Dark Realm

Chapter 1
Katharina
I looked up into Lady Kyraa’s glinting violet eyes; they were gentle at the moment, lacking her usual fierceness. The vampire was still talking but I had stopped listening. My father had decided my life, sealed my fate for me, made an oath with Keagyn, an Elder Demon. I was in shock; I had to marry that abomination with red eyes. How could Father do this to me? I thought it was bad enough I was half vermin thanks to him and he had abandoned me in the Dark Realm as an outcast because I had his blood in me. I had very little memory about my father apart from his height and black hair similar to my own. Kyraa was pulling me back to reality. I stared at my mother with blank, mismatched eyes. My mismatched eyes were what marked me as an outcast, forever a reminder of my father. One purple and one boring, human brown. I knew my mother was trying but she was fierce and she just didn’t do compassion. I looked around my hot pink room. The four poster pink bed with purple sheets to match my violet eye, the heavy pink and purple drapes to block out the sun which frankly didn’t bother me. The walls were also pink along with the carpet. My room was a burst of colour in this dreary household. My thoughts started drifting to Andrew… my gorgeous Andrew, an evil Demon abomination. No! I couldn’t allow myself to think of Andrew. Gabriel was who I belonged with. Gabriel was pure, kind and compassionate, everything Andrew wasn’t. My kitten, Gabriel, a magnificent tiger shape-shifter. When transformed he is a terrifying sight to behold, raging gold eyes and soft blonde fur the colour of his silky hair. But Gabriel would never hurt me. Along with our love we were bonded together to fight against the werewolves, witches and Demons. Why I thought sadly, was Andrew a Demon? Of course if he wasn’t he wouldn’t be the passionate, fiery Andrew I loved. Tall and dark with jet black hair that always fell perfectly, handsome, chiselled features and a lean, hard muscled body that would make a girl of any species swoon. And now… betrothed to his best friend Keagyn! Could my life get any worse! Before Kyraa could say anymore I fled from my room and ran down the dark hallways to Krysabelle’s room. I needed my sister but her room was too far from mine. I decided to use our secret passage. We used to use the passage when we were younger but we hadn’t used it in years, we had grown tired of the dusty hallways. I reached the old bookcase in the corridor and pushed it aside. I peered into the cobweb filled hallway winding through the darkness. I have never been afraid of the dark, but walking into a hallway where you couldn’t see your hand in front of you is never fun. I made my way through the secret passage and soon saw a pinprick of light ahead. I had reached Krysabelle’s room. My sister’s room was almost identical to mine, the only difference being colour. Where my room was hot pink and violet hers was crimson and a bold orange. Walking into Krysabelle’s room was like walking into a volcano, all fiery and dangerous much like Krysabelle’s personality. She was feeding on Krises, our blood-bonded slave when I entered. The overwhelming beats of Krysabelle’s favourite band Black Veiled Brides dominate my senses. She dismisses Krises as she notices me.
“Katharina” she purred, “and to what do I owe the honour?”
Krysabelle has always reminded me of a cat, elegant yet a primitive hunter. She settled down on her chaise couch the colour of Andrew’s eyes. Her black jeans and crimson halter top complimented her room perfectly. Then again, everything Krysabelle does is done perfectly. Krysabelle and I often couldn’t pass for sisters; she is voluptuous, tall and has long straight dark blonde hair that falls elegantly down her long back with brilliant purple highlights. While I have dark wavy hair the colour of ravens wings that never obey me. I’m only 5 foot 4 while Krysabelle is 6 foot 2. Physically and probably more out of dominance I look up to her.
“Krysabelle we need to talk.” The urgency in my voice snapped Krysabelle’s attention to me.
“What is so important my dear sister?”  Krysabelle motioned for me to sit beside her. How was I supposed to tell my sister this news?
“My Father has done something terrible.” I heard the anger in my voice. “A deal with a Demon.” I felt my sister tense next to me. This was harder than it looked, Krysabelle’s eyes were burning, her brow furrowed. The lack of necessity to breath was overruled by her shock and anger and her breath was ragged. To make a deal with a Demon was taboo and forbidden.
“I’m marrying Keagyn” I could feel angry tears build up behind my eyes and fought not to let them spill. Krysabelle was motionless and had yet to say something; she wouldn’t look at me and started pacing the room. “My Father said it was for protection.” Krysabelle looked confused which was not like her at all. “I’m half human right?” Krysabelle nodded “They would tear me up out there, but with an Elder Demon no one would touch me.” There was brief silence, I began to tell Krysabelle about my feelings for Andrew when Krises burst into the room.
***
Krises led us down countless hallways to Lord Kennith. We entered a dark room with heavy drapes and mahogany furniture. Kennith was seated at the head of a large table on an extravagant throne. Kennith had always been vain, one of his many flaws. He wasn’t a very large man but the power radiating off him demanded respect. Like many vampires Kennith had chosen to stop ageing at the early age of twenty-five. The choice to stop ageing was one vampire trait I was happy to have inherited. Kennith had his dark shoulder length hair tied back at the moment and was wearing one of his many suits. The pin-striped grey suit made him appear taller.
“Sit” he ordered. Kennith seemed to lack his usual harsh demeanour but we knew better than to trust appearances. We sat in the plush armchairs near the vampire. A slight sweat broke out on my brow and my hands felt clammy. I sighed inwardly; vampires don’t perspire, only humans do.
“I have a surprise for you girls,” Kennith said smiling, his fangs showing slightly, “Your birthday is in a fortnight and I plan to throw a ball in your honour.” The statement was directed at my sister who seemed delighted at the idea. Krysabelle was beaming and rushed to hug her father. Lady Kyraa appeared out of the shadows still wearing the emerald dress she had on earlier. I couldn’t meet my mother’s eyes as she started making plans with Krysabelle. I quietly slipped out of the room and headed to the kitchen. The room always had a calming effect on me, it was usually quiet and serene. At the moment the kitchen was bustling with activity, the smell of freshly baked bread filled the room along with laughter. I grabbed a small pastry off the huge counter that occupied the room and made myself comfortable on a high stool. I watched the many people in the room as I ate, the cook was franticly trying to perfect a soup, and the baker was kneeing dough as her daughter prepared dinner. Their lives seemed so simple yet perfectly happy, I would trade my life in an instance to spend my days baking and cooking. Everyone in the room seemed happy and content with their lives, didn’t seem to have a worry in the world besides if the next meal was ready. I sighed softly and made my way back to my room with a steaming mug of hot chocolate. I settled into my pink bed surrounded by plush pillows and my duck feather duvet. I drifted off and found myself reliving a memory long forgotten. My father’s arms held me in the air as we waltzed across the garden, the joy in his face made me smile and laugh with happiness only a child can express. Suddenly the joy on my father’s face was gone and replaced by a frown, I looked around the garden for the source of my father’s unease. The full moon cast a soft glow on the rose bushes and oak trees. Leaves rustled in the slight breeze and night time insects sang a song of nature.  He looked at me with clouded brown eyes and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Always remember,” my father whispered to me, “I love you and everything I do is for you.” What did he mean? I wondered. We resumed dancing until dawn and our nocturnal schedule demanded sleep. We walked hand in hand to my room and as my father tucked me in he gave me a single red rose. I woke with a start as the memory ended. It was the last happy memory I had of my father. I often wondered why he had left me in the Dark Realm.I always kept in mind the poem he often recited:
An Angel whispered
take my hand and
come with me
you're work here is done.

I went away to a place
where there's no tears, nor sorrow
only laughter and smiles,
there will always be a Tomorrow.

As I move amongst the clouds.
I'll look down and smile upon you,
while the angels
sing a heavenly song.
I always knew the poem was about dying but I had never thought my father may have known of his death approaching. The poem was the last thing he had said to me before he left that last night.
I ventured into the early morning sunlight bathing my balcony. All the vampires would be asleep during daylight hours so the gardens were empty. The rose bushes and oak trees were as they had always been only sparkling with dew now. The brilliant green ivy crept along the walls. In a fortnight the gardens and ballroom would be alive with celebration. Demons and Angels would put aside their differences for the party along with Witches, Shapeshifters and Werewolves. The lowest ranked in the Dark Realm would look and act like those of higher rank, trying-always trying- to be accepted and welcomed to extravagant parties and balls.