Chapter 65
Panting, I turned my distressed eyes towards the vampire as he knelt before me, vengefully striking me across the face. I shrieked; my head snapping to the side from the force of the blow as my cheek began to burn, throbbing lightly.
“Do not run from me. Do you not wish for the sovereign king to be removed from his standing?” Alexander questioned, leaning towards me as he raised an eyebrow.
“I ... I will not aid you, immortal. Despite the fact that I do not wish Mortem to be in power, I will do nothing to ensure your course of action succeeds.” I snapped weakly, pushing back against the wall as I stared up at the creature; panting lightly.
- Why would the immortal creatures need my assistance with freeing the land of the vampire king? - Surely I am of no use to them, especially as a fragile mortal, my life short lived and easily taken. - How could I possible aid them in destroying a creature that could snap my neck in seconds, his strength and speed something that I could only imagine? - I shook my head in confusion, not understanding how I could possibly do anything to remove Mortem from power.
“Why will you do nothing? The sovereign king is digging our graves. We need to ensure that no mortal rebellion eradicates us, and you are the only mortal that can aid us.” Athos explained; his tone moulding with a predatory snarl.
I turned to stare at Athos as he approached, gliding towards me in an almost animalistic manner; his amber eyes alight with anger, though for a brief second, there was something else. Something that I never dreamed of seeing in the eyes of an immortal creature. Fear. Athos feared that the mortals would rise up against him and the circle, take back the kingdom that they had stolen; washed in the blood of thousands of my people. - Could the vampires not handle the mortals that had begun rising up against their lash throughout the kingdom? Stop the rebellion before it began? -
Taken back by his words, I paused, choosing each word with care as I spoke; my tone low, yet confident. “If the mortals are rising up against you, then I will aid them, aid the people that my father fought for. The people he tried to save from the grasp of the un-dead. Mortem dug my grave a long time ago when he killed my family; I am no longer of use to anyone but my people. Yes, Athos. I will stand by and watch as each one of you is destroyed; your immortal existence taken away as though it had never existed. Then, I will leave and allow my people to rebuild what you have taken.”
“Then why is the king allowing you to live?” Alexander queried, tilting his head as he took a slithering step towards me.
“Perhaps to cause me more suffering, I do not attempt to understand the actions of those around me, especially those of Mortem. I suggest that you question him on why I am still breathing; I have nothing further to say.” I replied confidently, realising that I was better not to show the creatures fear; or at least mask it the best I could.
“Nevertheless, you will aid us in the destruction of the king’s reign.” Athos murmured, shaking away his fear as he glared at me.
I slowly shook my head, attempting to match his glare as I spoke; my tone strangely level and fearless. Though on the inside, my mind trembled, would they force me into disobeying Mortem? Cause me to break my father’s dying command? “I will not, if you wish to take his place as the sovereign king, then you must find your own means to do so.”
Athos reached out with his hand, violently gripping my throat as he began to speak; his tone gravelly and almost demonic as it mimicked with an animalistic snarl. “You will not speak to me in such a despicable manner, you are in the presence of a lord; you must treat me as one and obey my command.”
“I will not, yes you are a lord; meaning that I must show you the respect of one. Though I am at a higher standing than yourself and do not have to obey the commands you utter. Only those of either my guardian, or the sovereign himself.” I gasped in reply, my tone sore and raspy as the immortal creature tightened his grip around my neck, savagely slamming me back into the wall.
“I do not understand why I am asking a mortal, after all; you do look rather succulent.” Athos smiled, viciously pulling me towards him as he released his hold on my throat, wrapping one of his arms around my waist.
I screamed, pushing against his chest as he shoved my head to the side, tightening his grip around my waist. Terror rose in my chest as he tugged me onto my toes, pressing me against his chest whilst inhaling deeply, tints of blood-red appearing in his amber eyes. I stared at Athos fearfully, knowing that his intentions were sour and unmerciful as he leaned towards me, gently brushing my coppery hair away from my neck; exposing the skin. Panting, I began to struggle, my small frame trembling beneath his grasp as he chuckled; taunting me.