Chapter 2

“My Master, and Raven, told me that you and the child were dead, and the family had broken up.” Andrew said, knowing he couldn’t lie to Christopher. Lying to a Prince was a crime punishable by banishment. “I sought your family out to tell them out of respect for my Master. I’m sorry you had to hear about Hunter this way.” Andrew stood by the door waiting to be killed or at the very least thrown out.

Christopher absorbed everything Andrew had to say. The more he thought about the situation, the more his anger towards this fledgling transferred to Raven. “Had you taken the blood oath with Hunter?” Christopher said, fighting back any sign on the tears that were threatening to fall. He was still having trouble coming to grips with everything he’d just heard, but realized he had a family to take care of.

“Yes.” Andrew said, careful to keep his gaze on the floor. The last thing he wanted to do was insult Christopher by looking him in the eyes like an equal.

Christopher noticed the demeanor of the young man. He knew it well. Hunter had trained him in the exact same way. Always keep your eyes to the floor when addressing an elder or Prince, walk behind and elder or Prince at all times, and under no circumstances are you to address your Master by his name. Oh yes, Christopher knew the rules well. He also knew the loop holes around the rules. “You do realize that, with Hunter’s demise, you are now a Prince?” Christopher said, shocked that Andrew did not look up. “Did you just hear me? You’re a Prince. You may look me in the eyes and speak freely.”

Andrew looked up and made eye contact with Prince Christopher for the first time. “I’m to young to be a Prince.” Andrew said, assuming a Prince had to be at least a century old.

“No, Andrew, you’re not.” Christopher said, holding the eye contact with him. “Your Master was a Prince, you took the blood oath, he is deceased, you are now a Prince. Albeit a very young Prince, but a Prince none the less.”

Andrew got a look of shock and worry on his face. “I know nothing of being a Prince.” Andrew said, his voice starting to get a slight bit frantic. “I’m only two months old.... Well, in vampire age anyway.”

Andrew started to ramble on, when Christopher cut him off. “Andrew.” He said, holding his hand up to stop the inane ramblings of the young man. “I will allow you to stay. I will teach you what you need to know, the ways and rules of our world. Just remember you are a Prince, so at no time will you call me master. I am just Christopher. Do you understand all of this?”

“Yes.” Andrew said, not really sure that he did, but there was already so much information being thrown at him, he didn’t know if he could take anymore. “Excuse me, Christopher?” Andrew said, finding the words strange coming from his own mouth. “Where will I be staying? I don’t mean to sound rude, but I’ve been traveling for some time now. I’m hungry and tired.”

“You may stay in one of the spare rooms downstairs.” Christopher said, planning his revenge on Raven as he spoke. “We’ll be going out soon to hunt, so I suggest you deal with your charge and get ready to take him out.”

Andrew looked at him puzzled. “Charge?” He said, not quite understanding what Christopher was talking about.

“Yes.” Christopher said, as if Andrew should have known this information all along. “Raven.”

Andrew started shaking his head, almost violently. “No. He’s not my charge. He’s yours.” Andrew said, actually afraid for his life. “He’s already threatened to kill me once tonight.”

Christopher smiled at the young man. “No, Andrew. He was with Hunter when I came to the family. Therefore he is your responsibility now.” He said, watching the evil smile creep across Andrew’s face. “He is yours to do with as you see fit. He is not part of my family, he is part of yours. The only thing you cannot do is kill him. For that you would need counsel approval. Now, if you will excuse me I need to go prepare my clan for this evening’s hunt.”

When Christopher left, Andrew stood there for a moment. He wasn’t quite sure what he should do. The only thing he was certain of, was that he could no longer show fear of any kind to anyone. That included Raven. He walked into the living room of the house, head held high. The rest of the clan was gathering there, preparing for the hunt. Andrew caught sight of Raven, standing next to the blonde man he’d had on his lap earlier. “Raven.” Andrew said, in a very stern voice. One that even surprised him. Raven glared at him from where he stood, but didn’t move a muscle. “Come here.”

Raven stood where he was in an act of defiance, looking Andrew straight in the eyes. “No.” Raven said, wrapping his arm around the blonde. “I’m going out to hunt, Andy, we’ll deal with this later.”

Christopher was watching the exchange from the door. He saw Andrew’s confidence faltering. He’d promised to help the young man, so he that’s what he did. All it took was eye contact with one of the largest men in the room. The man slid up behind Raven in the one of the most fluid movements Andrew had ever witnessed. He grabbed Raven by the back of the neck and pushed him toward Andrew, making him kneel and bow his head at Andrew’s feet. “Raven.” The large man said, applying more peasure to the back of Raven’s neck. “When your Master beckons you, you are not to defy him.”

Andrew was not sure what to do at this point. He looked at the large man and said, “Thank you....” Letting his words trail off, waiting for the man to tell him his name.

The man did not make eye contact with Andrew, just looked at the floor. “David Batista, Prince Andrew.”

“Thank you Mr. Batista.” Andrew said, showing respect to the man that had helped him out. “I can take it from here.”

David released Raven, who immediately snapped his head up, looking Andrew in the eyes yet again. David went for Raven’s neck again, but Andrew held his hand up to stop him. He knew this was a time he would have to show courage beyond his years. “What is the name of your mate?” Andrew said, never taking his eyes off of Raven.

“Phillip Brooks.” Raven said through clenched teeth, but never broke eye contact with Andrew.

“I do hope that Prince Christopher and Phillip realize that I do not mean to hurt him.” Andrew said, looking into eyes that were getting angrier by the second. “But, until you can show me the proper respect, you are forbidden from seeing him.” Andrew broke eye contact with Raven to look at Christopher then. “And I ask Prince Christopher to ask his clan to inform me if you are seen together.”

Prince Christopher looked around to the members of his clan. “If they are seen together, you are to inform Prince Andrew immediately. Anyone caught helping them will be banished. Is this understood?” Christopher said, and watched as his clan heeded his warning.

“Thank you Prince Christopher.” Andrew said, and turned his attention back to Raven. “Now get yourself ready. We need to hunt.” Raven stood, shooting daggers at Andrew with just the look in his eyes, and left the room. Andrew walked over to Phillip, who instantly lowered his head. “You may look me in the eyes, Phillip.” Phillip looked into the eyes of this new Prince, letting the first tear fall down his cheek. “Are you called Phillip or Phil?”

“No, Prince Andrew.” Phillip said, trying to hold back even more tears. “I am called Punk.”

Andrew saw the hurt in the young mans face, and realized he couldn’t be much older in human years than himself. “I am sorry Punk. I did not mean to hurt you, but Raven needs to be punished.” Andrew said, looking further into the young man’s eyes and noticing the confusion there. “I know you’re confused, so I’ll let your Master explain everything to you, when he feels it necessary. Again, I am sorry.”

Punk lowered his head again, and Andrew turned to walk away. He only made it a few steps when he noticed London step in front of him, arms crossed over her chest. “You will not make it through the night.” She said, letting a sinister smile flow across her lips.

Andrew looked at her showing her the utmost respect, but not really concerned about the threat. He wasn’t sure of her age in vampire years, but her body was that of a five year old. He looked at the man standing behind her, looking him square in the eye. He extended his hand, and Andrew took it. “I’m Sean O’Haire.” The man said, giving Andrew a very firm hand shake. “It is my soul job in this family to do her bidding.” Sean broke the hand shake, took London’s hand in his and walked away. Andrew suddenly became more worried about the child’s threat.