The Last Vampire Hunter

Chapter 59

I paced around the room anticipating Philip's arrival to take me to Nicholae. My stomach churned and my nerves were on end. After my servant's duties were completed, Jasmine locked me in Philip's chambers to "await his return" as she said.

At least while I was busy doing housework my mind was not so focused on what was awaiting me. Now, as I paced the room alone with my thoughts, I had no choice but to think about it.

I heard the faint sound of the elevator arriving followed by the muffled voices of the other servants greeting their master. Then, I heard the steady sound of footsteps approaching the door. He's here.

As the footsteps slowed to the front of the door to Philip's chambers, I slid off the bed. I took a deep calming breath and prepared myself mentally. I hadn't thought of an escape plan yet. The closest I'd come is to find some kind of weapon in his room that I could use to knock him out. Maybe he was a fan of large crystal paperweights or something.

When the door opened, I stood with my head down. I couldn't bring myself to speak and therefore to greet Philip as my Master. Instead, I waited quietly. When the footsteps stopped in front of me, I nearly gasped.

The boots were definitely not of the style that Philip wore.  Nor were they Nicholae's. "Alex," I whispered, realizing too late that I didn't give the proper greeting. "Ani," he responded, not seeming to care. I felt his cool hand caress my cheek and for once his touch soothed me instead of repulsing me.

"Philip has been delayed. I thought you might like to walk the gardens with me. It's late now so they shouldn't be as crowded."

Outside. I haven't been outside since arriving here. The thought of going to the gardens sounded like a welcome reprieve. "Alright," I responded quietly.

"Good girl. I'll call Jasmine to dress you. I haven't eaten all day so I'll find Ophelia." I nodded. Ophelia, the girl who was a victim of Hamlet's madness. Now that I think of it, Ophelia was the name of the pet that Alex had before me. I tried to recall the entire story. Either way, she had been destroyed by Alex and another Ophelia now took her place, just as Blue was gone. The original Blue. My Liam.

A vision of his face appeared in my mind and I pushed back the familiar tightening of my chest. Liam. He had somehow morphed to a symbol of innocence and kindness. A world without the Selection...without Vampires. I could no longer see him when he was angry. I no longer saw his flaws. Did he snore? Chew with his mouth open? Flirt with other girls? If there had been no Selection, would we have ended up together, married with children? Or, would he have been just one chapter in my book of life and love. My first love.

I would never know. He was gone. And I was here. Thoughts of him now evoked memories of innocence and happiness. The kinds of happy things I hadn't fully experienced since being Selected. He was just a memory now, but the feelings he evoked in me continued to be very real. I had to survive...for him...for our dream...for the meadow that was once a magical place to share an innocent love.

Alex had destroyed all that. Though he had appeared to change...always the Vampire looking out for the little humans...his hands were not clean. I couldn't forgive what he did to me, to Liam, to all the others and what he had yet to do to those who were trapped in the claws of this horrible palace.

I had just moved to the wardrobe to pick out a dress to wear, when Jasmine walked in. "Hi! So you are heading to the gardens with Master Alexander?" I nodded, "You're so lucky. I heard the gardens are beautiful, but I've never been myself." I heard the notes of sadness in her voice.