The Vampires Torment

The Library Within the Vault

Seraphina's POV

I stand on top of the hill overlooking one of the small Northern villages, watching the haunting flames from their bonfire spark light into the night sky.

The sound of dogs howling, mutts laughing, and the entire beast squad enjoying their miserable lives hits my sensitive ears.

They are having a celebration, which is quite funny considering what's to come.

Tonight is the night that I shall remind these dogs who the f**k I am. If they wanted to get a reaction out of me, their mission has been accomplished. These dogs have no idea what they are dealing with.

They have no idea that the payment for their constant disrespect is blood, and it all starts here.

“Everything is in place,” reports my Commander, Ravana, as she walks up behind me. Ravana is in charge of all my forces. She is the best of the best. Her ability to react quickly is remarkable. Her combat skill when it comes to making the kill is thrilling.

The loyalty she holds for me is unquestionable.

Commander Ravana is a triple threat.

“And the camp bases?”

“Are set up, loaded with plenty of firepower, and heavily guarded,” she advises before I even have a chance to finish my questions. “I have spelled the barrier. No unwanted animals will be able to slip through undetected.”

In addition to Ravana's great qualities, she has inherited the gift to cast spells, which makes her a very valuable asset. Not too many people know about Ravana's witch ancestry, and not too many people know that she has managed to cast a spell on me.

I have lusted after her since the day I laid eyes on my hazel-eyed beauty.

“Good,” I praise, turning around to face her. The night is young, and Ravana is so beautiful. Her caramel skin glistens underneath the big and bright glowing moonlight. Ravana’s long-on-one-side, short-on-the-other-side haircut gives her delicate facial features the attention they deserve.

I place my hand underneath her smooth chin, and she shivers. The reaction I have over her body always makes my desire flare. Ravana’s heavily pierced ears and the piercing on the right side of her cute pert nose aid the illusion of her being such a badass, and in so many ways, she actually is.

But I’ve received the chance to dig a little deeper, and underneath her tough-girl facade lies a sugary sweet immortal.

“Don’t,” she says, taking a single step back.

“Ravana, what happened to us? Why were you so eager to place space between us?”

“Because space is what’s needed,” she admits, and then turns to walk into the wooded clearing. I follow right after her. Ravana is the only soul on this earth who has managed to gain an ounce of compassion from me.

I hurt her on too many occasions. I refused to announce her as my queen and continued to dip and dab as I pleased. Apparently, she has had enough of my playboy nature.

“I miss you. I really do, but I think it’s best to no longer mix business with pleasure,” she admits, lifting her head high up to the sky.

I cup her face with my hands. “Our business has always been pleasurable.”

She looks into my eyes. “I need more, Cyrus,” she explains. “I need to know that one day you will be able to give me more.”

I run my finger over her smooth lips. “You know I can’t do that.” I really can’t. She looks at me and then stares back into the sky.

“Then it’s really nothing to discuss. In fact, it is not the time or the place to have this conversation anyway. Your mind needs to be clear and ready for battle.” Ravana speaks with a wise tongue.

Another reason why I’m so attracted to her.

“You know better than anyone that I was born war-ready.” I tease, just to see her smile.

“You were,” she smiles, giving me what I want. “I can all but feel your monster wicked anticipation.”

Suddenly, a collection of falling stars streaks across the darkened night sky, sparking hope into Ravana’s eyes. She is a big believer in the stars, moon, and sun speaking the language of love.

“Make a wish,” she asks me.

“No,” I groan. She knows damn well I don’t believe in this superstitious nonsense.

“Please,” she pleads, poking out her lips.

I take a look at the shower of falling stars. “I wish by tonight’s end, I’ll have the love of my life inside my bed.”

I take a moment to look into her wide hazel eyes. “Be careful what you wish for, Ruthless King.” I hate when she uses my title.

The presence of one of my best men, Marko, requesting access to mind-link with me, prevents me from responding. “What is it?” I question him.

“The dogs’ celebration is over,” he answers quickly. Great! Now, it’s time for their funerals.

“Attack,” I command, before closing my mind off completely. Then I place my now red vision back onto Ravana. “It’s time.”

---

I stride to the center of the hill where my soldiers await, a silent anticipation hanging in the air. My gaze sweeps over the village below, its inhabitants oblivious in their slumber.

The bonfire's flame is almost extinguished, reduced to faint embers. Marko hands me a lit match just as the crisp winter air carries the sharp scent of gasoline to my nostrils.

Eager to unleash chaos, I drop the match into the snow. Flames leap to life, racing down the gasoline-soaked hill and encircling the wretched village in a fiery embrace. An enormous explosion follows, shaking the ground.

I laugh, a sound of pure satisfaction, watching as the huts catch fire one by one. The cries of the wolves fill the air, a symphony of terror and agony. Their night of suffering has begun, and I am its maestro.

The once-dark village is now alight with flames, and I revel in the destruction. Ravana flashes a smile, and I declare war with a shout that echoes across the hills, "No mercy!"

My security detail forms a protective circle around me as my men charge down the hill, eager for bloodshed. The air fills with screams and growls as they drag wolves from their huts, executing them with brutal efficiency. Blood and gore stain the snow, the c*****e a testament to our ruthlessness.

The raid is a m******e, a scene of utter devastation that feeds my inner beast. Lifeless bodies of wolves—children, women, and men—litter the ground. My laughter rings out, louder and more maniacal with each passing moment. They had no warning, no chance.

The wind shifts, carrying a new scent: Lycan. From the stench, I know there are at least two of them. My monster stirs within me, hungry for the confrontation.

"Lycans," Ravana hisses, her eyes glowing violet. Two massive beasts are racing toward us, with two equally large grey wolves close behind. The wolves move with surprising speed, keeping pace with the Lycans. It's unusual—Lycans are typically superior in strength, speed, and agility.

"Blackwood Wolves," Ravana voices my thoughts. These are not ordinary wolves; they belong to a privileged lineage.

I watch with interest as the largest grey wolf, a male, attacks. He moves with lethal grace, decapitating two of my men in seconds. The presence of the Lycans and the Blackwood Wolves emboldens the others, who start to fight back.

A smaller grey wolf, likely a female, leaps over the male and takes down more of my men with brutal efficiency. Their skill is undeniable; they've done more damage than the Lycans.

Ravana is impatient. "What are we waiting for? We're losing men!"

"On my command," I remind her.

She paces, her frustration palpable. "They're decimating our numbers. We need to stop them now."

"Patience, my love," I advise, loading my pistol. One of my men tries to sneak up on the male wolf, but the female warns him with a howl. He turns and decapitates another soldier.

"Enough, Cyrus," Ravana snaps.

"Let it loose," I command. Instantly, silver bullets fly, cutting down many wolves. Ravana charges forward, emptying her clip into the beasts' direction. The Blackwood Wolves and Lycans dodge, but Ravana moves faster. She leaps onto a Lycan, snapping its neck and shooting it through the heart. Her first kill is swift and efficient.

The remaining Lycan roars and charges but is intercepted by the male Blackwood Wolf. They argue, growling fiercely, but neither will touch her. The Lycan runs off, drawing my attention. "After him," I order, sending two men in pursuit.

Ravana is now surrounded by the Blackwood Wolves. Marko asks, "Should I intervene, Sire?"

"No," I spit, aiming my pistol. "My kill."

A new scent invades, intoxicating and wild. It awakens my monster, spreading bloodlust through my veins. I shiver with anticipation, my senses sharpening. The scent is irresistible, and my vision turns red.

"Kill them all," I command, and with that, I take off, tracking the source of the tantalizing scent, driven by a primal hunger.

There is a woman standing in front of a fire.

Her smile is forced, frozen, and numb.

Her hazel eyes are dull, sheltered, and reserved.

She is full of fear.

The wind softly blows around her.

She is not a dangerous woman.

She isn't the type of woman that has fire burning in her veins.

She doesn't have smoke on her lips.

Blood would never drip down her fist.

She would never place her hand close to a fire.

She refuses to play with fire.

She is too afraid to be burnt.

She doesn't want any scars that would be a constant reminder of what happens when you place your hands dangerously close to the flame.

She doesn't want to perish.

She doesn't want her legacy to be anything but a pile of ashes.

A man with a soul darker than coal comes and places the timid woman in chains.

He captures hers.

The wind around them is blowing strong.

The fire is no longer in front of her. No, it surrounds both of them whole.

She pushes and runs.

He chases and pulls.

They tangle around the flame with a passionate force.

He is her match.

He sparks the fire within her soul.

He makes her want to do things that she normally wouldn't.

Suddenly the smoke clouds her mind.

The flames of the fire are now in a line.

The wind picks up speed as she captures walk through the flame, leaving her behind...

She uses her own light that shines and burns with the brightness of the radiant moon.

She somehow manages to push through.

She was thrown into the fire and came out exhaling the smoke.

A new light burns bright inside of hazel eyes.

The same woman now stands in front of the fire.

The wind no longer blows.

She is a dangerous woman.

She is the type of woman that has fire burning in her veins, smoke on her lips, and blood dripping down her fist.

She holds no fear.

Her smile is so bright it burns.

She places her hand close to the flame.

She plays with fire.

She isn't afraid of getting burnt.

She embraces her scars because they are a constant reminder of what she survived.

She stares at the flames and walks through the fire.

She goes in as a woman and comes out as a gray and white wolf.

The wolf howls and her captor drops down to his knees.

He bows before her feet.

She howls louder with golden glowing eyes that would make the dead feel alive.

---

My eyes shoot open. A thick cloud of heavy smoke invades my lungs.

Flames are devouring the cabin, sparking fear inside my soul. My heart beats uncontrollably inside my chest. Instantly, my eyes start to water, sting, and burn. Sweat drenches my entire body. I can't take the heat.

The cloud of smoke is so thick I start to choke. I cough, wheeze, and desperately gasp for air.

This only makes things worse. I can't breathe.

I feel like the hot and blazing sun has been placed inside my throat. I feel like I'd been out in the desert for days, seconds away from having a heat stroke. I feel like I woke up in the burning fires pits of hell. This is it. I'm done. I'm going to die. There is a thick cloud of smoke preventing me from locating a way to escape.

I can feel the intense heat increasing by the second, burning brighter than the morning sun all around me. My survival instincts kick in.

I force myself to roll out of the bed, landing down onto my hands. The wooden floor feels like acid as my hands accidentally touch a flame. At this moment, I can feel the stings and the burn marks will be a constant reminder of being trapped inside this place.

I hiss loudly and roll over to my left side. At that same moment, a burning log falls from the ceiling, missing me by a second. It was inches away from my head, literally seconds away from claiming my life.

Thank the Goddess.

I lift up my head, only to come face to face with the fire roaring fiercer and burning brighter before my very eyes. The flames are whipping and spreading so fast. The smoke is thick and everything around me is engulfed in flames. Ignoring the sting inside my lungs, I take a deep breath, desperately searching for a single drift of fresh air. There is none.

Too much smoke has already invaded my lungs. I don't have the energy, and I am too weak to shift into my wolf.

Reality kicks in. I'm going to die. I start to panic. I'm not going to make it out of here. Luna, my Goddess, is coming to take me. My wolf is pacing within me, searching for a way to save me. To save her. I can't breathe, see

, or think. I try to pull myself up from off the ground, only to fall.

I roll over again, now lying on my back.

My brain is telling me that I'm done for, but my heart refuses to accept it. "Help," I attempt to scream, only causing my throat to further sting. "Ruq," I use my last bit of energy to mind-link with my brother.

"Seraphina, I'm coming for you. I'm coming," I hear his voice inside my head for a brief second, and then it's shut off. I start to cough again. The increase in heat is unbearable, officially cutting off all of my wolf senses. My throat feels swollen and dry as I constantly breathe in hot air. I can taste the smoke inside my mouth as the potent fumes of fire and anticipated death are the primary source of the throbbing inside my head.

My heart is still pounding, tears roll freely down my face, and this time when my hand touches the flame, I'm too close to death to feel the sting.

My eyes are halfway shut, and my mind wanders to another place.

When I would sit on the beach, enjoy the wind, and inhale the sweet smell of the sea. My father would watch me from afar, sitting on the porch of our house.

Ruq and I would play chase the wolf in the sand. My sister would braid my hair in a long braid. That's my most treasured memory. That was the time when I wasn't burdened by the responsibility of being The Blackwood Wolf. I was young and free.

The blissful memory is so close I can reach out and touch it.

"Seraphina, you have to wake up now," a voice says urgently. I recognize it—Lucian, Forrest maybe. "We need to go now." The floral blend of peach, watermelon, and jasmine invades my senses—definitely Forrest. Suddenly, I feel my body lifted off the ground, the wind rushing around me.

The midnight chill seeps into my pores as I'm cradled and rocked, the wind breezing through my hair. My head rolls until it settles against his solid chest. My mind starts to drift.

Forrest holds me close. Why is he holding me? Everything is still a haze.

Before I can think further, cool moisture trails down my throat. I choke and spit out the liquid, my reflexes kicking in. "Easy there," he says, giving me time to catch my breath.

My body shoots up, releasing a fit of rough coughs. I gasp for air and open my eyes, meeting Forrest’s unnaturally glowing green ones. He places his rough hand on my back, tapping lightly. Everything feels like a blur as I try to understand what's happening. I look around and realize we're in the middle of nowhere, likely the forest surrounding the Northern Village.

The winter wind carries unfamiliar scents—blood, fire, and death. Then it hits me—the fire! The hut! Ruq and Farrah! I tap into our bond and feel them, alive but one of them is hurt.

Without a second thought, I jump to my feet and turn towards the burning village. "Seraphina," Forrest says, catching my arm, preventing me from running. "You can't go back there."

"My siblings!" I scream, trying to break free. He's stronger than he looks.

"They can handle themselves," he insists, refusing to let go.

"Please, I must get to them. Please, let me go." I plead, still struggling against his grip, but to no avail.

Forrest doesn't respond. Instead, he looks around, a relieved expression crossing his face. "Do you smell that?"

Suddenly, the wind carries the strong scent of Lycan. Thank the Goddess! Never did I think the scent of Lycan would bring me so much joy.

"Seraphina, thank the Goddess you're safe," Ruq's voice suddenly appears in my head.

"Ruq, I'm here. I'm safe," I explain hurriedly. "I'm with—"

"Listen," Ruq cuts me off. "Farrah is hurt." My heart drops.

"Is she—?"

"I said listen, Seraphina," he snaps. "I need to know exactly where you are. Confirm that you're a safe distance from the village."

"I'm in the forest," I say quickly. "One of the Lycan guards is heading my way."

"Good," he replies, his voice filled with relief. My wolf senses his uneasiness through our bond. "Hide until he gets there. Tell him to meet us at the safe location. He will know what to do."

Safe location? "Ruq, what's going on?"

"There is no time to explain," he answers hastily. "Are you alone?" His question catches me off guard.

My eyes travel to Forrest, who shakes his head as if he can hear our conversation and mouths, "Don't." He can't be serious.

"No," I admit. "I'm with the Lucian."

I feel my brother's uneasiness turn into fury through our bond.

Our connection is cut short when Forrest suddenly slams me to the ground. Panic sets in. Oh no! He didn't save me just to kill me, did he? "Let me go!" I shout, struggling beneath his stone-like frame.

"Shhh," Forrest shushes me, placing his hand over my mouth. "I'm not going to hurt you. Just trust me."

I scream into his hand, and his grip tightens. He must be crazy if he thinks I'll trust him after this. For all I know, he could have set the village on fire just to kidnap me. He was always interested in getting close to me. Was this his plan all along?

"Use your senses, Seraphina," he whispers. I'll use my senses, alright—the twenty-second window my father taught me. With all my strength, I bite into his hand and bring my knee up to hit him where it hurts. He scrambles away in pain, and I take my chance to run.

"No, Seraphina," he calls after me, but it's too late. I'm gone.

The wind blows harder, and the Lycan scent grows stronger. I run towards it, focusing on reaching my family. But then, the foul stench of vampire invades my senses, making my heart drop. Before I can change direction, the monstrous growl of a predator hits my sensitive ears.