Game of the Vampires

Chapter 29:

    

     "You're lagging again!" Col called from somewhere far behind me.

     The next thing I knew, strong arms were around me, and I was knocked off of my feet. I let out a tired moan, realizing that Col had caught up to me.

     "But you were just-" I groaned, cutting myself off as I ran my fingers through the sweaty, tangled strands of my hair.

     "That's how easy a vampire could catch you. You lag and slow down because you're still using all your energy when you begin instead of conserving it to the end."

     I peeked up at him when he was silent.

     "Five more laps through the outer woods," he ordered before turning to walk off.

     I growled in response. Why am I even doing this? It's been one month of this, and I still haven't even learned to fight yet!

     I moved to my feet and began to jog towards the woods. It wasn't long before I was running once more. My joints were sore from a months worth of exercising without mercy. I kept trying to conserve my energy until the end, but it's kind of hard to do when you're trying to rush five miserable laps.

     In this part of the woods, there was hardly a single spec of sunlight that could make its way through the treetops. So, as you could imagine, the woods almost seemed darkened.

     I couldn't help but laugh humorously. "Wouldn't it be ironic if I was devoured by a creature while trying to train for defending myself," I muttered to myself.

     These words had just escaped my lips when out of nowhere something collided into me, knocking me hard to the ground.

     Before I could even glance up to see who my attacker was, I felt something sharp at my throat.

     My eyes flicked up to see a girl with long-wavy, black hair that framed a tanned, heart-shaped face. Her eyes golden brown eyes narrowed on me as she scowled at me.

     "Why are you out here?" She growled.

     "What's it to you?" I shot back.

     That one comment made her press the blade closer to my throat, causing it to press down on the base of my neck.

     "Listen here-"

     "What do ya think you're doin'?!" a man called, interrupting whatever threat the girl was about to spit at me.

     The man jogged over to the girl as she hesitantly removed her knife from my throat and stood. The man watched as she stalked off before looking down at me.

     "You alright there, luv?" he asked in a heavy accent as he held out a hand to me.

     I nodded, taking his hand. "Thanks."

     When I stood, the man's eyes roamed over me. He had bright red hair and green eyes. He was only a couple of inches taller than me, but he was still handsome in a cute way.

     "I'm sorry about her. She's just... suspicious, I guess you could say." He chuckled.

     I smiled.

     "I'm Blake," he said. "And she's Valerie."

     "I'm Airlia."

     Blake smiled for a moment, but it instantly faded. "You're human. A slave?"

     I froze and watched him. I didn't answer his question. I just kept my eyes on his movements.

     Blake's eyes widened. "You are. Oh wow," he murmured, running his hand through his hair. "What was Col thinking?"