I drew in a sharp breath as I exited the car, my hills sinking slightly into the gravel of the driveway. My head lifted to take in the enormous estate in front of me. I had never seen a building this extravagant before and it was buried in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but fields and woods for miles.
"The Traian brothers are here, sir."
I look down and see a tall muscular guard speaking on the radio, alerting someone that we've arrived. The guard gives me a once over when he catches me staring and I immediately drop my gaze, remembering the rules.
Ivan and Felix come to my side and let Paul take the lead. Paul shakes the security guard's hand only because it's polite but I can see how tense his back is. "Is King Matthias and the council ready for our arrival?"
"Yes," The guard answers. Taking his hand back from Paul to make a come here gesture. Instantly, more guards come out of nowhere, surrounding us.
I step closer to my brothers, very aware that I'm now trapped. I could feel their eyes roaming my body, making my skin prickle. A few even flared their nostrils like they were sniffing the air and couldn't pinpoint what they were smelling.
Ivan pulled me to his side, sensing my fear. He placed a hand on my back and whispered, "Relax, we've got you."
I could only nod but I still felt on edge.
"Follow us," The head guard finally announced. The doors to the building were pulled open from the inside by more guards.
As soon as we stepped inside, I was struck by the grandeur of the interior. My hills clicked against white polished marble and the walls were made up of white panels with hints of gold around the edges. Every window we passed was blocked off by long, gold curtains but the chandeliers dangling above made up for the lack of natural lighting.
My stomach twisted when we stopped and the beauty of the place was forgotten as soon as I realised King Matthias and his high council would be waiting on the other side of the double doors. The guards wasted no time pulling the doors open and ushering us inside. Paul was the first to walk into the room and the rest of us soon followed. Not that we had a choice.
I didn't know what I expected as I stepped inside the room but it wasn't this. I looked around the room, feeling like I'd stepped into a low-key nightclub. Despite that, the room still looked spectacular with a giant red L-shaped sofa against the back wall, and a bar across the left wall with stools and shelves of alcohol. LED lighting decorated the bar and some of the other furniture. Low music played from speakers on the wall and when I looked up there was even a balcony overlooking the room.
My stomach twisted further at the four imposing figures seated on the couch, looking at us as if we'd just come and ruined their party. As we stepped further into the room, my eyes widened at the half-naked women sitting on the stools at the bar. They all wore similarly, gold collars and every one of them looked like they were high on drugs.
All four male vampires held an air of authority about them but one, in particular, gave off a wave of power that was far-reaching. This was King Matthias, my gut told me. I tried my best to survey him without looking directly into his eyes like Paul had warned me about.
I gathered in my quick survey that he had black hair, streaked with grey and his eyes were a light shade of brown. He wore a pristine black suit with well-polished shoes. I know because he currently had a collared girl cleaning them for him. He wore no crown but it wouldn't take a genius to realise who he is and what sort of authority he has.
Paul greets them all. "King Matthias. Prince Francis. Luther. Richard." Paul says Richard's name with apparent dislike.
On our ride here Felix told me the names of the high council and what their roles were. Prince Francis was the King's brother and offered advice on important matters that impacted Xaxas. Luther was Xaxas' ambassador and represented the kingdom during events of meetings that the king could not attend. And Richard was the ambassador of Aralia. He wasn't officially part of the King's high council but due to the alliance between Xaxas and Aralia, his role was to ensure the terms of the alliance were met.
Plus he was a cruel bastard who publicly abused human pets, Felix had told me.
I didn't have time to survey the other's appearances properly before King Matthias spoke. "The Traian brothers. If I didn't know better I'd think my eyes were deceiving me. Why did it take a summoning from me for you boys to finally return home?"
"We took a liking to England," Paul answers with a smile that only I, Felix and Ivan know is fake. "It was hard to leave once we settled in."
"Ah," King Matthias smiles as if he understands. "Plenty of prey to chase, I suppose." He makes a show of patting the head of the girl still polishing his shoes.
I scrunch my face in disgust but Paul says," That and I've always admired the English accent, especially when they scream."
I never thought I'd hear my brother sound so cruel. I have to breathe and remind myself it's just a ruse.
Matthias chuckles and then he looks in my direction and I immediately shudder under his intense gaze. I plant my eyes on the ground, trying not to let my fear show. "I heard you encountered a valerian while living in England and yet this is the first time I'm hearing of it. Why is that, Paul?"
Valerian? Is that what I am?
I have more questions for Paul once this is over.
I panic, my breathing changing but Paul remains completely calm like he's rehearsed this scenario already. " She intrigued us and we kept her out of mere curiosity. Besides, she isn't a threat as long as she remains human."
As long as I...?
What the fuck is going on?
"Have you had her checked for any birthmarks? I want to know which vampire bloodline sired her." Matthias keeps dark eyes on me but I feel myself growing more confused every time he speaks.
Paul, Ivan and Felix stiffen.
Paul brims with tension but when you look at him, he's never looked more relaxed. "She bears no markings. As for her parentage, it's a mystery."
"Luther, examine her," Matthias orders the man sitting to his right and Immediately I step back so I'm closer to my brothers.
Luther stands and walks over to me but my eyes are still on the ground. Paul steps in front of me, blocking Luther. "I already said she has no markings."
Matthias stood and the woman at his feet cowered back. "Forgive me for demanding proof but you can't expect me to fully trust you three when you haven't been back in nearly twenty years. Trust is earned not given." Paul scowled as Matthias sat back down and said, "Continue."
A low growl vibrated in Paul's chest but he didn't move to stop Luther this time. Felix and Ivan stood stiffly behind me, hands fisted as I kept my eyes on the ground, feeling my body start to shake with fear.
I gasped when Luther gripped my chin and lifted my face so my eyes lifted to his. I scanned his face warily, very aware I'd been told to avoid eye contact. Luther's eyes were green, a very subtle green that you could easily mistake for blue. He appeared to be a middle-aged man with dark blonde hair that was styled to match his professional position. Though he may look middle-aged I knew not to be fooled by his looks. He could easily be a hundred years old for all I knew.
I dropped my gaze to his navy blazer, too uncomfortable with the eye contact and how he looked at me as if I were familiar to him. On his chest pocket, a pin sat there that said M.R. Now that I think about it those letters must be King Matthias' initials. It took me back to the night I was attacked. That vampire wore a similar pin only his read R.T.
Who did he work for?
I could feel Luther examining my face still, looking behind my ears, and my neck and then he moved his gaze lower, still searching for a mark. I was still shaking but I told myself If I just stay still he won't hurt me.
He pulled the straps of my dress down and that's when I snapped, taking a step back and demanding, "Don't."
I expected to find Luther smirking or a sign that he was enjoying my discomfort. Instead, he looked worried for me, pitying me. It was enough to make me second guess that he was nothing more than a blood-sucking vampire.
"I'm only going to look for the mark, I promise." His words were so quiet I could almost believe I was the only one who'd heard them, judging from the lack of reaction from everyone else.
"O-okay..." I whispered, allowing him to carry on.
The process was still mentally painful as Luther pulled my dress down to inspect every inch of my skin. My chest, my legs, in between my thighs. I wanted the ground to open and swallow me whole.
Finally, Luther turned to the other three men and said, "There is no mark. There is no way to uncover her bloodline without outside help."
Outside help?
Another man spoke from King Matthias' far left. Richard, I think. "I say we have three choices here. Either we call Prince Marcel to find out her bloodline for us or we can let her return home and hope she won't become a future threat. Or we could turn her and use her. Everyone knows a valerian is always loyal to their makers."
No...
Send me home.
I got a glimpse of Richard. His brown hair was a little longer than most men's and a bit unruly. His eyes were a light grey but the minute I saw them I had to drop my gaze to the ground again because I'd found them looking directly at me. He was suited up like the others but a blazer was absent.
I was too nervous to speak out against the two options I didn't like but luckily Paul did it for me. "Let us take her home and I will ensure she won't be a threat to any of you."
Matthias ignored my brother and replied to Richard, "The first and only valerian in over five centuries and you'd have sending her home to be an option?"
My fear was rising now, so much so that I was certain they could all smell it.
Prince Francis finally spoke and I wish he hadn't. "Killing her is always an option and we could save ourselves the trouble but what a waste that would be."
Ivan and Felix moved to my left and right, silently agreeing with me that this conversation was taking a dark and twisted turn for the worst.
Luther took his seat and said, "Let's not be drastic here. Let the girl stay on the grounds for a few days while we discuss what option we'd wish to take."
A few days? I want to go home!
Matthias thought over his options for a second and finally made a decision. "I agree with Luther. She'll remain locked up in the eastern wing suite with guards while we make our decision. "
This is a nightmare.
"With us," Paul demands. "If she has to stay then she will stay with us."
King Matthias flashes his fangs at my brother, looking at him and wanting to kill him. "You don't make demands of me, Paul. She will stay isolated and she'll remain that way until we decide otherwise, understand?"
No. Paul, please say no.
He only grits his teeth and nods, defeated by a vampire with more power and authority than him.
Paul then looks at me, seeing how afraid I am. With one look he tries to show me just how sorry he is.
I drop my gaze to the ground, wishing I'd fought harder not to come here.
Despite my quiet protests— Quiet because I'm scared shitless of King Matthias and his high council If I put up too much of a fight— I'm separated from my brothers and surrounded by guards that escort me to the eastern side of the estate where I'm to be locked away until my fate is decided. I feel like this is all just a really bad dream and any minute I'm going to wake up but it just doesn't happen. No matter how much I pinch the inside of my arm. The head of the guards stops outside a door on the second level of the eastern wing and turns to me with a blank face. I know his name is Michael now. It's what King Matthias called him when he demanded he attends the high council room. "Inside are your rooms," He informs me, getting to the point. His face subtly warns me to walk inside and let that be it so I do. I walk past him with my gaze to the marble floor and open the door to my prison for the next few days. As I enter the suite, I'm struck by its breathtaking beauty. I close th
It has been three days since I was imprisoned in the Eastern suite and I have no idea if the council have come any closer to a decision. I haven’t seen my brothers once and that snide vampire Richard hasn’t visited me again to my relief. The only vampire who dares shows his face is Michael. Without a word, he comes into my rooms without even asking if I’m decent just to place meals on my dining table and take whatever leftovers I have left from my previous meal. The food is surprisingly good, considering I thought vampires only consumed blood. Michael only leaves and goes and he hates small talk. Every time I ask him a question, he growls at me to stay quiet. Here, I have no rights, no freedom. My fate is down to what the King and his council decide and that terrifies me. Just like that they could have me killed just for existing. I sit on my four poster bed, looking out the window. The view is beautiful from here and you can see the sun disappearing behind the trees in the distanc
I turn over in bed all night, finding sleep to be restless. Even my dreams are haunting as I feel my skin heat. I kick my duvet away as I find it suffocating. Hands stroke my skin in my dream, teasingly brushing the inside of my thighs and my exposed stomach. I let out a breathy moan as the area between my legs starts to ache with need. “So needy and responsive.” A voice whispers, penetrating my unconscious mind. Hands travel further between my legs but refuse to touch the area demanding attention. I writhe on the bed, spreading my legs further apart as sweat coats my skin. Another moan escapes my lips as the dream starts to feel more and more real. Lips press against the inside of my thigh, making my body jerk. Then a tongue is licking across my skin and a man grumbles his satisfaction. When the tongue disappears, the bed dips with the weight of his body and I feel hands caressing the sides of my stomach under my shirt. Then a hand wraps gently around my throat and he says in my
Silence. Silence surrounds me like a thick blanket, blocking me from the outside world as I lay back on the couch, my head resting comfortably on the armrest, my legs draped over the other one. My eyes scan the book I'm reading with fascination and excitement. I rush through the flurry of words as I turn to the next page, eager to know what happens next. The library is the only place I can find quiet freedom away from my hectic home life. In other words, it gave me a break from my brothers. This place is like an escape from the constant worry and protectiveness my three brothers possess. I feel like I've been reading for an hour when in reality, it's been a lot longer. I finally lift my head from the book to notice it is dark out and it's raining. Rain taps the glass as it falls from the night sky. "Excuse me, miss." My eyes focus on the old librarian. Her grey hair is over one shoulder, her brown eyes warm as she says, "I'm sorry, but we're closing now."
I absentmindedly tapped on the glass of the passenger side door. My thoughts swirled into a vortex, my mind raging with all the possible scenarios that this day could lead to. Paul had kept assuring me that I didn't have to go if I didn't want to, but I needed to. It was the only distraction I had at this point. It had been a month since I was attacked. The mark that he had left on my neck had healed within a few days as I had expected. It was a weight lifted off my shoulders, no more evidence to prove that that night did in fact, take place, even if my memories were still reminding me. For the past month, I have had to abide by some strict rules put in place by my brothers; One. I wasn't to go between places without being dropped off or picked up. Two. I had to carry a spare phone with me at all times in case one died. And three. I had to ring them every two to three hours and Inform them of where I was. All rules I had managed to follow all month s
Ivan closed the door behind me once we were indoors. The house seemed empty so Paul and Felix must have been at work. Usually, that meant I’d be cooking dinner tonight but Ivan surprised me when he passed me in the hallway and said, “You relax, okay? I’ll cook dinner tonight.” I wasn’t surprised because Ivan couldn’t cook. He was actually a great cook. I was surprised because the last time he cooked me anything it was to cheer me up from a nasty breakup. That meant he was offering because he knew I’d need to be cheered up today. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “Ivan, is there something I need to know?” My brothers rarely kept anything from me. I’d like to think that we were honest with each other about anything even if it meant hurting someone’s feelings. It was always Paul who taught us that honesty was the best policy no matter what. Ivan doesn’t look at me as he walks into the kitchen so I follow him. He opens one of our grey kitchen cupboards and pulls out some spaghetti
My hands grip the edge of the ship tightly as the floor beneath my feet sways with the motion of the sea. The movement makes me feel queasy because I’m not used to it. I’d never even been on a boat before but Paul said the ship was the only form of travel we could use to get to these islands. Planes attracted too much human attention and I suppose an island full of vampires wouldn’t like that. The English coast was a speck in the distance now, reminding me how far I was from home. Already I missed my bed, our comfy sofas and the library that made all my problems disappear. We’d only left this morning and already I was dying to go back home. I hope this trip doesn’t last longer than a few days. Ivan, Paul and Felix are below deck now that the sun's rising. It's funny to think how I'd never realised their strange quirks were because they were vampires until now. Like the way, they'd wear those ridiculous sunglasses even in winter. Or how they'd layer up even if it was heatwave seaso
I turn over in bed all night, finding sleep to be restless. Even my dreams are haunting as I feel my skin heat. I kick my duvet away as I find it suffocating. Hands stroke my skin in my dream, teasingly brushing the inside of my thighs and my exposed stomach. I let out a breathy moan as the area between my legs starts to ache with need. “So needy and responsive.” A voice whispers, penetrating my unconscious mind. Hands travel further between my legs but refuse to touch the area demanding attention. I writhe on the bed, spreading my legs further apart as sweat coats my skin. Another moan escapes my lips as the dream starts to feel more and more real. Lips press against the inside of my thigh, making my body jerk. Then a tongue is licking across my skin and a man grumbles his satisfaction. When the tongue disappears, the bed dips with the weight of his body and I feel hands caressing the sides of my stomach under my shirt. Then a hand wraps gently around my throat and he says in my
It has been three days since I was imprisoned in the Eastern suite and I have no idea if the council have come any closer to a decision. I haven’t seen my brothers once and that snide vampire Richard hasn’t visited me again to my relief. The only vampire who dares shows his face is Michael. Without a word, he comes into my rooms without even asking if I’m decent just to place meals on my dining table and take whatever leftovers I have left from my previous meal. The food is surprisingly good, considering I thought vampires only consumed blood. Michael only leaves and goes and he hates small talk. Every time I ask him a question, he growls at me to stay quiet. Here, I have no rights, no freedom. My fate is down to what the King and his council decide and that terrifies me. Just like that they could have me killed just for existing. I sit on my four poster bed, looking out the window. The view is beautiful from here and you can see the sun disappearing behind the trees in the distanc
Despite my quiet protests— Quiet because I'm scared shitless of King Matthias and his high council If I put up too much of a fight— I'm separated from my brothers and surrounded by guards that escort me to the eastern side of the estate where I'm to be locked away until my fate is decided. I feel like this is all just a really bad dream and any minute I'm going to wake up but it just doesn't happen. No matter how much I pinch the inside of my arm. The head of the guards stops outside a door on the second level of the eastern wing and turns to me with a blank face. I know his name is Michael now. It's what King Matthias called him when he demanded he attends the high council room. "Inside are your rooms," He informs me, getting to the point. His face subtly warns me to walk inside and let that be it so I do. I walk past him with my gaze to the marble floor and open the door to my prison for the next few days. As I enter the suite, I'm struck by its breathtaking beauty. I close th
I drew in a sharp breath as I exited the car, my hills sinking slightly into the gravel of the driveway. My head lifted to take in the enormous estate in front of me. I had never seen a building this extravagant before and it was buried in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but fields and woods for miles. "The Traian brothers are here, sir." I look down and see a tall muscular guard speaking on the radio, alerting someone that we've arrived. The guard gives me a once over when he catches me staring and I immediately drop my gaze, remembering the rules. Ivan and Felix come to my side and let Paul take the lead. Paul shakes the security guard's hand only because it's polite but I can see how tense his back is. "Is King Matthias and the council ready for our arrival?" "Yes," The guard answers. Taking his hand back from Paul to make a come here gesture. Instantly, more guards come out of nowhere, surrounding us. I step closer to my brothers, very aware that I'm now trapped.
My hands grip the edge of the ship tightly as the floor beneath my feet sways with the motion of the sea. The movement makes me feel queasy because I’m not used to it. I’d never even been on a boat before but Paul said the ship was the only form of travel we could use to get to these islands. Planes attracted too much human attention and I suppose an island full of vampires wouldn’t like that. The English coast was a speck in the distance now, reminding me how far I was from home. Already I missed my bed, our comfy sofas and the library that made all my problems disappear. We’d only left this morning and already I was dying to go back home. I hope this trip doesn’t last longer than a few days. Ivan, Paul and Felix are below deck now that the sun's rising. It's funny to think how I'd never realised their strange quirks were because they were vampires until now. Like the way, they'd wear those ridiculous sunglasses even in winter. Or how they'd layer up even if it was heatwave seaso
Ivan closed the door behind me once we were indoors. The house seemed empty so Paul and Felix must have been at work. Usually, that meant I’d be cooking dinner tonight but Ivan surprised me when he passed me in the hallway and said, “You relax, okay? I’ll cook dinner tonight.” I wasn’t surprised because Ivan couldn’t cook. He was actually a great cook. I was surprised because the last time he cooked me anything it was to cheer me up from a nasty breakup. That meant he was offering because he knew I’d need to be cheered up today. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “Ivan, is there something I need to know?” My brothers rarely kept anything from me. I’d like to think that we were honest with each other about anything even if it meant hurting someone’s feelings. It was always Paul who taught us that honesty was the best policy no matter what. Ivan doesn’t look at me as he walks into the kitchen so I follow him. He opens one of our grey kitchen cupboards and pulls out some spaghetti
I absentmindedly tapped on the glass of the passenger side door. My thoughts swirled into a vortex, my mind raging with all the possible scenarios that this day could lead to. Paul had kept assuring me that I didn't have to go if I didn't want to, but I needed to. It was the only distraction I had at this point. It had been a month since I was attacked. The mark that he had left on my neck had healed within a few days as I had expected. It was a weight lifted off my shoulders, no more evidence to prove that that night did in fact, take place, even if my memories were still reminding me. For the past month, I have had to abide by some strict rules put in place by my brothers; One. I wasn't to go between places without being dropped off or picked up. Two. I had to carry a spare phone with me at all times in case one died. And three. I had to ring them every two to three hours and Inform them of where I was. All rules I had managed to follow all month s
Silence. Silence surrounds me like a thick blanket, blocking me from the outside world as I lay back on the couch, my head resting comfortably on the armrest, my legs draped over the other one. My eyes scan the book I'm reading with fascination and excitement. I rush through the flurry of words as I turn to the next page, eager to know what happens next. The library is the only place I can find quiet freedom away from my hectic home life. In other words, it gave me a break from my brothers. This place is like an escape from the constant worry and protectiveness my three brothers possess. I feel like I've been reading for an hour when in reality, it's been a lot longer. I finally lift my head from the book to notice it is dark out and it's raining. Rain taps the glass as it falls from the night sky. "Excuse me, miss." My eyes focus on the old librarian. Her grey hair is over one shoulder, her brown eyes warm as she says, "I'm sorry, but we're closing now."