Life wasn’t easy…that was something everyone felt every day of their dying lives. The carnival ride that only ended when one’s soul moved on. When you’re the eldest son who was passed over because of a girl…life was worse than one would expect. Yes, he was still born with a title and possibly more rights than most 23 year olds had but he was still looked down upon, still forced to hear how he would never be able to live up to his sister and all her glory.

They had lived the same bloody lives! Both witnessed the loss of their parents, both having been abused by the same man who was supposed to protect them…both losing their first loves and children…yet, they had such different classes. She looked upon as if she were the bloody Queen and he…looked upon as if he was nothing more than a footman to a butler.

Zak stood on the balcony, dreading his sister’s wedding day, knowing he would have to attend…He didn’t think he could do it anymore. Standing there while listening to their beloved Grandmama go on about how perfect his sister was, how she wished their parents were there to see how beautiful their daughter had grown into a woman. It sickened Zak to no end; hearing how bloody perfect she was in the eyes of the family when he knew full well the woman she turned out. The vindictive, cold, murderous bitch who knew how to play the game and just who to keep in her back pocket; she really was perfect for someone who was just as deadly…or someone as stupid as Radio.

Zak gripped the glass and it shattered in his hand, the deep red blood running down his hand and onto the marble balcony ledge. He had lived a harder life than she had and yet…no one cared! No one cared that he busted his ass to become the best damn doctor in Europe, no one cared when they found out that he was the one who was forced to watch his nephew die minutes after he was set on Zak’s operating table. No one gave a rat’s ass about the Eldest son. After all…the eldest always went dark. It’s how it has always been…so why give the poor bastard a chance?

If they want dark…they can bloody well have it.

His British accent was thick and heavy with pent up rage and frustration as he stared out into the cold night. Looking over his shoulder, he watched as Nova played with Lila, his mood lightening just a little at the smiles on their faces. They were the only family he had now…the minute he made the choice to turn his back on his ‘perfect’ sister. It felt weird, having always been there to protect her and now…wanting nothing more than to destroy her.

He looked back out into the night sky, knowing she would try to pull the ‘I saved your life!’ card but…they were 13 and all she did was put an arrow into the man’s head. Not that she really saved him by any means. He had been taking it from the man for years before that and…she had taken his revenge from him. Zak had wanted nothing more than to kill the man himself…prove to his ‘grandfather’ that he was much, much more than anyone in the family could ever imagine.

Zak?

The vampire turned back around to look at his lover, Azrael.

Azrael frowned and walked over, his hand resting against Zak’s cheek, causing the man to lean into the other’s touch, Are you alright?

Naturally, my dear, what would make you think otherwise?

You’ve been out here a while.

Zak smiled and cupped Azrael’s face, kissing him softly, Just thinking, love, nothing to worry.

Nova smiled and pulled his hand away from his lover’s cheek, Don’t be out here much longer, Lila will be going to bed soon.

The vampire smiled and watched Nova walk back inside, shutting the door behind him as to keep the cold out. There was much more than just his birthright at play; it was as if he could feel the same darkness that caused his uncle to kill his own brother scratching at the back of his mind. Zak wasn’t stupid, he wasn’t about to cause his own sister’s death but he wasn’t about to watch her destroy all that he had done while she went out, doing as she pleased. No…his honored revenge would come when the time was right but for now, he would just bide his time and let the pieces fall into place.