Scarlet Desires: Last High Blood

Ch. 20: Inner Conflict

 EDITED

"Do you need some help there, miss?" 

   The werewolf broke the eye contact and turned around to see whoever spoke earlier. A light hearted chuckle came from the stranger, followed by several thuds and hacking sounds. I cringed at the horrifying noises but after learning my lesson, I didn't peek anymore.

   Liliane and I both drew breath in sharply when the cupboard's doors flung open. A middle aged looking man gave us a crooked smile as he stepped aside and told us that it's safe now. Bile rose in my throat once we both stepped out and barely avoided stepping on the meat pile. Guts were spilled; mixed with the pool of blood. But that wasn't the worst part - I could hardly make out the body parts. Everything looked like they had been thrown into a blender.

   A light tap on my shoulder made me jump. 

   "Come on, don't you want to see your friends?" Our savior drawled, his bloodshot eyes studied me.

   There was something mysterious and ominous about this stranger. Yet, I couldn't place my finger on what it was. Avoiding his scrutiny stare, I quickly joined Liliane and walked through the door. My golden eyes enlarged with surprise at the sight of the bloody hallway. The once pastel blue wallpaper had scratch marks and blood. It was made pretty clear that a huge fight happened here; between this man and the werewolves.

   A vampire versus more than ten werewolves? I should be on my guard whenever he's near... I decided, chewing my inner cheek. He gestured towards the kitchen and without any delay, I barged in. The two maids cowered in the corner with several dead corpses around them. The fact that they had put up a fight made me slightly relieved.

   "Are you okay?" I hurried to their side.

   Margaret raised her head and tried to smile but it looked more like a grimace instead. "We're fine but... we could be better."

   "Those ghouls need a new master, miss," he said, lighting his Cuban cigar. "Looks like King Marcus didn't take a good care of them." 

   Annoyance swept across my face as I bit back a rude reply. Then realization dawned on me. If he knew King Marcus, he must be Mr. Edwards. Lincoln's warnings stuck in my head like a broken record. 

   "We don't need a new master..." Margaret gave a feeble protest, holding an unconscious Gwen. "We will be fine."

   He didn't even blink before walking out from the place. Liliane and I quickly helped them up and trailed behind him. Strands of graying hair poked out from his casually styled hair. We came to the house owner's bedroom. The homely features turned into a horrifying place with dead corpses on the floor. A pang of guilt hit my chest when my gaze fell on the newlyweds. 

   "Don't worry, missy..." Mr. Edwards trailed off, stepping on their dead bodies. "They're dead now - at least they have heaven to go to. Unlike us, we're damned."

   My lips parted to voice my opinion on his view of life but several familiar groans caught my attention. I heard someone collapsing and revealed the well-hidden twins. 

   "Desmond!" I screamed, running to his bleeding figure.

   The female twin shook her head slowly while holding on to Lincoln's right arm. A pool of blood rapidly increased around us as I repeated the elf's name over and over again. Much to my dismay, Desmond never responded to my calls.

   A hand placed itself on my shoulder and gave me a small squeeze. "If you want, we can deal with this while you wait at outside."

  I lowered my head in silence. With slow, hesitant movements, I placed my hand on Margaret's before walking out from the bloody bedroom.