Chapter 74

Flopping on the couch, I look at the two Pureblood's in front of me, sweat rolling down my temple as I call out, 'Alright, enough, its too strong!'

Nick glances at Ki, and I can sense his uneasiness as Ki replies, 'If you can't handle this amount of power coming off me, then you won't be able to go to any parties or meetings among Nick's counterparts.'

I wipe my forehead of the sweat, shaky and nervous. Ki had never unleashed his power in front of me, and Nick said he had only used enough to incapacitate me when needed. For some time I had believed I was getting stronger, when in fact I was the same. But what about my beloved status as a daywalker, or those strange abilities in Mart? Was it a fluke? A miracle brought on by stress? Panting, catching my breath, I remember back to that icy sensation I had and try to bring it forward as I stand shakily, saying, 'Let me try something.'

Nick gives me a look and I murmur, 'Its fine.'

Taking a deep breath, I look at Ki, letting the icy rage fill me. Nick jerks at the sensation I knew he was feeling from me as I nod to Ki. It hits me full in the face, pain shooting through my limbs, as Ki lets lose his power and pheremones. Gritting my teeth, I ask Nick, 'Do Purebloods really do this? Do all powerful vampires let off such strong sensations?'

Nick nods, paling at my pain as he answers, 'Yes, it is to maintain the heirarchy. If you are powerful as we are, than another's is neutralized and we meet on the same ground.'

The icy rage melted away, no amount of anger could bring back what I had done in Mart at Jerry's death. Fear started taking hold, but I feel Nick's hand on my shoulder as he says, 'Watch.'

Suddenly the pain of Ki's awesome power disappear, Nick's fiery warmth spreading around me and the scent of rain and wildflowers filled the area. Looking at Ki, then Nick, I asked, 'What happened?'

Ki suddenly pulls back his own powers, turning into that void in space again saying, 'Nick is a very powerful Pureblood, his power neutralized and overpowered my own. He didn't hurt me like I could tell I was to you, but then again I'm not a threat.'

Nick glares at him as I feel him pull back on his powers and pheremones, but not looking happy. I could feel that icy cold in him, but don't say anything as I ask, 'Then if I stick to Nick, it won't be an issue.'

'He can't be with you 24/7, evenually you have to be able to hold your own.'

'Not only that,' Nick continues, 'But also know the procedures for greeting other clans, family heads, and so on.'

'I don't seem to have any time to waste than do I,' I say, stepping away from Nick and say to Ki, 'Then lets try again.'

--D--

Nerves, that was the best way to describe how I felt at the moment, as I stood before the doors of the Curriculum train, waiting for them to open. The last nine hours had been like living in Hades. While Ki slayed me with power and pheremones, Nick explained proceedings and how I was expected to act at all times. Not only that but literally having to have the Who's Who of the vampire world shoved down my throat. It was as if I was back with my governess, learning proper etiquette and people of power during those times.

An hour before our arrive I was taken by several female A rank, one who had given her name, Eloise, to be primped and polished. From teeth whiting, to waxing, to hair treatments. Now I felt like a doll, Nick similarly too well groomed.

Looking up at him, I feel nerves, thinking about this black silk gown with no back and deep plunging neck line with a slit I could normally be embarrassed in. My silver shoes were tall, making me a little closer to eye level with my Pureblood husband.

You look beautiful Natasha, don't doubt yourself, Nick's voice says, floating into my mind like smoke.

'I look ridiculous.'

'You look like a confident woman, who is married to a powerful man. Remember, don't doubt yourself, they will sense it.'

'So you say one of the other Pureblood royals will be here to greet us?'

'Yes.'

A chime tells us the train has settled in place along its docking station. The doors hiss as the airtight seal it releashed and they slide open. The smell of pheremones hits me like a ton of bricks, ash like and smelling of gunpowder. Then the power hit me, but I stay standing. Ki's power had felt like needles piercing into my skin, Nick's felt like an oppressive blanket that suffocated me, but this one felt as if I was being pulled by a heavier gravity. The ash blonde hair and gray eyes were unmistakable, he was an Elric. He stood there in his own suit, likely Tom Ford, with a woman beside him in a silk royal blue dress that seemed to fit her like a glove. The girl had auburn hair with pale blue eyes, an A rank as her power was less oppressive as his.

Tiberius gives a slight bow of his head saying in a very rich British accent, 'Prince Nicholi, it is a pleasure, we haven't had an opportunity to meet yet.'

Nick nods, holding onto me, and forcing me to step forward out of the train with the two guards close behind. Tiberius continues, 'My wife Juliana.'

'A pleasure.' Crisp american accent, as her eyes darted over Nick. She seemed to be analyzing my husband until her eyes landed on me.

As if a bomb dropped I felt her power, icy against my skin and I grip Nick's arm harder to maintain my balance as she says, 'And I believe from recent news this is your new wife Natasha.'

Her pale eyes were fixated on mine as her power burned my skin with icy precision, but I maintain my own eye contact as Nick replies, 'Yes, it seems word travels faster these days.'

'As it should,' Tiberius says, gesturing to a limo waiting by the Curriculum train. Julianna's eyes finally relent as she take her own husbands hand and they walk towards the slick black vehicle. Nick whispers into my mind, Well done, you have made it through your first hurdle.

It didnt feel well done as sweat popped out on my forehead, and I walked rigidly towards the limo, stomach churning with bile. The ride through the city was uneventful as Nick and Tiberius discussed the meeting that would follow the next day. Julianna didnt even glance my way, though their powers burdened me. I was effectively mute and invisible on the ride to the Dracul clans residence. I couldn't look out the window, my eyes darting between these three powerful vampire. Nick's hand was on mine, giving me a reassuring squeeze. It however was unreassuring as we finally pull into the ostentatious circle drive with its marble drive and waterfalls along tall walls and fountains. Nick and I extract ourselves as several Dracul guard come up, adding to the power that made my knees start to shake from the strain. With a Nick and slight bow the limo pulls away and finally my body collapses.

Nick grabs me up and I gasp, catching my breath I had been holding. The two guards back up as I feel Nicks irritation towards their procimity. He walks into the entrance way as four people come up, power on dull display and Nick snarls, 'Relax your guard now!'

The incredible power subsides as I try to catch my breath and look at the four people. Three men and one woman, they were high ranking A's. I could tell a few were exceptionally powerdul, closer to Nick's rank than an A.

Nick looks down at me and asks, can you stand. I knew that I must be pale but I nod. He sets me down softly on my feet and I straighten myself out. This was a bad first impression of these people, but what I had dealt with in the limo was more than most vampire could. Finally, I take a deep breathe and let the blanket of authority come over me. Looking up at Nick, I say, 'My apologies for my behavior, who may I ask are these... friends?'

There was a little quirk of a smile on his face before it goes placid again and he says, turning to the group and says, 'These four are the leaders of their prospective clans, but they are ruled over by me. This is Usiph Kalgor, of the Faire Dragon Clan.'

His hand sweeping to a tall spinly man with silver at the temples of his hair, odd since vampire didn't age. Then Nick moves his hand to the woman with long black hair which hung like a blue tinted sheet again her back saying, 'This is Venus Putin, of the Draco Clan.'

Then to a short, stocky man with auburn hair, 'Ferris Gustov of the Draak Clan.'

His hand moves to the final man, who didnt have that ancient youthful look of others, but truly a young face full of ash brown hair and says, 'And this is Clide Sulta, of the Brug Clan. These four represent the last strength of the Dracul Royal House.'

He then looks at me and says, 'My friends, this is my mate, my wife Natasha Dracul of the Coleville Dutchy.'

My eyes were on his comrades and I can see their disapproval. This wasn't going to be easy, I had already left a bad impression on them simply by having to be carried in the home by their leader. I knew by Venus's quick up, down they knew I was low ranking. This would become an uphill battle which started now.