I run from one hall to another and then one corridor to another through many rooms and down staircases I haven’t seen before. I have no idea where I’m running to, but I don’t care. I just want to get away. I’ve passed many vampires along the way, but I completely ignore them as they stare curiously at me.
Once out of sight, I lean against the grey stone wall in the shadows before sliding down to the ground and hugging my knees. Lord Talon is my mate. That’s why he hasn’t killed me. That’s why he wants to keep me alive and protect me. This is why I’ve been developing feelings toward him. Lord Talon knew this whole time since we met that we were Blood Flames.
No wonder he looked devastated and heartbroken every time I tried to kill him. I feel terrible, among many other feelings. I’m angry that Micah and Lord Talon kept things from me. I feel I’m betraying Micah by being attracted to Lord Talon. I’m upset and heartbroken that Micah isn’t alive. I’m frustrated at myself for not figuring all this out when the signs were in front of me this whole time—such as Micah being able to predict the future and Lord Talon being my mate.
Sobs and low-wailing moans gain my attention. I stand and cautiously walk down a narrow passageway, following the sounds. It’s quite dark. There is only dim light from the odd-lit candle.
I take a candle and continue down the narrow passageway that leads down steep stairs. Although I can’t see the rats, I can hear them. Finally, I reach the bottom of the stairs and enter a rectangular room. There are life-size statues behind each stone coffin. I realise they replicate the vampire inside each coffin. I walk from one to the other, curiously taking in their features. Then suddenly, I turn and jump in fright as the wailing cry starts again, but it’s coming from this very room. There, in the shadowy corner, comes the heartbreaking wails and cries. I slowly walk toward the moving shadow holding the candle out in front of me. My heart is racing in fear and tells me to turn and run, but curiosity has already won this game, forcing me to step closer.
As I approach, the candlelight reveals someone crouched over with their back to me. It’s a man. He has brown hair and is wearing nothing but an old rag around his waist. He is very underweight, and his bones stick out all over. He appears to be eating something, but it’s hard to see with his back to me and hovering in the dark.
I place a hand on his shoulder, and he flinches, ‘I hear your cries echo throughout the castle each day. What is causing you so much pain?’
He slowly turns, and I scream as if my life depends on it. His face has no skin, no lips, and no nose. It’s that of a skull with his eyeballs still intact. His teeth and skinless chin drip with blood. He holds out to me the dead rat he has just been feeding on. I drop the candle in front of him, turn and run, only to slam into a warm, masculine chest that sends tingles throughout my body.
‘Lylah!’ Lord Talon says, pulling me tightly into his chest.
He sadly stares at the creature in the corner before he wraps his cloak over me and dashes through the castle with great speed until we enter his chambers.
‘W-who was that?’ I tremble as Lord Talon puts me down.
‘That’s Cedric, a dear old friend of mine,’ he tells me.
‘I don’t understand. Is Cedric a vampire?’ I ask, confused.
‘Yes, he hasn’t left the crypt in one hundred and twenty-eight years. He went mad after Lord Atticus killed his Blood Flame, Alanis and then ripped his face off just before we trapped Lord Atticus into the dark portal. He mourns for his life back every day for Alanis and for his appearance. He knows he resembles a monster and has stayed isolated and alone in the crypts. No matter how often I would try to see or talk to him. It would only cause him more distress. So I forbid anyone from going to the crypts so he could be left undisturbed.’
I gaze at Lord Talon with sadness, ‘He lost his mate, just as I did mine, and also by Lord Atticus,’ I say. Feeling Cedric’s pain.
I close my eyes and whimper. Tingles and sparks run through my body. I open my eyes and see Lord Talon with his face close to mine as he caresses my cheek. ‘The pain Cedric is going through must be unbearable,’ I say, grasping my leather-bound wrist as I think back to the unbearable pain of not wanting to live another day without Micah and attempting suicide. I hug my wrist to my chest.
‘Lylah,’ Lord Talon says as he presses his body against mine. Immense desire and sparks flow between us, and he takes the wrist I hold from against my chest. ‘This. You and me, being Blood Flames. It’s not a punishment. This mark,’ he says as he unties the laces of the leather brace. ‘It’s a blessing from the Gods. I have been waiting for you for a very long time, Lylah. All I ever wanted, more than anything, was to find my soulmate, and I’ve finally found you.’
My leather brace falls to the ground as Lord Talon keeps eye contact with mine. He brings my bare wrist to his lips and closes his eyes as he kisses the mark, causing my heart to ignite with flames. I have the sudden urge to not only rip my clothes off but also his. My body begins to ache for his touch. He gasps as he opens his eyes and sees the thick scar under the mark across my wrist. His breathing intensifies, and he quickly grabs my other wrist. I begin to panic and pull my other wrist away, but it’s too late. He rips the brace off and throws it aside before holding my wrists out in front of him. My breathing becomes erratic like his.
‘Let me go,’ I whisper, feeling ashamed and broken.
‘No. Lylah. Please tell me you didn’t try and kill yourself.’
‘I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t live another day without him. The pain of losing him became too much. It only became harder as time went by. I was desperate to end my pain and be united with him again.’
Lord Talon releases my wrists and gently tilts my chin to look at him.
‘Lylah, is this why you wear these leather braces?’ he asks, his eyes well up with heartbreak, anguish and despair.
I nod. Lord Talon’s hand drops, and he pulls me into his chest. I burst into tears, and he spends hours stroking his fingers through my hair and down my back, comforting me as I mourn for Micah. I know in my heart I can’t live my life until I get justice for Micah. I will never have peace until Lord Atticus is dead.
I gaze up with pleading eyes. ‘Please, you have to meet Lord Atticus tomorrow night. You have to take me with you.’
‘I’m not risking your life, Lylah, and if he finds out you’re my Blood Flame, he will want you dead.’
I remove myself from Lord Talon’s arms and approach the window. ‘Don’t you see this is my chance to avenge Micah’s death? This is my chance to help my heart heal.’
Lord Talon approaches and spins me around.
‘Lylah. If I take you to him, unless I pledge myself and our coven to serve him. He will kill us both. I’m not strong enough to defeat him, and neither are you!’ he growls.
I shove Lord Talon’s hands from my shoulders and angrily walk to the other side of the room to sit in the chair.
‘Lylah?’ he says. I look down at my feet to avoid eye contact.
He sighs with sadness and defeat as he walks to leave the room. He pauses and places something on the chest of draws by the door. ‘I know you miss Micah. I know you love him, and I know it hurts. You will get your justice, I promise you. Your time will come, but it won’t be tomorrow,’ he says and closes the door behind him.
I approach the drawers to see my dagger. I hold it to my heart and walk to the window. Everything is quiet. The lake’s water is still. There’s no wind, nor do the trees sway. I look down at the small balconies below, then at the long curtains beside me. I tuck my dagger in my belt and smile. If Lord Talon won’t take me, I’ll just take myself. I yank at the curtain, pulling it off the rail, then the other. I tie them together and toss one end out the window. I look around as to where I can tie the end I hold.
The bed’s post gains my attention. I tie it as tight as possible, race back to the window, and climb out. Once I climb down to the end of the curtain, I begin to swing myself until I can jump onto the balcony. I land with ease and look up. I must be at least twelve meters down from the chambers. I climb through the window into the room. It has lots of shelves with books and a small empty bed. I open the door. There’s no one around. I speed walk through the corridor and down a stairwell. The double front door is only down the next hallway. As I’m approaching, I hear someone talking. I quickly hide behind the display of knight's armour until the two vampires are out of sight. I open and step through the front doors and quietly close them behind me. I race to the end of the island in victory, only to be met with the dreaded bridge.
I close my eyes, take a deep breath and run as fast as possible without looking. The bridge rocks and sways beneath my feet, but I keep my eyes closed. I feel the hard ground under my feet and open my eyes. I kneel, kiss the ground, and quickly thank the Moon Goddess for not letting me fall off the bridge before bursting into a run. I race past the pillars, through the sand and enter the labyrinth. I sprint up and down every path, desperate to find my way out, but to no avail. I’m lost. I’m worried Lord Talon will find me and return me to his castle. I lean my back against the wall. I don’t want to give up. I have to keep trying. Then suddenly, I hear his voice in a low whisper calling me.
‘Lylah,’ I hear Micah’s whispers coming from the path to my left.
‘Micah,’ I breathe out heavily and race towards his voice.