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Illyria's POV

  I lost my appetite after Lorena told me the news, so I excused myself and apologized for all the delicious food that would go to waste, but I wanted to be alone. I found my chambers and locked myself in. As I looked around, I felt chills in my spine. It felt cold and void of life. 

    I sat on the bed, there was nothing but a deafening silence. Closing my eyes, I could hear the sound of the soothing music, the guests dancing around and laughing. My parents looked at me with love and pride. I was happy and having a good time.

A lone tear fell from my eye at the pain my heart was going through.

“Cassius Rhodes,” I murmured, when I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. I jumped back scared, but it was just Kieran standing in front of me. All I could do was step back and get away from him.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, as he walked towards me, making me back away until I hit the wall. He snarled, letting his fangs out and there were his golden eyes, looking at me intently.

“Why did the Almenian Coven attack your family?” he said in a low deep voice, making me shiver. I shook my head, not understanding where that question came from and I stayed silent, causing anger in him as he punched the stone wall behind me.

“Why?!” his voice became louder.

“I don't know!” I yelled back and he pulled away, running his fingers through his hair, frustrated. He knew something, and I needed to find out. I was trying to think, where have I heard that word?

That is when it came to me, Cassius Rhodes. He was the Lord of Almenia, so I was sure he had something to do with my parents and those guests’ death.

“Does the name Cassius Rhodes mean anything to you?” I asked. Without hesitation, he looked back at me and his breathing seemed to be heavier than normal. He approached me with murderous eyes.

“Where have you heard that name?” he whispered.

“He was one of the prospects to marry me. I was supposed to choose a husband tonight. He took me out for a stroll to the woods and just a few minutes later, I heard screams inside the mansion. He looked pale, and his eyes were red, he also had fangs like yours.”

I tried to keep it together while his eyes were still burning through me.

“You are such a stupid woman, he led you out to keep you distracted, and while you were flirting outside, his clan decided to go in. What were they looking for?” he asked me.

“How dare you call me a stupid woman, you...you jerk! How was I supposed to know they would attack, let alone that they were looking for something? My father never told me his secrets!”

“Your father was affiliated with vampires all his life. My father told you he was a good friend of his. So get the hint.”

I scoffed at his rudeness and his barbaric attitude. He walked out, but I was not done with him yet, so I followed.

“You can think whatever the hell you want. But I am glad I didn't know his secrets, or I would be dead too.”

“You were almost dead. Let me remind you where I found you and what you were running from. You should thank the river for saving your pathetic life.”

“Pathetic? Your life is pathetic, you can't even live a normal life because you are what you are. Everyone is scared of your kind, and they have the right to be. You are monsters!”

Suddenly, he picked me up and in a swift move, he pushed me against the wall.

“Don't you dare talk about my kind like that. You know nothing about us,” he seethed, once again causing shivers through my entire body. We looked at each other and for a moment, I was lost in his eyes.

He pulled away and left, leaving me there, with tears of anger on my face. How dare he insult me and my family like that? I never asked for this. I was living a normal life, I was going to choose a husband and have my own family. Not being stuck here, running from vampires, and certainly not dealing with more.

I knew it was late, but I decided to take a walk through the village. I was sure everyone would be awake and walking around. The torches on the streets seem to be burning brighter than they did earlier. A cold breeze touched my body, making me shiver and regret coming out of the castle with nothing but this dress.

“Hello, pretty lady,” I heard a soft voice talk to me. When I looked down, a little girl held a red rose in her hands and handed it to me.

“Oh, thank you. That's very sweet of you,” I said, smelling the beautiful rose as I smiled at her.

“The red rose has a meaning. Spilled blood will paint it,” she said, making me freeze on the spot. A lady came out of her house and grabbed her.

“Lilith, come inside the house. I am so sorry, Miss. My daughter comes up with random silly ideas,” she said before they disappeared from my sight. I looked at the rose and dropped it on the ground.

What was going on?

I needed to leave this place and go back home. No matter where I was, I was never going to be safe. Not where there would be monsters who could drink me dry any day.

As I headed towards the entrance of the village, I looked back at the castle one more time and headed into the woods to find my way back home. I walked for a few minutes and I could hear the wolves once again howling at the moon, but I ignored them and kept going.

I reached the river where I had lost them. Taking a deep breath, I decided to go in. I was not even halfway through, when I felt big arms take me by the waist and pull me back.

I was in danger, so I screamed, trying to get away, but he covered my mouth and I thought this time, I was dead for sure.