The Immortalized Heart (Book 2 Original version)
Truth beneath the Lie

Kira ran the events of that day over and over and overuntil it was burned into her eye-lids. Every time she watched the hateful anddisgusted gaze of those eyes pierce her very soul. 'That person's' gaze thatheld no emotion towards her; completely voided of Kira's existence. Ascommander she disappeared from their sight, but now things were different andin the future it would not be avoided. Even her message given to Catherine wasworded and designed to see how they would react because Kira has had doubtssince the beginning. Ian's arm was in a sling and had a hard case over it andhe would be out of the field for a couple weeks.

As horrible as Kira felt abouthurting her brother, it was the only way to keep him alive and now Syndicate controls a side-branch building towards the outskirts of London. A small priceto pay for his life that she was willing to accept and gladly so. Now it was amatter of whose side she was on: vampire or humanity, rather what she was goingto use to protect humanity. Ian didn't talk about the skeleton-masked vampire,rather Kira didn't bring it up because she couldn't bear hearing what herbrother thought of her.

After lunch, brother returned to work and Kira toOctave, with school completed she was able to fulfill her promise andtherefore would act on her own from now on. Kira would get revenge because'she' wanted to, not because she was suppose to; she would force this world toacknowledge her and in the future become a force to be reckon with! Johnnoticed Kira's growing progression, but the lack of conviction to 'kill' out ofrevenge continued to be absent. She was not meant for that--she was tookind-hearted for that, rather if she applied herself to a goal worth fightingfor, something that would make her happy she could obtain great strength, itstill would not be enough however.

Kira switched her sunglasses to small goggles whenshe wasn't around her brother because people would be less-inclined to removethem. Triss treated the night of the meeting as if it never happened, butbecame more hesitant at supplying Kira with blood tablets. Drew passed aglorified invitation to Kira and explained that she would go as well, as aSyndicate operative to protect Lady Elisabeth. Kira chuckled at being on theflip side of a coin, how different things between the light and dark and yetwho can tell which is light and which is dark? Kira saw this as the perfectopportunity, but alas she would not violate the demand--she would remain out of'that person's' sight until 'they' came to her.

Crawling back like a woundedanimal is not an action Kira was about to do. Once again it is a Masquerade Ball,but it would be held at the Nation's castle, high in the mountains of what wasonce an Ancestor's kingdom; the strongest of families ruled there during a timelong past. I remember when I was told the ball was held at the main house forme. Kira chuckled half-heartedly--wasn't that a lie too? Hei designed themasks for the ball and it was found ironic that her's was a mask that reflectedthe previous ball's demonic design and her single-eye problem. Many people Kirarecognized from last year, having the realization that they were Syndicate brought the suspicions that everyone could be an enemy at one point or another.

Catherine was on the same flight, rather Kira was the only 'human' (howeversmall) on a private jet with two Purebloods, an ex-human, and however you countElisabeth. Kira did not enjoy fighting the urge to rip out Catherine's throat,but reading quelled her rage--Life of Pi. Apparently Alucard asked for Kirato be on the flight, he probably sensed the irregularity when they met and wasfascinated. He engaged in conversation, which is not like a Pureblood at allbecause they are proud beings who know all submit to them. Kira seemed immuneto such fear of strength, rather she was amazed by it.

'Do you have any gifts?' The Pureblood asked.

Kira shook her head, shutting her book and resting iton her lap.

'I'm sure you do, it just hasn't manifested yet. Afterall, our gifts are said to reflect our soul...' He chuckles, 'Or thelack of one.'

Kira smiles. 'If I did have one, i'm sure it would have manifested by now.'

He laughed sipping his crimson drink, a scent Kiraexcused herself from, 'I would not be so certain. Our gifts tend to manifest during times of great emotional experience, sometimes for the better, others for the else.'

Elisabeth followed quickly and comforted as theDemi-human downed more tablets. Cheap trick her father played, he was testinghis theory: that woman has yet to drink human blood. Her family is full ofassholes, but supposedly they were good people--bullshit, but whatever. Theyarrived the day of the ball and would leave two days later, but Kira knew sheonly had enough tablets for less than that and it would be worse with thetemptation of the ball.

Elisabeth was to meet Jake, accompanied by Kira theywould enter the ball and from there Elisabeth said Kira could do what shewanted. Wherever this faith in the Demi-human came from it was misplaced--Kiradidn't think she deserved such trust; she wanted to kill her mother after all.The castle was huge and very-old, yet despite its rough outside the inside wasstate-of-the-art and to no surprise because this was originally 'that person's'home.

"Lizzy!"

Kira kept a distance between them, she didn't wantJake to see her this way, to know she was even here. If people knew...she wouldbe regarded as a traitor and more people would die before she met her end--Kiraplanned for it to be by her own hand. Jake greeted Kira as well, but insteadof relief she felt hollow--he didn't recognize her, not by scent not bypresence; she keeps forgetting that she isn't the same person and has becomesomething distorted.

Weaving thru the crowd Mozart caught her eye as he playedwith the orchestra and Kira thought when returning to London she would take upthe violin again. The mass of vampires halted, all turning their sights totheir queen: Eona Nightraven, third proceeder of the Vampire Nation. Kira couldnot help, but be captivated by her beauty, she hasn't changed a bit. Theradiance was no different from back then, but Kira could tell that the smileshe gave was false--it was the same as she gave to the queen. What reason wasthere for her to feel that way? Of course it could be a trick, Kira didn't knowwhat the queen was thinking after all and always misunderstood her words andactions--everything was an act to entertain her remember.

Who would love herworthless self? Emily did. Kira turned away and made it behind a pillar--herchest felt tight and every part of her body was hot. Why is it every time thishappens its always her? Vanishing, then reappearing in an empty hallway Kirafelt dizzy and almost fell. The feelings she had back then were falseweren't they? Just a projection of an admiration gone haywire. Kira did not want that to be the case--they say the heart grows fonder with distance; away from the queen's influence those feelings had not disappeared.

She resumed hermission, he was around here somewhere and it would be a matter of replaceing himand 'calmly' asking and answering. From behind a gust had her move to theright. Wolfgang unsheathed his sword and prepared to fight--this person moveswell, an assassin no doubt. Finding him was easier than she thought, butconvincing him was another matter.

Kira frowned annoyed, "I just came to talk, asshole."

Wolfgang attacked again, "Those who are banished do not return just to 'talk'."

Kira grabbed the swords's blade and ripped it from hissurprised grip. Now it was hand-to-hand and fighting him with this curse waswhat saved her. He was seventy-percent serious, otherwise this would be animpossible fight. Wolfgang did not believe that this was Kira, she moved fartoo quickly, had strength that matched his own and moved entirely differently.He had a hard time keeping up. Kira exhibits signs of being a vampire, yet herscent and aura is emits human.

His arm was grabbed and the rest of his bodyfollowed when thrown across the hallway. The mask she wore dropped on theground, a quick-ditch effort to throw off her aim. Wolfgang jumped at seeingher eyes--has she become a Ghoul?! Kira took up his sword and walked swiftlybefore he could recover--aimed at his neck Wolfgang could not move withoutlosing his head.

"I'm going ask you something and you have toanswer me honesty."

Wolfgang snorted, "And if I don't?"

Kira flipped the blade to the handle facing Wolfgangand returned the weapon. Nothing would happen, she would just replace out anotherway. Suspicious of her intentions Wolfgang led her to familiar ground andlocked the door behind.

"You're foolish to come here--"

Kira cut him off, "When have I ever cared what you thought about me?"

The Commander-of-Guard fell silent.

"You would have killed me." Kira began,"I know you, if I really posed a threat to Eona's life then you wouldhave killed me without hesitation or care for the consequence."

Kira leaned against the table.

"Wolfgang...you've been with her since she wasborn and cared for her as your daughter. While I only cared abouther duty you always wanted her to be happy, honestly its no wonder you hateme."

She understood back then, but was so conceited withbeing a servant, with maintaining her life as is Kira ignored those wishes. Itwas selfish and the act of a coward and there is nothing that can undo allthat; that is if the truth is as it seems.

"Why...was I really banished?"

Wolfgang did not hesitate in answering, "It was to protect you, an action that failed itseems."

Eona, Wolfgang, and Emily were the only ones to know.Afraid, after Kira degraded into a Ghoul, that Eona's lust would only hurt herprecious again or worse the queen decided it would be best if Kira stayed away. Shewanted her human to have freedom, to live a normal life and not to risk herlife out of 'duty'. To keep Kira away would be no easy task however, she wasloyal to Eona and never doubted her words, but at the same time it would be amatter of how she would react.

She has become dependent on her existence behindthe queen and doesn't want to change, but that cannot be. Emily was the onlyoption, she didn't even need to ask because the doctor was already in love withKira and would do anything to keep her happy. Eona could hardly stand givingaway her love to Emily, but to keep her safe, to keep her happy this smallamount of pain was necessary. Telling all of this was also necessary; Emilydied, the plan failed and now Kira is no longer human, or fully one.

"Is that so?" Kira whispered.

Then it wasn't a dream, it wasn't false; everythingfelt before was 'Kira' and not a projection. They were hers, belonging to heralone and to this day they had not changed--they only hid themselves. Emily wasthe woman she loved and will always love and those feelings were for only her, butthe other part of Kira's heart yearned for Eona nonetheless. Even when shethought Eona hated her, Kira never returned that emotion, she never was able tohate her, no matter how many times she was betrayed or abandoned. Thosefeelings have not changed at least.

"What will you do now?" He asked.

Wolfgang didn't know what to make of Kira who hasbecome a half-human, half-vampire. Those beings are not suppose to exist,rather its impossible for one to be born.

"I can't be with her...not the way I am now..."

Once again Kira is being cruel, is denying the queenher happiness. The happiness she is obligated to return after what has beendone for her. Wolfgang knows this, but understands what Kira wants: she can'tforgive the people who killed Emily, but she wants more for the queen, shewants to protect her again. The demi-human pulls back her hair revealing the largeportion of white in her color--Wolfgang's eyes widened.

"I don't know how long I have honestly. Whatever Emily did to keep me alive--it changed my body, into something no one understands." Kira said, "With whatever time I have left--I want to use it for Eona's sake; to create a place where she doesn't have to fight anymore."

Kira gave a withering smile, knowing now that she hassomething to protect again is what will give her the conviction she needs. Itwon't just be for Eona, but herself, Kira will kill anyone who tries takes awayher happiness--it will start with Emily's killer.

"Would it not be better to live with Eona again?Giving her some joy if your end is near--"

"I can't...I don't--she shouldn't see me like this, whatever this is." Kira shook her head.

Wolfgang would not tell Eona of their reunion. Shecould not know of any of this, nonetheless it would be worse if she found outKira has dealings with Syndicate, for that matter it was good Wolfgang didn'tknow. The eye returned to its sky blue, just after more tablets were consumed.

Wolfgang noticed the shade of her iris, "You have yet to drink blood?"

"Human blood, I was injured pretty bad because ofan AVW and was forced to drink another vampire's blood."

Kira sighed, sliding the case back into her pocket.

"These don't do much, I still have a significantcraving for a specific type, but I don't know which it why."

Wolfgang folds his arms, "Its Eona's;she's the same towards you, though she hides it I can tell how much she'ssuffering."

Kira wants the queen's suffering to end, she wants togo back into those arms, but things won't be as they were before. I loveEmily, but I'm in-love with Eona. The two depart ways, Wolfgang said he willhelp however he can, but it would be difficult to hide it, yet not impossible.It seems a lot of things now a days are possible. Kira rejoined the party andno longer felt burdened nor shamed to stand before Eona. Just as last year sherejected every person to ask for her hand in dance and this made Kira happy. Atleast one of them didn't change and she was grateful it was Eona.

From acrossthe Grand Hall she watched, knowing how frustrating it must be for her. It wasfor both of them, especially since Kira could not control her thirst. She was suffering with this for ten years. Mozart played the same arrangement as last year, a composition Kira motioned herfingers to. At last she could take no more and decided to repeat history onethat many people remembered.

Time between them was frozen, as Kira approachedthe throne and once again all were in aw at the aura she emitted because tothem it was alien. She did not stop at the bottom of the throne as before--Kirawas not a lowly human servant, not to the queen, not to anyone and only haltedwhen she was directly in front of her. Eona has never been the short for fancydresses, but instead of last year's fiery red she wore a deep navy blue; itdidn't suit her.

'My lady...' Kira offered her hand, 'Would you care todance?'

Their whispers compared the suitor to that of last year--Mr.Nobody.Eona stared at the person before her, a slender woman that was sure to be anathlete based upon the stride she took when walking up the stairs. She wore anold-English noble men's coat, but there was not a trace of noble-cy found inher voice. Many of them have an arrogant way of speech or one could tell wherethey are from based on the words or accent. She had a formal way of speaking,but regardless who she is she is probably another spy from Syndicate and Eonais in no mood to appease them. Kira watched her love's facial features and gatheredshe probably thought this woman in front of her was a spy of sorts. Its no surprise she didn'trecognize Kira's scent...no one would because its purity had been tainted.

The suited retracted her hand, 'That's unfortunate, Idid enjoy our last dance.' Eona hesitated.

The suitor stepped down leaving a fainttrail of Cherry Blossoms. As she walked the vampires came closer, wanting toknow this person, wanting to embrace the delightful and unique scent. Her angerflared at their greed and for a moment she allowed her inner demon to fluctuateand ward off those around. It did more then repel them it also made them jumpand step back, a reaction she did not expect. Little did Kira know that whatthey felt was not what she thought--a sinister evil.