I stood in the gardens for what felt like hours. But soon, the air shifted, growing heavy with anticipation. A distant rumble stirred, like a beast awakening from slumber. Then, with a sudden crack, the sky split open, unleashing torrents of rain. The rain poured down relentlessly, drenching me to the bone. Each droplet felt like a tiny hammer against my skin, as if nature itself was testing my resilience. The thunder rumbled overhead, shaking the very ground beneath my feet.
As the rain poured around me, I stood there, feeling nothing but numbness creeping over me like a shroud. Each raindrop mingled with the tears already streaming down my face, lost in the deluge. Still the thunder echoed in the distance, but it was only a background noise to the storm raging within me. Suddenly, I was enveloped by a sense of emptiness, as if the rain was washing away any remnants of feeling, leaving only a hollow shell in its wake.
I had to get out of here. I had to return home back to my mother and the life I yearned to have back. To some, living inside the palace, relishing in fortune and pleasure seemed like a dream, but not to me. I wished desperately to return home, for that was the only life I knew and wanted, but I knew, deep down there was no going back.
Minutes passed and eventually I woke up from my stupor and ran into the palace, closing the double doors shut behind me. Resting my back against the doors, I couldn't shift the thought of escaping from my mind. I refused to believe that this was to be life forever. I despised vampires, and the thought of living under the same roof as one troubled me greatly. Vampires were cruel, viscous creatures that sucked our blood only for their benefit, and if they wanted to, they could drain us dry and would not think twice about it.
Ugh.
No, I was to leave tonight. Even if I died trying, I would take this opportunity to return back to my mother.
As I searched the palace, looking for any signs of life, I heard nothing and no one, giving me the go ahead I needed to make my escape. I felt a mixture of fear, adrenaline and determination, as I headed into the dining room, and saw the table filled with pastries, cakes, sweets, fruits and nuts laid on it, waiting to be eaten. If I was to leave the palace right now, I was going to need a lot of food to keep my energy up to make it through the night. I would make it home without fail. Tonight.
Grabbing fistfuls of different foods, I stuff them inside the pockets of my dress, and ran towards the gargantuan doors of the palace without a backward glance. With each step, my heart raced faster, echoing the chaos in my mind. Doubts lingered, but the longing for freedom drowned them out. Every stride was a step closer to freedom, when a voice halted my movements. If Alexander found me, and decided to kill me, then so be it. At least I took the chance and failed rather than not trying and never knowing the outcome.
"Is someone trying to escape?"
I gasped and whirled around behind me to see Phoenix lounging against an arched doorway. His gaze, piercing yet alluring, locked onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
"Surely, you're not that stupid?" He drawled.
The moonlight danced in his eyes, casting an ethereal glow that hinted at centuries of wisdom and darkness. His features, chiselled and timeless, exuded an otherworldly charm that was both captivating and unsettling.
I took a deep breath to steady my beating heart and answered. "Even if I were escaping, what business is that of yours?"
He tilted his head to the side and sauntered over to me. "Is that a wise thing to do when living under the roof of your master?"
Despite the danger that lurked beneath his beauty, I found myself drawn to him, unable to tear my gaze away from the hypnotic hold he had over me.
I stuttered but Phoenix cuts me off. "He is a vampire or have you forgotten that, human?"
Of course, I hadn't forgotten, but Alexander wouldn't touch me. He was a man of his word. He told me so himself.
Clearing my throat, I rasped. "What are you doing here? Alexander made it very loud and clear how he feels about you being in the palace."
He glared down at me. "I meant it when I said that this wasn't over."
My heart pounded against my ribcage like a relentless drum, each beat echoing the conflicting emotions raging within me. Fear gripped me, its icy fingers sending shivers down my spine, while curiosity whispered seductively, urging me to venture into the unknown.
"Are you here to finally end my suffering?" I asked.
Phoenix smiled a little. "Not yet."
With every breath, the adrenaline surged through my veins, a potent mix of dread and excitement coursing through my body.
"Is that all?" I asked, keen to dismiss him. "Because I have somewhere I need to be."
Chuckling, Phoenix leaned into my ear and whispered. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to be alone? I was getting very impatient."
I looked around and wondered where he had come from? Had he been waiting for a while? I did not see or hear him entering the palace. It was as though he appeared out of thin air.
He leaned back, searched my eyes and studied me. "I can see the curiosity in your eyes of how I found you. You see, vampires love to stalk their prey. It gives them an excitement like no other."
The air grew thick with anticipation as silence enveloped us, stretching into a tense pause that seemed to last an eternity. My breath caught in my throat, a knot of apprehension forming in the pit of my stomach. And then, breaking through the stillness like a bolt of lightning came the chilling sound of evil laughter from Phoenix. It started as a low, menacing rumble, building in intensity until it filled the room with its malevolent echoes. Each wicked chuckle sent a shiver down my spine, causing me to push him away.
"Do not jest." I snapped.
He stopped laughing instantly and gazed at me darkly. "Do you see me laughing?"
With a growl, I shouldered past him and pushed open the doors, the sound of them creaking open echoed through the silence like a ghostly whisper. "Just leave me alone."
He magically appeared in front of me. "Do you honestly think you'd get far, human? Vampires are at their strongest at night, and they'd sniff you out in a heartbeat." Phoenix reached out and took a piece of my hair. "Well, that is unless the werewolves don't ravish you first."
I slapped his hand away. "Why do you care about my safety? If I die, I die."
He slowly reached into one of my pockets and pulled out a blueberry muffin. "But with you dead, I won't have anything to play with."
I bared my teeth in hatred. "I am not your plaything." I frowned, remembering his words. "And besides, I thought you didn't like our kind."
He took a bite of the muffin then tossed it aside, his eyes darkened in annoyance. "I don't. I despise humans."
I couldn't resist the urge to ask him about his hatred of humans. The mystery behind it gnawed at me, tempting me to uncover his secrets.
"About that." I squared my shoulders and demanded. "Why do you hate us?"
His jaw locked tightly as he looked into my eyes with his cold, pale ones. "Because you're pathetic and petty, but I especially hate the ones that hit me."
I smirked recalling the event. "If you're here seeking an apology, you're wasting your time. You'll be waiting forever."
He looked at me from head to toe with an evil glint in his eye, then grinned. "At least I have forever. Your time on this earth is very limited."
I barked a laugh. "That may be, but at least I'll leave this world knowing I never submitted to you."
He roughly puts both of my arms behind my back, retracted his fangs and growled. "You and that mouth of yours is going to get you killed."
I arched a brow. "By you?"
He half shrugged. "Perhaps. After I am done with you."
I frowned, held my breath, then asked. "What do you want from me? Truly."
He pulled away and drew his eyebrows sharply together. "Answers."
I scoffed as I tried to free my arms from his grasp. "What could I possibly know?"
"More than what you should." He tightened his grip. "You see, I have known Alexander for a very long time and he's never taken a blood servant before. Until now. I'm curious to know the reason why."
"If you're that curious, then why don't you ask him yourself?" I gritted out.
"Because he's a secretive bastard." He said simply.
I shook my head. "I am a blood servant. It is not my place."
He pushed me backwards, forcing me into the wall and lowered his face. I found myself unable to breath or move. "Tell me what I want to know."
"Absolutely not." I uttered.
Phoenix stared into my eyes. "Refuse me and I'll get it out of you in a way you won't like."
"No!" I avoided his impenetrable gaze. "Do not use your power of hypnosis on me. Alexander has told me all about your kinds tricks."
He stood, frozen in disbelief. "He would never utter such secrets to the enemy."
A sly grin slowly spread onto my face. "Perhaps you didn't know Alexander as well as you thought you did."
Suddenly, Phoenix's cold, clammy hand closed around my throat. "You know too much for your own good, human. Therefore, I'm going to kill you."
I felt a surge of terror unlike anything I had ever known. My screams were silenced by his icy grip as he sank his fangs into my flesh, slowly draining the life from my veins, leaving me weak and helpless in his grasp. The world around me faded into darkness as I slowly succumbed to the inevitable fate of being killed by a creature of the night.
"Step away from my human!" A voice roared.
Phoenix lifted his finger towards Alexander as he continued sucking my blood, muttering. "Just a moment."
With wide eyes, I looked over to see the prince's hands fisted at his side with a look of pure anger on his face. "Release her this instant!" Alexander demanded. "I will not ask you again."
I could feel the vibration of Phoenix laughing against my neck, when suddenly, in the blink of an eye, I was pushed to the floor with Alexander standing in front of me in a protective stance, with his hand wrapped around Phoenix's throat, my blood dripping from his fangs, a satisfied smirk on his lips.
With one swift motion, Phoenix slips out of Alexander's hold, ending up on the other side of the room, wiping away my blood from his fangs with a hanker-chief. "It's rude to interrupt a vampire during their feeding time. Surely, your mother told you that."
"Touch my human again, and I will kill you." Alexander warned, as he sauntered over to me, slowly wrapping his hand around my arm, bringing me up to my feet. "Are you alright, Jane? Are you hurt?"
I could not speak, only shake my head.
He lowered his face to mine, and searched my eyes. "He bit you, didn't he?"
I nodded once.
With my answer, he examined my neck then tensed his jaw. Then, he brings up his finger, retracted his fangs and pricked his finger, creating an open wound. I watched in fascination as he brings his finger closer to me, but halts his movements when he sees the look in my eyes which could only be described as fear mixed with curiosity.
He arched a brow. "Do you mind?" He asked softly.
I frowned. "For what?"
"For me to heal you? My blood will heal the wound on your neck. But if you are uncomfortable with..."
I cut him off. "Do it. Please."
With my approval, Alexander placed his finger against my neck and gently smoothed his finger against the wound until he was satisfied.
"It should heal in a few minutes. After that, the marks will disappear for good, almost as if it never happened." Alexander muttered.
"Thank you." I said softly.
Phoenix scoffed. "That will not undo what I've done."
Alexander growled. "Be quiet and leave!"
Silence.
Alexander looked over his shoulder and frowned. "Are you still here?"
Silence.
"I really don't like repeating myself." Alexander uttered harshly.
Silence.
Alexander tutted. "Phoenix...."
Turning our heads in unison, we see Phoenix doubled over, a violent cough racking up his body. Each cough were like daggers tearing from his chest, as he struggled to catch his breath as crimson droplets stained his hands. He brings up his head and glared straight at me. "You poisoned me!"
I gasped. "I did no such thing."
"Liar!" Phoenix roared.
Alexander sighed in annoyance. "Get out this instant!"
"She's poisoned me, Alexander." Phoenix sputtered as he coughed more blood into his hands. "Kill her this instant!"
Alexander looked over his shoulder at me and asked softly. "Did you poison him?"
My eyes widened. "I swear, I didn't."
Dismissing his friend, he pulled me deeper into the palace. "I believe the human. Now, leave and go to a place where you are wanted."
"I will leave, after I give you this invitation." Phoenix struggled to say. "It was partially the reason I was here all along."
Alexander turned around, faced his friend and arched a brow. "What is the invitation for?"
Phoenix pulled out a red envelope and handed it to Alexander. "Read it and you will find out yourself."
Alexander looked at the envelope and recoiled. "I don't need to read it. It's probably from Lilith."
Phoenix gave Alexander a knowing look. "You know how much she loves to throw a ball."
"Nevertheless, I decline." Alexander muttered.
With effortless speed, Phoenix slammed the unopened invitation against Alexander's chest. "You have to go and you know it. For people like us, appearances are everything."
"I'm not going." Alexander repeated.
"Do that, and Lilith will never forgive you. Surely, her feelings mean something to you?"
Alexander remained silent.
"I'll see you tomorrow night." Phoenix said as he vanished.
Eyeing the invitation on the floor, next to Alexander's feet, I picked up the envelope off the ground and held it out to the prince. "Here. You dropped this."
He looked at it for a few seconds then gently took it. "Thank you."
I smiled softly. "Why wouldn't you want to attend a ball? Sounds like such fun."
Alexander shook his head and ripped the envelope into shreds. "Fun is not the word I would use for such a thing."
"Why not?" I asked.
He sighed. "A ball is just an excuse for royalties to stick their noses in where it doesn't belong, and I for one hate gossip, but now that I think about it, you coming along would definitely save me from boredom."
My eyes widened.
Wait...what?
I gasped at his words. "I'm going with you?"
Alexander smirked. "You didn't think I was going alone, did you?"