Chapter Eight

Micheal didn't know how his sister would react to finding out his girlfriend was a vampire. Michelle was very protective of him and he understood why. Danny their older brother had a vampire girlfriend and when it was found out, both were killed. Michelle lost her older brother to the vampires and she wasn't going to like her younger brother following in the same path. Michelle and Micheal were there the day they died. They were chained to the floors and venom was released into their systems, killing them slowly and painfully. The memory haunted Micheal. Danny was true to her until the end. Never renouncing their love, even though it could have saved their lives. She refused as well and they died together. At the time Micheal didn't understand how his brother could do that to him. Their parents had made Danny responsible for keeping his younger siblings safe but he renounced his family for some girl. Micheal had hated Danny for it, until he found himself in the same situation. The day he meant Lorena, he could smell she was a newborn, only a few days old. She was alone, an easy kill. He had gone after her with every intention of tearing her life away. When he was close though, he heard a peculiar thing, her heart beat. It was a slow beating, slower than any human, but it was enough. Somehow, she was still alive. She wasn't like the others. Her skin still had some warmth to it. As he got close to her she looked at him, fear making her stunningly ice blue eyes round with terror. He knew he couldn't kill her. She was feeling the burning sensation of needing blood in her system, that was obvious, but she hadn't been told what she needed. He transformed out of his animalistic self and bit into his own flesh, making the blood flow from the wound. Her fangs made themselves known at the sight of the sweet liquid. She tentatively stepped toward him, she was still unsure. He smiled at her and encouraged her. She finally took his bleeding hand in her and raised it to her perfect lips. Then her fangs sank in. At first it was very painful, but he never flinched away. She drank greedily, until Micheal was sure he was going to pass out. The pain subsided and a pleasure unlike any other filled him. When she finally pulled away her eyes were blood red, before returning back to their normal blue. Micheal smiled at her, then transformed and left her there. Her first taste of blood had been his and he knew that he would never be the same again. He had to see her, to be with her. He only hoped his sister would understand. He hoped she would know that he didn't choose to fall in love with her.

He wouldn't have to wait very long to see his sister`s reaction, she was on her way.

A sharp smell assaulted Lorena`s nose. It was a somewhat familiar scent, like Micheal`s but something was off. She felt her body tense and knew that she was in danger. A Lytherian was going to harm her. She turned just in time to see her crash through the window, jaws snapping. The woman pinned Lorena to the ground and slashed Lorena`s body with her claws. Lorena cried out in pain and tried to fight back, but she was unable to. The woman beast was grabbed around the neck by Micheal`s jaws, he was also transformed. He threw her to the ground and stood in front of Lorena growling protectively on all fours. The woman rose and stood on all fours and attacked Micheal. The two rolled along the floor biting and tearing into each other's flesh. Loud whimpers and yelping came from both of them and blood covered their mouths and claws. Lorena was petrified for Micheal but she knew she would only get in the way if she tried to help. Another of Micheal's kind burst into the house and pulled the two apart.

"Enough you two!" He screamed at them, holding them apart.

All three of them returned to their human forms. Lorena could see nasty wounds on both of them. All three had the same golden rust colored eyes.

"Michelle what the hell got into you!?" Micheal screamed at the girl.

"A vampire! After what happened to Danny? You wanna die like him? A fucking vampire for Christ Sake!" She jerked her finger at Lorena. "I hope she is worth it."

It took a while before they were able to calm Michelle. When they finally did, Micheal introduced them to Lorena. The man`s name was Kellen and he and Micheal were good friends and had grown up together. He was very muscular, like Micheal and his face was always alight with happiness. Lorena learned quickly that he liked to joke around and wrestle with Micheal and had feelings for Michelle which she returned. His hair was cut in a similar fashion as Micheal`s. Michelle looked very much like Micheal it was obvious they were brother and sister in their human forms. When they were in their animalistic forms it was a little harder to see the resemblance but it was there. Her hair fell to her shoulders and her clothes were modest. She was feminine but she didn't flaunt it. She was also a little outspoken and hated Lorena. Her hatred she didn't try to hide, she pointedly ignored Lorena. Lorena assumed that all Lytherian had those golden rust colored eyes and all of them were fit. Kellen asked Micheal if he would step outside to talk to him in private. Micheal looked to Lorena, and she nodded her head. He wasn't asking her permission; rather he was asking if she would be alright if he left her alone with his sister.

When he shut the door behind them Kellen turned to Micheal.

"I wanted to make sure it was alright with you before I asked her..."

Kellen shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. Micheal smiled at him.

"Kellen, what is it? I am not going to get mad."

Kellen smiled.

"Promise not to bite my head off, literally?"

Micheal laughed.

"Now you have me worried. I promise not to bite your head off, but your arms are fair game."

Kellen laughed with Micheal before he got serious. Kellen was hardly ever serious so Micheal shut up and looked concerned at his best friend.

"Kellen?"

Kellen let out a heavy breath.

"Micheal, you are like a brother to me and I don't want to do anything to jeopardize that, so if you don't approve I will end it, right here and now. She is your sister so I will completely understand if you don't approve but..."

The realization of where Kellen was going surprised Micheal.

"Kellen I -" Micheal began but Kellen cut him off.

"Please, Micheal, let me finish... I want your approval to marry your sister."

Micheal smiled at him.

"I can't think of anyone I would rather have marry my sister than my best friend."

Kellen was shocked.

"Really?"

Micheal nodded.

"You have my blessing."

Lorena smiled at them as they came back into the house. Both the men returned her smile. Kellen nudged Micheal in the arm.

"I am not totally convinced you didn't just pay her to say she is your girlfriend."

Micheal laughed. "She is free to walk away now if she so wishes."

Lorena smiled and laughed.

"I wouldn't dream of ever leaving."

Michelle scoffed and earned a dirty look from both men.

"Don't pay any attention to her Lorena. I for one am happy to have you as part of the family." Kellen said earnestly.

Not long after dark their guests departed, and Kellen promised he would fix all the damage that had been done to the house. Lorena walked up the stairs and to the bedroom. Micheal sat on the bed and patted the place next to him. Lorena was puzzled but sat down next to him. He smiled at her as she sat.

"Turn around and don't look."

Lorena obeyed but her puzzlement grew and mixed with excitement. She felt Micheal lift the golden chain that held her locket around her neck and undo the clasp. He slid it off her neck. After a few seconds he returned the necklace back around her neck, but it was heavier. Puzzled, Lorena looked down to see a golden "M" hanging beside the heart locket. Lorena turned to face him. He smiled at her softly.

"Now you will always carry me in your heart as I always carry you in mine."

Lorena fought back the tears that threatened to flow but they flowed any way. He swept them away with his finger and brought her tears to his fingers. Softly, he kissed his finger before kissing her.

"You stole my heart and I don't want it back, I know it is in good hands. I will love you forever and always Lorena."