Beloved

First Light

"Jake, while that is a very beautiful sentiment, that's the dumbest thing I have heard." He dropped his hands and looked at the floor in defeat.

"If we're being honest, I was falling in love with you all those months ago when I thought you were human. The only thing that shifted that was the fact that you kill people. But let me tell you two things; One, your entire clan is in danger, you should put them at the top of your list of priorities for right now. And two, I'm literally giving you my permission to change me. Even if I fall head over heels for you, we'll have saved you and your people and myself, which I think is a great thing. All I'm saying is that I'd rather be in love with one caring, protective Vampire than be torn to shreds and probably devoured by more. Stop worrying about about me, I'm sure there will come a time when I return to normal." I was scared but confident. I was set on being a Vampire though, who would turn down an opportunity like this, especially if they were in danger of losing their own life.

He smiled and so did I, this was all really fast-paced but it didn't matter.  I would have the rest of eternity to change anything if I wanted. I hugged him and he told me that he would change me within the next few days and I nodded, I was so afraid but my brave face seemed to be working.

The doors bursted open a moment later and Talyn was thrown in roughly. She was battered and beat up. Rage surged through me and I reached for my holster on my hip but it was gone. I turned to the door to find an even more gruesome sight. I charged forward without a single thought and picked up a knife from the desk on my way. Kabal stood in the doorway with my mother held tightly in his left arm and my limp, limbless father in his right.

"These were-" I slashed at his face and he released them and jumped back a short distance. I kept forward, slashing and spinning the dagger in his direction but the speed of a vampire was surmountable to a human's so none of my attacks landed... Until Jake appeared behind him. He blocked his way and I sliced across Kabal's throat and dug the blade into his heart with a guttural scream. The conflict ended momentarily and I was still angry.

"My, my. This one has some spunk!" Kabal said and I stared him in the eyes. "If you were a vampire, I would probably have had some difficulty dodging you. Good thing you're human." He smiled and I removed the knife. He and Jake separated and I saw that the blade had pierced him too but then I remembered what I was angry for. I turned around and ran back to the room. When I got there, my papa was fully healed and so was Talyn. Papa was still out cold but mom was being comforted.

"Friends of yours?" Kabal asked and I sighed to release all the tension I held and allow relief to flow through me. "My parents, why did you do that to them?! What is wrong with you?!" I screamed at him and he smiled. "I actually saved them all. Your friend was about to die fighting a pack of hellhounds, I noticed that she was protecting those two so I helped her out." My eyes widened in shock, I just tried to kill the man that saved my family.

"Kabal." Jake said simply and he smiled. "Back to the shadows with me, I guess. You are very welcome, Master Ymir." A cloud of black smoke erupted from him and he disappeared. "Kara." Jake spoke again and I looked around for her but only found her when she answered.

"Yes?" She was directly behind me and I turned to face her. "Let's give Ymir some of your blood."

"Right, it's an honor master! Please, drink up!" She sliced her forearm open and I raised an eyebrow and he nodded to her arm. "Go on, this is your first experiment with vampiric abilities. And I'm sorry, but it will hurt." I nodded before looking back to my parents, they were both asleep now. I turned and drunk a few sips of blood but it wasn't like Jake's, it was searing hot! I dropped and clutched my stomach. The pain was excruciating, every vein burned agonizingly for what seemed like forever. It slowed down to a low sizzle and then I felt great. I tried to stand but ended up launching myself into the air. Jake jumped and caught me so that I didn't crash into the ceiling. We floated down and he started to teach me about my newfound powers and how long they would last. I had six hours, some would be spent training, he said. But for the rest of the time, I was free to do as I liked.

"Also, let's set something straight."

********

All of house Tepes was in attendance and it was a lot of them! I watched as they all prepared themselves for whatever Jake had to say. Some faces were scowling and others were stoic but one stood out to me. His skin was a little darker than mine and his hair was as pink as cherry blossoms. He smiled gently at me before waving slightly with his fingers. I smiled back and but quickly faltered and turned to Jake. He hadn't seemed to notice and I was relieved, I didn't need a repeat of the party with Adam.

"Reprimand them." Jake said as he pushed me closer to the railing of the balcony and I asked why. "They allowed Talyn and your father to be mauled, do what you must. Be a leader that demands respect." His smile was warm and I nodded even though I didn't really want to yell at them.

I took a deep breath, cleared my throat and spoke.