#29: Trouble in the Arena

Amber's P.O.V****

As soon as Luan just said that I was their leverage to get back their spies, somehow what I felt was not anger or anything depressive but happy that my value is a few spies' lives. I was expecting to be burnt alive or something, but the treatment I got here was way better than the stories of werewolves told by the spies of Runes.

I packed blood, Because no matter what, me going hungry might just lead to a situation where I would have to drink Luan's blood, which I don't want to do again. (Though it is really delicious).

I kept a few things I might require and turns out all my things would fit in a small bag.

I packed it all and went on to have dinner, earlier than the rest though. I figured it would be better to not meet the eyes of the Queen or the General, its clear they both hate me. Luan does too, but he bears with it to get his things done. The King is too friendly on the other hand. Though this is their family, I find it more welcoming and caring than home.

It is not like I don't miss my spar-partners or Daisy but its just that the empty spot of a family can't be filled by the presence of friends.

Luan must be blessed to be with this kind of family, a family that cares and worries. Not the type that tries to kill you once you turn your back. I sat down and had my stomach full as fast as I could. I went over to the room assigned to me. A simple yet calm room, not lined completely with silver except for the edges of walls. But unlike before, Silver didn't hurt me. Not even a teeny tiny bit.

It was strange, It shouldn't be like this, Even though I am not a royal anymore, I am a pure blood vampire, in the main line of Vampires, I should still feel slightly hurt by silver, not immune to it. Something is wrong, I can feel it. Its like the blood in my body suddenly turned warmer by a few degrees. If I make contact with Daisy I will get my magic checked up...

I made many more mental notes regarding to what I must do in case any kind of dangerous situation occurs, even making notes on how I might be useful to the Oberons, just in case Luan decides to make the travel party lighter.

But I was stuck with only two slightly good reasons, one being complete weakness and strengths of Vampires, and the other, being that I was very good in physical combats unlike the usual kind of Vampires? Great I might actually die before I might meet Daisy again.

I turned around on the bed, Though I decided to sleep early, I couldn't I just started pacing around the small room, panicking slightly, and deciding whether I should give up on my life or not? I questioned myself, Did I have anyone in this world that might regret leaving, and to my surprise, I got both the faces of Luan and Leo. Crazy. I expected to Leo, but not Luan.

I figured as I was seduced by Atlas, alias Luan in my human weak form, I might still have the flashes. And one memory led to another, I realized I had kissed Luan. I blushed a bit, I admit. Me, The Princess of Vampires kissing the Duke of Werewolves feels like those forbidden romance books the maids always talk about.

But the memories changed to that of Leo, I really missed him, maybe not as a love interest or even as a betrothed person, but as a friend. I decided I would consider Leo as my friend. I kept staring at the moon, as I mumbled in my mouth, "I miss you, Leo."

Unlike how I expected to be answered by silence, I was answered by a slightly eerie and rough voice, "Do you?"

I turned to see it was General Selena looking quite angry,

"Um, I am sorry General.", I apologized immediately

"Why sorry? for trying to seduce My Luan?", She asked her eyes glaring sharp daggers.

"I am sorry? It must be a misunderstanding, I was a human.. and...", I tried explaining, how did she know? Can werewolves, read minds?

"What? Just say that you want to fight me.", She said eerily quiet and caught me by my collar.

"General Selena, I understand that you like the duke Luan, but please rest assured, for all that happened between us was just a kiss, a possible requirement for me to turn back into a vampire. I don't share any sort of romantic feeling or attachment towards him.", I said.

"Just a kiss? what do you know? For even I can see how he has claimed you, subtle yet clear. You Liar!", She screamed at me babbling nonsense, but I felt killing intent as strong as a mountain.

I was about to just let it go if she left me, but no, I kinda felt letting go of my control would be better and So that's what I did. I took out a small dagger, and she giggled,

"A dagger against my spear? Have they taught you princesses nothing about weapons?", She said and laughed.

"A match it is, Let's go to the arena, Or we might actually limit you access to your spear.", I replied.

"What?", She asked. I figured her anger clouded her senses, especially common sense. So I broke it down to her, in simple words.

"This room, small, your spear range, long, my dagger small, easy wielding. Get it? I have an advantage, General.", I said.

"Come", She said and we went towards the arena jumping from this window to another, since it was almost night, there was no one at the arena, except us and the few guards outside, who hadn't noticed us coming.

"Begin", She said as she got into a position and stayed calm and collected. As though waiting to attack just like Lions, which led me to think that she was trained by the werecats.

"Yes, I will, but first the ground rules, whoever wins gets to do what they like.", I said.

"Deal.", She replied.

"Good then, Here I come.", I said and went on ahead with just a single danger, her long spear moved faster than I could see and came right at my throat. Instinctively I dodged. I couldn't penetrate her safe zone.

With the spear that she wielded, I could calculate a safe radius around here, I did manage to almost get in a few times, but it was almost immediately blocked, indicating she had been given the exact same practice, giving my first hypothesis more and more accuracy.

She was taught by werecats, to be more precise the lion tribe. I calmed down, The best way to defeat a lion is to be a lion, or a slithering snake. I can't be her equal not now, not ever, But the best I can do is be a snake, predictable at first and then dangerous.

I fought hard, and even acted like I lost my breath and slowed my speed gradually which would have gone by unnoticed by a normal spectator, but a battle master like this general would surely notice, and since her mind is clouded by anger she will surely think it is the depletion of my energy rather than a potential plan or trap.

And so she fell in the trap, I acted as though I was very weak and took a lot of hits. I even started bleeding. which just reminded me to end the fight as quickly as possible and then have blood. I tried and acted like I was giving my last strike, and like I expected she fell for that and I could get myself to her neck in an amazing level of speed.

before she could blink, I was already at her throat. Our clashing might have alerted the guards for we could hear the footsteps approaching. She calmed down, and I thought she would have shouted at me for a rematch, but what came out of her was, tears running down her cheek.

"I loved him, I always did...", She sobbed.

"I know.", I said. I don't even remember what I said clearly, for I was totally weak with my blood flowing out of my body at a high rate.

"You win.", She sniffed, and took off her armor, revealing a slash near her neck, probably caused by me.

"Yeah.. I guess.", I was growing dizzier and the blood of hers tempted me more and more.

"Who is making trouble in the Arena?", A familiar voice stormed in but before I knew it, my hands were already over General Selena and pushing away her hair.

"Vam-Vampire?", General Selena asked, clearly confused.

"Shh..", I whispered, before my fangs dug deep into her neck, drinking her blood, We both fell on our knees, but I was too hungry to let go. She groaned a bit and winced with the pain but I soon got back my consciousness and stopped.

"Um.. Oh my God! I am so so so so sorry!", I begged for apologies, as General Selena began processing what had happened. I turned around and saw half the population of Soldiers had witnessed the whole thing, the one at the front was Luan... He was shocked in different ranges.

All of them were, after all, I, the most stupid vampire in the history, bit a Werewolf General in front of her entire battalion (probably) . Yup, I am super stupid.