He opened the door and watched her. So still. I could just see her dieing right there. The though of her death was both inconvenient and funny. The only thing that told him she was living was her heart. It was thundering. A constant loud thud. Then she woke with a shudder and fear qnd pulling her blankets up. "I do what I want, when I want. Just because you're here doesn't stop me from doing what I want. My home remember." He popped his fingers and looked down at his own current outfit. "Uh huh. I'm also still in my night silks." He slammed the door shut. "I don't care about what you don't like. And if you want to starve be my guest." He watched her storm off to her bathroom and left her room. Ungrateful brat. He turned on his heal and closed the door after cracking his neck.

He went to his room to change in a more relaxed and still formal look. Turning to his closet her noticed his riding boots. "Perhaps that could suffice for something to do." He picked them up and put one on. "Like a glove." He went back and changed into loose fitting comfortable black pants. And a button up shirt a size to large for him, making it perfect for riding horses.

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Then his doorbell rang. A new server? We left his room and went into the main hall while his right hand butler opened the door revealing the man from the banquet last night. He dropped his hat. "Celeste! Get your ass down here RIGHT NOW!" He bolted forward and grabbed the man by his neck and held him in the air, the butlers and maids acting it's fine and closed the door and left calmly. "You. I TOLD you not to come here, I told you not to try and find her." He slapped him with his other hand and tightened the one holding him.

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Marsall watched Scott burn two more buildings and tear a tree from its roots to crush a third building. You don't know how long my father will play nice. We are still coming to get you. I love you too, but please; please PLEASE be careful darling. Then the tree Scott used to destroy the building caught fire next to him. "Get em all Scotty!" He chuckled as he levitated up, getting a good look at the town in flames.

Celeste was getting into a dress when she heard Von screaming “Theres the Von I know” She chuckled as she got into some flat shoes, fixed her hair into a braid and headed towards the door, passing the servents. That’s when she saw him “ The hell you doing here?” She asked him, as she stood beside Von.

She noticed what Von was doing to him and sent an electrical current through his arm to force him to drop the guest. When he finally did, Celeste snarled at Von “Don’t do that!. I swear I’ll do worse to you if that happens again”

Then she focused her head back to the male “ As you already know… my name is Celeste… but I don’t know yours.” She studied her face trying her hardest to remember. Bit not a single name came to her halfling mind

“The name is Hallon, Celeste. And I used to be a friend of yours back in the day when we were younger. I just thought I would go stroll around and come find you…” Its already too late.. your father has full control over me now. There is no use helping me now. Plus someone found me from my past and it wont turn out well if you arrive… so stay far back til I really need you.

Hallon? She said his name over and over in her mind, her anger filling her again. Her hands where clenched and she then got the courage… the audacity to punch Hallon in the stomach “ Who cares about what you want from me, Hallon. I finally got a piece of what you want from me in my head…and the answer is still no.” Then looked at Von before looking at Hallon once more “ and if you want to keep your precious human life…. I suggest you scram.” Her fangs extended and ready to attack.

But could she bite him and not try and kill him? Von did make a deal with him after all. So she would have to keep him alive. But only if the plan worked on Von's terms. Celeste would be married to someone she babrely knew and her life twisted upside down, making her life miserable.

Her powers were all ready if anything tried to stop her. Of course she knew that Von could with a single touch or word he told her and she would be like a servant, kneeling at his feet. " Sir.... get him out of here or at least ask him what he wants before I kill him"

Her fangs extended and ready to attack. Her halfling blood rising.

“ Sir… do something before I kill him!” Celeste snarled through her teeth. But then raced off back into the house and locked her bedroom door, and stood against the door. Its all coming back to me soo fast she thought as she tossed her flat show at the opposite wall of her bed and screamed. Her powers and brothers raging within her, wanting to escape.

He looked into his eyes as he watched the life drain with his tightening grip. He smiled with content as he waited. It's her suiter. Would be entertaining to wat h her enjoy killing him. He looked over his shoulder and watched her come down the stairs. Not at all dressed for riding horses, while he looked like a professional jocky.

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That's when he felt it. She touched his elbow sending a small shock into his arm. He dropped the dude amd heard him scrabble on the floor and try to catch his breath. Under his breath he wisperd to her just above inaudible. "Shock me again. I DARE you to keep that promise." It was very clearly a threat as his fangs came out all the way, more then a little pissed. Shocking, and telling HIM what to do.

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He watched as she gave a pisspoor threatening speech to the boy who's name was apparently Hallon. When she punched him he smiled at him, grabbing his stomach and falling to his side in pain. He watched as he spit out a tooth. "If you want to keep your human life, you need to do much more then 'scram'." He bent over the guy amd pulled his hand back to punch but stopped just before the hit landed.

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She was begging him to get rid of the man before she ran back upstairs, he heard her lock click. Weak. "Fine, I'll clean you mess; again. When I get back I want you in proper riding gear." He called after her as he was left alone with this Hallon. "We are going to have a lot of fun." He punched him, knocking him out; and threw him over his shoulder.

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Walking over to the stairs he opened a compartment up and revealed a secret stairway. It spiraled down qnd at the bottom where three cells. "Welcome to your new home." He put him down and left after locking him in.

Celeste groaned as she paced back and forth in her room. “ Why the hell is Hallon here…. He shouldn’t have followed.” As she thought about her punishment that she thought was coming she remembered about what he told her and she went to her closet and looked for the riding boots that , when put on her feet, fit perfectly. She temporarily took them off to find a good shirt and pants to go riding in and looked in the mirror before re-braiding her hair and fixed herself up before standing at the door patiently and quiet.

When she finally saw him she walked towards him only to be stopped “ Sir… look… im sorry for my behavior… but I cant explain why he came after me.. I didn’t even know he was following me until I saw him here inside.”

She looked around to try and find him, but he was nowhere to be found “Where did he go? Did he finally leave? If So… I don’t want to see his ugly face again. Our time together as kids was torture enough for me”

But this was just the beginning of her torture. Little did she know that before the moment that Marshal and his brother arrived, she would be forever bonded to Hallon and Von. With no way out. She would serve Von forever and bare Hallons children. Not Marshals. And all was because of Celeste foolishness.

" You think im just a little kid, dont you, Von. Well your wrong. Im a strong willed Royal who knows her place and does what she pleases, even if shes a... a pet. Being yours has nothing to do with my future... Nothing!" she snarled as she extended her own fangs at him " But anyways.... why go out riding? I havent riden in years." But she would soon get to know the horses better than Von himself and hopefully able to venture out on her own one day wen Von began to trust her. If Hallon was here to ask for my hand in marriage again... She thought as she blanked out again. She was slapped across the face to bring her back to reality and she snarled " stop doing that, Von... I hate when you slap me..." she said as the door opened and the warm air hit her face. And a small smile escaped her lips, but only for a few moments.

He left the cell and swiftly scaled the stairs, his mails cutting the stone wall I'm anger. "Here I was all in a good mood to just relax for a day and this pathetic excuse for life enters my home. The audacity." He slammed the secret doorway to the caller shut. He paced a bit more, the heal of his boot making an audible noise throughout the mansion. He gathered his thoughts as to not kill the girl on sight and made his way up the grand staircase to their hallway and wing of the home.

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He saw her at the top and popped his knuckles. She had begun to approach him and he simply held.out a finger, a simple order to stop. And finally she obeyed. "If you EVER try to electrocute me, or yell at me, or attempt to harm me in any way you better be certain it kills me, or I may be forced to be unreasonable." He didn't raise his voice any higher then hers and yet his had presence, demanded respect and discipline. "Are we clear?" He took her quick change in subject as a yes.

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He quickly brushed himself off as he looked her up and down as she looked around for him. "He is... taken care of... for lack of better word." He smiled and licking his lips in am effort to get her to think he was dead. He chuckled and leaned forward and then back.

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She chose now to be brave again.

He simply patted her on her head and pinch her checks. "So cute when your al riled up." He rolled his eyes and shifted his weight as the sarcasm was more then apparent. "Besides, me keeping you as a pet does determine your entire future. I can pull any string I wish. My word is law." He figured he was gonna be there a minute so he went over to the wall a step away and leaned against it. One could almost see his misery if they REALL looked for even a second. "We are going riding because it's fun and I don't spend five hounded thousand on horses annually for nothing." He noticed as she spaced out and gave her a little slap on the cheek. She snapped out of it and got mad. "Fine, next time I'll leg swipe you." He shook his head laughed uncomfortably and opened the front door. He oozed over his acres of land and nodded his head. Closing the door he saw her smile fade like it was never there.

“ Yes sir… crystal clear” Celeste said biting her lip. “ And for my royalty sake… don’t pich my cheeks. It hurts.” She rubbed her cheeks to get the feeling off her face. When he mentioned that keeping her as a pet would determine her own future, made her want to electrocute him more, but she held the urge to do so. “ If you hurt him…. I’ll find other ways to get pay back. “ she said as she slowly followed him. Outside. Five hundred thousand dollars on horses? She thought “ I never thought you were this rich, Von…” She said rather shyly but looke dup at him all the same. As she followed him, she just thought all about Hallon and where Von could have put him. She dared not ask where. I’ll just explore when I come back she thought as shse followed Von around like a dog.

When they finally reached the place that Von was headed, the stables, Celeste stopped in awe. “ How many horses do you have in there….” She said before she was pulled by Von so that the precious time wasn’t wasted.

There where white, bay, pitch black and other sorts of colored horses when she walked into the stable. “ It's been far too long since I rode a horse, Von. But that doesn’t mean I can't ride. “ she said with a chuckle as she looked a sooty bay mare. Her eyes brown as toffee. If I can ride you, I think we would be come the greatest of friends. What do you think? She thought as she stroked her head through the grate of the stall and smiled “ Shes absolutely gorgeous, Von… can I ride her? Please? I know ive been a pain in the fang as of late… but I just… I just miss home and my boyfriend….. I wont be a bother again.. I swear.”

My boyfriend.... I havr to keep in touch with him.... but I cant... but I have to... ugh! she thought in her mind before really contacting him.

Marshal… im over here at the royal stables… you have to come see these horses… im in love with every single one of them. And Hallon… an old friend of mine from school came and wanted to take me away to be his bride… I know his intentions now… even Vons… but that’s beside the point. I need you to come here but not be able to be seen while im out riding. I need my time with Von and see what I can do before anything else happens. Then added I tried my powers, but they are still getting stronger, my electricuting skills have doubled thought since I last saw you sothat’ss a plus… but my brothers powers are a different story… something is holding them back and I don’t know what it is. If you still have that gem I gave you... I mgiht need it....

She then broke contact and was finally able to tack up one of the horses with its spotless tack. I think imma make a game out of this little ride Celeste thought with a grin on her lips as she waited for Von to finish so that they could get mounted and walk off.

Baby... when you hear me say the work money...that is your que to come out from where you are and save me. Got it babe? She said with a very wide grin on her face as she finally began to walk beside Von. " Where we headed ? A trail?" she asked gently hoping for some sort of conversation to start.

But would the saving be successful or would it be a waste. No one knew at this point. Only time would tell.

Glad that she finally understood basic commands he jokingly stopped the ground. "If you don't want your cheeks to be pinched, don't let them be so pinchable." He chuckled as she rubbed them. "Oh don't be such a baby, i didn't even pinch you that hard." He popped his neck and looked directly at the sun, as if soaking up all of the warmth it had to offer. "Oh I'm certain of it, there's no doubt your planning something to kill me in my sleep or whatnot to get even." His voice didn't change and was still relaxed, maybe even challenging. "I don't expect you to tell me anything, to be frank my dear; my goals are beyond you understanding my sweet little pawn." She is a pawn. A useless sacrificial chess piece to get to a queen, the most useful piece in the game. He sighed and brushed hair from his eyes like he never said anything and it was all a joke. "That's not even a speckle in my wallet darling. I've dropped more on smaller things." He thought he saw shock or bewilderment in her eyes. "When you live as long as I have, you get comfortable in a few thousand years. Compared to others I'm still only comfortable." He hated that he wasn't at the very top. But he knew he shouldn't want more. His never ending war with commodities and desires, no matter how frivolous.

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The walk there was longer then he would have liked, but also not nearly long enough for the views his land had to offer. They got to the old fashioned stable and he opened the heavy wood doors with ease. He moved her along. "I think about 24. Each one a blue ribbon winner,, with their own special diet, individual groomer, trainer, and someone who keeps them social-able." He answered her question as he walked over to his favorite stallion. A large black shire with a white mane, tail, and long hair along the base of his hooves concealing them.

Looking over he saw she had taken a liking to a gray mare. "If you want to go ahead, I've had her for over a year and is very kind. I believes he is used for therapy for mentally disabled children but I'm not certain." He took pleasure in listening to her beg. "And I don't believe you won't bother me again." He chuckled as he put the saddle on the stallion.

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Walking threw the woods the sound of screaming from the burning village could be heard in the background still. They spent the night in the trees and left early for theirs fatheres place, aware that they could be hunted down by Landon or their dear old dads goons. They stayed silent the majority of their walk, not wanting to risk being caught or heard. Just occasional nods and glances used in place of conversation.

Darling we are already more then halfway there. I've heard rumors of a party? What on earth? He didn't get the chance to finish his question as she went on. Im glad to hear your becoming stronger,, I've got a feeling hell may break loose.. Of course I still have the gem, it's in my pocket. Then she blocked him out again, he didn't know if it was by accident or on purpose.

"Scott, promise me you'll never commit to a lassy, it's not worth the hassle." He started laughing and Scott just smacked his head. "Well no shit Sherlock, not a darm person could ever hope to understand any little lady no matter how much they want." And he smacked Marshall's shoulder and they picked up the pace. "We have to get to the stables Scott."

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He finished getting the stirrups, and bite in for the reins of the horse and lead the massive horse out of the stalls and into the openness. He hoped on easily and kept control without even having to do anything, effortless. His.grip on the reins wasn't even more then one finger.

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Monkey. Why monkey? He knew his question wouldn't be answered...He watched her fallow him out and smiled, pleased. "Well, there is a trail, simple but very long. Leads to the beach on the outskirts of my property." He pointed in the direction threw the field the horses used for grazing. He kept the pace slow and easy for her to keep up with.

Celeste looked from Von to the mare. “ I can see if I can get an accurate genetic test gone for this beauty for you if you would like, Von. You wont even have to spend a penny” She stroked the mare a few more moments, letting her know that she swe wouldn’t hurt her. Then and only then did Celeste climb into the saddle and fixed the stirrups before whistling for the mare to move along. “ That’s my girl” she cooed to her as they began to head towards the trail.

“ long is good. Gives me the fresh air I need” she hadn’t ridden in over ten years. But the more she was allowed at the stables, the better her riding skills would become.

Yeah. Your father and I went to a pary of sorts. It was fun while it lasted. Hollan got what he deserved from me. There is only one person in this worls I will ever marry. And that is you Marshal. So the fasster your proposal, the faster I can get away from Von. But then again, I love being here… she let her word get sunk in before speaking again. Just remember, watch for the secret word. Stay sae and stay hidden.

As they walked side by side, Celeste heard sounds. The squirrels playing in the trees the rabbits running around in front of them as they walked, the deer grazing deeper in the train, and the birds singing their songs. But that wasn’t what was bothering her, it was the hunger that began to get the best of her. But her eyes couldn’t hide what she wanted. “ Von? Is it o if we stop for a moment so I can feed on something?”

Her hands gripped the reins as the gray mare instinctively stopped, Celeste got off the gray mare and just ran off in search of something without Von’s approval. In a matter of minutes, Celeste found an old doe. Then reappeared and climbed back onto the mare, petting her neck, calming her. “Eto normalno, prekrasny” she said in her native Russian tongue before whistling and moving along down the trail.

This was the most peaceful moment Celeste had been in a long time ever since she was taken from Marshal and the only home she knew. But this was worth every part of her being. She never said a single word on the ride with Von, exceot to answer the questions he had. Which weren’t too bad.

How’s your little brother holden up, Marshal? You know he hate me more than you think. I want to know him more, but I don’t know how to get through his think skull. He doesn’t respect me like you do since you know now that I am a royal. He could careless. But that’s not what bothers me…. Its Hallon and his plans with Von… I just have to find Hallon and talk to him.. as for you, you need to stay nearby and hidden.

Then broke contact once again as they turned a bend in the trail and a huge vista appeared “ Holy hell..Vin this is all yours?” She looked all over as she got off the mare and walked closer to the edge of the vista.

He was getting impatient. I need to be rid of this nuisance. I need her blood, then her gone. He started chuckling for no reason and laid down on the Shires back, the stallion knowing where to go. I could just force her to be we'd. Now that's a viable option. O what's his name in my basement, he'll do nicely. He kept his eyes closed when she began speaking again. "I don't bother messing with their genetics, their papers in there stalls go back 10 generation, and even have future breeding plans. Don't worry your petite little head." He didn't know how it would come off but didn't exactly care one way or the other. Hee opened his eyes to see her fascination with his beasts, and her voice doing something new, something unexpected and weird.

"Need or want?" He knew she thought she wanted it to the point of need but figured it was still a worthwhile inquiry. He kept eye contact for a second longer, as if remembering her face in detail and the closed his eyes again, letting go completely of the reins; he saw it unnecessary to hold them.

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The two brothers where in the woods, keeping pace from a distance, put of sight and going off of sound and smell along. The sound of horses, the smell of stables and a hafling. I figured he would take you to an outing of sorts. But what he is doing rightnow, isn't normal. Not even by his standards. He listened to her, loosing it. -What couldshe mean? Love it here?- Hearing her say that broke his still heart. We shall follow silently. He looked at the ground below him. Thinking she may be better off with someone who could provide her a life she would---- love.

He began humming an old sailors tune, ine long forgotten by the mortals and known only by a few. Having learned it in his early life it was astounding that even he remembered it, of course it was taught to him by her. His only reason. So like his locket he held on tightly. He went to tell her to go and fetch something but she was already gone.

"So much for asking." He shouted into the woods as the smell of deers blood filled his nose. He stayed where he was so she wouldn't get lost. This is exhausting, I'm a god babysitting some childish halfling who isn't even mine. This is bullshit. I need to negotiate his freedom and her departure when we get back. Then he heard her come back. "I told you your promise to not bother me wouldn't be kept long." He sighed and shook his finger, messing with her yet again.

And then she did it again, this te in Russian. She spoke to the mare in this strange high pitched voice while petting it. He raised an eyebrow(which looked rather funny as he is still upside-down) and gave her a puzzled look. "That. What is that? What are you doing? That thing, with your voice? It gets high pitched and all.... childish. What do you call that?" In truth he had heard that voice before, it was so familiar yet so far, clouded by the hundreds of thousands of years of memory pulled up in a messy stack like the papers in his study.

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Scott? He's fine, just a little passed we left Landon alive is all. And don't take it to personal, he does hate everyone after all. And don't expect respect unless you can best him in a very bloody match. I've beat him, father, and Landon has. And he still just tolerates me darling. Consider him not killing you as him liking you. He smirked as he saw the horses threw thebthick brush. Please, the guy sounds like a disaster who doesn't know what he's gotten into. He will likely end up dead. He wanted to give her a wink but as she couldn't see him he didn't bother. I know, we will lay in wait. He assured her as his brother was getting amped for this opportunity and paced him on the shoulder.

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He felt the bend in that path and the horse slowly coming to a stop and he looked up, finding her shocked expression strange. "Of course it's mine. I own this entire place? I've stated this numerous times, but your still stunned every time you see something new." He got up and off, tied bother horses and walked over. The edge beckoned him like a siren thought he knew nothing would happen to him if he jumped, took the thrill out of life. Or whatever his existence was called.

I will explain everything to you when the right time comes, my love. Celeste said with a rather deep sigh. I don’t want him to kill me, Marshal so Ill try and get on his good side. She sighed rather heavily when she ended the conversation with him and just looked over the vista. “ You have no idea what you are up against, sir.” She said with a laugh “ My powers grow stronger every single day and you don’t even risk a fight with me. I think you would rather keep me alive for whatever plan you have in mind.” Then added “ I know that you have a plan for me, Von. But I know I don’t have the right to question anything” She then looked over at Von and rolled her eyes “ Well then… I can be of use in other ways too… but that is for you to decide”

When she heard his mention her strange voice, she chuckled “ That von, is nothing you need to concerned about. All will come with time. As for the money that is concerned…. I could be our greatest asset to your life Von. And to Hallon and of course to your son Marshal”

The wind began to pick up and she heard him sing… or rather hum the sailor tune that she too learned those years ago “ An old favorite of mine But it is rather best heard in the native tongue” And without any nod from Vin’s head, she sang the tune to perfection without a note or syllable out of place. But it all ended when she heard noises coming from the forest. She got back on to the gray mare and whistled her to go forward. “eto normalno, prekrasny” she purred in her native tongue. “veroyatno, eto belka”

But it wasn’t a squirrel It was a vampire…. Or rather two vampires. And two she knew all two well. Without leaving her eyes off of her lover, she spoke of a prophecy
My love, forgive me for what I may do in the future. But it the Destiny’s choice. Not Mine.”

She was talking about being with Hallon for ten full months before the spell would be broken by her own power and run back to her true lover.

Then she felt Von’s powers take hold of her and she couldn’t move or even speak. All the while the next part of the prophecy played in her head say goodbye to the one you love for the next ten months. The darkness shall overtake you. You must fight the Ancient Mist

Ancient Mist meaning her past with the war. She dared not worry Marshal over such matters but she just had to. And she did.

The Ancient Mist is very dangerous to Halflings she began neither Halfling nor full blooded vampire that lives to this day after the war, knows who created such an evil thing. And I must go find the answer. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at her lover. It is a risk I am willing to take. For both of us, Marshal. Death is very high for one such as I. But with my brothers powers, I know I can make it. But I will need the Gem from you as well.

Then when she finished, she noticed her bond to Von was weak ad she began to stretch and clear her throat. “I am sorry my love, but that is all that I have to say. My time here is done” But before she was even able to hop back into the saddle, a fight began and it was one of the harshest one’s ever in history. In the middle of the ordeal, Celeste felt Marshal physically and mentally hurt her into a million pieces. Something she never thought he would do. She was his lover, right? If she was… then why would he hurt her like this? Celeste didn’t know what was to happen next, but she just hoped she would be able to forgive him when the time came, the next time she saw him. If ever that would happen.

During the fight, she was able to take the Gem from the pocket and place it in her own, looking at Marshal then at his brother, then finally at Von “ I think we overstayed our welcome, sir…” she said groaning in pain as she got back onto the mare and was ready to go back to the house “ Von… please… the better I get back to the house , the better…I need real food and some long awaited rest…and possibly someone to talk to about what the hell just… happened” I just hope it helps me she thought as the two trotted off back to the house a few minutes later. Celete never contacted Marshal for the rest of the day or that night for that matter, just to let him think about what happened. She did the same thing.Then they finally reached the house. She ran to her room and shed tears thinking about what he did to her. I cant believe it… She thought That’s the first time since I have known him that he has ever hurt me like that.