Bitterness. It was an emotion I knew all too well, for far too long. Ingrained beliefs that would not die for centuries it seemed. I wasn't aware of it in the beginning, but I really knew nothing then. The foundation was set, I had a path to follow, only I didn't know that further down the line it would be shaken and altered. And drastically so.

His name was Eric. An ancient. Beautiful in all his simplicity. It was the first time I knew reciprocated love. The only time I knew it. And it was because of that love that I learned another way.

Only sometimes it is far too easy to slip back into old patterns. I did. I had put what differences I had with Marius to rest. Or so I thought. Then came the first sign that this was not so.

Some things never change.

In his name, the deed was done. Retribution earned. But the beast was not defeated and here he stands, once again on a path I thought I abandoned long ago.

The Coven's Homes: