Broken Beginnings

Chapter Ten

Chapter ten: Too many visitors

Senas lips were drawn into a wicked smile. Ashered and I sat across from her, Maeve and Violet. "Its just a little friendly competition." Violet said rolling her eyes. 

"Friendly competition." Ashered spat, his hands grasping onto the edge of the table. The wood groaned against his strength. 

"It was a neighboring horde  of vampires, they wanted to see if they could make an arranged marriage." Sena purred. 

"That seems like an unprofessional approach if you ask me." I snapped. 

It was Senas turn to roll her eyes. "Sometimes, us old folk need some entertainment." Sena said picking at her finely manicured nail. 

Maeve was silent as this unfolded, her hands placed delicately on her lap. Her earrings shone brightly in flashes, as she moved her head, following our conversation. 

"Darling, don't forget who is in charge. If you continue to disobey, I can easily have you thrown into the dungeons." 

I snorted in response to this. "You think that metal bars can hold me." 

Senas dark eyes blinked at mine coldly. "If they are made of magic, yes, I do, child."

The hairs on my arms pricked at her comment and she smirked at my reaction. 

"We will let you have time to think of your actions." Sena said. The three women stood from table in the dinning room  and took their leave. 

There was a moment of silence after this. I waited for Ashered to say something. He looked heavily at the doorway they left through. His eyebrows were strung together as tight as a noose. "You should rest." He said tartly. I knew the anger wasn't directed at me but still I stiffened at his tone. 

I hesitated but as if she was summoned, Opal appeared. She stood at the doorway, waiting for me. 

I looked at Ashered, reaching across for his hand but he stood abruptly. I knew that my face did not hide the hurt I felt. I recoiled and raised my chin high, wiping the look from my face.

"You're right." I stood from the chair, the bottom scraping roughly against the marble floor. 

In uncomfortable silence, I walked over to Opal. She looked at me unkindly, her eyes bleeding into mine with anger. I was surprised by the intensity as she stepped out of the way, to let me walk ahead of her. "After you." She said sweetly. 

The sound of crashing and frustrated grunting sounded from the room I had left. I paused, my dress sliding against the ground. I recoiled as a chair flew through the hallway cracking against the wall, splinters digging into nearby pictures. 

"Keep walking, Hope." 

I turned to Opal incredulously, her eyes shone with annoyance. 

"No." I replied. 

Opal grasped tightly onto my arm. "Leave him be." She snapped. 

"Lest you want another person hurt, stand back." I bristled at her words. "What is that supposed to mean?" I asked tartly. 

"I have lost plenty-." 

Opal cut me, "You aren't the only person who lost someone you loved in that fire." She growled. My eyes shone in realization. "Opal I-." 

The warrior dropped my arm as if it were poison. "Do as you wish, your majesty. You always do." She seethed. She stood awaiting my response, hand resting upon the hilt of her blade. 

I paused, looking at her before I realized the sound of crashing had halted. "Perhaps you're right." I said quietly, turning away from the hallway that led to the king. 

Once the doors my chambers closed, I changed into fighting gear. I knew Ashered would likely have my head for such a move but if I could not use magic, surely I could spar. 

Nevertheless, I did not mention this to Opal. Instead I tied up my hair and took the servants passage. I pulled the cloak that I had cleverly worn over my head. I slipped past the servant areas stealthy and outside, taking the path through the woods towards the lake. I prayed that this was conspicuous enough.

I couldn't have been more wrong as a hand shot out and grasped ahold of me. I was met with a familiar red haired boy.  Despite the deadliness he held, still Melvin looked boyish. I had to remind myself that even though he was 15, still he was a monster.  "Your majesty." He said dramatically bowing. 

The cold hands of other undead curled around my upper arm. I slammed my foot against the back of one of their calfs, the bone crunching before turning to do the same to the other. I halted, met with another familar face. I stumbled back, giving the boy I had kicked time to crack his leg back into place and grasp ahold of me. I was unbothered by his hold, staring into the pits of my lifeless sisters eyes. She was undead. There was no doubt in my mind. Her eyes were a washed out blue now, her red, blonde hair, ashy. Her skin was sickly and she did not smile. 

"Surprise." She said dully. I looked between her and Melvin. His smile was long and drawn out. "Her mate gave her to me as a token of our agreement."

Melvin tsked. "Of course, you're not aware. I bargained her for the safety of Xaviers people. Now what do you suppose, a king and queen could give a boy for a chance to live?" He hummed. 

I was unsure what to possibly say to this demon boy. "You're a monster." I hissed at the redhead. He rolled his eyes and ushered forth one of his followers. A teen boy, no older than 17. He whispered something into his ear and he nodded disappearing into the forest. I took this moment to look around, the gravity of the situation hitting me. There were hundreds of undead scattered in the woods, varying ages, mainly seeming between  12 and 21 or so. I could sense their new birth, their mouths hungrily watering at the sight of me. 

I wasn't sure how they controlled their urges but I supposed it had to do with Melvin. 

"Did you know if you change a vampire, you can obtain their control. The only way to break it is to kill the one who changed them."

I glanced at Melvin as he answered the question before I spoke. 

"What more do you want from me?" I snapped. 

Melvin's face turned rageful and he stalked forward. "Everything." He drawled. "I want every bit of happiness sucked dry from you, like it was from me." 

I blinked at the intensity in his red eyes. " I want you to suffer, to watch your family die in the most horrible ways." 

I furrowed my eyebrows at him becoming exasperated. "I am tired of your games, Melvin. I know Simone changed you because of me but I tried to stop it. I tried to save you! What more could I have done?!" I didn't realize I was yelling until I finished. "You could have gave yourself up, you didn't even try to come back and save me. Or even come find me after I turned so I wouldn't go home and slaughter my family. Look at what you have done." Melvin grasped roughly onto my wrist.

My bones whined in protest as he showed me glimpses of the gruesome murders he committed. His cold fingers dug into me. "You did this." He seethed. 

I watched firsthand as Melvin begged his mother to run. She continued to stand beside him in their small home asking him what was wrong. A hunger overcame him and in flashes I watched him tear apart his family. First his parents, then his two younger siblings and lastly looking in the mirror at his bloodstained lips, himself. In another flash he awoke, taking the knife from his heart and seeing his family, he sobbed. "Just let me die." He wailed, his fist flying into the bathroom mirror. 

I rasped for air and opened my eyes, Melvin's cold touch had left me. My eyes watered, emotions overpowering my senses. Muffled shouting sounded and warm arms grasped ahold of my shoulders where I knelt on the ground. I looked up at Melvin, his face was a blur but pity filled me.

As the ringing in my ears dissipated, a hand with dried blood lifted me up. I turned to Ashered, his eyes meeting mine, scanning me for any external wounds. "As much as I want to kill you, the ladies of Goldmoon, apparently invited you."  Ashered said coolly to Melvin. I could see the inner turmoil battling itself out inside him and I placed a hand over his to ensure him I was alright. As alright as  I could be. 

Melvin grinned cruelly. "lead the way, your highness."