Chapter Eight: Destined Encounter;Fate Unwritten

In the palace, Vlood sat at the grand hall's table, looking busy. The hall was built with sturdy wood, except for the arched pillars decorated with snowy white paint and golden designs. At the center of the hall stood an oval table surrounded by soft, pinkish chairs. Large arched windows lined the walls, next to a small side table. The carpet was thick and soft, with a pink hue and sun-like floral designs.

Inside the hall, two other kings, Ernyl and Damien, were deep in discussion. Lama and the council members were also present, listening intently to the kings' plans.

"We need to find that creature," Ernyl said seriously.

"This is exciting. It has been thousands of years since we last saw the Salimbarut (human-bird), right, Vlood?" Damien asked, turning to him.

"Why, Damien... are you still not over your lover, who was also a human-bird?" Vlood retorted, glaring at him.

"We're the same, aren't we?" Damien smirked in response.

"Enough! Focus on finding that creature," Lama interrupted angrily.

Their conversation stopped when Lord Draegon arrived with his sister, Sophie, who immediately ran to hug Vlood. She whispered something to him, excitement clear in her voice.

"Vlood, I want to see the one destined for my brother," Sophie murmured eagerly.

"He went out for a walk. Don't worry, you'll meet him soon," Vlood reassured her with a smile.

"Good thing you're finally here," Damien cut in.

"Hmmm... Do you miss me, Damien?" Draegon taunted.

"Enough of that. We're discussing the Salimbarut," Ernyl interjected.

"And what about them?" Draegon feigned ignorance.

"You already know what we're talking about," Vlood replied coldly.

"Why not just capture women with unique voices? Have you forgotten that Salimbarut can take human form?" Draegon suggested slyly.

"This is getting boring. I just want to meet the destined one," Sophie complained, uninterested in their discussion.

"Don't worry, Sophie. You'll meet him soon. But for now, listen to this," a mysterious figure appeared, holding a glowing orb.

"Grandma Morwenna! Finally, I see you!" Sophie ran toward the old woman and hugged her.

The old woman placed the orb in front of them. She dipped her finger into it, and it started to hum and sing.

Enchanted by the beautiful sound, everyone felt compelled to find the creature. Lord Draegon, however, scowled and spoke up.

"So, what's the decision?" he asked.

They quickly decided to capture all women with unique singing voices and investigate whether they were the creature they sought. Orders were immediately sent across Drakhenholt (Dark World) without hesitation.

Their discussion was interrupted by a woman's scream for help. She was trembling in fear as a vampire servant tried to attack her.

"Your blood smells delicious!" the servant sneered, licking the blood from a shattered cup.

His red eyes glowed as he bared his fangs, ready to pounce.

"Elysia, run!" Betül shouted, shaking with fear.

"I... I'm fine. Please, escape for me," Elysia replied, pressing her injured hand.

But Elysia couldn't move. Fear paralyzed her, and her legs refused to budge. She shut her eyes, expecting pain, but instead, she heard a loud crash.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Vlood and his allies staring at her. Grandma Morwenna was also there, smiling. Betül quickly tore a piece of her dress and wrapped it around Elysia's wound to mask the scent of blood.

Elysia ran to Grandma Morwenna and hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her face.

"Grandma..." she sobbed.

"It's okay now, Elysia," the old woman soothed her, gently rubbing her back.

"Such delicious blood! I want more! Let me go!" the vampire servant screamed as guards dragged him away to be punished.

"Elysia, be more careful next time," Vlood told her.

"Is she the one you mentioned, Vlood?" Sophie asked excitedly.

Vlood simply smiled, giving her a knowing look. Elysia glanced at Vlood's allies, all of whom were staring at her curiously. Sophie noticed and grinned.

"Brother! She's the one Vlood was talking about!" Sophie exclaimed, shaking her brother's arm.

The young man merely scowled in response, while the others seemed to be reading Elysia's mind. Feeling their gaze, she looked back at them, her heart pounding.

"Elysia, you should go to your room and have your wound treated," the old woman suggested.

"Alright," Elysia nodded, leaving with Betül.

Grandma Morwenna watched as Vlood's companions stared at her in amazement.

"Surprised? I know you're wondering why you can't read her mind," she chuckled.

"We want to know more about her. She's interesting," Ernyl admitted before leaving.

"Elysia... such a beautiful name," Damien mused, smirking at Lord Draegon.

"Damien, just leave already!" Sophie shouted.

One by one, Vlood's allies departed, leaving only Grandma Morwenna, Sophie, and Lord Draegon, who seemed to be scheming something.

"So, it's time to get rid of that bitch!;," Lord Draegon muttered darkly, staring at the old woman.

"Brother, please take her home," Sophie pleaded, referring to Elysia.

The young man grimaced before walking away, leaving Vlood and Morwenna amused by the situation.

Meanwhile, Elysia was startled when the same young man she had seen earlier suddenly entered the room. She stared at him again, her cheeks turning red even though she was wearing a black scarf. The young man walked up to her, locking eyes with her. Elysia froze, unable to look away. As he gazed at her, he gently ran his fingers through her hair and slowly leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

"It's time to go home slut! ," he murmured.

Before Elysia could react, he suddenly lifted her upside down. She screamed in shock, not knowing what he was planning to do. She punched his back repeatedly, but he didn't seem hurt at all.

"Put me down! Help! Somebody help me!" Elysia shouted, struggling to break free.

"Shut up bitch!" the young man snapped, clearly annoyed by her screams.

"Please, let me go!" she pleaded, still yelling.

Even after he scolded her, Elysia didn't stop screaming. Finally, frustrated, he slammed her against the wall and then hoisted her up again. He spread her legs and pressed her against his firm body. Stunned, Elysia let out a loud scream.

"Shut the fuck Up whore! or I'll Fuck You !" he shouted at her.

Elysia was so shocked by his words that she fell completely silent. Fear took over, and instead of shouting, she just started crying.

Seeing this, the young man dragged her outside the mansion, which was right next to the palace. When he reached his car, he quickly opened the door and shoved her inside, sitting down beside her.

Elysia sat frozen in her seat, unable to move as if she had been paralyzed. Tears streamed down her face as she glanced at him. His piercing red eyes stared at her, filled with both anger and irritation.

"Stop crying!" he yelled.

"I... I'm scared of you," she stammered through her sobs.

"You should be! You're annoying me! If you don't stop crying, I'll kill you!" he threatened angrily.

Elysia clamped her mouth shut, forcing herself to stop crying out of fear. Without realizing it, exhaustion from her distress took over, and she eventually cried herself to sleep in the car.