The Heir - Blood Secret : The Chosen One - Secret Heir, page 6
I spoke again. “I have been called a lot of things throughout my life, but a witch is not one of them! Sorry to burst your bubble.” I glanced over my shoulder, meeting his gaze.
“I don’t have any magic either” I added.
Magic! I was still trying to get my head around vampires. I decided to ask what I needed to know, questions about magic could wait.
I spun around “Why do breachers’ turn against their own kind?” I asked.
“Power.” Anton shrugged “Our elder Armacey is the only one that has reign over his creatures. Many breachers believe if they kill the first elder, vampires have no option but to kneel before them and see them as their new master... pitiful.”
I stopped at the large portrait of a man, his black hair sleeked back, his hollow cheeks haunting. His eyes were a darker red not as bright as Anton’s, more like blood. He stood proudly holding a sword in his hand as he posed in front of another destination of destruction that was clear to see again in the background of what looked to be another oil painting. Even from the image, I could feel strength rippling out.
“Can Armacey be killed?” I asked.
How does one kill the king of all vampires? I found myself thinking.
“Many have tried but failed miserably. He is the strongest of our kind. I believe breachers detest the fact they are no longer human, at the same time unsure as to why they aren’t a pure vampire like the rest of us”.
“Huh,” I sighed.
That makes sense.
“Is he a pure vampire?” I asked, pointing to the man in the portrait.
Anton stood admiring the picture as if looking up to an idol “That is Armacey himself.” He informed me. “The one that ordered me to protect you.”
I looked at Anton.
“Why? He doesn’t even know me, why would a vampire, especially an elder want to protect me?” It was weird but there was a connection between me and the vampire in the painting. It was hauntingly familiar.
I had known from movies and TV shows elders were masters of the vampires, their leaders in some creepy sired way. Anton didn’t reply he just kept walking ahead.
I started to walk further through the hall.
Suddenly, I had the urge to turn and look back to where the portraits hung, but something stirred within me, warning me against it.
Never one to go against the sickening sensation in the pit of my stomach I decided to keep walking.
Instead, relying on Anton to answer my question. Anton was in front of me in a split second, my wry stare fixed on his red eyes, somehow finding comfort whenever he stared back at me. I could tell with his beady stare glancing back and forth, it wasn’t just me and him in the hallway anymore.
Unsure, if they could hear me or not.
“There are more vampires behind me, aren’t there?” I whispered.
My stomach felt like a thousand butterflies were fluttering about desperately trying to escape, it was a feeling of uneasiness mixed with excitement.
Vampires! Holy crap.
I didn’t contemplate there being one! Let alone more. I kept my eyes fixed on Anton needing reassurance.
He nodded “Yes, they are curious, the beating of your heart had them knowing there was a human within the castle grounds, they are in the dark as to why Armacey is protecting you.” His tone was calm as he stared at me, his hand reached around my waist encouraging me to keep walking.
I didn’t hesitate, I carried on going forward not looking back. They could have been right behind me for all I knew. I wasn’t willing to find out, I allowed Anton’s firm touch to stay around my waist and hoping he wouldn’t pull away. Somehow having him by my side calmed me.
He was not ruthless like I had envisioned a vampire to be like.
“Are they going to kill me and drink my blood?” I asked, my voice a little shaky.
He shook his head “No” He said reassuring me with more than just his words. He stopped just before a door and pulled me closer. My hands rested on his chest as he swamped me in a secure embrace.
“Not if they want to die at the hands of Armacey and myself”
His words were somewhat comforting.
1
THE HEIR - BLOOD SECRET
Chapter four
Anton hurried me into a room, I could only assume the vampires were getting a little too curious for his liking. Upon entry, I was captivated by the armor that stood side by side. As if in a museum, they were positioned up against the castle walls, with their swords by their side. My fingers brushed along the chain mail that was interlocking with the iron rings that laid over the body armor. I was sure it was quite a bit older than 19th-century armor. I had always been interested in history, but what I was looking at, looked to be more 14th maybe even 15th-century amour.
Surely these can’t be originals?
“Leave us!” A stern voice startled me out of my concentration. I turned to see three black iron chairs on a platform, with a few stairs leading up to each one, but with only one man sitting in the middle. I couldn’t help myself as I aimed my sarcasm at Anton.
“I thought you said elders, as in more than one?”
Maybe vampires had a tendency of making everything sound so much more than it was.
Anton’s expression hardened at me mocking his kind.
“I can assure you there’s more than one, they’re on opposite sides of the globe keeping things in order at the moment.” The man answered, instead of Anton.
I turned to look for Anton, but he was nowhere in sight.
No doubt following orders.
I wasn’t about to be scared now. I was wanting him to start explaining, what the hell was going on. I made my way toward him, stopping at the set of stairs at the bottom of where his chair sat. His black hair was slicked all the way back, and his receding hairline only drew attention to his sunken cheeks.
It didn’t take me long to realize it was the same vampire that I had seen in the portrait, the one Anton looked up to as if in complete admiration. He looked to be in serious need of a good feast. Had I been placed before him in a haunted house attraction I would not have pegged him for a vampire. More likely I would have chosen a reaper as his role.
I tried to stay focused, “Keeping things in order. You mean the breachers?” I asked casually.
He stared at me for a lingering second with a vacant stare before he stood from his chair, making his way toward me.
His black velvet rope trailed over the dusty stairs.
It was most definitely not something you would find at Target that’s for sure. Nevertheless, it added to the vampire look.
Silk and velvet might have guessed.
“I see Anton has given you a history lesson.” He said, his voice thick with tension. His gaze focused on me, it sent an uncomfortable feeling passing through me, it seemed to go right to my centre. This elder oozed strength.
I backed up a few feet unsure of what he was capable of. He’s the leader of his kind, yet he came across as a teacher that was chastising me as if I had said something wrong.
He stepped down from the last step and stood in front of me with an essence of authority.
His dark piercing red eyes thoroughly examined every inch of me as if he was taking all of me in.
“Do you know why you are here child?” He asked.
Was he curious about me being a human or was he sizing me up to drain me of my blood?
I refused to look away. I refused to show fear.
“Yes,” I answered “Someone attacked me in the woods,”
I couldn’t help but stare at him.
How can he look old, but not old at the same time? The whole situation was beginning to cause me a headache.
He turned his palms facing up.
“Touch my hands!” He demanded. My brows creased at his orders.
Why on earth is he wanting me to touch his hands?
I glanced over to the door, there was still no sign of Anton. He was the only one that had kept me safe the entire time I’d been here, I wasn’t willing to continue on without him now.
Point blank refusing to do what he had asked.
“Not without Anton!” I scoffed. Holding his gaze refusing to feel intimidated by him.
With his red eyes fixed on me, the seconds lingered on as he decided on what to do next.
The corners of his lips curved as if offering a smile, but becoming more amused by me.
“Very well,” He replied. He closed his eyes for a lingering moment. I stepped back with caution. It was a trick I was sure of it.
I flinched as Anton arrived by my side, no warning or heads up just him there.
“Again.... stop with the whole speedy thing!” I muttered.
I was unsure if shouting at him in front of another vampire would have made me a bloody cocktail among them.
“How did you….” I was prepared to ask the question but wasn’t sure I needed to know how they communicated.
It was creepy, to say the least.
“Never mind!” I sighed.
I glanced between Anton and the elder unsure how to proceed. Anton offered nothing more than a nod of encouragement. I hesitated for a moment before stepping closer and slowly reaching my hands toward the elders’ hands.
I paused, keeping my hands over his but not touching. “What’s your name?” I asked.
I already knew his name. I had no clue as to why I asked such a basic question when I had many more waiting to be answered. I suppose I was trying to distract myself from the eeriness. I watched as he frowned or at least tried to, there were no harsh lines in his skin to indicate to me he was frowning. Yet, he looked to be confused as to why I would bother to ask such a simple question. It suddenly dawned on me. They must stop aging when they get bitten.
Like they do in the movies.
I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to proceed.
“Francesca, look at me,” Anton said softly. I turned to his husky voice, getting lost in his stare.
It was clear that Anton could see the bewildered look on my face.
“I understand nothing makes sense right now, in time it will become clearer, trust me,” He noted, with a gentle nod of his head to carry on.
“My name is Armacey.” The elder interrupted, growing impatient.
Breaking my concentration from Anton and reverting my attention back to him, he raised his hands to permit both sets to touch with no notice.
My eyes closed as a force of energy surged through my body like a bolt of lightning.
Confusion washed over me, however, I didn’t pull back from his deathly cold touch. Vampires believed I was of great importance to them, and I was determined to find out why.
Random images flashed before my eyes, offering nothing but the five senses. I tried to focus, my heart started racing, as I tried desperately to piece together the distress that I was forced to witness.
The sounds of screeching and screaming.
It was gut-wrenching - pain! I could only assume it was the victims that were getting killed before my very eyes.
The pungent smell of metal and musk had me forcing the bile back down that was trying to rise within my throat. More violent images flooded in until the last one of a man caught my attention. He was tall and scrawny with a sinister smirk etched on his face. He just stood looking at me, his eyes as black as an eclipse.
He was so close to me his harsh and uneven breath had my insides trembling with fear.
I tried desperately to separate all the screaming and noise to hear what he was mouthing to me, but it was too late the connection was broken.
I gasped, taking short sharp breaths, trying to regain control of my shaking body.
I stumbled back in shock.
The feel of firm hands holding me tightly around my waist had me flinch and ready to lash out.
Panicking “Let me go!” I pleaded. Tears gathered in my eyes, ready to erupt.
“Your safe, I’m right here.” Anton soothed, pulling me into his chest, and holding me tight, allowing me the comfort I so desperately needed.
My hands tightly held onto his leather trench coat as I forced myself to calm down. I didn’t know why but when Anton was by my side, I felt safe and at ease.
The elder who caused the vision stepped closer to us and spoke with urgency.
“I believe that there is a threat coming. What did you see?” He demanded to know.
I looked up to Anton needing reassurance.
“It’s okay” He whispered to me.
But it wasn’t okay, not to me it wasn’t.
Having witnessed so much pain, distress, and death, I was not in the mood to tell him anything.
I wanted answers and I wanted them now.
With rage blazing through me “What did you do to me?” I roared, rushing toward him and banging my hands against his chest and pushing him as hard as I could.
I was shaken, but I tried my best to not show it. Not that it mattered, he would no doubt be able to tell by the thumping of my heartbeat, if I could hear it banging off my chest, I’m sure he could as well.
He said nothing.
“What did you do?” I repeated with tension.
Refusing to back down, I banged harder on his chest over and over again, but it was no good, he barely moved an inch.
A nasty animalistic growl bellowed from the elder. Anton yanked my arm and pulled me behind him, keeping in-between me and his elder.
“Francesca, stop it!” Anton warned.
I pointed to Armacey “He done something to me” I stated. “He forced me to watch visions of death and destruction” Tears were ready to erupt from having witnessed such horror.
Armacey turned his back on us.
“I showed you just how powerful you could be. Your visions can be past, present or future. Time is of the essence. I won’t ask again. What did you see?” He glanced sideways as if waiting for an answer.
I refused to inform him of what he required to know. “Visions! That was death!” I argued.
Wanting no part of it, I rapidly turned on my heels and ran for the door, hoping both of them would leave me alone and not speed toward me like I had known Anton was capable of doing.
“Francesca you’re not safe....” Anton’s panicked voice, still wasn’t enough to make me want to stay.
I stopped and turned to face them, determined to leave after stating my peace. “The further away from him,” I bit out, drawing my eyes off the elder, “The safer I will be!”
Loud sounds of sirens blaring throughout the castle had me holding my hands over my ears.
I dropped one hand to reach for the latch on the door and rushed out into the hallway. I frantically looked around, looking for a way out, there were vampires coming toward me, some marching as others climbed on the walls like creatures.
Holy crap, they can do that too!
I tried to push past the fact that I was the only human among their flock. I kept my head down, rushing past their incomparable bodies, hoping they knew better than to kill me, from the orders of their elder.
Why are they running? What are they running from?
An uneasiness rose in the pit of my stomach, the alarm vibrating throughout the castle had me more terrified at what was coming, than to the creatures that were among my company. They are monsters, they are meant to be ruthless yet they were fleeing from something or someone themselves.
The hall became empty within seconds, I stopped to look behind me, to make sure no vampires were waiting to sample my blood, knowing I shouldn’t be quick to trust all of them. The hall had come eerily deserted within a short space of time. I quickly turned to continue running, when all of a sudden, I bumped into someone with such force. I fell hard against the concrete ground. I instantly reached my hand up to my head to make sure there was no blood.
That was the last thing I needed in a castle full of vampires!
I let out a loud gasp at the sight of the man that was in my vision standing right before me. I gradually started to drag myself backward.
He took slow steady steps toward me, watching me curiously.
“I told you, I would be seeing you very soon,” He said with a sinister smirk, peering down at me.
It quickly dawned on me, those were the words he mouthed to me in my vision. I couldn’t separate the noise, if I had concentrated, I would have been able to understand what he was muttering to me.
How could I be so stupid!
I knew whatever it was I supposedly had inside of me, if it was magic like Anton had told me, the man could sense it no doubt. If I was going to survive, I needed to figure out how to use it sooner rather than later.
The stranger pulled me to my feet in the blink of an eye, before I even had a chance to take in what was happening.
He held me close to his chest.
“What do you want from me?” I whimpered, trying to keep my breathing steady. He glanced down gawking at me with his beady black eyes.
His dirty blonde hair fell around his unblemished features. His hands brushed over my hair “You have no idea who you are, do you?” He asked, not once taking his gaze off me, just waiting for me to answer him.
Of course, I know who I am! I’m Francesca Mills from Brookdale. I thought about telling him, I had a feeling it wasn’t who I was that he was curious about, more likely my visions are what he was interested in. I never had them up until that damn elder touched my hands. I never knew they existed until now.
The breacher showed up in my vision, just to have pleasure out of this very moment. How is that even possible?
“You look just like your mother. I’m going to enjoy tasting you before I kill you, just like I did her!” His words froze me to the core of my very being.
My mother! My mother was dead, killed in a car crash, what the hell was he talking about?
How dare he speak about my mother. Was this a mind game that vampires like to play, toying with you before killing you?
I wasn’t waiting around to find out, I had to keep going. I pulled my knee back as hard and quick as I could and struck him with all of my might.
I kicked him hard in-between his legs. I wasn’t sure vampires could feel pain, but it didn’t hurt to try. I was relieved when he crouched over from my blow to his groin, permitting me just enough time to run past him.
