2 | Theron

THERON

A shrill cry pierced my ear drum, I huff rolling my eyes and reclined backwards resting my head on the headrest of couch.

"Oh Theron! What are you doing here?" Rebecca walked out of her room wiping the blood from across her lips.

There she goes again killing another maid or pet of hers. Rebecca is fierce, heartless, dangerously beautiful and very powerful vampire.

I clench my fist and close my eyes, "It's Damien... How many times should I tell you that Rebecca." I snap at her while my eyes turn red with vexation.

I don't like when people address me as Theron except her. Just the thought of Pearl is enough to wash out all the anger. It's been nine years since I have spoken to her or been with her but my love for her is still the same. Staying away from her is torture — an atrocious punishment which my parents have given me.

Only if they hadn't killed her parents brutally, I would've been with her now.

"I don't know why you don't like that name." Rebecca voice broke the trance of my thought. She plopped on couch next to me with her fingers running on my arms.

"Whatever. Now let's go, we are already late because of you." I clench my jaws and stood up.

I and Rebecca's marriage is fixed by our parents. Delurosa and Morwant's are the biggest vampire kingdoms. Morwant's agreed to make me the future king instead of their son only if I marry Rebecca and she rules next to me as Queen.

Rebecca is perfect for being a queen. She is ruthless, sharp and beautiful but sad that I'm enchanted to beauty like Pearl — A epitome of sweetness and innocence.

❃~~❃

PEARL

I glance back at the chaos happening in the Hall. My parents scream pierced my ear drum. My breathing came out ragged, my chest constricts with pain.

I know this is dream, I try opening my eyes but the more I try the more it was difficult to breathe. My surrounding starts to spin, black dots starts appearing in front of my eyes.

I'm dying...

Just then I felt a hand placed on mine giving it a light squeeze. A unknown comfort sweeped my heart placating me. All I could feel the warmth of the hand placed on top of mine. After few seconds my breathing started becoming even while my eyes ached to pry open just to see at the angel who soothed me. I felt a feathery kiss being placed on my forehead.

Unknowingly my lips curled up into a smile. It indeed was a very pleasant feeling. I've never perceived this kind of sensation before.

And just like that the warmth was gone. It escaped in the thin air. I jerked waking up from my sleep. Switching the lights on, I trail my eyes towards the clock which read 3.03 am.

I was muddled, I get this dream once in a month and just two days before I had this dream and above all for the first time I felt someone's touch. It was very serene.

I was unable to sleep that night. My mind couldn't erase the feeling of that touch. The amiable pleasure made my heart thump, I did want to feel that touch once more.

°°°

Early next morning, I and Eva escaped into the forest and headed towards the witches territory. Choking down fear, I climbed over the fence and jumped on the other side landing myself into witches territory.

I know this is fatal, we can also get killed for doing this but I was ready to take every chance which could help me avenge my parents death.

"We have head back before dawn. You do remember today is the auction day right?" My trance of thought was broken by Eva's voice as she stood straight sweeping her hand over her skirt removing dirt from it.

I hoist my head to look at the sky. The full moon had began to show from behind the large ancient tree with white dewy mist surrounding the moon.

On full moon, vampires enter our town to pick a pet for them. It's a treaty signed between humans and downwordlers. Unless and until it's full moon they won't harm or hold us captive. So on full moon they pick a pet for them from market place and leave.

The only predicament was that we have to cross the market to reach home and we should do it before dawn or else our fate will be in hands of blood thirsty vampires today.

We strolled towards the derelict warehouse which was surrounded by large banyan trees whose prop roots were almost touching the ground. I raise my hand and knock on the door. A eerie silence sweeped the entire area, all we could hear was rustling of leaves.

I and Eva were practically glued to each other. Our eyes rambled the surrounding which was turning gloomy.

The door creaked open, "What a lovely surprise. A hunter at my doorstep!" came a sharp voice from inside.

We stepped inside meticulously. I gulped the huge lump formed in my throat observing the surrounding. The place looked dead and direful. Old furniture sprawled randomly with spider web lacing on them.

"Ca- Caroline. I'm here to ask something." I mutter taking a step further inside.

"That I know little Pearl..." she trailed off with a maniacal laugh, her voice laced with atrocity.

"You tell me what do I get by giving you the information you need?" She asked walking down the stairs with her long nails trailing on the railing.

"Anything you want —" I blurt but Eva's hand giving me a light squeeze made me realise the meaning of my sentence. I cleared my throat and continued, "If it's in my hand I will give you what you want..."

Her laughs echoed through the almost empty hallway making me flinch.

"Now that smart cousin of yours saved you. You my dear Pearl —" She whispered pointing her index finger in my direction and moving around I and Eva.

My palms were sweating profusely. I had my nails pressed in my palm trying not to show how much I'm dreading.

Caroline is known for being merciless. One wrong move and she will give us a painful death.

"You are so naive. How much I will enjoy ruining this innocence of yours..." She said. I felt a shiver coursed down my spine while Eva gasped audibly.

"…But I don't want to face him cause I know he will come for you." She said staring at me while trailing her tongue on her upper lip.

I bat my eyelids in confusion, "Who will come?"

"The boy of your dreams — Your Theo!" she muttered smirking.

I clench my jaws feeling the rage building up just by listening his name.

"What – what do you know about him? Where do I find him…" My voice raised an octave. I wasn't scared of Caroline anymore. I wanted to know where and how will I find Theo.

Caroline peered at me acutely, "Now that hatred in your eyes makes me want to laugh at your fate." She moved towards the chair placed in the centre of Hall and rested on it.

"Please, tell me about him." I plead.

"I can't tell you anything about him. The spell which was casted on you — the one you see in your dreams can only be lifted by you. But since you came here seeking my help, I'll tell you something which you need to know. Today you'll be taking first step towards Theo. The dreams will bring you closer to Theo and unfortunately when you'll know him you will be heartbroken."

"Today I'll be taking first step towards him? Will he be at the market?" I ask

"No" She replied staring at Eva.

"He won't be here today but you'll definitely meet him soon." She slowly ambled towards us. Standing in front of us, she trailed her long nail across Eva's cheek and smiled at her, "Take care of yourself sweetheart…"

"And one more thing Pearl" Caroline said tilting her head and looking at me, "Rebecca isn't sweet. Don't play with fire just because you know you're untouchable doesn't mean she can't harm your loved ones – like this cousin of yours." With that she strolled upstairs leaving us baffled.

She flickered her finger making the main door burst open, "I've told you more than you should know. Leave now. "