Dark Secrets

Revealed

My heart was pounding in a most uncomfortable way. As much as I hated to admit it, I believe I was developing a bit of a crush on Lord Cian. I also enjoyed the nickname he had given me even though it was a bit of an insult. I sighed quietly. No more entertaining those thoughts. My lessons with him were over and I would only be at the palace three times a week again. Besides, there's no way the feelings were reciprocated.

"I'm going to go for a walk," I said when I got home and changed into a simpler dress.

"Are you okay?" my mother asked.

"Just a little... overwhelmed. I will be back soon."

"The sun has set," my mother said uncertainly.

I gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine, Mother."

"Okay," she said. "Be careful."

I left again, grabbing a new shawl my mother had made for me. I wrapped it around my shoulders as I walked. My orange hair kept flying around me but I didn't mind. My feet were taking me wherever they wanted to. I was outside the farmlands quickly. I continued on, though, not desiring to run into Chester yet. I knew he would be ready to give his verdict on Lord Cian. After he found out it was Lord Cian that had made the bruise, his opinion about him had darkened.

I went around the back only to have someone grab my shawl.

"Hey!" I said and turned to slap whoever it was.

The man grabbed my wrist before I could. I glared at him. He had pitch black eyes and long black hair. He leaned forward and inhaled deeply.

"Let me go!" I cried.

"You're the thrall," he said with a smirk. "Well, no wonder Cian wanted to keep you hidden. You smell divine."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I snapped. "Now let me go!"

I looked around but we were completely alone and no one was within hearing distance. I was a fool to go on my own! I should have brought Chester!

"Yes, you probably should have brought this... Chester," he smirked and I stopped struggling.

Did he read my mind?

"You're hurting me," I snapped finally.

It was true. The circulation in my right wrist was starting to be cut off. He pushed his body against mine.

"Get off of me!" I shouted.

"No markings," he was muttering, his free hand pushing my hair away from my neck. "How can you be a thrall without any markings?"

"Let me go!"

I tried to kick him with my knee but he easily caught it just as Cian had. He pushed me to the ground and pinned me down.

"I do not believe you are really his thrall," he snarled and I shook under him. I tried to get out but he just tightened his grip. "I believe you are there to spy. You humans; that's all you care about." He smirked and I saw... pointed teeth? He laughed. "It would seem Cian has not been honest with you." He stared at my neck, brushing his nose on it and I shuddered. "Now, just one bite and I will prove he does not deserve to be-"

Suddenly, his body was thrown off of me with a loud snarl. I scrambled to my feet to run but a young woman caught me.

"Let me go!" I screamed.

"It's okay," the woman said. "You're safe now.

"I said let me go!"

I pushed her and she let go out of shock. I tried running again but this time it was Queen Darcey who stopped me. She grabbed my upper arms. I heard fighting behind me.

"She speaks the truth, Viveka. You are safe now."

"What are you doing out here? And why was that man-"

I turned and gasped, stumbling back. The man and Cian were locked into a fight. Cian had pointed teeth, too. They were snarling and scratching at each other with long nails. Cian didn't have long nails, though....

Cian was under the man that had accosted me. I couldn't see what was happening but the man suddenly yelled in pain and I saw blood fly from the left of his face. Cian rolled over so he was on top of him.

"Cian!" I shouted but the queen stopped me from running over.

Then I saw something that almost made me faint. Cian lifted the man by the front of his shirt and sank his teeth into his neck. The man fought against Cian's grip but he wasn't strong enough. It didn't take long for the man to be overwhelmed and he hung limp in Cian's grasp. He stood, wiping the blood from his face, and kicked the other man's face.

"Take him to the palace," he said in a gruff voice to the girl who caught me.

"Did you kill him?" she whispered.

"No. I just took enough of his blood to make him weak."

"Okay," she said in a small voice and picked the man up with ease.

Cian was looking at me sadly. There was still blood on his chin. He started walking to me. I backed up as close to Queen Darcey as I could.

"D-Don't come near me," I said in a shaking voice and he stopped walking.

"Wait, Viveka," he said, "just calm down first."

"Please," the queen whispered. "Hear us out."

"Us?" I repeated in a high pitched voice. I pushed myself away from her. "You're a-a-a-a vampire, too?"

"Yes," she said quietly.

I looked around at them all, my chest heaving. This can't be true. Vampires are legends and things of nightmares. I tried to move but my legs were frozen and I was feeling lightheaded. My breath was coming in hitches and Cian and the queen were saying something to me. I couldn't hear them but it didn't matter.

I fainted.

-

"Make sure Chester and Jennifer are brought here," I heard King Nelo sigh. "Now that she knows, she's sure to tell them."

"How are we going to explain this to her?" the queen asked.

"We'll figure it out when she wakes up," the king answered. "I hear her stirring."

I opened my eyes and looked around. I was in a dark room on top of a blanket. Sitting beside me, running his hands through his hair, was Cian. I immediately tried to run from him.

"Slow down," King Nelo said, coming up behind me.

I screamed.

"Stay away from me," I breathed. "Just let me go. I-I won't tell anyone. I'll keep your secret. I swear. Please don't kill me!"

"We're not going to kill you," Queen Darcey said. She sighed. "But... things aren't going to be easy right now."

"What are you talking about? Where am I?"

"You're in my bedchambers," Cian said. "It's the safest place for you right now."

"No," I snapped at him, hatred returning. Had I really been developing feelings for this monster? "I'm safe with my mother and Chester!"

"They're being summoned as we speak," the king promised. "When they get here, we will explain everything."

"There's nothing to explain!" I snapped. "You were using me!"

"No," the queen said quickly. "No, Viveka we weren't. I swear to you."

"I come to give Lord Cian a test and a few hours later I'm attacked!" I screamed. I gasped and turned to Cian. He was watching me warily. "You wanted him to kill me, didn't you? I had gotten on your nerves so you had one of your... your... your monsters hunt me down!"

Cian looked sickened. "I would never do such a horrible thing!" he shouted. "Just lay back and wait for your mother and Chester to get here!"

I glared around at them all. I wanted to run but I knew that I wouldn't even make it to the door. I crossed my arms but refused to lie back down. Cian was glaring at me but I didn't care. All I cared about was that I was surrounded by vampires.