William is Marcus' brother, whom my father cruelly imprisoned in an unknown place, far from the one person he had left in this world. The news that there was still a werewolf from William's line still living must have brought Marcus renewed vigour. He ordered the coven to prepare, as he was travelling to England to see to the matter himself.

"I will go with you."

"No, I want you to stay here. Manage the coven in my absence, my love. Please."

I agreed, although rather reluctantly. He kissed me on the lips, and I, not caring whether there were other vampires around, kissed him back. Our lips moved with the same rhythm, and it took us a lot of effort to break apart.

I ran my fingers lightly through his beard and inhaled his very scent. I wanted it to remain with me, so that I could always feel his presence. It was like that night when Sonja died; a feeling of helplessness.

I watched him leave, and it was only when his carriage was no longer in sight when I went back inside the house.

Selene was there, and she gave me a reassuring one arm hug.

"I miss him already," I told her as we made our way up the stairs.

"He'll be gone for a few days. I'm more concerned about whether Viktor finds out about this," Selene said.

"Marcus doesn't give a damn what my father thinks," I said rather harshly. "He loves William, and it seems that this incident is the only thing that can tell him where his brother is."

Selene nodded. "Still, would you want to be in the middle? Marcus and Viktor, baying for each others' blood? You have to admit, William is going to be a problem."

I whirled around and faced her. "What do you mean? Marcus can control him, and I believe him. My father is blowing things out of proportion."

We stopped in front of my and Marcus' room. I silently debated if I should allow Selene to go in, but I flung the door open and stepped inside. She maintained her place, but I motioned for her to come in.

The bed was untidy, considering Marcus and I had made love a couple of times last night. Other than that the room was spotless.

I made my way to my dresser and removed my gloves. I didn't take my necklace off; I was determined to keep it on until Marcus arrived. Selene stood by the four poster bed and was looking at the sheets, amused.

"I know, I know," I said, smiling a little. "Wild night."

"This may seem too forward, but does Marcus expect the two of you to have children?" Selene asked slowly.

I shook my head. "He fears that William's genes will pass on to our child. He doesn't want to risk the covens going against us."

"But William was turned when they were adults," she pointed out. "I don't think William's genes are going to – "

"He is cautious. He doesn't want to have a child only to have it stripped away from him," I interrupted. "And who am I to go against my husband's wishes?"

Selene sighed but said nothing. In a way, I could see why my father adopted her. She looked a bit like Sonja, except now she had cropped her hair. But she had the same complexion, blue eyes (like everyone else in the covens), and the same preference for tight fitting clothes.

I missed them both sorely. Marcus and Sonja. But I still had Selene.

The days turned into weeks, and I grew impatient, worried, and anxious. Marcus had sent me letters, but they did nothing to comfort me. It sounded as if the battle was going awry, but I knew Marcus would pull through. He always did.

"Viktor would have a fit once he learns that Marcus went after the werewolves," Kraven muttered one night.

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. Ever since my father had appointed him as one of his representatives, he became more and more cocky and confident. Now he was addressing my father as if they were equals.

"I'm sure my father will understand that my husband is always under protection," I said levelly. "Marcus is no fool."

As the patriarch of the vampire race, Marcus held the key to the survival of us all. If he died, everyone under his bloodline would die too, which was why my father had him guarded every single second.

Kraven bowed his head, but I could see he was annoyed. I knew why; it fell upon him to inform my father about the things Marcus did during his reign, those that my husband kept from him.

I fingered the stem of my goblet thoughtfully. Centuries had passed since Sonja and Lucian died, but somehow, I felt something was off. It was as if they were still alive. But how? I saw my sister die before my very eyes.

Lucian, on the other hand, was a different story. We all had Kraven's word on it, and nothing else. The rest of the soldiers who went in with him to Lucian's castle (my former home) died. Only he survived, brandishing the branded skin like a trophy of his bravery.

If there was one thing Kraven wasn't, it was being brave.

I said nothing about my thoughts. First of all, he had proof. I had none. Second, if Lucian was indeed alive, then where was he? I knew the death of my sister turned him completely against my father, and he would definitely show himself if he were alive.

Kraven stood up and walked towards Selene. She ignored him, like she always did. Kraven invited her for a walk in the garden, but she refused.

When will he give up on his obsession with her? I thought. He will never give up on her though. He can be quite persistent.

As soon as Kraven left, Selene rolled her eyes and stared at the ceiling.

"You'd better find yourself a husband, Selene," I chided. "Otherwise Kraven won't stop."

Selene scoffed. "I can do so much better than him. I'm not interested in him in any way."

I laughed. "That's obvious to every person in this coven but him. He's stubborn."

We fell silent. I continued reading about the coven reports. One of the newest vampires, Erika, flitted in and out of the library, refilling my goblet and asking Selene if she needed anything. An hour before dawn, we all retreated to our coffins.

I slept, but I kept seeing Marcus. This was the sixteenth day he was gone, and he promised to be back after a week. The only thing that consoled me was the fact that we were all alive; that meant he was, too.

Time passes fast when you're a vampire. The hours fly by like seconds, and days seem like hours. Marcus returned after three weeks, but his quest was a failure. They found the werewolf dead, but Marcus insisted on searching the area for any signs of his brother.

They found none.

My husband was in a foul mood when he returned, and I sensed his displeasure as soon as he entered the mansion.

"How was it, my lord?" Kraven asked, handing Marcus a glass of warm blood.

"A failure," Marcus seethed, drinking the contents of the glass in one go. "Where is Sophia?"

"In her room," Kraven replied. "She's been waiting for you to return."

Marcus stomped up the stairs and strode into my room. I had just risen then, and I was still in my nightgown. One strap fell lazily from my shoulder as I brushed my hair, but I had heard his familiar stride and stood up as he entered the room.

"My love," I called, rushing into his arms. He embraced me tenderly, and I looked up at him. "Oh no."

He didn't need to say anything; his eyes were full of sorrow and regret. I led him to our bed and helped him out of his heavy travelling cloak. His hand clamped down on my bare leg as I sat down beside him. "I curse the day your father took William away from me," he said scathingly.

I nodded. "And he took my sister from me."

Marcus leaned his head against my shoulder. I could smell the smoke mixed with his sweat. He had probably burned a few villages before returning. I expected him to make love to me – he usually did whenever he returned from a long campaign.

But he didn't.

Instead, he looked deep into my eyes and asked me if I would side with him and rise up against my father. I hesitated. Viktor was my father; I could not deny that fact. But he never showed love and affection for me, except when Sonja was gone.

It would only be natural if I helped my husband destroy the one who took my beloved sister from me.

"Yes, I will," I said, and Marcus smiled.

"No one must know about this, Sophia," he warned. "Not even your own father."

"Of course. It will be just you and me," I replied, smiling. "And William."

Marcus nodded. "William. Once I have my brother, we will be complete."

I entwined my fingers with Selene's. The time has come for us to part for two centuries, and I knew she would have a lot to tell me when I awoke. We were alone in my chamber, but any moment now Marcus would come for me and to ease me into my centuries-long slumber.

"Remember, we will be sisters forever," I whispered.

"Sisters," she echoed. Already her eyes were averted, as if she didn't want me to see the sadness in her eyes. "Yes."

"Don't let Kraven get to you, Selene," I teased her. "By the time I awake you should have a husband of your own. And he isn't the one I have in mind for you."

She smiled. "You and your schemes of love."

We both stopped talking; footsteps were heard on the hallway.

I stood up from my armchair and gave her a tight hug. "I'm missing you already, sister."

Selene said nothing, and when the door opened to reveal Marcus and Kraven, we broke apart. I looked at her one last time before leaving the room with my husband.

Little did I know that the next time we did meet, it would be as enemies, not as sisters.