Chapter Three-1
1553 Words
Time rewound several hours earlier.
Night had just fallen over the City of Darkness.
At that moment, Ella was sprinting through a narrow alleyway.
She was gasping for air, her lungs burning like they were about to explode. The hood of her sweatshirt covered most of her face, yet couldn't hide her pallor.
Footsteps echoed behind her—more than one pair.
Vampire patrols and city police. Both had received the wanted notice and were hunting her down.
With nowhere to go and nowhere to hide, Ella could only flee in disarray.
She darted into another alleyway, her foot catching on a rough surface and nearly sending her tumbling. Her palm scraped against the coarse wall, instantly drawing blood.
But she dared not stop, forced to keep running.
Just after shaking off a squad of police, Ella turned into an alley. But at its end, a low wall blocked her path.
Ella skidded to a halt. She started to turn back, but after taking only a few steps, she realized her escape route was blocked.
Four towering figures materialized at the alley's far end. Their attire was ordinary, yet their physiques were abnormally massive.
“Now werewolves? I’m really popular tonight.” Ella's heart sank.
Yet in the dim light, she thought she saw a greenish glow in their eyes.
They were werewolves!
Her heart sank. She knew exactly who had sent these werewolves.
Without a word, the four werewolves ripped open their coats. Knotted muscles swelled, bones twisted and cracked with loud pops.
In the next instant, fur burst through their skin.
In the blink of an eye, four half-human, half-wolf monsters completely blocked the alley.
They lunged at her from both sides of the alley.
No fight—only dodge.
The first werewolf's claws swiftly grazed her shoulder, tearing her clothes and drawing blood instantly.
The second werewolf's attack followed close behind, charging at her from the side.
Ella instinctively ducked and rolled, narrowly evading the second wave of attacks. But the third wave left her no room to dodge.
The sound of slicing air—
A searing pain shot through Ella's back. She clenched her teeth, forcing herself not to cry out.
Because she knew screaming would only attract more enemies.
Before Ella could catch her breath, the fourth werewolf attacked. Its gaping maw snapped viciously toward her throat.
Ella grabbed a broken trash can by the wall and hurled it with all her strength. The can smashed into the werewolf's face, buying her a split-second.
Seizing the moment, she sprinted toward the low wall at the alley's end and scrambled over it on all fours.
Beyond the wall lay a busy main road, filled with fast-moving vehicles.
But Ella hesitated not a second. Staying put meant certain death.
Gritting her teeth, she plunged into the stream of traffic.
Shrill screeching brakes filled the air as drivers leaned out their windows, cursing furiously.
But Ella paid no heed, crossing the street directly and diving into the alley opposite.
The werewolves' howls echoed behind her, yet they dared not fully transform in human sight. Doing so would expose their presence and would lead to punishment for breaking the rules of the dark world.
Having shaken off the werewolves, Ella was temporarily safe.
She clutched her bleeding shoulder, staggering forward.
Yet, her body, already pushed beyond exhaustion and now weakened by blood loss, could hold on no longer. Everything started to go blurry.
The wound on her back was especially deep, each step driving a piercing agony through her.
But she couldn't stop. Stopping might mean death.
After crossing several more streets, she sensed a surge of moisture.
The canal.
The old canal of the City of Shadows, its water pitch-black and reeking of rot.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before Ella reached the canal's edge.
Leaning against the stone railing, she gasped for breath. The agony from her wounds grew more intense. Heavy blood loss darkened her vision, and her strength rapidly drained away.
Unable to linger, she staggered a few more steps before her mind snapped. She collapsed straight down, consciousness slipping away completely.
At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed from afar, drawing closer with alarming speed.
None other than the four werewolves, tracking her scent, were closing in.
Suddenly, a hand shot out from the darkness, reaching for Ella's vest.
Splash—
A distinct splash echoed through the air.
...
The following evening, within the vampire castle.
The banquet commenced as scheduled.
Bathed in the soft glow of crystal chandeliers, Selena glided into the banquet hall.
Tonight, her charm was unparalleled, her beauty stunning, all present.
She artfully coiled her silvery-white hair into an updo, concealing the scorched sections with an exquisite hairnet.
She then slipped on a wig, meticulously embellished with countless tiny diamonds. Under the lights, it shimmered like a star-studded night sky.
She wore a dark blue strapless gown, its hem undulating like deep-sea waves against her slender form.
A moonstone necklace hung low across her décolletage, inviting endless imagination.
She held her head high, a perfectly measured smile playing at the corners of her lips.
The vampire elders seated at the head table gazed at Selena with admiration, nodding in unanimous praise.
“Princess Silvermoon truly possesses extraordinary grace.”
“Her conversation is refined, and her social skills are remarkable.”
“She makes a most fitting pair with His Highness Ryan.”
Hearing these murmurs, Selena's smile deepened. She approached the elders proactively, greeting each in turn.
Her voice was soft, her words respectful, yet she retained the regal dignity befitting a princess.
Ryan stood nearby, expressionless. His thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
The banquet reached its midpoint.
A servant approached the head table, bearing an ornate gift box.
“Your Highness, this is the gift you prepared for Princess Selena,” the attendant bowed.
All eyes turned toward them.
Selena's eyes lit up. She glanced at Ryan, her expression hopeful.
Ryan gave a slight nod. “Open it.”
The attendant lifted the lid.
Inside lay a necklace.
But this necklace... wasn't it a bit over the top?
Not only was the chain thick as a dog leash, but the pendant was a fist-sized ruby. Worst of all, the cut was incredibly crude.
Surrounding it was a dense ring of tiny diamonds, tacky and glaring—the very image of a nouveau riche flaunting their wealth.
Selena's smile instantly froze.
Her lips twitched slightly, her eyes flashing with disbelief. This was a far cry from what she had imagined.
The ballroom fell silent in that instant.
The elders exchanged bewildered glances.
How could Prince Ryan choose such a gift? His taste... was truly dreadful.
Yet the banquet was in full swing, and Selena was the center of attention. Refusing it openly before everyone would be tantamount to rejecting the Blood Clan's sincerity and dignity.
But if she accepted...
She drew a deep breath, forcing herself to smile again.
“It’s...certainly one of a kind.” " She lifted the heavy necklace.
The moment her fingertips touched the chain, a faint, eerie prickling sensation ran through her skin. Serena ignored it, instead placing the necklace around her neck in full view.
The thick chain pressed uncomfortably against her collarbone. The large ruby dangled before her chest like a small fist.
Those in the know recognized it as a luxurious piece, but to the uninitiated, it might have resembled a shackle.
The hardest part was pretending to love it.
Her display of affection involved lowering her head to kiss the ruby.
“Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness,” she said, her voice sounding slightly dry.
Ryan glanced at her but remained silent.
The banquet continued.
Selena began making the rounds to toast each table.
She approached the Blood Clan's High Elder, raising her glass.
“High Elder, I toast to you...”
But she couldn't finish.
A wave of intense nausea surged up her throat.
Selena's face paled as she clutched her mouth.
It was too late.
“Ugh—!”
She doubled over violently, vomit erupting from her mouth.
It splattered directly onto the Elder's head and face.
Thick, partially digested food residue trickled down the Elder's graying hair and expensive formal attire.
The entire room fell silent once more.
The Elder's expression shifted from shock to horror, then erupted into fury.
He sprang to his feet, his beard quivering. “You—!”
But Selena had no time for explanations.
She retched violently, her face turning pale. Across her exposed skin, vast patches of red rash erupted, spread like wildfire.
Itchy and painful, like countless needles piercing her.
“It hurts so much...” she gasped, her fingers frantically scratching her neck.
The rash spread to her face, causing it to swell.
Selena violently grabbed the necklace around her neck, yanked it off, and slammed it onto the floor!
“This necklace... It's cursed!” she screamed.
The werewolf guards were the first to rush forward.
An older guard picked up the necklace, brought it close to his nose, and his expression instantly turned grim.
“It's aconite!”
“Aconite?” Many in the audience didn’t know what it was.
But someone quickly explained. Aconite, also known as wolfsbane, was a poison harmful to the werewolf clan.
Poisoned?
- Writer
