IntoThe Dark

Chapter Twelve

The vampire with the knotted nose was tying Brooke to a pole near the castle entrance. “Don’t you try to tie him anywhere. He’s free to go wherever he wants!” I yelled at him. Where was this rage coming from? Where was the petrified part of me?

The vampires then looked at me, amusement evident in their eyes. The vampire who was tying Brooke shrugged, and let the rope loose, and then untied it from Brooke’s neck.

Did a vampire just act on my orders?

It was getting odd. Before finding out what was wrong with everyone around me, I had to find Laura and kill her. This was her world—I grimaced at the thought—she belonged there and there was a good chance I could find her.

I just needed to find a sword before I find her, or I’d die.

As I stood there, thinking, stroking Brooke’s dirty-white, silky mane, the vampire who sniffed me earlier stepped forward and spoke in a stern voice. “Sorry to interrupt you, but I think you could do the stroking later, ma’am, if you please. Can you do us the honor of letting us escort you inside?”

What was that supposed to be?

Oh. Right. They wanted me for dinner.

I slightly nodded, letting go of Brooke; I was dazed, and still didn’t recover from the shock.

The vampires opened the gates—thankfully, there were no vampire guards— and led me into the castle, and I followed obediently.

I saw a couple of vampires come out of the castle, clad in armours and each clutching a sword in one hand and a shield in another. “Can you believe how much the sun rays penetrate, even when we have this heavy armour as protection?” the tall vampire was asking the other.

“Yeah. It irritates me a bit sometimes. We should get used to the sun,” the other was saying as they stepped out of the gate.

I planted my feet on the ground, feigning worry. “What happened ma’am?” the knotted nose vampire asked me. “Does Brooke have to go inside?” I asked, feigning worry again. Everything was turning out in my favour for god knows why. I thought I’d play along as well, and play smart.

“Yes, he can if you wish so,” he tried to reassure me. “Now please—”

“I don’t want him to be in a castle of vampires.” Brooke let out a whine as I said this.

“That’s your wish, ma’am. We didn’t bring him here.” He seemed to be trying very hard not to sound impatient. I stifled my giggle and changed it into a cough. Why did I always end up coughing whenever I was in the entrance of a castle?

I then spun around to face Brooke. I went closer and whispered in his ears. “We have to be smart. Now could you please follow those vampires clad in armours? They’re heading to Scinta. Follow them noiselessly and please remember the route and observe how they get out of this place—and whether it needs magic or not to get out. Don’t let any suspicion come on your way, please? And oh, make sure you come back and stay very close to the castle. I might need you anytime.” And then my voice became normal. “No whining. You’re the best unicorn aren’t you? Now you’ll do what you’re told, won’t you?” I said, glancing once at the vampires’ direction to make sure I haven’t made them suspicious. Brooke nodded, but still whined, keeping up my pretence.

“Now go,” I said pointing to the gate after hugging him tight. He went away, whining. I sighed.

Mission 1 completed.

Mission 2 was to get out of the castle alive.

I then went into the castle. It was brightly lit with all sorts of lamps hanging from almost everywhere. I never expected that kind of royal look in a vampire castle, but there I stood, gaping at the most beautiful room I’d seen ever. The huge front hall was carpeted in thick red—out of bloodlust, I assumed—and the walls were decorated with all sorts of ribbons and other humanish stuff.

“Your highness,” the knotted vampire suddenly bowed and the other one followed suit; I saw that another vampire was standing in front of us, wearing clothes that looked really expensive and very old-fashioned. I wondered how this old-fashioned king would want this kind of decoration for his castle.

“I see you’ve brought us supper,” the king said matter-of-factly.

Oh yeah, I sort of figured that out earlier, I scoffed internally. I was thinking really hard ever since they began taking my orders, but I couldn't find out the reason behind why they were being polite to me; nor did I come up with any plan. I just knew this much--I shouldn’t die--not without dragging Laura and Cruz along with me.

“We’re so sorry for giving you the wrong impression, your majesty,” the shorter one apologized sincerely as he bowed again. I’d never thought vampires could act in such a strange manner. “She’s the one.”

“Oh. I see.” His face softened. “Welcome to Drakelov, my dear. How d’ya like it?” he asked me, grinning.

I was totally lost. I was not expecting this at all; especially not from the king. I’m his enemy aren’t I? Killing me was what a sane vampire king would’ve done. “Uhm… to be frank, I don’t have a passion to be near vampires, but this castle really looks good,” I replied honestly, wondering where that guts came from.

“Oh. I’m so sorry Miss Ritika, but I’ll try to make it more convenient for you.” He winked.

“Thank you.” I grinned.

“And I must say, you really are very beautiful. No wonder…” he trailed off.

What did that mean? They were being nice to me because of my looks? Why doesn’t he spill it out?

“Um... thanks?” I said, confused.

Either they were going insane, or I was.

“Now take her upstairs immediately,” the king ordered them. “You shouldn’t keep him waiting. He’s anxious.”

He?

They bowed to the king and towed me towards the other side.

“This way ma’am,” the shorter vampire guided.

We walked through the front hall, and then took the stairs that spiralled upward in the left side of the huge room. The railings of the stairs were covered fully in velvet, and little stars hung here and there. I felt dizzy as it spiralled on and on, and felt it would never end. Eventually, after a few more sets of stairs, we came to the floor that they were taking me to. The vampires then led me through a hallway, and came to a halt at the threshold of a room.