1 I

"What the hell happened?" I say as I look at the blood spilling onto my floor. The four of them just crashed into my home in the dead of night. Tamara (Nefertari) is fast asleep. I can't believe what I'm seeing. A fresh one is bleeding profusely in front of me. To my knowledge, not even a Drastida can harm us only one of Them can. But if they got on the wrong side of one of Them then they would be getting punished inside of the dungeon in Edwin.

"We were caught off guard...I…I..do…n't know!" Starla says. Tears flowing from her as the one that is deathly injured is one of hers.

"There were at least three of them. I never thought that something like this could happen to one of us! I…I really can't believe it!" Isaac says. He and Joseph are covered in blood, still holding onto Dana arms.

"Three of who?!"

"Humans!" A fresh one by the name of Jessica says with a grim face. Her fangs bared as if ready to lunge at someone.

"Say that again?" The smell of blood must have awakened her. Because it doesn't matter how loud a sound one makes, she will continue to sleep through it. Her long blush silk gown trailing behind her, the bushels of curls tumbling about her back and shoulders as she makes her way down the stairs and into the living room where I told them to move her to.

"We seriously were minding our own business coming out of a restaurant downtown and suddenly they came out of nowhere…we thought…maybe it was a mugging but then…one of them pulled this gun out and shot Dana."

"We were about to react when we noticed her writhe in pain…. the blood…she hasn't stopped bleeding since…I was able to pull the bullet out…bu…bu…t…blood…it hasn't stopped…Ancient One…. what do we do?!" Joseph is beside himself more at the thought that a mere human could injure a Vampire.

"For now, I will give her blood. No one is to speak of this or even think about it! Is that understood?" I say.

"Yes!" Everyone says.

The panic and disbelief are weft in the air. The smell of blood slowly dissipating as one of the maids cleans the dark puddle from in front of the door.

*****

I can't believe I said that to him! What was I thinking? I'm not ready for that. Is it because I'm jealous of Jakartha? Yeah, I'm jealous. Seeing him always fawning over him and now he's pregnant! But I'm totally not ready for this. I'm like…omg, he is so experienced and the most that Seiji and I have ever done was oral. Dang. Just breathe Daevaako…

"That movie was awesome!" David bellows as we exit the theater and head towards the backyard.

"Yea, I enjoyed it." Seiji agrees, nodding slightly as David wraps his arm around his shoulder.

"It was ok." Kim says with a pop of her lips and arms crossed.

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I barely paid attention to the movie. But I still say, "I liked it. Did you like it Alexa?"

Skipping next to me she looks up at me through her bushel of curls that are tied into two ribbons.

"I liked it! It was funny!" She squeaks with a little giggle.

In that instance, it occurs to me just how precious she is and how it would be wonderful if I could give birth to a child like her. My nervousness subsides a little as I start to take short deep breathes.

Suddenly, my skin begins to feel prickly like the thorns of a cactus. Is someone staring at me? I've been taught how to scan my surroundings with my mind so I do just that. No. No one is looking at me. So weird this feeling. I smile at Alexa as she grabs hold of my hand and slows her skipping to a calm walk. There it is again! Now my skin feels like it has chills teaming through it like the waves of a stream. Then out of nowhere I feel an arm wrap around my shoulders! I jump shortly putting my hand to my chest. The embarrassment sets in when I realized it was Lucian. Taking a few deep breathes, I quickly scan the others to see if anyone else noticed my human like reaction. I hear him laugh slightly under his breath at my flinch.

Jakartha walks beside him beaming. Is it from my reaction or… something else? He is as hard to read as the twins.

******

This is going to be an awesome party. Looks like a lot of people are here. Some of the Vamps, our friends from both schools! I see Scott is allowed to be here dressed in regular clothes talking to his dad.

"Hey David, look who it is." I say. I glance at him and then nod to David. He follows the direction of my nod. Of course, it's hard to miss that smell of his.

Jakartha is a little taken aback by it. But even in his current state he is still able to hold steady as long he holds onto me. Even so, I will feel more at ease if he is back inside the house.

"Hey guys…I'm taking Jakartha inside." I bend down to my right so that I'm at her eye level. "I will be right back, Alexa."

"Ok Nutem."

I pat both of her shoulders before standing and walking pass everyone to enter through the back glass doors. Even with a few servants roaming around doing their duties, it's still not too busy in here compared to outside. As we enter our room Jakartha walks over to the window gracefully and watch the ever-expanding crowd outside. The rays of light bouncing off him making him appear more radiant and beautiful. I gasp a little. He turns his head in my direction smiling. I rub the back of my head and smile sheepishly at my small action.

"I…will bring you a plate…if you're hungry."

"No, not right now." Turning back to the window he says, "I didn't think that so many humans would be allowed here. It's weird isn't it?"

"Nah, not so weird. It would've been weirder had they not been invited. Dae attends school and has friends there, Mom is on good terms with the principal there, and the others are Council members with their families."

"Ah, yea. …That's right."

He smiles awkwardly and then walks over to the soft cushy couch. I have come to know him very well and am able to read him so I know that the small touching of his hair and pulling it behind his ear means that he wishes to read. Before taking off downstairs I walk pass the right side of the couch to the bookcase.

"Which book do you want to read?"

Smiling softly he says, "Through the Looking Glass." He points to it. It's a book that he reads often.

I laugh grabbing it from the shelf. "No matter how many times you read this your own life story will not change…Alice."

"I know…I just feel connected to her character otherwise I wouldn't read the other books in this collection." He smiles again and blinks gently.

I can't help but to kiss those eyelids and lashes while handing him the book.

"I'm off! Just telepath me when you get hungry and I'll make sure to put a piece of cake aside for you too."

"Ok, thanks."

******

It's so lively here today. I never expected her to invite some humans too…but I guess it's to be expected. Hmm…what's this? Alexa? Hahahahahaha…so adorable. Is she… coming this way? If I were all that interested in my present conversation with Georgiana, Tatsuya, and Andrew (one of the 'fresh ones' that we've met for the second time). Just then, I feel the softness of her little hand slowly grabbing at my fingertips. I feel myself smile as I wrap her hand inside mine. She begins to twirl her little body, lifting her legs in the air one after the other. Alexa starts to hum, catching the attention of the other three that had not noticed her presence.

"Oh Alexa!" Georgiana says in her Southern drawl. "Happy Birthday!"

"hahahah…She's so cute!" says Andrew, looking down at her as she continues to twirl.

Stopping midway she looks across the yard, something catching her eye

Ooouuhhhh….Demetrio! I'm going to go play with him Uncle!

"Ok, have fun!" I say as she lets go of my hand and runs in his direction.

"Hmm…did she say something?" Georgiana looks around at us in confusion. Tetsuya shrugs his shoulders and takes a sip of his drink. Andrew scratches his head looking at me. I feign ignorance.

They go back to the conversation about the progress of the 'fresh ones' mansion. I listen and chime in as I've been doing every once and awhile still watching the two children who are now in front of the trees away from the crowd. That girl… I find myself now listening in on them.

"Do you wanna play a game?" She says.

"Ok. What's it called?"

"It's called "Where's your tail?"

"Huh?"

Oh no! I feel the pit of my stomach begin to knot up. I find myself running towards them. Alexa pushes Demetrio onto his stomach and starts to pull his tail out using her abilities. His screams are piercing! Alexa has this odd smile on her face that reminds me of Vastava.

"Alexa!" Harimah says. She is running towards them. I reach them first and grab Alexa up off him. His tail fully extended! Lucian has stepped out in front the crowd looking at us while blocking out the view from the guests with a wave of his hand. Little Lucian is making his way to us as Demetrio Sr. runs to his son.

Alexa in my arms looks at me and says, "What's wrong? Uncle Vasti did----" I quickly cover her mouth before Little Lucian steps in front of me. I breathe a sigh of relief because Ahriman is too focused on Demetrio Jr. to notice her words.

Little Lucian and Adam take Alexa and teleport inside the house. Lucian follows behind them. Harimah gives me a sad glance before leaving with the other two in the same manner. The guests continue about their business not being any wiser.

******

The tension in the room is enough to snap a thick rope in half. Lucian is standing in front of them facing Ahriman and myself. Demetrio Jr. hasn't stopped rubbing the back of his head and tail. Dry tears covering his face. I have never seen Lucian's eyes like this before. It gives me a small shiver of familiarity.

A small smile appears on his face. "It was only a game Demetrio. Why so serious?" He makes a small gesture with his hand. Again, the chill down my spine. It's somewhat unconscious and everyone else in the room is very aware of it…. but….his reactions are more visible and worse than mine are.

"A game?! Are you insane? How…. could she…...to even…." He tries to catch his breath as though he is experiencing the same pain as our young son has.

"Did you really intend for him to go the same route as Daevaako and the others? Be honest Ahriman." His voice so smooth and calm. The resemblance is becoming more evident. "It's a handicap that should be avoided. I never said this, but…. I didn't think the two of you would let it drag on for so long."

Amethis has put Alexa down. She now stands next to him and behind her grandfather. Peeking from behind his leg she says in her tiny voice, "If one is born like that they always play 'Where's your tail'. Don't they Nutem?" Her lovely eyes look up at him.

Ahriman laughs sarcastically. "Of course, she knows that so-called game."

"I'm ok papa. I'm grateful to Alexa for helping me. When I started to see Dae and some of the others with theirs every now and then I wondered about it. …So…thank you Alexa."

"You're welcome!"

Ahriman is even more furious. Lucian turns his head slightly towards Amethis. Taking the hint, he grabs Alexa by the hand and vanishes with Adam following suit. He tilts his head back as though he is tired of this argument.

I hear a small grinding sound next to me.

"Were you…. always this way?" The look in his eyes is like a puppy that lost his favorite toy.

He moves his head back down closing his eyes for a moment before opening them back up to look at me. I…am speechless. I don't know what to think of him anymore. I haven't felt this way in eons…. I feel my head lower as the images of my first love on that beach shore come to me. His words inaudible still. But I get the feeling that those words are what changed my view of him forever.

"What's done is done. It's better this way, now his powers will no longer be hindered, and he can learn and study with Alexa. He is older than her yet still so far behind her in everything. Is that really what you wanted for him Ahriman?"

"No ---- I don't." His breathing returns to normal, he is becoming calmer.

Lucian leaves through the door of his bedroom. We begin to take our leave too. Suddenly, I see something that makes me feel like crying. I quickly hold back the tears and walk briskly towards the door behind Ahriman. I…just can't believe it…...how is that tail ring there?

The party went on without a hitch. Ahriman was so furious I'm sure that he didn't notice it... How nostalgic all of it seems…