Katerina Rosario's Story

Innocence is for children, and purity is for those who are naïve.
Deep crimson eyes scanned pages upon pages of text. Every book, every document she could find was laid out on the floor of her home with herself in the middle. The petit woman fiddled with pages, read paragraphs from one page, and sentences from others. Every candle in the house was lit around her, giving her all the light she couldn’t manage. The female had been up for days, trying to piece together the mysteries; the stories that were meant to be stories, not truths. The village that was torn down by only two men out for one thing.

The lack of sleep may have driven her mad, but it allowed her to muster up the courage to go out at night. She was going to get to the bottom this. She was going to make sense of the things that didn’t make sense. The woman went calling out in the night, called out for those who were hiding, and it was then she encountered her first vampire. She couldn’t see his face but only his frame. She could see him get close and her head held up the candle as she struggled to see his face. He stalked her like prey.
“I know what you are.” She spoke, in hopes to get a voice. Something. Anything to prove that she wasn’t seeing things. It was then the candle went out and darkness consumed her. She dropped the candle to the ground and turned around as if she felt eyes on her.

“You’re a monster!” She sneered. How could someone takes lives that didn’t belong to him? To tear families apart? It was then she felt the confirmation that she wasn’t insane. She felt the lips of a man that towered over her against her skin the moment she felt the searing pain as he ripped into her skin. Gentle, he was not.

Her hand reached up and she pulled harshly at his hair, tearing his head from her skin but he was stronger than she. He took more, took until she couldn’t fight any longer and that was when he left. No fear of being followed.

Kat had staggered through the streets to return home, only to find it in flames. Everything she gathered, everything she worked for. It was gone. She assumed it was all the candles she had left, but the dark figured who watched told her otherwise. She tried to follow them. Kat tried to get a sense of who they were, but she couldn’t feel the ground beneath her feet any longer. She couldn’t feel her body any longer. What was going on?

It was then it went black. With only the clothes on her back, she was taken to the Santiago household, left with a letter telling them that she was their problem now. They were supposed to be monsters who didn’t care for the lives of the mere humans, but they left her alive. Why?

She blinked rapidly to find her surroundings. The figures were gone and the rain plastered her hair and her clothes to her body. She was left a place, a castle… It was too cold to find her way back to town, her body shivered and ached. The pain in her body made her weak in the knees and she pounded lightly on the door. She waited a moment and pounded again.

“Hello?!” She wasn’t crazy. She wasn’t crazy.

Where am I?

Angelo grunted as he felt something heavy against his chest, "Angelo...What's wrong?" In his daze, Angelo heard the soft voice of a female. Opening his eyes, he saw that his guess was right. A human female, about the age of twenty, was staring down at him.

"I'm fine...Carmela." Without another word she slide back down, falling asleep. Angelo laid there listening to the pouring rain, trying to recollect his memories. Oh. Angelo's ruby orbs became distant, as he stared into the empty space.

Remembering last night was more than a challenge, since many things had happened. But one after the other Angelo's memories emerged to the surface of his mind. It all started with the little blonde girl, Olivia. Angelo's mind started replying how their time yesterday had gone. Stopping on the part, where he fed on her blood, since after that everything became hazy.

He had let go of the little maid, watching her fall to the floor with weak knees. Though most would show eyes of ecstasy, hers flashed with anger and frustration toward Angelo. Which, of course, made Angelo pause a little, though he quickly got over it. After another little fit, Angelo carried the princess to her room, since she was unable to walk straight, than returned to his own.

But after tasting the girl's blood, Angelo's hunger only heightened, and the fact her scent was so close by wasn't helping at all. Not to long after pouring rain drooped from the sky, opening up a chance for Angelo to go hunting. Without a second thought Angelo escaped the castle to a bar, which he was a regular, looking for a Snack.

Which brings him to Carmela, a girl he met at the bar; one thing led to another, ending with Angelo sleeping with her, at the same time getting a tasty Snack, finally quenching his thirst. Of course, his brothers didn't know he had left, and they definitely couldn't find out that he stayed out the whole night. Angelo didn't wish to receive a "conversation" from Castiel due to his unnatural stupidity.

Angelo shifted himself from the bed, and started to dress. Upon finishing dressing, he heard a rattling sound. Looking down at the ground he saw that his bracelet had unraveled from his wrist. Carefully picking it up, Angelo couldn't help but stare silently at the words engraved on the golden plate. Evangelina Glaskov. Deep frustration could be seen in Angelo's eyes as he tightened his grip around the bracelet. Slipping the bracelet back onto his wrist, he headed toward the door. With quiet movements, he covered himself in a black cloak and stepped into the pouring rain.

The rain hammered mercilessly on Angelo, as he walked down the quiet streets. Finally arriving at the castle, Angelo spotted something, which he had not expected. A girl with long white hair and deep crimson eyes, weakly pounding on the door. Angelo really didn't wish to bother with yet another Human, so he was about to enter through the back when his eyes spotted a single piece of paper. It wasn't that the paper looked special, but what was on the paper, or more correctly the seal that was on the paper, had caught his attention. Angelo's fangs bared in utter hatred and his eyes scanned the area with restless rage, "Them..."

The Vampire Council, had always annoyed Angelo to no end. They did whatever they wished, and didn't care how they did it. Leaving everyone else to clean up after them, which meant the Santiago Family. Walking toward the girl, Angelo nonchalantly took the paper in his hand and read over it. If Angelo was alive he would have had a heart attack, due to the rising rage, in which consumed him.

Calming down, Angelo let out a huff, he knew this was all wasted energy. What has been done, was done, and this girl...Angelo looked over at the white haired female, who was now looking him in the eyes. He stared at her for a good minute before opening up the door to the castle,"It seems you'll be staying with us."

Without waiting for her to reply in anyway, Angelo walked inside disappearing. It wasn't until a few minutes later he had returned with a blanket, which he wrapped around the girl. Picking her up in his arms, Angelo carried her to the meeting room, and placed her on the loveseat. "I would have let you walked, but it would have been to much of a hassle, if you had gotten lost or gotten the floor wet."

Walking to the open door, he called out, "Castiel, come to the meeting room. We have a problem." Angelo had raised his voice enough for him to be heard throughout the castle, but of course it wasn't anything compared to Demetri's loud lungs.

After sending out his message, Angelo sat the letter from the council on the end of the table so it was visible to whomever walked in. As if it was perfectly normal Angelo walked to the bookshelf and reached for a thick book. Upon gripping it, he sat in a chair opposite from the girl, and began to read. The room was silent, the only sound that could be heard was the crackling of a small fire in the fire place, at the end of the room.

When Kat saw the man approach, her heart soared. Someone to help her, someone to tell her where she was and what she was doing there. She had simply leaned against the door and watched him, her hand on her neck, rubbing the wound that had long stopped bleeding. It throbbed to the point to where it made her vision blurry, so she blinked quiet a few times to focus on the mans face. Her eyes narrowed slightly. He was gorgeous. Was she dead? No, she couldn't be. Her body hurt like hell and it was cold.

"Seems you'll be staying with us." He spoke, and her brows furrowed together, confusion showing her in crimson eyes. He had to have seen it but he let her in the house. When he left, she went about taking her shoes and socks of, setting them aside and started to remove unneeded parts of her clothes in hopes to dry a little faster. The man left without a word, and she didn't think he was coming back.

Before she knew it, she was surrounded by warmth with a cloth so soft. She brought it to her face and breathed into it to warm her nose, gasping slightly when she was lifted. She looked at his face again before she rested her face against his neck. Kat realized she wasn't being a little too invasive in his personal space, but she was freezing and would have taken any kind of warmth.

"I'm sorry for the mess." She said gently when he gave her reason to carry her. Even after the man had set her down, Kat didn't take her gaze from him. He looked... familiar.

He was one of them! He was exactly what she had been researching for years. She waited before he sat down before she got off the loveseat, the blanket falling away and she quickly slipped over to him, and before he had a chance to stop her, she attempted to poke at his mouth, pushing up his lip to see if her suspicions had been right.

She tore her gaze from the male the moment the other had entered the room. Her heart quickened the slightest bit. Not in fear or anxiety, but in curiosity. He was perfect. His features were flawless just like the other. That lead her to one question... If they were what they were, why wasn't she dead? If her hand had made it to Angelo's face and hadn't been removed, she would have dropped it only know before going back to her seat for the blanket, waiting to hear what they had to say.

At least I have a home, right? Even if I am sitting on my death.. chair. The thought made her chuckle the slightest bit to herself. She found exactly what she was looking for, and the knowledge of her proof that she wasn't insane pleased her.

Stalking silently back towards the estate, Bishop inspected himself once more. It wasn't so much for the human occupants as it was for his brother's sake. Deeming himself clean and proper, he slipped inside, keeping to the shadows as he did so. He had no desire to bring undue attention to himself.

Taking the cellar in the back, Bishop entered from the door at the top of the cellar stairs leading to the inside. Eyes scanning the corridor, he carried himself off towards the bedchambers when he paused, sensitive ears picking up the voices of Angelo and Castiel. Debating but a minute, the younger vampire approached his elder brothers with his trademark grin.

"Am I missing out on something brothers?" Bishop inquired, sauntering into the room without a care. He paused upon seeing a buxom young woman with pale hair and a curious gaze. Giving her a once over, Bishop deemed the woman unimportant and instead turned his gaze to Castiel.

"I'm able to take my little Anise back. Where is she?" Bishop asked, knowing his brother preffered to do things himself and thus, probably found it more troublesome to look after both humans. The elder twin figured he might as well make use of his new little maid. Maybe she could clean or entertain him? Besides, he still hadn't had a taste of her blood yet. He nearly licked his lips at the thought, imagining what her face would look like as he sank his fangs into her pale flesh.

Noticing Demetri wasn't among them, the male had an inperceptible twitch. They were never away from each other very long. Furthermore, that little tart his twin had picked needed to be checked on. If she touched his brother..if she gave him any trouble..he'd tear her head from her shoulders in a heartbeat.
"Demetri up yet?"

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Castiel barely noticed the fair-haired human seated at his side. It wasn't until the flutter of her heart graced his ears. He looked down at her, arching his golden brow curiously. He absently wounded his forefinger in a lock of her hair, musing over the unique shade it was. It shined under the pad of his finger, resembling effervescent snow in moonlight. "Care to explain to me why a new human is currently in my presence, Angelo?" he asked as he toyed with the lock of hair around his finger. His attention wasn't pulled away from the silky strands until his absent brother finally decided to grace them with his presence. Castiel allowed the hair to slip from his fingers as he narrowed his eyes at Bishop.

"Am I missing out on something brothers?"

"Yes, brother," Castiel said, tightly, his bright eyes darkening with his anger. "You just so happen to miss the opportunity to inform me of your absence prior to your departure. I would have gone mad looking for you had your maid not given me the information posthaste. You're lucky she is competent, lest I would have hunted your arse down." He rubbed his hairless chin with a empty expression, but rage in his gaze as he pointed towards the corridor. "I left her in my study with Tanzy. She's most likely cleaning and whatnot. But seeing as I am not Demetri's keeper, I regret to inform you that I know not of his conscious state. If he is, he better be in the castle. The next time you wish to venture out into the world, let me know first. You have no idea how many heads I would rip off if I even thought you were in harm's way, you bloke."

He spoke each word gravely; his eyes boring into his brother's form as if it could cut through him.

Sighing and softening his grim features, Castiel turned his attention to Angelo, "Bishop's stupidity aside," he huffed. "Pray tell, who is the girl?"

Soundlessly reading, Angelo flinched as he felt the female's cold hands fall upon his lips. Without hesitation she opened them, examining his teeth. Angelo could easily see the visible excitement in her eyes, but he didn't care. If it wasn't for her slick body and the fact that Castiel had entered, who was demanding his attention, he would have ripped her arm off. But with a low growl, Angelo calmed himself.

"Why have you summoned me, Angelo?" Upon hearing his Eldest brother's voice Angelo spoke up,"Well-" Cut short by an unforeseen interruption. Bishop had entered the meeting room, "Am I missing out on something brothers?" Angelo didn't really understand what his younger Brother had meant until Castiel answered him bitterly.

Maybe it was the fact that Angelo himself had went outside the castle without permission, that made him flinch by Castiel's words. Thus causing Angelo's resolve to not tell his brother of his...absence, even more of an issue. Pondering over how he should explain the situation in the most discreet way, so that he wouldn't get in trouble, Angelo stayed silent allowing his brothers to talk.

Awakening from his thoughts, Angelo turned to his brother, "Pray tell, who is the girl?" It took a minute for Angelo's thoughts to slow down. The thought of speaking of the council caused such irritation, that Angelo could no longer hide his burning glare at the female. If she hadn't been sticking her nose into things she shouldn't have, Angelo wouldn't have trouble his Elder Brother over this useless mater.

Angelo debated on this thought for a while, if he should have just killed her after reading the letter, so his brother wouldn't have to deal with such...useless garbage. But if he had it would also only bring trouble to Castiel, so either way keeping her alive for the time being was the best option. Setting his book on the table, Angelo pushed himself off from the chair.

Walking toward his brother, Angelo had grasped the Council's letter in his hand and passed it to his eldest brother. "They left her at our doorstep. It seems the Council had given us an unwanted creature to take care of. The letter explains everything about her and the reason why they left her with us. In my opinion I think everything in that letter is trash, they just thought it convenient to cause trouble for you...Especially after Mother and Father died."

Angelo's last words were cold and bitter, holding a dark meaning in them. Angelo has always felt this way, of course he thought highly of his Brother, and for the council to take advantage of Castiel, made every ounce of bitterness that has stored up for these centuries boil to the surface.

After a moment Angelo realized he was showing to much anger and let out a sigh, to calm down is rage. "Sorry. I didn't mean to show something so unsightly. Please ignore my last words Brother. That was inappropriate of me." Angelo let Castiel take the paper and seated himself in the nearest chair. Letting his head fall in the palm of his hand, he awaited for his Brother's words.

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Castiel’s slender fingers grasped the stationary with little interest. He listened as he opened the letter and read its content. Once again, there was no emotion on his chiseled visage as he beheld the elegant scrawl on the paper. He quirked his brow, a habit that has been becoming more frequent over the past few days. He said nothing as his brother expressed his disdain towards the council’s decision; in fact, he was almost as irate as his sibling, but he neglected to show it. He never did. Emotions were meant to be buried, for they clouded one’s judgment and blinded them from what was really important. So, like the nobleman he was, Castiel buried his unease and buried it deep underneath the pile of tattered memories and suicidal notions. It became just another addition to his mountain of suppression. The flash of distaste left his icy eyes just as quickly as it came and he was once again looking lethargic and uncaring. He toyed with his bottom lip idly as he slowly returned the letter onto the polished surface of the table. His sharp fangs scraped against his dulcet lip, bruising the flesh slightly as if he’d just been passionately kissed. He was thinking, measuring his words like you always did before uttering the words.

“Tis a troublesome time, Angelo,” he said, his cerulean gaze falling on his brother’s lithe frame. He watched the anger slowly fade from his pallid countenance; the lines in his forehead smoothing out and once again becoming blemish free. “There is no need to apologize,” Castiel nearly smiled, finding Angelo’s concern about his workload rather touching. It were moments like these…moments when his family acknowledged his wellbeing and showed their concern. He favored those moments because it reminded him that everything he did for them was worth it in the end. “Worry not, Angel. I will handle this despite my disdain for the matter. I appreciate your apprehension.” He had to admit, of all of his siblings, he was closer to Angelo than any other. He understood him better than Demetri and Bishop ever could.

His sapphire hues shifted to his new tenant, wiping the whisper of a smile off of his face as he regarded her apathetically. As soon as their eyes connected, she began speaking and he hung onto every word, sizing her up by her demeanor and the weight of her tone. He didn’t interrupted although he was growing weary of with her constant droning. He waited for her to finish her little spiel before he decided to respond.

“Quite frankly, love, I could care less about what you’ve been through or who took what from you. I care not about your fear, your determination, or your name for that matter. To me, you are nothing more than a pain in my side from the council. The fact that you’ve already felt the need to explain yourself has deterred me because I don’t like when my food talks.” He leaned forward slightly as his pleasant voice emitted his harsh words. He tilted his head a tad, his golden strands falling alluringly over his eyes. He made no move to push them away as he continued. “I feel neither sympathy nor empathy for you. If you were hoping for a pity party then consider yourself disappointed because no one in this room particularly gives a damn. Now, allow me to explain what’s going to happen from here on out. I will not kill you simply because it would be a waste of precious time—much like your being here—and I just had these floors polished. You will work to live. As soon as I deem your usefulness within these wall obsolete, I will dispose of you without hesitation. Remember that you are indeed expendable and the fact that you don’t “fear” me will not keep me from expecting perfection from you. Bear in mind that you don’t have to fear me, but you will respect me and my family. Fail to do so and I won’t kill you immediately. I’ll simply make you wish I did.”

Castiel straightened his posture, glancing over his shoulder at Angelo. “I am aware that your Olivia has been ill stricken. Therefore, she,” he gestured to Katerina dismissively. “Will be under your watch until your maid is well again. Enjoy, brother.”

Just as Castiel was about to take his leave, the door swung open, revealing his youngest brother. “Demetri?” he asked, brushing his forefinger over his bottom lip as curiosity began to settle in. Something was amiss…he could sense it.

"Cas, we have..a slight turn of events.."

Before Castiel could fathom a response, the door opened further. Behind his brother stood a petite blonde woman with eyes that shined like crystals under the bright gleam of the sun. He stopped worrying his bottom lip, narrowing his eyes at the stranger. He listened for a heartbeat, but her chest was void of any notable rhythm. There was no pulse running through her veins and no soul within her vessel. She was a vampire. Interesting.

“We are not a bloody boarding house,” he muttered in frustration as anger burned in his bright eyes. “What the hell is another vampire doing in the castle? She’s certainly not from the council judging by her apparel. So what bloody purpose does she have here?”

Katerina narrowed her eyes the slightest bit when he spoke to her, but she forced herself to focus and to relax her face. They were all alike, every bloody vampire. They didn’t have a care for those who weren’t them - didn’t care that they destroyed the soul of a human being. Her heart started thumping in her chest, her adrenalin beginning to wear off. She couldn’t tell if her heart raced for fear, or for anger. Hidden behind her hair, her ears grew bright red and her cheeks flushed. It wasn’t until he spoke of respecting his family when something hit her…

Immediately she dropped to her knees and bowed her head. ”Forgive me, my Lord, for I have forgotten my place.” When it all came down to it, she was still just a common woman, and they were noblemen. They were important and irreplaceable. They were the ones who paid for good seats for the plays in town, while she sat with the common people. Had she’d forgotten her place in the square where other people could witness, she knew she would have been beaten for it. They would have used her to make a point.

Katerina refused to respect the part of him that saw her nothing more at food, but respected his family and where he came from. Perhaps it should have been the other way, since this way there was purpose for her, food or not. Her actions caused her to drop her rank from the common woman to a servant. She didn’t care much, and would have done it for the sake for her sanity. Katerina would have made the same choices. Even now, the curiosity drove her. She would do her jobs and what they asked of her, because in return she got to study them. She was able to watch the way they moved, how they spoke. She felt like she would quickly experience how the fed and what it took for them to live. That part made her cringe, the pain in her shoulder reminding her so. Katerina was going to figure out their weaknesses and their strengths. She was going to find a way to protect the rest of the people, one way or another. It may take her years, and she may not live to see it through, but Kat gave herself a purpose, and that's all she needed to keep going.

Not again did she speak and she kept her gaze low, looking at the new comers out of the corner of her eye. How many of them were there? A house full of men – no wonder they were so uptight. The human girl listened to the new voices, her brows furrowing as there was finally the voice of another woman. There seemed to be a light sense of calmness flow through her, and allowed her rigid body to relax in the slightest bit but she dared not move. Perhaps the combination of royalty and vampirism was more deadly than she believed. There was no humanity left to these people. The years have taken more than their toll and left them emotionless.. or it seemed.

Demetri blinked as he felt a small hand over his mouth. He let her have her fun, but after a few moments the taller vampire leaned his head out of her reach, "Still taller than you Mi-ra~" The red haired male boasted. He felt a sense of serenity as he found himself playfully smirking down at his little sister. It'd been several years since he'd had a moment like this. A moment of true happiness. Bishop was great, better than great.. but the loss of the youngest made everyone quite cold. It left the family incomplete. If they failed to protect their kid sister, what else would they fail? Even as immortals they never found her.. after two centuries they'd all presumed she was dead. Letting himself thoroughly enjoy the moment, his green eyes began to glow in a mischievous manner,"This looks like it's going to be a wonderful I owe you, doesn't it baby sister?" He chimed childishly, as if not a single year had passed since her disappearance. He wondered if she was as easy to manipulate as she was when they were children, "Let's play a game.. It's called What would you do to keep me from telling good ol' Cassie~!" He laughed as he waited at the door. Then he pretended to wince "Threats aren't very becoming for a young lady, dear sister." Though he blushed and messed her hair up as she chose his hair to symbolize her reasoning for her color of choice, "G-geez.." He mumbled flustered. Though it didn't last very long, it never did with him.

"Wed?" Demetri snickered, holding his stomach, leaning on the doorway as he wiped his eyes, "Castiel's a stick in the mud these days, at best." He covered his mouth, like child caught saying a swear word, but Demetri knew his eldest brother could hear him. It was needless to say that he enjoyed ruffling a few feathers now and then.. The house would be dreadfully boring without Demetri's shenanigans after all! He was simply doing his family a service, keeping everything fresh and lively.

Though Demetri was plagued with laughter once more as Castiel voiced what his reaction gave off. He didn't even recognize Mirabelle. He slid down the doorway, clenching his side in mild pain. While he wasn't bound by human limits, didn't have to breathe, Demetri hadn't laughed this hard in ages. Not since a transvestite hit on Angelo and Castiel...

"Oh dear.." He stood again, wiping his clothes and clearing his throat. Once his stature was recomposed, Demetri began again, "Excuse my informality.." His lip twitched, daring to laugh again, but he didn't allow himself, "You can't recognize our baby sister? Maybe you're getting cataracts, dear Cassie." He teased, holding in his amusement, however, the seriousness in his tone was growing strenuous for the typically humorous male. He simply had to find release somehow, unluckily for Castiel, today that meant it was by taunting him, "Have you been feeding properly?" His last question drew genuine concern, despite his previous annoying banter. Demetri cared for his brothers, in his own, unconventional way. He also felt the most useless, so he joked about everything in attempt to keep his brothers spirits up, even if it meant some ill wishes thrown his way now and then.

Though his teasing ceased once his eyes fell on Kat. Demetri's entire disposition switched in the blink of an eye as he strolled around Castiel smoothly, slipping over about a foot from Katerina. He gave a graceful bow, green eyes looking into her crimson, "How rude of me.. I'm Demetri Santiago, and I am quite pleased to make your acquaintance.." He purred, giving her a sly smile, "Welcome to Castillo de la Muerte.. I hope my elder brothers haven't been.. too rough.." He straightened himself out, definitely referring to Castiel and Angelo. Though he wasn't standing long. Soon after he rose from his bow, Demetri bent down on one knee, taking Katerina's hand in his own and kissed it tenderly, "Who might you be, deary?" He asked Katerina with curious emerald orbs. Then he remembered something. He closed his eyes, attempting to channel his wishes to Alice, biting the inside of his cheek. He could only channel his thoughts to a human that he's fed on.. His eyes flickered annoyance, but he just shouted it instead, "Alice~ I dropped a wine glass outside of my bedroom, be a dear and clean that up for me!" He rang through the Castle. Castillo de la Muerte...certainly never held a dull moment. Everyone here was so...odd..

Then his eyes widened as he remembered something, "Don't forget dear brother.. we were asked by the Council to hold the annual Vampire-Human Masquerade ball. It's to be held in the grand hall in a mere three days..." He looked to Castiel, then to Angelo, "I won't allow either of you a minutes rest unless you attend.."

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Castiel’s bitter face hardened as the girl introduced herself. There was no sign of joy, no enthrallment, not even a glimmer of happiness upon this life changing revelation. Within the depths of his eyes, something inside Castiel shattered. He could hear his brother’s mockery, but it was merely an echo; Demetri was far away from him just like everything else in the room. If he were still human, his face would have been rosier than that of his garden. However, the only thing that visibly warned everyone in the room of his indignation was the shifting tides in his icy gaze. It was a look that could freeze hell and set fire to villages. How dare she! His mind was reeling, processing everything that was said, computing the sentence until he couldn’t anymore. How dare she mock the memory of our sister… He snapped his heavy gaze to Angelo, motioning for him to escort the Katarina out of the room. He watched the two leave, waiting for the maid to be out of earshot before cutting his eyes to the imposter.

“How dare you,” he seethed, his anger now showing uncensored on his usually stoic visage. It was a terrifying sight. His nostrils flared; his eyes were wild torrents of cerulean and steel, like the ocean during a destructive storm. There was unadulterated malice radiating off of him. He was this close to killing her and not asking questions, nearly crushing her skull like the bug she was. “You insolent, impertinent, sack of shit. You have the gall to approach me with an obvious lie? Are you dense? I ought to rip your heart right out of your filthy chest! How bloody dare you! My sister is dead. She died long ago and for you to disgrace her memory…” With the speed and grace of an ancient vampire, Castiel gripped her neck and brutally slammed her against the cobblestone wall. He held her there, his lips against her ear as he pressed his weight into her, insuring that she’d barely be able to move a muscle.

“What is stopping me from painting your blood on this wall, hmm?” He could hear Demetri’s movement before the younger vampire could take a step.

“I love you, brother, I really do, but I swear to God, Demetri, if you take one more fucking step, I will not only end her life, but I will fling your arse across this parlor without hesitation. Stay back!” He barked this without looking behind him, for his eyes were furiously boring into the intruder’s whilst his senses were on red alert, awaiting any indication of movement on his brother’s part.

“My sister was stolen from this family as a human, you fool, as a child no less. There was no possible way she could have escaped and lived on her own. We searched for her…for decades we hunted, but she was nowhere to be seen. She is dead, he hissed, venomously. “Now, I will give you one more chance to accurately state your business or so help me, your tribulation will be my pleasure.”

Everything was moving to fast for Angelo to comprehend, it wasn't even a second after Castiel decided on making Katerina Angelo's personal maid for the time being, when his younger brother entered the room with an another female.

The difference with this one was that she was a Vampire, and the announcement that she was their long lost sister just made it worse.

The room seemed to spinning, but Angelo didn't even have time to speak before his elder brother sent him a gaze so alarming that he couldn't help but obey. Sending shivers through his lifeless body, Angelo recalled that same look only a few number of times.

Bishop, Demetri, and Angelo had went out at night during their younger years as vampires and were attacked by some strangers. But before any of the intruders could touch them Castiel had came to their aid in full speed, that was the day where Angelo understood his brother was to never be angered.

Angelo had never been so frightened in his life, it wasn't because of the intruders, but how his brother looked. He seemed like another person, not their level headed brother, but a fearsome vampire who had the eyes of a monster daring one to cross him.

That day Castiel had sent the three inside so Angelo never knew what had happened, but he could guess. When Castiel returned inside, he was as calm as ever, but the difference wasn't hos attitude but his appearance. He was covered in wet blood.

The memory made Angelo flinch, quickly taking the human out, knowing this wouldn't end well. As he was leaving he spotted the one who claimed to be their little sister. His eyes widened slightly as he spotted the necklace around her neck...That necklace. Before he could confirm his suspicion, Caetiel glared them out the door.

Angelo flicked his tounge in irritation. If that was, that necklace, then she was telling the truth. But before Angelo could do anything he had to take care of this Human. In full speed Angelo took off toward Olivia's room.

Arriving, he knocked with urgency. Once opened he pulled Katerina inside, and turned toward Olivia who looked confused. "I'll explain later, but watch this girl." Without farther explination he disappered out the door.

There sister was always a sour subject, so it was probably going horribly wrong in the room. Opening the door his thought was correct. The girl was being strangled by Castiel. Not daring to move any closer, Angelo slipped into the room quietly. Taking a breath he spoke,"Wait Castiel. She might be telling the truth."

He saw his brother's piercing glance and continued, "She's wearing That necklace. If she really is Mirabelle, she should be able to tell us how she got it."

Angelo wasn't one to easily believe in others. But that necklace was a special gift all the brother's got Mirabelle for her birthday , her last birthday before she disappeared. It was custom made so it wasn't possible for their to be a replica. So if that was really their sister she would know this.

Olivia opened her eyes immediately in the midst of the night, it took her but a second to notice the pitch black darkness which surrounded her room before she started to hyperventilate, her phobia out-besting her. Her body felt very weak for a reason she could not quite make sense of and the young girl lied motionless in her bed. In a quick moment her mind remembered a detail that, even if it had been for a split second, she had overlooked; she was stuck at Castillo de la Muerte not only with other maids but with a few deadly, cold blooded creatures of the night who would kill her with no hesitation were she to get on their bad side and, quite possibly, before she'd even have time to blink.

It took her a while to move but as soon as she could, she forced herself to sit in the bed. She quickly moved and managed to move to the bedside and as soon as she did she threw her hands desperately on the air making a barrier of sorts unable to think rationally. Adrenaline kicked in leaving Libby in an even more agitated state, making her breathing an almost difficult task, something that her sudden realization of her current state did nothing to aid her.

Her hands desperately sought the nightstand where her candle stood, her hands trembling in fear before she managed to hold onto a match from the pile of matches that she always had in case of emergencies such as the present one. It took more than a few attempts to light the candle as her hands were almost too clumsy in a distressed state, but even after the recently lid candle had managed to bring some light into the room, Olivia's panic attack had already taken its place leaving the young blonde haired girl most exhausted. She remembered Angelo's words and what had followed after them; he had tasted her blood and though she could not quite remember how he had come to a stop she imagined that he had been the one to carry her to bed.

For the remaining of the night she had remained with her eyes wide open, sat down on her bed closer to the light while hugging herself; unable to catch as much of a few minutes of sleep she refused to fall asleep after all the troubling events that had taken place.

---

Olivia was still in bed, truth was she was utterly frighten despite Angelo had given her his word in protecting her and the thought of leaving the bed in order to pretend she was fine with the situation was almost sickening, but that was not the only reason as to why she had not gotten up early and did as most mornings; Olivia was sick, and though she was a resilient girl who worked her hardest her health was not always on her favor.

She had almost lost notion of time and had it not been because she noticed that the candle was about to finish melting she wouldn't have known what time it was. She was grateful that nobody had come looking for her despite she had practically dismissed her maid role for the day but it wasn't until she heard Castiel's voice from afar that she began trembling not knowing what was taking place in the house to stir him up. The girl got goosebumps remembering Angelo had ordered to remain by his side in all times and realizing it had been but a few hours and she had already disobeyed him.

It wasn't until she heard a loud knock on her door that Olivia quickly forced herself to get out of bed and opened the door. Her eyes widened as soon as she saw Angelo pulling a woman inside her room not knowing exactly what was going on. "I'll explain later, but watch this girl." Olivia quickly nodded despite her utter clueless state and soon after closed the door after Angelo disappeared once again.

Olivia looked at the young woman and took a few steps back not knowing if she was also a vampire and though she highly doubted it she could not take any chances. "Are you one of them?" she asked a bit fearful as she looked at the girl with crimson eyes. She allowed the woman to explain herself before she let out a sigh in relief, Olivia was still very week which made her almost fall as she walked towards her in extending her hand towards her. "My name is Olivia."

Katerina tried not to meet the gaze of the red haired male, but she couldn't help herself. How was it possible they were all so breathtakingly beautiful. When he asked her name, something in her softened and she reached up to brush the back of her fingers against his cheek to see if his skin was as soft as it looked.

"Katerina, but you can call me Kat." She spoke gently and the first smile of the night spread across her lips. It didn't last long as the heel of her hand pressed harshly against the side of her face, attempting to protect her eardrum from his yelling. When he left, her smile faded. She would have to find a way to make him like her. He seemed to be the friendly one of the house and with all the deadly beings, she needed some kind of protection.

For the last six years of her life, she got along on her own and Kat hated the fact she needed to rely on someone else. Maybe she didn't have to. Maybe she just had to do what she was told. It wasn't until the red haired male came back with another woman. She was just as beautiful as the rest - she had to be one of them too. How many were there exactly?

Kat could have sworn she felt her heart stop in her chest before it thumped so loudly in her ears she could barely hear what they were saying to her. The anger she saw in the man was truly scary and had it been her against the wall, she knew she would be dead.

A ear piercing scream almost left her lips as the moment she was pulled to her feet and dragged out of the room. She couldn't keep her eyes off of the two, practically stumbling as Angelo forced her along. He grip on her hand made it throb and she twisted it around, thankful they weren't going far before she was forced into the room.

It was the innocent question from the girl that made her heart soar. Instead of taking the girls hand, she threw herself at her in a hug. It was a gentle hug, but she had to make sure she was real and she wasn't just imagining it. "Kat. I'm Kat." Kat said in a quite voice before she moved to sit on the floor, breathing heavily as she tried to calm her heart. What had she gotten herself into?

Angelo let out a sigh of relief, "Finally over." Staring at the two siblings Angelo let out a smile smile. After a moment he came to the conclusion that he should get back to Olivia and Katerina. "Sorry, I have to exclude myself from here." Without waiting for a reply he exited the room.

Walking down the halls, he had finally reached Olivia's room. Knocking on the door, he entered to a surprising scene. "Why are you on the ground?" Angelo asked this in a monotone voice, not really caring for an answer.

Glancing over at Olivia he noticed her complexion wasn't as bad as he had anticipated."It seems you aren't dying. That would have been troublesome." Angelo smirked at Olivia speaking to her in a manner one would address to a small child.

Steading his vision outside, he noticed it was still raining, and the sky had became darker. So it was probably sometime in the afternoon. Moving his attention over to Olivia, Angelo studied her for a minute,"I'm sure you two have already made introductions." He said this while pointing toward Katerina.

"Anyway. Starting from today onward she is going to be a maid here. Since she is going to be in my care for now, I need you to show her around. And, don't worry about tending to me today, I'll call for you laster, so just show this child around." Pausing for a while, Angelo calculated his thoughts, reading his next words. After a moment of silence he stared down at Katerina.

"Listen up. You are going to be a maid at this house, form now on. I don't want any trouble out of you, since your already on thin ice." He waited for her to take the words in, than continued. "Also, in this house there are rules which, must be followed. If broken you will be either punished or killed."

Angelo looked Katerina in the eyes, his ruby orbs studying her,"Rule one: You must obey your master, which is me at the moment. I am your top priority, keep that in mind. Secondly, you aren't allowed to enter any of my brothers' and sister's quarters without permission, there are five us. Four brothers' and One sister.

Stopping, Angelo took a breath,"You are also forbidden to go into the forest adjacent to the castle, anywhere else is allowed. If this rule is broken I will kill you personally. Understood."

Without waiting for a reply he continued,"Do not enter the Eldest Brother's study, the one with blonde hair. This includes any rooms that are locked, unless Castiel, himself, says otherwise. Lastly, keep all the curtains closed during the morning. You can open them during the nighttime." Angelo felt like explain this took to much energy.

But he knew that this maid in particular, needed to know them. "Besides the rules you have heard, I have rules of my own. You becoming my maid, and the fact that I am a Vampire does mean you supply me with your blood whenever needed. But. Since, I have Olivia you aren't needed unless she is unwell like today."

He went over the rules he had given Olivia in his head, repeating ever one perfectly,"Secondly, whenever entering my room you must never go past the doorway, unless given permission. If you hear music coming from my room do not enter until it has finished. Thirdly, touch nothing in my room without permission from me. Fourth, wherever I go, you must go with me as well. Of course you are allowed breaks in between are meetings. Though today I want you to follow Olivia around, so you can get use to this castle, so the fourth rule won't start until you have finished looking."

Parting his lips he took a breath,"That is all, if I have anymore I will make sure to tell you ahead of time." Walking closer to Katerina, pondering on something as he stared at her.

Getting closer, Angelo bent down in front of Katerina glaring her in the eyes,"Unlike the rest of the maids, I am going to be watching you very closely. If you dare to break any one of these rules, or if I found out you have caused trouble. I won't hesitate to get rid of you. Understood." Angelo's voice was extremely cold, holding no room for complaints.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Katerina’s hand was resting against her chest, her thumb and index finger high on each side of her neck. She took care in her deep breathing, though she was more surprised at the fact that she didn’t feel her fear any longer. She merely felt like she ran as fast and as far as she could, and now she sat to take a break. The confirmation of that missing fear was confirmed when the knock at the door didn’t make her jump. Maybe I am crazy. Maybe I’m dreaming – it makes sense. Otherwise why the hell am I not leaving?

A child? Just how old were they? The female chewed on the inside of her cheek, so deep in thought that it was only the blood that she tasted that made her come back to reality. She tried to pay attention, she really did, but all she wanted was her research – her books that she collected over a few years - and read more about their kind. She pressed her palm to the floor in attempt to push herself up so that she could bow to him – vampire or not, he was important – but her body felt too weak to comply. Mentally, she apologized and sat up as straight as she could muster, folding her hands neatly on her legs as she tucked them under her body. Oh my, I am a child… Look at me, posing nicely so father doesn’t beat me to behave like a lady.

The rules she found reasonable, until he spoke of having to give her blood. I’m no maid, I’m a bloody blood slave. A lost puppy to follow him around as if I have nothing better to do with my life. The thought set a fire to her eyes, but she quickly extinguished it with a gentle bow of her head, closing her unusual crimson eyes so that he wouldn’t see it. Kat tried to keep her body deathly calm, even if her heart did betray her with the rise and fall of its rate.

“Understood, Lord and Master.” Katerina’s finger lightly tapped against the top of the other as she tried to recall if she caught his name, but she could only think about the resources they had here. She could only imagine shelf after shelf of leather bound books – one’s so rare that no more than a hand full of eyes that have ever looked at them. She glanced at Olivia. If I am to follow her around… I can’t so much get in trouble if I just happen to push .. lead.. her in the direction I want her to go… She met his gaze when he knelt down to her, eying his fangs as he spoke – wondering what other myths had truth behind their words. Her fingers laced together as she fought the urge to touch him again, to poke, prod and examine.

Watching me closely, hm? No matter how hard she tried, Kat just couldn’t keep the smirk from curling the corners of her lips. A man with the looks that any other would kill for would be paying close attention to me… She sucked in her bottom lip to bite on, giving herself enough pain to give her back her expression to let him know that she was listening to him. Katerina did take Angelo seriously, she did, but they were all so… dramatic. The way she looked at it, was that she really didn’t have much of a life left anyway, so death could only be a blessing, and if she did find something to want to live for – well, it wouldn’t make much of a difference if she was dead anyway. So instead of being afraid of her shadow, she was going to figure out away to study them more. The rest of the world would have to find out eventually. The innocent needed a way to protect themselves. Deep in her heart she knew that she, too, was afraid of them, and that’s what drove her to behave and not act out. There was always worse than death.

“Food…” She said simply as she looked up at Angelo again. “When are we allowed our own meals? I assume you keep the others fed well to supply to you a healthy amount to what you need.” Unwell. Olivia was incredibly pale and unwell. Maybe they don’t. Maybe they take what they need and blame you for not handling it.. Oh, what did she get herself in to? It was her curiosities that would have brought her back even after the knowledge she had now. Kat had a beautiful place to live and hopefully, an always stocked supply room of salted meats and canned vegetables. In order to keep that – and her life – she’d have to be a sad little puppy needing the approval of the man in front of her just so that he could take what was hers. Maybe loneliness and theft wasn’t so bad after all – even with the threat of getting my hands cut off…

Olivia fell to the ground only after Katerina hugged her, she was surprised at the girls reaction as she was not expecting her to hug her abruptly. She was still weakened and said nothing to calm the other girl upon hearing her troubled voice, in truth she could simply not find the words to do so. A soft knock was then heard through the door again, and soon after Angelo entered her bedroom asking her what she was doing in the floor. She said nothing but simply tried pulling herself up as fast as she could, and soon enough he gave her the task to look after the new female addition she nodded at his request. She could not help but to let out a small smile at him addressing her almost as if she were a child, something she found almost comical given that nobody had ever done so before.

"And, don't worry about tending to me today, I'll call for you later, so just show this child around." Again, Olivia nodded and then turned her gaze towards Katerina with a kind smile hoping to reassure her. Angelo continued talking, but now addressed Katerina as he repeated the exact same rules which he had given her the night before.

She waited patiently through every word he said, though she could feel her eyes toying with her almost forcing themselves shot. She almost had to pinch herself to keep her two feet on the ground. It wasn't until Angelo threatened Katerina that any sight of tiredness banished in concerned over the new girl.

Thankfully she replied respectfully and abiding to his rulings, however her nerves were once again teased with when Katerina spoke again, “Food… When are we allowed our own meals? I assume you keep the others fed well to supply to you a healthy amount to what you need.” Olivia spoke in a hushed tone, hoping Katerina's question would not anger Angelo or perhaps knowing that he would not care to respond.

"Almost all of us are good at cooking, we each cook at our own time without bothering anyone and as long as we clean up after ourselves. It is most often times either Tanzy, Anise or myself." Olivia explained and waited a bit before she spoke again. "Speaking of, are you hungry?" she paused for a moment before she glanced at Angelo, let out a small smile and nodded again letting him know that she would take care of her and do as he asked. She turned her eyes back to the new girl and then spoke again, "perhaps I could cook something for you before I give you a tour through the castle," before she could continue she paused, almost realizing that her one-sided conversation had almost drained what little energy she had left. She had to wait but a few seconds to catch her breath and to regularize her now troubled breathing.

Reiji's carriage finally approached the Santiago estate. His eyes followed the details of the Castle, nostalgia coursing through him. He grew up there as a boy with his brothers.. It had been several decades since he last wandered the halls of his home. He was banished from the house, something about killing the help.. It was all trivial anyhow. They were just humans. He had a knack for forgetting his indiscretions over time. His books and real life tended to mold together. As a result he wasn't fully aware of reality anymore. Though it wasn't like he cared to take the time to sort reality from his fiction. It was too troublesome at the end of the day. Besides, Reiji was pleased with his lifestyle, that's all that mattered in the dark haired male's mind. As they reach the gates, Reiji opened the carriage, jumping out of the mobile vehicle, "Thank you, Raphael, I can walk from here." And he flicked a gold piece over his shoulder, the currency falling into the human's lap. He appreciated the gardens, their beauty was withstanding the rainy weather quite nicely. Demetri was the cause of their perseverance no doubt.

He made sure to keep out of sight, noticing that some sort of gathering was taking place at the estate tonight. Lovely. This will make for a dramatic entrance indeed. He thought to himself rather amused. He couldn't wait to see the look on Castiel's face when he made his return public. It'll be amusing to see how you handle my return, brother. He gave a swift jump before he landed on his bedroom's balcony. It was exactly as he left it, most likely because there was too much stuff aliening the floor. No one could possibly get around the room to clean it. It was unknown as to how Reiji himself got around in the cluttered mess. He tapped the window, the sheet of glass popping out of place. It certainly would have broken, had the vampire failed to catch the long sheet. He slipped past the gap between the wooden door and where the glass used to be before replacing it gently. No one knew of it's flaw except him, another perk of being as disorganized as he was. Castiel couldn't walk into his room, let alone examine it's flaws after he left. It was the perfect secret entrance. He looked around his room, frowning as he realized he'd have to start all over with his unattended herbs. Though that meant little to him currently. He had a maid to find, whilst also keeping himself hidden from his brothers. He had a present for his new maid. He'd witnessed her arrival, having spied on the castle for nearly two weeks. He chose now to make his appearance, when everyone's guard was down. His little sister had even returned. No one would be looking for him to return.

He shoved his door open, closing it quietly behind him. Holding a white and pink gift box under his arm. He sniffed the air, finding her scent before stealthily making his way through the halls. He had to hide behind a set of curtains to avoid the help, more than thankful that the sun had already fallen. He snuck past them however, opening Katerina's bedroom quickly. He tossed the box upon her sleeping form, "Put this on girl. You serve me now. If I hear any complaints, even one, I'll end you." He warned her, before turning his back on her. He didn't take into account she was probably still half asleep, but he wasn't the kind of man who cared about someone else's shortcomings, "I will find you during the party. For now, all you need to know is my name is Reiji Santiago." With that, the dark haired man disappeared again, awaiting the right moment to announce his return. He gave his maid no explanation, he deemed her unworthy and insignificant. Soon my brothers.. Very soon I will shake up everything you've worked towards with these girls. He'd left a dress, masquerade mask and a pair of heels for his maid, so he could find her easier within the crowd.

Katerina’s groaned slightly as the door was opened. ”I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I only need a-…” She paused and tried to blink her eyes open to see who it was, only to find a man she’d never see before demanding her to get dressed. It was usually Angelo demanding why she wasn’t dressed and at his side already so that he could keep an eye on her, or Olivia fearfully waking her up so she wouldn’t get in trouble. Kat had been having a hard time with the changed sleep schedule.

”Kat.” She muttered when he simply called her girl and sat up to open the box. She looked at him and waited before he left to roll her eyes. Pink.. He wants me in pink… Just lovely. She groaned and flopped back against her pillows, where her slender arms covered her face. Just a little while longer…

When she found no peace to sleep, the female got up, wrapping the fur blanket around herself to keep covered as she opened the box more fully now, brushing her hand against the fabric. At least she didn’t have to wear that annoyingly itchy maid suit anymore. Before dressing, she went across the hall to the bathing room she shared with the other girls and washed her hair and her face, cleaning herself up to be presentable. The cool water felt good against her skin, and she basked in it for just a moment before she went back to her room to dress.

Katerina was never comfortable dressing up – it always made her feel out of place, but she did slip on the dress and place the mask to hide her features. She wasn’t sure what to make of the man, but so far she didn’t like him. She’d rather go back to following Angelo around like a lost puppy. At least he ignored her.

Grabbing her shoes, she fixed herself up, simply flipped her hair to the side to be out of her face and headed for the ball room. Or where she thought it would be. The home was big, and the tour she was given had mostly been forgotten – except for the important places, such as Angelo’s room, their library and their kitchen. Her bare feet padded softly though the halls as she hummed a gentle tune, her slender fingers scratching at the back of her neck before she heard all the commotion and headed for the groups of people.

Her eyes scanned the room for Castiel, wanting to give him a little something for just handing her around as if she was a doll, she refusing that she belonged to anyone but herself. She gave up quickly and just sat on the stair case. Subconsciously, her hand covered her healing wound on her neck, hiding her scar. It would have been nice if the stupid dress would have had sleeves or something. Katerina could already tell this was going to be a long night – already wanting to go back to her room so that she could read some of the books she had ‘borrowed’ from their library, the ones she had hidden under her bed.

As Mirabelle snuck through the rooms, her eyes caught the white haired girl who sat alone. She looked so small compared to the grand staircase. In the past couple of days, the vampire had grown accustomed to the female, finding her interesting – and the fact that she was so willing to give up her blood helped. A soft gust of breath made its way past Mira’s lips in a gentle sigh before she ascended the stair case and sat herself beside the human. She wondered where Shuu had gone off to and why he was taking so long. He needed to hurry back so that he could take care of what she’d done before anyone else found out. Thankfully she remembered to lock the door this time as she flinched from past memories of shrieks of horror and a rising number of corpse.

---

Katerina shifted uncomfortably as her ears grew hot in embarrassment. Needless to say, the pleasure that they spoke of when they fed wasn’t a lie. Katerina was still fully devoted to these creatures, and she was planning on using Mirabelle to do it. Mira seemed so helpless when she first arrived. Like a child looking for approval – so Kat took her chance. This was the reason that she was currently extending her sore wrist out to the female now. ”You look beautiful.” She said with a smile that she didn’t quite feel. Kat was still a little confused about all that went on just a few moments ago.

---

Long, pale fingers wrapped around her wrist as a frown overcame her features. Mirabelle stroked her thumb over the female’s delicate frame, delighting in the way she could feel Katerina’s blood pulse against her flesh, just beckoning for another taste. ”I wish you would drink for me. It’ll take the pain away, I promise.” Mira whispered to her as she brought Katerina’s wrist to her lips. The tip of her nose brushed the human’s palm and both of them shivered.

”Not even a little bit?” Katerina taunted, her lips close to the blonde’s ear - so close that Mirabelle could feel her breath. There was nothing the vampire could do to stop herself from tilting her head into the girl, using her cheek against Katerina’s to push her head to the side only to force her to show her neck. It was almost a lover’s nuzzle until Mirabelle had Katerina around the neck, nails digging into the human flesh. ”You’re not going to last very long if you forget that anyone of us can kill you without a thought of remorse.” Mirabelle growled lowly, a smirk gracing her pale lips as she could fell Kat’s body tense. Her hand went from Kat’s neck to behind her head to grab a hold of the white silky strands where a harsh yank was administered to show the human’s throat. ”It won’t take long before letting me feed from you is all that you can think about. Before nothing is good enough except the pleasure that I decide you can have.” Mirabelle’s voice got deeper as her eyes got darker.

---

Katerina didn’t move, didn’t dare to breathe as she was held still. Her eyes closed and she swallowed hard, too afraid to move and fight against the supernatural being, knowing that it would only end in a losing battle. Katerina didn’t know the truth of Belle’s words – not yet. She could feel her lungs burn, but it was only when Mirabelle released her that she dared to breathe. ”Now come, darling. We have guests to greet and I’d like to see my brothers. Kat obeyed and got up where she made her way to the grand room on her own time, watching Mirabelle descend much more quickly.

---

”Cassie!” She called as she ran over to him, her hand reaching out to disturb his resting frame. She waited for him to glance at her before she spun around with a childish giggle to show him what she was wearing, looking for her eldest brother’s approval. ”Don’t I look like mother?” Mirabelle asked in a tone that showed pride. She always wanted to be like their mother as a child, even now. Before she would let him answer, she leaned in real close and wrinkled her nose. ”And you have to dance with me this time… I promise I’ll try not to step on your toes.”

Aware of Castiel's gaze, Anise shifted in her heels, adjusting her mask on her face and tying it. Even though her hair wasn't prepared, she just felt more comfortable behind the mask. It was like a security blanket of some sort. She spun on her heels at the sound of Tanzy's voice, smiling to the light haired girl. Anise's smile was warm and bubbly, compared to her previous anxious one she'd delivered to Demetri and her twin. Outnumbering the men felt a little empowering, despite how insignificant their growth in numbers actually meant in a statistical sense. Why is he looking at me at all..? She asked herself, becoming mentally unhinged by his gaze.

Amethyst eyes gazed upon her dress, admiration adorning her orbs as she grew excited for the dance as well, "You look absolutely wonderful Tanzy..." She replied breathlessly, turning her head to Demetri as he answered Tanzy's question for her. Well that was a little rude.. She thought to herself, but shrugged it off. It wasn't incorrect. She had no choice in the matter as far as the dress went, "Yeah.. Bishop pic- I mean.." She rubbed the back of her neck, unsure if she was supposed to use his preferred title in his absence. She stood there fumbling for a minute, but decided against correcting herself this time. She doubted she'd be caught anyhow. Bishop wasn't anywhere in sight. He was enigmatic in that sense. She hardly ever knew his location despite the fact he was her master.

She nodded her head at the mention of hair, "That would be lovely.." She added, her cheeks beginning to match the shade of her dress. She'd never met an occasion where she had to arrange her hair, so Anise was clueless as how to even approach decorating it for the ball, "I'm clueless at that sort of thing.." As she began to go on about Alice's, Anise couldn't help but laugh, covering her mouth with a gloved hand, "If you can convince her to allow you, be my guest!" She added, for a moment genuinely happy, as if she were a guest instead of a prisoner in Castillo de la Muerte. The smile soon faded unfortunately as she noticed Castiel practically storm toward Demetri.

She noticed the time as she tried to avoid giving him notable recognition, "We should hurry, we don't have much time. Perhaps twenty minutes total before guests arrive.. Thirty for the fashionably late.." She told Tanzy, about to grab her hand, but she failed in ignoring Castiel, her eyes glancing to the blonde. She convinced herself it was merely due to the fact he stood only a foot or two away from Alice, Tanzy and her conversation. It was true that she couldn't help but enter defensive mode, considering his threat's on the eldest twin's life, but her gaze wasn't entirely selfless either. Her righteous intents were accompanied with minor, but underlying interest. Her gaze was locked on him for a moment as she silently appreciated his choice in attire, but also scolded herself. That mask.. it's.. scarily appealing on him.. Get yourself together Anise.. He's not good for you.. why are you doing this to yourself!? He's arguably the cruelest man of Castillo, Bishop aside.

Literally ripping her attention away to avoid accusations of eavesdropping, Anise shook her head quickly before she reach for Alice's hand as well, "We haven't a choice. If they want us to dance, we dance. If they want to feed.. then we have to accept that.. We don't have any other options. We're the weaker race. We haven't any leverage at our disposal.." She whispered, unsure if the men could hear her or not, but she decided to drag Alice along, but she walked away with compliance, at least for now... Castiel seemed to have departed as well, though it was a relief to her. Something about his presence made her skin crawl. She ushered for Tanzy to follow, realizing she wasn't likely to argue. She wanted to arrange their hair after all and she was far more practical. She felt the same way as Alice. Though Anise's hatred toward her situation wasn't to be mistaken, she just realized that if Alice wasn't shushed now and then that Castiel or one of the other vampires would rip her throat out. She merely wished to protect her elder sister from destruction. She noticed a blonde woman accompanied by a white haired male, human she assumed by his attire and posture, but she wasn't sure anymore.. Who is she...? She's definitely a vampire.. look at how doll-like she is.. She's beautiful.. She'd seen the two around before, but no one bothered to fill her in on their identities and she wasn't the type of girl to pry if it didn't concern herself. I guess if it's important someone will tell me eventually.. She noticed a white haired girl as well, whom she'd witnessed shadowing Angelo along with Olivia, "Hey... Kat? Right? Care to join us...? We're doing some last minute freshening up..." She hesitated, not quite familiar with Kat's name yet. She was a new recruit, so the black haired girl wanted to make her welcome. Their alliance as maids was the only thing keeping her sane, she assumed this girl had to be scared as well..

"Yes, but unless you've got a bright idea of how to rid our Vampire problem, we're stuck obeying them Alice.." She replied exhausted. She couldn't believe the words crossing her lips, in this home it was comparable to treason, but she was too tired to filter her tongue in the presence exclusively of humans. She was honestly starting to scare herself. Would I really not care if they died..? They aren't human..but... they used to be...right?

Mirabelle smiled the gentlest of smiles when she saw Demetri, bowing her head in respect and thanks to his compliment as her hands grasped at the skirt of the dress while one foot crossed the back of the other. She let out another little giggle through a sniffle as she composed herself. Demetri always knew how to make her feel better when Cas wasn’t around.

”I don’t think Castiel knows that I understand what he’s going through. When I came back to this place, I was expecting to find children and grandchildren with wonderful stories about you guys. I mourned your loss as you mourned mine. Now that I’m back, there’s a part of me that wants everything that I can get. I made sure that Shuu wouldn’t let me out of my room at night so that I wouldn’t upset Cas. Even though I’m here with you guys, it doesn’t feel like I’m back. Deme, you know that I missed all of you to no end, but I need my big brother…” She said with a soft sigh, glancing over her shoulder in the direction that her oldest brother disappeared to before she looked back at Demetri. ”But we are no longer children. I guess it’s time to grow up.” Her shoulders shrugged and she reached out for his hand, grasping it softly for comfort.

”You’ll have to tell me what ever happened to mom and dad..” The tone to Mira’s voice noted that she as reluctant to speak the statement, but the curiosity burned within her. She needed to know. When he asked if he could get a dance to, she lightly placed her hand against his chest with the smallest of shoves and laughed a true laugh. ”Don’t be silly. You know that I would love to dance with you. I’ve learned not to step on toes.” Her hand reached up and she gently nudged his away while she took his locks of hair between her fingers. She gently twisted them and tucked a few away into the string that was attached to the mask, though she kept them fairly loose so that it looked natural. And about Shuu… Mirabelle paused and gave him a sheepish half smile, scratching the back of her head. ”I may have.. Well… Killed one of the help…” Her head ducked down into her shoulders and she held her hands in front of her in defense. ”I’m sorry, I’m sorry! But I was hungry… And speaking of being hungry – Deme, you should take care of that before the ball begins.” She shook her head softly and glanced down to her wrist. She wondered if a vampire could sustain another. ”You should go see Kat. She’ll giving you what you need. Willingly too.” Her fingertips brushed the top of the hand she had been holding, his skin nearly translucent.

Mirabelle shivered at his warning, goose bumps covered her skin as she felt the hair on the back of her neck rise. Her hand gave his a squeeze of promise as she looked around nervously for her butler, waiting for him to come back inside. Her eyes glanced at the clock before they looked toward the back entrance, wondering why he wasn’t back yet. ”The something horrible could be one of us too. Let’s go find Kat or … Alice was it?" She urged and pulled at his hand, trying to nudge him in the direction the girls disappeared to.

---

Kat watched everyone, trying to listen to the conversation that Mirabelle and Castiel were having. It didn’t seem to be going well and she really wanted to know why. Her attention was pulled to another woman when she heard her name being called, and a smile infected her lips. She nodded in appreciation and turned to follow them, once more glancing behind her to see what was going on. ”Is it Alice…?” She asked, biting on her lip. ”No wait, Anise. Alice is your sister…” She said apologetically, trying to go over in her head who was who even though she really hadn’t done any socializing.

When Katerina took a moment to take in what the other girls were wearing, she started to feel a little self conscious. They were all wearing such beautiful gowns and masks. “Hey… Do any one of you know who Reiji is?” She asked curiously, wondering if they knew the man that supposedly “owned” her.

Tanzy smiled at Anise and her sister, only looking alarmed when Alice snaapped at her respective brother. Despite his tolerance of Alice, Tanzy didn't want the younger female to get herself hurt. The young woman quickly ushered the twins towards her, nodding at the 'request' from Demetri. "Y-yes master Demetri. I'll help them with the finishing touches..." she answered as was proper, eyeing him out of the corner of her eye with a wariness and uncertainty she felt when around him.

The atmosphere felt tense as Castiel spoke with his sister, Tanzy trying not to listen, but catching more than she probably should have. She made no comment, simply trying to focus on her fellow maids, her attention drawn to Anise's gaze on Castiel. Tanzy's eyes followed Castiel as he left the room, giing her instructions to fetch him for the ball as he did so. Even as he left and surely wouldn't be paying attention to hear her, she answered him anyway as she always did. "Yes sire...as you wish master Castiel." she felt her cheeks heat up, the memory from earlier replaying itself in spite of her efforts to squash it into the recesses of her mind. She held her neck where the bite was, leading the girls to her room. She didn't pay much mind to the newest maid, having almost no contact with her so far. Probably because Tanzy was too busy being compulsive and tidying things to notice.

As they reached her room, Tanzy took advantage of the many accessories provided for her perusal and possible selection, putting the unchosen dresses aside almost sheepishly. She had neglected to hang them up yet! A first.

"Anise, should we start with you?" Tanzy offered, urging the girl to sit down on a vanity stool.

Working dilligently, Tanzy hummed as usual, finally presenting Anise and Alice with their hair.
"How do you like it? Want me to change anything?" she asked, fully willing to redo the whole style should they but say the word. She smiled at them, giving them a handheld mirror to hold and reflect in the vanity mirror.

---

"We haven't a choice. If they want us to dance, we dance. If they want to feed.. then we have to accept that.. We don't have any other options. We're the weaker race. We haven't any leverage at our disposal.." floated out her twin’s response, an identical hand to her own coiling around the splayed digit before giving a firm tug. Exhaling a soft sigh, the eldest forced back any lingering sense of bitterness, a whisper in the back of her conscious knowing that any more of these harsh words could put a target on her sibling’s back…or neck. Casting her gaze downward, stormy hues locked on their entwined fingers, Alice gnawed at her lower lip and allowed for those negative emotions to swirl under her stoic expression. Anise…when did you become so pessimistic…? Normally, you would be fighting.. even if it was subtle, you still, normally, would have struggled with me. So why?! Why are you resigning yourself so nonchalantly, why are you acting like a helpless child!? seethed her inner voice, so consumed that she didn’t even notice the new addition to the troupe. ”Is it Alice…? No wait, Anise. Alice is your sister…” contributed the new voice, Alice’s gaze snapping upwards in surprise. Oh..its the new girl that Demetri mentioned.. duly assessed her conscious, a faint titled smile casted the snow-haired woman’s way. With a miniscule wave of her free hand, Alice wordlessly slipped back into her thoughts, Anise dutifully dragging the girl to her own personal hell.

The second they reached the Tanzy’s quarters, any missing life rushed back into her shell-esque state. With a quick jerk to release their contact and an outward groan, Alice clasped her hands behind her head before releasing another grumbling complaint. "Look, all I meant was that we need to get the hell out of here…..before we all end up being a late night snack.” rang out her explanation, Anise’s words thrown back with an exhausted exasperation. "Yes, but unless you've got a bright idea of how to rid our Vampire problem, we're stuck obeying them Alice.." Mid-sentence, Tanzy made a motion for the Anise to sit at the vanity before, fingers flying, molding the raven locks into a masterpiece. "I'll figure out something.. Until then, we just need to stick together..." trailed off Alice's response, mesmerized by deft skill Tanzy had. After a few seconds of pause, apparently satisfied with her magic that she had worked on the youngest of the twins, the pink haired servant fluttered over to the box that contained the monstrosity that took form of dusky rose fabric. Removing the lid, a flicker of amusement and pity crossed the woman’s features as she lifted the dress from the box, tone both chiding and reassuring. Peering over the girl’s shoulder, a ripple of grimace shook her slight frame at it’s emergence. ”Alice...what are you talking about? It'll be ok, it's not that bad! Here, we can omit the hat since we aren't going out. It's not that ruffley either….It's just for one evening."” To accompany the carefully placed words, Tanzy removed the corset and undergarments before spinning on her heels, a smile gracing her rouged lips. ”Now then….let’s get you into these.” Giving a hard swallow in anxiety, Alice gave a nervous bout of laughter as Tanazy advanced.

”S...stop it, T-tanzy!! You-ugh..are going to...kill m-me!” gasped her plea, any presence of air being wrenched from her diaphragm. As her reply, Tanzy only tightened the strings further, a slew of curses flying from the raven-haired twin’s mouth in correspondence. ”D...damn that D-demetri..! Damn...being a...woman! Da-damn everything….about...fa..fashion!” Apparently fed up with the protests and pained gasps coming from Alice, Tanzy let the corset some slack, air now rushing comfortably back in her lungs. "It can't possibly be that tight, I can comfortably fit a finger in between the corset and the dress!" bit out the rosy-haired woman as she gently guided Alice’s arms heavenward. Slipping over the petticoat and, finally, the dress over the twin’s head, the other maid made little work of lacing up the bustle, buttoning up the calf-length high-heeled boots, and securing the ribbon collar. Exhaling a small puff of indignation, the victim could only muster a single phrase of disbelief, ”I feel absolutely ridiculous.”

In haste, Tanzy guided the girl over to the vanity and, much like what occurred with Anise, went to work with brushing out the tangles and creating art. Wincing the tugging motions, a few more painful moments ticked by until she stepped back, voice imploring, "How do you like it? Want me to change anything?" Eyes narrowing at her reflection, a striking image of their mother appeared in the mirror… Alice, somehow, didn't look like, well, Alice. The girl reflected back looked far too mature, far too much like a refined lady, to even be remotely linked to the wild girl that had a habit of running through the trees. Sending Tanzy a sheepish smile, the twin nonchalantly reached up before taking out the pin, hair tumbling down to it’s usual state and restoring her youthful glow. ”I’m sorry… but my hair pinned up never look good on me anyways.. Thank you for trying though.” Grabbing the soft-thistled brush, the girl combed her hair once more before fastening the length into two high twintails...however, she didn’t bother with the bang section covering her left eye. There..that should satisfy that little monster. Allowing Tanzy to line her eyes with kohl and add a light rouge stain to her lips, another sigh escaped Alice as it was announced she was ready. Pulling on the elbow length gloves of black satin and securing her mask, Alice could only turn to her sister with a pleading look. ”Do I really have to do this..? I’m sure they wouldn’t miss me if I disappeared for a night..”

Demetri smiled as he noticed that Mirabelle was cheering up. Though many years had past them, his efforts apparently hadn't suffered the consequences. The red haired male let a weak smile cross his own lips, despite the fact his own mind was far from the conversation at this point. It was becoming filled with thoughts of Bishop. How long has it been since I've seen you dear brother? He was growing antsy, wondering where his twin had run off to.. He had a certain knack for finding trouble after all.

"Yes, you mourned just as we did, though you cannot imagine a certain part of Castiel's pain.. It's a part none of us can truly fathom. He's had to run this family since the accident with our parents.. Castiel alone kept us together when all we wanted to do was fall apart. He sewn the family into a functioning piece again... I will tell you the stories.. but it's a story best left for another night..." He replied, eyes wandering to the windows. The air felt heavy to Demetri, keeping him uneasy. He wasn't typically the paranoid type, but tonight already held eerie weight. He wasn't about to dampen the hair-raising night any further if he could possibly avoid doing so. He tightened his grip on her shoulder, releasing it soon after. He drew relief from his siblings affirmation. Lately he found himself being far more grim and sober. It wasn't a practice Demetri wanted to form as habit. Habits were quite difficult to kick after all. Serious was meant for Castiel, it didn't suit Demetri's style in his own opinion.

"I'm not asking you to give up on Castiel.. Merely to take baby steps.." He told Mira, giving her a soft look, forcing his attention back to his younger sister, allowing both of his hands to lazily find their way into his pockets, "Splendid. Neither of us will acquire wounds tonight then. We've both improved our dancing." At the news he received about the help, Demetri rubbed his temples, silent laughter following. She was so much like Bishop and himself that it nearly killed him inside to think about it, "Sister.. I do hope you took proper precautions.." He replied in a quieter tone, eyes darting about before his voice grew supernaturally hushed, "Let's keep this our little secret. Lest Castiel find out.. we might both be in a bit of a predicament.." He shrugged his shoulders afterwards. He honestly found nothing wrong with feeding on the help, aside from being discovered by the locals as vampires.. Though maybe it wouldn't be as dangerous as they assumed. In the end Demetri didn't plan to betray his brother to find out. As Mirabelle mentioned feeding, Demetri's gums throbbed in excitement. A wildness grew in his emerald orbs, but he withheld his urges, rolling his tongue along his gums in attempt to soothe his inner beast.

"It's alright my little nightingale.. We all have accidents" He replied exhausted. Truly he'd have to feed soon. The effects were taking their toll on him in more ways than one. It would be dire that he fed. It had nearly been a fortnight since his last feeding. In a few more days he'd be dead if he continued his path of starvation. He looked to his own skin, "I may take a short taste.." He whispered, surprised by his own complexion. He couldn't greet the guests looking like a phantom. It'd instill fear in the human attendees and reveal weakness to the vampiric guests.

Before he could accept his sister's nudge of approval, Angelo caught the red haired male's eyes, smirking, mask still adorned over his face, "How wonderful it is to see you're attendance is willing this year, dear brother." He complimented him in his compliance, eyes meeting the windows at Angelo's announcement, "So it seems.. help our sister in greeting our guests.. You'll deal with less people that way. I'll address them as a whole once I gather our ladies. Tanzy will retrieve Castiel and we'll handle the diplomatic and social obligations. Dance, eat food.. someone.. anything to assist calming those nerves of yours.." He replied, a futile reach to soothe Angelo's anxiety.

Without another word, Demetri stormed off with a mission. It was time to retrieve the little doves. I bet they all look rather ravishing.. He thought to himself, eyes glowing for a moment in his hunger. As he stalked through the hall, he began to hear their idle chatter, deciding to listen in. Wonder what the doves are up to...

"How do you like it? Want me to change anything?"

”I’m sorry… but my hair pinned up never look good on me anyways.. Thank you for trying though.” ”Do I really have to do this..? I’m sure they wouldn’t miss me if I disappeared for a night..”


After Alice stated her wishes to escape Demetri opened the door, "Intruding~" He announced, laughing to himself, looking Alice over in the dress he'd chosen. She looked like an adorable little porcelain doll. Just as I'd pictured.. He thought to himself, simply amazed with his sense of style and inner eye. He spun her around, kissing her gloved hand, "I apologize for the attire.. I simply had to see it for myself." He gave her an apologetic smile before releasing her hand. His eyes shifted between all of the ladies, "You all look spectacular." He complimented, bowing and ushering for each of them to depart, "The party has begun... I advise you all remain polite with the other guests, and dance. No one is allowed to refuse a dance request. It's a rule for tonight's masquerade." Then his eyes returned to Katerina, "May I speak with you...alone?" He asked, before once again addressing the other girls, "Leave us... and Tanzy, please don't forget my brother... I'd hate for Castiel to miss out on tonight's festivities.." This time his tone was far deeper, a primal huskiness embedded within it.

"Nevermind it.." Anise giggled to Katerina, "It isn't the first, nor is it the last time that Alice and I will be mixed up.. It's no big deal." She added sweetly towards the fresh blood. She hated thinking that way, but that's all Katerina was as far as the lords of Castillo were concerned, "I am Anise though." Though something troubling came next. Katerina mentioned a name that Anise wasn't familiar with. Reiji? Who is Reiji? She thought to herself with growing anxiety. The guests hadn't arrived yet, so what was she talking about?

"Reiji...?" Anise asked skeptically, "I've not made his acquaintance. Who did he say he was...?" She asked the ivory haired woman, amethyst eyes darting nervously as she spoke. Someone new in the castle.. someone none of the brothers informed us of.. Is he an ally? Or yet another foe? Her breathing was growing quick as she tried to make heads or tails of the news, barely realizing they'd reach their destination.

"They're all amazing.. did Castiel really give you this assortment?" She asked strolling over toward the vanity, she sat down and at first glance, nothing seemed strange, but the usually attentive girl was withdrawn from her surroundings. She was still wrapping herself around their situation. Tonight was a masquerade.. everyone would be wearing masks and with a stranger attending, he could be anyone. Furthermore Kat wouldn't be able to identify him even if she caught a glimpse of his face before because it would be shielded by his costume. A dissatisfied huff released from the black haired girl's lungs, making her shake her head. Crap! I spaced out...

"I-I'm sorry.. I was thinking about something.. I-It truly looks lovely.. I swear!" She explained to Tanzy in a distressed manner. She became silent though as she admired her hair, touching it delicately, mindful not to ruin it. It looked beautiful.. She slowly stood, hugging her tight, "Thank you.." She was breathless, not only from her corset, but the fact that Tanzy made her look so elegant.

She witnessed her twin's distress, getting her hair done. She looked gorgeous, but the younger twin was certain the hair wouldn't last. If it wasn't crucial she figured the corset would have followed the hair in close pursuit.. She let a nervous giggle escape her lips, slightly amused, but also feeling sympathy for her sister as well. She rolled her eyes, not to mock her twin, but simply because she'd seen it coming. Perhaps it was a twin thing, considering there was quite a bit of time they'd grown up apart.. She nodded her head with a sorrowful look, "I'm afraid so Alice." She replied, proceeding toward her sister, giving her a tight hug. She held the motion of comfort for a moment before stepping back, "We must persevere.." She was glad she held her tongue considering Demetri forcibly announced his presence. He gave them a few words of encouragement before sending them on their way. Not being the type to argue when she wasn't wanted, Anise grabbed Alice by the arm, "We'll see you at the ball Lord Santiago.." She gave a sheepish smile and nervous laugh before dragging her sister along, until she assumed they were out of earshot, "I haven't given up... we just need a plan.." she confessed. She kept it from the other girls for the most part, mostly due to the fact she wasn't sure where their loyalties lied truly.. but also because it was false hope in her opinion.

"If you can find a way to escape...for all of us to escape.. I won't hesitate to leave with you. Not just us, but Shuu and the girls as well.. I won't leave them." She reasoned with her, slowly leading her twin toward the event. Anise was terrified of what could happen if they were discovered. Terrified of this discussion... but also terrified of losing her twin. Surely Alice didn't have a plan.. Anise wasn't the devious type, she couldn't assist her sister in a grand escape.. and there was no way Alice could take on five vampires by herself. She merely wanted her sibling's trust back.. it was her jab at attempting balance in this messed up situation.. She wasn't truly plotting against the Santiago family. That would be suicide. She was just trying to thrive where most would simply exist.

A frown softened Katerina’s features when she realized how much her simple question bothered the one female. She reached out and softly touched her arm in reassurance that everything was okay. “No. He didn’t. He just introduced himself. Nothing to worry about. Maybe it was just the servant that dropped off my dress.” She said, biting lightly at her at her white lie, but there was a party that was going to happen, and they all looked like they needed to let loose and have a little fun.

Kat lightly squeezed her arm before she let go, watching as she went to get her hair done. Katerina simply reached for a brush to comb any knots from her waist length hair, pulling it over one shoulder. From there, she braided her hair loosely and tied a bow with white ribbon, tucking a few stray strands away. Kat sat down on the bed in front of a full length mirror and looked over herself, her frowning features turning into a smile. For once in her lifetime, she had a reason to dress up – to wear shoes that would hurt her feet after a few hours and clothes that were restricting. She smoothed out her skirt and allowed herself to relax while keeping proper posture. She wanted to look like she belonged. Maybe the dress wasn’t so bad after all.

Her fingers touched her face, smoothing down her eyebrows and brushing her bangs to the side of her face. When Demetri entered the room and asked only for her, her cheeks flushed the slightest bit but the smile never faded from her lips. She swallowed harder than she wanted to, and took a deep breath so that she could calm herself, not understanding why she was getting nervous. Or was it excitement? The deepness of his voice made her shift in her seat, a shakiness in her hands.

Katerina looked over the man, his aura oozing of power. ”Are you going to ask me for a dance?” The female cooed, keeping her voice steady in attempts to control the emotions she wasn’t quite understanding at the moment. She went back to looking at herself in the mirror as if trying to tell not only him, but herself that her existence didn’t revolve around the men she was trapped with.

It wasn’t long before Katerina had to look at him through her lashes, biting at the inside of her lip. She could feel what he wanted; she could see it in the gaze that stared down at her. Her heart started to thump against her breast as she looked up at him fully. Steady, Kat. Breathe. She didn’t realize that she had stopped breathing until she felt the burning sensation in her throat, her heart hammering in her ears. Kat started to wonder how gentle he would be with her, or if he would force her to drink from him to hide her wounds from the rest of the world. Her gaze locked with his and her body got hot – her cheeks flushing not in shyness or embarrassment, but in anticipation.

”Please don’t be too rough.” She asked softly with a caring smile.

---

"I'm afraid so Alice." whispered out Anise’s response, the gloom glazing over those eggplant orbs mirroring what the eldest felt inward. Seemingly without provocation, the more comforting of the two wrapped her sibling in a tight squeeze, the protecting glow lasting for a few seconds before it was broken, their contact ceasing. "We must persevere.." floated out the added words, the tone barely a whisper and holding severity. Instinctively, a small smirk spread onto Alice’s features, not one of mocking nature but one of uplifting carefreeness. After all, they both couldn’t be all doom and gloom could they? Opening her mouth to voice her agreement, the raven-haired girl quickly clamped it shut, words dying on her tongue, as Demetri twirled in uninvited.

"Intruding~" chirped his sing-song, the timbre too happy to suit the grim atmosphere of the room. Summoning daggers to her gray focus, Alice merely crossed her arms in rebellion, an agitated huff directed at the vampire. ”Well..look who finally decided to show up; the slug!” Apparently used to her brash way of addressing him, Demetri, instead, chose to let his emeralds wander over her form. As a few seconds ticked by, the twin allowed for her tightly bound arms to return at her sides, an eyebrow quirking in uncertainty. Of course, staring simply wasn’t enough for her flamboyant Master as he reached for her gloved hand, raising it to his lips. An eye twitching at his bold move, it was all Alice could do but restrain herself to allow him to have his moment..after all, he surely wouldn’t receive another chance like this in the future. "I apologize for the attire.. I simply had to see it for myself." rang out his apology, complete with a smile and the release of her hand. Muttering to herself under her breath, the maid nonchalantly rubbed the back of the hand that was assaulted by the vampire, ”Last time you did that.. I ended up slapping you, remember? You’re lucky it’s a special night…” Zoning out his instructions, those stormy obrs drifted over to the curtained window, curious as to how the world must have differed from the daytime. However, she was brought back to the small room as Demetri dismissed them, wanting to talk to Kat alone. Uncertainty flashed in her gaze at his demand, lightly gnawing at her bottom lip. Demetri may have been the more tame of the vampires.. but still- Kat was new to the Santiago house..and the fiery-haired male had more than a bit of a reputation amongst the maids. Before she could even register what to do, Anise wound her arm through her sisters, her docile reply offering acknowledgement. "We'll see you at the ball Lord Santiago.." Without a further word, the twins removed themselves from the room, Tanzy following in pursuit.

”Was that really a wise idea...to leave her alone..?” mused her pondering thoughts, slight concern sprinkling the thoughts. However, Anise didn’t seem to want to dwell on the new girl’s fate, instead choosing to address the conversation from earlier. "I haven't given up... we just need a plan..If you can find a way to escape...for all of us to escape.. I won't hesitate to leave with you. Not just us, but Shuu and the girls as well.. I won't leave them.” whispered her confession, a smile making Alice’s features glow. There she is… the Anise I know. With a firm nod, the maid’s attention briefly registered Tanzy’s warning before addressing her sister once more. ”My...asking for a miracle, aren’t you? Taking all of us might be hard….but alright.. if that’s what it takes, leave it to me.” Sensing the heavy mood, Alice lightly prodded Anise’s side with her elbow, an impish air overtaking her as they approached the ballroom. ”So… are you going to be obedient and follow the slug’s words? You know, the whole ‘No one is allowed to refuse a dance request’ bit?” Completing her teasing words, the girl dropped her normal voice several octaves lower to mimic Demetri’s voice, a small scoff echoing in the halls. ”I, for one, don’t care what he thinks.. I’m just going to hide in the shadows and wait it out. I mean, he should be thankful I’m in this monstrosity.. no way in hell am I dancing in it!” professed her thoughts, somehow already knowing the answer that her sister would have given. Pausing outside of the parlor’s doors, Alice raised yet another question, a grimace, however, in close pursuit, ”Ready to go into the beasts’ lair?”

Demetri nodded, "But of course deary." He wasn't rude enough to leave a young lady's room wide open for intruders. He smirked a little bit, thinking about how she was already showing her obsessive nature. He didn't plan to touch anything in the room...aside from the floor, and Katerina. Neither of which truly belonged to Tanzy. In his hunger, he'd nearly forgotten he was imposing on her room in the first place, though it was more of a loan than one of her belongings if he wanted to think frankly about the situation.

He could smell his little dove's nervousness, which brought another smirk to his features. Is she perhaps jealous? No.. She's afraid I'm going to hurt sweet little Katerina.. His eyes softened, but it wasn't changing his mind about sustenance. He'd waited far too long to feel pity towards his maid's feelings. Green orbs scanned the ivory haired woman, subconsciously licking his fangs as he took her appearance in. It was honestly the first time they'd been alone together, or even around each other without interruption.

"No need to be shy deary.." He cooed, caressing her cheek with the back of his index finger gently, his eyes remaining animalistic. He removed his tie slowly, closing his eyes as he began to prepare for a clean feeding. He didn't have time for either of them to change clothes after all. As much as the thought enticed him. He couldn't remember the last time he laid with a woman. He sat his tie aside, unbuttoning the top buttons on his shirt. He decided it was best to leave his mask upon his face, wishing to avoid messing up his already unruly hair. It was hard enough taming it at the moment with the mask on.. His choice to keep his face masked gave him a bit of a mysterious feel, countering his usually open and cheerful personality.

"Do you want me to ask you for a dance, deary?" He asked, quirking a curious eyebrow behind his mask as he ran a gloved hand through her hair dotingly, his voice soft and eyes gazing upon her as Demetri awaited her answer, "If you wish to dance, we shall dance." He smirked, before removing his hand from her personal space, reaching into his pocket and removing a decorative knife, and a wine glass within the depths of his trouser pockets. He noticed her hesitance, "I'm merely asking this of you because it's been nearly a fortnight since I've drank.." He reassured her, setting both of his feeding tools on the vanity before placing both of his hands on her shoulders, caressing them with his thumbs as he stood behind her, "You're allowed to say no.."

"You have my word, little dove." He smirked at the worried woman.

He picked his tools up once more, taking her glove off gently before laying it on the vanity as well, "I'll help you close that wound right up afterward.." He added in a soft kind voice, but his eagerness was present, hiding behind his every word. He kept himself composed as best as he could manage, but it still wasn't acceptable in his point of view. He took the knife carefully slicing at her wrist, avoiding the main artery. He didn't want to make a mess or accidentally kill the poor thing. Once he got suitable blood flow, he put his glace underneathe, lightly squeezing her wrist as he watched the red liquid begin to fill the glass. His free arm wrapped around her waist, half support and half for comfort. He shushed her the entire time, kissing her forehead, "That's a good girl.." He whispered.

Once it was full, he knelt down in front of her and cut his own hand, offering it to her nonchalantly, "It will close the wound, good as new.." He smiled taking her bleeding arm and licking up the rubies pouring from her wound. It was almost enough to drive him crazy, but he withheld himself from sinking his fangs down.

Katerina watched him as he began to undress and she quickly adverted her eyes in a mere reaction, but she couldn’t help herself but to look back at him. Her tongue peeked past her lips to wet them, realizing then how heavy she had been breathing. With Mirabelle, this was easier. She simply told Kat what she wanted, fed and away they went. The way that Demetri looked at her, the way that he touched her – something about it made her anxious.

There was something calming about the way that he played with her hair so she tilted her head back and her face towards him, her head leaned more into his hand. ”I will keep you to your word. We will dance at... Midnight. I will be waiting for you.” She spoke in a gentle tone, her eyes opening to watch him as his touch left her. When she saw both the knife and the glass, a sigh involuntarily left her lips in disappointment. She didn’t mean to offend him in anyway, but she had been looking forward to the sensation of his fangs in her neck, and his lips against her skin with whatever it was that they did to make it enjoyable.

”I’m not going to change my mind.” She said when she was told she could say no, but the look in his eyes said otherwise. She willingly gave him what he asked for, her hand light in his. Her nose wrinkled the slightest bit in pain as the rest of herself stayed calm, watching him. When he wrapped his arm around her, she leaned into him, dropping her lips to his ear.

”What is it that I get out of this? How come you get all the fun?” She asked, her lips teasing his flesh. Assuming that he really was a man of his word that he would be gentle a small grin found its way to her lips as he shushed her, his lips eerily cool against her skin. It really had been too long for the man. Why would he allow himself to go hungry? His praise calmed her, but she couldn’t bite the words that were about to escape her lips next.

”Bite me… I dare you.” She whispered in a tone so low, she hardly heard it herself. Her voice was deep, needy. Her fingers this time brushed along his jaw line and up to the bottom of the mask as he cleaned her skin, a nail scraping his skin. Katerina had no idea who it was that she was taunting – no idea that the man in front of her couldn’t control himself long enough to keep her alive. The only thing she had was his word and the uncontrollable desire to feel him pull life from her veins to sustain his own. The knowledge that she was the reason that he was alive, for only a short time, was exhilarating. To know that it would be her that sustained his body gave her a feeling of possessiveness and false power.

Katerina didn’t take his blood – she didn’t want to be like him and without knowing the consequences of drinking from him, she thought it best that she didn't. ”You shouldn’t do that… You shouldn’t bleed just for anyone.” Instead she would simply remove herself from his hold so that he could drink from his glass where she would examine the wound that he caused her. She didn’t find it deep enough to need stitches, so she wrapped a small bandage to stop any bleeding and then slipped her glove back on to hide it.

”Good as new, right?” She asked, looking back at him.

He was almost drove crazy at the skin to skin contact. Her soft lips brushing his earlobe sent fiery tingles through his entire being. Though he kept his inner beast contained. He'd just met the girl.. the morals of today forbade casual encounters. He couldn't act on every primal whim. He couldn't tarnish a girl's reputation out of his own selfish, vampiric instinct. He couldn't succumb to the monster inside.

"You can have whatever you wish... within reason.." He responded breathlessly, taking a sip from the wine glass to ease the growing tension. She was taunting him, every inch of her body was expressing it. She wanted something more out of him, but he wasn't quite sure what. Not many of his nonsexual partners behaved this way. Her needs were flying over his head. What does she want from me..? His emerald orbs scanned her half lidded, widening as she brought her intentions out verbally. She wants me to bite her..? Normally... but.. I'm not..

He ran a hand through her haunting white hair, a weak smile crossing his lips, "If I were a normal vampire.. I'd take you up on the offer.. it is far more delectable that way.. I simply cannot feed through that method.." He cooed, releasing her slowly, keeping his arm in range of her waist in case she grew faint, "I'd erase your existence in this world if I allowed myself to indulge in you.." He added, taking another sip from the cup before chugging the blood, a thin stream running down his chin. His eyes glew into a bright lime as he gained sustenance, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, "You're far too precious to dispose of carelessly." He assured her.

He was slightly shocked that she'd deny his offer, a smirk forming across his lips, "You're seasoned in this arrangement aren't you, deary?" He asked intrigued. None of the other little doves were brought to knowledge in the powers of vampire blood. None of them knew having even a drop in their system could bring them to be one of his kind. A vampire offering his blood was supposed to be an act of love. The highest compliment from their kind. Though Demetri was always reckless when it came to such details, "Well you're far from anyone.. but I understand your point regardless.." He replied back, his complexion no longer translucent, but he was far from restored to perfect health. In order to reach his prime, he'd of killed her. He was quite fond of this one, he didn't intend to dispose of her like that.

"Slightly better.. but I'm a sadist.." He smirked at her, offering his arm, leading her to the party. Once they arrived, Demetri lost sight of his eldest brother almost as soon as his eyes met the blond man's form. Her raised an eyebrow but assumed Castiel found something he needed to do. "Would you like that dance now, or later?" he turned to Katerina, bowing politely.

“Whatever I wish…” She sang, purposely leaving out the ‘within reason’. A devilish smirked played on her lips, one that softened with the touch of his hand in her hair again. A frown stained her features, hidden behind the mask she wore. Kat didn’t particularly like what he was telling her, but she would have to accept it no less. She rotated the wrist he had cut, testing the pain. It wasn’t too bad, but it did throb the slightest bit.

“Seasoned? Well, Mira has had her share. Something about her butler tensing when she got too close. Makes it uncomfortable.” She said softly and then looked up at him, her crimson eyes bright behind the shadow of the mask. “Having the pain leave now with no mark is one thing, but the scars are what make you stronger. Skin will toughen, and then it won’t be so bad.” She murmured, reaching out to touch his face. Her fingers brushed his cheek once more, the pad of her thumb running over his bottom lip, lightly tugging down to reveal his fangs. They were the fangs that belonged to a man that lived many lifetimes, and probably took countless lives. They belonged to a man that had a gaze that could kill, and a raw hunger that should instill fear in anyone. They belonged to the only man that cared to ask her name because he wanted to know, not because he had to know. They belonged to a man that she had the sudden urge to kiss – to taste.

Even though he didn’t bite her – didn’t give her the pleasure that Mirabelle did when they fed, something she still didn’t understand, but there was something intimate about that moment. Perhaps because she was sharing herself and this time, not for her gain. Swallowing hard, she dropped her hand and took a deep breath in as if she were coming out of her thoughts.

“If you kept yourself fed, then I don’t think you’d kill me…” She said, thinking more aloud than stating a fact. She didn’t know this man. “Isn’t that what Alice is for?” Kat purred and dropped her hand, laughing the slightest bit when he was ready to go. “I must have you flustered..” She said innocently, taking his arm only to bring him back into the room, where she rebuttoned his shirt and tied his tie. “Don’t need to kiss and tell, do we?” She asked, patting his chest while simultaneously smoothing out wrinkles. It was only when they were both put together that she took his arm and let him lead her to the rest of the guests.

Kat was a little taken aback by his offer to dance now, assuming there were guests that he would wish to greet first. It put a true smile on her face, one that wasn’t hiding anything. “I’d love to dance with you.” She said before she took the lead this time. Her slender, gloved hand reached out to grasp his, pulling him into a crowd of people where there lost themselves in the disguises of others. Amongst them were humans, vampires and wolves. Katerina didn’t seem to mind – she knew but she didn’t let that get to her. Now, she was going to dance. She was going to let Demetri sweep her off her feet and spin her around – hoping that he could dance well.

Demetri noticed that Katerina seemed to be wrapped up in her thoughts before they arrived in the ballroom. He only smirked to himself, but never pointed it out. He found most humans always seemed a bit baffled by vampires, even if they'd spent years in their service. He just offered out his hand to her as she accepted, but was taken by surprise when she begun the dance. What a curious woman this little dove has turned out to be. He merely chuckled, letting his free arm slither around her waist.

"You're quite bold compared to the rest, Miss Katerina." He cooed pleasantly. Demetri was on cloud nine. He got to feed, dance with a pretty woman, and his home looked exactly the way he imagined in his head for weeks now. All was well.. If only he could find his brothers Angelo and Castiel, everything would be truly perfect. Though one reaction caught deep in his mind, "As for your words earlier.. I'm not shy.. I'm not afraid to kiss and tell." He merely chuckled again, unable to contain his merriment. He didn't wish to think about the rest of their conversation. It would spoil the moment. He didn't want to think about his reputation as a ripper, the men and women he's killed. That was all shoved to the back of his mind. All he could think about was dancing with Katerina, the lovely aroma of blood that still taunted his nostrils, and the beautiful room that took him days to prepare with Castiel's help.

He eventually took the lead after amusing her wish to be in control. He spun her rather quickly, and almost too fast to notice her brought her down into the famous dip, "Did you think I was going to drop you?" He taunted, though knowing she wouldn't have the same reaction as his lovely girl Alice. He still couldn't resist, she'd still pose as splendid entertainment anyhow. Though there was something extra about Kat. He liked her for a bit more than his own entertainment. Something about her attitude drew him in, her lingering femininity despite her brashness, and he just couldn't get enough. He continued to gracefully sway his company across the room, before his eyes narrowed, "Who let the dogs in..?" He whispered, eyes darting around. There was only a few.. less than eight.. but he couldn't place them in the crowd. The scent only lingered to torment him. He shifted his eyes to Katerina, "When the dance is over I've got to check on something.. but I'll be right back.. I promise you." He kissed her forehead to seal the deal. He had instantly grown worried for dear little Alice, and it was driving him mad that he couldn't see her in the room. He noticed his twin was conversing with Mirabelle and cute little Anise, which drew him minor comfort. He continued to keep his steps in the dance, wishing to keep his wits about him. If the enemy knew he was frightened, it would be the opportune time to strike his family down. Alice, please tell me you didn't accidentally lead them in.. I've got to talk to her once this song ends.. He was internally growing antsy, but kept his eyes on Katerina, feeling guilty that his attention was divided, "Who picked out your dress..?" He asked her, attempting to give the woman the attention she deserved. Though there was something else. A look in his eyes, burning, was he, gasp, jealous? Demetri hadn't been jealous in nearly a century. He couldn't deny she looked absolutely lovely and it was an insult for his mind to be elsewhere, but his family always came first. Always and forever.

There was a strange feeling of security when she felt his arm wrap around her waist. It was the same feeling she got when he went to support her after he fed in case she felt weak. It brought a smile to her face and allowed her body to rest against his as they swayed. ”Bold? Perhaps. I knew what you were when I was brought here. I spent the night in the street yelling out for your kind. Maybe I’m just not as afraid as I should be.” She murmured, knowing that she didn’t have to speak up so that he could hear her through the noise of the crowd. As for the part of him not being shy, maybe she shouldn’t be either. Her eyes stared at his lips – could this be the chance that she was waiting for to taste him?

A laughing squeal left her lips when all of a sudden the room was upside down, her head falling back as she let out a pleasant laugh. The laugh didn’t waver when he brought her up, and she shook her head to his question. “Of course I didn’t. You’re too much of a gentleman to drop me… And if you did, I’d have to second guess those abilities of yours..” She cooed, a lightness in her step as he lead her. This night had turned out better than she could have hoped for.

Katerina watched him, watched the worry on his face gather, and then disappear before he worried about her. After he kissed her forehead, she let his hand go and wrapped her arms around his neck and let her head fall to his shoulder, her fingers lightly playing with the hair that tickled them. His promise made her smile, but she attempted to hide the joy that it gave her. Kat didn’t want to seem too eager, but that feeling disappeared as she felt a lump in her throat the jealousy she saw in his face. Was that for her?

That was when she finally felt her heart flutter, and she quietly cleared her throat to calm herself. Was the jealousy meant for her, or was it about whatever that was on his mind? There was a part of her that wanted to calm his fears and his worries. He deserved to have a good time. “The dress? Oh, Reiji gave it to me. I assumed he was part of the family since he had the same last name, but I haven’t seen him around. When I asked Anise, she didn’t know either.” Her head leaned back so that she could see his face, trying to look through his mask to read his expression. ”I can’t say that he is all that pleasant to wake up to….”

”Anise, dear, you need to calm yourself. You’re getting me excited.” Reiji heard his baby sister Mirabelle drawl out to whom he assumed to be Anise. Yes, her heartbeat could alert any vampire within a ten mile radius the way it's thumping.. He thought irritatedly. It was distracting, Reiji hated distracting things. Then he noticed his baby brother Bishop's voice in the crowd, "Mind yourself sister, this one is mine, you cannot touch her. I don't intend on letting anyone feed from her, not even you." Apparently his little brother was becoming quite protective of the lovely little thing, causing a smirk to form on the dark haired male's lips. He's defensive when it comes to this one.. He thought amused to himself. I wonder how far his protectiveness will go.. Reiji chuckled at his assessment, roaming through the ballroom himself. Though unlike Dante, Reiji was looking to be noticed. He socialized with anyone who spoke to him, bluntly announcing himself as Reiji Santiago. His eyes fell back on Bishop and his darling little human. He could hear her heart pounding from where he stood, forcing him to lick his lips, but he restrained himself for the moment. His entrance was to be dramatic, but not as sour as killing his baby brother's help.

”Bishop, try not to scare her too much. We’re not the only ones who can hear that little muscle racing beneath her breast and not everyone respects the rules. I really just want to have a good time…” The man adjusted his mask, which was ratheruncomfortable. He had to opt out of wearing his glasses, which he would have much preferred to his itchy mask. The suit on the other hand was surprisingly comfortable and masked his cold skin from detection. Yes Bishop, please get your pet under control.. He sighed to himself mentally, growing exhausted of her taunting aroma and noise. The hand Bishop placed as a sign of ownership only challenged him more. Reiji never was a man of many rules and he was dying to break this one.

"It almost smells like someone let a wet dog wander inside. Such an unpleasant scent." Bishop noted, and Reiji heard it in the room from Demetri shortly after, "Who let the dogs in..?"

"There are werewolves here.. that much is certain.." He voiced to himself softly, before making his way to his primary target. Demetri. Normally he would have targeted Castiel, but his and Angelo's absence brought Reiji's attention to Demetri. He found his little doll dancing with his brother, though Reiji wasn't nearly as jealous as his red haired relative. Demetri looked a bit panicked, looking for someone in the crowd, causing Reiji to smirk as he stalked closer to the dancing couple. "Who picked out your dress..?" Demetri asked Reiji's toy, causing him to chuckle. Someone's got his underwear in a knot. Do you fancy her dear brother? You always were quick to fall in love. “The dress? Oh, Reiji gave it to me. I assumed he was part of the family since he had the same last name, but I haven’t seen him around. When I asked Anise, she didn’t know either. I can’t say that he is all that pleasant to wake up to….” He placed his hand to his lips and cleared his throat after her response to his brother, deciding to give his two cents on the matter, "It's lovely isn't it?" He chimed to the two, "Sorry that I left in a rush love, I had other matters to attend to.." He apologized to Katerina, but didn't even look at her as he spoke his apology.

The song hushed and Reiji placed his hand on Kat's shoulder, "I received a letter from the Vampire Counsel that I was to return home to dote upon this young girl. Orders are orders as Castiel would say." He laughed merrily, though something about the way he spoke indicated it wasn't in his nature to be this friendly. He quickly recomposed, before glancing around, "I smell blood. Human blood, brother.. I think someone is hurt outside.. Are we allowed to feed at our leisure or is this an unexpected calamity..?" He whispered loud enough for vampire ears, but soft enough to avoid human ears picking it up. Though he brought this to his brother's attention, Reiji didn't seem to be taking the matter seriously at all. He even said it loud enough for Mira, Bishop, and any other vampire to pick up on. Reiji had a knack for ruining moments like this.. and appearing unannounced he certainly crashed their get together.

(OOC: I apologize it isn't beautiful, I've just been quite busy lately! I won't continue this I promise.)

"My abilities? What if I were to say I was the weakest vampire in existence?" He replied smugly. He ran a hand through his hair quickly, fixing the mess begging to happen upon his head without missing a beat, "Although I'd catch you if I was, I am a gentleman before I am a vampire after all." He chuckled, agreeing with the pale haired woman. He noticed the music beginning to hush, and saw a familiar face roaming the ballroom. Reiji.. Why are you here..?

He smiled as she grew closer, enjoying the enticing scent of her perfume mixed with the blood. He would have shivered as a human, but a smirk simply grew on his face at her touch. Playing with his hair brought him much needed tranquility, though it wasn't the time or place for shivers and clouded judgement. He kept his eyes on the familiar man, frowning a bit as he danced with his compainion. The music stopped just as she spoke, and his fears were verified in Katerina's voice.

“The dress? Oh, Reiji gave it to me. I assumed he was part of the family since he had the same last name, but I haven’t seen him around. When I asked Anise, she didn’t know either.”

Demetri sighed, "I feared it would be Reiji.. Don't trust a word he says. Castiel shunned him for a reason. He is incapable of compassion or love, and he's a disaster with feet." Demetri growled angrily. The last time he had seen Reiji, the two of them were fighting. Reiji had killed one of Castiel's human lovers and Demetri punched him in anger. It resulted in them rolling down a hill, fighting for hours before they'd returned home to Castiel's sentence of banishment from their homeland.

"He's not that pleasant to grow up with either.." He remembered their mother constantly begged the twins to be more like Reiji and Castiel. They were tormented about studying and being proper. He hated being compared to his elder brother. He's not even blood related.. The red head thought in a pissed tone. Sure Demetri grew up to be a fine gentleman, but he still wanted to be nothing like his brothers.. he enjoyed himself and Bishop for who they truly were, not who they were 'supposed to be'.

"Of course brother." He hissed to the elder male, "I hate to make a departure, but I've got to find someone." He gave Katerina an apologetic smile before disappearing in the blink of an eye. He followed the smell of the blood, which led him down a dark hallway and into the wine cellar. He made his way down the steps until he saw a dead body dangling from the ceiling. There was Olivia hanging, bloody and ripped apart. He went wide eyed, and had he not been accustomed to carnage, he would have possibly lost his earlier snack to the floor.

He quickly cut her down, noticing blood across the room, pooling toward him. There lied what was left of Alice, the pieces were so unidentifiable, the familiar scent of her body was the only identifying factor... and her boots. His fangs were showing, eyes glowing a bright red. Whoever did this is going to pay dearly. He quickly reappeared, with blood on his hands, but no one really seemed to notice as far as guests went.

He scanned the room for the remaining maids, appearing next to Tanzy once his eyes spotted her, "We have to gather with Bishop, Anise, and Mirabelle. Alice and Olivia are dead and I've not seen Castiel or Angelo in nearly an hour." He whispered, voice cracking in his panic. He ushered her through the crowd toward Bishop, forgetting there was blood on his hands as he nervously dragged her along.

"Brother, we have a serious problem."

Tanzy couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation, and at one point she swore she heard the name 'Reiji Santiago' being said. Santiago? Was there another relative of the brother's here at the ball? If there was such a person, she wondered if they would be just as intimidating as the other members of the household. Looking around the room for the maids as she lost herself in her thoughts, Tanzy's eye caught sight of a dark haired male approaching the newest maid, only to place a hand on her shoulder. Did he know Kat? Who of the guests invited to a vampire's mansion would know any of the maids?

“Careful brother. Don’t get too attached now.” Mirabelle purred playfully and then looked over Anise, watching her stutter with her words, making Mira smirk. “Master Bishop?” Mira couldn’t have helped herself from laughing, though she did cover her mouth to try to muffle the sound and calm herself. “My apologies, brother. It just sounds so foreign.” She said as she folded her hands in front of her, looking around the room as she gathered herself.

Mirabelle nodded in agreement as she looked around. “I thought I smelled them as people came in, but I couldn’t place it to stop it. We’ll just have to be careful.” She said with a sigh. This night was supposed to be fun, not a night that they have to protect their home. Mira glanced over her shoulder when she heard the voice of a man she hadn’t seen since she was a child – Reiji. She was surprised she could even recognize it. If not for the familiar sound of his voice, she would have never known it was him.

Mirabelle didn’t hate him – she had no idea why Bishop was telling Anise to stay away from him. What had she missed? With a shrug of her shoulders, she said her fair wells to the two of them and then headed over to Reiji as she watched Demetri vanish. She looked at Kat, pulling her eye brows together as if asking where he went, only to get an answer of uncertainty back.

“Reiji.” She said softly with a warm smile, and then greeted Kat. “How have you been after all this time?” She asked curiously, glancing over her shoulder to see if she could spot the rest of her family or a wolf. When she didn’t find what she was looking for, she gave the two in front of her, her full attention.

Her nose flared as she two smelt blood, but she didn’t think much of it. Perhaps it was just Kat. Though if it was, wouldn’t it be stronger? It wasn’t just one scent, but a few. That’s when she thought about it – thought about why Bishop told Anise to stay away. ”Brother? Did you do that?” She asked. Mirabelle had her own share of killing the help, but she did get rid of the evidence – or more so made Shuu get rid of it.

Katerina listened to Demetri’s warning about Reiji, nodding as she began to pull away. She finished the dance with her hands lightly on his shoulders, ready to let him leave and do as he wanted before until she heard that familiar voice. If Reiji was that bad, why would Demetri just leave her alone with him?

”Mmmm.” Was all that she said in response to Reiji’s apology, glancing up at him. She listened to the two of them talk, gracefully letting her shoulder drop to remove Reiji’s hand from her skin. In turn, she turned to face him, grabbed the outside of her dress and bowed to him, giving him an inviting smile.

”Reiji.” She greeted before she started chewing on the inside of her lip. He was sent to watch over her? ”Sent here just for me? Don’t I feel special.” She muttered, a hint of sarcasm left in her voice. ”Pleased to be in your service. What do you wish me to address you by?” Kat asked, bowing once more and taking on the role that Castiel had taught her. She still had a hard time accepting the fact that she was to serve, but she did as she was taught just like Mirabelle had advised she do.

There was a relief when the blonde joined them. With the warning and the feelings she got from the man beside her, she was happy to have some company. She didn’t know what it would be like to be alone with Reiji, and she didn’t necessary want to find out.

Reiji held an amused grin the entire time Demetri responded to him. He removed his mask, "Hasta luego.. Demetri." He waved with a toothy grin. He was obviously amused by the chaos, making himself much easier to blame for the catastrophe. Though Reiji wasn't afraid of being accused, half of his life he took the fall for others, he was such a troublemaker that if something terrible were to happen those around him immediately assumed Reiji to be the root of their despair. He held no ill will, he quite enjoyed his infamous reputation. It kept things interesting, "Well he's quite rude, dampening the festivities if you ask me." Reiji chuckled. His voice was much deeper than his younger brothers, yet calm and relaxing like a taste of honey. Everything about him invited you in, but his personality mixed with his intentions spoke otherwise. He was a stereotypical vampire through and through on the outside. A monster. Though whether there is more to the man than meets the eye is unknown, for he always kept himself on a tighter leash then even his eldest brother Castiel. Reiji took pride in his control over himself. He'd never fallen in love, not even once. He'd never cared for anything as far as anyone knew, and he was immeasurably selfish. His weakness was well hidden aside from his physical weakness as all vampires possess. All emotional weakness was locked away behind many many iron doors.

Though his eyes did widen at the sight of Mirabelle, but only in shock. Afterward he returned to his arrogant, calm expressionless face, "Belle." He smirked, wrapping his arms around his sister, however to quickly draw back. Reiji trusted no one, loved no one. Or so he wished everyone to believe. With as many enemies as he held, any sign of weakness put everyone he cared for in danger. He was willing to pay the price, distance himself emotionally from everyone he loved in order to protect him from his awful decisions and everyone he ever wronged, "There is a face I never expected to see again." He smirked, eyeing his baby sister. Although I'm adopted.. she still welcomes me with such warmth. Warmth only a woman possesses.. Though I assume she doesn't know that minor detail.. I doubt Castiel spoke much of me.. Else she'd be posing more interesting questions..

"Here and there. You of all people should know I hate sitting still. Also there is the fact our dear elder brother banished me from our home, but that's not important.. What's important is we've got a case of stray mutts on our hands. I thought mother taught us far better than to allow dogs into our home. They belong outside." He spoke of Castiel almost as bitterly as he spoke of the werewolves. He obviously held resentment toward the Head of Castillo de la Muerte.

He could smell the blood but ignored the scent, until an amusing question crossed his sister's lips. He closed his eyes with a chuckle, brushing his long black hair out of his eyes with a sadistic smile, "Oh I wish I had.. they smell quite lovely." He laughed a second time before regaining his composure, the glimmer in his eyes quite animalistic. He was always a glutton. He fed far more than required, but Mirabelle wasn't around to witness his careless and selfish behavior as a vampire...yet.

”Brother? Did you do that?

"No. Sister, you wound me." He replied feigning pain as he gripped at his chest above his unbeating heart, "It wasn't me. The dogs are after us I assume. They're from the pack we drove from these lands.. Scratch that, the pack mother and father drove from these lands." He closed his eyes, crinkling his nose as he thought of them. He'd ignored Kat until his eyes landed on her, having heard every one of her questions, finding time to finally answer them.

"I apologize for ignoring you. I heard every word, but lives are more important than curiosity I suppose. I could care less what happens to you lot.. but my family seems to have grown attached to their pets.." He brushed hair behind Katerina's ear. His touch was gentle, but entirely different than Demetri's. His eyes were bored and uninterested. His intentions behind his touch meaningless aside from his attempt to fake a gentlemanly air. Of course he lived by a code as all men do, but his was quite more flexible than most. Not to mention, how was Kat supposed to know of the rules he'd set for himself since they'd spent less than half an hour together and Reiji wasn't offering any useful information about himself up willingly.

"Yes I was sent here specifically for you, mostly as punishment for your crime of exposing us to humans. We had to kill quite a few dozens to reverse your damage." He licked his lips, "Reiji is fine. Lord Santiago. Whichever you prefer.. but nothing else." He warned her, "I am a man of strict rules, and any who break them will suffer... dire consequences. You may ask my sister about what happens to those who fail to play my games properly." He whispered in the sweetest voice he could muster, despite the malice of his words.

"You needn't be so worried. You're suppossed to enjoy yourself after all." Bishop assured his little wench, "The dark haired one over there, that's Reiji. Without the mask he has glasses." explained Bishop in a bored tone, tilting his head to indicate Reiji's position. Quite cute, you're trying to protect her from me.. Dear brother.. Don't you realize I always get what I want? Need I use her to remind you? Though his attention switched to Demetri. He was always fond of the twins, despite his need to repeatedly remind him that he was their elder brother, that he could, and would, take anything he wanted from them whenever he deemed fit.

"What's happened? Are you harmed?" Bishop asked softly, "Mirabelle, I believe we need to keep your pets close to us at all times.." Reiji warned, "Unless we finally agree they're a liability.. then I'd gladly dispose of them for those who haven't the heart." He grinned with excitement.

"I believe this calls for a meeting my dear siblings... bring your pets if you so desire.. but we've got an extermination job to do." He spoke for all his siblings to hear, "As for our vampiric guests, enjoy yourself. Feed at your leisure while we're gone.. but please erase their memories as you're done. Any casualities will be dealt with by the offending party. Do I make myself clear?" He asked his final question with malice, and the guests with vampiric blood spoke not a word. Reiji's name held nearly as much power as Castiel, but for far darker reasons.

With that, Reiji pressed on, dragging Katerina by the wrist keeping mind to grab the one that wasn't injured. His grip wasn't tight, but he wasn't giving her the option of lingering around. He led her into the drawing room, awaiting his siblings and their respective pets to join.

Demetri shook his head, "I'm fine. I think someone is killing our guests.. I haven't found our brothers. I'm certain that it's safe to assume we're under attack. Our home is being attacked by the werewolves. They've finally ventured inside our walls and wish to take what is ours by birthright." He replied in an overly calm voice. His eyes spoke differently however. He was panicking, afraid. Afraid for the lives of his family, for the girl he was growing affectionate for. For everyone he ever held dear.

The red haired male eyed Tanzy and Anise, before speaking lower than they could hear, "They've killed Alice.. and.." His eyes softened as he leaned into his twin, releasing Tanzy's hand for the moment to embrace his brother, "Olivia.. she's...gone. They hung her in the wine cellar." He whispered to his brother, embracing him tightly, attempting to soothe the wild card. Reiji was unpredictable, but he was in control of his actions. When enraged, Bishop acted without thinking. He wasn't losing his family that just became reunited. He'd go to hell and back before he'd allow anyone to get away with harming a single person in the castle again.


”Brother? Did you do that?

I nearly forgot... Mirabelle grew up far from the dangers of these oversized dogs.. He mentally whispered to himself as he overheard Mirabelle and Reiji's conversation. Shaking his head as their sister suspected their estranged brother. He went to reply, but it seemed that Reiji had it covered. "Oh I wish I had.. they smell quite lovely." He gritted his teeth at the elder man's response. I won't allow you to touch a single one of them if I can help it, brother. He held resentment toward Reiji, but far less than Castiel or Angelo did.

He wanted to sink his teeth into his brother, begin a brawl right in the middle of the parlor, but that wasn't Demetri. Demetri enjoyed finer life and etiquette. He wasn't about to start a riot in the middle of a party. The vampire counsel would be infuriated. The family would be properly punished. A punishment from the counsel wasn't something to take lightly. There were always agonizing. Short, but memorable.

"No. Sister, you wound me."

Is it possible to wound that stone heart of yours? Sometimes I wonder if you've got one at all. Demetri softly growled at his thoughts, not realizing his distaste for his brother became vocalized. He clenched his fists, the purest form of rage coursing through his veins. Don't speak of mother and father like that. Even I, a bastard son loved them both deeply.

"Mirabelle, I believe we need to keep your pets close to us at all times.." Reiji warned. At least we can agree on one thing. Demetri thought, releasing his pale fist's grip. Though he rolled his eyes at the following statment, "Unless we finally agree they're a liability.. then I'd gladly dispose of them for those who haven't the heart." Demetri could practically taste the excitement in his brother's tone. You never change do you, Reiji?

"Aye, I do believe it does require a gathering.." Demetri responded loud enough even for the humans to hear, [color=#FF4000]"I enjoy a good wolf hunt as much as the next.." His eyes were dark, vengeful and full of hatred. Demetri was out for blood, and refused to stop until he made every last wolf pay for what they've done. I promised I'd protect her.. I promised I wouldn't let anything happen.. I failed her.. Guilt for failing Alice was beginning to sink in. It was taking it's toll on his judgement.

"No one inform Anise or the other girls of Alice's death.. It'd crush the shy one for sure. We can't worry our little doves now can we dearies?" He chucked in a depressed tone only in a vampire's line of hearing, trying to keep his sense of humor even in the thickest of issues. He gave Tanzy an apologetic smile before leading her along. He couldn't dare look at Anise, she resembled Alice far too much. Far more than he resembled his own twin brother. At least he's showing some signs of responsibility as acting head of house in Castiel's place.. Demetri thought in a mental grumble.

"We should have a meeting as Reiji suggested.. Come brother." He gave Bishop a weak smile, not expecting much. He'd just informed him of Olivia's death after all. He wasn't looking for much from his twin at the moment, "We've got to protect those that remain.."

As he brought her along, Demetri smiled weakly, "I've a secret Tanzy... The other girls are dead... and we can't find Castiel.. so in the meantime you're under my protection and Mirabelle's.. You cannot tell Anise.. " He replied in a sad tone, gently squeezing her hand and leading her along to the drawing room, "Keep everything you've heard from Katerina and Anise. I don't wish for anyone to be alarmed.. and it's not our place to inform her. Leave that to Bishop." He grinned, "She's not ours. She's got no one now.. losing a twin is the worst sort of pain I could ever imagine.."

As they entered, Demetri smiled to Katerina, "A promise is a promise... I told you I'd be back, love." He approached her giving her a tight hug, "He didn't do anything to hurt you did he? Anything unwanted?"

He doesn't seem to appreciate her humor.. What does she mean attached..? I highly doubt Bishop is attached to someone like me.. I always catch him eyeing Olivia when she's around.. He fancies her and I fancy Derrick.. Anise reassured herself. The thought of someone like Bishop caring about her was entirely unfathomable. She blushed a bit, inwardly glaring at Mirabelle. I can't help he wishes to be called Master. It's not my choice of words.. She turned her gaze away, for respect's sake. She was growing quite irritated with today's festivities. She gripped the locket around her neck, smiling to herself. I can do this.. we can do this.

Werewolves..? She thought curiously, wondering what 'be careful' meant. Would they put a stop to them? Were werewolves as manlike as vampires? She felt her head swirl around the topic of the supernatural, wondering just how many mythical creatures were far more than just that, a myth. Mirabelle seemed to grow distracted and Anise took the moment to stick her tongue out as she turned her head. Mother isn't getting paid for me to listen to you. She thought in a pouting sort of manner, perhaps due to her quick ingestion of alcohol. She was behaving rather recklessly compared to her typical self, but not entirely out of character. Shee was still soft spoken, still quiet and relatively polite.

"Goodbye Mi'lady." Anise bowed, hands holding her dress out to aid making the movement easier. She rose shorly after, looking up to Bishop once more, "Why does your sister think you're attached to me.. Master Bishop?" She asked loud enough to be heard. She awaited his answer, not apologizing, not even second guessing her question. Just a look of utter curiosity shown upon her face.

His attention seemed to return to her shortly after his sister's departure, a weary smile greeting his own. She took a drink from her new glass, the previous one already taking it's effects. She nodded, "It's.. I'll try.." she replied with embarrassed soft laughter, caressing the back of her neck with a gloved hand, "I've never been to a party before.." She replied, nodding once more as he pointed out Reiji. She raised an eyebrow, noticing that he held no traits of his other siblings. Maybe he was just an oddball..? She didn't linger on Reiji though, her eyes returning to Bishop, "I'll steer clear." She assured him, taking another sip, "You don't seem to be enjoying yourself sir.. i-if you'd like we could-" However she was quickly cut off from her embarrassing proposal. I can't believe I was about to ask Bishop to dance...

Demetri saved the day as he approached the two of them, Tanzy in tow. His hands were covered in blood, the unmistakable red wasn't a shade she'd ever forget. Her mother introduced it to Anise, burnt it into her brain forever. She had a scar to carry with her to the grave. Someone was hurt... or worse. She felt a knot in her throat and as she noticed her own twin's absence had been far too long, she grew antsy. Alice.. Where are you? Here eyes darted around nervously, searching for her twin, mentally begging anyone who'd listen, praying her sister was alright.

Demetri didn't look harmed, but she understood Bishop's concern. She stood quietly, still scanning the room for her own twin. She was growing more terrified every second she couldn't find Alice. She was growing dizzy, panicking. Alice.. please tell me you're alright.. please tell me you didn't anger anyone..

She noticed Tanzy's look of fear and confusion. She smiled weakly, trying to hide the fact she was terrified as well, though she was certain that to the vampire's her heart was racing a thousand miles a minute. At the moment Anise felt like she was alone. In the crowded room, Anise felt like no one else was around. She felt so helpless and hopeless. Alice was always her strength, and she needed her now. She needed to see her sister was alive. Demetri had blood on his hands. Someone else's.

"Who's blood is that..?" She asked, looking to his shoes, "Who is hurt..?" she asked, asking no one in particular. She didn't care as long as she got answers. Demetri ignored her however, speaking about some sort of meeting. Then werewolves again. Did werewolves kill someone? Who? She could feel pain in her chest as she grew more and more anxious. She was at the verge of an anxiety attack.

Bishop and Tanzy left them and she turned to Bishop desperately, "Who's hurt? Can you tell? Is Alice okay?" Her breath was hitching, body shaking. She placed her glass down, giving Bishop a pleading look, "I can't leave without my sister. I-I have to find her!" she was on the verge of tears, though she was trying to be strong. She was falling apart, barely holding the pieces together. She turned to walk away to find Alice, seeing as she couldn't hear Reiji's warning to split up.

"I'm sorry but I can't abandon her. I must do this." She whispered, "Alice!" She called out desparately, though it wasn't exceptionally loud in the crowd.

Belle. Now that was a name she hadn’t heard in a long time – the nickname that only Reiji called her. Everyone else simply called her Mira, or Mirabelle when she was in trouble. The female vampire eagerly returned his hug, giving his slender frame an extra tight squeeze before he released her. It was only then her relaxed, subdued expression turned curious, finding out that Cassie had banished their brother. Why would he do that? Family was everything to him.

Mirabelle eyed her brother. They may not have been blood, but Reiji was still her family, and she loved him like she loved every one of them. Had any of them known her past, they may not look at her the same, and she was one to give not only second chances, but hundreds. Mirabelle tended to be more forgiving than anyone should be.

Instead of asking questions that were meant for later, she simply looked back to Katerina, watching the way Reiji was with her. He didn’t seem to act much different around her than he did Kat. His touches were bored, and words empty. It was only when she was lucky that she would get a taste of love from her brother – just as she did moments before. Even if Reiji did put of a front, the hug was more than just her amusement. Mirabelle may have been famous for all the hugs she loved to give and receive, but she could always tell the difference between hugs of family affection and ones just for show.

With a soft sigh at her brother’s words, she shrugged her bare shoulders gracefully, folding her hands in the folds of her deep red dress. ”I’m afraid it may be too late for mine. Poor soul must have been attracted to the wolves. I told him to leave a body there, but I bet he stayed. What a shame that I never did get to taste him.”

---

Katerina nodded lightly when he gave her the rules, giving him a light smile to know that he wouldn’t have to worry about her. When he moved to touch her hair, his cold fingers made her close her eyes, but she neither accepted or denied his touch. Her body grew eerily still when he said they had to kill dozens of other people because of her. She could feel her heart stop beating in her chest, as her breath burned her throat, tears threatening to sting her eyes. She didn’t move, she didn’t breathe.

Such innocent people. And it’s my fault.

The sudden yank on her arm made her walk forward. She didn't fight against him, or try to wretch her arm free. She simply followed him, still in shock of all the harm and pain she caused, all for selfish reasons.

---

It was then that Mirabelle finally registered Demetri’s words. Had she been in the conversation and not ease dropping, she may have reacted differently, but all she did was sigh. Sure, Mirabelle was sad that young lives were lost for no other reasons than blood lust, but the female didn’t know the other women of the house. She barely knew their names and who they belonged to, but she had no attachment to them. Even the loss of Shuu, who had been hers, wasn’t enough to evoke a deep sadness within her. Maybe it was just because she was getting her family back – that was most important to her. She looked over Anise with sad eyes – she knew what it was like to lose family. She knew what it was like to lose her entire family, but it was done now and there was nothing else either of them could do. Only some were lucky enough to be brought back from the dead.

Mirabelle was no innocent when it came to these matters, and the fact that two of her brothers were missing made her uneasy. Had they been like Demetri and enjoyed festivities such as this and had been missing, she may have been more worried. She shifted her weight between her feet, the heels she had been wearing making her feet begin to ache. A meeting. Just what we need. We can get everyone together and accounted for. Oh Cassie, where are you?

---

Katerina’s entire form tensed when she felt Demetri’s arms around her. She bit harshly on the inside of her lip and hugged him back, using everything in her power to keep it together. Her face fell against his shoulder and she clung onto him for a little longer than she should have, before she pulled away to face him. ”I’ll be alright.” She said, reaching her hand up to smooth away the worry lines from his lips. ”What is it that bothers you? She asked, pulling at the strings of her mask so that it would fall away from her face, looking over him. Her warm touch grabbed at his arm, pulling his hand from behind her, turning it over to see his palm.

Had he not been so worried, she would have thought that he would have been feeding. ”I know we are supposed to be staying the others, but let me clean you up first… Otherwise you’ll frighten them.

"We should have a meeting as Reiji suggested.. Come brother. We've got to protect those that remain.."

Fine words coming from a man who has no idea what we're up against, where they are, who they are, what they want, or whom they've already claimed as victims.. Reiji sighed, replacing his mask with his iconic pair of glasses, adjusting them on his nose with his middle and index fingers. He sighed, realizing his brothers were merely acting out of remorse and compassion, but it wasn't the time to mourn servants. Mirabelle was at least close to his level on the matter. She seemed to understand a calm mind was needed for the tasks to come.

"I've a secret Tanzy... The other girls are dead... and we can't find Castiel.. so in the meantime you're under my protection and Mirabelle's.. You cannot tell Anise.. "

How cute, sharing secrets with the humans to make them feel special, aren't we the gentleman Demetri. He thought to himself in cruel amusement. Most vampires overheard by accident, but Reiji tapped into his brother's conversations for his own gain. He enjoyed mocking their weaknesses. He enjoyed tormenting them to no end. It made his existence slightly easier to accept.

When Demetri and a pink haired girl entered the room, Reiji quirked a curious brow, bowing politely before approaching, kneeling before her. After a second he gazed up with crimson eyes, a smirk across his thin lips as he took her hand into his own gently before kissing her hand, his soft lips barely grazing the skin, "I believe we've yet to make acquaintance.. I'm Reiji Santiago, the other brother and acting head of house until we locate Castiel or Angelo.."

"A promise is a promise... I told you I'd be back, love." He approached her giving her a tight hug, "He didn't do anything to hurt you did he? Anything unwanted?"

He stood shortly after introducing himself to Tanzy, glancing over his shoulder, "Do you really think so low of me, brother?" He asked in a feigned wounded tone. Though he dropped it immediately. He smirked to Demetri and Katerina, quirking an eyebrow, "Taking a interest in her?" He inquired, obviously finding entertainment in his brother's blossoming relationship with Katerina. Then he ushered them off, "Demetri will hear the announcement in the next room, go ahead and wash him up. He can relay the message to you I suppose." He replied, his hand gesture shooing his maid absentmindedly. He wasn't really interested in their romance aside from the irony that she was his, not Demetri's to claim. He'd have fun playing with their connection after everyone was safe.

"She is right you know. You might frighten poor Anise.. go wash up Demetri. It's an order as acting head of the house.." He smirked to his baby brother, "I'm sure you have no complaints.."

He waited for Mirabelle and Bishop to enter the room before continuing, seeing as Bishop seemed to be having a bit of trouble with his own wench. She's cute, but she's starting to get annoying, Bishop.. Why aren't you ripping her apart? He questioned slightly irritated in his mind. You were always more like me.. Are you honestly falling for humans these days? He rubbed his temples, beginning his business and game plan once everyone was inside.

"Since we do not know who is threatening our home, or what they want we're going to have to play things safe. We're all well aware that we've lost two, and possibly a third human life tonight. Although I have no regard for the help, my brothers have taken a liking to you...so I propose a strategy of our own.." He informed the group, taking a pause for it to sink in thus far, "Everyone sticks to a buddy. One vampire to each human. You are never to part, no matter what. I am going to look for Angelo... Then Castiel.. Bishop, you'll be leading tonight's dinner party. I may be acting head of house, but during my absence you are the next in line.. and I cannot lead the festivities and search for our brothers."

He finally opened his eyes after he spoke, "Also. Everyone keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. Humans and Vampires. We all live here, it's our home and anyone who values their life will take part in protecting it tonight... Is that clear? Any questions or input to add on to this plan?"

Anise lost herself in the pandemonium of the current events, she was dizzy, sickened, and terror stricken. She couldn't see her sister anywhere, hadn't heard from her since they arrived at the ball. How am I supposed to have fun without Alice?! She's all I've got left.. If I lose her.. She was near tears as she looked through the crowd, but she felt a sudden yank at her wrist, it helped her submerge from the madness, but only enough to breathe, something she'd been neglecting to do in her panic. She wanted to fight it, attempted, but realized it was Bishop whom reclaimed her. She was about to plead with him, beg for him to allow her to find her sister, but his eyes, his tone, his hardhearted words, it all confirmed her horrible gut feeling. Alice is..Alice is..dead.. Her fighting ceased to exist as the realization became solid in her consciousness. I'm all alone.. She could see where she was going, where Bishop was leading her, even felt the movement, but honestly she felt like she wasn't a part of the picture anymore. None of it felt real. She didn't want it to be. She couldn't accept she was alone in this world.

Alice.. why'd you leave me? It's all my fault.. I told her if she found a way out we'd leave.. we'd be happy together.. she went off on her own because of me. She found her body trembling involuntarily. She didn't speak the entire way to the drawing room, she didn't have anything to say. She was already in tears. They finally fell from her tear ducts at the confirmation. Had it not been for Bishop's hold, she'd of collapsed in despair already.

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Demetri smiled a bit as she indulged in his comfort, allowing himself to enjoy hers for the moment as well. It was longer than a casual hug, but how he wished it lasted longer. Bishop and Katerina were the only things keeping him together at the moment and he nodded happily as she voiced that she wasn't harmed, "That's good. I'm glad you're okay." He closed his eyes at her reassuring touch, letting out a silent breath through his nose. A woman's touch was comforting, but this was something a bit more than just that, "I made a promise to protect one of them and I failed her." He whispered aloud, "I didn't think.. maybe that was the problem, I wasn't thinking about our unknown guests.. It was foolish..." He was speaking half to her and half scolding himself. Had she not grabbed his arm, he most certainly would have found himself pacing across the room, "Do you really think so low of me, brother?" Reiji asked him in his narcissistic tone as always, mocking him any chance he got, "Of course I do, brother."

”I know we are supposed to be staying the others, but let me clean you up first… Otherwise you’ll frighten them."

"I.. I'm not sure if we've the time for that.." He began to protest, worrying about saving lives rather than his appearance as a brooding and dangerous villain, "She is right you know. You might frighten poor Anise.. go wash up Demetri. It's an order as acting head of the house.." He smirked to his baby brother, "I'm sure you have no complaints.." but after Reiji and Katerina both insisted, Demetri found himself caving in. "I can't say I do.." He glared to his bossy elder brother. Before it started further conflict, he strode off into the next room, ushering for Katerina to follow him. He would have been more gentlemanly about it, but he was still in shock, far too upset for formalities. He'd seen his brother and his own favorite maids slaughtered like animals.

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"Since we do not know who is threatening our home, or what they want we're going to have to play things safe. We're all well aware that we've lost two, and possibly a third human life tonight. Although I have no regard for the help, my brothers have taken a liking to you...so I propose a strategy of our own.."

She heard the words, obviously from Reiji, seeing as she didn't recognize the voice. Castiel's missing too..? She feel herself floating away at sea figuratively, mostly everything she ever believed in. It felt like she had no control of her body, like she wasn't even inside it anymore. The events felt so distant.. everyone seemed so calm and uncaring.

"And why should I be the one to lead the festivities? Surely as head you should do so while Demetri and I look for Angelo and Castiel? We are perfectly capable of eradicating scum if we see it, brother."

"Perhaps he's right.. I mean.. both of you, in part" She voiced out cynically about Bishop and Reiji to the group. They weren't in the wrong for wanting to wander their home and destroy the threat. Her voice was serious, without a stutter. She was certain with her opinion. What did she have to lose if they were angry with her? She'd already lost everything she held dear, the tears clining to her eyelashes were proof. In her defense aside from the ones she refused, the tears begging Anise to let them fall down her pale cheeks, she was composed again for the most part.

"Perhaps.. we're simply a liability." She referred to herself, Tanzy, and Katerina, "Without us.. you could be searching for your brothers. There wouldn't be a need for this. No one should be denied their revenge if they can grasp it."

She realized Bishop was still enforcing his firm grip, but she looked around the room to assess everyone's expressions, "We all know how this ends. Family comes first to practically anyone.. and what better way to destroy a family than to make them choose between humanity and loyalty?" she replied bitterly, "Alice and Oliva were pawns. To draw out Castiel and Angelo.. we're pawns to distract you from saving them... My father was in the military. Alice may have been more informed, but I'm not a complete imbecile when it comes to tactics.." her voice was void of hope, along with her eyes. Her purple orbs were desolate, she wasn't joking. She practically agreed it was more realistic to allow the maids to die, mostly because it was the move she'd of made for Alice if the roles were reversed.

"They're going to make you choose between us and the longer you take, the less likely you'll be to find your brothers alive.. Every second is precious in war."

Even though it took some persuasion from not only her, but his brother as well, she finally got him into one of the bathing rooms. From there, she walked inside as she motioned for him to sit down and picked up a pot that had been sitting on embers, enough to heat the water, but not enough for it to boil and evaporate. She poured some into a large bowl, replaced what she took with cool water and set it back so that more water could warm. Katerina then took the bowl over to him, sitting down in front of it and setting the large bowl in her lap, lifting her knees to balance it. Reaching forward, she grasped his hands in hers and submerged them, rubbing her thumbs against his skin in attempts to clean him.

After a long moment, she finally looked up at him. ”It’s not your fault. Sometimes promises are meant to be broken. She said softly and gave his hand a firm squeeze. She finally reached out for a cloth and went back to gently scrubbing his skin, trying to get the stains off without making him sore. ”Mirabelle just kept telling me to do as I was told. Not because she wanted to overpower me or put me in my place, but because she was looking out for my safety. From what she and I gathered the few days we were here, Alice didn’t seem like she was one to follow rules. Perhaps she stepped on someone’s toes. You can’t help someone to won’t help themselves, and promising to do so almost always ends in disappointment. Kat seemed as if she was talking from experience, but didn’t say anything else on the matter, unless Demetri wanted to continue. She didn’t want to lecture him, but soothe him. She hoped that he found some sort of comfort in her words.

The female got up to replace some of the water for clean water and went back at it, finally getting him to be presentable – until the blood she saw on his clothes. There was nothing to do about that anymore – and there was probably no way to save them. Even if they were in the middle of a crisis, Kat knew it was important to look crisp and put together. It was finally then when she said what had been on her mind.

”Don’t let them make me a distraction. If I die tonight, then fate finally caught up to me. Don’t make my mistake – make sure you put your family first."

"You are a liability, though whether or not my brother's could commit to sacrificing you lot worries me. If we're going to do it, No one can change their mind afterwards." He replied, pinching at his temples irritatedly, "If we cannot agree we can't even fathom that course of action. It would lead to utter chaos." He chuckled. I care about my siblings too much to allow them to lay their life on the line for a mere human.. If we must keep the pets, it can't be helped. Though the fact they'd grown attached to the vermin was rather infuriating in his honest opinion, not to mention disgusting.

"We all know how this ends. Family comes first to practically anyone.. and what better way to destroy a family than to make them choose between humanity and loyalty? They're going to make you choose between us and the longer you take, the less likely you'll be to find your brothers alive.. Every second is precious in war."

"Well aren't you rather smart for an inferior being.." Reiji examined Anise, smirking to himself. He noticed she seemed rather torn up, bringing him to the conclusion that she was one of the twins, the one who survived the attack. He didn't want to imagine her pain, so he returned his eyes to his siblings, ignoring the girl for his own well being, "She has a point, though I doubt any of you have the nerve to sacrifice your new toys." He hissed under his breath, "So what do you suggest?"

"If you think I'm going to just sit on my ass and be chaperone at a party- -where at least half of the people there I could care less for, while flea bitten, filthy, honorless mutts run around and slaughter our family and the work and try to take over our home, then you are as foolish as those motherless dogs are, brother."

"Alright, then we ignore our guests.. I'm not a people person, I'd rip half the room in half within thirty minutes. I don't want a human's repulsive gaze upon me a moment longer than I have to. These wolves are far worse, I'd rather we dispose of them quickly." Then he glared at Bishop, a warning look toward the younger male, "Albeit I realize it's childish to fight at such a moment.. but the next time you refer to me as foolish, indirect or otherwise, I'll be forced to remind you that I'm older and therefore much stronger than you, little brother." It had obviously hit a nerve that Bishop referred to him as foolish, and his eyes were glowing in a neon fashion, the only indication of his growing fury, "I nearly rivaled Angelo if you recall." The last words were hissed, before Reiji returned to the more stressing matter, straightening out his suit like a bird smoothing it's feathers.

"Divide and conquer… We know there are wolves here – one pack. Which means that they are strong together, but without the full moon in the sky, they aren’t as strong as they need to be – to take us on as a whole. They’re waiting until that moon is risen. They’re dwindling us down so that when it’s time to strike, we’re easy prey. This may be our home, but the best thing that we may be able to do is retreat.”

"I agree Belle, the best thing we could do is to flee our home, but men are prideful creatures. Human or otherwise.. Even as Vampires we feel the need to stand our ground and fight for what is ours.. regardless of how barbarically and injustly our ancestors claimed it.. This is our home. The only place we have ever truly felt comfortable enough to call home.. We cannot abandon it without a fight." He sighed, accepting that even he found a bitter taste in his mouth at the mere thought of retreating.

”Don’t let them make me a distraction. If I die tonight, then fate finally caught up to me. Don’t make my mistake – make sure you put your family first."

It seems the help at least understand the severity of this situation. Reiji thought, pouring himself a glass of scotch before looking to his brother Demetri, "She's right you know.. Casualties are likely tonight if we decide to stay and see this battle through.. We can't be ignorant enough to believe we're all making it out of here alive. Say your piece because tonight will definitely be some of our last."

”Or Kat. We all know that Deme likes her, it was obvious when they were dancing together. Who else would have seen that? What if get Kat ‘alone’ and see who follows her. Who’s waiting. Then we beat them at their own game. Cas and Angelo are gone. We all know this was probably the last place they wanted to be. That means that this pack knows your patterns. Don’t rule out anyone that you know. Isn’t there a saying that has something to do with keeping your enemies closer than your friends?”


"There's a plan. Let's send her out and see how things play out. She's obviously willing and we cannot rule anyone out easily. As long as we're a step ahead, then the enemy won't realize what hit them. We'll execute the plan in ten minutes. Everyone get your mushy feelings out on the table. Anything you want to say because this is war and there is always blood spilt on either side. Remember.. A werewolf bite is fatal to Vampires.. even a scratch could make one fall ill for a few weeks.. Humans could be turned if bitten as well, so everyone needs to be on their guard.."

Then he walked over to Tanzy, placing a silver knife into her hands, "Hide this in your dress. If something attacks you, do not hesitate to stab them. Wolves have a fatal reaction to silver." Then he handed a second to Katerina, hoping she'd take the same advice.

"Look after mine, she is in need of comfort." he instructed, turning back to face his family.

"Everyone arm yourselves with as much silver as possible. We can't use our fangs in this battle." Reiji warned everyone. He knew a lot about werewolves, even dated one at a point in his life. Their blood and their bite was fatal for a vampire. He was more than a little bit nervous, but his expression was blank, forever resting in a calm exterior. He finally took a drink from his scotch, downing the contents in one swift drink.

He kept his gaze low as Katerina spoke to him, his lips quivering as he thought of Alice, every fiber of his being wished to storm out and rip those mutts apart for the torture they put her through. The rips in her body, their mangled corpse.. everything about it pointed to a slow, agonizing death. They toyed with her, enjoyed her suffering, and for that, he was determined to make them pay. For every scream they brought from Alice, they'd scream ten times more. For every tear that came to her face, they'd cry oceans. For every moment of pain they caused they'd suffer longer. If I cannot do this for her, what kind of man am I? He smiled a bit up to the girl, thankful to have a soothing voice at a time like this, his angry emerald eyes peering up at her, "Thanks for cleaning me up, deary." He laughed exhaustedly, "I suppose you've got a point.. but I've never broken a promise before." He added, feeling the anguish overcome him, "It's not in me to fail." He wasn't really lying. Demetri never failed at anything he did, though possibly due to the fact he never attempted anything he thought he wasn't able to accomplish.

”Don’t let them make me a distraction. If I die tonight, then fate finally caught up to me. Don’t make my mistake – make sure you put your family first."

The words cut into him like a thousand knives, but he gave her a weak smile, "If that's what you wish.. I will not let you become a distraction, but I'm not throwing you out to the dogs either.." He replied, stroking her hair and standing before her. He cupped her chin in his hand, smiling at her apologetically, "I'm truly sorry for this..." He whispered under his breath as he stared down at her, "But.. you know, for a depressed man to return to his feet, the thing he needs most is a kiss from a cute girl..." And without any further warning, he leaned in and gently met Katerina's lips with his own. The kiss was simple, gentle and sweet, but definitely something Demetri had to get out of his system. He only allowed it to last a few seconds, withdrawing and returning to the drawing room with the rest of his siblings, leaving her to compose herself before returning as well.

"Perhaps.. we're simply a liability. Without us.. you could be searching for your brothers. There wouldn't be a need for this. No one should be denied their revenge if they can grasp it."

"You are a liability, though whether or not my brother's could commit to sacrificing you lot worries me. If we're going to do it, No one can change their mind afterwards."

Demetri's eyes widened as Anise mentioned the maids were simply a burden on their effort toward protecting their home. Although it meant the task would be reasonably more complex, Demetri didn't exactly consider them to be a nuisance. He enjoyed their company and after all this time they were like family to him.. Some even closer than family. His eyes darted to Katerina for a moment, smiling weakly to himself. He was beginning to feel more towards her than he was comfortable with. I cannot develop these feelings for her at a time like this.. it's too risky.. He tried to tell himself, though he knew better than anyone that the heart played by it's own rules.

"If we cannot agree we can't even fathom that course of action. It would lead to utter chaos."

"Well we cannot agree." Demetri chimed in, smirking happily to himself, feeling much better after his little chat with Katerina, "I for one will not kill any of these girls for the sake of my own life." He responded flatly, leaving no doubt in his tone. He was serious for once, although his voice contradicted the moment, "We'll just have to be careful as we fight and protect them."

"We all know how this ends. Family comes first to practically anyone.. and what better way to destroy a family than to make them choose between humanity and loyalty? They're going to make you choose between us and the longer you take, the less likely you'll be to find your brothers alive.. Every second is precious in war."

"Well aren't you rather smart for an inferior being.. She has a point, though I doubt any of you have the nerve to sacrifice your new toys. So what do you suggest?"

"No, I'm not ready to surrender these precious little doves, so we're just going to have to play by a new set of rules, dearies." He added to the conversation, unwilling to accept slaughtering innocent girls for their own sake. He caressed Katerina's hair softly, kissing her on the top of her head, " I suggest bait." He added, but didn't get to lay out his plan due to Bishop's angry interruption.

"If you think I'm going to just sit on my ass and be chaperone at a party- -where at least half of the people there I could care less for, while flea bitten, filthy, honorless mutts run around and slaughter our family and the work and try to take over our home, then you are as foolish as those motherless dogs are, brother."

Demetri's eyes softened, biting on his bottom lip, "We all understand your reasoning Bishop, but you've got to calm down. They want our anger to blind us, for us to make mistakes. We've got to go at this with a level head or we stand no chance in hell at a victory tonight." He calmly cooed to his brother, "Get what I'm saying, Deary?" He gave his warmest smile, messing up his hair awkwardly. Demetri didn't like to get in this situation often, but he'd play the role of peacemaker if it kept his brother alive.

"She's right you know.. Casualties are likely tonight if we decide to stay and see this battle through.. We can't be ignorant enough to believe we're all making it out of here alive. Say your piece because tonight will definitely be some of our last."

Demetri nodded, closing his eyes, "Be a dear and pour me a glass of that, brother." He replied to Reiji ushering toward the scotch, then he opened his eyes, staring into the other man's, tension obvious between the two. Neither spoke for a moment, until Demetri chose to break their mutual silence, "Of course I understand.. I've fought in a few myself." He replied, eyes widening at Mirabelle's suggestion.

”Or Kat. We all know that Deme likes her, it was obvious when they were dancing together. Who else would have seen that? What if get Kat ‘alone’ and see who follows her. Who’s waiting. Then we beat them at their own game. Cas and Angelo are gone. We all know this was probably the last place they wanted to be. That means that this pack knows your patterns. Don’t rule out anyone that you know. Isn’t there a saying that has something to do with keeping your enemies closer than your friends?”

"Sister, are you mad? When I mentioned a distraction I meant someone more durable like ourselves. Humans cannot fend for themselves against the supernatural, not untrained humans at the very least!" He could barely believe the words coming from his sibling's mouths. It was like the entire room aside from himself and Bishop had lost their minds. He was left speechless as he watched Reiji arm Tanzy and Katerina as she entered the room, and as he explained the risks of an injury sustained by a werewolf. I cannot believe we are even considering this madness.. At least he didn't give Anise a weapon.. She'd likely turn the blade on herself in this state..

"Hide this in your dress. If something attacks you, do not hesitate to stab them. Wolves have a fatal reaction to silver. Everyone arm yourselves with as much silver as possible. We can't use our fangs in this battle."

Demetri sighed to himself, "If we must do this... can we at least be as careful as possible? We don't need further casualties.." He retorted in an irritated tone. It was obvious that being ignored was getting to him, but he finally caved to the plain of using Katerina. He then approached Tanzy, leaning down and whispering in her ear, "Avoid provoking Reiji.. He's far more temperamental than Castiel and Bishop combined. Even the slightest argument could be your last if he has no use for you."

Anise swallowed as she felt Bishop's grip strangling her arm as he clenched his hand around it. Normally she'd of cried out, tried to free herself from the pain, but she took it with as much grace as she could manage. Her eyes flinching and her uncomfortable shifting the only indication that she was in pain. She knew she angered him, but her mind was solely on Alice. She wanted the monsters that killed her twin to suffer, regardless of the price. If her dying made it possible, she'd gladly lay her life on the line for her revenge to become tangible.

"Castiel and Angelo are missing.. Castiel always handles any form of insolence swiftly and degradingly.. If he wasn't in trouble don't you think we'd of least have seen him by now!?" She snapped, not particularly at Bishop alone, but more to all the siblings. Then she blinked afterwards, bringing her fingers to her lips. She was baffled. She didn't realize she'd studied Castiel's patterns so painstakingly. It was then that she was starting to understand. She had a crush on Castiel. Despite his cruelty toward her sister, despite the fear he instilled in her, she had feelings for him. A crush was the only reason she could provide herself with. Why else would she have noticed so much about a man she was rarely around?

"I wasn't calling you weak, any of you.. I'm just saying that they're going to attack your weaknesses. Love. Vengeance. Forgiveness. Loyalty... Anything you're scared of, anything you hold dear.. you can bet will be used against you... That's what I was saying." She mumbled, being a bit more open, though considering her situation, shyness wasn't in her current priorities. The sensor on Anise's mouth was malfunctioning at the moment, everything she was thinking coming out crystal clear for the first time since she arrived, possibly even the first time ever..

Though when she was pushed, Anise looked to Tanzy, smiling weakly at the other girl, looking to her wrist, "You've got blood on your arm.. are you alright..?" She asked worried, tilting her head and reaching for the pink haired girl's arm to examine it. She didn't realize it was the blood Demetri's hand once was coated in.

Then Reiji complimented her, sort of.. Well not really. He seemed to agree with her, bringing a smile to her face. She couldn't help but be a little delighted that at least one person wasn't insulting her and fundamentally calling her a moron. Though it kind of irritated her that he referred to them as 'toys' and 'pets' all the time. Just where are humans on the list of importance to this family? Are we before or after dogs and cats? She thought infuriated. The only person whose blood ran cold that seemed to care about Alice's untimely demise seemed to be Demetri. Though she felt wrathful toward him, considering he'd vowed to protect her sister with his life. Why aren't you dead as well then!? Coward.. Her eyes were clouded with loathing and pain, but she was too restless to even consider calming down, too heartbroken to allow it. Accepting Alice's death felt like the worst sort of betrayal.

If you don't like the people at the party, why were you telling me to have a good time? She thought with a challenging brow. Though she decided it was best to stick with silence at this point, she'd angered her master enough and she wasn't feeling like causing more conflict, especially if they could kill the person who murdered her sister. The less she distracted them the better... right? Werewolves killed her sister, but for what purpose?

"If you think I'm going to just sit on my ass and be chaperone at a party- -where at least half of the people there I could care less for, while flea bitten, filthy, honorless mutts run around and slaughter our family and the work and try to take over our home, then you are as foolish as those motherless dogs are, brother."

"We all understand your reasoning Bishop, but you've got to calm down. They want our anger to blind us, for us to make mistakes. We've got to go at this with a level head or we stand no chance in hell at a victory tonight."

Well we're all angry, scared, and confused. They've got what they wanted, that much is certain.. She thought to herself as Demetri voiced his concerns to soothe his volcanic brother. She didn't want Tanzy to comfort her. She didn't want comfort. How could she relax knowing she was alone in the world? No one could ever replace the hole Alice left in her life. No one could understand the pain of losing a twin, none of them at least..

"She's right you know.. Casualties are likely tonight if we decide to stay and see this battle through.. We can't be ignorant enough to believe we're all making it out of here alive. Say your piece because tonight will definitely be some of our last."

"So we say whatever we want everyone to know in case we die tonight..?" she asked, unsure of this tradition, but going along with it anyhow, "I'm happy to have served at Castillo de la Muerte... It's been far more pleasant than home aside from.." She grew silent as she thought about Alice, eyes glued to the marble floor. She wasn't ready to come to terms with it yet, it was honestly ripping her apart inside. She wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to say it.

"Be a dear and pour me a glass of that, brother. Of course I understand.. I've fought in a few myself."

Demetri only drinks wine.. Anise thought to herself more than a little shocked by his choice of beverage. She decided against saying something, craving a drink herself after the news she'd received, though she doubted she'd be allowed alcohol in her mental state. They'd definitely forbid it.

”Or we stick the girls out there for bait. Anise doesn’t seem like she’d mind.” Mirabelle’s words may have been a little more cruel than she intended, but she had no attachment to anyone in the room except for her family.

Anise blinked a bit at Katerina's words, as a second came to terms with her idea. She didn't mind actually, but she knew that Bishop and Demetri were too fond of their service to allow them a quick death, an escape from their servitude. She merely nodded in her agreement, careful not to feed the fire. She'd crossed Bishop enough already. Anymore and he'd surely do something reckless.

”Or Kat. We all know that Deme likes her, it was obvious when they were dancing together. Who else would have seen that? What if get Kat ‘alone’ and see who follows her. Who’s waiting. Then we beat them at their own game. Cas and Angelo are gone. We all know this was probably the last place they wanted to be. That means that this pack knows your patterns. Don’t rule out anyone that you know. Isn’t there a saying that has something to do with keeping your enemies closer than your friends?”

Her second plan seemed logical in her mind as well, but Demetri had obvious arguments toward the idea. He was affectionate for the girl, he found the bodies... there was no way he'd want Kat to waltz into the fire on her own. Though it didn't seem like he had much of a choice what with everyone beginning to agree on that course of action. These people are cruel... It makes you wonder if they're even people anymore.. The only one who seems to hold a shred of humanity is Demetri..and Castiel.. but something tells me Castiel is in grave danger... She was growing antsy worrying about the blonde, shifting where she stood. Why aren't we doing something already..?

"Hide this in your dress. If something attacks you, do not hesitate to stab them. Wolves have a fatal reaction to silver. Everyone arm yourselves with as much silver as possible. We can't use our fangs in this battle."

"If we must do this... can we at least be as careful as possible? We don't need further casualties.."

She wasn't given a weapon, which only brought a weak smile to her face. Great. They don't trust me. I'm seen as a threat to myself.. As much as I'd love to die and join Alice.. I doubt I have it in me to kill myself.. She scoffed, but in the back of her mind the idea wasn't as far fetched as she led herself to believe. She'd at least attempt it if it got so bad.. Keeping her unarmed was for the best in the end.

Though Bishop hit a nerve as he turned towards Tanzy, indicating to Anise, "Look after mine, she is in need of comfort." he advised the rose haired girl, turning back to face the other Santiago siblings.

"I don't need it. Focus on what you'll have to do soon. They're still people in the end. Ending a life is far worse on the soul than grieving over one is if you're ill prepared for it.. " She retreated to a couch, letting her hair down and leaning her head on the arm of the chair, staring off into space. Alice..

Tanzy's world was spinning around her, the realization that the estate was under some form of attack, two dead maids already. Missing Castiel and Angelo. The vampires discussing how to proceed. Her heart hammered in her chest as they considered fleeing versus fighting, and what to do about her and the other maids. Bait, the sister wanted them to be bait.

Even more surprising to the young woman was the stark change in Anise, her painfully calm demeanor. Her matter of fact, depressing words. Her rationalizing that all of the maids were simply baggage complicating things. But even so, Tanzy didn't think they were any less entitled to life. And thinking of Anise giving up and resigning herself to more pain and suffering was almost heartbreaking, the older female feeling a sick twisting of nerves in her gut. She held Anise as Bishop practically tossed the dark haired girl at her. She would have continued, but Anise seemed determined to not let anyone baby her. Admirable, but Tanzy wanted to be of comfort. Instead she was asking if Tanzy was alright. Tanzy nodded mutely as she watched Anise in concern and then surprise. The poor girl just lost her sister, and yet she was logical, to the point, and painfully composed. Tanzy couldn't imagine maintaining such calm, however bitter, should something happen to her family.

Her family. That's right, Anise was like a sister to her. And the maids here had become her second family, just as important as her own siblings and parents. They were in danger, and Tanzy ran down a flood of 'what-if's' in her mind. What if this was avoidable, what if she had led the girls out after getting ready?

The newest Santiago suddenly interrupted the rushing torrent of thoughts, placing a silver knife into her hands, the weight registering and confirming this nightmare was real. Too real. She was speechless as she looked upon the knife, jumping slightly as Demetri came close to whisper in her ear. His words were enough to make his eyes go wide in shock. More tempermental than Bishop and Castiel combined?! Was that even possible? But the man didn't seem as irate so far.

Forcing herself to pay attention, Tanzy paled as the group started to agree one by one that Katerina should be bait. Kat? Tanzy wasn't particularly close to the girl, but to think the younger sibling figures, the other maids, would be used as bait- it was not something that sat well with her.

"I'll...I'll do it. I'll be the bait!" she announced, looking up and forcing her words not to waver. She couldn't get her body to stop trembling at the thought, her gut coiled in fear. She couldn't listen to it, the girls had more life to live. She had to look after her family no matter what, even her second family.

When Kat felt his hands in her hair, her eyes closed. She savored the feeling. It wasn’t until he said that he was sorry, was when she looked up at him, only to find his lips against hers a moment later. Her eyes closed and her hand reached up to rest against his cheek, lightly kissing him back. The moment ended before she knew it, and then he was gone. Katerina’s index fingers lightly touched her bottom lip and she smiled after him, trailing along to join the rest in the next room.

Arriving, she found out that they would send her out to bring out the wolves. They must have been listening to her in the next room, and suddenly her cheeks flushed, feeling like she had an audience in their personal moment. Kat wasn’t like that long. She calmed herself quickly, and took a seat, listening to the others.

---

“Sister, are you mad?” Demetri spoke. Mirabelle stood up from her seat and nearly stomped her foot.

“Am I mad? Mad?” She snapped, her calm demeanor slowly fading. “Castiel and Angelo are gone. We know that if they weren’t dead, that they would have been the first ones in this room to protect our home.” Her sadness that Cassie was gone just turned into anger. She was supposed to dance with him tonight – and to think that he died still hating himself because of her broke her heart a thousand times over. Mira wasn’t going to turn into Anise. She wasn’t so willing to just give up like that. The fact that she still had family here though, made all the difference.

She listened to Kat. She didn’t have to say a word, but Mirabelle knew that that woman was falling for her brother and that her brother was afraid to feel the same. Belle got up and walked over to Kat and she took the females hands in her, watching as the human gripped the weapon to show that she was ready.

“Reiji. Let me do it.” She said, looking from the female to Demetri, watching as Deme reluctantly agreed to do this. At least he still had on his shoulders. “Let me go out there. I’m sure they know where our brothers are, and they’ll know that one of us will be looking for them. If these wolves know you, then they know that I’ve been gone and willing to do anything just to be with family again. Let me look for them as they look for me. I’m not sucidial. I’m going to make them watch me as I rip their hearts out and shove them down their throats.” She stated as she pushed Kat towards her brother. “You better do what you want to do now, because you may not have a choice later…”

---

Kat felt like her heart had stopped beating. Felt like Mirabelle could see right through her. At her words, she looked over to Demetri. Swallowing hard, and taking a step forward with the help of Mira’s nudge, she took another two large steps, threw her arms around Demetri’s shoulders and then kissed him like she meant it. In that moment, she didn’t care that they were in a room full of people – they didn’t matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was doing what she wanted to do, because if something happened to either of them, she didn’t want to spend her time regretting what she didn’t do.

Bishop glared right back, glad that Reiji at least was willing to let him ignore the guests. While Bishop felt a certain smugness in getting what he wanted and pissing off Reiji in the process, he felt himself twitch in annoyance as well, more than just one nerve hit as the elder Santiago boasted of not only his superiority, but of the pets being easily replaced. Sure, they weren't hard to replace, but why go through the trouble? He hadn't even gotten to enjoy his yet, so he wasn't about to toss something without using it at the very least. "Don't patronize me for not letting go of what is mine. I have that right, and I most certainly am not giving it up to filthy mongrels.." Bishop corrected angrily, stopping at Anise's outburst. It was surprising to say the least, and he turned to her with a hawkish gaze, a warning look in his eyes.

Demetri chimed in perfectly as always, working his magic to soothe away the overwhelming fury brewing inside. Bishop was grateful, but it didn't change the fact he loathed it when his brothers were right and he was not. Twitching and clenching his fists, Bishop slowly simmered down to a growl and indignant, irritable scowl. Damn his brother being right! If he weren't so angry, he'd be sulking. Bishop said not a word for a moment, letting out a soft hiss as Demetri placated him to a manageable level. "Hn...yeah, I get." he grumbled through grit teeth.

Bishop made no argument against using Kat as bait, though he found himself feeling just the teensiest bit bad for his brother. Poor sap seemed to have developed a liking for the wench. He twitched as she kissed his brother, almost ready to growl at her. His brother should be the one choosing to kiss, not the wench deciding she was worth a kiss.

It was only as they began to prepare and arm themselves that Bishop returned his attention to Anise, her bitter expression catching his expression. Well, she needed to defend herself too.

"You're quite bold. Very well, I'll make sure you have a weapon to protect yourself." Bishop decided, taking Anise's chin, he looked her straight in the eye. "I expect you to be alive when we finish cleaning out the trash. Do not allow yourself to be alone. Am I understood?" Bishop only released her after giving a last firm look.

He had to admit, Anise was being very strong, stronger than he'd be should he be in her situation. He'd never admit it, but he had to give her credit and admire her ability to keep herself collected. He could see the sorrow, but she was not losing herself to it, she was somehow maintaining some sort of calm. She hadn't collapsed into an uncontrollable sadness or hatred as he would.

"I was not fond of her, but I'm sorry for you. Use your strength to survive, and I will provide a means for you to avenge her death." Bishop whispered into her ear, just loud enough to be heard. He was careful to keep his tone level and aloof, but he was surprised he meant it.

Anise had been aware of her pushing her luck, she just didn't mind that much that she was walking on thin ice. What was the use of dancing with the devil if there was nothing left at stake? There were no consequences if she misbehaved. Alice was the only leverage against Anise. She only valued her life because she was reunited with her twin sister. If she spoke her mind before she'd risk Alice's life or her own, which would separate them again.. She was still in shock. She truly believed if they crossed their t's and dotted their i's they'd be okay. She never imagined she'd lose Alice while playing by the rules. It almost made her feel guilty for denying her twin's request to escape. It felt like karma was biting her in the ass. She couldn't believe it. It was like fate was punishing her for trying to thrive in these conditions. Like she wasn't meant to. I wonder if things would have turned out differently if I fled with her.. She thought to herself on her new perch, not really noticing the activities around her.

She didn't realize Demetri calming the raging bull known as Bishop. She didn't notice any of the conversation after she'd fled to her sanctuary. She wasn't sure about anything anymore. She definitely wasn't confident that they'd survive tonight. She'd accepted that she was going to die, she would welcome it. It would mean that she'd be once again reunited with Alice. If dying was the price she'd die a thousand times.

"I'll...I'll do it. I'll be the bait!"

She vaguely noticed that Kat, Mira, and Tanzy all three offered to step forth as bait, though she really didn't see the point. If they killed Castiel and Angelo, then they weren't standing at very good odds of winning against the wolves. They were incredibly strong if they'd already killed the two eldest sons.. Anise wasn't getting her hopes up like the rest. She wasn't feeling the battle cries and the festivities made her want to throw up. Everyone was so confident in their abilities, explaining how they'd make the enemy pay.
Anise had far better ideas.. simply no means to complete them.

She noticed Bishop's irritation as Kat kissed Demetri. She closed her eyes, feeling her own irritation growing in her belly. She wanted to snap at him, to slap him. Alice just died.. he vowed himself to her and now he was kissing Katerina just like that? It was enraging to say the least. Was Alice nothing to him? She just rolled her eyes, adjusting her chin to the arm of the chair in cold disbelief.

She'd nearly fallen asleep as she let her thought's engulf her, not even realizing her eyes had closed until Bishop approached and addressed her directly. Her amethyst eyes fluttered open, shifting to the male before her, "I always was. I just held it back for Alice." She replied in a soft tone, "Someone had to be responsible and get her out of trouble.."

Her tone wasn't sharp or disrespectful, just disinterested. She however sat up, brushing the dress off and straightening out the wrinkles. It was wonderful, despite the horrible events that happened. She wasn't going to disrespect the dress just because someone wronged her, even though their actions would require lengthy revenge. She wasn't planning on a slow death for the person who killed her sister, "I'm not interested in protecting myself. I want revenge. I want to learn how to fight back if we survive this." She told him rather frankly, "I'm tired of being vulnerable and stumbling over my own feet. Being afraid of my own shadow is annoying.." Her voice was cracking, a sign of her composure. She was forcing herself to be strong. She wanted to break down, like before, the time they admitted their true nature. She wanted to collapse. She wanted to cry.. but she wasn't allowing herself the privileged to be weak. She wasn't granting anyone the satisfaction of seeing her that frail ever again, "But I understand. I can't make this right if I'm dead. I don't want them to die slowly. Alice didn't.." She nodded her head. No one explained how Alice had died to Anise.. How'd she know? Twins were so curious, though Bishop and Demetri probably understood that better than anyone else in the room. Her hands would have been shaking, had it not been for her subtle reminder. She was stroking her left arm. Even though no one could see it, due to her uniform or the gloves she'd received to go with the dress.. but any time she was afraid, any time she had to be strong, she remembered what her mother put her through. She wasn't about to break down... not until Alice was the last thing that her killer seen. Perhaps she wasn't Alice.. but she was close enough. She'd make her twin's murder scream.. beg to die..

Then Bishop said something quite surprising, something that Anise never expected to hear, "I was not fond of her, but I'm sorry for you. Use your strength to survive, and I will provide a means for you to avenge her death." Bishop whispered his words into her ear, tickling the skin as he uttered the sentence just loud enough to be heard. She withdrew, averting her gaze. Although his tone was indifferent, she nodded, chewing nervously at her bottom lip. Her face felt hot, but she assumed it was the alcohol she consumed earlier. Definitely the alcohol.. She told herself before standing. She had nothing else to say or do.. Her crush was possibly dead, along with her sister.. She had no other piece.. nothing else to get off her chest at this point.

"Let's see what we can do then, shall we?" She asked everyone, a small smirk on her face. For a moment, it almost resembled Alice's mischievous grin.

Demetri poured his own glass, growing impatient waiting on Reiji. He took the scotch down with a single gulp, sighing to himself as the alcohol satisfied his hunger. He walked over to his twin, squeezing his shoulder, "We're not going to let them win.. We're going to get our revenge.. Just keep your wits about you. We're weaker separated." He warned him, and everyone else in the room, "We may be vampires, but their bite is toxic to our kind. We need to be careful. We cannot allow them to single us out either." He smiled to his family, "We've got to stick together or tonight shall be our last night.. and I'm not willing to die tonight.."

He knew he'd scared Tanzy previously, but it was for her own good. The poor girl needed to realize what the situation was.. and as far as he was concerned Reiji was as dangerous to the maids as the wolves. At least the wolves didn't give a false sense of safety though. He also noticed her discomfort with the plan but he paid it little mind. It wasn't the maids who got to choose and decide. In the end, Reiji would decide who became the bait. It was unavoidable.

"As noble as you are, It is up to Reiji who is bait. He's the acting head of house... So all final decisions are his.." He mumbled the last part. Reiji being in charge obviously didn't sit right with Demetri. Though how could they possibly know that Reiji murdered Castiel's first love in front of them? How could they know he was exiled because he was a heartless madman? He hadn't the time to break it to them and he wasn't about to instill even more fear in the frightened girls. He wasn't cruel enough to shatter their hope.

"I understand but we have to be reasonable. We can't drop everything. Castiel was the one who made this arrangement. It was his idea. He picked these girls out... Aside from Katerina.. They all had something he liked in them. Don't be so quick to throw these girls to the lions. They're one of the only things we have left in Castiel's memory if he is truly gone... And Angelo.. He was growing accustomed to them.. He was becoming social with them. They're more good for our family alive rather than dead." He snapped back. Then he rubbed his eyes, sighing softly, "I'm not just saying this because of my feelings.. I'm saying this because I've seen a change in all of us since they've arrived. We need them."

"I think Kat is the best plan however. If one of us leave they will be expecting a fight.. We can attempt an ambush if we send out a human. Kat is the newest to our house of orphans.. She's the one they'd know the least about. It's our best chance." He whispered, although the plan didn't sit right with him, he couldn't deny it was their best shot at success.

He blinked confused as Kat was pushed toward him, eyes glaring at his sister. It was embarrassing that they were acting like children in the school yard at a time like this, but he understood the reasoning. If one of them died tonight, they needed to get everything off their chests, "I'm not saying you won't have a chance to exact your revenge sister.. just not as the bait.. I think Reiji can agree with that.." He rubbed the back of his neck, not having really expected a crowd. He didn't exactly like the public to be aware of his affectionate business, so for once he even blushed. He wasn't shocked by the kiss planted on him, but rather he smiled into it as he placed his arm around Katerina's waist, bringing her in closer, the other arm around her upper back, fingers laced in her hair as he returned her kiss. His touch was gentle enough, although passionate. He remained tasteful in his actions, only continuing the kiss for about a minute, lingering in her embrace as he broke the contact between their lips, removing his hand from her hair to caress her cheek, "Just in case one of us die tonight.. know that I fancy you.. and not in a way one fancies nice things.. I truly would be faithful to you.. possibly give you the world one day if you asked.. but we'll have to see.. we haven't had enough time to develop as things stand... but I wanted to let you know where my feelings have started to lead to.."

"Send Kat as the bait as originally planned. We need to stick to our first agreed idea. They tend to be the best, well, nine times out of ten." He smiled to the room before adjusting his glasses and straightening out his suit. He then gave everyone a final glance before making his exit, "Stay together and be safe... I was one of the last to arrive so I'm likely to be less known about.. I am going to do a quick lap around the perimeter." He turned the the group, quietly informing only the vampires in the room with his soft tone. (Mirabelle, Bishop, and Demetri) He was growing more and more irritated by the moment as he was forced to play the role of responsibility. Sure he'd always wanted it, but detective really wasn't his strong suit and that's what his siblings needed at the moment.. a strategist and a detective. Sure they had good ideas, but they needed to be implemented with the utmost delicacy the siblings could supply if they wanted to live to see tomorrow. " I need to see if anyone is acting suspicious in the ballroom after our departure and give our guests an excuse for our extended absence.. Go ahead and send Kat out the front gate. Leave the remaining maids nearby but make it seem like we're releasing them to spare their lives from this catastrophe. If we show we care about them... At least a few beta mutts will attack, a loyal dog will do anything to please the Alpha.. So there will be a taste of revenge for you guys in the meantime.." Reiji added smirking to himself and making his exit, reapplying his mask as he removed his glasses.

Then he spoke loud enough for the maids to hear, "Au revoir.." He stated in his usual teasing tone. Though he was speaking in french instead of Spanish, suggesting he was multilingual. He apparently knew at least three separate languages: English, French, and Spanish. Reiji spent a lot of time away from his family, at least he stated so in the ballroom. Just what did he spend his time on during his exile? He left no room for questions as he closed the door, leaving his trust in his siblings to execute his orders. Reiji stalked back into the ballroom, clapping his hands loudly to hush the room, "Ladies and Gentleman, I assure you that everything is under control. We've been switching out the maids, so things have been a little hectic.. Eat, Drink, Dance.. Enjoy the party and my family will return to greet everyone quite shortly." He assured the crowd.

"Santiago wealth is abundant and ever-flowing.. Indulge in your senses, forget your worries and above all else, enjoy our home for a night as much as we do." And he bowed to the roaring crowd. They were obviously disappointed at first, having expected the eldest, but Castiel was not a stranger to a majority of the crowd, most of them knew the unsocial man was of very few words. Not many people would complain about the chipper and illusory Reiji taking the stage instead. Then he decided to up the stakes, "To make amends for our absence.. Whichever lady finds my two cleverly hidden white roses will be kissed by both of my younger brothers, Bishop and Demetri. I pray the benefits be in favor of a lovely enchantress tonight." He chuckled before bowing a final time, waving his arm elegantly at the band to continue playing their music. He stepped down, making his way around the room in a casual, harmonious manner, not wishing to breed further suspicion in the guests.

He made sure to eye every single guest, dissecting every aspect of each person he interacted with or otherwise came into his line of vision. He took note of their stance, grace, facial expressions, scents, anything that could link to tidbits of their inner workings. He planned to unwrap as much of his current company as possible in his lap around the ballroom. He made sure to dance when approached and to occasionally offer to dance with random women. He chatted small talk about business with fellow aristocrats of vampire blood, and he kept himself as professional as possible on the outside, while doing his real task inside his mind. It wasn't like he was ill suited for this job, he was a lot like whomever was behind these murders. Merciless torture, cruelty, manipulative natures, and narcissistic tendencies, Reiji and the murder had quite a bit of mutual interests in their resume. He just had to debunk someone exactly like him, which as he knew could take even a professionals years if not decades to catch someone of this caliber. It's almost like we're playing a game of chess. All the same pieces just a matter of whom possesses the greater mind. Perhaps the most dangerous game of chess I've played in my entire life, mortal and eternal accounted for.. Consider this me making my counter move..

The black haired Santiago was incredibly charismatic when he chose, and he was distracting the innocent audience whilst his siblings created the bait. Hopefully they'd keep one wolf alive long enough for torture.. They had to find the identity of the Alpha.. He shook it off, accepting that it was out of his hands. He had to remain present for a few more minutes.

The female vampire didn’t argue when she was told not to go out, which was fine with her. No complaints or arguments followed. Kat was the best idea, but Mirabelle was hoping she could save Demetri from heartbreak if anything were to go wrong. She watched him hold the girl, watched as Katerina rested on his chest as she prepared herself for what they were about to do.

---

Katerina had a ball in her stomach, one that was clenched so hard she thought she would fall to her knees. She rested against the man that she had grown accustomed to, even in such a short time. There was a dreaded feeling in the back of her head, one that was telling her that she wasn’t going to make it out alive. As Reiji left, Katerina took a seat in a chair, folded her hands in her lap and bowed her head in a silent prayer. She asked for protection, for forgiveness. Kat prayed to her father, telling him that she was sorry for what she was going to do. She killed innocent people in her own selfishness, and now it was going to be made right.

She wasn’t going to make it out of this alive, and she would have been foolish to believe otherwise. These wolves had no sense of mortality, no sense of compassion, and for her to believe that they would hesitate the moment one got close to her gave false hope.

Shaking hands unfolded themselves and smoothed out the pink fabric that covered her body. She picked lightly at hem before she gathered up the same strength that put her out on the street the night she was determined to prove the existence of vampires. She gave an apologetic look to Demetri before she looked at Mirabelle and Bishop, waiting for her instructions. She tried not to look at the other maids, afraid she would lose her nerve.

---

Mirabelle took Kat and brought her close. She made sure the silver weapon was tucked safely from view, but still accessible for the human. “Now, you are going to gather your jacket from your room and your coin purse. We are going to send you out to the front gate. I need you to be calm when we walk through the ballroom, and when we get outside I want you to walk quickly towards the gate. We will get their attention when we get you through the crowd, and they will act when they feel like they are going to lose you.” Mirabelle spoke to the girl, watching as she did her best to keep herself calm.

Belle looked over at Demetri, then to Bishop and then to Anise and Tanzy. “Demetri, you’ll probably be the best one to send her off. There was no missing your dance.” She said and then moved to join Tanzy, placing her hands on the young girls face. She brought her gaze to meet her own and then took a deep breath in, releasing it slowly, doing the process once more for Tanzy to follow suit.

“I’m going to need you to calm yourself a little bit. We don’t need your panic to give us away.” She said lightly, moving her hand from the girl’s face to her shoulders, steadying her. “When this is over, you and I are going to look for Cassie. I’d assume you know where he would be, since you’ve been with him for how long. Okay?”

While he hid it well, Bishop felt tense and on edge, a combination of anger, impatience, and unease alternating inside. Bishop's usual smirk had long since dissappeared. More than usual, he welcomed his brother's reassuring squeeze of the shoulder, nodding in appreciation at his twin. He knew Demetri would understand even if he said nothing, the other male able to read his emotions better than anyone. Likewise, Bishop shared in the grudging acceptance of Reiji as acting head of the house, and his mixed feelings on the man in question. It was also obvious to him even without the declaration that Demetri fancied Kat. Bishop didn't quite agree with his brother's taste, but it was probably better that way.

His interest seemed to be on the bottle of scotch, his expression one of dismay. Too bad it wasn't a nice bottle of wine instead. While Demetri could stomach the alchohol, Bishop didn't care for the stuff. Anise's voice brought his attention back to her, her words registering with a growing interest. He made no interruptions as she explained her feelings, and as she finally posed the question to the occupants of the room, he finally smiled, a devilish grin meeting her own, eyes alight. He clapped twice in applause, pleased with his little dove.

"Excellent! Good, use your strength! Make those filthy dogs pay. Revel in their agony. Send them to the depths of hell. Watch as they fall to the ground at your feet and beg for mercy. Show them what happens when they meddle in your affairs and take what is yours. Let your plots of revenge send them cowering as you watch them get slaughtered like pigs!" Bishop grinned like a madman, chuckling as he egged his maid on. He would enjoy killing them, and as a present, he'd bring her the one responsible for her sister's death so she could have a taste of the satisfaction he was sure to have.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tanzy nodded, deciding that there was no more use arguing the point. Besides, she was sure no one really wanted to do it, herself included, but it had to be done. Looking sympathetically over at Kat, she was aware of the maid's careful attempts to avoid eye contact. Was she resentful or upset that she was the one chosen? Tanzy wasn't close with the girl, but she wished her well.

After watching Reiji leave, the eldest maid prepared to ask anyone if they needed anything, only to have her cheeks held by the Santiago sister. Tensing slightly at the unexpected contact, Tanzy looked questioningly at Mirabelle as she was instructed to take deep, calming breaths. She followed suit, brows furrowing slightly at the blonde's words. Panic? She was scared, most definately, but she would hardly call herself panicking. She hadn't broken down into hysterics or started screaming, and she hand't been acting erratically. Needless to say, she was mildly insulted, biting her lip in agitation. Regardless, she made no objection, nodding in understanding before answering the mistress.

"He would most likely be in his study. It is where he goes to be alone, hence his strict rules that no one enter without his permission."

"Excellent! Good, use your strength! Make those filthy dogs pay. Revel in their agony. Send them to the depths of hell. Watch as they fall to the ground at your feet and beg for mercy. Show them what happens when they meddle in your affairs and take what is yours. Let your plots of revenge send them cowering as you watch them get slaughtered like pigs!"

Anise was taken aback by her master's endorsement, she never fathomed he'd encourage her manner of conduct. Though quite a bit she had never seen coming took place that night. She was starting to embrace the fact that almost anything could happen. Though her courage withered as she made eye contact with Bishop, feeling a bit unnerved. Though she wasn't wearing her maid outfit, it felt like she had a tight collared shirt around her neck. She felt rather uncomfortable, averting her gaze as ingratiatingly as possible. She didn't wish to offend, but she doubted she could hold his gaze any longer. It was intimidating in the most unhinging way. She smiled at his speech however, nodding her head in agreement, albeit she didn't consider it to be suitable for the other maids. Tanzy was in her own state of panic and Katerina was preparing to throw herself in the line of fire for everyone else.

"Au revoir.."

Anise was puzzled by Reiji, captivated, yet at the same time frightened by him. She promised Bishop she'd do her best to evade him, but from what she gathered he was a force to be reckoned with. She wasn't sure how successful she'd be at keeping her promise. Though she was intrigued. He knew a lot about war and although he seemed jittery himself, he was banding everyone together as a unit instead of losing his head. She admired his maturity and leadership skills. He also seemed to know French, seeing as she recognized the words he used. She wasn't exactly from a rich family, but she was fairly middle class before, she had family from France visit on occasion and she'd picked up a word or two during their stay. Though she turned to Mirabelle, Demetri, and Bishop, awaiting commands. She knew Bishop considered her to be his possession, but honestly she served the Santiago family in general.. She was his personal maid, but she still originally served the entire family. She felt duty toward each of them, Mirabelle excluded seeing as they'd never really bonded since her arrival.

She smiled as she watched Mirabelle comfort Katerina, biting at her bottom lip. She never felt more at home than she did here, even though she lost her sister and she'd never see Derrick again, there was more acceptance for her here than she'd ever recieved back home. She wasn't tormented on a daily basis anymore by her mother or anyone else for that matter. No one aside from the wolves were trying to kill her. No one who claimed to care for her was trying to become her undoing and she felt at peace now that she could sleep the entire night without fearing for her life or sleeping with a weapon.

“Now, you are going to gather your jacket from your room and your coin purse. We are going to send you out to the front gate. I need you to be calm when we walk through the ballroom, and when we get outside I want you to walk quickly towards the gate. We will get their attention when we get you through the crowd, and they will act when they feel like they are going to lose you.”

Anise swallowed hard, biting her bottom lip. She knew the reason for sending Kat alone.. It was safer and it was logical. The Santiago family wouldn't send them all out at once even in a real escape. What if the wolves had a trap of their own planned? She looked to Katerina, then to Tanzy, smiling in encouragement. So far she was still unarmed, but she wasn't worried. Bishop promised her a method of defending herself, she trusted his word.

Then Mira continued about Demetri's undeniable feelings for the white haired woman. “Demetri, you’ll probably be the best one to send her off. There was no missing your dance.” She smiled a bit at the statement, happy for Demetri and Katerina. Considering the situation she thought it was wonderful that Katerina found love even in these horrible conditions. Although they were caged, Katerina was still thriving. Anise felt her fist clench as she thought about it, envious of the other girl. She was doing exactly what Anise wanted. She was tired of just surviving. Anise wanted to be happy, she wanted to fall in love.. She wanted to exceed all expectations.

“I’m going to need you to calm yourself a little bit. We don’t need your panic to give us away. When this is over, you and I are going to look for Cassie. I’d assume you know where he would be, since you’ve been with him for how long. Okay?”

She felt a knot in the pit of her stomach as she thought of Castiel. There was so much Anise wished to ask the eldest Santiago, so much she wanted to learn about him, but all signs pointed to him being lost forever. She felt sick as she thought about someone being strong enough to kill Castiel, fear in her gut, but she kept a calm exterior, letting out a slow breath to keep her cool. She had to avenge Alice regardless of her anxieties. It was her duty as Alice's sister to make sure her murderer suffered.. Then after it was all over she'd give Alice a proper burial.

Anise smiled at Tanzy, "I think Lady Santiago means your heartbeat..." Anise blushed at her own words, thinking back to the ballroom. She'd been given the same advice by Mirabelle after Bishop's taunting. She noticed the confusion on Tanzy's face, wishing to keep everyone on the same page. Anise's uncertain expression shifted to looking at the wall, wishing to hide her feelings from the room, "I hope you two find him, and I hope he's alright.." She knew Tanzy was growing closer to the blonde than she, so she wanted to offer the kindest words she could muster, "I wouldn't wish what happened to my sister upon anyone."

Anise's nod and smile, however brief, earned an approving grin from the redhead. Good, she wasn't as much of a weakling as he thought. Still, he could tell by her heartbeat and her averted eyes that he was still an intimidating force as far as she was concerned. Well, he could certainly say his little maid was an interesting one to be sure. Perhaps he had picked better than he thought.

The procedure decided, Bishop found no reason to object to the plans of his family, at least not as far as the bait was concerned. The only aspect that threatened to send him into an anxious rage or a furious fit was his brother escorting the help. Somehow by a sheer force of will, Bishop managed not to retaliate and object to his sister's suggestion, simply clenching his fists and scowling once more. As soon as Mirabelle moved on to Tanzy, he approached Demetri, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing once. "Watch yourself brother. You call me if you have trouble." he murmured just loud enough for his twin to hear. He didn't doubt his brother's strength or capacity. However, after how well the filthy dogs snuck in and already started killing, he wasn't about to take any chances. If his brother was distracted by his feelings or kindness towards the help, he wasn't about to let him out to fight alone.

As he contemplated his brother's facing the enemy, he remembered he had yet to give Anise a proper weapon. Thankfully, the family had quite a few weapons not only from human years, but specifically made and aquired for use against the filth known as werewolves. Turning to Anise, he wondered what type of weapon she'd be able to manage. "Shall I give you a dagger? Or does the little lady know how to use something else by any chance?" He had his doubts about how much weapons exposure she'd have, but it was worth asking he supposed.

(OOC: Sorry it's not that pretty...doing what I can with the current power outages! I apologize x1000)

Demetri had to admit, he wasn't that worried by the fact that Reiji decided to run off on his own. Everyone in the Santiago bloodline knew of the blood that truly ran through his veins. He wasn't a Santiago at all. He was merely a family pet in Demetri's eyes. Cruel yes, but he wasn't that forgiving to the dark haired male, not after what he'd done to Castiel. Reiji destroyed perhaps Castiel's last chance at happiness and it wasn't something Demetri was willing to immediately brush under the rug, even when Reiji's life could be at stake.

“Now, you are going to gather your jacket from your room and your coin purse. We are going to send you out to the front gate. I need you to be calm when we walk through the ballroom, and when we get outside I want you to walk quickly towards the gate. We will get their attention when we get you through the crowd, and they will act when they feel like they are going to lose you.”

He couldn't help the uneasy feeling in his stomach, combined with the urge to feed again, though he knew he'd think with a clearer head hungry. Fed he'd be too lost in euphoria to pay attention to the upcoming battle. He wanted to be wide eyed for what was about to come. If he could help it, no more innocent blood would be spilled today. He clenched his fists, agreeing with Mirabelle, "They won't risk letting any of you escape." He agreed, as much as it pained him to continue with the current plan.

“Demetri, you’ll probably be the best one to send her off. There was no missing your dance.”

Demetri just shifted his body weight as Mira addressed his relationship with Katerina. It seemed that all his siblings enjoyed poking at his moment with the ivory haired woman. Since he revealed it, everyone seemed to talk about little else. He merely lowered his head with a weak smile before allowing a lighthearted chuckle to escape his lips, "What can I say? I never was the type of man to take things slowly." His voice was still laced with his cheerful demeanor, eyes looking between the maids one last time, "Try not to die.. I'm rather fond of each of you."

He zoned out a bit, playing with the glass of scotch in his hand, eyeing the bottle, but deciding against a second glass, placing his empty one next to the corked bottle. It wouldn't be wise to get plastered at a time like this...

“I’m going to need you to calm yourself a little bit. We don’t need your panic to give us away. When this is over, you and I are going to look for Cassie. I’d assume you know where he would be, since you’ve been with him for how long. Okay?”

He went to speak, but was cut off by Anise trying to translate it better for the pink haired girl to understand, seeing as she'd been given identical advise in the ballroom, "I think Lady Santiago means your heartbeat..."

Demetri's eyes glimmered, licking his lips before coughing to compose himself, "It's rather teasing to say the least... I understand you're doing quite well.. but we pick up on all subtle heartbeat irregularities.." His voice was soft and raspy, obviously taken by the overbearing scent of Tanzy's rushing blood. Though he wasn't pouncing, the wild card held his composure as well as he could, "My sister means well.. Just trying to protect you.."

"I hope you two find him, and I hope he's alright.. I wouldn't wish what happened to my sister upon anyone."

"That's rather sweet of you, little dove.." He trailed off, smirking a bit, "but Castiel doesn't go down without a fight. Someone is getting hurt with him if he's got to die.." Though his attention shifted to his twin's hand on his shoulder, his own squeezing the pale sibling's comfortingly, "I promise. You know we work best together.. We're always safest together.. That's how twins work.." He chuckled, "Then when this is all over..we'll have that village raid we mentioned before.."

"Shall I give you a dagger? Or does the little lady know how to use something else by any chance?"

As quick as he was given the warning, Bishop had scurried back to his maid, questioning her in her preferred weapon type. He smiled a bit, wondering if Bishop was afraid that she'd be stolen from him if he left her alone for too long. He then smiled to Kat and Mira, "Go get her things, then meet us out front.." He turned his attention to Tanzy, Anise, and Bishop, "We should head out and wait for them at the front gate. We need to hurry." He warned everyone, ushering for Bishop and the two maids to follow him. He chewed on his bottom lip, trying to keep his protective nature under wraps. He walked out, focusing on his breath to keep him calm, it helped him keep in control even though he wasn't required to breathe at all..

He opened the front doors, checking behind him to make sure the trio was behind him before continuing outside, smiling at the moon. Then it drew his curiousity. How were the wolves turning? Had they found a way to turn somehow on nights other than a full moon? The full moon wasn't expected until tomorrow night.. He was trying to figure out the situation. Maybe a witch..? A new curse..? He was baffled by the turn of events, but decided they'd find out after figuring out the identity of the Alpha. He leaned on the front gate, smiling to the two maids once they caught up to him, "We'll do our very best to keep everyone safe.. including you three maids."

Mirabelle really didn’t mean to keep putting her brother’s relationship out in the open, but she only spoke of it to be the reasoning for the choice that she made. She wasn’t a leader, especially being the woman in the family – she should have been the last one to talk, and the last one to make suggestions, but they needed to get this done so that she could find her brothers. Time could be very critical and she learned that after the third time she was beaten and scarred for attempting to escape.

Agitation grew very quickly within the female as she stared down at the maid. She had lost patients many years ago, but when Anise spoke up, she relaxed a little bit as she dropped her hands and turned her back to the young girl. Mira gave a gentle smile in thanks and then looked at Kat. ”Are you ready?”

---

Kat nodded and took a few steps forward, taking the hand that Mirabelle offered her as they left the room and headed for her own. When they arrived, she walked in, gathered her things and then turned to look at Mirabelle, who had been standing in the door. The human’s form was relaxed, her breathing calm and her heartbeat regular.

”Do you believe in karma?” She paused, and then continued. ”I mean, do you believe that if you do something that hurts someone else, then something will eventually come to hurt you?”

---

Mirabelle thought for a moment, watching as Kat moved gracefully around the room. ”I suppose, but for all the years that I’ve lived, bad things happen to people so frequently, that other people justify it as if it was God’s doing to give revenge.” Mirabelle replied, and then thought for a while, wondering exactly what it was she believed in.

---

“I’m going to die tonight, aren’t I. Innocent people are dead because of me. Reiji had to kill them because I spilled your secret.” Even with her voice cracking, her body still held strangely calm. ”My selfishness isn’t going to hurt only me, but Demetri too. He’s a good man. He deserves to be happy.” Tears finally spilled passed dark eyes, and Mirabelle embraced her for comfort. She was never good at giving comfort, but she tried for the young girl.

---

”I have a feeling that Demetri is no stranger when it comes to women, but I saw something in him that I used to see when we were younger. When we were human. If you don’t make it out of this, and we will try our hardest to protect you, then you need to know that you gave something that all of us search for. You did bring him happiness, and I’m sure that he will be grateful for all that you’ve given him. Mirabelle ran her fingers through Kat’s hair, just as Cassie used to do for her when she would lay with him after her famous nightmares. ”Life may have strange ways in giving people what they deserve, but remember that your courage, and well, stupidity, gave you an old soul that you were meant to love. Most aren’t so lucky, even after centuries. There was a gentle laugh at first, to show that she wasn’t trying to insult the girl, but make her a little more light hearted. She brought Kat’s face into her hands and wiped her cheeks, using the motions she learned from her brothers as a child when she ran to them. It took a lot for the vampire, but her human life is what she clung onto while she still could, or she could be just as ruthless as anyone else.

---

Kat smiled and nodded, taking in a deep breath to calm herself, looking to Mirabelle to see how well she was doing. ”I’m doing this for him. To keep him safe. I couldn’t do anything to protect my family, but I will do everything to protect him. Demetri was exactly what Kat needed to find her strength. Something changed in her, and she gathered up her things quickly before she slipped past Mira and headed for the ballroom. She was calm, as if she was told she was being sent out on an errand, considering she was one of the help after all.

The only thing that broke her ability to keep calm was when she saw Demetri standing there in the candlelight that had brightened the room. She paused in the middle of the dance floor, her heart fluttering the slightest bit. Mirabelle was right. He was an old soul that she was meant to love – it explained why there was a part of her that didn’t want to do this. Kat wasn’t one to be scared. She was the one out of the women there that did taunt them in the middle of the night, just to prove to herself that she wasn’t insane. She wished that she could tell Demetri that she was sorry, but moved to join them with a smile on her face.

”Do you have the list that I need to gather? We shouldn’t keep your guests waiting, Lord. She said with a playful curtsey, keeping the mood light and finding an excuse to leave so it didn’t look like she was running.

Anise felt she was growing more comfortable around the red haired vampire, though she wouldn't lie to herself and pretend he didn't leave an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. He was capricious, and she was still wary of his tendency of switching at the bat of an eyelash. She knew no matter how kind, or how gentle he appeared to become towards her, a violent nature lied buried underneath, endlessly seducing him to release it.

Anise smiled at Bishop as he approached his brother, though she felt melancholy towards the scene. She wished to embrace her own sister. She noticed he leaned in to whisper, turning her eyes from the men respectfully. She ran a hand through the hair she let down, disappointed that Tanzy's hard work didn't pay off after all.. She didn't even get to dance once. She lost her sister on a night that was supposed to brighten their situation, give them a break from feeling like pets.. tonight couldn't have started any worse for Anise if she'd given them a written blueprint of the worst scenario herself. Her violet eyes shut for a moment as she relaxed, emptying her mind as she awaited their departure. Though all she could manage was to shift her thoughts to the torture she had planned for the wolf who killed her sister. She was going to test their healing abilities quite a bit...

She silently chuckled, smiling afterwards, "Of course, I apologize, forgive me Lord Santiago.." She responded to Demetri, bowing respectfully. She knew the easiest way to offend Bishop was through Demetri.. so she quickly mended her mistake as best she could. She let her eyes flicker to Bishop, checking his facial expression, before they widened on Demetri's form. Village raid? They were going to slaughter an entire village of innocents? She felt sick suddenly, imagining them murdering frightened children and toddlers.. She looked between them in skepticism. She wanted some sort of verification that they weren't monsters.. She wanted to believe they were capable of redemption.. that something human still lingered in these...vampires.. She was at their mercy, she couldn't lose faith in the belief that everyone could be delivered from evil.. It was in her christian faith..

Anise blinked, nearly jumping out of her skin as Bishop approached. Her eyes shifted upon his frame frantically as he addressed her, asking her weapon of choice, "I've sword fought before with a few boys from my previous town... b-but I prefer daggers.. quicker and easier to hold on to for me.." She replied, still shaken by the fact that he could annihilate an entire village.

As he contemplated his brother's facing the enemy, he remembered he had yet to give Anise a proper weapon. Thankfully, the family had quite a few weapons not only from human years, but specifically made and aquired for use against the filth known as werewolves. Turning to Anise, he wondered what type of weapon she'd be able to manage. "Shall I give you a dagger? Or does the little lady know how to use something else by any chance?" He had his doubts about how much weapons exposure she'd have, but it was worth asking he supposed.

She waved to Mirabelle and Kat, praying that they'd be safe. She gripped the necklace Derrek had given her, sighing softly to herself, "It'll be okay.." she whispered to herself softly, before smiling over to Tanzy, "Have you ever used a dagger before?" She asked forcing her voice to be more energetic than she felt. It was forced, but it seemed everyone was forcing emotions tonight. Everyone was forced to pretend in order to survive.. Anise was just coping.. Though she could only bottle her reaction so long.. after the battle was over.. She'd likely break.. She'd shatter into a million pieces.. She doubted anyone could console her. None of them understood the pain of losing their literal other half.

Anise awaited her weapon from Bishop, giving up on anyone assuring her that they weren't ruthless child murderers... She closed her eyes again, scolding herself mentally for putting her trust into someone like that. If he could kill hundreds of innocents in a night... what would he do to her if he grew bored? What would he do for his own twisted entertainment? She followed behind Demetri blindly, not really paying much attention to her surroundings. She was so blinded by Alice's death that she'd actually put her faith in Bishop? She should have been praying to God.. not practically selling her soul to a demon.





Demetri placed a hand on her shoulder, nodding, "Now don't think you can escape from me little dove~" He chimed out in a chipper tone, "No one can escape once I've fallen for them.." He whispered the last part, ending it with surprising words spoken softly in her ear, "I love you.. just in case I fail you... I.. wanted you to know that... It hasn't been very long...but something about your eyes.. It's like we've met before.." He tore himself away before his attitude could shift, smirking to himself.

"If you run away from me, remember I enjoy a good chase.." He chuckled, "Off you go, love~"

Katerina laughed and wrinkled her nose at him. ”Escape from you? Oh, never.” She said teasingly, but her demeanor completely changed at the sound of his words. She could feel her heart stop before it lodged in her throat, pounding incredibly hard in her ears. She reached for his hand, gripping it softly so that she had something to balance herself. ”This is all for you. Remember that.” She blew him a kiss and then headed out the door, glancing over her shoulder to look at him once more.

Calm again, she gathered her coat around her shoulders more, her wooden shoes clicking against the stone. Katerina hummed a gentle lullaby to herself, it allowing her to be mentally stable. She couldn’t think about Demetri right now, because if she did, this wouldn’t work and he would be in danger.

---

For a wolf that tended to enjoy the serenity of being alone, she found herself intrigued as Dante came to ask her to dance. She eyed him curiously, but supposed that he was right, so she took his hand and away they went. They spoke quietly to themselves, talking of nothing in particular just as the rest of the crowd was doing. She feigned enjoyable laughs and giggles as he spun her around, only for him to leave her when something else came up. Annabel was there for her sister – she was there to make an impression on the Alpha, get him to choose her as her mate and give her sister something to come home to. She was going to do it, one way or another.

And there is was – the sound of those fluttering little heartbeats. Music to my ears!

This was Annabel’s chance. She would finally be able to do something to get the approval from the Alpha – to do something to be noticed as someone that could bring something to this pack. Moving from the crowd she had carefully intertwined herself in, she escaped out a side entrance while doing her best to keep away from Reiji. She stalked the human far enough so that they couldn’t be seen from the house, which made Kat even more uneasy.

”Mmm. Running away, are we dear?” She taunted from behind, and Kat turned around to face her. With her arms hidden under her jacket, holding it tight to her body as if the cool air chilled her, she gripped the sliver knife within a tight grasp. She knew that they couldn’t protect her now, but she wasn’t going to go so easily.

---

”Running away? From what exactly?” Kat asked in the same tone, and then let out a sinister laugh. “Sweetheart, you’re the one that’s going to die in there. And for what? Your Alpha? Are you the bitch that scampers along when he tells you to go?” Kat taunted, watching carefully as she tried to read the wolf.

---

The human managed to get a laugh from the wolf, as she pulled a dagger hidden from under her dress. She played with it in her hands as she walked closer to Kat, her hips swaying with a deadly stagger. ”Mmm, but Dante doesn’t trust just anyone to do his dirty work” She cooed and stood close to the human, placing her blade under her chin and tilting her head up. ”My question is though, that why would Demetri leave his little loved one all alone out here for us, after he’s seen what I’ve done to the others… Must be tying up loose ends – this is the easiest way to get rid of you, is it not?

---

Kat nearly lost it as the wolf spoke, and the coat fell away as one hand swung around to hit the arm that held the blade, hissing as it sliced her cheek. Annabel in turned swung with her other hand, claws out. She tore through cloth and skin, but Kat never cried out. She didn’t want Mira or Demetri to be in danger – she had no idea how many wolves were out here. Struggling to concentrate, she took the opening to thrust her hand forward, sinking the silver into the females gut, watching her stagger away. Yes! This was her chance to get away. Her hand pressing harshly at her torn flesh to keep from bleeding out, she turned and started back for the house, only to run into another Beta where his own dagger sunk into her torso. She fell to her knees, her hands wrapping around the weapon, but she couldn’t pull it out. She couldn’t think past the pain that ripped through every part of her body.

Her breath, why couldn’t she breathe in? When she finally found it, it left her body in a loud, unwanted cry. “Dante!” She managed to get the name past bloodied lips, hoping that someone would hear her – hoping that Demetri would hear her so that he’d know who they were looking for. On her knees and hunched over, she finally lost the strength to hold herself up, falling to her side. Her body shook as she grew cold, fighting for every breath she could manage in her lungs. “I love you too.. I love you too…”

”Mmm, but Dante doesn’t trust just anyone to do his dirty work. My question is though, that why would Demetri leave his little loved one all alone out here for us, after he’s seen what I’ve done to the others… Must be tying up loose ends – this is the easiest way to get rid of you, is it not?"

Demetri could hear every word that Annabel spoke, causing his entire frame to shake, his fangs growing visable as he silently growled, containing his rage just long enough to catch the name of the Alpha. His eyes widened, rushing for Katerina at vampiric speed, though he was too late. He arrived just in time to see the male beta stabbed her before his eyes. "Bishop, Mira, don't let her get away!" He shouted about Annabel, keeping his promise to include Bishop in his fight while her scent was still fresh. Instantly rage overtook him as he charged the male beta, sinking his fangs into the unknown werewolf's throat, ripping his head off with a gruesome series of crunching and squirting noises. Demetri followed by spitting out the blood before it could enter his system, kneeling at Katerina's side with inhuman speed. The petty beta's corpse hit the ground around the same time as he met the ivory haired girl's side, Demetri scooping up her bloody frame, "I'm sorry... I.. I can't do anything for you.. you've been scratched... I-I can't turn you.." He would have cried if he wasn't trying so hard not to frighten Katerina, "You'll be okay.. you might turn..." He wasn't sure, there was a higher death rate than there was a survival rate with the werewolf virus. The toxin was harsh on the human body.. It was less than a fifty percent chance.. He knew it, but he didn't want to believe he'd lose her this soon.

"We got his name.. Mirabelle and Bishop will kill that blonde mutt for what she did to you..." His eyes widened as he felt her body growing colder, holding her wounds, practically trying to force the blood back inside his injured love. He froze as he heard her last words, his entire body quaking as he allowed his forehead to collapse against her abdomen, silently crying against Katerina's motionless body. The distraught redhead was in no shape to continue fighting.. He was still engulfed in shock.



Anise nodded to Bishop, biting her bottom lip as he instructed her to kill anyone who attacked her, "G-got it.." She added nodding faster. She wasn't really sure if she could kill someone... she'd just have to pretend everyone that lunged at her was Alice's murderer. She gripped the dagger tight, finding her resolve. She bit on her bottom lip, "I'll do my best." She reassured her vampiric employer. She almost smiled as he mentioned her vengeance, but she couldn't help thinking about where him and Demetri planned to go after everything was finished here. She couldn't help but mourn the innocents that haven't died yet, the unsuspecting victims that were nestled up with their families at this very moment. Victims that wouldn't see their next birthday. Young women who would never experience their first kiss. She suddenly shook her head, clearing her mind. She'd started blushing at the thought of kissing... She'd still never experienced it..and now definitely wasn't the time to let her thoughts wander to the mystery of it.

She followed behind Demetri, replying to everything that the pink haired maid gave her to mull over, "Thank you Tanzy.." She smiled weakly, though it was all she could manage, "Don't worry about it.. no one could replace her so don't hold it against yourself..." She added, amethyst eyes shifting to look at her as they traveled, "When they come at you... please don't hesitate. Kill them, I don't want to lose you too.." She informed Tanzy before returning to Bishop's side until Kat and Mirabelle arrived.

She watched Kat's departure, but nothing else eventful happened other than Demetri's growing anger, which baffled her, until he disappeared right before her eyes, causing her to look to Bishop and Mira for guidance, "W-what?" She asked, before hearing howling in the distance. She squeezed her knife, letting out a slow breath, grabbing Tanzy by the hand to pull her closer, putting her back to her friend's, "We can be more alert this way.. No blindside... We're at a visual and auditory disadvantage as it is.. I don't want to find out how big that gap is.." She sounded scared, but was doing her best to protect herself and give her friend a fighting chance as well. She didn't want to burden Bishop, Demetri or Mirabelle... They had their own fight.. and judging by the howling there were several wolves.. if something was coming for them, Anise and Tanzy couldn't fight and run at the same time. Their reflexes weren't fast enough to run and fight the wolves.. The wolves seemed to have been one step ahead, attempting to rip the group apart. They left them a choice; Let the maids fend for themselves if they wanted to pursue Annabel.. Or lose Annabel's trail if they wished to ensure the survival of the maids. If they took the maids they risked endangering themselves and losing Annabel would still be on the table as a possibility.

Katerina looked up at him, her hand coming up to grab a hold of his shirt, her fingers curling around the collar as she clung to him. She tried to tell him that she would be alright, but she couldn’t. She tried to tell him again that she loved him, afraid that he didn’t hear her and he wouldn’t know.

There was a kind of peace before death. A peace where the pain stops.. where time stops. A peace in where the world stops moving for just a moment. It's silent. She saw Demetri look at her with fear and regret in his eyes. She watched him wish that there was something he could do to save her, and all she wanted was to quiet him and tell him that everything was going to alright. She wanted him to know that she did this for him - so that he could be safe and protect his family. Kat hoped now that she would be forgiven and that she would be remembered. For what ever comes after death, Katerina would always belong to the man that held her and now her only wish was that he would remember her, and he would move on. She didn't wanted to be mourned. All Katerina wanted was for Demetri to move past this and love again. To find happiness again. There were stories that she wanted to tell him, and stories of his life that she wanted to hear. If only she could have just another day with him.. another single moment....

Suddenly her shaking stopped and she looked up at him one last time before her eyes finally closed, and her heart stopped beating.

---

Mirabelle’s heart broke for her brother. She could hear him, hear his distress. They should have never left Kat out there alone, realizing now that these wolves weren’t looking to play with their prey. They were on a mission, not a hunting trip. She kept close to the other two girls, sighing the slightest bit of relief as she heard Reiji.

“Always on top, Brother.” She spoke to him with a slight smirk and then wrinkled her nose in his direction, trying to keep her mood light, but all she wanted to do was run out there and comfort her brother. She wanted to hold Demetri and tell him that everything will be alright, but she couldn’t. She had no idea if he’d ever loved another, and one never heals quickly when love is involved. ”Get her to speak and tell you where Dante is. If we find him, we can find Cas and Angie." She said, looking over her shoulder to look at Anise and Tanzy. There weren’t too far from her grasp, and she knew that Bishop wouldn’t leave Anise.

Mirabelle kept her weapon hidden, considering they still had guests in the room who were completely oblivious to what was going on outside. “Reiji, what do we do? We can’t hunt them out. Not without making the group of us weaker, and we can’t let them inside. There are innocents in there. People that don’t need to know that our home has been invaded…” Mirabelle wasn’t much of a fighter. She could hold her own, sure, but she would have rather left to either come back with help or better tactics. Father never taught her how to fight, only mother taught her how to prepare meat and cook dinner for the men. She was taught to be polite and to stay out of the way, and yelled out when she was barefoot outside to rough house with her brothers.

Her family life may have been a century ago, but she still didn’t know what she needed to survive. She had more of an instinct to clean and heal wounds, than she did to kill another person, but she needed to be strong. Mirabelle needed to find what she had when she got away, when she first turned. Thinking of Cassie allowed her to do that – she was going to do all that she needed to do to protect her family, including the last two girls that her family cared about. She was growing to like them, but they wouldn’t be Kat.

Mirabelle shifted angrily on her feet as she looked in her brother’s direction, impatiently. She looked at Bishop, looking to see if he would protect them before she stomped off to meet her older brother, grabbing the blonde by the hair. She tore her head back as her brother held her and snapped in her ear.

”You sure as hell better tell me where they are, or so help me god you will never find the mercy of a peaceful death. I just got my family back, and there is no way that I will let you or your pack take them from me again." Mirabelle used her strength and kicked the girl in the knee, breaking her leg and making her fall from her brother’s grasp. ”I am not afraid of you…" Mira growled and picked up one of the girl's hands in a death grip, watching as Annabel tried to change, but couldn’t do so from the silver lodged in her gut. ”I swear I will rip every claw from your fingers, and every tooth out of your head if you don’t start talking!"

(Edited).

Reaching the body of the newest maid just seconds after Demetri, Bishop froze, amazed by his brother's distress. Sure, he knew the other would be upset and was far more friendly than he himself was, but Bishop hadn't realized just how much Demetri liked the human already. Were he not feeling sorry for his twin, he'd find the scene almost disturbing. He certainly didn't understand his brother's taste.

He opened his mouth to remind his brother of the situation, deciding he'd have to play the mean role this time and tell his brother to grieve later. He never got the chance, Reiji's shout meeting his sensitive ears with ease, the redhead turning in the direction of the voice. Reiji found one, an important one it sounded like. Bishop was ready to kill them all.

He barely took a step when he looked back, seein Demetri lower his head and hold Katerina close. Mental alarms went off in his mind as he saw Demetri's crouched, prone figure. It was as Bishop feared: his twin would feel bad and allow himself emotion, and even though they were in the middle of a fight, he was distraught and occupied by grief. No way would Demetri be able to effectively protect himself like this. Damn it all!

As Mirabelle ran off to heed Reiji's summon, it sealed his decision in his mind. No way was he leaving his brother in such a dangerous position like this.

"No way in hell am I letting you die here Demetri! Dammit, I'm gonna kick your ass for this later!" he snapped, standing protectively by his twin. He looked up as he heard and smelled the approaching wolves, cursing under his breath. Drawing a silver blade, he mercilessly stabbed the first werewolf in the gut, followed by a slice to the neck. The second headed for Demetri, earning his wrath as well with a mighty blow to the head, Bishop using his strength to ram the knife blade into the creature's skull as though a hammer nailed in a stake. The howls of pain were music to his ears.

The other presence made him spin, eyes widening as he realized they were going for the maids, one of which was his personal little human he had yet to taste. He moved as though to attack, but to his surprise, instinct kicked in for the older maid to stab the ile mutt just in time. Well, at least she and his little pet weren't completely useless.

"Don't wander off! Get over here!" he snapped at the girls, not wanting to make his job any harder. Looking after his brother was one thing, but add two humans, and it was going to be a pain. But then again, they were worth something, and he did promise to let Anise have her revenge.