Both Kalen and Lana were missing. This made Andreas wonder. He knew Lana wouldn’t be able to forgive him easily, that had been the point. She needed to stay very far away from him, but it was so hard to let go. He craved her although he knew he couldn’t have her. Kalen would be better for her. Part of him hoped Kalen would take her away, to safety. Somewhere she could be happy.

But although he knew the right thing to do would be to let her go, he never prided himself on doing the right thing. Why be good when being bad was so much more fun? No, he couldn’t let her go. A deep rooted anger rose within him as he thought of even the possibility of some other man’s lips on hers. He knew he was being hypocritical and unfair, but he was Andreas Scott Grigoli, one of the most feared men in the kingdom, he didn’t have to be fair.

He paced around in his study, his thoughts running wild. They couldn’t have run away together already, could they? Kalen only arrived a couple of days ago. That wasn’t enough time. Andreas reminded himself that it taken him less than an hour to make Lana leave with him. But that was a different story, he argued; he had been saving her life then. She wasn’t that easy to manipulate, he had figured out as much. She was a quick study, only making mistakes with the same person once. Which was why he feared she may never give him a chance again.

No, he was not beyond redemption in her eyes, he had to believe that. He made his resolve then, he would fight for her. Up until now he had given her space, a chance to think about his confession. Giving her space had not gotten the results he had been hoping for. He was losing her and to the ever so charming Kalen.

Andreas bubbled with fury. Kalen always seemed to get in the way and yet he couldn’t imagine things being any different. He despised him, hated him with every fiber of his being, or so he told himself. No matter what he thought, he knew he would mourn Kalen’s loss were he to die. That realization caused even more rage to boil within him.

He sunk down in his chair, resting his head on his fist. Wherever they had gone, they would be back. And he would pretend he wasn’t worried. He threw his books from his desk at the thought. I shouldn’t care this much!

Andreas started thinking of that damned prophecy again. When he first saw Lana, he was certain it had to be her. When her eyes turned blue that one time, there was no longer doubt in his mind. But now doubt lingered again. It had to be her. She aroused these intense feelings in him. Undoing could mean a number of different things, perhaps it meant the undoing of his confidence which was now wavering. Kalen was affected by the prophecy as well, it would explain why he was here.

Andreas rubbed his temples. A nagging feeling was telling him there was something he was missing. A big clue that he didn’t see. It was Lana’s fault. She was distracting him from his goal.

The air in the manor suddenly changed, the normal energy frequencies altered. They had returned. He decided to go and greet them.

“Kalen, Lana,” Andreas said automatically as he flashed himself to the entrance of his grand house.  He tried to appear nonchalant, but he faltered when he saw there was another girl with them. A very young one at that. He composed himself before they could see they had caught him off guard. “And who’s this?” he asked before either of them could reply.

“This is Izzy. I hope it won’t be too much of a bother if she stayed here for a while,” Kalen said. Andreas narrowed his eyes. The situation was getting ridiculous. What did his house look like, an inn? He should start charging money to all those now staying with him.

“Please,” Lana asked. “She’s Elijah’s sister and has nowhere else to go.” His resolve faltered at her words. It was so hard to deny her anything. Andreas was careful to keep his expression neutral. Elijah, who was that again?

Andreas raised an eyebrow at her. “Elijah?”

“A selfish prick,” Kalen snorted, but Andreas ignored him. Lana retreated into herself, her eyes looking somewhere far away. Realization dawned on him. It was the oaf he had d thrown out of his house not too long ago for attempting to assault his Lana.

“The lout who tried to hurt you?” Andreas asked through clenched teeth. He could feel the darkness surround him once more. He welcomed it.

Kalen gaped at her. So he didn’t know. “You made me spare a man that not only hurt his own sister in a public place, but also tried to hurt you?” Fury settled over Kalen, the darkness he tried so hard to fight taking ahold of him. So he cared about her too. Andreas noted his reaction.

“You spared his life, again?” Andreas demanded, rage becoming the most prominent emotion inside him.

“Don’t either of you dare kill him,” Lana said, her voice low and firm, lacking its usual uncertainty. She hugged the girl protectively to her side and it was only then that Andreas really paid attention to the young Izzy.

He guessed she couldn’t be more than thirteen. Her blond hair was tussled, but although her grey eyes were scared, there was a defiance in them he thought out of place for a girl in her position. He admired it. There was strength in this girl and she suddenly had him very curious. But apart from that, something about her seemed strangely familiar…. All thoughts of her brother disappeared.

Andreas approached Izzy, extending his hand to her. “I believe we haven’t met, I’m Andreas.”

She detached herself from Lana and took his hand firmly. She was brave. Her eyes were square on his, unwavering. “Izzy,” she replied, no hint of fear.

She wasn’t intimidated by him. Andreas smirked. He was going to like this girl. “It is a pleasure, Izzy. I will escort you to your room.”

“She’s thirteen,” Kalen warned, an edge to his tone.

Andreas fixed a cold stare on him, a look that could kill. “Contrary what you may think of me, I do have lines I do not cross.”

Kalen narrowed his eyes. “Just wanted to make sure you knew she’s too young so don’t try anything.”

Andreas looked at Izzy, her expression determined and the earlier fear was gone. “I think she can take care of herself.”

Lana reluctantly let go of Izzy as the latter stepped toward Andreas. He placed his hand on her back and started leading her up the stairs. He ignored both Kalen and Lana’s worried glances. He had never taken advantage of a young girl before. Maybe Lana was an exception, but only because all rationality disappeared from mind when it came to her. And she wasn’t that young, he argued. Their concern was still misplaced.

“I bite, fair warning,” Izzy said once they were out of sight.

Andreas chuckled. “Consider me warned.”

“I don’t see why people are so scared of you. You don’t seem that scary,” she commented and crossed her arms over her chest.

“That is only because you haven’t seen me angry,” Andreas replied, intrigue. It was strange for him to feel a sort of kinship with this girl. There was something about her that made him feel oddly protective of her so soon after meeting her. Again he wondered if he had perhaps seen her before. There was an unwavering sense of familiarity about her that didn’t seem to want to pass.

She set her entire face determinately. “I won’t stay for too long, so you don’t have to worry about me becoming a bother. I’ll just be here until my mother returns from business.”

“Stay as long as you like. It is a big house, more than enough room.” He pushed a door open and indicated for her to go inside. “I believe this should be to your liking.” It was a youthful room and one smile from Izzy indicated he had been correct.

“Lana’s room is four rooms down should you need something from her.” Izzy nodded and caught Andreas completely off guard when she threw her arms around him for a hug. His whole body went rigid. He wasn’t used to this kind of affection and wasn’t sure how to respond. He settled for patting her on the head awkwardly.

“Thank you, Andreas,” she said and went into her room.

Andreas was left standing there, stunned. For once, he was at a loss and couldn’t hide his surprise. Shaking his head to clear his confused thoughts he disappeared back to his study.