Chapter Eight

Tristan left the village with Lucian, his father, they traveled to Lucian's home where Tristan was raised up in the ways of his kind. He was told of his royal birth, how he was firstborn and rightful heir to the kingdom of Lanos. He was taught to use the powers he was born with, to embrace his thirst, how to use his powers to get whatever he desired. Though all he truly desired was revenge. Revenge on the father who wished him dead, revenge on the mother who had let him go. Revenge on the siblings that had the life he should have had. When the time was right, Tristan made his way back, in the guise of a noble merchant from a distant land, here to trade goods with the kingdom of Lanos.

In the months following Tristan's takeover, he sent for Lucian and the rest of his kind to join him. I was ordered to be locked in my chambers, and be kept under guard at all times. Tristan knew I was hiding something, and spent many hours trying to pull the secrets from my mind. It took all my strength to resist him, but I knew for my son's sake I must not let his existence be known. The girls were kept in their chambers as well, far on the other side of the castle. I knew not what Tristan had in store for his sisters, and I feared for their safety.

The only time we were all together was during our weekly family meal. Tristan would send for us, and we would sit around the table in some twisted semblance of family. Tristan was seated at the head of the table, with me to his right and Lucian to his left. I  would look into those glowing eyes across the table from me and try to understand why. Why me? Why had he chosen to visit me that night? The girls were seated around the table between the others that had come here with Lucian.