Bound by Blood

Mission

Luciana went with Prince Raziel to the secluded side of the library. Only royals and some nobles were entitled to that section. He then left her alone to make whatever research she wanted.

The prince came back hours later, only to find Luciana still sitting there, immersed in the book she was reading—or maybe it was another.

“Vampire weaknesses?” He read aloud as he covered the book to get her attention. “You are really planning to end our race?” He asked with a rather relaxed tone.

“Your Highness.” She bowed politely in acknowledgement, but then continued her reading.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said, walking back to the row of shelves, searching for a book.

“I spend a lot of time reading, Your Highness,” she admitted to him.

“I don’t expect that from you though.”

Luciana closed her book and turned her attention to him, clearly irritated by what he said and what it implied.

“Why?”

“You know...”

“Most humans are not educated and have no business reading a book.” She completed his statement, and he shook his head, his lips holding a lazy grin.

“Something like that.”

“Your kind is to be blamed for that, you know.” Luciana pointed out, and the prince strolled back to her.

“You know I could kill you now...”

“And nothing will happen, because I am human and you are the vampire prince.” She completed his statement again, not trying to sound rude. She was only stating facts.

“Bold of you to assume that was what I was going to say.” He replied, getting more and more fascinated by her.

“I believe I am not too far from the truth,” she remarked.

He walked to stand in front of her table, then leaned forward, wanting to purposely intimidate her. “If you aren’t careful enough, these words of yours might just be the last.”

But the human didn’t flinch. It was as if she didn’t notice what he was trying to do.

“You know, I love to imagine my death.” She began, and his mouth fell open, then closed. When he thought he was getting used to her strange behaviour, she said or did something unbelievable again.

“I believe I will die at one of your hands, maybe even yours.”

“Why do you say so?” He asked, not masking the curiosity in his voice.

“Because most nobles find me to be ill-mannered. I have only been lucky to survive this long.” The words came out of her mouth so casually, like she was talking about something so mundane, like describing the colour of her dress.

“Then you should probably stop being ill-mannered to at least prolong your days.”

Her empty brown eyes looked up into his curious ones. “My days are not worth prolonging, Your Highness.” He frowned at her.

Prince Raziel sighed, surrendering to her strong will. “Just know that I will not kill you.”

“Why?” Luciana asked curiously.

“You are certainly the most interesting human I know.”

“So you won’t kill me because you find me interesting?” She assessed him with her eyes, her gaze heavy with judgement.

“Yes,” he answered.

“I certainly make some kind of entertainment for you, and you want to preserve me.”

“If you put it that way.” He shrugged.

“Do you preserve every human you find entertaining?”

“I would rather keep that answer to myself.”

“But you sure can kill anyone who isn’t entertaining enough.” She retorted.

“You presume a lot of things.”

“You have a reputation, Your Highness. And the first impression you left says a lot.” She was referring to the time he killed the werewolf guard in the inn she was in before coming to the castle. Not that she didn’t want him dead, because she really did. She had even wished to kill him by herself many times, but she didn’t have the means. She was only telling the prince because she believed that he killed because he could.

“What does my reputation say?” He gave her a lopsided smirk, as if already knowing the answer to the question.

“Ruthless, skilled at battle, cruel, and many more.”

Prince Raziel only chuckled.

“Do you enjoy reading too, Your Highness?” She asked, suddenly changing the topic.

“Yes. That is what I came back here to do before I saw that you are still here. May I know what you have learnt so far, or do you still want to keep it to yourself?”

“I’d rather keep it to myself,” she answered politely.

He just shook his head before he got himself immersed in his own book. Hours later, he decided Luciana should go back.

“You have been here for too long. You should go.”

“But...”

“I wasn’t asking.”

She covered the book and rose from her seat.

“Yes, Your Highness. And thank you for letting me use this place.”

“Why do you look so pale?” He asked as his gaze scanned the whole length of her body in a not-too-subtle way.

“I can’t tell, Your Highness.”

Probably because of her malnutrition and lack of sleep.

The prince didn’t say any more words to her. He just walked her back to the inn.

When they got to the inn, the first person they met was Rebecca, as she was standing outside. Luciana smiled, knowing that she would be riled up because the prince was with her.

“Your Highness.” Rebecca bowed.

“Have the girls had their lunch?” He asked.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

He turned to Luciana, his brows furrowed in something that almost seemed like concern. “You missed lunch.”

She nodded, unbothered. She didn’t plan to eat.

“Tell the chef to make her something.” He ordered Rebecca, and the werewolf bowed before leaving. Luciana knew that she was seething in anger about having to serve her, and the thought brought a small smile to her lips.

“Why do you care about us? Or is it for a different reason?” She asked curiously.

“You all are my responsibility,” he replied, his voice neutral. “See you later, Luciana, and try not to die.” He teased before swiftly departing.

Annalise was so happy to see Luciana, and she became even happier when she heard that the prince escorted her. Even the other girls in the room were all excited.

“So your strange attitude has done you something good.” Annalise squealed, though there was a hint of disbelief in her eyes.

She made Luciana sit down, then loosened her braids, letting her hair fall in waves.

“You are truly beautiful, Luciana. You just try so hard to make yourself appear unattractive,” Annalise said to her, almost sadly.

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Rebecca barged in.

“Human!” She called angrily.

Luciana rolled her eyes at the sight of her. “Oh, it’s the dog.” She muttered under her breath, but she knew Rebecca could hear her.

“Call me that one more time and...”

“Relax, Rebecca. You should get some rest once in a while.” She cut her off, almost irritated.

“I am ‘Lady Rebecca’ to you.” Rebecca snapped. She really wanted to strangle the worthless human.

“You were introduced to us as ‘Rebecca’. You might be a lady one day, but I am not sure it’s today.” Luciana deadpanned, and Rebecca suddenly gripped her hair, unable to control her anger anymore.

Luciana raised an eyebrow, unapologetic. “I will leave a word with the prince of how you try to hurt one of his ‘properties’. He happened to feel so responsible for us.”

Rebecca released her forcefully, and Luciana’s head almost hit the table.

“I actually came to tell you to stay away from the prince.” Rebecca demanded.

“Why?”

“Because you are not worthy of being in his presence.”

“And you are?” Luciana asked with a mocking smile.

“I am very much better than you, human.”

“Too bad he doesn’t notice the better you,” Luciana said. “And by the way, he asked you to get me food. You should do so. I want it here.”

Annalise gasped. Luciana would never learn.

“Why should I bring it to you?”

“Because I won’t eat elsewhere, and you will get in trouble for starving me.” Luciana said with a shrug, and Rebecca angrily stormed out of the room.

“Finally I can think.” She breathed out in relief, ignoring the looks she was getting from her roommates.

She began to ponder upon what she had learnt from the library. She learnt that almost all supernatural creatures had classes, depending on how pure their blood was. She also learnt that over the years, the royals had preserved their pure blood by only breeding with people with pure blood too. They also strengthened themselves by drinking blood from other creatures, especially the sirens.

Then she found out that most vampires were allergic to ash, but she didn’t know how true it was. She planned to experiment on it. It was common knowledge that werewolves were allergic to wolfsbane, but some have developed immunity against it. She wondered if the prince would let her use the kingdom’s laboratory. She highly doubted that, as it was the first laboratory to ever be built, and only very few people had access to it.

She was going to try anyway. If she was going to continue living, she would as well create something for the humans to defend themselves. That could be her mission in life. A sardonic smile crossed her lips.