Chapter 10

Meeting the Morningstars was anything but what I expected. All of them seemed… dead. Well, all except Azrael who seemed alive somehow. Something about him would just draw you in like the pull of a magnet. Perhaps that's because he's a Morningstar. The first one. 

After having met them, Amihan kept her end of the bargain and returned my children to me. We left the castle since and flew immediately back to France. The flight was long and awfully silent. I was mostly worried for my youngest, Darcy. He tends to become silent whenever he faces traumatic events. Even then—when he was two years old—he found it hard to speak. 

I had our limo pick us up from the airport. Again, the ride was slow and silent. I hate it. I have to break the ice. Anything is better than the silent treatment. "We should talk about what happened," I said firmly. 

Aki looked up at me with rage-filled eyes and said, "Fine! Let's talk about it! Who the hell was that woman who abducted us? We're aware of what you are and that just basically proves that every monster in legends and myths are real; that doesn't really matter now, does it? What matters is how we keep that wretched girl from coming back!"

"We thought we'd lose you," Potato finally said, "We can't go through that again. No matter what happens, you have to give us your word that you won't let anything break our family."

"I give you my word," I swore. We then proceeded to discuss the elephant in the room—who I really am, what I am, what position we're in, and how terrifying the world truly is. I felt thankful that they actually took this quite well, though I can't speak too soon. I'm more than certain I need to put them through therapy. I need to find an immortal who has a legit degree in psychology to help them cope. 

As we arrived at the mansion, I was put to a shock when the main door opened to reveal Azrael holding a single red rose. He had that smile on his face yet again. Instinctively, I put my kids behind me. This man is dangerous. He stepped forward, his smile becoming more sadistic with every step he took.

"Azrael," I finally greeted him. 

"You can hide things from the bunch, but never from me, darling girl," he says, "Amihan is in detention for keeping secrets from the council. She knows that rules apply to everyone. Even Morningstars."

"So you want to ake them away from me," I concluded. 

He shook his head in response. "Nonesense," he replied, "If we want to be working together then I can't take the one thing that keeps you human. I understand Amihan's intentions and why she lied and concealed the truth from us, but it doesn't excuse her crime." He proceeded to look at the kids, his eyes softening once his eyes reached Darcy who threw himself in front of me. "They're yours to keep, Aubrey," he says, "But you can't keep them to yourself alone. The council will know everything, and the children must change their names. They will bear the surname Morningstar. That enough will scare off anyone who ever thinks of laying a finger on them. The list of things you must change or provide is already waiting at your study. I will give you a month at best to finalize all the changes that need to be made." 

"You're the first Morningstar," Potato pointed, "You're the one who wants our mother on your side. You help monsters survive."

Azrael's eyes lit up like a child that received candy. "Why yes," he agreed cheerfully, "I am." He leaned down, examining the young man. "You're one of us," he blurts, then looks back at me. He declares, "He's an immortal."

"What?" I questioned, "What are you talking about? He's just a child."

"My eyes can see past what you can't," he says, "This boy has demond blood. His family must be from another lineage. Do not fret. I won't force him to join our cause. Any of them."

"If there's nothing more, then I should ask you to leave," I said, "My children are tired. They need to rest."

"Go on up, boys," he commands, "You have my word: nothing bad shall befall you or your mother. We just need to have a little chat. Not for kids, I'm afraid."

The kids did as they were told hesitantly. I then led Azrael to the study where we could discuss whatever. I sat from one end of the table and he on the other. On my desk, I found the list of things he wanted me to do.

Change the names of the six children and all their documents to Morningstar.Install an emergency exit in all properties dedicated to the children and yourself ONLY.Purchase the following as a means of an escape: 2 private jets, 2 helicopters, a ship and a yacht, 7 motorcycles, and 7 cars, and a submarine. Purchase new properties as safe houses for the children.Have two bodyguards for each child. IMMORTAL bodyguards; never human.

The list went on and on. I sighed, shutting my eyes. I didn't think that becoming a Morningstar meant I had to do a hundred things. I thought my immortality was a gift. 

"The children in your care are all children of the night," he finally said. "Potato is an immortal whilst the rest of them are vampires. Blood born, not turned. But, it appears that they're not pure. Their ancestry must've had a child with a human somewhere down the line; that's why they're not bloodthirsty. The vampire gene appears to be dormant."

"And how could you tell?" I asked. Was he gifted too? He said I was. Surely, if he can see things we can't, he must be gifted in some way. After all, he is the first Morningstar that was destined to be immortal. 

He replied, "Because I'm ancient and gifted. Does it bother you? That the children you thought were humans turn out to be demons like you."

"We aren't demons," I argued, "We just happen to have demon blood flowing in our veins. As for my children, I don't see any difference. They're just children. Like me, they didn't ask for any of this."

"Very well," he nods, "You've been to the Holy Land, yes?"

"When I was nineteen," I replied, looking back at the fond memories I had there. It truly was beautiful. 

"I was born there. I remember how it was back then. Sand, camels, heat, and enchanting sunsets. The girl I loved who turned out to be the opposite of me," he says, his eyes darkening. "She was beautiful and angelic. Little did I know she was a literal angel-blood. Her name was Leah Siemens—born of the very people who started the White Veils. We didn't know it at the time, but we were in love. We married when we were fourteen. Barely adults. We were just kids. Stupid, but in love kids. Our families had a marriage contract drawn for us, of course, and it was all done according to tradition. We were happy. By the age of sixteen, we were parents of twins—Amira and Aziel. We had a happy family."

"Why do I get the feeling that you're about to tell me that your family gets slaughtered," I said almost jokingly. 

"They were," he replied, "By twenty-one, the White Veils found us. She awakened her gifts and realized I wasn't "angelic." She was brainwashed to believe that we were monsters and that the children she carried were demons. The stress from the situation cost us what was supposed to be our third child. Our children didn't survive either. She saw them as demons and she killed them herself."

I didn't want to hear any more of it. Unconsciously, I covered my ears with my hands. "Why are you telling me all this?" I asked.

"Thought you might want to hear the true origins of the Dark Oaths," he replied with a sinister grin. "Well, the beginning of creating it. I escaped their wrath and fled. I met people like me and all sorts of creatures they hunted for sport. We banded together to become what we are today. We protect our own from the real monsters."

I bit my lip. For a second there I thought he might know something about Brandon and me. 

"And, I suppose, because I know your little secret regarding that fine young Siemens boy," he added.

I spoke too soon.

"He'll put a dagger straight into your heart. That's what they do—betray you," he says, disgust and bitterness dripping from his tone. "That boy will break your heart if he hasn't already. No promise of friendship or bond would spare you. The Siemens is driven by a desire to end the creatures of the night. He will eventually hurt you in ways you've never imagined."

"I hate you," I blurted, earning a snicker from him. 

"You're just like me in more ways than one, little girl," he says, ruffling my hair. "Do whatever pleases you, Aubrey. I'm not a tattle. I won't tell a single soul about your connection with that Siemens boy. Besides, it's better this way. You'll learn your own way. When he strikes, don't hesitate to call me."

"You really believe he'll turn on me just as your wife did to you?" I asked. 

He shrugged. "Life is unpredictable, little Aubrey. I told you my story to warn you. To answer your question, I find it highly likely that he'll break you." He placed a book on my table. It appeared ancient and somehow enchanted. "This is a book that explains what immortals are. Basically, immortals are humans who are just unkillable. We have powers too such as casting spells, visions, and plenty of other things. Use it wisely."

"What happened to her?" I asked out of curiosity, "Your ex-wife, I mean. What happened?"

"Technically, we're still married," he says, "She leads her division, I lead our people."

"You never saw her again?" I asked. 

"I never said that," he replied.

"What became of you?" I asked. 

He replied, "We became mortal enemies. We're equal in strength, might, and everything. She can't kill me, I can't kill her. The only feeling I have for her is hatred for slaughtering our children like animals. I wish her nothing but the pain she caused me when she struck them with her blade." He stood, placed his hands on my shoulders, and said firmly, "You want to know if you'll suffer the same fate as we have because you have doubts in the back of your mind. I can't tell you what comes next, but you know the probability."

"He saved me countless of times," I told him with every bit of honesty and sincerity. "He's a good person."

"He was a child that hasn't awakened," he argues, "You've met him, haven't you? Now that he's immortal and an adult. Tell me, did he not lay his hands on you?"

He did. I remember it all too well. The sudden violence he felt when I couldn't give him an answer. The way he shook me in anger… The way his eyes changed drastically in a fit of rage. I've never seen his eyes like that before and it haunts my dreams from time to time. 

"Your silence is answer enough," he says, patting my shoulder. With that said, he left me to my thoughts.