Sketch:

Orion had woken me up a little later than expected but I was thankful for the nap. He sneaked his arms under my back, pulling me into his firm chest. I snuggled closer as he picked me up, yawning in his ear as laid my head on his shoulder.

"Ready for dinner, baby?" he asked and I just nodded, rubbing at my eyes.

I relaxed into his firm grip as we started walking down the halls as if we were floating.

Once we arrived I was too much in my weak state to look around the room. Xanthe and Sam were already seated and I pushed at Orion's chest for him to put me down. He didn't and went to the farthest seat away from Sammy as we could get. It was mainly because the two chairs we were sitting in were bigger than everyone else's.

Sammy met my eye and smiled as Orion sat me down on the chair. I moved to get down but Orion pulled me back into his lap wrapping his arms around my waist so I couldn't escape.

I turned back toward him but he only smiled like the devil he was, kissing the back of my neck to distract me. "Orion!" I whispered loudly at him but he just smirked.

"You are either staying on my lap or sitting next to me. You are my future queen and I need you beside me."

"Fine." I grumbled and crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at Orion.

"You wound me." he whispered cashing em to smile as he threw his hand back to his chest in an accusing matter.

"You better be getting me that plum." He nodded rubbing circles into my back that made me yawn. I laid my head on his shoulder feeling his profound power over take me. I was close to falling asleep several times, and I'm sure Orion wanted me to, but the door opened and a new voice appeared one after the other.

Sam kept looking at me from what I could tell. My eyes were closed most of the time but when my eyes did open he was looking at me.

Once Orion's family was all seated he decided to talk. It wasn't clear to me what he was saying but I did my best to keep my eyes open. I watched as Sam stood up looking angrier than even. He tried to get to Orion but Xanthe held him from behind, whispering into his ear. He looked pissed off, well Sam did and I know Sam wasn't going to calm down. He started yelling at Orion I think, but that wasn't clear either.

Orion was running his fingers through my hair, talking calmly, his words made me fall asleep for a few seconds until he stopped talking.

"You monster!" Sam yelled, and I felt a sudden coldness overwhelm the room. I opened my eyes, watching as Sam looked at me with such pain.

Xanthe whispered in his ear, causing Sam to instantly relax into his touch. I pushed at Orion's chest wondering why everyone was staring at me and Orion. I wanted to get to Sam see if he was okay. He started to rock me holding me closer. The maid came forward and gave everyone a glass, except for me and Sam. She gave me a juice pouch that Orion poked the straw through and gave it to me.

I didn't take it and pushed at his chest signaling for him to let me down. He wrapped his arm around me, leaning down to whisper in my ear.

"I won't give you the plum until you drink all of this, okay?"

"W-what's going on? W-why is Sammy m-ad?" I asked, but Orion only rubbed my back.

"No reason," he whispered in my ear but I didn't believe one bit.

"Don't lie to me," I looked back at Sam who was pressed against Xanthe's chest, as the older vampire tried to calm him down.

I pushed at his chest again but he wouldn't let me go. "Sketch," he warned with that deep

scary voice that I hated. I stopped fighting and just laid my head on his chest, not wanting to fight him. He was really scary when mad and I didn't like to see that side of him. And we all knew he could hurt me really bad.

He handed me the pouch and I reluctantly grabbed it. I started to sip it, keeping my eyes down casted, not trying to stay on his bad side. He rubbed my back, but I didn't know if he was trying comfort me or trying to get me to fall back asleep. What was Sam screaming at Orion anyway? Why wouldn't he tell me?

Sam turned back to look at me with big sad eyes. I wish I could talk to him, just find out what Orion said to make my brother so upset!

I wish I could fight Orion on the matter but I can't since he's a lot stronger than I!

Orion started talking again me this time I listened. "It will all start tomorrow, and then we will put an end to it." he said, clearly not saying what he would put an end to, but I really wanted to find out.

Orion concluded his little speech, telling everyone goodnight before carrying me back the way we came. I reached out for Sam, but Xanthe held him. With tears in Sam's eyes, he fought Xanthe but it was useless. I didn't know what was happening but Sam rarely cried! Was it really that bad?

I watched as the doors slammed behind us, and my brother was gone. If it was enough to make Sammy cry then it must of been terrible and I didn't even hear it!

He went back into the gothic room, laying me down on the bed before turning back to the stone and locking it.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly, sitting up and pulling my knees to my chest. He smiled at me, going into a suitcase that wasn't there earlier and grabbed some belongings out of it.

He walked over to me with clothes in his, picking me off the bed and placing me down on my feet. He started to unbutton my jeans, and pulled my shirt over my body. He then dressed me in warm cotton pajamas, that were snug to my body.

"Why was Sam upset?" I asked.

He ran his fingers through my hair, before hugging me close. "I have a meeting but I'll be back later, okay? Get some sleep for now, I'll tell you later."

Well that was the best I'd probably get and I was tired. So I climbed up on the bed, getting under the covers. He kissed my head before leaving. I really didn't want him to leave, I just wanted him to stay and tell me why Sam was upset earlier.

I rolled over in the bed, thinking about what could of caused Sam to get all mad, but nothing came to.

A scratching sound made me sit up straight in bed looking back and forth between the room. Out of no where someone jumped up from the bottom of bed and two red eyes glowed at me. I screeched, pushing back until my back hit the head board.

"Shhhh, Sketch it's me, Sam," he whispered, and I swear my pounding heart lifted hearing Sam's voice. I lunged at him, engulfing him in a tight hug.

"Sammy!" I screamed whispered and he hugged me back tightly.

"Orion is planning on burning the clearing to the ground, our house and crops! Everyone will be taken or possibly killed! He's going to take them away and brand them like animals!" he exclaimed.

My stomach dropped at the thought of my friends that I considered family taken away and used as livestock. Gracie, Riley, Conner, all of them! My family were going to be taken away and hurt! Orion couldn't do that, he wouldn't do that to me!

"Sketch, Xanthe doesn't know I'm here, he's in a meeting. I'm gonna escape and get to them, I need to warn them." he said but I rapidly shook my head.

"Sam they won't take what you are likely and I know Xanthe won't be nice if you try to escape."

"He's not nice anyway, and, yes, I know that they will attack me but I have to take that risk Sketch." he whispered.

"Sammy, I want to go with you." Sam shook his head, grabbing my head between his hands, and kissing my head.

"You can't, Orion watches you like a hawk."

"B-but Orion doubled the guard, no one can get in or out." I whispered as if someone would hear us.

"I can get through, trust me. I'm just scared that Xanthe can feel my emotions, and I know he can read my mind." he said.

"Orion can read mine too—" Suddenly Sam covered my mouth, looking behind him before looking back at me with a worried face.

"Someone is coming."

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