A.N. So yep new update after quite some time sorry for not updating sooner just you know I have a new crossover going that people review and all this other stuff "hint hint" but enough about that I may and or may not include some more of Victoria in this chapter or the next I don't know, one way or another Steve will reappear sooner because of what I choose to do. So without further a do to the story but first.

Disclaimer: ... Don't... Claim... Rights... AT All...

Chapter 42

*Dorene's POV*

Darren, Harkat, Mia and I all sat in silence in The room that Darren and his two friends shared, someone had just given us the news of what had happened to Arra and there was no doubt in any of our minds that Mr. Crepsley would be here soon thinking that we didn't know, but we would be here to comfort him, when he needed it.

It didn't take long for the orange haired vampire to enter the room with a drawn, exhausted look on his face and a lifeless look in his eyes, as the one he had called 'mate' met her end. As we discussed Kurda's trial he nearly growled as he said that he would forego sleep for weeks if it meant that he wouldn't miss the trial. By the look in Darren's eyes one could tell that he was worried about his mentors health and then there was Mia, who sat on the floor silently starring at the vampire years of knowledge in her teenage eyes. Just how old was this silent shape-shifting?

"Mr . Crepsley you should get some rest before the trial at least, and when it is time we will be sure to wake you."Darren stated to his broken mentor, who only gave a nod in reply then walked towards the door.

"You will be sure to wake me, right?" Was all he said, his question received a series of nods in which he was satisfied with and so he slowly walked off to his room.

That day as the mountain fell to sleep the caverns were filled with sorrowful cries of pain and loss as Mr. Crepsley mourned Arra alone.

The night of the trial came quickly and with a wake up call from Seba, and the now blind, Vanez. We went and retrieved Mr. Crepsley from his room, by the look of his red eyes one could easily tell he had spent the entire day crying, which was understandable. Mia went to his side and silently comforted him, he gave a slight smile and nodded his thanks as the group went off towards the hall of princes. Mia seemed completely uncomfortable as we passed through the many checks leading to the glowing dome.

I couldn't understand why though, from what I could tell she never carried any weapons on her to begin with so why would she have reason to be so nervous? Once we got to the hall there was a whole pew of seats at the front open and from the looks of everyone in the hall they had made it so that Darren, the hero of the Vampires would get the front seat.

The room was filled with cheers as the vampires yelled out Darren's NE and stating what I had guessed, the front seats were for him and his companions. Mia shifted unsure eyes around the crowd seeming a out unsure if they would attack her or rain seated. When we finally took our seats I could tell that she was still intensely nervous as she hunched down in her seat trying to get as small as she could from what I could tell.

A few seconds after the hall had fallen to silence it erupted again as Kurda entered the room.

*Mia's Pov*

I watched in silent horror as the fair haired vampire was attacked by his own people, by the time he had made it up to the front his clothes were torn and his body bruised and bloddy, but still he stood before those who attacked him with dignity and pride.

I listened as the one Darren told me was Kurda, confessed and was shocked as Mr. Crepsley who sat beside me began talking about how quickly he could put an end to the vampire in front. I didn't know what to think, this murderous rage coming from the one who had saved me from my pursuers before I had joined the cirque. The kind gentle vampire who respected life was now talking angrily about taking it.

Mr. Crepsley's mentor was quickly able to put his anger at rest as the trial continued. The 'traitor began talking of his visits with the Vampaneze and then finally the revelation that most likely caused everyone's blood to run cold.

"And now the Vampaneze Lord has come!"

The room grew silent, from what Darren had told about the Vampaneze is that they were under few rules and were free to do what they wanted. They did have those who enforced the few rules that they did have and regulate those who did not follow the rules but still from the vampires they were far different.

Then the vampire began explaining about the prophecy of Mr. Tiny and how it was coming to pass due to the fight in the caverns. The vampire turned placed one of his cuffed hands to his face fingers spread and yelled out to those gathered.

"Even in death me you be triumphant!" Then with his hand still at his face he looked to the ground and repeated what he had said in a whisper, more to himself then anyone, and from what I could see of his eyes I saw Little tears glistening at the corners and the falling down his cheeks.

At this point I didn't want to heat any more of it and so, risking the thousands of eyes that would be at my back, taking in my marked form as I left, I stood and ran out the doors and past the guards the entire time asking myself.

'Why would the vampires darn one of their own for risking his life to save them.' I could tell before they even came to a verdict that the ones leading the vampires, the Vampire Princes, would sentence the fair haired one they labeled as traitor to his death, and I refused to sit through that so I ran to the room and hid not wanting any more of this, wishing so much that I had remained at the Cirque with Evra, and Victoria.

Even more so did I wish that I wasn't such a coward and had told Victoria the truth instead of hiding in a far off place.

* Victoria's POV*

It was weird fro when I had only planned on staying a night or two I was suddenly living with the family and eating dinner with them, sharing stories and and it was like that empty part of my heart that had been destroyed since the night of birthday, when parents were killed, had been repaired or at least replaced.

For some reason the family I had at the Cirque had never felt real, or it felt like I never really belonged, but here it felt like I was always supposed to find a place among Annie and her family. After the first two nights Annie had told me that she and her parents had been a wreck since the death of her brother, and it felt like I had heard something like this before but couldn't remember where so I shrugged it off.

I was even there when Annie had her son and I was never sure who the father was for he had left soon after but it didn't matter cause Annie was happy that I had stayed to help her raise the boy, and babysit when she left for work. Even now as the two of us sat on the living room floor, u felt like I was home.

"Hey there little Darius." I said in a little voice to the babbling baby. In reply he simply cooed and began shaking the plastic keys that he held in his small pudgy hand. I laughed at the small child thoughts of Evra and his girlfriend flashing through my mind as I thought of what their kids may look like, if the had any.

I quickly shook of the thought not wanting to think about the cirque anymore. Picking up Darius from his spot on the floor I began walking around the house, looking for something to distract myself from my previous train of thought.

Not finding anything to distract myself downstairs I walked upstairs and went into the quest room I had been given to live in. Not finding anything in there I made way into Darius' room, again coming put empty handed. Then I walked into the old scrapbook in room that Annie's mother used to use, looking at the scrapbook that Annie had started filling with pictures of her son.

After finished with the scrapbook I once again stepped out, not wanting to invade Annie's room I look to the other doors, one of which hasn't even been opened since I got here. Slowly I made my way to the door and checked the handle, expecting it to be locked, I just barely turned it when it opened. Before looking inside I shifted the child to my other arm then opened the door peering inside.

From the amount of dust laying on the desk, bed, and drawers I could tell that this room hasn't been entered in a long time. So as not to leave signs that I had been in here I stayed where I was and let gaze wander over the many things that lay untouched in the room. From the comics on the shelf to the posters on the wall I could tell that it was most likely a boy who had lived in this room.

So from what I had learned from my time with the Shan's I could tell that this room must've belonged to Annie's brother. Outside I could hear I car pull up and then a door close. Not wanting to be caught in the undisturbed room I stepped out, shut the door, then walked into Darius' room.

Once in his room I placed a finger to my lips. "Shh, this stays between you and me."I whispered to the baby who had no knowledge as to what I was saying at all.

A.N. Yay new update and I was able to include Victoria so another yay for me. On an other note next chapter I will probably skip to Darren's time as a prince and so the start of "Hunters of the Dusk" whoop whoop. It gets more interesting here on out trust me, and for those of you confused I don't know if there are any of you out there due to lack of reviews, but Mia is not as old as she appears and has been like that since the beginning she is actually older then Evra by a few years. So yeah not much else to say so...

Until Next time Peace, Love, and Virtual Hugs.