Scarlet Rose

Chapter 10 - Dangerous Feelings

By the time Shiro and Wayne, along with their vampire servants, left the mansion, a horde of wild turned vampires could be seen running out of the forest with an animal roar, heading towards the main gate. Marie came out a little later, closing the front door carefully.

- Are lady O'Sullivan and Margreth in the room together?- Shiro asked her.

- Yes, count Akira, just as you ordered.- Marie replied.

- Are you all ready?- Wayne raised his voice, addressing the entire group.

- Yes, count Williams, we are ready to fight!- exclaimed a chorus of voices, including Marie.

At this point, the first turned vampires literally collided with the gate, which, despite being made of metal, almost bent under the pressure of this wild group. After a short time, the turned started climbing up the fence and jumping down, immediately attacking Shiro, Wayne and their servants. A huge fight broke out on the yard, and all the noises - blows, struggles and wild screams - carried all over the property, also reaching the mansion itself.

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All the time in the bedroom, Katherine sat at the end of the bed, cuddled against Margareth, soft sobs still shaking her body, especially when she heard the wild roars of the turned vampires that attacked the mansion. Noises from the courtyard were muffled by the closed windows, but not completely silenced.

- Now, now, calm down.- Margareth was talking all the time, stroking her hair with one hand.- My lady, don't worry, count Akira and count Williams can handle it, the servants too.- she assured.- This is not the first time we are attacked by the turned. This often happens after both Counts get rid of the nests. Turned vampires want take a revenge this way.- she explained more precisely.

- But what if... If this time... the battle result will turn out to be different?- Katherine asked in fragments as she was still sobbing.

- There is no such option.- Margareth said firmly, then moved back a little bit to cup her face in both hands, forcing Katherine to look at herself.- Listen, my lady. Turned vampires never won in our territory and it will be the same this time.- she said slowly.

- May it be as you say.- Katherine finally replied, calming down a bit. Then she wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand, and Margareth, seeing this, handed Katherine her own handkerchief.

- My lady, have a little more faith in count Akira, count Williams, and the rest of our vampires.- Margareth spoke up.- Your servants were human, so it's no wonder they couldn't handle the wild turned vampires horde. But our current defenders are not human and are perfectly trained to fight the turned.- she added after a moment.

Katherine got up from the bed and paced nervously around the room. As she got a little closer to the window, out of the corner of her eye, Kath saw what was going on outside. What she saw chilled blood in her veins, and a strong shiver ran down the spine. There were at least twice as many turned vampires, comparing to the time when Katherine's carriage was attacked in the woods. Of course, there were also more persons fighting against them, and they were not humans, but two quite old pure-blood vampires and their faithful group of turned ones. Katherine was impressed with how brilliantly they fought, not only Shiro and Wayne, but also the vampire servants. Unfortunately, she also saw how with time it became more and more difficult for them to repel the attacks of wild vampires. The number of attackers decreased gradually, but it became harder and harder to kill them, probably due to fatigue.

At one point, Katherine noticed Marie in the side courtyard being attacked by three turned vampires at once, and there was no one around to help her. Katherine flew across the room without thinking, quickly reached the door and managed to run out of the room before Margareth realized what had happened. Without looking back or a moment's rest, Katherine ran down the corridor, then down the stairs, and through the dining room to the kitchen, because from there she could get into the garden, and from the garden it was very close to a side courtyard, where Marie was. Katherine didn't think at all about whether it was safe to go outside and how she, a mere human, could help - Kath was just thinking about saving that girl, with whom she had the closest bond, out of all vampire servants.

Somehow Katherine hadn't met any turned vampires in the garden, so she made her way safely to the side courtyard. It was only after seeing Marie fighting from a distance that Katherine realized that did not knew what could she possibly do as a weak human. However, as Kath got closer and saw that Marie was seriously injured, she stopped thinking logically again. In desperation, Katherine grabbed a handful of stones from which the path leading to the side courtyard was made, approached even closer and began throwing the collected stones until she caught the attention of two turned male vampires, for Marie somehow managed to kill the third, female.

- Lady Katherine?- Marie looked at her as if she saw a ghost.

However, Katherine did not have time to look at the girl any further, as two vampires noticed her and rushed on. Kath turned quickly and started running back towards the garden. Katherine was immediately struck by a feeling of deja-vu, as if she had returned to that nightmare night when her carriage was attacked and had to run away, even though she was not in the middle of the forest right now. She heard Marie's call behind her, but soon her voice was drowned out by the roars of the two vampires chasing her.

When Katherine reached the garden, she scurried toward the first thing she saw - densely growing bushes on the left. Fortunately, she managed to hide in them before the two vampires who were chasing her reached the garden, which caused them to stop running and they started sniffing around.

- "Please, I beg you, oh good God, let them give up and go away..."- Katherine prayed fervently, folding hands and closing her eyes. Only now did she regret her stupid act, but knew very well it was too late for that.

Unfortunately, suddenly she felt someone grab her by the hair and pull out from behind the bushes.

- This lovely lady thought she'd run away from us.- one of the vampires, with blonde hair, laughed.

- We felt you, my dear. And you smell really seductive.- added the other, black haired, the one who grabbed her, and now threw Kath on the grass.

Katherine opened her eyes and stared in horror at the two vampires who were just bending over her, showing their fangs.

- I didn't think we'd find any humans in the Williams mansion, and here's such a nice surprise.- the blonde vampire admitted, then gripped Kath's shoulders tightly, lifting her up a bit, then brought his face to her neck, savoring the smell first.- Mmmm, what a sweet scent...- he licked his lips and was about to dip fangs, but Katherine swung her arms with the last of her strength mixed with desperation, and hit the blond-haired vampire in the face, right in the jaw, which made him howl in pain. His dark-haired colleague reacted immediately, grabbing her hands and twisting them painfully backwards.

- How dare you...- hissed the black-haired vampire, grabbing Katherine's hair with his free hand, tilting her head backwards and exposing the neck completely.- You had a chance to become like us, but now you will simply die. You don't deserve to join us.- he whispered ominously in Kath's ear, then showed his fangs, ready to stick them into her skin.

Katherine closed her eyes tightly, feeling the chills shake her whole body. She was terrified and all Kath was begging for now was some miracle, for someone to save her.

- Let her go, immediately.- suddenly she heard a familiar voice.- I would advise you to listen to me.- he added in a firm, warning tone.

Katherine was still afraid to open her eyes, and she knew from her voice that it was Shiro. As the vampire was still close to her neck and ear, she heard his hiss very clearly, however he did not let go of her.

- You can see for yourself what happened to your blonde companion.- Shiro continued.- I took his head off him and then I will burn him in one pile with the rest. That's what awaits for you too, so let her go.- he pointed out.

- Go to hell.- the vampire hissed as he pulled Katherine back, behind him, so hard she fell back onto the grass. It was a soft surface, but Katherine for sure bruised herself nicely anyway after being thrown so many times.

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When she heard the sounds of fighting so still wouldn't open her eyes. Then Katherine felt that Shiro picked her up and took in his arms, so she involuntarily grasped the cloak material she felt under her fingers. Then it seemed like they flew for a moment before returning to a harder surface. In that moment Katherine opened her eyes and looked up at Shiro's face. They were standing on a small ledge by the window that seemed to open by itself, but Katherine was sure it was Shiro's doing. Count Akira jumped in through the window with her, and it slammed right behind them. The room they went into turned out to be a library. Shiro set Katherine down on the ground, but when she swayed slightly, he grabbed her by the waist, supporting with his body.

- Count Akira...- Katherine spoke up, looking at him with lost eyes.- It seems that you saved me again... Thank you, really.- she added, taking a few deep breaths.

- Lady Katherine, do you feel strong enough to stand or should I help you sit on a chair?- Shiro asked, apparently trying to keep his expression under control, but she could see the suppressed huge concern in his eyes.

Katherine considered the answer for a moment. Now, being so close to him, she felt great and didn't want to lose that feeling at all. Eventually, however, common sense slowly began to return to her.

- I think I can stand by myself.- Katherine replied, her gaze sweeping the entire library for a moment before returning to Shiro's face as soon as he released her from his grip. At that moment, she felt an almost physical pain, as if they were one body, and they were forcibly separated. More importantly, a grimace of pain flashed across his face as well, which clearly indicated that he was clearly feeling the same as she was. They were still standing very close to each other, but for Katherine it wasn't enough.

- Then I'll have to leave you here, lady Katherine. The battle is not over yet, I am needed outside...- Shiro spoke up, trying to avoid looking directly at her.

Katherine lifted her right hand quite involuntarily and pressed it to his cheek, turning his head towards her.

- Count Akira... Take care of yourself, please.- she said, tears filling her eyes.

Shiro grabbed her hand and held it for a few seconds before taking it off his cheek. In his eyes flashed something like immense suffering, but face remained as unchanged as it was carved out of stone.

- It's not a good idea, lady Katherine.- Shiro said, as if knowing perfectly well what she was feeling now.- And don't worry, my lady, I'll be fine.- he continued, releasing her hand and stepping away from Kath completely, toward the window that was already opening itself.- Under no circumstances should you leave this room, lady O'Sullivan.- count Akira added as a goodbye, jumping out of the window that slammed shut right behind him.

Katherine ran to the window, watching Shiro as he made his way toward the courtyard, where the fight was still going on. The library window showed the garden ver well, so when Shiro disappeared behind the building's wall, Katherine also saw the bodies of two vampires who had attacked her earlier. Both had their heads torn off, thrown away from their bodies. Katherine felt a little faint at the sight of it, so she turned away from the window and walked over to the desk in the center of the library and sat down on the chair.

It was only then that everything that had happened began to come to her gradually. Most of all, Katherine thought about how she felt being so close to Shiro. Until now, Katherine might have thought she could build a wall around her heart, but now she knew it was impossible, and now this wall is completely torn down. Katherine knew for sure it wasn't just a crush anymore and fearfully realized that it was probably too late to stop this.

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After about five minutes, the library door opened wide and Margareth came in, rushing over to Katherine immediately.

- My lady, how could you do something so foolish? Have you wanted to die today, you reckless girl?- she knelt beside the chair, grabbing Kath's hands.- I looked for you all over the house, then I found out from count Williams that count Akira had noticed you being chased by turned vampires, so he rushed to help.- Margareth blurted out her words quickly, clearly moved by the whole situation.- Count Williams mentioned that you wanted to help Marie...- she sighed, hitting her hands lightly, at which Katherine hissed in pain.- Stupid girl, you're lucky to be alive. I should beat you well for what you did.- she added, now clearly angry.

- I'm so sorry, Margareth. I acted rashly... I was so stupid.- Katherine replied remorsefully, though her hands still ached a bit and she was a little angry that Margareth dared to touch her.

- How good that Marie was able to notify count Williams, and count Akira was near the garden... I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if no one knew you left the mansion and you're being chased by vampires.- Margareth sighed heavily.- It's a miracle that you managed to escape into the garden and these two vampires didn't get you halfway.- she added a little calmer.

- I promise I will never do something that stupid again.- Katherine replied with a completely serious face.

- That's good to hear.- Margareth rose from her knees and patted her shoulder lightly.- But one thing I must admit, you do not lack courage, my lady. Marie will surely be grateful that you risked your life for her, a mere servant.- she assured, pulling another chair from under the wall as she sat down next to Katherine.

They both sat in silence, waiting for the sounds of the fighting to finally subside, and the counts Williams and Akira, along with the others, will return to the mansion.

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Michael and Patrick O'Sullivan arrived to the lord Liam Edwards' mansion in Cardiff a few days after leaving London. They rode on their horses day and night, making very short stops, mainly for horses to rest, so after reaching Cardiff they were very tired and, whether liked it or not, Michael and Patrcik had to rest properly for a whole day before moving on to the next points of their visit. Of course, they re-examined the entire course of events with lord Edwards, and he agreed that they should visit Williams' clan mansion, and gave Michael and Patrick the exact location of the property, for, as overseer of hunters in this area, lord Liam Edwards also knew the whereabouts of pure-blooded vampires living near Cardiff.

First, with other vampire hunters from the area, they went through forests around Cardiff, but found only two active turned vampires' nests, the rest were completely destroyed and one was empty, which meant the vampires had probably gone hunting together, however Michael, Patrick, and the rest of the hunters couldn't find any horde nearby.

- Where did they went?- Michael asked himself while looking from afar at the cave that served as a turned vampires' nest.

- Their nest doesn't look abandoned, so they'll probably come back here soon.- Liam replied, standing next to him.- Maybe they went hunting somewhere further than usual. Let's wait, come back here in a day or two and then we will take down this horde.- he suggested.

- Good idea!- other hunters praised him.

Michael nodded his head in agreement, and they all gathered and headed back to Cardiff.