THE CURSED BOND

Chapter Six (The Seer)

Xavian quickly realized that Soma wasn't just frightened of him, she seemed genuinely confused by his question, as if she had no recollection of him.

How was that possible? He thought. Was this pale silver-eyed girl the same as the one from his dream? Or was she just someone else? Someone who shared the same features.

Even as he wondered, he felt it again. That undeniable pull. That intoxicating feeling he felt was just like in his dreams.

That feeling confused him even more. If she were the same girl he had been searching for, why would she pretend not to know him now? How could she resist the pull when he couldn't?

He had to get to the bottom of this. Xavian thought to himself. Without saying anything he untied her from the horse.

Soma immediately tried to run away the moment her hands were free of the bonds, but Xavian grabbed her arm and pulled her roughly into his arms.

He could feel her body trembling. Her face was streaked with dry tears and dirt, but it couldn't hide the beauty radiating from her. It was almost ethereal.

His gaze slowly traveled over her face. A familiar warmth rapidly spread through his chest.

The scent of something warm, something sweet, something wild and untamed stirred a familiar restless hunger inside him. Only the pale silver-eyed girl from his dreams had been able to do that until now.

"Please… Please don't hurt me." the girl begged.

Xavian looked down at the young girl with a masked, cold expression that hid his curiosity. "What is your name?"

"Soma… Soma Stone." Her voice came out soft, barely a whisper.

"Where are you from?" He asked again. His voice was cold but his eyes held a trace of something she couldn't quite figure out.

She hesitated for a moment. "Nowhere. I'm just a wanderer. Please let me go, I will not cause you any trouble."

"You are a wolf." He said ignoring her resistance. "Why are you not with your own kind?"

Soma searched her mind for what to say, so she settled for the truth- or part of it.

"I… I ran away from home."

"Why?"

She shifted uncomfortably. "There's nothing left for me there anymore."

Though she answered truthfully, she was filled with questions. Why was this strange man questioning her as if her existence was his business?

She just wanted to be on her way. Her brother was still trapped in the vampire kingdom and she had to rescue him before it was too late. She had to—

She suddenly froze. Her thoughts took a sudden turn. Wasn't this exactly what she needed? A vampire escort.

Her brother was trapped in the vampire kingdom. Traveling with these vampires even as a slave will easily get her into the kingdom. All she had to do was find a way to survive until then.

The sound of galloping horses came from the opposite direction. A man in vampire royal armor stepped off his horse. He was handsome like most vampires. But not nearly as handsome as the one who held her captive.

The Vampire approached them. He bowed his head slightly in respect as he stood in front of the other vampire holding her.

"Your highness, we have scouted the area. There is only one village in this part. The offspring must be hiding there."

Your highness? A vampire royal? Soma screamed inwardly.

She had heard of their deadly temperament. Their immense power. Their cruel betrayal— sacrificing a goddess for invincibility.

What were the chances that this Vampire royal would let them go after she found Ryan? What certainty did she have that he would not kill her before then?

His cool commanding voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"General Kaelen, take your men and surround the village. Leave no room for escape," he ordered.

"Yes, my lord." The General turned his horse, gave a silent command, and left with his troops of vampire soldiers immediately.

Before Soma could even process his next move, she felt her feet lifting off the ground as the Vampire mounted his horse. In a split second, she was seated securely in front of him on the great beast.

"Hold on tight," he warned. "We ride hard." With that, he kicked his nightmare steed into a run. They took off in a blur of dust and wind.

They rode into a small village surrounded by ancient wards. The moment they crossed the boundary, Soma recognized the signs immediately.

Runes were carved into every doorway. Protective charms of herbs, feathers, and bone hung from rooftops. The scent of burning sage drifted through the air, and at the center of the settlement stood an ancient tree wrapped in thousands of faded prayer ribbons.

A witch village.

A place that should have been protected by magic. Yet when the vampire army entered, no spell rose to stop them.

Chaos erupted instantly. Men and women began to flee. Children began to wail. The few brave ones who tried to fight were killed instantly.

Prince Xavian remained seated on his horse. His expression was calm yet his aura was frighteningly intimidating.

In front of him, Soma sat trembling from fright. She kept her eyes down, as if trying to escape the scene in front of her.

After a moment Xavian spoke. "Gather everyone around."

Soon everyone was gathered. Some were still weeping, some were shaking from fright and some were trying hard to mask their fear under brave faces and calm facades.

One man stepped forward with a young woman beside him. He bowed his head in respect.

"Please, we are a peaceful community, we have no business with war. Spare us."

The girl beside him was silent. Her gaze shifted to Soma seated in front of Xavian on the horse. Her expression wavered a bit.

"I've come in search of someone," Xavian said. His voice carried an air of authority, and immense power.

"Tell us whom you seek, Sire. We will help you find the person if you spare our lives." The old man who appeared to be the leader of the small community pleaded.

"I'm searching for a maiden with platinum silver hair, and pale silver eyes."

Immediately he said it, Soma stiffened in her seat, and the villagers turned to look at each other, confused. Only the young woman with a strange symbol on her forehead remained calm.

Her eyes remained fixed on Soma, not with fear, but recognition. As though she had seen her before in a dream she could not remember.

After a moment, the old man spoke again. "Sire, I can assure you, there is no such one here. The women in our village all bear the same features. Brown hair and brown eyes. Such a person would definitely stand out amongst us."

General Kaelen, walked over to Xavian. "Your highness, I think these people are lying. They are clearly hiding something," he said in a low tone. "The priestess clearly said the answer we seek will be on this route." he insisted. "This is the only village on this part. They must know something."

Xavian kept his gaze steady on the villagers as he listened. Kaelen was right. Even though the offspring appeared not to be there at the moment, the villagers might know about her whereabouts.

He turned his gaze to the young woman standing beside the old man.

"Who are you?" he asked.

The girl remained silent. The old man answered instead.

"This is my daughter Lyra. She does not know of the woman whom you seek."

Xavian glanced at the ancient symbol on her forehead and on her right arm.

"Your daughter bears the mark of a seer," he said in a clear resolute voice. "She will come with us and help us find the maiden I seek. I'll spare the village in return."

The old man moved to protest immediately, but the girl suddenly grabbed his arm. She shook her head slowly, then she turned to look at Xavian. After a brief hesitation, she stepped forward and bowed her head slightly.

"I agree to come with you on your mission, your highness." Her voice was clear and sounded like she already knew who he was.. "But… but you must promise to spare my life afterwards and let me return home to my people."

Xavian stared at the girl for a moment. There was no sign of scheming or treachery on her face. Just plain sincerity. So he agreed.

"Very well, you have my word. While on this mission, you will be under my protection."

Lyra nodded and turned to her father. " I have to go, Father, so our people will be spared."

The old man's hands trembled as he removed the silver necklace bearing the symbol of the Triple Moon. For a moment, he held it tightly, as though letting go of it meant accepting that he might never see his daughter again.

Then he placed it around her neck.

"Come home soon, Lyra."