Passion for Blood

Chapter 2

As I open the door to the meeting room, I see my brother sitting at the head of the table reading through papers. He's very focused because his eyebrows are scrunched together and his brunette hair is a mess and the bags under his eyes show he has not gotten enough sleep lately. When I clear my throat to make myself known, he looks up and a smile displaces his frown in an instant. A tired smile at that. "Madeleine, please take a seat," he gestures to the empty chair beside him. "I see you have not been given time to rest," I say as I pull the chair close. "Unfortunately no and for good reason, we are running out of men faster than they are multiplying. " He sighs and sets the papers neatly aside. " Why are not Xavier and Nathaniel helping you? " I ask. "Nathaniel is recruiting new men and Xavier... " before he could finish speaking he is interrupted by the door bursting open. In walks none other than Xavier, my second brother. "Speak of the devil," Alexander says, "where have you been, brother? " " Probably having a good time with one of his companions," I say, rolling my eyes.

Xavier has never been serious with any woman he has met. He tends to toy with them until they bore him, not caring about the hearts he breaks. Even though he hurts them, I blame the women who fall for him because they know what he does. Social seasons are by far his favourite times because so many women line up for him because they think he will ask them to marry him, only to be disappointed. " Sister, no need to be jealous, you will never be replaced in my heart," he says winking at me. " You have one? " I ask in shock. "Funny," he says rolling his eyes. " Since you are here, I might as well tell you. " Alexander interjects. " We have been invited to the spring masquerade next week. " " Well that's nice, I hope you declined graciously," Xavier says sarcastically. He has never been interested in such activities, they have always bored him. Unless of course, someone catches his eye. " On the contrary, brother, I agreed, because it's been way too long since we went out, " Alexander says with a slight irritation in his voice. " Are you trying to punish me or something?  Why would you do something so... barbaric ", Xavier whines.

" I shall not be able to go. ", I say, trying to find an excuse not to go. It's been way too long, but for good reason. The last time my family attended such an event was almost four years ago. Back then, my parents were invited to dinner, which then turned into a bloodbath where we lost both parents. I did not go at the time because I was sick, but my brothers had returned home with a police escort. It took them weeks to get over their trauma and tell what had happened. After a year had passed, they joined the council to protect not only me but others. Another year passed and I had joined as a nurse, although I did not have much choice as my brothers always wanted me around, and it has been that way ever since. Apart from the council, my family had a name in the world, my father owned a large mining company which was then passed on to Alexander, the eldest. After my parents passed, we never showed up at events or gatherings unless it was for the council. The decision to show up here is pretty unsettling, especially since it's no longer safe for us to do so.

" Yes, you will attend, it is the beginning of the social season and you are what 20 " " Oh, so this is for me to find a suitor, not for the family ", I explain, now knowing what is going on. "That's very unfortunate, sister," Xavier says, bursting out laughing. I cross my arms and avert my gaze from my brothers. " Unfortunately, I will not be there as one of us is needed for the council meeting next week, but Nathaniel and Xavier will be by your side. " Alexander says, smiling as he finishes. I never thought of finding someone to share my life with. It's hard to think of such a thing, but I only envy the other women who do not notice the chaos around them even more. Growing up, I was trained to protect myself from the creatures. My mother always told me that survival was more important than my heart. " How are you going to get Nathaniel to go? You know he hates it when all the women throw themselves at him. " I say, smiling at the memory of how even my best friend Grace had tried but failed miserably. The men in my family were blessed with god-like features, inherited from my father, who was also a handsome man. All three have brunette hair, with the only difference being that Xavier has our mother's brown eyes and freckles, while Alexander and Nathaniel have our father's green eyes. As for me, I have greyish eyes and raven black hair. "Leave him to me," Xavier says with a sly expression.

Authors note:

Good day fellow readers, I hope the introduction has piqued your interest. This is my very first book and I am both excited and nervous to share my story with you all. Thank you for taking the time to have a look and I hope you enjoy it. Please note that this story does have violence and other mature themes, if you think you can handle it then by all means please stick around.