Selene sat with her brother in the dining area. She watched him as he mindlessly picked at his food, his thoughts elsewhere. Looking at his glass of the rich liquid they thrived on, she noticed that the red liquid was untouched. She could smell it sweetening in the air. Blood was always better when it was warmer…to a degree.

Looking back at Eris, a sick feeling grew in the pit of her stomach. She tried not to let it reflect on her visage.

“Eris, is everything all right?”

“Depends on your definition.”

“You haven’t touched your food…or your drink.”

“Don’t have an appetite.”

“We’re Vampyres, we always have an appetite.”

“I just have some stuff on my mind, Selene.”

“Anything you want to talk about?”

His lip lifted, curling into a smile as he looked at her sadly, his back hunched. “Don’t worry about it, Selene,” he said, standing, kissing her on the forehead. Selene smiled at the gentle touch. “Just think about what’s in two days.”

Her smile faltered. “The eclipse.”

“Yup. Our birthday. Maybe we should plan a party.”

Selene laughed despite herself. “Jeanette might kill you. Besides, there’s nothing to celebrate. Too many lives lost that day.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s not a celebration day.” He looked away thoughtfully. A familiar spark filled his eyes. “Then let’s go, just you and me, to Seraphim or Nephilium. We should visit Naavah and the others. We should visit our friends. Let’s go!” He gripped her hands, looking at her with a wild expression in his wide, green eyes.

“Eris, I—I don’t know.”

“They’re our friends, we should see how they’re doing. You haven’t spoken to them for centuries.”

“I’m well aware,” she said, shifting in her seat, uncomfortable; she didn’t want to talk about this.

“Why not?”

No, not this conversation, not again. “You know why.”

“Oh yeah,” he said, in a harsh tone, “as I recall, you sought out death and they loved you.”

“Eris—”

“No, Selene,” he said, taking a step away from her, shaking his head, and letting her hands slip away from him. “I’m still angry for you making that choice, and I have a feeling you would make it again.”

“Eris—”

“Would you?” he asked, cutting her off, his eyes fixated on the ground, darkening.

“Would I what?” she asked, all the while thinking: Don’t think it, don’t ask it, don’t ask it, and I will run off with you wherever you want. Don’t destroy us.

“Would you make that choice again if Pietro were alive? Would you seek out death?”

Selene knew he was testing her, and she swore within herself, wishing she could lie to him.

She looked at him steadily, tears burning the back of her eye. “Yes.”

“So you would abandon me? Your own brother?” His eyes were still cast down, but there was no mistaking the anger in his voice. His body shook with rage, his veins on his wrists throbbed.

“Eris, please.”

“No. I’ve heard enough. I have things to do.” With that, he stomped off, his arms tight on his sides, his body stiff with rage and fists clenched. He didn’t look back at her once as he left. Watching him leave, she noticed a girl with short blond curls approach his side. Lilith. The girl gave her one of her poisonous looks as she walked in step with Eris. Selene never liked the Darkling.

***

Walking to her room alone, Selene thought about the Dark Goddess. She had told her to choose between Jason and her brother, a choice she had not made. A choice she didn’t think she could make. But her indecision was costing her. Both were at peril, and she knew of no way to save them. In her heart, she knew one would fall into darkness. It was a fact, one she bitterly acknowledged. Once again, she made a wish she had often made in the past: that she had ever been turned. She wished the blood of a Vampyre had never fallen onto her lips. She wished she had stayed dead and not woken. Collapsing against the wall, she realized that the eclipse was just a horrible reminder of the past.

“You’re thinking dismal things. Keep it up and you may begin to look your age.” Selene looked behind herself at the familiar voice.

“Hello Blake.” She said, turning so that her back leaned against the cold stone wall, smoothed down by work and magic.

“Are you all right?”

“No. Eris asked me if I would repeat the past if Pietro were alive.”

“I take it he didn’t like the answer.”

“Nope.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“And he walked off with Lilith.”

“Lilith Siponi?”

“Yup.”

“Things just keep getting better and better.” He leaned against the wall next to her. “Selene, I want you to know that no matter what, I will always be on your side. I will always be here for you, no matter what.”

“I know.”

“I’m just telling you in case things go—”

“Don’t. If you think things go wrong, then they will.”

“Still superstitious?”

“Always.” Selene placed her head on his shoulder while reaching for his hand for comfort. They stood there together, silent in the hallway, until the clicking of heels caught them off guard. Pulling away from each other, they stared at Jeanette as she ran toward them, her long golden locks flowing behind her like a wave, a haggard expression on her face.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“Why? What happened? Is Jason—”

“Jason is fine. This doesn’t concern him. Do you remember the Roamers?”

“Yes.”

“Well, one is dead and two are missing. I received a call from Enforcer James after everything that happened. I had a gut feeling and told him to keep an eye on them.”

Resisting every urge in her body to punch the stone wall, Selene took a deep breath. “I’ll go look for them. I want you and the others to keep an eye on Eris. This has his name written all over it.” Both nodded in understanding, letting Selene bite her lower lip with her fang. “Don’t let him out of your sight.” She ran off without another word. Had she waited a moment, she would have seen the shadows flicker where they shouldn’t.

***

Eris sat on the edge of his bed, back bent forward, fingers laced forward with Lilith and Shira on either side of him. “She’s leaving, correct?”

“Yes,” said Shira, picking at some dirt under her nails.

“The Hunters?”

“Ordered to stay and keep an eye on you.”

“Good. Will she be gone until the eclipse?”

“I’m sure of it, I hid the bodies quite well.”

“Good. Lilith, your friends?”

She nodded. “In place and ready.”

“Good. Then in two days we attack.” He stared at the fire burning brightly in the fireplace, carved from stone. He knew Selene would hate him, but it would be worth it to keep her safe from herself.