Chapter ten

The rest of the day went without incident and most of the lords had no problem with the presence of both Hela and Kier. Fang became Cameo's newest sidekick which was starting to upset Kier. He was beginning to think that the big cat was now competition. While most of the lords and their companions were gathered in the entertainment room watching Paris and William playing a video game the women were discussing the recent changes to the fortress. Fang had left Cameo's side and took up residence at Ashlyn's feet. Maddox growled which caused the cat to look at him with an evil glare but Hela entered the room and promised that he was both disease free and a house guardian. "He will be fiercely loyal to Ashlyn especially since she is with child."

"But how do we know that he won't become reinfected." Maddox said.

"Hela you healed the cat and didn't tell them the upside?" Kier interrupted while looking disappointed in his sister.

"They wouldn't have believed me anyway. It took a panther and two hunters to make Torin a believer and don't even get me started on Sabin. Doubt can't get inside my mind so he's probably seething over there." Hela whined.

"Baby, the upside of what?" Torin asked.

"When I closed the wound with my saliva it made him immune. Forever." Hela whispered.

"And the hunters in the dungeon?"

"No. The cat is different, his metabolism is faster so he burns most diseases off before they can take hold. With humans the only way they could be immune would be to drink my blood."

"Is that even possible?" Torin asked looking frightened.

"Yes if I allow my blood to flow."

By this time Ashlyn had picked up her feet to rub the panther along his side and he started purring loudly. "Hey that tickles you overgrown furball." Ashlyn giggled.

"Ashlyn be careful. He could bite or scratch you." Maddox whined.

"No he won't. He's here to protect the women. He knows that her feet are sore. If you lift them and place them on his side he'll probably purr. The massage should help." Hela said.

"Danika has another painting, this one includes Kier and Cameo." Gillian said suddenly.

"Did you have a vision, pet?" William said.

"Yes, she's almost done with it. Reyes, I'll get the painting, you'll need to attend to Danika she didn't like this vision."

"What do you mean?"

"Just take care of her. I don't think you'll appreciate me informing everyone of your specific ways of tending to her." Gillian said as William snickered.

"Don't laugh Liam, I'll need your assistance wiping both of those visions from my head as soon as I bring the painting back."

Cameo was now at attention wondering what exactly could be in the painting involving both her and Kier. Kier was immensely proud of the fact that it involved him and Cameo but was worried about the distressed look on Cameio's. "Don't worry precious, it can't be that bad. I already know that I'll follow you to the ends of time." Kier said as he kissed the top of her head.

Cameo tensed even further when she heard Gillian coming back down the stairs. Kier pulled her tightly to his side and whispered reassuring words. Hela also came to their side and placed a hand on her arm to comfort her.

"I have no words for this, other than it looks like Hela and Kier are the only vampires unaffected by your demon Cameo." Gillian said with tears streaming down her face. She turned the painting towards the group and everyone let out gasps from the portrait still dripping blood red paint.

"Pet, what did you see? I know you saw more than Danika being affected while she painted it." William said.

"When she arrives in their village she hides her face and doesn't speak any words but when Torin is challenged to fight one of the candidates for Hela Cameo screams out. What happens after that is a bit of a blur and I really don't want to relive it right now, but I can tell you that she is attacked by the crowd shortly before this happens." Gilly said before pointing to the painting.

The scene was dark and sinister. The four of them were surrounded by angry vampires. Purebloods. Cameo was a bloody and bruised mess and she looked half dead in Kier's arms. Hela and Torin were standing in a defensive positioning in front of the couple weapons at the ready. A tall dark haired man stood further off in the distance with pure hate in his eyes and behind Kier were three slender and dark haired women facing in the other direction defending them from behind.

"That's father standing there. Kier he's going to hate me isn't he?" Hela whined.

"Who cares if he hates either of us? You will still have your big brother." Kier replied and kissed her on the top of the head.

"Um would either of you like to explain to me who the three women behind Kier are?" Torin asked.

"What women?"

"The three slender dark haired ones defending him from behind." Torin replied.

"Kier, it's your girls!" Hela replied.

"I don't understand, why would they defend me?" Kier asked.

"Who cares, they are. I told you they would come around you just had to give them time." Hela replied.

"Does that mean my demon doesn't affect them either?" Cameo asked finally looking away from her bloody and broken body.

"I don't know but I think we really need to get a move on to get to our village. We should leave at first light." Kier stated.