Shadow Princess

Chapter Nine: Plan B

Callista watches as Julius and Jacob converse a few feet away from her. His grey eyes glance at her as if he could feel her watching. His lips bunches up to one side in a smirk and Callista feels an inkling of hatred towards him. Jacob hold an empty canteen, that was filled with a dark liquid. She had watched as he had tossed his head back to drink it, knowing right then she didn't want to know his true nature. But Callista watched them interact, as they walk around little camp they made for the day. She observes how they walk with an inhuman grace, something she never saw in any human. The trees around her sways with wind, and she could hear bird singing in the trees all around her as she studies the males before her.

She remembers the words Jacob had uttered to her; how they were not human. She could guess what they were, just by facts stated in myth and legends. Vampires. The fear of the fact those creatures of myths and legends are real, frightens her to the core. Callista eyes them as they draw closer, deep in conversation about their plans moving forward.

"How far is Davis and Keiser?" Jacob asks.

Julius shrugs, his face giving no emotion away. His dark short cropped hair is ruffled from the warm breeze that passes over them. "I don't know. We haven't made it to Black Ley Forest. After that, we will be an hour ride from them," he replies.

Callista listens, but keeps her questions to herself. She's worried they will quit talking if she interrupts. As if hearing her thoughts, Jacob meets eyes with her. He presses his lips in a thin line, whiting the edges. Julius sees the expression and looks over at her again.

"She can listen. I doubt my father will let her go in a good amount of time for her to remember anything." Julius mutters.

"Why me?" she breathes out in a rush. Jacob looked at her with pity, but another emotion fills his green eyes. At least, something human lives inside him.

"Our king ordered us to find you. You were taken from him a while ago." Julius states. Callista's eyes narrow. She crosses her arms over her chest, staring at the ground as many questions crowd her mind, but she can only think about one thing.

"Then who are my parents?" she snaps, her tone deep with disbelief.

The cruel handsome male smirks, which enhanced the brutal beauty of him. His grey eyes sparks with mystery and anger, like a thunderstorm. "Tamara and Lukas were scavenger humans who wandered our woods. They became awed by the beauty and wealth of our kind. So, they stayed and become blood slaves," Julius spoke, his deep voices resonate through her, each word cutting deeper than the last. "So, Callista, your last name isn't Malik."

Her eyes widen, but something in her heart knew he was telling the truth. The way she never looked like either of her parents, but also the deep-seated feeling of being out of place, like she didn't belong. "Then who do I belong to?" she asks.

Jacob glances at Julius, doubt written all over his face. Neither of them looked inclined to answer. The blonde male rolls his eyes, looking back at her. "We just know your last name is actually Shawcross," Jacob responds, his eyes resting on the other male.

Julius's jaw twitched and his eyes darken. He looks away from them, crossing his arms over his chest Callista couldn't help but capture how attractive he was. His strong jaw line, the fullness of his lips. He is a true vampire.

"Since the sun is almost set, we leave now. We wasted two days and my father is expecting us. So is the other two," Julius declares, his grey eyes pinpointed to the south.

The words shocked Callista. She remembers the myths and legends about vampires, how they can't walk in sunlight. The thought these two men are mythological creatures and they are taking her to a whole kingdom filled with them frightens her. She stood there, absorbing everything in quiet shock. Callista knew the moment she shows any emotion containing fear would allow Julius to devour her. So, she calms down her heart beat and her breathing. As if sensing her thoughts, Jacob and her connect eyes. His held a whirl storm of emotions and Callista couldn't decipher them.