Prince Darrius

Chapter 44

The first thing I do is try to find Isobel, who I know clearly didn’t like being here with Maximus. She would do perfectly in helping me out with my rebellious plan. When I go to Maximus’ room however, I find her locked inside so I decide to find Claudia to help me let Isobel out because I didn’t have a key.

It’s as I’m walking towards Claudia and Johnathan’s room that I’m halted directly in my tracks when a door suddenly slams open and a vampire, lips dripping with blood, shoves a limp small blonde human girl out of his room.

“Bloody useless,” The vampire sneers, meeting my eyes. I glare straight back.

“What the hell?” I ask, leaning forward to help the blonde girl to her feet. She is really pretty but looks extremely pale and has fresh bite marks on her neck, plus her white dress is bloodied from excess blood dripping down from the old wound on her neck.

“It’s all thanks to you we have less humans to supply us with,” The vampire snaps back at me, “I refuse to drink anymore from used up food,” The vampire looks on in disgust as I help support the girl, who is barely conscious and swaying on her feet.

I watch on in shock as the vampire slams the door, laughing back to some of his friends inside about how pathetic the two ‘human slaves’ outside are.  

Now alone with the girl, she slaps my hand away from my elbow and staggers backwards.

“You need my help,” I say, watching her half closed eyelids suddenly snap open to reveal a gorgeous light blue, which compliments her long straight light blonde hair. In her eyes is a fiery passion that contrasts with her weak, starved body. Vampires had been so clearly harsh on this girl.  

“I don’t need any one’s help,” she says quietly back, turning and walking down the hall, her hand at her neck. I hesitate and then follow her, but she just glares at me, “Why are you following me?”

“You’re obviously a slave at this palace,” I say, “A slave to whom?”

“What’s it to you?” She asks, stopping in her tracks, “You know nothing of the life of humans here at this palace, you just arrived.” She looks annoyed and irritated.

“I can help you, tell me who owns you so I can ask Darrius to tell them that they aren’t taking proper care of you. Does that vampire own you?” I ask, really wanting to help her.

“No,” she says in disgust, “That scum is not my master,” she decides to lean against the wall, resting, knowing I won’t get off her back any time soon.

“Then who is? Please tell me, I can help you,” I say, worriedly scanning the hall, hoping no other vampire comes out and decides to drink more of her blood, she had given enough already.

“I…” She begins, not sure if she should go on, but she eventually does, “I used to be Xavier’s personal slave,” She finally admits, “The eldest brother of the three Princes, but he disappeared long ago. I wasn’t allowed to leave after he left, so now I have no one,” I can see the hurt in her eyes, the regret and anger at what had happened to her. Being left abandoned at this palace.

“Haven’t you heard?” I say slowly, “Xavier is back, he saved me, he is the reason I’m back at the palace.” Her eyes widen.

“What?” She asks, “He’s back?”

I nod.

She looks to the side, I see her fists clench and she shakes her head.

“I don’t believe it, that bastard,” She mutters, she looks back at me then, “I’m going to kill him!”

“That probably won’t go down too well with the King,” I say, “But I have a better idea, why don’t you help me?”

“Help you with what?” She asks, suspicious now, but her mind is clearly on other things, most likely the return of Xavier.

“I’m going to make a statement, prove a point to Darrius that we need more rights. We need to be respected,” I say the next part more quietly, “I’m going to sneak out into the city and help Darrius fight off the werewolf attack, I’ve got one other girl willing to help. Do you think you’re strong enough to come alone?” She suddenly smiles.

“I’d love to show these vampires that humans deserve respect,” She says, before looking down at her dress and frowning, “But I have to change first,” She looks back up to me, “Xavier especially deserves to be taught a lesson, he has it coming to him.” I grin, totally understanding. Xavier was the worst when it came to treating humans with respect.

“What is your name?” I ask.

“Caitlin,” She replies, “It’s nice to meet you, Jennifer, and I’d love to be a part of this plan of yours.”

“Well if you come meet me outside Darrius’ room in 10 mins, we can get further acquainted. I’ll bring Isobel along as well, she’s Maximus’… friend…” I don’t know what word to describe her as. I didn’t want to refer to her as a slave, since she had just met Maximus, despite him thinking she was his pet already.

“I’ll see you soon then,” Caitlin, now with some hope in her eyes, leans off the wall and starts to walk away.

I make my way over to Claudia’s room once more.

I had one more recruit for my plan.

Caitlin had obviously been hurt by Xavier in the past, when he left the palace for god knows what reason.

Humans had been degraded too long at this palace, and generally all around this city.

It was time we took a stand.