Chapter 5: Frigid Company

"Uggg, I thought I was going to be ill watching that exchange."

It was a short drawling voice and I turned to face the speaker with a malicious smile.

"Are you feeling left out?" I jibbed back at him as I walked right past everyone and went back into the kitchen to start scrubbing the morning dishes.

"No!" Finis protested as he followed me and I sighed heavily.

That's right I hadn't made Finis his cake yet. He is going to follow me around and bother me until I do.

I was rumenting as I scrubbed on a particular dirty pot as Finis's drawing voice drifted through the confines of the kitchen.

"It is a surprise though…The air about him has changed. It's hard to recognize him as the same man who has actually killed me multiple times. Say, what do you find so interesting about him that you would defy your entire people for a killer, knowing that your entire race is a dying breed?"

I suppressed a deep urge to slap the boy as I set the final pot to drying. Slowly, I turned to get out my baking supplies out of the cupboard, refusing to comment as I did so. As I stood with one hand in the cupboard, I felt Finis's words hit home. I stood there looking blankly up at the contents of the cupboard feeling the tears start to build up in the corners of my eyes.

In a small voice that didn't sound much like my own, I managed a low reply. "Go away."

"Excuse me, what was that?"

"Leave." I spoke softly yet firmly as I turned round to face the petite blond and Finis finally seemed to realize he had pushed bit to far.

"Err…" The boy seemed rather torn and conflicted despite my firm warning for him to leave. "With sister being around that lowly cut-purse all the time it's hard to figure these things out all the time...I seem to have upset you. That wasn't my intention...completely. I honestly want to know the answer."

Slowly, in the mist of my distress, something dawned on me.

Finis was an analyzer.

He continuously collected data and knew how to work people to get what he wanted without any remorse at all.

Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning to a rod, something clicked into place.

I took a hard step towards to blushing blond, who looked like he was getting ready to leave. I struggled to contain my tears as they threatened to gather in hot pools at the edges of my eyes. "That...that is a rather personal question coming from you, Finis. I propose a little tête-à-tête master strategist."

Finis's eyes grew wide with surprise and he folded his arms with evident interest. I had apparently peaked his interest. "What exactly are you looking for in such an exchange?"

I pushed the errant tears out of the way and focused on the conversation at hand. "Just a little give and take, an exchange of information and maybe a bit more. As the former leader of the British Intelligence Agency you are probably in the best position assist me, so I propose a bit of tit for tac."

"Interesting…" The boy's eyes flashed and I gestured to the cooking supplies.

"I am planning on baking for a bit, before I have to leave for the conclave. We can have a bit of a chat while the cakes are baking in the oven."

"Only if I something sweet out of this."

I nodded and wiped away an errand tear that had managed to escape my notice. "I gladly accept your terms of payment."

As soon as the cakes were in the oven I brought a tea tray out into the dinning room for Finis and me to share.

The former leader watched me keenly as I poured us both tea.

"How many sugar cubes?" I asked politely as I added two to mine.

"No less than 6."

"You must really like sweet things a lot. Alright then, to get us started I'll offer you a fair warning. If you see anything sweet sitting out on the kitchen table, I strongly recommend you leave alone and just let Delly consume them."

Finis narrowed his eyes at me apparently trying to fathom why I would warn him away from sweets when he had clearly disclosed that he had strong preferences for them. "Why should I avoid them?"

I sat down with a pleasantly malicious grin. "Looks can be very deceiving. The last time Van made some muffins, Saint was the only one who managed survived the encounter unscathed. They looked pretty, but I think I was out for 24...maybe 48 hours after tasting one?"

The boy's blue-green eyes flashed in alarm and he took my warning seriously. "Duly noted. For my part, I'll share some advice in good faith as well I suppose... There is a rather nice sweet shop on 5th that I recommend."

I sipped my tea, letting the light after-flavor linger a moment longer. "I see. Thank you for the recommendation. Alright then, I will answer your question from before. Why do I care about Van so much? That one is easy enough, I suppose. He has helped me through a lot and we have been through a lot together. You'll recall the hidden strength experiments hmm? Before we were even that close, Van brought me back from that state, before I even remembered anything of my past."

I caught the inquisitive stare from the mis-matched eyes. "Oh, I suppose you were not aware of that incident then? After I was awakened from being in a coma down your father's lab, I had no memories at all of my past."

Finis held up a hand as if to stop me and I quieted down. "That might have at one point been father's lab, but the section you were holed up in was actually a scientist reject named Nemo. A rather annoying fellow, you would know him if you have ever...experienced him."

"Tch." I made a disgusted noise that was very unbecoming of me and continued. "I suppose it should matter but it doesn't anymore."

I went silent for a moment thinking and picked back up after a short pause. "Either way, following back around to your question. After ...I was 'sold' off to you- your father - Nemo - whoever - they used me as this this source of death and destruction."

The boy looked at me with renewed interest and I sighed.

It was only getting harder to talk openly to the boy who had caused me so much pain.

I tried to gather my resolve and continued on. "Yes, I know how the Horologium was conceived and that Zicterium poison is a derivative of my blood. A posion that you and your queen used as a gas to massacre all the vampires."

I shot him a look of absolute loathing and Finis finally seemed to realize the scope of what I knew.

"You are rather well informed." The boy took a drink of his tea and pulled a wiry face.

Finis promptly added another 6 sugar cubes to his tea and took another sip.

"However, your missing the information that I did not authorize any of that. Certainly it was within my capacities, but it was not me that ordered any of that."

I calmly sipped my drink, like we were not discussing mass genocides around a cup of tea, and tried to stop the furrowing of my brow.

"Either way, the rest of the angels holed up in their respective counties rather than attempting to aid my clan. I can't just forgive them for turning a blind eye to that abuse and that goes double for them not stepping in to aid the vampires either. None of them stepped up to help."

My tea cup rattled in its saucer and I slowly set it on the table. "That being said, the Apostles of Idea did rescue me from being confined down in the labs and they have been watching over me to make sure that I survive. After Saint brought me here, as lifeless and near death as I was, everyone only ever sought to help me. They accepted me regardless of what I was and they never wanted to use me to kill others. Even Van, who wanted so desperately to end you, never decided to use me in that capacity. Everyone only ever sought to protect me."

I folded my hands calmly in my lap attempting to hide just how much the topic of conversation bothered me. My hands stopped trembling as I glared pointedly at Finis. "Which is why I proposed this conversation now. You know what your prior selves have done to me, yet I am here sharing information with you."

"Yes, yes, you must be in quite a bind then to resort to chatting with me." Finis waved his hand and brushed off my cutting words like they meant nothing to him. "So, your loyalties have shifted and that is what is leading you to turn against your own kind?"

"Perhaps?" I muttered bitterly. "Perhaps I just fell in love with an abused soldier who had no will to live of his own... but...for some reason he was always desperate to ensure I continued living. He was always willing to protect me with everything he had, even if it hurt him or cost him his own life."

Finis started down into his tea cup. "I understand a bit better now...I would do that for sister. I would lay down my life for her...is that love?"

"Your asking a lot of questions, but not giving me many answers."

Finis scowled at me and sipped his tea. "Go on then, ask me your petty question then and stop beating around the bush."

I scowled at the boy but continued to ask my question regardless. "Your question is the question I also need answers for. I know where my loyalties...my heart lays, but the rest of the clans are unhappy with my decisions. I want your opinion on how to win them over."

The boy stared at me for a long second and then he grinned. "So, your looking to coerce them into letting you stay with the trigger happy hunter, are you not?"

"Coerce is a strong word, I would like to persuade them to somehow to see things...my way."

Finis put his hand on the side of his face and looked rather bored. "You could always just get married to him, that would solve your problems."

I blinked back, not fulling comprehending Finis's words for a second.

When the blond's suggestion finally processed I stuttered in surprise. "I-I beg your pardon?"

"Are you stupid? Marriage. A legal one. That would essentially prevent them from bothering you."

The simple solution stared me right in the face and I was hard pressed find any flaws in Finis's logic, let alone muster an argument.

I coughed lightly. "Aham...to answer your question, yes that's a type of love. A devotion to someone's well being, higher than even your own safely, is certainly one type of love."

I pursed my lips and tried to think of a way to explain it. "There are many different kinds of love in this world. There is a families love, a special someone you might love, the love of just seeing something from afar. For example you love sweets, you love to eat them."

The blond sputtered and looked like he was going to start protesting.

I continued on with my explanation, not letting Finis get a word of protest in. "It's a kind of enjoyment, and sweets make you happy. At a lowest levels love is just a chemical and hormonal imbalance that happens in our systems, but those feelings are, and truly, what we enjoy. So to see someone you love suffering, in turn, also causes us pain. One might try to cover it up, or try to avoid it, but no one likes suffering or hurting and we subconsciously don't want others to hurt either. At the same time, we also wish to be happy and accepted by others, but when we are not, we grow frustrated to the point that we inflict it on others. Tell me, am I explaining things enough yet?"

The blond across from me had gone ghostly pale and looked to be in danger of dropping his tea cup any second now.

"Finis?" I snapped my fingers in front of him as the boy looked like he had just seen a ghost.

His mismatched eyes widened as they looked at me and I clicked my tongue in response. "I think your problem isn't that you lack an understanding of what love is, it's that you are trying to logic something that isn't remotely logical. You can't control your feelings with your brain."

I watched Finis continue to think. The mismatched eyes narrowed and he snapped. "Very well, I will accompany you."

"W-what? W-wait a minute where did I lose you?" I reflected on what I had just said. I wasn't sure when I had said anything about asking him to come with me anywhere.

"Haha your amusing me, stupid. Of course you didn't ask me to go anywhere. What I am saying is I will accompany you to the conclave and see if I can gain a better understanding of this...feeling." Finish spat the word as if he disliked it and he was blushing profusely.

"Lupin and sister are so flamboyant its rather sickening and I live with them. Perhaps if I observe you and your struggles it will help me understand these feelings better. In return, I will see if I can convince them to leave you alone so I can study you unperturbed."

That plan sounded kind of risky and I was skeptical at best, but as the kitchen timer went off I realized I wasn't really in a position to be picky.

A short while later I was dressed in an elegant dusty blue dress with white ruffles and accents whist standing in a grand room full of golds and mahogany woods. The light from the gas lamps reflected of the wealthy art pieces and countless antiques that adorned the room.

In front of me was pitifully small group of angels. They were the leaders of each clan, or, in most cases, simply representatives of them. Most of them were well past their prime or were much too young to be at such functions. Their eyes relentlessly scrutinized me along with the two individuals sitting at my side.

Saint Germain wasn't under nearly as much investigation as the peeved blond on my left.

"Have you taken leave of your senses Azrael? That monster sitting next to you is the one responsible for all this!" An older male with hair that had long since turned grey and strong blue eyes almost yelled at me from his table.

I sniffed at the comment's hostility but had to acknowledge it. The representative of the Ariel and Jophiel clans were the ones siding with Gabriel and what was causing this standoff.

Of course if they had bothered to listen to half of what I said, there wouldn't be any doubt at all and I wouldn't be in the mess to begin with.

"I believe I have explained this numerous times already, Arik. Finis is not totally responsible for the sub-race genocides! He might have been the leader of the British Intelligence Agency at the time, however he was working under orders of his father Isaac Beckford and Queen Victoria. He simply supplied the requested information and set about the most efficient ways to meet his leaders demands."

"He is an abomination that goes against the natural order!"

I folded my hands trying to stay calm as Saint stood up. "As a member of Idea, my orders were to eliminate the threat Isaac posed to history, however now that the stone Mrs. Lupin is carrying has been rendered inert and the means in which the late Isaac Beckford have been disposed of, we see that the Beckford siblings are no longer being an active potential threat."

The small blond next to me looked calm, but something about him just seemed to be radiating hate and displeasure.

I tried to soothe everything over. "What Saint Germain is implying is that the two siblings are now human. They feel emotions, have the capacity to learn and understand, and they feel pain like we do."

I touched Finis's arm and the blond glared at me.

"They bleed, cry, love - and during my time with both of them I have seen and experienced their personalities in all such respects. They are human in every sense of the word and I would appreciate you treating them as such."

"Human's have no place in this meeting either." It was Gabriel's drawling voice that interjected.

His voice put me instantly on edge.

"You have decided to bring humans in to defend you into and you continue to consort with one as well. Have you no shame? Or perhaps you forget your sense of duty? If you were any other clan member, defying us would be unthinkable. We would strip you of your wings and exile you."

I ground my teeth and tried to find an retort when Finis stood up calmly. The blond glared at Gabriel and he smirked. "Oh, I think you will find I have already done that."

"Finis stop!" I hissed softly as the rest of the conclave erupted in an uproar. "What do you think your doing?"

"I told you already."

"Don't stir them up anymore!" I pleaded in a whispering voice as the boy walked calmly towards the center of the room. The ex-military leader waited, glaring the rest of the room down into submission. When the room did quiet down, the leaders of the clan inquired to what the blond meant. Finis calmly recounted his actions, giving a needless amount of detail to the conclave about how he forcibly removed my wings that accursed rainy day.

It took even longer for the room to settle down after Finis concluded his tale and the patriarch from the oldest clan turned to us.

Chamuel's eyesight had long since faded so when the elder spoke, it was with an air of displacement. "What you say young fellow, is a very grievous crime and it will take us some time to process. Please, if you will allow us to regroup in a few hours time, that should give us enough time to process our thoughts and feelings."

"Tch. Do what you please. I plan to attend these meetings until I grow bored or you all come to some kind of acceptable solution."

"Ah, very well then. We will adjourn for lunch now, that is if any of us care to eat after such a disturbing tale. That is if it is at all true?"

I looked around the room and calmly confirmed the story. "It is."

A hush fell over the room as each angel looked around distinctly uneasily, each one refusing to meet my gaze.

Finis waited until I exited the room. As the key troublemaker. I was one of the first to exit outside of my guests.

"You should have a bodyguard." My adviser looked around at the growing group of angel's as I bowed to them.

A few stopped and gave me glares while others just shook their heads and looked distinctly green.

"Pfff, things really do not look favorable for you do they?"

I smiled weakly as the last angel exited the room.

"I think a lot of it has to do with the clan leaders not approving of my decisions. Chamuel is a voice of reason but I really need Raphael here as well to make any headway. He has been sitting in with Delly's platform trying to get a sanctuary for our races. He attends at times but mostly he's been absent."

"Well that's just idiotic! Uggghh, I don't know how you people can be so stupid!" Finis raged at me and promptly stomped off.

I looked up at Saint with a raised eyebrow. "Was it something I said? Should we should follow him?"

The count shook his head with small reassuring smile. "How about we eat our lunch and wait and see what master Finis comes up with? I am sure he will come to no harm where he is going and I do not believe that we need to follow him."

I cocked my head confused. "Where is he going then? I mean this is a part of the royal palace so he probably won't get lost but…"

The count chuckled lightly. "Ah, that is so very like you to be worrying about him. Come, lets find a spot to eat and then we can plot our next course of action while we wait."

We sat down in one of the greenhouses and ate our lunch chatting softly about how to proceed in light of the responses we received from Finis's story.

The count, I discovered, was all for helping me defy the conclave's decisions, but realized there was some political movements that we needed to make first.

"Ah, one moment Miss. Ariellel, I just recalled an invitation that was sent to me a few days ago regarding a ball that the queen wishes to hold. If it pleases you, you are more than welcome to accompany me."

I thought about it for a second, trying to see the political merit in Saint's proposal. "We are both unmarried? Wouldn't that give people the wrong idea if they saw us in public together?"

The sly count smiled. "That is precisely the idea. With you attending on my behalf, the rumors of us being an item might very well help simmer the conclave. There will be plenty of them present and it would be a good chance for you to debut back into nobility. That alone would give you a higher standing here and might sway some of the lower ranking that it is acceptable to consort with humans."

I munched on my sandwich, not really tasting anything at all. I really didn't want to go back to nobility. I was more than content staying 'dead' to those people.

"It feels very improper." I voiced my opinion in a small voice and looked down at my hands, feeling rather unsettled.

"Hmm, I see your concern but perhaps it is something that must be risked at this point? You are already getting attacked for only having one partner by several of the clans. If you were to publicly debut another, perhaps more suitable candidate, they would have less of an argument?"

"Saint, would you be ok with that? Does this really does really make sense politically and socially?"

Saint frowned ever so slightly. "I have no qualms about presenting myself as a potential suitor. I would do anything to keep you safe so tarry the thought that it would present a concern for me and I am sure Van Helsing would understand, abet grudgingly, that it is a temporary solution until we find something more permanent."

I thought back to my conversation with Finis earlier. Marriage probably wouldn't resolve my problems after all, the clans would just continue to present suitors and press the need for more polyamorous relationships...

Unless...

"Well, another suitor might present its own problems, but I think your right…for the time being if I could declare just one other suitor they would probably need to rethink their arguments. That would buy me more time to gather supporters and shift alliances." I sighed heavily and buried my face in my hands. "I just have no idea how I am going to explain this to Van…politics are can be a nightmare."

Saint reached out and put his hand on top of mine. "My dear, you have lived in my house and been under my care for quite some time. I highly doubt anyone would challenge me knowing both what I am and who I am. Even if I was once human, that does open doors to other boundaries...however is it unpleasant to think of me as a consort?"

I pulled away from Saint with wide eyes. "You overstep your boundaries Saint Germain! I have not forgotten your attempt on me under false pretense! It is just like inviting the wolf to guard the sheep!"

The count's face froze and his cold smile was back in place. "Ah...yes. I do recall that I was simply attempting to save you from dying. However, I see that you still have not quite forgiven me for that incident then. I can understand your reserve and wishes to not be involved with me publicly then...If you will excuse me."

The count made to get up and I panicked.

It felt like the one chance I might have had to allow the conclave to stop focusing on separating me and Van was abandoning me. I reached out and grabbed the count's hand as he went to leave.

"No! Wait, please wait!" I pleaded, trembling as I grasp on the count's hand like a downing lifeline. "It's just this is very sudden and I am not sure what is right anymore! Please, help me….I'll accept. Just...just help me find a way to stay with Van in return."

Saint Germain's eyes were just slits. He had won a critical battle, he knew, but something about the victory left an awful taste in his mouth. "Ah, that was the goal from the start."

The angel grasping his hand gave him a heart wrenching smile and the count knelt back down. "Come on now, it is just a temporary ruse to buy us some time to develop a better course of action."

For some reason I felt the tears collecting at the corner of my eyes. "Your right...this might be the best way..."

Shortly after I accepted Saint Germain's offer to attend the ball, we reconvened in the meeting room.

I looked around anxiously for Finis to return but never managed to locate him. I calmly presented my proposal, bet a bit altered, to the conclave.

"I am told that the queen has a royal ball to take place in several days time. Saint Germain has kindly proposed that I attend it at his side and I am please to report that I have accepted."

The hush around the room and the nervous looks flittered briefly between some of the conclave members, but the clan leaders and their advisers nodded slowly.

Slowly one of the advisers spoke. "We are...pleased to see that you have accepted Saint Germain's offer. We look forward to seeing you at the ball. We will set aside the rest of this meeting, and henceforth, all our later meetings until after the ball. Perhaps you are starting to listen to our proposals and we will reconvene at a later date…"

Chamuel's soft voice silenced the leader. "Perhaps it is best this way. We old fogies are not the ones at stake, so go and enjoy your social engagements. This is a good way for others to present their skills and fashion themselves as suitable candidates, for what use of a man if he cannot dance hmm?"

I struggled to figure out what the old leader was getting at. It didn't sound like he was talking about the ball, but it also didn't sound like it was unrelated. I tilted my head to the side feeling puzzled but realized that I had just gained myself a decent reprieve from these arduous meetings.

We all got up to leave as a yellow uniformed soldier knocked once on the door. "Excuse me, I am looking for Miss. Arianell, you are being requested in the throne room."

I shot a quick look at Saint. "Ah is this invitation open to her guardian as well?"

"Just Miss. Arianell has been requested sir."

I cringed inwardly but on the outside I simply apologized to the conclave around me. "Pray excuse me, her majesty apparently summons me."

As I left the room and followed the guard, I felt my apprehension kicking in. Being summoned was not good news. Palace meetings were risky at the best of times for me, but there was scarcely a point of hiding that I was still alive from Victoria anymore.

I fluffed my skirts and tried to prepare myself for my meeting with the queen as I waited to be called on. Soon enough I was ushered into...not the throne room but a very private audience chamber.

The room was simple but belayed an underhanded elegance. Adorned mostly with flower arrangements in expensive imported porcelain vases, the pink and white blooms added small pops of color to the sunwashed room. My eyes stopped scanning for exits and focused on the center of the space. Sitting at a table in the middle of a weak winter sunbeam, was a table with three chairs.

Finis was calmly drinking tea with the queen while Leonhardt stood unhappily behind his charge.

"Ah, Miss. Arianell it is a pleasure to see you again!" Victoria smiled sweetly at me and gestured to the only available chair. "I heard you were in the palace and I simply had to chat with you in person."

The queen smiled at me as I gracefully seated myself with Leonhardt's assistance. "It is a pleasure to meet with you to your majesty. I am honored that you wished the meet with me."

Finis's eyes flicked to me and then to the tea in front of him. He calmly continued drinking the contents of his tea cup with no comment or help.

I struggled to figure out why Finis had put me in this position when Victoria started pouring me tea. "Sugar?"

"No, no thank you." The queen smiled sweetly and passed me the teacup.

"I hear from my old leader in intelligence that you are a spot of trouble. If you are willing to re-enter my services, I would be more than happy to lend you a hand and offer you a more defensible position."

I sipped my tea without saying anything. The flavor and taste was on par with most of Saint's most favorite blends. I almost wanted to relax and just enjoy the aroma, but I had an uneasy feeling that things were quickly slipping out of hand.

Thankfully there was not much more that the queen wished to express. She assured me that I would have full protection and rights and representation for our race if I entered her services again. There was also a subtle hint that I could also assist the vampires if I chose to align myself with her.

I mostly let Finis speak for me though.

The ex-military lead was very skilled at extracting information while leaving the negotiation table open.

I should have known that he wouldn't have approached her if he didn't think he had bargaining power.

I thought absently as Finis polished off yet another tart from the tray in front of us. The amount of sweets in front of me was rapidly dwindling, as I slowly sipped my tea. I offered my thoughts and console when I needed to, but for the most part I let Finis slowly draw in his net.

This is how he works, slowly taking his time to get what he wants.

I thought silently to myself.

I had observed it first hand several months ago when the boy was trying to get Cardia to join him in Twilight. Finis had deliberately sabotaged Lupin's kidnapping attempt, and later set out his father's posthumous writings in order to get our attention and convince us to enter airship races.

"Hmmm, I understand this might be a lot to take in right now. I did order your entire clan to be massacred, so I can understand how you might be unwilling to partner with me again. However, you will find since my beloved Britannia has been threatened, I am a bit more open to peace and negotiations with other nations and races. Be that as it may, I am willing to keep my offer extended lest you find that you need use of it." The queen smiled at me and then at Finis.

I slowly set my tea cup on the table with nary a sound. "Your majesty is very kind to extend the offer, and I would greatly appreciate some time to think about such a gracious offer. It is a bit much right now and today has been the most eventful day."

I slowly got to my feet and bowed as the queen also got to her feet.

The queen's fan flicked open with a snap almost offhandedly she commented. "I hear you will be attending my ball later this week, I do hope to see you there and that you enjoy yourself."

I shot a look at Finis who shrugged. "I am sure Saint Germain will keep an eye on her."

The queen's eyes smiled from behind her fan. "I would love it if we could just chat again, just the two of us. It would please me greatly."

I bowed again. "If it pleases your majesty…"

The fan snapped shut. "However it will not do for you to be so formal. Perhaps I will call upon your residence next time and you would be more at ease."

I felt my face lose all its color at the idea of hosting Victoria at the mansion. "It..it would be my honor."

The queen nodded apparently quite happy with our conversation and she turned to leave. "It would be best if master Finis was not left to wander the hallways of the palace anymore. I will send word when I choose to pay you a visit."

With those parting words Finis and I left the room.

Author's Notes:

Hello again - and welcome back!

Does anyone feel a bit nervous that Sierra is asking Finis for help? Poor Sierra is having such a hard time keeping things under control - no wonder she broke down and has been having such problems at home!

I wonder how Van is going to react to learning that Saint will be escorting Sierra...since he hasn't offered to escort her himself. It might have been easier if he had...poor couple...and Van isn't even aware of whats going on.

Least Sierra was able to make Van's birthday cake before she left...the hunter is having a very eventful week it appears. I wonder what she got him for his birthday - if you forgot - or have not read it - Van gave Sierra a beautiful sapphire infused cross for her birthday...check it out in the next chapter!

Ah well - I for one - am super surprised that Sierra is seeking help from Finis - I feel a bit nervous. Saint is kind of forcing her hand - and the angel's certainly are not happy with her relationship with a human - let alone a human who is a war hero for killing vampires *sweats* - So they are trying to get her to change her mind - by force if needed. Then you have Victoria also investigating things...things don't looks so good for the couple do they? So check back in and keep reading to see what happens next!

Also before you go - please favorite and/or comment if you like the story! It helps let others know that the story is worth reading and helps me grow!

See you next time!