Queen of Darkness

Chapter 20 - Return trip

Me:” So do you believe me yet?”

Alex:“It’s a lot to take in... I don’t know what to think. Where is Robert now?”

Me:“Best you don’t know, he is a dangerous vampire”

Alex:“Yes, but I mean how are you not with him if you belong to him, and he won’t let you out of his sight?”

Me: “Yes well, I finally did get a chance to run... Only problem is I’m still running, still having to watch my back and frankly I’m tired of running”

Alex:“How did you get away?”

Me:“Well, as time past, I had more opportunities as a Queen to grow my wealth, I got involved in more business ventures, I made more money on the side, I invested a lot of that in properties under different aliases and saved money in various accounts and trusts around the world, without Robert’s knowledge... Or maybe he did know and just didn’t care. He was too busy working on his own plans to care about what I was up too.

It was around 1920, we lived in a beautiful country Villa in Romania, it was about two years after World War 1 and the countryside was not as effected by the war as other places.

One day I was relaxing in our room, I think I was reading a book or something when I heard a commotion in the hallways.

I rushed out and as I reached the stairway one of the Generals Guards came running up the stairs.

Me:“Whats going on?”

Guard:“The beasts that was locked in the seller escaped. Your highness I must insist that you return to your quarters immediately” and with that he ran down the hallway inspecting one room at a time.

I was curious as to what ‘beast’ he was referring to and further more why it was locked away in the seller. That was the first I’ve ever heard of it.

And besides, I was not about to take orders from a guard.

I made my way down stairs and slipped passed a few guards who were busy searching for this beast.

I thought about it - If I was a beast, locked up in a seller, and I got out...where would I go. The answer was simple, I would go look for food and a way out. Animal instict and all. So I headed to the kitchen.

All the staff had already been evacuated, as soon as a rounded the corner to go towards the kitchen, I collided with a young boy, whom I didn’t recognise. I would know cause children was not a common sighting in vampire homes.

We both got a huge fright and he was ready to make a run for it when I gestured to him to stay calm and whispered “Shhhh what are you doing here?”

At first he was too scared to answer but he finally whispered “I just want to go home” and a tear rolled down his dirty cheek. “Please don’t let them lock me away again”

That’s when I realised that the ‘beast’ the guards were searching for, was only a boy of about 10 years old. Why on earth they were in such a panic was beyond me.

I heard guards approaching and with my finger over my lips gestured for the boy to stay quiet and pushed him into the broom cupboard.

When the guards entered they were surprised to find me in the kitchen. I just pretended to be searching for some fruit and denied seeing anything suspicious other than all the staff being gone... Acting like it annoyed me having to serve myself.

After they left I gave the boy a container of water, couple of fruit and a piece of bread to take with. His hands were not big enough to carry it so I tore a piece of cloth from the bottom of my dress to wrap the food in it.

Me: “This should be enough to help you from starving on your journey” I sated as a shoved the package into his hands and pulled him towards the door.

I snug him out and we ran out toward the stables, hiding behind the building for a while to make sure we weren’t seen.

Me:“Whats your name?”

Boy:“I’m Joshua ma’am”

Me:“Do you know how to get to your home from here?” I asked because we were surrounded by forests and fields, the closest town was over an hour away by horse.

Joshua:“Yes ma’am, I do.”

He was a very polite and cute “beast” I shook my head because it didn’t make any sense.

Giving him a slight smile I stated “Joshua, my name is Aurora, I’m really sorry but I can’t go with you any further without making anyone suspicious”

Joshua looked at me seemingly shocked as his eyes widened. “You...you’re the Queen?”

I was surprised that he knew who I was...what I was.

Me:“You know what I am?”

Joshua:“Vampire...but you’re not like the others, why are you helping me?” even at ten you could hear scepticism in his voice... And fear.

Me:” Well I would hope I’m not like the others... were not all bad Joshua. I’m helping you because your just a child, besides It seems like the right thing to do... When giving the chance to do the right thing, we should always do so” I through in a little bit of phylysophical advise for good measure... I was going through a phase.

I ruffled his hair and gave him a sincere smile. “You should go now, soon they will start looking for me and that would be bad for you”

Joshua threw his arms around my waist and gave me a hug and I hugged him back, it was nice. I haven’t felt something like that before, but then he did this weird thing where he sniffed me a couple of times.

Me:“Ummm what are you doing?”

Joshua:“I’m smelling you so I can remember your scent...do you want to smell me?”

Me:“Most definitely not” what a weird child.

He smiled at me and took off towards the forest. I tried calling out to him, not to go into the forest but he didn’t hear me he just kept running.

As I made my way back to the house I met up with the General who filled me in on the situation of the beast escaping from the seller.

I pretended to be surprised and when I asked about what type of beast and why it was locked up in the seller, the General just informed me that it’s best that I did’t know.

I hated it when they kept secrets from me. It’s been centuries, you’d think they would include me in things by then. We have been through so much over the years including wars with rogue witched, fights with rival vampires and with fights I mean physical battles with weapons, me included, a sword yielding vampire Queen... sound ridiculous when I say it out loud.

I killed vampires. It changed me, made me harder, tougher. As I drifted further apart from Robert, I grew closer with Sabastian and The General, that’s why I didn’t understand The General still keeping things from me, especially after the bond shift.

Alex: “What the hell is a bond shift”

Me: “I call it a bond shift for the lack of a better word seeing something like it did not exist. It turned out I discovered another unique ability, something other vampires didn’t seem to be able to do, and because it was unique and unheard off, I kept it secret from Robert and from the council. The only one’s that knew about it was The General and Sabastian.

I first discovered it with The General, years before Sabastian was even in the picture. Robert was away on business and The General was left behind to protect me from increasing attacks from a rival Vampire King from the East. He wanted control over Robert’s regions.

We were attacked and The General was badly injured, we were isolated, cut-off from the other guards. The General needed blood to increase the rate at which he was healing, so I gave him mine.

Something happened which to The General’s knowledge had never happened to other vampires before, my blood somehow interfered with the bond he had with his creator... With Robert. He was still linked to Robert but he had a link to me too, his loyalty was divided.

We thought maybe it was a once off thing but the way he felt over me didn’t subside. We both agreed to keep it a secret from Robert and the reason he wanted to keep it a secret was because he saw my memories, all of it, all of my pain and suffering including the memories I saw of Robert’s memories. The General wasn’t an idiot, he knew what monster Robert was, he had to do most of Robert’s dirty work and he did so without question because of his bond with Robert. But after the bond shift, he was equally loyal to me and he started to question his loyalty to Robert.

Years later When Sabastian and I went horse riding, his horse got spooked and threw him off. He landed with a branch piercing his upper leg.

He was bleeding quick and his horse took off, I wouldn’t have been able to get him back home soon enough so I did the same for him, I gave him my blood, and the result was the same as with The General.

Robert had no idea that the bond he had with them was affected, he didn’t know they now shared an equally powerful bond with me as well.

After the beast escaped that day, Robert was worried about an attack of revenge from the beast’s family so we moved yet again. This time to Andorra del villa. Another place not effected by World War 1. I didn’t understand why we had to move out of fear for a 10 year old boy but of cause I couldn’t say anything without it without giving away the fact that I helped the boy.

We stayed in Andorra del villa for about thirteen years, but seeing how Robert was a power hungry thug his actions pissed off more and more vampires resulting in more frequent attacks on us. Robert, always acting like the innocent victim, decided to go to Rome and get the council to intervene. In other words, he caused the shit and then wanted someone more powerful to hide behind. He instructed me to go back to Romania. The General and Sabastian accompanied me for my own safety.

By that time Sabastian had become misrable, he wanted to go off on his own, just like I wanted to. He wanted to be out from under Robert's rule. The difference between Sebastian getting away from Robert, and me getting away was, Robert wouldn't be obsessed with trying to keep Sabastian to himself as he would me... And Sabastian had me to help him get away.

The time away from Robert's watchful eye was the perfect situation to put such a plan into motion. Prince’s left all the time to start a new life on their own but they had their kings blessing. Sabastian sure as hell didn’t have Robert’s blessing to leave... Robert would never permit it, not that he cared about Sabastian or that he saw any value in him, but purely out of spite.

When we set off for Romania, I sent Sabastian off toward Africa instead. I had business acquaintances that would help him start fresh, and money put away for him to take care of himself.

Sabastian didn’t want to go without me but I knew we stood a better chance for the plan to succeed if we were separated. Sabastian was better off without me.

The General and I got back to the Country Villa in Romania and a week later Robert arrived to find Sabastian had run off on his own.

Robert was furious, he knew I had a part in it, although I denied it of cause. He took out his full fury on me. At a point The General wanted to intervene, he couldn’t stand it anymore but I motioned to him not too, he couldn’t give away that he was loyal to me too, maybe even more than to Robert and that’s why he so badly wanted to intervene. Our bond had him wanting to protect me. With each blow Robert gave me I saw the pain in The Generals face. It took all his self control to keep from trying to protect me.

I tried getting away From Robert, who was beating me senseless. I made it outside, collapsing more and more as my body got weaker, Robert close behind, kept punching me and kicking me when I was down.

Finally he stopped and mentioned to The General he had left his pistol on the entrance hall table, and went back inside to fetch it, The General went with him whilst trying to talk him out of it, without giving anything away.

I realised at that moment that, that would be the day I died. I looked up and all I could see is the place I was made to fear most of all... The forest, a place filled with monsters and yet it looked so peaceful.

I gathered all my strength and stumbled towards the trees. Each step was painful and the distance didn’t seem to close. I anticipated Robert to catch up with me at any moment.

I was too afraid to look back and pushed myself like never before.

I made it to the trees but didn't stop there, I couldn't so I pushed myself more, I kept going, changing direction the deeper I went into the forest to ensure I was out of sight.

I knew exactly the moment when Robert realised I was gone, by the frustrated scream he gave which echoed throughout the forest, even the birds took up in fright, but that was not the only sign, I felt the pull of our bond deep inside, something invisible urging me to go back to him, but my will to stay alive was stronger. He was using the bond to try and lure me back... It didn’t work.

I heard him yell in the distance “You’re as good as dead now Aurora!” which was actually a bit of a relief because I knew he wouldn’t come into the forest after me. Besides I was good as dead either way... I'd rather die by the hands of the monsters than give him the pleasure of dying by his hands.

Vampires stayed in their territories and most forests were not part of that. We were made to fear them to ensure we wouldn’t cross into them. Fear of vicious creatures that lived in the forest, a natural enemy that would kill a vampire on sight and we had no power against them ensured vampires stayed clear of forest areas.

At that moment my fear of being killed by Robert was far greater than a fear of vicious vampire killing creatures that I’ve never seen with my own eyes, so I was willing to take the chance.

I kept stumbling deeper and deeper into the forest, I must have been walking for hours, it was getting dark and it was only than that fear of my current situation started to sink in.

The pain also got worse as time passed, I was certain I had broken ribs when it became increasingly harder and more painful to breath, the blood from my nose, and lip dried but the wound to my side didn’t stop bleeding. It must have been from Robert’s ring, slicing me open when he punched me.

The tall trees blocked any light from the moon and it became so pitch black that I couldn’t see anything, I was tripping and falling more than anything else, trying to go anywhere was a senseless task.

I heard a wolf howl in the distance, scaring me. I decided to find a spot to rest, I didn’t want to make any noise, alerting any wild animals or dangerous creatures to my whereabouts.

I sat down with my back against a large tree and hoped that there were no snakes or creepy crawlies. The pain was becoming unbearable and I passed out for a while, I don’t know if it was for a second or maybe hours, but I was frightened back to consciousness by another howl, this time much closer.

I struggled to get up and tried running but that just proofed to caused more damage to my existing injuries as I was constantly stumbling and falling, bumping into trees and rocks.

I reached a point where I gave up, I made peace with the fact that I was going to die, In fact I welcomed it, I just wanted the pain to stop, I wanted it to be over, I just kept stumbling along further and further. Everything was a blur, I couldn't even focus anymore.

I was sure that I was close to death because I figured I was starting to hallucinate when I saw a large cabin in the middle of the woods, it took me a minute or so to realise it was real. I knew it was occupied because I could see lamps burning on the porch and a light from within through the windows. There was smoke coming from the chimney.

At that point I didn’t know if I was dreaming or awake, dead or alive, okay maybe still alive, because of the overwhelming pain I was feeling.

I stumbled up the porch steps and fell with a bang against the door, which was a good thing because I couldn’t muster to lift my arm to knock.

I don’t recall the door open or asking for help, nor do I remember collapsing into someone’s arms. I was too weak and lost consciousness.

When I woke up the sun was shining brightly onto the bed I was laying in. The room was bright and warm. I had no clothes on but I was cleaned and bandaged and covered with a blanket. In my experience if someone had gone to the trouble to clean you and tend to your wounds while you were unconscious, they were not going to harm you...yet.

I struggled to sit up due to my wounds still being painful, the wooden bed made such a noise when I moved, it gave away that I was awake.

Soon enough the door flung open and two men entered. It was awkward and I was afraid, I found myself out of my comfort zone. The one leaned against the door frame with his arms folded, he didn’t look very happy about me being there. His facial expression was one of anger and disgust.

The younger one smiled at me and eagerly came to sit on the bed next to me. He looked to be in his early twenties with light brown hair and green eyes. Friendly eyes with a familiarity to them.

But my attention kept going back to the other man, standing in the doorway. Something about him fascinated me and I couldn’t place it. He was also young but had to be a year or two older than the other one. Thick curly dark brown hair, almost black and his eyes were just as dark. He had brought shoulders, muscular built, he was bigger and stronger than Robert, maybe even stronger than The General.

The man sitting on the bed broke the silence “How are you feeling Aurora?” he still had a huge grin on his face, like child being excited about knowing something that no one else knew. I was surprised that he knew my name it completely caught me off guard.

Me: “How do you know my name?”

He leaned closer to me, I on the other hand tried to move away as far as I could. I was still scared. When his face was almost next to me he pulled a string of my hair to his nose and inhaled deeply “I'd recognised your scent anywhere Vampire Queen”

I looked at him surprised, the words brought forth a memory of a scared little boy with big green eyes and a dirty face. Smelling me.

Me:“Joshua?”

He jumps off the bed and excitedly states to the other man “I told you she would remember me”

The other man unfolds his arms and gives a step closer to the bed “Yes well, the only reason I agreed to take you in... The only reason why you are not dead vampire, is because my cousin begged me to safe you... To return the kindness you once showed him. Consider this a debt paid”

He walked out slamming the door behind him. It’s clear he didn’t want me there.

Joshua on the other hand seemed over the moon.

Me:“Joshua, where am I? It’s not safe for me, it’s not safe for you, with me here... I need to leave”

I try to get up but Joshua pushes my shoulders down, stopping me from moving “Whoa there, your royal eagerness, you are too hurt to get up just yet. Besides you won’t be saver anywhere else than here... I promise you, King douche bag won’t come here.

I laugh at his insults towards Robert but the pain stops me from laughing more. I’ve never heard anyone other than me insult Robert.

Me:“I don’t understand, why does your cousin hate me so much?”

Before Joshua can answer, the door opens again and his cousin walks in with a deep bowl in his hands “I don’t hate you... As such... I hate vampires. Here drink this”

I places the bowl in my hands and I can smell the blood straight away, but it’s not human blood”

I look up at him confused but he answers my question without me even having to ask.“it’s deer blood, you should drink it while it’s still hot and fresh... No one here will give you permission to take their blood. If you want to survive you will have to drink animal blood, and the animal didn’t die for nothing, his flesh is our food.

Joshua:“Yes! Deer stakes for breakfast” and he takes off leaving me alone with his unfriendly cousin. “I have a name but everyone just calls me by my nickname... Shadow”

I drink the blood down, it’s not human but it’s not that bad either. I instantly feel better. When I lower the bowl, the Remanence of the blood on my lips repulses Shadow and he gives a visible shiver.

I quickly cover my mouth with my hand and lower my head “I’m sorry” I know for non vampires, seeing someone drink blood is nauseating.

Shadow:“You really are different than the others” also words that Joshua once said to me, he must have told him what happened that day so I replied with the same words I told Joshua when he said it “Not all vampires are bad”

Shadow jumps up as if I threw him with cold water “That’s utter bullshit, Vampires are cold hearted killers!” his sudden outburst gave me such a fright I literally jumped.

He grabs the bedding into fists either side of me, enclosing me, while he hovers over me his face mere inches from mine. “In all your years how many people have you killed?!”

His voice is deep and demanding and somehow I feel unable to lie to him even if I tried. He is intimidating, the last time I felt like this was centuries ago, when I was still human... I don’t understand the way he makes me feel... Like I have to be submissive to him. Not even Robert could get me to be submissive.

My voice is barely audible when I answer “I’ve only ever killed vampires, never anyone else”

He stares into my eyes as if he is searching my soul for the truth. His dark eyes with a hint of gold captivates me, it’s so calming, so warm and mysterious. I find myself unintentionally give a load moan, so surprised by my own uncalled for, awkward reaction to him, I grasp my mouth and try to mask it as a yawn.

Shadow narrows his eyes, studying me intently for a few seconds longer than abruptly moves away, but I swear a can see a slight smile before he turns and walks out.

I’m sure there was something else mixed in with the blood because I start to feel drowsy. I laid down and fell a sleep again.

I wake up having the biggest need for a bathroom than ever before. I try to jump up but my leg gets caught in the blanket and I fall out of bed with a loud thud.

Within second Joshua storms into the room, concerned with my safety and well being.

I’m awkwardly doing the universal dance of needing to go real bad, causing Joshua to bursts out laughing.

Joshua:“turn right through the kitchen door, the Outhouse is out side on the left but you might first want to... ”

I don’t give him a chance to finish, I take off in the direction he mentioned. As I run through the kitchen I can see a bunch of people sitting at the kitchen table, but I’m in too much of a hurry to worry about them.

I make it to the outhouse just in time. When I come out Joshua is standing there with a men’s shirt for me to wear and he just can’t help himself and finishes his sentence from earlier “get dressed first”

I give a slight smile and pull the shirt over my head. It looks like a dress on me and the sleeves are so long you can’t even see my hands.

As we walk back into the kitchen I now realize there are seven men including Shadow and three woman sitting at the table busy eating lunch, now everyone was just staring at me.

Me:“I’m sorry... Nature called”

Shadow:“You can’t run around naked, there are youngsters here!”

I hated the way he talked to me, as if I was a child, I was probably Two hundred and eighty years older than him, yet he made me feel like a silly little girl.

With both my hands or rather sleeves I motioned at myself "vampire!... Don’t care”

Shadow banged his fist on the table in anger making everybody including me jump.

Joshua:“C’mon Shadow, she has been sleeping since yesterday and before that... Who knows when last she went...she couldn’t hold it. Don’t be unreasonable”

I stood with my head bowed once again, in a submissive stance, not knowing why I acted this way.

Shadow:“Are you hungry, Aurora?”

Me:“Umm no thanks” I was starving but seeing how he reacted when he saw me drink blood previously, I wasn’t about to re-live that especially In front of ten other people... Thank you for helping me, I really appreciate it, but I really should be going. If you can just point me in the direction of town, I can make it from there. ”

Shadow studied me than sat back in his chair ” fine... Joshua will take you to the edge of the forest. The road that leads to town is not too far from there.

Joshua:“Shadow you can’t! It’s too dangerous for her”

It was sweet how Joshua cared so deeply about me. It’s Incredible how impressionable children are... Just because I showed him kindness once, he based his whole image about me around that one encounter.

Shadow: “Joshua, if Aurora wants to leave, we can’t stop her... She’s not a prisoner. Besides, I won’t put our family in danger by housing a vampire.”

Joshua:“Aurora won’t hurt us, she saved my life... You won’t hurt us right?”

Joshua is so innocent, How could I ever hurt such a gentle soul.

Me:“Of cause not Joshua” I don’t know why he even had to ask me that, it’s kind of insulting.

Shadow:“She saved your life and now we saved hers, our debt is paid, we don’t owe her anything more.”

Me:“Yes well, I didn’t help Joshua to be in anyone’s debt...” I blurted out.

Shadows attitude was starting to annoy me. He had made it ample clear that he didn’t like vampires and he didn’t want me there and he wanted nothing to do with me.

Shadow: “We are here only for another night, tomorrow we move out... Aurora you can stay the night if you prefer and come along with us tomorrow when we set out to the train station.”

The station is where I wanted to go, I needed to travel as far away as possible.

Me:” Umm, thank you? ” it was more of a question because I didn’t understand what was going on.

Joshua:” Yes!” In his excitement he imitates a loud wolf howl... But it surprisingly sounds so real and so loud that it startled me and send shivers up and down my spine.

Unknowingly I jumped back with my back against the wall and covered my ears while tightly keeping my eyes closed, my legs giving way under me. Stories filled with fear flooded my memories...due to all those stories I had an immense fear of wolves.

When Shadow saw my reaction he jumped up and hushed Joshua while motioning for everyone to get out.

Shadow came to stand in front of me, lifting my chin with his finger “Aurora... Look at me... What’s wrong?”

I opened my eyes just to find those deep dark eyes staring into my soul... Immediately calming me. I didn't even notice him moving to me.

Me:“I’m sorry... It's just,... I’m afraid of wolves”

Shadow bursts out laughing but he stops once he sees that I’m being serious and still very much fearful. "Oh"