SWNOVELS Chapter 53
Chapter 53
HENRIETTA
Niana bid good bye the moment I started to settel onto the settee to read my favorite book. After Andreas was called to investigate another dead body found, he has not returned. I slept knowing he was out there, solving crimes and probably not sleeping. The next day, I haven’t heard a word from him as well. I am not upset. I know he is used to this kind of things but I couldn’t help but worry.
When she was brushing my hair earlier, Niana assured me that Andreas is more than capable of what he does. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be called the most skillful and feared warrior of Veridia. Those words brought comfort
but for some reason, I couldn’t shake the uneasiness nesting inside me.
I flipped through the page of the book but the words seemed to dance in front of me and I did not understand a single thing. I wished Niana stayed longer but she’s had a long day accompanying me today. She needed her
rest, too.
I placed the book on top of the table and poured myself some tea. The windows were open and the cold breeze was freely coming in, making the curtains dance in their silent melody. I wanted to see Andreas tonight but ! would also understand if I couldn’t. With the nature of his job, I ought to understand that I won’t be able to see
him for days.
Sighing, I walked towards the veranda to admire the night sky. My eyes darted towards the huge tree that was conveniently located near my window. I smiled at the thought of Andreas climbing over the branches as leverage
to get in.
A flicker of movement caught my attention, drawing my gaze towards the manor’s gate. Though my werewolf instincts were dulled by years of disuse and the fact that I am only a half bre ed, I could sense the presence of someone lurking in the shadows.
No, it’s not just someone. Several men are standing outside the gate of the manor.
I narrowed my eyes to see clearly and that’s when I saw what they were wearing. Their blue and silver clothing seemed to glow under the moonlight. Immediately, I went inside my room to get my robe and that’s when I heard the knock.
“Niana?” I called. Silence followed and then a deep voice said, “It’s me,
my lady.”
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Fastening the robe, I opened the door and found Aiden standing in front of me. My eyes wandered behind him but I didn’t see even Andreas’ shadow.
“Where is he?” I asked. “Is he alright?”
I
He nodded and I sighed in relief. “However, I would need you to stay here and keep calm.”
“What’s happening? Why are there royal guards outside the manor?”
“They are guards placed by His Highness to guard the whole place.”
“What? Why would he have royal guards to guard the whole manor? What’s going on?”
He sighed, clearly hesitating about what to tell me. But eventually, he said, “Andreas believes that vampires are lurking around. I know it is not in your best interest to wander at night but it is better to be safe. Vampires can get in and harm anyone in this house.”
The hairs on my neck rose at the news. Vampires lurking around Veridia? Why are there suddenly a lot of vampires in the capital?
My knees went weak and I held the door for support. Vampires lost the war many years ago. It would only make sense if they return, vengeful and maybe stronger.
y lady, I believe there is nothing for you to worry about,” Aiden assured. His voice made me come back from
“What about Andreas? Is he out there fighting these vampires?”
“When I left him, he was alone. But should he encounter a vampire, there is nothing you should worry about, my lady. You have not seen him on the battlefield. He can handle a few vampires.”
I don’t know if Aiden was just trying to comfort me with those words but I also know that those words held truth. It was pointless worrying about Andreas.
I swallowed hard and nodded at Aiden.
“For tonight, I shall stand in front of your room, my lady. Is that alright with you?”
“Yes,” I rasped, then cleared my throat. “Yes, please.”
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He gave me a cordial nod before I closed the door. I clutched my chest as I slowly walked towards the veranda where I could see the royal guards standing. I looked at their number and realized how utterly ridiculous it was to have so many guards guard two people in a massive house. These guards could have been useful elsewhere if it was true that vampires lurk in the capital.
Then again, Philip is the Crown Prince. If it was his order then nobody would be able to go against it.
Another knock came and Niana barged in. From the look on her face, I could tell she also saw the guards standing outside.
“My lady, why are there guards outside? And Sir Aiden is outside this door as well.”
I nodded and sat on the bed as she settled on the settee, fidgeting.
“They said vampires are lurking in Veridia. Perhaps the dead body that Andreas was investigating last night and today was done by a vampire.”
She caught her breath.
“We should be safe here, then?”
I nodded and gave her a reassuring smile. I am frightened as well but there would be no use if both of us get scared. Besides, Aiden is here. Everything should be fine.
As minutes went by, Niana started to calm down and I managed to calm myself as well. I picked up the book! was trying to read earlier and attempted to read again only to hear a noise outside.
I jolted from the bed and Niana was quickly on her feet. My eyes darted towards the windows and made sure it was closed. I know it wouldn’t stop a vampire but it was better than nothing at all.
We both went still, listening to our surroundings. I was not very certain as to where the sound came from but it awfully sounded like it came from inside the house.
I made my way towards the door but Niana stopped me. “My lady, I think it is safer for us to stay far from it. Perhaps you should hide–”
Another noise cut her off, and we both look at each other. This time, the noise was clearer. It sounded like something broke. Then we heard Aiden talking to men with unfamiliar voices. Are they guards? Another sound of rustling and I heard another knock but it was not a prompt for me to open it but rather, a way for getting my
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“I need you both to stay inside and find someplace to hide,” Aiden said from behind the door. There was no sense of urgency in his voice but I know he was trained to keep calm even in the most dire situations. The breaking sounds went on and I hitched my breath, trying to keep calm. There were rushed footsteps and then the sound of a body getting slammed into a wall. It was enough to keep me alarmed.
“We have to hide, my lady,” said Niana and before I could even respond, she pulled me towards one of my closets and made me hide in there. The sound of breaking things became louder but Niana was already pulling me towards the closet.
As Niana closed the closet door behind us, the darkness enveloped us, and the air inside grew stale with a hint of mustiness. I tried to regulate my breathing, feeling the constriction of fear tightening around my chest. Niana’s presence next to me was a small comfort amidst the uncertainty.
Outside, the commotion escalated. The mu ffled sounds of struggle, breaking objects, and distant shouts permeated the thick walls of the closet, intensifying my anxiety. I gripped onto Niana’s hand, seeking solace in
her touch.
Minutes felt like hours as we remained concealed in the cramped space, every creak of the floorboards and rustle of fabric outside magnified in our ears. My mind raced with questions: Where was Andreas? Was he safe? What was happening outside?
Suddenly, a loud crash reverberated the room, followed by the unmistakable sound of windows shattering. My heart hammered against my
ribs, and we instinctively pressed each other, seeking refuge.
Then, amidst the chaos, I heard Aiden’s voice, strained but resolute. “Stay hidden,” he urged. He was panting and his words sounded like a grunt. I’ve never seen warriors fight but I know when someone is wounded. Aiden was clearly wounded.
But before I could fully comprehend his warning, the closet door burst open with a force that sent us sprawling onto the floor. Startled cries escaped our lips as we scrambled to regain our bearings, our eyes widening in
horror as we beheld the scene before us.
Standing in the doorway was a figure clad in the royal guard’s uniform, his features obscured by the shadows cast by the dim moonlight filtering through the broken windows. Behind him, silhouetted against the night sky, loomed several more figures, their presence ominous and foreboding.
Aiden was on the floor, blood pooling fast on the floor. Another unfamiliar man was on the floor, wounded all the
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Niana tensed beside me, her grip tightening on my arm as we both realized the gravity of the situation. These were not ordinary guards-they were impostors, masquerading in the guise of the very protectors meant to safeguard us.
Aiden tried to get on to his feet, he stag gered but managed to do it. He was severely injured after fighting against several vampires. The unfamiliar man tried to do the same. It was clear he was Aiden’s companion. However, with the number of vampires now surrounding us, the two of them wouldn’t stand a chance with their current
state.
When my eyes met the vampires, my insides went cold. For some reason, the sensation of fear was familiar. It was as if I have met them before but I just could not remember when. Two vampires went to Aiden and the unfamiliar man. Even with their wounded state, they were able to hold themselves against the strange creature.
Suddenly, some of the vampires disappeared, as though they have finished what they needed to do. However, there was a vampire left and it went straight to where Niana was. My defenseless maidservant screamed as the vampire broke her arm. And then another. The vampire then dove his nails to her gut, making her gasp, her blood dripping to the wooden floor.
“Niana!”
“Run!” Aiden yelled but he was slammed onto the floor by another vampire. I don’t know if I was imagining things or not but these vampires seemed to be a lot stronger.
With a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins, I raced towards Niana, her screams of agony echoing through the chamber like a haunting refrain.
But before I could reach her, a vampire intercepted my path, his malevolent gaze fixated on his defenseless prey. With a snarl of rage, I lunged forward, intent on protecting Niana at any cost.
As the vampire lunged at me, his claws slashing through the air, I ducked to avoid his attack. But his speed was unmatched, and his blow landed squarely on my shoulder, sending me sprawling across the room. I crashed into the stone floor, agony shooting through every nerve as I struggled to regain my footing. I might have heard one.
I I
my ribs cra ck but it was the least of my concerns.
of
As I struggled to regain my bearings, my gaze locked onto the scene unfolding before me-a nightmare of unspeakable horror. The vampire stood over Niana, his twisted visage contorted with sa distic glee as he continued breaking her fingers one by one, each sickening snap echoing through the chamber like a death knell.
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My heart pounded in my chest, drowning out the sounds of the chaos around me.
“Niana!” I screamed, my voice h o ars e with desperation, as I watched helplessly from the ground.
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The sight ignited a firestorm of fury within me, a primal rage that burned with an intensity that surpassed the agony of my injuries. With a defiant cry, I pushed myself to my feet, determination blazing in my eyes as I faced. down the monstrous creature that dared to inflict such unspeakable cruelty upon my dear friend.
In that moment, all signs of fear and hesitation fell away. With every ounce of strength I could muster, I launched myself at the vampire, my movements were careless but I was determined to get the vampire off Niana.
Our bodies collided once again with a bone-jarring impact. I stag gered but surprisingly, I was able to hold myself against the creature. I was trembling and moving closer to the vampire was a huge effort. My wounds were healing slowly.
The vampires were attacking the people around me and I was the only one who did not sustain that much wounds. My body was aching all over and I could barely move but I forced myself. Something warm trickled down my arm but I did not want to look at it.
The vampire had stopped attacking Niana and was now facing me. Two vampires started closing in on me and I was more than frightened. However, the vampires were much stronger. The next thing I know, I was being pinned on the ground, its sharp nails digging into my skin, making me scream in pain.
As I thrashed, my fingers grazed upon a piece of wood over my head. I tried to reach for it all while stopping one vampire from killing me.
And then, in a moment of brutal clarity, I saw my opportunity-a fleeting opening amidst the chaos and carnage. that surrounded us. With a primal roar of defiance, I seized upon the piece of wood, driving my weapon deep into the vampire’s heart with a force that sent shockwaves rippling through my system.
As the vampire fell to the ground, a sense of grim satisfaction washed over me. But there was no time to savor victory. Niana, Aiden, and the unfamiliar companion looked severely wounded.
With trembling hands, I rushed to Niana’s side, my heart aching with anguish as I surveyed the extent of her injuries. Thankfully, she was healing faster than me.
She opened her eyes and looked at me, shock rippled through her eyes as she looked at my state.
My consciousness was disappearing but I tried my best to remain awake.
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But the danger was far from over. One of the vampires who attacked me earlier was still standing and I was weak. Aiden and the other man looked like they could barely hold themselves against their opponent. I tried to stand
but it was futile. I could not move another muscle.
Niana’s hand found mine in the darkness, her grip firm.
“I’m sorry, my lady,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the battle. I shook my head. None of this was ever her fault. Her injuries were very bad that it was taking a long time to heal. There was nothing else I
could do at that moment.
Then just s
I was about to give in to sleep, the door once again opened, rattling the nearby pictures hanging I
from the wall.
Andreas stood by the door, his eyes meeting mine. Horror flashed across his features as he beheld my state.
I remembered calling his name. Whether or not he responded to my call, I have no idea, because I have already succumbed to the darkness and fell to the floor.
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