Meeting the Leader

    I stood there, wanting to leave this place. The man exuded power as he walked in. He was tall and slim. His skin was pale and his white hair was long, falling down his lower back, his red eyes reminded me of Cassius, and I wondered if he was as evil as him. 

    As for the woman, who I suppose must be his wife, she was beautiful with her small round face and plump lips. Her hair was long and black, tied up on a French braid falling over her shoulder, and her body had beautiful curves.

I looked at myself. There was definitely no comparison, I was insignificant. Her lavender eyes sent a calm aura towards me and I took a nice, deep breath, thankful for it. Her skin looked smooth and not as pale as the man did. 

    “What have you brought here, Kieran?” he mentioned as they sat down on what I assume were their thrones. Kieran, what a powerful name. I bit my lips, having very disturbing thoughts. 

    “Father, I have brought this human who I found on the edge of our lands. She trespassed and she needs to be served her punishment for it.”

    This human? How dare he say it like I’m a plague? I gave him a glare, which I was sure he noticed since he let out another snarl, while looking over his shoulder. I was not as afraid anymore, I was irritated by him.

    “Kieran, a little respect for the lady. I have taught you manners,” the lady said, but he scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. He pouted like a child, and I wanted to laugh despite the danger I might be in.

    The man stood from the chair and approached me slowly. 

“What’s your name and where are you coming from, young lady?” he asked in a soft voice, which I didn’t expect. 

    “My name is Illyria Abbot, from Cromwell,” I replied. His expression changed to a curious and concerned one. He looked back at his wife and she had the same expression. 

    “Are you Silas’ daughter?” he asked and I raised my eyes to meet his, while I nodded in confirmation, “he was an old friend of mine. I have known him since he was a little kid, when I used to visit his father for business purposes. How are him and Serena, by the way?” 

    My eyes watered and it was hard to answer that question. 

“I am not sure, sir. I had just escaped an attack on my mansion and I have no idea if anyone survived, not even my parents,” I said, feeling a knot in my throat, and trying not to shed any more tears.

    His wife walked over, and took me in an embrace while trying to comfort me. I could feel her cold, but comforting body, giving me a motherly affection.

    “You are welcome here, dear. My name is Lenora Moore and my husband is Alaric. I am sure you met my son Kieran, which didn’t give you a good first impression. Don’t worry, dear. Under all that brute exterior, is a man with a soft heart,” she mentioned, and I looked at him, trying to find a hint of his kind side, but I couldn’t see it. He was still a jerk to me.

    “Once you get to know him, you will think differently,” I was shocked and a small chuckle escaped her lips, as I came to the realization that they could also be vampires and they can read minds. Now, I understood the medieval aspect of this castle, and the village. They were ancient vampires.

    “Your father was a great man, he was always fair and kind to everyone. I am sorry for your loss,” Alaric said and facing his son, he continued, “Kieran, take her to one of the chambers so she can rest. She also needs a bath and clean clothes.”

    “But Father, don’t you think she deserves the punishment for-”

    “That’s enough. Losing her family and getting lost in the woods must have been traumatic for her. She doesn’t need more,” Lenora scolded, and I wanted to smile, but I was not sure how he would react. 

    Why does he hate me? He doesn’t even know me. Coming through his land was an accident. He walked away as Lenora pushed me gently to go with him. 

    Following him through the dim walls while I admired the stone sculptures, he ushered me to keep the pace without saying a word. We reached a wooden red door and he opened it, revealing a breathtaking room, with a big bed in the middle, draped in a velvety curtain, and soft silky blankets.

    I could see a fireplace lighting in the middle of a wall, and a painting hanging on top. 

    “Here, the washroom is through there, and here are some clothes you can wear.”

    He handed me the clothes harshly, and I frowned at his rude behavior. 

“You probably need this more than I do. Walking around the village without a shirt, is being the prey of many women,” I said boldly, but never imagined what he would do next.

    Kieran suddenly approached me at a quick pace, and gently grabbed me by the hair as he pulled me towards him, inhaling my scent.

“I could smell you wanting to have me in your bed just like those women do, and as tempting as that is, I don’t sleep with food.”

 I knew he said that to scare me, but I wasn’t going to let him intimidate me. He had already seen my vulnerable side, and I was not going to let him see it again. 

“Well, I am sure you won’t be able to handle this buffet. It might be too much for you. You wouldn’t want a stomachache,” I said, scolding myself on the inside for not controlling my mouth.

    “Just, take that bath and change. Dinner will be served in an hour.”

    “Dinner? At this time? It must be closer to dawn.”

    “Just take that damn bath and meet us downstairs in an hour,” he seethed, and without sparing me a glance he walked out, slamming the doors. I walked into the washroom, and ran the bath.

    I took my dirty clothes off and walked into the tub, the warm water relaxing my sore muscles. I studied my wounds and I could see they were nothing but scratches from the tree branches and the rocks in the river. But my feet suffered the most, they were sure to be sore for a while, as I could see the bruises from running through the woods on my bare feet.

    As I was relaxing, my thoughts took me to the events that unfolded earlier. Trying to figure out the reason for that attack, my breathing became heavier and my heart was beating at a hundred miles per hour. 

    I couldn’t stand it anymore, and without thinking, I left the bathtub and ran out of the washroom, when my naked body covered in soap bumped into that muscular chest. 

    I didn’t care if it was him, but a wave of tears came over me as I looked at him in the eyes, and putting my head on his chest, I sobbed my heart out.