"You're home, do you want me to pull up farther, or are you good here?" Michael asked as he parked the black SUV, at a corner, within a five minute walk to the house.
The house was on the edge of the city of Birmingham, a three story building with side building to providing living spaces for security. There were also gardens on both sides of the house, creating a magnificent landscape.
"This is fine, thank you." I replied, then carefully got out of the car and walked the sidewalk to the house. It was around two when I walked into the house. Alex was the one to see me walk in, looking at me coldly. I was wearing the dress from yesterday, and could feel his cold stare turning into curiosity.
"Good afternoon, where were you?" I looked up to him then shrugged, walking away. I knew that Jacob's scent was all over me, since he demanded cuddles before I demanded to leave. Those teal eyes shining brightly, with his boyish smile, popped into my head.
I knew he was wary because of the nightmare, but I knew how to take care of myself. He later on told me it was a vampire, but he didn't know which one it was. I was angry, but curious on who this man was, he was old enough to know our ancient family name.
"I was with somebody, and stayed the night at a friend's. I'm going to my room now." I took a couple of steps toward the hallway to my room, before he rushed in front of me.
He looked at me with his cold brown eyes, I knew he was not going to let me leave, for such a small matter.
"Sniff, then let me go. I'm having a bad day as it is." I commanded as he looked at me questioningly. He did what I told him then stepped aside. I took another step forward before he asked another question.
"Where did the bruises come from, it can't be from Jacob." He deadpanned, he looked like he was going to touch it. I backed off and growled, anytime someone reach toward my neck it was deja vu all over again.
Blood red eyes and a hint of a smirk, flashed quickly before my eyes. I could see the vampire's face clearly, remembering that smirk when he was satisfied.
"Don't." I spoke and he stopped with a startled expression, with a flash of worry. He fully stepped out of the way letting me walk away, with me gritting my teeth.
Once as I made it to my room, I locked myself in for the rest of the day. I pulled out my dagger from the box then started reading the book that I snatched off the bookshelf at Jacob's.
Flipping through the book I stopped at the page that had the man, a cold white figure that had sharp fangs and blood red eyes. It said that vampires that drink human blood have dark red eyes. Which the vampire did.
I stopped at the pure blood portion of the book, the man looked closely to the picture. "Pure blood vampires are the strongest and most dangerous supernatural species. They choose to live on human blood to make them stronger, however with the Luna's blood, they become invincible.
"Luna's blood" I thought abut it for awhile then put the book away. With school off my plate, I now was ready to face what ever was throw
***
It was four days till the masquerade party and till I once again saw Jacob. I broke the news to Jace that I was not going to have a date for this party. It was not only because it revolved around me, but because Jacob was going to be there, however I did not speak that part.
He stood there and nodded his head. "Jace." He turned around when I called his name, and he gave me a fake smile.
"Yes, Kenzie?" I knitted my brows together then looked at him with a straight face. For years Jace had been my date to all parties, I was worried on how he was going to take the news.
"I'm not saying I don't want to hang out, but I'm not going to have a date." I patted his shoulder then walked him to the door. I watched his retreating back as he hopped into his reserved car and drove out.
"Why?" Eli asked, as I let out a deep breath, shutting the door, when the car drove out. I looked at my brother, his brown hair brushed back looking handsome. He was standing in a black suit looking fancy, which meant a meeting somewhere. I looked away and took a couple steps to the living room.
"Why do you not want Jace to be your date, that night?" He walked behind me, I took a deep breath then faced him.
"Look, I know that everybody in this family, wants Jace and I to date, but I'm not looking for any relationship. I didn't mean to hurt him, I just don't want a date for the party." He nodded then I turned and walked in the direction of the library. 'I'm already in a relationship.' I thought to myself.
I walked to the section that had old ancient books and looked around for books about the six ancient bloodlines. Within a half hour, I found nothing about the bloodlines, however, I found a chart of the ancient names, some I recognized.
"This will be helpful." I spoke as I picked up a notebook and wrote the eight names down. Ernchester, Weston, Cortez, Lynn, Leonard, Raymond, Sullivan, Soulton.
"Miss, the master has called for a meal. Everyone has to attend." Turning around to face the young maid, I smiled gently then turned back to the book I was skimming through.
"Tell the master that I'll be dinning alone tonight. I'm busy at the moment." I spoke while turning another page. The page was written in another language, although it had a couple of strange illustrations. Fire was prominent, so it was a sacrifice, however, what was being sacrificed?
"He figured you would say that, however this was not a request, but a demand." I clinched my jaw, I knew that I was cooped up in my room, but I wanted to be alone at the moment. That stupid vampire was still stuck on my mind, yet I can't find anything on him.
"Huh, I'll be down in a little bit." I let out a deep breath then placed back the book on the bookshelf. I heard the lady leave the room, with my advance hearing, but also the breathing of another person in the room.
"Who's there?" I walked toward the scent, to see that there was another maid working. I shook my head, as she watched me for a couple minutes. I was losing my stability with me searching for anything of this Vampire.
"I'm sorry to disturb." I nodded then left the library completely. Walking down the hallway, it felt disturbingly empty. I continued toward the fine dinning room that was for the four of us. Eli and Josh were speaking aloud about Josh's business when I entered, but stopped to greet me.
I nodded to both then took my respected seat, I looked around the luxurious room, there was the small table that seated four. With the fine table cloth and the expensive china set, which made the room bright, but unsettling.
"Children, we're having steak tonight." Alex walked in wearing a fine suit, meaning he got out of a big meeting. We all looked in his direction and waited for what was about to come out of his mouth. "In celebration of me hitting the jackpot of a deal, I would like to share this win with my family." He spoke with giddiness flowing through him.
"With your family." I echoed making sure he got what he was talking about. He stopped for a moment and glanced in my direction with a glare for ruining the moment, Eli snickered then looked away from Alex, even Josh looked like he was going to chuckle.
"Mackenzie, I heard from a maid that you were in the library." I looked at him with nothing. I glanced at him then spoke, in a cool voice both aloud and through the mind-link.
"I went there to investigate something." I watched him process what I said then turned away from him.
"Hmm, alright. Look children we need to speak more about the ball in three days, not counting today." I looked at my brothers, Eli turned his head slightly in my direction, and Josh continued to stare at my father.
"What is there to discuss that hasn't been?" Eli voiced our concern, just a couple of days before the party. [Is it the Mafia King?] I asked through mind-link, he looked in my direction and nodded.
"There will be officials from different parts of the world attending this party, not only to see the next child of the Young line, but also because they requested to be invited." He looked to me, [it's not just the Mafia King, but many Mafia leaders.] I scrunched my brows together.
"Alright and this affects that party how?" Josh asked as he sliced his steak. I did the same and took a small bite, just in case I needed to speak. Alex just shook his head in response and looked at the picture above the fireplace that was in the room. My mother was smiling when they painted this picture, right before Josh was born.
My mother had the brown silky hair that all of us inherited, however she had vibrant greenish blue eyes that only Matt and I inherited. She had a beautiful smile that brightened the room, making her breath taking. My father was lucky to have her love, however sometimes I still didn't know why.
"We will need to show them that we are the best." In a cold distant voice, my father took a bite of the steak and looked at each one of us. I swallowed my bite then took another, we sat there in silence finishing the meal.
After the meal was finished, I watched Eli and Josh leave the room, leaving me alone with Alex. When I heard their footsteps lighten, putting more distance between us, I finally voice my own question.
"You want me on my best behavior, for the sake of your image?" I looked at the picture and lowered my eyes. 'I miss her more and more.'
"Yes and no, they will know that there is no chosen heir for my company or my mafia, so they'll be looking at what competition they'll have. However I do not plan on making you my heir, they will think so." He took a drink of whiskey after the boys left.
"We're fooling them?" I asked watching him drink the light brown liquid. I knew he wasn't going to hand it over, however one thing he did not know, was that the mafia leaders will thoroughly search the records.
"More like covering the failing inheritance. I plan to announce my heir when the time comes, but until then, you have to act the best, and convince the leaders that you are strong." I stood up and took the glass from him. Placing the glass on the table, I locked eyes with him.
"You've had enough." He looked like I lost my mind taking the drink, but I didn't bother with the petty affair, I had other things to be concerned of.
"Father I do not like the act of cowardice, however it is your image that will be effected not mine. If you want me to act as a puppet find another. However, I have questions I want answered, so I will play the part for that night, but after that you're on you own." I left the room swiftly, walking down the quiet hallways.
'Just play the part and you will have them at the tips of your fingers.' Shutting of the lamps I crawled into bed after changing into night clothes and fell into a dreamless sleep.