Chapter Nine

Crystal was shocked but quickly recovered. She stared at him with a mix of disbelief and fear.

"You can`t be serious."

Athien only nodded. He desperately wished his words were not true. Her fear mirrored his own but he would never admit that.

"Yes. My father is close to breaking free of his prison."

Crystal shook her head.

"We have to stop him. He can't break free Athien!" Her voice was rising with hysteria. "We can ask the Angels for help. They have to help..." Her voice trailed off as she was consumed by her tears and her fear.

Athien only smiled at her. He could only hope that the Angels would help. It was their only chance. Crystal suddenly jerked her head up.

"Lorena. Lorena could help!" She said with an enthusiasm he hadn't heard from her in years. He shook his head solemnly.

"You said it yourself; she has power that hasn't been seen since Lilith. What if Lorena could stop him?"

A chill went throughout Athien`s being.

"We have to make Lorena a Lady. We need her to be with a powerful vampire who can protect her."

Crystal was shocked for the second time that day.

"What? Why?"

Athien only grimaced.

"If my father breaks free, he will go after Lorena."

Crystal gasped

"Draco will kill her!"

Athien nodded.

"Yes, I am afraid so."

" If we marry her to a vampire male, their marriage will be for all eternity. Athien, can we really do that to her? What about Micheal?"

" If we don't, my father will get her. I am sure she would rather give up her love for Micheal then be victim to my father. I know what that life is like, and no one wants that. In time, she will realize that. We will promote her and then give her information to all of the eligible vampire males that are powerful enough to protect her when the time comes."

The seasons came and gone. Kellen had long since fixed the house into its original condition. The home was very large. With marble floors and vaulted ceilings, it was the definition of luxury, with two floors and five bedrooms. Micheal tried to calm his nerves. They had known each other for two centuries and together for one. The engagement ring felt heavy in his pocket. Black rose pedals would lead her out onto the balcony under the full moon where he stood waiting. He had had it specially made for her. A blue stone, that matched her eyes, stood in the center of the gold band that was surrounded in diamonds. He was in the perfect position for the diamonds to catch the rays of the moon. She would be back from hunting any moment. Micheal smelled her long before he heard her unlatch the front door.

"Micheal? Are you here? Is everything OK?" She called up the stairs.

Micheal remained silent. After a few moments he heard her high heeled boots softly clicking up the stone steps and into the room.

Lorena`s breath caught in her throat as she saw the black rose pedals strewn about the room and Micheal`s silhouette surrounded in the moon`s light. He was breathtakingly gorgeous as she stepped out onto the balcony with him. Micheal smiled at her as he got down in one knee.

Darrain flipped through the folder nonchalantly until he was surprised by the beauty in the photo. Her stunning blue eyes were mesmerizing and he knew she would be the woman he took as his bride. He smiled at the woman that sat in front of him.

"Tell Athien, that I will take her as my Lady." Darrain smoothed his blonde hair back, his vibrant green eyes shining as the woman stood and bowed to him.

"Yes Lord Darrain ." The woman quickly departed.

Darrain couldn't help but wonder who the woman in the photo was to his brother. Athien never asked anything of him unless it was very important. Athien feared him, as well as he should. Of their five siblings, they were the most powerful. Darrain would be a fool not to fear Athien. Darrain never would admit fearing his own brother. Darrain could feel the ominous feel to the air; he knew Athien felt it too. Draco was close to escaping. Darrain wondered if that had anything to do with why his brother was so adamant about him taking Lorena as his bride. Who was she in all of this? He wondered.

Siree couldn't hide her smile.

"I am so happy for you Lorena! When is the wedding?"

Lorena blushed.

"Well, next week if possible."

"Next week?"

Lorena nodded.

"I know its short notice but Micheal and I have been together for a century and we know this is what we want. Besides, I always wanted a warm wedding. If we wait any longer, it will be cold and then there will be snow on the ground."

Siree nodded.

"Only fifty years after we were Turned Adam and I got married so I guess it's not all that soon. Soon you are going to be . How does that sound?"

Lorena smiled. "Good. It has a nice ring to it, Lorena Varona. I like it."

Micheal's proposal still rang in her mind; my world was a dark place until you streaked across my night sky and reminded me what light was. Since that day, I have been blinded by that light. I never want to go back to the dark, not after I have seen the beauty of the light. I promise to love you, and be by your side for all eternity. I promise to always be there whenever you feel like falling. I love you and you have changed me forever. I want you by my side for all eternity. I will love you forever and always, for all eternity, Lorena, will you marry me?