Chapter 8

I tried to look anywhere else, somewhere there weren't as many people, but that seemed impossible as they surrounded us on all sides, their eyes glowing against the torches that they held. I briefly closed my eyes, taking in a calming breath as the prince grabbed my wrist, dragging me towards him. What would happen now? Why were there so many vampires around? Where had he taken me?

I glanced around in apprehension, not knowing what was going to happen, or if I would live to see another day. I knew that they could all hear my heart racing, and that only made it worse, they all knew that I was afraid, that I wouldn’t be able to control myself or my power should this continue.

Just behind the crowd to the left was a large building, deciding that I should concentrate on something other than my demise, I watched it, taking in every detail. The castle had eleven massively round towers, all connected to the large dark grey stone walls, the chunky building behind them elegant and yet; wildly intimidating. Dull windows were scattered in seemingly perfect symmetry around the building, along with holes or variously sized artillery and arches.

A great gate with black metal doors was situated to the left of where I stood, a huge statue of the prince decorating the oversized courtyard where we were surrounded.

A handful of waterfalls flowing into various rivers that run around the castle, creatures of darkness drinking and bathing in them. I had never seen a Cerberus before, a three headed dog, but there one was, trotting towards me as I cowered. Its blood red eyes watching me as I stepped back, bumping into the prince. Was that it? Is this how I would die?

“Don't look so afraid witch, he will not harm you unless I give the command.” Silas laughed, finding my fear more than amusing.

“I … Where did it come from?” I stuttered, my breath catching in my throat when it brushed against my leg, shoving me to the side so it could get to its master.

“The castle.” Prince Bancroft snarled lightly, growing tired of my constant winging. “This is my home. A city under the streets of Paris. I expect you to treat me, and ALL of my subjects with respect and obedience. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir. But I only meant that... I have never seen such a creature before... I have never been underground before.” I whispered, lowering my eyes.

“Well, you better get used to it. Now this is your home also.” he said blandly, shaking his head as he turned to look at those who had gathered around.

I turned to look back at the limo, the driver holding the door that we got out of, we were underground, so far under that the sunlight would never reach us and I would never see another day again...

I would never again see the blue sky. I forced back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes, knowing that I couldn’t cry in front of them, they would see it only as weakness; these creatures didn’t know the meaning of compassion or empathy.

I would have to mourn for all I had lost in secret, without the judging eyes of a vampire, but for now; I had no other choice but to follow Silas as he walked through the crowd, my eyes set firmly on the ground. I didn’t know what to expect from the creatures around me, I didn’t know how they felt about witches, or if they even knew about my forbidden power. Surely if they did know, I would already be dead; unless they only followed the commands of their prince, not their king.

But then again, wouldn’t that be treason? To ignore the commands and laws of a vampire king would most certainly mean death for them all, wouldn’t it? So, why did I still have breath rushing through me, why did they not kill me where I stood? It had to be Silas’ influence; he had ordered them to allow me to live here, to not say anything to those outside these walls, but why? What did he have to gain from my abilities, what did he have planned?

I had no inkling of what to do as the prince stopped and turned back to look at me, his fiery eyes locked onto mine as I lifted them from the ground. “One word out of line and you will be killed, is that understood?”

I bobbed my head mutely, knowing that when something along those lines was said, you shut your mouth and wait until you are told to speak, and you do not; under any circumstances ask what was happening. My curious mind however, begged me to ask, to find out what was really happening instead of the speculations of a fifteen-year-old witch who didn’t even know how to control her own abilities. Yet, I knew that I couldn’t ask, doing so would be the end of me, the end of everything I was.

Prince Silas Bancroft turned towards his subjects, smiling greatly; his hand still tightly grasped around my wrist. He spoke slowly, his voice booming over the distant sound of the waterfalls and idle chatter. “I have done it, I have brought back a sunlight witch, one that will aid us in the coming war. She is young, but with a year or so of training, she will be ready to fight among us.”

I gasped, that was his plan! He was going to use me in a war against other vampires, other clans. He would force me to use my ability to kill them, to burn them until they were no longer creatures of darkness. How could I do such a thing?

Did the King know about this, did he agree that his son could use a sunlight witch, use me? Perhaps he did, after all, these creatures did not care for the lives of mortal witches, nor did they have to explain their actions to one. I was nothing but a slave, so why did I think that I could live with my mother forever?

Why did I think they wouldn’t kill her when they had killed my father so easily, destroying my bloodline? Silas had taken everything from me, he had ensured that I had nowhere to run, no one to turn to. I was all alone. Lost and afraid. I wanted to protest, to say something, tell him that I wouldn’t do it, I would not kill for him; but rather to protect myself.

Though, I couldn’t say anything along those lines, doing so would only cause me pain, and a suffering I have yet to witness. That I wish I would never witness.