Of Dragons & Vampires

Chapter Two

Hi guys! I'm mid way through an essay for my university, so sorry if this is awful! I'm of course open and excited for commentaries and feedback, thank you again! I hope you enjoy x

EVANDER:

Suffocated. That's what Evander felt like. He had never worn a suit in his life and if it were up to him he wouldn't be wearing one now.

"Goddamit!" he seethed, untying his tie for the fifth time. He had been forced against his will into a dark suit, stuffed into a waist coat and all. He had almost rammed the pocket watch down his mother's throat when she held it up for him to see. There was no way in Hell he would wear that.

"Need help, little brother?" A familiar head of ruffled dark locks poked around the door, violet eyes glinting.

"Damien!" Evander shrieked, running and leaping into his brother's open arms. Damien's laugh was music to his ears, it had been weeks since they had last seen each other. His brother reluctantly placed Evander back on his feet, brushing a few strands of hair from his eyes.

"You look dashing, Evan. I'm surprised you didn't convince mother to let you where a hoodie and converse."

"I tried, she wouldn't let me." Evander pouted, but smiled after Damien pressed his lips to his brother's forehead. They stayed like that, Evander wrapped his arms around his brother's waist, his head resting on his shoulder. How he missed him.

"I won't bother asking you how you feel, because I already know." Damien pulled away, his hands resting on Evander's shoulders.

"But me and Savannah are here for you, no matter what happens."

"Is she here?" Evander perked up, thinking back to his brother's beautiful golden-haired wife. Evander considered her a second sister, he had never met someone so cheerful, so happy and full of life. She had enchanted his cat to talk the first time they met, which was all fun and games until Balthazar had been hit by a bus and Evander had been stuck with a profanity laden rant as his beloved pets last words.

"No." Damien's eyes darkened, "Mother and father wouldn't allow it. But never mind that, lets fix your tie."

Evander swallowed as he allowed Damien to work the light blue tie he had tangled around his neck. If he could be anywhere else but here, he would be. He would pay whatever it took to get away, to run away from the night where his whole life would be mapped out for him, to escape to an island somewhere far away, away from this. He should be with Brae, Jack and Charvi, drinking and dancing to whatever shit music a DJ had decided to play. He should be laughing and joking, accidentally bumping into the first topless guy he saw in a gay club. Instead he was here, his palm itching in anticipation for the cut that would seal his fate.

"The High Lord, Atlas, is here tonight. Remember to smile." Damien tilted his brother's chin high. Atlas Heridicles was as old as his father but far more revered. Anyone who didn't fear him would be unwise, Evander had heard he had slaughtered the dragons and taken their reign over the supernaturals for himself. He didn't know whether he believed that, but that man, tall, muscular and dark haired, scared him to the undeath.

"Can't wait for him to slash my palm, maybe he'll miss and it'll be my wrists."

"Do not speak like that, Evander."

Damien and Evander turned to see the rest of their family enter. Pericles entered first, tall and built like a gladiator, his brown hair long on the top and feathered short down the sides. His jaw strong and eyebrows thick. On his arm was his wife, Duchess Selena. Evander hated the look of her. Oh she was beautiful, like China doll, but in a way so delicate and arrogant that it made him want to rip out her glossy black locks. They nodded stiffly at him in greeting, Pericles's lips curling into a small smile of praise.