Silent Soul

Chapter 9: Train Ride

Rorick

I looked around us and if I wouldn’t have just done it, I would have thought we just turned ourselves around. I stood there looking back across the stream at the castle sitting on top of the mountainside. Upon closer look, though, the castle was dark. There were no lights, no subtle sound of a base playing within. I was thrown for a moment until I focused more on the walls. In the dark with the pouring rain, it was difficult to see anything really and the castle was clad in shadows, but if you looked you could see cracks in the once prestigious walls, chunks of stone that had fallen and lay on the ground before it. It was like walking into another time, hundreds of years later. I looked around, seeing nothing but trees, before looking back at my companion.

The beauty before me was still looking up at the dark sky, full lips curved up into a smile. Even with her makeup running and her hair limp and clinging to her face and down her back, she looked nothing short of God--like.

I guess that makes sense, considering she is the Princess. I looked behind us as the portal still shimmered from my crossing. It looked like ripples of water as it slowly stilled and became invisible again. I looked back at Ryl, something inside me… annoyed, at having to pull her away from her moment. Why ruining her happy mood bugged me, I have no clue, but it somehow did.

“We need to go.” I told her. She looked down at me, a smile still on her face for a moment before it slowly faded away. Looking at those violet eyes, now a deep purple, almost black in t he low light I was remembering the calm calculated movements of a trained warrior when fighting off the guards. She nodded once, then turned and ran. I sprinted after her. She seemed like she was just jogging, her breath barely picking up while I was at a dead sprint.

“We need to find somewhere to change and a ride out of the city.” I called after her. The rain and thunder were so loud I was nearly yelling and knew no one else would be able to hear us. Hell, any scent would also be washed away as I didn’t even smell her, and she was only a few feet in front of me. She glanced over her shoulder and nodded before pointing straight ahead.

I followed her lead until the trees started thinning. Before us was a small town. A village really. There were a few cars, all older models that looked like they could barely run with small houses dotting a street. We stuck to the shadows and carefully looked for a house with no lights or cars. Ryl approached one closed to the other side where we had entered. She lifted up on her toes and peeked inside while I was looking in the house across the street. I listened carefully and thought I heard someone snoring on the floor above.

Why the hell are you being careful? Just break in. Take what you need. Kill what you don’t. My lips started to curve up at that idea. I found my hands reaching for the window, about to lift it wide and shattering the glass or ripping the frame right out, when I heard a tapping from across the street. I looked up to see Ryl pointing to the house she was at. I frowned at her, pissed that she just saved who ever was inside as I walked across the dark street to her. She walked off, towards the back of the house and I followed. She grabbed the back door knob and turned.

I heard the lock completely shear off and she pushed, shoving the door open and ripping the deadbolt through the wooden door frame. I grinned at her as she entered the house. She looked back over her shoulder as I followed her and raised an eyebrow. I chuckled, knowing she would get pissed.

“That was hot,” I told her honestly as I walked past her. I set her duffle bag down on the table and I started opening doors, finding a laundry room, well, a closet really. There was a basket of clothes sitting there and I dug through it, smelling them to confirm they were clean. I pulled out a towel and started drying myself off before tossing her a dry towel. She was scowling at me but took it and started drying herself off.

“Get changed. You can’t walk around in that dress.” I told her casually as I found a T-shirt and a pair of jeans that might fit. I pulled the shirt on, a little tight around my upper arms, but not in a position to complain as I shucked off my jeans. I found a pair of sweat pants as I pulled them on. I found socks but now I needed shoes and maybe some boxers. I turned to find Ryl changing right there. Her dress was pooled around her feet on the floor. She had pulled on a black shirt and was pulling up a pair of jeans, ass right there and fuller than I thought. My lips quirked up into a smile as I watched her pull them the rest of the way up, then put on some socks and a pair of black boots she had in her bag. She then pulled her hair up into a bun after trying to dry it off.

“Not shy are you?” I chuckled. She looked at me and rolled her eyes. I chuckled as I continued to look through the house. I found shoes but they were too small to be comfortable. I did find a jacket, though, two and grabbed those when I found a notebook sitting on a desk and a pen. I grabbed that, knowing Ryl would appreciate a voice as we traveled. I walked back in the kitchen to find Ryl tossing the towel aside and stuffing my wet jeans into a plastic bag, then back in the duffle. She pulled out some cash and stuffed it in her pocket. I handed her the one jacket and looked at it stunned for a moment before taking it and smiling. I then set down the notebook and pen. I watched her carefully as she looked at the boo,k then back to me.

“You kinda need something to speak while we travel,” I told her with a smile. Her lips curled as she quickly grabbed the book and threw it open. The pages were clean with a few pieces of paper from previously removed pages. She took the pen and clicked it open before writing quickly.

Thank you. That was all she wrote. I leaned against the table and grinned at her.

“No, thank you. It would have taken me a few more days before I could have escaped. Plus a lot more deaths.” She frowned before scratching something else down.

Pretty cocky to think you would have ever escaped. And what to you mean more deaths? I shrugged, not bothering to even try and sugarcoat it.

“Sweetheart, I’m a killer and I enjoy it.” I admitted. I watched her face, waiting to see the recognition of how much danger she was in around me but her face was carefully composed.

Good, because they won’t stop at just that. Now it was my turn to look stunned. She finished packing everything and grabbed the bag after slipping on the large jacket.

“You’re different,” I whispered. She ignored my comment and started writing again.

There is a train station not far. From there, we need to travel to Sibiu Train Station. Betel Station is not far but we will need a car.

“I can get us a car. Why Sibiu station?”

There is a contact of the King’s there. She makes fake documents that humans cannot detect. We can get passports, American Identification. From there, we drive to Bucharest. I looked up at her, impressed by how thorough her plan was.

“How long have you been planning to escape?” I asked her. My hand twitched, wanting to reach out and grab her face to tilt that perfect chin up towards me. She had to do the opposite though and look down to write.

A century. She wrote. I nodded before looking out the window and seeing the rain was slowing a bit.

“Let's make sure you don’t go back.” I grinned as I waved to the car sitting on the road. She followed my gaze and nodded. She tucked the notebook into her jacket and stuffed the pen in her hair. I walked to the door and ran out. I grabbed the handle, cursing when it didn’t budge. I could feel my clothes soaking again and I didn’t want to break the window and get wet the entire drive. I hesitated for a moment when suddenly I heard a click ,and Ryl entered the car. She leaned across and flipped the lock for me. I quickly got in and looked at her, wondering if what I heard was right.

“Did you unlock the car?” I asked. She looked at me in surprise as she shook her head. Her eyes were a little too wide, and her mouth was slightly off.

“Then how did you get in? Who leaves the passenger door open but not the driver's side?” She pulled her book out and scribbled something on it.

Unreliable passengers? I could feel the sarcasm dripping from the page.

“You’re a bit of a smart ass, aren’t you?” I asked. She grinned, slamming the book shut as I rolled my eyes at her and leaned down to rip the covering off the back of the steering wheel. I pulled at the correct wires, stripping what I needed with my teeth before the car sputtered to life. I frowned, listening to the hunk of junk in fear that it would just blow up in us.

“This thing is a piece of crap,” I muttered. I shifted it out of park and pulled out onto the road when Ryl hit me and pointed to the other side. I kept going, looking at her in confusion when she pulled her book out and wrote before turning it towards me.

Wrong side of the road! She pointed at the words, jabbing the page as I quickly corrected myself.

“f**k, forgot I’m not in the US. This is so damn weird.” I complained. She only rolled her eyes as they pointed to the right. I followed her directions, thankful that the road was empty as I caught myself trying to drift to the other side of the road. It was silent in the car. The radio was off and other than the rain outside the only noise was our breathing.

“How do you know about the towns around here?” I asked, curious as to how a Princess traveled outside the castle walls and as to what lie she was going to tell me next. I heard the pen scratching the page as they held the book up so I could read it and pull my eyes off the road for only a moment.

Everyone leaves the castle. Regular trips into the city to visit other covens and stuff. That wasn’t as dramatic of an answer as I was looking for. I didn’t even think it was a lie.

“Where did you learn to fight?” I asked next with a smile. Let her try to lie about that.

Everyone learns. A few years ago the Werewolf King led an army into the castle. They attacked the royal family and stole a section of the Soul’s prophecy from us. After that, King Vladimir ordered that everyone in the castle learn to fight. Again, not what I was expecting to hear.

“Make sense. Instead of civilians, now everyone is a warrior.” I followed the narrow roads until we came upon another small town and a large building to the right. She tapped my arm and pointed. I couldn’t understand the words on the building but I nodded as I turned into what was obviously a train station. I pulled in and turned off the car.

“Let's go,” I told her as we got out. She grabbed the bag, and we both ran for cover out of the rain. She looked up at the ticket board and quickly found what we needed before pulling out her notebook and writing in it. She held it up to the older woman in the booth. Her graying hair was pulled up into a bun as she wore bulky rings on her fingers. When she smiled, she was missing a tooth at the front and eyed me suspiciously. She looked to Ryl and said something I could not understand. Ryl looked over her shoulder at me and smiled before reaching back and grabbing my hand. The sudden contact caught me off guard but I found myself squeezing her warm hand back and letting myself get pulled forward by her gentle tug. She turned back to the woman and continued to write. The woman read it carefully and smiled before looking up.

“Oh, travelers.” She said in English. “Visiting your girlfriends family?” She asked. I glanced at her and grinned after giving her a wicked look and her eyes narrowed on me. I chuckled and released her hand to wrap my arm around her waist and pull her into my side.

“Yes. Unfortunately, I haven’t picked up the language yet.” I lied smoothly. I felt Ryle squirm under my hold, but she didn’t buck me off.

“You will. You’ll be surprised how quickly you will pick it up.” Her voice was gravelly as if she smoked several packs a day. I smiled to her and nodded.

“I’m sure of it.” I lied smoothly. I have no intention of remaining in this country long enough to pick anything up. Ryl handed her money and the woman slid over two tickets.

“You have a bit of a wait. She warned. The next train is in an hour.” Her accent was heavy but understandable. I smiled and when Ryl grabbed the tickets, I guided her away with a smile and a wave to the woman.

“Thanks,” I called. We walked into the building, which I realized wasn’t a building but simply a wall. The platform was outside with a clear view of the dark countryside in the rain. Ryl tugged away from my grasp and looked up at me in irritation. I shrugged with a smile as I found a bench and sat down. I patted the seat next to me as I looked around.

“Won’t my girlfriend sit next to me?” I teased. Her eyes darkened as she sat, keeping face as there were a few people here and there. I leaned back in the seat and pulled the hood of the jacket up as I closed my eyes for a moment. I opened them again when there was a tap on my arm.

“What?” I demanded, irritated as Ryl stuck the book in my face again.

Are you going to sleep? I looked back at her and frowned.

“Well I was trying to until you poked me.” She obviously didn’t approve as she quickly scribbled down more.

What if one of them come? Shouldn’t we stay alert? She questioned. I shrugged.

“You’re a vampire and I’m a wolf. We can smell them when they enter the building and no one will do anything while humans are around. Now I’m exhausted and we got an hour before the train gets here. If you’re worried, stay awake.” I told her. She pouted but I closed my eyes and ignored her. Something about those eyes though, that expression on her face wouldn’t leave my thoughts.

Amaryllis

The big bastard just sat there and went to sleep. I stared at him, stunned as he closed his eyes. We were in the middle of an escape, still clearly behind enemy lines and he was here on a bench napping. I crossed my arms over my chest and fumed next to him as I kept my eyes vigilant and on the clock on the wall. The time was almost 2 in the morning. My eyes scanned the station. I barely noticed the eggshell tiles that were cracked and broken on the floor, and the old red brick in desperate need of repair, as I looked at each of the people sitting with us.

There was a young couple making out on one of the far benches. The young brunette was giggling as the dark-haired man kissed at her neck. I could smell their arousal from here as my eyes fell on an elderly man holding a paper bag and an umbrella. There was a middle-aged woman in scrubs with earbuds in as she held a bag close to her. All were human but that didn’t mean we were safe. My family ruled this land for centuries. Father had eyes in many places, in many faces, and all races.

Rorick’s breathing evened out as my eyes drifted to the clock again. Thirty minutes. Time wouldn’t go fast enough. The more I waited the more worried I was that someone would walk in and recognize me. They would drag me back where my one hundred and thirty-four years would come to an end. I know I’ve had a long life, but I never got the chance to actually live it.

The clock moved again by the time I looked up again. We only had ten more minutes when someone else entered the platform, but from the upper end. My eyes were drawn to them instantly as my stomach sank. I sat back, pulling the hood on my jacket up as I hid myself behind Rorick’s thick body. His hood was hiding most of his face so hopefully they wouldn’t recognize him as the train quickly rolled up but still wasn’t moving fast enough.

I moved slowly, writing down one of my biggest fears as I gently pressed my elbow into Rorick’s side. I left the notebook out and open on my lap, looking more like a book I was reading. I noticed his head slightly as he read my warning. His hazel eye looked towards me under the hood has he didn’t move.

“Where?” He demanded. His voice was barely a whisper, his lips hardly moving. I wrote more and tapped the page.

He’s at the other end. Walking this way. Rorick shifted slightly, a nod, but to anyone else would look like he was stirring in his sleep.

“Stay calm. Wait until the others move, then move with the group.”

If he gets on the train? I heard him chuckle deeply at my question.

“Then I get to kill your fiancé.” He murmured. I nodded but knew he would not be alone. Laurance walked slowly up. He looked at everyone he passed as the train doors opened and a few people exited onto the platform. Rorick stood, grabbing my hand like it was natural to do so. He moved naturally but with purpose as he stepped forward and blocked me from sight. I stayed in his shadow as I shifted the bag on my shoulder and stepped forward. We entered the train, quickly standing at the doorway as we watched to see where Laurance was going. As he got close Rorick’s body got ridged. I could hear the growl working up in his throat as he gripped my hand.

I looked out the window and watched Laurence carefully. I slipped inside his mind and listened to his plan.

That car wreaked of that f*****g wolf and Amaryllis. They have to be here. I’ll tear him to f*****g pieces for kidnapping her. His eyes scanned the platform and he didn’t see us.

They must be on the train. My heart sank. Laurance turned, pulling out a ticket as he was about to lift his hand up to wave. I saw one of his guards in his mind at the far end looking there, while one was in the bathrooms searching, and another at the exit.

I’ll flag Victor down to radio for the others to get on. We won’t get back tonight but at least we will have them. He thought. I saw Rorick shift as Laurance moved, obviously about to wave the others down and board as he walked to he door.

No, he can’t get on! My thoughts screamed. Stop! Laurence stopped in his tracks, arm halfway up.

You smelled them going over the tracks, through the field. Laurance looked toward Victor and waved as he walked toward him.

“Call the others.” I heard him speak to Victor in his mind. “I smelled the train going over the tracks. They went into the field.” Victor frowned, green eyes flickering to the field beyond the train tracks as he pulled his hood further down on his head.

“f**k, did they make us?” He questioned. Laurance’s mind filled with doubt as he thought about getting on the train again.

Yes, they made you. They ran. Go after them. I ordered. Laurance sighed as he looked across the tracks.

“I think so. Call them and let's hurry up. The sun will be up soon.” He muttered. The doors closed and the train started to move. I relaxed and sagged against the wall as Rorick relaxed too, eyes never leaving my face. He kept hold on my hand and once we were completely out of the station, tugged me along after him to a seat. I slipped in first, sitting by the window as Rorick sat down next to me. I let out a huff as I felt the tension rush from my body along with my energy as I sagged against the seat. I closed my eyes, the stress starting to give me a headache as I let my bag slid to the floor.

“So Ryl, lets get things out in the open here.” Rorcik suddenly said. I opened my eyes to look at him. He was twisted towards me as he grinned. I frowned and pulled the book out to write what he meant when he grabbed it away from me.

“You can speak.” He accused. That wicked grin curled his lips as he suddenly leaned in. His face was so close to mine, and I frowned as I shook my head and leaned away. I pointed to my neck, reminding him of my injury. He looked and shook his head.

“Not with your voice.” He clarified. “With your mind.” My heart raced as fear clutched my chest. I knew Rorick heard it as his smile grew larger and he suddenly looked like the cat that ate the canary. I shook my head again, refusing to let him know my deepest secret, the one that not even my family knew about. Rorick closed the space between us and removed the last bit of comfort I had.

“Yes, you can. You’re a telepath.” He correctly assessed. I gritted my teeth. He was far more observant than I thought, dangerously so. I shook my head again as his hand suddenly flew up to cup my neck. He did squeeze and somehow it wasn’t fear that made my heart thud harder.

“Oh yes, Ryl. You are very interesting indeed.”