The Vampire's seal lll : Love over immortality

Loyalty In War

Anastasia stood shyly on the stage, holding her arm and eyes downcast. She looked more beautiful than I had ever seen her; but she clearly hadn't expected to be on a stage.

"And now," said the siren with a broad smile. "It is my pleasure to introduce the Vampire Queen, who has just returned from conquering her mislead people! This brave beauty went into her homeland and reclaimed her throne, slaughtering those that opposed her! The tyrant Vampire King has escaped, but that is irrelevant. This ferocious Queen is now back where she belongs!" The crowd erupted in cheers, and besides me Shay happily screamed her heart out.

The man continued to go on, but I was confused. There was something Shay had failed to mention, and I had the feeling I was about to find out what was going on.

"With the alliance of the Vampires, we will destroy the darkness that has been slowly swallowing the world! We will destroy the enemy!" My eyes widened in anticipation, an I bit my tongue until the iron taste of blood filled my mouth.

"We will obliterate the humans!"

Suddenly, I grew stiff. My feet became cemented to the floor and my eyes locked on the siren broadcaster who had just announced that two of the most powerful species ever had joined forces to destroy humans. I felt my killing intent slowly accumulate inside of me and I could tell by the tensing of the creatures around me that they could sense my ill will. In seconds, I became surrounded by people who I assumed to be the bouncers of this little party.

"Sir." Said one of five men that had surrounded me. My jaw clenched and I remained silent.

Anastasia's okay with all this...?

"We need you to come with us." Said another as he slowly began to walk towards me. He reached for my new left arm but stopped when he looked into my eyes.

"If you value that hand, don't touch me." I growled. Almost immediately, he pulled his hand back as if he had just finished touching something hot; and the rest of the men were alerted to the color of my eyes.

Gold.

All of them took a knee and gave me their respects. "My lord," One of them announced. "Please forgive us. We did not mean to disturb you." I looked at them, a feeling of superiority intertwining itself with the anger that had slowly consumed me when I heard of their plans to eradicate humans.

A plan Anastasia had decided to support. A plan I had to stand by because I loved her. Because I pledged my life to her.

It made me disgusted with myself.

I grunted and looked away, back at the stage. The audience that had backed away were surprised to see that a fight, or even more interesting, genocide by a god had not occurred. The men got up and left just as quickly as they arrived; and I scanned the stage when I realized Anastasia was no longer there. Then I realized that Shay had also bailed on me. I looked around the group of accumulating people that had begun to gather around again. I was still until her burning red eyes locked with mine.

"Anastasia."

Her eyes darted down to my left sleeve and her eyes hardened. "What happened to your arm?" She asked. I remained silent as I watched her. Her mood darkened with my silence and she grabbed my right wrist. "Come with me." She grumbled as she lead me away. I let her pull me away from the crowd, and I could feel the stares of the audience watching us as we escaped the area. "What's going on Mike?" She asked me pinned against a wall near the restrooms. It wasn't quiet, and the vibration of music continued to shake the floor. But it was enough for us to hear each other.

"A war?" I asked confused. "Against humans?" I added on incredulously. "When we're you planning on telling me this?" Her eyes flickered downwards and I looked at her like I couldn't believe it. "Were you even going to tell me?" Her hands went from pinning me against the wall to wrapping themselves around my neck. "Why?" I asked hopelessly as I took one of her hands in mine. She shook her head before burrying it in my neck.

"Would you leave me because of this?"

The question was enough to make me stop everything. My breath, my thoughts. She was planning to wage war against my people. My family. My friends. My life before everything changed. I sighed and put my hand on the back of her head, bringing her closer to me. I placer my chin on her head and held her tightly.

"No matter what I feel, I pledged my life for you. You saved my life, so no matter what happens I won't ever leave you." She wrapped her arms around my waist and tip toed to whisper in my ear.

"Is that all this relationship is... Michael?" She softly mummered. Her warm breath on my ear was enough to make my insides tingle. "Is the reason you're here simply... an obligation?" I bit my tongue and looked away. I loved Anastasia with all my heart, but I didn't believe in what she was supporting.

She saw the uncertainty in my eyes and moved away from me leaving me with a sudden loneliness. "I love you Michael. And need be, I'd love you enough to let you go if you ever wished to leave."

"That's not it." I growled as I brought her body back closer to mine. She flinched in surprise at my sudden movements. "You know that's not what I want." She seemed caught off guard, but adjusted herself rather quickly.

"Then what is it you want Michael?"

Her voice was different from before. Instead of it's usual commanding yet gentle tone, it sounded different to me. It was alluring when the commanding tone was removed, and it made my heart throb.

It was more seductive.

My interest piqued, I opened my mouth to respond; but just as I did so I received a tap on my shoulder. I turned over to see a nervous young man dressed in a blue suit and tie. I recognized him as one of the people assisting with the event. I had seen others wearing similar outfits scurrying around while guest enjoyed themselves. Anastasia looked at the man then looked away embarrassed. I looked at him angrily. "What do you want?" I barked. The man jumped and Anastasia placed a hand on my chest.

"Excuse me..." She took a moment to read his name off a thin silver metal plate on his shoulder. "Robert. Can I ask what it is that you need of us? We were having a serious discussion as you can see." She signalled over to me and I looked at him impatiently as I ran my hands through my hair. I narrowed my eyes at him and Robert quickly looked back at Anastasia.

"An urgent report." He blurted out. Anastasia's mood instantly darkened and I took note of her reaction to his words. "Two, actually. One is that the Queen of all Sirens has appeared and has requested you and Lord Michael by name."

"The Queen?" I repeated.

So the sirens have a monarchy...

"And the second?" She asked confused. The man fidgeted and shuffled around before finally getting to the point.

"The Vampire King has appeared with your daughter and her allies as hostages. He's bonded them in chains stronger than blood chains and... they're dying. The sirens as a species have requested the power of the god underneath your rule to put a stop to him once and for all."