Weep for yourself, my man,

You’ll never be what is in your heart

Weep Little Lion Man,

You’re not as brave as you were at the start

Just as we step inside Evelyn stands there, her arms crossed. She looks pissed. Elijah looks down, knowing the storm is coming. I set my jaw and look up at her, meeting her eyes. She glares at me but I don’t flinch.

“Where were you two?” She asks.

“What does it matter to you Evelyn.” I reply.

I see anger boil in her eyes, making them appear more crimson. “You do not speak to your queen that way.” She says quietly.

“You are not my queen. You remind me every day I’m not a real vampire, and last I recall, you’re the queen of vampires.”

“Watch that tongue before I rip it out.” She steps towards me.

Rate yourself and rake yourself,

Take all the courage you have left

Wasted on fixing all the problems

That you made in your own head

“Mother, stop, please.” Elijah whispers, stepping between us. “It is my fault, mother. I took her into the catacombs while you were gone.”

I can see his body tremble softly in front of me. I bite my tongue, my fang pricking the soft tissue. I hated Evelyn for how she treated Elijah. Just because he didn’t want to run around and…I don’t know…kill puppies or whatever, didn’t give her a reason to treat him badly. Evelyn stops and flicks her eyes to her youngest son.

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn’t I, my dear?

Didn’t I, my…

“Elijah Ambrose,” Evelyn looks her son up and down, “you are a fool. It is time you start acting like the prince you are, not some weakling. I do not want you being friends with our ward anymore. You are to interact with her only in passing and as required during ceremonies. She is betrothed to your brother anyway. There is no reason for you to be nice to her.”

Tremble for yourself, my man,

You know that you have seen this all before

Tremble Little Lion Man,

You’ll never settle any of your scores

“Mother, please don’t-“ He begins.

“If you know what’s good for you, child, you will do as your mother instructs.” A deep, dark voice speaks from the shadows.

Lucedio, the king, steps forward next to his wife. His silver eyes, the ones Elijah inherited, look down at us. They have a sharpness to them that Elijah’s don’t, like the steel in the blacksmith’s shop.

Your grace is wasted in your face,

Your boldness stands alone among the wreck

Now learn from your mother or else spend your days Biting your own neck

“Yes, father.” Elijah whispers.

I look at Elijah and his eyes are tinged red. They pierce my own and I feel my heart fall. My only friend is now forbidden to be my friend. I am alone now, and it is all my fault. If I hadn’t asked about the catacombs last week, he never would have taken my down there.

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

Evelyn takes Elijah by the shoulder and leads him down the hall. The King stands there, staring at me.

“You are my ward. You are not here on a play date. Your parent’s abandoned you, do not forget, they hate you. They, along with the rest of your witch kind want you dead for what you are. We were kind enough to take you in and let you live. If Elijah fails his duty because of you, I will not hesitate to exact correct punishment.” He says.

I really fucked it up this time

Didn’t I, my dear?

I say nothing, but let my eyes burn into him. I don’t care if he knows I hate him. If I knew how, I’d kill him on the spot now. He turns and disappears back into the shadows. I remember the alchemy station and wand, the whispers of…whatever telling me the secrets of the witches. I’ll figure out a way to kill him and Evelyn and the witches, my family, who want me dead. I may have fangs like a vampire and a living body and powers like a witch, but I wasn’t some freak half-breed. I will get strong and I’ll show them all they were wrong.