Silent Soul

Chapter 8: Run Part II

Amaryllis

I had every intention of following Rorick down that hall after making it look like I couldn’t see who I was looking for. Instead, my arm was snagged and Laurance pulled me into the party. He was frowning, an angry look on his face as he was gritting his teeth.

“Where the hell did you disappear to?” He snarled. His blue eyes bore into mine, trying to pull words I was unable to say. I felt the fear curling in my chest but I was able to keep my aura of calm as I looked pointedly down at his fingers wrapped around my arm and back at him as I raised an eyebrow. Touching me, hurting me, was a crime punishable by death, and until I was officially married to him, he had no right to place a hand on me. I chuckled silently as I smugly gazed into his eyes as he dropped ot my arm.

He growled before looking around him to see if anyone noticed. I yanked my arm back and noted a slight mark from the pressure he had been applying. I smirked at him as I lifted my right hand and tapped the third finger there. The color, what little there was, drained from his face. I would have loved to just stand there and soak in the look of fear in his eyes as he realized his mistake. Instead of acknowledging him though, I walk right into the party. I had no time to tournament him, even though the position he put himself in was tempting. I needed to get out to the garden and into the kitchen to hopefully meet back up with Rorcik. Him being free in the castle put us both at risk. If Father found out he was free he would most likely smell me in the Dungeon and put two and two together. I doubted not even my engagement would save me from his wrath.

I fought the shiver that threatened to work its way down my spine as my concern about Rorick only grew. I watned to look for him with my mind, find where he was to ensure no one discovered him yet but that required focus that I was unable to accomplish walking through a large and rowdy crowd.

“Amaryllis, wait!” Laurance yelled from behind me. The bodies int eh crowd worked ot my advantage. No one cared or even looked up from liquor-fueled dancing and bloodlust-induced feeding to care. Everyone simply continued to party, with some making out on the dance floor and others slipping away to have s*x in barely concealed places throughout the ballroom. Tonight, instead of the stiff partying from Father’s time it was more modern to fit the times all us currently live in with drugs, s*x, and liquor to celebrate the birth of the ‘perfect’ species.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed at both the thought of this species being perfect and Laurance chasing after me.

“Amaryllis, stop!” I could hear the control in his voice slipping. He wanted nothing more than to scream at me as I pushed through. I exited the crowd and made it to the large French doors right when Laurence stepped in front of me.

“I told you to stop.” His tone was light but his eyes were dark and filled with the unspoken rage he was concealing. I c****d my head to the side and pointed to my arm, then hiked a thumb over my should to the relative direction of the thrones. His eyes followed as he raked a hand through his hair.

“I am sorry my love,” He said with a forced smile and term of endearment to try and play it up to any ears that might be listening. I raised an eyebrow before tapping the crown on my head. This time he was unable to control the rage. His teeth nashed together as I successfully stifled a chuckle.

“Your Highness.” He said with a bow. I nodded as I thought of a way to escape him. He stood back up and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Where were you? I was looking all over.” He demanded again. I paused, quickly thinking of a lie when I turned to the throne again. Father summoning me was irrefutable. I looked back at him and pointed. He followed my finger and frowned, clearly annoyed with the charades.

“You were sitting down?” He asked. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. This moron was never going to guess so I mouthed out the word.

Father. He frowned, muttering to himself before his eyes lit up.

“Oh. His Highness summoned you.” He finally realized. I nodded as I crossed my arms over my chest.

“What did he want?” He suddenly asked. I raised an eyebrow at him and pointed ot my mouth before pressing my finger to it in a sign of quiet. He frowned.

“Once we wed, you will no longer need to be silent to me.” He snapped as he frowned. That had me covering my mouth to hide my giggle. Even if it wasn’t for a physical reason, Father would still keep that amount fo control over me. I nodded as Laurance’s frown deepened.

“What do you mean?” He growled. I signed silently and pointed to the throne again. I smiled, enjoying prodding him as he could do nothing back.

Ask Father. I said. He watched my lips as his frown deepened and he balled up his fists.

“That was not part of the deal.” He snapped. That surprised me. It took some work but I managed to keep my face neutral even though I was surprised. Why would Father make a deal about something he could not keep? He knew I could not speak? That would put him and Mother in the precarious position of having to admit my disability, and even worse, to someone Father already mentioned plenty of times he does not completely trust. I shrugged, throwing my hands up and my eyes flickered to the throne again.

Father’s rules. I mouthed again. Laurance leaned forward, face right in mine as his fangs were barely an inch away from my nose. I held my ground and smiled as I could see the pieces falling into place in his small brain. I carefully entered his thoughts to enjoy the chaos from the inside.

This b***h can’t be serious. He told me that as family she can speak to me. As my property, all her secrets will be mine. His eyes flickered up and scanned the crowd. Where is he? I need to sort this out now. I grinned as Laurance looked back at me, eyes red. I tapped my cheek, pointing to my eyes, warning him to calm down as I walked past and leaned against the railing overlooking the garden. I could hear his thoughts. He wanted nothing more than to teach me a lesson about laughing at my husband but I was untouchable at the moment. Instead,, he turned on his heel to walk into the crowd in search of my Father or Mother.

I waited a moment as I glanced over my shoulder. When I was certain no one was looking, I slipped off to the side and sat of the railing. I gave one more look around before letting myself drop down silently into the garden. I pulled the tiara off my head and let it drop as I made my way through the bushes to the side entrance. My heart was thrumming in my chest as the worst possibilities rushed through my head. I reached for the door handle when I caught his scent. It was strong and drifted deeper into the garden. Relief rushed through me as I followed it to the fountain. There, sitting against the wall, was Rorick, who was leaning back with his hands behind his head. He grinned when he saw me, eyes racking over me again and causing me to blush.

“I was worried for a moment there that you stood me up,” He teased. I frowned at the joke that this was a date and turned towards the wall to start walking, not bothering to see if he was following me.

“So what took you so long?” He asked as he was suddenly right next to me. His body heat warmed my entire left side as we carefully made our way through the bushes. I looked up at him and lifted my left hand, and tapped the third finger. He grinned and nodded.

“Ya know, my offer to kill him before we leave is still standing. I don’t mind taking a detour.” We had made it to the tree and I had kicked off my heels. I was about to leap up and into the branches when I paused to look at him.

Why? I demanded as I mouthed out the word. He simply shrugged.

“I’m no saint. I’ll kill anyone in my path, but for the good of the many. Plus, I know men like him. He is sadistic, and I would enjoy giving him a taste of his own medicine.” Rorick flashed a perfect set of teeth as he leaned against the tree. Though his body was calm, his eyes were wild and hinted at how unstable this man was. I had a feeling if it weren’t for me, he would go on a rampage and slaughter all in the castle right now. I had no idea why I would be preventing any of that devastation, but I couldn’t get over the feeling that I was somehow to blame for their safety.

Why are you here? I mouthed to him. He c****d his head to the side.

“Because your fiancé in there thought I would be a great gift.” I shook my head.

No, why are you here? I asked again, making sure to slow down and overemphasize the why to get him to understand my true question. I watched as his cheerful smile grew larger, twisting into something sinister and had me regretting trusting this man.

That smile alone told me he was far more dangerous than Dracula and I’ve traded one monster for another.

Rorick

“I murdered a lot of people trying to save my people from some corrupt leaders. I failed, was labeled a rogue and then captured and brought here.” I responded to her question, giving her the simpler version that was far less complicated than the real one. Besides, I only knew what happened after I died.

I watched as her eyes got wide but she kept the rest of her body calm. Her heart only stuttered slightly before she nodded. She kept eye contact with me as her full lips formed more silent words.

You’re a criminal. She stated simply. I shrugged.

“I guess you are, too. Freeing an enemy wanted by the King.” She flinched as she looked back toward the balcony, hidden by the tall bushes and fruit trees littering the garden. She didn’t say anything else, or well, mouth. She suddenly leaped straight up and grabbed onto one of the branches. She swung herself from branch to branch and climbed with an undeniable grace to the top where she grabbed something before dropping right back down. She landed silently next to me, rolling through her feet until she was kneeling.

“What’s that?” I asked. She opened the duffle bag and inside was clothes and cash. I raised an eyebrow.

“How did a maid get all of that?” I asked, wondering what lie she would spin. Instead, she looked up at me and smiled.

Stole it. She grinned. She zipped the bag back up and slung it over her shoulder before pointing to a tower at the end of the wall. It looked old and unstable, like it was not kept up. Hundreds of years ago it would have been where the sentries walked up to patrol the wall. I nodded as I moved to follow her when I heard something behind us. I turned to see one of the guards walking through the garden and chatting with another. I grabbed Ryl, pulling her into my side as I snatched the bag from her arms. I didn’t know why, but I didn’t want them thinking she was escaping willingly. I moved to shove her forward but wasn’t fast enough.

“Hey, who is that?” I heard the one say.

“s**t, time’s up,” I murmured to her. “Run!” I pushed her again and she sprang forward as I followed. I heard them calling for backup and giving chase. Ryl got to the tower and paused. She looked back to see me barreling towards her. I grabbed her arm, spinning so I pulled her to my chest as I rammed my back into the door. It splintered and fell inside as I continued my spin so she was in front of me again.

“Keep going!” I snarled. She only paused for a fraction of a second before sprinting up the stairs. I kept pace with her until we were atop the wall. She moved to leap before her eyes caught something behind me. I snarled, spinning before she had the chance to warn me to come face to face with one of the guards. His eyes were red as he looked at his Princess then to me. He pulled out a sidearm as he raised it at my chest. I leaped as he fired off three shots, each hitting me right in the chest as I tackled him to the ground. As I held him I heard his partner on the staircase. I chuckled as I allowed my teeth to shift.

“Big mistake,” I muttered as I grabbed his throat with my claws. I pulled, ripping it out and watching the life fade as he gasped for breath. I stood and balled up a fist. I c****d it back and let it fly, hitting the stone wall of the tower hard enough that it started to crumble. I heard the vamp inside scream as the roof, already unstable, started to collapse on him. I spun back around to see Ryl, eyes wide and body shaking at what had to be a nightmare staring back at her and smiling.

“Jump!” I growled. She nodded and leaped. I ran after her, scooping up the bag and launching myself off the wall just as I heard and alarm sound. She landed far more gracefully than I did as I stumbled but quickly righted myself. She waved for me to follow and ran forward, sticking close to the wall as we ran around to the far side. I heard footsteps above us and leaped forward, snagging Ryl by the waist as I looked up at the guards. Their eyes locked on me as I positioned Ryl in front of me.

“Act like I took you.” I whispered in her ear as I got my arm around her neck. She gave me response as I smiled up at the men. The horror in their eyes was tangible as I spun and lifted Ryl up bridal style. Instead of following the wall I ran right into the woods.

“Where am I going?” I demanded. She looped her arms around my neck as her eyes were wide and looking all around. She pointed to the right and I followed her directions.

“How far?” I snapped. I could smell them behind up. Without four legs vampires were faster and carrying her wasn’t helping. She held up five fingers.

“Miles?” She raised an eyebrow at me like I was missing something obvious. I rolled my eyes.

“Forgot. Kilometers.” I grumbled. I heard voices behind us and Ryl’s head snapped around. Her mouth opened into what appeared to be a scream just before something slammed into my back. Ryl went flying as I rolled over to see another vamp on me. He threw a fist, connecting with my cheek. I raised my arm, using my elbow to block as I got my leg between us and pushed him off me. I was on him again before he was able to get up and grabbed his head. He fought but I twisted the muted snap, sending a shiver of pleasure through me.

I looked up to see Ryl, knife in hand, rushing toward me. She moved like a seasoned warrior as she danced around me and right to the second vamp. She caught him by surprise as she swung out, jamming the knife in his neck. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled him down, bringing her knee up and smashing it into his face. His nose crunched and he dropped to the ground as she quickly grabbed the knife and turned to look at me. I simply stared, wondering where in the hell a woman like this was for my entire life as I grinned. I stood quickly, grabbing her and the bag and pulling her along.

“Where have you been all my life.” I huffed. She yanked her hand away and frowned at me. Her hair was loose, now spilling down her back and face. Blood was spattered on the front of her dress and it was ripped around her hip. She took the lead as we came across a small stream. She ran through it, splashing the water around her as I followed.

“Where is the damn protal?” I huffed as I looked over my shoulder. There was no one else there for now. I looked back at her as she slowed and approached a large oak tree. She stopped right in front of it as she tentatively reached a hand out. I watched as the area around her shimmered and distorted like looking into a clear pool after tossing in a stone. She looked back at me and smiled before stepping through.

“Well, I guess it’s there,” I muttered. I followed her, pausing before stepping through the portal. I reached forward, finding it strange that I felt nothing and expected something like warmth or water. I walked the rest of the way through into the loud roar of a downpour and the clap of thunder. Ryl was standing there, already drenched as her dress clung to her body and her hair was plastered to her face. Even though she was drenched the smile on her face as she looked up at the rain clearly said what I also felt.

We are free.