Chapter 64

I nodded, silently following my guardian back towards the door as he rubbed the back of his neck, my steps slow and unsure. I needed a plan to find a way out of the castle, run to one of the secret passages that lead away from the kingdom and escape the vampire king’s clutches. Believing that Derrick may be alive though injured from battle and in need of my assistance. I jumped, taking an involuntary step back when the door burst open, revealing two bulky immortals. Maric gripped me by the arm, forcing me to bow alongside him as the immortal creatures strolled into the room, closing the wooden door behind them. An uneasy feeling rose in my chest as my guardian tugged me back up, respectfully nodding towards the creatures. I recognised both beings from the circle meeting Mortem had forced me to attend, one with amber eyes and the others a bloodcurdling red. Shifting my eyes towards the ground, I moved to cower behind Maric, fearful of what the other creatures wanted.

“Maric, where are you taking the princess?” The first vampire asked, tilting his head as he took a step toward me; his deep amber eyes seemingly lifeless.

“Lord Athos, I am taking her back to her chambers. She has eaten.” The vampire muttered, protectively shoving me behind him.

“What is the matter, Maric?” The second immortal being asked, taking a threatening step towards my new guardian as his blood-red eyes gleamed with humour.

“Lord Alexander, I am sworn to protect the princess from all kinds of harm that is not bestowed by either myself or the king.” Maric announced, carefully blocking the immortal’s path as he moved to grasp me; my small frame trembling in fear.

“Stand aside, Maric.” Alexander ordered, leaning towards my guardian as he snarled viciously, baring his razor-like fangs. The immortal had long flowing brown hair; the mass reaching passed his shoulders as he glared, his lifeless red eyes furious.

Maric stood his ground, ushering me towards the door as he spoke, his tone harsh and uncaring. “You have no authority over the girl.”

“You are correct, though we do have authority over you; soldier. Now, stand aside.” Athos snarled, taking another step towards Maric; his amber eyes gleaming with hate.

My guardian growled, shaking his head in annoyance as he stepped aside, leaving me exposed to the immortal creatures. He glared at the circle members, his tone threatening. “Our sovereign lord will not be pleased with this, mark my words.”

“Our sovereign lord will not hear about this, is that clear; soldier?” Athos threatened, savagely gripping me by the hair as I yelped in shock, unable to struggle against his deadly precise grasp.

“And what if I refuse, Lord Athos?” Maric questioned, watching as the immortal being slammed me into the wall; my whimpers of fear increasing as I shook in apprehension, awaiting the next blow.

“It will not end well for you or the little girl.” Athos smiled barbarically, his grip on me tightening as he spoke.

My guardian shook his head once more, making his way towards the door as he spoke; his tone bland and uncaring. “I will wait outside. Though if she is harmed, I make no promises of keeping this information from our king.”

Alexander smiled menacingly, his razor-like fangs puncturing his bottom lip as he began to speak. “Either way, you will keep this in the dark.”

I watched with fearful eyes as Maric glanced towards me, once again shaking his head before he left the room; leaving me to the mercy of the immortal creatures. I realised with a heavy heart that he was just as defenceless as myself, the two members of the circle at a higher standing than himself; making it so that they could command him at their whims. Not caring for the damage it may cause. Fresh tears formed in my eyes as I shifted them towards Athos, his grip tightening on my hair as he propelled me away from the wall, slamming my trembling frame into the ground. I whimpered, carelessly stumbling back to my feet as they turned to look at me, snarling lightly. Taking a frightened step back, I glanced towards the door, praying that my guardian would call for assistance. Inform someone at a higher standing than Athos that I was trapped within their grasp, the intentions they held anything but pure.

“No one will come to your aid, princess.” Alexander murmured, quickly closing the distance between us, his movements confident and deadly as he stalked towards me; backing me against a wall.

“T-the king would not approve of this.” I stammered, my tone low as it filled with apprehension, my petite frame shifting defensively.

“The king will not be an issue.” Alexander announced matter-of-factly, barbarically gripping my hair before he suspended my brittle frame a few feet from the ground; viciously smashing me against the surface of the dining table.

I screamed in pain, desperately pushing against the immortal as he laughed manically, adjusting his grip on my hair. My terror rose to dangerous limits as the animalistic creature inhaled, lightly brushing his razor-like fangs against the base of my throat. Alexander pulled back suddenly, propelling me across the table as his eyes gleamed with longing; my shaky frame crumbling into one of the many chairs. I wheezed, coughing violently as I slid onto the ground, my chest connecting with the arm of a large chair. A sickening crack filled the room, my cries bouncing from the wall as the ferocious blow snapped a rib; the fragile bone breaking in half. Athos laughed as he navigated around the dining table, watching as I squealed in anguish; knowing that he would only force me to endure more unmerciful and savage pain. My mind filled with brutal images of the immortal killing me as they advanced, the vivid thoughts striking at my spineless state, tears gloomily slipping from my eyes.

“You will aid us in overthrowing the king; he has overstayed his welcome.” Athos announced, his tone almost commanding as he ripped me from the floor; crashing my delicate frame onto a table.

I whimpered, my head connecting with the wooden surface as I gasped, attempting to crawl from the immortal’s grasp. Breathing heavily, I slammed my bare foot into Athos’ stomach, his towering form hunching over in agony. I scrambled back on the table, calling for help as I bolted towards the kitchen door, desperately grasping the handle. My screams increased when Alexander gripped my long mass of copper coloured hair, brutally launching me away from the door; his growls of fury increasing. I plummeted to the ground, rolling across the blackened carpet as I wailed, smashing against a nearby wall.