Vampire Shadows

"Kendra, if you keep holding your sword like that, I bet even a dog can knock it out of your hands" Nick's voice or this whole sword session, I don't know which is more annoying.

I do  like the fact that I'm learning something new though.

"I think we should take a break now," he said walking out of the room.

This is how my life's going right now. To be honest, I thought living here will be worse than this, but surprisingly, it's okay.

Though the workers and soldiers still hate me, it doesn't really affect me anymore. I have Zaid by my side. And Smith of course. He isn't the ideal friend like Zaid, but he's always there, he always has my back. There's Dr. Ahmet too, he's like the grandpa I never had, always ready with jokes and teasing. And Nick, well, he isn't a friend or an enemy. He's more of a strict tutor who enjoys teaching me only when he's pissed.

.

Walking back to my room was stressful but refreshing. I had time to myself, time to think about my life and the next step I'll take. I'm just a teenager, so  I've got a long journey ahead of me. And I can't just spend it here without any ambitions. Since I doubt I can live amongst humans with my vampire side always trying to get the best of me. the only option is to live here. But then I don't think living off free food is a really good idea, I'm sure Nick wouldn't mind but I do. I'll need to make myself useful over here.

Mom and Kara have always labeled me as a useless member of the family. I can't let the people over here think the same.

.

"Careful there,"  Zaid said from behind startling me a bit.

"Zaid!"

"I guess you really are doing okay without me," he said looking around.

"You can say so, I guess" I know he's kinda surprised but so am I. Who would have thought that one day I'll be able to walk all the way from the training to my room on my own? But I've tried my best to be independent and even though Nick insisted on keeping Zaid as my guard, and I like having him around me, but I can't just let him spend the rest of his life guarding me when he could be doing something way more helpful.

"So, how did your day go," he asked.

"Great!" I said with a beaming smile.

"Sword training with Nicholas" I added stuffing some chocolate in my mouth.

I love the way Nick makes sure that I get everything I need. Every food or clothing or anything at all. It's one of the reasons I'm loving this place more than my actual home. And somehow all those bad stuff that happened aren't so bad. Mom and Kara will never respect or value me the way these guys do.

"I hope he didn't try to hurt you," Zaid said, making himself comfortable on my bed.

"You know he wouldn't do that," I said, I know he's worried about me and always looking out for me but I think I trust Nick enough. He hasn't tried hurting me ever since I returned. No matter how angry he is, he just yells, nothing more.

"We can't be sure about that, he might some day. I just don't want to see you hurt" he added before giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I care about you Kendra, I do"

"I know, I'll be fine. Don't worry too much" Zaid has to be the best person in this whole place.

.

I just took the most refreshing nap, right after a refreshing bath.

I have nothing else to do. It was getting dark and that means all the Vamps will be awake soon.

I stood up and decided to go check on Nick. Not that I had anything to say, but I was bored, and seeing him vex over my sister's dramas is kinda entertaining.

.

The corridor of this castle is one of the reasons I don't get tired of this place. It's so nice and stylish one could spend their whole day just admiring the walls.

"Then what are you waiting for?" Nick yelled from inside his office. I tiptoed to the door and peeped.

"Sir, we wanted your orders and that's all. We will go get her right away" a guy whom I seem to recognize as one of the soldiers said. He was shaking as he spoke to Nick.  From how intense things are in there, it's kinda obvious they were talking about my sister.

"Don't forget, I want her alive!" Nick yelled making the guy shiver even more.

"Yes, your highness," he said, before signaling the remaining soldiers behind him to take their leave.

They did and soon enough Nick was alone in the room.

"You can come in now Kendra," he said, startling me. Oh, fuck how did he know that I was standing there the whole time.

"Hi," I said, giving an awkward smile.

I walked in and made myself comfortable on the couch.

Having nothing else to say, I decided to ask,

"You were talking about Kara right?"

After a long moment of saying nothing, he shook his head in approval.

"My soldiers found a trace. They'll follow it and get her" he said grimly.

"ohh okay," I said.

"Nick, I need a job!" it is something I've wanted to ask since this afternoon. It's better than talking about Kara who's as good as dead.

"You want what?" He was clearly surprised.

"Yes, a job, Something to do"

"You don't need a job Kendra, all your needs would be taken care of." He paused, closed the laptop in front of him, and walked to where I was. "I know you feel like a burden but trust me you're not, in fact, I'm happy that I'm able to take care of someone's needs" Nick has never said anything as nice as this, was he really happy that I was here?

"But, Nick, I can't live the rest of my life doing nothing I …"

"You are planning to spend the rest of your life here?" His question sent a lot of thoughts to my head. Doesn't he want my presence for that long? I thought he said he was happy I'm here.

"Uhhh… mmn.." Before I could make words to explain myself, he covered me with a warm hug.

This is the first time Nick is being this touchy and mehn, it's making me feel dizzy in a million ways.

It was just a normal hug but I felt that it lasted forever. I could feel my face and body in whole burn!

"Just focus on your powers, on becoming stronger. We will think of the future in the future"

He moved back a few inches then cupped my face in his hand.

"I'm glad you're staying," he said before excusing himself.

I sat back on the couch to ponder whatever it is that just happened.

Since when did Nick care this much, and since when did I start panicking around him? My hands were sweaty and my face must be burning red right now. Fuck this is soo unlike me. He just gave me a little hug and I'm making it a big deal. I've always noticed how other females behave around him, and how his presence affects them dramatically but I have never been a victim of his charms, and for some reason, being his victim feels goooood!

.

"Where is his highness!" I heard someone say, waking me up from sleep.

Hell, when did I fall asleep? I was sitting on this couch a while ago,  I didn't even know when or how I fell asleep.

"I said where is his highness!" Dimitri repeated, making me notice him.

"Uhhh I don't know," I said yawning.

"You don't know?" he asked

I felt like asking him if he was deaf or something but chose to avoid trouble instead.

"Yeah, I don't"

"And you think it's okay to just walk in and even sit in his office without an invitation?" Dimitri asked with an intimidating look. I wonder what his problem is. He's always finding ways to make me feel inferior, but I won't let it happen any longer. Nick already said he was okay with my presence, he doesn't give me any special treatment but he doesn't treat me badly either. So I don't think It's okay to let others do so.

"And don't you think it's rude to talk about things that don't concern you?"  I asked. He was surprised I was able to do that. He's used to bullying me but I'm not going to have any of it any longer.

"Leave this place. This is an office and just because his Highness is going easy on you, doesn't mean you can do whatever you please" he said, keeping a blank face.

"Well, I think I can do whatever the fuck I feel like. And you should stay within your limits" I fired,  I could see his face turn red in rage.

He looked like he was about to pounce on me, but thankfully, the door was pushed open and Nick walked in.

He gave a questioning look to both of us. Probably thinking about what we were up to.

"Dimitri? Any news?" He asked lowly.

"Uhmm your highness, Oliver and the team lost track of her. They have tried following her teleportation trail but were led to a dead end" he said. I didn't need anyone to tell me that Dimitri was frightened as he conveyed the message.

"Get out!" The prince barked. And I could swear this was the first time his face actually showed his true emotions. He was frustrated, mad.

Dimitri didn't say a word, he was also shocked by the prince's reaction.

He bowed and then left the room quickly.

It was just me and Nick. I didn't know if I should also leave or not.

"I said get out!" Nick barked again. But I didn't feel like leaving. I felt like staying there with him. It will be wrong to just leave him in this state.

"No, I'm not leaving," I said after gathering a lot of courage. He didn't argue with me instead, he started mumbling angrily to himself.

"Stupid soldiers, a very useless team"

"Dimitri!" He yelled and Dimitri walked in immediately.

"Yes, your highness" so he was standing outside the door.

"Inform Oliver and his team that they are no longer needed. I don't need such incapable people in my presence" I can't believe he was going to get rid of all those soldiers.

"You will be in charge of things here while I'm gone," he said

"Gone? Your Highness?" Dimitri asked, wondering what he was talking about.

"I'm going to get this fucking job done. And I don't want anything to go wrong while I'm away. You are dismissed" Nick said with a straight face.

"You are seriously going to go search for Kara yourself?" I asked when Dimitri left.

"Yes" was all he said.

"I'll come along!" I said.

"No!" was his brief reply.

"I can help you, she's my sister, I know her more than anyone," I said, knowing it was useless. But his reply surprised me.

"Fine!"