A Curse of Fate

Chapter 2

My whole life I was trained for one purpose, to kill the beings of a supernatural nature, but after learning what the council really wanted from me, I knew that I was only trained to fight was because they needed to see what kind of broodstock they were getting. Max had been right the whole time. Now as I walked beside him to meet the rest of his family, I was terrified about what could happen to me. They all must know by now that he was meant to have been my first official target, the kill to induct me into the Armories ranks, but instead, I found out how much they had lied to me about.

Dracula or Count as everyone seemed to call him was more cheerful than a squirrel on a sugar rush. He would look back at me and max every so often and just smile at us, then giggle as he turned back around. That was unnerving, to say the least, Max looked relaxed and kept his arm around me, completely unaffected by his father’s behavior. As we walked into the dining room we heard laughter, followed by a loud call for someone to pay up. “I told you that he would snap her out of it so pay up, smart guy.” one of Max’s sister's stated. “I thought she would be able to do it though I mean really how long did they have under their control, and come on he is a total wu…” before his brother could finish the sentence Max had him in the air with on hand while the other handed his sister the wad of cash that he had been holding. “Now Hector I know you didn’t just say I was a wuss, cause I’d have to defend my honor with my bride in the room and we all know what will happen if I do.” Max taunted at his rather upset and color challenged sibling, color getting bluer every second. “Put your brother down Maximus, I don't want my new daughter in law to assume you were raised by wolves.” the Count lectured as at his to sons who were literally at each others’ throats, about 4 feet in the air. The pair finally let each other go as their father followed his previous statement with a growl that had the hair on Elaina’s neck stand up. “Sorry Father” the said in unison as the sank to the floor, with their sister's snickering at them from across the table. “Now Maximus properly introduce your bride, before I get the urge to strangle you and your brother.” Dracula said as he sank into the ornate chair at the head of the table shaking his head. “ As you wish Father, Everyone this is Elaina she is my bride, don't be embarrassing, or weird. She needs a bit of support, in joining our family she lost hers.” Max said as he presented me by holding me in front of him, glaring at his siblings who began to crowd around me, in the blink of an eye. “Well she is just gorgeous” One sister exclaimed as she pulled me in for a hug, the next yanked me into her arms “ She reminds me of mom, looks like someone got dad’s taste in women.” She winked as the last sister snatched me and hugged me close, “Don’t worry you a Temps now and you have all our support.” At this point Max’s brother rushed in and got an evil look on his face. “And as a Temps you should know we are all a bit crazy” He then proceeded to grab me, throw me over his shoulder and run, yelling out, “Keep away from Maxxy!” And off we went, the other siblings following as we shot around the castle, What did I get myself into? I was bounced from sibling to sibling as they threw me at each other. I didn’t see anything of the castle as it all went by me in a blur. “Why are we playing this game?” I shouted into Hector’s ear, He winced as he turned to look at me, “Family tradition, Dad’s kin do this whenever the newest brings home their bride, even when it was a man.” he stated cheerfully as he continued to run up the tower steps. 

Max came flying up behind his brother, gently snatching me and then kicking his brother off the tower in the same movement. “Serves you right jerkface”, Max shouted down at his falling brother. “Is he gonna be ok? That's a long fall, won’t you dad be mad if he dies?” I asked as I peered down the side of the tower, “Na he's gonna be fine we used to jump off of it for fun, and Dad tossed us over a couple times.” I nodded as I turned to face Max, “So how are we getting down, cause I'm not using the express “ I said as I pointed down the side of the tower, only to be snatched up again.

 Max had us back to the dinning hall in no time, smiling as he sped his fathers side. “Well family tradition completed, thank you for not embarrassing me everyone.” He said, glaring at his brother and father. “Then it's time to eat, so everyone should take their seats.” the count stated as the servants brought in trays of food and jugs of spiced wine. “Don’t drink any of the wine, it's laced with blood. You’ll get your own jug.” Max’s youngest sister started as she sat next to me. “Thank you” I said as my plate was filled for me by Max with the advice of the count himself. “My name is Lila. I am so happy you decided to stay with us, Max hasn’t been right since you left.” She said as she tore apart what looked like a hunk of wild boar on her plate. “Oh and across from you is Sophia, and next to dad is Ann, her full name is not advisaded she hates it.” Lila giggled as a wad of bread hit her in the head from Ann’s direction. 

The food was delicious and beyond comparison to what I had grown up on in the councils house. Cooking was not a skill that many of the councils men or women learned as they saw it as frivolous and a waste of time. Even during holidays the food was plain and in calculated portions that were designed to ensure an ideal size from everyone. I watched how Max interacted with his family and how they cherished him, I could have taken him from them. The thought popped into my head as I admired the family, something I had little experience with. Growing up I was often alone or in my fathers cold presence, he was not a warm person. He expected everyone to be perfect at all times, there was no room for weakness, especially from women. He always said that my mother had been weak to survive and that's why he remarried so quickly when she died. I need a strong partner who will raise you morally and physically right. The only thing he ever said about her.

“Elaina?”Max asked looking down at me, I shook myself “Sorry lost in thought” I said. “Dad asked if you were trained in riding” he said, he kept the concerned look on his face. “Yes I was trained to be adept at all forms of transportation, to ensure the safety of a mission.” I said as a reflex. Even Max flinched, “That sounds like a lot of training for a child.” The count said as he looked at me with a softened expression. “I hope you will join me tomorrow morning, as a tradition of the Temps family line that all  members have horses in the stable at all times.” He said smiling at my reaction, I was grinning from ear to ear “We have kept to the tradition, even now. There are a few horse farms in the area who are bringing a few horses up for my annual clinic.” I must have appeared confused because everyone laughed “Dad setup veterinary clinics throughout the year for different animals, he wanted to help the farmers in the area keep everyone healthy” Ann explained as she sliced her meal apart with a surgeon's level precision. I looked over at the count “You are gonna give me a horse?” I asked in utter awe at the man before me. “Of course, you are the newest daughter of the Temps family, we must outfit you with every tradition and right that we still practice” I stated proudly, flashing that hypnotizing smile. “ We have omitted some for the safety of the males in the line, as they were crude and dehumanizing” Ann and her sisters glared at their father, who couldn’t look them in the eye “ I didn’t follow them. That was your grandfather. Your mother beat him with a skillet when she found out that he wanted her and her daughters to follow them.” He said in his own defense laughing at the memory which had everyone at the table laughing. “She was well known by the whole clan after that, your uncles would walk a straight line whenever she was with me. And when she was pregnant your grandfather looked up everything he could about the newest child rearing trends to get on her good side. He respected and feared her more than my own mother.” He finished with a smile on his lips and tears in his eyes.

“Mom was the best, she would do anything to give us the life we wanted, and to give us the same footing the boys got.” Sophia said as she whipped her own eyes. “Now lets not mope, she would be pissed if she knew you were crying over her.” Hector said as he covered up his moist eyes with a grin. Everyone smiled after that, eyes dried.I wish I could have memories like that of my mother. I had the chance to know that I knew my so called father had lied to me about her death. Maybe I will meet her and learn why I am the way I am and why the council wanted me.

 After dinner dessert was served and I couldn’t even finish the divine cake that was served, its chocolaty goodness lulled me  into sleep before I could even leave the table. I heard the count call to Max, “You'd best get her to your new room son. You're in the north wing of the castle now, your mother decorated the rooms herself. I think she knew what to expect with who you'd eventually bring home.” Later I learned that the northing was meant to be Max’s family wing designed by his mother, just before she left them.She had the gift of foresight and would make plans all her own for things that wouldn’t happen for years to come. “Thank you father” Max said I could hear the joy and tears in his voice, “ Love time to go to bed.” He said as he gently lifted me into his arms and began walking out the door, his family wishing me a goodnight, as I faded deeper into sleep. The last thing I remember is being set on a soft bed and hearing Max say “She made it perfect for us.” With that I was asleep in his arms.