Chapter 9 Nine
I briefly close my eyes, taking in a calming breath as the prince dragged me towards him, pulling me forward.
He forced me to move my legs even as they tried to collapse beneath my own weight.
I wanted to disappear.
Where had he taken me?
I needed to tread very carefully if I wanted to see another day. Now was not the time to be spontaneous. I had to be carefully, very careful.
I knew that they could all hear my heart racing, and that only made it worse, they all knew that I was afraid, that I wouldn’t be able to control myself or my power should this continue.
They knew I was about to burst, and some of them smiled at the idea of destroying me for it.
Just behind the crowd to the left was a large building, deciding that I should concentrate on something other than my demise, I watched it, taking in every detail.
The castle had eleven massively round towers, all connected to the large, dark grey stone walls, the chunky building behind them elegant and yet; wildly intimidating.
Dull windows were scattered in seemingly perfect symmetry around the building, along with holes or variously sized artillery. It was all perfect, right down to the arches.
A great gate with black metal doors was situated to the left of where I stood, a huge statue of the prince decorating the oversized courtyard where we were surrounded.
It was breathtaking, and that just made me angry.
A handful of waterfalls flow into various rivers that run around the castle, creatures of darkness drinking and bathing in them.
I had never seen a Cerberus before, a three headed dog, but there one was, trotting towards me as I cowered.
It was the biggest thing I had ever seen.
Its blood red eyes watched me as I stepped back,nearing me to run as I bumped into the prince.
Was that it? Is this how I would die?
I really didn’t want to be eaten alive.
“Don't look so afraid witch, he will not harm you unless I give the command.” Silas laughed, finding my fear more than amusing.
“I … Where did it come from?” I stutter, my breath catching in my throat when it brushed against my leg, shoving me to the side so it could get to its master.
“The castle.” Prince Bancroft shrugs. “This is my home. A city under the streets. I expect you to treat me, and ALL of my subjects with respect and obedience. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir. But I only meant that... I have never seen such a creature before... I have never been underground before.” I whispered, lowering my eyes.
Was it so hard for him to grasp that this was all new to me?
“Well, you better get used to it. Now this is your home too.” he says with a small scowl, turning his head to look at those who had gathered around.
I turned to look back at the limo, the driver holding the door that we got out of, we were underground, so far under that the sunlight would never reach us and I would never see another day again.
I would never again see the blue sky.
I forced back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes, knowing that I couldn’t cry in front of them, they would see it only as weakness; these creatures didn’t know the meaning of compassion or empathy.
They didn’t care how much you cry of beg, it wouldn’t change anything, it wouldn’t change my fate.
I would have to mourn for all I had lost in secret, without the judging eyes of a vampire, but for now; I had no other choice but to follow Silas as he walked through the crowd, my eyes set firmly on the ground.
I want to disappear into the darkness.
I want to vanish.
I didn’t know what to expect from the creatures around me, I didn’t know how they felt about witches, or if they even knew about my forbidden power.
Surely if they did know, I would already be dead.
Unless of course Silas ordered them all to keep me alive, to keep my secret for him.
I had no inkling of what to do as the prince stopped and turned back to look at me, his fiery eyes locked onto mine as I lifted them from the ground. “One word out of line and you will be killed, is that understood?”
I bobbed my head mutely, knowing that when something along those lines was said, you shut your mouth and wait until you are told to speak, and you do not; under any circumstances ask what was happening.
The problem was, I was never any good at keeping my mouth shut.
My curious mind, begged me to ask, to find out what was really happening instead of the speculations of a seventeen-year-old witch who didn’t even know how to control her own abilities.
But I couldn’t ask, doing so would be the end of me, the end of everything I was.
Prince Silas Bancroft turned towards his subjects, smiling a smile that shook my knees; his hand still tightly grasped around my wrist.
He spoke slowly, his voice booming over the distant sound of the waterfalls and idle chatter. “I have done it, I have brought back a sunlight witch, one that will aid us in the coming war. She is young, but with a year or so of training, she will be ready to fight among us.”
I gasp, that was his plan! He was going to use me in a war against other vampires, other clans.
Did he want to be king? Is that what he was fighting for?
Fuck, I was definitely screwed.