At dawn, Hector is woken up by a loud bang on the cell door. “Wake up, Hector. We have work to do,” shouts Rex . Hector’s back is on fire, and he hurts all over. His mouth is dry, and he feels like crap. He pulls himself up to a sitting position and rubs his eyes. “Ok, I am up. Do I have time for a shower?” asks Hector. “Yes, that's why I am getting you up now. Your teammates should be getting up soon. If you want that shower, you better hurry.” Hector walks out of the cell and heads upstairs to his room. When he gets to his room, he sees Ruby getting dressed. “Well, he returns. You look like shit. What happened to you and where were you?” asks Ruby. “I don’t have time to talk about it. I need a shower before training,” growls Hector. “ Someone is in a bad mood. Whatever, suit yourself. Shower is free.” Hector doesn’t waste time. He quickly goes into the bathroom and begins to strip off his pants and underwear. He never put his shirt back on last night. He turns on the wate
Rex heads to speak to Skorn and report on Hector. Rex see Skorn door is open and Skorn is resting in his bed. Rex knocks on the door. “Enter,” orders Skorn . “Sorry to bother you, sire, but I have some issues with Hector that you need to know about,” says Rex. “Speak: what’s the issue?” “During the hunting phase of the training, he didn’t kill the rabbit. He preferred to face pain rather than kill an innocent: his words. What are your orders to deal with this?” “I see. What punishments have you already tried?” “Sire, I gave him the options of facing the sun and burning or killing the rabbit. He picked the sun and is now back in his room." “This isn’t good. How can I have an assassin who will not kill an innocent rabbit? Hector will not want to kill his mark. This is what we are training him for.” “I know, Sire. Your orders on how to fix this? Should I put him in the sunroom, or extend the no food order he already has? No food for 24 hours or what are your orders?” “Yes, s
Hector is in his room resting after being burned by the sun and the whipping, but he knows he made the right choice. Even if Rex isn’t happy with him and possibly Lord Skorn too. He hopes that this is the only punishment he will get for his disobedience, but he feels that might not be the case. Rex normally doesn’t send him to his room without completing a task or running out of time. Hector is in deep thought when Rex comes into his room. “Hector, you disobeyed a direct order, and we can’t have you doing that. You were burned by the sun, but Lord Skorn doesn’t think that is enough. So, you will bear a punishment that he has chosen until you’re willing to do the original order without question. Do you understand?” asks Rex . Hector gets off his bed and stands up with some pain. He knows he can’t fight them. “I understand you’re going to punish me for not killing the innocent rabbit. I will be punished until I do,” says Hector. “Good, the punishment is the sunroom until you agree t
The next few days go by with Kelanar following the same routine, helping with food and clean up. Soon it is the weekend, and she can’t wait to go home and see her family. It was a long week. She is in her room getting ready to leave when Master John comes in. “I am afraid I have some bad news, Kelanar. There is a storm moving in and it is not safe to travel. And if you don’t leave today, you won’t get a lot of time at home. So, this weekend’s trip home has been canceled. You will be staying with us. I will give you the weekend off of chores. I am sorry,” says Master John. “Oh, I see. Thank you for letting me know,” says Kelanar. She tries to hide her disappointment. Master John leaves her room, figuring she needs some time alone. Kelanar sits on the bed feeling upset. I can’t do anything about it, so she thinks I should enjoy my time off.She grabs her book and heads out to the garden. Kelanar is reading in the garden when she hears footsteps. She looks up and spots Henry and the o
When Hector and Rex arrive at the bar, they see Jesse and Mike waiting by the entrance. Hector takes a deep breath. He can already smell the humans nearby and he is very hungry. He turns to the groups before they walk in. “What if I can’t control it?” asks Hector. “We’ll make sure you don’t kill any humans,” Says Jesse. “If you get that look or go to attack, we’ll stop you,” Says Mike. “They have helped me with many newbies, don’t worry. We won’t let you kill any humans we don’t want you to kill,” Says Rex. Then all three of them laugh at Rex’s statement. Hector doesn’t like the way Rex implied that one day he will kill humans. They walk into the bar. The bar keeps seeing the vampire’s, and grabs some mugs and pours a red drink into them. The four of them sit at the bar. “Welcome. the house special is on the house,” says the man. He seems nervous and gently sets the mugs down, one in front of each of them. Hector picks up the mug and smells blood instantly. “I guess the town
Jack gives Skorn some herbal tea as Skorn sits on his throne. The last eight weeks Skorn has been having Jack try different things to make the sickness go away. It is not too noticeable yet, and only Jack knows of it. Rex walks into the throne room and bows and kneels at Skorn’s feet. “My Lord, I have news on the team's progress,” says Rex . Skorn looks at Rex. “Speak,” orders Skorn. “The team has passed the human test at the bar. Hector actually turned it on the human with ease. She was putty in his hands and was almost begging to be bitten. If he wanted,, she would have done anything he asked of her. I think he is ready for the last test,” reports Rex. “This is very good. He seems to be very strong. Jack, when you have time, I want you to draw some of Hector and Rex’s blood and compare them. I need to know if there is anything different about Hector's. I am expecting there will be.” “Yes, Sire,” says Jack. “Rex, I agree he is ready for the last test. Set it up in three days
Henry is hitting the dummies with the sword one late afternoon. When he catches sight of Kelanar heading to the garden, he drops his sword and follows her. “Kelanar!” yells Henry. Kelanar sees him and tries to go another way, but she walks into a dead end of the garden. “What is going on? You were avoiding me for weeks. I know Master John said to stay away from us, but it is not healthy to be alone. You look miserable,” says Henry. Kelanar keeps her face turned away from him and looks at the ground. I have to get out of here before he sees us, thinks Kelanar. Henry grabs her left arm and turns her toward him. Henry spies red and puffy eyes, and her face has lost its shine. Her smile is nonexistent. “Oh, Kelanar I told you. I will be here for you. You don’t have to be alone. I never see you at any of the meals or on the weekends. Anytime I see you in the hall, you run away or go where I can’t go.” Kelanar is quiet as a tear rolls down her cheek. “I won’t be the reason you get
Hector just nods and lets Rex take the lead with the three boys. He needs to face that this is his life now. The death of the boy still plays on in his mind and how many prisoners Lord Skorn keeps, and now they will decide what will happen to these three. “You three will tell me what I want to know or suffer, understand?” orders Rex. The three boys look at each other, fear across their faces when they see Rex is a vampire when he smiles at them. “I am going to ask a few questions. Hector, removes their gags. Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to, or you will be gagged again,” orders Rex. Hector does as he is told and walks behind each boy and unties their gags, which falls into their laps. “Now then, let’s get to it,” says
Kelanar sleeps most of the night, but early morning, around two am, she wakes up, notices the trash can and gets sick. Kelanar knows she drank too much. After she gets sick, she drags herself to the bathroom to take a shower.Why did I drink so much? Thinks Kelanar.Kelanar places her head against the cold tiles of the shower wall and lets the warm water hit her back. Once she cleans up and doesn't feel like the world is spinning, she goes back to bed.Kelanar sleeps until six am, then she gets up, dresses and heads down to help in the kitchen. Kelanar hears talk In the kitchen. She Ppushes open the door to notice a smiling George and Henry looking refreshed this morning.“Morning Kelanar, how are you?” asks George.“I am ok. I think my head is killing me, but I did drink last night for my guard induction with Henry,” says Kelanar.George chuckles. “Yeah, Henry is just telling me about it. I have seen many boys go through that. I am glad to see you can stand and still help with the ki
Hector wakes up in a dark room nothing like the room he last remembers being in. Hector tries to move, but finds he can’t. He is chained to a chair. Hector hears footsteps. They are very close.Around a corner he spies the queen and a few guards. He has a bad feeling about this.“Queen Gabrielle, what is the meaning of this? You signed the treaty. Why am I chained to a chair?” asks a worried Hector.“Oh, Hector, I am sorry this isn’t personal. You see, Rex is one who won’t turn on his King and give me information and my daughter truly cares for him, so I couldn’t hurt him. Now you, I know, are new to Skorn's ranks and have a love you can’t see. You're hurt and angry with Skorn. You will tell me what I want to know, won’t you?” orders Queen Gabrielle.Hector tests the chains. They are strong, holding him like a vise.“Oh, don’t bother Hector. These are vampire steel. You will not be able to break or get out of them, so get comfortable and answer my questions and we can put this whole
Kelanar is in shock due to Henry's statement. So much so, that when the barmaid comes back over, she is still speechless.“Would you like your check, Sir, or dessert?”“What do you suggest for dessert?”“Well, we have our famous apple pie, chocolate pie and chocolate cake.”Her bright eyes never leave Henry.“Apple pie sounds nice.”“One or two, Sir?”Kelanar just watches while smiling at Henry. This girl was flirting with him hardcore.“Two sounds good.”“Yes, Sir. I will be right back.”As the barmaid turns, she winks at Henry and glares at Kelanar. She comes back a few minutes later and places two slices of pie down. One is an enormous piece and the other is tiny, the bigger helping she gives to Henry. As she goes to leave, she spills a drink on Kelanar.“Oops, so sorry. Let me get you a rag in the lady’s room around the corner, if you'd like to freshen up,” says the barmaid sweetly.Kelanar glares at the barmaid, gets up and goes to the lady’s room.While she is gone, the barmai
Rex and Iris leave the Queen’s study and head to a little pub down the street from the castle.“I am glad you came back, but do you think it wise to leave Hector with my mother?” asks Iris.Rex orders two beers and sits by her.“Hector can handle himself. Besides, he's all business. He will have the drink with her and then head back to his room or go hunting. His mind is on his girl,” says Rex.“He has a girl? Is it that blond that came with you all?” asks Iris.“Well, in a sense, yes,” Rex takes a drink and sighs.“Hector is my charge, but he didn’t come to this life willingly, like most. We have to have some way to control the vampires. I am afraid you will hate me if I tell you this,” sighs Rex.“I couldn’t hate you and I know you have done things you don’t like, but you have a king to answer to, and we all know he is not very nice. Some even call him evil.”“Well, this is true. I had to threaten his girlfriend, the human one. If he gets out of line, she will be hurt and before we
“I can dutifully oblige you. Come, let me speak to the masters. I think they would give us both a pass to go to town to celebrate,” says Henry.“Is that allowed? I haven’t left here in six weeks. That would be nice to relax some. Let’s go,” says Kelanar.Kelanar follows Henry back to the castle.“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.” Henry goes up to speak to the masters.Master John notices them while he is seeing the other masters off.“Henry, Kelanar, can I help you with something?” asks Master John.“Yes Master. I wish to take Kelanar to town to celebrate. May we have a pass? I will keep her in my charge,” says Henry.Master John looks like he is thinking, then he smiles.“I am not supposed to let her leave the compound unless she is going home, but as of tomorrow she will be officially in the guard and under my charge fully. I suppose I could allow it. If you promise to watch her and make sure you’re both back by curfew. It is a day to celebrate, for I believe some women might want t
Hector and Rex walk into a grand room. A long table is present and the queen's throne sits at the end of the grand table. There are many people seated at the table already. The young girl from before sees them.“You both clean up nicely. The queen will be pleased. Come with me.” She leads them to the two chairs on either side of the queen’s throne.They sit and Hector turns to the girl.“Do forgive me, but I didn’t catch your name earlier.”She blushes. “I am sorry, I am so used to Rex, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Princess Iris.”Hector is surprised and bows.“I am sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t know you were a royal,” says Hector.Rex laughs. “It’s fine, Hector, you didn’t know, and Iris isn’t one for titles. Just respect the queen and we will be fine,” orders Rex.Ruby and Ash join the group a few moments later. Ruby sits next to Hector and Ash sits next to Ruby.Hector goes to speak with them when the double doors open and everyone stands and bows. The queen enters wearin
Kelanar sent her letter over three days ago and she has been waiting to hear back from her sister, Eve. She is helping George with breakfast when Master John hands her a letter.Dear Kelanar,Glad to hear you're doing ok. I can’t believe they have you in the guard, that is crazy, but mom and I are very proud of you. If they were to have a first woman, we could see it being you. I know you are great with a bow, so give those boys hell. I can’t wait to see you for our birthday. Write back soon.Love, Eve(Six weeks later)Kelanar has been enjoying her time with Henry in the morning as they help George and then they train all day. Then they get some time alone as they clean the boots. Master John said that this was the last week for boots, thinking they had been punished enough. Henry has been doing all this with a broken hand. He gets the wrap off today.Kelanar has been getting better with a sword, and she is moving up in the ranks with the boys. She is still the best with a bow and M
Henry is in his bed and can’t sleep. What Kelanar said really bothered him. An idea comes to him, and he goes to sleep before his alarm goes off at three o'clock. Ben and Ken groan at that. It is not time to get up yet.Henry wipes the sleep out of his eyes and grabs a quick shower before dressing and heading down to the kitchen. He sees George.“Well, good morning, Henry. What are you doing up already?” asks George.“Morning George. Well, Kelanar made a comment yesterday that really bothers me. She must do double duty as a woman and a guard. I find it very unfair.”“I am sure you do, but that is the orders and like you said, she is a woman.”“I know very well. I have come to a decision that, as long as she has to, then I will too. So, put me to work,” says Henry with confidence.“Very well, that is very you. Grab some potatoes, get to peeling. She will be here soon,” orders George.Henry sits and gets to work. A little before four, Kelanar strolls in. She spies Henry working and is
The sun sets, and Hector and Rex rise from their sleep. Hector stretches his muscles, stiff from horseback riding, and wants a shower.“Do you mind if I shower first, Rex?” asks Hector.Rex looks over at him and smiles.“No, go ahead. I like to hunt before I shower, but make sure you are done before I get back. No taking your time like a woman would,” says Rex.“No, I will be out pretty quick,” says Hector.Hector walks into the bathroom. He sees a good sized room. On the walls he sees a lot of symbols like runes. He uses the restroom and turns on the shower. As soon as he does, he smells this fragrance consisting of roses, lavender and some other herbs. Hector knows he is in the kingdom of the witches, and he needs to stay alert. He strips out of his clothes and steps into the warm water. He sees many bottles of soap and they all smell like the rain. Hector quickly uses them, rinses off and dries with a towel he finds hanging on the wall. He walks out of the bathroom just as Rex is