NOT THAT YOU'LL EVER GO HOME AGAIN ✔️

⚰️Chapter 4

Ariadne kept on looking behind her, there was a mix surge of thrill and also nervousness as she made sure no one saw that she sneaked out with this gentleman. Her sunset-orange eyes darted from left to right and finally allowed herself a sigh of relief after confirming no one saw them exit the venue.

"Ariadne, are you alright?" The question came from Jared, he was one of the people in attendance tonight and appeared to be closest to her age range. He was ahead, leading the way and making sure there was nothing suspicious or hostile awaiting them. "We are almost out of here don't worry."

"I hope my sisters and parents didn't see us," Ariadne didn't wear the pair of patent pumps her youngest sister gave her that morning, she wasn't used to wearing such things and ended up with in flat shoes and unlike her siblings, the hem of her dark blue dress didn't reach the ground for better mobility. Minus the corset too.

Jared twined their hands, securing Ariadne in his hold. "They didn't and do not feel anxious, this is only a one-time chance we wouldn't want to miss, yes?"

His words brought warmth to Ariadne's chest. She came across Jared when she decided a break from the lengthy convo with Alanis that began making her head ache metaphorically. Her second older sister always had a thing about books, finding so much fascination in it but Ariadne prefers to explore and see everything with her eyes, to experience the thrill against her skin and other senses.

He was nice and understanding, sharing insights that only sparked Ariadne's curiosity more.

Jared sneaked them out swiftly, showing her an easy way to leave the Harker abode without being seen by the patrolling security.

"How did you know about this?" She asked in curiosity. "About this secret passage, I mean"

A knowing, charming smile plastered on Jared's lips, "My relatives are always here and since I am going to be a Slayer soon, it's necessary to know about these details"

Ariadne nodded, her sunset-orange orbs gleaming with intrigue and wanting to know more. "Is being a Slayer nice? I always wanted to become one but Father wouldn't allow me and he prohibited me from doing anything combat-related"

"It has its pros and cons but if you love your job, you will learn to have fun" Jared replied as they continued walking in a clear path in the forest, there were no signs or scent in the air that hostility was present. "Have you ever been outside? Seems to me that you're always guarded"

Her shoulders sagged, "You're right, I never been out by myself, we rarely got a chance..." It was infuriating and whenever she brought this topic up, Holly would immediately shut it down and swerve it to another topic. "I wish I could just come and go without anyone hovering over me like a bee."

"You got your wish tonight, Cinderella" Jared joked and after more walks in the clear path within the woods, they finally reached the town beyond the thick forest surrounding the Harker home. "And I will bring you somewhere you've never been before"

-*-

The crowd became too much for Alanis to bear, their hushed voices unfamiliar chatterings, and controlled greetings were muted. Everything became suddenly hazy as she darted her nervous gaze here and there, she was unable to control the frantic drumming of her heart.

She was just here minutes ago! Alanis went to get some drinks and food from the buffet table for herself and Ariadne but the latter was no longer in sight. She couldn't control the sudden surge of anxiety and thought that something bad happened to her sister.

"Maybe she already retired for the night" She tried convincing herself but somehow couldn't find it believable.

SPLASH! The contents of the glass Alanis was holding accidentally spilled on one of the guests and she received an annoyed expression from the men. A loud shattering sound echoed after Alanis dropped the expensive glasses, it took half of everyone's attention inside.

Mina came to her distressed daughter, sauntering forward with ease and urgency–she moved smoothly in the slitted white dress she had on. "Dearest, what is the matter?" Her dark brown eyes were gleaming with concern.

"What is going on?" Holly also showed up, followed by Camus. "Alababy?"

Grace, the female servant close to the sisters noticed the hullabaloo and immediately thought she needed to take action to avoid any more issues. She turned to the fourth and fifth daughters. "Miss Arabella, Miss Evangeline, let us return to the mansion now and you may resume eating there, it will be better without this much audience, yes?"

"Quack!" Duckie, the pet and self-proclaimed knight of Arabella quacked in agreement to this, it also moved in a way showing them to leave already.

Evangeline and Arabella exchanged looks, too were curious about what happened and wanted to check on Alanis but they were taught to not pry further should something like this arise within their home. With this kind of mindset instilled in their heads, they let Grace lead them out quickly out of the venue.

-*-

What part of the district was this? Earlier they passed lines of shops with neon signs, flickering lights, and people–mostly females in provocative and flimsy clothes barely hiding their bodies but they didn't seem bothered and on the contrary, reveled in the attention they were getting. Jared kept her close to his side until they stopped by a black house with an elevated porch, it was styled to look like a house with opaque dark windows but it was also a shop.

"What are we going to do here, Jared?" Ariadne sensed the alarms blaring in her head, she was reluctant to follow the young Slayer but she couldn't find the will to pull her hand away.

Jared tightened his hold around her hand, "I am curious, Ari, what do you know about vampires? Have you gone to a school and been taught about them?"

She swallowed hard, looking down. "No, we were homeschooled and we would regularly have sessions at home where mother invites an instructor or historian to teach us about this country and outside..." Trying to dig deeper, it made her face contort into a wince. Why does it hurt? Ariadne wanted to tell more but she couldn't. She stopped by the railing, holding a hand to her temple. "Jared...I want to go back now, my head is aching"

A wide grin spread on the young Slayer's face, "Silly Ariadne, we just got here though and the thrilling experience you look forward to is about to start. I figured you'd be of use to me, thank you so much for your overflowing enthusiasm and boredom of being a stay-at-home princess" He snickered.

What–

Before Ariadne could ask what he meant, Jared pulled the young woman and pushed her inside the dark, ominous shop and closed the door quickly from behind them.

Her sunset-orange eyes bulged in shock at the sight behind the opaque windows and doors–so much sleazy behavior happening here! Curvaceous females were bitten on their necks, shoulders, and thighs while their faces were flushed. What is this horror?!

Jared watched the shock registered on his companion's face and he was amused, "You will get used to it, this is nothing extreme"

A burly tall handsome vampire with smooth obsidian skin got up after he was finished kissing a provocative waitress, he approached them and his eyes were like a flashlight in the dimness.

...

Crimson everywhere. It was the primary color she saw surrounding her–the splatters on the wall, pooling around her where she sat. Crimson. Rogue. It stank too–the coppery, pungent scent clogged her senses.

...

The fragments that flashed in her head brought more confusion and unnerving waves in Ariadne, she stepped backwards but Jared stopped her and kept her in place.

"I d-don't want to be here...Let me go home"

Jared did not budge though and unlike Ariadne, he was excited about being here. "Don't be such a party pooper, Cinderella, the real ball is about to begin" He leaned closer to her ear, "Please prove that you are not useless okay?"