Chapter 14. Discovered

If she wasn't watching me, I would have slapped myself to wake up from that fear that made me mentally and physically weak. Once I had regained control over my mind and body, I looked straight ahead into her red eyes. Her eyes had the same blood colour than Ferid...but somehow, their eyes were completely different.

Okay. Should I continue feigning ignorance or admit that what she says is true ? If I pretend to be confused and she sees through my act then there's not much to be done. I knew she was cold-blooded but not enough to kill me for trying to lie. Maybe she would excuse me or keep pestering me with her questions. However, if I admitted the truth, she could try killing me, but I for some reason, didn't believe she would do that. My only fear was that... She would kill Aristes and then go after the children. And torture me. Maybe. A shiver went down my spine. Now...which risk would I take ? I took another deep breath. The answer was easy. I would rather lie and risk whatever consequences for doing so, than admit the truth and risk the life of my lover.

My lover. The words ringed in my mind, echoing into my flustered and confused mind. I almost literally shook my head in front of her.

With a deep confidant voice, I said, "I know not of what you speak of, your majesty. My mate merely chose me because of my unique abilities. I have not charmed or seduced him, my power did, not me. And if you are speaking about the children who tried to escape, I can assure you they have all been slaughtered by the very hand of Lord Bathory, except for me, of course."

In a fraction of a second, she was standing in front of me, holding my chin.

"I had given the order to kill every single human who ever tried to escape this place. You are the only survivor. Give me one reason not to kill you." She said in a very threatening whisper.

"I am Ferid Bathory's mate. I am his and he is mine. We bonded in every possible way and if I am correct, your law stipulates a vampire is not to touch the other's companion. What is not yours, is not to be touched. Am I wrong your majesty ?" Fuck fuck fuck fuck !

Her smirk widened.

"You are right Zakuro, but you forget something. I am the Queen." She whispered right next to my ear.

And then, everything happened so fast I didn't have time to react. The vampire had punched right into my stomach, sending me flying into a wall. The wall didn't break. Who could have thought her little hand could do so much damage ? I stood up, coughing blood and clutching my stomach. She came at me again but this time I was prepared. I evaded every attack she flung at me, barely, sometimes cutting my cheek or shoulder with her long pointy nails. Compared to Krul Tepes, the vampire queen, I was slow and I had a very hard time moving away from her serpent-like blows. I wondered how it was even possible for me to do that.

But battling against me wasn't that easy either. My legs were long, I was tall and she had the height of a child. I had advantages. Or so I say...but none of my kicks actually hit her. The wind whipped around us as we fought in lightning speed. So fast, it would be terrifying for a human to see. She punched me into the head, making me dizzy for about three seconds but that was plenty of time for her to put me down. She kicked me again, sending me flying against another wall. I barely had time to gasp as her foot sunk into my stomach. She laughed while I was violently struggling for air in my lungs. I spit blood.

"Why are you doing this ?" It came out more as a croak.

"It's your punishement, Zakuro."

I frowned at her, trying to make a "yeah, right" kind of face. Didn't work, but she got it.

"You are quite powerful Zakuro," Yeah right, my ass just got beaten the hell out. "what they said was true, after all." So what, she didn't believe her loyal disciples ?

I snorted internally. Still had enough energy to be snarky. I decided to go all out, what point was there to hide my true face anymore, right ? That was a stupid thing to do but she already did what i feared she would do, which is beat the crap out of me, so what was the point in maintaining a pokerface, right ?

"Impressed ?" I said in a dry voice that I had to force out. I smirked as while.

She smirked back. Dammit, what was vampires with smiles ? They made it look so scary and evil, it sent chills up my back.

She punched my face into the ground, making me see lights blinding my eyes for a second. My head hurt like hell. I let a groan slip out.

"You are stronger than you look."

"Maybe too much." I said, winking at her.

"Being arrogant won't save your life." I wasn't looking at her anymore.

"Look who's talking." I said rolling my eyes.

Before I could even see it, her foot came down my arm and I heard the worst sound ever. A loud crack. Another sound followed, and I realized it was my own blood screeching scream. I felt like the vampires in the whole world would hear me. I kept groaning and crying as I held my broken arm. She was walking back to her throne, laughing mockingly and triumphantly.

I waited a few seconds for my body to heal. Didn't do much but I wasn't going to let the agony in my body control me. I stood up as silently as I could and lunged at her like a beast, faster than lightning itself, sinking my teeth into her little shoulder, and with my mind filled with rage, I tore her arm appart from her body.

She didn't groan, scream or even show the slightest sign of pain but just stared at her arm that was now on the floor, with a blank face. She looked utterly shocked, like I had done the most unbelievable thing in the world. Which I actually had. I too, was now shocked. My heart pounded, my mouth was wet with her blood and mine. I held my stomach that throbbed and bled internally, my legs trembling, barely able to support my own weight...but none of that could tear my attention of what I had just done.

I didn't regret it, rather, I was proud of myself. But I had to get out of here, I had to leave before realization struck her blank mind. I had to leave before she killed me. I didn't take the time to take a breath, even though I needed it- but instead, with all the strength I had left in me, I ran, ran with my legs aching, but I didn't stop. Couldn't stop now even if I wanted to. I gritted my teeth to concentrate on not to run into a pillar or wall. I was running so fast, I doubt I could stop if I were to run into something.

But then, I saw the mansion and as I let out a breath of relief, my strength literally left me completely and I collapsed onto the ground, violently rolling like a tornado, until I finally stopped spinning. I had landed right at the entrance. The two guards watched me with utter shock. One of them bent down and the other disappeared into the mansion. I would have laughed at their expressions if it hadn't been from the writhing agony I felt.

A few seconds later, Aristes had appeared and he too was shocked but it wasn't as easy to see. His eyes widened at my bloody self but it lasted for about a split second. At the appearance of his figure, I felt myself smiling and even pronouncing his name. I was suddenly so tired, my eyes drooped since they were so heavy, I could hear his voice telling me something but I had lost consciousness.

When my eyes opened again, the first thing I thought about was Ferid. Instead of his face, Vanalette was watching me with a...bored exression ? No, not exactly. Nonchalant. Yes, that was the word. However, her face was too close to mine. What was she doing ?

She then finally pulled away after staring at me for at least a minute and prepared something on a golden cart that was beside the bed. I could smell tea. And food. LOTS of food. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I felt my saliva piling up. Bu then I remembered everything that had occurred.

The queen had summoned me...and she injured me horribly. She told me that she knew about the children...about Ferid and me...she knew our secret. Back then...was she trying to kill me ? I don't think so...rather...I think she was experimenting on wether I would survive or not, according to the reports her servants had told her about me. And I knew how much she had enjoyed beating me. Actually, I am surprised to still find myself alive. Well, the wounds she had inflicted on me were definitely fatal to a human but not to me...what I mean is that, I am surprised she didn't come after me when I tore her arm and ran away. I felt like she was going to kill me after that. I thought she would be furious.

"Vanalette, how long have I been asleep ?"

Without looking at me, she answered, "three days and nights, my lady."

I noticed she didn't like calling me "my lady". It annoyed her, obviously because I was only human. If I told her I didn't mind if she dropped the title, it would probably annoy her even more.

I then pulled the cover away and checked under my pajamas for any leftover wounds. There was one. A yellow-ish stain, rather big, was still on my stomach. Wow. Every other injury was gone, even my broken arm was healed, so this wound must have been serious.

"Are you okay ?" She asked dutifully.

"I'm fine." I answered, a bit distracted.

I ate the food enthusiastically and gulped down the tea, once I was done.

"Vanalette, where is my husband ?" I asked her as she put the plates back onto the cart.

"He is not here."

I waited for her to elaborate but she didn't, which I found rather strange.

"Where has he gone to ?" I asked, insisting.

"Outside."

"Outside ?" I said as I frowned at her in confusion.

She looked at me in irritation.

What did she mean by "outside" ? Why didn't she just tell me his whereabouts- but then, my eyes widened at her. Outside as...as "outside the city" ? In vampire speed, I got up and was about to run to the door when suddenly her cold hand grabbed my wrist and threw me back onto the bed. I looked at her, startled.

"You are not permitted to go outside until Lord Bathory's return. It is his order."

Why does he not want me to go outside the mansion ?

To be continued...