Chapter 2

Ellie

I acted on impulse, pushing him away from me the moment he leaned close. This is someone whose speed supersedes mine. He could be as fast as lightning, but he chose to launch his attack slowly. He leaned back, grinning. He drew a long breath and said, “I would really love to see you fight your way out of this. But I will have you know that in the end…” He shakes his head slowly. “There's no escape from this. You could be fighting with me, but...”

“I would die fighting,” I said fiercely as I interjected. I position my trembling arms out, ready to get defensive. I knew fully well that if he wanted to make an attack, he would be able to subdue me before my very own eyes. It was my blood he wanted. For a reason I knew nothing about. I wouldn't let him have it easily. What a fool I would be to allow my predator to have victory over me without a fair fight. “We are both spilling each other's blood, even if you would kill me after all. My Park will be proud of me that I had to fight the vampire king, even if it was for my life.”

His smile grew broader; my face grew angrier, waging a fight for my life. It would be worth fighting for; I had a few people I think cared about me: Murray, my godfather; Isla; and maybe Eamonn. All of whom had no idea of the danger I was facing at the moment.

“You're a feisty girl. I will see how far that gets you, Ellie.” He said with open arms as he strides backward. There was a large mahogany table close to where Edgar was seated. He tapped on the red button at the edge of the large table, and I heard the door lock behind me. My heartbeat sped up. I'm dead. But not completely dead till I fight. There was only one thing the books I read about him were right about. King Vanchure of the Thorx Coven was the most vicious man alive. Soon this room will reek of both the metallic stench of my blood as well.

He stood five feet apart from me. Arms folded. His chiseled jaws tightened as he remained rooted at a close distance. His eyes urged me to show him my fear and maybe the strength that was dying within me. My wolf has turned its back on me after several warnings that the man that stood before me was deadly, so much for being in my head all along. He watched me like a hawk, studying me like he was planning every slick move of defense when I tried to attack.

I figured if I shifted to my wolf, my bite would be lethal to him. That was going to be my second move. First, I quickly retrieved a gun filled with a wooden bullet strapped to my right thigh. I held my gaze with him all through the process. I wasn't really good with guns, but I had a few self-defense lessons with my godfather; Murray taught me, which was still fresh in my clouded mind. One pull of the trigger sent an unaimed shot to his left shoulder. I aimed for his heart, but the bullet did poorly by scraping through the upper layer of his skin. The force at which the wooden bullet hit pushed him backwards, but he recovered just immediately. At least I got to see his cold blood streaming down from his shoulder. His was the first to be spilled. My heavy heart danced at that sight. His eyes raked his skin that had been dented. “Quite impressive, Ellie.” He affirmed, bringing his gaze back to me. “I do have a thing against harming women. So here's what I will do... He says as he strides slowly to me, “... I'll let you have another shot at me. I want you to aim my heart perfectly, and I'll leave you to run to the arms of your mate and your sister. Failure to do so, I will have what I demand. Your blood. Deal?” He asked, arching his left brow as he sneered.

“Deal.”

Oh, that Murray's lesson will come into great use right now. The thought of having to kill the famous Van felt really satisfying. That is if he was ever defeatable. A book of his I had I. my collections spoke of him being able to crush hundreds of soldiers at a go.

“Come on then.” He had his arms spread out. That mockery smirk never leaves his lips. With one eye closed and the other targeting the trophy part of his body, I pulled the trigger and took a straight shot.

Fuck no.

His laughter crowned my failure. This was it; I had lost this fight. Blood spilled from the upper part of his chest, just above his heart.

A slim chance of hitting my target.

When his maniacal laughter had died out. We stare into each other's eyes in a deafening silence. “Jumpy eyes, you've lost for the second time.” His words dragged; his eyes turned blood red as he spoke. His fangs that had receded to normal canines were back out to make the kill.

I had carried out my first plan; it was time for the second. So when he lunged forward swiftly, not as fast though, I shifted out of his path, shifting into my wolf subconsciously. I stood on four limbs. Van, having missed his target, stared deadly at me. My wolf felt weak.

“Ee, please try to cooperate with me. Vanchure wants us killed for no just cause.” I spoke to my wolf, hoping it could hear me. I see through its blurry vision. Van, who approached us slowly, was split into two on each side of my wolf's eyes. I'm gradually being drained of my strength.

“Ea, come on, please. Run at least.”

My wolf couldn't respond to my plea. I forced my legs to move from this dead-end danger. No way. I should have just stayed in my human form. I feel lightheaded, like I'm about to faint. What is happening to me?

With my last strength, I voiced out to my wolf, “Ee, help me.”