Two years had passed full of happy oblivion. And while Aeries and Kaname were enjoying a life full of comfort, love and carefree family moments at the other side of the town…another soul lived in angsts and pains…a life turning every moment more and more unbearable..

Trembling, falling, shuddering, shivering and shaking from a now familiar cold that wrapped him in the dark hours, he could not even hear his thoughts anymore. His veins ached, growing in size, his body suffered an unbearable craving, his throat was sore, stinging, he asked for a relief and there was none.

The little girl stood outside of his door afraid that she may never see him again or hear from him. Even his shouts or gasps of pain, his heavy breaths were at the same time both worrying and comforting to her little ears. There was nothing that she could do when he locked himself in that room, suffering from a sickness or a disease she did not understood neither recognized. She wished that he would recover and be his normal self but day by day or night by night, this torture seemed only to get worsen, to consume him, to devour him.

When he finally gathered his strength and got out of the room, there were wrinkles of pain on his face, sweat at his shirt and a fading smile she knew that it would vanish the same moment that she would return her back to him to bring a glass of water.

She had a feeling that she would lose him anytime now. "Please don't lock yourself in your room, don't…".

Despite his efforts to work harder in the night he could not function at all. They were mostly starving to death and the little girl agonized thinking that perhaps it was time to drop her school and find a job. Any kind of job that could help them survive. She was processing it in her mind when the door opened and Eros stumbled and dropped almost unconscious in front of her. She fronted. Now along with perspiration there was also blood…Blood coming from his arm. What had he done to himself? Why?

-Liz get out! Try to go elsewhere…You should leave me now, the words were not easy to be pronounced as he breathed in heavily and long. His face was touching the ground, he did not even trying lifting it, when he spoke these words.

-What? What happened to you?

-Get out! Run as fast as you can, I can kill you or I may kill myself…please Go!

-Go? Go where?

He wanted to cry! He had failed in everything, he had…protecting them, making a difference, he had been consumed by these monsters. But the little one…she could not stay there anymore, not with for all he knew he was dead already.

-RUN! DON'T MAKE ME GET UP AND SHOW YOU! VANISH FROM MY SIGHT! GO TO THE ORPHANAGE! THEY WILL TAKE YOU! GO!

Tears formed in her eyes, now she had none.

Suddenly he raised his face from the floor…Liz stepped back and swallowed with difficulty…

These monstrous eyes...and that sharp fangs…She screamed and started running…He had become one of them…vampires…"GO", " Go Where?", " Where"?

Three weeks after…

Aeries opened her eyes with difficulty but she did open them. The bedroom was in darkness as the heavy velvet curtains prevented the morning sun from entering in the room. It was still early and the alarm clock ticked several times before Aerie's hand reached the side table to turn it off.

She twisted around to see her husband sleeping with the covers all over his face. She signed and started shaking him to wake him up.

-What? What did I do? Kaname complained with a low and heavy voice…

-Come, wake up! Aeries sat up the bed and started pulling the covers…

-Ten more minutes…

-No! You will lose the appointment, they are all old ladies they cannot wait for you…

-What time is it? He refused to let go of the covers while Aeries insisted pulling them.

-It's eight o'clock in the morning...now control your vampire side.

-Eight? In the morning? Bring Artemis and kill me…

-No, I refuse to become a widow and raise two children on my own just because you are too lazy…Kaname! Let go of the blanket. You are not skipping this. I promised that you will see them and you will see them.

Kaname suddenly released the blanket and Aeries dropped to the side of the bed with a loud sound and half of the blanket all over her. Once he realized what had happened he offered a helping hand with an apologetic look.

-I am so sorry Aeries…

She climbed on the bed again with ease.

-Oh never mind…

He crawled to her hug delving his head inside of her chest.

-No, no! Kaname wake up, don't sleep…again…

-I am not; I am just enjoying the benefits of having you here, he said with his eyes closed. How good she smelled and felt to him. Warm, soft, female…

She wrapped her arms around his head and caressed his hair trying to put in order some of the hair that fell here and there.

-Remember, they are human and old…do not show your fangs to them…they may get a heart attack. We are funding the new orphanage and I promised an appointment so get up and start preparing to see them.

-I fund them…why do I have to see them? He nuzzled his nose again her skin.

-But I promised! They want to meet you…she declared.

-Okay, okay I go…Aeries, the next time that you are making an appointment for me, remember to ask me first…

Aeries smiled as he got up.

-I am going to be at the opening…she said proud for her job.

-Good! Now if you want to do charity and me funding you another program…do not get me another appointment this early, you won't get a dime, that's a promise, he said semi-laughing while looking her sideways…

-M, yes…she said while he got into the bathroom.

Half an hour later Kaname was seating at his office, trying to resist a yawning, while the committee, of the orphanage, consisting out of five to six old human ladies, stood before him, looking at him like his was an exquisite site and not a man.

-I usually do not get involved in this matter but since Aeries promised you this…this is the account where the money which will cover the expenses for the first year have been deposited.

-Ah thank you, you are so generous my Lord, said the president of the committee. She should be ninety years old and Kaname could swear that she wore a wig…her long brown hair was a bit unusual for this human age.

-We were all so glad to meet you in person, said the vice-president. We are so grateful that you gave us this opportunity. Your wife is extraordinary. She has done a wonderful job with the playhouses and the green gardens for the kids. You should visit us…

-The Queen will take care of the rest…I may come when my heavy schedule permits me to. Thank you for coming.

Kaname stood up wishing for the appointment to end so that he could return to his warm and dark nest that his covers would provide to him.

-You are most welcome…the ladies after hand shakings and bows exited. He then returned to his cozy bedroom but Aeries had gone already to attain her morning courses…he knew but he had wished that he would make it on time before she leaves to get a kiss and a warm embrace at least before he would go missing her….

-I should have insisted on that instructor! He mumbled, almost groaning, as he fell at the bed with a content smile to his face. How much he was suppressing his self to retreat every time to her wishes and her demands about female's independence, only his ancestor soul knew it.

A part of him was proud of her as she had found her place and her path into the vampire society, another more hidden, oppressive and primitive side which, he held back for obvious reasons, got irritated by her constant absence and occupation with not related to their family matters, even though he always knew where she was and when she would come back to him.

Anyway since she was not there he had no intention to wake up before five at the afternoon and he was really grateful that his children shared the same vampire habits with their father. Aeries was another case…

Aeries now shared her time between her family, her studies at the university and her fund raising programs that had no other purpose but to offer a better living to most unfortunate members of the city. She wanted to expand her program and her actions to other cities as well but for the time being she was happy that she had contributed into the opening of a new orphanage that could accommodate more children.

As she had been an orphan herself she wanted the best for these children-their pain was already too strong. She introduced psychologists and therapist that could work with them and many new activities in new surroundings like gardens, where both kids and instructors had the opportunity to interact with nature. She had this idea after seeing how good children function next to nature and open spaces instead of being closed inside of a building and she baptized that new program "The church children" to honor their memory.

And she was also proud about the way she had managed to find all the money to support her programs by decreasing the palace's expenses in the half after cutting out certain wasted luxuries that neither the nobles or the purebloods needed.

As much as she had hurt their pride that much she had brought smiles and leaps of hopes at he faces and the hearts of those who really needed it.

Her next plan was to make a center for the abused children that needed psychological support, accommodation, food and a resting house to find their way again back in life. But first the orphanage as it was the base for new comers; The opening was only a week away and she was excited.

She made it to the opening in time along with her two kids both at a baby carriage, Hana, Peter and her two bodyguards. Hana took care of the kids allowing to little Sawn to try his walking abilities, stepping alongside with his mother and at safe corridors and gardens. Peter was taking care of Hana, instead of Aeries as the young vampire, had developed a huge crash with the babysitter. She resisted kindly but he courted her all the way.

His so tender and young love was so strong that he had even confessed that to Kaname in his effort to get an advice for their first date. Kaname's reaction was "Don't bite her, kiss her"…he wished to remember that but lately as Hana and he were mostly together in the palace grounds, her white neck were the only image that he could think of…"Oh Hana".

-Peter in front of you, Aeries remarked as Peter had met one of the columns of the corridor, ready to crush against it. Hana laughed with Peter's panicked look.

-I…

-Yes, yes, I know. Aeries said laughing and Peter blushed up to his ears. Hana also laughed with the vampire's reaction.

-So this is the new hall that we made for the theatrical play of the children…isn't that marvelous..? The president questioned looking at Aeries.

-Yes, the room is really big and bright…it was bright inside since the theatre had large window openings along with curtains to cut off the sun. She got a bit dizzy and she brought her hand to her abdominal stepping a bit sideways.

Peter looked at her with a surprised look and Hana supported her.

-Are you all right? The president questioned?

-I am fine, I am just a bit tired…do you mind if I just rest a bit?

-Oh I am going to get you a glass of water…

-Again? Peter shouted and brought his hand to his mouth to zip it as he had already gone too far.

Aeries sitting now at the bench of the corridor nodded affirmatively and Hana clapped her hands smiling.

-That's so wonderful…she said.

-They must be rabbits and not vampires, Peter commented in Hana's ear. Hana turned to him with a strict expression of discouragement for his failing sense of humor.

-All right, I shut up, Peter said shaking his shoulders.

Just in time the baby girl woke up making small sounds of cry and little Sawn was placed in the carriage by Hana.

-Peter, here, let's take a walk and provide some oxygen to Miss Aeries…Hana said.

-Yes Hana, that's a good idea, come and find me here in a while, Aeries said.

Once she was left alone, Aeries closed her eyes and relaxed a bit. "This cannot continue, I am going to castrate him like a cat if he does not give me a break…why doesn't he take care of it? He was supposed to be careful this time! Ah! What am I saying? This is not a proper contraception way…Oh…"

Her mobile phone rang and she looked into her purse. Apart from Kaname nobody else called her.

-Hi..she said..no we have not finished yet. M? The kids are fine…what? Are you outside I do not hear you that clear…there is a lot of noise where you are…Yes I am fine, the orphanage is so well structured and formed. Well…lobster will be fine…oh tell them to add a bit of spaghetti there…you turn me hungry…you got me a present? Just like that…you are…by the way I also have a surprise for you but I will tell you later…I hardly hear you…all right, I will take care, kisses.

"M, nice dinner and a present along with my surprise…interesting night this will be…"

Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard the desperate cries of a girl. Where was that sound coming from? She noticed the door next to the theater. She was curious to see what was happening in there…they could not abuse a child in here…neither would she permit it. The girl's intense cry penetrated to her ears just as she opened the door, the president who was fetching the glass of water, ran behind her.

At the opposite corner of the room a girl sat, a girl that looked so familiar to Aerie's memory. The girl was bended in two with her head into her knees, shaking from the sobs…

-Oh she woke up…she is new here…she just came in…yesterday…the president hurried to explain.

Aeries approached the little with the president behind her. She was reluctant as she spelled her name.

-Liz?

To the sound of her name, that familiar voice that came from another time and place, Liz straightened her head.

-What? Aer…she was crying but she was not alone anymore as Aeries maternal indicts as developed as they were after two kids and a new pregnancy hugged her tightly.

-You are alive! I am so glad you are! But why…why are you here Liz? What happened?

Liz retreated in her hug, after so much hard time a few seconds of real care, made her heart tremble…

-There was an attack, an awful attack, Eros is not the same anymore…He is a monster….

-What? What happened?

Liz looked at the president who was looking curious at this strange acquaintance, a girl of the streets with the Queen?

Aeries understood.

-Can we have some privacy? She asked and the president decided to leave them alone.

Listening to the door closing behind her Aeries returned to the girl that had stop sobbing that hard.

-What happened? She asked again. She was afraid that Eros had deserted the girl at the streets to continue his activist blows with restraints but that was not the case. Liz told her a story she did not know…

-Where were you? I had gone to house…you don't live there anymore…Liz said.

Aeries hugged her petite figure…

-It's all right now; I will take care of you… I am a vampire but you have nothing to be afraid no more…she caressed the strands of hair that fell at the face of the girl. I also lost my brother. Don't be afraid…

-You have your own family now…I have no place entering it, Liz said lowering her eyes.

-Yes you do…Oh do not worry about this…the palace is large and you will like it...there is also Hana that takes care of the children...you also, she is a human and you will like her. And Kaname will understand…certainly.

Kaname had a few problems understanding the reality to be…

-To adopt a human girl? Aeries, I would do anything for you but…

-Kaname, you must understand, we are the reason that these kids lost their hiding in the woods, sleeping inside of a deserted stable…

-We are the reason? And not you friend and his crazy ideas? Perhaps that was my mistake for allowing this to happen but I had no idea that this could be dragged so far…

-If you remember you even threatened him to uncover him in case he would get involved with me, in a way you used the children to benefit yourself, so do not tell me excuses about allowing it. I do not see why it bothers you. Why? It's another child. You've done this before with Peter…remember?Besides had you any idea that this bastard lives here and there? Waiting to get his powers back? Changing people? Threatening lives…

Silence followed and Kaname's look was rather unreadable, something he did not use to do with Aeries. An idea jumped in her mind…

-You knew it? You know it? How long do you know it?

-Quite some time, he confessed.

-You know that he is alive out here and you are leaving him?

-I cannot spot a pureblood shared in pieces…he must make a whole appearance first Aeries.

-And Eros?

-He is the bait…He will lead me to him; I do intend to finish him. About Eros I am sorry but he is like being already dead, Aeries. He is a level-e, the time he has lasted is enough already; resisting his new instincts. He seems to have a use for Dragen…otherwise he would not spare him. Right now other than being a pawn there is nothing that he can do for himself or for others.

-A bait? A pawn? How can talk like that?

-It's the reality; you are old enough to understand…I do not like threats in my country nor my society nor my family and they are both a threat to me, Eros with his new vampire wild drives and crazy ideas and Dragen with his skims about power.

-Eros never hurt anyone, he is being protecting these children, he only wants to help his race…

-He wants to destroy us.

-No, you are wrong, he is fair, fairer than you are to him this moment…he is human…

-He used to be human. He is a vampire…more dangerous to kill than Dragen, the one is a finished level-e and the other one is a controlled but crippled pureblood. They would do anything to serve their purposes.

-And you are a monster…cruel and cold. You are going to let him fall into darkness?

-There is nothing I can do about him, nothing. Dragen made him into a vampire, not me…

-You are forgetting whose fault all of these are? Ha? You are forgetting that Dragen came here because you had a hysterical fiancée that led him to me, you are forgetting that your pretension started it all, your lies, you drove him away from me…

-From you? Kaname's eyes fell with an intense look at Aeries. She did not like his aura that was becoming dark again. She retreated…

-I did not mean it the way you thought but you have also played your role here, he is completely innocent and yes we are the ones to be blamed.

-You are taking this in a rather sensitive manner Aeries, I expected you after all this time and our family not to take so personal this entire story.

-You are wrong; you think I forgot? Especially now, as you say it, I cannot let Liz like that…perhaps if…

-Aeries look at me. We have a wonderful family and I won't let anyone get involved between us. So this is not your field to involve. If anything goes according to my plan, Dragen will be dust before the end of another semester. I am only asking for a favor, not to get involved.

-And Eros?

-He has a fate I cannot change Aeries.

-There must be a way…

-There is no way…I am sorry, you just have to accept that and help Liz to also accept that. You can bring her here but that's it. No more interference…Now what was it that you wanted to say to me on that phone…

-Nothing…I am not in any mood right, now. I am going to fetch Liz here…I left her there with the promise to go and get her back later this evening, I have already informed the president…

-Oh and then you go asking me? What for? I am the decorative here…anyway...go and Aeries do come straight home.

-You are awful…

Kaname looked at her as she was exiting the room with a rather worried expression. His inner instinct warmed him that this little girl would bring nothing but troubles to his pureblood family and to his original plans. He had prepared his surprise to show to Aeries the house, her house and their future residence now that all threats would be exterminated but now new things were getting on the way…

On the way back home and while in the car Liz persistently looked at the road behind her…they were crossing the town's main avenue in order to return from the orphanage to the palace. She was becoming more and more anxious turning behind her…looking at the streets..everywhere.

-What is wrong? Aeries asked.

-Eros..we just passed the house, I could tell him that I am with you now…please Aeries…

-We shouldn't…we are not supposed to…

-You don't understand he may have killed himself by now. I must tell him. I must see him. Please!

-Okay stop..stop the car…make a turn! She told to the driver. With her command the car got to the opposite line. Peter who always followed her steps, look at her sideways. He did not know anything if they should stop or not but what he knew was that bending to a little girl wishes was sounding like a bad beginning? What was she talking about anyway?

As they reached the street that the girl told to them, the girl got out of the car making a turn left to a small alley…Aeries watching from inside called her back.

-Where are you going Liz?

-It's in the alley; the car can't get in there. It's a dead end.

Indeed the alley was too narrow for this limousine. Aeries signed and got outside, Peter as well.

-You wait here, Aeries said to Peter.

-No, I am not…

-Just a moment Peter, I am her guardian I cannot let her go on her own…it is me the one responsible for her…and you stay here!

She did not want him to see who she was about to see if in any case…Liz could keep her mouth shut but Peter? She doubted it.

-Fine! Peter retreated as Aeries's stare was far too intense and decisive to go against. She slowly took the way for the back alley. The scent was not that pleasant at that point of the city as the garbage filled the corners and the street was full of dirt. She made a step back

"What is happening here? Why do you live like that?" she wondered taking a step back observing the old filthy, better observing the old walls of the building full of smoke, the extremely small windows that merely allowed the sun to come in, the broken little pavement that was not enough even for a single person. Where was Liz?

-Aeries…quickly, Liz got her head out of a small window that was in the same height as the pavement.

-In the basement?

-Liz nodded her head and got inside. Aeries disoriented descended the grey stairs that she had not noticed before and entered an also grey and tapered door left opened for her.

Inside, the old and grimy room was wrapped in semi darkness and was too empty and cold as only a round wooden table with some chairs, a cupboard and a single bed rested inside. On the table there were many posters and flyers with the sign of bloody on rose on them. So her suspicious had become a reality…he was the one.

-He is not here, Liz said putting some clothes in a suitcase. I will leave him a note and then…

-Liz how did you live like this? This is not healthy environment for a child. Where did you sleep?

-At that bed, Eros at the room inside…

-How did you reach it here?

-You see, he cannot keep a stable job, whatever he says, he is not himself anymore…he trembles most of the time and he…so now he does nothing more than occupying himself with Bloody Rose, he has recruited some people so…

-Liz? The man that stepped inside was like Eros but his eyes were far darker than usual. He looked far more tired and had bandages to one of his hands.

Liz ran to his arms the moment she saw him and he hugged her. Aeries felt a bit uncomfortable…

-Aeries…What are she doing here? He asked in question and surprise that his eyes gave instantly away.

As Eros had seemed strange to her so she seemed strange to him. The little girl with the carefree look and the simple clothing had disappeared. In front of him now stood the Queen, looking like a Queen, standing like one, with so elegant clothes and shoes that you were afraid to touch. She was more mature and graceful but he could see the change not only in her style but also in her.

-I am sorry, I did not mean to scare you…I mean Liz is welcome to stay with us.

-You? He looked at Liz with question.

-Yes me and my family. I am married now and I am…

-I know who you are and who he is and let me tell you that Liz has no place with you.

-What? Why? Aeries stepped closer to him. Why you do not trust me? I was so happy to see you last time and even though that was so long ago but…you are in no condition to keep her here. The police found her at the streets and they took her at an orphanage, here I have papers, I am her legal guardian now. Liz..told me about your condition…you cannot keep her here.

Eros' eyes widened in shock.

-Why Liz? Why?

-She can help, she can help….I do not want you to die.

-There is nothing that you or she cannot do about it… I know my destiny.

-Do not talk like that in front of her, you are making her feel scared, Aeries protested.

-Oh you know better..!

-I have two kids, it's not right.

-I had more than you…

-I know, I am so sorry Eros. I am so sorry…I wish I could help…and make it up to you, all things had been unfair to you until now, everything went wrong but I really want to help you. I do not have enough money right now but here…

She opened her little pursue and left some cash at the table.

-Liz told me that you cannot work and…

He approached the table and in a decisive look he took the money and torn them in little pieces.

-What? Are you?

-How dare you? What do you think I am a beggar?

-I am sorry, I did not mean to offend you, I just thought.

- I have my pride and nothing left, so you are not going to destroy it, if you can help me all I ask is to let me see Liz some weekends or time after time…she is all that is left from your bloody vampire race's killing attacks.

-I wish I could help you…more but I can't…I can't…take care now. The police officers are after your steps…I will not say that we've been here.

-I Know…I can imagine why…

Aeries looked at the floor, his stare on her was burned like fire, his words were even worst. "I can imagine…", "No, that's not what you think, I am not afraid to tell him or…"

-Liz, don't tell them nothing if they ask you in there, keep your ears open and your mouth shut, Aeries will take care of you but do not forget what I taught you, humans do not bound to these creatures…

Liz nodded her head affirmatively and wrapped her hands around Eros, Aeries looked at the other side.

-I am sorry, I have no idea how we reached this point, me delivering you to these beasts…Eros felt that his head was ready to explode if not his heart. She here!

-We are not beasts! We are as you, there are some evil ones but we are fighting against them. Whatever you think we are not beasts! Aeries protested.

-Tell that to your bastard king and husband, I do not care anymore to listen these words... If you were any true Aeries, any true at all, you wouldn't be wearing these clothes today, and you wouldn't be hiding from your own husband, you wouldn't go out with two bodyguards and a limousine… I wouldn't visit ten tombs in the cemetery… sleep with a gun under my pillow, feeling my veins to explode, my eyes to burst from the pressure, living in fear that I will turn into a murderer at nights. Beasts you are… you see the truth? Eros with a sharp move exposed his bandages and his raw fleshes astonished Aerie's . There was a whole peace of his arm missing…Aeries could now smell the blood…the fleshes…

-You did this?

-I could not feed on another so I fed on me…see this is the greatest prove of all…how animals you really are…I FEEL IT, I LIVE WITH IT EVERY SECOND OF MY LIFE…, IF I HAD THE POWER, I WOULD HAVE PROTECTED MYSELF…AND THE CHILDREN… NOW!

Only that now Aerie could really see what he meant, what he was going through as his veins were starting to appear under the layers of his skin. His eyes were turning red, full of a primitive thirst for blood…his fangs had extended slightly, their sharp edges made their appearance at his upper lips.

-GET OUT! OUT!

He resisted and his whole body was trembling, shaking…

-Let's go Aeries, he is not feeling well, I can assure you…

Aeries felt her mouth to go dry, she was a pureblood but in her life she had never seen before a level-e, and neither had she ever imagined the madness and the insanity of these pupils that seemed ready to get out of their edges…

-Run Liz! She yelled and the little girl exited with Aeries behind her.

Aeries fast as air made it to the door but Eros's hands driven by menace pulled her behind. She reached for Artemis but then she realized that her weapon had been left behind as she had taken a hastily exit. He threw her back with so much force that Aerie's head smashed to the wall. Her blood covered the filthy surface… everything blurred around her.

The animal that had taken now Eros' place bend all over her lying body…she was so dizzy and everything revolved around her.

"Do you remember?" "You let him enter…""You must remember…"

-No, no! she muttered between crying not even she knowing to what she was responding to; to the strange voices that filled her ears, to what has happening to her, to the pain in her abdominal that made her bend in two, while lying at the ground, or to the fact that these crimson eyes looked at her, sniffed her and then the fangs buried to her neck, ripping her fleshes there...she released a great cry.

The bodyguards that ran in, after Lyz's wild cries, were shooting the thin air as Eros jumped around in his madness and exited out of the window.

Peter ran next to a bleeding Aerie. She was in pain, crying "What had happened to him? What had that beast do to him? After her brother? How much torture had he caused?"

-Peter, take me to a hospital now and send Liz home with a taxi…she whispered in pain and eyes that looked at the void, she felt like closing her eyes and fading but she resisted to the weakness that overtook her, she resisted so hard because she knew that the next time that she would open her eyes Eros may not exist anymore once Kaname learned about this. And she had to earn time. Despite the pain, the sorrow, the shock, the panic, time for all of them.

Liz stepped in the room…"Finally"…