I tried to stay quiet when those azure eyes searched. Who was he?! Was he the one in the basement? Or was it someone else? 

"You can come out now. The other man is gone. . ." His voice was smooth and deep. I shook my head and refused to come on out. Those azure eyes still stared long and hard at me. My breath hitched when he went to say something. "I'm not here to hurt you-" I interrupted him and screamed at him. "Liar!" He was a bit taken aback by my actions. How was I suppose to know if he was here to hurt me?! "How do I know if your one of those blood suckers who go after people?!" I made my point as he continued to stay silent. "Then," He started. "You're just going to have to trust me." I was expecting him to laugh or make a joke about him. But he seemed to be darn serious. "I'm not here to hurt you. But I am here to take you away from this place. It is your choice to leave with me. Or, you can stay here while men come into your home at night unexpectedly." He then offered a hand. What did he mean by that? I then decided to trust him. I took his hand as it fit perfectly around mine. His hand was cold to the touch. I got out of my hiding position, but I still couldn't see who he was. Was he the man that my brother told stories about? No. He couldn't be. . . "Grab your coat, we 're leaving." The man told me then walking away from me. Wait, one second. . . Who does he think he is?! "Hang on a sec. . ." He then stopped at the door and turned his head back, "Unless if you want to stick around and find out who is in the basement," He chuckled then left. Who was in the basement?! I wasted no time in grabbing my shoes and my cream coloured cloak off the chair, that was next to the bed. 

As I exited my room I could already see that he left out the door. Morning, was finally here, and there was some light finally lighting up the morning. I quickly made my way down the steps and out the door. To my surprise, he is nothing like I imagined. He has long, black hair, that is shifted only to one side of his head. Small, white strands of hair over a small portion of his hair. He was extremely pale, and had two bottom lip piercings , both side by side. His eyes were the kind you don't see everyday... It was bright azure blue.

"You done staring?" he asks. I suddenly shook my head, and stopped staring at him.

"Yeah, sorry... You were not as I imagined.. ." Just by looking at him it was hard to tell his expression. But at the same time I felt like he was amused. He said nothing and started walking away from the home. I felt like that was my cue to start following him. I quickly caught up to him and started walking beside him.

"What did you think I was?" he awkwardly started. I thought back to my brother warning me about him.

"I thought you would look much more.. ." I stumbled on my words, trying to fine the right words to say, without insulting him of course. 

"Different?" He added in.

"Yeah." Then the atmosphere became awkwardly quiet. I looked up and stared long and hard at the trees above us. 

"So... What were you saying earlier about the basement?" That question still lingered in my mind. He took a breath in and let it out.

"A man came into your home in the middle of the night. He was planning to kill whoever was inside. I've been tracking him for days, so I took the chance and attacked him. You will never hear from him again. End of story." It still did creep me out that a man came into my home in the middle of the night. This ended up back to square one, the awkward silence. 

We continued on foot until it was dark. Even though I seemed to be going at a slow pace. He continued to stay right beside me. He had his patients, but I didn't want to find out when he loses that patience. I helped him set up a small fire. We sat in silence to what seemed like hours. I watched as the fire danced, and crackled. 

"You can take a rest, and I will take watch." he offered. I did feel somewhat tired, but at the same time I felt sad that Alex wasn't here with me. I still had some hope that he might be alive , but I also had my doubts. 

I gave him a simple nod, as I just closed my eyes and hugged my knees. I could feel his eyes looking at me, but to then look away. 

3rd person's pov

Right when Anna fell asleep. Benjamin stared long and hard into the fire. He listen to the sounds around him, making sure no one was following them. He then noticed that Anna started to shiver from the cold. He took off his own cloak and placed it over her shoulders. He wasn't worried about himself. Vampires couldn't feel the cold. He knew he should tell her who he is, but she might take it the wrong way. Long hours passed since they stopped. That was until Ben heard a few noises off in the distance. He was sure that it wasn't an animal, considering that there was more than one and they were talking. Animals simply don't talk, it is common sense! 

Benjamin swiftly went over to Anna and nudged her shoulder. He did that several times before she opened her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm awake. I'm awake!" Anna repeated, before she stood on her feet. Benjamin made quick work to put out the fire, with some snow. 

"What did you wake me up for?" Anna questioned, holding his cloak close as she started to shiver. 

"There is no time for an explanation, but unless if you want to get kidnapped or killed. We better get moving." Anna wasn't in the mood to protest. They quickly made a run for it. They couldn't tell how much further was the nearest town. It was hard for Anna to process what was happening, just because she was trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes. Finally, the small town of Evergreen came into view. Small little homes and crowded near each other, cobblestone paths, street lamps brightly lit up.

"Just stick close and don't look anyone in the eyes." Ben whispered before they made their way through and around people. The civilians gave Benjamin an odd look, just from his eyes. They were un-human like. Nothing that they 've ever seen. Of course they knew the normal colours of: brown, blue, grey, and the real rare colours that was green. 

"Can you hand me back my cloak?" Benjamin asked. 

"Why?" She asked then handing it back. He flipped on his black fur cloak and placed the hood up, "Cause. I don't like stares. They know what I am, and who I am." Anna stared at the snow that was one again starting to fall. That was until she noticed that he kept walking, leaving her behind. She hurried and ran up beside him. "What are you then? You didn't tell me your name yet." Ben stopped and turned to Anna. "I don't remember you giving yours, but I think we should get off the streets before I tell you." Benjamin looked left and right to see if anyone was around. After seeing that no one was paying attention , they then entered a tavern. The tavern wasn't too shady, there were more people partying, drinking down alcohol, and lots of laughing.Benjamin even had to duck at one point considering a glass was thrown across the tavern. No one got into a fight, but continuously laughing. They walked up to the counter that had an older looking woman behind it. He back was turned to the two as she continued to shine up some mugs. Benjamin cleared his throat, as the woman quickly turned around. 

"Oh! I am so sorry. Welcome to the Evergreen Inn, would you like a room?" She asked, then set down a mug. The old woman had a humble look on her face as she addressed the two.

"Yes. We would. It's mostly just for her." Benjamin spoke confidently. Anna didn't know how to feel about this. Sharing a room with a stranger... Bad idea! But he was the only person she has that can protect her. Benjamin then placed a few gold coins on the counter. The old woman nodded and gave Ben a black rusted coloured key. Anna followed slowly behind Ben as they headed up the stairs and to the room that they would be staying in. It turns out there were two twin beds, and the quality of the room was decent. Anna then sat down on one of the beds and stared at Ben, who was still standing near the doorway. 

"Stay here, don't go near the window, or open the door for anyone." Anna then knitted her eyebrows, was he just going to leave her?

"Wait, no! I am not staying here knowing that you are leaving for good. I don't even know your name!" Anna stood up and inched closer to him. 

"I'm not leaving. I am just meeting up with a dangerous friend of mine. Plus, I have some buisness to take care of. My name is Benjamin Sullivan." Ben crossed his arms and looked her in the eye. She knew those azure eye weren't lieing. She nodded, choosing to have some trust in him. "I'm Anna Valentine, nice to meet you." Anna introduced herself to Ben. Ben acknowledged, then turned around and left.

He walked down to the Inn bar area. The place was quiet and almost cleared out as it was slowly becoming evening again. Each day was different, some days had longer nights than just a few hours, and some days would have more light. He stood there seeing that the person he needed to meet was sitting at a table in the corner. Just a candle illuminated half of her face, as her hood obscured the rest of her face. He then proceeded with walking towards her. 

"Long time no see, huh?" The woman in the hood chuckled. 

"Long time, indeed, Arium." Ben took a seat as Arium placed a special gun on the table. His eyes gazed down on the special weapon. He knew very well what it could do.

"Still killing Acsenders?" Ben glanced up from the gun to Arium. Arium took down her hood, leaned her elbows on the table and intertwined her fingers together.

"You know me too well, Ben. Now, why did you ask me to meet here?" Arium questioned. 

"I've asked to meet here in secret because, there is someone I need you to keep an eye on." Arium leaned back in her chair and placed her hands behind her head. 

"I'm listening." Ben then took a breath in and exhaled. 

"You know the last heir to the throne of Ashen?" Ben questioned.

"Yes, only in bedtime stories." Arium laughed.

"Well, that bedtime story is true. The last two heirs are alive. One, I have in my possession and the other is gone." Arium took in the information.

"I need you to keep and eye on her. Anna, is her name. Just make sure Magnus or his goons don't get her." Ben ordered her. 

"Done deal." They finished the deal with a hand shake.

Thank you so much for reading! I do hope you are enjoying it so far! And thank you so much for the 34 reads and 15 votes!! It means the world to me!! Please do let me know your thoughts about the book! Thank you so much for reading!