AN: First of all I wanted to apologize for the long wait. I hadn't intended on waiting this long, but it just happened. I hope you like this one. I like this one especially the last part. HOPEFULLY I'll have the next chapter out sooner. Ok now read, read, read!!!!

Chapter 10

"You're shaking Ella." Alex said with a grin. I narrowed my eyes at him. How could he expect me to be calm? I mean, his so called sister tried to kill me! And he had actually talked me into going to see the rest of his family. "I won't let them hurt you Ella, trust me. Anyway I have over four hundred years of experience, so it isn't like they can pass me easily." He tightened his grip around my hand.

"You would fight your family… for me?" I asked, taken back.

"Yes." He said firmly, glancing down at me with determined eyes. "Also, I know that nothing is going to happen."

"How do you know that?" I asked in disbelief.

"Well you know how Sarah is sort of my sister–other than being my sister-in-law?" I nodded sharply, we were getting deeper and deeper into the forest and I was getting nervous. "Well my other sister Margie—who is also Daniel's partner—can see a things' or peoples' future."

"Future?"

"Yes, some of our kind obtains special gifts." He said briskly. I was instantly curious.

"Do you have a gift?" I asked, leaning forward slightly—so I could study his instantly emotionless face.

"Yes." He answered simply.

"And what is this gift?"

"The ability to overcome humans," He answered, staring straight ahead—his jaw tight.

"You're not making this any easier Alexander." I complained, he made the mistake of glancing at me connecting with my eyes, which instantly broke his resistance.

"Fine… it means that if I order a human to do something they are defenseless to do anything to stop themselves." I blinked at him, as I remembered the feeling I had felt when he ordered me to be quiet and let him finish his life story days ago. "Here we are."

Alex cut me off before I could say anything else. I glanced around; we were in a large clearing which was brightened by a full rounded orange moon. There were no vampires though.

I glanced at Alex, confused. He smiled and leaned until his mouth was at my ear.

"Patience," He whispered, his cold breath brought chills that raced down my back. Then he pulled back and faced forward.

Out of nowhere a man and a woman stood in front of us. The man looked almost identical to Alex except he was broader shouldered. The woman—brought goose bumps up and down my arms, her piercing red eyes hadn't changed.

"Ah… so this must be Ella." The man said in a broad voice.

"Ella," Alex said evenly. "This is my brother Nicholas and his wife Sarah." Nicholas grinned which was probably meant as welcoming, but instead it brought cold chills. Unconsciously I stepped in behind Alex.

"It seems you scared the poor girl," Sarah said smoothly. Just like last time her appearance was stunning.

"It's all right young one." Startled, I jumped at the voice that was at my ear. Alex was instantly in front me shielding me from the gorgeous, blond headed vampire. A soft bell like laugh came from the vampire and she smiled at me as I glanced around Alex.

"Ella this is Margie." Alex said in a low comforting tone. Margie raised her hand, wanting me to shake it no doubt. I hesitated, but finally grabbed her outstretched hand.

Her eyes took on a dull look, I watched curiously as the smile on her face slipped into a frown. She blinked a few times and her smile appeared again, but it wasn't as genuine.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ella." Margie said softly.

"You too." I squeaked, embarrassed—I cleared my throat. Margie studied me for a moment her red eyes saddened for a moment.

"Daniel," Alex muttered, as another vampire appeared beside Nicholas. How many were there? He was just as breathtaking as Sarah; his dark brown hair framed flaming red eyes. He was a few inches taller than Alex, and looked to be stronger too.

"Alex, Ella," He addressed me with a small smile. I smiled back with trembling lips.

"Nick scared her." Sarah said lightly. "And Margie didn't help either,"

"Ella is a little jumpy, because of your encounter, Sarah." Alex countered, Sarah narrowed her eyes at Alex—not human at all.

"That is enough you two. You can have a go at each other when we don't have a guest." Daniel said briskly. Alex bared his teeth at Sarah; on reflex I tightened my grip on his hand and with the other hand I grabbed his arm. He glanced at me, instantly his face cleared as he connected with my eyes.

"So Ella, tell us more about you." Margie chirped, I broke from Alex's eyes and found Margie's. I felt almost comfortable at being around five vampires.

"What would you like to know?" I asked quietly.

"I have always been curious how you met Alex? Alex is so quiet about these things." The spark in her eyes told me she knew exactly how I met Alex—she just wanted me to say it verbally.

"I met him in a clearing a few yards from here. I was running away from home." I said quickly.

"Intriguing…why were you running away from home?" Margie asked her eyes widening in mock surprise. Alex looked annoyed, but he didn't intercede.

"My brother Edward told me he never wanted to see me again so I thought I would make him regret it by running away." I said, embarrassed.

"That is when you met Alexander." Margie said with a sly smile. She opened her mouth to say something out but Alex cut her off.

"Enough, Margie."

"You see what I mean Ella? We can get nothing out of him, apparently he won't let me get anything out of you either." Margie huffed. All the vampires around me laughed— it sounded beautiful the soft low and high notes mingling in harmony.

Alex's 'family' were not human no doubt, but they held some humanity. Margie was mostly the question asker while the rest of them watched me intently. Nicholas would chuckle under his breath at something I said, but when I looked at him his face it was solemn. It was around two in the morning when I was falling asleep on my feet. Alex then told his family it was time for me to go back.

"It was great to know you Ella. I hope we will see you again." Margie said briskly taking my hand again. Her eyes dulled again and changed back so quick I would have missed it if I had blinked. She glanced at Alex, her face worried.

I thought of how her face looked and it got me worried. Margie was the one who could see the future, right? Had she something that was going to happen to me?

"Something's bothering you." Alex stated solemnly. We were back in my room. He had demanded I get into bed—which I was dead tired so I didn't argue. When my head hit the pillow I was already half way asleep and didn't answer him.

He murmured something else in my ear, which I didn't catch. I was already asleep and dreaming—sweet beautiful dreams.

MORNING

"Eleanor! Wake up!"

I moaned and pulled the covers over my head. Still the yelling at my door went on.

"If you're not down here in five minutes you'll be going to the market instead of Haley (their maid)"

I ignored my mother and closed my eyes, going back to sleep. If I had known my mother was true to her word I would have done what she asked. Since toady was the first of August, my mother had a lot more on her list. As soon as I stumbled down the stairs—yawning every few seconds—my mother planted a bonnet on my head, gave me a huge basket and a two page list.

"Haley thanks you, Ella." My mother said with a smile, pushing me toward the door. "Don't you dare come into this house without everything on the list."

Before I knew it, I was on the porch, with the door slammed shut behind me. I sighed, and glanced at the blackened clouds that hung in the sky. Briskly, I made my way down the porch steps, and ran down the dirt road that lead to the city. The sooner I got this done the sooner I could sleep.

Finally in the outskirts of the city, I walked even faster. The deserted alleyways—between the large buildings—looked scarier than they did on a sunny day. Then there was suddenly a soft meow behind me. I turned and the meows continued, in one of the alleyways is where it was coming from.

I hesitated feeling something was wrong, but soft meow was calling to me. The thought of bringing home a kitten was thrilling. I had always wanted a kitten, but never had chance to get one. I clucked as I looked into the alley, small illuminating green eyes blinked at me.

"Here kitty, kitty." I cooed, placing my basket on the ground, and I tapped my legs with my hands.

It happened faster than I thought it could—a knife placed against my neck and a arm around my waist pressing me to a body. A soft chuckle ruffled my hair.

"Have you ever heard the saying, Eleanor?" The sickening, familiar voice said softly in my ear. "Curiosity killed the cat."