The Vampire Prince | Book One ✔ (Needs Editing)

Flame | Chapter 36

I waited hours for Julian to return, for him to drag me out of my cell and lead me to a stadium full of people to watch my execution - only, he hasn't returned.

I stood, gripping the bars of my cell tightly. I tried to listen for any activity, for any sign of someone coming to drag me away. But, fortunately there was nothing.

Everything was too quiet, almost like no one was in the building. It made me wonder what the hell was really happening.

"Anyone there?" I called out. I sighed and tried to pull the cell door open but helplessly failed.

At this rate the baby would starve to death, or both of us. I chewed my chapped lips and tried to reach the candle outside of the cell; it flickered in the dark of the room and nearly went out.

"Careful." I mumbled to myself. I slowly and steadily reached for it again, this time laying comfortably on my stomach and streatched my arms as far as they could possibly go.

My finger tips grazed the metal plate the candle sat on and I held my breath while slowly pulling it toward me.

This was my plan, sure enough someone — anyone would come for me. Once the candle stick was close enough I ripped off the bottom of my dress and held it above the flame.

The fabric quickly caught fire and I tossed it at a medium sized box across the room. I closed my eyes praying that the fire wouldn't go out from my toss.

"O-okay." I opened my eyes and gazed at the fabic beside the box, close enough for a small part of it to catch the flame. I stood as flames quickly engulfed the box, the fire burned bright and tall.

"Fire!" I shouted. I watched the flame, careful that it was controlled for the most part.

I waited minutes and still no sign of anyone —  not even a maid.

I groaned and covered my nose and mouth as smoke filled the dark room. I coughed slightly as the smell burned my lungs.

A scream filled my ears, followed by a thump above me. I rubbed my teary eyes and gazed through the flames and smoke hoping to see someone, to see Stark.

Blood curdling screams from servants sent chills down my spine as the only lingering sound was the sound of limp bodies hitting the floor above me.

"Hello?" I called.

"Are you okay?" Christian called down. I frowned and gripped the bars.

"Yes, Stark?" I asked.

"I'm going to get you out of here." He announced, his voice was filled with anger and pain.

Christian emerged from the smoke and unlocked my cell door. I glanced at him and noticed his blood stained clothes, skin and hair. I gawked for a moment before he grabbed my wrist and pushed me toward the stairs leading my to safety.

"You avoided my question." I stated as I hesitantly made my way up the stairs. My legs shook uncontrollably as the sight before me, burned into my memory.

Bodies were everywhere, skattered with fear in their lifeless expressions. Blood was splattered against the walls and floors with pools gathering under the bodies of the dead. I gulped and glanced over my shoulder, his expression was dark and dull.

"I know." He admitted before shoving me toward the front door.

"Wait, where is he?" I asked. He growled, scooped me into his arms and with sonic speed, took me away rromthe mansion. I stared over his shoulder as flames engulfed the building. Tears pooled in my eyes as I clutched Christian's shoulder — was Stark inside? Was he dead? Did Julian —

Christian slowed down and sat me in the grass. He glanced over his shoulder and sighed, his eyes were dull but his expression showed his pain.

"I'm sorry." I choked out. He met my teary gaze and nodded before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

"We better keep going. Julian will be looking for us, hopefully we'll make it to Max's hideout." He mumbled and scooped me back into his arms with a final glanze at the burning building before taking me away.

I watched the world around me crumble as it did many times before this. I rubbed my eyes and took a deep breath.

If Julian is still alive, does that mean that Stark is dead?

I squeezed my eyes and chewed the inside of my cheek, my heart ached as it raced against my ribcage. I couldn't lose him, I may not have known him long, or know much about him but I did know that I loved him. He was my first love.

A vampire is my first love, it was strange; to love a vampire when I despise them.

"We're almost there." Christian interrupted my thoughts. I nodded and scanned his blood stained face, his eyes glowed with something I've never seen before — hope.

I nodded to myself, he had hope that everything would be alright, that his brother would be alive and well.

"He'll be okay." I whispered. Christian's eyes widened as he met my gaze, I flashed a sad smile and squeezed his shoulder.

"We don't know that—" He began.

"I do," I interrupted, "He'll come find us, he made a promise; he told me he loved me. I won't let him just die. Even if it means I go and see Julian myself. He'll be okay."

He gave a firm nod and we came to a sudden stop. The werewolf cabin was in a blaze — flames consumed the cabin, the trees and the fences.

A part of me broke, it just chipped away along with my hope. My heart dropped at the scene that unfolded before me. Many of the werewolves were on the ground, consumed in flames.

Their skin was charred — burned to nearly a crisp. Tears stained my cheeks as I stared, my body was paralized.

"Max..." I whimpered scanning the area. Unrecognizable bodies were scattered and piled and others were tied to tree stumps. I cried out as I noticed a single figure standing behind the flames —

Julian.