Pendant
1028 Words
I slowly move toward the fireplace, the warmth licking at my skin, and pick up the shining pendant. Lowering it to the flames, I study it closely, the intricate design unmistakable. Recognition flares within me, and my gaze snaps to Jack.
Frowning, I tighten my grip on the pendant and stride into his study. Jack lies slumped in his chair, deep in the clutches of hypnosis. I nudge his hand, but he remains motionless. Taking advantage of his state, I search the room, rifling through drawers, overturning papers, prying open cupboards. But even after tearing the place apart, I find nothing suspicious.
Frustration prickles at me as I turn to Jack, my eyes narrowing. Grabbing the water jar from his desk, I splash its contents onto his face.
Jack jolts, gasping. "What... what happened?"
He thrashes for a moment before going still, his eyes locking onto mine. A vacant look settles over his face—I can tell the hypnosis still holds him. Good. I take out the pendant and hold it up.
"Where did you get this? Is it yours?"
Jack stares blankly at the pendant, then shakes his head. "I picked it up from the eastern forest, near the lake. It looked valuable, so I brought it home to sell."
A chill runs down my spine. The eastern forest... werewolf territory. What was this pendant doing there?
"Forget about it. Never speak of it again." I tuck the pendant into my pocket.
"Okay," Jack murmurs and sinks back into his chair, his head lolling as he drifts into sleep once more.
Stepping back into the main room, I stand by the fireplace, the crackling flames filling the silence. My mind races. So much has happened in the past few days. I was attacked. Turned human. Found the truth behind the mysterious deaths. Attacked again—this time by witches. And now, this—a thousand-year-old pendant, a relic tied to something much bigger than anyone can imagine. There are too many unanswered questions.
Someone from my own kind betrayed me. How else could the attackers find me in opera and then the witches have found me despite the salt barrier I placed around the little human’s house? And how did the pendant end up in the eastern forest, of all places?
I exhale sharply. Things are slipping from my control. Enough of these games. It’s time to remind them who I am. You do not mess with a 356-year-old Vampire King.
I lift my hand, my nail slicing across my palm. The wound closes instantly, the skin knitting together without a trace. Relief washes over me. My powers are back faster than the i imagined, so that means the enemies will not expect it as well.
My gaze shifts to the mirror. The firelight flickers against the glass, making my crimson eyes appear even more hollow.
A movement outside catches my attention. I step toward the window and peek out. The street is quiet, too quiet. My lips press into a thin line. My eyes lower to the salt line at the entrance. Slowly, deliberately, I step on it, breaking the barrier. ' Be good and come to your death.'
Reaching for my sword, I thrust it into the heart of the fire. The flames curl around the blade, turning it red. A rush of anticipation fills me.
Then—
BANG! BANG!
A slow smile creeps across my lips. Finally.
Gripping my sword, I stride to the door and rip it open. Ten witches stand before me, their lips moving in unison, their hands raised in dark incantation.
I lean against the doorframe, smiling lazily. "Greetings, ladies and gentlemen. How may I help you?"
The witch in front frowns but does not falter in her chanting.
I sigh. "I see you're busy. Honestly, I’m a little tired myself. Perhaps you could come back tomorrow?"
The lead witch stops her incantation, eyes flashing with amusement and malice. "Tired? Aren’t you the Vampire King? The strongest of your kind? Use your healing powers… or is it that you can’t?"
My fingers tighten around the hilt of my sword. I smirk, baring my fangs. "Why don’t you come closer and find out?"
The lead witch clenches her fist, and the others follow suit. Iron chains suddenly drop near me, slithering like serpents before wrapping tightly around my body. Binding me.
A stupid move.
I meet their gazes, unimpressed. “Iron chains? Really? Do you actually think these can hold me?”
The witches smirk as the chains lock in place, the spell binding me with an unnatural force. I let out a huff, turning to face them fully.
“You’re just a mere human now,” the lead witch sneers. “Binding you is hardly necessary, but orders are orders. Just being careful.” She tilts her head mockingly. “Tell me, Vampire King, how does it feel to be human? We hoped to find your corpse in those woods, but this is even better. Now, we get to kill you with our own hands.”
I tilt my head, frowning. “You really shouldn’t take credit for someone else’s work. You witches don’t have the guts to pull off something like this—not against me, not against the others who’ve fallen.”
Her eyes darken with fury, but she lifts her chin defiantly. “You’re wrong. It was all us. When we learned you were attending the opera, we knew it was our chance. We took the shot—a bullet laced with poison, aimed straight for your heart. And yet, here you are. Alive… but not vampire. The poison is working, stripping away your power. You’re human now. And we have till tomorrow night, till then you are mine to torture.”
A slow smile tugs at my lips. ' Wrong calculations. Very bad ones.' ,I meet her gaze, unwavering. “What are you waiting for, then?”
The lead witch steps closer, her smile widening. “There’s no rush. We have so much time. And we plan to enjoy every moment of it by making you suffer… just like we did with the others.”
- Writer
