Sorry this chapter took so damn long! I was sick with pneumonia for a while and then I had a lot of school work to catch up on. But now that it's the holiday beak, I can update faster. Merry Christmas everybody!

- darky

Chapter Six: I'm in Pain but I'm Smiling for You

My eyes were drooping and my head was rolling around back and forth in Greyson's shiny new Lamborghini as we sped along to the Council Headquarters. Lazily doing the calculations in my head, I estimated that I haven't gotten any sleep in the past 24 hours. Also, I haven't showered, eaten or drank anything either. Not counting that blood accident. That doesn't count.

I did change my clothes though. Greyson put me in a clean pair of pants that were unbelievably thin, allowing a lot of brisk fall air to blow onto my legs. He also had me wear a loose tank top with a cardigan over it. Too bad my greasy hair and pale expression made me look like a hobo, no matter what I was wearing.

"Nervous?" Greyson asked from the driver seat. We were speeding at an alarming rate down the pitch black highway.

"Why wouldn't I be? Your headlights aren't even on," I snapped back angrily. I crossed my arms and sank lower into the leather seats which smelled enticingly new.

Greyson chuckled. "Vampire eyesight," he explained. "I can see everything, including the way you're glaring at me right now."

"Well if you haven't eaten or slept in the past 24 hours, you would be angry too," I defended.

"No need. Vampire, remember?"

"Shut up. No one cares that you're this unimaginably mythical creature who doesn't need to eat, drink or sleep but still have amazing strength, speed, brains and beauty."

"So you think I'm beautiful?" He asked.

"What? NO! I don't think you're beautiful…unless you take that as a good thing… then I guess I do think you're beautiful…"

"Stop, Marcy! I was just kidding! Don't hurt yourself."

"Whatever," I mumbled and looked out the window. We were zooming past what looked like a bunch of trees but I couldn't really tell from the dim moonlight. I was growing drowsier and drowsier by the second.

"Marcy, are you okay?" Greyson asked suddenly, pulling me out of my slumber. I snapped my eyes open and yawned.

"I'm fine," I sighed. The blanket of sleepiness was pulling me back under. If I could just last this car ride and the meeting, I could sleep on the way back.

"You look like you need some rest," Greyson obviously noted.

I rolled my eyes. "No, I'm just resting my eyelids."

Greyson was silent.

"It was supposed to be a joke," I said, sensing his awkwardness.

"Oh. Haha," Greyson tried to laugh. I smiled and shook my head, looking back out the window. "Well, we're almost there," he said.

"Great."

"You don't seem very excited."

"I'm jumping for joy…on the inside."

Greyson chuckled. "Sure."

We were silent for a while. It was a good silence and a necessary one. Both of us needed to think about everything. I needed to think about my relationship with Greyson, Helena, and everyone else in the house. I needed to think about my father, the king of all vampires, and how I was going to become one of them soon. The thought of that brought chills to my spine. I wanted to turn into a vampire and quick, but I was also scared. I didn't know what it was going to be like and how it was going to feel. I don't know if I'll miss being human with the crying, blushing, laughing, smiling and all the other human things. I don't know if I'll like drinking blood even though it's essential in my life.

Greyson needed to think about me. Not in the selfish way, but what he wanted to do with me. How he wanted us to be together. I have no problem dating him and being his girlfriend, but I don't know if that's what he wants. I don't know if that's the way of life for him. I have no problem learning to love him and I have no problem being with him forever. But is he ready to wait?

"Marcy, can I ask you something?" Greyson asked timidly.

"Uh, sure," I responded, completely lost at what he was trying to get at.

He cleared his throat. "This is a little…awkward…but what happened to your dad?"

I looked at him, my mouth open. "You don't know? I thought you would…"

He shook his head.

"Well, he died when I was nine in a car accident," I choked out.

"Did he look different, you know, before he died? Did he look a little bit inhuman? Did he look more like a vampire?"

"Jeez Greyson, I really don't know. I guess he was a little pale but at that time, he was rarely home anymore."

"Maybe because he was here all the time," Greyson suggested.

"Well I don't know! Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. Two days ago, I didn't even know that vampires existed so asking me this question is kind of weird now that I know what happened to my dad."

"Do you really?" Greyson asked.

I clenched my fists. "I do. My dad faked his death so he could be a full time vampire and not worry about the rest of his family."

"Wow, you're smart."

I sighed. "More like I'm not stupid," I retorted sarcastically.

Suddenly, the car came into a stop. I looked outside into the pitch blackness and saw nothing. I could barely make out the large building that was looming in front of me when I got out of the car. Greyson had to tug me along by the sleeve of my cardigan so that I could make it inside without hurting myself, or anything else for that matter.

We walked to the front of the looming building, or castle from what I could see, and Greyson paused at the guarded door.

"Name?" The guard asked but it sounded more like a command.

"Greyson Breckinridge and Marcy Carlucci," Greyson responded, fussing with the collar of his shirt. Suddenly, he pulled out a silver necklace with a crescent moon pendant that shimmered beautifully in the moonlight.

The guard nodded and opened the heavy doors for us.

Once I stepped in, I was in awe. There was a massive crystal chandelier that washed everything in a golden glow. There was a beautiful set of staircases in the foyer covered in blood red, velvet carpeting. The walls were decorated with various photos of beautiful men and women, all unbelievably pale and lithe.

Greyson led me down a long hallway once I was done admiring the castle. The walls of the hall were also covered with photos of prestigious vampires. They were so beautiful they looked lifelike. I avoided making eye-contact with them, even though they were paintings, for I was scared one of them could pounce out of the frame and attack me.

At the end of the hall was a thick wooden double door. Greyson knocked three times and waited for the door to open.

When it finally did, I was almost passed out on Greyson's shoulder.

He shook me gently. "It's time," he announced.

We walked in slowly and politely. It gave me some time to take in my surroundings.

In the middle of the room was a long table that filled up the whole room. Above the table was another crystal chandelier. There were floor-to-ceiling windows but they were covered with heavy velvet drapery. At the head of the table sat a very familiar looking man. My dad. His kind brown eyes were gone, replaced with icy black ones. His facial features were more prominent, stronger and angular. His lips were pulled into a thin line and the smile lines were no where to be found. The bronze hair that I grew to love was styled messily and carelessly. And to top it all off, he was extremely pale.

I didn't know whether to smile, cry or scream. I just stared at the thing who used to be my dad, hoping that he would some how pull off his mask and come hug me. Too bad that never happened.

Sitting to his right was a tall woman with thick, curly brown hair. She looked like a goddess. Her pale skin was pearly and luminescent. Her hair was shiny and long. Her eyes were big, round and a deep shade of chocolate. Her mouth was pulled into a tiny frown as she sized me up. I flushed slightly.

Across the woman sat yet another woman. Her hair was the color of night, a unique contrast to her alabaster skin. She smiled at me.

Next to the woman sat a man with piercing blue eyes, short blonde hair and broad shoulders. He nodded when I looked his way.

Across the man sat a woman with beautiful grey eyes and wispy, short, curled brown hair. She looked very young to be surrounded by a room full of mature vampires, but I knew better than to question.

"Welcome, Marcella," the woman to the right of my dad spoke. Her voice was silky and light, like a wind chime. "My name is Queen Celeste. I am the queen of all the vampires out there," she said. Then she pointed in front of her to the woman across from her. "This is Raine Fairnes. She is in charge of the Elites."

I nodded slowly. "Hi."

Queen Celeste shot me a funny look, but continued introducing everyone. She pointed at the man next to Raine. "This is Sir Adomis, second in command to your father. If your father were to get hurt, Sir Adomis would take over until the heir to the throne was old enough."

I smiled at Sir Adomis. He quickly smiled back and looked away from me.

Pointing at the lady across from Sir Adomis and next to herself, Queen Celeste spoke, "This is Lady Josefina, mate to Sir Adomis and the best strategist you will ever meet."

I smiled again, and Lady Josefina smiled back.

And then came the person I least wanted to meet. Greyson sensed my discomfort and held my hand tightly.

"This is King Archon," Queen Celeste said with a swell of love. I wrinkled my eyebrows but continued to listen. "He is my mate and the bravest, smartest and strongest vampire I know. He is the reason we are still at peace with the Rogues and he is the reason we will find a way to bring the Rogues back to us."

When Queen Celeste told me she was my father's mate, I immediately tensed.

My dad stood up slowly, averting his gaze from mine.

I cleared my throat. "Hi, daddy," I sneered in Queen Celeste's direction. Everyone in the room collectively gasped. But it was Queen Celeste's reaction that I enjoyed the most. The look on her face when she registered what I just said was priceless. I must say, she almost had a royal meltdown.

"She…what…daddy…ARCHON!" Queen Celeste stammered.

King Archon nodded solemnly. "This is my daughter, Celeste. She is the heir to the throne."

Queen Celeste jumped up from her seat, looking very unladylike. "This is outrageous! Outrageous I tell you! You never told me you had a child! She can't be the heir to the throne, she can't be. What about…"

"What about what? There is no one else that can be the heir. She is my direct descendant and therefore, by law, she will take over once I retire."

Queen Celeste gasped in shock. "She's going to take over? She's not even a vampire yet," she cried hysterically.

"Calm yourself," King Archon warned. Queen Celeste sighed heavily and sat down. She crossed her arms and glared at me like the mature adult she is.

I turned to Greyson with a pleading look in my eye. He patted my hand gently, silently telling me that everything was going to be okay. I nodded and turned back to face the Council.

"How are you, Marcella?" My dad, King Archon, asked.

"Just peachy," I responded. I heard Greyson intake a sudden, sharp breath. I must have said something out of turn. Oh well.

"Marcella, you may not speak to me like that," my dad reprimanded.

"Why not? You're my dad. We're family and family can talk to each other however they want," I replied, holding his gaze confidently.

"Family is family, but they still need to respect each other."

I laughed unexpectedly. "Did you respect me and mom when you hid your vampire secret from us, pretended to die, and then took a spoiled little bitch as your wife?"

"MARCELLA CARLUCCI, that is enough," King Archon shouted. "You will not speak to me like that."

I gasped. I was so not used to my dad talking to me like that. I lowered my head so that I was staring at the expensively carpeted floor.

"Marcella," my dad said softly. He must have noticed my sudden withdrawal. I stayed looking to the floor.

"Marcy, I'm still the same dad you used to love," my dad said.

I started crying a little, remembering all the good times I had with him when I was younger.

"Dad, mom died. Did you know?" I asked him but it looked like I was asking the floor.

There was a short silence.

"Yes, I know."

"Did you know that I was so lonely after she died? I was all alone."

"Yes, I know."

"Why didn't you come and save me? Why didn't you tell me you were still technically alive?"

"I sent Greyson to tell you."

"He did one hell of a job."

Greyson punched my gently.

"I realize."

I sighed. "Dad, why do I have to be a vampire too?"

"Because, sweetie, you have the potential to stop the rogues. You will have powers because I am your father and you will be strong."

I cleared my throat. "So when do you… want me to… change?"

My dad chuckled a little and so did everyone else. "I have already planned everything out for you. When you change into a vampire, we will train you, teach you and show you everything you need to know. Of course you will need a mate and we have already chosen him for you…"

Please let my mate be Greyson. Please let my mate be Greyson.

"…Your mate will be Logan, but we will discuss that later. And I think it would be appropriate if you changed sometime next month so that you have time to get used to this place. It's quite marvelous once you actually look at it."

My mind whirred. Greyson tensed.

"Wait wait wait! You want me to be Logan's mate?" I asked, now staring my dad straight in the eyes.

"Why of course! It only makes sense. He is the strongest vampire in the house. You guys will be unstoppable."

I rubbed my hands on my pants, desperate for a way to release my anger. I frowned at my dad.

"I don't like Logan," I said simply.

My dad smiled sadly at me. "Well you'll have to learn to like him."

He looked around the room, giving everyone a once over. Then, he smiled to himself and stood up. "Meeting adjourned," he said.

"Wait! I don't want to mate with Logan!"

My dad's expression immediately hardened. "Then who would you like to 'go out with'?"

I hesitated. Then blushed. "Well, Greyson seems like a nice person. He's very strong, smart and very attractive."

My dad snorted rudely. "No," he said.

"But…"

"No. And that's final. You are to stay away from Greyson Breckinridge at all times. You do not want anything to do with him!" My dad shouted.

I nodded.

"Good. I love you, Marcy," my dad said.

I didn't say it back.

Greyson and I watched slowly as every council member left the room, leaving a heavy silence. I started to cry softly and Greyson wrapped his arms around me, only making me cry harder.

"I know, Marcy. It's not very fair at all. But don't worry; things will turn for the better soon. Let's get you home, in bed and we can talk about it later." Greyson tried to soothe me.

"I. Want. To. Be. With. You." I sobbed.

He patted me on the back, but didn't say anything.

We drove home in silence, neither of us looking forward to what was going to happen next.