Chapter 69 Sixty nine

Chapter 69 Sixty nine
I quickly turned my attention towards the wound that oozed with blood even now, hoping I could remove the entirety of the diamond with just one hand, my broken arm hanging uselessly by my side. I wanted to clench my eyes shut, I wanted to shy away from the blood, but that would not help Vincent, it would not bring him back from the brink of death.

I wished that I was someone else, that I wasn’t the prince’s slave, but that would never be so, this was the way my life had intended to go, and there was no point in crying over it now, that would not change it. Nor would it make my life any easier.

I took a deep breath, carefully picking away at the pieces of diamond as I cauterised each section of the wound, ensuring that I left no diamond behind, Vincent cried in anguished pain, his form shaking and trembling under my power, much like I had under Silas’ his cries increasing with each passing moment.

I tugged on yet another piece of the deadly jewel, this one larger than the rest, it had just narrowly missed the Phantomhive’s still heart.

If it had made it just a few centimetres to the left, he would be dead, and there would have been nothing I could do to save him. It slipped out with some ease, though it was followed by a small explosion of blood that coated my arm and neck. He groaned weakly, as exhausted as I felt, but we couldn’t stop now. We were almost there.

I cauterised the last gash in his chest, my eyes heavy and tired, my power receding into the far corners of my mind. I slipped from the cot-like bed and onto the floor, panting slightly as I attempted to catch my breath. I wanted to close my eyes for a long time, sleep like I had never slept before.

I was too weak to look up at my master as he approached, though I could just about smile when from the corner of my eyes I saw Vincent move into a seated position on the bed. His smile making every second of pain worth it, the searing agony that shot through my body seeming irrelevant.

“Luna, are you alright?” He asked me, brushing a small strand of hair away from my tired eyes.

I was about to respond when I was rudely cut off by the prince, his growl of anger showing a hint of jealousy that I am sure Vincent noticed also. “She is none of your concern.”

Vincent growled back at Silas, showing that they were both head strong and foolish. “You should be more pleasant towards the girl; she has shown you nothing but loyalty.”

I watched them stare at each other in distain, almost positive that it would turn into a fist fight if one of them didn’t back down. I was almost tempted to say something when a small knock came from the half open cell door, turning our attention towards whoever was behind it.

Silas called for who, or whatever was behind the door to enter. Two large Vampire’s walked in, their boots making clanking against the stone floor as they stepped towards their prince, a small male human who stood no higher than myself shuffling in behind them pulling a cart.

“What is this?” I exclaimed, puzzled as to why they were here.

Silas looked back at me and gave a sinister smile. “These gentlemen are here for you Fraulein, to give you my mark.”

“Your mark? You mean the brand?” I asked, hoping the answer wasn’t what I expected it to be. He wouldn’t do that, would he?

“Yes, the brand, I need to mark my “property” to avoid it been stolen again in the future.” He replied, his sinister smile holding.

I quickly stumbled up from where I had been sat on the cold stone, backing away slowly as the two vampires growled, despising me and my banned abilities.

I glanced toward Vincent who remained seated, his features utterly blank, he would not be helping me in this situation. Not that the prince would listen should he try.

“Wait …” I argued when the bulky undead creatures barrelled towards me, their smiles something I would never forget. “Silas please, don’t. I am loyal. You know this!”

The first vampire slapped me hard across the face before violently grabbing my broken arm, the bone only just beginning its unnatural healing. “You will not address his highness by his given name, WITCH! He is your master!”

I whimpered, my legs heavy and strained as I struggled to escape their grasp; panic rippling through me. “Please master! I don’t want to be branded.”

“There is no choice Fraulein. I need you to submit to this brand as a sign you will never defect, or if you do it will cost you.” Silas said sternly, showing that there was no room for arguments.

My shoulders sagged and my heart sank, I would not win against three of them alone, and I doubted this was something Vincent could help with, not in his position.

But why was Silas doing this?

I hate him, I fucking hate him.

I watched as the mortal man heated the iron in a small stove on the lower shelf on the cart, the iron showed the crests finest details. The two laurels that surrounded two identical bats facing each other, wings spread for flight.

once the metal was white hot, the time had come. I couldn’t help but shudder and fight against the vampires, even with my broken arm, I didn’t want this, I didn’t want to be branded like an animal. I wasn’t doing anything wrong! I had behaved, I had submitted, yes, I had my moments, but I didn’t want this!

The mortal man stepped towards me, steam rising from the iron as the vampires moved me into position, ensuring that my collar bone was exposed. Surely there was a better place? Why did it have to be there?

I clenched my eyes shut as I heard Silas laugh slightly, seeming to enjoy my anguish and fear. I felt the vampire's hands tighten around my arms and lower back, knowing that it was coming. I prayed that perhaps because I could channel the sunlight's power that the iron would do nothing to me, that I wouldn't mark me. But this was not the fire of a star, this was different.

At first, I only felt the heat as it neared me, my curiosity getting the better of me as I opened my eyes, the piping hot iron only inches away from my skin. I attempted to mask my panic, but it was too late for that, I was petrified. My entire form shook as the mortal man pressed it against my skin, my scream of agony soon following, I could feel the iron melting my flesh, forever scaring me and branding me a slave.

Silas didn't need to do this to me, he made this decision to humiliate me and punish me.

I'll never forgive him.