Part 15 (2/2)

In the distance the unnerving silence engulfed the surrounding hillside, where the castle stood elegantly against the backdrop of the inky horizon. Surprisingly, it wasn't a sad place, even though I could rattle off a million reasons why it should be. Still, it wasn't a happy place, either. The castle was old. It was larger than the ones we had at Sage, but this one was graceful and appealing. The aged bricks seemed to groan in pain, as if they hated the creatures now occupying it. By the looks of the gla.s.s windows that fitted nicely into the castle, it must have been renovated to fit in with today's needs. Instead of the drawbridge and moat I was expecting, there were big, wooden double doors and a fountain.

As we neared the end of the driveway, we were officially face to face with our prison. While I admit it was beautiful, serene, and regal, it was forbidding enough to make my stomach leap all the way into my throat.

”It seems empty,” I commented as we pulled into the car park.

”That's because it's not quite dark enough yet. Any minute now, though, I'm sure.”

We exited the car and walked towards the door. The castle towered over us, dominating us. Eli appeared unaffected. His guardian mask was on, that meant he couldn't show his true feelings and he didn't.

Five minutes later, when every one of the sun's rays had well and truly gone, the big wooden door opened.

”Welcome,” a short, smiling Asian man greeted us. ”We've been expecting you.”

His thin lips spread into a wide smile and he made no attempt to hide his fangs.

”Thank you,” Eli replied politely, stepping inside.

I followed closely behind him. I glanced down at the cold hard floor - it was marble and each tile was chosen with a specific taste in mind. None of them matched and yet, they seemed to paint a beautiful picture. Paintings decorated the walls and large stone pillars were placed around the castle, supporting its heavy brick frame. In front of us was a large, stone staircase which eventually split into two different directions. Flowers were carved into the stone and edged subtly with gold.

”The look of confusion when people see my home never gets old.” Lucian chuckled, descending the stairs. ”Is it the garden? Or the modern design of the interior? Maybe it's the fact that I'm a vampire and still like beautiful, serene things?”

I swallowed hard. Seeing his face again sent chills down my spine. One by one, vampires began popping up all over the place. They seemed to have appeared from thin air. They were quick, too quick.

”No answer?” Lucian smiled at me.

”You have a beautiful home. It isn't what I expected,” I forced out politely. By some miracle I was able to keep my voice steady.

”What were you expecting?” He eyed me curiously.

”Gargoyles, deep red carpets, coffins, dead trees, you know, the usual vampire things.”

Lucian laughed loudly and the rest of the vampires joined in. I glanced sideways at Eli. His dark eyes were watching me in amus.e.m.e.nt.

”We're going to get along just fine,” Lucian exclaimed. ”Ludiia!”

She appeared in an instant. She had curled her long dark hair in ringlets down her back. They matched her nineteenth century black and green gown perfectly.

”Please show Miss Moore to her room. Mr De Luca and I have many things to discuss.”

Ludiia stalked toward me.

”I'm not leaving him,” I blurted.

I couldn't trust Lucian. What if he hurt Eli in my absence, or worse, killed him?

”Oh hush. I'm not going to hurt him. You can come back down when it's time for dinner.”

Ludiia grabbed my arm tightly and I winced. Her skin was so cold it felt like it was burning mine.

”Sorry, I haven't had any blood today. My skin is a little colder than usual.”

The s.a.d.i.s.tic smirk that grew on her face told me she didn't actually care she was hurting me.

The castle was big, much bigger than I had first thought. It felt like we walked past at least a hundred rooms before we reached mine.

”Oh, before I go, I should probably mention that Lucian has left a little welcoming gift for you.” She chuckled loudly before turning her back and walking back the way we came.

Slowly, I opened the door. When I was sure no one was hiding inside, I entered.

Vampires or not, they sure knew how to live in luxury. A Jacobean four-poster bed took up a good area of the room but it still left s.p.a.ce for two armchairs and a desk. Through the door on the side, I a.s.sume, was a bathroom.

”Ruby?”

My breath caught in my throat and my heart sank into my shoes. Slowly I turned around.

”No,” I whispered, backing away cautiously.

”Why are you so afraid of me? Aren't you happy that I'm alive?” He was hurt by my fear.

”Y-you're not alive... You're a vampire,” I stammered. I rubbed my sweaty palms on my jeans. My subconscious was threatening to shut down. Hunter was blocking my exit; I needed to get out of here.

”Yes, I am.” Hunter reached out to me. He was real.

I folded in on myself. I curled my face into my knees and the tears began to flow. ”Please don't touch me.”

”Ruby, I'm not going to hurt you.”

'I'm not going to hurt you' says the vampire. I couldn't help but link his phrase to the Big Bad Wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.

”Don't lie to me.”

A cold hand reached out and touched my arm but I recoiled away. His touch was once so warm and loving, but now that was only a memory, and in its place was the cold hand of death. My chest started tightening.

Please go away, please.

I was so overwhelmed. Seeing Ludiia, Lucian, and the other vampires was uncomfortable, but seeing Hunter was completely different. I thought I'd lost him. He'd been murdered by Liam right in front of me. Now he was kneeling in front of me, cold and calculating, dead and alive at the same time. I prayed for Eli to come and rescue me.

”Please, go away.”

”I can't.”

”Why?”

”Because I live here. Lucian turned me.”

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