I wasn't allowed to join in with the fighting. Arra and Gavner had flat-out refused to let me, even though I wanted to get some revenge for Mr Crepsley. They made me stay in my room, though they promised to come straight back after the battle had finished.

It was lonely now, without Harkat to keep me company. I missed the Little Person, but at least he wouldn't have to watch my execution.

Though I had been told again and again not to worry about that, I couldn't help but think everyone was wrong. Arra and Gavner seemed determined to find a way around my possible execution, even though they told me the Princes wouldn't even entertain the idea of killing me after I'd saved them all from the traitor. Seba and Vanez joined in with their reassurances, but I wasn't convinced. The only outcome for failing the Trials was death, and nobody would be willing to overlook my attempted escape, either.

I shifted my legs, stretching them out beneath me. I wasn't worried about being executed. As long as I was allowed to say goodbye to Mr Crepsley properly, I would accept my fate no matter how bad it might turn out to be.

I was starting to get impatient. Being alone this long with only my thoughts for company wasn't great. I kept thinking about Mr Crepsley, his life before me, his life with me, what his life would have been like if I had just stayed and accepted my punishment like a true vampire. It brought an uncomfortable lump to my throat.

Though I had got most of my tears out that night in Seba's office with Arra and Gavner, I still wasn't safe from the sudden emotional outburst. They understood though, and let me rant and cry at them all I needed. They'd shared too, though had sobered up quickly, I think realising the need to be strong for me.

I was grateful for that. I was sure this whole situation would have been a lot more difficult without them.

Voices drifted down the corridor to me, and I sprang up, jumping out into the corridor to see who the voices belonged to. Two unfamiliar vampires were heading towards me, dressed in the uniform of the guards. "Is it over?" I asked, running up to them. "Did we win?"

"Aye," one of them answered gruffly, pushing past me with a glare.

The other one was a little kinder, putting a hand on my shoulder and pointing down the corridor, "You should go to the medical wing. Your friends are there." I stared up at him, confused and frightened. He walked away after the other guard but I wanted to call him back to ask why my friends were at the medics. What had happened?

I turned on the spot and sprinted down through the tunnels.

I had to slow down the closer I got to the medics as more and more people slowly filtered back into the heart of the mountain. They all looked happy, but I did spot a few grim faces in the crowds. I knew not all of the vampires who took part in the battle would have made it back alive. These people must have lost a friend. I took comfort in the fact that I didn't recognise any of these grim vampires, meaning that none of my friends had been killed.

The medical wing was packed. Vampires queued up in the main hall to have their wounds seen to. Medics ran back and forth, arms full of bandages and creams and blood soaked cloths. I heard a couple talking at the entrance of the hall and paused a moment to listen.

"Twelve dead, so far," one said, running a hand through his hair, "Not so bad, all things considered."

"We still have more seriously injured though," the other replied, his eyes on the queue of vampires. They were all laughing and joking despite their injuries. "The total count will go up before the night is done."

"Can't be avoided. We all knew some would have to be sacrificed in order to destroy the vampaneze..."

I stopped listening as I noticed that there weren't actually any vampires in this hall with serious injuries. They must have all been placed in the quieter cells, like the one I was in when I went through my Trials. Another glance around the hall told me that nobody I knew was here, so I started forward, carefully picking my way between the many vampires, making sure not to tread on the few who were spread out on the floor.

The cells were a little quieter, but still too busy. Less people were laughing back here. I could hear cries of pain and frantic shouts from the medics. A few vampires stood outside each cell, worry and anger on their faces. They were losing friends and comrades and were in no mood for a celebration.

I walked along the corridor, staring up into their faces, feeling my stomach turn. Still, I didn't recognise anyone. Was that a good or a bad thing? Had I passed them already? Had they left?

A hand reached out and grabbed my arm just as I was about to turn around and take a closer look at each cell, fearing I had missed something. "I believe you were told to stay in your cell, Master Shan," Seba said wearily. "This is no place for one so young."

He was leaning heavily on a staff. His leg was bandaged up, spots of red just visible through the material. "It is just a flesh wound," he reassured, laying a hand on my shoulder.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, trying to see past him into the cell beyond.

The old vampire sighed, "Vanez is in this cell. He has lost his remaining eye. He will never see the light of the moon again, I am afraid." I cringed and he patted my shoulder. "At least he is still alive, Darren, keep that in mind."

I nodded with a gulp, starting to believe him when he told me this was no place for me. "Do you know where Gavner and Arra are? Have you seen them?"

Seba sighed again and his eyes flicked to the end of the corridor, "Darren, perhaps you should wait here. I do not think they would want you to-" I slipped out of his grasp and ran to the last cell, ignoring Seba as he called me back, only to be stopped again by a thick arm around my waist hauling me back as I just stepped into the cell.

"Let me go!" I shouted, struggling against my captor. "Let me go!"

"Darren, calm down," Gavner said, pinning me against the wall, which only made me struggle harder. "Let me explain, Darren, please."

If Gavner was out here, I reasoned, then Arra must be in the medical cell. Gavner didn't need to explain anything to me, I already understood everything. I opened my mouth to protest and tell him to let me go again, but I was stopped as a few medics left the cell, followed by Prince Mika. Gavner dropped me and rushed up to him. "How is she?" he asked, grabbing Mika's arm, seeming to forget that Mika was a Prince.

To my amazement, Mika didn't seem to care that Gavner was holding his arm. The Prince looked ill with worry. "Unconscious," he answered and Gavner leaned around him to look in the cell. "The medics have done all they can. We just have to wait," the Prince glanced at me briefly before focusing back on Gavner. "I have things to deal with. Will you stay here with her?"

Gavner nodded. "Of course I will," he answered, and he glanced at me. His eyes were fierce.

Mika returned the nod and started to walk away. He paused just as he reached Seba, who was watching us, and called over his shoulder, "Just keep her alive until I return," and continued to stalk away.

I didn't miss the break in his voice.


Writing in Darren's POV is ridiculously hard, sometimes.