Jace's reflexes immediately went into work, as soon as he heard the bang that signalled the release of the bullet. He pulled me back and shielded my body with his. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, paralysed by fear. I waited for the dull thud that would hit his body but it never came, because a small huddled figure lay beside his feet. It took me a few moments to register who the figure was.

Lupa.

A guttural animal wail rose from my lips, filling the entire whole room, it didn't stop; it became louder, more wounded. Until to the point where Jace was covering his ears and Richard backed out of the room with a furious look on his pale, contorted face. Then as soon as he was gone, the wail died gone and I rushed to Lupa's side, appalled by the amount of blood gushing out of the tiny wound.

"That… was a bad idea." He croaked weakly and gave me a smile.

"Yeah, it was. " My voice was trembling with relief, despite blood covering his wound and staining the carpet, if he had the energy to joke then he's not that badly injured.

"I was hoping you won't get to see me like this."

"Like what?" I asked, confused.

He gave me another pained smile, and then lifted up a weak finger to point at the wound. My eyes followed his finger and a small gasp escaped my lips. The wound was already dried up, the skin healing itself. Even if he was a vampire, the healing abilities wouldn't have been this fast. Then, in retrospect Rix had said that he was a mix between werewolf, vampire, human and a faerie. Then I looked at him, and then I saw underneath those carefully built layers of childishness there was a boy, who had seen too much, experience too much for his own good. For a moment, pain and guilt twisted his features into something much more ancient.

"Carmen, is he alright?" Jace asked softly, his cautious eyes flickered to the closed doors constantly.

"He's fine, the blood has stopped." I covered up for him then saw the state the carpet's in. "Though the carpet's not so good."

"Is that all you care about?" He huffed and shook his head in disappointment.

I sighed, "No, but I need to wash the blood off him. I guess you wouldn't want to babysit him."

He grimaced, "I don't. I will dry my best and mop up the blood."

"Ok. You do that." I watched as he walked into another corner then turned my attention to Lupa.

"Can you walk?"

Lupa nodded and stood up unsteadily, following me to the bathroom. I turned on the tap and thoroughly soaked a towel before asking to take his shirt off. He had a lot of scars for a fifteen-year old boy, his stomach wasn't exactly a six-pack but it wasn't fat either. Though hen I dabbed at the blood around his chest, it was like dabbing a wall of steel.

"Are you scared of me?" he asked in a timid voice as I washed the towel for a second time, staining the water an even deeper shade of scarlet.

"No." I replied smoothly.

He smiled again, something like a smile and something not like it. "They all told you I have some kind of disease, didn't they?"

My heart skipped a beat, I looked up and saw underneath all those carefully laid layers of childishness, there was a boy who had seen, experience too much for his own good. For a moment, I caught a real glimpse of what he would've been if he hasn't been transformed into a creature that doesn't even have a name. I would have to choose my words carefully.

"I will decide what you are." I glanced up and moped up the last of the blood off his chest, revealing a pale pink patch of skin. Still, an amazed gasp escaped my lips. He gave me a smile again then slipped his shirt on, and then looked at me and then the bathroom opened, revealing an anxious-looking Jace.

"Carmen, you two bodyguards coming soon, you'd better find something to cover that mess up." He leaned his face closer, his breath warming my face, "don't do anything crazy."

Then he was gone in a flash, I stared at the empty space knowing the real meaning. 'Don't fall in love with anyone.'

"I might just go to the medical staff to save you some trouble." He winked then disappeared out of the room as well, leaving me on my own. Just great, it seems that everyone is avoiding me today. I trotted out into the room, the room stank of blood and I was actually pretty happy because it would have masked any scent of Jace's. Though that lovely big puddle right on the white carpet isn't so great, I wondered how on earth I'm going to cover that up before Zeke came.

"Carmen?" Too late now.

I turned my head to see Zeke blocking the entire whole doorway with Rix hovering near him.

"What happened? Why is there blood on my carpet?" He sniffed the air then frowned, "what kind of blood is that?"

Rix's expression became ever more anxious, I can guess he wasn't exactly thrilled to have kept a secret from his best friend.

"Rix, can you please just entertain Aislin for the night? I need some time with Carmen?" Did he voice changed when he said my name? Or had I imagined it?

"Fine." As he turned to leave, our eyes met and I gave him the slightest nod, acknowledging that I will try my best to cover up for him. It was only then that my mind registered, I will be alone with Zeke for the rest of the night.

"So, would you care to tell me what happened?" He moved closer to the blood and touched it tentatively.

"Well, Lupa accidentally hit the crystal vase while we were playing hide-and –seek." Obviously, there was no vase there, but I can't tell him that Jace was here.

"What happened to it?"

"The maid came and took it away."

He suddenly stood up, his eyes piercing mine. "I hope you're not keeping something from me." He said softly but I could hear the edge of threat in his silky voice. "I want your trust, but I can't trust you if you keep hiding things away from me. Do you understand?"

"Yes." My voice wavered ever so slightly, but I'm sure he caught it.

"Well, it seems that we will just have to bear with it for the time being."

"Yeah, did you put sleeping pills into the water that you sent me?"

"Yes, you needed sleep."

"Well, what did you do while I was asleep?" I hated the whiny edge in my voice; he already has a beautiful, bratty, vampire fiancé. Why would he want a stupid, ugly human like me?

He put his palms up in surrender, "Please don't remind me. I had to listen to how she couldn't wait to try on those dresses Rix bough for her, and how honour she is to become my fiancé. And how she just couldn't believe how small and dusty things are here. It was the worst ten hours I had ever endured."

I couldn't help the smile that seized my face, "That bad, huh?"

He nodded solemnly, though there was still a smile on his face. "Carmen, do you still remember the first Winter Ball we went to?"

My mind flashed back to the hotel, when he showed me glimpses of Jalien and a younger Zeke, amongst a room of twirling gowns and the promise of marriage. How could I forget?

"Yes."

"Do you want to see what happens next?"

"Yes." I replied without hesitation.

He nodded, "Come." I followed him to the bed and allowed him to lower me onto the mattress; his warm hands sent a course of raging fire in my body.

"I'm right beside you." He spoke calmly, taking a small syringe out of his coat, one hand on my cheek as he injected the syringe into my arm.

*Flashback*

"Well, would you like to go for a walk?" I looked up at the young Prince and nodded, threading my arm through his.

We exited through the door and a blast of cool night air embraced us.

"Would you have chosen someone else different, if our parents didn't make this decision for us?"

I looked up, startled and caught off guard by his question. I considered for a few moments then replied.

"No, because this is our destiny, it has been for millions of years."

He snorted, "Is that all?"

I looked up at the night sky, small stars twinkled like diamonds and I shook my head softly. "Of course not, but why do you ask?"

"I just wanted to know if you will be truly able to love me."

"That's a rhetorical question." I pointed out.

He smiled into the distance, "I know." Then he suddenly stopped and turned to me, his hands on my shoulder blocking me, his expression suddenly fierce.

"But if you could break this tradition, would you?"

I stared at him, shocked. To say such things was ridiculous for someone his status, yet just a few nights ago, I was wondering about the same thing. Perhaps this boy isn't as bad as I thought he'd be. As his stare became fiercer, his grip tightened but I didn't protest. I took in the sharp angels of his face, the way his hair shone when under moonlight, the intense light in his eyes and the tight lines of his mouth.

Finally, I broken into a small smile that must've caught him by surprise because he released me so suddenly then I tumbled back a few steps. His arms darted out to catch my wrists to steady me.

"Yes, I would. The way our society is ruled needs to be better."

His face lit up, grinning he pulled me in for a hug. I froze for a moment then awkwardly hugged back. "So, you agree with me?"

"Yes, silly." I laughed softly, hitting him lightly on the head.

"You know, I thought you would be a spoil brat who only cares about herself." He arms snaked behind my waist, trapping me as we rocked slowly back and forth. I rested my head in the crook of his shoulder, whispering into his ear.

"Here I thought you would be a self-absorbent lord who only view girls as play toys"

He chuckled softly, resting his head on top of mine but said nothing more. I don't know how long we stayed like that, but that was the first time I felt safe and happy in a long time. Then, the screams and the yelling came. We broke again and looked at each other in bewilderment, someone was screaming something, but it was slurred. But as it got louder and louder, the meaning became clear to both of us.

"RUN! THEY'RE HERE!" A scream full of despair, anger and hatred resonated throughout the entire castle.

We took one look at each other and fled into the dark forest.

*End of flashback*

"You wanted to change the ways, didn't you?" I whispered hoarsely, looking at the prince above me.

"Yes, I used to think that."

"Why? What made you change your mind?"

He shook his head, "Is far too complicated and I'm afraid that the walls are too thin here." Indicating that someone could be spying on us right now, so I just lay back against the pillows, not tired just wanting to relax. Zeke sat down on the edge, looking at me with quizzical expression on his face.

"Does this mean you will co-operate with me now?" His fingers traced random patterns onto my hand, my heart bounced.

"You will have to define co-operation."

"As in you won't be hitting me every time I come near you."

I shrugged, "It depends, and don't you dare to kiss me again." I turned and glared at him.

"Oh, well that depends too." He grinned.

"So, what happened after I stormed off?"

"Aislin kept pestering me about the Winter Ball, and my mother was right there so I had to accept her as my partner to go."

"Ugh." I hated balls, dresses, gowns. I might be jealous if they had gone to watch a movie or something but a ball? Go ahead, enjoy yourselves!

"You never liked balls, did you?"

"No, I hated them." I commented, "I can't dance and those tight little dresses make me feel exposed."

"Zeke, when's the Winter Ball?"

"In two weeks." He answered tensely.

"It must be really important."

"It is, is the only time when vampires from all over the world come together. Though I'm sure most of them would rather not come. But this year is special," Bitterness entered his voice, "So all of them are coming."

"Your engagement." I said quietly.

"Yes," he whispered, "But it was meant to be you."

I didn't get a chance to reply, not that I was going to because an extremely familiar and annoying voice came from outside the door.

"Zeke, your brother is coming through."

He suddenly scowled, "I know, mother." But that wasn't all; his body had tensed so tightly every muscle stood out. He stood up, tall and strong with one hand on my shoulder. The door opened and revealed a striking boy dressed in dark clothes, his posture calm and proud at the same time. As he stepped closer, my blood froze. No wonder he had looked so familiar.

It was Loren.

Family history, YAY!

Everyone please remember to review, I will update within the week is this gets over 14 reviews. I know is a lot to ask, but my mum is beating me over the head with homework so unless I get really motivated, I won't be able to update within a week. Love you all!(You all know that, right?"

I wrote this in a rush, so if I left out some grammar or spelling, bear with me. Not that I'm a grammar genius or anything. Thanks again!

Review please!

-Alexe