The Vampire Queen

Chapter 6

Moving On

Mira awakens sweaty. Her room is still dark. She walks through the hall to the kitchen. She opens the fridge and pours some blood into a glass.
"Can't sleep?" A familiar voice asks behind her. James is leaning against the door frame, "I know you're half vampire. But what else are you?"
"I guess you'll have to find out," she walks to the training room.
"Is there a reason why you have conditioned yourself like this?" He follows her.
"Yes there is, however I have no intentions on sharing it with anyone," she turns the light on, "why aren't you sleeping?"
"I have a hard time falling asleep," he admits. She shows a small amount of emotion by smirking. James looks shocked.
"Don't make fun of me," he gives her an icy glare.
"Since you followed me here, you're stuck with working out." She instructs with a poker face.
The two barely do anything because of their talking.

She is serious the whole time they talk and workout. The sun starts to rise from the view of the window. Suddenly Mira avoids his eyes, as if she's listening to something. She clutches her head with both hands, she's on the ground. James doesn't know what to do, he stares down at her in utter shock.
"Mira," he half jumps when she looks at him with glowing golden eyes. One moment she's there looking back at him with a frown, the next she's out the door. James follows her. He finds Mira in the entry room, she's straddling a man with her hand around his throat. Her other hand has claws instead of nails, the man is smirking back at her. James recognizes him as a Duke.
"I killed you," Mira says through clenched teeth.
"Well you got pretty close," he brings out his right arm to show his wrist. It's black like it was burned but never healed, "you gave me some nasty bite. That reminds me. How is your soulmate?" She growls and tightens her grip on his throat.
"I was forced to leave him, no thanks to you." She says through a loud growl.
"You were forced, or you left. Which one Meredith?" He smirks.
"I swear, I'll kill you if you don't shut up." Mira's claws go into the man's bicep. He grins evilly at her.
"You can't kill me, dear. I'm the one that made you half vampire." She pushes down on his throat harder.
"Your vampire compulsion won't work on me," she growls. James notices his brother Sam is watching as well.
"What is the meaning of this?" Their mother asks as she takes in the scene. The brothers move into action. They each grab one of Mira's arms each. Surprisingly she doesn't struggle, only gives the Duke a death stare. He stands up, brushes off his suit, and gives Mira a smirk.
"Meredith  and I were only greeting each other. No need to fret," the man walks over to James' mother. Mira pulls her arms from the Princes' grasps, then she walks in the direction of her room.

Mira walks up to her room in silence, Samuel follows a good distance behind. Once she's about to open her door she speaks.
"What do you want?" Her angelic voice fills his ears.
"I was wondering if you would like to meet me somewhere later," he asks her exactly like he practiced.
"Sam, before I answer let me ask you something," she says softly. He nods, "how old are you?" He looks at her like she has three heads.
"Twenty two," Sam replies.
"I'm older than you by ten years. I'm pretty sure no one would approve of it anyway. I'll have to decline, I apologize." She walks into her room. Sam stares at her door for a few minutes before walking back to his room. The rest of the day goes by slowly for the young prince.

There is a ball that night for the vampire kingdom. Many people show up that night.
Mira doesn't leave her room. Only when dinner comes around, does she leave. Everyone sits in their seats, Mira isn't there. The servants place plates out for everyone, that is when Mira walks in. She's wearing a black dress that trails behind her in a train, the sleeves are long, and her silver whip is coiled around her arm. Her blonde hair is down in beach curls, the strands reach her waist, her makeup is at a minimum of eyeliner and mascara. Eyes other than Samuel's make a double take. Mira sits in the empty seat next to James. Her eyes flash to the Duke then dart elsewhere.

Meredith swirls the scarlet liquid in her wine glass. She couldn't stand all the stares from others. The room is loud with conversation.
"Where were you all day?" James leans over.
"I was settling my rage. I don't think your parents would approve of my fit if I hadn't stayed in there." She half jokes. James cracks a small smile, Mira notices he's a little more cheerful.
"Why are you so happy?" She asks.
"I can't have fun at parties?" He replies.
"Answering a question with a question, something's wrong." The sides of her mouth twitch for a moment. The room empties out into the large throne room. Tables are set up around the room at the walls. The rest of the room is empty with the exception of the mingling bodies of vampires.
"Would you like to dance?" James puts his arm out for Mira. She takes it and follows him to the floor. Slow music plays, vampires clear from the floor to surround the couple. More couples join in. Mira watches for the man that Turned her as well as other dangers.
"You look beautiful tonight, everyone can see that." James leans close to her ear while whispering this.
"Shut your mouth I need to focus," she hisses.
"Have fun," the prince twirls her.
"Stop," she demands.
"You're being too serious about a party like this." James says.
"Look, it is my responsibility to keep you alive. If I don't do that then none of us have a good future," she considers Samuel as king. Then feels that if it ever happened the vampire race would be doomed. They are silent until someone taps on James' shoulder.
"May I have a dance with her?" The man that Turned Mira asks politely. James gives her an apologetic look before walking over to his siblings.
"It has been a while Meredith. How have you been treating yourself?" He asks.
"None of your business," she says through clenched teeth.
"Don't lose your temper at such a nice party in my honor," he smirks.
"Burn in Hell," she turns and goes in the same direction as James. The prince is talking with his siblings. Mira isn't too far when she bumps into someone. She apologizes then takes one step before being stopped by her name.
"Meredith?" The voice is familiar and one Mira hoped she would never hear again.
"You must have the wrong person," she walks over to the three siblings. Meredith knows the man she bumped into is watching her. It takes ten minutes before she becomes agitated with his staring.
"Mira, are you alright?" Rebecca asks. Instead of answering Mira walks over to the man, the lion that was supposed to be her soulmate. He smirks when she approaches him.
"I knew you were going to come over. Meredith," he says her name slowly.
"I left you, which means I haven't changed my mind. Find some other girl, because I'm not interested," she turns to walk away but he wraps his arm around her waist.
"You're not going anywhere, I will be king of the were-people and you will obey me." He growls.
"I don't obey anyone," she grabs his hand and jerks it so it snaps. Mira speed walks back to the group.
"Who was that?" Samuel asks.
"My mate, or he was that," she thinks for a moment, "he isn't a vampire and he isn't welcome. Which means something else is going on."