Primous Rising [Book 1 of The Unravelling series]

8. Celestiana

The answer was unmistakable as the north pole star. Prominent as the moon's face in the pitch darkness of a cloudless night.

Celest treaded to the sea of people. The guards had formed a semi-circle, facing the people rooted across from them. Her eyes landed on her fear's formation in reality.

Elliot, in his true form, captured by no one other than Lord Melckom.

Two heavily armed guards, on either side of the human boy, held him up by his arms. His feet didn't touch the ground. The vampires had all sorts of weaponry attached to themselves.

Celest wanted to laugh. They looked hideous, but a fact was indisputable; they feared her. The entire royal force standing there did.

As much as Melckom and other vampires despised her, it was impossible for them to shake off the bone-deep fear planted in them from their initial stages in life. Primouses were the gods on the surface of Earth. Not a soul dared to oppose them.

Melckom stood in the centre like he was the king of this empire. A smug smile twisted his pale features, showcasing his sharp fangs.

She entertained the notion of slapping that smirk off of his face. Not the time to consider it. I must be smart. Celest had to copy her friend. She didn't have the upper hand, but she had to pretend she did.

With a quick glance, she noted Nikolus' absence, leaving her torn between being relieved and frightened.

The commoners gawked. The base, buzzing with noise moments ago, had fallen into a hushed state. They dared not to move in fear of offending the Lord. It wasn't rare for a human to be killed on the spot if it moved an extra inch.

Melckom surveyed them. "Primous Celestiana Aine Anderson, I know you are among these people. I have seized your pet. If you do not surrender yourself, I'll kill everyone in this city until you're discovered. But if you go unnoticed, I will get rid of this filthy traitor too. Mortals, if you are aware who or where our Prince's betrothed is, bring her to me and the Crown shall reward you." He announced.

An eerie silence gripped them. Humans glanced around, considering the offer, checking the faces, hoping to identify an unfamiliar one. Celest kept herself hidden in the shadows.

A long minute passed. Lord Melckom scanned them and clapped his hands. His eyes turned red, his fangs grew, displaying the pure bloodlust monster he was. "Very well. Do not say we are unfair; I gave you a choice witch Primous. Guards, kill them all," he ordered.

The humans began shuffling; the guards drew their weapons, aiming at the innocent mortals.

Shock had frozen Celest. She couldn't believe he would raid an entire area just to find her.

"Stop!" A familiar voice shouted from afar, and a second later, Lord Pyriom appeared in front of Melckom.

For the past months, Celest had got to know and hate Pyriom. She never imagined a day she'd be happy to see him. If he was free, then Nikolus ought to be unharmed and safe too.