Chapter 8

Their ashen faces were tilted towards me. The massive group of vampires were fixated and eyeing their dinner on the menu. How the hell am I going to survive this?

I should really give Godric a pat on his back for this.

I was like a deer caught in the headlights and I could only curl into a foetal position just as the first vampire made a lunge towards me. It was a guy I had met just now. I remembered him vividly as he had the prettiest face I have ever seen for a guy which made him looked even more otherworldly. He was still smiling civilly at me just a few minutes ago, and now he was baring his fangs at me. I could feel him leaning inches away from me followed by a sharp agonizing pain to the side of my neck.

The pain enveloped me and I was fervently praying at the back of my head hoping that everything was just a dream and I would wake up in my tiny apartment, shaken but deeply thankful that it was all a dream.

No such luck, Poppy.

Instead of smelling my clean white sheets, I smelled something sickeningly sweet only to realise that it was the scent of my blood.

I backed away and clutched at my neck helplessly like a wounded prey as he hovered around me in a circle, similar to a wolf toying with its rabbit prey.

It felt as though I was drugged and everything was starting to go slow-mo.

"You're… really different," the pretty guy with the pale blonde hair leaned abruptly closer to me, his hair brushed against my cheeks and he examined me curiously, "It's actually almost pretty intoxicating. Cliché as it seems, I've never tasted something like this...And I should thank Elisbeth for this."

He gave a quick glance towards her and she smiled with a slight triumphant look on the side of her lips. God, I really hated her and her bunch.

Another thought surface abruptly. Wait. So, this wasn't staged by Godric? I couldn't see Godric's expression, since he had his face down. But honestly? It probably didn't matter since my death wouldn't mean a single thing to him.

It was just another human off the face of this earth, and since he wasn't entirely apologetic about killing off so many of our kind, I highly doubted that he would be mourning over my loss either.

In my blurry consciousness, I reckoned I was giving a wounded look on my face as I looked at everyone across the room. Elisbeth was seated in the center along with Godric. I was still clutching my neck rather defensively.

Is it truly the end now?

"Andre, don't be selfish, share the fun…" Another female vampire came up and I took one step backward, cringing in pain as more glass dug deeper into the soles of my feet. I staggered and fell beside the bounded group of humans, hurting my hands along the way. They were looking at me in terror. A myriad of expressions flooded their faces.

Some gave pitiful stares, most were openly fearful that they would be next, and then some were staring at me almost as though I deserved this.

The pain was gnawing. Isn't there anyone I could call on to save me? Isn't there a hotline for miracles?

What a great, great way to go Poppy. You didn't even say goodbye to Aunt Lexie. I thought and felt a deep surge of sadness seeping into my heart. This was a really pretty awful way to go.

The female newcomer was just about to reach out for me when another figure stepped in and grabbed me.

Apparently, they didn't seem to have queuing system.

I glanced up and recoiled backwards when I saw that it was Godric. Of all the ways to go, I really didn't want to be devoured by Godric. I thought I saw Godric's face darkened when he saw my reaction.

Very calmly, Godric uttered in a slow, careful manner, "That's my pet you've just bitten, Andre," Something about him easily commanded everyone's attention.

Perhaps, it was the fact that he had such a boyish innocent face, yet his tone and expression carried such menacing threats.

Andre clenched his fist as he pointed at me and said, "She's a human spy with the fellowship, Godric, she needs to die," He paused and licked the side of his lips that had traces of my blood on them, "Although, I do finally see the reason why you're taking her as a human pet….Her blood is really satisfying. Perhaps we could keep her as our blood bank."

I was about to give Andre a droll stare when Godric made a lunge towards Andre swiftly. Godric threw Andre across the ballroom with sheer force and the rest of the Undead seemed startled and angered. Apparently Andre was someone pretty important in this circle.

Chunks of concrete and dust fell as Andre was hurled across the wall but it wasn't long before Andre was up and back within Godric's sight.

He bared his fangs at Godric in anger and hissed.

"Are you defying Elisbeth?" Andre questioned with a growl. "Touching me now is akin to defying The Queen's direct orders. And you know what that means, even for you."

Godric smiled without mirth, "I'm actually pretty fond of Poppy, Andre. And if it's such that I have to kill you, then I assure you that I will take such pleasure doing so that you will wish that you were never formed…." Godric said in a calm tone as he openly defied the queen's orders with a threat.

Andre gave a feral growl and a group of undead gathered behind him like soldiers as they made a lunge towards Godric collectively as a whole.

I didn't even dare move an inch or breath as the entire scene soon descended to utter chaos. Godric was moving so swiftly tackling the growing number of attackers and it wasn't long before I saw a pile of undead bodies piling up.

Why was he doing this?

What was the point in doing all this?

Was this a part of the love sick role? It was insane and Godric had definitely gone out of his mind.

One glance towards Elisbeth told me that she was thinking the exact same thing. Her cool demeanour cracked and she raised a hand and gave a whistle, which captured everyone's attention immediately and brought the entire hoard of Undead to attention.

She eyed Godric in a regal manner, "Godric, have you forgotten that I am Queen."

Godric merely wiped off the blood off his lips before tasting his own, "No, My Queen."

"That's good. I want her dead, Godric. She's with the fellowship."

"I'm afraid I can't do allow you to do that, Elisbeth."

"Why so, Godric?"

There was an underlying current in the air as Elisbeth questioned Godric. It felt as though time was being stretched very slowly as though someone was pulling it like a band, and I was still trying to collect my thoughts when Godric answered in that slow, composed tone of his.

It truly seems as though nothing fazes him.

"Because she's mine, Elisbeth, and there's no way in hell am I going to kill her nor let you or anyone do so."

Now what?

…

…

It was day time.

I was curled up in an all-white room and it was cold, ice cold. I could feel my teeth chattering and I rubbed to keep myself warm. My torn and tattered bloodstained clothes didn't do much in keeping me warm.

I sat beside the glass coffin in the room and examined the undead who was sleeping inside.

Godric's pale face was literally colourless, devoid of any life. I was deeply surprised that he appeared rather innocent in his sleep, which was a world of difference from his usual scheming self. Godric's mind was the biggest mystery I could never solve, or even attempt to do so.

Now what happened last night…?

After Elisbeth had given the orders to kill me, Godric went berserk, and went on a killing spree rampage against Elisbeth's protective guards, leaving only Elisbeth and Andre alive.

Godric didn't look as though he was in the best condition himself. He had a gaping wound on his right cheek and his body had multiple wounds that looked deep enough to fatally wound any normal human. But Godric wasn't a normal human. I watched, somewhat in awe as he wiped away the blood on his lips, and was even more astounded to see that the wound on his cheek had miraculously healed itself.

Right, he was some thousand year old undead with some self-restoration properties.

"Are you staging a revolt, Godric?" Elisbeth asked, tilting her head towards Godric who was peering at them from the stage. She was on the floor, holding onto Andre who was in a pretty bad state, "You're staging a revolt for her?"

Godric nodded, "Elisbeth, haven't I already mentioned that she is quite different?"

Elisbeth shook her head in contempt and anger, "You've lost it, Godric. And it's all for her?"

I wanted to nod my head in agreement. Even Eric seemed to agree with Elisbeth but he kept his face still and his arms were crossed firmly in front of him as he stood by Godric's side along with the girl called Pam. They didn't look like they were in good shape either.

"It's either she lives or everyone pays."

"You wish to become the King of this district?"

"No Elisbeth, you can have the royal title. I don't need that, but what I do need….is your acceptance of Poppy, or we'll have ourselves war."

He uttered, before swiftly lifting me up as though I weighed nothing. I was still trying to recover from the absurd change of circumstances.

"You'll know you'll pay for this, Godric. This means war." Elisbeth declared as she finished the remaining humans in the hall.

I could only look on in horror as Godric carried me out of the grand hall steadily.

….

….

"Did you hear that? She said war, Godric, the Queen has declared war on you. Do you even know what that means?" Eric was shouting in the car. I could only stare numbly ahead as I tried my best to decipher what just happened.

My senses were still numb and I shivered when Godric leaned towards me to wipe off the blood away from my face.

"Poppy, are you alright?" He waved his hands in front of me and he shook me a little.

"Quit…the…act," I uttered and Godric dropped his hands. He leaned against the chair and closed his eyes, "Well, that makes things easier. I'm tired, or as tired as any Undead could be," he said and turned to Eric, opening an eye, "Yes and I do quite know what war means, little one."

Pam, who was sitting in front turned to the back to look at Godric, "But I'm sure that's what you wanted, isn't it Godric? War in the name of love."

Godric leaned back, closing his eyes once more as he nodded, "Cheesy as that may sound, but Pam's quite right."

Eric looked confused, and he turned to look at Godric and then at Pam, "Could you repeat what he just said, in simpler terms?"

"Let me put it in simpler terms, my dear Eric. Does Godric have any weak spots that you may target?"

Eric shook his head, "No, he's easily the strongest and smartest amongst our kind. No one is his match. Not even Elisbeth, and she knows that."

"Has Godric ever cared for anything?"

"Nope," Eric said firmly.

"Precisely, and now, if you add Poppy into the picture?"

I turned to look at Pam who was smiling thinly at me. Eric seemed to get the flow of things and he nodded his head, "Right, so Poppy could easily be Godric's weak spot, and that makes attacking Godric much, much easier if Poppy is involved. So, if Elisbeth were to attack, Poppy would be her choice, I suppose?"

Eric said, and then he turned to look at me, "Oh don't worry, I'm sure you'll be well protected of course."

I was too tired to utter anything, but I highly doubted that they had my protection as priority. The pain from my soles, the blood on my clothes made everything exceptionally jarring, and besides, this was probably my only chance of an escape. Godric turned to look at me in slight alarm. I was grabbing onto the car door and without hesitation, I pushed open the door and jumped out. The car's velocity made me tumbled, and I cringed in pain as gravel scraped the sides of my cheeks and skin, turning them raw.

I can't say what made me do it, but the mere thought, that perhaps, even death might be a better form of escape rather than this absurd form of captive.

I heard a loud truck blaring its honks and I could see its headlights coming in my direction.

I guess this is it, Poppy? An end to this. I thought just as the truck came to a halt right in front of me to end my misery. Instead of feeling anything, I felt absolutely nothing. Was this normal? I peeked open one eye and to my horror, Godric was standing right in front of the truck. His body had caused a dent in the truck and the driver had ran away the moment he realised what Godric was.

I was still lying on the ground and Godric was beside me in a jiffy, "That wasn't the wisest move."

"Surviving this would make it even dumber," I said slowly, I could feel liquid oozing off the side of my head and Godric placed his hands on my injury before licking it, "I get why Andre says your blood is interesting…Almost addictive."

"You could drain it." I said tiredly, not caring one bit if I survived this or not. There was a sense of fatigue drowning me. I could feel my senses slowing as it begun it's slow, peaceful way of shutting down. It was peaceful. It made me think about simpler days when I was living with Aunt Lexie, she used to leave me dinner before heading off to her shifts. And sometimes, on one of those rare occasions where she wasn't working, we would head out for a nice movie and dissect it after. Aunt Lexie used to be a bright student, till her no-good ex-husband left her with too much debts and a nasty group of gangsters and gang lords who hounded her for money day and night. She had no choice but to work two jobs to pay off whatever debts that was incurred. I sighed, deeply appreciative of the peace around me.

It was getting colder, somewhat. I could feel someone shaking me, and then I tasted something sweet.

I choked, but someone was forcing me to savour something. I refused, pursing my lips, but soon, I could feel someone forcing them open and more of that liquid came in.

"Poppy?" I heard a low, familiar voice utter just before everything went black.

….

….

What happened thereafter?

I couldn't remember anything thereafter.

I woke up to find myself in this white room with Godric sleeping in the glass coffin, and I was curled up with a blanket laid over me. I touched my forehead and my soles where it was bleeding previously but the wounds were gone, it was as though nothing happened last night. How was that possible? The only telltale signs that last night truly happened were my clothes, they were still bloodied and torn.

"Poppy?"

I glanced up to see Chanel entering through the glass door. The door required a passcode to enter. I was amazed to know Chanel could easily enter anytime she desired. But, most importantly – last night's operation was a mess.

"I-"

"I'll have to get you cleaned up as requested by Godric."

"How could you remain so calm, Chanel? Your comrades from The Fellowship were killed last night! They killed them, drained them – their screams are still in my head, Chanel." I said shakily.

She seemed surprised by my outburst and I shook my head with a sigh, "I'm in deep, I can't do this, Chanel. I'm like the walking dead," I paused and elaborated, "what I mean is, I'm walking with a death sentence over my head every single day. He'll kill me anytime he could. I'm just a pawn in his power struggle game. Isn't there a way out? Can't we kill him now?"

She nodded her head, her pretty brows furrowed and she bit her lower lip, "You don't see it, Poppy."

"See what?" I asked with a frown, biting my nails. Chanel unbuttoned the collar of her white blazer and shirt, I saw multiple bite marks and numerous scars, "Humans have never been at a winning end, this game between us and them. They hold too much power, their strength – their wealth, it's easy to manipulate things to their will. I've tried so many times to infiltrate into their systems, used various means, but they've never chosen me, Poppy. Godric simply do not trust anyone."

"You'll have to go deeper to gain his trust, Poppy."

Chanel buttoned her shirt and patted me, "Godric has never ever let any human come so close, you're the closest contact we'll ever have."

"And he knows that I'm working with you guys."

"Godric knows that but he's confidant that he'll be able to manage you, so let's work with that."

We were walking up the stairs to the higher floors, and I was relieved that I was finally out of the cold room aka Godric's bedroom (or chamber, whichever way that you like).

Even though I vaguely knew that Godric was pretty wealthy, I was still taken aback by the scale of his residences. It was huge and mostly minimalistic. Everything was in pristine white, and we walked past a huge fireplace that was burning. It kept the entire room warm. Chanel led me down a hallway and she stopped before a room along the way. She opened the door just as two helpers entered to place a stack of clothes and white towels on the bed before quietly dismissing themselves.

I was amazed at their efficiency, but more than that, I was affected by Godric's wealth.

"Is he on Forbes' billionaire list or something?" I said, touching the towels and clothes. Chanel nodded her head, "Something like that, let's just say his wealth is pretty inexhaustible. He's kept them hidden of course… but then again, he did have a millennium's worth of advantage, didn't he? Plus he's really pretty damn smart, Poppy."

"Thanks for reminding me of the huge odds laid ahead."

I sighed and placed my attention on the room itself. The entire room was white, from the bed sheets to the artsy picture framed on the wall. Everything felt so clean and pure, I felt stained simply standing there. Chanel pointed out the bathroom and I nodded my head gratefully and scurried over. She pulled the blinds up and I could barely see the sun dipping in the horizon.

Dusk was dawning upon us, which means, I'll have to face Godric soon enough. I sighed and quickly undressed myself in the shower. I figured everything else can wait – but first, I'll need a shower.

….

….