As a huntress, Echo was the young generation of the proud Hunter family. But she was framed for colluding with the vampire Jenna and stealing the ring-Heart of Moonshadow, a family treasure. Echo didn't admit the guilt she never committed. Then what was waiting for her was cruel torturing. Echo's fate was totally changed because Jenna's fiancé Leonardo was the most powerful being in the vampire world, Leonardo vowed to avenge Jenna's death. So, Leonardo found Echo...
View MoreEcho 's POV:
"Echo, you are a huntress, but you conspired with a Vampire to steal the ring-Heart of Moonshadow, which was used to defend against other races, you... you deserve to DIE!"
Right now, I was being forced to kneel in a dark basement, being judged by my family. However, I felt nothing but anger at Uncle Marcus's absurd accusation. I defended myself by straightening my spine. "No! I was not in league with Vampires! Nor did I steal the family treasure!"
"So dear Echo, you still won't tell the truth,huh?"said Uncle Marcus, with a look of hatred and disgust on his face.
"I had told you the truth, but you didn't believe me." I struggled to straightene my back to prove that I had been wrongly accused, but I was filled with tiredness and helplessness when I saw the scornful faces of the other hunters in my family.
"If you ARE telling the truth, then where had our family treasure gone? You were the only one who insisted that there was only good and evil in this world, under which circumstances different races could live happily together in peace. And you even had a Vampire friend!" It was July, the huntress of the family besides me, and the assistant of elder Castile.
"Yes, I can tell the Vampire's name. It was Jenna. I saw her sneaking around yesterday. She must be working with Echo to steal our treasure." Dean chimes in. He was Uncle Marcus's son and the oldest of us young hunters in the family. He had got strength that could never be underestimated.
Because our treasure, Heart of Moonshadow, had been locked in a secret room by the wizard. Only hunter with the purest blood could open the secret room. Yet now, the purest blood of the hunter family was being chosen between me, Uncle Marcus, and my cousin Dean.
Coincidently, Uncle Marcus and Dean were on their way to the city's hunter summit when the treasure was being stolen while I went to the dark forest alone with no evidence. So everyone suspected that I stole the treasure and handed it over to Vampire Jenna. And I did go to the Dark Forest yesterday! I went on to say that I went to the Dark Forest yesterday, and I defended my Vampire friend Jenna by saying this,
"Jenna was a wonderful girl. She came into the human world because she was weak and abandoned by Vampires, and she was kind and sincere. Dean, you can't get back at me and Jenna just because I caught you trying to rape her in time!"
Dean's face changed. "What are you talking about?" I looked at him fiercely and said, "You know clearly whether I am lying or not!" I was starting to wonder if Dean was behind all this.
"Enough! The most important thing for us to discuss now was the loss of the treasure!" Uncle Marcus stopped me and Dean. "Echo, Let me ask you something. You said you were not in league with Vampires. But we all knew that different races were born with different hearts. The existence of Treasure was to fight against Vampires, werewolves and other aliens. I don't think you would tell the truth unless you are given some punishment!" I stared in disbelief at my stern, prim uncle.
"Uncle Marcus, I have great respect for you. It was you who took care of me after my parents died and taught me the hunter's skills. It was you who taught me to love life. But today, why do you insist that I were the one who stole the treasure in collusion with Vampires? Why?" The further I went, the more excited I became, even hysterical. Tears rolled down my cheek.
Dean yelled, "Father, we need to give her a taste of the whip so she can tell us what she had been up to with the Vampires!" With that, Dean pulled a long barbed whip under his belt, covered with thorns, and handed it to Uncle Marcus.
Uncle Marcus swung the whip in the air. It hit the ground so hard that a cloud of white mist rose. The white mist was the atomization of salt crystals after being soaked in salt water. I could easily imagine how much hurt I would suffer when it flogged on my body. The barbs would cut my skin, instantly tearing open a gash. Finally the atomized salt would exacerbate the pain of the wound, making me want to die rather than to live.
I was a little scared that the whip was going to hit me later. But mostly, I was disappointed at Uncle Marcus. I dried my eyes and looked around with determination as the other hunters looked on coldly, with faces of schadenfreude. I was drowning in sadness. Before the treasure was stolen, as the best hunter of the younger generation of my family, I was met with deference. At that time, I felt it WAS my duty to protect my family and my people. But now I began to hesitate. Was it really worth for me to protect these indifferent family members who never got the sense of right and wrong?
"Even I was flogged to death, I would never surrender to things I had never done!" As I spoke these words, the whip came down on my body.
One time. Two times. Three times……Every time I was flogged, there was a tear adding to my dress. Soon, dozens of whips fell, my clothes have been broken in rags. The original white coat was dyed a bright red with my blood. And those volatile salt mist, worming its way to the wounds, tortured me like tens of thousands of poisonous insects gnawing at every inch of my flesh and bone.
I still hold my breath, not crying out. Nor did I beg for mercy. Sweat trickled down my forehead and blurred my eyes. I clenched my fists and bit my lower lip, fighting the pain, nearly fainting. But the next moment, the pain pulled me back into consciousness. Now I couldn't help thinking that even Lucifer's torture was just like this. Just when I couldn't hold on because of all the blood loss. Castile the Elder suddenly let his voice outloud, "Stop!"
"Your majesty! " Everyone bowed to Castile, even Uncle Marcus stopped.
"If you killed her, the treasure wouldn't come back by itself." Castile walked past me and slowly sat onto the highest chair not far from me. I could see the skull of Damon, the Vampire he had destroyed, was at the bottom of his cane. As I lay dying, the skull of Damon was all I could see.
Castile continued, "Echo's father was a very powerful family leader, so the good gene of hunter must be typed in Echo's blood. I was not wrong. She's going to be the next head of the family."
"Your majesty! The question was not about whether Echo would have the ability to be the next head or not, but Echo's collusion with Vampire Jenna to steal our precious treasure!" Uncle Marcus explained.
Castile sighed. "Jenna has been living in our house recently. Just bring her in and the truth will come out. We can't free a bad guy while we can't kill a good guy by mistake also!"
"Your majesty! Jenna was missing and we had sent more people searching for her around here. " Uncle Marcus said.
"In that case, why punish my girl Echo? I hold the firm belief that she would never betray us just because of a Vampire. Let her go and find Jenna. I want to see you are looking seriously into this theft case. The time you get a result of it will you get the right to judge whom will be to blame."
Castile said with such unbreakable stateliness that no one had anything more to say. After all, Castile was the absolute authority in the hunter family. At this point, I felt glad for one thing that at least Castile chose to believe in me. He walked over to me and crouched beside me. He held out a green pill and put it into my mouth. "Here. Take it! Your wounds will heal quickly. And then go find Jenna and prove yourself." I opened my mouth and swallowed the pill. I felt its melting in my mouth. Just for a second, as quickly as I could see, the bruises of the lash healed. My energy had all gone back. Every muscle cell in my body energized.
As I was about to thank Castile, someone came in and said, "Your majesty! I came to inform you that we've spotted Jenna in the North of Maple woods."
Echo's POVTo my surprise, Pearl didn't show any sign of disbelief. She sat down gently so that I could lean on her shoulder. "Echo, I knew it. And I asked you about it the other night. It's just, at the time, you didn't seem sure how you felt. What's the matter? Have you finally found out how you feel about Duke Leonardo tonight?" Pearl's words made me feel like I couldn't resist opening up to her. She was the perfect person to talk to at this time, not to mention a very attentive and thoughtful person. A friend in need was a friend indeed. Pearl was one of those people who looked indifferent on the outside while he was actually very soft and caring on the inside."Honestly, Pearl, this may be the first time I've ever loved a man. Although I have had boyfriends in the past, I have not felt heartbroken because of some of his words or actions. This time, with Leonardo, I really felt the unbearable heartache, as if nothing could relieve it. You know what? I could have gone to Nathan to
Leonardo's POVI really had no idea that this woman would hook up with Nathan again. And to my surprise, Nathan told me that he was in love with that woman.How the hell did all this happen? Why was it that all of a sudden, everyone around me was trying to leave me?Back at my castle, I saw the Gabriel dress she was wearing, and I was getting so angry. It was a gift to her, but she was wearing it all over Nathan's hallway filled with those bad chemicals. She didn't deserve the dress! It was a relic, an explanation and a proof of love, but now the dress had thoroughly been contaminated by the cheesy, so-called love between her and Nathan."Take it off! "I said to her without ceremony. I didn't want any more of her disgusting smell on this dress. These smells were actually from Nathan. I didn't hate Nathan. Meanwhile, I still think of him as my friend, but I just couldn't stand the sight of the two of them being together. It made my heart ache. The pain became more frequent and more pro
Echo's POVNathan found out that I was getting painful again, so he took me to his room, ready to offering me the painkiller.“Can I just wait for you here. It’s your room. I’m afraid...”“There’s no need to concern about anything. You’re my friend now and it’s your right to visit my room.” He stopped to whisper to me.” even my bedroom.” He blinked like a kid which made me burst into laughter.“Ok, Since you invite me. I’ll go and check what you hide in your bedrrom.” I compromised in his smile and I had to say. Nathan had a really attractive and warm smile. Seeing that smile, my pain was erased a lot.However, I followed his lead to his bedrrom. I didn’t notice that two devious and fierce eyes were staring at me and Nathan.he took nme to a small elevator, which was specially designed for maids to serve hot food, according to Nathan, and it’s hard for me to imagine how big the Spencer’s house was. When the elevator stopped at the third floor and the door opened, I saw a whole new wor
Echo's POVI never thought that Nathan would treat me like this. He was a friend of mine. At least, deep down in my heart, I regarded him as my friends. How would a friend kissed me on the lips. I had to push him away, again. Because when he lightly brushed my mouth, my mind was fully filled with Leonardo’s face. The cold and sculptural and elegant face. It almost drove me crazy. Meanwhile, a sort of strange emotional pain crawled and wrapped around my heart. I had to knelt to the ground, sank my nails into my chest and bent down.“What’s the matter, Echo? Are you alright?” Nathan knelt down as well, concerning about me.“I’m not sure. Never had this feeling before.” I replied with a great pain attacking my heart once again. “Aah!” I couldn’t help yelling out.“I’d better get you to the hospital.” He searched himself for the cellphone, and was ready to call 911.“No, Nathan. I am a Vampire now and I won’t die.” With these words, both Nathan and I were stunned.“Yeah.” He smiled to me.
Leonardo’s POVEcho Blake, that damn huntress, she dared to have herself thrown into Nathan’s arms. What a fucking borthering scene that I saw just now! I, the Duke Vampire, would never let Echo be my threats, of course, in their damn eyes. Not allowing anyone to threaten me in any way was the first basic rule of mine.I went straight to the doorway, Nathan and Chuck were still standing there. Seeing afar, crowds of guards surrounded something. They were moving slowly to the doorway. As I went nearer, I saw it clear that it was King Bass. I never liked this huge troop around me, but it seemed like he did.“What an honor it is for us to have you here, your Majesty!” Chuck prepared to shake hands with King Bass, but was refused by his guard. “Sorry for my rudeness.” Chuck apologized to cover his embarrassment. Stupid ass!Nathan politely bowed to King Bass and elegantly greeted, “I hope you had a nice and wonderful trip from your castle to our shabby house. Please come in and take a sea
Echo’s POVLeonardo left me in the middle of so many Vampires. He might have something emergent and I still took it for granted that there was no need for him to look after a nobody. I perfectly still for a moment, then I glance over the crowd briefly. Finally, i determined to look for something to drink, in order to cover my embarrassment. On the other hand, I did hope not to meet the monster Chuck. As a consequence, I cautiously made my way to the crowd, hiding myself into the crowds.Right at the moment I grabbed a glass of wine and took a little sip, I saw the monster coming to me. He was smiling, which made me rather disgusted.“See who is there?” He greeted sarcastically.“Crap! Think of the devil.” I tried telepathically to tell Leonardo, but he responded nothing.“The most influential Gabriel dress. He should let you wear it! What a surprise!” He walked around me and took a careful look at me and my dress. This might be catagoried into the most awkward moments in my life, bein
Echo’s POVI sat in the car of Leonardo. It was specifically designed for him according to the driver.“It’s my massive honor to drive you there, your Royal Highness. And as you can see, the vehicle was specifically made for you, one and only.” The driver couldn’t hold his excitement but talked too much. Apparently, Leonardo didn’t want this to be happening.“Shut your mouth up or you will be killed right now.” Leonardo coldly said, in a extremely low voice.“Yes, your Royal Highness. It won’t happen again.” I noticed the driver was sweating nervously and the steering wheel was covered with sweat stains.Yet, I was the one who was supposed to be nervous more. I was taken to the dangerous place, where I was almost killed by the monster, Chuck Spencer. Also, I was pretty sure that Leonardo would never defend me if there was a fight between me and them. I was nobody to him. Even the dress was saved for Jenna, not me.The car was running away from the castle farther and farther. My anxiet
Echo’s POVThree days passed by. How time flew! This was the day that Leonardo would take me to the party held in the Spencer’s. Honestly, I was nervous. Waking up so early in the morning, I got nothing to do. No one sent me food, and I was unwilling to come outside. I was just relaxing against the back of the chair, letting my head drop back a little, which I thought would make me a little bit calm, to kill the anxiety, actually.Leonardo went in, so early in the morning. He was as nervous as I was?“No way. I was bringing you something.” He said it telepathically. It was so surprised to find out that we had such a strong connetion since we had communicated telepathically. I could read his mind, so did him.“What is it?” I pointed to the bag he dragged in his hand. It seemed there was something heavy in it.“Try it on.” He ordered and came closer to me. I could breathe his breath from his sculptural nose. He was so tall that I had to raise my head in order to see him clearly. Damn! H
Echo's POVI never thought that he should do this for me. Undoubtedly, Daisy Lyle was a mean girl. She really was! I hated her, but I never thought of driving her away from this castle. If I was strong enough, there was no need to do so. I could confront and go through all the barriers that she set for me. However, Leonardo ordered to send her out. I intended to say something for her. At the very moment I would open my mouth, Leonardo seemed to read my mind and prevented me timely.After Daisy was taken out, Leonardo finally had some time talking to me. “Being softhearted to one’s enemy was the greatest danger for oneself.”He gently gave that advice to me. This was the first time that he had ever been nice to me. You knew that, once one gave you a piece of advice, it meant he was trying to be nice to you. And others said being considerate was the first step that one was ready to be friends with you. I was a huntress before I was turned into a Vampire. Though I looked tough and fearles
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