Under Vampire Rule

Chapter 2 - The vampire Prince

The fiery eyed vampire removed his masked hood, my terror-stricken state spiking dramatically, his raven hair, and high cheek bones something that could not be misunderstood, I knew exactly who the creature was, and so did his foe; the green of his eyes barely holding colour as he also recoiled in fear.

The raven-haired creature took a threatening step towards the first vampire, knowing that he had won, the bulky vampire could do nothing to harm him. If he did, it would surely mean his death. Everyone knew his name, his face, it was engraved deep into our memory, it had to be. We had to know who ruled over us, we had to recognise them so that we could act appropriately. Silas, that was his name.

“I am your prince soldier; do you wish to fight me now?” Snarled Silas, the prince of the undead.

I dropped to my knees, bending my back forward so that my forehead was placed onto the cool wooden floor, unsure of even myself I remained there, unmoving as the silence grew. What would he do to the green-eyed vampire for challenging him, would he spare him because he didn’t know his identity? I was too petrified to lift my head, my heart racing in reckless motions throughout my chest, my breathing fast and desperate. All I could hope for now was a quick death.

“What is your name soldier?” Silas asked, his tone demanding a swift answer.

“Noah majesty.” was all he could say.

I felt the wooden floor creek beside me before my ears were assaulted with a sudden cracking of bones, Noah’s body crashing into me, pinning me to the floor boards; my breath only getting faster as I couldn’t move; couldn’t see what was happening. I knew that a simple broken bone would not kill a vampire; even if Silas had broken Noah’s neck, it would not kill him. Not so easily.

But, then again, the power of the royal bloodline was unmatched, not even the oldest of creatures could face them and come out the other side alive. I prayed to every god I had ever heard of, even the gods of the mortal humans who lived around us all; never the wiser.

Mortal's weren't allowed to learn of us, they couldn’t know that the supernatural existed, it would crush them, turn them insane; and the vampires still needed their blood source. Whether it was willing or not.

The body of Noah was pulled from my trembling frame, a small sigh of relief escaping through my clenched jaw, I didn’t know how much longer my back would have coped with his bulky weight, especially seen as though I was only four-foot-eight. My extremely petite form barely having a chance to grow, I had a year left before I would be fully developed, if I lived that long.

“Get up, witch.” Came the furious voice of Silas.

I did as he commanded without hesitation, using the front door to aid me as my legs began to shake and bend at the knee, my fear making it increasing difficult to obey; all I wanted to do was run.

I wanted to get as far away as I possibly could, hide and hope that no one finds me. But that just wasn’t possible, my father had tried to run, he had tried to take me and mother with him, but we were caught at the border of Scotland, we never made it to the free tribes and he was foolish to think we would. He had tried to fight them off when they came, he had been rebellious until his last breath, never once showing fear; though I knew that he had been afraid.

I could sense it. Since then, my mother had been placed onto a list, a donor list. She had to give them her blood regularly, and use her ability to read a mortal’s mind to aid them whenever they asked, never really having a choice. We are one of the rare families that are owned directly by the crown, but not the mortal crown.

No, this was much different, and I didn’t understand why he had come all the way from across the ocean just to see us. It made no sense. We were already on constant watch; we had a vampire with us at all times. So, what had gone wrong, what had changed?

I turned to look down at Noah, his entire form coated in his own blood, he had been foolish to challenge royalty, to think that he could bully another vampire into submission, that is not how they worked. Not how any of them should act. His bulky frame was unmoving and utterly broken, every bone seeming to have been broken in one way or another, his heart no longer residing within his chest.

I took a long breath, holding it in my lungs for a few seconds before allowing it to exit my mouth, attempting to calm my heart rate down. I knew that with their heightened senses, Silas would be able to hear my heart beating within my chest, and he would know how afraid I was, and depending on the vampire, that would either piss him off, or please him.

“Did … did you kill him?” I asked bravely, or stupidly; I wasn’t quite sure which as I found my balance, finally able to hold my own weight.

“Yes, I did.” He said slowly, taking a step towards me as he continued. “You are old enough to know what happens to those who disobey the crown?”

I nodded, bowing my head in a sign of respect, “Yes, sir.”

“Good.” He smiled, baring his fangs. “Now follow me.”