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Sitting at a table full of privileged royalty would make any person's nerves on edge. Deva bit down her uneasy feelings and stood by her husband. They had all three Kings and their royal families seated with them. 

A few of the council members were also present for the discussion that was unveiling. Talks of the Relic Moon had spread throughout all the kingdoms, making a panic up rise. It was up to them to resolve the situation. 

"This has been going on for centuries," King Raphael again explained himself. "It's been unnoticed for years. Obviously they have it under control. Why interfere now?"

But of course King Rathguard wasn't going to let the subject die down that easily. "Yes but that was when we thought they were extinct. In the past few years their size in numbers have grown, quite rapidly." 

"This is nothing we haven't heard or noticed," Sebastian didn't care to cover up his boredom. 

"They believe they have more rights now and probably pathetically think more will power."

Deva clinched her jaw together to keep her temper hidden while Rathguard continued. 

"One careless mistake could cost us. They are a danger."

Darius sighed. "What do you propose we do then?"

"Electrical cells. They must learn to fight the urges. An electrical cell will shock them when they feel the need to feed." Rathguard's plan was all but bulletproof.

"Perhaps we should sacrifice your body to them. It's one way to satisfy their urges," King Derick who was quiet till now, finally spoke up. He had no reason to hide his dislike of King Rathguard. For years their silent quarrel had been put under the rug. 

"Careful old king. I'm sure some of them still remember who helped in their obliteration." Rathguard narrowed his eyes at king Derick, challenging him to dare speak again.

King Derick was indeed one of the supporters in King Asher's massacre of the lycan race but time had changed him. There was nothing more he wanted than peace to all the creatures in the land. Death and destruction were so common and wearied him with age. 

"Caging a beast and poking it with a stick will only get him angrier," Derick explained. 

"Speaking from experience?" Marcus questioned.

Derick shamefully dropped his gaze to his fisted hands. "I've had my encounters with them, regretfully so." 

"And what of queen Deva? She is part lycan, am I right? What will she do?" Ilsa's conniving presence irritated every bone in Deva's body. 

"She will be taken care of with the utmost precaution. I will personally chain her up myself." Darius left no room to question him. 

"Kinky," Sebastian mumbled playfully. 

Deva rolled her eyes. 

"She might need a leash and perhaps a dog tag." Ilsa just couldn't stop adding fire to the flame. 

"The only leash I'd need is the one I'd use around your neck." Deva could imagine it now.

"I heard some don't survive the ordeal, mentally. It supposedly can wipe away their mortality." 

Deva didn't know much about the Relic Moon to begin with so she couldn't go by anything. It scared her just knowing it may in fact be true. 

"Where did you hear that from?" 

An evil grin spread across Ilsa's flawless skin. "I saw it myself while smashing the scull of a troubled lycan. It was evident he was far too gone for saving." Not a fiber in her body claimed she would lift a finger to save a lycan. 

"I suggest you place a muzzle over that fat mouth of yours sister; before the queen finds your behavior too offensive to forgive." Sebastian was enjoying the spectacle. 

It looked like Ilsa was about to open her mouth again obviously irritated but Sebastian quickly injected. "Hush, hush sister. Let's not get that pretty little face of yours smashed. It's the only thing making the boys come to your yard." 

Deva was thankful for his presence. She was sure she would have torn Ilsa's head off by now if it wasn't for him. 

"I agree with King Derick. They've given us no reason to interfere in the past. I say we give them peace." Darius was set on his answer. 

"I agree, "King Raphael added. 

King Alexander spoke for himself. "We will agree, till they give us reason otherwise." 

Deva felt relief wash over her. 

"Momma," Alcide called from across the room, snuggling his bear. "I can't sleep." 

She thought the nightmares were done and over with. Deva got up. "If you'll excuse me." Deva lifted her son into her arms and was gone in a flash.

Darius scanned the faces of his guests. "If there's nothing farther to discuss I believe we're done here."

One by one each member disappeared from sight, heeding his words. 

Sebastian quietly snuck through the castle in search of Deva. He waited patiently in the back of what he assumed was the little prince's room till Alcide's eyes were shut. 

"Your sister's a gem," Deva spoke softly not to wake her son. 

His laugh was concealed through a grin. "Isn't she?" 

"It's a wonder you hate her so much." 

"We need to talk," he made it sound urgent. 

Curiosity intrigued her to nod her head and make him follow her into the study room. 

"There's been talk of a plan of an attack," Sebastian blurted out as soon as she shut the doors behind them. "Against the lycans during the relic moon." Sebastian finished. 

"But you're not sure of it?" 

He frowned. "No. I can't accuse without facts. I don't know but I have a bad feeling about this." 

The Relic Moon was so close she felt like it was breathing down her neck. "We have to find out." 

"I believe the leader is a club owner in town. We can check it out." Sebastian seemed more than sure about it. 

It was better not to involve the council or anyone else. Deva felt like she couldn't trust anyone anymore. She wasn't even sure why she was trusting Sebastian. 

"Why come to me? What is it you want from all this?" His help was much appreciated but still unexpected. She closed in on him so she could seek the truth in his eyes. 

His eyes grew soft. "It's simple really," he shrugged. "I want peace for our people. All of our people, including the lycans."

The sympathy in his eyes were warmer than they really should be. "You were in love with a lycan."

"I really hate your ability," he scuffed. She knew he'd give in and tell her about it if she stared at him long enough. "It wasn't fair. Erica shouldn't have died. I regret every day, not being there." He was lost in the bad dream of his past.

They both knew there was nothing he could have done for his lycan love. During those dark ages, decades ago most vampires would have killed him too if he tried to interfere with a lycans' death sentence. 

"It's incredible how two people destined to hate each other can find love in the hopes of what could be."

"I want peace for her. I want peace for those who wish they could be?"

His confidence was giving her more than enough hope. "We have to be quick. We're running out of time. Tomorrow night then?"

Sebastian nodded. "We can't go as royals thou."

"Disguises will be fun," she smirked at the possibilities. 

The moon was full and turning into a shade of blue. Darius felt it coming. Soon things would be out of his hands. He was completely uneasy thinking of it. 

The sound of someone entering the room made him flinch in the direction. He never imaged he'd see Adamarius standing there. His face was dark and ridged from years of troubled thoughts and past regrets. 

"Darius," Adamarius advanced closer. 

"Say my name again and your blood will be splatted all over this floor." There was venom in his voice.

"We need to talk." 

Darius sneered. "It's past the time to share words and break bread." 

He understood too well Darius' thirst for revenge. "You can open old wounds later. We're running out of time. "

It was very brave of Darius to turn his back on his enemy but he wasn't afraid. He know the castle was no place for them to talk. 

"No time like the present to settle a vendetta with the man who killed my father. "

Darius headed in the direction of the woods, a short distance away. Adamarius followed close behind and they didn't stop till they reached the center of it. 

"He died by your hands if I remember correctly." The echoing of Adamarius' words were like thorns.

"And who was it that took away his will power?" The memories were burning an agonizing whole through Darius' skull.

"Oh brother," Adamarius mocked with meaningless pity. "I didn't have to do much persuading. He hated Deva just as much as he disliked you." 

There was no way to shut it out. Darius couldn't be certain if it was the truth or not. 

"Deny it if you must. Whatever makes you sleep at night."

"My wife helps me sleep at night. Well, when we're actually sleeping that is." Darius distracted himself. He was satisfied to see Adamarius grow still and silent with jealousy. "Did you really think you'd get away with it? That you'd live happily ever together after all the lies?" 

Adamarius scrunched his fist. "Things didn't go exactly as I planned."

"And look where it's gotten you," Darius circled around him. "Well done."

"Oh but you're the biggest deceiver of them all. "Adamarius' eyes didn't leave Darius' predator like movements. "You're the one that deserves the applause."  

"What do you mean?" 

Adamarius wanted nothing more than to lead him into a dark pit. "Let's not add salt to old wounds."

Darius didn't want to drop the subject but knew the riddles were getting him nowhere. "Stay away from my wife."

"Listen to me. This moon will turn Deva into something uncontrollable. She'll need help."

Darius clinched his fists. "That's what she has me for." 

"She won't be herself. All she'll want is your blood, her blood, even your son's blood." Adamarius' convincing was hard to take in. 

"I'll handle it. She's none of your concern." Darius was getting fired up. 

"Her life is my concern."

They were but a foot apart now. They matched in height and muscle mass but that didn't stop them from sizing each other up. 

"Her life was doing just fine without you."

Adamarius inched closer, their faces level. "That's because she's an incredible actress. She can lie and cover it up like its second nature."

Darius jabbed his fist into Adamarius' gut. "Stay away from her." Darius blamed Adamarius for her secrets. 

Adamarius took hold of Darius shoulders for leverage. "She will become a monster, the nightmare your son screams about at night." 

And for once Darius saw fear in his enemy's eyes. "If she doesn't have the strength she may not come back. She won't survive knowing anything happened to you by her hands." 

Darius wanted to believe that was the only reason but Darius knew Adamarius wanted Deva to himself. 

"She'd rather die than put you and Alcide in danger." 

His lies were making Darius' ears ring. He was done with the warm sympathy. Darius wasn't buying it. All too soon Adamarius was knocked back by a blow to the face.

"All you do is scheme and manipulate. I won't let you hurt her or my family again." 

Adamarius got up off the ground and wiped the blood from his face. "You think I'm the villain?" His murderous laugh echoed through the woods. "You'd like to believe that, wouldn't you?"

"Speak plainly," Darius gritted though his teeth. 

"The picture your family paints of you is built on deceit." 

"I think you mistaken me for you now." Darius was itching for a fight but by this time so was Adamarius. 

"I'm tired of the noble platform they put you on." Adamarius charged towards him, smashing him back against a tree, cracking it in half. "There's nothing righteous about you."

Adamarius got one punch in before Darius shoved him off.

"And what do you know of righteousness?" 

Adamarius eyes were rimmed with red; making Darius stomach quizzy thinking his son's eyes do the same. His lycan wanted to come out and play. 

"I know what it doesn't look like. You don't deserve that crown, let alone to call yourself a brother." Adamarius smiled, knowing he had the upper hand. "Oh that's right. You don't even remember what you did." 

"What do you mean," Darius shouted. Did he use his ability on him? "What did you do?" 

Adamarius blocked one of Darius' attempted punches. "Shall I help you remember?" 

Adamarius took hold of his body and jerked him into the air, throwing him 20 feet away. 

Darius grunted before quickly recovering. 

"It was roughly ten years ago," Adamarius spoke like a storyteller. "Deva was paying more mind to Lucian than you, making you very jealous." 

Darius could see he loved every minute of this tale.

"You were afraid of losing her. So you did everything in your power to make sure she was yours. Even if it meant ruining your brother's chances and ultimately his life." Adamarius noticed the confused and deniable look he had and smiled in victory. "Doesn't ring a bell," he taunted. "Don't worry. I'll let you remember." 

Like a whirlwind of memories, the flashbacks painfully pounded on Darius' mind. Darius saw visions of the past. He was talking to Amber, the fiery red head Deva never liked. All too quickly the scene changed. Amber was with Lucian now. They were in a steamy lip lock heading for his bed. Darius could feel the power coming of his body and knew he was using his own ability. 

"Stop," Darius yelled. "Stop it." It was too much to bear because he knew where it was going.

"But I thought you should see the truth. You used your ability to make Lucian think the redhead was Deva. How naughty you are little brother."  

Darius rushed forward, raged. Adamarius anticipated his reaction and crushed his fist against Darius' jaw. 

"Liar. You're the king of manipulation, how can I believe this?" 

"Look within yourself Darius. You know exactly what you're capable of."

"Why? Why take my memory of it?" Was he going to use it against him?

"The chaos that would have aroused from your reckless actions would have been extremely disastrous. I did it to protect the ones around you and have you take responsibility for your own mistake." 

It made Darius sick to his core. Could it be true? "You sound so righteous." Darius mocked with disgust. 

"As your big brother it's my duty to watch over you." 

He made Darius forget then forced him to think he was the father so he could pay for his mistake. Darius wanted to hate him but he was too busy hating himself at the moment. How could he do that to Lucian? Amber was pregnant with Lucian's child. And it was all his fault. 

"Do you think he'll be able to forgive you when he finds out?" 

Darius couldn't take it anymore. He tackled Adamarius and they wrestled to the ground. 

"You're just as much a villain as I am." 

"Shut up. I'm nothing like you." 

"No. You're more like your murderous father. Who had the intentions of killing Deva before I even got there," Adamarius snared. 

Darius' knuckles crushed Adamarius jawbone and blood splattered everywhere. 

Adamarius brushed the pain off with a chilling laugh. "Like father like son."

He took advantage of Darius' distraction and maneuvered his way on top before punching Darius repeatedly on the face. Paying him back for the blood loss.

"Where do you think the obnoxious redhead is now. Or perhaps where the bastard child Lucian fathered, thanks to you." 

They pulled apart. Both heaving with blood dripping from their faces. 

"One must wonder, what will your wife think of this?"  

"Go to hell," Darius spat. 

"Oh I've been there. You put me there." Life without Deva was hell for him. 

Darius felt defeated in almost all aspects of the word. 

"Don't worry little brother. Your secret's save with me." Adamarius turned his back on him. "It would be better coming from your lips anyway." 

"Give me one reason why I should let you live?" Darius was clawing at the earth like a viscous animal. 

"You may not want to admit it but Deva DOES need me." 

Darius' rage was boiling but he had no strength to go after Adamarius. No will but to wallow in his own guilt. 
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