Chapter 16 SIXTEEN
The prince was in my mind.
But how could he be in my mind, how could he sense me when we hadn't bonded through blood?
He warned me that if I did not turn back, he would sound the alarm and send everyone out looking for me, he said that I only had one chance to surrender.
“Screw you, I won't turn back.” I send the words barrelling into his brain, knowing instantly that it was a mistake when I heard a snarl; he was furious.
I knew that I wasn’t imagining it when the alarm sounded, letting everyone in the city know that I had escaped my master, that I had gone rogue.
I wondered briefly how he had managed to meld with my mind, and how I could send thoughts barrelling back to him; that had never happened between a witch and a vampire before, at least, not that I knew of.
I have never heart of it before. It was something a vampire could do with another undead creature, but it wasn’t supposed to happen with me, not with a witch.
What was going on?
I peeked my head around the slight gap I had left in the door, making sure the coast was clear before I tiptoed out of the room, lifting the oversized gown so that I didn’t trip over it as I ran. I ducked into a small fireplace when another guard turned into the hall, climbing up into the chimney, though not too far that I would be trapped.
It wasn’t a nice place to hide, but I was just glad it wasn’t lit.
I didn’t want to burn to death.
I listened and watched for his boots to go past me whilst struggling to hold up my own weight; my heartbeat erratic and panicked.
The prince’s voice came to me again as I began running, his tone vile and commanding. “If you don’t turn back, I will come and get you myself.”
I scoffed, “I won't turn back; I will not be your slave!”
“Flaulein, this is your last chance.”
“Go away!” I screamed without even opening my mouth, jumping around another corner as I ran.
I panted, stopping just outside the main kitchen, human slaves working away as I stood there for a moment, staring at their shaven heads.
I knew that was what vampires did to their human slaves, but I had never seen it before, I had never met a human that was inside an underground city; though I suppose that was because I had never been in an underground vampire city before.
I gave my head a quick shake, realising that I was jeopardising my life by just standing there, I needed to move, needed to find a way out of the castle before it was too late.
“You have made your choice.” came his voice once again in my head, though this time it wasn’t a warning, it was a threat.
I did not respond to Silas’ voice, I just ran, ran faster than I ever thought I could; ran for everything that I wanted in life, and for my freedom.
I prayed to whatever god may be out there, begging the strange being to allow me to do this, to help me when no one else could.
I saw a large oak door as I ran, the windows beside it shows me that it leads to the outside of the castle, that it would get me out and then I just had to make it through the city.
I heard voices behind me as I pushed my legs harder, shouting and ordering me to stop, to turn around and get on the ground, they had found me; the vampires knew who I was. If I didn’t make it to the door, they would kill me, but why?
Why couldn’t they just let me go?
I hadn't done anything wrong! I only wanted freedom; I wanted a life where I could choose my own path. Not have one chosen for me.
I made it to the door just as the vampires were closing in around me, swinging it open as I looked back, shooting my body forward.
when I propelled myself forward, I hit something firm, organic but firm, it sent me off balance and I fell backwards, landing hard on my ass.
I looked up, realising that I had bumped into Silas, who was now lunging towards me, grabbing my shoulders. I was pinned, but not with all his weight or force. It was uncomfortable and I could not move but light enough to know I was either in danger or he knew something I didn’t.
He waved his hand at the guards whilst keeping a firm grip on me, silently informing them that they could leave. That he had full control of the situation.
“Did he make those marks on your neck?” Silas growled, more in annoyance than anger.
I nodded nervously, “Yes, Berus did it.” My voice broke as I spoke, remembering the incident well.
“You must have another power, your mind called out for someone to help, it just happened to be me.” He watches me closely, “This could prove to be most fortuitous.”
“I don’t understand...” I stuttered, attempting to push him off, though his strength was greater than my own. “Please let me go.”
“very well Fraulein, I shall and I will walk you back to your chamber, where you will wait whilst I, ‘Explain’ what is going to happen with you to your trainer.”
Silas helped me to my feet, which I found to be unusual and very out of character for a Vampire, let alone a Prince of Vampires.
Vampires didn’t help witches. They just commanded them.