Chapter 15 FIFTEEN.
I dropped to my knees, choking and coughing as Blanche rushed to my side, checking the red marks that had appeared across my neck, both of us knowing that it could have been a lot worse. That he could have killed me and there would be no repercussions because of what I had said.
I trembled in fear when he took a step back towards me, unsure what he was going to do to me. My heartbeat erratic and fast.
“Today your training begins, you will learn how to control your powers; or you will die over and over again.” Berus smiled, knowing that he terrified me.
Blanche gave me a sideways glance, the look in her eyes only adding to my horror, what did he mean I would die over and over again?
I stumbled to my feet, the witch wanting to help but knowing that she couldn’t, I had to do it on my own, I had to show him that I wasn’t weak. That I was worthy of whatever he thought I had received, though I wasn’t sure what that was meant to be; i wasn’t sure of anything anymore.
He knows the prince wants me, but neither of us knows why. Only the prince knows.
I shakily tuck the loose strands of auburn hair behind my ears, allowing the length to cascade down my back as I kept my eyes lowered towards the tiled floor, unable to control my breathing.
“I don’t understand.” I said bravely, needing to know an answer to my questions. “Why am I needed here, why does the prince want me?”
“He believes that your powers are greater than most he has seen; he sees potential in you; which I don’t.” He scoffs and shakes his head. “You are a child; witches don’t show true power until they are in their twenties.” He uttered darkly, a meaning behind his words that I didn’t understand, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to as he continued; “But I shall train you as instructed, though if you do not show improvement within the week, I shall rid him of you.”
Blanche gasped, shaking her head in disbelief. “Master... You can’t!”
Berus slapped her across the face, the sound echoing throughout the kitchen and causing me to recoil in both shock and fear; did he mean that he would kill me if I didn’t do as he commanded, if I didn’t show him that I was more than a child?
But how could I do that, how could I show him I had such a power when I didn’t have any inkling on how to use it properly?
It wasn’t fair, and he was doing it on purpose. He knows I’ll more than likely fail, and he wants me to. He wants to kill me because I embarrassed him.
“You will not question me witch, I am your master!” Berus bellowed, wrapping his hand in the witch's hair as she squealed, fighting against him.
“She is just a child!” blanche shouted defiantly, wincing when the next slap came.
Terrified, I backed away, the door to the left of me; if I could just get out unseen, I might have a chance. I may be able to get away from here, out of the castle and the city.
I knew that it was foolish of me to think such things, but I couldn’t help it, I was alone and afraid; Blanche would only get herself killed if she helped me and I couldn’t allow that. I didn’t want anyone else to die for me as my parents had, I wanted a true life, one that I could be proud of. I wanted to live.
I turned on my heels, bolting towards the door as they were both distracted, running down the opposite hall to the one I had come from; my legs moving faster than they ever had before.
I had to get out.
My breath caught in my throat as I moved as fast as I could, not knowing where I was going, or how to get out. The only thing I knew was that I couldn’t be in his company any longer. I couldn’t pretend that I was an obedient witch.
When my mother spoke to me a few weeks ago, she warned me not to reveal all my power at the review of our family, she told me to tell them that I could only shape-shift; that I had no other ability.
But obviously, someone there had found out that I was a sunlight witch, though that wasn’t all. It wasn’t the only thing I was hiding.
What they didn’t know was that I could deflect direct attacks from other witches and send it back at them, using their own magic against them.
I hadn’t practiced it much, only a few times by accident against my mother. Yet, there was a downside to this, I couldn’t always control when it happened, nor could I deflect every attack, it was almost random. Sometimes it was more, but not always, I still hadn't managed to get a hold of it properly, just like my other powers.
I heard Berus calling for me to turn around, to go back to him, but I couldn’t; I knew what he would do if I did, and I would most certainly be killed as soon as I stopped.
I had gone too far to turn back now, I needed to get out, I needed to make it to the tribes to the north of the city I grew up in. I didn't know how I would get there, or where exactly the tribe was. But I couldn't just stay here and be killed.
I needed a place I could call home, I needed somewhere safe.
I rounded a tight corner as I panted for breath, I had never had to run this hard or fast in my entire life, not even when my father forced us to flee our old home the day that he died; nor did I think I would ever have to.
But here I was, in the underground vampire city, in castle Vesuvius, running for my life. I skidded across the wooden floor, my bare feet sore and tired, I wished that I could stop, that I wouldn’t die if I did.
But that wasn’t an option now, I needed to find a way out of the castle, back into the city; maybe then, I could get to the surface. Find somewhere to hide until daybreak.
I slipped into a small dark room as I spotted two guards walking towards me, though luckily, they were deep in conversation; barley noticing that I slipped away.
My mind began playing tricks on me as I hid, waiting for the guards to pass, a voice of someone familiar whispering in my head; ordering me to turn back, to tell him where I was.
Silas.
The prince was in my mind.