The room was uncomfortably large, compared to the regulars and halfers. The room was a dark burgundy color with beautiful murals on the wall, hand painted by someone who knew what they were doing. It didn't look washed out or faded. It seemed it had been repainted recently.

The furniture was high-end and bespoke. Every piece was hardwood, marked back to the victorian era. The bedsheets, a velvet silk material. With dark green pillows placed neatly on it. This room did have a window. The moonlight battled to shine in since the same dark green color of curtains blocked its way.

"You look beautiful". Jax gently brushed his hand against my arm. It gave me chills.

"Your hand, it's really cold". I wrapped my arms around me, trying to heat myself from his cold touch.

He grinned. "That wouldn't be a problem if you let the venom that's running through your blood turn your warm skin into ice".

"How can I do that?", I asked.

"You're a halfer, you can switch on and off. You can be one of us one day, a human the next".

He was nearly about to touch me again, but I stepped back, crashing into a drawer. He raised his hands in the air, an indication that he won't place a hand on me.

"To switch on your vamp side, you need to be tempted".

"Tempted? With what?". I wasn't sure I wanted to switch on that side.

"Blood sweetheart, what else?".

"Blood! I would never. That's disgusting". Just thinking about it made me want to puke right on the soft carpet of his room.

Jax let out a laugh. It echoed throughout the room, startling me. I wanted to escape. I wanted to go back home with Kaden and my mom. But will they accept me into what I have become? A soon to be a bloodthirsty vampire.

Jax took a step towards me, grabbing a lock of my hair. "You have to if you want to fit in with the crowd".

"I don't wanna fit in. I want to go home". I felt the muscles of my chin tremble like a small child.

"You can't go home!", he raised his voice in outrage. He then lowered it down to mutter as he leaned into me. His face inches from mines, I can feel his breath against my cheeks. "You belong to me". The entitlement in his voice terrified me.

"Besides who's gonna help you control your thirst?".

"Didn't you say I control it? I can switch it on and off. What if it's switched off forever?", I questioned.

"No, eventually it will overpower you in the most unexpected moment. What will you do then? Attack all of the people in Chicago?".

"You will risk all of our existing. As the high prince, I forbid you to leave. You got that!". His eyes glowered down at me in raw anger.

As much as I tried to hold it in, I couldn't. A lone tear traced down my cheek, followed by another.

"I want you to share the bed with me tonight".

"Can I not. Not today please, your-your highness".

He was silenced for a moment before he said, "fine, you can sleep in Adira's room tonight. But I expect you to be here with me by tomorrow night".

I quickly nodded.

"Now leave before I change my mind".

I ran out of his room without hesitation.

I received a few quick glares when I exited his room. With head low, I swiftly made myself across the room to the exit. Before I can make my escape, I came crashing into what I thought was a wall. Placing my hand on my aching forehead I looked up. Duncan!
He saw the shock register on my face before I could hide it. A small smile played on his lips.

"Are you okay?", he asked while scanning my forehead.

"Yes, I'm-I'm fine". My eyes shifted to the side as I bit my lip to avoid him seeing my puffy red eyes and a face wet from tears.

"Well, that's good. Leaving too soon?".

"There's nothing for me here".

He gave me a grin. "Oh there isn't? Can I be the reason you stay?".

The blush seared through my cheeks and for a minute I thought my face was on fire. I turned my face further to the side to avert his gaze. Is he seriously asking me to stay with him?

Without receiving my answer, he asked, "can I buy you a drink at least?".

I finally met his gaze. "I'm not up for that tonight. I wager you already know how overwhelming this is for me".

"Of course it is. You don't always get an assassin asking you to chill with him for a while". He showed his radiant smile, giving me a wink.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "That was not what I was referring to".

His smile quickly faded, replaced with earnestness. "I know beautiful. May I at least walk you back to your room".

I sighed, "Yes I can use some company".

Giving me a half-smile and nod, he took his place at my side, leading us away from the dreadful lounge.

I watched my feet take steps across the hard concrete floor. Glancing a few times at Duncan. A word wasn't spoken. His face was expressionless with no sign of feelings. The silence bothered me. It scared me. Before I knew it, he spoke.

"How was it?".

"How was what?", I asked.

Duncan frowned. "Meeting Jax?".

"The Prince?".

"Yeah...whatever".

I chuckled at his annoyance at me calling Jax the prince. "Well I have to admit it was terrifying. The good thing is I didn't have to sleep in his bed today. The bad thing is, I have to tomorrow".

"Hmm". Duncan couldn't grasp the idea of it. Why would Jax turn down such an opportunity like this? Duncan's eyes lingered towards the distance as his mind wondered.

"I know I haven't been here long but I can tell many people fear Jax, why is that?" I pondered for a moment trying to form my question correctly without offending. "What I mean is, who is he? Besides being a prince of course".

"Jax has established his strength and authority by inflicting pain on those who come against him. He has a reputation to maintain and he proudly proceeds to keep it that way", Duncan answered my question with no hesitation. Basic, straight to the point as if he implemented this answer into the back of his mind. Knowing many had or would come to ask the same question.

He further added, "Jax's father was a royal in the king's court. That made Jax and his siblings' princes and princess. Future leaders of the people".

I came to a halt. Duncan shortly stopped as he realize I wasn't at his side. My expression became of uttermost confusion. " Jax has siblings?". I could never have imagined it. He gave out the idea he was an only child.

Duncan nodded his head. Waiting for the shock to pass my system.

"Where are they?" I ultimately asked. While we went on our way down the halls.

"His family is dead. Except for his sister".

"Dead? Because of the war right? That's how they died?".

"No." Duncan said, "He killed them".

My nails dug into my shivering arms. My legs became less steady by the second. He killed his father, His brothers?! How could someone do that to their own family? I couldn't bare the idea of what he will do to me if I disobeyed.

"Well here it is", I said at reaching Adira's room.

"Adira-right", he uttered.

"Yep", I said touching the curtains.

"If there's anyone you can trust here is her. I know she might act rude sometimes and say things she shouldn't say but she's a loyal friend. You can also count on me in anything". A little rise formed at the corner of his mouth.

Damn that smirk.

Pushing away from the image of his sexy lips, I told him, "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind". I was beyond trusting anyone right now.

Duncan placed a hand behind my back, pulling me in. I placed a hand on his chest, trying to keep the distance. I can feel my pulse pounding in my temples. Now only silence lingered in the air. His eyes sparkled like storm clouds right before lightning hit. They were striking yet soft. The kind that made your blood want to dance.

He gently placed his hand on my cheek, removing the hair that has fallen over it. His eyes quickly darted to my neck, glaring at the bite mark Jax left me. His glare quickly faded and was restored with a smile. Leaning in, he planted a soft kiss on my cheek.

"Goodnight Sienna".

Letting me go, he turned back around to the direction we had come.

I suddenly felt someone grab my wrist, pulling me inside the room.

"What the-".

"Calm down, it's just me".

I placed a hand on my heart, inhaling and exhaling quickly. "You scared me, gosh".

"Sorry, but what were you doing with Duncan?!". Adira crossed her arms.

I threw myself unto the bed. "He just asked to walk me here, that's all".

"You know what could have happened to you if Jax found out. There are eyes, and ears everywhere". Adira twirled her finger in the air.

"I can assure you it will never happen again".

"Yeah sure". She kicked off her shoes, and took a sit on her bed, crossing her legs. "I wasn't expecting you to come back".

"Well, I begged Jax I didn't want to stay with him tonight".

"And he agreed?".

I looked at her quizzically. "Why do you seem surprised?".

"Why?! Girl he does not do that often. never. He got an interest in you".

"Oh, well tomorrow I have to. Ain't much fun in that". Just the thought of sleeping next to him made my stomach turn upside down.

"Just try to please him, and all will go well. I hope".

It hit me, and I had to ask, "between, Where are we?".