So this was how it felt like to sense the Dark Lord approaching. Somehow meeting Luke Garon this time felt immensely different and even she felt a sense of dread. Previously, she hadn't known his identity but now, things had changed. This was the man who controlled the vampiric world. He was not someone she wanted to mess with.

Slowly, Gem backed away slowly. She was not going to hide but she had learnt through her years in the blood business that it was important to have an escape route. She touched the large heart shape pendant of the necklace she had always worn. Inside was a small store of holy water. If Luke Garon was going to come close, she would give him a healthy dose of holy water.

Not that that would kill him, you dumb ass. Gem sighed internally. If Luke Garon was bent on killing any of then, even if she went on the run for her entire life, he would eventually find her.

"Whatever, I'm going to die with dignity," she muttered. 

The white mist got thicker and thicker. Elizabeth stood next to her while Carolo and Jamika vampires huddled behind her. 

Bunch of scaredy cats. She was a half-breed yet she displayed more courage than the creatures of the darkness behind. Only Michael stood straightened next to her. His face was impassive but she knew that he was waiting for a chance to kill Luke Garon. Not that she blamed him for that since Luke Garon killed his vampiric mate but she wished he had the sense to know how to kill Luke Garon without implicating the rest of them.

Suddenly, a man in a dark cloak appeared. Behind him was an entourage of vampires in red cloaks. 

The man right at the front lifted his hood and Gem narrowed her eyes at the handsome man with dark brown hair and green eyes. When Luke Garon's gaze met her gaze, he didn't smile but kept on staring at her.

She kept her steely gaze and he said, sounding almost relieved. "You're alive."

"You don't exactly need to bring the whole Order to exterminate us," Gem pointed out dryly.

"Exterminate?" Luke Garon sounded genuinely confused. "Why would I need to do that?"

"I don't know what you are exactly playing at," Gem hissed. "But leave Carolo and his coven alone and Elizabeth alone. Just kill me." Suddenly, she coughed and splatters of blood came out. Luke Garon took a step forward but one of the vampires in the red cloak held him back.

"Fuck," she cursed and wiped the red liquid.

"Don't just kill her. Kill me too." Michael held out his hands. "Take me. I want to be with Alison."

"What's wrong with this bunch of people?" The vampire in the red cloak exclaimed and pushed her hood back. It was a female and she was extraordinary beautiful with jet black hair and red eyes. "I haven't met a coven begging to die since the dawn of time."

"Ruby, keep quiet," Luke Garon snapped. 

"No, you keep quiet, Luke Garon," Gem butted in. "If you must kill us, do so quietly."

"How dare you order the Dark Lord." The vampire named Ruby stepped forward, her red eyes burning with rage and anger.

"Nice one, kid," Michael muttered dryly. "A good way to incite them."

"Ruby, can you shut up for a moment?" Luke Garon said irritably and his face softened as he turned to Gem. "I'm not here to kill you. I was actually searching for you because I received news that you confronted the Monets and you were poisoned."

"Right, for what?" Gem asked as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. 

"You need the antidote. And only I have it," he said plainly.

"I get it." 

"Get what?"

"You want me to kneel down and do all sorts of horrific things just to get the bloody antidote," Gem retorted. "I won't do that. I would rather die with dignity. My only wish is for you to kill me painlessly."

"Gem Austen," Luke Garon snapped. "Do I look like I'm going to kill you? If I really had the intention, you would have been dead 15 minutes ago."

"You are going to give the antidote to me?" she said skeptically. "With no conditions?"

"Yes, with no conditions." Luke Garon nodded. "However, you need to return to my castle to receive the antidote."

"Whatever for? Are you trying to lure me into a trap?"

"Silence! How dare you question the Dark Lord?" Ruby shouted and rushed forward.

Luke Garon's green eyes flashed and he held out his hand. Suddenly, Ruby's body lurched backwards and she sank down on the ground. She tried lifting her whole body but to no avail. "Master, let me go," she hissed. 

"Only if you will keep your mouth quiet," Luke Garon said lazily.

Gem raised her eyebrows. So these were the legendary powers many vampires spoke of. Only few vampires possessed these extraordinary abilities and it shouldn't have surprised her that Luke Garon had them but witnessing him displaying it....was fascinating and scary at the same time. 

The moment Luke Garon put down his hands, Ruby's body relaxed. Ignoring his lackey, Luke turned his attention back to Gem. "You must come with us. Immediately. The poison will kill you soon," he said gently.

"What about Carolo, Jamika and Michael? Are you going to punish them?"

Luke Garon shifted his gaze to Michael. "I'm surprised you are still here, Michael. I thought you would have killed yourself since the last time I saw you a few centuries back."

Michael didn't reply but stared straight ahead with no emotion. Luke waved his hands. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kill them but will, in fact, reward them handsomely for saving you. You can leave this place in peace with your goblin friend."

Gem nodded. "Fine, I will leave with you." She didn't have much choice anyway. 

With Elizabeth, Gem stepped forward and as she walked towards the entourage of vampires, her heart quickened. She never envisioned herself to be near the Order and be infront of the Dark Lord. No half-breed like her would ever be in her situation. Actually, she would kill to be out of here but she needed the antidote to leave and only the irritating Luke Garon had it. 

"Now, take my hand and we will be on our way." Luke Garon held out his arm like a gentleman.

Gem gave him a scathing look. "I'm poisoned, not an invalid." She then strode straight ahead.

She heard Luke Garon mutter, "Stubborn woman."

Who cares if he's the Dark Lord? She won't give a damn.