The Turned Queen

The bracelet

Scarlett sat in a cafe with Artemia while Ryder and Athanasius went to order the drinks. Artemia was nervous around Scarlett. She just wanted to be friends with Scarlett, it was absurd but for the first time in her life, Artemia was treated like a normal person. For the first time ever, someone pointed at Artemia saying she was wrong and that someone was none other than Scarlett. Artemia was curious about what kind of person was Scarlett. Scarlett looked upright, righteous and breathtakingly gorgeous.

People around Artemia have always been too honey lipped, they always favoured Artemia in order to have Artemia's favour back. They were friends with Artemia only because of the benefits they gain by Artemia or because of her handsome brother who was the prince of the country.

"Scarlett, can you please forgive me? I just want to be friends with you. I know I was wrong. Can we start over as normal friends?" Artemia looked sincere.

Scarlett scanned Artemia's expression and she could tell that this girl realized her mistake and was willing to apologise like a normal person even though she was the Princess of Ceben.

"I'll forgive you, let bygones be bygones." Scarlett sighed as Artemia's eyes lit up.

"Thank you so much! I'll make it up to you. So are we friends now?" Artemia asked in excitement as Scarlett looked at her enthusiasm. "Sure. We are friends, but we aren't close yet. You know everything about me but I want you to pretend you don't. Let's start over." Scarlett stared at Artemia,

"Yeah, I swear. I'll make it up to you. We are normal friends and I won't ask about stuff if you don't want to tell me." Scarlett knew that these pair of siblings only knew about things which happened before her car accident. He will make sure to keep it that way and Scarlett believed in him. For him, Scarlett's safety was always first.

Ryder and Athanasius came back with the drinks and took the empty seats. Ryder sat down next to Scarlett while Athanasius sat down next to Artemia.

Scarlett stared at Athanasius as he stared back, "What else do you remember apart from the things you told me earlier?"

Athanasius spoke firmly, "That's it I guess. On the night of your car accident, I wanted to return the money I owed you. So when I saw you from across the street I followed you immediately but unfortunately I lost you in the crowd. I was looking for you when all of a sudden I heard a very loud crashing sound and after a few minutes the sirens of ambulance. When I went on the scene, you were not there but I found this." He took out a gothic bracelet which looked like a bat with fangs and a b****y red teardrop stone connected from the middle of the bracelet, Scarlett recognized the bracelet. It was a keepsake of her parents whom she doesn't remember because she was too young. She only remembered the bracelet and she always wore it.

"Oh my God, that's my bracelet. I thought I lost it." Athanasius handed it back to her.

"When you paid for my cake by cash I noticed the bracelet on your hand, so when I found in on the scene souled with blood, I knew it was you who got injured. After all this bracelet is quite unique, specially the bloodly teardrop stone which looks so real."

Scarlett was now sure that this guy was telling the truth.

"Alright, I think everything is clear now." Artemia and Athanasius nodded at Scarlett as Ryder chuckles,

"You were destined to come in Ceben." Scarlett rolled her eyes at him, "Shut your trap." Athanasius stared at Scarlett in amazement. Scarlett was gorgeous but fiery. Athanasius was drawn towards Scarlett from the very first time they met. He believed it is love at first sight and he will make sure to make Scarlett fall in love with him but little did he knew Scarlett wasn't easy to deal with. Athanasius's bright golden eyes shined while looking at Scarlett which Scarlett noticed but decided to brush it off. Athanasius's bright amber eyes have always charmed the girls but Scarlett was different. Scarlett only had eyes for those deep red glowing eyes. Ryder also noticed Athanasius's gaze at Scarlett and he knew what Athanasius was up to but he knew what Scarlett was like, Scarlett could never like him. Athanasius might be perfect as a human for another human but for a vampire, a mate is a mate. A mate can never be replaced. It's basically their other half of their soul.

For same reason Ryder had the feeling that Scarlett has already met her mate. It was his intuition but he won't ask Scarlett. He saw Scarlett as his true friend, he was willing to wait till she tells him herself.

Suddenly Scarlett's phone started ringing, seeing it was from Nicole she picked it up quickly.

"What's up? Do you need anything?"

"You said you'd be home earlier but you didn't come back yet. Come home as soon as possible." came a sleepy voice from the other line.

"I'll be right back." Scarlett stood up as she spoke,

"I'll take my leave first. I've someone waiting for me at home." Ryder knew it was Nicole. Artemia and Athanasius nodded at Scarlett, "See you tomorrow." Artemia smiled at Scarlett which she gladly returned whereas Athanasius looked confused. 'Who is waiting for her?' Athanasius thought to himself.

"Go back, it's getting late." Ryder waved, Scarlett nodded as she walked out of the cafe.

____

In New York

A sudden ringing caught his attention, answering the call a voice came from other side.

"Sir, we got the lead and we also found out something strange."

His deep voice responded,

"What's strange?"

The man on the other line answered,

"Sir someone tried to aquire information about Miss Scarlett Stanwood. According to the sources we checked, there are two people who got the information we made and not the original one which we have kept confidential."

"Who are they?" he asked coldly. 'Who the f**k is curious about Scarlett now?' he thought to himself.

"The Prince and Princess of Ceben, Athanasius La Croix and Artemia La Croix."

Upon hearing he froze,

"Send me the details as soon as possible also get ready. We are going to Ceben."

"Alright Sir."

The glowing red eyes stared at the empty bed as he rose from the leather chair.

"I'm coming for you, Scarlett Stanwood. You better be ready, My Queen."