7
The sun was peacefully peeking in the early hours of the morning, its light filtering through the velvet curtains. Unlike yesterday, the events today are rather fruitful. Last night, I remembered the parade of maids and servants bedecking the castle grounds for today's festivities. I thought the Western Kingdom had no business with me for this upcoming occasion, but I was gravely mistaken. Seems like I was invited.
In the short span since waking up, I was tended to by a succession of palace maids. I must have tried on at least ten of the finest silk and fabric dresses, the kind that would appease any aristocrat—though they all felt uncomfortably tight. They didn't even consider what I was at ease with; they simply went through the motions of enhancing my appearance to some semblance of acceptability. The maids paid me little at
8The rustling of forest trees reverberated in my ears. I could almost picture it—groups of people darting and leaping, or perhaps even humans, moving through the dense foliage. Resonating with the ominous sensation that had gripped my heart during our journey through the woods, I instinctively swung around and let out a startled shout. However, my reaction was met with an immediate outpouring of indignant protests."Sit down, girl!""What a rascal,"I pridefully stepped forward, almost touching the padded carpet aisle. I regarded Alpha Knight standing up from the podium in my peripheral vision, gaze holding a sense of familiarity."What is she doing?
9I glared at him with fury, my fists tightly clenched at my sides. It required immense self-control to keep myself from delivering a swift and resounding slap across his face. Yet, a voice inside me cautioned against such a reckless action.The moon shone through the dusty, tinted glass window, but its illumination was obscured by the yellow tinge of the candle-lit mantles. I tried my hardest to conceal the pain prowling; however, the man in front of me had unparalleled eyesight. Immediately, my countenance lay bare to him.And for a moment of heart-wrenching thinking, his gaze pinned onto mine, breathing heavily as he held our sight. There was a pause before I cast my eyes off to the side. A slither of rationality passed, and I remembered what we were."What makes you think I wanted you?"His brows rose up, seemingly surprised by what I said. Alpha Knight's expression darkened. Feeling his temper rising, I subtly redirected my attention elsewhere."So it's true? My brother is your n
10Endowed with his stunning looks, turning away from him was probably a crime. The man maintained his neutral expression. There was only one thing that had to be steadfast, and that was avoiding the budding feelings I may have for this man. Don't even think about it, I thought, occasionally reminding myself when he clouds my thoughts."Is there something important that you have to say?" I pried on.For a second, he didn't respond, but he did turn to look at me before resuming his work. I can't help but tug at the hem of my dress, feeling awkward and forgotten."Did you follow my orders?"Orders? Did he give me one?
11 "This man...when can I meet him?" He inhaled sharply. "Tomorrow. Although I remain unsure... He's remarkably stubborn, yet he finds your instincts intriguing." "Instincts?" I inquired. While Chance's demeanor appeared open, it left numerous questions swirling in my mind. He spoke freely but provided minimal explanation. Perhaps it wasn't intentional; it might have slipped his mind. What truly mattered was effective communication regarding the subject at hand. "You detected the impending attack long before anyone else did. In fact, none of us were even aware of it. As I mentioned, those attackers were already dead, and our sense of smell can only detect the scent of the living... Yours is undeniably exceptional.... Even if you haven't turned, maybe you could even outdo most of our pack warriors," He trailed on. Remarkable as it seems, I was convinced that there wasn't anything special to it. Instead of probing further, I remembered my agenda as of today. "I should be going. I a
12 "Strange...nothing," Confused, I urged him with my questioning eyes. "You mind if I may compare, yours is not an open book to read...I must say this is a first," I don't know what to make about that. I close my eyes, letting my thoughts run freely. Perhaps, he could reach into something with a bit of help. I don't want to end this session with absolutely nothing. Wells seemed too focused, his chest heaving and then dropping. By the time he opened his eyes, I had expected an answer, anything that could bring me closer to knowing who I was, but instead, he slunk back in his seat. That alone was very telling. "This is quite mysterious...Did Alpha Chance mention how difficult you were to read?" I try rummaging through my mind. He hasn't mentioned anything, but he does effectively hear my thoughts. "He can read my mind, but not my memories, though," "That I established...," He briefly paused. "—I can't seem to find anything else. And I'm an expert when it comes to unlocking certa
13Peace once dominated this world. And sadly, the only proof of its existence is engraved on deteriorated papers.The once beautiful realm is now divided into four kingdoms, governed by each of their ruling classes. The Vampires from the Northern, the Werewolves from the Western, the Magicians from the Eastern, and outcasts from the Southern. Fates intertwine with each other, and yet they stray far from each other's orbits, almost but never touching.Many yearn for the union, but some terrible mistakes cannot simply be bypassed, and thus, the ruins and the scars inevitably ruin all hope—perhaps, it may never mend. But there will always be dreamers, they say...
14It was wrong. Absolutely wrong to lambaste him with words. And every passing second, I shudder each time I remember.However, that thought caved in. I huffed. What was the point? Lorraine clearly stated the reason for his intentions. He continued to shake my emotions violently to the extent I acted unrulily.My teeth clacked. "Playing with me? You're not supposed to entertain the enemy..." There was a hint of dichotomy in my words. But he knew what I was trying to say.Alpha Knight didn't look pleased when he heard Lorraine speak. Maybe it was the way she intervened or the way she had professed the truth. I felt my heart constrict at the thought they were planning to lure me. Make a fool out of me."Cancel the meeting, Cha
15 Samos Lemir. The man that Chance wanted me to meet, was a rather shabby but enigmatic-looking man. He's a few inches shorter than Chance, with matted hair, and a gritty stubble. I could almost note the wrinkles on his forehead, making his age more apparent. After being invited inside, the door slammed behind us. Samos gestured his hand towards his wooden table and we obliged to his amenity. When we were finally settled, I couldn't help the gush of questions. "Kaleya? Why did you call me by that name? Do you know me?" Samos shook his head, tucking inside one of his wooden drawers. My gaze instantly landed on the bottle of whisk he pulled out of his hand. He held it out mid-air as if offering us a drink. I looked at Chance and realized we were thinking of the same thing, we kindly declined the offer. "No, I don't know you girl...but I may have what you're looking for," Samos replied, popping the bottle cap with his teeth. Absentmindedly, my eyes wandered to Chance who was also
70"Head west of the City; come find me there."The boy didn't hesitate, snatching the letter from my hand. He unintentionally glimpsed at my covered face, the glow in my eyes briefly holding his attention long enough to unsettle him. Pocketing the letter, he quickly exited the dimly lit room. The echoes of multiple footsteps reached my ears as I clenched my hands together, contemplating the day that lay ahead. I needed to act swiftly, preempting any suspicion from the Northern guards regarding the threats I had sent.The flickering light and the tolling of bells disrupted my thoughts. Something triggered my senses, but it faded as Accius' presence became apparent. Too tense to meet him outside, I awaited him within the small cabin. After a brief moment, the sound of hooves ceased at the entrance. I envisioned Accius dismounting, his familiar scowl etched across his features."I was hoping you'd come to the tavern.""I couldn't, not when most of the members are my own, not when I betr
69Trigger Warning"There's always a duality of good and evil. Aligning yourself with great men is crucial if you aim to be the strongest,"Sitting by the fire, I felt a tumult of emotions, none of which carried warmth. Jean held my hand, tracing the lines of my palm with his finger. Despite the platter of food in front of me, I refrained from touching it, repelled by the presence of this monster by my side. Contrary to my expectations upon returning, the room remained empty. I used to dread solitude, but now, I longed for the company of another person."I never declared a desire for power,"Jean released his grip on me. "That is what you sought when I rescued... and trained you. I provided you with everything you needed, and in return, you betrayed us by crossing the line with our enemy."Snatching my wrist, Jean forcefully pushed me onto the long wooden table. I struggled against his hold, and a flood of malevolent thoughts accompanied a frantic heartbeat. "Why are you doing this? W
68"Jean... what does he have to do with me?""What are you talking about?"I urgently seized his shoulders, a sense of desperation taking hold of me. "Tell me who I am... h-how I grew up by Alastair’s side. Who was I before?"He sighed heavily, a weight settling in the air. "You were his aide. His spy... sometimes a champion. You followed orders, you... were manipulated into believing Alastair’s cause. But your mother... well, she led not only a rebellion but gave us all hope. Those of us who were lost and without a home."As Accius spoke, a flood of conflicting emotions surged within me. The revelation about my past hit me like a tidal wave, each word chipping away at the facade that surrounded my upbringing. The connection to Alastair, the manipulation, everything was a bitter pill to swallow. And yet, in contrast, my mother's actions painted a picture of resilience and defiance that stirred a newfound sense of purpose within me. The weight of my past is now intertwined with the po
I gave him a curious stare. Regardless of what he envisioned, it had to be doable. Otherwise, I'm unwilling to do things I am incapable of doing. At the moment, Accius is in full-on mystifying mode. Sure enough, I was correct in my suspicions."You've got this. This is in your hands now. You just need to do the same thing you did in the snowy mountains,"I paused at his remark. How did he know that? Was he among the vampires that attacked the East?Concerned about his involvement, my heart raced. From what I can tell about him, he seems like a sincere individual. I'm not usually a good judge of character. However, my situation does not permit me to be judgmental. I had to make do with the resources at my disposal. That leaves him the only person I can place my trust in at this point in time. It's a gamble, but I'm willing to take it if it means getting out of this abyssal place. I need to find a way to reconnect with Knight.As a response, I gave a nonchalant nod. At the very least, I
66 He said, "The only real reason you can't is because you were in the wrong place to begin with. This is where you belong. Where you once lived. Time is not only the answer to getting your answers, sometimes you just need to go back to the past... go back to where you truly belong." I sighed, acknowledging the truth in his words. "You're right. If I want to remember, then this place is the perfect setting to harness my memories." The decision to confront the past, to explore this familiar yet mysterious place, lingered in the air like a quiet resolution. The surroundings, once overlooked, now held the potential to be a canvas for the fragments of recollection. I stood there, a silent observer ready to retrace steps that had faded into my memories. The air seemed charged with subtle energy as if the very atmosphere held the key to unlocking the doorways to remembrance. The familiar sights and sounds took on new significance, transforming into clues that could lead me back to the mo
65In the midst of the soft whispers of falling snowflakes, I cautiously made my way beyond the grand doors of the snowy castle manor. The air was sharp and cold, and the floors beneath my boots were uniformly blanketed with snow. The entire world around me had transformed into a winter wonderland—so, this is the North. The castle's majestic turrets stood tall, resembling silent sentinels against the canvas of the pristine, snow-covered landscape.I was enveloped in a snug, fur-lined cloak of deep burgundy, its rich hue contrasting beautifully with the surrounding white. In my hands, I clutched the letter from Fionna. The soft crunch of snow beneath my boots reverberated in silence as I ventured into the castle's courtyard, hoping that no guards were lurking nearby.The snowflakes continued their delicate dance, settling on my golden hair and creating a glistening crown. The scent of pine and the distant crackling of a fireplace wafted through the air, enveloping the surroundings in a
64Having regained my composure, I finally took a much-needed break, a rarity in recent times. However, Jean's icy and threatening stare continued to haunt my thoughts, and his words persisted in my nightmares.Following the tumultuous events, Jean, unable to suppress his anger, departed without providing any clarification. The uneasy atmosphere from the brief gathering would have overwhelmed me if Alastair hadn't done the same.I rubbed my temples while squeezing my eyes shut tight. I was overcome with emotion as the snowstorm raged outside. This desolate place was becoming familiar territory for my former self, but that person was no longer here. Thoughts of being involved in such awful acts, the murders, tortured my mind. What if I'm to blame for this? If that is the case, is it too late to change?After a prolonged internal struggle, I managed to regain my composure. Now was not the time to entertain such unsettling thoughts; my immediate concern was to escape.I meticulously exam
63It took me a while to fully process what I had just learned. His words echoed in my ears, casting a shadow over every corner of my mind and emotions. How? How is it possible? A myriad of questions swirled in my head, and none of the answers I could conjure seemed acceptable. Could he really be my father? I used to believe it was the man I saw in my mother's memories—Leo. Honestly, I never anticipated Alastair's involvement to be this profound. Somehow, my mind struggles to comprehend the idea. I can't fathom the truth if he is indeed my father. It just doesn't seem plausible.He won't be...everThe lingering shadow of Alastaire's presence still cast a pall over my mind after his unwelcome visit. However, he didn't depart without leaving a message: 'Tomorrow, you will be meeting someone. Bring your best behavior.'Naturally, I was terrified—terrified of the person I would meet. The horrors of the past and the recent attacks weighed heavily on my mind. And Teresa... how could I forge
62Before I could fully recover, I mulled over what had happened. Unlike the resistance the vampires show in sunlight, the energy burst from within made dying in sunlight a probability. Vampires can have enchantments and that of course was used to diminish their inability to be exposed in daylight. Teresa looked at me in her wolf form, her eyes going wide, as she too was taken aback. I could practically guess the questions streaming in her mind. But besides that, the battle is not yet finished. “Keep your attention elsewhere Teresa!” I exclaimed, and again, she responded with a growl. A flash of angry vampires showing their fangs darted in our direction. As much as I wanted to mimic the burst of power, for some unknown reason, I couldn’t. I don’t know how…I tried to hide my difficulty summoning the energy once more but they were fast, and in a rapid moment, they tipped me over, I crashed and scrambled across the ground Then one vampire approached me. I glanced around me and noticed