Chapter 2

When I opened my eyes, I was in the same corridor once more, but at least the lights were on. I realized it was my fathers' castle. His normally at his house, not the castle, and Victorianna, his second wife, and my stepmother stayed in the castle with the dear, sweet Briana. I looked at the portraits down the length of the corridor of my father and all the kings before him. It was so beautiful and ancient. I started at the top and made my way down, looking at all of the portraits. When I came to the end of the corridor, I drew in a breath of shock at the sight of the portrait before my fathers. The man in the portrait was beautiful, his eyes a crystal blue, his hair shoulder length, and bleach blond framed his face. He looked familiar. The gold plate under his portrait said Dentorion Winter.

“OMW!”realisation stopped me from reading even further.

He looked like...

“Do you know...?”

“O shit!” I clasped my hand over my mouth, my other hand flew to my stomach, as I was panting breathlessly.

“Sorry my dear, I didn’t mean to frighten you”

I looked into my dad’s loving eyes. The sight of them suddenly made tears fill mine and I looked away, blinking a few times. It hasn’t been long since I saw my dad, but it was still too long. I missed him terribly. I took a few long strides towards my dad and threw my arms around him giving him a huge bear hug.

“Hey daddy” I said into his shoulder.

“Good evening my angel.” He kissed me on the cheek and held me at arm’s length to look me once over.

“Are you okay?” Concern pulled his eyes together

“Fine” I smiled

He then pointed towards the portrait and asked; “Do you know him?”

I gave my father a confused glance because how can I know him? His been dead for probably how long.

“No, he just...he looks like Eric Winter in my school except for the blond hair Eric has black hair but the eyes... they look...exactly the same.” I looked at my dad’s worrying eyes.

“Who is that?”

“That was King Dentorion Winter. He was one of the most ruthless vampire kings. He was the cause of the dark days and the loss of many lives and families.”

That age-old saying popped in my head: Never judge a book by its cover. He looked so peaceful and relatable that I couldn’t even believe that he was a brutal murderer.

“Nia?”

“Oh, yes, sorry, dad.”

“I called you here because I wanted to know who communicated with you earlier?”

“How did dad know?” I asked deep in thought.

“Don’t worry about that. Who was it?” he sounded serious.

“Mm...Briana”

It was my dad’s turn to look confused and shocked now.

“What did she want?”

(I should probably tell him, or maybe I shouldn’t, what if he doesn’t believe me but I can’t lie to him...) my dad interrupted my mental bubble with a stern voice.

“Nia tell me what she wanted and tell me the truth.” It’s like he read my mind.

“She only threatened me” I shrugged.

“What! Why?” he controlled himself and asked a bit more quietly; “What did she say?”

“Only that I’m not fit to rule the kingdom and that I should not try to take it from her.” I started talking faster when I saw anger in my fathers' eyes. Then he took a deep breath and relaxed.

“Nia…” suddenly someone interrupted.

“Sire you have to come now, the vampire’s and shape shifters are starting a war.” The voice without a face made shivers run down my spine.

My body tensed, and I almost woke up when I saw my dad again.

“Nia, I’m sending Justine to protect and train you. She will accompany you home when the time come.”

“Who’s Justine and what training?” I asked, puzzled

“Justine was your guardian from when you were born; she will explain everything when she gets to you tomorrow. I have to go now. We will talk soon. I love you, my daughter.”

“Be safe, Daddy. I love you.”

I sat up once again, and I was absolutely exhausted. I tried to remember Justine, but I couldn’t recall her. So I decided to snuggle up to my bed covers and sleep. (Hopefully without any disturbance.)

As I drifted away, I saw an exotic, beautiful woman (or girls) face in front of me. She had shoulder-length blond curly hair framing her face. Her blond hair complimented her emerald green eyes; she had a perfect small nose and red lips. The form of her face had a pixie look, and her features fit in perfectly. She smiled, and then she was gone.

I forced myself to get up when I heard my phone’s alarm, I really didn’t want to wake up because I was so damn tired. I was still trying (not succeeding) to force myself to lift my foot out of bed when my door slammed open.

“Loser, wake up! I need you to do my homework immediately” Rachel ordered. She continued saying: “I was over at Brandon last night, and it was probably one of the best party’s ever…”

I didn’t care about any party she assumed was ‘the best’ because it probably wasn’t my scene anyway. I was about to tell her her fortune when my mom also stepped in.

“Well, why are you still in bed? You have a lot to do before you go to school… Oh, here’s your list of chores for the day.” She threw a list at me and gave me a discussed look.

I slowly controlled my breathing and calmed myself.

Unfortunately, she got on my nerves too soon.

“Well…get up!”

“Get out of my room immediately!” I took the notebook that she threw on my bed and threw it at the both of them. Luckily, it hit Rachel. My mom forced tears into her eyes; "You ungrateful little monster" and ran out. (Manipulative bitch) I was about to get up and say I’m sorry but I stopped with my hand on the door and just then decided no more. I will not be her little punching bag slash maid anymore nor will I do Rachel’s homework, I’m finished.

Since I was up, I quickly jumped through the shower and got dressed. When I went downstairs, I could see my mom and stepdad talking, I already knew it was about me. I wasn’t in the mood for mister holier than thou and his lectures. I have probably heard every insult possible, and got myself beaten to a pulp more times than I care to admit. The best part is that I don’t even need those special little lectures he has sleepless nights over. It is his dear little girl, whose shoe size is much too small for her feet, that really needs those lectures.

I quietly slipped past them and ran out the door, just to run smack into Eric (why is he here, probably for ‘ho’ Rachel).

He gave me a shy smile;

“Good morning”.

“Good morning Eric” I walked past him and quickly slipped down the driveway. When I slowed my pace a few feet from the house, I heard someone behind me, I glanced over my shoulder and came to a complete halt. Eric was behind me. Grinning like a moron, a very cute moron. He stopped beside me. After a long silence, he asked in such a sweet voice; “Can I walk you to school?”

I looked at him suspiciously.

“Why?”

“Why, what? Do I suddenly want to walk you to school?”

“Yes, why do you 'suddenly' want to walk me to school?”

“I don’t know....while I walked to school this morning, I just had the urge to ask if you wanted to join me”

“Whatever, let's get one thing straight, I am still ‘fatso’, even though I don’t look like it anymore. I am still the same girl. And. I. Don Not. Like. You”

Even though I punctuated every last word in that sentence, it didn’t feel like the truth. I kind of sort of had a huge crush on him. I know it is stupid and soooo cliché. I have always liked him, just not what he did to me, and normally, I blamed his actions on Chad because it is his plans. Eric is just the stupid puppet that performs the puppet masters wishes. And I know he has a choice everyone always has a choice, but I have learned the hard way most people will do anything to be popular.

He totally caught me by surprise when he said:

“Yeah, I know I’m a total bastard and I don’t expect you to like me. I know I did a lot of stuff to hurt you, but you should know that all of that stuff was ‘Chad’s ideas. Right now I’m only asking you if you will mind if I walk with you to school.”

“No, I don’t mind, and no, that is no excuse or apology” I looked him up and down and blurted out;

"As far as I am aware, you have free will and all that jazz."

Shocked and bewildered at my own mouth running off, I turned away.

He took my school bag and started walking. After a few steps, he realized I wasn’t following and stopped. He glanced over his shoulder, grinned, and motioned with his head.

I knotted like an idiot and walked towards him. (Who would have ever thought Zinnia and Eric Winters would be walking side by side to school?) I glanced over at him and saw him looking at me. I quickly looked down, my feet seemed very fascinating at that moment.

Eric wasn’t ugly he was damn fine. In a way, he was actually much, much sexier than Chad. He had untidy black hair, shimmering ice blue eyes, a perfect nose, and mouth-watering lips (he looks exactly like the painting, except for the hair…but how is that even possible?)

Suddenly, out of the blue, he asked me “When’s your birthday?”

“The third of April and yours?”

“Wow, April fourth, what do you want for your birthday?”

“Our birthdays are 3 months away”

I told him suspiciously. I have known Eric for five years. And he never cared about when my birthday was or to get to know me.

“Well, time flies when you’re having fun”

When I looked up, I could see what he was revering to. The school was in front of us. Then he stopped. He rubbed his neck and looked a little uncomfortable (of course, he doesn’t want to be seen with you, how could you be so stupid) I didn’t even bother to look at him. I just looked in front of me and walked towards the school. I suddenly felt a tight grip around my arm. I yanked it loose and slipped into the open doors. I didn’t have the time to feel utterly stupid.

I saw the beautiful blond from my dreams at my locker that must be Justine.

“Greetings Nia” she smiled and bowed her head slightly.

“Hey Justine”

“I’m glad you remember. Your father send me to keep an eye on you and to train you so you will be ready to return to Pantelleria by the end of March”

“The end of March?”

“Yes, Nia, it will not be save for you or anyone else, to be here when you turn eighteen”

“Why not?” I must have looked confused and scared because she placed her arm on my shoulder and gave me a reasuring smile.

“No worries, Nia, we will talk when we’re alone” I looked around me and saw the corridor filling up.

“Okay, what are you going to do while I’m in school?”

“I’ll be posing as a normal student, and while we’re here I’ll teach you our ways. At home, we will work on your physical strength so you can manage it.”

“That is not my home it is just a place I stay." I sighed

"Okay, at least I’m sitting alone in every class except for… biology” I spit it out like a hot tomato scalding your tongue.

She looked at me with sadness in her eyes. She was about to say something, but the look on my face made her swirl around just as the Ho club and jocks came in.

My eyes shot to Eric. He blushed and looked away. I grabbed my things and walked out. I could feel her presence following me. (Why do I allow people to walk over me, enough is enough. I will not allow this anymore. I will say my say and go my way!)