Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Eight
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Zeke
It was nighttime when I got to Weasels. My father and Alex were seated in the throne room with disturbed looks on their faces, when I walked in. “You are here,” my father sang out in relief. I gave a low bow, and straightened.
“We have a problem,” King Elliott began after acknowledging my greetings.
My brain furrowed. “With the wedding?” I was rather disappointed when he replied in negative. “No. Some young vampires were attacked in an alley. According to them, they couldn't see or tell what it was. And their wounds aren't healing.” His voice was unlike his usual self. Weak, and defeated. I sat down on one of the six chairs in the throne room, and relaxed on the backrest. “What is the nature of their wounds?” I asked, while contemplating his report.
“Claw marks, obviously another vampire's. The blood from the wound is also unusual.” He explained.
I looked up at him. “How unusual?”
“Dark, and almost bluish. Almost like an attack from a–”
“Rogue.” I finished off for him, in a voice cold enough to freeze an ocean.
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Where are the vampires?” I asked him.
“In the kingdom's sanatorium.” he replied. I was already on my feet, by the time he finished letting the words out.
“Where are you going?” Alex called out. There was no trace of his usual taunts. And that alone was suspicious. “It's none of your business.”
Weasels boasted of many beautiful infrastructures, its sanatorium inclusive. Before any vampire would be taken to the hospital, the sanatorium- san for short, was the first stop. It was a big white building, illuminated by blue lights. Young vampires below five centuries can't stand bright lights. And that was the reason why even though Alex wanted to visit the human world, he couldn't. Those within that age-group also can't survive without taking blood for a long period of time. Once a vampire exceeded five centuries, their craving for blood could be controlled. I walked into the sanatorium, acknowledged the attendants’ bows, and moved forward. I had no hitch locating their ward. Their faces were pale, and they made an effort to bow, when I walked in. Both of them had navy eyes, and were obviously twins.
“Your Highness,” they panted.
I drew close, and pulled their shirts up. They winced. True to my father's words, their wounds weren't healing. And the blood was unusually blueish-black.
“How did this happen?” I asked.
“We were coming back from the club, when…” one of them- the one with shorter hair, began narrating.
By the time he was done, my eyes had already darkened further than when I'd walked into the ward.
“I see.”
From all indications, they'd been attacked by a rogue vampire. But-
Where did it come from?
Master Ragnarok was all smiles that morning. I watched as he discussed something with my father—the King.
As a rule of the Weasels' kingdom, only members of the upper-age could attend the marriage ceremony of anyone from the royal family. As such, the guests in attendance ranged from five centuries and above. A section was reserved for the members of The Prestigious Royal Circle—all dressed uniformly in black suits.
I tapped restlessly on my knee. The wedding was scheduled ten minutes from now. But it felt like forever. The hall was exquisitely decorated. Used mainly by the royal family from generations-generations, it had an aura that commanded respect. Blue lights illuminated every corner, making the white floor sparkle.
The door opened, and a veiled Darcel walked in alongside her bridal train. She was dressed in a red gown—the symbol of celebration in the vampire kingdom. She walked with gaiety and poise, but I felt nothing. In my mind's eye, I saw Mirah in her place. Approaching me- all smiles. With a beauty that could brighten an entire room. Just as Darcel drew close to the podium where the knot between us would officially be tied, my phone rang out. Several heads turned towards me as I whipped it out.
Qyle's name occupied the caller's ID. I'd been waiting for him to arrive. And he'd never call if it wasn't urgent.
“I hope it's a life-death matter.” I uttered as I placed the phone close to my ears.
“I've dug up information about Mirabella Aurel.” He simply said. His tone was a lazy drawl.
My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my voice as calm as possible. “Okay.”
“There seems to be a problem,” he continued, and I froze.
“What problem?” I asked, looking up as Darcel finally stopped at the podium. I rose to my feet and walked over.
However, Qyle's next words halted me in my tracks.
“She has been abducted by a certain Jayden Damion.” His calm tone could have passed off as someone giving a report on the weather.
Blood rose to my ears, as the world seemed to whirl to a stop.
“What?” I asked icily.
“Up until two weeks ago, she was at her house. She disappeared at a birthday party.” He continued. I turned around, and rushed towards the exit. Totally seeing red, I ignored the calls of everyone behind me. I didn't stop even when Master Ragnarok teleported before me.
“Move,” I commanded, and pushed him away.
“Are you running away from your wedding? Your merits are going to be deducted.” Someone from The Prestigious Royal Circle called out. I didn’t bother to spare them a glance. Tension rose and hung in the air.
I didn't slow down my pace. The Circle could go fuck themselves. I didn't care about anything about that moment, but her. My car was waiting for me outside. I got in, and turned on the ignition.
“Give me the address of Jayden Damion.” I said to Qyle who was still on the phone.
If he touched a single strand of her hair, even his life wasn’t going to be enough to pay. The address came in barely two minutes later, and I drove off, totally seeing red.