Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

The weeks went on in a blur; I stayed away from the Haven and sent Clary with another informative to keep my distance from Sihn. Of course she would always come back with some sort of message from him asking me to come to the Haven and of course every time I would either rip it up or burn it.

"You know you could be a little nicer." Clary took her shot quick of vodka.

"Oh yeah, why would I do that?" I blew out smoke.

"Because, he is just worried about you Mari." She poked my cheek smiling.

I smiled and then let it slip away. There was no way in hell I'd be going back to Haven after what I saw. He obviously was taken and obviously was just using me for food.

"Hey check this out." Clary tapped my arm looking behind us.

"What?" I turned to see two tall men well-armed and looking around.

"They are from Haven." She whispered. "We should go." She drank the rest of her beer and placed money on the counter.

I put my cig in my mouth and stood up only to meet the chest of a very big male. When I looked up I knew exactly who it was. "Rhain."

He grinned. "Mari."

"Hello Rhain." Clary grinned licking her lips.

"Clary. This is my brother Dhirge."

"Ladies." He smiled.

"What do you want Rhain?" I pushed passed both males and headed for the exit with Clary and the males hot on my heels.

"We need you to come to the Haven." Rhain was now right next to me keeping up in step.

"Oh yeah and why is that?" I laughed puffing out smoking kicking open the door and trying my hardest to lose him.

"I believe you know why and not only for that reason, we need to make sure you are safe." He growled.

"I think I'm safe enough, don't you Clary?" I glanced back at her smiling.

"She's with the Society boys, she perfectly safe." She agreed.

"See?"

Rhain gripped my arm hard and pushed me against a wall. With quick reflexes Clary had a dagger to his throat, Dhirge had an M9 to her head and I had my knife in his groin.

"Easy boys, I'm pretty sure your king doesn't want his prized possession harmed." Clary nudged the dagger against Dhirge's throat.

"No he doesn't but he does want her safe." Rhain replied keeping his eyes on me.

"Well you can tell him I'm very capable of protecting myself." I growled not backing down from this fight I slight pushed the knife into his groin more.

Rhain kept his stare hard on me and the knife in my hand with a sigh he backed off, as did Clary and Dhirge. "You better hope so female. Come on Dhirge." They put their weapons away and walked off into the shade disappearing.

"Well that went well don't you think?" Clary grinned.

"Yeah." I moved my scarf over my mouth. "Mind if I stay with you tonight?"

"Sure, I love girl's night." She smiled putting her arm around me.

After having a few more drinks Clary passed out on her bed. As I stayed up lying on her couch slowly working on a cig. Each time I closed my eyes Sihn's face popped into my mind and each time I tried to sleep his voice rang through my ears. Is this what being marked was all about? Not being able to get the person out of your mind no matter how much you didn't want them there.

I lifted my arm up that still bared the insignia no matter how many times I clawed or cut at it, it still remained. Tracing my fingers over it I remembered his lips on my skin, how warm they felt and the warmth he gave me.

"Uggh1!!" I groaned low enough not to wake Clary put the cig into the ash tray and placed a pillow over my head. "Mother help me."

That night Sihn found himself unable to sleep yet again. He based around his study frantically. Even though he just went all night with sex from Kaya he was still worked up. His mind was all about Mari. Even though he drank her blood he could feel her fighting the marking.

If he really wanted to he could go to her in an instant, drinking her blood allowed him to know exactly where she was at any time of the day. But due to their recent moment in the medical unit he didn't want to make her upset again…even though he already did when she caught him with Kaya. Damn that witch, she picked the perfect time to show up and ruin things for him as usual.

"My king?" He heard a soft female voice from at the door.

"Kaya?" He didn't bother to turn around. He had hoped the good sex he gave her would've had her asleep at least till morning.

"What troubles my King so much to make him leave the bed of his mate?" She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. Her hands on him made him feel sick and dirty inside and out.

"Nothing, it's just the war." He replied gritting his teeth.

She let out a soft giggle. "Oh Sihn…you should know by now after all these years that I know when you are lying to me." She dug her nails into his chest hard drawing blood making his fangs elongate. "Now what is wrong my love?"

"I told you…it's just this war. I need to find a better way to protect my people Kaya." He spoke through his teeth trying to ignore the pain.

Moving her nails out of him Kaya materialized in front of Sihn licking her fingers.

Shit. He thought, Mariana's blood was still coursing through his veins. Seeing as how Kaya was now half vampire as well she would be able to send it within his blood.

"Hmm…another female has fed you." Her eyes were glowing and her expression going from playful; to full on bitch mode. "She's half immortal as well?"

Sihn managed to stand fully upright as the claw marks inflicted on him began to heal Ready to take on whatever kind of frontal attack or curse she would try and bring upon him. Kaya was not one to be taken lightly; she was stubborn and easily jealous. He stared at her, her shoulder length dark brown hair a mess from their earlier actions and her naked body partially covered from the blanket she was using. A vision of beauty to some but to Sihn she was a demon in disguise hell-bent on making his life a living hell.

"You must let me meet her, how about we invite her to the gathering tomorrow night?" She smiled biting her bottom lip. "I would love to feed from her as well. Her blood seems so rejuvenating to you, almost as if you love her." She stepped forward and like a quick reflex Sihn stepped back tensing.

"Why would I do that? She is half human, she will not be welcomed."

"We will make her feel welcomed. She will be out guest of honor my love." She spoke softly dropping the sheet that covered her and moving towards Sihn; pressing her naked body against his bare chest; with the smell of sex coming off of her once again. "Take me Sihn."

Like a whipped dog Sihn lifted her up into his arms and carried her back into the bedroom as she wrapped her legs and arms around him tightly.

The sun rose with a vengeance burning my eyes when I turned a certain way. Granted I got no real sleep throughout the night but still. When you've been staring outside of a window for majority of the time and something new catches your glance you can't help but feel caught off guard a little by it. Turning over once again I placed the pillow back over my face. Only to have it removed by Clary.

"Good morning sleepyhead." Clary was smiling with a cup of coffee in her hand and her hair tide up into a messy bun. "How'd you sleep?" She sat down next to me allowing me to prop my feet up onto her lap.

"As good as I'll ever sleep." I sighed.

"Still thinking about Sihn?" She frowned.

"Is it that obvious?"

She nodded.

"Ugghhh!!! I mean what do I care?! He has a female! A very beautiful female!" I yelled in anger.

"Well to be honest hun, if he actually cared about that female he would've marked her, yet he marked you. So wouldn't it be smart to have the story straight?" She sipped her coffee and winked.

Just as I was about to reply to her statement a knock came to her door and with quick reflexes we somehow both managed to pull out a weapon…knives to be exact. We both got up and walked slowly to the door careful to make sure that the wooden floors didn't creak. I moved slowly cracking it and peaked out only to see an elderly man, dressed like a butler.

"Umm…" I looked at Clary and gave her the okay that it wasn't a threat and opened the door wider to show her. "How can I help you?"

"Hello madams. I am Julard; I am the servant to his Lordship Sihn son of Ragal. He has sent me to give this to you." He handed me a tan parchment with a red marking seal on it.

"What is this?" I asked confused looking at it.

"It is an invitation miss." Julard answered smiling.

"We can see that butler man." Clary replied sarcastically. "Open it Mari."

I opened the parchment ripping the seal open.

To Mariana,

You are invited to a gathering at the Haven. You may bring one guest with you. Please dress presentable. You shall be the guest of honor. A welcoming into the Haven.

Sincerely,

Sihn son of Ragal

"Wow, pretty straight forward." Clary laughed a little take the parchment from my hand as I looked at the butler's smiling face as if he had more to say to us.

"Something else I presume?" I glared at him.

"You are very sharp miss, just as the master said. I do indeed have something else to give to the both of you." He moved to the side as two females dressed in black maid like outfits stepped forward and into the room carrying two dresses.

"What are these?" She asked dropping the parchment and following the girls over to the couch where they draped the dresses.

"Your dresses ma'am. One is for Lady Clary from Master Rhain and the other is for you miss from Lady Kaya." The butler smiled stepping in and closing the door behind him as we both stared mouths opened wide at the dresses. "Open them up ladies."

As the maids unzipped the covers over the dresses Clary let out a slight gasp of excitement quickly covered her mouth with her hands trying to hide her giant smile as she looked at the red halter top dress that Rhain had gotten her and I just stared at the black silk dress that laid before me.

Confused by it all I had to ask. "Julard?"

"Yes ma'am?"

"Who is Kaya?" I looked at him and then back at the dress.

"Ah yes, Lady Kaya is the Mistress of his Majesty King Sihn. His Queen in waiting if I must put it bluntly." He smiled through his bushy grey mustache.

"A witch to be more exact ma'am." One of the maids added on.

I looked back at them unconsciously grabbing my wrist with the insignia on it. "Oh…I see."

Clary must've noticed my mood changing because she quickly found a way to change the subject quickly. "So why are you guys still here?" She laughed.

"Oh yes we are to help get you ready and escort you to the gathering ourselves Miss Clary." Julard replied.

"Yeah, that won't be necessary Julard. We can dress ourselves and drive ourselves." She smiled pushing them all towards the door as they tried to push back and talk but she ignored every word and got them out the door with a shut and lock.

I could feel her eyes on me as I kept my eyes on the dress before me. Part of me felt like my heart had been stabbed and then ripped out and stomped on and another part of me wished I had kept my distance from all of those vampires. All in all…the one person I needed to see was Roach.

Before I could let Clary get a word in I quickly got my boots on along with my coat and scarf and headed for the door and out. Knowing it was dangerous to go out in the day I decided to use the vampire side of my powers and pick a shadowy spot to materialize in. Just needed to clear my head and focus which was damn near close to impossible when all my thoughts flooded with Sihn. Damn it. Just focus Mari. Focus. Focus.

Over and over I repeated the words to myself until I could feel myself materializing and when I opened my eyes I was standing in Roach's living room. I let out a sigh of relief since part of me thought I wouldn't be able to do it and would probably appear in Sihn's room interrupting whatever sex fun fest he may be having with his "queen." I let my body relax but just as I did I heard the front door locks being turned and looked up trying to wipe away the tears but they just kept coming.

And then…

"Mariana?" Roach looked at me shocked with groceries in his hand and a pretty blonde girl behind him looking just as shocked.

"Baby who is this?" She asked looking at me and then to him.

"I'm sorry. I should've called ahead of time." I tried to smile wiping my eyes. "I'm his little sister."

"Sister?" She looked up at him.

"Yeah, look how about you go put these away in the kitchen love and I'll see why my "SISTER" decided to drop by unannounced and crying." He smiled at her and pecked her cheek before sending her into the kitchen and closing the front door locking it.

"Nice to meet you." I tried to keep holding a smile as she disappeared down the hall.

Roach looked at me waiting for an explanation and I knew he wouldn't let me leave without one.

"Can we go down into the lab to talk about this?" I asked pulling the book to open the wall down to the lab.

As we walked down I could hear him sighing and making sure the door closed behind us and then finally when we got to the lab I took off my hoodie and scarf and sat down in my feeding chair staring at his dark brown eyes that filled with worry.

"Tell me what happened?" He started grabbing a chair and pulling it up to me. His hands held mine as he kept his eyes on me.

With a sigh and a shudder I began to explain to him everything that took place after I left his house that day of my feeding…every detail and mistake.

The Gathering was drawing closer as I watched from a shaded window the sun lowering in the distance of the outskirts mountains. I had made sure that Kaya was well satisfied well into the early mornings of the day and then took her to her own room for the rest of the day. Though of course that didn't stop her from having Julard send Mari and Clary their dresses for tonight.

Before I could let out a silent curse a knock came at my door. "Master, it is I Julard."

I walked over to the door and opened it to see the old man standing there waiting. Stepping aside I let him in as he walked in swiftly and I shut the door behind him. Julard was my most trusted servant, I had known him since I was a child and through the years he has kept watch over me and guided me. Though the years weren't kind to him he aged much faster than I did…the life of a human indebted to a vampire family. We had given him the gift of eternity though that would only last until my life ended. Then if I were to have children he would have to pass the eternity unto someone else of his choosing.

"Young master your bath is ready." Julard spoke up interrupting my thoughts, he had already started the bath and laid out fresh clothes for me to where tonight.

"Right." I smiled running my hand through my silver hair and making my way to the bathroom.

"Oh yes, I delivered the dresses as the Mistress asked." He spoke stopping me in my steps.

"You did? How did they like them?"

"Well Miss Clary loved her gift from Master Rhain, but Miss Mariana seemed less pleased with hers." He replied cuffing his chin. "I would assume that it was because the dress itself was from Lady Kaya."

I bite my lip in anger. My blood was beginning to boil again and my body tensed. I could only imagine what she could be thinking now. How she probably wouldn't even show up to the Gathering now because of everything that has happened which would be perfect if she didn't. Her safety from Kaya would make him very happy at this point at least until Kaya left.

"Young Master." Julard was now standing in front of me.

"Yes Julard?" I rubbed my eyes trying to relax.

"May I speak freely?"

"Of course Julard, you are the only one besides my brothers that I would allow to do so." I looked at him.

"I have known you since you were a boy young Master and I have never once seen you react the way you do when it comes to Miss Mariana." He began. "So as your butler I can't tell you what to do but as someone who has grown to see you as a son, I would tell you to not let her get away. She is after all your mate." He smiled and stepped aside allowing me to go into the bathroom.

With a slight grin I nodded. "You always know exactly what to say old man."

"Thank you My Lord." He bowed.

Roach stared at me his face a mixture of anger and more anger. I didn't know how to console him since there was a lot I was keeping from him. He ran his fingers through his messy black hair and then stood up.

"So what are you going to do?" He asked.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me princess. What are you going to do? You've been marked which to be honest is a lot to take in but you got this guy by the balls…literally. And whoever this Kaya bitch can't possibly compare to you." He came leaned into me. "So go knock em dead princess."

"You can't seriously expect me to go there in that dress by that woman can you?"

Roach sighed and scratched his head frantically. "Okay! Look I get it, you don't like the bitch but seriously I mean what else can you do? They are literally opening their doors to you poppet."

I looked away from him as he smiled. It's not like you gotta live there Mari, its one night. Though I'd much rather you didn't go. I can't stop you. I can't make you go either. All I can do is tell you that if that high and mighty king does anything to hurt you I will kick his ass because no one makes you cry and gets away with it." He held my face in his hands softly.

"Fine."

"Good now I hate to be a dick and kick you out but we have been down here for like almost 5 hours and I'm pretty sure ma 'lady friend is wondering where the hell we are." He hurried me up and hugged me tight.

"Yeah I'm sure she's just dying to get into bed with you." I spoke sarcastically putting my hoodie on and scarf.

"You know me, I gotta get my fun in while I'm still young and free."

I laughed a little and then dematerialized from him.

Roach rubbed his head and then let out a burst of anger slamming his fist onto the titanium table making a dent into it.

"Good job Roach just push her right into his arms." He said to himself heading back up the stairs.

I materialized at my door just as night had settled over the city of Vespera. When I opened it I saw Clary had already put her dress on. It looked really tight on her. Her red hair in curls ascending down her shoulders and really working the dark eye shadow and dark lipstick with the dress. I couldn't help but smile at her as I closed the door behind me.

"Well?" She did a little turn.

"Nice. Guess Rhain really knows what looks good on you." I replied taking my hoodie and scarf off.

"Yeah I guess. Okay your turn." She hurried over to me in her heels and pulled me into her room grabbing the dress along the way.

After a long grueling process of torturous hair washing and make up doing and hair doing she was done and turned me toward her mirror. It was like looking at a completely different person. My black hair was tossed into a curly mess bun with small strands falling over my shoulders, my make-up made me feel like a clown with how heavily she did everything. I had to beg her to let me just do the natural look. Then came the dress it fit in all the right places and ended at the floor if it wasn't for the heels Clary gave me.

"You look great." She spoke from behind me.

"Yeah…don't look great though." I replied stumbling as I tried to walk in the heels.

"You'll be fine Mari. I'll be there with you. Now let's go." She smiled pulling me with her towards the door.

The entire ride there I tried to calm myself and at times caught myself tracing my fingers over the insignia that of course I asked Clary to cover up with some concealer.

"We're here." Clary said excitedly.

I took in a deep breath and exhaled.

Breathe Mari. Just breathe.