Chapter 8

That same night Isabella lead me outside. James was there as well and she left my side to be with him. I watch as slipped her hand into his and disappearing in the fog.

Suddenly, Donovan was there by my side, and with that awareness came nervousness. We quietly walked down the path of the rose garden as he studied me. I pretended to be unaware as I forced myself to stare straight ahead.

"Why did you come here? Out of all the places you could have gone to..." he finally spoke.

I smiled, "It was hardly my choice. I sold myself. I placed an ad in the newspaper promising my servitude to whomever bid the highest price, Avery just happened to be the highest."

"Why sell yourself?"

I sighed. I had put that behind me. Forced myself to forget my family, but here he was making me remember them. "Because my family was very poor. They needed the money. So are you and Avery close?"I quickly added to change the topic.

"Not at all, sweetheart. I'm more of a prisoner than brother to him."

I looked up at him confused, "What do you mean."

"Well," he began with a smirk, "He is my creator, so he has a power over me, as well as Isabella, which is absolute. He commands and we must obey. He says, stay here and we stay."

I frowned, "I thought you were natural born vampires"

"No..." he responded.

"Well, now I'm really interested! How was it that you were turned? And Avery how was he?"

"I was turned against my will. As was Isabella. And Avery... I never did ask him."

I hadn't noticed when I stopped walked. I'm sure Donovan was smirking over my shocked face.

"It's a long story. But enough about me, I wanted to use this time to get to know you." He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Why are you marrying my evil brother, do you love him." He asked sarcastically.

I eyed Donovan, "Avery doesn't seem evil to me."

"That's what he wants you to believe. Trust me when I say there is purpose behind everyone of his actions." Donovan finished looking off into space.

"I, well, wow. Forgive me if I have a hard time believeing you."

Isabella came running with James in hand, "James tells me you sold yourself is that true."

"Um, yes." I answered.

"See." James said, "I wasn't lying. The human sold herself and she is marrying him out of her own free will."

"Oh, my darling how could I have ever doubted you." She said sweetly while wrappping her arms around the boys waist and tugging him away.

I looked to Donovan, "She doesn't act her age. Its odd."

"That's because she's an 89 years old woman trapped in the body of an eight year. When humans are turned into vampire they are frozen at that age for eternity. Unlike natural born vampire who are born, grow, then freeze when they are at their peak strength."

"Oh..." I didn't know what to say because at this point I was overwhelmed with the information I was receiving tonight.

"Now, now back to you." Donovan spoke, "You'll be a wife soon and most likely turned."

I reddened, "turned?"

"What did you expect,"

"I don't know"

"Your so innocent Shani" Donovan said turning his full attention on me. "It's Refreshing. I have to say I am very jealous."

"Jealous?" I asked nervously as Donovan closed in on me.

His finger trailing my chin. "Have you ever even kissed a boy, love" he asked ignoring my previous question. I blushed, felt my heart pounding, and knew my voice would be shaky if I spoke. More importantly, I did not want him to know that I had not. I was completely inexperienced.

"I would hate Avery to be your first kiss, your first husband, and your first, "

"Stop!" Interrupted, "Donovan this is highly inappropriate. I am marrying your brother whether I like it or not."

"Whether you like it or not?" He questioned.

I realized my stumble and quickly corrected myself, "whether you like it or not."

He smirked and contined walking. I followed.

"Can we be friends then?" He asked.

I was thrown by the question yet pleased. "Of course I would llike that very much."

"Me too." he smiled, "I would like that very much."