Primous Rising [Book 1 of The Unravelling series]

18. Lyonaurd

🔴⚠️Warning: This chapter contains violence and gore, be aware (or don't read it if it makes you uncomfortable)🔴

The stony hallways were dimly lit, but it didn't matter to Prince Lyonaurd. His inhuman eyesight made up for the lack of brightness. Blood and piss' stench assaulted his nostrils. Each scent was magnified thanks to the gifts tagging along with being a vampire -but at that moment, it was more a curse than anything else.

Humidity pressed down on Lyonaurd's chest as he sauntered down the narrow path, miles beneath the surface of the ground. He occasionally glanced at the cells as he passed by them. The prisoners either cowered away or begged for mercy.

They knew punishment before committing the crime, too late to beg for forgiveness now. He sourly thought to himself.

As he neared his destination, he rolled up the sleeves of his dark grey shirt and took off his wristwatch.

At the cell's entrance, Melckom and Lucas, his faithful lords, awaited. Perhaps it was the magical bond created while turning a human into a vampire between them and Lyonaurd that had kept them loyal for centuries.

A smug smiled twisted Lucas' mouth. His small blue eyes glinted with excitement. His vibrant navy coloured hair appeared darker in this light, and his porcelain skin stood in stark contrast with his clothes.

Both bowed. Lyonaurd handed his wristwatch to Lucas and stepped past the open doors of the cell.

Lord Melckom closed the door behind them and the lords scurried to the darkest corner of the dungeon hole; their faces covered by the shadows.

At the centre, Elliot's hands and ankles were clasped in iron cuffs, they were already cutting into his wrists' fragile skin.

Lyonaurd clenched his jaw. Pure fury coursed through his veins. That filth has touched my Celest.

Her scent lingered on Elliot, giving away they had been close, but not intimate. Despite himself, it disappointed him. For four days they had been alone and done nothing. If they had slept together, Lyonaurd had a valid reason to kill the mortal. On the bright side, she was his to mark and claim.

Elliot glared at Lyonaurd.

He fought against every fibre in his body, screaming to rip Elliot's throat out. Instead, he checked the motion sensors and waved his hands.

Mechanical bars attached to the handcuffs by thick chains began moving. They pulled on Elliot's hands and legs, spreading them apart, leaving Elliot to hang in the middle by his arms. His feet dangled in the air.

"You coward, can't even face me without having me restrained," Elliot shouted.

Lyonaurd barked a laugh.

If killing the human didn't risk pissing Nikolus off, Lyonaurd would have eradicated him the instant he discovered his role in Celest's life.

Lyonaurd thrust his fists into his pockets, thinking up ways to start what he has come here for, while his eyes scanned the mortal.