"We Must Free Isabella."
1493 Words
Eva’s rage knew no bounds. She had ripped books from their shelves and destroyed the library, furniture lay broken throughout the palace. She sat exhausted in the one armchair still upright in the lounge.
She could not calm her mind, she needed revenge. She needed to kill Rose.
“Call the Generals to a meeting!” She screeched.
She could still taste Jordan's blood, still smell his familiar scent. She could not understand how they were not true mates. She found his scent so intoxicating.
The Generals made their way slowly to the lounge and the staff hurriedly righted the furniture for them to sit down.
“Talk to us of your complete failure tonight.” Dimitri began.
“Talk to me first of any kind of success you have had in the last hundred years Dimitri.” Eva replied. “Oh, that’s right, you were to busy gloating up there on your high horse you’ve never attempted anything to help, much less achieved it….”
In seconds Dimitri was by her side, his hand on her throat.
“Ohh, the one move you have left..” Eva sneered.
“Enough Dimitri, sit down.” One of the Generals, Randolph, said dismissively. “Tell us what happened Eva.”
“What is there to tell? They got away, although I did bite Alpha Jordan.” Eva smirked.
“Well, that is something.” Randolph replied.
“The child that freed them is incredibly powerful. She was able to defeat Sergio and Valentina and lower the barrier. I swear that child was no more than two but spoke as an adult. She said if we free Isabella she will heal Hadley.” Eva continued.
The Generals nodded.
“Do you have a plan to free Isabella?” Dimitri asked.
“I think its worth marching the army. A show of force.” Eva said thoughtfully. “It’s time I play the ace up my sleeve.”
“And what Ace is that?” Randolph asked.
“I know the location of Hadley’s beloved.” Eva said with a dazzling smile.
“Interesting. How might you know this and why have you never shared it before?” Dimitri asked.
“I was involved in Council meetings when I was Luna of the werewolves living in the Fae Castle.” Eva replied.
“Well, I’m sure Hadley will be overjoyed to learn you had this information and chose not to share it.” Dimitri said smiling.
“Dimitri, enough!” Randolph responded angrily. “Act your damned age.”
“Thankyou.” Eva replied, smirking at Dimitri. “I will march the army to the gates of the Dwarven castle and demand Isabella’s release. The child has assured me that once she is free, she will heal Hadley. Then I can lead Hadley to the child.”
Dimitri laughed in Eva’s face. “The child has assured me that once she is free, she will heal Hadley.” He mimicked. “You mean the child that just took our two prisoners and gave nothing in return?”
Randolph stood and stalked over to Dimitri, slapping him hard across the cheek. “Next time I will just remove your heart.” He threatened before taking his place on the lounge.”
Dimitri stood and stalked from the room.
“Be careful Eva, you have made an enemy there.” Randolph warned.
Eva shrugged and turned to the guard. “Get Sergio and Valentina.” She said quietly. The guard nodded and walked away. He returned with the siblings minutes later.
“That was quick.” Eva was surprised.
Valentina shrugged. “We assumed this was about the child.”
“It is, what can you tell us about her?” Randolph asked, gesturing for them to take a seat.
They sat down. “Nothing good. That child is evil on a level that’s beyond everyone in this room.” Sergio began. “Dark magic, demon kind of evil.”
“I don’t know that that is 100% correct.” Valentina began. “I felt something I can’t quite put my finger on. Black arts are definitely at play, don’t get me wrong, But there was something…..”
“Maternal.” Eva finished the sentence thoughtfully.
“There is a story told where we came from. The witch who sent you to us, Miranda, was home with her mother when she went into labour with her second child. It is told she died as did the baby. The father arrived home and found his wife and daughter dead. He sent everyone away and closed up the house. He then forced his older daughter to bring them back to life using dark arts. The baby survived, the mother did not. Miranda was 5 or 6 at the time.”
“What are you saying?” Randolph asked.
“The child wants me to free Isabella.” Eva began.
“So maybe the child is a vessel for the mothers spirit?” Valentina asked.
“I have no idea, but she claims if I free Isabella she will heal Hadley and she told me she will know.” Eva answered Valentina.
“Well, I vote we do it and see where we go from there then. If we get nowhere with healing Hadley, we will have an extra person with powers that can help us take Bastian and kill any who stand in our way.” Sergio shrugged.
“I’m with Sergio.” Valentina agreed.
"Is the child dangerous?" Randolph asked.
"Incredibly." Valentina agreed, nodding her head. "I think I'd much prefer to be with her than against her."
"Can we trust her?" Randolph asked insistently.
"Can any of us trust each other?" Sergio shrugged.
"Randolph grunted in agreement.
“I’ll send vampires out to marshal the troops. No one feeds tomorrow night until we have freed Isabella.” Eva said as she stood from her seat.
“That is my army, I shall marshal them.” Randolph smiled. “I will also lead them. It’s been entirely to long since I left this castle.”
The other Generals looked on in shock.
“Oh come now, has it been that long since you left this place that the very thought of it reduces you to this?” Randolph laughed, goading them into joining him.
“Are you calling me old, old man?” One of the other Generals asked.
“If the shoe fits.” Randolph shrugged as he stood up. “I think its time we teach these young weaklings what being a vampire is all about. I may even start leading the young ones into the human cities. Stop recruiting these little sooks and fine some real vampire material. I’m tired of living in a castle full of teenagers.” He grumbled.
The other Generals muttered their agreement.
“The Dwarven Castle is a fortress carved into the side of a mountain. It’s the reason they are holding Isabella there.” Sergio began. “We have seen it, it is formidable and almost impenetrable.”
“I’m sure you can find a way around it Sergio. Especially considering they are more likely to think we will attack the Fae castle and not the Dwarves.” Eva smiled.
“We don’t have to enter the castle itself. Just locate Isabella and shoot power at that spot until the walls crumble. If she hasn’t escaped there is something subduing her powers. It is likely in the walls, preventing her escape. If that is the case, once a wall comes down her powers should return.” Valentina shrugged.
“Then that shall be our plan.” Rudolph agreed. “Time to toughen up these young ones and introduce them to war.”
Eva stood to leave the room with Sergio and Valentina.
“Eva, a moment.” Randolph called out.
Eva turned and faced the General, waiting for more of the callous disregard and nastiness she had become accustomed to from them. They really were miserable old men.
“You’re involvement will not be forgotten Eva. I will ensure Hadley understands how hard you have worked for him.” Randolph nodded.
“About his betrothed, it was my contact with Jordan that reminded me of those conversations in the council meetings. It is not information I deliberately withheld.” Eva began.
Randolph raised his hand. “He has been unable to search for her for such a long time now. It is of no consequence when we had the information, we have it now. We will free Isabella, have him restored and find his Beloved. We can then continue on our quest to rule both worlds.”
Eva smiled and nodded before leaving the room.
“What are you playing at Randolph?” One of the Generals hissed at him angrily.
“Hush Stefan.” Randolph replied. “I think the young lady is exactly what the castle needs.”
- Writer
