Chapter 8: The Growing Frustration

The days dragged on, each one slower than the last. Aurora paced the cold stone floor of her cell, her mind racing. She couldn't tell how much time had passed—no sunlight reached her room, and the guards outside her door spoke sparingly. The isolation was suffocating.

Her stomach growled faintly. The meals they brought were basic, enough to keep her alive but nothing more. She had tried talking to the guards at first, using sarcasm to mask her frustration, but their stoic responses had only made her angrier.

Slamming her fists against the wall, she muttered, "I can't stay here. I won't."

She thought of Leo, Lady Pearl, and the others. Surely, by now, they'd noticed her absence. They had to be searching for her. But how long would it take them to find her, hidden away in a fortress full of vampires?

She sat on the edge of the cot, her fingers brushing the small blade she kept hidden beneath her makeshift pillow. Her escape plan was simple: wait for a moment of distraction, incapacitate the guards, and run. The execution, however, was much more complex.

"I'm not going to rot in here," she whispered to herself, her jaw tightening.

Queen Seraphina stood with Zach in the throne room, her presence radiating authority. Liana and Celeste sat nearby, listening quietly, while Lucian played with a small wooden carving of a dragon.

"She's been in the cell for days," Seraphina said, her voice even but laced with disapproval. "If you have no intention of killing her, then why keep her locked away?"

Zach leaned back in his chair, his face expressionless. "It's not that simple, Mother. She's dangerous. If I let her roam free, it'll only give Elian more ammunition to question my judgment."

"And keeping her caged like an animal won't?" Seraphina countered.

Before Zach could reply, Kayla entered the room, her face a mix of concern and annoyance. She bowed slightly to Seraphina before turning her attention to Zach.

"We need to talk," Kayla said, her tone sharp.

"Not now," Zach said dismissively.

"Yes, now," Kayla insisted. "This hunter you've brought here—she's causing more trouble than she's worth. The council is already whispering, and Elian is stirring unrest among the guards."

"Let him stir," Zach said coldly. "Elian thrives on dissent, and I've grown accustomed to his theatrics."

"Zach, this isn't just about Elian," Kayla pressed. "You're jeopardizing your position."

Zach's eyes darkened, and his voice dropped. "Enough, Kayla. I'll handle this."

Kayla opened her mouth to argue but stopped at Seraphina's raised hand.

"Kayla, leave us," the queen said firmly.

Kayla hesitated, shooting Zach a final glare before bowing and leaving the room.

Lucian looked up from his carving. "Uncle Zach, is the hunter scary?"

Zach's expression softened slightly. "She's...different, Lucian. Not scary."

"Can I meet her?" Lucian asked eagerly.

"Not yet," Zach said with a faint smile.

---

On the Road Leo and his team trudged through the forest, their senses heightened. The skirmish with the vampires had slowed their progress, but they were getting closer to their destination.

Pearl glanced at Leo, her brow furrowed. "You're unusually quiet."

"I can't stop thinking about Aurora," Leo admitted. "She wouldn't just disappear. Something's happened to her."

"We'll find her," Pearl said confidently. "But we need to be prepared for whatever we're walking into. If she's been captured…"

Leo's grip tightened on his sword. "If she's been captured, we'll get her back. No matter what."

Another day passed, and Aurora's frustration reached a breaking point. She stood by the narrow window, staring out at the night sky. The faint glow of the moon reminded her of freedom—something she hadn't tasted in far too long.

She clenched her fists, her mind racing. Every plan she concocted seemed doomed to fail, but she refused to give up.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a guard entered with her meal. Aurora seized the moment.

"Hey," she said, her tone sharp. "How much longer are you going to keep me in here? Or do you all enjoy watching someone waste away?"

The guard avoided her gaze, placing the tray on the table.

"I'm talking to you!" she snapped, stepping closer.

"Orders are orders," the guard muttered, retreating quickly.

Aurora glared at the closed door, her frustration boiling over. "Cowards," she hissed.

She sat down, pushing the tray aside. The bread and soup looked unappetizing, but she forced herself to eat. She needed her strength if she was going to escape.