IntoThe Dark

Chapter Thirteen

The knotty nosed vampire came up to me and said “Stay here ma’am, please,” his eyes burning with sincerity. I nodded. They went inside.

“Ah, you’ve returned. I’d been so anxious, you know,” a male voice spoke as they entered. Have I heard this voice somewhere? “Did you bring her?”

“Yes, master.” I could see them bow even low than to the king for this man from behind. “She’s waiting outside the room.”

“Then what are you waiting for, you idiots?” the voice sounded very impatient. “Let her in at once,” he ordered.

“Sorry master,” the knotty nose seemed to mumble. “We’ll bring her in a minute.”

They hurried back to me and I was flanked by them in either side of me as they led me into the huge room hurriedly. The room was too big, and way too cool to be the room of any vampire. Then, on seeing the figure in the room, I froze.

“Master wishes to see you ma’am,” the shorter one explained to me with utter patience. “Please get in,” he said as he bowed to me. Whatever he’d spoken or done had barely registered in my thoughts. I was staring at the only person in the room, petrified.

“Aww… don’t be such a spoilsport sweetheart,” Cruz said, all lovey-dovey. That instantly reminded me of Laura doing the same for him when she was… normal.

“Ritika Mishra,” he said, looking meaningfully at me. “Please come in. I can’t bear to see you like that.” He sounded troubled.

Right. So he was having me for dinner.

The room had two thrones and a long mirror hung on the wall beside where I stood. I saw my own pallid reflection in the mirror as I gulped a lump that was forming in my throat. On the farther side of the left wall, hung a sword. Cruz was sitting on a comfy couch that was laid in the middle of the room, and staring at me with anxiousness.

Then, after he stared me for a while, he relaxed. His expression changed from anxiousness to awe. He stood up, his jaw hanging a little, as he took in my full posture. He eyed me from head to toe and took an involuntary step forward. “You look gorgeous today,” he said, honey dripping in his voice.

Why did I have to die a death like this?

I stood transfixed like the other day. He sighed. He came over to stand in front of me, and took my hand. He was taking me inside the room when I planted my feet in the middle of the room, not wanting to go any further. What was he doing there? This was not what I’d expected at all.

He then turned to face me. His pitch-black eyes bore into mine before I looked away. Then, he took my face in his hands as he looked deeper into my eyes. “Don’t cry, I’ll never ever harm you.”

His features, now that I looked, seemed more alluring than I’d thought. He looked dashing in the outfit he was wearing that day—he wore a navy-blue sleeveless shirt and black pants, and they went very well with his tan skin. He was wiping away the tears that were escaping my eyes.

My fingers trembled wildly—I was boiling with anger.

He leaned forward slowly, but I moved away from him, shoving off his hands from my face. I hated him for destroying five of my friends; I’d never ever forgive him for that.

“What are you two gaping at?” his voice suddenly became so stern I wasn’t even sure if he spoke them.

“Sorry master. We thought you needed us for help,” the knotty nose said apologetically.

“I don’t need anyone in my room when I’m with my girlfriend. D’you get that?” he said harshly.

Girlfriend?