Chapter 22~Reta~We walked into the castle, darkness loomed over the castle and shadows at various corners. We stood at the center of the castle yard. There was an uneasy silence which filled the castle. “Hello?”I yelled out my voice echoing through the void. I tried to get their attention but there was no reply. “Reta we should go back somethings not right”Luther's words reached my ears and then suddenly my eyes went black. “Let me go!”I squealed out as the strong palm of a creature pressed my eyes. I struggled as hard as I could. “Mhmmm..mm” he placed his other hand on my mouth and nostrils.I could only mumble to his palms. Gradually my body weakened more and more, I struggled to breath as my eyes gently shut close into darkness. My eyes fluttered open into darkness. My mind was still clouded as I struggled to gain my bearings. “Thorn? Reta?” a feint voice reached my eyes. Luther! “Luther where are we?” I asked Luther my voice tense, my heart racing. I could only lay
Chapter 23~Zayne~ScrrrrrhhhhThe wheels of my car scratched against the harsh surface of the room as I brought it to a halt. “Phew!”I took in a deep breath as I stood in front of the cemetery gates. I shivered to the harsh cold that filled the darkness of the night. I decided to drop by to see Maya, my wife, after all it's been a long while. I went without the consent of anybody, not even Rowan. The only thing I told him was if I was not in my room by morning, he should check for me in the forest. I only had less than an hour to get in and take my medicine before the curse happened. I entered the cemetery as my eyes went searching for Maya’s grave. I couldn't help but have the feeling of spirits looming in every shadow. “Maya, a lot has been happening, you know?” I sat next to her grave not before dropping a banquet of flowers. “A few nights ago I almost died trying to save my maid. Rowan got arrested, but now he's out, they couldn't hold him for long” I chuckled. “Lut
Chapter 24~Luther~“What are we going to do Reta!” I paced around my room, my body tense and restless. Tomorrow, Zayne and the others will head out to the vampire kingdom for a truce. Vodka will definitely tell him about the intruders, about us. “Calm down Luther, we’ll think of something” Reta said, her voice still calm, which could not but amaze.How could she be this calm in a time like this? “Reta, this is your fault, I told you we couldn't trust the vampires and now look” I poured out my anger on Reta, it really didn't seem to affect her. Her expression barely changes. She remained calm as ice, as she sat on my couch her legs crossed. “I have an idea Luther, you can shut up and listen or keep on nagging”She talked with a certain elegance which upsets me. I felt like ripping her head out of her body, but for now I need her. “We'll talk!” my voice thundered through the room, I was getting tense and impatient. “You and Thorn will follow them to the vampire kingdom, you make
Chapter 25~Zayne~I frozed at the spot, as I remained silent to his offer.No war for our humans, for Emily. No, I can't give away Emily. “NO! That's impossible” I outright disagreed with Vadka. Vadka raised his eyebrows in disbelief. Humans may have taken Maya from me, but over time I've learnt not all human beings are evil, especially not Emily and Steph. “Zayne, we have to agree with it, after all their only maids to us”Luther whispered to my ear. “Are you mad? Luther!” his words ticked me off. I hate it when someone calls Emily a maid, I even hate myself when I do. She might be a maid, but to me, she's my source of joy and happiness. “Zayne, you're a smart man, so think this through. It's a simple offer, you're human residents or your castle falls apart and I take the humans either way”Vadka said his voice very cunning and manipulative. “You heard me Vadka, no deal!” I stood up slamming the table hard as I raised my voice in anger, causing an I easing loud noise, bu
Chapter 26~Emily~“Ahhh..” I woke up to the bright sun, its rays casting a luminous light at my face. My eyes fluttered open, my mind clouded by the scene of a new day. I took a sheepish glance at the wall clock, knowing fully well I was late, but yet hoping for the contrary. “Fuck!”The wall clock read 8:15 am, I was at least fifteen minutes late. I jumped off my bed at once as I rushed to the bathroom to get freshened up. I dashed to the castle's kitchen, but to my surprise I wasn't welcomed by Crystal's morning frown. Crystal was nowhere to be found. “Hey, you're a bit late today, by the way I'm Flora” a young female voice reached my ears. I was dazzled by her beauty. Her golden braids were such where women died. Her skin loomed like the sun. She wore a soft smile which seemed to warm my heart. “Okay nice to meet you, Flora, I'm Emily” I collected the tray from her and rushed upstairs. I couldn't even spare time to ask her Crystal's whereabouts. When I reached Zayne's r
Chapter 27~Zayne~Scrrrrrrrrrhh The buzzing sound of the alarm as well as the chirping of birds which flew by my window startled me up. My eyes were heavy, my body too weak to even stand up. I had barely slept an hour before now. All night all I could think of was Emily. I am supposed to be worried about the war with the vampire kingdom. But on the contrary, I chose to worry about Emily. Last night, she curled herself up in a tight spot, her face was tense. I could sense her heart was pounding, and on sight of me, all the anger stored up in her for me was gone. All I could see in her eyes was relief, relief to see me. It was as if someone was after her, or threatening her. Also, according to what Vodka told me, the intruders to his kingdom gave him the information he wanted so he couldn't give their names up. Last night I was able to piece out that the only information that is worth Vadka’s attention was, that about humans. Vodka never knew we had humans working out the cas
Chapter 28~Emily~“You're a very tenacious girl”. I looked up to Phil. He had a broad smile on his face as he offered me a hand up. “Not bad for a human. You deserve my respect. ““Well this failure is a learning phase for me, I will train hard and maybe we can have another duel”, I said looking very serious. Applause rang out from behind me and asked over the field. My heart melted for the affection they displayed to me. Ever since my arrival here, I've found it very difficult to get most lycans approval. They seemed to carry a burning hatred for humans. But it warmed my heart to see their approval for my effort. I turned my head to look over as Rowan came over to me with an approving face. “You guys did a good job, especially your Emily. I didn't think you had such quick reflexes”. He laid his large hands on my shoulder, his eyes staring into mine. He spoke like a proud father would to his daughter. “I just need to work on your raw power, and who knows you might just be read
Chapter 29~Emily~The morning arrived quickly for me. I woke up at dawn and went to the kitchen to prepare Zayne’s breakfast myself. I knew fully well that neither Flora or Crystal would be in the kitchen, it was still curfew hour. After a good night's test, all my fatigue vanished. And most of the minor cuts I suffered yesterday had all been healed. But for a few aches in my joints, I felt as good as ever. I couldn't help myself but feel the distance between me and my goal was ever close. I sneaked into Zayne’s room, my feet soft and soundless and gently dropped the tray on his stool. I left a note next to it, about my destination at the training grounds. I left the castle and headed down to the training grounds. The curfew wasn't held in the town outside the castle. A few town folks were already up and doing, and had resumed their work for the day. I approached the training grounds and to no surprise it was almost empty. Just how I liked it. “Emily, over here!” A familia
Chapter 86~Zayne~KNOCK KNOCK I was just getting up from my light sleep when I heard a loud knock on my door. But even more I could recognize the knock any day any time. “Come in!”I yelled out in the direction. Suddenly, Rowan and Steph gently walked into my room, their hands folded behind their backs for some reason. “So did you arrest them?” I asked. “We arrested Crystal… “ Rowan faintly said. His voice very light. “And Reta got away?” I almost concluded. That explains the gloomy faces. “We'll, don't worry about it… ““She didn't!” Rowan cut me off. But his words even stunned me more than this tone. “What? So you arrested her?” I was really struggling to understand what was really happening. I was being left with more questions than even answers. “NO. She was killed.”“Whaat?why! I was instructed not to kill. We already have enough deaths as it is.”I ran out in rage. The last thing I wanted was another death in barely twenty four hours. The people might start to que
Chapter 85~Zayne~I dropped Thorn’s corpse on the floor. Blood flooded out of it. “What the fuck!!” I heard Luther's yell. His voice was tinged with a certain shock and disbelief as he saw Thorns corpse. I turned towards him, my eyes filled with a burning rage to tear him apart. I gently walked closer to him, safely putting one foot in front of the other. And with a roar that split the night air I lunged, my massive from crashing toward Luther like a freight train. Luther barely managed to sidestep, but my claws still scraped across his shoulder, leaving a bloody streak. Luther's lip curled into a snarl as he spun, his own beastly strength propelling him forward. We clashed again, a whirlwind of claws and teeth, rolling through the dirt in a tangle of fur and flesh. As we separated, both panting, Luther's eyes burned with the fire of unrestrained fury. He was younger, faster, but it was me who had the patience to control the beast within.With a deep, guttural growl, I let the
Chapter 84~Emily~According to Luther, the poison usually takes at least two minutes before it sinks into his system. So I stood outside his door, peeping through the keyhole of his door. And barely two minutes later, I watched as he suddenly dropped to his knees. After a few more seconds battling with the poison he finally dropped to the floor.His body had gone full numb. I decided to share with him a piece of my mind before going to Luther. “Zayne, this is for Emily and every other human you've plagued over the years.” I stormed into his room, yelling at a fallen Zayne. I had to let out all my stored up anger at him, anger for what he put me and my family through before I left him to die. But as I turned to leave, just a few steps away from the door. I heard Zayne’s faint voice. “Wait.”“What?” I asked my voice sternly. “I don't hate humans. Luther has clearly poisoned your mind to think so. Why do you move with it somehow ? All he wants is power, and he'll do whatever
Chapter 83~Steph~The morning came quickly for me. I barely slept a couple of hours before the sun came out. Last night was very eventful at the least. And one of the reasons was lying beside me. Flora! She still had about eight hours of sleep before the dosage wears off on her. So on my part, I need to make sure that I'm back in this room in eight hours time. And also to keep my room locked at all times. My lips still carried the warm fluorescent taste of Rowan's lips. Our kiss last night just felt right. It felt like I had kissed my true prince charming. I didn't feel that way over the couple of times me and Luther had shared a kiss. Despite all that happened. I wouldn't trade that moment for anything. That moment reminded me how peaceful life can sometimes be. Free from the guilt, from the worries. KNOCK KNOCK That moment I heard a loud knock on my door. “Oh no!”I have to hide Flora, like right now! I instinctively pushed Flora over to the other side of the bed.
Chapter 82~Rowan~“I have to tell Zayne about this right now!!” I turned to leave, when I felt Steph’s warm hands around mine. She was trying to stop me with all her might. “NO wait!! Please don't tell Zayne.” she pleaded loudly. Her voice was shaking, her eyes heated up, and dried tears remained on her cheeks. “Why shouldn't I? You guys kidnapped Flora for days, torturing her, her family and even the whole kingdom. That's sick. Steph I'm disappointed that you joined to do this, I really am!”“If you tell Zayne, all of us are going to get arrested. Luther is going to drag me down with him! Please I don't want to go get a hang, please!!” Steph was desperately pleading. I've never seen her before. I took a moment to think it through, and how things would pan out, if I indeed tell Zayne. Turns out, she was correct, knowing Luther very well, once caught, he will make sure he drags everyone down with him. Punishment for kidnapping an innocent girl like Flora, might be hanging or
Chapter 81~Steph~8 stared at the mirror for a few minutes. My heart couldn't just overcome the growing feeling of guilt I had. Guilt that I put Emily in jail. I deserve worse than her for what and who I've associated with. But rather it is her, who gets jailed and not me. At this point, I had a growing feeling to turn myself in at this point. But I have one more mission to finish. To take down Zayne, for all the inhuman things he has done to humans of our kind. I was carefully brushing my hair, line for line when I heard a thunderous knock on the door. Who could possibly be at my door at this ungodly hour? “Who's there?” I yelled out in annoyance. “It's Thorn, now open the door!!” I dropped my hair brush, I dragged my feet to the door. “Yes?” “Luther needs you, right now!” Thorn said, to my annoyance. Can't Luther leave whatever it is, till tomorrow? “Okay, I'll be there in a minute.” I turned back into my room and grabbed my coat before leaving my room. Reaching, Zayne
Chapter 80~Zayne~When I stepped out from the changing room, I saw Emily lying peacefully on my bed. She must have been very tired from all the days spent in the hospital. I spent almost half an hour staring at her innocent face, wishing I could make a move already. I was ready to ask her, but, with her knowing my deepest secret, would she want to marry a beast like me?I mean, how could she possibly spend the rest of her life, away from her husband every night. She couldn't possibly bear that, just for me. I ate the dinner she left on my stool before joining Emily on my bed. We weren't married, so I had to keep my distance from her. I laid on one end of the bed, while she laid on the other end.I spent almost half of my night, staring at her as she laid next to me. My hormones, we're tingling. Itching for me to bite her on the neck, and claim her as my own. But I had to resist as best as I could, until I was swallowed up by the darkness. Soon, it was morning, the sun was a
Chapter 79~Emily~Zayne just left the clinic after I gave him a few words of advice.But I couldn't just shake off the restless feeling I had. I spent most of the day staring out the window in the room I was admitted to. Soon, it was night. Outside was pure darkness, and the cold breeze escaped through the opened window. I shut the window and climbed the bed to sleep. But unfortunately, the sleep won't come. I just stared up at the ceiling for most of the night. Thinking about Zayne. Who knows what's going on with him, right now?For now, I'm useless to him. Especially the fact that I'm stuck here. The best I could do was pray he returns at dawn to his kingdom. “What? Who's entering the clinic at this ungodly time?I heard a faint creaking noise from the clinic's main entrance. Maybe, it's another nurse late for the night shift. I really didn't bother myself too much. But, suddenly I began hearing faint footsteps slowing approaching my room. My heart began racing, my eyes w
Chapter 78~Zayne~Descending from the steep hills, the sun reflecting behind us, the castle was now in our sight.And as we rode quickly towards it, a little began lingering in my mind. What if no one is there to welcome me? Or just a few people? Or worse, assume I'm dead? They were questions at the back of my mind. Questions that could only be answered once we reached the castle. But suddenly, as we got closer, a distant rumbling noise in my ears. I squinted my eyes tightly to see a huge crowd standing in front of the castle. Their mood was boisterous and electric, all of them excited to see me. They formed a pathway between them, where Rowan rode through and inside the castle and then dropped off the horse at the stables. “Welcome back! Welcome back!! Welcome back!!”The chants of the people were loud and thunderous. I had a smile painted on my face. My joy knew no bounds at that point. I walked up on the uplift to address the crowd gathered there. Their number was great,