DISCLAIMER – All characters and rights belong to J.R. Ward, with the exception of Kaelina who is my own creation.

Chapter One

"Wrath? My lord, I need to speak with you."

Bella knocked gently on the door to Wrath's office. The Blind King pushed up his wraparound sunglasses and rubbed his tired eyes, something he was prone to a lot these days.

"Sure Bella, come in."

Bella entered the room and carefully closed the door with slow, deliberate movements. Wrath watched her thoughtfully, leaning back in his throne and propping his oversized feet up on the dainty French desk.

Looking down and taking her seat politely, Bella waited and cleared her throat quietly, as if trying to find the words she needed. Wrath merely observed her through the dark lenses of his shades.

"My lord…I need…to ask…I have a favour to ask of you, a serious favour."

Wrath raised his brows but said nothing of his surprise at her direct approach. Bella had never been one to mince her words and he expected today to be no exception.

"What's the favour?"

Bella crossed her legs and linked her fingers together in an effort to stop her nervous movements.

"My lord, I'm not sure if you're aware but I have friends, almost close kin, who live in the south of England."

"What?"

Bella nodded and continued, her voice quiet.

"They live alone, separate; isolated. My friend Darian and her mate have a daughter, Kaelina who is fast approaching her transition. As you can understand, they are terrified of what will happen without a male vampire nearby that she can feed from."

"Yes, I can understand that fear. What has this to do with the favour you must ask of me?" Wrath's deep voice was direct and held the command of his station, but his tone was soft and understanding.

Bella stared at her clasped hands for a moment longer before looking the King directly in the eye.

"I request permission to bring her here my lord. We have two unmated young males in the house who she might feed from during her transition which means less time for something to go hideously wrong. We also have a doctor on hand and after her change, I thought perhaps she could work with Mary and Marissa at Safe Place. She has qualifications in Social Care so she'd be ideal really."

Bella paused for breath, trying to determine Wrath's reaction. Seconds dragged by. She tried again.

"My lord, she has nowhere else to go. They have no family or friends in England and she really needs me right now. I…I cannot leave her to die."

Wrath lowered his feet carefully to the floor and rose from his seat, pacing the floor methodically as he considered Bella's proposal.

Generally, he was averse to having any civilians in the mansion at all. Extra people meant just another chance for their location to get out to the lessers.

"Is there no other civilian family who can take her in?"

Bella shook her head fiercely.

"None whom I trust my lord. She is their only daughter and I cannot place her into the hands of strangers. I need to do this for her."

Wrath sighed and dragged a hand down his face, his haggard expression telling Bella everything she needed to know about Wrath's state of mind and patience.

Just a few nights ago, after saying goodbye to Zsadist as he headed out on patrol, she had found an email from a distant contact, someone she had not heard from for a very long time. The desperate plea was obvious in the words of the message.

As soon as Zsadist had returned from his night's hunting, Bella had sat him down and discussed the problem. Zsadist was against the idea initially, for the very simple reason that the female in question was a civilian and Wrath would never agree to it.

Bella had pointed out at that point if it were Nalla who was in such need, he would do anything to help her. She knew this was slightly unfair, it almost felt like emotional blackmail but she needed him to understand just how important this was to her.

After they had finally agreed to take the female in, Bella had made the decision to ask Wrath for permission.

She sat waiting now, hands clasped together; Dear Virgin, please let this be a good decision.

Wrath moved back to his seat and sighed deeply, pushed his jet black hair away from his eyes.

"Very well Bella, you may bring the civilian here. I trust her parents have travel plans in place for her?"

Bella nodded, overwhelming relief flooding her.

"Then I'll inform the rest of the Brotherhood and tell the doggen to prepare her room. You are responsible for her while she is with us. This is the only time I make this exception to the rule Bella, be aware of that."

Bella rose from her seat, eager to tell Zsadist and the other shellans the good news. Just before she opened the door, she turned back.

"My lord, thank you. This means more than you can know."

Wrath smiled one of his rare smiles and dismissed her.