Thanks to Newbie-vampire and FMAlover555 for the constant reviews, they make my day! Also thanks for the two guest reviews! This chapter is called Tortured for a reason, here we get a look into Alec's past. Keep reviewing and reading, I want to become a writer when I'm older, and this is great practice, and reviews and such let me know if I'm any good!

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Later on that evening when they had shown Sydney and Alec to their room she rounded on him.

"What was that back there?"

"What?" Asked Alec sullenly.

"Where to start, oh yes! Lord Alec and Lady Sydney!" She shrieked. "I barely know you and you told Thierry to introduce us as that!"

"I didn't, Thierry saw you with me and thought that you would have wanted to be introduced as such."

Sydney continued to glare at him.

"I'm sorry. I'll ask him not to from now on." He spoke tiredly.

"And what was that with that guy... Galen?" She demanded, though her tone softened a little.

"He's angry about something from my past."

He didn't continue.

"Then, Lord Alec. Tell me of your past."

He took her wooden hand and led her to the bed where he sat down by her and ran a hand through his messy hair. "I am Lord Alec Redfern. My parents were on the Night World council and known as Lord Jaden and Lady Helena. They were... Ruthless. They were always the first to vote for execution. They were feared; and hated. Though no one could act on the hate. There was no Circle Daybreak then. It would have been them, maybe one or two others, against the entire Night World." He laughed bitterly. "I hated them more than anyone. My parents would make me go without blood for a week. Just to watch as I writhe in pain. They would beat me. Just to watch me cry. They would lock me up and laugh. I was only a boy."

Sydney moved closer and placed her head on his shoulder.

He continued in a ragged voice. "Once a week I would get assessed. To see if I was worthy as a Redfern. I only passed once. They would get wooden tooth picks and after tying me down, they would insert them into me. Anywhere but my heart. If I showed no sign of pain I passed. If I did, they would add more until I passed out. They did this every week from my second birthday."

He whipped round and grabbed her hands, his eyes tormented. "Do you know what it's like to have the wood in you, poising your blood? It's agony. Every week, tortured for the sake of the Redfern name. Is it any wonder I killed them on my fifteenth birthday?" He laughed bitterly; almost forgetting that Sydney was there. "I crept into their room with a stake. I staked my father first; he always made sure the wood went in deep. He didn't even see his killer before he died. My mother did. She hissed, snarled and screamed curses; before I threw the stake into her heart. I then left and never returned."

"That's awful." Whispered Sydney; her eyes reflecting the pain in Alec's.

Alec laughed again. "I went to the Dark Kingdom. Said my parents had been killed by a couple of brigand wolves. People were too scared of me now to contradict me, fearing that I was the same as them. And I almost was. I got their land, title, fear and hate. As well as their position on the council though I never attended meetings. The council were annoyed by me but they couldn't do anything about it. I was one of the highest positions. I left them be, to kill and plunger to their hearts content. I developed a fast tongue and a faster strike. During that time I made friends with the young prince. I stayed only for a year. Then I left. To find you."

His grip on her hands lessened. "I gave up my position but kept my title, yet for some people that isn't enough. They want me dead for my parents crimes. For the councils crimes; because I just sat there and watched while blood and death surrounded me."

He brought his crystal blue gaze to hers, and they were tortured. "Because I just sat there and watched as they killed Galen's uncle." He gave a bitter laugh. "I didn't know. It was during my stay in the Dark Kingdom. Little knowledge gets in and out." He gave her a smile that didn't reach his pain-filled eyes. "Yet, if he had not died. The shapeshifters would have sided with the Night World council and never made the alliance with the witches. And without the shapeshifters, Circle Daybreak wouldn't have a chance."

Sydney watched all of this horror struck. "He can't blame you? Surely?"

"He can and he does. I didn't know he was here, and if we are not on good terms it will affect people out of the field as people will get divided to the two sides. We came last so I'll ask Thierry in the morning if he would like us to leave."

"Where will we go?" She whispered, automatically putting it in plural form, she needed Alec and he needed her. Wherever she went from now on, Alec will be with her.

We can't be together if I'm not a vampire. The thought came to her and shocked her. It was true. Otherwise she would die and never see him again, she wasn't an old soul. She would have a few years to decide at least.

"I don't know." He answered. "Onward."

She touched the underside of his eyes. "When was the last time you fed?" She whispered.

"The day I met you." He answered.

She looked at him quizzically. "How are you not going insane from the need?"

He smiled at her gently. "I got used to not having blood very often from my parents."

"Just because you got used to it, doesn't mean it doesn't hurt." She whispered.

He smiled again but it was more like a grimace. "I'll feed tomorrow."

She took his shoulders and gently pushed him down so he was lying down side-on on the bed. She then moved so she was lying down, facing him, her throat against his lips. She gripped some of his shirt in a fist and pulled him closer. His breath tickled her neck. He paused. Her eyes found his and she could see the indecision; her eyes were calm and alluring. He bit into her neck; she had just enough time to gasp.

Before the world exploded.

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