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"Well?" I pressed on, running beside Erza, as she shot frantic looks over her shoulder, "Where are we going? What's going on?"
She huffed, her voice exasperated, "This is what my mother was talking about-" she ignored the look I gave her, as she wasn't there when Queen Belserion told us about the mysterious 'man', "He didn't even leave the werewolves."
"So, you're saying," I almost fell down a rabbit hole, narrowly avoiding it, "This happens every day, at the same time? That too, just a couple of meters away from the castle?"
"Yeah," she panted, "I used to- nevermind. It was their plan of capturing me, to use against Mom."
"Ah," I huffed, out of breath. I needed to work out more often, "H-How much- How much further?"
"It's just- Duck!"
I heaved, as she practically dislocated my shoulder, dragging me down. Tan eyes shot from above us, and I found myself standing on nothing.
As if on instinct, I curled myself on Erza, letting my arms cover her as well. Then, the drop stopped.
Jellal.
Man.
Stop being overdramatic.
"Um, Jellal?" Erza's soft voice roused me enough to open my eyes, "We- we escaped." her voice was unusually quiet, and panicked almost.
Blinking twice, my eyes adjusted to my surroundings. It was a small bunker, with a ladder leading up to a trapdoor, made entirely of metal. It was secured with bolts, and a faint thumping could be heard from up.
"Is-" I gulped, nervously stepping away from the ladder, "Is that them? The wolves?"
Erza sighed, "Yeah."
The bunker was circular in shape, with a small hearth providing heat. Small, blood-red plush chairs sprinkled the floor, and two beds were placed on one side.
I tore my eyes away, looking at Erza. She seemed to be shivering, her arms wrapped around herself in a state of venerability. I would've found it cute if I wasn't shaking equally as much, or more.
"I- I hope they go away, soon," she whispered, "This particular bunker. It doesn't have great memories."
She left it at that, her tone of voice not permitting any further questions on the topic. I found myself staring at her again; her beautiful eyes, radiating the warmth of the hearth, dressed in a simple cotton blouse, and cerulean skirt.
She smirked, "Done checking me out?"
I blushed, "I- I wasn't-!"
"It's best not to lie to a vampire's face," she stepped closer to me, "Your life's in her hands."
I gulped, suddenly incredibly neurotic by her presence; it wasn't the bad type of timidity, it was like something I had never felt before.
Then, it was over. Erza walked to the beds, sitting down on the furthermost one, her eyes on me yet unfocused.
"Go to sleep, Jellal." she sighed, laying down, "You'll have a busy day, tomorrow. It's your second day at our Kingdom, well... Your second day, besides the day you were in that cell."
I smiled, "Yeah."
Walking over to the other bed, and I registered how tired I was. The rush of adrenaline from our werewolf encounter long gone.
"Sweet dreams, Erza."
~~~
Brilliant shades of salmon and peach, woven amidst gold were on the walls of the bunker once I awoke.
"You're up." A stern voice called across, from the ladder. The trapdoor had been unbolted, light pouring into the room.
I stretched and walked over to the woman, who had her hair open today, "Yeah."
"Good." the corners of her mouth tilted up, before she froze, and turned away, climbing up the ladder, "I'm hoping your buns can manage a small ladder climb."
She's never going to let me live that down, huh?
"You bet!" I grinned, climbing up after her, only to realize that she wasn't alone. Lucy, and the silver-haired girl who had attacked me last night were also there. Lucy's eyes brightened upon seeing me.
"Jellal!"
"Lucy," I laughed, hugging her back when she jumped at me.
I didn't miss Erza's look of disapproval.
"Uhm-" Mira cut in, nervously hanging back near Erza, "I'm sorry about last night," she grinned slightly, showing off her fangs. Erza's were prettier. "I don't know what came over me. I- I can usually fight off Full-Moon Impulses, it's something we're taught when we're young."
"It's fine."
Lucy nodded, sticking closer to my side than usual, "Yeah!" her eyes darted over to Erza, almost narrowed furiously, and then flicked back as if it were nothing.
What in the world...?
"We should get you two, back." Mira said, "Erza has to go somewhere, today. Actually-" she gave Erza a look, "You're traveling today, right?"
I furrowed my eyes in confusion, "Yeah, I am."
Mira grinned in reply, "Great! I'll look after your pretty humans, then."
Oh, no.
Erza didn't seem particularly happy, either, but she agreed.
"Have fun on your travels, see you!" Mira shoved Erza off, then turned around to us.
