The crown of Shadows

The Darkening

The search of the missing princess went on for weeks with no rest, Most warriors had travelled to many cities but still no news of the Princess and her friend. The Alpha king and his Luna were devastated, Gabriel was more than angry with himself for not protecting what was his . It was like a dark cloud had been cast on the pack, moreover the coming of age of Isabella meant the Dark Lord would come for her sooner now that she didn’t have the protection of the pack.

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Isabella and kelvin reached the city of Salmine , famous for its wealth and beauty in all the kingdoms of the west . Here is the ruling powerful vampire family of Dracul , they last heard from fellow travelers that the wizard Alistair would be coming to the perennial Ball held by the Draculs. They must find a way to get inside the castle that’s heavily guarded by Vampire knights .

They got intel about the castle and the party through local merchants and commoners of Salmine, they dressed as servants and sneaked through the castle by the left side of the wall , they maneuver around the castle till they found the kitchen. They joined other servants in the serving of foods and drinks .

Isabella and kelvin split up to cover more grounds in finding Alistair , Isabella watched the vampire nobility with opulent gowns and dresses, blood was served with wine and variety of dishes . Guest from different corners of the supernatural world were present with few humans .

The Draculs made their appearance with an air of electric elegance and serenity, Head of the house was none other than Luca Dracul with his two siblings Gianna Dracul and Vincenzo Dracul, they had the similar traits of the house of Dracul famous for their pale porcelain skin with blonde hair and violet eyes that turn red when they are bloodthirsty which happens occasionally since they seem more reserved and uptight in their expensive attires .

Luca was very tall and broad shouldered with few muscles underneath his sky blue tunic , he fixed the crowd with his magnetic eyes and addressed them .

“ Welcome to my home , I hope your travels were pleasant, enjoy the feasts .” He mingled with the crowd , Isabella kept watching him as he spoke with most of his guest till something caught her eye , it was the Lady Gianna speaking with Kelvin at the far end of the hall .

She was walking towards them when she bumped into someone. She quickly apologized

“ Am so sorry my lord, I wasn’t watching my steps .” He smiled gently,” it’s alright child”

He was staring at her , trying to figure out where he knew her because she looked familiar till someone drew his attention from her,

“Alistair winslock, what a surprise thought you couldn’t make it .” The vampire asked ,

“ thought so too but here we are .” They were conversing and Isabella took it as a queue to escape, kelvin and Gianna were nowhere in sight so she ditched the party since she had already found the wizard but she needs to inform her friend.

She walked through the cold lonely corridors to find him, searched through out the kitchen. She got to the dungeon of the castle, that’s where she heard painful noises emitting from the far corner. She saw Vincenzo Dracul strangling Kelvin , without a second thought she unsheathed her twin silver daggers from her thighs to stab Vincenzo in the shoulders , with painful grunts he released kelvin to pass out on the floor .

Isabel quickly helped her friend to get on his feet by supporting his weight, they made out of the dungeon quickly and soon were in the corridors leading to their escape routes , as they were walking around Isabel felt something moved through the shadows, she became alert and held her dagger close to her chest . Kelvin was so weak , bleeding and wheezing , before the could take one step towards the gates , the we knocked down. Isabel quickly got up in to a fighting stance , holding to daggers that glistening in the halls with blood dripping down from it . It was lady Gianna that was circling them , fangs protruding from her mouth with a sadistic smile from her beautiful face .

She lunged at Isabel with impossible speed clawing at her , which she barely dodged . They exchanged punches with Gianna clawing Isabel’s arm , meanwhile during their combat Luca was watching them in the shadows , he couldn’t risk his baby sister to be stabbed with the silver dagger so he intervened holding Isabel by the throat .

“Drop the daggers”, he whispered into her ears

“Or I’ll kill both you and the wolf on the floor.”

Isabel quickly dropped it , he was dissatisfied he thought she would put up a fight , yet still she served his purpose. How can she possess the most deadly silver dagger that is strong enough to put even the strongest vampires to hibernation.