Anita
 

I was breathing very heavily and leaning on Alejandro. Tears were drying on my face and some were still running down. My little girl was dying. Jean-Claude was her father. I’d had only small doubts in the back of my mind; I hated the fact that we had to go this far to find out. I felt Jean-Claude. He was distressed. Had he seen Mia, too? No, it wasn’t that. He couldn’t find me. I opened the marks.

I was still leaning on Alejandro. I didn’t think I had enough strength to lift my self off of him. I looked up in to his eyes. This time my shields were tight. He would not break them down again. I pushed back from him to lean on the wall. I still couldn’t find my voice. It was like it was stuck in the back of my throat.

“Well, you have seen her. Why is she reacting like this to my bites?” He asked. He still believed that she was his daughter.

“She isn’t your child. LaMargra’s are supposed to be turned by their father or mother. If any other vampire turns them, then they die. You know this” I told him.

He could taste the truth of my words. I’ve only ever met one vampire that couldn’t tell a lie from the truth, and she had been scary enough, without that ability.

Alejandro stepped away from me. Jean-Claude called to me at that moment. I can’t seem to talk through my mind and my mouth at the same time. I talk too much, that I know, but I can’t do both without getting the information mixed up. Alejandro had chosen this particular moment to start pacing. Goodie.

“Ma petite, where are you? Why have you gone out alone, when I told you not too?”. Oh, he was pissed off, but also worried.

“I’m fine. I’m with Alejandro. He’s just shown me Mia. Shes in a very, very bad way, Jean-Claude. If we don’t get to her soon, I don’t want to think about what might happen”. I told him.

“What are you doing with him?” He was very, very pissed off. “Stay where you are. We’re on our way”. It was a good job he could find me wherever I was through the marks, cuz I had no idea where I was.

Alejandro had stopped pacing and walked straight towards me. He put his hands on the wall either side of my head.

“You will tell me how to cure her” He said.

“There is no way. There is only a potion to slow down the affect. You’re killing her” I told him. I was crying again.

“With every bite you give her, your killing her” I repeated, trying to get him top understand.

“You lie”

“Does it look like I’m lying? Does it feel like im lying?” I asked him. My throat was tight.

“Give her to me. Let me have her back and I can fix this!” I shouted into his face. I was shaking violently.

“You know I cannot do that, Ma timid saisir. Tell me how to help her!” He screamed back.
 

Then I heard my name. I turned my head to look back down the way we came. Shouts of “ANITA” rang out into the night. I looked at Alejandro. He was still standing with his arms blocking me from moving.

He was breathing as deeply as I was. A thought popped into my head. I’d wanted to ask this question since the night Alejandro had me taken.

“Why me? Why did you purposely hunt me down and take me? What was in it for you?” He looked startled by the question.

“I was ordered to hunt down the vampire hunter, you, who was hunting down one of my old masters clan. I brought you back to my master. I thought he was just going to frighten you into not performing the execution. I had no idea of his true plan, until you started to come round on the bed”. He sighed and finished.

I didn’t know why but I believed him. Trying to figure out that answer had haunted me for 16 years. The reason we were unsure of who was Mia’s father was because Jean-Claude had surprised me and took me to a hotel. We’d made love that night. Then the next night was when it happened. That why we had the confusion about who’s the baby was.

I looked at him. The shouts of my name were getting clearer and nearer. I had to go. If Jean-Claude found Alejandro, I didn’t want to think about what he would do to him. If Alejandro was killed, his servants might not be so willing to take care of Mia. I couldn't risk that.

“I’ve got to go. If you want to save her life you will give her back to me” I said quietly. I ducked under his arm and ran in the direction of all the shouts. Only problem is I had no clue as to where I was. Lucky me.
 

Chapter 20

Anita
 

I got out onto the main street and looked around. I didn’t have a clue where I was, or to get back to the restaurant. I looked back up the side street. As I expected, Alejandro had gone. Great. Now what was I going to do? There were still alot of people waiting to get into the cemetery.

Maybe if I followed them, I might be able to get back. I felt Mia calling for me. She was in so much distress; I wanted to cry for her. Alejandro had returned. I could feel her hatred and fear of him.

She was still struggling and she was bleeding. He had put a choker round her throat, but it was gone now. I’d slipped into Mia. I could see the room. And I could feel the hands on my arms. Alejandro was talking to her, trying to calm her down, but it wasn’t working, she was just getting more distressed.

I then did the worst thing. I pulled back. I pulled my self out of her. I was no good to her if I was just as stressed as she was.

Then I felt another pull; She was trying to tell me something, but couldn’t get it out. She wouldn’t let me go. She was making my heart ach, literally. I was still seeing through her eyes. I could see a room, and then I saw out of the window. She was in the woods, close to a slow running river which was coming down from a mountain. It was some sort of valley.

I hoped Tristean knew this place, because I couldn’t take any more.

I felt her shout for me as I left. At that point she’d physically given up. She’d given into them. She though I was going to leave her there because I’d pulled away. Oh, God, what have I done? I started to run and cry at the same time. Not a good combination. I couldn’t see what I was doing or where I was going. I was, literally, running blind.

I started to shout for Jean-Claude in a panic. Where was every one? I was surrounded by people who were looking at me as though I’d gone mad or I was so bereaved, I couldn’t control myself any longer. I carried on shouting Jean-Claude’s name. I could still fell Mia in my head. She was drawing energy from me, like we’d taught her, taking power from me to make herself stronger.

The problem was, she was so weak, she didn’t know how much to take or when to stop. I stood still and shouted Jean-Claude’s name again. I was a little away from the crowd now. People were still looking, though I was getting sifter looks now. They'd settled for the fact I was bereaved.

I started to cry. I tried to call out Jane-Claude’s name, but the words wouldn’t come. I stood and watched as they all went passed. I realised why no one found my behaviour wired and why they ignored me and left me to it.

Alot of people in the crowd looked just bad as I was. They were crying, some collapsing while being supported by their families. I couldn’t approach anyone, because I couldn’t speak their language. I knew some, but not alot. Mia knew alot more than I did. She was nearly fluent in Spanish and French. Just that thought made me think of her again. Then I thought about finding someone.

I looked round and then decided to try and call out again, but this time with my mind as well as voice.

“Jean-Claude!” I shouted into the night

I finally got an answering call.

“Anita! where you?” It was Asher’s voice. I looked round and he appeared there. I ran and nearly jumped into his arms. Now was the time I could collapse and let someone else do the work.

I held him to me and he rocked me from side to side, stroking my hair, as though I were a small frightened child. He was whispering in my ear;

“No one can hurt you now, Anita. We’ll get her back, I promise you”. I was crying softly into his shoulder, while he still rocked me back and fourth.

“I think we should get you back to Jean-Claude now, Ma Cheri, he’s missing you” He said . I looked up from his shoulder.

“I know where she is, Asher, she thinks I’m not trying to find her. She thinks I’m leaving her there. What am I going to do?” I asked.

“We are going to get you back to Jean-Claude. We had to stop him coming out. He’s just told me where to find you” He smiled. “If Alejandro had still have been hear, he would of killed him, thus, resulting in Mia’s death. That is something none of us want” He said.

I cuddled to him and let him walk me the right way back. I had no idea where I was, so I left him to guide me. We were approaching the end of the line now. I wasn’t getting any funny looks anymore, though. One good thing I suppose.

When the line came to an end, Asher grabbed me round the waist and lifted me in air. I’d never actually been with a vampire in the air, when I’ve been conscious, I mean. I wasn’t a very nice feeling at first. I didn’t like heights, so I didn’t look down. I clutched onto Asher harder and he laughed. He knew I didn’t like heights, but it was the quickest way back to Tristean’s. Oh goodie.
 
 

Chapter 21

Anita
 

We were standing outside Alejadro's house. Dolf had arrived earlier, in the morning. He had turned up with nearly the whole of squad. They had an order of execution from the Mexican government and our government, stating that we had the right to kill any one that got in our way. Alejandro was top of the list.

The council had phoned to say that they would do anything if we did kill Alejandro. They even offered to send someone out to help us, tomorrow. We told them the situation and they are fine with it. Even if they weren't, all of the forces of hell, heaven and earth couldn’t stop me going to get Mia.

It was12o’clock. Pitch black. We had plenty of time. The plan was to get in there, kill Alejandro before he bit Mia again and then get Asher to mark her. He still was a little bit nervous about it. He knew how I had done everything to stop Jean-Claude getting me. I think he thought Mia would reject him. I wanted to know how Jean-Claude could possible know what she wanted to be. She hadn’t told anyone.

The house was surrounded by trees. It was perched on top of a small hill with more trees surrounding it. It was the most secluded place I’d ever seen. It had taken us, after we’d got off the road, 20minutes to reach it. I would have turned back if I hadn’t known it was hear. I would have probably turned back any way, thinking I taken the wrong turn off.

Dolf came walking towards where Jean-Claude, Tristean, Asher and I was standing, talking in whispers. He looked confused.

“We’ve checked the whole perimeter, and we can’t see any type of security system. I don’t understand it” He told us, shaking his head. I had an idea.

“Could the council have tipped him off ? Could he have gone and taken her somewhere?” I asked

“No, I’ve had the place watched since Jean-Claude phoned me to tell me what has happened. There has been movement, but what ever has left has come back. None of my men have ever seen a young girl, or for that matter, another female around hear. I think he has got too comfy in the fact no one has done anything” Tristean informed us.

I leaned into Jean-Claude an he put his arm around me. I was scared for Mia. I was scared of loosing her. God, I hoped this went right. Dolf’s walkie talkie went off. He out it to his ear. All I could hear was a bit of mumbling. He put it too his mouth.

“Copy, thats a go. Execute” He said and every one went off in their own direction. Jean-Claude, Asher and I stayed together.

Every one was in full combat mode, with bullet proof vests and camouflage suites, which blended in with the night. Edward was loving it. He’d thanked me for inviting him. Bastard. He was enjoying him self. I knew I could count on him though, he would get the job done.

Jean-Claude and Asher led me through the trees. I got my first proper look at the house. It was a two story house, but it was very wide. There was alot of windows, It was like the house was made out of glass. I could understand why there wasn’t anyone patrolling out side, all they’d have to do was look out of the window and shoot.

Jean-Claude and Asher seemed to know where they were going. I looked behind to see where the squad had gone, but they seemed to be approaching at a slower speed. I looked to my left and I found Edward. He was coming over to us. Jean-Claude suddenly stopped. I looked away from Edward and found a door in front of me.

Jean-Claude let go of my hand and walked up the steps. Asher was next and I followed him with Edward bringing up the rear. We were standing in room that could have been an entrance hall, but by the looks of it, it was being used as a living room .There was steps leading down into it. The actual stair case was slap bang in the middle of the room. It was wooden and was polished to perfection.

We walked towards it. I felt fear rise in me, but it wasn’t my fear, then I felt a sharp and immense pain go through me. As I collapsed I hared Mia scream. Edward knelt beside me and tried to help me up, but I couldn’t use my legs. They’d gone to jelly. He finally picked me up. Asher was there. He looked frightened. I’d never seen Asher looked frightened, in the whole time I’d known him, I’d never seen fear in his eyes or on his face.

“Give her to me” Jean-Claude had joined us. Edward placed me in Jean-Claude’s arms. He smiled at me, as though he knew something I didn’t. I didn’t smile back. I would never smile again, unless Mia was back with me.

He carried me up the stairs effortlessly, as though I weighed nothing. I could feel the anticipation rolling off of him. He wanted a fight, he knew he could beat Alejandro. Well, he thought he knew he could beat Alejandro, if that made sense.
 

She screamed again, but this time she called for me and Jean-Claude. I started to call out her name and Asher echoed me. She was screaming constantly now and then suddenly she stopped. Jean-Claude put me down and carried on running in the direction the scream came from. He then literally jumped through a door. Asher, Edward and I followed him in
 
 

Chapter 22

Anita

The sight we seen made me cry out. It was a helpless noise, but seeing my daughter like that.... She was helpless and there was nothing I could do. That was how I felt. I wanted to kill him. Alejandro was standing holding her. She was lying limply over one of his arms. He had her blood round his mouth, it was dripping down his chin and on to his white shirt.

He looked lost, like he didn't expect that to happen. I felt anger well up inside me like I’d never felt before. I wanted to kill him more than ever now. I would see him dead before this night was out, weather it was by my hands or Jean-Claude’s. He would die.

I must have made some sort of movement because Edward put his hands on my shoulders, stopping me from doing anything irrational, I think. I was way beyond irrational. I was livid with anger and hate. I looked at Edward then back at Mia.

Her neck was bleeding. She had a white top on and it was covered in blood. I couldn’t see her breathing. A blur of white and black flew passed my eyes. It took me about a second to realise who it was.

It was Jean-Claude. He’d rushed Alejandro, who’d dropped Mia to avoid him.

“Mia!” I screamed her name.

Asher was there to save her. He caught her and lifted her in his arms. He knelt down and pulled her gently to him. Her torso was resting on his knees. I realised she was still breathing.

I rushed over to her. Alejandro and Jean-Claude had disappeared.

“Mia!” She looked so pale. She was a having trouble breathing. I think she was trying to speak.

“No, sweetheart, don’t talk. It’s fine, your gonna be fine” I told her with a smile. She saw through it, though. She knew me to well. She smiled, but it was full of pain.

I looked at Asher. He shook his head. Oh no, he would not get cold feet on mine or Mia’s time. I didn’t think she would last much longer

“Asher, please!” I looked at Mia she was still having trouble trying to breath.

I picked her up and held her to me. I could still feel her heart beating. She was close to passing out. I laid her on the floor. Her chest was rising very fast, but not enough. I realised what was happening. Her body was dying without her.

I looked at Asher.

“I cannot do this, Anita, I cant!” He shouted.

“You have to, she’ll die!” I shouldn't have shouted that.

“She wont, Alegrá can give her the antidote! That will work” He pleaded.

I shook my head

“It wont Asher. Please” I’d broken down into tears.

“Anita, please, don’t do this” He said. He sounded as though he was close to tears.

“Mum” Mia said in a small voice.

“I thought I told you not to speak”

“I’m just like you. I listen to know one” She said, still smiling sweetly.
 

I looked at her. I was so proud of her. I didn't tell her that often enough. I just hoped she knew.

“Mum, please. I cant stand the pain any more. I don’t think I can do this any more” She said. Tears were welling to the surface, her eyes filling.

“No, Mia, we’re gonna bet you sorted, I promise” I told her. A tear rolled down my check and fell on to hers.

“Mum please” And then she screamed and went limp

“NO” I collapsed on top of her

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up through my wet eyes. It was Jean-Claude. They were standing facing each other.

“Asher, there is no one in this world I trust more than you. You are part of my family. I now ask you to save another person in my family. My daughter” Jean-Claude said. He then stepped forward and embraced Asher like a lost brother. I took this time to wonder where the hell Edward had gone. Then I heard fighting.

I looked back round Asher had Mia in his arms. I felt warm sweet relief flood over me. He was going to mark her. Jean-Claude came to help me stand up and Alegrá appeared at the door with a needle in her hands. She smiled at me. I collapsed and feel into Jean-Claude. I’d done my part for the day.

Chapter 23

Mia
 

I was standing in a dark street. There was no light coming from any where. The air was warm and smelled sweet. I looked at what I was wearing. It was a white, floor length night dress. It felt smooth and comforting against my skin. I looked around me. There was someone standing behind me.

Asher.

I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck. He put his arms around my waist and lifted me up. He held me so tightly to him. He squeezed me, as if he had to find out if I was real or not. I squeezed him just as hard back. I needed to know he was real, too.

He put me down and pushed me away from him. He held my arms lightly and looked deeply into my eyes. I realised something I hadn’t before. He had no scars. I was dreaming. That meant I could still be with Alejandro. Oh, God.

Asher noticed my change in attitude. He cocked his head to one side.

“What is the matter Ma cherie?” He asked me.

“I’m dreaming. Please tell me I’m not with Alejandro any more, Asher, please” I pleaded with him to tell me.

“Do not worry, Ma cherie, you are safe. We are still in Mexico, but Alejandro is dead. You do not need to worry about him any more” He said with a small smile. I smiled and hugged him again. It was nice to know I could still do it.

I started to cry, but they were mostly tears of joy than anything else. I felt Asher’s puzzlement of why I was crying. Then I felt something else. He was anxious about something. He was finely trembling. I hadn’t noticed until now. I pulled back a little and wiped the tears off my face.

“What’s wrong Asher? What has happened?” I asked. I had a strong feeling this news was not going to be pleasant news.

“It not of importance” He smiled.

I remembered I had to tell my decision. I promised to tell him what I wanted to be when I got back from school that night. I’d tell him now, instead.

“Asher, there's something I want you to know. I promises to tell you before....all of this took off. I’m going to tell you what I want to be” I told him.

He looked less than happy about that. Oh dear.

He pulled away form and turned his back to me. That was one thing he’d never done to me, turned away form me. I’d accepted him, always. It upset me that he did it now. It was like everything had changed. I hated change.

“Asher, not once, in all my years, have you ever turned away from me like that” I said in a low and careful tone. I didn’t want the sound of tears coming through.

He turned round with a sigh, and walked back to me. I just stood there, waiting for him to come. He pulled me into his arms and held me immobile, my arms at my sides. He opened his mouth, closed it and opened it again. As though he was decided on his choice of words, or if to tell me at all.

“Asher please, I could never hate you” I told him. I wrapped my arms around him.

“For this you might. I cannot be hear, Mia, I am truly sorry”

He let me and walked off, disappearing as he did. I wanted to shatter the dream, but I didn’t have the energy to. I broke down into tears. My whole world had changed, and it hadn’t even been my fault. I just wanted to be held by someone who loved me. I wanted to know I was safe. Looks like I’ll never be safe again. Or, at least, thats how I felt.

Chapter 24

Mia
 

I pulled my self out of sleep slowly. I was in a room I didn’t recognise. Had Asher lied to me? Just to make me feel better? I hoped not. I sated to stir. I felt like shit. I probably looked like it too after what had happened. I leant on my elbows and looked round the room. The terracotta curtains were drawn. It was still light outside. The sun was just staring to set.

I looked round the rest of the room. It was done in terracotta and cream with gold’s. It was a very nice room. I also noticed something else. Asher was leaning against the wall. He was the last person I expected to see. I didn’t know how to react. This was the first time in 15 years I’d felt uncomfortable around him.

All of my friends at school couldn’t believe how comfortable I was around vampires. The thing is, I didn’t know any better. I had been brought up around vampires and lycanthropes. I didn’t know any different. We just lay and stood looking at each other. He pushed away from the wall with a sigh. He closed his eyes and came to sit on the bed next to me.

“I am so sorry, Ma cherie, I should not have left like that. It was stupid of me” He admitted. I cocked my head to one side. There was something different. I didn’t know quite what, but there was something different.

“Why did you leave me, Asher. I wanted to tell you. Don’t you want to know?” Maybe that was it. Maybe he thought my dad had a right to know first.

He shook his head and smiled. It wasn’t a happy smile, though. I hadn’t seen one of those for a while. I was really beginning to miss them.

“Can’t you feel it, Mia? Don’t you know?” He asked. I didn’t have a clue. I shook my head.

He stood up and started to straightened out his cloths. My father did it all the time when he was nervous and had to tell my mum something he thought she wouldn’t like.

“What do you need to tell me Asher?” I asked. He breathed deeply and began

“We though you were dying. Alejandro had taken too much blood and as he wasn’t your father, you wouldn’t turn properly. You would just die” He had started to pace.

He stopped and looked at me. He appeared at my side. I hadn’t seen him move, but I knew where he would be. What was going on?

“Asher, just tell me!” I said.

“It wasn’t my decision. I didn’t want to do it with out your permission, but your mother and father asked m. I couldn’t watch you die, and having you hate me is much better than not having you at all” Oh God, what had happened.

“I had to give you the first two marks in order for you to survive” He said and sat down.

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.

“If you had stopped running away from me I could of told you what I wanted to be, Asher. I want to be your human servant. I don’t want to turn furry every month, I want to see day light, and I want to be joined to you, for as long as I live” I told him. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. I had been wanting to tell someone for ages.

Asher looked me deep in the eye, as though he was trying to determine if I was telling the truth or not. He smiled and pulled me to him. I held on to him so tight. I felt as though if i didn’t I would fall away in to eternity. He whispered in my ear.

“Shall we go and see your mother?”

I smiled, tears in my eyes.

“Yes” I said.

He pulled back and I could see tears in his eyes too. I’d finally found those happy similes I’d wanted to see for so long. He helped me get out of bed and when my legs wouldn't hold me, he scooped me up in his arms like I was a small child. I felt warm and safe. I was home (but not really at home)

“Asher”

“Yes”

“Where are we?”

Epilogue

Mia
 

I am now Asher’s official human servant. He gave me the last two marks while we were in Cuernavaca. When I asked him where we were, he laughed. I love Asher. He’s not like my father at all. I think I love him in a lover kind of way, but my mum would screw. Well, its not like she has any moral high ground to stand on or anything.

The concert went well. I didn’t make one mistake on the piano or singing. Miss Sanders had her baby. A little girl. Shes called her Mazy. Shes beautiful. Only Miss Sanders and Mr Scholy know what happened that day, no one else. We managed to keep it out of the press, too. Though how we managed that I don’t know. Everything is slowly getting back to normal.

Edward decided to come back to St Louis with us. For the past two weeks he’s parked himself outside my school, watching me. I asked him why and he said he was fulfilling his duties as God father. I gave up telling him there was no need.

Dolf is getting a little better where my dad is concerned. He’s sort of warmed to him after all of this kicked off. Me and mum are slowly bringing him round where my dad is concerned. It may take some time but we’ll get there in the end.

I like being a human servant. Its funny watching Asher while I eat things he don’t like the taste of. The first time he tasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches he nearly choked. I did choke, from laughing to hard. He doesn’t like coffee either. Oh well, its just tough, cuz I do!

My mum is being more over protective than usual, but that isn’t a surprise. The surprise is my dad not letting me even stand on the front door step unless someone is there to watch me. I can’t believe he's being like this. I asked my dad if I could go to the movies and he nearly died. Asher laughed at me. I think he was getting me back for laughing at him while he choked. Bastard.

Asher is happy. My dad is happy. I’m happy, ands for once, my mum is happy. She’s got used to the idea of me being a human servant. I think she would have found it uncomfortable if I’d became a vampire. It would mean I’d have to disappear. I did not want to disappear.

My dad trust Asher beyond any one. I think to a certain degree, he loves him. It just bothers me a little that they both used be part of the same menage á trois. I haven't said anything. I probably wont. I’m just going to leave it for another day’s worry.

I’ve just got get my head around the fact I wont age. I’m going to have to watch my friends age in front of my eyes and not join them. It will just feel a little wired, but I doubted I would ever see most of my friends from school again. Funnily enough, that thought didn’t bother me.

I’m going to live for a very long time, stay looking nearly 16 for all of that time. I’ll always be in the arms of my mum and dad and a man I love. I’ll be surrounded by beautiful people. I’ll have lots of adventures. Sounded like a very good life to me!

The End

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