Prequel to supernatural arranged marriage :-)

1

The whole auditorium fell silent. The spotlight focused on me, and the first few notes of my aria began. I opened my mouth, and the sweetest hypnotic noise flew out entwining with the piano notes to create a beautiful melody. The audience was mesmerized, as well as the back stage cast, who closed their eyes just to block out the entire world and focus on my sweet voice. I see my mother and father in the front row, smiling up at me proudly, along with my younger siblings. As the song finishes, there is a moment of silent awe, then upstanding round of applause, and a shower of roses. I curtsy to my audience, as they shout and beg for more. Serenely I smile back at them, and then make my exit. My music teacher runs up to me, tears are welling up in her eyes. "You sang so wonderfully Sasha. I'm so proud!" she said hugging me. I hug her back, and we both jump up and down. The whole night was a success. A complete sell out. Every one was so pleased and happy, because of the money we raised. Finally we could afford decent music equipment and books for our music department at my high school. I head down to my dressing room, where a smart looking business man stands in my room. My music teacher comes rushing past me, and introduces the man as a talent scout. "You were brilliant Sasha, you have the voice of an angel. I want to make you into a star." He tells me. My music teacher grins at me- I knew what she was thinking, finally the break she had always wanted for me, a chance to hit the big top in the music world. It was her dream and mine, but I was forced to accept a different dream. "I'm sorry sir, I would love to, but my family already have plans for me." I tell him bitterly. The man laughs, and offers to speak to my parents. He must have thought I was the daughter of some hick family, who didn't believe their daughter capable of singing. My teacher looked at me stunned. Both could not understand why I had chosen to, turn down this chance. I quickly make my excuses and leave. The limousine is waiting in the car park to pick me up. The door is held opened for me, and I climb in. My parents both congratulate me on my performance, as well as my sisters and brother. I thank them, and we sit in silence for the rest of the journey. As soon as we reach home, the nanny comes out to take my younger siblings back up to the nursery. My parents and I continue into the foyer of the house, and my father calls me into his study. Finally I would find out what was planned for me. So many years I had watched my older sisters, disappear, one by one always around their seventeenth birthday. I had always thought they had been sent way to finishing school, or an elite boarding school, but I grew suspicious as no one ever came home, not even for the holidays. I enter my father's study take a seat in a large leather chair opposite his desk. He sits down then pulls out a piece of paper, and hands it to me. "What is it?" I ask looking at my name and the other name on the contract. "It a contract, that binds you to marry that man." He tells me. I look at the piece of paper in disbelief; apparently I was to marry a Count Alexios of somewhere or other. I hand the paper back to my father, saying, "No thank you Daddy, I don't think so." My father shakes his head stubbornly. "Sasha, this is been planned for a long time now- you were hand picked to be his wife." He tells me proudly. "That doesn't make me feel better, Daddy. I don't want to get married I'm seventeen." I say to him. He just shrugs and replies, "So were your sisters." "Why?" I ask outraged that me and my sisters had to be subjected something so medieval. "Because my dear, you are not normal." He tells me flatly. This I cannot reply to, for I know it be true. I nod accepting my fate. "Tomorrow you fly to Europe, and there you will be married." He dictates.

2

After a long flight, I'm sat in a foreign airport staring at the floor, pretending it is more interesting then the six hundred men gawking at me from the airport bar. My father said I was not normal, and he was right. I am part siren. My mother is a siren while my father is human. Being part siren means I can sing beautifully, so beautifully that once a person is entranced by my song I have complete control over them. Could you even begin to imagine how a record company could exploit this? That is why I can never become famous, nor any other siren- it is impossible. But I also have the lucky siren gene that makes me very pretty. I have the physique of cheerleader, blonde, blue eyes, petite. Which is fun if you like being a living Barbie doll. I sit alone in the corner of the airport waiting for my fiancé to arrive. Several men offer to buy me drinks but I say no, telling them I'm underage and my big brother is coming to get me any minute. "Excuse me Miss?" An old voice croaks. I stare up at an old man, dressed like chauffeur. "I'm his graces chauffeur Ketwick. I have come to collect you to take you to his graces home." He takes my bags and leads me to the limousine. I climb in and close my eyes. By the time I wake up, Ketwick is leaning in, nudging me. "We have arrived Miss." he tells me. I step out the car and stare up at the massive palace. It was truly breathtaking. Something out of period drama. It reminded me of a much smaller Versailles. I loved France. Not only did it have awesome, over priced fashion, but they knew how to make a cake.

I stand in the shadow of this great building dreaming of tasty French pastries and cakes. Ketwick takes my bags and gives them to the maid. And I'm taken inside. It was typical European design, two great stair cases sweeping up to a gallery. Polished floors, pretty French furniture, and various paintings hung around the place. I'm told to wait on a velvet sofa, and Ketwick will announce my arrival to Count Alexios. So I wait and wait and wait. After a while I get bored- twenty minutes had past and the suspense is killing me. I get up and tiptoe into the corridor. I can hear the distant chattering of people and the sound of classical music, being played by a string quartet. They must be throwing a party or ball. I follow the noise, until I come to a massive door. The party is right behind this door. But I daren't open it, the door is huge, everyone would notice my entrance. I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion either. I wonder what this Alexios is, probably an ugly rich business man, who couldn't find a real wife so brought one. The image of a greasy sleaze bag winking at me floated into my mind. Shuddering I decide to look at the decor, they had some pretty awesome art. To either side of the huge doors hung great tapestries, I study the picture. Hundreds of people, lay dead, victorious soldiers in medieval armour hold large spikes with bloodied heads upon them. Studying the tapestry I noticed some of the soldiers seemed to be making out with the corpses, kissing their necks. Then it his me like a high speed train. Vampires- my blood runs cold. I never seen a vampire, but they terrify me. Cruel, unfeeling, merciless creatures, who take great pleasure torturing their victims, I love humans. They remind me of unicorns sometimes. Beautiful and capable of such innocence, so long as they remain uncorrupted by vanity and greed. Their souls are magical, full of energy and life. When I sing I feel their souls, and see their aspirations and dreams. Humans listen to my words, letting the melody soothe their trouble and pain. Vampires are incapable of comprehending this. They rather stuff their faces with blood, and prance about in jewels, and fine clothes. They love pretending that they are so much more sophisticated and superiorly intelligent then the rest of the world. Creeping back, I return to the sofa, to see no one waiting for me. Now I was pissed. Where was this bloke! Didn't he want to marry me, because if he didn't I knew six hundred other willing men, who would. Drumming my fingers impatiently across the arm of the sofa, I heard some feminine chattering. Staring up at the gallery, I see several women laughing at me. All of them were deathly pale; their skin looked like it had never been exposed to a single ray of sunshine. Each of them was drenched in jewels and fine gowns, and wore more make up then a bad drag queen. Smiling to myself I ignored them. I was way prettier then them. For the next five minutes I sat on that sofa, my every movement being watched by a growing number of vampires. Keeping face, I reminded myself how much better I was, then those gutless worms. Biting my tongue I ignored them. But as the gaggle of women tripled in number, and their manically laughter grew louder; and I could no longer restrain my temper.

3

Just when I thought I had lost it, footsteps headed towards me, and my attention was diverted. Gazing up I clash with the most dazzling green eyes I have ever seen. I can't help but stare. This man, in his twenties, had wonderful soft brown reddish hair, perfect features, tall and muscular. I never in my life had been stunned by a man so amazingly gorgeous. After the initial shock, I smiled at him. I give him a proper warm, loving smile. He responds by clenching his jaw, almost grimacing, like I was some repulsive creature that had crawled out of a swamp. Suddenly all the good looks and charm in the world meant nothing. This man was as hideous as the squawking women in the gallery. My audience in the gallery had quietened down with the arrival off this handsome stranger, I managed to pick up a few words they were whispering to each other- 'isn't she vile', 'nasty disgusting creature', 'Poor Alexios.'- they all scoffed. Numbly I looked at Alexios and saw that reflected in his eyes, sadness, disappointment, embarrassment. Irritable he gestured, "Come."

Stunned momentarily, I felt paralysed by the sheer hopelessness of the situation. The women from the gallery hissed at me, cursing me under their fowl breath. Awkwardly I get up, slowly walking across the foyer. One woman from the gallery thought I wasn't moving fast enough, so she removed her slipper and threw it at my head. Stumbling, I hit the floor, as their hysterical laughter hit the roof. Gazing up at Alexios, he stared at me ashamed, and turned away.

A normal person would, have ran out crying, or wailing. But inside me little demons stirred. The angry revengeful kind, that do not run in the corner and hide. Pulling myself to my feet, I was trembling with rage. Those ugly hags were going to pay big time. Exhaling softly and quietly I hummed a few bars, and swayed hypnotically back and fourth. Then I looked up at them catching their gazes and holding it in a vice like grip. Slowly the crowd began to sway with me, unable to escape the prison I had created. Then I began to shut down their senses. This was how the old sirens drown the sailors at sea. The women could only hear my voice now, they could no longer, see, feel, smell, or taste. Now I was in their minds, hypnotising them with my voice, and in their minds I weaved a mirror. A mirror that would reflect their inner beauty.

When these horrible harpies saw their reflection, they screamed in horror, repulsed by their ugliness. What they didn't grasp, was what they were seeing was an illusion. They actually thought they were these hideous old crones reflect by the mirror. I basked in their fear, feeling that justice had been served.

"Stop it, what the hell are you doing to them!" Instantly I was brought back down to earth, and the women were released from their prison. Count Alexios is starring at me mortified. I stare back at him innocently, and shrug, I reply, "Nothing." The women are on their knees, clinging to one another trembling and wailing. They will never laugh at me again, I think venomously. "What are you?" Alexios asks me in horror. I turn to Alexios sweetly smiling, "Your fiancé; silly."

I'm marched into side room by Alexios, which appears to be some sort of study, full of books and other dull and boring monotonous artefacts of working life. Once again I'm sat in a chair, and spoken at like a naughty kid.

Alexios circles me like a vulture, staring at me like a caged animal on display at a zoo. Ignoring him, I play with my hair, rubbing the silkily golden strands between my fingers. "Are you going to stare at me all night?" I glance up at him. I laugh as he jumps back covering his eyes as if I was going to turn him into stone like Medusa. "What you did to those women was entirely unacceptable." He tells me angrily. Biting my tongue, I knew I could do nothing. The whole situation wreaks of injustice, those women were laughing at me, all I did was make them look at themselves. I exhale slowly, trying to hide my frustration. To irritate him I shrugged my shoulders replying, "And?" I heard him exhale sharply, those green eyes sweeping over me, sending my tummy into somersaults.

"Why the hell do you want piss off half the royal vampire court?" Alexios asks me, shaking his head. I reply with a simple 'I dunno' shrug. Self preservation is these vicious societies is only paramount if you actually give a damn about being invited to Lady Pisspots, next royal gala. Personal, I wasn't a social climber, I'd rather watch every body else struggle up that ladder and laugh from the sidelines. I hated this type of superficial bull.

Alexios groaned out loud pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. Purposefully I was going to be behave in the most childish manner, just to wind him up. The little demons inside of me rubbed there hands in glee. Pay back.

"How am I suppose to introduce into court, if you act like an animal!" he yells at me, pacing furiously.

"Put me in a cage and present me into court." I shrug, slouching further down the chair, pretending to play with my hair. Alexios slammed a hand down on the desk in front, making me jump out of skin. "Geese! What's your problem, it's not like I care about your dumb vampire court."

"You should because you are about to live in it for the rest of your life!" Alexios ground out.

"No thank you, I don't want a life of butt licking vampires." I murmur quietly.

"What was that?" he asked, snatching my face up in his hands. Nervously I glance away, avoiding those green eyes. "You've got quite a nasty little mouth on you," he said studying my eyes. "Shame because it spoils your pretty face. I suppose I'll just have to break you, like a wild animal." He sadistically smiled letting go of my jaw. Blushing I rubbed my jaw, furiously I retorted.

"Like that would ever happen, you rather make out with your own reflection. Stupid blood suckers are all talk."

Alexios moved with a speed which seemed unearthly. I felt a cold hand clamp over my wrist pulling me out me seat, and then spinning me, pinning me to the desk. I lay on the desk stunned, as Alexios leaned over me. I did not predict he would react so violently, "What the hell are you?" he hissed centimetres from my face. I try to struggle underneath him but his grip tightens. Eventually I stop squirming and give up realising he is much stronger them me. Alexios is still waiting for an answer. I remembered how much I hated vampires, and how they hated anything that wasn't a vampire. Great- thanks Dad, your really know how to pick husbands. He up held his end of the deal so I honour my side of the deal. "I'm a siren." I tell him. "Luring sailor to watery death, with your beautiful voice?" he smiles, almost laughing. "The old ones did that- I personal don't have a vendetta against men apart from you." I spit. "What about those women? Do you hate them?" he asks curiously. "I hate people who are cruel to others." I say trying to sound noble and righteous. "What did you do to them?" he asks. "I show them a mirror, and they see themselves, without their jewels, and dresses and false smiles. They can only see what is inside of them. Being vampires, they see how hollow, superficial, and greedy they are. It's quite pathetic really." I laugh. My words must have stung, as Alexios holds my wrists even tighter. "Ow- you're hurting me!" I moan, but he ignores me. For the first time Alexios actually looks into my eyes unafraid, he is so close I can feel his breathe, on my lips. I let my eyes get lost in his eyes. I float around in their deep green sea. I want to stay in there forever, but Alexios closes his eyes and I close mine, and we begin kissing. At first its light, but then it gets really intense, and... well we are in the study for awhile...let's leave it at that.

4

I sit in Alexios' bed with the blanket wrapped tightly round me. I refuse to look around the room, as I know Alexios is wandering about naked. I pull the blanket over my head, groaning, "Can't you at least put some boxers on, Alexios?" I groan. He starts laughing at me, saying, "You weren't this shy earlier on. Besides I don't know where my boxers are, as you took them off." His reminder of earlier on, and when we came into his bedroom, causes me to blush- I can't help feeling so stupid. I was outwitted by a pair of pretty green eyes! I'm the siren, I am the seductress, the temptress, the she devil who men base their fantasies on. I should be the one in control, not Alexios. The mattress gives way, as Alexios lies beside. I take the blanket off my head, and he hands me a ring. "What's this?" I ask. Alexios takes my left hand kissing it, and places the ring on my wedding finger. I study the diamond ring, with a pink diamond heart in the middle- I apologise for my tacky taste. I stare at it, I wish I had got the ring before I slept, with him- I wouldn't feel so easy. Alexios looks at me for a reaction. "It gorgeous!" I smile kissing him. We lie down and he holds me in his arms. Long after he is asleep, I lay there listening to him sleep. I keep glancing at my ring, and wondering, did he really love me. I suppose time would tell, whether he loved me, or the reflection I saw everyday in the mirror. To be loved purely for your beauty isn't true love in my opinion. That special person has to treasure you as a whole for it to be true love. Maybe I'm expecting to much of Alexios- it hasn't been even twelve hours since I met him. When I next wake, Alexios has gone, leaving a note explaining his departure. He writes that my clothes and possessions have been unpacked in an adjoining room, which is connected to his via the bathroom. I hated sharing bathrooms. He then wrote, he had sent my clothes which I had worn up to his room; to the laundry. Being the gentleman that he was, he had left a shirt out for me to wear. I fell back to sleep. The blackness fell over my eyes, I heard their voices again as I often did in my dreams. "You sold your children, not me!" "I had no choice Laura, the business was going bankrupt!" "What do suggest Laura, shall go bankrupt, pack up, live on the god dam streets like rats!" "Don't shout at me, it was your idea, not mine, you wanted to-" I hear the cracking noise, then someone falling into a chair. "SHUT UP!" I cuddle up to my older sister Terri, I cry, I hate it. Every bang, every swear word that fell out his mouth, I cried harder. "Shhh, Sasha." The hushing noise continued. Finally I opened my eyes, tears pouring out, a woman is stroking my hair. She reminds me of Terri, she has wonderful, sleek black hair, and ethereal skin. "Bad dream?" the stranger asked me. I nod. "Who are you?" "My name is Evelyn, but you can call me Evie, I'm your lady in waiting, kinda of like a big sister." Evie smiles at me. She is beautiful, she has the most darkest brown eyes, and reddest lips in the world. She wears a black kimono, and has black orchids in her hair. "Big sister?" I mutter, wiping back the tears. "Yes." My eyes widen then my heart jumps, suddenly I start spewing out random facts to Evie, she slowly backs away. I tell her my likes, dislikes, star sign, favourite band, and color, my favourite shape, and anime, book, comic. Evie head is spinning, she clamps a hand over my mouth. "That's enough for one day Sasha." She pats my head and I smile. "Did you have fun last night?" She asks me. I go bright red and hide under the covers. Evie pulls the blanket off over my head. "No good hiding under there, Sasha." I twiddle my hair trying to think up an excuse. "Sorry, it just happened..." Evie accepts this then throws me Alexios shirt. I put it on and she takes me too my room. It was big, and similar, with French furniture and various painting and ornaments. I notice the ring on Evie's finger. "Are you married?" I ask her, as she pulls out some sort of goth outfit from my wardrobe. "Yes, but we hardly see each other. We don't get on, that's why I volunteered to be your lady companion." Evie looks so sad as she tells me this. I wonder if that is what going to happen to me and Alexios. I persuade Evie to let me wear my denim mini skirt, pink polka dot top, and my Burberry scarf- a little too modern for the court. I think this combo offends Evie's gothic style, but, I wore a spider choker she picked out for me. In need of a friend, I sit on the bed and pour my heart and soul out to this stranger. She's not like the other vampires, I doubt she is a vampire. Just as I was about to ask her this, Alexios burst through the door. The whole atmosphere of the room changes. He grabs me violently, pulling me off the bed and pinning me against the wall. "What did you do those girls!" he screams at me

5

Frantically, I think of what I did. "I did nothing! I swear!" I pleaded.

"Let her go Alex!" Evie threatens.

Struggling against him, I notice Alexios eyes, were hard and cold.

"Have you any idea, what you have done?" he demands violently shaking me.

"Screw you!" I whisper. His hand jumped to my neck. His grip tightened around my neck, I clawed at his hands, trying to pry them open. Every muscle is his face had harden, his whole body rigid in rage. He grip wasn't slackening and I needed to breathe. I felt my arms drop like lead weights to my sides, and my vision blurred and disappeared into blackness.

I hear through the dark, a chorus of voices singing to me,

"Little daughter, see what he has done to you. Strangled by the man you laid with only a few hours. Is this the will of man? Will you let their disease infect your life? Little daughter, come to us- you are not alone. You are not alone."

These words echoed around my head, until finally, my eyes opened and she found herself staring up at the ceiling. Thousands of painted angels watched me, pointing at me, from their clouds. Slowly the world comes into focus. I look to my side and I see Evie jabbing Alexios chest, with her black lace fan. "You IDIOT! She is not a vampire- she needs air to breathe, you could of killed her!"

Alexios, held his hands in the air, "I'm sorry- I didn't know- sorry..."

"Don't be sorry! Sorry can't change what you have just done! How could you be so feckless, to believe in title tattle. Sasha was with me the whole time, she did nothing to those women." Evie yelled even louder.

"The woman who had been attacked was so sure it was Sasha."

"And you believed them, blindly."

Evie does not hide her disappointment. Alexios spots me lying on the ground, staring at the pair of them. He strides over to me, to help me up. Quickly I crawl backwards away from him, terrified, he might try and hurt me again. A pained expression glazes his face, as steps away from me. Alexios shoulders drop numbly, his eye brows furrow, gentle his lips part, "Sasha." He whispers. Turning my head, I stare vacantly at the other side of the room, tears welling up in my eyes. I hear Evie's heels click against the polished floor. "Go, Alexios- I'll clean up your mess." Evie sniped at Alexios. I did not moved until I heard Alexios footsteps leave the room, then hear the door shut. I sit up, and a river tears flows down my face. Evie runs to me, dropping onto the floor, tightly holding me, stroking my hair, gently rocking back and fourth. "He tried to-k-kill me." I snuffled into her shoulder. "Mmm- Vampires don't know their own strength honey, don't take it personally, Alexios lost it." "What the hell happened?" "Some girl, was found in the gardens, sobbing her heart out, muttering nonsense about a voice. Every one automatically assumed it was you." "But- I didn't." "I know you didn't, I checked on you regularly when Alexios left, so I know you definitely innocent." "What does Alexios think?"

"He knows you're innocent now and he feels a tit for hurting you."

"I won't ever speak to him again, and I definitely won't marry him now!"

I take the ring off he had given me, and march into the bathroom into his room. Alexios is standing by the fir place in his room, staring into the fire. My announced arrival startles him, as does my engagement, when I fling it across the floor at him.

6

"Forget it! The wedding is off!" I yell at him, marching back into the bathroom. I hear Alexios footsteps hammering against the floor, running after me.

"Wait one god dam minute!" He yells.

"No way am I wasting another minute on you!"

"We have a contract!"

"So sue my father, I didn't sign your blasted contract."

I walk into my room, and throw open my wardrobe doors, throw out my suitcase and start packing. Alexios grabs what I pack and flings it back into the wardrobe, "You are not leaving!" I ignore him and march over to draws and start chucking clothes into my case.

"Sasha, you can not leave here" Alexios shouted at me.

"What the hell would make me want to stay in this place!"

"You're over reacting!"

"You almost kill me- and you think I'm over reacting! You vampires must think you are something special. Treating other species differently, you are not so special Alexios- you just a vampire, and pathetic one at that."

I was a siren for crying out loud, men wound flock to marry me, and treat me a billion times better then this moron. I gaze at my empty suit case, and then too the piles of clothes strewn across my floor. Alexios stood sheepishly to the side with an armful of my bras and pants. He quickly drops them, with the other clothes on the floor. "Who needs clothes." I yell, picking my coat and bag up, and marching out the door. Alexios catches up with me, trying to pretend nothing was happening between us, so not to create a scene. He grabs the side of my arm, trying to pull me back, but I twist free, and start running. I refuse to marry a psychopath- no matter how nice his eyes are. I'm doing well at loosing him until it hits me- quite literally. I run into a man dressed in black, with some other guys. They look like security guards. For a moment we stare at each other, then one of the thugs points at me, "It's her, the siren, grab her!" I'm knocked to the floor as the security men leap on me. I writhe, and wriggle, trying to break free, but they are too heavy. Gagging me, they lift me to my feet, an frog march me to my room, where Alexios is waiting for me. Everything is immaculate, neatly packed away as if nothing ever happened. Alexios walks up to me, grabbing my hand, and shoving, the engagement ring back onto my hand. Alexios then smiles at the guards, "Thank you, for returning her to me."

"I hate you." I spit at him.

"We'll work on that." He shrugs, pushing me onto the bed. Once again I fall under the spell that only his green eyes can cast over me. He leans forward kissing me lightly on the lips. I melt, like putty in his hands, I'm so hopeless.

7

"You're eyes should be outlawed." I grumbled pushing against the wall of flesh pinning me to the bed.

"So you like my eyes?" Alexios mused.

Argh! There I go again giving him an ego boost. Think Sasha! Men are like dogs, you just need to train them, reward good behaviour and punish bad behaviour. So how should I punish him. Alexios buries his face into my neck making it impossible to think.

"Alexios, get off me, now." I protested, trying to push him off again.

"Sasha, we could have lots of fun." He mumbled against my throat.

"No!" I yelled forcefully kneeing him in the groin. Alexios doubled over and rolled off the bed.

"What the hell, was that for!" he groaned, writhing in pain.

"For being an ass!" I replied, crawling off the giant four poster bed. Scrounging around the floor amongst the piles of clothes, I found my pyjamas, bunny slippers and tooth brush. Storming across the room, Alexios bobbed his up from behind the bed.

"Aw come on Sasha, where are you going?" he asked, staggering up.

"To sleep with Evie! Last night was a mistake, there will be no more 'fun' before the wedding." I snapped seriously. Alexios face fell, as if I had just taken his brand new shiny toy away from him. Inside of me, I was laughing manically like an evil cartoon villain, my plan had worked. I had devised the perfect punishment! The seductress siren scores a point against the inbred smelly old vampire! Gloating, I toss my hair back and slam the door.

"You'll be back," Alexios shouted after me. "Like the rest of them." He then added his voice dripping with acid. Irritably I the bedroom door and fling my tooth brush at his head. As I slam the door, I hear him yelp loudly.

Seductress siren, scores an extra bonus fifty points for hitting the idiot vampire on the head.

In Evie's room I camp out on her couch. Actually let me rephrase that, I'm camping out on Evie's very comfy chaise lounger. Despite my intense burning hatred of vampires, I did like their interior design.

"Did you and Alexios have another fight." Evie cooed, handing me a mug of hot chocolate.

"This isn't a lover's tiff. This is war." I asserted, dumping a heap load of marshmallows in to my hot chocolate.

"Sounds like you have a strategy." Evie replied, sitting next to me.

"I'm going to starve him into submission." I explained deviously.

"Are you sure you want to start a war with Alexios?" Evie sighed; she must have thought I had been joking, that this whole thing would have blown over by tomorrow.

"Downright, I am!" I swear, taking a gulp of hot chocolate. This was serious business. I was serious business, and I was going to make Alexios respect me.

8

"The moon has to be in Gemini!" I emphasised to the astrologer, who then altered his calculations. Smiling sweetly I glanced up at Alexios who sat at the end of the table clenching his fists, with a very strained expression on his face.

"Is this necessary?" Alexios asked cordially, poor boy was struggling to be polite. Ignoring his question, I pretended to be engrossed with the astrologer's calculations.

"Jupiter, must also be in alignment with Neptune, that's very important. It's actually crucial." I added quickly, as the bearded old vampire had almost completed his equations.

"Sasha, you are being stubborn and ridiculous." Alexios swore, smashing his fist against the table.

"Alexios, this is an important tradition in my culture. I just can't marry you on any old date." I explained rationally, deflecting his out burst.

"I've calculated the date." The old bearded man announced. Alexios made a loud exaggerated sigh of relief. He was such a prim Madonna, we had been only waiting a couple of hours in the study for the man with a beard to configure the perfect date for our wedding.

"By my calculations, the date would be the 21st May..."

"Thank god, that's a few weeks away!" Alexios exclaimed lounging back in his chair.

"The year however would be 2785." The astrologer, then added.

"Thank goodness we're both immortal," I declared, "Thank you so much for your services." I said to the bearded astrologer who was quickly edging out of the door, away from the weird crazy couple. Turning to Alexios, I wished I had brought a camera with me so I could take a picture of his expression. He sat motionless gawping at a random space on the table. Gracefully I swan up next to him, leaning against the chair.

"What's matter honey? Is there a scratch on the table?" I ask innocently, basking in my victory. Alexios didn't respond, I think he might of swallowed, or even made an attempt at some form of intelligent communication, but his poor brain had ceased functioning.

"I'm not waiting 700 years to marry you Sasha. I'm not even going to wait 7 months to marry you." He said slowly, bubbling with rage.

"Alexios, it's my culture, it's my heritage. All sirens have to do this." I calmly asserted, brushing aside a rogue hair off his face.

"Bullshit!" He yelled, snatching my wrist.

"If you don't believe me, you could go and ask them. But I'd probably have to pour molten candle wax in your ears first, so they didn't lure you to a watery death." I snapped, reminding him, he wasn't the only dangerous creature in the room.

"Okay, you're pissed off with me, I get the message," Alexios said calmly. "But I will not tolerate you defiance, Sasha."

"Was that a threat?" I asked.

"Perhaps." He said darkly, staring straight through me.

"I won't be bullied by you Alexios." I stated, feeling a little out of my depth.

"You're shaking." He smiled pulling me into his lap. Woodenly I lay in his arms as he nuzzled into my hair.

"I can be very nice, Sasha." He murmured, slipping his fingers through my hair, setting my body on fire. Damn him, why did he have to be so sexy. Groaning I made a pathetic attempt to break free, but Alexios simple tightened his hold.

Suddenly the back up arrived. Evie, my allied force, barraged through the door in a tight black corset dress.

"Okay lover boy, let her go, before I throw a bucket of cold water over you." Evie sighed.

"You won this time." Alexios whispered into my ear. Speedily I jump out the chair, and hide behind Evie, who simply shrugs and ushers me out. As we walk out the study I glance back at Alexios, who catches my gaze and blows a kiss at me.

I reply with the single finger salute, and cling to Evie, reflecting on the outcome of my plan.

9

This was a disaster, but a challenge. A few weeks back I read in a magazine that before you go to sleep, you should at least three good things that happened to you during the day. Recently I've been finding it hard to think of more then one, thanks to Alexios. He has decided that we should spend more time together, so now everyday, I sit in a cornered off bit of his office while he runs his little antiques firm. Boredom had become my new best friend. In Alexios office, I had cornered off a small section with chairs and cushions. This was a Alexios free zone, and any attempt to invade this space would be met with hostile resistance i.e nine inch stiletto heels missiles. Cautiously Alexios would linger on the borders and try to coax me out, between phone calls. His initial efforts were futile, but recently he has become more creative with flowers, cakes, chocolates, even jewellery. But I have never broken, until now.

"I brought you a dress." Alexios says approaching the barrier.

I instantly recognise the designer logo on the bag, the lure of couture throws my concentration off balance. Teasingly Alexios delves into the bag and slowly pulls outs a tissue wrapped item.

"Aren't you going to come here and open your present?" He asked extending the present to me like a piece of bait. Like a moth to a flame, I leave the safety of my corner and walk into his trap. Within seconds I had taken the present, shredding the tissue paper, and stared at his offering.

"This is...lingerie." I stuttered observing the transparent flimsy material of the garment. I felt Alexios arms wind around my waist, dragging me against the hard muscle of his chest.

"I know." He murmured into my ear, the husky tone of his voice turning my brain into jelly. I wanted to yell, 'stop being so god damn sexy', but then Alexios would know he was winning.

"You rotten, sneaky....TOAD!" I hissed as I wiggled my way out of his grip.

"Darling, baby, honey, sweetums!" He replied dramatically clutching his heart, as I flung the negligee at him.

"You're an ass, Alexios. A real ass." I spat at him, as he inched towards me.

"It was a joke Sasha, I'm sorry. I did buy you presents, they are up in your room." He said.

"I'm not interested in those types of gifts, you dirty vampire." I retorted sharply.

"Some of them are like that," Alexios smiled, "But most of them are dresses I picked out for you. Tomorrow I have a cocktail party in the city, and I would like you to accompany me to it."

"Screw that, get one of your bimbos to go with you." I shrugged, returning to my corner.

"Sasha, I want you to come with me. There are only humans at this part, no vampires." He added quickly, trying to tempt me.

I sat down on my cushions and picked up my magazine, ignoring his pleas.

"Come on Sasha, I'm playing nice."

"That," I pointed at the negligee, "-was not nice." It was sleazy, cheap, and nasty. Pretending not to listen I opened the magazine at a random page, the article headlines jumped out at me, 'The essential guide on flirting'. Being a siren, I didn't need a guide, all of it was instinctive, but the article had inspired a diabolical plan to get revenge on that dumb vampire.

"Alright, I'll go to your party! But no hanky panky or funny business." I said laying down the law.

"Okay." He smiled angelically as he retreated back to his desk.

Coolly I flicked through the magazine, secretly concocting my plan. Victory would be mine, and I would make Alexios wish he had never married me.

10

This is the scene. Uptown soirée in some old European city, sipping champagne with the blue bloods of society. Alexios is in Armani, I'm wearing Dolce and Gabbana and together we are the hottest couple at this party. Sounds glam, doesn't it? Well, to be honest it's boring. The setting cute but the people are dull and tedious. I've spent the last twenty minutes of my life listening to Lady Hermia speak about her magnificent dinner service set. I had to smile and nod politely while she droned on, when all I really wanted to shout was 'I don't give a rat's ass about how many gravy boats you have!'

Alexios spent the evening introducing me to these wonderful people, he had warned me in the limo what to expect, before we got here. So I shouldn't be so surprised. Lingering against the wall, I picked up another glass of champers as the waiter drifted past with a tray.

Alexios suddenly appears, with a small fat man.

"This is my fiancée Sasha." Alexios announces. "Sasha this is Mr. Rush. Now why don't you stop being a wall flower and come and talk to us." He said cheekily.

"Please call me Greg." The small chubby man pleaded, grabbing my hand and kissing it. I recognise his name, Alexios had warned me about this man. Apparently he was incredibly enthusiastic about his work, and spoke at great length about his factories. So I instantly saw this as the perfect opportunity to make some mischief.

"So Greg, what sort of business do you do?" I asked politely.

"I manufacture clothes pegs." He replied.

"Fascinating, what type plastic or wood?" I smiled.

"Both!" he grinned at me.

"Oh Alexios, remember that question we were talking about the other night." I said grabbing Alexios arm.

"No." Alexios laughed perplexed.

"You know that peg question." I replied smiling, watching his face pale.

"I have terrible memory darling, but never mind-" Alexios replied smoothly trying to change the subject.

"Peg styles. Which is the most effective? Traditional wood pegs or the plastic spring ones." I pipped.

Greg instantly lighted up, as Alexios slunk down. After a few minutes, I excused myself to go to the bathroom. When I came back, Alexios was still there, talking to Greg, about the wonderful world of clothes pegs. Merrily I absconded outside onto the balcony with a couple of bottles of Moet. A little while later Alexios emerged out onto the balcony, Greg had must have noticed that they had put the deserts out on the buffet table.

"Ahh, look at Greg, he's practically glowing after your forty five minute peg conversation." I chirped, as Alexios picked up a bottle of champagne and took a large swig.

"The man is a martyr to his cause." Alexios said numbly.

"Did you find out which is the most effective peg?" I asked cheerfully.

Alexios replied with a silent scowl, and took another deep gulp of champagne.

"I thought vampires didn't drink alcohol." I commented.

"Only on desperate occasions." Alexios replied.

"Well, I better go and mingle, while you drink yourself silly." I replied.

My work was almost completed, I just need to do one last great act of sacrifice to make this evening complete. Leaving Alexios on the balcony, I made my way to the dance floor. Using my siren, seductress eyes I found the peg master Greg, and asked him to dance. Greg couldn't believe his luck, he led me straight the floor and proceeded to strut his funky stuff. Suddenly other men began to cut in, and within a matter of minutes I was being tossed from guy too guy, flirting shamelessly with each one. At that moment every woman in the room was watching me, their eyes filled with bitter hate, as I danced with their husbands. My plan was going well, perhaps a little too well. Some of the guys started getting a little to close and personnel. As one guy copped a feel of my thigh, Alexios suddenly appeared in the middle of the dance floor, looming over the culprit menacingly.

"Touching my fiancé was the worst mistake you have ever made in your miserable life." Alexios said darkly, grabbing a fistful of the guy's shirt.

"She loved every moment of it." The pervert smirked, glancing at me. Alexios let the man go, and appeared to walk away for a moment before swinging round and slugging the guy clean off his feet. The whole party froze in disbelief. Everyone was staring at us. Straitening his jacket, Alexios grabbed my arm dragging me against his solid frame.

"We're leaving." He said quietly.

11

The limo journey could be summed up in one word...awkward. Alexios sat in his little corner of woe, while I sat uncomfortably remembering the sound of fist hitting jaw. This wasn't how I planned any of it, and now I felt guilty. It would be better if Alexios was shouting at me, I wouldn't feel so bad; but Alexios didn't. He just sat quietly in the corner, staring at the floor.

When the limo finally stopped, I jumped out not even waiting for the chauffeur to open the door. Running across the gravel in heels, I sprinted into the palace. Why was I running away? I didn't want him to see me cry. I didn't want anybody to see me at my weakest, especially him. Finally when I got to my bathroom, and locked the doors, the water works began. Turning on the shower, I numbly stepped underneath the jets of water, fully clothed. My life is a complete disaster. I am a complete disaster. Damn it, I'm not going to mope about the place lamenting over Alexios bad temper. So I changed the wet clothes for a big fluffy robe, and sat in my room watching a bad a romance film, and stuffing my face full of chocolate and ice cream.

When I was young, a Meer cat from a Disney film once gave me a priceless piece of advice; "when the world turns its back on you; you turn your back on the world."

So in the space five minutes I had gone from soaking wet guilty cheater, too a gal that didn't give a good god damn. It must be my hormones.

Suddenly several gentle knocks rattled my door, as Alexios said quietly, "Do you want to talk?"

Sure, why not! You can come in here and drool over me as I try and hold a serious conversion in my bathrobe.

"Wait a minute." While I throw on some unattractive pyjamas and arm myself with a bottle of mace.

A few minutes later I opened the door, letting Alexios in. Loosening his tie, he sat on the bed, clearly rattled by my harmless dancing.

"Why did you do that?" he sighed rubbing his temples.

"Why? What did I do! You were the one who told me to mingle! How was I to know a simple casual dance would turn in to mass pervert disco?" I yelled back at him, playing the victim.

"You were trying to provoke me!" Alexios accused me angrily.

"Okay, I was in the beginning; but I genuinely didn't believe that it would get so out of hand." I said honestly, which was a first.

"How could you not know! You're a bloody siren, you know exactly how men react to your looks." He said waspishly.

"I can't help the way I look and I can't help the way men think!" I protested.

"Sasha, I've seen the way you control people with you're looks and voice-" I cut him off there and then.

"Don't you dare accuse me of manipulating those men," Like I would need to, most of the women in that party had faces like inbred horses. "How do I know that while I was being tossed about from guy to guy, you were busy sucking their wives blood!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Alexios growled.

"I'm not the one being ridiculous!" I cried out.

"This is childish. Let's give each other the benefit of the doubt and declare a truce."

"Why should I?" I replied defiantly.

Alexios rolled his eyes. "Sasha I can only do humble for so long."

"Fine. Whatever." I shrugged.

"I need you to mean it Sasha. I really want to start over fresh." Alexios said, acting so damn mature.

"Good me one good reason." I spat.

"Do we want to end up like our parents?" He sighed.

Pausing, I sighed too.

"Yeah that's a good reason."

12

"I am a human, but a doll... Feelings are not needed. Physically alive, but not mentally. I am a painting trapped inside rusted frame. The cold skin of a statue. Like a stuffed bird- killed and set for display I wonder... I wonder on whose display I will be put on..."

My mother used to read this to my sisters and I when we were much younger. Innocent and sheltered from life, I didn't understand how significant and true those words would be. All around me, I see people grasping for beauty; cutting themselves, injecting poisons into their bodies to become beautiful. The endless hours of pain, agony, wishing, and praying to become a vision of beauty. Fuelled by the pressure, bullied by peers, I see so many young ones loose their self worth and esteem through the never ending quest to feel beautiful, loved and adored. The more I think about the human idea of beauty, the more uglier the whole concept becomes. I am that perfect china doll, it is an instinctive genetic trait of my kind; but I do not find beauty when I look in the mirror. I just feel hollow, because that's all other people perceive me as. Alexios doesn't know how I loved karaoke, or making dresses or watching tear jerking movies. I want people to see the beauty that exists inside of me the type you only show to your closest friend and family- the people who deserve to see it.

Alexios wants me to love him, but I don't think I can and I know what a miserable marriage is like. My mother a siren, did not choose to marry my father, or to sell her daughters for marriage. Likewise Alexios parents did not choose to marry each other. They were forced.

"Please Sasha." Alexios begs me desperately.

"I don't know if I can." I reply bluntly, my throat running dry.

"Sasha when I'm with you, I feel the electricity between us, I know we can make this work baby. You just have to try." Alexios catches my hand and gently brings it to his lips and presses a tiny kiss against it. Bitter I snatch my hand away.

"When's my birthday Alexios?" I ask quietly.

"I don't know? Why?" he replies confused.

"What's my favourite color? What's my hobbies? Where is my favourite place?" I yell bombarding him with questions. "You don't know anything about the real me!" Storming out his office I ascend the staircase at lightening speed, not looking back. I hear a door crash open behind me, but I don't look back. I want to leave. I am my own free person. I am no one property, I remind my self. Suddenly a strong hand grabs my shoulder, and whirls me around. Slamming into a wall I see Alexios glaring at me; his beautiful green eyes have glazed over with fury.

"How can you say that to me?" He grounds out.

"Because you know it's true." I whisper, fighting back the tears.

"Sasha, how can I know these things, when every time I've tried to get close, you have pushed me away. I want to know when your birthday is, what is your favourite color, your hobbies, dreams, fears. I want to know you Sasha, but you won't let me." Alexios said, his voice tinged with anger, sadness and frustration. Ashamed I broke free of him and ran up to Evie's room. I turned the lock and leaned against the wooden door. My world was spinning, my head was pounding and all at once I realized he was right. Sliding down to the floor I broke down in to tears.

13

Waking up, I crawl out of bed, literally tumbling to the floor entangled in my sheets and duvet. Last night I went to bed crying, in my bra, pants and make up. I was so down I couldn't even bother to get ready for bed. From the floor I writhe around in my pod of bedding, until I break free like some hideous panda eyed caterpillar. I stagger to the bathroom, and two hours later I emerge out like a beautiful butterfly. Tonight I was going to try and communicate with Alexios, and offer him the twig of friendship. Very subtly though. I don't want him mistaking all this for an apology.

Entering his office, I see Alexios talking on the phone, looking very serious and business like. Sitting down quietly on one of his leather couches I pretend to read the a magazine on the desk.

"Your not sitting in fort Sasha?" Alexios said indicating to my barricaded corner where I usually sit.

"Why do you want to sit there?" I glared at him, flicking the page of the magazine. Alexios smirked slightly. "No, I like you there."

"So why moan." I snap waspishly. Alexios gets off his chair and causally strides over to the couch and sits next to me.

"Sasha?" he asks softly.

"Alexios." I reply sweetly.

"Why are you reading that magazine upside down." He smiles. Gazing down at the magazine I see the upside picture...crap. No wonder he was gloating. Casting the magazine aside, I shrugged, "Sometimes it's challenging to read stuff upside down." And that was suppose to be my clever sharp reply.

Alexios laughed, and continued to lounge lazily, his eyes all over me.

"Stop that." I scold him.

"Stop what?" Alexios asks.

"That eye thing. It makes me feel like a five dollar hooker." I say dryily.

"I can't help thinking that my fiancée looks gorgeous." Alexios replies defensively.

"Look Alex, if you and me are going to get alone, you need to learn some r-e-s-p-e-c-t!" I spell it out for him.

"You called me Alex," he smiled "I like that. It can be my pet name."

"What? Did you just stop listening to me? Alex! I mean Alexios." I say pulling my hair out.

"Yeah I like that, what should I call you though?" Alexios ponders.

"Alexios!" I groan.

"Alex remember." He corrects me sharply.

"Alex...Alexios whatever, are you listening to me?" I ask bleakly.

"Love, baby, sugar, honey, bunny...that's it honey bunny!" He yells as if he had discovered the cure for a disease.

"Honey bunny? Fine I'll call you pookie." I reply.

"Pookie is not masculine enough Sasha." Alexios frowns.

"It's perfect. A vampire called Pookie. I can imagine it now, an old farmer sat in a tavern reliving the tale of his brush with death. That unforgettable encounter with the babric monster, Pookie the vampire." I howl with laughter, unable to suppress the giggles. Alexios scowls at me, as I slide off the couch on to the floor.

"I think you're taking the term 'rofl' too seriously." Alexios rolls his eyes.

"Oh god, if I can call you Pookie, then it might make the next few centuries living with you bearable." I exhale sharply still trying to catch my breathe.

"Sasha, I've never seen you smile like that before." Alexios then says thoughtfully.

"Really?" I shrug, sitting back on the sofa.

"I'm glad I made you laugh...even if you were taking the piss." He said warmly, his eyes softening, making me feel woozy.

"Yeah, well sometimes when you are not being dark, angry or pervy. You're actually an okay guy." I smiled back.

14

The tone lightened, the mood became sweeter, and although I would not call Alexios and I an example of a perfect relationship, we were managing. We wake, meet in his office, chat, laugh, go to bed and do this all over again the next day. Seriously examining that schedule do you think that could make the foundation of a decent marriage... That's only half of my problems. Today I go into his office and there's this chick, with this humongous fat old woman; who could actually be a man; standing at Alexios desk. The girl is very well preened, dressed in the traditional tight black gothic dress of the vampire coven. She sees me and raises an eye brow at the she-male. "Nanny, what is that? I think it is feral." She announces- in front of me.

Stunned I watch the she-male grunt a little then fart.

"I assure you Madame that I am well house trained," I joked, flashing a classic siren smile before adding the sting- "Unlike your companion."

The evil chick, who I shall name psycho-bitch, turned to grunting she-male and says, "It seems to be able to communicate, and even show some signs of a primitive sense of toilet humor."

"Like toilet humor was ever sophisticated." Shrugging I hovered over to Fort Sasha- aka the barricaded corner of Alexios office.

"Look Nanny, it even made a nest to have it's half breed children with Alexios." Psycho smiled viciously.

"I've always wondered about some of the myths surrounding vampires." I said, pretending to be overly polite and humble in the presence of this amazing entity known as the vampire.

"Oh, Nanny it even watches z-rated horror flicks." Psycho continues feeding commentary to she-male known as 'Nanny'.

"Does holy water burn a vampire's skin?" I asked reaching into my corner.

"This sort of ignorance is embarrassing, Nanny." Psycho said.

"No shit, but a double pump action super soaker loaded with 12 litres of holy water, is bound to ruin that dress." I drawled, as I lifted the bazooka of water guns from my corner, and thrust down the pump down making a loud satisfying clunk then took aim and fired. The high pressure pump technology released a steady jet of water over Psycho, who squealed in horror as she got drenched.

Hell yeah! Don't ever mess with me again you cheap floozy, I thought triumphantly as I lowered my gun and surveyed the carnage. Alexios would be pissed, I did soak his office, but who cares. This was just some dumb vampire bimbo.

"Listen Bitch. Remove your fat ass from my fiancés office and take you farting she-male ape with you. Before I reload." I threatened menacingly. Psycho bitch and minion ran out the office like rats off a sinking ship. Grinning I congratulated myself, finally things were beginning to turn around. Suddenly Alexios burst through the door.

"Sasha, did you just do that?" he asks me angrily.

"Yay, and the bitch deserved it. She'll know next time not to mess with a siren." I smirked, feeling full of win.

"Sasha, that was my mother." He replied gravely. Crash and burn, one minute your up rejoicing with the angels then Satan grabs your foot and drags back to the belly of hell.

"Oh shit." I replied.

15

"She's your mother." I repeated in shock for the hundredth time. Alexios rubbed his temples, sinking lower in his leather chair.

"This is going to need some tactile subtle delegation, in order repair this bridge." He murmured in despair.

"I think, I pretty much nuked that bridge." I replied quietly.

I had no idea that Psycho was his god damn mother! For crying out loud she looked younger then me! Plus she had that farting she-male named 'Nanny'.

"Alexios who was that-" grunting flatulent transvestite? Suddenly his reply played out in my mind- 'Oh Sasha, that's no tranny! That's my beloved grandmother.' God is it possible that was Alexios Granny? Tactfully I thought how I would word this, "- who was that charming escort, chaperoning your mother?" I said carefully.

Alexios looked up puzzled, "I don't know, my mother has a lot of friends," He shrugged. "What did she look like?"

Like the hulk dressed in drag- except a lot uglier.

"Um, well she is larger lady; I suppose you could say voluptuous. Modestly dressed, she had unique facial features, a very prominent rounded nose, perhaps a teensy bit bulbous. Quite thick eye brows; several large beauty spots, and very large eyes." That reminded me of a rabid animal.

"What the hell did that all mean?" Alexios said nonplussed. Obviously beating round the bush was not working.

"Your mother called her 'Nanny'." I added.

"Oh you mean her!" Alexios said realizing who it was.

"Is she you grandmother, by any chance?" I asked.

Alexios face went pale, "Sasha, it is obvious that 'Nanny' is a troll," He said waspishly. "My grandmother used that troll as a nanny for my mother. Most vampires grow out of their nannies like human children. But, my mother is an exception to the rule." Alexios looked pissed, and I felt awful. Part of me felt bad for creating the mess but the other part was saying- how was I suppose to know that trolls existed!

There was a stiff air of awkward weirdness between me and Alexios tonight. Frustrated I bit hard on my tongue until I tasted the sweet tang of blood.

"Sasha I can smell your blood from here, honey. Please don't tempt me. I have not eaten breakfast yet." Alexios sighed.

"Sorry." I muttered. Why do I keep putting my foot in it!

"We need to rectify this mistake quickly as possible." Alexios asserted.

"Why?" I yelled, his mother had started on me.

"You don't understand the politics Sasha." He replied waving his hand at me as if he were dismissing an ill-behaved child. Retaliating I crossed my hands over my chest, and hardened my eyes.

"I'm being blamed aren't I?" I stated.

"Yes." Alexios said back with a hint of remorse.

"Eve though you mother is a malicious forked tongued immature madam, who is so infantile she still gets chaperoned by her own nanny?" I bounced back at him.

"Yes." Alexios said again.

"This is so backwards!" I yell in frustration.

"I know." Alexios said again in that tone devoid of emotion.

"I'm not apologising to her again. In fact if she decides to come in her again I'll shove that water gun up her-"

"Stop it Sasha! You can't behave like that towards her!" He shouted at me.

"Just because she is your mother!" I snapped.

"No because she is the King's sister!" He bellowed.

16

She's just the King's sister. I sighed talking to myself in the mirror. God, I feel so incredible sheepish today. Okay the whole incident with his mother, was regrettable, but for the last few weeks, I have wrapped myself in an anti-vampire cocoon embracing total ignorance to Alexios coven. My fiancé is the King's nephew! I thought he was some jumped up groupie, I didn't realize that he was actual blood royalty. Do you realize what that means? Countess Sasha. "Who am I? I'm the count wife. Oh please don't curtsey, I was once an ordinary girl too..."

"What are you yabbering about." Evie said popping her head round the door.

"Ah, nothing." I replied.

"I heard you had a fight with Jessamae."

"I had a tiff with Alexios mother."

"That involved a super soaker?"

"Yes."

"Where the hell did you get a supersoaker?"

"The internet."

"Of course you did. Was it worth soaking the hag?"

"Evie I could make it into a mastercard advert."

"Supersoaker imported from the US fifty dollars."

"Import taxes ten dollars."

"Drenching your mother-in-law..."

"Priceless." We both said together.

"Shit, I'm in so much trouble." I smirked wickedly.

"Well at least we know now that if she doesn't melt when water is thrown over her." Evie smiled.

"Anyway why the hell is she here anyway?" I shrugged.

"Isn't it obvious." Evie sighed, gently knocking my head.

"Ow! Watch it. There is a brain in there. So why is her evilness here." I snapped.

"Alexios mother is here for your wedding." Evie smiled.

I raced down the corridors and kicked Alexios office doors open in true Hollywood style. Alexios was there sat with psycho mommy and the troll. They seemed to be in the middle of afternoon tea- which in the vampire world is blood served in teacups, not much variety in the diet so they have to spice things up in the bone china department.

"What is that doing here." Psycho said pinching her nose, like I was some foul smelling creature. Alexios eyes darted between me and his mother, eager to avoid conflict.

"Ah, Sasha, honey can I talk to you later." He pleaded, standing up from his big leather office chair to throw me out. Still holding her nose psycho turned to the troll and casually said looking at me."What is that awful smell?"

Gritting my teeth I turned to the troll and replied, "I think your mistress needs her diaper changed."

Alexios rolled his eyes back and did a classic face-palm, while his mother trembled with rage.

"Did you see that Alexios! She has a vicious little mouth on her! Horrible halfling, should have been drowned at birth." She spat.

Alexios crossed the room catching my elbow and dragging me out of his office, as his mother continued to talk loudly to her troll about me. Taking me down a side corridor, he stopped and let me go. I stepped away and casually leaned against the wall, with my arms crossed as he paced a few feet in front of me.

"Why did come to my office? Did you want to start a fight?" he demanded, his eyes blazing with fury.

"You rat!" I yelled at him "Mother has come down for our wedding hasn't she."

Alexios stopped in his tracks, becoming sullen and pale.

"I can't believe you would do that Alexios when we were trying to take things slow and make us work! Christ how soon is our happy day?" I asked angrily.

"Three nights." Alexios replies his expression turning to stone.

"Thee days! Three frickin days!" I said repeating him.

"We have to go through with it Sasha, it is what the King has ordered." Alexios replied.

"To hell with your uncle." I reply.

"Sasha you knew this day would come, it was inevitable. So don't act so surprised." Alexios said waspishly.

"Alexios I had no choice, my life was sold to you remember. I did not have I choice." I said raising my voice.

"Do you honestly think a siren can pretend to live a normal human life! I saw how those other guys at that party lusted for you. In the real world you would not survive five minutes, some other guy would capture you to be his pretty trophy wife. You need to stay here with me. I can protect you Sasha, please just stay with me."

"You think I'm better off with you?"

"I'll probably be the kindest master you will ever know." As soon as he said it, Alexios bit his tongue. But it was too late. He had revealed to me that he saw me as nothing more then a piece of property. Reaching out he tried to touch me, to comfort me, as I stood dazed and confused from his cruel reminder of how much he truly valued my worth. Backing away from him, I turn and ran. Perhaps he called after me, and may have even followed me, but I didn't care. Running to my room I slammed the door shut and watched my room illuminate for a few seconds as bolt of lighting tore the sky open. Rain hammered against the glass pane and unable to think straight I ran and threw the windows open wide, and let the rain pour across my face. Then through the rain and tears I heard the singing.

17

A soft eerie hum that escalated into a loud chant, singing to me and calling my name. They must be other sirens, perhaps I could try and find them, see if they will take me in. I hated Alexios with such a passion the idea of luring men to their deaths seemed like my dream job. Taking my engagement ring off I placed it on my dresser, then quickly changed in to a simple pair of jeans and t-shirt.

I decided to write a heartfelt note to Alexios explaining how I felt about the situation and him. 'SCREW VAMPIRES!!!' I scribbled on a piece of paper and then hopped out the window and dashed across the lawns.

"I'm coming please help me." I san softly into the night air as the storm raged on. Well I suppose psycho should be happy with the results, Alexios can go marry some other creature for all I care. From now on I will be a single lady and my life will be free of men. And if the sirens wont take me in because I'm half human, then I'm checking into a nunnery.

In the forest I ran, cutting myself on branches and brambles as I ran.

"Sasha." I heard people calling my voice.

"Sasha!"

Suddenly I was hit by an enormous weight, and I fell backwards. Christ I think I was being attacked by a bear, what should I do? Pushing at the great heavy lump I noticed a distinct lack of fur, which meant this was human, or a bear with serious hair lose problems.

"I have a torch." Muttered the voice. A light bulb suddenly switched on ten centimetres away from my face.

"Get that out of her face." Some said. The light left but I was temporarily blinded.

"My eyes." I moaned, blinking to see who was grabbing hold on to me.

"Sasha, look it's me." The voice ordered.

"All I can see is dots." I said.

"Oh silly it's me Anna. Your sister!" she squealed hugging me again.

Anna, my big sister, I hadn't seen her since my father had sold her five years ago. Shocked I looked up at her speechless.

"Anna?" I cried, unable to process the emotions whirling around me.

"Yes silly, I've been waiting for you to reply to me for ages. Every night for a few weeks I've been sat here singing my lungs out. What took you so long to reply! I had almost given up hope." Anna said.

Shrugging I just held her unable to form words.

"Hey why aren't you talking?" she asked, grabbing my shoulders. "Sasha?"

Suddenly I fainted.

18

Why did you leave me. I wanted to protect you. Come back to me Sasha, come back...

"Get lost Alexios," I muttered opening my eyes, as I woke up. Sitting up I was in a beautiful small room, surrounded by flowers.

"Anna?" I called out.

From the upper floors I could hear rush of feet, moving together. A few seconds later, five kids burst through the door screaming. "Auntie Sasha!"

Shocked I pushed myself back against the bed, as these children began showering me, with handmade bracelets, paintings, and teddy bears.

"Children get off you Aunt." A man walked in to the room. He was good-looking but covered from top too toe in splashes of paint.

"Billy, why didn't you tell me Sasha is up you silly goose!" Anna said pushing past the guy into my room.

"You have children?" I asked.

"Aren't they lovely. I'm so pleased with them." Smiled Anna, proudly patting her kids heads.

"Darling they are not dogs." Billy sighed walking out the room taking the kids with him.

"Oh ignore him, Mr. Grumpy-chops is always miserable in the morning." Anna smiled.

"Is he your husband?" I asked.

"Oh Sasha, when Daddy sent me away he wanted me to marry some horrid old man, but I met Billy and we ran away! He's an artist." She pepped merrily. Good old Anna, not too bright but had a heart of gold. Dad had sent her away to married to some horrible oil baron. We were all so worried about her, but father never told us she had run away.

"Billy seems grumpy but he is very kind hearted and paints the most wonderful pictures." She smiled pointing to a painting on the wall of a flower.

"That's amazing!" I replied looking at the intricate details.

"I'm so glad you're here, I was so worried when I heard the count was going to marry you. But anyway it was good that he let you come here to live with me."

"Ah, he didn't." I said.

"He had to silly, don't you know."

"Know what?"

"Silly Sasha, before you arrived at the palace I spoke with the King- lovely guy Billy paints for him. Anyway, when I found out that you were going to marry the count I went straight up to him and told him off-"

"You told off the King." I said bleakly.

"Yes."

"Did you call him a silly goose?"

"Yeah! How did you know?" Anna asked confused.

"Never mind, continue." I shrugged.

"Well, the King felt so bad that he made Alexios agree, that if he could not make you fall in love with him, then he would let you go. That's why when you ran away, security did not touch you. He had to let you go."

"Alexios never told me that. He made out that we were both being forced into the marriage. I thought he didn't like me." I said stumped, why would he lie to me, if he had told me this earlier I would have been long gone. We could have both gone separate ways and spared each other's feelings. Anna watched my puzzled expression.

"Alexios choose you. Why would he not want you?" Anna said.

"The King choose me." I said.

"No, Alexios choose you. He liked your smile and your eyes." Anna said.

"I thought he hated me. Argh, Anna, I'm so confused." I said wrapping a pillow round my head. What did this all mean? Why should I care? I don't love Alexios, I mean he is weird, possessive, pervy and we fight all the time, why should I care what he thinks.

"Sasha are you okay, you look like you are going to cry?" Anna said worried.

"Anna, I think I'm in love with Alexios."

19

Billy drove me to the Palace, and I walked straight too Alexios' office. My plan was to say what I needed to say, and lay my cards out on the table. Open and honest approach might yield some good results...well that what I hoped for.

Bursting into Alexios office I said, "Alexios we need to talk?" My bubble had been popped. Alexios wasn't here and I was not talking to an empty room. Jessamae was sat in shadows, reclining causally on one of the couches.

Surprisingly she was alone, her Nanny must have the night off.

"I'm looking for Alexios." I said flatly.

"He's not here. I've arranged it so he does not know you are here." Said Jessamae, talking like an adult. Unnerved by Jessamae sudden mental matruirity growth spurt, I hovered by the doorway debating whether I should stay or go.

Jessamae sighed and pointed to the opposite couch, "Please sit down, we need to talk."

Shutting the door, I gave Jessamae the opportunity to explain. If she was weird or nasty, I would just spray her with the water gun, and hope her shrilled cries would bring Alexios running to me.

"I'm not the bad guy, Sasha, I know what it is like to be a pretty young girl forced into a loveless marriage. Your sister wanted what is best for you and I wanted what is best for my son. I want you go to back to your sister Sasha, and leave this palace. I don't want you and Alexios to become another sad loveless couple to haunt these corridors."

"I think I love Alexios." I blurted out awkwardly. Jessamae shook her smiling,

"Think? You think you love him. You're far too young to know what real love is. Stubborn girl. You have no idea the sheer hell of living in a marriage where neither partner loves or even likes the other. Sasha, I am so disappointed. I though you were smart. You do not know what real love is." She said.

"No offence, but if you are stuck in a loveless marriage then you have no concept of what real love is either." I replied back. Jessamae laughed softly, clicking her tongue.

"I bet Evie, never tells you much about her husband. Did you know she is married too? Another miserable match made in this god forsaken palace. He cleared off years ago to settle down with his mistress and their children. Poor Evie is left to waste her days running round after you." She told me. I flinched thinking about Evie's suffering and pain, how I had been so wrapped up in my own life I never once asked her about her own.

"I never knew." I replied stunned.

"I can tell you hundreds more. If you have any common sense, you'll leave this place."

"I can't."

"Do you want a life of misery?"

"If I stay I might be miserable, but if I go I will live a life time in utter misery and regret wandering what could have been!" I yelled. Now Jessamae flinched. Getting up, she walked to the door, "Idiot girl." Jessamae said finally, exciting the room. Dark conflicting emotions swirled inside of me. Was she right? Was I right? If this did not work I would sentencing myself t a life time of misery. But if I walked away, would I live a life time in regret. Standing at the fork in the road, I needed to make a choice. Stay or walk.

20

Thanks to Jessamae's pep talk, I was having some serious self doubt about my ability to make choices for my own future. Did I believe the multiple personality Jessamae bitter view of the world? Or should I trust my own instincts? Perhaps I was too young to know to know what real love was, but then I knew all too well how cruel love could be. Okay, life with Alexios wasn't a bed of roses, it was rocky. We argued, but we made up, and very occasionally we actually got on quite well. The memories we shared good and bad, I cherished.

The office door opened and unexpectedly Alexios walked in. When he saw me, his arms fell still by his side and his whole body stopped moving as his eyes stared at me.

Awardly I rose from the couch, I needed to say this right; "Alexios I'm at a fork in the road. Down one path is a life with you. Down the other is life by myself. Which should I choose?"

"My answer would be bias." Alexios ground out.

"Nevermind that. What would be your answer?" I said.

"Someone once said that if you truly love someone that wanted to go you would set them free."

"Is that why you let me go?"

"Sasha, I'm not selfless like that. How could anyone let go of his or her true soul mate? I would hound you to the ends of the earth to protect and love you. But thank God I don't need to, because you came back to me."

"Do you love me? I mean really love me? I am a siren, Alexios." I said bleakly,

"I love you Sasha. Mind, body and spirt. Do you love me Sasha?" He replied.

"I don't know."

"You must know, why else would you come back to me? Follow your heart Sasha."

My heart, felt like it was about to explode. I wanted to be with him so badly my whole mind ached. The thought of walking out that door and saying goodbye forever terrified me. Alexios was annoying, irritating, devious, and cunning, but from the first time we met, there had been that spark. The chemistry and the fireworks between us made me want to sink into his arms and drown in those green eyes.

"Sasha do you love me?" He repeated coming closer to me, catching my chin with his fingers.

I tried to make a noise of protest, but my whole body was paralysed, I couldn't move away from him, I couldn't even answer him. Alexios smiled, and leaned in, slipping his arms around me, "Say, 'Alexios I love you, and I want to stay with you forever.' Say it for me Sasha." He murmered in my ear, before nuzzling into my neck. My whole mid melting down I repeated what he said like a zombie. Running my fingers through his hair, I met his lips, and we made out. Fireworks exploded, stars came crashing down, and I felt blissful happiness. Alexios pulled away, and gently brushed aside a stray hair from my face.

"So," he smiled, "I take that as an informal, yes I will marry you."

Epilogue

So the big day came, a few months later- I know Alexios said three days, but there was no way in hell I was going to get the wedding preparations done by then. Our wedding was a small affair, my sister and her family came, Alexios's mother came as well, with her troll in some sort of hideous lilac wedding suit. Evie was my bridesmaid, and poor thing cursed me for weeks leading up to the big day, because I made her dress in up in a big pink puffy merriage dress, complete with tiara. I threatened Alexios that I would tear up his Armani tux, and replace it with a velour powder blue tux every time we argued- which we did, but was always followed by making up and making out.

As we made our way back down the aisle, I glanced at him, looking smug and winking at his friend. "Don't look so cocky." I said as we walked through a flurry of confetti.

"You look beautiful." Alexios smiled, holding my hand.

"I'm a siren, I always look beautiful." I shrugged.

"Can't you just take a compliment?" Alexios replied exasperated.

"Oh alright. Thank you." I said half heartedly.

"And?" He prompted.

"You look very dapper, Alexios." I said off the top of my head.

"Dapper? That's what you say to an old man." Alexios wrinkled his nose.

"You are an old man." I pointed out frankly.

"When you're a vampire age doesn't matter.." He said logically.

"Imagine all the senior discount you're missing out on." I said rolling my eyes back.

"Now that we are married, you are forbidden to talk to me like that." Alexios said as we walked outside to our awaiting car.

"No, you've got it wrong. Now that we are married we don't have to be nice to on another.." I muttered.

Alexios opened the car door, "Shut up and get in."

I got in. The door closed and that was the end of courtship and the beginning of our marriage.

THE END