Of Blood and Ice

Isda

Sonic boom was my call. I screamed at the highest pitch I could ever go to. My voice was high enough to kill an elephant.

Yet, there he stood with his rose emblazoned shield held up. I was screaming at the top of my lungs and there he was defying me blow for blow.

I was sucking in air for the last time when I saw him inching closer. I had no other defense. All of the others were inside. Everything was at a loss.

“Come any closer—

I threatened in a hoarse whisper. He didn’t respond. His eyes, as he lowered his shield, I saw were glittering garnets as he let no emotion escape through them.

Cold, unfeeling, and reptilian…Vampires were all of them…But most of all, to me at that particular time, he was the enemy, the murderer of my father, the plunderer of my coven, and the breached threat of Tsohg—my serving realm.

I took a breath slowly through my nose as his scent of winter invaded my nostrils. It was amazing—addicting—too perfect.

He inched himself closer towards me. I found my opportunity then and there but as I was about to send another sonic boom at him, my throat sealed shut and without further ado I choked to fall into the very arms of the killer of my family…

Nahariel

She was fragile. She was so very warm and fragile. Just like the fleeting spring wind, her fresh scent invaded my nostrils making my body ache with thirst—thirst for her blood.

No, you mustn’t.

I chanted as I lifted her weight easily enough. She was petite and curvy with gorgeous butterscotch skin and sun kissed brown hair—not that it mattered but I couldn’t help but notice with the enticing scent of her blood filling my breath.

Don’t breathe in.

I finally exhaled. Vampires needed to breathe but it was not as often as humans like her. We could do without breath for at least an hour whereas they could not stand it for one minute. It was this particularly handy trait—a fond one—which I used to keep my thirst at bay until the next meal.

I carried her through the devastated castle. Everything was scattered. Walls were broken with scattered stones everywhere. Cannons were still firing outside. Sad for Tsohg, they would lose. After all, it was Nahariel the conqueror who was assaulting them.

They had no choice.

But what to do with the Witches?

A smirk escaped me as I stood under the moonlight. The witches would definitely pay.

Isda

When I opened my eyes, I was confined in a room filled with antiques which I immediately recognized due to their Rose crest. Yes, I was in custody. Yes, I would be investigated—probably executed—

“Sleeping beauty has awoken at last.”

More like a siren.

I heard another male snort accompanying the comment as my blood boiled with rage. Another part of me suddenly chilled as I realized I was confined within the vampire stronghold and was going to suffer.

What of mother?

The thought struck me in my place as I felt air leave my lungs at the notion. My mother, Queen Raina Isidor, proud ruler of the Coven of Tsohg was where? What had happened to her?

Not to mention what had become the fate of my sisters? What of their lives? Had they been lost? Had all of them—

The sound of a lock turning had me facing the direction and my breath caught again at my throat when I was face to face with my mother behind the same man I had fallen to.

His garnet eyes were watching me impassively as I felt all the blood drain from my face at the sight of my mother’s pale and beautiful face lowered in shame.

“Mother—

My world crumbled as I looked back at the same person I had followed to battle. At least she hadn’t died. But she had been captured. Being captured was worse. There was no telling what they would do. The savages!

The vampire came towards me and I was about to use my sonic blast when I saw my mother’s bronze eyes connect with mine and her slow nod. Not yet.

I let go of the breath as the vampire took my hand in a surprisingly gentle manner and without protest I walked with him falling into step behind my mother as we were led through strings of grand corridors to finally a Grand door decorated in thorns and roses.

I felt anger leave me for but a second as I admired the beauty of the Vampire stronghold. But it was a fleeting moment when the doors opened and I was forced to connect my eyes with that of the King.

He smirked as if he knew what I was thinking and my anger flared to life as I allowed my lungs to fill with air in anticipation of escape.

“Bow before the Vampire King, Ciro Everbleed.”

The vampire in front of me bent one knee and bowed as I saw everyone else bow down. My nerves were too high as I felt all eyes on me because I refused to bow. No way was I to bow before a savage king!

Guards tried desperately but once I was determined I used my powers to turn my body to stone—unbreakable and unbending to any mortal will. I wasn’t anticipating it when he came to make me sit down. I tried to resist but my body melted and power left my systems as I saw my mother motion to me touching my hand. Bow down.

I resisted until the vampire touched my skin and sent electrical currents through my nerves and making me bow as if on instinct. I knelt beside my mother as he turned back and knelt before the King.

What was it? A new form of possessive magic?

I had no clue as my anger simmered down inside. It was difficult to think when I remembered the vermillion eyes of out captor raving over us.

“You may stand.”

His voice was high pitched and brimming with boyish charm which made my stomach heave with unwanted vomit. He probably smelled like spring grass too. Nothing like the wintery smell of the guard vampire…

I frowned having been surprised by my own thoughts. What in the world was wrong with me? Maybe he was just too good smelling? Yes, that was it.

My frown deepened as I directed all my anger towards the King who only smirked in response. His eyes took us all in and I stubbornly jutted out my chin while taking in a deep breath in order to decimate him in one sonic blast. Unless…

The guard was immune to my blasts. The thought sobered me up as I started think of a way to avoid him and target the King when he went to stand right before the King and my thoughts fled me as I cursed under my breath.

“What was that you said youngling?”

His voice was clearly directed at me as I saw all eyes on me again. I was shy but in this position of complete rage and anger I had left my inhibitions at the end of the warzone. I met his direct gaze and as I was about to speak, my mother’s nails dug into my hands.

I jerked in surprise and looked to her. She was livid and my anger drained away as I lowered my eyes in shame. Mother had warned me to not speak, to not engage, and here I was…avoiding her very calm and very wise words.

“Good. Then, let us get started with this trial.”

The King’s boyish voice made my skin crawl with anger as I listened to the various crimes of war we had been accused of. Killing vampires (Noble deed I would say), and in essence defending ourselves with our powers were the very deeds we were accused of. Ha!

“Do you have any pleas, Isidor?”

My mother looked up as I scowled at him again from underneath my bowed head while my eyes flitted between them.

“I wish to serve your highness in penance for the crimes.”

What?

Everyone’s eyes were probably trained towards her while my neck snapped up in attention and disbelief. She would make us serve the savages?

“You wish to serve us?”

I heard an unfamiliar male voice speak which when I followed I found my eyes gazing directly at the guard vampire’s. My body responded with goosebumps as I registered the timbre and deep bass in it and my mind hazed only a bit as I felt—no—wanted to hear him say my name.

Shut up! Idiots! We are discussing life and death here!

My eyes focused on my mother again as I saw her nod while making eye contact with the King. I saw his eyes smile as a mischievous grin painted his face in all of its evil glory.

“Well, then, it is decided. You will be my personal slave, Raina, Queen of Tsohg.”

My anger flared up again as I felt my lungs empty and my body motionless. When I looked to the guard again his once unexpressive eyes echoed my ideals as well and at that moment I felt connected to him, suddenly.

The connection was merely intruded upon when he came to free my mother’s hands from the shackles I now saw were on her hands. Where were my—

Invisible shackles. Great.

Livid, I turned to see my mother walk in a humble pose and stand behind the King. He only smirked and then looked to me.

“Bring the others in.”

Others…

I craned behind to see the door open once again and the figures of my battered and battle-wounded sisters come in. I also heard the flare of nostrils clearly as their wounds hadn’t been tended to.

When they arrived with their heads lowered and spirits broken, I met the King’s gaze as he inspected my sisters.

“Hmm…I suspect all of them will serve us, Raina?”

“Yes, my lord.”

My lord!

Again I was out of breath as my eyes probably turned saucer-like at my mother’s sudden obedience. What was going on?

The King smirked as he beckoned to his right and in the blink of an eye there they were. The Princes—also known as Brats in our dictionary. My powers flared to life as I tasted bile in my mouth.

“Nahariel, you get to pick first.” The King’s voice was dismissive as I looked to faces of Princes to identify who it was. None of them betrayed a preference and all of them seemed to be amused by my inspection as I was about to turn my eyes on the King, the guard vampire spoke again in his deep soothing voice.

“The Daughter of the Queen, Isda. I choose her, my King.”

My eyes immediately went to meet his and the connection suddenly made my anger flare up again as I heard the King chuckle.

“Well played, son. Well played. Now, Sael?”

I had no clue what happened next as I faintly heard the names of my sisters Ruby, Esmeralda, and Gabriella. The four princes—brats—had chosen the princesses. Son of a—

Before I could finish any more thoughts, my vision was clouded with garnet eyes as Nahariel—the name embedded in my head and seared into my bones—took my shackles and tugged on them forcefully and dragged me out of the way of the King.

I glared at the King again before leaving with a curse muted on my lips. Before anything I was being dragged through corridors—forcefully but with increased compliance from my body—through throngs of vampires upstairs towards the top of a tower.

Finally, we arrived at a carved door of roses and it was opened by vampire guards as he threw me into it and then came in to close the doors.

“Never insult the King.”

His voice was high-pitched as I fell to the ground and barely got my leverage to stand when his face invaded mine and my eyes were locked with his.

My brain battled with my heart as I made my choice. I hate you, savage.

Only, my body went with my heart and I was powerless to do anything towards him as he backed away slowly from me and I took a deep breath.

“Don’t.”

He said as anger flared in me again. His voice was calmer now as he knocked outside and dismissed the guards. What was he planning to do?

Then it struck me as goosebumps went through my skin and my mind screamed. No.

I felt myself struggle through the shackles but it wouldn’t give. This wasn’t happening. No. NO!

He looked at me again as I kept on struggling with my shackles and came towards me. I backed away from him until I hit a wall and tears of shame and fear started to fall while he took my hands firmly in his.

I looked up at him in awe. Why was he opening my shackles?

“Don’t looked so awed.”

His voice was curt as I rubbed my wrists which were a tad reddened with the weight. I kept on feeling deep sense of nothingness as I stared at his unfeeling eyes. They were cold like crystals and my heart started to flutter as nervousness and fear pulsed through my veins.

“Why did you release me?”

His eyes looked away. “I do not keep slaves.”

He did not keep slaves. “Do you wish to kill me?” My voice luckily did not tremble as I asked him the question, immediately feeling stupid for asking.

His eyes returned to mine as he backed away from me several paces towards a closet. My gaze followed him like nothing else existed and my skin prickled with awareness of his truth. This vampire wasn’t lying that was for sure.

“Get out of your witch’s clothes and wear the ones inside the bottom of this closet.” His voice was commanding as he spoke which made me yet angrier by the minute. But then I saw his eyes and all anger fled from my mind as I saw an emotion I had never seen before. Sadness…a vampire who was sad…

I just nodded as he walked away from me in a speedy way and into another room adjunct to mine. Probably the washroom I supposed as I trembled in my place.

What just happened?

I didn’t know. For once in my fifteen years of life, I had no clue of what was going to happen and what I would do.

Nahariel

Isda…

The woman’s name was glued on my mind completely and no amount of soap or water could wash it out. What the hell was wrong with me?

One look and I was lost. She was a powerful witch for God’s sake! Then, why…why did I have this feeling she would never harm me…not intentionally?

Something was gravely wrong here. Something was horribly wrong with my choice. I couldn’t possibly have chosen her. Then why was her scent still stuck to my nose? Why did I free her? I never free slaves. Albeit, I never have the opportunity to keep slaves since I execute every one of them due to my own preference but…Isda…she…for some reason I couldn’t bear the thought of parting with her.

When did it happen? How did it happen? And why? Most of the entire question was why?

I had never been unable to part with any person vampire, human, or witch as much as I felt unable to do so with this girl. What magic did she have upon me?

There was no magic. It was her. Maybe, it’s her blood.

Blood…yes, it’s her blood which was the siren’s call. The sweet spring morning honey blood. I could do with some feeding. Maybe, it would be better if I fed on her and killed her later when my thirst was gone.

With the thought in mind, I quickly grabbed my robe and dried myself off the water glittering like diamonds on my skin. It wasn’t hard for me to find the girl since she was standing right where I had left her entranced by some unknown emotion as her eyes bore on mine.

Such pretty brown eyes…like sunflower soil…dark and rich…

Yes, she was beguiling but what else was calling me to her? Her blood was the main cause. I inched closer as her eyes glazed over and I smelled nervousness from her skin. It was a heady mix for me as I scented her spring morning smell and heard a nervous rabbit’s heartbeat.

She looked up at me with those eyes…innocent and beautiful…

Why was I thinking all of this? I scolded myself for thinking this way but couldn’t stop it. What was it about her?

Drink her blood and you’ll know.

My thoughts were turning out to be quite tempting as I slowly inched closer to the witch. She didn’t skitter away like my other preys used to before but heart did beat faster. Interesting…

I inched closer to invade her personal space and she still looked up at my eyes. Her gaze war burning a need in me to drink her…slowly and gently…

“Give me your wrist.”

I ordered her trying to conceal the tempted feeling I was having all over. She was a seductress but I knew better. It was just her blood I wanted. Just her blood…

She lifted her hand hesitantly as I took it in mine and felt the jump of her pulse and the warmth radiating from her skin. This made my desire burn more as I took her hand and gently took it to drink from her body.

My teeth sank in as if I was kissing her wrist but I knew she felt the faint flicker of pain when her eyes dilated a bit more into darkness and a gasp escaped her so very rosy lips. I was tempted to take her neck veins but my heart seemed to say no to the idea and I couldn’t convince it otherwise.

The moment her blood touched my lips I felt alive. Like I had come home finally from all the world’s calamities…like she was my destiny…like everything about this was meant to be…

My heart skipped a beat as I felt her blood fill me with the taste of heaven. Fulfilling my most burning desire for peace and tranquility…a heady taste of life was in her veins as I drank deep but not too much, my heart said and automatically I complied.

Wasn’t I supposed to finish her blood off? Wasn’t she supposed to die?

It felt so very wrong to do so that after a moment I licked her wound to seal it and let her hand go as she backed away from me without any thought.

“I will be back. Keep yourself inside at all times and if anyone comes here do not let them in unless it’s the King.”

She looked up at me with her beguiling eyes and nodded in silent agreement as I felt sated in my heart and mind while rummaging through the closet and quickly dressing up for a meeting. After all, I had to keep the Coven running smoothly and there was no time to be wasted.

But what of Isda…

Later I chided myself as I walked out of the door and for good measure as my heart called it, I locked the door to the room with the strongest magical key I owned before leaving her to her fate.

It still felt wrong to let her live. After all, I would not be doing her any favors except for keeping her alive and feeding off of her blood and making her do some probably nasty chores which I knew my heart abhorred but it also spoke to me of her inner strength and the life of her blood and the peace I had found finally in this tornado of eternity.

Finally, after so long…I had found some life amongst this warzone…and my poor bastard heart would never let go…even if it meant she would have to stay inside and suffer with me forever.