Bloodlines of the Night

Chapter 6: The Cost of Freedom

Chapter 6

Elira

The next morning, Elira woke to a chill that settled deep in her bones. The light that seeped through the barred window was gray and weak, casting shadows that danced across the stone walls of her prison. She had barely slept, every noise in the castle echoing in her ears, reminding her of the danger lurking around every corner.

She rose from the bed, her body stiff and sore, and moved to the window, the cool metal bars biting into her fingertips as she gripped them. The courtyard below was empty, the stillness unnerving. For a moment, she imagined herself standing there, free and unshackled, watching the sun rise over her village.

But that was a dream now—a fantasy that felt as distant as the stars.

Elira turned away from the window, determination settling in her gut. She had to find a way to escape this place. If she stayed here much longer, she would become a pawn in their game, and she refused to let that happen.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. The door creaked open, and the young human girl from the day before stepped inside, her eyes darting nervously. "I brought you breakfast," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she placed a tray on the table.

Elira forced a smile, trying to ease the girl's evident fear. "Thank you. You don't have to be afraid of me."

The girl hesitated, then nodded, still avoiding eye contact. "I just... I just wanted to help."

As the girl left the room, Elira examined the tray: bread, some kind of porridge, and water. She knew she had to eat, but her stomach twisted at the thought of consuming food prepared in this castle, in the heart of the vampire court. But there was no alternative. She needed her strength.

After finishing her meager meal, Elira sat on the bed, running her fingers over the rough fabric of the blankets. She needed to gather information, to learn more about her surroundings and her captors. If she was to escape, she had to understand the castle and its inhabitants.

Hours passed slowly, the quiet stretching on like an unending chain. She watched the shadows shift in the room, the silence making her restless. It felt like the calm before a storm, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

A sudden clatter outside her door made her jump. Her heart raced as she stood, pressing her ear against the cool wood. Voices echoed in the hallway—low, urgent, and tinged with anger.

"What do you mean she's still alive?" a male voice shouted, and Elira recognized it as Kaelan's.

"It was the prince's orders!" another voice replied, sounding defensive. "She is to be kept safe until further notice."

Kaelan's voice dropped to a murmur, but Elira strained to listen, her pulse quickening. She knew he was her enemy, yet the power he wielded was the only thing keeping her alive right now.

"Safe? Do you think she'll just accept her fate? You're playing with fire," he snapped, and she could hear the tension in his voice. "If she finds a way to escape, it'll be on our heads."

Elira's heart raced. What were they discussing? Was there a plan to get rid of her?

The voices faded, and she stepped back from the door, her mind spinning. The tension in Kaelan's voice hadn't been lost on her. Perhaps there was a crack in their façade, a way to manipulate the situation to her advantage.