Blood Tie (acknowledgements)
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Writing and Poetry

Acknowledgements

Ë

First and foremost I must thank my family.

My mom and step-dad for always believing in me and supporting whatever I do.

My sister, Katie, for providing inspiration, red hair, and crazy stories about ponies.

My grandma for reading everything I write without a moment's hesitation.

My friends.

Ally, thank you so much for allowing me to use your amazing photo on the cover. You are a perfect Laoise.

Bubbz, you rock in so many ways and thank you so much for proof reading everything I write.

My fellow DFer, Kat, thanks so much for reading the book when I first posted it and leaving such amazing comments for me. It made posting the next chapter all the more exciting for me.

Haley, Wu, Nate, Benjamin, Kelsey, Zan and everyone else that has been there to put up with me, help me, and inspire me, thanks.

My favorite bands.

Thank you to my wonderful friend, Nick Black, for letting me turn you into a werewolf. Your music is amazing and will always be an inspiration.

My other favorite bands Muse, AFI, 30 Seconds to Mars, Thrice, A Perfect Circle, and Nine Inch Nails just to name a few that I listened to and drew inspiration from as I wrote this book.

I must thank the wonderful author Stephanie Meyer for writing amazing novels and inspiring me to branch out with my creativity.

Thank you.

Currently listening : Love Metal By H.I.M. (His Infernal Majesty) Release date: 2005-02-01

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Blood Tie (Epilogue)
Current mood: surprised
Category: Writing and Poetry

Epilogue

            Five months later

          I stood in front of the bathroom mirror jerking the brush through my wild curls. Hair straightener. I would definitely have to try one out. After the hair was tamed I moved to the make-up and put on some eyeliner. It was my usual routine before a show. I paused in the mirror running the tips of my fingers down the now, nearly invisible scars over my eye. They would never heal completely but I didn't mind. It was part of my new life. My life with a werewolf. A rock star werewolf. I smiled at the thoughts going through my head unconsciously playing with the new engagement ring on my finger.

            My make-up was applied and I took one more look at my ensemble before heading downstairs. Ally was waiting with Ivan on the couch with the keys in her hand.

            "Are you ready yet?" Ivan asked. I glared at him.

            "Yeah I'm ready, and you know I'm not going in the car." I winked. Ally rolled her eyes. Ivan looked at her with a pleading stare.

            "Alright fine! I'll ride on the back." She finally gave in and Ivan gave me a high five as we walked into the garage. Our bikes sat beside each other, shiny as ever. I grabbed my leather jacket and helmet and fired up my bike. Ivan's started up shortly after. The weather was cloudy as it usually was in an Irish April. Ally opened the garage door and hopped on the back of Ivan's bike. We sped out of the driveway and onto the road. It wouldn't take us long to get to Dublin at this speed.

            Nick was already at the venue. After we had went back to Seattle Nick's band mates were thrilled he was back and even more thrilled when he brought up the idea of a European tour. They wrote new songs, planned the tour, and we were back in Ireland within a couple months. Nobody minded. We missed home and were ready to move back and stay for a while this time.

            We rode into Dublin and found the venue with ease. Exsanguinate's van sat behind the building where Ivan and I parked the bikes. Nick stood there, leaning against the side of the van with his cell phone out and looking better than ever. I always loved the way he looked just before a show. His hair was specially fixed and the eyeliner brought out his animalistic blue eyes. He looked up at us at the sound of the bikes.

            I hopped off my bike and pulled my helmet off as I walked up to Nick with a large smile. He was so irresistible between his scent and his looks. Our blood tie, though fulfilled, was still strong. I walked up to him and immediately our lips met. After a moment we pulled away from each other.

            "Hi," he said grinning.

            "Hi," I replied returning the smile.

            "Glad you could make it," he said and I shrugged.

            "I had nothing better to do."

            "Shall we?" he asked.

            "We shall," I replied and he led us into the building.

            We watched the show from the side of the stage. It was a good turn out and I preferred the side stage rather than sandwiched in the sardine pit. It was during the show I spotted her. I could tell as soon as I saw her what she was. It was a vampire. She stood in the shadows eyeing the crowd. No doubt for her next meal. She was shaking though. I recognized her symptoms. She was resisting her thirst. But why? It was new for her to resist it. I could tell. She was shaking like a junkie coming off of drugs.

            She spotted me up on the stage as though recognizing her intended target and watched me for the rest of the show. She was shorter than I and had her long, black hair pulled back in a braid. I spotted scars over one of her eyes that nearly matched my own. Hamr scars.

Cheers erupted from the audience as the band came off the stage. The vampire's intense blue eyes still watched me close.

            "Hey Laoise!" Each of the guys greeted me coming off the stage.

            "Hey, Brian, here are directions to the house," I began.

"Castle," Nick interrupted. I continued as though he hadn't said anything.

"When you're ready to leave just park the van out front and go right on inside. Everyone's expecting you." I smiled handing him a piece of paper. "The code for the front gate is on there too."

            "Great, thanks, Laoise. We're stoked you're letting us stay with you," Brian replied.

            "No problem." I smiled and turned to Nick when the rest of the band was gone. Ally and Ivan stood close. They must have sensed the vampire as well. "Nick, there's a vampire here. I'm going to go talk to her. She watched me all night and she's been resisting her thirst."

            "We're coming with you," Ally said. I nodded and Nick kissed me.

            "Be careful. I'll wait for you out back," he said and disappeared backstage.

            I walked through the crowd with Ally and Ivan following close behind me. The vampire didn't take her eyes off us as we approached her. She stared at me a moment then spoke. Her voice shaking with her body. I remembered how that felt. Trying to be around humans and ignoring the craving. It wasn't easy.

            "Laoise McFadden?" she asked.

I nodded.

"My name is Elisa… Elisa King… I need your help."

2008 copyrighted by Stephanie Graber

Currently listening : Absolution By Muse Release date: 2004-03-23

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Blood Tie (Chapter 22)
Current mood: ecstatic
Category: Writing and Poetry

Peace

Cillian walked me slowly down the hallway with a grin. He seemed to be hiding something but I didn't ask. I concentrated on clearing my mind.

            A new shock ran through me. His scent filled the hall once again. I hated the torture going through my mind. A figure appeared in front of us down the hall causing my heart to leap. I stopped in shock. As the figure came closer I realized it was a Hamr. It wasn't Nick. Nick was dead. I killed him. His scent blew down the hall again. I wanted to scream. It was torture.

            There was a figure behind the Hamr that walked passed us. Nick's scent was stronger than ever.

He was dead.

The scent was painfully strong. The figure became clear in front of me. It was a ghost. It had to be. The grief twisted on his face was painful to see. I stared at the face approaching. When he saw me he froze.

            "This is a dream. He's not real." I told myself out loud. The anguish twisted in my chest. The figure walked towards slowly as though also in disbelief. I didn't say a word and stood as a statue as he walked right up in front of me. I suddenly noticed Cillian was gone. It was just me and the man. He looked so much like him. It was impossible.

            "This is a dream," I said again in a whisper. "I killed you."

            A sweet smile stretched across his face as he raised his hand. He still didn't speak and I was still convinced it was a dream. My chest was heavy. I didn't breathe. His hand reached up and he gently stroked the side of my face with the tips of his fingers. His scent was so strong and his touch was warm. I closed my eyes and the tears flooded my eyes. This felt to real to be a dream. My weakened knees gave out and I collapsed to the ground. Nick knelt down in front of me, holding me upright. It was Nick.

            "This isn't a dream." He finally spoke in a gentle tone. I looked up into his eyes and stared a moment. More tears blurred my vision and I let myself accept the fact that this was real. Nick was real; and he was alive. I dove onto him throwing my arms around his neck. He nearly fell backwards at my force but recovered. He wrapped one arm around my back and he planted the other hand on the back of my head letting his fingers tangle in my curls.

            "Oh my god, I thought you were dead." He breathed into my ear resting his head on my shoulder. I let a laugh escape.

            "I could say the same thing about you!" I choked back my tears. "I was gone, Nick. I had let go, but you brought me back."

            "I know, Laoise. I was there. I was in your mind the entire time trying to keep you alive," he replied and I finally pushed back to look him in the eyes. I couldn't find any words.

            "How?" It was the only word I could find. He smiled.

            "It was the blood tie. Wu Jun explained it when I came back. We're connected, Laoise. Even our blood. He said you gave me your blood after…" he didn't finish the sentence, "your blood brought me back. You saved me." He smiled and I let a smile cross my own face.

            "And you saved me. I guess we're even." I grinned.

            "You were cutting it close, Laoise." His tone was scolding. "I stormed out of the room when the doctor said you were gone. I thought I had failed you."

            "You didn't, and I would be very content if neither one of us came that close ever again." I grinned again and wiped the tears away. Nick moved his hand around from the back of my head to the side of my face. His thumb ran over the tears and wiped them away.

            "I'll agree with you on that one." He laughed and helped me to my feet. "Are you going to be okay?" He asked.

            "Yeah, I think so. I'm just hungry now and still weak from the injuries. Kudos for coming very close to tearing me apart." I flashed him a smile.

            "Yeah, I think we should have a rematch, though," he joked, "you cheated." I rolled my eyes. He walked me back into the room where the rest of my family waited. They all displayed large smiles. Even Joseph wore a smile though I could read his eyes. We both suffered trauma, but his wasn't about to reverse itself. He had a long road ahead of him.

            "Well, you all looked relieved." I grinned. Nick sat me on the edge of the bed.

            "You have no idea," Sarah said walking up to me and throwing her arms around me.

            "I'm glad to be here," I replied quietly. Sarah moved away from me and squeezed Nick in an embrace as well. Next Ally came up to me as though they were in a line. I accepted each one of them gratefully before everyone finally took a seat.

            "Well, we're all alive, the vampires and Hamr have a truce, and Wu Jun is back on the throne; what happens now?" Nick asked. Cillian took a breath and shrugged.

            "I think home is a good choice," he replied.

            "I would have to agree," I added. "But even with Wu Jun on the throne, the elders are not cutting it. You know they will find some reason to start a war with the Hamr eventually."

            "True, but I don't think we should worry about that at the moment. With Wu Jun in command, peace will last longer than it did before. We will concentrate on our family, Laoise, then the leadership when needed," Cillian replied. I wasn't excited about putting things off but home sounded perfect.

            "Seattle or Ireland?" I asked.

            "Well I have a band that's probably panicking because I dropped off the face of the earth, and I have an album to write." Nick smiled.

            "Seattle it is," Cillian replied. Nick and I both looked at him in shock. "What? You think we're going to Ireland while you take Laoise to Seattle?" Cillian laughed. I shrugged.

            "Back to Seattle then." I smiled.

            2008 copyrighted by Stephanie Graber

Currently listening : Alchemy Index, Vol. 3 & 4: Air and Earth By Thrice Release date: 2008-04-15

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Blood Tie (chapter 21)
Current mood: lonely
Category: Writing and Poetry

Downward Spiral

I was floating in a darkness. I let it consume me and pushed everything out of my mind; except Nick's face. I would cling onto that as long as I could, until I saw him again. I floated in this blackness for a long time. Every once in a while I would peak up at the surface. I couldn't see anything but I heard the voices.

"How is she?" I heard one ask. It was Cillian. He sounded upset. I didn't want to hurt my family but I figured if I let go the pain of losing Nick would be gone. I was tired of fighting and the feeling of letting go was more comforting than living in the world without Nick. The love of my life I had killed. Panic ran through me and I retreated back into the quiet darkness. I took an imaginary breath and came back to the surface to hear an answer.

How was I? I was broken, alone, incomplete. I remember when Nick had left me. I had let go then too but changed my mind when I thought about my family. I was thinking about them now but they didn't know how this felt. It was thousands of times more painful than before.

"She's given up, Cillian. She isn't healing herself and won't eat. We've tried vampire blood transfusions but nothing will work until she decides to fight." I didn't recognize the vampire speaking. He was right though. I wasn't fighting. I felt a gentle touch on the side of my face. A cool breath against my ear. Then a voice.

"Please, Laoise. Don't give up on us. We're all here for you." It was Ivan. My dear brother I had been with for so many years. His voice was filled with pain. It hurt me more. I retreated again. Maybe I was just being a coward. They didn't know the pain I felt though. It was too much to handle. I wasn't strong enough for it. Someone gripping my hand pulled me to the surface again.

"Laoise, can you hear me? If you can you have to come back to us. We need you. I need you." It was Joseph. Poor, damaged Joseph. His life had been ruined all over again. He would need the family to help bring him back. He would need me.

Another cowardly retreat.

They all needed me. I had to fight. Despite the pain I felt I knew they would help me through it. Joseph and I were damaged. I had killed the love of my life and he had gone through a horrific relapse. I began to wonder what happened to Wu Jun. Had me killing Nick solved the conflict between the two races. Technically we were all one. We were all vampires. The Hamr just happened to have a different form than we did. My train of thought was lost when Nick's beautiful face filled my mind.

"Laoise, my love, my life. Why are you hiding in here?" I couldn't reply. I felt tears forming in my closed eyes. This was a dream, it had to be. "Laoise, why are you giving up?" I finally found the words to reply. The words weren't audible but he could hear them in my mind.

"You're gone. I can't function; I can't breathe; It hurts. It's too much." I replied but I felt like I was talking to myself. It wasn't him. It couldn't have been. I killed him.

"I'm not gone. Remember my promise? I promised I would never leave you. I'm a man and a wolf of my word. You aren't weak, Laoise. You can get through this. Your family needs you. I need you."

"You're dead. I'm the one that needs you. You promised you wouldn't leave me but you did. And it's my fault." Was I really arguing with a voice in my head pretending to be Nick?

"Laoise," the voice was gentle but commanding which felt like a slap in the face, "Do not abandon your family, or me. Stay with me.  Stay with your family. I love you, Laoise." His voice was suddenly audible. He wasn't in my head anymore.

I grasped for the surface again. I couldn't let go. I couldn't let go of my family either. Nick was my everything but my family was my foundation. They needed me as much as I needed them. I had been so focused on losing Nick I forgot that they were worth fighting for. I reached again for the surface. I couldn't get to that place though. I really was slipping. I waited too long, my body was slipping out of my control. I fought hard to reach the surface, grasping desperately, hoping someone would take my hand.

I was lost. Succumbed by the darkness I now had no control over. I was fading now and there was nothing I could do.

"Nick." I wasn't sure why I was calling for him. He was gone. But not from my mind. I was afraid I was too far away for him to hear though.

"Don't you let go," He replied simply still in my mind.

"It's too late. I can't fight." My voice in my mind was breathless. My body was dying.

"Follow my voice, love." It was working. The voices around me were getting closer. I was nearly there. I heard that same vampire's voice. The one I didn't recognize.

"I'm sorry, she's gone," he said quietly. He was talking about me. I had slipped so far away I was gone. I heard sobs. I fought to the surface and noticed I wasn't breathing. I settled myself back into my body and took a deep breath. There were gasps around me.

"Laoise!" It was Ally. I forced my eyes open. The lights in the room were dim. My family stood around the bed gaping in shock.

"What's wrong with you? Looks like you've seen a ghost?" I attempted a bit a humor knowing that I had been dead a few minutes earlier. I had to clear my mind of everything that had happened if I wanted to move on. There were laughs through the tears which made me smile. I was happy to see their faces again. Happy to be alive. I took comfort in the voice that still remained in my head as though he was always there. He'd always be there.

"You gave us a scare, Laoise. Let's not ever do that again." Cillian smiled. They all seemed very cheerful now. They must have been keeping my mind off of the obvious trauma.

"It's okay, I'm back. With a little help." I smiled back at them. A familiar, intoxicating scent filled the room. It was his. But he wasn't here. He was gone. The scent stayed with me but it comforted me in some way. "I need to go for a walk." I was restless. I needed a walk to clear my mind. I had to start over. Cillian didn't argue but helped me out of the bed. I could feel how weak I still was. He stayed beside me though as we left the others and walked into the hall. We were still in the palace. "What happened, Cillian? After Wu Jun showed up."

            "He opened their eyes, Laoise. There is a new peace between the Hamr and vampires. It's because of you and Nick. You saved both races." My heart ripped at the mention of Nick's name. Cillian was right though. That was the reason for our blood tie. We saved our kind.

             2008 copyrighted by Stephanie Graber

Currently listening : The Downward Spiral By Nine Inch Nails Release date: 1994-03-08

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Blood Tie (chapter 20)
Current mood: depressed
Category: Writing and Poetry

Trial

We followed Valeriu out the door and through a series of tunnels. The vampires surrounded us as we made our way up a narrow flight of stairs. I had been to this palace once in my lifetime. It was massive and beautiful. The palace was located in a remote part of the mountains north of Beijing. It served as the headquarters for the vampires. It was where the elders had resided since Wu Jun began creating his vampire family. They led us down the hallway towards the meeting hall.

A vampire stepped ahead of us to slide the two large doors open. The room was massive. Rows of small pillows lined each side of the room and one larger pillow sat on a platform ahead of us. Valeriu took his place on the large pillow. The vampire elders lined us on the right and the Hamr on the left. Our trial was about to begin. Although it wouldn't be much of a trial. This meeting was to sentence our fate.

The vampire soldiers lined up my family in two rows and knelt us down on the floor. My stomach twisted imagining an execution in this position.

"Move that filthy mutt!" a vampire elder hissed. "He has no business sitting in the mist of the traitors." Three vampire soldiers stepped up and pulled Nick away from me.

"No," I said it quiet at first but screamed it the second time. "No!" I went to stand but four guards were on me faster than I could react.

"Laoise!" I froze in response to Cillian's angry tone. "Sit down." He commanded and I sat. Nick was pulled several feet away from me to sit closer to the Hamr's side of the meeting hall. I stared over at him as the trail began.

"It's okay," he mouthed the words to me. "I love you."

"I love you." The words came out in a whisper but no one noticed.

"The McFadden family and Hamr, Nick King have been tried and charged with treason against their races." Valeriu began. "Due to the history of the family and respect we once had for them. We are giving you a choice. To appease both sides we will instigate a battle. Laoise and Mr. King shall fight to the death… or the McFadden family as well as Mr. King will be executed."

Everyone went deathly silent. My breath caught and I felt like I had died inside. I would have to kill Nick to save my family. Nick stared at me also horrified. I couldn't live with myself if I killed him. There was no way out of it.

"I beg the elders to reconsider this." Cillian pleaded on our behalf.

"I am sorry. The decision has been made. The battle will commence at noon," Valeriu replied. It was just after eight in the morning now. All that time to think about killing Nick was sure to destroy me.

"Take them back to their cell." Someone commanded but I wasn't coherent enough to notice who. Suddenly I realized I was being dragged off alone as the rest of my family was taken back where we'd come from. Nick was nowhere to be seen. Panic flooded through me and I began fighting back uncontrollably. A sharp pain to the back of my head sent me spiraling into darkness.

The dreams weren't any better. So many visions of me tearing Nick apart. Dreams of me ripping into his chest and pulling his heart out. Tearing into his neck and draining his blood. The taste was intoxicating. I shuddered and my eyes shot open.

I was in the dark again. The room was small and empty. I was quiet. I heard the mumble of voices outside but didn't bother listening in. My mind tried to clear itself but the back of my head ached. I reached my hand back and felt the wet wound. The vampires had broken the skin. Anger filled me. I wanted to scream but decided against it. I was breathing hard. It reminded me of a dream I had a while ago. Horror ran through me as two doors opened in front of me letting the light flood in. Was I having the same dream? It seemed so real.

I stepped out into a large open ring. The sun was high and the clouds were thin. This was bad. I looked to my right and saw my family. They were sitting in the stands with the vampire elders. On the other side were the Hamr elders. This was no dream. I had come to just in time for my show down with the man I loved, and the sun was out. A light breeze swept into the ring sending an intoxicatingly sweet scent my way. It was Nick. It was his blood. The door on the opposite side of the ring opened. Nick slowly walked out, a fresh wound bleeding from his forehead. He looked as miserable as I did. They had planned this battle well. Nick was bleeding to drive me crazy and the sun was nearly out to make me a monster he would be forced to kill. Unless I accidentally killed him first.

"The battle will begin when one of you attack. You have thirty seconds before I start taking out one of your family members at a time." A vampire elder hissed cruelly. I glared into the stands and pounced towards Nick. his eyes went wide as I landed on him.

"Nick, listen to me." I spoke the words in my mind as we wrestled in the dirt. He flew me off and I slid across the arena.

"Yes." Was his simple reply as he rushed me. We were putting on a good show but I feared it would only last as long as the sun stayed behind the clouds.

"I don't know how long we have before the sun shows itself. When that happens I will try to kill you."

"Better me than you and your family."

"I can't do this. You have to fight back as hard as you can. I am not going to lose you. I can't live with myself if I kill you." My anger came out in a forceful kick that threw Nick into the far wall with a loud crack.

"I love you, Laoise." He thought in a gentle tone. My eyes watered. I started to think the words but couldn't. Nick had seen the sun come out before me. His final "I love you" was a goodbye. I couldn't think straight anymore. I was desperate to tell him how I felt but the monster had taken over. I was shoved to the back of my mind as a creature I feared took over my body. I transformed into the creature as I charged towards him. Nick fell to the ground and melted into his wolf form just before we collided.

The monster plowed into his chest, flipping him onto his back, and pinning him. It snapped and hissed at him as Nick struggled to get up. He finally bit into the monsters arm causing a screech to echo through the arena. I flinched at the sound coming from what used to be my mouth. For the moment it belonged to this horrific monster. It shrunk back in pain for a moment before charging again. That gave Nick enough time to get into a defensive position. The monster collided with him again, biting hard into his shoulder. This time he let out a painful howl that killed me inside. He shook off the monster's grip and snapped back.

The monster took a step back but Nick's claws shot out and took it down from the back of the leg. It hit the ground with a loud thump and quickly rolled over to crawl away. Nick slammed his foot down in the middle of the monster's back with a sickening crack. Another shrill cry filled the area. I saw the painful looks in my family's faces as Nick shot down and bit into my shoulder. Another sickening crack filled my ears as he pulled back and snapped something in my shoulder and arm. Another screech. I felt the monster's anger and dreaded what would happen next. If I had been myself it would have been the end for me but the monster in me was stronger.

It beat its wings hard and Nick flew off. He slammed into the wall again. The monster jumped to its feet and charged towards Nick. I let out a painful scream in my own head knowing this would be the end. I tried to look away but they were my eyes. I couldn't shut them. I could hear the horrified gasps among the elders as the monster slammed Nick into the wall again. The furious creature ripped off a chunk of jagged wood and thrust it into his shoulder at the base of his neck. My heart felt like it exploded in my chest as the monster ripped the wood back out and began drinking his blood. Nick, now weak, melted back into his human form. He fell limp in the monster's arms… no, they were my arms. The clouds were thick overhead. The monster was gone and all that was left was me.

The pain rushed over my body and I sank to the ground with Nick still in my arms. Blood soaked him. I felt weak still from my wounds but what blood the monster took from him had healed me enough to stay conscious. Nick was not as lucky. I held my hand tightly over the wound ignoring everything that was going on around me.

"No, Nick. Please, stay with me. Don't leave me here. Please, Nick. I love you." I chanted the words to him fast and repeated them over and over. He stared at me. His eyes didn't break away from mine. I was afraid if I looked away I'd lose him. He was hanging on. Blood streamed from the corners of his mouth and his breathing was struggled. Tears ran freely now from my eyes. I could hear his heart beat and imagined mine was beating along with his.

"Don't give up, Laoise." His words were barely audible.

"Don't talk. Concentrate on healing, Nick." I whispered back. In my focus on Nick I hadn't realized there was a crowd now standing around us. I could see them from the corners of my eyes staring on in shock. I held Nick in my arms, close to my chest, following his heartbeats. They were slowing and I could see his eyes become heavy.

"Don't you dare leave me." I whispered the words as a command close to his ear. He flashed me a grin. I forced a smile through my tears as he lifted his hand weakly and brushed them away. I took a hold of his hand holding it against my face and taking in the scent. He still smelled amazing.

I felt a hand on my good shoulder but didn't turn around. I sensed it was Cillian. He was always there to comfort me. I wasn't ready to let Nick go. The pain that rushed through me was unbearable. I could barely hear his heart. His eyes began to close and his arm went limp in my grasp.

"No, Nick. Please! Don't leave me! Please, no." I was sobbing uncontrollably now. He wasn't looking at me. His eyes had shut and I couldn't hear his heart. I shook him in my arms. He was asleep. Just asleep.

"Wake up." I said quietly still shaking him. The hand on my shoulder was firm now. "Please, wake up." I said again, this time begging.

"Laoise," a voice whispered behind me quietly. It was Cillian. It must have been his hand on my shoulder. I couldn't tear away from Nick's now lifeless form. I had to do something.

"Nick, please!" I sobbed again and without a second thought I bit hard into my own wrist and pressed it against his lips. Nothing happened. A hand gently reached out and took my bleeding wrist. Cillian now knelt beside me, one hand gripping my wrist and the other gripping my chin forcing me to look at him. I didn't want to tear away from Nick. Cillian tried to stand me up but I squeezed my eyes shut hoping I'd wake up from this nightmare. I let Cillian pull me to my feet ignoring the piercing pain in my shoulder. I finally tore away from Nick and buried my face in Cillian's shoulder trying to block out everything and everyone.

My sobbing was uncontrollable now. I looked up for a moment to see Ally, tears in her eyes with Sarah, Ivan and Joseph. They were all alive because I had killed Nick. Nick was gone from my life forever. Forever was a long time for a vampire. The Hamr and vampires drew close.

"How is it that she feels so much for a filthy animal?" A vampire asked.

"I tried to tell you all." Valeriu called out in a solid voice. "The blood tie is not a myth. These two experienced a blood tie for a reason, and here it is! This is Romeo and Juliet. Our two families have battled for so long. Why did a life have to be sacrificed in order for you to see that? Your ignorance has caused to much bloodshed on both sides. Is this what it takes for you to understand that we do not have to battle one another all the time? The truce we made so many years ago has not been broken. There is no reason for a war." Valeriu was silent again. He hadn't finished his speech but rather someone interrupted him.

"I never wanted this from my family." It was a new voice. Someone I recognized. He cause a hush over both sides when he spoke. Only my quiet sobs remained. "Years and corruption have twisted my story and turned it into a vampire fairytale." Wu Jun stepped forward. He stood next Nick's still body. "The creation of the blood wolves was not to turn them into slaves. Zhen, she was the love of my life, she was my blood tie. Corrupted vampires took her from me and now her spirit wanders her home. The blood tie this wolf and this vampire," he indicated Nick and I, "was meant to open your eyes to the truth. Vampires and wolves were meant to live as one. The wolves are the peacekeepers, you are meant to uphold the laws to keep the vampires safe from the world. Nothing more, nothing less." Wu Jun looked down at Nick then to me. I had finally pulled myself from Cillian.

The pain I felt inside was torture. When Nick was away I felt hollow. Now I felt like a part of me had been ripped out leaving a painful gap in my body. I felt like I couldn't stand. I suddenly let go. I let the pain overtake me and collapsed in Cillian's arms.

"Laoise!" I heard him call my name but it was distant now.

2008 copyrighted by Stephanie Graber

Currently listening : The Art of Drowning By AFI Release date: 2000-09-26

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Blood Tie (chapter 19)
Current mood: disgusted
Category: Writing and Poetry

 Prisoners

Four vampires jumped behind Nick, taking him down quickly but he fought back. I rushed to help him but three others took my arms from behind and pulled me to the ground. These vampires were powerful. I felt a prick in the side of my neck and suddenly felt very heavy. Everything around me started to spin and I felt my limbs go limp in the vampires' grasp.

"Laoise!" I heard Nick call to me through our minds as mine blackened and the darkness engulfed me.

There were no dreams in the darkness. Only fear and panic. When I woke I was still in darkness. My eyes wouldn't open at first. I still felt very heavy but I could hear voices around me.

"When did they bring you in?" I recognized Cillian's voice.

"I woke up about an hour ago. Why didn't they drug you?" It was Nick speaking.

"Sarah and I didn't fight back. Ally attacked though before I could stop her. She should wake up soon," Cillian replied.

"Ivan, how are you feeling?" Sarah spoke that time.

"Awful, but only because I have to see what Joseph is going through." Ivan choked a reply. The jolt of emotion that ran through me pulled me back into full consciousness. I forced my eyes open to find myself lying in Nick's lap. My limbs felt like rubber so I didn't try to move. My eyes tried to close again but I stubbornly kept them open.

"Laoise? How do you feel?" Nick asked stroking the side of my face. I was stiff; he must have not let me go since we'd arrived. Arrived where? I looked around the dark room taking in the surroundings. It looked like a dungeon. The walls were made of jagged stone giving the effect of being in a cave, but were the cave entrance should have been there stood a solid steel wall with a small triangular slit it in. Cillian sat against the wall across from Nick and me with Sarah in his arms. Ivan sat on the right of us with Ally's head resting on his leg. Joseph wasn't in the prison with us.

"Where's Joseph?" I asked quietly. My throat was dry and my lips didn't want to form the words. My question came out in a slur.

"Ivan was about to tell us," Nick replied softly. I nodded.

"Are you okay?" I asked looking up at Nick. He smiled and nodded back. "What about everyone else?' They each gave me reassuring nods but Ivan looked away. "Ivan, how bad is Joseph?" He sighed at my question as though hoping I wouldn't ask.

"Ivan, please." Cillian added. The sorrow in his voice was painful to me. I wondered if he had gotten a chance to speak with Valeriu.

"From what Joseph has told me it's worse than we thought. The vampires think that we are in league with the werewolves. Because we are a peaceful family and harboring a Hamr, they are accusing us of treason," Ivan replied.

"What? Have you spoken to Valeriu yet?" Cillian asked. That answered my question. Ivan shook his head.

"He may not be an ally any longer," Ivan said in a low voice. "They keep taking Joseph away. Whether its punishment or they're trying to get information from him…" Ivan stopped, obvious pain flooded over his face. "They're torturing him, Cillian. In the worst way. The first couple times they took him, he told me what they were doing. Now when they bring him back… he won't talk to me anymore. He sits in the corner as far from me as he can. They're making him hate himself. I worry that if he were in the cell alone he'd kill himself… if they don't accidently kill him first." Ivan stopped again and looked down at Ally who stirred. He ran his fingers across her head and down the side of her cheek just as Nick was doing to me. She didn't wake up though.

With help I finally sat up next to Nick but leaned against him for support. He kept his arms wrapped tightly around me.

"Ivan, tell us what they're doing to Joseph." I finally said reaching next to me and taking his hand in mine. He stared down a moment at our hands then looked up. His eyes were red and damp. I had to look away at first. I'd never seen him so upset. I glanced over at Nick and he read my thoughts. As Nick let go of his tight grip around me I pulled myself to Ivan's side and wrapped my arms around him. He took a deep breath and looked back up at us.

"They take him in large groups. They almost seem intimidated by us. I think that's what makes them so violent. They take him and torture him. Beating him until he's on the edge of death. Joseph told me he tried so hard not to give in the first time. He hasn't had enough time to practice his self control," I heard both Cillian and Sarah's breath catch. "When Joseph heals himself to stay alive he gets hungry, and weak; the way we all do. He's not as strong as some of us. The vampires bring him humans and Joseph loses control. His thirst is so strong that as soon as he smells the blood he has no control. They only bring him women and children. He's taken six human lives in the near two days we've been here." Ivan cut off short. Angry tears blurred my vision but I could see the horrified looks from Cillian and Sarah.

"I have to speak with Valeriu. None of this seems right." Cillian hissed angrily. Suddenly Ally stirred again and shot upright in a panic calling out Ivan's name. I moved back into Nick's arms to let Ivan take Ally.

"It's okay, Ally. I'm right here. Nothing's going to happen to you." Ivan hummed in her ear, holding her close to his chest.

"Where are we?" She asked breathlessly.

"China. We're in Wu Jun's Palace," Cillian replied still hissing. Ally looked startled by his reply. A loud clank drew our attention to the steel wall. The slit in the steel slid open and a pair of eyes peered into our prison. Just as quickly it shut and the massive steel wall began to open. At least twelve vampires stood in the doorway. Joseph's limp body hung by the neck in the hands of the one closest. He tossed Joseph into the center of the cell as though tossing away the trash. I snarled violently at them and they all went tense. Cillian shook his head at me and I eased back into Nick's arms.

"Leave us!" A strong voice commanded from behind the ranks. I spotted a couple vampires in the back glance behind them in shock. "They will not harm me. Now leave us." he growled again. The vampires began to shut the door as a taller one stepped into the prison with us. It was Valeriu.

I was so busy staring at Valeriu that it had taken me a moment to notice Joseph had moved. I searched around to find him in the corner furthest away from all of us. He was curled up tightly hiding his face in his arms which secured his knees tightly against his chest. It was painful to see. Valeriu strode gracefully towards Cillian and Sarah taking in all of us as he knelt in front of them. I was surprised by his gesture as he took Cillian's hand respectfully.

"Forgive me old friend. I have no control over the elders and their accusations. I assumed from the beginning that Nick and Laoise were connected by a blood tie. I never thought you had betrayed us. It was the other's that derived that result. They do not believe in the blood tie. They think it is a myth and laugh when I try to describe how I felt when I first met your darling Sarah. How things have changed in both the human and vampire world since that day. Wouldn't you agree, Cillian?" Cillian nodded at Valeriu's words.

"What is going on, Valeriu?" he asked. I could tell Cillian had put his trust back into his sire. I was in shock though. Cillian had never told me who sired him. It made sense now why Cillian and Valeriu had always been such close friends despite having such different morals. Valeriu sighed at Cillian's question.

"I am sorry, Cillian. Despite my protests they are convinced you and your family are traitors. I am attempting, to the best of my ability, to change your sentence. I think I am making progress but I can only do so much without them assuming I am in on it. The Hamr elders have come to us. They've discovered that the three Hamr killed on the Irish coast were not only slain by vampires, but also another Hamr. They want Nick," Valeriu glanced over at Nick and I when he spoke the words. I tensed. "But the vampires are refusing to hand him over without some kind of collateral. This is angering the Hamr. Although both sides are trying to avoid a war, we might very well get one."

"What are the options, Valeriu?" Cillian asked forcing a calm tone.

"None. It is whatever the elders decide. You know that. I must go now. They have called a mass assembly of the vampire and Hamr elders. That is where your fate will be decided." Valeriu stood and gave us a sympathetic look. "I shall do what I can. But I cannot promise you much."

The steel doors opened again and the large group of vampires escorted Valeriu down the hall. We sat in silence a moment then Ally leaned in close to Ivan.

"Is Joseph alright?" She asked quietly. Ivan shook his head and Sarah jumped to her feet and rushed to Joseph. I watched him flinch away from Sarah's touch. She crouched in front of him whispering reassuring words to his damaged emotions. If we made it out of this alive he would have to start over again. He was dangerous now. Just like we all were when we made the transition. He was like a drug addict that had relapsed. It was back to square one for him. He was broken though. I worried that he wouldn't be the same after this. After how much trauma he'd been through. If he decided not to stay with us there would be no going back for him. He would be just another wild vampire. I shuddered at the thought.

"Joseph, you're still with us, right?" Sarah asked gently. He didn't reply but again flinched at her touch. Frustrated tears filled her eyes. "You can't leave us, Joseph, because we aren't going anywhere." She whispered the words and took a seat next to him. Nick pulled me tighter feeling me shake with anger and grief. What they had done to Joseph was not excusable. Someone had to pay for this.

I sat, stiff and angry in Nick's grasp. He wasn't ready to let anything happen to me. He knew I felt the same way for him. I prayed they wouldn't find out how much I craved his blood. If they did the same thing to me that they had done to Joseph so many times, I wouldn't be able to resist. I couldn't live with myself if I killed Nick. I understood now how Joseph must have felt.

We all sat in silence for many hours. Ivan had quietly told Ally what she had missed before. She had also been upset by the story. Everything Joseph had worked for was ruined. Luckily he had a family to get him through it. Another loud clank broke my train of thought. The door opened and Valeriu stood with a solemn expression. Vampire soldiers stepped forward with chains.

"Those will not be necessary." Valeriu raised his hands halting the vampires. "This is the McFadden family. They have more honor than any of you will ever know." He finished with a hiss and the vampires backed away. Valeriu turned back to face us. "It is time."

2008 copyrighted by Stephanie Graber

Currently listening : The Alchemy Index, Vol. 1 & 2 By Thrice Release date: 2007-10-16

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Blood Tie (chapter 18)
Current mood: panic
Category: panic Writing and Poetry

Vanishing

The next day was also quiet. I got ready to go out with Nick to get our tattoos and went into the other room to check on the family. They were keeping themselves occupied in their own ways.

"I'm going out with Nick today, Cillian," I said leaning against the door post. He flashed me a smile.

"Alright, be careful," he replied simply. I could tell there was a lot on his mind. I wouldn't bother him when he was so deep in thought.

"We will. Be back in a few hours."

"Oh, Laoise. I think we're going to pack up early. I don't want to risk staying in one place for too long. I'd like to leave tomorrow," he added.

"Alright, I'll let Ally and Ivan know," I replied and turned back into our room. Nick was standing at the door ready to go.

"Are you ready?" He asked attempting to hide his excitement.

"Yes I am," I said and turned to Ivan who sat in the same spot on the couch. "Cillian said we're packing up and leaving tomorrow instead. Let Ally know would you?" He nodded and Nick led me out the door.

We walked together down the street towards the tattoo parlor and the excitement in me began to grow. I didn't know why. Nick ran his hand across my back sensing my anticipation. He leaned against me.

"You'll love it." he grinned.

"I'm sure I will," I replied and kissed him before entering the building. The same artist stood at the desk with the receptionist. Nick went up first.

"Hey, how's it going?" he asked.

"So you came for the tattoos?" The artist asked in a thick accent.

"So you speak English now?" Nick asked surprised.

"Never said I didn't," the artist grinned. I laughed. "So did you decide to get one?" He turned his attention to me.

"He talked me into it." I grinned.

"Who's first?"

"He is," I said nudging Nick. "I'm not waiting any longer to see what his design is." The artist laughed and took us into a room where Nick laid down onto the black leather table without being asked.

"You want it between your shoulder blades?" The artist asked.

"Yup." Nick replied and gave me a large smile. The artists left the room and a few seconds later returned with a white sheet of paper. Once he had it placed on Nick's back he dabbed on the stencil. I pulled out the sketch Nick had done for me out of my pocket to study it again. It was perfect.

"Are you going to look at the stencil?" Nick asked. I shook my head.

"I'll see it when it's completely done." I smiled. The loud buzz from the machine filled the room as the artist began his work. In all my years I had never seen a tattoo created. It was an amazing form of artwork. The thought that someone could create such a detailed form of art on someone's skin was not comprehendible to me. Then something else began to happen that I was not prepared for. Nick was watching me the entire time and his eyes went wide when he saw my expression. The aroma of his blood filled the room. I looked where the needles pushed the ink into his skin as the crimson trickle of blood ran down.

"Laoise," do you need to step out for a while?" Nick asked as calm as he could. There was a hint of fear in his voice. The artist looked up from his work to examine my face. I knew what it must have looked like. My nearly transparent skin,