A Love Returned

Chapter 16

Vlad's face was stricken with panic, "What have you done with my sister?!" Vlad shouted telepathically to Kala, but he also shouted it aloud.

Erin turned to Vlad, her expression a mixture of worry and confusion.

Kala replied instantly, "Nothing. Yet. She sits happily in an argentillium cage, sipping some blood."

"If she's alright, then why did you block our link? How did you get her when the sun's out?!"

"So many questions, Chosen One," Kala laughed, a psychotic, frightening laugh, "The argentillium takes care of your link. And I don't believe you've ventured into the dungeons. You may do so now, if you wish to visit your sister and I."

Vlad hissed and grabbed Erin's hand, he sped downstairs to the dungeon door.

It looked like a basement. But Vlad suspected it had once been used to house prisoners, or captured breathers. He also suspected he was walking straight into a trap, but what choice did he have?

"What's happening, Vlad?" Erin whispered as they stepped into the dungeon. A long, dark corridor loomed infront of them.

"He has Ingrid," Was Vladimir's simple reply.

"Oh..." Erin gripped his hand a little tighter and lowered their speeding pace as they got deeper into the corridor.

"We must be under the road now," Vlad managed to say.

He could her cars above them. No doubt the unlucky mortals who had survived and decided to try and escape. Their escape would surely fail. There was now too many vampires in the city.

Erin noticed the humming of vehicles disappear. She knew they were now beneath the building that Kala had inhabited.

"Welcome," Kala stood smirking at the end of the corridor. There was another door behind him. "Please come through."

Vlad didn't say anything, neither did Erin. They stopped speeding and walked through the door and up a flight of stairs.

When they got to the ground floor, Kala sat down on a red velvet couch and motioned them to sit beside him.

They unwillingly did so.

"Where's Ingrid?" Vlad asked sternly.

"All in good time," He clicked his fingers and a bottle of blood appeared in his hands. He uncorked it and held it out, "Care for refreshments?"

"I care for my sister," Vlad growled, "Where is she?"

"More for me then," Kala ignored the question and began drinking the blood.

Having no attention payed to her, Erin took the chance to survey the environment.

They were sitting in the living room, that much was obvious. Ground floor, the entry hall was to her left. Behind her was the basement door, infront of her a fireplace. And far on her right was the staircase, behind it three other doors which most likely lead to unimportant rooms.

"I am the Chosen One, you will tell me!" Vlad roared out the words, his deep voice echoed.

"Alright, alright, don't make a fuss. I'll take you to her. But I assure you, the girl is quite content," Kala stood up and brushed down his coat. The bottle of blood disappeared in thin air.

"This way."

They walked up the stairs Erin had identified, then took a left down a hallway. At the end was a metal door. No. Vlad knew it was a door made of argentillium. Only the outside door handle was made of wood.

Kala opened it, being careful only to touch the handle, "Do not shut the door or we will all be stuck in here," He walked in and Erin and Vlad followed, "Here she is."

Ingrid sat on a cushioned chair, sipping glass after glass of blood. Her expression was vacant.

"I know it's not much like the cage I mentioned, but it had to do. She's locked up in the lap of luxury, if you ask me," Kala said.

"Ingrid," Vlad walked over to his sister and held out his hand.

She didn't look at him, say anything, move, or give any sign of recognition.

Vlad stepped back, anger rising inside of him, "This isn't Ingrid. What have you done to her?!"

"Nothing. Nothing. She's fine."

"You call that fine?" Erin spoke up, "All she's doing is drinking blood, she like a clockwork doll."

"Erin..." Vlad didn't find her last remark very funny, "What did you do, Kala?"

"I. Did. Nothing. I promise on my unlife. She came willingly."

"She wouldn't do that." Vlad was certain, "You've done something. Is this about Katarina?"

Kala laughed, "So the Chosen One reads. She was old news. Not needed."

Vlad bared his fangs, "Just put my sister right!"

"No can do!" Kala began to say something else, but they were interrupted by a loud banging upstairs.