12. Overwhelmed

There was only one way I could be describe right this instant and that was with the word crazy. A stupid and crazy woman with no care for her own life.

A selfish girl, ready to die. And death was knocking on my door.

I kept my eyes trained on the ground down below. Wind howled swaying my body to the side. This was the craziest thing I’ve ever done in my life and seriously it was the scariest one.

I don’t want to be here.

The wind blows, turning my hair into whips. With steady steps, I readjust my hold on the thick pieces of sheets that I had ripped as I made my way down the wall.

There’s no point on turning back now and as far as I’m concern, the only thing that could go wrong would be slipping and falling to my own death. And the only reason I was doing this was because of Callisto.

Under other circumstances I would have struck a deal with Callisto or Hector, anyone would do that wasn’t Adonis. Now, Callisto found what I did wrong and decided to do the unexpected. It seems particularly cruel, but I had this coming all alone.

I knew there would be a day Callisto would snap with everything I’ve done. Still, it was absurd.

I let rage propel me down the wall of the mansion. Steady, and calm, I make haste until I’m one floor down. Though I’m kind of confident, I had an issue called windows.

I sigh. The alternative I have here is changing courses. Either I give it a shot or I turn back and return to the room. If I do, I get a chance to get caught. And I doubt any of the guys will stay still knowing Callisto Ashide had locked me in my bedroom.

First things first, I glance down. The window was enormous. It was the one in the dining room. Even without being sure someone was there; the house was being guarded. I won’t be able to slip out unless I hasten my steps and just go with my plan.

I do need to follow my plan if I expect success.

I grit my teeth and start to lower my body until I am two feet away from the edge of the window.

The thought of finding someone there sends a nervous shake through my body.

Part of me just wants to go back up but the other is screaming to just let go and fall down. It wasn’t like I was that high, well maybe a bit.

I twist the ripped sheets around my hand and try to turn upside down to get a glance inside. Worst mistake, the moment I do the weight of the bag I had on my back, slips fast and pulls me forward, smashing my head on the glass and losing my hold on the sheets.

Knowing I was doomed, I embraced my head for impact. The hard surface knocks the air out of my body. There’s a moment of blackout. Then as fast as it comes, I count to ten and try to breathe.

It did hurt.

My mind gets to work, reminding me I don’t have time to waste. I open my mouth to curse when I hear my name yelled.

I go perfectly still.

“Yophiel!”

Adonis.

Now’s the time to get my legs to work. To remind myself what my goal is.

I look up just to see Adonis face paled and eyes wide from the shock. It was inevitable, they would have somehow found out I was no longer in my room.

I push myself up and make it for the run. I don’t actually care who sees me anymore, no one would dare move unless one of them gave their orders.

Vampires can go crazy when faced with a situation like this, since they take it as a hunting game. And one of my dear bloodlines had a knack for it.

“Yophiel!” I barely spare a glance when I make harsh contact with something.

Seth catches me before I fall bum first. His hands firm on my arms.

A wince leaves my lips. My bad knee buckles. I didn’t even know I was hurt. With all the adrenaline that coursed through my body the least I felt was the pain from the fall.

“What are you doing?” Seth’s voice pulls me back to my problem. “You are bleeding.”

He pushes my pants up to my knee and frowns.

I shove at his shoulders, anger bubbling up inside me. “Move out of my way.”

“Phiphi.”

As much as I want to punch him, I keep my mood in check. Seth was a controllable freak, quiet but ready to leap any moment needed.

“You are hurt, you need to be treated.” He takes a step; I take one back. Over my shoulder, I see Hector, Adonis, and Callisto.

I shouldn’t be here.

I was at a disadvantage which could cause me major problems if I don’t hurry and find an escape route.

I turn my head and see the bench. I hop over it, but an arm wraps around my waist, and then I’m face palming a rock, losing consciousness.

***

I slid off to the side until I am seated up. I belatedly realize my knee doesn’t ache, nor my head.

My thoughts flash back to what happened before. I indeed was escaping, running from the vampires and then…

It’s probably just an awful dream.

No.

I blink.

I take another look around. White walls without a single door, vast windows facing the barren lands. Dull blue curtains, a T.V.

“No way…” I groan and lay back down.

The swooshing sound of a door makes me look to the side. I start to sit up on the edge of the mattress. I can’t be stuck here again.

“You are awake?” Darcy stops midway, eyes strained on me. He held an iPad in one hand and a wine cup full of blood on another. “You are awake.”

His expression is full of relief and mine of frustration. Escape one, mission failed.

Instead of answering, I stand towards the glass windows. I’m not particularly thrilled to see him.

“You really are awake.”

“I heard you the first two times.” My voice dry as a desert.

Darcy glances away and then refocus on me. “You’ve been unconscious for a month.”

I wait, but he doesn’t offer more. “Nothing new.”

I actually was surprised. The hit on my head left me unconscious for an entire month, meaning I wasted time. My time.

Darcy steps closer. “I’m glad you are awake.”

I glance at him, and God I really want to curse him.

His brows draw together and he looks actually confused. “Don’t you feel sick, sore or anything?”

“You’re the doctor here, Darcy. Shouldn’t you know the answer?” His eyes are merciless.

I close my eyes and slowly breathe. If I don’t get my chance to ask more questions, I won’t have a second chance to do it.

I exhale, then open my eyes. “What happened?”

“Seth tried to stop you that day, but instead he tripped on the bench and fell down with you. Your head slammed against a sharp rock.” I wait for him to continue. “There was blood. We thought…”

“I was dead?” I arch a brow. “It seems I live.”

Am I supposed to feel relieved? Though I hoped that by hitting my head, I would die one way or another.

“Seth been impossibly out of control for what happened. He keeps blaming himself, and of course I wasn’t going to let anything happened to you—”

“Yeah, because you need me, blah, blah, I know. No need to remind me.” I couldn’t understand why I felt so annoyed. Angry, instead of worried.

“Rest.” Darcy clears his throat, then turns on his heels. “I will inform the rest that you are awake.”

“No.” I stare at him.

I might not have another chance. It was now or never. “Take me to Adonis.”

His head jerks, eyes wide. It’s as if I just touched a nerve.

“No.” His voice a hiss. “You are not going out.”

“That sounds just like Callisto.”

“Don’t compare me to him, Yophiel. I would never do what he did to you!”

Does he understand what he is saying? It’s so much easier if he just admitted that they all are alike.

“Adonis.” I ordered.

If I fail, I have to keep in mind, I won’t be able to escape again.

“Last time, Darcy, take me to Adonis.” I feel the itch, tingling like a rash on my neck.

Should I just leave?

I take one more breath and start walking past him. I expect to be stopped, but no, he lets me so I go without looking back.

The itch gets more annoying as I head down the opposite hallway. It’s only when I turn around the corner to the elevators that the beeping sound of arrival stops me.

I lift my chin, ready to receive the person. Inside Adonis stands, clad in a green checker suit with a gray tie. My hands curl on the side, taking in the sight.

It feels like it’s been so long since we last met. Obviously, that wasn’t the case, yet I couldn’t help the need to touch him.

He smiles. “Death doesn’t wish to take you.”

“Yet I pray it does one day.”

His expression remains the same. “I hope it never comes.” He shakes his head. “You’re finally awake…”

Some tension I didn’t realize I carried leaves my body until I swayed to the side.

Adonis is a blur, holding me firmly against him.

I shake my head.

“You should be resting.” Adonis whispers close to my ear.

“I need to see my father.” The words leave my lips, ready to strike another crazy bargain. “Please, take me to him.”

He hugs me tightly. “Fine, but.” I lift my head. “You must eat something first and get dressed. I wouldn’t want my subordinates to see you like another prey.”

I rolled my eyes.

He definitely had to say such a comment. Not that I mind anyways, I’ve been used to hearing many horrid, and uncomfortable things. The worst thing that could happen is they attack me.

Adonis doesn’t take his gaze away all the time we travel to the compound where my parents were. I wonder what was on his mind. If it weren’t for the few worried glances he spared my way, I would think he is bored.

“Darcy will notify everyone you are awake, and that you are with me.”

I jerk my eyes his way. He wants me to change my mind.

I glance in his direction. “I’m not doing as you ask. Call me stubborn, call me whatever you desire. Meeting my parents won’t change. There are a few things I need to know.”

“I am not against you, Drusilla. On the contrary, you’ve picked my interest.”

I scowl.

“Where is the “I hate you thoughts”?”

It’s a simple question. One that could be judged depending on his answer.

Adonis leans on his seat, a wicked smile tugging the corner of his lip.

“Have you ever thought that by becoming one of us, you, Drusilla Yophiel Swan could have anything you ever wanted?”

The question makes me laugh.

A few months ago, that question could have had an answer, one that would have even thrilled me to answer. It would be my little ray of sunshine. Now there was nothing I wanted.

“Are we there yet?”

“Drusilla.” Adonis hisses. Reluctantly I turn my head his way. “I’m being serious right now. Haven’t you thought about becoming like us at all? You could be beautiful again, have servants, control the world, become immortal, control the bloodlines.”

I blink.

The way he says it. Like he is trying to prove a point, and one did get my attention. More specifically a small phrase.

“Control over the bloodlines?” I asked.

“Yes, if you let your body take us, completely, then you become one of us and not anyone, like Darcy, Seth or anyone else. You become our one and only ruler.”

I try to picture what he’s saying. Becoming one of them meant I control the bloodlines? But how? Callisto was the head, their leader.

There had to be a misunderstanding.

I opened my mouth when the car came to a halt. My eyes shifted to the building outside.

Someone opens the door, and I step out. The shade of an umbrella fell instantly over me. Adonis stood next to me, his eyes on me.

The enormous wall that surrounded the place was high tech, loaded with weapons, guards and cameras. An electric fence reached higher than the walls from the outside, like a net protecting it.

I took in the enormous, and thick metal doors that opened with a groan. A few guards stood in line with weapons on their left arms.

“Shall we?” Adonis offers a hand. I reluctantly take it, feeling the instant itch on my neck. Except this time was a soothing feeling, like a tingle instead of an itch.

We walk side by side, followed by a group of guards. My first impression was, why was this place so guarded?

They only kept humans here, no one would even dare escape them so why the weapons and security?

As if he could read my mind Adonis leans closer. “You humans tend to be mischievous sometimes. So we took all the precaution needed.”

I try to move away, but his grip tells me to think twice before doing it.

Adonis pulls me to the side where an enormous hallway with glass windows faced two opposite sides of the compound. Neither was vacant. There were humans dressed in black suits like prisoner uniforms standing inside a dome like place. They all looked our way.

They seemed so healthy, and good, for a moment I stopped walking and stared indignantly at them.

“You thought we mistreated them?” the question makes me turn to him.

“This is a place where you kill, were you hunt, were you use humans as slaves,” I answered. Adonis tsks.

“We really have a reputation I see. But no Drusilla, we keep our humans perfectly healthy, except for the ones who misbehave. For them we don’t have mercy.” He flashes me that smile that tells me how deadly he can be. “Now come along, your father is waiting.”

We walked for a few more minutes before we stopped in front of a black metal door. I looked up at Adonis who stood with an emotionless face, eyes focused on the door.

A beeping sound makes me jump. Then the door opens. Two vampires step out greeting Adonis before speaking French and leaving.

Adonis hand pushes me from the back. I stumbled forward, surprised by the sudden touch. As I turn to comment on how rude he was, another door beeps.

Footsteps make me look over my shoulder.

My father stood in front of me. He looked like the man I remember. All cold, calculating and always well dressed.

That makes me question Adonis. Weren’t my parents’ prisoners here?

“It’s been a while Yophiel.” My father’s words pull me back to the present.

“Ah yes.” I pulled the chair and take a seat. He slowly looks between me and Adonis, then with a sigh seat opposite me.

The chairs were made of glass as well as the elevated table which was beautiful. But it was long enough to place a distance between us.

I open my mouth but decide to stop. With a look over my shoulder, I find Adonis arching his brow.

“Leave us.” I ordered.

“No.”

“There’s no danger here, except for you. So leave, I wish to speak with him alone.”

Adonis mutters something in French and leaves.

“Why are you here?” my father asks once the doors are shut. I look around for cameras. There were three different locations inside the cold room. “You were wounded?”

I look straight at him. At least he seemed concerned. “Accidents.”

He eyes me. He knows I am lying. “They haven’t been protecting you I see." He chuckles and crosses his arms over his chest. “I was expecting Callisto to take care of you. He cares for you too much.”

“You speak as if you are aware that nothing would have happened to me when I was taken away that day. Or am I wrong?”

He laughs.

“Of course not. Callisto showed interest in you that day meaning he chose you—”

“Or I was already his.” A small twitch from his jaw makes me scoff. “You really are a bastard.”

“Watch it.” He warns. “I’m your father still even if I’m not by your side—”

“Can you stop pretending?” I slam my hand on the glass table. “I know what you did to me. You think they would keep it away from me for eternity? How naïve do you think I am?”

I would never yell at him. He was my father, the only person I respected from my family. One of the few I trusted, and he also broke that trust.

“Tell me, what were you trying to do by experimenting on me? What were you trying to accomplish?” I say gritting my teeth. “You had lied to me my entire life. Or will you deny it?”

Silence.

I couldn’t believe this.

“How could I ever think you were my father?” I scoff. “Did you even see me as your daughter?”

He leans on the table, eyes squinted as assessing me. “Life is about sacrifices Yophiel. It’s just business, its politics, it’s the way of the world. What I did, was part of my business, just another of my many projects.”

I stood still. Too shock.

“What? You thought I was billionaire because I work hard? I did work hard, but also created things, played in the game of chess where I was king. Let everything take its course and if it weren’t for that offer twenty-eight years ago, I wouldn’t have had you. Now you understand. You were just a bargain one of many I decide to take.”

I grabbed the vase that was close by and threw it at him. The vase shattering on his face.

“I am your daughter!” I yelled, feeling tears burn my eyes. He barely moved. “You thought it was fine to experiment with me? to toy with me? Tell me was I created through an experiment or was I birthed like the rest of the humans, through a good fuck.”

My father wiped his face, blood smearing his wounded cheek. Then he laughed. A loud, maniacal laugh.

I watch in horror.

“No, my dear daughter, my beloved experiment. You were created in a lab were humans played God, were no one cared if you lived. Of course, I did. I invested too much money on you.” He laughs. “You were perfect and would have been if your sister wouldn’t have ruined you with her petty revenge. That was a mistake. Now you don’t longer work.”

The way he stared at me from head to toe sent an ache to my chest.

“She really did ruin you. All the good looks, my good looks ruined in scars. If that wouldn’t had happened you would have been the head of bloodlines, my strength. The one who controls this world.”

I curl my hands.

I had no words. I won’t pretend I’m fine, all this hurt badly. But I wasn’t about to show him a moment of weakness.

“Thanks for clearing that up.” I speak, voice steady and firm.

“Hmm. Won’t you cry for me?” my father voices. “You always cry, like the weakling you are—”

“Enough!” Adonis voice cuts through the air like a blade. When did he come in? “I would watch it if I were you, Richard. Don’t cross a line you will regret.”

My father scowled. The farse he had, sliding off and revealing someone cold, and heartless I didn’t know.

“I thought by now she would have been one of you. Disappointment as always,” he scoffs standing from his seat, “tell Callisto I expect a good answer next time I meet her.”

“Who says you are meeting her again?” Adonis snarls. I don’t move, his body pressing from behind.

I leaned to it, letting myself feel weak for a moment.

“Drusilla won’t visit you ever again.” He speaks. “Also forget about her becoming like us. If she doesn’t want to, we are not forcing her.”

That leaves me stunned. I look up, Adonis fangs were out, pressing on his lower lip. His eyes sharp, ready to strike.

“You!”

“There’s nothing else. Guards, take him away.” I watched as my father struggles on the guards’ hold. As they drag him away, he spares me a glance.

“You will regret this,” he utters as the doors close on his face.

I let out a breath I had no idea I was holding. All the strength leaves my body.

Adonis wraps his arms around me, holding me.

This… All this was a mess.

I choke a sob, when I feel strong arms picking me and carrying me out of the room.

I clutch his suit hard, hiding my face and crying my heart out. Adonis remains quiet, until we are inside the car.

With a tenderness I’ve never felt from him, he kisses my cheek, hugging me tightly to him.