Chapter 19: The book that won't open

(Silver's POV)

I awoke, having slept for the last time. All my magion had recovered, which is why I wouldn't need to sleep anymore. Instead, I decided I would spend all my time mastering my skills and creating spels.

I heard a commotion outside. I could hear the guards running around, their heavy steps echoing through the hallway.

I was curious to know what had happened, but I couldn't just ask the guards as if they were my friends.

Click.

The door opened. How many times have I heard this noise? Emily walked through the door, carrying a bag in her arms. She closed the door with her foot and walked towards me.

"My king, I brought the things you ordered," she said, placing the bag on the bed.

She then went to grab a chair in the corner of the room and placed it down next to the bed, where she sat.

"Emily, didn't I tell you that you could just call me Silver?" I asked, my legs crossed as I sat on the bed.

I pulled the bag closer and began to take out my things.

"Then... Silver... Lily sent a note. I put it in the bag," she said, staring at me.

"Emily? What's wrong?" I asked.

"Will you be alright, being here all alone?" she asked gently, her face filled with pity.

"Yes... so don't look at me like that," I answered softly, with a gentle smile.

"But... if it weren't for me..." she said, not making eye contact, clenching her skirt.

I knew she was blaming herself for being the reason I was locked up... but I didn't think it was to this extent.

I moved to her, my feet now touching the cold floor. I reached out to grab her chin and lifted her face up. Her eyes met mine. She had a surprised expression.

"Emily... Look, what color are my eyes?" I asked, staring directly into hers.

"R-Red," she answered, flustered, her cheeks bright red.

"Yes, I'm a Vampire, and what is a year to us compared to our immortality? So don't blame yourself," I replied, trying to reassure her.

I stole this line from Elizabeth. It did give me a sense of peace when she told it to me. I hoped it would do the same for her, and it did.

"Thank you, Silver," she said, a beautiful smile on her face.

I had never seen her smile like this. It was almost as if an angel was looking at me.

I let go of her chin, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward for a moment. I decided to break the silence by asking about the commotion outside.

"Emily, what's happening outside? I can hear the guards running around from in here," I asked, my tone serious.

"They found a dead guard," she answered with a concerned face.

"What?! How? That shouldn't be possible!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, but there were bite marks on his neck," she said calmly, hiding her concern.

"Bite marks..." I mumbled, holding my chin, deep in thought.

I could think of a few reasons as to how and who the guard died to. My first thought was that it was a Fallen, but how would a Fallen even get in here? Only students of Scarlet Academy get sent here. Does that mean there are more Fallen undercover at the academy? And if that is true, how could they kill a guard? Guards were those who failed to become Vampire Lords. Although they failed, they were still powerful enough. That must mean he was taken down by a surprise attack.

"Emily, do you know who the guard was assigned to?" I asked.

"Yes, they said it was someone named Crazy Chris," she replied.

"And where is Crazy Chris?" I asked with suspicion.

"He is still locked in his room," she calmly replied.

So, it could not have been him. Was I suspicious for no reason?

"I see... but, Emily, you need to be more careful and stay near someone at all times," I advised.

"Yes," she answered gently, smiling.

Click

"Time's up! Come out!" the guard shouted.

"I will definitely become stronger in this next year so that I can protect you," she said in a serious but gentle tone, her eyes full of resolve before turning to leave.

"Emily, stay safe and remember what I said," I said as I watched her walk toward the door.

The door shut closed behind her.

Click.

I was alone in this room again, and it would stay that way for at least a year. But let's see if she brought what I asked for.

The book, necklace, and vial were here, as well as the note Emily mentioned.

I opened the note.

_____________________________

________________________

Silvey, I heard you protected us in the infirmary. Thank you very much. I don't know how I should thank you, so I prepared a present for when you get released.

From the most beautiful girl,

Lily

________________________

_________________

"What does she mean, the most beautiful girl?" I chuckled.

And Silvey? She began calling me that when we returned from the seven-day test. Why, though?

I put the note back into the bag and averted my attention to the book. The book was truly beautiful. It was pure white, even more so than the top of a mountain. The magion crystal sparkled blue, its color like a cloudless sky.

Since the book had a magion crystal, what if I sent magion through it? Would it open then?

I decided to test my theory. I placed my hand on the crystal and sent my magion through the book. I tried opening it, but it still wouldn't budge. Not only that, I began to feel dizzy. My body felt weak, my eyelids heavy.

"Second Sleep... why?" I said in an almost inaudible tone before I fell asleep, my hand still on the book as if it were being pulled in.

***

I opened my eyes. I don't know how long I'd been asleep. My hand was still on the book.

Huh? It began to absorb my magion again. My eyes shut closed—I went into Second Sleep again.

***

I opened my eyes. This time, I tried pulling my hand from the book. It only increased the rate at which the book absorbed my magion. I went into Second Sleep again.

***

And again.

***

And again.

***

It was like an endless loop. I would wake up, then my magion would be sucked until it hit 1, and then I would go into Second Sleep. I had even lost count of how many times I had been through this.

This isn't even Second Sleep anymore.

I'm just endlessly wandering through a dark space.

No... I'm trapped here.