Chapter 28

BALCROFT KINGDOM 

Decorations are seen in corners of the street as they're lit up brightly. Groups of people can also be seen walking through the streets all dressed nicely.

At the mighty gates of the Royal mansion, carts are seen pulling in and being checked by the guards.

A cart drawn by two horses slowly makes it's way to a secluded corner in the decorated compound lit up with bright lights. As it slowly comes to a stop, the cart's door opens as a young man steps out of it, seemingly a vampire with some influence in the council.

He widely opens the door as another cart pulls beside him. Holding the man's hand, Alyssa steps down dressed to the nines in a fitting evening gown muttering a spell. Her hair is let loose to cascade down her face which covers the scars on her face and shoulder blade.

The other cart opens to reveal young men all stepping down in succession. They're dressed in matching robes and all stand before Alyssa and the young man.

"Thank you so much, Lucious. This kind act of yours is greatly appreciated." She says with a slight bow.

"Anything for the victory of Gilmorsh. I'll try help more if any situation arises inside. Take care." He says with a smile and goes inside, greeting some council members on the way.

Alyssa turns and faces the men, addressing them, "Listen up. The mission is clear and simple: get the mistress, Griselda and rescue any Gilmorsh in the dungeon. According to the information we got, there are two located there, Robert and Kayden. We'll get them and leave. Alright?"

The men nod in response and divide themselves to go ahead inside.

"Use your magic unsparingly and don't hesitate killing anyone who comes in your way, do so but don't attract attention.

Long live the mistress!" She says.

"Long live the mistress!" They chant in response.

Slowly, they disperse with only Alyssa left. She scans through the area and muttering another spell while pressing her fingers to her glossed lips walks in gingerly with her muscular build exuding through the dress.

*********

Zelda's POV 

I sit on the bed still bemoaning about the shocking message I recieved from Aine when I hear a knock on the door.

After a while, the door opens to reveal a middle aged woman and a young girl pulling in a mannequin, which holds a large breath taking white ball gown.

I look at them not uttering a word. 

"Ma'am, the king gave the order for this dress to be delivered to you. We'll help you dress up." The older lady says.

"There'll be no need for that. Leave." I say with my face held between my palms.

"Sorry, we were instructed to….." She says before she's cut off by me.

"I said leave! Or do you have a death wish?!" I scream as I feel waves of anger rolling off me.

She shudder in horror staring at me she slowly goes rigid and falls, her eyes wide open. Screaming in fear, the younger lady opens the door and dashes out.

I slowly to the mirror and stare at it not blinking. I shudder in fear at my reflection. My eyes are bright red and my lips cracked and pale in colour, my skin too looks paler. The only contrasting things are my eyes which are still red and my nails which seems to have grown longer.

I walk away and go to the woman, and slightly kick her but she still remains rigid with her eyes unblinking.

Hissing in annoyance with anger still bubbling within me, I grab a shawl, cover my face and leave for the dungeons.

*******

I slowly descend through the stairs and approach the one leading to the dungeons. Three guards seemingly surveying the hallways for intruders stop me.

"Ma 'am, you aren't meant to be here, please return to the ball room." One of them speak up.

Slowly, I remove my scarf and turn towards them meeting their gazes with my eyes.

In a successive motion like the woman earlier, they go rigid with their eyes wide open and fall.

I lift the shawl and placing it back on my head, grab an unlit torch and make a move to light it but I'm shocked immediately as it goes aflame on the end by itself.

Smiling, I walk down the spiral staircase leading to the dungeons. I can't comprehend the intense feeling of anger, sadness and betrayal which envelopes me.

Reaching the end, I'm shocked as I see the guards lying lifelessly on the floor there with the door open.

I pull off the shawl and step inside. I slowly walk through the dark cold path, flashing my torch at any little noise.

I pass by a cell with the pungent smell of blood and rottenness hung in the air. I peep through the barricade to see a man chained to the walls with his hands tightly drawn apart.

I shudder in fear as I see some bodies lying lifelessly on the ground there. I hear some sounds and before I could move, feel a pair of hands holding me strongly against the barricade.

Suddenly, they scream in pain as the smell of burnt flesh fills the air. I turn immediately to push them off, seeing more men behind the first one holding his wrist.

What catches my gaze is the limp figure of Kayden being supported by one of the men. He looks malnourished and unkempt with his cracked lips and stained clothes.

"Kayden!" I scream and make my way to him.

One of the men blocks my path and I hiss in anger feeling the anger rolling off. Immediately, he starts bleeding through his nose and goes limp as others gasp and step behind….. 'better' I think.

Kayden slowly lifts his head to me, "Zel… Zelda… you…" He says and goes limp.

I rush to hold him but retract not wanting to hurt him. 

Not paying attention to anyone, I ask no one in particular, "Where's Robert?"

"The rest already left with his body. The four of us came here to rescue Kayden." One of them says.

"Body? Where're you taking them to? Both Kayden and Robert?" I ask.

"To Gilmorsh, where you belong." I hear and turn to face a muscular built woman with a jagged scar peeking through the hair covering her face.

"Who are you?" I ask.

"Alyssa, mistress. One tasked with the duty of bringing you back to Gilmorsh, the Venine Temple where you belong." She says avoiding my gaze and suddenly my head starts throbbing with my vision becoming distorted, then everything goes black.