Vengeance In Vampire’s Dominion

Doomed

SOPHIA

The weight of the task settled heavily on my shoulder. Why do they want me to kill the vampire king? A long, long time ago, something had happened between our kind and the vampires, but the details were lost to me.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being used as a pawn in a much larger game. I couldn't even fully remember the story now, and yet, I was being brought into this drama, forced to seek vengeance for an offence I couldn't recall. It felt like a cruel joke, one where I was expected to play my part without knowing the script.

The verdict had been passed, and now it was time to face the bleak reality of my life, which had taken a drastic turn for the worse. As everyone filed out of the room, I was left standing, waiting for my turn to exit. But I wasn't alone for long – Claribel lingered, her presence grating on my nerves. "Oh, it seems like I'm the only one left here," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she stood up and walked towards me. Her smile was a mask, hiding whatever true emotions lay beneath. "I'm so sorry about how things turned out, sister," she said, her tone laced with mockery.

Her words were followed by a laugh, one that made my skin crawl. "You know, going to Kieran is as good as being dead, right?" she said, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I didn't know you were going to die this young. I thought you'd be our Luna." Her laughter echoed through the room, a cold, mirthless sound. I met her gaze, resisting the urge to slap the smirk off her face. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

"I would say hi to Ryker for you," she continued, her voice dripping with malice as she turned to leave. The words hung in the air, a parting shot aimed directly at my heart.

The journey to the Red Mountain had taken two long weeks, during which I was accompanied by seven manservants who seemed more like guards than escorts.

Now, I stood at the foot of the towering mountain, its crimson hue a stark contrast to the bleakness that had taken up residence in my heart. "You have six months," one of the servants said, his voice a gentle reminder of the ticking clock that governed my fate.

I nodded, and they turned to leave, their absence leaving me alone to face the daunting reality of my situation. The mountain loomed above me, its rugged peaks a reminder to the challenges that lay ahead. I was left to navigate this desolate landscape, with no one to turn to and no clear path to follow.

I stood there, taking in the surroundings. The air was cooler and damper than what I was used to, a refreshing change from the warmth of my home. In the distance, I could see the outline of a castle, its towers reaching towards the sky like skeletal fingers. I knew I had to walk towards it, to face whatever lay ahead. As I gazed up at the castle, I whispered a few words to myself, a mantra that gave me the strength to keep moving forward. "Do this for your mother," I repeated, the words a reminder of the reason I was here and the sacrifice I was willing to make.

A menacing male voice cut through the silence, "Hey, who are you?" I looked up to see a tall man, probably standing at around 6'2", his imposing figure casting a shadow over me.

He was flanked by other men, all dressed in the same attire, which suggested they were part of the castle's guard or warriors. As he moved closer, his eyes burning with intensity, I felt a shiver run down my spine.

I flinched at his words, my heart racing with fear. The warrior's gaze seemed to bore into my very soul. I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice amidst the intimidation.

"I'm Emily," I stuttered, avoiding his piercing gaze. He studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he took in every detail. Then, he sniffed the air, his face contorting into a deep frown.

The realisation dawned on him, and his expression turned furious. "How dare you come here!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the mountainside. My mind went blank as I stared at him, unsure of how to react. "I...can't remember anything," I lied, trying to buy myself some time.

But then I recalled that I'd just given him a fake name, and panic set in. I quickly added, "except my name and pack," hoping that would satisfy him, but his anger seemed to only intensify.

“Follow me,” he commanded.

I followed him, curiosity getting the better of me, and wondered where he was taking me.

As we stepped into the castle, I felt as though I had entered a realm of dark enchantment. The grand entrance hall was a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, with vaulted ceilings adorned with carvings of serpents and mythical creatures. The walls were lined with towering stone pillars, their surfaces etched with ancient runes that seemed to whisper secrets to the shadows.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, refracting the flickering torchlight into a kaleidoscope of colours that danced across the walls.

The floor was made of polished black marble, reflecting the light like a dark mirror. A sweeping staircase curved upward like a ghostly ribbon, its bannister adorned with delicate carvings of vines and flowers. The air was heavy with the scent of old leather and parchment, and the whispers of forgotten centuries seemed to linger in the silence.

As we walked, the sound of our footsteps echoed off the walls, and I felt like a mere mortal trespassing in a domain of ancient power.

He took me to a much darker room, the smell of blood making my blood run cold. His next question was the final blow: “How do you want to die?” He asked, and from his eyes, I knew he was ready to end my existence.

Before I could answer, the door creaked open. I heaved a breath. It wasn’t going to spare my life, but it would keep me alive for a few more minutes. I looked up , meeting with a stern-looking 5.5 woman.

The woman's piercing gaze swept over me, her expression unyielding. "What's happening again?" she asked, her voice firm. My man that brought me in replied, "She was found trespassing. She claims she can't remember anything." The woman's eyes narrowed, her focus returning to me. "Explain yourself," she demanded, her tone brooking no hesitation. I swallowed hard, sensing a glimmer of hope in her questioning. Perhaps I could convince her of my innocence or at least stall my fate. "I...I don't know how I got here," I stammered, trying to convey a sense of genuine confusion. "I don't remember anything before waking up here." The woman's expression remained stern, but I detected a flicker of interest in her eyes. "We'll see about that," she said, her voice dripping with scepticism.

The woman's gaze lingered on me, her eyes assessing. "I was about to go hunting for a female servant," she said, her voice dripping with an unsettling enthusiasm. "A female servant for the king, and I think I've found myself one," she added, her eyes scanning my body with an unnerving intensity. "She has all the potential." Viktor's expression turned sceptical, his voice laced with concern. "But she was found trespassing," he reminded her. The woman's let out a slight smile, her eyes glinting with a sinister light. "Don't harm her, Viktor. I'll make use of her."

“Follow me,” she commanded. I was doing a lot of following today, but it was my fate.

I followed her, my heart racing with a mix of emotions. Did she just say a female servant for their king? I couldn't wrap my head around this. Part of me was relieved that I was going to live a bit longer, but another part of me was terrified at the prospect of becoming a servant to their mysterious and seemingly powerful king.

We made our way through the castle; I couldn't help but feel small compared to its grandeur. We stopped in front of a massive door, and she reached out to knock gently. The door creaked open, and that's when I saw something breathtaking – standing there, breathing slowly, his piercing green eyes fixed on us. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and his sharp jawline seemed chiselled from marble.

His skin was deathly pale yet seemed to glow in the dim light of the castle. His eyes gleamed like emeralds, piercing through the shadows. His lips were full and inviting, despite the hint of fang beneath. He stood tall, his presence commanding attention. His state was so cold I quickly averted my gaze.

What left me more breathless, however, was the gruesome sight before him – a severed head, its lifeless eyes staring into space. A chill ran down my spine as I took in the macabre scene. But before I could process the horror, the woman beside me shot me a surprisingly calm glance and whispered, “She forgot to remind him of a meeting.”

My eyes widened in terror as realisation dawned – I was doomed.