Kearney lay awake for hours. She couldn't sleep. It was her fault that Marquette was gone. Her and her stupid black outs. She twisted her fingers, calling the shadows to her silently. They crept easily and covered her as an extra blanket, providing protection. If she kept the shadows with her all night, the Atrox couldn't watch her. Granted, she would have to be up all night, but it would be worth it.

It would be worth it…


Kearney sat up and yawned, blinking at her bright room. She had fallen asleep! Frantic, she made sure nothing was misplaced. Her clocks still faced towards her. She let her breath out in relief.

She was, however, surprised at the time. It was already eleven, and her grandmother hadn't woken her up yet. Slipping her feet into her fuzzy green slippers, Kearney stood and began to walk downstairs.

She could faintly smell her grandmother's cooking. Sausage and blueberry muffins. Had her grandparents already left?

A note was on the table next to the plate of muffins. She spotted it immediately when she walked into the kitchen. Picking it up, she began to feel her tense muscles loosen slightly.

Your grandfather had another meeting. I had some shopping to do. Muffins on the table, sausage in the microwave. You looked so peaceful, so I didn't want to wake you. Also, a letter from your brother came. You can't miss it.

Love, Grandma

Kearney's eyes lifted to the table, but she didn't see any letter. Her mouth pulled into a frown as she began to search for it.

"Looking for this?" Aidrian's voice was hard.

She turned and smiled. Her arms pulled him closer as they embraced stiffly. "I was so worried about you! Is Marquette back?"

His eyes were dark and unfriendly. She pulled back, confused. "I wouldn't know. When I followed her, something attacked me. I've been stuck on the fifth plane."

"Aidrian, what's wrong?"

He waved some papers in her face. "This whole time, Kearney. This whole time! You've been fooling us. A wolf in sheep's clothing."

Her hands balled into fists as she tilted her chin up, staring him hard in the eyes. "You read the letter from my father!" Her voice shook with rage. Who gave him the permission to snoop into her private matters?

"That's the least of your worries. This whole time you've been pretending to not know who you really are!"

"What are you talking about?" She asked, exasperated and confused.

Aidrian shoved the letter into her hands, then leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. Kearney stared at him, startled. What had her father written exactly?

Shakily, looking away from her dead boyfriend, she unfolded the letter and began to read.

Dearest Kearney,

I know that by the time you receive this letter, your sixteenth birthday will be rapidly approaching. Lately, you should have been experiencing some new changes. I'm writing to tell you about it all, about who you really are. Maybe you have figured it out by now, but I wrote this just in case. This is about it all. From my leaving you to your obvious feelings that someone is watching you. Yes, I know all about that.

Long ago, I was a selfish man, thinking only of my needs. I wanted your mother, crazy as she was. I didn't understand her madness, not ever, but it eventually let up until recently, when she died. I never believed that you and John and Christian would change my life, the long existence that your mother and I have shared, as drastically as you three actually have.

And so, my daughter, a beautiful daughter of Selene, I have to tell you of your changes.

Long ago, the Atrox let me go as long as I agreed to give up the only daughter I sired. It told me of the power you would have and what part you would play in its resurrection. I agreed. Foolishly, I agreed.

My love, you are the Princess of Darkness. The power you hold will be even more dangerous that Stanton's, the current Prince of Night. Your destiny it to betray the ones you love. I wish now that I could change that. But you would have never been born, and you, Kearney, are my greatest gift.

I love you, and what I've done, I've done for you. Had we left you to your own devices, the gods would have shaped your destiny. At least we gave you a grand and long-lasting life. Each night, we watch out for you.

Your birthday is close. The final transformation is soon upon us. More instructions will come to you, but do not worry about the Daughters. Find a way to keep them off your scent, and the rest will be taken care of.

I'll be meeting with one of your friends soon. Please, forget her. He return is of no importance. She is a messenger from the god that sent your mother to me, and she will stop at nothing to keep you from freeing our lord, the Atrox.

Please, my darling daughter, take care. And know that I love you very, very much. I will see you very soon. Happy sixteenth. A year for immense changes.

Your loving father,

Alexander

Kearney shivered, a deep cold settling into her bones. Tears rolled insolently down her cheeks. Aidrian watched her carefully, still wondering if she would betray them. She didn't know. She had never known.

He pulled her into his arms, and she sobbed into his chest, her cries loud and sharp. Marquette was in danger, and she couldn't even help her. She couldn't even help herself now.

"What am I going to do?" She moaned pitifully, clutching his shirt tightly in her fists.

"We'll figure it out. No one, especially the Atrox, is going to take you."

She looked into her eyes and saw the fierce determination behind the gold, green, and blue specks. However, it didn't comfort her. It was going to take her. She didn't have the heart or strength to tell Aidrian that.