Silent Soul

Chapter 4: Enemy of my Enemy

Rorick

I heard the slide of the heavy wooden doors against the stone floor as they opened a floor above. Footsteps were heard, along with the sound of something dragging along the floor. I looked up with curiosity as a tall man with dark curly hair came round the corner. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail and he was dressed in leather pants and a tunic top. His wardrobe was right out of a different time and he would have looked completely out of place anywhere else than inside this over five hundred year old castle.

I observed, not betraying any ounce of emotion from my face as he dragged a female behind him. I could smell she was a vampire and she was in a similar dress as him. She wore a whit tunic and black leather pants with boots. Her hair was black and long with a slight wave to it that hinted at curls that were stretched out from the weight. Her porcelain skin was bruised with purple sploches along her face. Her breathing was steady as she was unconscious while being dragged along the floor. Once he reached the door to the cell next to mine she was tossed in like nothing more than trash. My eyes met that of the King and I smiled as I continued to antagonize him.

“Women trouble?” I snickered as I leaned back against the wall. His eyes flickered to mine before he slammed the cell door shut and walked until he stood in front of mine.

“I believe all of the male species does.” He smiled back. I nodded in agreement. I’ve had my fair share of trouble trying to navigate the mind of a woman.

“Never to the point of having to beat them. A real man doesn’t need to.” I stabbed back. His smile wavered as I jabbed at his manhood, and smiled wider.

“No, you only have trouble killing them.” He snapped right back. I knew what he meant, that I failed to kill my sister. I locked my jaw but kept my smile in place.

“I trained her well. I am proud of that fact.” I admitted with ease. Vlad looked me over carefully.

“Do you still wish to finish the job?” He asked. I frowned at him. Yes, I did still wish that, but that was not something I could admit to him. Destroying the monarchy would leave a gap, and even if it was only for a few weeks, that was an opening a worthy advisory could use to destroy the entire werewolf race. I wanted to save my species, not destroy them. Instead, I asked my own question.

“How do you know who I am?” I wondered. He smiled at me as he gestured to my body.

“I met your grandfather once when he stole from me. You look just like him.” Okay, that was a reasonable enough explanation. But news of my death had to have spread, even to the other races. How could he assume it was me after hearing I was dead? Did he hear it? I thought carefully of my next question, making sure it revealed important information to me, and yet nothing to him. I still needed to know who resurrected me, and so far, Dracula was top on my list.

“News of my family travels I see.” Dracula smiled as he watched me. I leaned back and smiled. “So that means you heard how I was able to single-handedly take down the old King, Queen and two Bears?” I asked, purposefully lying to see if he would correct me. He chuckled.

“That’s not how I heard it. I heard you gathered an army.”

“More like a militia. It wasn’t that large.” I pointed out. “Still better than any attempt you have made on us over the years.” His eye flashed red again as he pursed his lips and I continued, “I at least managed to take out important key figures. I even rearranged the major points of command and I’m the first in fifty years to take on two bears and survive. If I remember correctly, you almost lost to just one.” I grinned as I leaned back against the wall. I chuckled as the rage in his face turned an oddly warm ivory skin tone to red.

“If I remember correctly, you lost to a child.” He nearly spat out. I was almost there. I shrugged, making it seem like it was no big deal, as I waved his comment away with a grin.

“I trained them. Besides, sometimes, the best form of training is letting them win. Gives them confidence and makes them realize they do have power when they might be to afraid to use it. My brother had some reservations to stopping me so I helped him along by letting him take me down. I think that plays to not only my superior training but my superior leadership and fighting skills.” I made sure to twist the blade deep with my words, playing on what I remember my father explaining was a very vain man. If his information was correct, Vladimir Dracul III thought very highly of appearances. Needed everything to look as perfect as their species faces. Anything to doubt that was a threat. Judging from his current expression, that holds turn now. His eyes bled red, the color starting from the pupil outward until is corrupted the rest of the iris in the dark color. He pulled his lips back in anger and exposed long fangs as he hissed and grabbed at the bars.

“That only shows how much of a child you really are!” He snapped. “You lost more than the rebellion when your brother got his teeth around your neck. You are a fallen King, and the one most worthy of the crown has it now.” He hissed. I let my smile fall and locked my aw, trying to play it up that I was irritated at hearing how I died when in reality he gave me what I wanted.

He knew I died that day. Which means, assuming it was me meant he also knew I was resurrected. I wanted nothing more than to smiled and laugh in his face at the information he just provided, but this was also the perfect time to see if he would give me more.

“I let him.” I falsy argued. His snarl melted back into a smile as he believed he hit a nerve. Yeah, I was irritated that Kade won that fight. There was a voice inside my head that said I should be furious, that would have been just hours before hearing that reminder at my downfall, but in a small place in teh back of my mind where all my doubt rested I was proud.

“You did no such thing.” He chuckled.

“Then I died a failure.”

“That is how I see it.”

“Then why bring a failure back?” I asked outright since it didn’t seem like he would willingly give me anything else. His mouth moved to open before he paused, the red seeping in again for only a moment and he shut it again. I c****d my head to the side, wondering what just happened.

“I guess you’ll never know, considering you will never get out of here to find them.” He snapped curtly before spinning on his heel and leaving. I waited for him to walk away before groaning.

He f*****g realized what I was doing. I smiled a bit to myself though at his obvious irritation at letting that tidbit slip. He knew I had died. He was about to say something else about why I was brought back. I guess my theory was correct then. Dracula must have hired the Necromancer to bring me back. The question is, why?

I looked to my right at the woman laying on the floor. The bruises on her face were already lighter, a sign that she was a vampire as well. Her clothes were clean and smelled expensive, even though they were not flashy. I smelled silk and real leather instead of cotton and the fake stuff. Other than the smudges on her face and clothes from the layer of fine dirt on the floor she was clean and smelled of soap and perfume. Not only did her clothes look more than common, but the necklace around her throat was black lace and held a ruby. I got up on my knees and crawled towards her, inspecting her carefully. There was something under the lace of the choker but I couldn’t make it out through the thinly woven lace. I could smell the blood on her and noticed a spot on her head that looked shiny and was possibly wet.

I sat at the bars and watched her with nothing else to do until she woke up. She started twitching her fingers as her breaths became deeper. She moved before her eyes opened after a few hours and pushed herself up off the floor in silence. Tough chick to not make a sound. She never bothered to look around, only lifted her head, eyes focused on the bars, before she pulled her legs under her and sat back. I wasn’t even sure he had noticed me.

“Looks like you had a little bit too much fun at the party,” I commented. She jumped, actually moving about a foot off the ground as her eyes, violet in color like an amethyst gem, locked onto me. They were wide in fear as she bard her fangs and scurried back using her arms and legs to push herself along the floor. I chuckled at her response, smiling at the beautiful woman as I looked her up and down. With nothing else to do, I figured a chat would not only keep me entertained but maybe get me information. If her clothes were has expensive as they seemed, I might be able to get something out of her.

“Sorry if I startled you.” I lied, not really caring one bit. “Just figured I would make conversation. Don’t get may guests down here.” I joked again. She looked at me as her hand fell from her chest and she relaxed. Her lips quirked into a smile before she relaxed against the bars opposite me. I looked at her, expectant of her to say something since her body language read that I was no more a threat then she was locked ina cage, but nothing came.

“So, what did they get you for? Get blood drunk and hijack a carriage before swinging off the chandeliers?” I pressed, hoping to get her talking. She only shook her head before looking at me, eyes locked onto mine.

“What’s wrong? Bat’s got your tongue?” I pushed again. She shook her head and frowned, looking away suddenly.

“What? Is there some rule down here that we can’t talk to one another? Cuz, if you haven’t noticed sweetheart, I don’t play by the rules. As a matter a fact, I enjoy breaking every single one of them I find.” She raised an eyebrow at me and looked pointedly at the door to my cell. I looked too and laughed.

“You obviously see where that’s gotten me,” I snickered. “So really, why are you down here? I thought all bets were off during the grand creation festival.” Her eyes lifted up to me again and still nothing. Mine narrowed as I looked her over.

“Let me guess. Vlad dragged you down here himself, so you must be close to if not one of the royal family-” Her eyes flashed red for a moment as I spoke. “And your clothes are good quality, expensive. Also, that necklace looks like something one of the family would wear-” She started waving her hands in the air and shaking her head. She pointed to her throat and shook her head. I c****d my head to the side as I looked at her curiously.

“What?” I asked. She scooted closer until she was still a safe distance from me but in the middle of the cell. Using a long, slender finger, she started to draw in the dirt.

Can’t speak. Mute. I looked up at her in disbelief. That wasn’t possible. My brows furrowed in suspicion. She must have understood because she lifted her arms and undid the necklace from her long, delicate throat. Underneath was three long, jagged scars going right across. They were faded but not well healed. She replaced the necklace and wrote more on the floor.

Goblins. That toxin slowed the healing process. I looked at the woman, now far more curious than I was moments ago to find out why I was brought back. I had so many questions. Goblin toxin slowed all healing to a crawl and prevented immortals like vampires from regenerating. The only thing was when it got to the bloodstream it killed unless you had money.

“You have to be someone in Dracula’s court then. Then, the money it would have taken to save you is more than a common vampire has, no matter how old they are.”

Father was a General to the King. She wrote after erasing the last message with a swipe of her hand. I eyes the necklace, recognizing it from a book. It was a jewel that was given to Vlad as a dowry from his wife. Some of those jewels had been stolen from other species and that ruby was undeniable. Its red was a deep blood-red and clear. The only one of its kind. No general’s daughter would have that.

“How did you get that necklace then?” She paused for a moment before erasing her message and writing more.

I serve his daughters. They hate anything they deem ugly. That includes my scar. They would rather give me this because it’s just another bobble to them than look at my neck. I looked up at her. Her heart stuttered for a moment and her hesitation told me she was thinking of a lie.

Why lie about that? She confirmed that the necklace belongs to the Draculs. Why lie that she is a servant? I felt a smile curving my lips as I formed a theory. After meeting Vlad and seeing his vanity, it wasn’t that out there. I looked at the beauty and saw a potential ally.

Amaryllis

The man across from me smiled widely. Something about it seemed off, like he was standing on the edge of sanity and inanity and was just waiting for a little push to help him choose. I had me cautious as I looked at him. I erased the lie I left on the floor, knowing Father would want anything else said in case he spoke to the guards. Hearing that I was down here was bad enough, but if he told anyone that a Dracul was mute Father really would kill me. My head still ached from the beating I was given after I was screamed at the change. Of course the dress was more important than me. Goddess forbid anything happen to the dress.

“So, you piss of the spoiled brats somehow?” I knew that should have bothered me as he implied me too but it didn’t. I only thought of my sisters and frowned.

You could say that.

“How often do you see a royal tantrum?” He wondered. Humor sparkled in his hazel eyes. His smile, though hinting at his mental instability, was contagious, as I suddenly found myself lost in his eyes. There was almost every shade of green with brown and amber in them as he watched me. His hair was long and disheveled, as he had it pulled back into a ponytail. Strands fell out across his face, which was smudged with dirt and grime. I never imagined I would find conversing with a werewolf enjoyable, but hearing the same disdain for my family on his lips was fun.

Daily. Spoiled brat is being too kind. He took a moment to read that before erupting with a laugh deep from his belly. I did too, though unlike his, which reverberated off the stone walls, mine was perfectly silent.

“I’m assuming the kind that run to daddy at every inconvenience?” I rolled my eyes, Lantana popping into my head at that description.

Exactly.

“What was it that ended you down here?” I frowned. My betrothed to Laurance being brought right back to the front of my mind. I bared my fangs as I ached for something that want’s stone or iron to hit and crush under my hands. I cleared my writing space.

Sold. I wrote. He frowned.

“I’m not following. You were sold and because of that ended up here?”

I sighed and cleared my space again.

One of the Generals wants me to warm his bed. I am owned by the King. He asked for me, and because he was able to bring you to him, I was his reward. I tried to refuse. I looked up at the wolf. I should be mad at him, but I also knew this was not his fault. He read that carefully before a deep growl rumbled up from his chest.

“Blondie? You were sold to that coward?” His laugh continued to the point of tears as he sagged against the bars. “Oh, this is too f*****g perfect. That dickhead made my entire trip here miserable. So, is he coming here to collect you? Because I will dispatch him for you if you wish. They can’t even blame you for it.” His offer to help with my problems caught me by surprise, and I blinked at him. He noticed my confusion.

“He’s a sadistic sadist. Liked to use the cattle prod. I can only imagine what he would be like in bed.” Fear curled my stomach as I tucked my legs up and rested my chin on them. He noticed and frowned.

“I’m assuming he enjoys the torment in bed as well.” I nodded. The wolf looked me over before c*****g his head to the side. “Has he ever done that to you?” He asked suddenly. I shook my head no before writing on the floor again.

I was spared. But come this Saturday, I won’t be. His eyes lifted up to mine and for once, there was no smile, not even a hint of one.

“I am sorry.” Was all he said. I watched him carefully before the question that was bouncing around in my head could not be contained.

Why? He frowned as he read that and looked up.

“Why what? Am I sorry?” He asked. I nodded. “Females were made to be worshiped by men. You teach us love, you give life, you are the compassion and kindness in the world. Men breed violence, teach hate, and give death to those around.”

Tears pricked my eyes as he spoke of women in that way. It was so odd. I was raised to understand that werewolves were ruthless, violent animals. I had learned early on that vampires can be, too, that all creatures can be, but I’ve never heard anyone describe me like that.

I’ve never known a woman to be like that. I told him truthfully. He smiled.

“You never met my mother. She could be violent and she could take life as easily as she brought me and my siblings into this world, but she chose to try kindness and compassion first.”

She sounds amazing. He nodded in agreement before smiling.

“She was.” I heard what he didn’t say in those two words and I knew she was no longer alive.

The world is lesser without one like that. I wrote. Something in his eyes changed, flickered to violence and insanity before changing back.

“What about your mother?” He asked. I snorted.

Pissed because my older sister does not get to marry first, as is her birthright. She only cares about looking good in front of her King. The wolf looked up at me and smiled.

“Looks like we both have problems.” He grinned. I nodded as he suddenly stuck his hand through my bars and held it out to shake.

“And maybe we can help each other out.” He continued. I eyes his hand cautiously. He might be pleasant to speak with but I was no fool. I was not touching his hand and risking him grabbing me. He could still easily kill me through the bars.

How? I wrote. He never moved his hand.

“You know your way around here well, right?” I nodded. “Do you want to marry that prick?” I shook my head. “Do you want to get away from here?” I had thought about running away for centuries. Getting out of the country would be impossible on my own. I looked at his hand as I carefully thought about what he was implying. A werewolf was the perfect bodyguard to get me out of here. My eyes locked with his as I slowly reached out to grab his hand. He was gentle as he shook it once, then let go.

“I’m Rorick.” He said. I smiled, knowing I could not use my real name, but I wrote one anyway.

Call me Ryl.