Rosangela: The Runaway Princess (Book #2)

I, along with Prince Maximilian, Sigmund, and Jasper, went deeper into the woods. Because Jasper was feeling better now, we could increase our pace to what would be a comfortable jog for the three male vampires, but it’s more like a fast run for me. However, we still couldn’t move with the maximum speed because of my physical limitation as a human. No, I told a lie, I meant a half-blood vampire. As a half-blood vampire, I didn’t have the ability to run as fast as a full-vampire.

Jasper had been injured and his power of teleportation wasn’t back to normal yet. Meanwhile, Prince Maximilian’s mind-reading power was useless at a time like this. And although Sigmund was able to run at superhuman speed, but he couldn’t bring all of us at once. That’s why we preferred going on foot, because we didn’t want to leave anyone behind.

So far, we hadn’t seen any sign of the road that Jose told us about. I just hoped we didn’t get lost. You know, running through the woods in the middle of the night like this totally crept me out. I really wanted to get the hell out of here as fast as possible.

“Hang about!” Sigmund said suddenly as he came to a halt.

I, Maximilian, and Jasper stopped running and stared at Sigmund in confusion.

“What’s wrong?” Maximilian questioned him.

“I think we shouldn’t venture forth. I have a foreboding feeling that there’s something not quite right over there,” Sigmund answered.

“Excuse me, but Jose told us to follow the path through the woods. Remember?” I reminded him.

“I know. But I have a nasty feeling that dangers may await us over there,” Sigmund told us.

“But this path looks safe to me,” Maximilian commented.

“Looks can be deceptive, Maximilian,” Sigmund scoffed.

“Look, Sigmund! It is very easy to get lost in this forest. So I suggest we shouldn’t stray from this path,” I gave my opinion.

“I entirely agree with you, Rosanne,” Maximilian supported me, “If we don’t want to get lost, we’d better follow that stableman’s directions.”

Jasper also murmured his agreement.

“Fine. It’s up to you,” Sigmund snorted.

I and Prince Maximilian gave a high five because we’d just managed to win an argument with Sigmund.

The four of us carried on running. We all squealed with delight when we eventually reached the fringe of the woods. Without wasting time, all of us immediately piled out onto the side of a deserted big road. However, our triumph was short-lived. Because all of a sudden, soldiers began to emerge from behind the trees two by two. Within seconds, we were surrounded by the soldiers who seemed to have had been lying in wait for us right from the start. Apparently, King Joaquin had set a trap for us, and foolishly, we had walked straight into it. But the problem was, I didn’t know which the real traitor was--Prince Xavier or Jose? Because both of them directed us to this wood.

Those soldiers began to circle us. Prince Maximilian, Jasper, Sigmund, and I stood back to back, trying to protect each other from our enemies.

“I told you we shouldn’t take this route,” Sigmund grumbled.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I should have listened to you,” I said regretfully.

Suddenly, we heard one of the soldiers instruct his comrades to attack us.

“Maximilian, you and Jasper fight those soldiers, while I protect Princess Mirabelle,” Sigmund commanded.

“Hey, why has it to be you who protect Rosanne? Why not I?” Prince Maximilian protested.

“Fine. I and Jasper are going to fight those soldiers. Meanwhile, you have to protect Princess Mirabelle. Happy?” Sigmund said through gritted teeth.

Maximilian gave a satisfied smile.

I shook my head in disapproval. ‘I don’t get it. How can these two vampires still argue with each other in crisis situation like this?’

Finally, Sigmund with Jasper came at the soldiers. Meanwhile, Prince Maximilian remained at my side in order to protect me.

“Stay close behind me, Rosanne!” Maximilian told me as several soldiers lunged towards the two of us.

I nodded my head.

A fight lastly broke out between my three friends and King Joaquin’s soldiers. Being heavily outnumbered, Sigmund, Jasper, and Prince Maximilian were easily defeated by those soldiers. I couldn’t be much helpful because I wasn’t able to use my power for the time being, thanks to the silver that was injected into my system.

Each one of us was grabbed by two soldiers and they twisted our arms behind our backs. Those soldiers then forced us to kneel before King Joaquin who had just blown in at the last minute.

King Joaquin grasped me by the arm and yanked me to my feet. Weaving his fingers in my hair, the vampire king gave it a sharp tug until I felt a sharp pain.

“Do you think you can run away from me, Little Princess? Not on your life!” he hissed.

“Let go of her, you bastard!” Prince Maximilian bellowed as he squirmed, trying to evade the grip of those holding him. Sigmund and Jasper began to struggle to free themselves too.

The guards battered the three of them about the head with the barrel of their guns in an attempt to keep them still.

“You may take me hostage, but please let my friends go! They have nothing to do with this,” I begged.

King Joaquin yanked on my hair harder, jerking my head back painfully. “Your precious friends have helped you escape, so I will never let them go,” he growled.

‘Oh God, what shall we do now? How can we escape from King Joaquin’s clutches?’ I asked inwardly.