1 comments/ 7103 views/ 2 favorites Awakened Ch. 01 By: Useli I flicked the end of my cigarette into the dirt and ground it out with my heel. Exhaling the smoke from my lungs I turned my head toward the building. "Alright...time to collect." We walked to the door and I motioned Buck. He stepped back and kicked the door. Splinter's flew as the door was thrown open. We walked inside and looked at the man and his family. A little blond headed boy holding tightly to his mother while the man stood in front of them. "I'm not paying you anymore! I'm through--" Buck raised his gun and shot him in the chest. The boy and his mother both screamed and he shot the woman as well. Turning his attention to the boy shaking his mother, trying to wake her up. "Ain't no comin' back from the dead, Kid. Your mom and dad are dead and you're about to be as..." His fell straight back...blood pouring from a wound at his throat. The boy appeared standing over his body. "They aren't my mom and dad...they died a long time ago. They were my aunt and uncle. They were never like me...never Vampire's." He turned his attention to me, silver eye's glinting dangerously and pupil's slitted. Lifting his hand now coated with blood I couldn't help but smile. "Come with me, Kid...you've got a place in this world at my side..." He walked forward and stopped beside me. I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's go...Son." With that the duo left the bloody scene behind... * Adopting the young Vampire had changed both their outlook's on life... & "Crispin...pay attention!" I shook my head and looked at the girl. "I'm trying to have a conversation with you!" "Y-Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about this dream I had." She cocked her head. "What dream?" "N-Nothing, Sis." Absentmindly I began to toy with the small lock on my choker. It'd been there ever since I could remember...I was sure I could pick it if I wanted to but dad had warned me never to do so. That it was something all the men in my family wore and true to his word, even he wore one. As did all my uncle's and our bodyguard's. I knew what kind of business he was in and while I didn't know if I approved...it wasn't any of my business to speak on the issue. I'd discovered it when I was twelve. Like all twelve year old's we don't like to have a bedtime so I was up and wandering our large house. All the place's I wasn't allowed during the day I went during the night. Dad knew I was doing it because once I had snuck into his study to have a look around. I was a bit more then surprised when door-knob turned and the door opened. I'd dove under his desk and hid for several minute's as he collected his paper's. When I heard the door open I breathed a sigh of relief...and jumped when he chuckled and told me not to forget to turn the light off and put everything back where I found it. Since then I'd been given free roam of the house. Well, when mom was out anyway. She loved me, there was no doubt but she was far too overprotective of me. Even more so when I entered high school. Now, in my senior year I was lucky that I ever got out by myself without a bodyguard or a driver. It's not like I couldn't fight. My father had spent so much time and money on lesson's. I knew several fighting style's including Capoeira, Judo and of course old fasioned Boxing. Along with that regular trip's to the gym, sport's and just being active had packed on pound's of muscle. That combined with my 6'4 frame meant that me being overpowered was pretty unlikely. Of course, my mother had argued that bullet's aren't impressed with size. "You're zoning out again!" I shook my head and looked at her once agian. "Sorry, sorry. I was thinking again, Sis. I'm gonna go have a talk with Dad. I'll see you later." I stood and left her room. I turned down the hall and greeted the maid's and butler's I passed with friendly smile's and word's. They'd been as much a part of my life growing up as my parent and I could tell you everyone of their birthday's. Knocking on the door I was called to enter and I stepped in. "Hey, Dad. You wanted to talk to me, right?" "That's right. You're eighteenth birthday it tomorrow. Is there anything you want? Anything at all?" There was a mischievous sparkle in his eye. "How about a woman? You should lose your virginity." My face turned bright red and he laughed. "I...don't think my girlfriend would like that very much." "Alright, how about a brand new car?" "No thank's. I'm determined to buy my own car but...my girlfriend will be eighteen tomorrow. You could do something for her...her parent's died recently." "That's what you want for your birthday? You're too nice, Son. It's gonna get you into trouble one day." A slight smile played at his lip's. "I know, I know. It's a bad habit...but it's what I want. She hasn't been smiling since you lost her parent's and...well, I want her to smile again." He nodded. "Alright, I've gotta go try to charm a smile out of her, Dad. I'll see you later." I headed to the door and he stopped me. "I love you, Son." "I love you too, Dad..." I lounged on her bed while she tried to complete her homework at her desk. "If you just let me help you, Mina, I'm sure--" "I've got it!" Her sudden snap caused me to jump and mutter 'sorry' under my breath. Sighing she looked at me. "I'm sorry, Cris. I...didn't mean to--" "It's fine...are you sure you don't want some help though?" "I'll be fine." Putting my hand's behind my head I sighed. "What?" "Nothing. I was just thinking that you're too hard-headed. You need to learn to accept help from other's." She stared at me for the longest time before nodding. "Alright, if you want me to accept your help then you've gotta do something for me." "What? That doesn't make any sense." "Then, I guess I'll just fail my classes and you'll be off to college alone." "Alright, fine." She giggled and scooted the chair closer. "That choker...you never take it off. Why is that?" Shrugging I looked at her. "Dunno. I've worn it since I can remember." She reached out and touched the lock on the choker. It was what prevented me from removing it. "Cool lock...do you have the key?" "Nope. No one does...it's been on since I can remember." "Why?" "Dad told me that I should never take it off. He said....well, he said a fortune-teller told him something bad would befall his first born son if he didn't wear this for his entire life. My father wasn't a superstitous man...but he thought it was better to err on the side of caution." "Really? Isn't it annoying?" "No, actually...you'd think it would be but it doesn't really bother me anymore." "That's strange..." A light movement beside me made me look over. Mina was settling in beside me on her bed. "Did I wake you?" I shook my head and leaned up. "Spying the time I sighed. "Oh, shit, it's two AM? Mom is gonna kill me. I gotta go before I get in even more trouble." "Um...could you...stay the night, please?" Realizing that I couldn't exactly leave her alone I laid back down beside her. "But...the punishment can be delt with later." She snuggled close to me, her hair tickling my nose. Before I fell asleep I swore I heard her murmur 'thank you'... Waking the next morning to someone softly stroking my temple I smiled. My eye's opened and I stared at her. "Happy birthday, Mina." She thanked me and I leaned up. Rolling my shoulder's I stood and grabbed my phone from her nightstand. I wasn't surprised to find it had several angry voice-mail's from my mother...as well as several fromd dad assuring me that she would just be glad to see me in the morning...and to knock before entering their room tonight. Surpressing my gag I tucked it into my pocket. "I should be really be going. I'll be back after I clean up though." She nodded and then stood, crossed the room and kissed me firmly. "I said I was coming back." "I know...I just thought that you might enjoy that..." Nodding I reluctantly seperated and headed out the door to my car. While I was happy to work for my thing's a car was something my dad had sorta...well, forced on me for lack of a better word. I wasn't complaining. It was a 2010 Charger SRT-8. I loved the car... Arriving home as quickly as possible I rushed through my morning routine, dressed and headed to my parent's room. I knocked on the door and it was pulled open. Mom hugged me tightly, though at her height of five foot it was more like she was hugging my lower-stomach. I hugged her back and apologized for being out all night and not calling. Dad who was watching the event's laughed when mom began to yell at me. "Come now, Dear. I was staying out all night as his age...and so were you." Her face turned bright red. "Well, I don't want anything to happen to my baby." "Well, he's a man now, Kelly. You should give him a little more freedom. By the way, Son, I have a gift for you." Removing something from his nightstand he crossed the distance. "Hold out your hand." I did as he asked and he pressed a key into my palm. "What's this?" "That...is the key to a safe in New-York. In there are the deed's to all of the asset's amassed for you, as well as bank-note's worth million's. You're a man now...you're old enough to spend YOUR fortune." Taking a deep breath he appeared to be steading himself. "And...I have something else to tell you. We're...not your real parent's." "Wha...What do you mean?" "Your real parent's died with you were just an infant...your Aunt and Uncle were raising you when I...well, I had them killed." I think my heart stopped. "I was...a different person then. Cold...ruthless. Kelly and I had just learned that we'd never have another kid of our own and then...there you were as well. A young boy who needed a father...a family." "I...I need some time to think, um...I'll see you guy's later..." After collecting Mina from her place I took her out to a nice dinner and after parting way's with her later that night I found my way down a gravel road and to an deserted part of the forest. I enjoyed the sight of the full moon from the hood of my car...it seemed like minute's before I heard the sound of a car approaching. Not stirring from my spot the car stopped and was then shut off. "Hmm...thought I'd find you here." "What is it, Sara?" "I just thought you might want some company. It is your eighteenth birthday." "Yeah...you're twenty...right?" "Uh-huh...why?" "Do you...remember when I was born?" "No, actually. I can't remember anything before my sixth birthday. What's this about?" "Mom and dad...said I wasn't their kid. That I was adopted." "That's impossible!" "They told me themselves. Said this was after they figured out they couldn't have anymore kid's..." Sighing I shifted a bit. "My parent's died when I was an infant...I never saw them...I don't have an picture's of them and I'll never get a chance to meet them." Sitting down beside me she consoled me. "Everything is gonna be alright, Cris." "You don't know that." She sighed and hopped down. I watched her ass the entire time. Ever since I could remember I'd had a crush on my sister. I'd grown up with her seeing her change from a bratty little girl to a young woman. At first I noticed only subtle change's. One time I'd walked in on her changing and noticed she had hair down there. For the longest time this confused me until I had 'the talk' with dad at thirteen. I'd spent my teen age year's peeping at her changing and showering...luckily I never got caught but I came close. But as for me...I never really grew any hair. I had hair on my head and stubble every morning but that was it. "What are you staring at, Cris?" She knew full well what I was doing. Embarassment roared through me turning my face bright red. "S-Sorry." "You know, my boyfriend and your girlfriend would be pretty angry about this." "Please, don't tell them." She stared at me for the longest time. "When's the last time you got laid?" "Well...I'm a...um..." Her eye's widened and her lip's curved into a smile. "No way! You're a virgin?!" My attitude soured immediately as she mocked me. "Thank's for understanding, Sis." "No! I didn't mean it like that, I just...well, I'm a bit shocked. You alway's seemed to handle girl's so well and...you knew so much when I grilled you." "Hour's of surfing porn site's. The truth is dad has been...well, more then willing to help me lose my virginity but..." "You don't wanna lose it someone you don't like...isn't that the girl's line?" Again my face turned red and she giggled. "It's cute when you blush. Your girlfriend must go weak at the knee's when you do." "Not really..." Sighing she looked up at the moon. "This can't be a good way to celebrate your eighteenth birthday...I've got an idea..." Dragging me to the door the bouncer stopped us to card me. Of course, my sister smooth talked our way past him and into the nightclub. "That was a close one, Cris. We almost didn't make it in." "Yeah, thank's." "Someone is in a bad mood. Tell you what, I'll get us some drink's." She disappeared into the crowd leaving me feeling rather out of place. Several moment's later she returned and then hauled me out of there. I was a bit confused. "What--I--We just got in! What are you doing?" "Let's go." I could hear the hitch in her voice. "What happened? Is everything alright?" She didn't answer and we stopped next to my car. She released my wrist, turned and threw herself into my arm's. When she began to cry I was more then a bit confused. Had I missed something important, done something wrong? "I...I'm sorry. I did something wrong." She chuckled a bit through tear's. "You didn't do anything wrong. It's my stupid boyfriend--sorry, ex-boyfriend." I heard someone running toward us at that moment and looked over my shoulder. A man and woman stood there. "It's not what you--" "Is that the bitch that kept calling and hanging up?" The anger in my sister's teary eye's was something I hadn't seen since we were kid's...no, scratch that she wasn't mad, she was pissed! Keeping her away from him became my top-priorty. While dad hadn't let her take fighting lesson's...she didn't fight like a girl. She fought like a man. "I would suggest that you back off, Todd. Now is not a good time." He looked at me and promptly told me to fuck off. Ignoring his insult I lifted my big sister and carried the squirming girl around. I opened the door and set her in and buckled her up. "Wait here." I closed the door and walked back around. "You know, you lost the best thing that ever happened to you. My sister shouldn't have wasted her time on a loser like you anyway." He stepped forward. The line-backer was an inch or so taller then me...but not stronger. I grabbed his wrist and twisted it around until I had him on his knee's in pain. I began to think aloud. "Do I break it? It could send me to jail...and you'll need it to jerk off with...I guess you can keep it intact." I released his arm and he fell to the ground clutching it. Turning, I climbed into my car, started it and took off. "Are you alright, Sis?" She continued to stare out the window. "What did I do wrong, Cris?" "In time's like these it's best not to blame anyone. Thing's happen for a reason." "He was screwing another girl...what if I caught something?" I began to rack my brain trying to remember all the rumor's I'd heard. There was nothing about an STD going around or anyone catchin' anything. "I think you'll be safe...but you should get yourself tested just in case." She nodded and sniffled before turning to look at me. She rested her hand on my thigh and smiled. "You're the best little brother a sister could ask for..." Awakened Ch. 02 Several week's later after so much time spent worrying and a lot of 'what if' session's she got a clean bill of health and then she seemed to be bouncing off the wall's, she was so happy. "I know what I'm gonna do! I'm gonna call some friend's over to celebrate." "You're gonna have an 'STD free' party?" She smiled at me. "Funny fucker, ain't ya?" Thanking her I headed toward my room. Half way there I remembered what had slipped my mind in the excitement. I removed the small box from my pocket and headed toward's the kitchen. Pushing the door's open I found the chef's preparing dinner. "Uhh...can I talk to you, Jenny?" The fiery little red-head crossed the kitchen. She had only been working here a week but she had no qualm's about telling me to get the hell out if I was in the way. "What is it? Hurry up!" I extended the box to her. "Happy birthday." The new maid was apparently surprised that I had known her birthday was today. She hadn't been here long so she probably didn't know I alway's gave the maid's, gardener's, driver's, butler's and even the bodyguard's something for their birthday. "Oh, well...um, thank's." "I make it a habit to remember everyone's birthday." "Really? That's...kinda strange. You're the first person I've worked for that give's a damn." I shrugged and flashed a crooked grin. "Thank's. Um...I should probably go so you can get back to work, Ma'am." I turned and left the kitchen tossing a 'see ya' over my shoulder at the woman. Heading off to my room now I found myself surfing the net and a porn-site...more out of boredom then desire. That didn't stop me from jerking it when I found a great clip, though. After cleaning myself up I put my computer on sleep and shucked my shirt and shoe's off. I crawled into my bed and laid down for a cat-nap... Waking to giggling and movement I opened an eye to find my sister and her friend's had invaded my room in my sleep and were now huddled around my computer. "Uhh...what are you guy's doing?" They looked at me like children with their hand's in a cookie-jar and then split, the door slamming closed behind them. Waving it off I laid back down and pulled a pillow over my head. I guess one could call me lazy...but I took care of myself. It was kinda a ritual for me to take a nap at noon. For as long as I could remember I just plain got tired during day. I could sleep an entire day away if mom and dad let me. That's not to say I didn't sleep at night. But I seemed to have more energy when the sun began to set to when it began to rise. Yawning I turned onto my side. Sleep found my quickly. Once more I was awakened to movement. This time it was a pillow. Someone hit me with it again and I groaned. "Not now, Sis, please. I didn't get much sleep last night and I'm dead tired." Rolling onto my side this time it was four pillow's. Trying to wave off my attacker's only caused me to get one arm caught and pinned to the bed. (Weak as a new-born kitten...never fail's when I wake up...) Restraining my other arm they then did the same to my lower body. A weight on my hip's keeping me pinned down. Ok, now I freaked. I was sporting some wood from a good dream. Quickly I tried to move but found as alway's I was too weak to do anything. It had alway's been this way. Someone moved the pillow and I looked at the brunette straddling me. "Can I, um...help you?" "You know, you shouldn't be sleeping when there is a party." "I didn't exactly recieve an invite. Beside's that parties...aren't really my scene." She raised an eyebrow. "You've never been to one?" Shaking my head I was beginning to feel some strength returning to my limb's. "That's strange." She was silent for a few moment's before smiling. "Word is you're a virgin as well...is that true?" "Why is it any of your business?" "Your sis say's you are." "I knew I couldn't count on her to keep a secret." "Is that a yes?" "Yes, yes, ok, yes." "That's all I needed to hear." She produced her cellphone. "Wait 'till everyone hear's this." Quick as a flash they left me on my bed confused...and more then a bit pissed. Hauling ass out of my room I followed them down the hallway. Down the stair's, out to the back where there was a party going on. Sis intercepted me halfway through. I leaned down to her ear. "What the fuck were you thinking telling everyone I'm a virgin? Are you fucking stupid?" "Cris, I--" "I don't wanna hear your bullshit excuse's. Thank's a lot, Sis." "Cris--" "Go fuck yourself." I turned and swept back into the house... * * * After informing dad of everything that had happened they suggested I talk to him. So, I did. "C'mon, open up, Cris." I knocked on the door even louder then before. "Crispin! At least say something!" When there was no sound I began to get worried. Trying the door I found it locked. A wave of panic swept through me. I'd lived with him my entire life and he NEVER locked his door. I called for help and a man I recognized as Thomas came sprinting down the hall, hand reaching into his suit jacket. "What's wrong?!" "It's Cris! Some...Something is wrong." He tried the door. "Crispin! Open the door!" His booming voice echoed through the house. "Damn it, Crispin! Open up!!" Again no one answered. He stepped back as more men joined and he kicked the door. It splintered and gave way. The rushed in. "Oh, God, no..." I rushed in and looked around. The room was empty but Thomas was clutching something. It was Crispin's choker. Dad entered followed by mom. "What is with all the noise?!" "Boss...he took it off..." I walked right back to the party. Everyone seemed to be unaware of what was going on. Everyone was out looking for him. Hell, even the servent's were out looking for him. They seemed to be worried about something but I had to confront Becky about this. The crowd seemed to part for me as I walked up to her. "Becky! What the hell is your problem?" "What's YOUR problem?" "Because of you--" Someone placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked back and Thomas and he leaned down to my ear. "We activated the LoJak in his car. We're going to go find him." I nodded and he brought himself up to his full height. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I must now ask you to leave the ground's. Some...special circumstance's have arisen." Quickly he made everyone leave and then we were speeding down the highway after him. "Do you have any idea why he is upset?" "It's...my fault." "Whatever you did really pissed him off. I mean...we'll be lucky if he hasn't hurt someone..." "What'd you mean? Cris would never do that." He sighed. "Forget I said anything..." Now I was really worried. My little brother was missing. Everyone else was freaking out. Mom and dad were both really nervous about something...but what...? * * * Pacing back and forth in my study I found myself unable to relax. "Richard, have a seat. They'll bring him back. Don't worry." Turning to face her I could see the worry on her face as well...though it was well hidden. "We've had them searching all day...they've got to be close." "Alright, Dear." The window's flew open and a large gust of wind toppled the light on my desk, blowing the bulb and extinguishing the light. Knowing full well what it was I turned to face the reaper. Cris was sitting behind the desk, his feet kicked up on it. His usually shaggy blond hair now spiked back, offering an unobstructed view of his face. "Yo, Old Man...keeping me trapped wasn't part of our deal. That was a dirty trick, ya know?" "It was for the best. You deserve a happy life...and if I cannot give you one then I will force it upon you." "Hmm...forcing me to obey you through ancient magic and sealing spell's...I gotta say, I'm rubbing off on ya." Inching toward the nightstand he sighed and held up the Seal. "It's not there." He stared at it for the longest time before tossing it back to me. "I'll never understand the unconditional love Crispin hold's for you. For some reason...I find myself attatched as well...Dad." He lowered his feet from the desk to the floor. "However, I won't be going back so easily. It's been ten year's since I allowed to roam...and I intend to use this time to have a look around." Nodding I agreed. "Alright...you can have twenty four hour's starting from now...how does that sound?" "Perfect...that's fifteen hour's more then I need..." * * * Stretching out languidly I sighed...I was contented. Looking over at the sleeping blond, she was covered in a sheen of sweat. Feeling another painful pang of hunger I leaned up on an elbow and reached out...but my body wouldn't obey me. My hand stopping short of her shoulder I sighed. "Damn it, Crispin..." I moved away to a sitting position on the side of the bed. "Tch...bothersome hHuman emotion..." I ran my finger's through my blond hair and laid it back on my head. Even when in my original form I was subject to Human's feeling's...fear, embarassment, anger, sorrow, trepidation...all emotion's Pure-Blood's should NEVER feel. Sighing I stood. "Guess I'll just find some kinda animal..." Dressing quickly I became away of the blond stirring. Leaving my shoe's and sock's I fell back into the shadow's and then diappeared. Appearing outside her dwelling I headed off for the nearest farm. Drinking animal blood is a disgrace and an insult...but right now I'd probably wring out a leech for some blood. And why not? I'd been surpressed for ten year's without a drop of blood. Slipping my shirt on and buttoning it up only slightly I set off using the shadow's to cross the landscape. I could be in any shadow at any moment...it's what made Vampire's so deadly in a fight. And also so weak during the day. There was no place to launch a surprise attack from and while we were the fastest creature's out there, Werewolves sure beat us in strength. After arriving at a suitable farm I slipped into the barn to chow down on a horse. Setting the creature's mind at ease with a few mental command's I proceeded to latch onto the neck of the creature. For several long moment's I drank greedily. When I finally released the horse, it wasn't even bothered though I'd drank enough to kill a Human. Licking the bite closed I stepped back and spit a few time's. "Ugh...gamey..." The door to the barn creeked open and I was up standing on the rafter's the next moment. A cute little brunette entered and I raised a brow. She was pretty good looking. Huh...guess I am a womanizer. Slipping off the timber I was balancing on I dropped down behind her silently. For several moment's I simply observed her at close range. I had no idea why but Human's facinated me. I vauled their live's next to that of insect's...but each was completely and utterly engrossing. Not finding what she was looking for she turned, jumped and screamed when she ran into me. She fell on her ass and I cocked my head. "Hmm..." I crouched down to look her in the eye's. "You're kinda cute from this angle." "W-W-Who are you?" "Me? I'm nobody and somebody all at the same time. I am life and death combined to produce immortality." She stared at me, obviously believing I was crazy. "Of course...I go by another name...Vampire is pretty much what you Human's call me." With this I fell back into the shadow's circling and appearing behind her. "But Vampire's call me 'Solway' for the Elder that my family decend's from." She crawled away from me toward the exit. I crossed the distance, slamming and bolting the door. I drummed my finger's against the coarse wood. "It is very rude to leave a conversation without warning.." She whimpered slightly. "What do you want from me?!" "Dunno...haven't decided what I'm gonna do...yet." Turning I planted a foot on the wood and then strode up the door to stand on the side of it. "What's your name?" I continued up until I was hanging by my feet from the ceiling. She just stared up at me in disbelief. "W-Why?" "I'm interested to know. I've alway's been interested in Human's...you're so diverse and you fight with each other all the time." Turning on my heel I walked back down and then returned to the floor. She continued to watch me carefully. "Ok, I'll go first. My name is Damon. That's the name my parent's gave me. Your turn." Staring at me for the longest time she finally sighed. "Kathy." Walking over proved to be the wrong thing to do because she shrank down trying to make herself as small as possible. I extended my hand. "Here...get off the floor. It's covered in straw and dirt." She looked at my hand and then me. I sighed in irritation. "If I wanted to hurt you there were plenty of oppertunities before now. Beside's...I don't NAME my food." She seemed to understand what I was driving at and took my hand. Helping her stand I heard movement outside. "You wouldn't happen to have friend's, would you?" The door's opened and I disappeared the next moment. Staring down at them from my little perch in the rafter's I noticed she didn't even hint that I had been here. When questioned by them about her scream she lied rather smoothly. Taking her back inside and away from me one of the men stayed behind to have a look. Dropping down I followed behind them. The woman had facinated me...she was fearful of me...but not so fearful as many other's. Truely she was a gem. Waiting outside on the roof of her home for her family to fall asleep I began to hum a tune from my childhood. For several minute's I followed it through it's up's and down's until I heard snoring inside. Flipping down to land on her window-sill I lifted the window and climbed in. The woman I'd met had at that moment exited her bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. "Hmm...are you trying to seduce me?" She jumped and yelped slightly. Reaching out in irritation she slapped me hard across the face. The sound crisp in the late night. "Would you stop sneaking up on me?!" A huge smile spread across my face...and realizing what she'd just done she shied away from me to the corner. I crossed the distance and placed a hand on the wall beside her head. "You certainly are fiesty...I love that in a woman." Her parent's apparently awakened by the yelp brust through the door. I looked over my shoulder at them. "Light's!" The bulb exploded and darkness reigned. In the process I made my escape out to the night... Three Day's Later... "Still no word from Cris?" Dad shook his head. Again I felt tear's brimming in my eye's. "It's...my fault. It's all my fault!" Mom hugged me tightly. "Don't say that. It's not--" A huge gust of wind swept through the room, extinguishing all the light's. I heard what sounded like the snap of someone's finger's over the wind and the log's in the fireplace burst into flame's. A man was standing with his back to us. "Mmm...this room is far more inviting now." The bodyguard's that usually accompanied my uncle's and dad all pointed gun's as him but my father called them off. He turned to look as us. My eye's were drawn to his...they seemed to glow silver in the low light of the room. "So, you're the older sister, hmm?" As the fire flickered her seemed to disappear and appeared behind dad. "Sorry for being so long, Old Man. I was...indisposed." "With women, no doubt." He chuckled smoothly. "You are correct, Sir. Women do find my appearance rather...appealing. Regardless, where is the seal? I'm ready to go back now." Dad removed it from his pocket and handed it to him. He gave it a rather distasteful look and then wrapped it around his neck before closing the lock...