Hidden Secrets {Nathan Sykes}

Chpt. 12

"Oh my God, Logan?" I cried staring at him.

Logan smiled at me, "I'm sorry Crystal," The face was of Logan's but the voice wasn't his. I then realized it was another trick of Darius'. "But I'm not your brother. Although I'll admit, I thought I knew him well enough. He surprised me by betraying me even after all that I taught him. But he will be punished once I find him."

Dionne sneered but I ignored her.

"What have you done to Nathan," I asked looking at his slumped form hanging from the post.

"Ah yes, well, he'll come to soon enough. I had to see for myself what the big deal was concerning you, but now I can see for myself. You're very lovely." Darius sniffed the air, "And so mouthwatering tempting, I don't know how he can resist."

"Let him go!" I screamed, "What do you want with us?"

Darius laughed and Dionne joined which annoyed the heck out of me.

"Apparently Nathan hasn't told you about me, shall I enlighten you?"

Not waiting for my response, Darius continued, "A long time ago, after my vampire mother had died, my father fell in love with a human. A human! I immediately disapproved, but it wasn't my place for what my father wanted to do. This human was married at the time, however and was not interested in my father at first. But he had planned carefully and waited for the right time to get rid of him since time was on our side. Once we killed him and feasted on his blood the woman sought comfort in my father. Eventually he gained her trust and they married. My father, wanting his new mate to be with him forever, turned her into a vampire as well."

"To add a slight complication to the mix, my new stepmother had two kids from her former husband. I had wanted to kill them myself but once again my foolish father stopped me because he loved my stepmother. He made her decide whether or not they should be turned or if they should die. Of course she had them turned. One fateful day I came home to the dead corpse of my father, torn to pieces by my stepbrother. He had found out that it was his stepfather who killed his real father. Angered that he had killed my father I tried to kill him in return. However, I was unable to and was forced to retreat. I carefully bade my time waiting for my day of revenge on my stepbrother. So what do you think of this story, Crystal?"

I couldn't help but listen to the tale fascinated.

Nathan stirred, "Crystal, don't- "

"Which brings us to today, doesn't it dear stepbrother Nathan?"

I looked to Nathan my mouth wide open.

Darius continued, "I have watched you over the years waiting for the perfect time when you were the most vulnerable. And here it is - you finally found love didn't you. Now I can finally cause you the same pain that you caused me all those centuries ago when you killed my father."

Dionne came from behind me in a flash and lifted me off the ground by throat. I gasped for air and tried to breathe. Then Dionne threw me in in the air and I sailed 10 feet away but closer to the cliff.

"No!" cried Nathan.

I landed on my shoulder hard, most likely dislocated. I coughed and tried to catch my breath. But not a moment later Dionne was back kicking me in the stomach and ribs. I thought I heard the all-too-familiar breaking sound of bones. How I was to measure against a vampire? I screamed in pain. At the same time, Darius was having his way with Nathan as well. He began hitting him in the face, the stomach and then his face again and again. Nathan, still bound tightly to the post, was helpless.

"Nathan!" I wailed.

"Crystal!" he cried in return completely devastated. "Stop Dionne, please!"

Dionne lifted me back off of the ground and flung me close to Nathan. Again I landed hard, my breath taken right out of my lungs.

She shouted from across the way, "Look at your precious Crystal now Nathan, isn't she still so beautiful? And you, all that strength but unable to help her. You better take advantage of saying your last good byes."

The ties had loosened slightly and Nathan was able to at least sink to the ground next to me. He was sobbing, "Oh Crystal I'm so sorry about this - this is all my fault. I wanted to tell you but I was so afraid you would hate me for the truth and I would lose you. I should have listened to you and turned you. You wouldn't be in such pain right now! I'm so sorry!"

I looked in his golden eyes, "Nathan," I gasped, "not... your fault. I... rather die tonight... than have never... met you."

"Crystal... I love you, I always have," Nathan whispered.

Sensing Dionne was close and that the end was near for me I whispered to Nathan, "I love you too... Nathan." And waited for the end.

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Darius!