.

After queen Kami was killed in a scuffle the Royals had enough. They decided revisions needed to be made to the treaties. Unwilling to allow wolves into their territory the Evans family traveled to their stronghold and began negotiations.

13

Soul held his breath and slipped behind a pillar. He knew that vampire and dog alike could sniff him out. He knew that wandering through the castle was just motive enough for him to be killed. But if he had to sit straight and emotionless anymore he just might do the deed himself.

He sprinted down the hall and slipped into the first room he came to. It was dark but he could still make out his surroundings. The room surprised him. It was sparse, only a desk to one side and tall bookcases lining the four walls. Why would the dogs keep a library? Not many of them knew how to read anyways.

He recognized the scent of queen Kami from the shrine they had of her, and there was another scent though both were faded almost as if no one had come to this room since the queen was killed.

A book had been half read and left open on a small desk. A slight film of dust collected over the paper. He sat across from it and lifted the cover watching the motes float away unsettled. It appeared to be in Latin and titled "Historiarum de lamia" or the history of blood drinkers. Whoever had been reading this book had been educating themselves.

Probably one of the negotiating officials. Honestly the fact that the dogs had the gall to ask for more than the land they had already received was laughable. They are the ones who rebelled in the first place. A species unfit for even servitude, completely useless.

The whole situation made him sick. This castle made him sick. He was tired of the Stink of wolves and his parent's constant chiding. He wanted to go back home where he could slink back into his room and be forgotten for a few months.

The soft padding of feet brought him back to reality before he could dwell too long on his misfortune. There was someone outside the door. He waited tensed for attack. He was sure whoever found him now would kill him.

That was until the door cracked open and a slim line of hair fell into view. Slowly pale skin inched along with it and finally a wide green eye. This girl in the doorway was much too small to harm him.

He relaxed a bit. The presence of a wolf was unpleasant even when they weren't intimidating. The girl though didn't happen to get the memo about that. She stepped into the room an air of trepidation about her. She stood tall and straight, the kind of posture his mother would be pleased with.

"what is your name vampire?"

He rolled his eyes at the small creatures display of dominance.

"Relax runt, I'm an Evans."

She growled at the insult but relaxed the tension in her shoulders. She knew she couldn't attack without disruption of the negotiations.

"I am not a runt, I am the Albarn heir." She stood straight with her shoulders back trying to exercise her etiquette despite the short white chemise she wore and the tear tracks across her cheeks.

He nearly snorted, this scrawny flat little thing was supposed to be their princess? He'd be surprised if she could even bare children with her thin little hips.

"Alright princess" he sneered the word. "I seem to be a bit lost, would you mind showing me back to the group."

She nodded curtly and turned to the door keeping one eye on him.

"But don't call me princess."

"Oh I'm sorry princess, do you have a problem with your own title?" Not the best jab but something a defensive preteen boy could pull quickly.

She growled, smart enough not to respond this time.

"This was going to be so much fun", He mumbled sarcastically.