I was planning on giving you this chapter on thursday, but I guess I am as excited as you are!
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Here is chapter 12, enjoy!
Alicia
The night sky was pitch black with only a few stars guiding my way, the forest lay thick and hidden in shadows and I spotted glowing eyes everywhere I looked.
My breathing was ragged from running through most of the night and I could hear my strong heartbeat banging in my ears. The short dress I wore was torn and dirty as was the rest of me. The dirt and dust came from the underground tunnels that had led me outside of the great walls. I had not figured out where I was going, I just wanted to get away and as I was running an unwelcome thought popped into my head. 'He actually was planning on letting his brothers bit me!'
Tears were threatening in my eyes from both the emotional end physical challenges I had met the last few days. The adrenaline that once had spiked in my body was now weighting me down and every step I took felt like a mile. In a meadow ahead I noticed a barn and went straight for it. I was not conscious enough to notice much more then the horses and the hay that filled the barn. The hunger in my body made me very weak and I was trebling.
I stumbled into the hay and before I knew it I fell into a dreamless sleep.
…
When I woke up the sun was just rising and a few rays was slipping through the window. I heard hooves stamping and then the sound of horses filled my ears and made me completely conscious of my situation.
I got up, aware of the acing muscle in my body and tried to brush of some of the dirt from my clothes. It was chilly in the stable as the warmer months of the year now was slipping away. I rubbed my arms in order to get myself a bit warmer and then walked on shaky legs towards one of the boxes. A huge white and grey speckled horse stood proudly observing me from the other side of the bars. His eyes seem to hold more intelligence then most of the animals I ever encountered. At the side of the box were a brown leather saddle and a black snaffle hanging from an old hook.
It had dawned upon me that every second that slipped away, my chances of getting away were minimizing. I would have to act, and I have to act now. 'I could ride him, I would get away so much faster.'
I opened the door to the box and the horse still stood absolutely still not leaving me unwatched.
"Please help me," I asked quietly as I reached to stroke the neck of the beautiful creature in front of me.
The horse swung his head up and down again in an irritated manner, as if warning me not to intrude on his domains.
I took a step forward, aware of how most horses needed a strong hand if they where to be commanded over. I gripped and stroked him firmly and with calming motions, but he was still swinging his head and tried to get me to leave. I lounged myself around his neck and begged a silent pray. 'I need you; please do let me command you for now. I will be forever grateful.'
As if hearing my plea the horse calmed down and I made sure he was at ease, before I went to get the equipment.
A sharp pain suddenly shut through my head down my throat and made me fall to my knees.
A well-known voice suddenly filled my mind. 'That was yet another mistake Alicia... This time you will truly regret what you have done and so will your people.' Cain's threat filled my mind… 'Do you think you can escape me? Do you really believe I would ever let you get away?' he asked me amused with a vague hint of a chuckle. 'I will find you, in a little amount of time pet, if you return to me, your punishment and the punishment of your people will not be as sewer as if you keep on running.' His voice died out and the pain slowly ached away from my body.
Still on my knees I watched as my hands were shaking. 'I should return for the sake of my people' was my first thought but then the selfishness in me seems to take over. 'If I go back, I will truly become his pet. He will treat me like nothing more then food and a toy.'
I simply shut my brain down and swiftly got the horse ready and mounted him. I kicked him gently to eager the speed on as the ground now was flying away under his feet's. The sun was now up and shining brightly over the crisp blue sky as we came out of the forest and was quickly heading towards the higher grounds in the mountains. 'Where am I going?'
'Maybe to the kingdom of Peter, as far as I know they are still independent of the vampires.'… 'Not for long if you enter the kingdom,´ the back of my mind mouthed back at me. I kept on searching for answers but nothing came up and instead I just kept on going, letting the magnificent creature carry me where he pleased.
Master Cain
'She made the wrong choice!' She was far off by now and my power had been affected and lessened by the force that had knocked both me and my brothers out in the dungeons. If that would not have been the case, then tracking her to the exact point would have been no problem. I would even been able to controlled her to stay there until I came and got her.
I suspected Daras had been involved in the attack, but there was nothing I really could do to prove it. One does not easily knock any of the high ranked vampires out, especially not three of them at once. 'Daras had some powerful allies.'
I am done with games and if she choses to run away from her kingdom and ignore my command and threat I will no longer be gentle. 'I will show her just how unmerciful I can be and there will not be one single human, vampire or other creature on this earth who will not know what terrifying deed her actions made me do.'
Alicia
The rain had started pouring down and darkness has set as we now entered the mountains, which made the wind turn the small water drops to sharp ice that fell hard on my exposed body. I was shuttering and freezing and now doubted my choice to let the horse steer the way. Suddenly I noticed a house, with the light on and smoke coming from the fireplace that was inside. 'Thank you,' I hugged the horse affectionally and ran towards the door and knocked on it.
When the door reluctantly opened I saw the eyes of a small and old lady eyeing me.
"I seek shelter for the night, I beg you to let me stay or I will surely freeze to death," I pleaded and tried to keep my sore voice from breaking apart.
She looked me over one more time and I could see a slight tension when her eyes found my neck, but thought nothing more of it.
"Of course, come on in dear." She hurried me in.
"I have a horse, where can I place him so he will escape the weather?" I asked.
"Oh, don´t worry about that now," she said as she stroke my back.
"Josh, come and take care of the travelers horse," she raised her voice making me change my opinion of her demeanor. She truly spoke with force and power, something I would not expect of an old and grey lady.
A boy of maybe 15 year walked into the room and his eyes widen as I noticed him eyeing me up and down. I smiled sweetly seeing a reaction; both boys and men had shown me before.
"I would be grateful for your help, " I said slowly.
Josh nodded and quickly headed out into the dark. After a moment the old lady reappeared in the room.
"You are going to get sick, take those filthy clothes of you and I will heat up some water for a bath," she said as she smiled towards me and handed me something to cover my body with.
I smiled back towards her, so grateful for this small sign of hospitality. It made my eyes water to be around humans again, the depths of their kindness never seized to surprise me.
…
I was in the warm water washing away the filth and the cold from my body. The bath was small and consisted of a barrel but it was enough to get me clean.
My mind was blank and I just tried to take in the first real taste of freedom.' I need to come up with some kind of plan, otherwise it will not be long until he finds me.' I shivered at the thought vaguely re-playing the threat he had made me.
'I need to get this necklace of me; it is strengthening his hold on me. The question is just how it can be done? I know there to be a sorcerer on the far end of the great water, he might be able to help me. '
"How are you dear?" I jumped at the sound of the old woman's voice as it had startled me.
"I am sorry my dear, I did not mean to scare you," she said calmly with her eyes smiling encouraging back at me.
I shock my head, in order to pull myself together.
"I am sorry, I just have been trough a lot lately," I said and tried to get a smile plastered on my face but failed miserably. I bowed my head down against the water and splash water upon my face. It mixed with my silent tears.
"Come here, let's get you up, fed and then put to bed." The woman practically drags me up from the bath and dries me with a soft cloth.
"What happened to you?" She asks softly and with a concerned expression.
My eyes stare into nothingness and I couldn´t bring myself to answer her question.
She dresses me in a modest, long grey cotton dress with long sleeves and places me on a pillow on the floor and gives me a bowl of hot soup. Then she sat down in front of me with a bowl herself.
I quickly ate of the comforting food I had been given, molding her question over in my mind.
"Vampires," I answered her question from before as a sigh. My hand reflexed to stroke my neck and was met with the hard unyielding metal of my necklace reminding me.
"Did they feed of off you?" she asked.
"…Yes," I answered in a low voice. She extended her hand and placed it on my shoulder and hesitated for a while before speaking again.
She smiled reassuringly at me. "In the end you will be alright." Her words were so sure and secure. As if she knew what was happening and my questioning eyes immediately found hers.
She chuckled, "I have a power to see some part of peoples futures." She smiled again at me.
'Did she speak the truth, was I really going to get out of this mess?' My eyes lit up with hope.
"Remember to take my words very literal my dear, nothing else. I would not want to break your fragile heart any more then what is to come, but that is the truth." Suddenly her eyes clouded and her smile disappeared in an instant.
"Josh," she called out anxiously. The boy's head peaked out from another door.
"Pack your things, it is time!" The boys eyes shoot up and he was about to ask something, but the old woman only put her hand to a stop and urged him to do whatever he was supposed to.
I felt as if the comfort the house had given me moments ago was no longer there. I felt uneasy.
"What is wrong?" I asked her. She placed her hand on my cheek and smiled reassuringly.
"Your master is coming for you," she explained slowly.
"What?!" I screamed and forced myself to stand. But nothing happened and then I felt the drowsiness of a powerful drug that must have been hidden in the food I had eaten.
"Oh, I am sorry dear, but he demands you and he has great power over us," her voice was sincere and she reached out for me and laid me down in between the pillows slowly. I felt my eyes getting heavier. The woman left my side.
"Leave with this message, you know where to go and take the girls horse, go quick and don´t let anyone see you!" The woman's voice rang clear to the young boy who was obviously leaving.
Then the darkness took hold of me and the fear of what punishment that now was to dawn upon me made me dream of the most unthinkable things.
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Love Miss Kristina