Chapter 10

I stared up at the men in confusion. I stood slowly and continued to stare. They stared back. I opened my mouth, thinking of what to say, but shut it and started to pace.

"What do you mean by judged?" I asked whipping around to face them.

The one with emerald eyes stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. I did everything in my power not to flinch from his cold touch.

"My dear child," he began softly. "What we mean by judge is that you and your clan have violated the code we try so hard to establish."

I stared blankly at him, his words playing through my mind. What was this code he was speaking of?

"Listen girly," the red-eyed man spoke. "We need to talk to your leader and explain things to him since your small, undeveloped mind can't take in all the information."

I snorted and turned my back to him. I didn't care if he was a Leader or not, no one talks to me like that. I glared at him over my shoulder and began to stomp off. I heard their footsteps as they followed. I whipped back around and glared at them.

"Quit stalking me you old perverts!!!" I yelled.

They all looked taken aback at my outburst. I could feel my breath coming out hard and heavy. They had already pissed me off and they were making it a lot worse. I stormed off still hearing there footsteps behind me. I turned and glared over my shoulder at them. They just sneer right back.

Once I was home I ran in and headed straight towards Chris. I ran behind him and buried my face in his back. He twisted to look down at me confused. I raised one hand and gestured towards the Leaders.

"Those old perverts are stalking me!!" I wined.

He reached back and put a hand over my mouth. I growled and glared up at him. He wasn't paying attention to me at all. He had his attention on the four men that had followed me home. He swooped down into a low bow in front of them. He nudged me signaling me to do the same. I reluctantly bowed before them.

"Arise, Chris Savior of the Emeralds," one of them said.

"My lords, what brings you here?" Chris asked still in the low bow.

"It is time for the Games," the red-eyed man announced.

Chris shot up and stared wide-eyed at them. Apparently what he had said frightened Chris. I looked up at Chris questioningly. He glanced down at me with fear and concern.

"I can't participate," he said calmly. "My family isn't ready for something like this. I can't put them through that…"

"It doesn't matter weather they're ready or not," the onyx-eyed said. "They still must fight; if they aren't fit then they'll be killed before the first round is over."

"We can do it!!!" I protested. "We're not that weak!!! We can do it!!!"

I put a hand over my mouth. I couldn't believe what I had just said. I knew that Cain, Chris, Alex, and Helios would be fine; however, Abel and I couldn't do it if we tried. I looked to Chris for help. He stood and looked at the Leaders. They looked at him with the same expression of boredom.

"Please understand sirs…my family and I can't compete in the games," he pleaded. "We have a new member and she isn't ready for such an event—,"

"Then we will choose one of your clan members," the onyx-eyed vampire said.

"And we choose," the emerald-eyed one began, "is the female."

My eyes went wide as I looked up at the men. I blinked furiously at them. It felt like my world was falling apart. Alex stood beside me protectively.

"Please…don't let Dana fight. She's just a child," he protested.

"Alex now is not the time," the emerald vampire warned.

"But Father!!" he insisted.

I reached up and put a hand on his shoulder. He looked down at me with worry. I smiled at him as I stepped closer towards the Leaders. I bowed before them, sinking onto one knee.

"I would be happy to fight in the Games," I whispered.

The Leaders all smiled at me, their eyes gleaming. They all stood, still smiling.

"Then we shall see you in three days time," Alex's father said to me bowing slightly.

I nodded and bowed to them all. I stayed bowed till I heard the last of their footsteps disappear.

What have you gotten yourself into Dana? I thought as a tight knot formed in my stomach. No turning back now…