Sorry about it taking so long but I only just got out of hospital and back to my computer (which I missed so much 6.9)

But hope you like this chapter.

Chapter 9

I knew Glalda wasn't too happy with the idea of me going with him.

It had been a whole month since I left the vampires and Glalda, Victor, Gwen, Caleb and myself were all getting ready to leave the Vampaneze Mountain to meet with the vampire princes to make the new peace treaty.

Glalda and I were in our room packing for the trip, Glalda kept glancing at me in worry and finally I sighed and said, "Glalda, stop looking at me like that. You and I both know that I need to face them."

There had been much argument between us about me going on this trip.

I knew that my disappearance would have upset my friends and I had to let them know that I was alright, besides the vampire princes might have no say anymore about what happens to me, Glalda had marked me as his.

Caleb had told me that in vampaneze society that meant that only Glalda could put me to death if he decided.

I hoped that the princes decided that I wasn't worth the fight and let me go.

Glalda moved over to me and kissed the top of my head, "I know that this is something you believe you must do little bat but what if the princes do demand that you be put to death, I refuse to loose you but I also refuse to let the chance of a new peace treaty go."

I knew that I was being selfish and felt guilty but I knew that this was my only chance to see my friends and let them know that I was ok.

"I won't show myself until after your finished with the peace treaty." I replied as I kissed Glalda's birthmarked check, "Besides Kurda has been a prince long enough for him to have had some laws changed."

Glalda's face darkened as I said Kurda's name. I still hated the traitor too and hated the fact that I might have to rely on him to help me through this but I had to do what I had to do.

"Come here." I whispered seductively and pulled Glalda into an opened mouth kiss, hoping to calm him.

I couldn't help but laugh in my head as I thought about how I wasn't shy anymore when Glalda and I kissed or groped each other.

I was now often the one that would kiss or grope Glalda in public.

But we still hadn't gone past kissing and groping and not because of the courts orders but because I still didn't feel ready.

Our kissing was about to turn into a heated make out session but someone knocked on our door.

Glalda groaned in announce and pulled away from me to glare at the door, "What?!"

We heard Caleb's voice yell back cheekily, "Sorry if I'm interrupting but the others are ready to go."

Glalda looked like he was going to tell Caleb to buggier off but I spoke first, "We'll be there in a sec'!"

Glalda glanced at me and I said to him as I gave him a light kiss, "The sooner we go the sooner we get back. I'll make it up to you."

Glalda sighed and said with a smile, "As long as you make it up to me."

-

We had been traveling two nights now and I couldn't help but notice that Victor wasn't making a move on Caleb.

I was a little bight disappointed because I hoped he would. When I found out Victor would be coming I had insisted that Glalda bring Caleb too, saying that the long haired vampaneze would be useful because he knew so much about vampires and because we could trust him to not start a fight with any of the vampires.

Caleb had been very happy when the court asked him if he wanted to go.

Caleb had once told me that he really did like working in the kitchens at Vampaneze Mountain but he really wanted to be a type of peacemaker for the between the vampaneze and the vampires.

I was happy that Caleb was getting what he wanted and I knew that it wasn't my place to try and get Victor and Caleb together but I was worried for Caleb.

Vlad had somehow got wind that Caleb had a crush on him; a crush that I would never understand, and Vlad had been making moves on Caleb but I knew that it was only because Vlad wanted to us Caleb to keep a better eye on me. Vlad would come down to the kitchens and say that he was there to see Caleb but he would always be sending me glares and was obviously not paying Caleb any attention when Caleb was talking to him.

I had never hated the man before, even when he made threats at me but when I realized that he was using Caleb's feeling to spy on me, I couldn't help but feel disgust and dislike.

We had stopped to rest in a cave just before sun up. Caleb started to head for a nearby river to get water, Glalda and Gwen left to go hunting, while Victor and I set up a fire.

I noticed Victor stopped setting up the fire and saw that he was looking at Caleb kneeling by the rivers edge with a longing look.

"Why don't you go talk to him?" I asked hoping that Victor would agree but the vampaneze shook his head.

"I know that you want Caleb and me together but it will never happen." Victor gave me a knowing but morbid look, "I know that Caleb desires my brother and I wish not to interfere."

I sighed wishing that I could tell Victor that Vlad was only using Caleb but I didn't have any proof and I didn't think Victor would like it if I accused his brother of something so heartless, but still I replied, "Yes I think that you two would make a good couple but I only said the you should go talk to him. I honestly think that this crush he has on Vlad is a passing thing." At least I hoped.

Victor seemed to consider my words and turned to look at Caleb again only to find that the longhaired vampaneze was making his way toward us.

"How's the fire coming along?" He asked as he sat the water containers down.

Victor was about to reply but I suddenly had an idea and answered first, "It's going good but I need to get some more wood, be back soon."

With that I raced off into the woods, noticing that Victor was glaring at me as I left, I just winked back and left the two alone.

Walking around I grabbed as much dry wood as I could find, hoping that Victor was talking to Caleb.

-

Three nights later and we were almost at the agreed meeting place, Glalda told me that it would only be a few more hours until we reach the old abandon lodge house that was the agreed meeting place.

As we drew nearer my excitement and nerves started to increase.

Glalda who was leading suddenly stopped and said that we were going to stop and rest before they reached the lodge house.

Gwen went off to find some food, while Glalda and Victor went to get firewood and Caleb and I started to prepare for the food that Gwen came back with.

I had noticed that after everyone else had left Caleb kept turning to me as if he wanted to ask something but kept changing his mind.

Finally after the fifth time I turned to him and said, "Caleb whatever it is just tell me."

Caleb gave me a startled look but then sighed, "It's Victor. I think he might have feelings for me."

I gave Caleb my fall attention and asked seriously, "Do you feel anything for him?"

Caleb seemed to think for a moment then replied, "Well… yes. But I love Vlad and I… I… I don't know, Victor is so kind and funny and wants peace with the vampire like I do."

"And Vlad is-?" I asked hoping that Caleb would see that Victor was much better for him.

Caleb sighed again, "I don't honestly know what it is about Vlad that makes me want him but I am starting to think that Victor and me would be much happier together."

I smiled and added, "And Victor is better looking."

Caleb chuckled at that and said, "Maybe I will consider Victor but I think we'll get this peace treaty over with first so don't tell Victor any of this."

I nodded and did a little victory dance in my head.

After an hour of much needed rest we continued and made it to the old abandoned lodge house.

It looked very old, the brick frame was chipped and cracked and the wooden roofs seemed to be rooting away.

Looking inside a broken window we saw that a fire had been lit and knew that the vampires were obviously already here.

I quickly pulled the hood of my large jacket up to hide my face. I could hardly stop my hands from shaking I was so excited and nervous.

We walked to the door and Glalda pushed it open and walked in, then a moment later signaled for us to follow.

The first Vampire I saw was Mr. Crepsley, much to my happiness. I had to literally stop myself from running over to him and hugging the stern vampire.

Then I noticed Kurda, Paris Skyle and Harkat all sitting around the old fireplace were they had started a warm flame.

They all looked up as we entered.

Kurda moved forward to greet us, "Greetings Councilors Gwen, Glalda and Victor. It is an honor to have you here."

Then the blond vampire turned and looked at me and obviously knew it was I by the look of shock on his face. He hadn't expected to see me there at all.

Glalda was quick to give him a look that said to not give me away yet and the blond vampire gave an awkward nod.

Then Paris was next to walk toward us and said in a gently but firm tone, "I am vampire prince Paris Skyle, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

Victor them walked over to Paris and awkwardly shock his hand.

While the princes and councilors meet, I noticed that Mr Crepsley and Harkat were looking at me unsurely, like they were sure they knew me.

I was quick to make sure that my hood was covering my face and tried to ignore them for the moment.

Suddenly Paris turned to me and asked, "Why has your companion got his hood up, I thought that we had agreed to be in totally trust of each other?"

We all cursed ourselves as we realized that we had no excuse as to why I had my hood up but Glalda quickly thought of a plan and said, "We did not wish to shock you so much but this young man was once part of your clan."

I gave Glalda a horrified look and all the vampires gave him a questioning look and then looked back at me.

"Its ok little bat, take the hood off." To everyone there it sounded like Glalda was telling me to hurry up and reveal myself but I heard his under message of don't worry I have a plan.

So I slowly took my hood off and heard all the vampires and the little person gasp in shock and disbelief.

Mr Crepsley was to first to move toward me and was looking at me like I was a ghost.

"D-D-Darren?"

Then I couldn't stop myself from running over to my old friend and hugging him.

It took the stern vampire a moment before he returned my embrace and ask, "Is it really you?"

I look up into his eyes and replied, "Yeah is me."

-

Hope you liked it.

Next chapter will have the peace treaty made and a Darren and Kurda moment.

I'll try to get it done as soon as possible XD.