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Chapter 8

Brandon prepared lunch while jacqueline got dressed, trying his hardest not to think about what had happened between Jacqueline and his father that night. What had happened between them while he had been running around the mansion looking for her? Did she really not remember? He shook his head and finished up in the kitchen, placing Jacquelines lunch on the table, before wandering out into the garden to practise his sword play.

"step, step, left" he said following out his usual steps and swishing his sword. He repeated these steps a few times before, switching to his right side. He went through a variety of different slashes and jabs before drawing his original sword into two thinner blades. "left, right, double slash, cross, jab, step step, arc slash" he muttered quickly slashing through the air with all the might of his pent up anger.

"eep" a small noise came from somewhere in the sky around him, followed by a small thud. he quickly scanned the ground, sniffing for life. A small black winged creature lay wounded just behind him and he cautiously picked it up. it was very round, with big green eyes. Brandon noticed at once a symbol on its chest that matched that of the bandits he and Jaqueline had previously encountered. It squeaked again and he could see it was in pain.

brandon thought this may be a trap, allowing this creature inside his home, but took it inside anyway. he folded a towel with one hand and lay it on the table, setting the bird-like thing in the center. he stepped back slowly, studying the animal carefully.

jacqueline fluttered down the stairs and into the kitchen. she wore a pale pink gown with sleeves that didnt cover her shoulders, but still went to her wrists. she noticed the creature on the table and looked at it as she walked slowly to brandons side. "what is that thing?" she spoke quietly, feeling the slight tension. brandon shook his head. "it has the symbol of those bandits on it. im not sure if its safe, but its wounded." jacqueline picked it up, her new ring glinting in the sunlight, and carried it to the sink, starting the water gently. jacqueline washed it off and found a broken wing. "just a broken wing, but broken badly." she pulled an old hankerchief out of a drawer and tore off a long strip, tying its wing to its side. suddenly brandon noticed the white hankerchief jacqueline had tied around her neck like ribbon, hiding the wound his father had left. "jacqueline, are you sure you cant remember anything that happened the other night?" brandons voice was urgent. "i remember people dancing..." she thought for a moment. "i mean with my father..." his voice trailed off and he sat down heavily.


"I...I dont know what you're talking about" she stuttered out, gulping as a vague memory became ever so slightly stronger. Silence fell between them for a minute or two.

"I believe you, Jacqueline" Brandon said, forcing a smile his heart did not want to make. She forced one back but was promptly interrupted by a frantic mewing from the little creature. It was bouncing about the table frantically. They gazed at it, puzzled. once it had both their attention it bounced towards the window and made frantic gestures.

"are you trying to fly away? you won't get anywhere with a wing like that. Brandon said picking the little creature up by the scruff of its neck. It shook its head and mewed some more. Brandon had hardly even laughed at the pitiful sate of it when a brick came smashing through the window. Brandon ducked, protecting Jacqueline from the spray of glass. There was a note tied to the brick.

jacqueline slowly picked up the brick, brushing off some glass and pulled the paper carefully off of it. it looked very official, slightly crumpled. sje began to read it aloud. "to mr brandon thorwood: we have been informed of the actions you have taken with a certain human. these actions were inappropriate, though your father has explained that you shall be wed to this human the day after tomorrow. your father has requested your presence two days prior to that date. if you are not bound to the human under god by the date that has been set, then you shall both be executed. sincerely yours, v.a. president, aden elm."

jacqueline looked at brandon quizzically, and he contemplated the letter. "let me see that." he reached his hand out and took it from her. "well, we know who those bandits are now." he pointed to the seal next to aden elm's name. "but they attacked us before anything really happened..." jacqueline stared at him. "what is the 'v.a.' exactly?.... and what does this mean? what do you think you saw your father doing? what did you do to me?" she laid her hands on the table top and leaned against the table, then realized that glass had spread that far. "ow!" she stepped away and looked at her hands.


A small droplet of blood oozed from her little finger and fell onto the floor, replaced by another and then another. She flet flushed and suddenly very tired. Brandon clasped her in his arms and kissed her finger until the bleeding slowed and stopped.

"You must still be weak. We must depart quickly for every drop you lose before feeding will drain you more. We shall make way on pegasus to be safer, and i think it would be best if we take that small thing with us." Brandon had more to say. A lot more. He had to tell her about her whole knew way of life and what was in store for her at his parents. However, he knew his words would be invain because at that moment she let out a small sigh and he knew she was asleep.

Brandon did a routine check of the grounds in case of any more unwanted visitors before he carried jacqueline back to bed while the small imp bounced on his shoulder. He packed everything he could think of into a series of bags and prepared for the journey

he sighed heavily and sat in a chair by his bed, petting the imp with his fingertips as he watched her sleep. "my, ive made such a mess...." jacqueline rolled over suddenly and stretched, unwilling to open her eyes just yet. brandon stroked her hand as it fell by her side and she opened her eyes, realizing she wasnt alone. "what happened?" her voice was quite weak and she looked ill and pale. brandon sighed and kissed her forehead, standing up, the imp jumping down to lick her cheek.

"you fainted." he began. "and i have changed your life and your fate entirely. to save you i gave you my blood, which has turned you into a child of darkness. blood is all that will sustain your health now. i need to take you hunting before you starve to death..." he fell to his knees beside her. "jacqueline, i am oh so very sorry! i can only beg you as the humblest man i can be to give me your forgiveness!"

**END CHAPTER 8**

OK short chapter cos i fudged up royally and deleted the rest of it