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Chapter Seventeen

Lorena could hear Darrain`s familiar laughter behind the heavy set of double doors. They were made of iron and enforced with steel. Ornate gold decoration and trimming lined the doors, they sparkled with such intensity, they almost seemed to be alive. Darrain had been told she was coming but she had been told he was in his chambers with his wife, not there to greet her at his gates as was appropriate. She felt a sting of disrespect from him. more laughter from Darrain- and Lorena assumed his wife Loraine- erupted from the room. Lorena cut it short with her sharp rasp at the door. She had told Darrain she had important matters with which to discuss with him, he was being rude. She could hear rustling inside and she backed away from the door as the bolt in the door was slid away from the latch and the door swung open. Darrain`s luminance green eyes were ringed with red and he gave her a fanged smile, blood staining his fangs. Lorena quickly looked away from him, casting her eyes down as she struggled to settle her stomach. Darrain noticed her reaction and retracted his fangs, and wiped the blood from his mouth. He reached out to her, but she shooed him off.

"Im fine" she whispered.

Darrian nodded and opened the door wider and gestured her through. Lorena smiled at the young female vampire who held a glass of blood out to her, which Lorena politely declined. Loraine`s dark brown eyes glinted with curiousity, her blonde hair fanned out around her as she turned to set the glass on the table behind them. She was young, probably no older then Lorena had been when she was brought into this life. She had prominent curves and was pleasing to the eye. Darrain caught the Loraine`s arm from behind and pulled her in for a hug. He whispered something in her ear and released her. She bowed to Lorena.

"Lady Lorena, it is an honor to be in the presence of such a legend as yourself but i am aware you have important matters to discuss with my husband so, with your permission, i will take my leave as to not interfere in such important matters."

Lorena smiled. The girl had been trained well.

"Yes Lady Loraine, you are dismissed."

Loraine stood from her bow and smiled at Darrain before retreating from the room and latching the door behind her. Darrain swirled the thick red liquid in his wine glass with smooth, graceful movements. She could feel his eyes studying her. The silence drew out, making Lorena uncomfortable. After several long moments, she broke the silence, unable to bare it any longer,

"Why was I the only one able to stop him? I had never wielded a blade before, wasn`t taught how to use those daggers...how did I know how to use them?" She whispered.

His lips thinned into a straight line, this time it was he who looked away from her.

"Dont ask questions you don`t want the answer to Lorena." His eyes never left the floor as he spoke.

Lorena`s brow creased and her head cocked to one side in confusion. Darrain chuckled, not in delight but rather pity or sympathy.

"You lived such a sheltered life Lorena. You have no idea who you even really are."

"What do you mean?"

Her eyes burned with intensity, curiosity coloring her features. He smirked.

"There is so much about your own life you were left in the dark on. The unforgivable acts, the lies and secrecy. The betrayals and accusations..." He studied her for the longest moment. "Your with child..."

He laughed. It was so unexpected Lorena nearly jumped.

"You smell off, your heartbeat is stronger!"

He grasped Lorena by her arms and looked into her eyes, smiling.

"You`re pregnant, are you not?" He studied her eyes, still smiling.

She was too shocked to answer. He continued to laugh and threw his hands up, spilling blood all over the floor.

"It is true! The stories of you are all true! Dear Lilith!"