Up the path the carriages went, up to the dark castle where the ball was to be held. Ruth opened up her compact mirror to add her red lipstick to her still pale lips. Lucian watched casually as she parted her mouth and carefully dragged the colored stick on her bottom lip. He watched as she brought out the fullness of it then moved to the top to fill in the shape of her perfect cupid's bow. Her dark eyes flickered up at him then back down at the mirror as her dark lashes fluttered. "Enjoying my ritual master?" She ask then rubbed her lips together making a kiss sound.

"I just find it amusing how funny you have to look to get those perfect painted lips of yours. No matter how beautiful the woman is, to me, she always makes me think of a fish whenever putting on lipstick." He replied crossing his legs while resting his hands comfortably on his stomach. The woman pouted at him, but the old vampire knew better than to fall for her little game. 'I really do indulge her too much.' He thought as she sat up straight to fix the dress showing off her cleavage.

"I wonder want kind of girl the king will have at his side tonight." He thought out loud knowing that it would put his pet in a bad mood. Ruth glared at her master then huffed as she sat back saying, "A whore that's what. Everyone knows that he hires one to stand at his side just for show."

"Yes, then tosses them away for the others to have fun with. Which reminds me, please show some restraint with this year's girl. I don't want that dragon complaining to me later. I had to pay part of her fee last year and she hardly seemed worth it." Ruth giggled resting her head back to fantasize about the kind of torture she could do in one evening to whoever was unfortunate enough to be standing with the king. It didn't matter if the king was interested in them or not. It didn't matter that they were a stand in for a few hours in the evening. She, like all the others in past years, would be punished. "Oh, I hope she's a pretty flower this time, and pure for once. I would love to rip her petals off."

Lucian chuckled deeply as he shook his head at the vile woman. He then peered out the window just as the carriages were turning a wide corner giving him a glimpse of the carts in front of theirs. The five leading carriages in front belonged to the current head vampire by the name of Naomi. She was older and more powerful then Lucian, but her horde was not as strong as his. Still, if he wanted to make a bid for the throne of the maze and claim the title of head vampire he would need to watch out for Naomi.

"I wonder if the same idea you had has crossed her mind yet."

Ruth stopped her daydreaming and moved her eyes to the vampire in front of her. Looking back up at the velvet ceiling she hummed than replied, "It might have but she will not get in our way. She's too diplomatic and besides, Zeal can out-beat any of her pawns."

"True and negotiations are not going to be as easy this time around." He replied, sitting back against his seat. "If I'm lucky maybe she will provoke the King and get herself killed."

"Ah, then you would be next to take her place. Her position would be helpful to our plan."

'Indeed, it would', Lucian thought moving away from the window. This plan of taking over was a risky one, though if there was any time to do it now would be perfect before things got out of hand. The followers were getting restless with the lack of human blood. Three of the hordes were hiding their illness but he could see it and he knows Naomi saw it too. Something needed to change, or why bother siding with the king. Annihilation by him would be quicker than the unspoken hell that was slowly spreading among their kind. All it would take is for a horde to be completely wipe out before a power struggle broke out among them.

Lucian gave a small laugh making Ruth raise a brow at his sudden outburst. The old master shook his head at her as he wiped a tear from his eye with a biting smile on his lips. This is what hell is. Knowing that you are an immortal vampire, yet still fearing death in any form it came in even when you lived long enough to be sick of life. He suddenly felt very tired.

"Ruth." He called then felt the woman move to his side. He felt her hand go to his fore head as she shushed him soothingly. "Do not worry my master." She cooed then lowered her wrist to his mouth, "I will make it so that you are the one pulling all of the strings and drinking from a river of human blood." The master huffed and muttered "A river, huh?" before biting down to take a drink.

Ruth did not wince or react and went on saying, "Yes, and all I ask is that you leave the king to me." His eyes moved to hers, but he kept on drinking and savoring her taste and her words. "Let me play with him, torment him and humiliate him. Then we can both watch him die slowly at my feet or in my arms. That's all I want."

Drinking his fill Lucian moved his head away from her wrist and pulled out a handkerchief to help clot the blood saying, "Remember what I said Ruth, let us find out if the king really does have a weakness we can exploit. Only then will we carry out our plan."

xxx

The carriages filed along the steps of the castle and doors flew opened in perfect synchronization. The orc guards puffed out there chest as the guest glided past them without once looking in their direction. Pair by pair they walked up the steps and into the grand hall where Yami and Persona waited to greet them. Ruth sunk her nails into her master's arm when she saw this year's girl holding Yami's arm. Though she was hoping for pretty and 'pure' she didn't like how relaxed they seem together. Her nails sunk deeper when she caught Yami whispering into her ear making the girl smile brightly at him as she nodded.

Lucian chuckled not minding the biting of her polished claws as they waited their turn to greet the pair. 'Steady my pet. You'll have your chance to have fun with her.', he spoke into her mind. Ruth loosen her hold and breathed in before putting on a fake smile for the King just as it was their turn to walk up to them. Yami squeezed Personas hand to let her know that she needed to be on her guard.

"Master Lucian, thank you for coming all this way. I look forward to renewing our alliance with your horde." Yami said with an equally fake smile to match Ruth's. The old master lowered his head as Ruth curtsy at his side.

"As do I, my king. You remember Ruth, my faithful servant."

"I do. Welcome." Yami replied as he politely took her hand but did not kiss it. Ruth batted her lashes playing up her role as she held her contempt for him and the girl. Lucian eyed the girl standing by the king and noticed how unusually lovely she was. He knew that the king always hired an escort for these events, but the girl did not fit the role of one. He wondered if this was the rumored demon girl that was supposedly visiting the king every night. Demon? No. Though she had the horns and eyes of one the word demon didn't fit her. He wondered if she was the weakness Ruth spoke of. 'Poor girl.'

"And who is this vision of purity by your side?" Lucian asked as he gazed at Persona. He tried to use his second sight on her but found nothing. Instead he sensed three charms on her. 'Interesting,' he thought as he then noted how Yami squeezed the hand of the girl as she blushed shyly at his compliment.

"This is Lady Amelia." The king replied.

'A lie. But not unusual for girls in this line of work.' Lucian thought as he laugh in his head at the word 'lady', then flashed his fangs in a wide smile as the girl bowed her head to him. "A pleasure Lady Amelia. I hope that you and Ruth find time to chat with each other during the assembly. She'll be great company."

Persona was about to reply when Yami cleared his throat to draw away Lucian's attention from Persona. "Will it just be yourself attending the assembly?"

"No, your Majesty. I will bring my young follower Zeal with me." He step aside to usher the young blood forward. Again, vampires in this world did not bother to waste their powers on simple glamor to make themselves more attractive, but Zeal was unnaturally good looking for an undead person. Smooth skin of off-white blue, with thick dark hair and perfect eyes of lime green. Persona guessed that he must have died or turned when he was in his early twenties for his energy matched his name. However, she picked up a strange chill when his eyes met hers making her want to run. 'Must be survival instinct kicking in.' She thought as she tried not to appear nervous.

"My lady.", he spoke smoothly then tried to reach for her hand but was stopped when Yami said in a bored tone, "Enough." The young vampire moved back and lowered his head to him. Yami then turned to the older one saying, "Master Lucian, I invite you and your followers into my home. Lord Seto is waiting to greet you and him in the meeting room. Your followers and servants are free to enjoy the dining room and later parts of the garden."

"Thank you, your majesty." Lucian bowed one last time and motioned with a hand for his followers to move with him. Each bowed their heads as they past and Persona counted eight pairs, each with a servant trailing them. She glanced over her shoulder and saw that Zeal turned to give her one last wink before leaving with his master. Persona quickly turned her head and saw the next group walking up the stairs.

"Are you alright?" Yami whispered to her.

Was she alright? Would a rabbit be alright greeting tigers and lions? She was far from alright. These vampires were nothing like the ones young adults in her world dreamed of. They were definitely nothing close to the ones in the movies or on T.V. These were the monsters that old stories warned simple minded people of when science was new, and the world a darker place. And she was in a castle full of them.

"I'm fine." She breathed out but Yami heard and felt her lie. He rubbed the ring on her finger signaling that she was protected. The small touch made her sigh softly and put on a new smile when the next Master Vampire walked up to them by herself.

"My king." She crooned as she showed her respect to her king. Yami greeted her in the same way as the last two masters and to Persona's relief the other masters and their followers greeted her dismissively as they moved into the castle.

Xxx

(Persona POV)

When the last of the horde was formally invited in to the castle, Yami had me walk with him to where he needed to be for the assembly. It would have been more efficient to let the guards escort me to the dining area, but he was serious about keeping me at his side whenever possible. When Seto saw us, he rolled his eyes at the way Yami held onto my arm.

"You do realize my King that Persona has two orc guards walking right at her heels?" He teased crossing his arms.

"Seto," Yami spoke harshly without raising his tone, "I want Lucian's horde to be watched and kept far away from Persona. They took too much interest in her."

Seto was unbothered by the tone and simply droned back, "That is because they are the ones who usually get to play with your companion after introductions."

"What?" I slip out as I felt Yami's hold on me tighten.

"Not this time. Not with Persona." Yami said in a low growl.

The ground beneath our feet gave a low tremble. Seto looked hastily over his shoulder at the room where all the vampire masters were in. Thankfully no one came out to see what the quaking was about. Just as it died away Seto and Yami went at it with each other in hush voices that made me think of an old married couple.

"Will you calm down!"

"I am calm! I just don't trust Lucian's horde roaming around my castle!"

"Will you keep your voice down! We need his hordes strength on our side! Remember that there is a reason you have been king for this long!"

"Listen here you pompous prick-"

"No, you listen you arrogant little-"

Milda walked up to me and whispered in my ear that there would be trouble if the king didn't start the assembly soon. "You should step in my lady. They can be at this for a while now that insults are involve."

I sighed not believing I would have to play the matriarch for a dragon and a demon, but there didn't seem to be an end to their argument. Seto had drilled into me at every meeting we had alone together just how important this meeting was even if Yugi was going to solve the puzzle from under them. The King of the Maze needed to appear as an all-powerful source not to be challenged. Otherwise, what would stop people from solving or destroying the puzzles. Yugi and Joey would be in trouble if the outskirts weren't under control, not to mention Mai's safety.

I was here to help Seto keep Yami's focus on his job and right now I was unintentionally getting in the way. I had no idea why Yami was suddenly so afraid of me being alone with the guest since he believed me to be a demon, but I had to prove to him that I would be alright. Besides, I had the whole staff watching over me. What could go wrong?

"Again, why do you think she has two guards following her for! She even has a maid at her side. She'll be fine." Seto growled back.

"I think she should join me in the assembly. Damn, that new blood is in there, maybe- "

"We don't have time for this cousin! They are waiting and will suspect that something is wrong."

"Just let me- "

Before Yami had a chance to argued back I forcefully turned his head and captured his lips with mine. Pulling back, I saw him looking at me with a shock expression and then turned my head to Seto who was equally shock that I would be so bold to do such a thing in front of him.

"Alright you two, this is what is going to happen." I turned to Yami saying, "You are going to go in that room and do what you need to do to renew this alliance and make sure that no one is getting any ideas of challenging you."

I turned to Seto saying, "You keep making sure our King here doesn't screw it up." Seto huffed at me but I went on saying, "And I'm going to do my job by standing around looking pretty and act like a normal guest."

"Persona I told you that-" I cut him off again with another kiss but this one quicker than the first.

"I will be fine. I have my guards, Milda and my training from Seto and this..." I raised my right hand that he still held onto to show him the ring he gave me. "I can do this. I want to do this."

"Cousin." Seto said warningly that our time was up. Yami glanced at Seto then back at me with a small sigh. "Persona," he said whispering my name then kissing my hand with both the ring and bracelet.

"Be careful."

I smiled at him then kissed him lightly on his cheek, "I will be, my King."

(End Persona POV)

Xxx

Yami watched as Persona walked with the Milda and the two guards following right behind her to the dining room. He was still unsure if this was a wise thing to do. Humans were so weak against monsters and it felt cruel even for him to send her in alone in a room full of them. He scoffed then pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Cruel. That's a funny word coming from me. Cruelty is in my nature. This must be divine punishment.'

"Come my King. We've kept them waiting long enough." Seto said putting a hand on his shoulder.

Red eyes glanced back up to get one last look at her, but she was gone from the hallway. Yami had felt Persona's fear in the grand hall and worried about the things she would see in the dining room. Things that were natural to them all, but not to a human. Would her mind be able to handle their world of nightmare? What if it broke her? He wouldn't be able to live with himself.

"This must be my punishment Seto." He spoke in a hush tone that Seto almost missed.

"We both already knew that when you were force to rule the maze."

"That's not what I mean cousin. It's funny, I never cared about the killing I've done and the darkness I brought to the maze. As a demon, why would I? But now I want to protect Persona from it all but I'm afraid I won't be able too. Not when I'm part of this hell." The windows in the hall burst at the moment he finished talking making Seto swear at the sudden shock. Yami stood staring at nothing as his heart began to ache. 'What if I taint her or curse her humanity? I can't let that happen.'

"What am I going to do Seto? I love her, but I shouldn't. I should get rid of her, but I can't."

Seto was about to speak when from down the hall a small group of revenants came to clean up the glass and fix the windows. They each bow to the king and went on with their work. Seto had about enough of these two pining for each other with should or should nots. All he knew was that there was a room full of powerful vampires waiting for Yami. The last thing they needed was for one of them to think that 'King of the Maze' was a role they could do better.

"Cousin, Persona said she would be alright. She is a demon after all."

Yami was about to correct him but stayed silent. Turning around he walked pass Seto to the room he needed to go to. This was not the time to talk this over with his cousin. Persona was right, he needed to be sure all of those blood suckers knew their place in this hell. If he could let her leave the maze, he would, but since he can't he was going to use his power to at least protect her from harm.

Xxx

(Persona POV)

As I was getting closer to the dining area, Milda grabbed on to my arm to stop us from walking and spoke lowly to me.

"Miss, I must warn you that you will witness things I doubt any of your kind have seen. Please know that lord Seto has place strict rules on the guest feeding habits."

"Feeding?" I repeated, then gulped asking, "Are they going to be sucking on people's blood?"

She nodded but assured me that it was a group of shapeshifters that were used to this kind of thing. "Don't stare and don't be frighten." She picked up my arm with the corsage saying, "We are with you."

"As is the king.", grumbled the guard I was unfamiliar with. I shifted to them and asked for their names. The one from the window jump bowed telling me to called him Ode. Then the other did the same and introduce himself as Bora.

I smiled at them as I repeated their names then turned around and took a deep breath. Milda dropped my hands and stepped aside with a bow. I stepped forward with my head held high and couldn't help feeling like their queen as I walked in the room with an entourage. It was my first time in this room since Yami and I ate together somewhere else and whenever I ate with Seto it was in his office. There were tall candelabras against the walls and three golden candle chandeliers hanging above our head. A long table was place on one side of the room decorated with flower arrangements and golden cups. At the very back I could see another table filled with food for non-blood drinkers. I walked looking forward as I passed a few vampires sinking their teeth into the necks of the shapeshifters.

"Milda," I said softly, "They won't killed them, right?"

"No, my lady." She whispered back adding, "Shapeshifters can replace their blood faster than a human can. And as I said, lord Seto has place down rules to protect them from any damage."

"Oh," I replied as a young man around my age moaned as an odd squishy noise came from his neck as a female vampire chopped down and ripped open his shirt. "That's good to know." I squeaked out as her male partner walked up to them and bit down on his chest making the man cried out orgasmically.

I looked away so not to stare but then saw a woman sitting on a chair with three vampires feeding on her. Her eyes were blind folded, but tears ran down her cheeks as she held out her arms to let a vampire feed from each wrist. The third was at her neck and would pull her hair to draw crying gasp from her.

"Milda…"

"Vampire foreplay my lady. She is alright and has a guard standing by if she speaks the safety word or if things get out of hand."

I swallowed lightly but kept on walking to the very back of the room where I planned to wait for the assembly to be over. This was hands down the weirdest thing I had ever witness, but I needed to act like this was an everyday occurrence for me. According to Seto, most of the past assemblies took three hours to finish. In the mean time the followers would dine and enjoy walking the gardens. Once the negotiations were over, they would open the ballroom and dance the night away till the early morning.

"Are the theatrics necessary?" I asked as I walked by a woman who was standing completely still as blood dripped down from a long cut made on her collar bone. Two vampires walked up to her and began to lap up the blood before moving to suck on the cut. "No, but it makes the experience more relaxing for both parties." Milda explained.

She then cheekily added, "Think back to what you did to the king. There is little difference from what you did to what they are doing."

I flushed as the two guards behind me chuckled. Great, now the whole castle staff knows what I did to their king. I was going to need to explain to Milda later about not being a snitch. For now, I just needed to survive this part of the night.

As I walked closer to the back a young woman with flaming red hair walked over to me with a golden cup in her hand. "So," she sneered as she looked me over, "you're the one the king chose to have at his side tonight. You're a beauty that's for sure. What brothel are you from?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Your brothel darling." She replied with an eye roll. "Us hired girls need to stick together. I'm from the Dark Glory house. I was hired to be the King's back-up."

"Lady Amelia is not affiliated with any brothel!" Milda snapped.

"Ahh, an escort, are we? Then what agency darling?" She laughed when she saw my nervousness and touched my arm ignoring Milda saying, "No worries dear, I got my money plus extra for the trouble."

"Unhand her- "

"It's okay Milda." I said so not to make a scene as the woman drank from her cup. She shook her head and said, "Yeah hon, I just here to have a friendly chat." She said waving off Milda.

"Believe me darling, I'm glad I'm not in your shoes tonight. Though it seems you might be alright with that muscle to back you up." She motion to Ode and Bora with her cup not looking at Milda's frown.

"What do you mean?" I asked as she took another sip.

"Well," she said smacking her thin lips, "I happen to know that one of the personal servants here loves playing with the king's hire girl." She then glanced over her shoulder and turned back to me speaking in such a low voice that I had to move closer to her. The alcohol was strong on her breath, but I did my best to ignore it.

"The one with the black hair and eyes, the one with her boobs falling out of her dress, watch out for that one dear. She's the real monster in this room." Her bright green eyes darken when she added, "My friend knew the girl from last year. Some tart from another agency but she was alright. My friend said that she disappear with that woman after the introductions and when she had found her later, she was white as a ghost. She didn't know what was done to her, the girl wouldn't say, but she told me that the poor thing ended up hanging herself three days after the ball."

She moved to toss her drink back as my eyes glance over at the woman introduced to me in the grand hall as, Ruth. The red-haired woman sighed as she stared off into space saying, "I only took this job thinking I could spend the night drinking and laughing and getting paid to do it. I was scared shitless when I was told I was gonna be filling in but thank the heavens you pulled through."

"Why are you warning me?"

She gave me a look showing me she was not as drunk as she was acting, "Because like I said, us hired girls need to stick together. So what agency are you from?"

"Harpy's Dream."

Her eyes widen then grabbed onto one of my hands, making my guards move but I held up my other hand to stop them. "Your one of the harpy's girls? Is mistress Mai alright? My madam is a good friend of hers. She's a bitter old bitch, but Mai knew how to talk to her. She knew how to get her to treat us better. So, please tell me how she is."

"Mai's fine." I said and watched as the woman breathed in slowly. She looked like she needed a drink of water, so I put an arm around her and asked Milda to get us a cup. I then led her to the back table as she rambled off about her work and how she wished Mai was still around.

"It was a shock to my heart when I heard she closed her shop. A shock. She was the only one who didn't look down on us whores. Yeah, I know what I am, but I did what I had to survive this place." She said tearing up. I offered her a napkin and waited for her to wipe her face before handing her first cup of water.

"You're a sweet one. I bet you still have your purity too. Listen here darling, I'm gonna give you this bit of advice as a favor to Mai. You gotta make a paradise out of this hell, cause you are in hell. Once you do, hold on to it, or you'll end up like me, or worse, like her." She finished by pointing her cup at Ruth who was talking to another vampire in her horde. She took a drink of her water then said, "I heard about a girl coming here every night to see the king. He must have spent a ton of money on you to make mistress Mai close her shop. And with those babysitters, and the way he's been acting around you why, I think I might be talking to my future queen."

"But I not-"

"Shh," She put a finger to my lips and said, "Remember what I said darling, you got to make a paradise out of hell. I've been with a lot of men and I know that shine in their eyes when they're serious about a girl. You know what I'm talking about, don't you?"

I glanced down and said in a small voice, "Yes."

She bent her head to look into my eyes and smiled saying, "Aww, and I know that look too." She tucked a finger under my chin and raised it up to get a better look of my blushing face. "Now that is a ray of heaven's light if I ever seen one. That look in your eyes." She leaned over to face Milda and the guards saying to them, "You better protect this light. Who knows if another one will be seen here again if it gets snuffed out."

"I plan to with my life." I heard Milda say confidently.

After that the redhead drank three cups of water and lightly chatted with me about her friends and told me some light gossip from the town. I was grateful that her stories distracted me from the ongoing feeding in the room. I wouldn't have mind if she stayed by my side, but she eventually had to go. She needed to see if any of the guest would like her services.

"I need to make all the extra coin I can make. Damn bitch always takes more then half my pay." She said then walked off.

"Maybe we'll see each other again after the ball."

"I doubt that, 'my lady'."

"What's your name?" I called out to her making her stop and added, "Maybe we can be friends?"

I saw her shoulders draw back to take in a breath. She then turned around swiftly making her dress swirl around her legs and bowed lowly to the ground drawing the attention of some of the vampires. In a loud clear voice, she said, "It was an honor talking to you, your Grace." My mouth parted not knowing what to say as she rose from the ground and disappeared into the crowd. It was the last time I would see her, and I never got her name.

When she left some of the guest suddenly tried to approach me but Milda would politely turn them away saying that I was off limits. They would look at her with confusion but walked away to find others to feed on or talk to. Soon I began to feel their stares as their bellies became full. The time was going by so slowly and I could feel that I was becoming the center of their gossip. From the corner of my eye I could see Ruth staring at me, but not once did she attempt to walk towards me. The woman who's name I never got must have thrown her and everyone in the room off by calling me 'Your Grace'. If I remember correctly, that title was used for a duchess. If everyone here believed that I was just a hired girl I could understand their confusion. Still, if it kept Ruth far away from me, I was not about to correct them. Milda only left my side to bring me small plates of food and cups of water infused with cucumber. She had just brought me my first cup of wine for the evening when a couple walked up to me. Milda was about to stop them when the man bowed his head and the woman on his arm curtsy.

"Your Grace," the male vampire said in a clear mellow tone, "allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Marcus and this is my wife Lora." The woman bowed her head and said gently, "We are of the Naomi horde."

"Hello, I am Amelia." I said as I touched Milda's arm to let her know that it would be alright. There was no point in avoiding the guest and I didn't want to come off as rude. Some light conversation might help the time go by faster. "Welcome to the King's domain. How are you enjoying yourselves?"

They both smiled at me and commented on the 'food' arrangement and from there we engaged in small talk. Soon other members from different hordes began walking up to join the group to chat, each bowing and showing me their respect. I had no idea what was going on but before long I was talking to them just as I would with regular people at a party. I quickly learn the power structure in each horde and their woes in the north. Seto mainly went over the names of the master vampires and gave me a brief run down on the hordes, but now I was learning about the people in them.

"Really, if we could just have more humans in the maze, we wouldn't be in this predicament." A male vampire said sighing. The woman next to him from a different horde gave a small laugh saying, "Fat chance, besides it's not like the king has control over what enters the maze!"

"Ha!" cried a male vampire from the Clyde horde, third strongest. "You think so! I remember when there were plenty of humans in the outskirts before this king banned them from his inner maze. Now, all we get are rumors of humans."

Many of them nodded in agreement as I stayed silent on the issue. The vampire went on saying, "What good is the land we have if no humans ever make it there. Oh sure, we are safe from hunters and the sun, but we are starving for real blood."

"Forgive my ignorance but I thought you were allowed to feed on whatever you caught in your land. Do beings not get trapped there in the outskirts?" The vampire looked at me with frustration but spoke with understanding in his voice that let me know he didn't expect me to understand.

"Lady Amelia," I had asked them to refer to me by my name since 'your grace' felt too formal to say every time they spoke to me, "it is true that we can feed on other beings, but our main source of 'nutrition' comes from human blood. Do you see that lot over there?" He pointed with his head and I glanced in the direction to see one of the hordes sticking together in one group. I remember how I nearly shook when they passed me in the great hall. They looked like dressed up corpses and moved jaggedly.

"The Mary-Anna horde. They've been trying to hide their sick, but it's plain as day. See how they gouge themselves on the blood but never appear full? How their skin stretches over their bones and how near death they seem? It's a vampires death, but it will not kill them. No, instead it will drive them mad. Their master has already put down half her horde in the past two months. Soon, they will be no more."

I watched them feed as he spoke and felt a chill down my spine. To eat but to never feel full. To have your body wither away but not die. That must be hell. "That's awful." I whispered.

"I'm sure the King will come some agreement in the matter, my lady." Lora spoke up and gave me a meaningful smile. "He does need us after all, and we need him. I'm sure he can solve our problem."

"Well I hope so! Otherwise, why bother with the alliance!" the vampire boomed then walked away to get another 'drink'. The dreary mood went with him and the others around me eagerly tried to lighten it.

"Lady Amelia, when the garden opens up, will you join us for a walk?" A young vamp by the name of Carlotta asked sweetly. She was from the four strongest horde and reminded me of a china doll. I smiled at her and nodded saying, "Only if you don't mind the extra company I must keep." Motioning to my guards.

"Oh of course my Lady." She replied as others added, "Naturally." And "It's a beautiful night for a stroll."

A bell chime was heard making all the vampires quieted then one by one, couple by couple, they each excused themselves from my company. As I acknowledged each of them leaving, I saw a servant walk up to Milda and whispered into her ear. She nodded vigorously them whispered to me that the assembly was taking a small break and that the King was asking for me. I excused myself and watched as the room parted for me so that I could be the first to leave. I felt a shiver go down my spine as I watched them all bow as I walked passed.

I said nothing to Milda as I tried not to sprint down the hall to where Yami was waiting for me. Thankfully the room was not far and Milda picked up her dress revealing flats on her feet and ran ahead to open the door for me. I picked up the front of my dress and picked up the pace with the clanking of my guards right behind me. I rushed into the room dropping my dress to look for Yami and saw him stride towards me, then throwing his arms around me in a warm embrace.

"Leave us." He commanded as he held on to me. I heard the door close but kept my arms around him not wanting to let go. He must have sensed it since he held me tighter and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Are you alright my lamb?" he finally asked. I nodded my head and pulled back to cup his face in my hands as his arms slid down to my waist. "I told you I would be fine." I said with a proud smile then asked how talks with the leaders were going. He frowned then shook his head and pulled away from me walking to a small table to pour himself a drink.

"Not well. They want what I can't give them."

"Human blood?", I asked. He turned sharply to me and I explain what the followers where telling me.

"Greedy bastards." He growled then crush the glass in his hand. I walked forward and picked up a small cloth napkin to clean the blood and wine dripping from his palm. "They know my rule. They can live without human blood."

"I'm not so sure." I said as I tossed the dirty cloth and picked up a new one to tie around his hand. He touched my hand to stop me and I glanced to see confusion in his eyes.

"What are you saying?" I bit my lip not sure if I should say any more. I doubt a sheep would explain to a human why wolves had to eat, but I couldn't get the sickly horde out of my head. Not to mention what the male vampire had threaten.

"I saw a horde that did nothing but feed. No matter how much they did they never seem full. The other hordes avoided them just the way animals in a pack would. They're getting sick and the followers are afraid. They're facing death from two different sides and they know you need them, but if things don't change…"

"What will keep them from turning on me?" He finished.

I bit my bottom lip not believing I was advocating for vampires. He pulled away from me and ran his other hand through his hair commenting, "So the head vampire is not exaggerating." He then looked at me asking, "Did they voice anything else?"

"There was mention of the possibility that you control what beings are captured." He gave a short laugh then sank into a couch. He put his elbows on his knees then rested his head onto his fisted hands.

"As if I care what gets caught here. I don't care where humans enter in the outskirts or how many. I just don't want them in my domain." His eyes snapped to mine the moment he said what he really felt. I casted my eyes away as I was reminded that I was unwanted by him.

"Persona?"

(End Persona POV)

Xxx

Yami felt the girls sadness seep into his chest and regretted his thoughtless words. Years of hatred for humans would not be so easily undone for him it seemed. But even if he could let it go, they would be nothing more than food to his allies and subordinates. Persona would never forgive him for letting her kind be hunted, so if the maze did listen to his request, banning humans from the maze was a good thing. As she looked away from him her words from earlier that day echoed in his head.

"I can love you all I want, and it will never be me who has your affection…I am something you hate."

"Persona." When she peered up at him, he patted the empty spot next to him. She moved without saying a word and sat down but again looked away from him. The demon king sighed then said softly, "Persona, have you ever wondered about my dislike for humans?"

She nodded her head not looking at him and Yami went on saying, "I was tormented by one when I was powerless and alone. I was a prisoner in a puzzle and didn't know why. My memories were a mess and I had no hope of escaping. She could have helped me, but she wanted to enslave me as well. She claimed that she loved me but that's not what it was. It was an obsession. She would hold the puzzle made of gold over a pit of fire threatening to melt it if I didn't say I loved her. I would beg for her not to and she would laugh and say she would do it the next day. My life was a game to her."

"Then, Seto found me and tried to win my freedom from her. When he did, she smashed the puzzle, and I felt my soul and mind being torn but not destroyed. The whole time Seto worked to put the pieces back together I was in agonizing pain, but I held on so that I could triumph over her scheme, over her desire to control me. However, once the puzzle was built back Seto still couldn't free me unless I made a vow to put my life in her hands." Persona glanced over at Yami and saw that his hands were gripping his knees as his body trembled with frustration. She wanted to tell him to stop but felt that he needed to get the words out before they tore his inners to bits. Just this once he was going to talk about this pain and then move on and look back. If he stopped now, he will never be able to speak of it again and be stuck.

"There was something else with me in the puzzle. Something that my uncle put in there so that I would never know peace. A darkness that came for me whenever the mood strike it. It wouldn't wait for me to weaken. No, it liked coming for me when I was at my strongest and would catch me off guard to remind me that I was nothing. I wasn't human. I wasn't a monster. I wasn't even a spirit. I was just thoughts that were fading. Inside and outside the puzzle I was doomed to be someone's toy."

He them scoffed as a small grin formed on his lips, but his body remained tense. Persona wonder what could possibly be making him grin while remembering his pain till he spoke again, and she too found herself smiling. "Seto," he chuckled then said, "that man started saying the most outrages things to me. Saying that a 'king' should not succumb so easily to his own weakness. That, if he had known that I was so weak minded he would have joined his father to over throw me and then demanded to know where the man he knew went. What had happened to his cousin the Pharaoh, his king. And believe me that's a shorter and cleaner version of what he said. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I became so enraged and determine to get out of my prison, if only to punch him in his foul mouth, that I fought my way through the darkness. I battle with it and when I weakened it, I gave it two options, either it kill me off for good or help me get out. And that's when I made a deal."

He let out a deep breath then sat up straight to look Persona in her eyes. He could feel her concern for him. Her heart beating with warmth as her lips tremble and eyes fought to stay dry. She couldn't feel sorrowful for him because it was not what he needed. Instead a gentle glow of a comfort bloomed from another emotion that made him reach out to touch the side of her face so not to lose it. The moment his fingers brushed her cheeks Persona's fight with her tears ended as a heavy drop fell down like a shooting star. "You gave up your humanity." She whispered.

Yami watched as two more drops fell as he nodded. "I didn't see the value of what I was giving up when I agreed. Humans and demons were akin as far as I was concern. That wench showed me that and the few memories I had of my uncle proved that to me. It was not till afterwards in a final attempt to hurt me that I had flashes of other people in my past life showed me that was not true. As a demon, it's easier to hate then to admit I was wrong. I don't hate humans because of the wrong done to me, though it doesn't help, I hated them because they remind me of what I lost."

"You didn't lose it." Yami sighed as more tears fell from the girls eyes. He moved to cup her face and with his thumbs tried to wipe away her tears. "Please don't cry for me Persona. I made my peace with my fate. I just needed you to understand-"

"I mean it. You did not lose it. A least not all of it! Tell me, what demon shows loyalty to family? You would never hurt Seto, right?"

"No, I would never-"

"And what demon attempts to change their mannerisms or shows concern for another's safety? You were driving Seto up the wall because you were worried about me." Yami smiled at the girl then rested his forehead on hers. "I will admit that being with you has made me feel more human again. It's one of the things that I love about you."

Persona's eyes widen at his words but before she could speak, he kissed her gently on her lips. It was the first kiss he shared that was not heated or needy. It was a simple kiss. The kind that carried warmth and comfort. The kind that really spoke, 'I love you.' Pulling away from her lips he pulled her into a warm embrace. Persona's head rested on his shoulder as she brought her right hand over his heart. She could fill her face burning as she was still trying to process his confession. Yami was relieve that she was not rejecting him or dismissing it as untrue like she did in her bedroom, but he wanted to be sure that she really understood that he meant what he said. Smoothly he whispered to her, "Persona, there is something you should know…"