AN UNEXPECTED OFFER

Not one hundred lashing or a week in the dungeon but for me to come with him to the castle? I asked myself as I stared at the prince who was still waiting for me, expecting an answer from me. Well, I'd rather take the week in the dark smelly dungeon than leave with a freaking beast!

"No!" I informed him firmly, "I'm not going with you."

The prince smirked at that before folding his arms behind him staring at me with a look of arrogance on his face, bastard! "I think you got me confused thief, I wasn't asking you!"

"I know you weren't." I retorted, "But I'm telling you I am not leaving, I can't just leave my family!"

"What family? The ones that turned their backs on you just now?" Prince Corion asked staring back at the house.

Oh blessed Oracle, I hate him! Hate him! He must have known my thoughts because he offered me a smug smile. "It doesn't matter your royal assness, I'm not still going with you!" I threw at him with my own smug smile on my face when one of his companion smothered a laughter with a cough.

Prince Corion's jaw ticked in anger before he turned to look at me. "Let me make this clear for you, you half-witted simpleton_"

I know his royal pompous ass didn't just call me a half-witted simpleton! I thought to myself feeling my anger grow within me.

The prince seemed to be oblivious to it or maybe he decided to pay me no heed at all. Instead, he continued talking. "You will come with me to the castle and work for me as a servant or your entire family will be killed!" He threatened me, "And I'll implore you to make the right decision because I am not bluffing this time. I'll kill them all and make you watch!" He added when I opened my mouth to speak.

I was actually about to call his bluff but hearing him say it now, I know he meant it. He was going to make good on his words, there's no doubt about that. Even though he is a heart conniving infuriating bast_"

"I wouldn't finish that if I were you." His companion the warned me, her voice dripping with sultry allure as she emerged from the shadows, her face concealed beneath the cloak's hood, her piercing eyes bore into mine, sending a shiver down my spine as she continued. "Just surrender yourself to us and perhaps, maybe we won't amplify the misery that already consumes your wretched existence!" She sneered, her tone laced with haughtiness.

My glare fixated on the enigmatic woman, her unnaturally pale skin contrasting sharply with the bold crimson hue of her meticulously painted lips. As she smiled, two elongated fangs glistening in the moonlight revealed themselves from within her mouth. The temperature in the air became colder, the air thick with an unspoken threat as the realization of what she was dawned on me, vampyre!

I've only heard tales of them from Garrett. Blood sucking creatures who have been cursed to roam the nights with an insatiable hunger for blood! This woman was a vampyre and the prince brought her to my home! Panic engulfed me as I sized the threat in front of me who just continued to smile at me in that creepy manner.

"Oh don't worry, I won't bite unless you ask me to!" She breathed out twirling her tongue across her fangs and I paled at the sight.

"That's enough Anya." The prince ordered before turning to look at me with a weary look on his face. "Say goodbye to your family thief, that's the only luxury I'll give you tonight!" He ordered before turning away from me.

With shaky legs, I headed back inside the house. Leaning against the door to catch my breath and also curse my wretched fate! I shouldn't have taken the job, I should have declined! But no, I just had to do it and fuck things up just like I always do! Gods above, how could I have been so stupid?

"Neesa?" Grace small voice interrupted my thoughts.

Turning to look at her with a weary gaze, I found her huddled with my stepmother and Giselle who was glaring at me. She was still vexed with me for what I did, can't say I blame her though. I almost got all of them killed tonight. There was no doubt that they had heard the exchange that happened between me and the prince.

Grace and mother were the only one who looked worried, Giselle, well, let's just say my absence wouldn't affect her much. Not wanting to waste any more time, I headed straight to the bedroom I shared with my sisters. Raising my bed up, I grabbed the pouch that contained the gold coins. This was the only thing of value that I have.

I got out of the room to still meet my family still huddled together. With a downcast look, I approached them and stretched the pouch out to them.

"And what is that?" Giselle asked me.

"Just take it." I told her with a weary sigh, "You have enough to last you for three moons."

Giselle snorted at me, "Are we supposed to take the money you got from selling stolen items?"

Her words stung! She was saying it like I enjoyed what I did, I didn't! Okay, maybe I did! I enjoyed stealing from the royals. It was like some sort of payback to them! They took from us, consistently even when we had nothing left to give! So do I feel sorry for them? Fuck no! But do I enjoy being a thief, no! Not with the risk of constantly looking of your shoulder that it comes with!

A rapid knock on the door alerted me that the prince was getting impatient. With a sigh, I grabbed Giselle' hand and placed the money in her hand even though she tried to fight it.

"We do not want your filthy money!" She grunted as she struggled against me.

She was no match for me though, I was stronger than her. I yanked her close to me firmly, staring directly into her soft blue eyes. "Throw it away, I do not care." I hissed at her, "I'm leaving and there's a chance I might not come back. I won't be around to help around the house anymore which means you and Grace will have to find jobs, real jobs that you can earn money with and use it to help mother_" I said my gaze shifting to Mirabel who was staring at me with glassy eyes, "I'm so sorry, I really am but please take the money and try to stay alive, okay?"

"But…but what about you?" Grace sniffed.

I turned to stare at my sister, offering her a small smile, I reached for her hand. "I'll be alright!" I lied through my teeth.

Mirabel could tell the truth too because she stepped forward shaking her head at me. "Don't go! You can't leave with those monsters Aneesa, please!"

I don't want to go too! "I have to." I say with a sniff, a wobbly smile on my face as I took one last look at my family.

Another knock on the door, this one louder than the last! Wiping away my tears, I grabbed Mirabel and hugged her tightly, pressing a kiss to her temple before I turned to look at Grace who smiled at me. Giselle's turn she looked away from me, but not before I caught a tear rolling down her face.

"Take care of them." I told her then heaving a deep breath, I walked out of the house trying hard not to look back at my family who seem to have broken down in tears.

My mother's wailing rang in my ears, her pleas echoing even after I shut the door. I couldn't stop the tears that escaped my eyes even though I had promised myself I wouldn't cry in front of these monsters. I still forced myself to move away from the door though, because if I don't, I risk bringing death to them all!