Bloody Queen

Chapter 14 – Painting on The Wall

We all followed Damian's car which went ahead.

Throughout the trip, I noticed that Vlad looked bothered when he saw the path that we took. I don't know why but one thing is for sure. He knows the location which we are heading.

Our cars pulled over in front of a mansion. We went out of our cars after.

Just like Vlad, I saw that the three faces were telling the same.

They all knew this place.

The atmosphere was ominous and menacing. Staring at the house in front of me. It looks abandoned like the haunted house that I have seen in the horror movie when I was young.

The mansion seems to haven't been properly attended to. Just by looking outside, you can tell. The house was all covered in algae and branches.

Other than that, you cannot see flowers here. Only tall grasses and massive trees were visible to the eyes.

It's as if no one lives here.

The one guy that we were waiting for went out of his car too with his bag in his hand.

"Welcome." He stated.

"To my humble home." He added which made me left dumbfounded.

"You said that-"

Thus, he cut me off by putting his finger on my lips.

I was taken aback when his hand shifted towards my head. He caressed it so gently which made me frown at his sudden gesture.

He might have realized what he has done since he retracted his hand when our eyes met.

"I said she's not in the Academy. She's in the mansion." He said smirking then proceeded to walk inside the mansion.

We followed him inside, confused.

The interior of the house wasn't like its exterior. The inside of the house was unbelievably clean and looks like a house of royalty due to the majority of its color being gold.

However, you cannot admire its beauty due to the abundance of light. The candles were the only thing that gives us light in our way. It's as if they were living in the old era.

We walked for at least half a minute until we stopped in front of a door. Two men whose faces were covered with white masks are guarding it and both of them were heavily armed.

When they saw the man in front of us, they quickly opened the door.

I saw a lot of people inside who greeted us but one person only caught my attention, it was Livia. She was calmly sleeping on the bed. A lot of tubes were connected to her body. It's making my knees drop.

"What did you do to her?" I asked angrily.

"She went to me, drained. It's as if someone did something to her." He explained.

I don't know if he was telling the truth. I thought that he wanted to avenge his mother's death but these doctors inside these rooms only show that he is trying to save her. I can tell that she suffered a lot. A lot of wounds are on her body.

Who could have done this to her?

How cruel!

I still do not know if she is what I was looking for. I don't want to fail my mission anymore.

Besides, I don't want to involve an innocent girl if she's not her. I cannot let her die, not yet.

"We will take her." Vlad suddenly said and immediately went towards her. The twins helped him to get her too.

"You stay." I heard Damian say when they finally got Livia.

The three hurriedly went outside. They didn't even bother to look at the one that they left.

I stared at the door absent-mindedly.

"Follow me," Damian whispered towards my ear which made me snap back to reality and so I did.

We were heading upstairs. I don't know where he is taking me.

When we were walking in the corridors on the second floor, I noticed that there were a lot of paintings on the walls.

However, only one painting caught my attention.

It's as if it was talking to me even though I only see is a person's back.

"Who is this?" I asked stopping in front of it. Damian did too. He looked at what I was talking about.

I saw his eyes widen but it was only for a short while. Then, I saw him smile but the eyes that were staring at the painting looked sad.

"I think you should head back." He said out of a sudden and turned his back.

"WHAT?! But-"

Yet again, he cut me off.

"This is not the time. I'll come to you. I guess you can find the main door by yourself." He said and walked away. He didn't look back too.

I was left staring at the painting in front of me. I breathed heavily as I try to maintain my calm. I went down and head out of this mansion. A car in front was already waiting for me.

"The young master said to escort you safely." The man said opening the door of the car.

"Oh really?" I asked sarcastically and got inside.

After he closed the door, he went in front and started the engine. I realized that the men of Lasiere were all wearing white masks.

"You can take it off now," I said to the man in front. I saw his eyes look at the rearview mirror.

"We can't. My Lady." He replied.

"You can. No one will see beside me." I said reassuring him.

"I'll die once I take this off my lady." He said seriously, staring at me.

I immediately averted my gaze. He can die just by removing his mask. I was speechless. He might have noticed that I got uneasy because he played some music. I could have killed somebody because of my foolishness.

Throughout the entire trip, I stayed silent.

It took only a minute to arrive at the Academy. I hurriedly went towards their dorm to see Livia.

When I got there, Liam and Jade were downstairs seriously talking with each other. Both of them were surprised to see me.

"Oh my God! You came back!" Jade said and hugged me.

"How did you get back?" Liam asked curiously. Jade let go and waited for me to answer.

"He said that it isn't the time yet. Which only means that the game isn't starting yet, right?" I explained.

"That explains." Liam simply answered.

"Why?" I asked.

"Nothing." He replied. Jade pulled me to sit down. Liam followed and sat down across us.

"The game," I said trying to construct the question in my head.

"What games did the two of you play?" I asked curiously. They stayed silent for a minute until Liam talked.

"It all started with a simple game, throwing darts. It was only us two in the playroom at the mansion. His mood suddenly changed when my father checked on us. Among us three, he started with me. He insisted me to suddenly play a game with him, a dangerous game. The game that I played was for me to stay still until he says I can finally move. It still hunts me." He said as he grabbed onto his hair.

"What did he do?" I asked.

"He made me stand in front of the dartboard then put an apple which was our snack that time at my two hands and head. I was fine with that. He'll only use darts so I thought that he couldn't hurt me. However, I was mistaken when he pulled out daggers at his ankle. I wanted to run but he smiled devilishly when he saw me tremble. I know that he wouldn't let me go. I decided to stay and let him throw those daggers. It safely landed on the apples in my hands. However, when he was about to throw it on the apple at my head. I bend down to avoid it but that was a wrong move. A dagger passed through my face, cutting a wound on my right cheek." He said pointing to a scar on his face.

"I thought that I would die that time. I didn't trust him that is why I lose." He explained.

"Liam and Tyler were called that time." Jade started to talk.

"Damian and I were the only ones left in Liam's room. He made me play a game blindfolded. I didn't know what he will do at that time. I was young and naive to know. I agreed with him. After that, he covered my eyes with his black velvet handkerchief then he suddenly pulled me. He told me countless times to watch my step long until we stopped. A felt a cold breeze passing through me but I was unable to determine where we are that time. Then he asked if I trust him. I didn't answer. I was startled when I felt his hands on my back. I knew that he was about to push me so I screamed and pull off the blindfold. My eyes widened when I saw him staring at me so blankly. We were only outside the mansion. I thought that he was going to push me through a window or something. I lose the game because I didn't trust him." She said grabbing tightly at the end of her dress.

All of his games were dangerous but it was a trial for his friends. He was testing them if they trust him or not. Obviously, they all failed.

Yet, why did he insist on playing with me?

He just met me today.

I got nothing to do with him.

Then, I felt Jade’s hand towards mine.

"Can you help us?" She suddenly asked.

"I know it's too bold for me to ask but we sense trouble," Liam added.

"For Livia?" I asked. They both nodded.

"Where are they?" I asked.

"They are upstairs. Vlad is taking care of her. Don't-" Jade said but she stopped talking as if she had said something wrong.

Does she think that I'll get affected?

Not even a chance.

"Then where will I stay?" I asked Jade and she smiled so widely in return.

I’ll protect Livia... just for now.