The Unthought Fate [MxM]

Chapter 19

Vlad

 There is no peace in this castle, that is for sure. I barely found my way after my talk with Lucas, when I was approached by another slave with a message for me.

"Hello, Vlad!" he starts. "Prince Kayro had to leave the castle for an urgent matter, but he left word for you to be brought where he is once you are available." he relayed the news.

That was strange. Not only did Kayro rarely leave the castle, but he had never taken me along on any of those occasions. So this situation was very out of the blue. Not to mention—when did he even leave? I must have been gone for a maximum of 30 minutes. It took me longer to understand where I was on this huge domain than to talk to Lucas.

But I know there is no danger here, so I just do as I was told. I consider myself still new, and just like I didn't know all the property yet, I still had a lot to learn about how things work in this castle. I've yet to experience everything.

"Ok! Do I need to take anything for the Prince?" I ask, to be sure I will be prepared for him once I arrive.

"No! The carriage for you is ready, please come this way." he says and leads the way.

Once again I was taken to unknown places, on unknown paths. I can't believe how large the castle grounds actually are, and I barely know a small part of them. This is not right. I somehow need to learn more about the domain; it's embarrassing to get lost after being here for a couple of months already.

While on the way to the said carriage, I start feeling like something is not right, but I can't tell what. Maybe because I don't know these places, maybe because I don't know the slave. Hmm... he must be new, I think.

I was starting to have a bad feeling, but I just put it down to the unpleasant discussion I had with Lucas. Ugh... I can't believe he had the audacity to tell me I was unfair, but my outburst came so out of nowhere. It actually felt good to give him a piece of my mind, for once. I usually keep it to myself, but I don't regret it one bit.

Lost in thought, I wasn't aware of my surroundings, just mindlessly following the slave, and in no time we arrived at the carriage. Taking a look around—yes, I don't recognize anything.

"Here it is!" he politely gestures toward the carriage and opens the door for me. He helps me because the steps were quite high. Once I'm inside, I take a seat. He closes the door and wishes me a good ride, and I thank him for the help.

That awful feeling was not going anywhere, but I try to ignore it, because this was only my second time using a carriage and I was kind of excited to see where I was going.

The driver must have already been there, but I missed him. Once the door is closed, the carriage starts moving, and all I can hear are the horses' hooves and the wooden wheels against the pebbled road. I like that sound; it was relaxing.

I really like this trip. I was used to walking all the time, so it was a nice change... but something is not right. Ugh... I am not a bright person; the details always fly by me, but I did notice we were really far from the castle. We've been traveling for about two hours now. And we were heading where exactly?

Looking out the window, I realize the road is deserted. We don't encounter a single person—on foot, horse, or carriage. At some point we enter a forest, and I start to get worried, the ominous feeling growing stronger.

My anxiety starts to rise, but I try to convince myself I'm safe. I'm a mere slave, I have no value, I am not a danger to anyone, so there is no reason to harm me... I think... I hope...

I open the small window of the carriage and try asking the coachman where we are going.

"Excuse me, mister coachman, where are we going? Are you sure this is where Prince Kayro is?" I try to be loud enough.

I thought he didn't hear me at first since there was no response, but then I hear a chuckle and a male voice:

"Oh, little lamb, it sure took you long enough," and he starts laughing.

This is not good, I think instantly.

"Where are you taking me?" I ask, gathering courage.

Still laughing, he says, "We're going exactly where little lambs belong... to slaughter." and his laugh grows louder.

W-what? Is this a joke? Panic starts to bubble.

Without thinking, I try opening the doors, but they are locked.

No, no, no! This is not happening! This must be a cruel prank.

I try opening the windows more, but they are too small. I am not that slim anymore; I had gained a few kilograms since arriving at the castle. I cannot fit through.

Panic rises further, darker thoughts flooding my mind.

The coach stops.

"This is your final stop, little lamb!" he says with a chuckle.

The door opens.

"Come on, get out. It's better you get out on your own than for me to pull you out," he says.

I sense the threat and, like a good little lamb, I get out. I stumble and almost fall face-first, but he catches me.

"Aren't you a clumsy one?" he laughs.

I look up and notice his pale eyes and skin.

Oh my soul, he's a vampire. A mercenary vampire.

"You got it, little one!" he says with a sly grin.

"Let's go," he adds, dragging me into the forest.

A clearing appears. We reach a house—large, hidden deep in the woods.

He locks the door behind us and releases my arm. It is numb from his grip.

"What will you do to me?" I ask, voice trembling.

"Well, as you might know, I'm a vampire, and I can't kill you. You being a shifter hybrid means only a witch/warlock-vampire hybrid can do that." he explains casually.

My mouth hangs open. What shocks me isn't the explanation—it's how casually he speaks about my death.

"Fortunately for us—and not for you—we have such a hybrid," he continues. "But he is unavailable at the moment... so we will have a lot of fun until he arrives."

My mind goes blank in terror.

He chains my hands, then my feet, and attaches everything to the wall.

"I'm... a chained pretzel," I think dimly.

He leaves. I hear the lock.

The hall is empty. Only two other doors and iron rings in the walls remain.

Minutes pass.

Then I hear a scream—piercing, visceral. I freeze in horror.

I know it's another poor soul.

Soon, footsteps return.

"Have you been a good little lamb?" he asks, blood on his mouth.

I cannot look at him.

"I'll give you a choice," he says. "Whipping or an ice bath?"

I hesitate.

"Choose," he warns.

"The bath," I whisper.

"Excellent choice," he laughs. "You won't feel the whip so badly after that bath."

"What? I thought—"

"You thought it was one or the other?" he interrupts. "Oh no. You'll get both."

My soul feels like it detaches.

"This is not real..."

He leans closer, whispering:

"If you're bored... let's have some fun then."