It had been a couple of weeks since James had sent Paige and Seth away with Gunner and Winter for their own protection. Milo had come to the castle several time, claiming to be worried for Paige's well being since he hadn't seen her around the castle grounds for a while. That alone sent warning bells for James as it meant Milo had been watching his daughter and could have struck at any time. It had also worried Maria a great deal as it had also put her two nieces in danger and her young son. James had summoned his old friend Chris to his castle, knowing that this had to come to an end before someone got hurt. It wasn't long before the requested man arrived along with his wife in Susan, both of them made their way over to where James and Maria were.
"Ah James, you requested to see us?" asked Chris, almost unsure of how to speak to his old friend or even what to expect, he hadn't seen or spoken to James since Milo had tried to take Paige just a few months after her wedding, although Milo had let her go upon seeing her swollen stomach. He knew the actions of his son had began to cause a rift between him and his close friend to the point he could see the man was weary of himself and his wife, or even mentioning Paige and Seth while they were around. Out of curtsey for the king and queen he and his wife bowed to them, showing respect to them even when both he and Susan were aware of why they were summoned there.
"Walk with me Chris" spoke James standing up from his throne and leaving through one of the many door that lead to and from the room. He knew he had caught the attention of his wife and their two guests as he was sure he would have caught the attention of anyone they walked passed during their stroll through the castle and it grounds. "I have sent Paige away with her husband until she has given birth, Milo is causing too much stress for both my daughter and wife, if you see him. Tell him neither of them will be so forgiving when they return" added James once they were strolling through the castle grounds near to the area where Paige had like to go to have time to herself.
"You sent them to Black Rock Palace, the home of your original daughter" responded Chris, he knew if she wasn't in the castle then she would be at the palace James had built for the original Paige after he had killed her beloved Tyler Black all those years before. He knew James had kept the palace in working order in case he needed to send her there again for protection. "Wait what do you mean they wont be as forgiving as they were before?" asked Chris catching on to what James had previously said, James only looked at him in reply, seeing as the answer he was looking for suddenly hit him, they would be the creatures both of them had become known for. Vampires.
"I turned her into a vampire before to prevent her from being victimised again after what my brother did to her. We both know Milo wont stop until he gets Paige. The only way to protect her this time is to do the same thing" replied James as they continued to walk the castle grounds. "She hated me for centuries when I took Tyler away from her, I wont make the same mistake again by not turning Seth with her" continued James revealing exactly what he had planned and why he was doing it. He didn't want to risk losing his daughter again nor did he wish for her to despise him like she had done once before. Through he his decision to turn both of them he showed he had learnt from his age old mistakes.
With Maria and Susan they were talking about many things including the habits both men still retained from their lives as vampires. How both of them had a short temper span when something was annoying them and how their rage could be uncontrollable at times. But how they were both good men and fathers to their children. Maria even stating her oldest daughter in Paige was in fact the daughter of another man she just happens to be the reincarnation of the daughter James had once lost. It was this that caught the attention of Susan more, as she was under the impression like most were that the princess was the King's daughter.
"I thought James was Paige's father, just as he is JJ's and your as of yet unborn son's" spoke Susan revealing she like many others were unaware of the Princess's status as an adopted child rather than biological. "I hear she has been sent away by James for the remainder of her pregnancy, I do hope nothing is wrong" continued Susan showing her general concern for the princess and revealing she was aware that Paige and Seth had been sent away. It was clear to see Maria was worried by what the other woman had spoke but kept her concern to herself. She found it odd the other slightly older woman knew her daughter had been sent away despite it not being common knowledge around the kingdom.
"I'm sure all is well, James has done it to put less stress on both of us. Since we are both expecting mothers. She will be safe at the castle he sent her to" replied Maria, revealing the reason why they had been sent away, or at least the reason she had been told. She was still blissfully unaware of what was to become of her daughter and son-in-law once their daughter had been born. "Once their child is born they will be returning to the castle, Winter has been setting up the nursery ready for when they return, even offered to be the nanny for them" added Maria, beginning to pace the throne room with anxiety at what she had found out. It wasn't long before James and Chris returned, Chris quickly taking hold of his wife's hand and leading her from the castle where as James walked over to Maria noticing something was bothering her.
"What's bothering you my Queen" spoke James upon reaching her, she was only a few months into her pregnancy yet she acted and prepared like she was due in a few weeks time. He knew Paige was due before her mother was. "Is it something to do with the visit?" questioned James, unsure of how to feel to his wife's sudden silence, while looking like she was trying to work something out, and appeared to be concern beyond measure for something else. There was a short stint of silence between them before Maria appeared to notice Susan had gone, and her husband in James was at her side. She smiled slightly but the worry and concern making her eyes shine brightly with worry over what she had previously heard.
"Did you tell anyone where you were sending Paige and Seth?" questioned Maria, it was clear to James that it was something in which the wife of his old friend had said which worried her. When he shook his head in reply to her question he could see the fear and worry begin to mix together and paint themselves on her fair features. "Susan she knew Seth and Paige had been sent away even when we told no one we were going to do so" spoke Maria, the worry clearly in her voice at what could potentially happen, and where Susan Harris could have found out the information her daughter had been sent away.
"Chris knows of the only place where I would send her" responded James before something dawned on him. He wished so much that it wasn't true and the person who he had remembered wasn't the one who was encouraging Milo's behaviour in anyway but his gut was telling him it was. "Eric!" shouted James, he knew his sudden reaction had likely to have scared Maria, and worry her more than she already was. "Send a raven out immediately to Black Rock Palace, they have to be warned that Paige isn't safe there any more" uttered James as calmly as he could, he knew if this was the case then neither Maria or Paige were safe and neither castle or the palace in which he sent Paige and Seth to were safe places for anyone of them to call home or seek shelter in.
"What is it? What's wrong?" asked Maria, her concern showing crystal clear through her voice. She knew she had re-caught James attention and that of her brother who was walking near by, since both men had turned to her. "James, I know you have just worked something out, and I know that it has something to do with Paige. If she is in danger then I as her mother have a right to know" spoke Maria, making it clear she was going to find out one way or another. James looked to Bobby and to Eric who was coming with the quill and parchment so he could write to the ones at Black Rock Place. All three men noticing she spoke like the queen she was rather than a wife or mother.
"I don't think Milo is working alone, there is no way he could have gotten close on to the castle grounds without being seen. There is only one out there that hates me enough to want to see Paige taken from me again" replied James, revealing he had remembered another who had sworn revenge on him centuries before hand when he killed his own brother. "Kevin Thorn is his name, he was hand chosen by Mason to be his shadow, an apprentice if you will. When I killed Mason for what he did to my Paige, I let Kevin live out of mercy since he didn't know anything. He hated me for what I did to the point he sworn he would cause me everlasting pain. He was the one who told Sir Christopher Daniels and his men that myself and my daughter were vampires a century ago. I never caught him. It appears he is now the one helping Milo to cause me pain" continued James revealing the one he called Kevin Thorn was indeed responsible for a lot of pain he had suffered.
"If that's the case then that means he will come for Maria as well. This castle has no defences against a vengeful vampire James, you know that" spoke Bobby, quickly working it out and coming to the same conclusion as his brother in law, Paige maybe the target of Milo, but Maria was likely to be the one of this Kevin Thorn, regardless if she is expecting her third child and second with James. "What do you plan to do now. Other than to warn Gunner?" asked Bobby, he was angry to say the least, but he also understood that James was unaware of this or at least forgotten of Kevin Thorn until now. It was then Bobby, Maria and James heard a child screaming and crying out, all three looked around to see Winter standing there, she looked terrified of something and appeared to be covered in blood, although she remained uninjured.
"Winter" whispered James, afraid to say her name any louder, he could see the child she held in her arms was screaming for her mother. As it was evident that something terrible had happened. "Winter tell me what happened" spoke James once he was in front of the woman he could confidently call a friend. She looked at him, like she was dazed and didn't know where she was or even who he was. Yet she held the little girl in her arms gently as if she was trying to protect her. It wasn't long before the little girl quietened down as Winter soother her back to the slumber she had woken up from. "Who is the child?" asked James, more afraid of the answers he was going to receive the longer Winter didn't answer the questions he asked. He knew deep down who the baby girl in her arms belonged to, the tuft of dark hair and brown eyes gave it away
"Raya, she is your grand-daughter my lord" quietly replied Winter, not arguing when Bobby carefully took the newborn from her arms, he could see the worry sparkling in the eyes of Maria and James alike, especially since Winter had appeared with the little girl, covered in blood of some kind and appearing to be scared beyond measure. "A man attacked, he brought an army with him. ….. When we were running, Paige went into labour …. Gunner sent me away with the girl when the men caught up. …. when I last saw them they were surrounded. I don't know what happened after that I just followed as instructed and brought Raya here where she is safe" whispered Winter, revealing someone she had not recognised had attacked the palace, being prepared and bringing an entire army. Tear soon fell down her cheeks as she thought the worst when it come to her husband and two she would gladly call family.
"No" whispered Maria, tears now making her eyes sparkle like rare and precious jewels. Bobby looked down at the little girl in his arms, he knew Maria was thinking the worst had happened to her daughter and son-in-law, after all the evidence was pointing to it. He knew her heart was being to break. "My baby girl can't be gone. Please tell me she is okay. I can't live without her please" shouted Maria, the tears now leaving tracks down her cheeks and they fell. At that note Bobby left the room, taking the little girl to the nursery that was hers. The little nursery connecting on to her parents chambers as well as a little playroom for her when she was a little older. Bobby soon spotted the pups of Ghost waiting in the chambers, he figured someone had brought them back.
"I promise you, Princess Raya. We will find your mommy and daddy. You will not lose them how I lost my own several years ago. They will return to you my sweet little grand-niece" spoke Bobby once he had changed her clothes, and placed her in the cot that was there. He watched as she snuggled up under the furs. He could hear Maria shouting for her daughter from his place at the side of the girls cot. Even when they were the opposite side of the castle. "You are loved little Raya, by everyone here. You're parents will return to you. You are their pride and joy little princess. You will have the skill of your father and beauty of you mother" whispered Bobby trying to reassure himself that his niece would be okay even if the likelihood of that happening were slim. He knew the little girl would have no memory of her parents if something happened to them, just as he was sure Maria would raise her as one of her own children.
Back in the throne room with Maria, James and Winter. James was trying to get Winter to tell him exactly what had happened, and who the person who had attacked them was. He had a gut feeling he knew who had attacked them, but couldn't be sure without Winter describing the people and telling him what happened. He held a tear ridden Maria in his arms as he waited to hear the worst news. To the surprise of both the king and queen, the doors to the throne room opened. Revealing Gunner standing there, much like Winter covered in blood, only he was holding someone in his arms, and another was trailing behind him. Relief soon washed over Winter upon seeing the three of them there, the promise Seth had made her make before she left with Raya now beginning to fade a little.
"Gunner" whispered James, a slight bit of relief washing over him when he seen Seth was behind him, although the concern took over once again when he realised Gunner held Paige in his arms, and Seth appeared to be wounded. He didn't know whether he should be overjoyed they had made it back to the castle or worried about what happened to them. It wasn't long before Eric appeared, taking Paige into his own arms and walking away with her, Seth not far behind him "Please tell me what happened, I know Black Rock Palace was attacked, Winter was able to give us that much information" added James, he knew if anyone of them there could identify the attacker then it would be Gunner, after all he had come across the man once or twice over his six century existence as a vampire.
"It was Thorn, he lead the army against us. He was targeting me until he realised Paige was there and pregnant. We ran, but the stress forced Paige in to premature labour. When she gave birth Seth told Winter to bring her daughter here" explained Gunner not looking forward to what he was going to say in front of the queen, although he was sure James had already figured it out by now. "I'm sorry my queen, I was left with no other choice. I had to turn them, Seth woke up 20 minutes after, the princess has yet to wake" spoke Gunner apologising for what he had done, although he was left with no other option but to do as he had done. He could tell by Maria's watery expression she didn't understand what he was apologising for or what he had done. He also missed out the part where Seth had made Winter promise if neither of them made it back, that she would raise their daughter.
"He turned them in to vampires Maria. To ensure they survived. Has Seth completed the transition?" explained and asked James, wanting to know if his son-in-law had completed the transition as there was only mere hours before the effects of not doing so would begin to take affect. "It will take Paige longer, due to her past life memories returning to her, she will know I am not her true father when she awakes" added James revealing why it was taking Paige longer to return to them, and also she would know the truth when she woke up. "I suspect from the way Seth was looking at me, he remembers his own past life too and what I did to him" continued James revealing what it was he had picked up from the way Seth had looked at him. He knew things were going to be a lot different now and Maria was going to have trouble understanding everything that had happened over the last hour or so.
