An icy draft speared through the great hall as Daevan felt her burning glare.

Her eyes narrowed, as an artic smile graced her lips. It didn't matter what vessel she occupied. He would have recognised her in an instant.

Eva felt the sudden change in her father's demeanour. She looked in the direction of the open doors; the chill crawling up her bare arms. "Father?" She turned to look up. His lip twitched and the paleness of his face sent a chill rocketing down her spine, whoever this woman... demon was, her father was unnerved by her entrance.

The woman stood still with the wind billowing around her skirt. Everyone paid attention. Not only was she striking but her colour - Burnt Sienna, had never looked so perfect on a woman. With black hair of wool and her head held high, she waltzed in with a graceful saunter. The clicking of her heels on the stone echoed throughout the room. The smile that traced her lips, lacked warmth or emotion.

"Who's the hell, is she?" Kara whispered, moving closer to Daevan.

Daevan dared not reply. Her words from their last meeting echoed through his mind, sending ripples of unease throughout his rigid body.

'You will pay for your betrayal. Mark my words Daevan, Lord of the Vampires, I will take what you most hold precious and like you destroyed my heart. I will take your soul and crush it in my hands.'

His hand clenched and unclenched as she stopped before him. "Mara." He tipped his head slightly as her aloofness brushed against him.

The demon, Mara looked at him with cool indifference, but inside she burned. Wrath still consumed her as if the wrongness she had felt at the hands of this demon was but yesterday, rather than two hundred and twenty years ago.

"Lord Daevan." She dipped her head, but her eyes remained on his. "What brings you to our little Conclave?"

Fuck... Is she on the council? Haron hadn't mentioned this. In fact, where the hell was Haron? "Do you have a seat on the council?" he asked.

Her eyes flicked over him before meeting his again. "No, I agreed to attend as my love, Layak is away. His brother was murdered most recent, you may know him... Moloch? They were close, and he has sworn vengeance upon those who were responsible." She raised a questioning eyebrow.

Fuck, Fuck, Fuck. Daevan didn't flinch, but he knew Mara was no fool. She would not have mentioned this, if she did not feel the weight of its importance. "You look well Mara."

If she felt anything from his compliment, it didn't show, her face remained unreadable. "And who might this be?" Gesturing her hand towards Eva and Kara, her gaze did not follow her gesture as she held Daevan's hard stare.

Daevan quickly scanned the room, the door was at least twenty paces away and the portal had been closed. There was no changing direction now, the stone had been cast, he had to follow through on his plan. "My assistant." He indicated to Kara. "And, my daughter." He placed his hand on the base of Eva back, splaying his fingers possessively.

Mara's eyes darkened as they looked towards Eva.

The weight of her stare was bruising. Eva wanted to shrink away from it, but her father's hand on her lower back gave her the confidence to remain still. She straightened her posture, lifting her chin.

Mara glowered; her words bitter. "Is she a pledge?"

The vein in his temple throbbed. "Yes."

A bitter laugh echoed through the room. "Well, well, well. The mighty Lord Daevan with a daughter. You are the last demon I would have expected to have a family." She smiled, but it didn't touch her darkened eyes. "She is beautiful. Who is the lucky creature you mated with?"

"A human, nobody of consequence." His chest tightened, the harsh words churning in his gut.

A rush of coldness stabbed Eva's heart. She had never heard her father speak of her mother in such a cold or dismissive tone.

Mara stepped towards Eva, reaching out, she placed her long stiff finger under her chin, tilting it upwards slightly as if to inspect. "Yes, a rare beauty indeed."

The coldness of her finger burnt through Eva's skin as her heart leapt into her throat.

Mara's eyes dripped down Eva's slim frame. "I may be ready to swap hosts, I tire of this one and she is delicious. And those eyes, beautiful." She leant closer, almost sniffing Eva. "Hmm, and pure with an air of innocence I've never sensed before." She dropped her hand as if the words opposed her true emotions.

Daevan swallowed hard as he bit down a growl, his fangs lengthened brushing against his bottom lip. The shear desire to grab her by the throat and rip her from the vessel was overwhelming. His jaw twitched; teeth clenched as his hand curled into a fist.

Mara sensed his anguish, he may not have realised it, but he had always been an open book to her. She knew this daughter of his, was special to him.

He was almost blinded by a five-course serving of rage, his blood-thirsty urge raised its ugly head. Mara had always had this effect on him. "I have promised her to another," he stated, tone flat.

"And whom might that be?" she asked.

"Martha. Witch of the High Coven. I have promised her since birth."

Mara scoffed. "A witch? Well, if I desire her, your promises will mean nothing."

Daevan knew this was nothing to do with her wanting Evangeline as a vessel – this was her vengeance, pure and simple for casting her aside for Sophia. "My word is my word and I shall not break it. And neither will demon, angel or god... or you."

Mara sneered. "Well my dear Lord Daevan, if one is suspected of murder of our own kind, then their promises will mean as much as their freedom."

He knew it. He watched a small cruel smile play across her deep red lips. "I know not of what you speak Mara, and Evangeline will go as promised to Martha. I can promise you that."

Eva watched the standoff continue between the pair before a billowing voice cut through the atmosphere.

"Pledges come forth."

Eva looked towards her father. But he didn't drop his glare from Mara's "Its time Evangeline." He said, tipping his head towards Mara. "If you will excuse us Mara."

She narrowed her eyes, coldness shot like a dagger from the pits of her soulless eyes. "Yes. I will see you both... soon."

She turned, heading towards the double doors on the right, the ones that Eva had been told not to enter.

Eva didn't want to know the answer but felt compelled to ask. "Father, who was that?"

"My worst nightmare," he replied without thinking. "But, nothing for you to worry about."

He says not to worry! She wants me as a vessel, and I'm supposed not to worry! Another question popped out her mouth before thinking. "Who's Martha?"

"A friend, someone who will help us, and I trust her completely." He looked down, and once again the fear in his daughters' eyes pierced him through the heart. Reaching out he stroked her cheek. "You must trust me Evangeline and you must not speak from now onwards, unless asked to do so. Do you understand Evangeline?"

Eva nodded her head. His face remained pale and his eyes were darker than she had ever witnessed.

He smiled before looking up towards Kara. "Kara, stand with Martha, it's time." He pointed to where Martha stood waiting.

Kara nodded as she quickly squeezed Eva's hand. Sickness rolled around her insides, churning her dinner from hours ago. She had never felt such power than what she had experienced rolling in waves from the woman Daevan had called Mara. Her hatred was clear as day.

She leant in, kissing Eva's cheek. "It will be over soon, I'll be waiting."

Eva squeezed her hand in return, noting the slight waver in Kara's voice. Something's wrong, very wrong. With a racing heart and a heaviness in the pit of her stomach she nodded her readiness to her father and followed him.

Eva held her head high as stepped inside the room. The council members - Four in total, each sat up enormous chairs of carved fine oak, almost like thrones upon a raised platform. Each crested with several jewels and decorative materials forming an elegant twisting symbol. She had seen this symbol before. The rest of the room looked the same as the other room they left behind. And glancing up, she saw the same balcony continue around the middle, where others were now gathering.

The circle of pledge looked nothing special to Eva. It seemed an ordinary circle, randomly painted on the floor. Stepping closer to her father she watched a pledge be led towards the circle. He appeared no older than twelve years old and when he reached the centre, bowed his head and remained in such position.

One other pledge, a pubescent girl was seated to the left of the council and the remaining pledges stood in line just in front of Eva, waiting their turn. Eva had no desire to stand in line and remained next to her father behind them. She let her eyes trail the line of pledges, they all seemed so calm for their junior years.

Of course they're calm, they've been waiting their whole lives, preparing for this presentation... and it will be years before they reach twenty the required age of possession. Eva felt a sudden stab of jealously, only six months remained before they could strip her freedom.

Daevan leaned down, whispering. "All will go well, and they will ask you to sit with the other pledges." He stood up straighter and Eva remembered his words of not speaking, nodding her response.

She looked back towards the council members as one gracefully rose from his seat, bowing his head to the other three. He wore a long clock of white and he appeared to float rather than walk towards the pledge. Eva couldn't help but notice an iridescent radiance surrounding him... a glow almost as if he basked in golden light. It shimmered and moved on its own accord and hypnotic to observe. His hair was a mop of blond hair strands framing his eyes that reminded her of a child's watercolour painting. How in their haste to paint all the grass, they had added too much water to the green. She knew without a doubt he was an angel.

As he reached the young boy, he smiled, and Eva was sure the room became warmer. Lifting the boy's chin, he appeared to whisper and bow his head. The angel walked around the boy, pulling down the collar on his dress shirt to reveal a mark, but Eva wasn't close enough to see it. She resisted the urge to place her hand at the back of her neck, to see if she could feel anything, knowing it was silly.

The angel leaned forward and kissed the symbol and the circle in which they stood came to life.

Eva inhaled sharply as inside the circle a pentagram appeared with many symbols.

The angel stepped backwards to just outside the circle and Eva could hear chanting but didn't understand the words. A blessing perhaps?

The outer circle glowed a soft white and rose from the floor, particles sparkling, danced around the boy. And as if someone had pressed a switch, the pentagram symbols glowed the same colour almost popping from the floor.

"The pledge is worthy," shouted another council member, jarring Eva from the light spectacle before her. Her eyes flicked up to see his face clearly. His age appeared no more than her own but had lost all traces of boyhood. He smiled with ease, but it held no warmth or emotion, he was just like the woman sat next to him, Mara. He was a demon for sure.

Eva continued to watch the circle glow but then slowly the pentagram faded and disappeared as if never there and the outer circle dimmed, returning to its inactive state.

"Take your seat young pledging," said the Demon, before he looked towards her father.

"Daevan, Lord of the Vampires. We are honoured by your presence today. Present your pledge."

Eva shivered, she could see and hear this demon did not care for her father and his words held nothing but contempt.

The pledges in front stood aside and let them pass.

"Council of the Conclave, I present a blood offering. A pledge from my own family. Evangeline, my daughter." His hand made a sweeping motion towards Eva, as his other hand pressed the base of her back, walking her towards the circle. "Go forward Evangeline, stand in the centre," he whispered.

Eva lifted the hem of her dress a little higher, looking down to find no traces of the pentagram she had witnessed a few moments ago. Standing in the centre, she kept her head lowered.

Daevan's gut was knotted tighter than a hangman's noose. He dipped his head to the council before stepping away from the circle. He locked eyes with Marthas, who brushed her hair over her shoulder, offering him a slight smile. Her insignificant gesture brought some much-needed relief to his stressed mind.

Gazing towards Kara, he could see her eyes glued on Evangeline. Concentration etched into her brow.

The council member spoke "Ender, please witness the mark of Erubus."

Eva's heart dropped. The words of her father's friend screamed in her mind. She does not bear the mark.

Kara stood next to Martha with Eva in her line of sight. Her heart pounded as her stomach housed a swarm of bees. She listened to the council member instruct the beautiful man who had moments before spoke to the young male pledge.

A flourishing surge of relief flooded her veins as the realisation of only needing to penetrate one person's mind. Hell, she could do that. She mentally prepared the mark in her mind... she was ready, she would not fail Eva or Daevan.

Inhaling a deep breath, she reached out and touched his mind. Practicing all week with Daevan, she was sure this demon, angel, thing or whatever he was, would be easy to crack. Sensing his mind, they connected as his thoughts flowed freely into hers like a river. She felt Martha squeeze her hand, sure her magic was in play, helping her.

Ender, the only angel on the council walked towards Eva and spoke tenderly. "Do not fear my child, I can sense your unease and I only wish to look upon the mark."

Eva shoulders relaxed, there was such warmth in his voice, calming words washed over her like a sultry summer's day.

As he stepped behind her, he lifted her hair, placing it over her right shoulder, before gently gripping her shoulders. She sensed him stiffen momentarily and before she could think of the consequences of her not bearing the mark, the circle in which she stood burst to life.

Ender released his grip and hastily stepped from the circle. She turned to see a look of surprise light up his eyes.

Turning to face forward, her own eyes widened; this hadn't happened to the pledge before her. The circle erupted into flames, golden yellows, reds and amber danced in unison. Raising her hand to her chest, her heart beat wildly and as the colour drained from her face a dizziness and weakness gripped her stomach. She looked down using her free hand to lift her dress. As she bit down on her lip, the pentagram appeared. It too was different, it glowed a deep red colour and as each symbol appeared, they too burst into flames, she stepped back to avoid the flames. Expecting to be burned but strangely felt no heat.

Her head shot up to see the three other council members glaring at her, eyes wide, shocked by the light show before them. She could hear gasps and whispers in the sizeable room.

The other three council members muttered to one another before stepping down from the ledge which their decorated chairs sat upon. They stepped towards her but stopped when the golden red and yellow flames spread further, reaching higher flickering and dancing, surrounding her in their beautiful glow.

Her stomach contracted as the faces of the council members became distorted through the flames. She turned to search out her father, but he too was blocked by the flames.

She wanted to move but stayed rooted to the spot, whatever was happening she had no control.

It was then she heard a voice inside her head... it was familiar and uttered the word... 'Trinity.' She knew it was the voice of the woman whom she had thought she had imagined on the Christians balcony.

'Be calm Evangeline, I mean you no harm,' she said.

'What's happening to me?' asked Eva, hoping she could hear her thoughts, and she wasn't crazy.

'We are the Trinity Evangeline; you must not fear me.'

'I don't know what that means?'

'I do not have long Evangeline, you must listen... trust me.'

'Okay, I trust you,' she replied, realising even in her own head her voice was shaky.

'You control the flames, you control the light, you are Trinity. Focus on the flames and the light. Wish them gone... Evangeline, as if they were never there.'

Eva felt a strange grip her to hand as if it was being held. Wish them gone... wish them gone... easier said than done.

Inhaling a deep breath, she focused on the inflamed circle, its light and flames now almost reaching the ceiling of the splendid hall. 'I wish you gone...' Nothing...

'I wish you gone.'

'Relax Evangeline, focus on the light.'

She felt her hand squeezed tighter, as she tilted her head back looking up, toward the ceiling. 'I wish you gone.' She waited, then repeated. 'I wish you gone.'

Slowly the flames retracted. 'I wish you gone,' she thought again. As the hold on her hand was released.

With each thought, the flames reduced, and the light faded.

As the last of the flames disappeared, and the circle became lifeless before her eyes, she relieved herself of the breath she had been holding hostage. 'Thank you,' she whispered in her mind. But no response came.

Everyone in the room stared at her. But it was the angel Ender who stepped towards her first, holding his hand up to Daevan to stop him approaching. He spoke barely above a whisper. "Who is your mother, my child?"

Her eyes met his, she didn't understand why he would need to know such a thing. "My mother is dead," she replied

He smiled, raising an eyebrow. "Who was your mother then my child?"

"Sophia," she replied softly as he reached for her hand and squeezed it gently.

"Was your mother an angel... or a demon?"

Eva shook her head. "No, she was just a human that my father fell in love with, a servant from his house.

Ender digested this information, his eyes busy with hidden thoughts. "Do not look so worried my child, your vessel is one of immense power. I witnessed the mark but have only seen a reaction from the circle like this when two old souls' mate. I have not seen this for thousands of years. You can hold the strongest and oldest of our kind and bare their burden of power. You will be sought by many... angels and demons alike."

Eva's heart fell to the floor. Dread filled every fibre of her being. Even her father's presence, now standing beside her, offered minor comfort as she turned and flung her arms around him.

He clasped her tightly.

Daevan kissed the top of Evangeline's head as he felt the stony stare of Mara drilling a hole into his head. How the fuck do I get us out of this...?