Chapter 49 Attack in the mines
Crystal's silver brow tilted, compared to how Evthus had assessed Knox, the young vampire was dark haired, just like the duke, silky and long.
“Should I be worried?” Crystal added.
“N- not at all, my lady. I am only surprised that the duke has a brother. Interesting…” Evyths let out calmly, shifting her gaze from Crystal back to the lonely path that led into the city.
After some time, they rode for about an hour and a huge, tall wall that was 12 feet high welcomed them.
Evyths gasped lightly, her head tilting to the sky, taking in the building’s features. It looked ancient, nothing she recognized even in her past life even though she had one.
There was stillness in the atmosphere, crows cooing nonstop, the cold wind blew harshly, almost as if it had the mind of its own.
Glancing quickly at the sky, it looked gloomy as always, streaks of angry clouds scattered across.
Evyths looked back to the heavy gates before them, it seemed like an ancient rod, something her ancestors had used. The smell of rust and dust covered the area, creeping into her throat somehow.
“This is our family's mines. The land covers 80,000 acres and we are barely reaching an acre,” Crystal said as she jumped down deftly from her horse, unlike Evyths who missed a step landing on the ground.
Crystal walked up to the gate, scrutinizing it with her hands. Her face squeezed lightly when she felt moist on the locks. It felt unfamiliar given that Vampires didn't have any sweat to emit.
“What is the matter?” Evyths curiously asked, splitting her gaze between Crystal and her fingers.
“Something is amiss. I feel sweat,” said Crystal. “Perhaps someone tried to break in. No one has tried that since my mother was alive,” she added.
Evyths' head spun in confusion. She had no idea what Crystal was saying and it didn't feel right either. They were all alone, prone to predators, unsafe and exposed to anyone—includinh the hunters.
Valerio would definitely scold her for agreeing to a young vampire’s escapade even if he knew that Crystal was gifted and strong just like he was.
“This is the time to leave. If there is something odd, we should tell the king instead then try to figure it out…” Evyths stated firmly. At least, she had to become the older one even if Crystal was not so little in vampire’s anatomy.
“No way. I have to get in—”
“Look, Crystal, I do not care anymore, we have to leave now. The king will be furious and your life will be endangered.” Evyths let out uncontrollably, her tone rising with each word that escaped her mouth. “We have no idea what is lurking out there, neither should we find out. Please, let us return to the castle where it is safer for you,” she added.
“I am not the only one who needs to be protected, you too. This is important…” Crystal said, turning to Evyths fully.
“No, my lady. We must go now. This adventure can wait…”
“No, we can't just yet.” Crystal pleaded. “I came here because… my mother used to tame a dragon while she was alive. I have an egg now, it is the only thing she left behind for me to look after. And… the egg is about to hatch but there isn't a true connection to a familiar place where its mother used to live,”
Evyths was hearing all these for the first time. Valerio had told her a riddle about dragons and beasts but he didn't mention that his sister had nurtured one. The weight grew heavier, her thoughts climbing on top of another.
She was clueless. With the look in Crystal’s eyes, the young vampire was desperate to find a bond for her unborn dragon.
Evyths straightened up when it scared her to death.
“Why did you lie about it? You could mention it as it was and not twist the story. I am totally oblivious, I do not know what it means to find a connection for a dragon neither held one or seen. We will go in and you will look around for only trn minutes. After that, we must return to the castle. I have to tell the king something that happened while I was with the hunters… our kingdoms are at a higher risk which is why I am skeptical about this,” Evyths explained and before she could continue, Crystal threw herself around Evyths, hugging tightly.
“Thank you, Evyths!” added Crystal.
Instantly, Crystal bit her thumb with the tip of her sharp fang as blood popped out. Crystal placed it on the gate’s lock as it opened instantly, the whirring, screeching sound almost deafened Evyths, forcing her to block her ears with her hands.
“Pardon my manners,” Crystal chuckled as they strutted in.
The vast, endless lands met Evyths' eyes. There was a shade and a large building like a quarter in the right end.
The air was toxic enough to crush a bone, but Crystal kept walking as if it did nothing. While Crystal attempted to enter the shaggy shade, Evyths held her arm gently, halting Crystal’s steps.
“I need to feel the temperature in the room. At least a hint, just to be sure that my mother was in this particular room while her dragon egg was unhatched,” Crystal explained before Evyths could stop her.
Evyths retracted her hand, her lips pursing.
“Alright, I'll wait out here and look closely. I am not so sure that… All is okay. I feel it in my gut,” Evyths said, worry laced her tone.
“You think! All right. I will go inside the shade now while you become my third eye even if I don't need it,” Crystal teased, making Evyths grin.
Evyths pulled away from the shade, her feet exploring the area carefully. It was vast, spacious yet empty and dangerous. There were other machines in the far end, they looked old and unused. Was this a part of the Vampires' wealth? Evyths wondered.
Seconds stretched into minutes—up to thirty minutes.
Evyths looked over her shoulder and called out. “Crystal?”
“I will be done soon, I found something interesting…” Crystal screamed back, a part of Evyths calmed knowing that Crystal was alive and in good shape. She sounded like it.
Evyths sat on a rock, breaking a stick out of boredom, with each movement, the weather changed, slowly sunset was stepping in. It was only a matter of a little time that Valerio epild come looking for his favorite and only niece, would he even want to find her? Evyths wondered. Ever since they argued, they've said nothing to each other.
It used to be easy to communicate with him, at least, but now, it has changed. Ever since they admitted their affection for each other, the tables turned and fate sat like a curse.
After all, two enemies from different species were damned and cursed, it would never yield anything better than doom and constant danger.
Her decision was reckless. His decision was demeaning, yet they agreed to it, ignoring the consequences of their actions. At this point, they couldn't mend their broken hearts, little by little, it was depleting terribly.
Evyths' thought overshadowed her, sinking into the moment that brought dread.
When inaudible noises began to spread, reaching her sharpened ears, Evyths jolted up, snapping out of her thoughts. Her eyes wandered around, at least, a hint at where the noise was coming from would be of help.
“Cry- Crystal? We have to go. I think we have company…” said Evyths, her weary tone cutting through the air.
Crystal stepped out of the shade with an old, torn brown satchel in her hand. Evyths didn't bother to scan deeper, she propelled Crystal to leave the mines.
“What did you hear?” Crystal spoke in a hushed tone given that Evyths had asked her to.
“I don't know. I heard noises approaching and I am certain that we are not alone. The moisture you saw on the locks could mean… that someone who isn't a vampire had attempted to break in…” Evyths snapped as they walked silently, almost tiptoeing.
“You sound intelligent. You know everything,” Crystal said and Evyths chuckled slightly.
As soon as they were about to walk out through the partly opened gate, a spear thrust the wall, startling both Crystal and Evyths.
Before Crystal could look, Evyths told her not to until Crystal ran out.
When Evyths looked behind her, she saw a familiar face, a terrifying figure that she would never forget. Someone she loathed with everything in her.
But the person wasn't alone, the person had company, about 6 of them with bags of competing that she didn't know.
“She's seen us!” One cried out.
When the person attempted to throw a spear again, Evyths ran out of the mines while they chased after her.
Evyths, before she could realize, shifted into silver wolf, running into the forest where she had asked Crystal to go.
“Stake the girl! Stake the girl!” Someone shouted from behind them.
Evyths’ wolf caught up with Crystal despite her remarkable, throwing her on her back as Crystal's fingers sank into the wolf’s silky fur while it ran through the forest, branches grazing the wolf's body harshly
“FIRE!!!” Another scream escalated as a dagger grazed Crystal's arm and another stabbed the wolf’s leg.
The wolf growled painfully and kept going.
“Oh no, Evyths, you're hurt…’ Crystal’s voice broke, instant regret washing over her.
When Crystal looked behind her, she saw a pack of gigantic Wolves chasing after them.
It was no secret that the werewolves had breached their contract, attempting to kill the Vampires' slave and the king’s niece.
Evyths' wolf kept going until they were approaching the castle and that was when the other wolves retreated.
As soon as the castle's gates spread open when the guards sighted Crystal on a wolf's back.
Evyths knew who it was; it was Alpha Ryker.
Whatever made him and his pack members break into the Vampires' mines remained unknown to her.
Meanwhile, Valerio had been informed that Crystal and a wolf had returned, but he knew that Evyths was the wolf and that she had been triggered to shift again.
“Who did this?” Valerio's growl was louder than thunder, his hands walked into equal, dangerous fists while Crystal stepped down from the wolf and the wolf fell, groaning and howling in pain.