Beyond The Fangs

Chapter 49

IZEL

Alek didn't give me much information as to how he found me or what exactly was going on. 

We were running through a corridor with more windows than walls. I looked out the windows as I ran, and there was havoc left, right and centre. Vanquishers were taking down vampires and—

What the heck?! 

There were vampires fighting vampires too. Was I seeing that right?

Alek handed me back the dagger after I promised not to kill myself. I'd asked for a sword but he said the dagger was simply for protection because I wasn't in any condition to fight. The corridor split into two sections, and a vampire appeared from the left side.

I tightened my grip on the dagger, ready to attack if given the chance but the vampire surprised me by saying, "this way." And we actually followed his lead.

I ran with the Vanquishers, keeping my eyes on the vampire and when he noticed me watching me he simply winked. A vampire just winked at me? 

I was beginning to wonder which realm I was truly in.

"Are you sure I'm not dreaming?"

"Yes!" Alek shouted, "if you ask me that one more time I'm taking the dagger back."

I zipped my lips back together and continued running.

Gradually, the corridor started increasing in width and there were now more doors. We ignored all the ones we ran past and headed to the one at the end of the corridor. It was a massive golden door, with so many details engraved on it.

"Circle," Alek suddenly said and all the vanquishers stood all around me, keeping me enclosed between them, making an effort to make sure not to leave any gaps between them.

"No matter what you do," Alek said, and when I looked up I realised he was speaking to me and only me, "don't stop and don't try to escape. Got it?" I nodded, "good, keep your head down and allow our movements to guide you."

He lowered my head for me before finally opening the grand doors. I kept my eyes focused on the ground and noted how shiny the tiles were. Around me, I heard grunts and shouts and immediately knew there were fights going on in this room too.

Suddenly, Alek entered the circle as well and I felt him wrap his arms around me, holding my head against his chest. "I didn't trust you enough not to look."

Wise man.

I allowed myself to be guided by him and the others. "What don't you want me to see?"

"Doesn't matter."

I felt my heart sink when he said that, remembering it was something Jaeger used to say. I took a deep, shaky breath, willing myself to focus on getting out of here rather than on memories of Jaeger. I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds, there were constant clangs from swords hitting against each other, which was weird because vampires didn't usually fight with swords. If it wasn't for Alek, I definitely would have looked.

I heard another door open and assumed we'd finally reached the other side. I expected we'd continue moving forward, but instead, we began shuffling backwards, fast. Alek suddenly held my hand and led me out of the circle. I looked up and saw that a group of vampires had just entered, stopping us from exiting. The vanquishers started fighting them and Alek dragged me away from the fight, no doubt because he thought I was too weak to fight. He wasn't wrong though, so I didn't argue with him, but simply followed his lead.

This room was a ballroom, a bit too fancy to belong to vampires though. Alek held me behind him, slowly stepping back till my back was against a wall and he was against me.