Red Rebirth [COMPLETED]

C h a p t e r 9

The death of Faith hit the manor quite hard. Elise believed it wasn't because the girl was liked or known but more that this was bad image for the vampires. Elise didn't know whether to be angry that these creatures had killed one of her own or happy that she'd finally got a lead for her story. Despite that she felt deeply sorry for Faith. She did not know her, didnt even know she existed much to Elise's fault for not trying harder to make friends past Linette.

Elise had heard a commotion in the hall way just further down from the infirmary where she laid no longer a bruised canvas. Her bones ached but she pushed through it and limped over to the crowd.

She parted the bodies and came to stand in front of faith who laid a bleeding mess. Her neck laid shredded at the side. Who ever fed from her had far less elegance than the vampires showed at breakfast with their pets. This one was no mistake. Elise had the feeling that faith was there to make a point but what the point was, she couldn't figure it out. General Hague, Alexander and Derek were doing their best to get the screaming women in control. The vampires however stood there with blank looks on their faces. Of course, they would have seen plenty of cruel deaths such as this in their long lives, Elise thought.

Hague came and stood in front of Elise, a grim look covered every corner of his face. He didnt have to say anything, Elise knew what he felt and what he was thinking. This was a catastrophe that would question the liability of the vampires. Elise had to push away the sorrowfully feeling that was beginning to creep in. This was what they were and faith's death was only one of the outcomes of their existence.

Elise face suddenly contorted to one of anger. "Can you see? This is what you do."

Hague raked his hand through his hair not even knowing what to say to red head. He wanted to deny her accusation but what could he say? The evidence was laying bloody and broken right in front of them.

Linette ran up to Elise and hugged her from the back whispering how she thought she didn't make it. She was followed by a whimpering Chasity who looked like a deer caught in headlights. Elise knew when she looked like that, there was nothing more to do to calm the woman down but to simply rub her back and whisper relaxing words into her ear until she remebered how to breath properly.

Elise questioned whether it was funny she wasn't a blubbering mess but decided she had to be strong for her friends and really get down to why she had come here in the first place.

She left Hague and took Linette up to her room. She hadn't wanted to leave Chasity but Derek was persistent in wanting his woman by his side after the unforgettable event. Looking past her dislike for the man, she knew he was right. Chasity was sorted now Linette needed her.

Elise had been wondering what Faith had been doing in those corridors before she was brought back to the confinements of the room by Linette who had stopped crying and was sitting on her bed looking quite mystified.

"What happened to you. You never came back and no one had mentioned anything about still being here." Linette trailed off

"I don't know. I remember seeing the generals face and then waking up in the infirmary hearing Faiths scream." Elise sighed pinching the bridge of her nose.

Linette laid back starring at the wall. "What do you think happened?"

Elise could only shrug. She didn't know and she had a feeling not even those bloody vampires knew. Who would kill a nobody, no offence. She cracked her knuckles feeling frustrated. In her plans, she wasn't really expecting such turn of events. Maybe she'd been sucked into the innocent faces like everyone else more than she had believed.

"Do you think they're going to stop the competition?" Linette gasped sitting back up so fast Elise wondered how she didnt get whiplash.

"They'd be stupid not to. We can't have each girl dropping like flies."

"Maybe it was a mistake..."

Elise let out an unlady like scoff at the absurdity of what her friend had said "a mistake. Did you see her neck? We can't even say the vamp drank more than he should have. Her neck had more than two small holes. Her head was practically disembodied!"

Linette couldn't argue with that. She couldn't even believe she had suggested it being a mistake.

The two girls looked up toward their door where soft knocks resounded. Selene stepped in giving the girls a once over before informing them that they were to be downstairs in 5 minutes and gather in the lounge. The King was going to give a speech in light of today's events.

Elise's heart thumped at the thought of finally seeing the man the girls were competing for but Linette was more excited. The red head could tell.

In the lounge Blaire glared at Elise, following her movements as she came and sat down just opposite of her. She caught Elise's gaze and held it. She wanted the girl to know of her dislike for her. She would have done more if Hague didn't call for everyone's attention.

"I know you all must still be feeling the aftermath of what was witnessed today. It is for that reason that King Vincent Ashcroft will present himself to you today and further discuss our next action to take on forward."

Murmurs surrounded the table. But Elise didn't care to decipher what was being said. Instead her focus was trained at the door. She wanted to look at the man who would let something like this happen on his own territory, right in the eye and show her sign her disapproval whether or not he cared for it. Yet when he stepped out, regretfully, Elise focused on everything else but her anger.

Vincent wasn't in the usually Kingly attire. He looked like a normal man in a well fitted suite that just about hugged the right places. And when she did meet his eye, she noticed his honey iris with its gold flecks. This man had an authority that overpowered Elise's sense and demanded control. It took Elise a lot of effort to not bow down to the man. She found the rest of them looking down away from his face in silent respect. Even Hague Cowered slightly at the mans dominance.

Vincent noticed Elise's refusal to acknowledge his position. He was caught between anger at the blatant disrespect or amused at the little females defiance. He almost found it cute. Almost.

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Finally! He is revealed!!