Blood, Lust and Handsome Liars

Chapter 7

Her feet seeped into the damp ground, the healthy, viridescent grass crunching beneath her and Haytham's steps. To her right was the Stirling River, highlighted with azure hues, and small streaks of white as the large sunny overlaying ocular would beat down upon its watery surface. Sounds of waves overlapping and crashing against one another carried through the small park of sorts, bringing a sense of relaxation to her after the events that had transpired. She couldn't believe he hit her, but something about it felt familiar, like a sense of déjà vu. She wanted to run to someone for help but she didn't know who, it was like her nightmare when she begged a man for help. She stopped in her tracks and turned to the crystal clear body of the river, taking in the scenery of her spot once more after neglecting to visit the area in a while. A small gust of wind picked up and swept through her hair imbuing a sense of peace in her as well as Haytham. She could tell he was angry after what happened his muscles were tense and he stayed close to her side.

"A noble steed you are dear Haytham. Aafwan." She thanked him in Arabic and she kissed his muzzle before sitting down. Her thoughts began to wonder away and Haytham sat behind her, pulling her close with his head so she could lean against him and stay warm. She closed her eyes with a smile and she began to drift away, only to be awoken by the sounds of footsteps nearby. Her heart began to race and her adrenaline began to rise when she saw a male figure coming through the trees towards her, carrying what seemed to be a weapon. She stood up and she told Haytham to stay but he looked relaxed, as if the figure was familiar to him. She looked at him confused and then back to the figure, whom was now in plain sight. Alistair held up his hands when he saw Aisu backing away from both him and her horse. They both looked at her as if she was acting out of character and hen Alistair saw it, the dark red handprint on her cheek. He frowned and walked towards her before pressing his hand where the print was. Victoria flinched and she tried to step away but Alistair had stopped her and held her close to him.

"He hit you, didn't he?" Victoria tensed and tried to back away again but Alistair just held her tighter.

"I'm not letting you go again Victoria. Look at me." Victoria looked up and into his dark eyes and he kissed her deeply, hoping the potion on his lips would help her get her memory back. Victoria tried to fight the kiss at first but she gave in, a sense of familiarity overcoming her. Alistair, reluctant to stop the kiss, eventually pulled away and looked deep into her eyes, brushing away her hair from her face and caressing her cheek. Victoria placed her hand over his as tears began to stream down her face, her eyes closing as memories began to come flooding back.

Victoria fell to the ground, groaning in pain as her head began to pound and her body beginning to fail. She knew this feeling, it reminded her of her first hunt when she consumed human blood for the first time. It must have been what she tasted on his lips. Alistair held her gently, knowing what it was doing to her and Haytham watched on, his ears flicking with worry as he nuzzled his rider. Victoria groaned and reached out to Haytham weakly before her hand dropped to the ground, almost lifeless. Alistair picked her up and he mounted Haytham with Victoria unconscious against his chest. He could hear another horse approaching, and fast.

"Troy... Go Haytham, go!" Haytham, knowing what that word meant, leaped forward and began to race back to the manor as fast as his hooves would take him with the weight on his back. Alistair knew that Troy would figure out what happened, but he will deal with that when the time comes, after all, Troy wasn't exactly Vampire.

Victoria could feel a breeze running past her face, but there wasn't a window open, just a dark space, like she was in a room with no light. She heard her door open as Alistair and Troy walked in, the sudden light from the hallway burning her skin. She hissed and scurried back but she was already against a wall. Alistair shut the room door and he light a wall sconce, the flames illuminating the room around them. It was her room, but run down and almost empty, like no one had inhabited this room for years, maybe a century maybe more. Troy began chanting a spell and Alistair began to explain what was happening, about Troy's plans to tear them apart and take over the coven for his own gain. How he planned to marry her and erase her memory so his stature remained unchallenged. Victoria began to recognise the spell Troy was chanting, and her eyes widened with fear. He was changing her into something, she looked down at her hands, they were decaying and her skin began to darken because of it. She looked over to her mirror and she saw two large wings protrude from her back and her hair oily and knotted. She gasped in disgust and looked over to Alistair, who began to explain.