The next morning I woke, my eyes feeling sore and tempted to close again from my lack of sleep. I had spent most of the night still overthinking about Kyan. I got dressed and as soon as I finished my usual morning routine, I grabbed Emma’s journal and headed out of my room. I was taken by surprise to see Talon already sitting at the table which was laid with our breakfast and Kyan sitting on the right of the table, both of them looking at me as soon as I entered. “Well, good morning young Ellie, I was about to knock on your door and wake you”. Talon said with a bright smile. I forced a smile, feeling uneasy and trying to avoid looking at Kyan. “Are you ok?” Kyan asked, his deep voice traced with concern. “Yea I’m fine, just tired, I think it was the wine”. I lied as I started to walk through the room and headed for the doors. “Are you not going to join us for breakfast?” Talon asked in surprise at the idea of me passing up food. “Oh, I’m not hungry”. I lied ag
Kyan's POV: I knew really, I shouldn’t have gone to my father’s room for breakfast, but even when I was telling myself not to go, my feet were moving in that direction and I headed there anyway. Sweet Ellie… She looked so sleepy and innocent when she came out and I felt the disappointment when she declined to eat with us. As much as I like some down time with my father instead of the usual meetings and serious discussions, she was really the main reason I came in here this morning. Her scent hit me like a ton of beautiful but heavy load of bricks. A constant reminder that the way I was drawn to her was such a weighty burden. I’ve tried so hard to fight it, to deny it, to remind myself that she’s a fucking human and I, for one, can’t stand…. basically their whole kind. Of course, I knew there were a fair few that were different. They’ve been here, they are here, they pitch in, they don’t cause any problems, they’re happy here, but…. But having a handful of them here was on
Ellie's POV: Two weeks later. I had found myself wandering around on my own a lot in the last several days. Most of the vampires were either training or searching the forest and guarding the castle. Talon, Kyan and Zekan were constantly dealing with the hunter who was still imprisoned here. Melanie, Duncan, Faye and Stuart were even busier now preparing extra meals to keep up the vampires strength' now that they couldn’t hunt in the forest. They were either cooking or cleaning in the kitchen. I had helped them a couple of times, but I felt like I would just get under their feet with so many of us in one kitchen. I did go for a walk in the gardens yesterday, though, with Del, when he saw me staring out the window in the main hall, he had definitely took pity on me and skipped one of his meals to keep me company. While we were out, I noticed how many more of them were guarding along the rooftops and around the edges of the garden. Del had told me that so far their hunter had
“You’re not eating much this morning!” Talon observed as he watched me pick at my toast and bacon. “Just not very hungry today”. I said in a mumble, feeling a bit weary. “Something on your mind?” “I don’t know”. I replied with a quick shrug. “Are you missing your home?” “I guess…” “Well, if your not hungry, how about we go for a little wander, but everyone is pretty busy today with guarding duty, so we’ll have to settle for a walk indoors, I’m afraid”. “That sounds nice actually”. I nodded, feeling a little more positive that I would have his company today. He stood from his seat and, as always, held his arm out for me to take as we left the room. As we strolled around the castle, I noticed I hadn’t seen some of the corridors he was taking me through, some of them lined with portraits of their ancestry and others of Kyan and Zekan when they were just small boys. “I always thought that vampires stopped aging when they reached adulthood”. I told him as
My eyes flashed open, startled from the sudden bang outside my room, I bolted upright and as I tried to blink the sleepiness away, I could hear raised voices in the distance. I quickly leapt out of bed and opened my bedroom door to see Talon chucking his cloak over his shoulders and flash out of the doors, leaving them wide open. Within seconds I ran, curious to know what made him dash off so quickly in the middle of the night. I peeped around the door to see him standing down the hallway looking over the balcony down to the hall below. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to clear them from their fogginess, when the smell of smoke hit me and I realised it wasn’t my eyes that were foggy, but the air. I darted over to him and looked down to see the main castle doors were in flames as Kyan, Zekan, Del and others were rushing to put the blazed fire out. I stood in shock as I watched the commotion, looking from them to Talon, his face with a stern and furious expression. “How did all
I felt so much more refreshed after the shower and I quickly braided my wet hair and put on a clean pair of jeans and a top, then went to wait in the main chamber room. I looked at the old wooden grandfather clock to see it was already gone five in the evening and Talon still wasn’t back. I sat at the table as Kyan then walked in. “Are they back yet?” I asked. “No, no sign of them yet”. He shook his head as he took a seat to my left at the table. “Don’t worry Ellie, they’ll be ok”. “I hope so”. I replied as I realised I was bouncing my leg in worry. “I have to admit, I’m really surprised you were so worried to see my father go. I mean he’s a vampire, aren’t you supposed to be glad?” “Really?” I shot back with irritation. “He’s been so good to me and….. I trust him completely. I’ll be honest though, I am surprised myself!”. “Yea?” He asked with a smile. “Yes!” I chuckled. “I just never expected to care so much, but I do, rather a lot actually”. “Well, I can s
Kyan's POV: I sat at the table in father’s quarters as I waited for him to come out of his study. I kept glancing at Ellie, sitting in her chair. I could see the book she was reading wasn’t distracting her enough from whatever was on her mind. She never looked at the book for long and kept staring out the window. I couldn’t tell if she was looking for an answer or an escape. She was particularly quiet today, no smile, no joy in her voice when she said ‘good morning’ to me today. Can’t say I blame her… she spent all day yesterday worrying about my father, only to be woken up in the middle of the night to be accused of something she had no control over. I hated the fact that I did trust Ellie! Zekan was right in his thinking, we knew from experience the majority of humans couldn’t be trusted and only a few months ago I would have voiced the same shit Zekan did last night. It was fucking crazy how much I could just feel that she was trustworthy. When he questioned her, it didn’t
Ellie's POV: I waited with anticipation in the main hall with Talon, Kyan, Zekan and Lyra, for Mayor Jackson to arrive. Even with Lyra’s constant bitching about him coming here, I couldn’t wait to see a friendly face from town, a reminder that life outside this castle still exists. “How do we know he won’t betray us?” Lyra remarked for the tenth time as she clicked clacked in her heels across the floor and sat down in a huff at the table. “He’s a fucking mayor with a town full of people to keep safe! He knows he’d be a fool if he went against his word”. Talon snapped back at her. “Well, the whole town could be in on it for all we know… every single person!” She stretched out the last part as an attempt to dig at me. “Are we including the toddlers that can barely talk let alone hold a weapon!” I commented back. “No, just the ones roughly eighteen and above… remind me little weakling how old are you?” She replied with a sour grin. “Twenty actually!” I said with a ca
I woke up early, the birds outside my window tweeting away as the sun was beginning to rise. I could already hear Talon in the next room rummaging around and I knew we weren’t the only ones awake. Everyone would now be getting out of bed to prepare themselves for the day ahead. I quickly put on all of my clothes I had chosen to wear whilst we hid in the tunnels. I knew it would be cold down there, so my three layers of tops and jumpers would hopefully keep me warm enough. I tied back my hair and clicked open my bedroom door, to see Talon putting away a handful of papers in a big black folder. “Good morning Ellie, you’re ready to go?” “Yes, what are you doing?” I asked as I watched him neatly place the folder on the main table. “Just getting things in order, in case I don’t make it back”. He said so calmly as if he didn’t realise exactly what his words meant. “You WILL make it back, Talon, I know you will”. I tried to reassure him and myself, even though doubt was ma
“You’re quick” Del said as he walked back across the mats, “But you’ll need to be quicker”.I bent over leaning my hands on my legs as I tried to catch my breath, I had so much sweat forming all over my body, even my pulled back hair was wet! “I’m being as quick as I can!” I told him in annoyance. “You do have an advantage, in case you’ve forgotten”. “If you find it hard now, how are you going to defend yourself against rogues? He asked with a frown.“I’ll just have to do as best as I can, Del”. “I don’t think you’re at your best, Ell’s, and so far I’ve taken it pretty easy on you!” “Easy? You call that easy?”. “Del, let her have a break!” Kiko suggested as she watched our training. “She looks like she’s about to topple over!” “Fine!” He slightly eased up. “Get some water, then we’ll go again!” “Fuck!” I said as my chest heaved, trying to catch my breath. I dragged myself over to the bench and drank what was left of my water.“She’s improved a lot, Del. If we go too hard she won
I sat at the table in the main hall with Del and Kiko as we decided to take an extra long break in between training. Kiko was telling Del about my improvements, that I had been able to floor her more often than not and, with a cheeky grin, Del looked at me. “How about I come on in these training sessions, see if you can knock me down?” “Yea, sounds good to me!” I said confidently with a shrug.“Del!” Kiko groaned. "I’m trying to build her up so don’t be too full on." “I won’t, I won’t! I’ll try to take it easy. Don’t worry Ellie, I won’t be too hard on you!” he said with a playful wink.“Bring it on!” I replied, feeling competitive.“You think you can take me down that easily?” He said with a cocky smile.“I think you’re scared I’ll be able to!” I shot back at him.“Ooooh” Kiko cooed, chuckling. “Del, you’re not going to back down are you? But you can if you’re too afraid!” She joined in with goading him.“Alright, alright girls! I know what you’re doing. But I’ll join in, don’t you
Ellie’s POV:I opened my eyes to see Kyan already awake looking back at me and my whole body fuzzed as I looked dreamily into his eyes.“Good morning”. He whispered.“Good morning”. I said with a little smile and a little wish that we could just stay like this.“Did you sleep ok?”“I did”. I nodded against my pillow. “Thank you for staying here, I hope you got some sleep too”. “I did, don’t worry. In fact, it’s probably one of the best nights’ sleep I’ve had in a while”. “Me too”. I grinned and my stomach flipped when he gave me one of his own right back.“I’m sure you didn’t expect to be back here again”.“I wanted to come back at some point. I would have always wanted to come back, I just didn’t think it would be so soon. I was only gone a day and now I’m back already and you all have to put up with me again”. I smiled with a chuckle, trying to lighten how heavy my heart was feeling.“No, we’re always happy to have you here Ellie”. “Wow Kyan, you’ve gotten softer, carry on like t
Kyan's POV:“FATHER!” I shouted as soon as the castle doors were opened. I set Ellie down on the edge of the table as I quickly scanned her for any injuries. But when my eyes clocked the red palm mark on her cheek, my stomach lurched, and my throat let out an unvoluntary growl.Father came to the balcony and with one look at Ellie, he sped down the stairs and stopped right in front of her with a furious look. “What happened??” He asked in demand for an answer.“Two rogues got into her house and tried to take her. We managed to ambush them once they crossed into the forest”. I informed him.“What?” He asked as his eyes widened and his mouth turned into a scowl as he looked back at Ellie. “Did they attack Bluebay?” “No”. She replied quietly and I could see her trying to gulp through her nerves. “At least… I don’t think so”. “No, we were near the border, nothing happened!”. Zekan informed them both.“How did they get in?” Father asked her.“Through the yard doors, it was boarded up, bu
My legs were tired, and my brain felt fried. I had spent hours last night doing my resume and printing numerous copies. I had headed out first thing this morning to hand deliver them, but finding an open position I could fill was more difficult than I’d hoped. I cycled from building to building, streets and blocks. I had gotten to the point where I practically pleaded for them to notify me of any positions available…. At this rate, I would be happy to be an errand girl or a janitor if it meant I’d have some wages for the time being! Out of the fifty copies I made, only five got handed in and I still didn’t know where I could stay. Apart from one little old fashioned hotel out in the hills, there weren’t any others, it just wasn’t a needed thing here. But that place was for campers and hikers. I doubt I could afford to stay there on a nightly basis. My head hadn’t stopped swimming today with everything I had to secure in time, before the house was no longer our
Here I was….. back again! I stared through the gap in the trees at my town as Kyan took my hand and helped me down from his back. It was just as gloomy today as it was last time, and my stomach churned with nausea as I looked at the street ahead where only a few days ago I was holding my dead mother. I already knew coming back so soon was going to be hard, but my legs felt like jelly and my head was starting to feel dizzy and hot. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Kyan asked and it was only then I realised he was still holding my hand. I just nodded glumly as I squeezed his cool palm, wishing I didn’t have to go alone. “We’ll be right here if it’s too much”. Del reassured me as he rubbed my arm supportively and once again I just nodded in reply as if I’d completely lost the ability to speak. “Remember keep your wits about you!” Kyan reminded me as he stepped closer, looking right into my eyes. “You run
Two days later: “Does the coat fit ok?” Talon asked as I put on the black coat he had insisted I wear with the black knee length dress that belonged to Cecelia. “It’s perfect!”. I replied, trying to muster a smile, but I was thankful for him letting me wear these clothes. It’s not like I had packed anything smart enough to wear, especially for something like today. “I know today will be very hard on you Ellie”. He said with a long sigh. “Me and the whole town”. I said as I flopped down onto a chair at his room table. “I very much wish I could be there to help you through it. If there was a way….” “Of course, I know you would!” I interrupted him, not wanting him to feel any guilt for me having to go alone. “I’ll be ok. I have my friends and my dad will be there!”. “I know… I just”. “You worry!” I smiled a watery smile. “You’ve worried and kept me safe the whole time I’ve been here”. I told him as I got up and walked over to him, placing my hands in his. “So, f
Ellie's POV: I woke up, blinking open my eyes that felt almost as dry as my mouth and I could see by the light shining through my curtains onto the wall, it was daytime. My stomach sank once again, just as it did every time I woke up from my perfect dreams. I’d sleep and see her just as she always used to be… smiling, happy, dancing! Then the moment my eyes opened, I’d see her face breathless in my arms and the reality would hit me, like I was seeing it for the first time all over again. I pushed myself up against my pillows, relieved to see the glass of water on my nightstand. I gulped it and felt the coolness run through my body, finally hydrating myself, but unfortunately it didn’t wash away the heaviness in my chest. I can barely even remember coming back here. I knew someone was holding me and in my mind I saw Kyan. I wanted it to be Kyan, but I only noticed the cold breeze, but just for an instant before, I slipped back into the peaceful darkness of my sleep. I h