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  When I could hear again, I heard Zack’s voice asking if I was alright and what had happened.

  Augustine ignored Zack and spoke directly to me, “Anna I am going to give you a shot to help to calm you down and relax you.”

  I waved him off. “No, I am fine. I will be alright at least. I want to hear the rest of the story.”

  Augustine looked to Orion and grasped my hand. “I do not think that is very wise right now. How about we do it later, so you are not taking in too much at one time.”

  “Orion?”

  “Yes?”

  “Is it true? You and I were together, and you had just proposed. Then Augustine rushed through the door. I jumped up, cutting my hand on the cross. That was the blood splatter from my nightmare.”

  Griffin talked for the first time that night. “Engaged? You two?”

  Orion was very quiet as he looked at me. “Yes, I proposed and you had just said yes. Then Augustine burst through the door. I did not know that you had not changed yet. Which I should have with all the time we spent together, talking. When you cut your hand, and Augustine said we were under attack…”

  Orion, shook his head before he went on. Arianna walked over and put her hand on her son’s shoulder.

  “You saved her because you loved her? We knew you two were close, but never that close.” Arianna seemed in awe.

  I was barely able to squeak out the words through the tears, “How did you save me?”

  Orion could not answer, so Augustine answered. “He bit you. We were always told that the blood of a premature Royal vampire is a death sentence.”

  Anger and pain flashed onto my face as I got my voice back and stared over at Orion. “You mean it was dangerous and you could have died?”

  Orion took a deep breath, “I did not care about what happened to me. I only cared about you, I loved you!”

  “Why did you never tell me that story?” I said through the tears that were pouring down my face at that point.

  “I did not want to bring back painful memories. After I bit you, it took you five days of agonizing pain to change. I was so worried that I would lose you.”

  “I never knew that you loved me. I drove myself crazy for years because I loved you but I did not think you felt the same way.”

  Orion looked up from the floor and put both his hands on each side of my face. “I have always felt that way about you Annabella Lavada and I always will.” He kissed me gently and wrapped his arms around me.

  I blushed. Being wrapped in Orion’s arms was more than enough for me. He kissed my head and whispered in my ear. “I love you my little blood royal.”

  Orion looked up to Augustine, “We all need to move to Shadows.”

  “I agree.”

  “I’ll go call Jared and tell him to expect us.”

  Chapter 17

  Darren Warin was in the corner talking to his wife, Ambrosia, on the phone. “Ambrosia, I am so sorry.” Darren’s voice was barely audible.

  “I can not believe you betrayed our family. Our Son!” Ambrosia was fuming at her husband. “Don’t worry, Zachary is missing anyways.”

  “What do you mean missing?” Darren’s voice filled with worry, thinking that the Invader’s might have gone ahead without him.

  Ambrosia, now in tears, “He has only been home once since the last time you hit him.”

  “I regret that.”

  “I know you do. Please, be careful. I do not trust the Invader’s.”

  “I do. I will be safe. I promise you.”

  Off in the distance, Darren could hear someone yelling for him. “They are looking for me. I better go.”

  As soon as he hung up, Andromeda was at his side. “We’ve been looking for you.”

  “I’m sorry, my Queen. Please, beg my pardon. I did not mean to keep you waiting.”

  Orion busted through the door and gently shook me awake.

  “Anna, honey, you need to wake up?”

  Groggily I opened my eyes, “What’s wrong?”

  “We have to move you and Zack. We are going to Shadows.”

  “Are you coming and staying with me?”

  “That is up to Jared Lometo. He’s in charge now. You and Zack are no longer safe here.”

  “Ok, let’s go!” I got up and quickly got dressed.

  The private jet took off into the sunrise. It did not feel like much time had passed as the jet landed at the private airstrip. I gasped, as I looked out the window and saw the lions and vampire’s standing together.

  “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Orion whispered in my ear.

  “I never would have thought that I would see lions and vampires standing together.”

  Orion laughed, “Look closer. Those aren't lions. Those are shape-shifters.”

  “Really?” I was in complete awe; as I took in the scenery.

  My family and I slowly walked down the stairs of the plane. I tripped and several things happened at once. The largest lion started running towards me, and changed to human form and caught me.

  “Thank you.” I could feel myself blushing in his arms. Who was this person?

  “It was my pleasure, Vampiress Annabella.”

  “Ugh”

  A little confused, “May I ask what is wrong?" He quickly glanced over me. "Are you hurt?”

  “Please, do not call me Vampiress,” Orion tensed beside me. “Call me, Anna, everyone else does.”

  He smiled, “Well Anna, please call me Jared.”

  “Oh!” I was definitely feeling embarrassed now. My face had to be crimson red as I was in the arms of the leader of this secret world.

  Everyone either smiled or laughed. Jared sat me down, keeping my hand firmly in his. “Welcome to Shadows.” It was a fortress that looked like a hidden castle. It was so beautiful that I was at a loss of words. The loss of words might have been because of the beautiful god-like creature standing beside me. I could not concentrate on that right now, or the blushing would never go away.

  The longer I stared, the more entranced I became. His eyes were ice blue. His abs were so defined, that you would have noticed even if he had a shirt on. I could not believe that someone could be that beautiful. His long blonde hair was tied back with a blue ribbon that matched his eyes. He was breathtaking. All the men were equally breathtaking and all were doing the same thing with their hair.

  “Thank you, Jared.” It was Orion, who finally spoke up.

  “Ah, Orion, yes!” Jared noticed my attention elsewhere he introduced us. “This is my second in command, Kevin Turner. He is leaving soon to go on assignment. Security is already tight, and we are prepared for everything as planned. You may relax now.”

  Orion smiled, but I knew that there was no way that Orion was going to relax. I was on Jared’s arm.

  Jared suddenly laughed and Orion stiffened. “Orion?” Jared called.

  “Yes, Sir?”

  “Please take Anna’s arm, so you will relax. You are starting to give me a headache.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Orion trying to sound confident, but he was confused.

  “You two are perfect for each other. Do not fear, I do not mind, as you are afraid I will be.”

  Orion bowed, “Thank you, Jared.”

  “Kent blows everything out of the water; especially with the last guy.” Now everyone looked confused but Jared laughed. “The guy was secretly dating my sister, and he thought that he could get away with it. I did not like what he was thinking.” Jared was still smiling at the thought.

  “What should we do first?” Orion turned to Jared.

  “Let’s show the beautiful Anna around, so she does not get lost. Kevin, join us!”

  After being shown around. I was taken to my room and collapsed in exhaustion on the bed.

  “Is she ok?” the worried voice coming from both Jared and Kevin.

  “Yes.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  Orion smiled, “Nothing. She is still half-human. She needs to sleep like a human but has a
vampire’s eating habits and a vampire’s life.”

  “Really? That is so cool. I never knew half-breeds existed until now.” The amazement was so easy to read on his face.

  “Yeah. She is the only one I have ever heard of.” Jared said as he pondered the news.

  “Wow,” exclaimed Kevin again.

  “If you need anything, you know where to find me. I must see Kevin off and make sure that everything is quiet.”

  “Thank you, Jared, Kevin.”

  “If she needs anything just inform us. We are prepared to make sure that she is comfortable.”

  “I am sure she appreciates it.”

  I heard the conversation. Once the room went silent I fell into a deep sleep. I was so exhausted; with all of the traveling and emotions made the exhaustion worse. That night I dreamed. I dreamed of death.

  “My Queen. Are you sure you want to sentence him to death?”

  “Yes. He knew this information for far too long, without reporting it. He betrayed his family.”

  “Yes, my Queen. I shall take him to the platform now.”

  “I will be out there in a minute.”

  Several minutes pass as Darren was tied to the silver cross, screaming in pain as the cross burned him. The servant walked up to the platform, dropping the torch as flames exploded. The screaming…the terrifying screaming…

  I woke up, screaming for Orion. I sat up in bed, terrified, and saw twenty eyes staring at me. They stood there, ready to battle. The fear spiked even higher in me and I kept screaming after seeing the lion in front of me.

  I heard Orion through the guys, “Let me through. Get out of the way.” Orion finally reached me as I lunged for him. “You have to save him, you have to…” My breath had run out, the fear overtook me, and all I saw was blackness I fell into.

  I woke up with cold hands on my forehead. When I opened my eyes I was looking into the ice blue eyes of Kevin.

  “Where’s Orion?” I said groggily.

  “After you had passed out, Orion, Kent, and Jared received a call. They had to rush to France.”

  “Zack?”

  “I’m right here, Anna. No need to worry.”

  Kent, Jared, and Orion slowly crept through the shadows as they followed the wall to talk to Apollo.

  “Father,” Kent barely whispered.

  “What are you doing here? You must leave now. Your mother…”

  Jared stepped out of the shadows, followed by Orion. “What is going on?”

  Apollo hesitation was brought on with the shock of seeing Orion standing in his presence. “Please, tell me that Vampiress Annabella is safe.”

  “She is.”

  “Why are you here? You should be with her. I have enough trouble on my hands trying to control things here.”

  “Anna is perfectly safe and she will remain that way. She sent us.”

  “Father, what has happened?” Kent turned to his father with pleading in his eyes.

  “Your mother ordered Darren Warin to be burned. She is calling for blood. You must go." Looking to Orion and Jared, "Keep her safe. Stay at Shadows, they do not know the place exists.”

  “Then we will remain at Shadows until the threat has subsided.”

  “Don’t count on that my boy. Andromeda and many others must die before Vampiress Annabella will be safe to leave.”

  Orion, Jared, and Kent all bowed and quietly slipped back into the shadows and crept out of the Sanctuary.

  Chapter 18

  “Come on Anna! You’re starting to get lazy,” Zack joked.

  How could I explain to him that I did not want to do anything but lay in bed until Orion got back? I also knew that I could not let Orion see me this way. Why did I miss him so much?

  “Oh, alright. I’m coming.”

  “Woo-hoo.”

  I joined Zack as we snuck out the back door and away from Shadow's security. It was so exciting to be sneaking off, going to have some fun. Orion would kill us if he knew what we were doing. I could not think of him right now, so I placed him in a little box in my mind. I loved walking on the dangerous side. I always had. Zack and I ran through the woods as if we were invincible. That is when it happened.

  A wolf howled in the distance, as we heard the voices of the other vampires.

  “Zack, we are too far out.”

  “Yeah, I know. This was a bad idea. I’m so sorry, Anna.”

  “Hey, I agreed to come with you. What should we do? I don’t think that we can make it back in time.”

  Orion felt the fear running through Anna as he stepped off of the plane. In a flash, he was running to her room, banging on the door. Jared came up behind him.

  “Orion, what is going on?” Jared said with a smirk on his face. “That eager to see her again?”

  “Anna’s in trouble. I can feel it.”

  This took the smile off of Jared’s face. “Break it down.”

  Orion did not need to be told twice. Orion kicked the door down and ran into the room. Fear struck him when he found the room empty.

  Jared was pulling out his cell phone as Orion ran to the window.

  Jared was having a quiet conversation with the person on the phone. Orion turned to him, he knew that Anna was no longer within the secure walls of Shadows.

  “She’s gone,” Orion said in a terrified voice.

  “The guards never saw her leave. They did a quick sweep and they aren't within the walls.”

  "They?"

  "Zack's gone too."

  Orion shot out of the window and began running. He had to find Anna. She was his responsibility and he had failed her. He had lost his love once, he could not lose her again.

  Zack fell, the snap of his leg made me shiver. The fear and nausea I was feeling was nothing compared to the agony that Zack was in at the moment.

  “Zack, we have to keep moving. Lean on me until your leg heals.”

  I leaned down and helped Zack up. I had to get us to safety. At that moment, I wished Orion was here. I could not believe I was this stupid to leave the protected walls.

  “Anna, you can let go of me. My leg is healed.”

  “Oh, right.”

  The men’s voices started to get louder and clearer. They were getting closer. I could feel the excitement in all of them. It made me sick. I would not allow myself to be murdered like my family. I just couldn’t.

  Jared finally caught up with Orion. “Why don’t you call her?”

  Orion looked over at him. “I would have but she doesn’t have her cell phone. It was on her bedside table.”

  Jared almost laughed but controlled himself. “I meant through your bond. You’ve had her blood several times or you would never have known she is in danger.”

  “Why didn’t I think of that?” Orion felt like smacking his head for being that scatterbrained.

  “Annabella, where are you?” Orion said angrily.

  “Orion?” I stopped running and started looking around.

  “Don’t stop. Keep running.” Zack was egging me on.

  In my mind, I thought, that is why I heard Orion. “Orion?” I thought silently.

  “Where are you?”

  “Running. I am so tired.”

  “Which direction? Jared and I are coming.”

  “Towards Shadows. Bring the guards, we are being chased. Orion, I’m sorry.”

  “Not now. Don’t you dare give up. Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  Then I fell. So many things happened at once. I cut my hand deeply, the vampires on both sides came running, my blood calling to them. Orion and Jared came running into the clearing. I lost so much blood that I was too getting to weak to move. Orion swung me up into his arms, carrying me. The running continued. The fear pulsing from everyone around us was draining me. It felt like it was draining the life out of my body. Everything started to feel like it was moving in slow motion.

  “Follow me.” Jared knew where he was going. Orion did not object.

  As we followed Jared, w
e started getting deeper and deeper into the forest. Then he opened a hidden door in the ground. It was a bomb shelter, which led right into Shadows. Everyone jumped down into the shelter and Jared closed the door and latched it.

  We continued to follow the path through the tunnels as Orion carried me. Jared opened the next door and we walked right out of it into the 'downtown' part of Shadows.

  Once above ground, Jared ordered his men to guard the tunnel to make sure that no one got into Shadows.

  Then I started to go limp in Orion's arms. The fear and anger emotions were draining me. I could no longer fight against my body. The weaker I became the less fear and anger I could feel in the guards around us. I was so weak that I could barely stay awake. “Orion?” I barely whispered.

  “Yes, dear?”

  “I’m so tired.”

  “No, you can’t go to sleep. You have to stay with me.”

  “Too many emotions. I’m sorry.” At that moment I blacked out completely with the exhaustion, as I continued to bleed. Orion licked my hand and the bleeding stopped and started to heal.

  Chapter 19

  The next thing I knew I was waking up in my bed with eighteen pairs of eyes looking at me. It was kind of strange to have your family, Zack, Jared, and Kevin all staring at you like you were a clown in a circus. I smiled and started to giggle at the thought.

  Orion stepped beside me, “honey, you scared me to death. Please don’t do that again.”

  “I’m sorry, Orion. I was not thinking.”

  “Anna, sweetheart. I need to give you some more of my blood to keep you safe.”

  “Ok. We’ve done this before.”

  He looked a little embarrassed, but I didn’t understand why. “This is a little different.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You have always taken it from my wrist. This time I need you to take it from my neck.” Before I could protest he kept going, “I know you hate the idea of it, but it is the only way to get the strongest of my blood into your system.”

  “What will happen if I don’t?”

  “Anna, I will not lose you. If I have to, we will force you. But I do not want to do that.”