Prologue…..
Riley’s P.O.V
My name is Riley. I am 276 years old. I look like your typical 18 year old human boy, but I’m not human. I am a vampire. I know you’re thinking I’m probably some bloodthirsty psychopath but I’m not. Right now the only thing I want to do is escape…..
That probably confused you didn’t it. Let me explain then. You see about 400 years ago my kind, vampires, revealed ourselves to the humans. They were horrified by our existence and enslaved us as a way to control us and eliminate any threat we posed. It was idiocy of course since we only drink animal blood but they thought we were lying when we told them. Fact is a lot of human assumptions about my kind are false. We are born vampires not changed by being bitten, and we don’t survive by sucking humans dry. In fact human blood is poison to us. Also we do not burst into flames when we are in the sun. We get sunburn more easily than humans do so we stay inside it’s that simple.
Anyway back to the situation at hand. I am a slave, as I have been for all 276 years of my existence; recently things have been a bit different. Ok very different but that’s not the point. This is the story of how I learned to trust and how I got what I thought I would never have. Happiness. …..
Karina’s P.O.V
My name is Karina. Most people address me as princess. I am 17 years old. I am the princess and soon to be queen of the human race. I don’t want this power and I would give it up in an instant if it weren’t for one thing. The slaves. They need me to help them. A few hundred years ago humans enslaved vampires and ever since they have been suffering at the hands of people all over the world. I intend to make my first royal act the abolishment of slavery. It will be banned and everyone running an auction house will be arrested and thrown in prison for the remainder of their disgusting lives for what they have done to those poor vampires. Vampires are people too and they will be given equal rights when I am in power. There will be no cruelty under my rule of that I will make sure. This is the story of how this far I have gotten this close to reaching that goal in just the past two years.
Chapter One
CHAPTER 1 ….
RILEY’S P.O.V
I was huddled in the corner of my “room”, which is really just my master’s closet, trying to recover from my latest beating when he appeared in the doorway.
“Riley get your lazy carcass downstairs RIGHT NOW!” he bellowed at me. My master didn’t cuss a lot because according to him a gentleman of his status had no use for vulgar words. I think he was just scared of what his wife would do. I was bought by this man as a plaything/ nanny for his 8 year old daughter and he beat me every time she thought I looked unhappy with the makeover she gave me daily, which was pretty much every time she gave me one so I was always nursing bruises and broken bones. He was a big guy and I never fought back so he thought I would learn, silly master.
I eased myself to a standing position and trudged forward looking at my feet. I went downstairs like a good boy hoping to avoid being hit but halfway down the stairs I must have done something wrong. I was hit from behind knocking me down the stairs where I stayed curled in a ball silently crying until master reached me. He yanked me up by my hair and threw me out the door where his driver stuffed me in the trunk of the limo. I had been outside of his house only once before. When he bought me and drove me home just like I was riding now, in the trunk. I could already tell that this would not be a good day. …..
We drove for about an hour before the limo stopped and I was dragged from the trunk. I stood stiff and sore from the trip before the place that had haunted my nightmares for 274 years. The auction house I hadn’t been in since I was 11 loomed up in front of me and my immediate, although admittedly stupid, reaction to the sight was to bare my fangs and try to get out of my master’s iron grip. This earned me a punch to the stomach and a knee to the face which left me once again curled up on the ground. I was carried by two guards into the holding area behind the auction stage and locked up with a few other vampires. I knew it. I was being sold.
KARINA’S P.O.V
I awoke on my fifteenth birthday and groaned as I realized what the day would bring. Today I would have to ditch my comfy band tees, torn jeans, and converse for ball gowns and high heels, ick. Dresses and me don’t get along. I would also be forced to endure yet another expensive surprise from my parents, the current king and queen of the human race. I don’t complain though I don’t want to hurt their feelings because I know they mean well. My long jet black hair covered half of my face as I got out of bed, the dark purple highlights showing when the sun hit them as it shone through my open curtains. My green eyes became more noticeable as I smudged on my black eyeliner making their emerald color pop. I walked into the dining hall and sat down not looking at the poor vampire covered in bruises as she served breakfast while my mom and dad crossed the room to sit in front of me.
“Karina my dear how did you sleep last night?” my father questioned noticing my tired look.
“I slept ok daddy really” I said innocently. “I was just excited about the party tonight”
“You shouldn’t lose sleep like that darling” my mother interrupted. “It shows and people will be worried about you if you don’t look well.”
“Yes mother” I mumbled as my father reached into his coat pocket and removed a small envelope. ‘Must be my surprise’ I thought dejectedly.
“Happy birthday my dear” he said as he handed it to me grinning. I opened it cautiously not sure why he was so happy, and nearly had a meltdown when I saw that it was a receipt for a seat reservation at the nearby slave auction today. I had always been opposed to the horrific things humans did to their vampire slaves. My father knew that. Why on earth would they think that I would want a slave?!
“I know you disapprove of keeping slaves Karina but as princess you will be expected to have a personal slave with you at all times now that you are 15” my mother said matter of factly. “Now don’t be difficult dear just go to the auction and have a look around. See if anything catches your eye” She continued.
“Fine mom I’ll go” I cut her off rudely. “But don’t expect me to come back with one of those poor people in chains” I added pushing my chair back and storming off to my room. Just as I was about to slam the door I heard my mother call up the stairs telling me to be ready in twenty minutes to go to the auction. I started screaming and throwing things and crying a lot when I got into the privacy of my room. I know I was being childish throwing a tantrum like that but I couldn’t help it. I was just so outraged and upset by what my parents were making me do. ‘I just need to calm down and play nice until it’s over’ I thought to myself as I got dressed in the stupid dress my mom had sent up for me to wear. It was a ridiculous frilly pink thing with matching pink heels and I hated it. I would love to just wear my BVB t shirt and some jeans but like my mother always says ‘a princess doesn’t wear such things in public’. I put my hair in a neat bun and went down stairs. The limo was already waiting and I climbed in the back seat hoping that this would be over soon.
We drove for half an hour before coming to a stop in front of the old warehouse where the auction would be held. I slowly stepped out as the driver opened my door, thanking him as I did, and walked through the front doors of the one place I hoped I would never enter. The clerk at the desk bowed as I approached and asked what I wanted. Handing her the receipt I requested a seat close to the stage, I wanted to memorize the faces of the people I would personally see thrown in prison after my coronation in a few years, and walked behind her into the auction room.
Chapter Two
CHAPTER 2
KARINA’S P.O.V
When I entered the auction room behind the clerk everything went quiet. The people there all knew who I was. ‘Great’ I thought to myself, ‘now I’m going to have to at least bid on someone’. After all it just wouldn’t look right if the princess went to an auction and didn’t buy anything. ‘Maybe I could just say that none of them interested me’. Just then the auction began and the first vampire was roughly dragged on to the stage. ‘Let the torture begin’ I groaned inwardly.
RILEY’S P.O.V
I sat in the filth of the holding area with six other vampires. All of us looked relatively young so this must be a special auction for the wealthy. The humans recorded every detail of our appearance. I chained to the wall as they wrote down my weight and height, which is six foot even, they even recorded the exact shade of my ice blue eyes and jet black hair.
“You’ll be up third” the guard said. “Don’t fight it’ll only get you killed”. I didn’t look at him as he walked away. Something was different this time. I could tell, the last time I was here there was a lot of noise, but right now I couldn’t hear anything. The first to go was a girl who looked like a 12 year old human. She wept as she was dragged out of the room and knew she was scared. I was too, heck I was about to cry myself. That’s when the auctioneer said the most terrifying thing I have ever heard.
“The princess has decided not to bid on this one, so let’s get started” the auctioneer’s voice boomed in the silence. ‘Oh. My. God. The freaking princess is here?! Great just great now I’m really in trouble’ I thought panicking. I started to shake as the terror gripped me. Everyone knew that the royal family was the cruelest of them all. There used to be some ridiculous rumor that the princess was different, kinder, but I never believed it. After the girl was sold a guy about my age was taken out and once again the princess chose not to bid. ‘Oh crap’ I thought ‘I’m next what if she picks me’. I stood as the guard approached and went quietly toward the stage with him like a good little slave was meant to. As I climbed up to the stage and tripped on the last step. I fell flat on my face and was dragged by the chains attached to my wrists the of the way to my place in the middle of the platform.
Pushing myself up off the floor and glanced towards the crowd. My eyes met with a pair of emerald green ones and I froze. I knew by the way she looked at me that this was the princess. I was going to look down, honest but I couldn’t seem to do it I knew I would pay for this but her eyes held me, and as I lay there on the ground shaking and bruised I watched helplessly as one of the most feared people in existence raised her hand to bid on me. That’s when the guard kicked me and I blacked out…
BACK TO KARINA’S P.O.V
The first two slaves were nothing special just your ordinary vampires. The poor things were so young, and they were covered in bruises. I knew I couldn’t help them now so I just shook my head at the auctioneer. I took notes on who bought them though so that they could be among the first I freed as queen. He continued the auction and called out a third slave. The name he said was Riley. I was about to dismiss this one as well when there was a commotion at the back of the stage. A boy lay on the ground having apparently tripped as he came up the stairs. I could tell by how pale he was that he was a vampire. The guard looked furious as he grabbed the chains around the boy’s wrists and drug him roughly to the middle of the platform. I was about to say something about this when he looked up and met my eyes with his ice blue ones. He looked petrified, and I felt bad. I could tell he recognized me as a royal and he knew my family’s reputation of cruelty. Without hesitation I raised my hand and looked at the auctioneer with determination.
“The princess has placed a bid” he shouted to the crowd as a guard kicked the boy in the head. The vampire fell unconscious and I barely heard the auctioneer yell “sold!” over my pulse pounding in my ears.
“Touch my property again and I will see you executed” I said to the guard, my voice filled with menace. He looked up startled by my sudden anger and apologized fearfully, bowing as he backed away from the boy. I stepped forward and took hold of the chains that bound my new slave. ‘Oh god I just bought a slave’ I thought as the realization hit me. I yanked on the chains wincing when the boy did and practically had to drag him to the limo. When we got outside he headed for of all places the trunk of the limo. He just stood there looking at his feet not saying anything so I figured I would have to explain the seating arrangements for the trip home.
“Hey what are you doing” I said curiously as I approached him cautiously. I didn’t want to scare him so I was moving slowly, but before I knew what was going on he was curled in a ball on the ground shaking and begging not to be hit.
“P... please” he stuttered. “I didn’t mean to do a... anything wrong I just ... I thought I was supposed to ride in the trunk like I did with my old master” his voice trailed away and he refused to look up. I knelt next to the boy and put a hand on his shoulder; he flinched visibly but didn’t move away.
“Come on” I said quietly “you ride in the back seat with me.” He peeked from behind his arm skeptically. “I promise nothing bad will happen to you while you’re with me. Just get in the car already will ya I wanna go home.” At this point I will admit I was trying to be funny so I walked back to the open door of the limo and got in making sure he saw me. “See it’s easy” I called out hoping it would make him less afraid of me. I heard movement outside and a few seconds later he appeared at the door. Hesitantly he got in, not even glancing my way he sat down in the floor. ‘Guess I better let him in on my little secret’ I thought to myself. ‘I don’t want him to think I’m sadistic like my parents’. I slid off my seat and got in the floor of the limo with him. He didn’t even notice me till I bumped his knee with mine on accident as I scooted closer to him, the stupid dress was getting in my way and I couldn’t wait to get rid of it, but when that happened he nearly jumped out of his skin.
“Hey it’s alright” I said trying to reassure him that it was an accident. “I didn’t mean to bump you like that sorry.” I added sheepishly. He just stared at his hands.
“I’m not going to hurt you so chill ok” I huffed. “Here I’ll prove it”. I hugged him gently so as not to hurt the bruises I could see on him and all of sudden I felt wetness on my shoulder. ‘Oh great now I made him cry’ I thought to myself ‘way to go Karina heck of a first impression you’re making here’.
“Um… why are you crying?” I asked backing away a little to give him some space to calm down.
“Y… you’re going to do something awful to me.” He said still crying. “I just know it. You just proved it too there’s only one reason a human hugs a vampire like that and it implies what said vampire’s job will be when they get home.”
“Don’t be ridiculous I was trying to show u that I don’t hit I hug” I said appalled by what he was suggesting. “And for your information mister I don’t like what you’re implying about me.”
“I… I’m sorry I didn’t mean it” he said. “ I was out of line I’ll never do that again I’m sorry please… please don’t punish me” he was curling into a ball again and I knew if he did that he wouldn’t move till we got home so I quickly tried to calm his fears.
“Look that didn’t mean that you’re in trouble ok I was just saying I’m not that kind of girl ok.” I said. “Please don’t be afraid of me I want to be your friend if you’ll let me and I had hoped you might be able to help me with something.”
RILEY’S P.O.V AGAIN
I came to when I felt the chains being yanked on and I winced as my bruised wrists were brushed by the metal. I was still dizzy from the kick to the head so my new master pretty much had to drag me out of the auction house but I shuffled along as best I could. When we got to the limo that waited outside I realized that the princess had bought me and my heart sank as I walked toward the trunk of the car and waited to be stuffed in like usual.
“Hey ….. What are you doing” I heard someone says in a soft timid voice. Looking up I realized that the princess was walking toward me so I did what I always did; I curled up in a ball, covered my head with my arms, and begged.
“P... please” I stuttered. “I didn’t mean to do a... anything wrong I just ... I thought I was supposed to ride in the trunk like I did with my old master”. I sounded pathetic and I knew it but I just really didn’t want to find out how the royal family got their reputation just yet. I felt a hand on my shoulder and flinched but didn’t move away, moving away would get me hurt for sure.
“Come on” she said quietly “you ride in the back seat with me.” I peeked from behind my arm skeptically, not sure if she was for real or just testing me. “I promise nothing bad will happen to you while you’re with me. Just get in the car already will ya I wanna go home.” She said walking back to the open door of the limo and getting in making sure I saw her do it. She moved slowly and deliberately as if showing a small child how to do something. “See it’s easy” she called back to me. At this point I was a bit miffed about being talked to like a kid, but rather than make her mad I got up and made my way to the open limo door. I didn’t even look at her. I just got in and sat in the floor like a good little vampire. I sat there zoned out thinking of how unfortunate I was to get one of the cruelest people on the planet as my new master. suddenly I felt something bump my knee and I nearly had a heart attack , yes vampires do have hearts and yes they do still beat just really slowly don’t start with me right now.
“Hey it’s alright” she said “I didn’t mean to bump you like that sorry.” she added sheepishly. I just stared at his hands hoping she would go away now.
“I’m not going to hurt you so chill ok” she huffed. “Here I’ll prove it”. She said hugging me gently. ‘Oh crap’ I thought. ‘Now I get why she wanted me, a guy who wasn’t already on the brink of death like the others being sold, as her slave’ with horror I realized that I was a plaything yet again but this time with a different connotation. I couldn’t hold back the tears as I came to this conclusion and she noticed them immediately.
“Um… why are you crying?” she asked backing away in disgust.
“Y… you’re going to do something awful to me.” I said still crying. “I just know it. You just proved it too there’s only one reason a human hugs a vampire like that and it implies what said vampire’s job will be when they get home.” I added.
“Don’t be ridiculous I was trying to show u that I don’t hit I hug” she said crossly. “And for your information mister I don’t like what you’re implying about me.” ‘Crap now she’s mad at me’ I thought mentally kicking myself for being so stupid.
“I… I’m sorry I didn’t mean it” I said. “ I was out of line I’ll never do that again I’m sorry please… please don’t punish me” I was trying to take it back and I was working on curling into a ball again just in case. I didn’t plan on moving from that position to us reached our destination.
“Look that didn’t meant that you’re in trouble ok I was just saying I’m not that kind of girl ok.” she said. “Please don’t be afraid of me I want to be your friend if you’ll let me and I had hoped you might be able to help me with something.” She added cryptically.
Chapter Three
RILEY’S P.O.V
‘Oh so this is how they operate’ I thought to myself. ‘Mind games, she’s going to make me think she wants to be nice and then go all psycho on me’ well she has another think coming cause I don’t believe this act for a minute.
“Yeah sure” I said out loud and curled into my usual ball. I didn’t move till the car came to a stop. I peeked out to see her exiting the car.
“Well if you don’t get up you’re going to end up spending the night in the car and that would kinda suck” she said as she waited by the door of the limo. I slowly got up and looked at the ground as I stepped out of the car. I was being careful not to anger her because I figured my smart mouth had probably gotten me in enough trouble already. I waited for a collar to be put around my neck and a leash attached to it but nothing happened. Curiosity got the better of me and I looked up to see her staring at me like I was crazy or something.
“What are you waiting for” she asked. “and I want an answer so don’t curl up in a ball again cause you’re a bit big for me to carry inside” she added trying to look stern but her eyes gave away how much my fear amused her.
“I was just waiting for you to put on my new collar and leash” I said looking back down at my feet. I had no shoes on because my old master didn’t allow them. “All vampires get one when they arrive at their new master’s home. Or at least that’s what I was told at the auction house”
“Oh for crying out loud don’t you get it I’m not going to treat you like a dog alright why do you think the chains are gone” she shouted at me.
“I … I’m sorry I didn’t meant to make you mad I didn’t know! I’m sorry!” I stammered resisting the urge to cry. “Please don’t hurt me I know I’m a smart aleck all the time but I swear I don’t mean to be”
“Calm down” she said less angry this time. “I’m not angry I just wish I could make you understand that I’m a nice person” She took a step forward and grabbed me by the hand. This startled me but I didn’t resist her.
“We’re going to my room to get you settled in” she said. “And then I will take you to meet my parents” I stopped dead at her words and started shaking uncontrollably. “What did I do now?” she looked confused.
“Not you your parents.” I said my voice barely a whisper.
“I won’t let them touch you” she said confidently. “They know my opinion about slavery and they won’t test me knowing that I’ll one day have the power to see them arrested.”
“Yeah right how can rely on you to protect me when you’re just the same as they are” I practically growled at her then I remembered who I was talking to. “Oh geez I’m sorry I forgot my place please don’t kill me” I added quickly. When I looked she was doubled over with her arms wrapped around herself. “Um are you ok?” I asked then I realized that she was laughing at me I mean like literally laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.
Chapter Six
KARINA’S P.O.V
At first I thought I had bought Riley at that auction because he looked so scared, but now I guess it was because his eyes had reminded so much of his mother’s. He didn’t look at either of us as he got up and went to the door. He opened it and quietly asked us to leave saying he needed time to himself to let what he had just learned sink in. Arabella and I complied and left to talk in my room.
“What happened” Arabella demanded her eyes narrowing at me like they had when I was in trouble as a kid. The same look she had given me when I got my purple highlights done for the first time. “Why is my son here? Was he given to you? Or has he been at that auction his whole life” she questioned.
“Arabella calm down” I said. “Mom and dad made me go to an auction this morning and I couldn’t get out of there without bidding you know that.”
“So he has been in the auction house all this time”
“No” I interrupted quickly. “When I got in there the auction was the usual, you know bruised and weak vampires cringing on a platform, well they called up Riley and he had fallen on the stairs. When he looked up he ended up looking into my eyes. I thought he looked familiar and he was scared out of his mind. He knew I was a royal and it made me mad that he was that scared just to look at me so I bid on him. I figured I could prove to him that I’m not like them you know. Anyway when we were on the way home he mentioned something about a previous owner so I’m assuming he hadn’t been there his whole life.”
“Did he say if they treated him well” she asked, with a look of concern. “Did they hurt him?”
“He said that he had to let some little kid give him makeovers at the last place” I told her. “And that he was beaten and starved for not seeming to like it” this prompted an audible growl from Arabella. It surprised me because I had never heard her growl like that ever, I knew she could because I had heard other vampires do it when they fought, but never had I seen her angry enough to actually growl.
“Did he say anything else about it” she asked.
“No he didn’t tell about any of his previous masters other than that one, although I think we may have finally convinced him that I’m not going to turn evil and attack him.” I said with a smile.
“I’m sure you’re relieved to know that” Arabella said poking me in the side. She was about to continue when my little sister came skipping into the room.
LILY’S P.O.V
I skipped into Kari’s room and looked around. Aunty Arabella was there but I didn’t see my new friend Riley.
“Kari, where’s Riley” I asked making my puppy dog face at her so she would tell me. That always worked on Kari but never aunty Arabella. “I’m done with my lessons for the day and I want to play with him now” I added.
“Does she know who he is” aunty Arabella asked Kari.
“No but you can tell her it shouldn’t do any harm she knows not to bring it up around our parents” Kari answered. I hated it when they ignored me like that.
“Hello I’m still here ya know” I said in a whiney voice. “Where’s Riley I wanna play”
“Ok I’ll tell you” said aunty Arabella. “But first I want to tell you a secret about him ok?”
“Oh goody! I love secrets! Tell me tell me tell me!” I squealed.
“He’s my son” she whispered to me.
“You’re Riley’s mommy!” I gasped. “Yay!” Aunty Arabella was laughing at me and Kari was trying to hide a smile but I knew she thought I was being a dumb little kid again so I quit talking and just stood there looking at them waiting.
“Alright, alright calm down Lily he’s in his room” Kari said. “It’s right through that door.
KARINA’S P.O.V
Lily skipped off joyfully to go harass Riley and I kinda felt bad for sending the five year old after him but I figured he could use some cheering up after the sad story I had told and Lily was the best girl for the job.
“Oooh Kari’s gonna get you for looking at that” I heard my little sister say from the other room and I wondered what on earth she could be talking about. Then I looked at the table beside my bed and realized that my sketchbook was missing. I ran into the other room and saw Riley holding open to the one page I had hoped no one would ever find, mainly because if my parents saw the drawing I would lose the throne for sure.
“GIVE ME THAT RIGHT NOW!” I screamed running across the room and snatching it away from him. I clutched the book to my chest and glared at him. “Why exactly were you looking through my things” I asked him.
“You said it was my room so I figured that it was decorations and decided to look around” he said looking nervous. “I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to look at the sketches, I thought it was empty and I was curious when I opened it and found the drawings”
“Do you realize what would happen if my parents ever saw these” I said. “I’d lose the throne if not my life for having these let alone being the one who drew them!”
“Why because you drew vampires and humans together at parties and hanging out in the mall, or because you drew yourself as a vampire” he asked.
“Both” I said. “Look just don’t do it again ok” I added. “I can’t risk my parents finding it, and they have guards search the slave’s rooms, so I’ll take it and put it in my room somewhere for now.” I left the room telling Riley that it was late and that I was going to sleep.
Chapter Eight
RILEY’S P.O.V
As Karina and her friends disappeared into the school I turned to look at the four vampires who would be my companions for the next hour. Each of them was about my age and we were all the same height as well, so I wouldn’t have to worry about dealing with the sometimes arrogant attitudes of older vampires.
“I’m Izzy” the short blonde girl said stepping forward and extending a hand for me to shake. “I’m the oldest of our little group so you could say I’m the leader but they never listen.” She added looking sideways at her friends. “I’m 230 how about you”
“275” I answered. I didn’t really say much as the others stepped forward to introduce themselves. There was a red head named Sue who belonged to Izzy’s master’s sister; a brunette guy named Sam who belonged to Josh; and a guy with black, blue, and green hair named Chris who belonged to the scary looking guy named Mike.
“Alright time for the tour” announced Chris loudly. “We have a lot to show you so try to keep up since we only have an hour” he added grabbing me by the arm and dragging me toward the doors of the school.
“Um could you let go please” I said my voice barely a whisper. I didn’t like being left with a bunch of total strangers and apparently this guy wasn’t clear on the concept of personal space.
“Oh sorry” he said as though he hadn’t noticed he still had a grip on me. He looked at me for a moment as though something about my face was suddenly very interesting.
“What” I asked. “Something on my face?”
“What? No, it’s nothing I just thought I knew you from somewhere.” Chris said.
“I don’t remember you but whatever” I said. Suddenly Sue elbowed him in the ribs and told him to shut up.
“Don’t mind him he’s weird sometimes” she said. “Let’s get moving there’s a lot to see.” The rest of the hour was spent touring the school. They showed me the sports fields and the lunchroom, and then walked me around showing me where all of Karina’s classes were in case we got separated in the crowded halls and I needed to find her. When I asked how they knew her schedule they said that the whole group had identical schedules courtesy of Karina’s royal status and they were all friends so it made sense to know their schedules. The tour ended at the gym with a few minutes to spare so we slipped in and sat in the bleachers to watch Karina and her friends play dodge ball with the rest of their class.
“So how long have you been with Karina” Sam asked. “She never mentioned having a slave”
“She bought me at an auction yesterday morning” I replied. “As far as I know I am the only slave she has ever owned herself”
“Oh well yesterday was your lucky day then I guess.” Izzy said. “You got the world’s sweetest human for a master, and you got to move into a castle”
“Actually she scared me senseless at first” I said remembering how terrified I had been the day before. “I thought she was like all the other royals. I had heard the rumors about their cruelty and when I realized she was the princess I was terrified”
“Yeah he curled into a ball on the floor of the limo cause he thought I was going to hit him for talking” Karina giggled behind me. I turned to look at her and saw her friends all laughing at her words.
“Very funny” I grumbled. “But if you ever tell anyone about that again I’ll tell Lily you were mean to me”
“No! Don’t do that she would never leave me alone about it not to mention the fact that Arabella would kill me” she said. “And you know that’s the first person Lily will go tattling to if you do that” she added.
“Don’t tell anyone then” I said.
“Um hate to interrupt this little chat but we really need to get to class we’ll be late if we don’t go now” Josh interrupted.
“Good call Josh” Karina said. “Come on Riley we have math next”
“Fine” I said. “Let’s get this over with.” We walked through the halls, which were surprisingly crowded for such a small school, to the humans’ lockers and then toward one of the class rooms the other vampires had shown me earlier. As we entered the room the teacher looked up and his eyes locked onto me immediately. He knew I hadn’t been here before and he watched me closely as I sat in the desk next to Karina like she had asked me to this morning. The group formed a large square with the four humans sitting in the desks around us and each vampire sitting next to his or her owner, but apparently the desk next to Karina was usually empty because the teacher raised his eyebrow at me when I sat there. He looked confused as he walked over to talk to her carefully avoiding getting too close to the vampires.
“Is this young man with you?” he asked Karina.
“Yes” she replied curtly. “His name is Riley and he is my new slave he is under the same protection as my friends’ vampires so don’t you dare try to kick him out” she added.
“Fine” the teacher said suddenly less interested in my presence. He returned to the front of the room and began the lesson without so much as glancing at me again.
KARINA’S P.O.V
The rest of the day went pretty much the same as math had. The teachers would ask about Riley and once they realized that he was a vampire would lose interest knowing that he was under my protection. It was nothing I hadn’t dealt with before though. When I first came to this school and started making friends it was pretty much the exact same way. Once I found out that my friends were all against slavery as well I made it clear to all of our teachers that their vampires were under royal protection. They only owned them for show and half the time none of us really even remembered that they weren’t human. They were always just four members of an eight person group. We had been ridiculed for our opinions and looks for a long time before that so the jeers about us going soft were just another insult that we ignored.
“So where to next” Riley asked me.
“Lunch then study hall then home” I said. “We usually have a whole table to ourselves so there should be plenty of room.” I added.
“Can’t we just skip to the home part” he asked. I stopped dead making him and a few others in the group crash into me. “Why’d you stop like that?” Riley demanded.
“Yeah are you nuts we’ll be trampled if we stop for too long you know that” Izzy said only half joking. We were already being shoved around as people hurried by.
“Riley did you just make a joke!?” I asked in disbelief.
“Yeah what about it” he said.
“Oh my gosh you do have a sense of humor! I was beginning to wonder if you had one at all” I said laughing at my own joke. Every one joined in as we started toward the doors to the cafeteria. As we walked in I made a beeline for our usual table and stopped to drop my bag before heading off to buy my food. In line my friends and I moved quickly knowing that it wouldn’t be long before the school’s resident jerks showed up and not wanting the vampires to be without one of us for backup when they got there. We sat down just as one of the cheerleaders walked over.
“Hey Karina I heard you got your own blood sucker congrats” she said. She was smacking bubble gum loudly and I was already annoyed by her presence.
“Yes I have a vampire now” I said. “What’s it to you”
“Nothing just never thought little miss softie would actually get a slave” she said rudely. “Hey blood sucker how are you liking the privileged life” she added turning to Riley. “Bet they feed you prisoners from the dungeons and everything” she said. Riley started to say something but Chris cut him off.
“Yeah he was telling me about it earlier, sounds great. Keep talking and you might be the next meal.” He threatened, and Mike high fived him.
“Why do you even hang out with these freaks” the cheerleader said. “You belong with the normal people not these losers” she added. “Why don’t you come sit with us sometime?”
“Not on your life” I said glaring at her. “I wouldn’t hang out with you shallow arrogant morons if you paid me” at that she huffed and stormed away. I smiled as I watched her go. The rest of lunch was pretty peaceful. Mike and Sam got into a food fight but aside from a few French fries in my hair nothing really happened. Riley and I decided to skip study hall and head home early though. I figured he had had enough of high school for one day.
Chapter Nine
RILEY’S P.O.V
As we left the school and headed back toward the castle Karina turned on the radio in the car and flipped it to a station that played what she called ‘heavy metal’ music. I couldn’t stand it but I wasn’t about to say anything. I was still hoping she had forgotten about the planned trip to the mall. I needed new clothes sure but I wanted nothing to do with the actual shopping part. I would rather just tell her what I liked and let her go to the mall on her own.
KARINA’S P.O.V
As I drove Riley kept looking out the window of the car like he was trying to figure out where we were. I was hoping he would think I was just taking a different route home, but when I turned into the mall parking lot he knew exactly where we were and I could tell he had been hoping I would forget.
“This doesn’t look like the castle to me” he said.
“Very observant aren’t you” I said sarcastically. “No it’s not the castle but I did tell you this morning that before we went home we would be going to the mall to get you some clothes.” I added giving him a sideways glance. I half expected him to bail out and make a run for it considering the look on his face but he stayed in the car until I parked.
“You know this is going to be awful” Riley said. “I hate shopping so why are you making me do this”
“Because” I said. “For one thing I don’t know what you like and for another I think you should get to pick your own clothes. Doing it for you seems like I’m not giving you a choice”
“But if I asked you to then why would it be a problem?” he asked.
“The problem is that I refuse to do it so just suck it up get out of the car and start shopping” I said angrily.
“You have quite a temper don’t you” he said smiling at me.
“Maybe I do” I said. “But if you’d quit trying to make me mad I might not lose my temper so much” I added. “I know you do it on purpose”
“So what if I do” he said.
“It’s a little annoying” I said.
“Good” he said with a smirk. “That’s the goal now let’s go I want to get this over with”
“Now you want to go shopping?” I said confused. “A minute ago you were ready to make a run for it”
“Well I would but if I did I would just be caught by guards and dragged back to the castle where your mother would no doubt be waiting to punish me for running off” he said. “So I figure this torture will be much easier to deal with than the one she would have planned so let’s go” he added getting out of the car. I followed him into the mall and when he started to go the wrong way grabbed him by the hand and led him to the nearest clothing store.
“Alright pick anything you want” I said. “I can afford pretty much anything you could want” I said.
“Ok” he said walking around looking through the clothes. We were in an old navy store at the moment and he didn’t look pleased with what he saw.
“Can we go to a different store” he said. “This stuff would look ridiculous on me” he added pointing at the display mannequins as though it was obvious.
“Ok I have an idea” I said. “We’ll go to my favorite store next” I grabbed his hand again and made a beeline for the hot topic across the mall. “I don’t know if you’ll like anything there but it’s a better option than that place” I said.
“I was fine till you said that” Riley said. “Now I’m worried”
“Oh calm down it isn’t that bad” I said. “Just look around and see if you like anything we’re only looking for shirts here and we can get you some jeans somewhere else.”
“Alright whatever you say” he replied as we entered the store. “Why is it so dark in here” he added.
“Because it’s dark that’s why” I said. I was about to tell him that we could leave when he spotted the shirts displayed on the wall at the back of the store and headed that way.
“These look cool” he said looking through the shirts. I couldn’t help but laugh when he picked a BVB shirt with the wretched and divine album cover on it.
“What’s so funny” he asked.
“That” I said. “Is the band that made the music you said sounded possessed when you turned on my radio yesterday when I showed you my room?”
“Oh” he said. “Well maybe I’ll have to listen to that again one day now that I’m not waiting for you to snap on me”
“You can borrow it whenever you want” I said. “But why would you want band merch for bands you’ve never even heard of” I asked as he picked up a pierce the veil shirt and added it to the stack he was carrying.
“Because it looks cool” he said. “And I might end up liking the music if I ever get to listen to it” he added.
“Ok like I said just get whatever you want” I said as we walked toward the register. As the cashier rang up the stuff Riley got I grabbed a few pairs of ear rings and a new my chemical romance wrist band and added it to the stack.
“Will that be all Karina” the cashier said. She knew me by my first name because I had been in there so often.
“Yes that’s it” I said. “This is Riley by the way” I added. She said hi and finished ringing up the clothes.
“Have a nice day” she said. Riley gave me a confused looked as I grabbed the bags and headed out the door.
“Did I forget to mention that the royal discount is 100%” I said. I had seven bags in my hands and Riley noticed that I was struggling to hold them all.
“Aw is the poor weak human having trouble with all those bags” he teased. “Here let the vampire handle this” he said taking the bags from me. “They are my clothes after all”
“Thanks” I said. “And I’ll remember that ‘weak human’ crack when you want to borrow that CD” I added. “Speaking of which we need to get you a stereo so you can listen to music”
“Whatever you say” he said. “You’re the one who decided to go shopping”
He was like that the whole time we were in the mall. Teasing me when the bags he carried so easily were too heavy for me, and acting like he could care less what I got him even though I could see the excitement in his eyes as I got him a laptop and a stereo at an electronics store. We were loading the stuff into the car when he finally let it slip that he was excited to get home and try out the laptop.
“Aha” I said. “So you did enjoy it”
“Ok I admit it” he said. “I did kinda like getting to pick my own stuff and getting more than just one outfit” he admitted getting into the car. “I’ve never really had things of my own like that so thank you” he said. “I’m sorry for being a jerk about it earlier but I really thought you were just going to make me try on a ton of stuff and then pick for me”
“Well I’m glad you had fun” I said. “Just know that I despise shopping so it will probably not be happening again for a long, long time”
“would you mind telling me why you hate it so much?” he asked.
“I hate it because I have spent my whole life trying to be like a normal kid” I said. “And when I go shopping all the stores just give me everything for free and I feel like everyone sees me as this spoiled brat who just expects it but I’m not like that”
“Sounds like a pretty good reason to me” Riley said looking out the window as we pulled into the garage at the castle.
Chapter Ten
RILEY’S P.O.V
As time passed I found myself becoming used to life at the castle. I became good friends with Karina, and was officially a member of her group of friends at school after my first week. Looking in the mirror in my room four months later on the last day of school I looked totally different. My hair was no longer tangled and filthy, it was styled neatly and my clothes were essentially the same style as everyone else in the group wore. I had on black jeans and a band t-shirt and had wrist bands on both arms. I was well fed and nowhere near as weak as I had been when I arrived in the castle.
“Come on Riley it’s time to go” Karina said standing in the doorway. “You wanna drive today?” she added. Karina had let me do a lot of things that I had never done before since I got here. Cooking was one, and driving was by far the scariest at first. I had been driving us to school every other day for two months now, and I loved it.
“Yeah sure I’ll drive” I said. “Race you down stairs” I challenged. Just then my mom popped up behind Karina.
“Oh no you don’t” she said. “Either one of you could get hurt doing that. What if you tripped?”
“Aw come on Arabella” Karina whined. “You’ve been overprotective of us both since he got here. You used to be so much fun what happened?” she teased.
“My kid showed up and you gave him all of your bad habits” my mom said jokingly. “Him I will not have showing up with purple hair.”
“Hate to interrupt” Josh said poking his head into the room. “But my friends and I kinda need to get going before we are late.” He was down the stairs by the time we left the room tapping his foot impatiently at us. For a human the guy moved fast especially considering the fact that he had just spent the whole night up playing video games with me.
KARINA’S P.O.V
Riley beat me down the stairs as usual. He took them three at a time running despite Arabella’s warning as usual, and reached Josh just before I did.
“Would you guys mind keeping it down next time” I said. “I couldn’t sleep at all last night thanks to you two screaming about zombies”
“That was not our fault” Riley said. “Left for dead is an intense game”
“Yeah sure just pipe down next time or it might turn up broken beyond repair” I warned.
“Is she always this crabby in the mornings” Josh asked Riley.
“Only when I keep her up with whatever game I’m playing” he replied. We bickered like that the whole way to school while Riley drove.
“Uh oh I think we’re in trouble” Riley said pointing to Izzy, Sue, Sam, and Chris advancing towards the car.
“Riley what did you forget this time” I asked knowing it was probably him they were after.
“Yeah there’s no we to it man that’s all you” Josh chimed in. Riley parked the car and got out with me and Josh right behind him.
“Riley!” Izzy said.
“Called it” I whispered to Josh.
“I heard that Karina, and what did I do now Izzy” Riley said.
“Since you clearly forgot” Izzy said fuming. “I feel that I must remind you that our end of the year party is tonight at the castle. And YOU forgot to meet us last night to set up the ball room!” she added. “The guards nearly threw us in the dungeon for trespassing on royal land! It’s just a good thing your mom remembered and told them we were with Karina before they could.”
“Oh” Riley said. “Sorry about that”
“Riley I swear your memory just gets worse and worse” Chris said. “What were you doing anyway?”
“That would be my fault” Josh said. “Impromptu game night my bad didn’t know he had plans”
“So did you get the place ready” I asked.
“Yeah” Izzy said. “It’s ready, and we made sure the invites said it was a casual party so you don’t have to wear a dress Karina”
“Did I mention how awesome you are for that” I said.
“Wouldn’t kill you to say more often but yes” Izzy said. “Come on you guys have to get to gym” she added as we hurried toward the school.
RILEY’S P.O.V
I got lectured the whole hour while we waited for Karina and the others to get out of gym. The end of the year party was a big thing for everyone and I had forgotten to help with the most important part. I deserved the lecture but I still didn’t like it.
“Ok I messed up” I said. “I get it you can stop now I said I was sorry”
“It wouldn’t be so bad any other year” Sam said. “But this year is supposed to be a big blowout celebrating them being officially seniors since the little brainiacs all skipped a grade”
“Yeah we’re celebrating the fact that we’re all nerds” Mike said walking over to us.
“Oh shut up you’re not helping” I said. “If you need something useful to do why don’t you go make Karina hurry up so we can get this day over with and go to the party”
“What was that slow poke” Karina asked coming up beside Mike. “Need I remind you I am not the one who takes an hour to get ready in the mornings?”
“Seriously an hour?” Josh said walking over. “Dude what the heck could possibly take you an hour to do every morning”
“Easy the extra 50 minutes of sleep I get when she isn’t paying attention that I now probably won’t get because you had to open your big mouth” I said. “Hey Karina why don’t we just skip the day and go put the final touches on the ball room?”
“Sounds like a good idea” she said. “Let’s go, you guys wanna come too” she added talking to the others. They all agreed so we headed to the castle to prepare for the party.
Chapter Twelve
RILEY’S P.O.V
We all stared expectantly at the young vampire waiting for him to continue.
“I… I …. Um…. I don’t really know how to explain” Jessie stuttered suddenly nervous. “At least not without you misunderstanding”
“Who’s misunderstanding what?” my mom said walking into the room. “New friend of yours Riley?” she added when she noticed Jessie who immediately looked away.
“Sort of” I said. “He belongs to a new kid at Karina’s school and he’s only 110. He hasn’t eaten in three weeks, and he was just about to tell us why his previous master sold him to her” I added. “Also his owner, Sarah is like Karina and the others”
“Well then first thing’s first” my mom said. “You and your friends are to stop asking him questions this minute and get him some blood immediately”
“No that’s not necessary” Jessie tried to interrupt but my mother was on a mission and nothing was stopping her.
“Hush child” she said sternly. “you need to eat and that is exactly what you’re going to do now wait here I’ll be back in a moment”
“Who was that?” Jessie asked as soon as my mother was out of the room.
“That would be my lovely mother” I said. “You may as well give up on not eating now that she knows she’ll force it down your throat herself if she has to”
“I can’t” Jessie said. “If I eat I’ll live and I can’t live like this anymore”
“You don’t have to live in fear now Jessie” Izzy said. “Like we’ve been trying to tell you since you got here there is a difference between the humans you met here today and the ones you met in the past”
“And that would be?”
“They are against slavery all of them are even your owner Sarah” Sue said. “She’s worried about you in case you haven’t noticed, and she brought you here hoping we could get you to eat and save your life”
“Which with Arabella on the case is no longer a problem” Chris teased. Sue hit him in the back of the head and muttered something about him interrupting a serious conversation and dragged him off toward the kitchen to help my mom.
“How do I know you’re not lying” Jessie said. “How do I know you weren’t told by your masters to say these things?”
“I have an idea” Sam said. “If we were truly slaves we would have fresh wounds from beatings right? Especially being in the royal castle”
“Yes you likely do” Jessie agreed. “What of it”
“If we could show you that we are unhurt aside from old scars would you believe us” I said catching on to what Sam was thinking.
“Yes but how could you prove it” Jessie asked skeptically.
“Easy be right back” Sam said heading towards the entrance hall.
“Is he always so weird” Jessie asked us but before we could answer the weirdo in question was back with Karina in tow.
“I give you all permission to go out to the pool for a swim. Arabella has agreed to do the gift bags so you’re off the hook and Jessie you can borrow one of Riley’s swim suits” Karina said. “Will that do Sam” she enquired sarcastically.
“Good human that will do nicely” Sam said jokingly patting Karina’s head.
“Watch it vampire” Karina said. “Keep that up and I’ll switch all your anime DVDs for chick flicks” Sam opened his mouth to reply but closed it as Karina walked away laughing at his expression.
“Um why are we swimming I thought you were supposed to prove to me that you were uninjured” Jessie asked.
“Would we willingly go into a pool if we had any open wounds on us?” I asked. Jessie shook his head so we all headed out to the pool after a quick change into our swimming attire. Jessie borrowed a pair of my swimming trunks but he refused to get in the water. He looked astonished to see Sue and Izzy in bikinis.
“Well I suppose that proves that the girls are unharmed” Jessie said. “But how do I know you guys aren’t just covering your wounds with your shirts” he said just as Sam Chris and I were getting into the pool. We had to get him to believe us so we all removed our shirts and tossed them to the side.
“Good thing this is an inside pool” my mom said walking in. “If it wasn’t you would all be red as tomatoes” she added. “Now Jessie you are going to drink these four bottles of blood right now whether you like it or not”
“No ….” Jessie tried to resist taking the bottles but once the scent of the blood reached him his survival instincts kicked in and he finished them off quickly.
“Told you she’d make you eat” Sam said. “Now how about finishing that story of yours since you’re not about to die anymore”
“What story?” my mom asked.
“Jessie here was about to tell us why his owner before Sarah got rid of him” I said. “And we’re all quite curious about that Jessie so do tell” I added addressing the young vampire.
“Pushy much” Izzy scolded. “You don’t have to tell us if you don’t want to dear” she added. “Only if you’re ready”
“Ok I’ll tell you” Jessie said. “But I’m going to edit certain things so don’t ask me to elaborate if I’m being vague some things are meant to stay private”
“They won’t pry” my mother said. “Will you” she added giving us a look that basically said agree or die.
“Oh sure! Yeah! Of course! Wouldn’t dream of it!” we all said at the same time.
“Well with my old master I was bought as a companion for his son” Jessie said. “I was meant to be a punching bag so that he could take his frustrations from being bullied at school out on me and not the expensive stuff in his room but he instead used me as a sort of human diary. He was nice to me and I thought we might actually be friends. He denied that every time I asked him but I think he secretly thought of me as a friend and a couple of months ago he told a real important secret and told me never to tell a soul especially not his father. His dad had been questioning me every day to find out what he had been telling me about. When I told him that night that the boy had said nothing to me that day he knew I was lying and threatened to have me tortured if I didn’t tell. He was about to start hitting me when his son came down stairs and stopped him. My master told his son that if he didn’t tell him what the secret was he would kill me so the boy told him and the master said that his secret was a disgusting abomination. He said it was against nature and that I was the one to blame for it happening so he sold me the first chance he got. He got his chance a month ago when his friend’s daughter needed a slave and he sold me to him on the spot.” He finished his story and looked down at the ground. “I’ve been with my new mistress ever since and now I fear she may sell me to the royals because I refused to eat for so long”
Chapter Thirteen
MYSTERY P.O.V
I watched as Jessie spoke to the other vampires by the pool. I listened as he told them about his last master. I knew it was my fault he had been sent to that place. I was probably the only vampire that was free from slavery at the time. However, I had every intention of returning to him very soon though for that day I settled for watching him from afar through the castle window. I knew I would be with him again soon.
KARINA’S P.O.V
We finished with the entry way soon after the vampires ditched for the pool so we decided to join them. I let Sarah borrow one of my swimsuits before we all headed to the pool. We got there just in time to hear Sam talking.
“So the kid was gay big whoop so is Riley and nobody freaks out about that” Sam said loudly as we entered the pool room. “And since his father blamed you for it that leads me to the conclusion that you are gay too am I right”
“Um I um h…how did you know that?” Jessie stuttered. “How could you possibly have known? I didn’t even hint at that being the secret how could you possibly have known”
“Well the whole against nature thing made it kinda obvious” Chris said. Jessie was looking between Riley, Sam, and Chris. He seemed genuinely shocked that they had figured this out so quickly while I was in no way surprised. Our vampire friends tended to be very observant when they wanted to be.
“So since we apparently missed something here mind filling us in” I said. “This sounds interesting”
“Oh. Well basically Jessie’s last owner was a homophobe whose son was gay. He blamed Jessie for his son being gay and sold him. Oh and Jessie is gay too.” Riley said. “And Sam sorta just dropped the bomb on him that I’m gay as well as you already know since you were in here when he did it”
“Well Jessie you seem to be handling that one well” I said turning to him and laughing when I realized that his eyes were still locked onto Riley like he had grown an extra head. He looked up at me as though he hadn’t noticed that I was there until that moment.
“I … I just never thought that there were any others like me” Jessie said.
“Uh guys I just realized something” Mike cut in. “We have maybe ten minutes before the party is supposed to start so maybe we should get going.”
“Oh wow you’re right Mike” I said. “Let’s go guys” I added as we all ran to get ready for the party. In my room I slipped on my favorite outfit of black jeans and a black top. I invited Sarah to stay and enjoy the party but she decided to avoid the crowd and leave Jessie with us for the remainder of the summer break. She said she would visit every two weeks to see how he was doing.
“I’m not really a people person so I think I’ll go now” she said when I asked her to stay. “Thanks for the offer though and I hope you have fun at your party.”
“Ok well bye” I said. She left just as the other guests arrived. Only about half of the people we invited were no shows so it ended up just being the eleven of us and ten guests putting the attendance at a whopping 21 people. It was a bit disappointing since it was meant to be a big celebration of our becoming seniors but it was more people than we normally got to come. We started the party by having a huge buffet set out for the guests and then we played music for a few hours so that everyone could dance for a while. It was about eleven when my parents decided to make an appearance. ‘Too bad’ I thought to myself when I saw my mother smiling. ‘This was turning into such a nice night.’
“May I have your attention please” my father said as he and my mother walked to the center of the room. “My wife and I would like to thank you all for attending our daughter’s party. We are both proud of her and her friend’s for their great achievement in skipping a grade. As a reward for this achievement we have decided to move Karina’s coronation as queen up. As you all know the tradition is for the throne to be taken by the next heir on their 18th birthday but in light of her achievement we have decided her coronation will be a year early.”
“And” my mother interrupted. “We have one final announcement” she shot me a look of triumph. “In order to account for the time needed to plan for the wedding before the coronation ceremony my daughter will need to choose a husband by her 16th birthday.” She left the stage with my father and after telling me to meet them in their office after the party left the room. I didn’t pay attention to the rest of the party I was too numb with the shock of what my parents had just said. If I wanted the throne I would have to get married, and I would have to choose a groom by my next birthday in a mere 8 months. The party lasted till around one in the morning. It was then that the guests started to trickle out. Once they all left I couldn’t stall anymore I had to go see my parents.
“Riley I want you to go to my room and stay there until I come back” I said turning to him. “And take Jessie with you he can stay in your room for the time being” I added. As I entered my parents’ office I felt like I was going to throw up.
“Come in” my mother said smiling at me “and close the door behind you.”
“Of course mother” I said coldly. I was trying not to show how I was really feeling. “What is it you wanted to tell me?”
“We merely want to give a few simple cautions dear” my father said. “This engagement, as you know, will mean that a lot of provincial princes visiting to court you. If you do not choose a suitor you will lose your claim and we will retain the throne and your sister Lily will be next in line for the throne.”
Chapter Fourteen
RILEY’S P.O.V
When Karina left to go meet with her parents I went to find Jessie. He was standing by the drink table looking confused.
“What was that all about” Jessie asked as I approached him.
“Oh that” I said. “That was Karina’s mom. Totally evil, mildly psychotic and not someone you want to tick off”
“Oh” he said. “So what do we do now where did Karina go?”
“She went to meet her parents in their office” I said. “We are going to go to my room where we will wait until Karina comes back.”
“Why your room”
“Well if you’re going to be bunking with me for the next week or so then I may as well show you where you’ll be sleeping” I said. “Besides it’s not like there’s anything fun to do down here anyway now that everyone’s gone” I added leading him upstairs to the room I shared with Karina. When we got to my room I turned to see him fidgeting nervously. “What’s the matter with you” I asked
“N… nothing” he said.
“Bull” I said. “Now why do you look like you think someone’s about to hit you?”
“I was just wondering if… if this means that I was right and my mistress really did sell me to Karina” Jessie said.
“No you’re just staying here for a week so you can get used to living with an abolitionist is all” I said. “Want to play some video games I have all the good ones, assassin’s creed, left for dead, halo…”
“Um I’ve never really played video games before” Jessie said. “What would you suggest?”
“Wow really? Well then I guess we better start simple how about some Mario Cart it’s pretty easy” I said putting in the game. “I can’t believe you’ve never played a video game”
“Well I haven’t exactly had the chance to” Jessie said. “I’ve been living in basements for most of my life”
“So have I” I said. “But at least four of my previous masters were sore losers whose friends wouldn’t play with them so I ended up having to purposely lose but at least I got to play” I explained.
“I wasn’t so lucky” Jessie said. “None of my masters were into video games so I just spent each day hoping I wouldn’t get beaten” he looked embarrassed to be talking about it so I decided to change the subject.
“I don’t really have a couch or anything so me and Josh usually just play from the bed” I said. “Get comfortable and grab a controller” at his wary look I added “Oh come on I don’t bite”
“I know that” Jessie said sitting next to me on the bed. “so how do you play?” He asked eyeing the controller. I showed him how to play the game and once we got started we didn’t even notice the time passing until I heard Karina running up the stairs and slamming her door. “What was that about” Jessie said looking towards the door.
“I don’t know” I answered. “You keep playing and I’ll go check on her” I added putting down my controller and hopping off of the bed. I went into Karina’s room and found her having a meltdown. She was crying and pacing and mumbling something about not letting her parents keep the throne. “Karina…. Karina stop” I said putting my hands on her shoulders to stop her. “Look at me and tell me what’s wrong what did your parents say that made you this upset”
KARINA’S P.O.V
I looked up to see Riley staring at me with concern. He seemed so worried but I just couldn’t tell him what my parents had just told me. “I … It’s nothing Riley” I said. “I’m just a little overwhelmed with the idea that I have to get married within a year”
“I know you’re lying Karina but I won’t push you” he said. “can you at least tell me something?”
“Riley how am I supposed to find a husband who is against slavery like me” I said. “I’ve met most of the provincial princes and they all support the practice entirely. I’m sure the ones I haven’t met are just the same as they are” I added.
“Actually” Arabella said coming into the room. “I may be able to help with that”
“How?” I asked sitting on my bed. “How can you possibly help?”
“Well” she said. “Does the law state that it has to be a human prince that you choose?”
“No but...” I started.
“Just listen” Arabella said. “I haven’t told anyone this because I was afraid of what they might do to Riley and I. But I think now might be a good time to tell you a little bit about Riley’s heritage”
Chapter Fifteen
KARINA’S P.O.V
I looked at Riley but he seemed just as confused as I was. “What do you mean his heritage?” I asked looking back at Arabella.
“You see” Arabella said. “Before we were enslaved by the humans we vampires had our own royal family” she moved to sit beside me. “I know because I am 650 years old and I was the queen of all vampires. My husband was born Royal and I was the daughter of a high ranking official. When we married I was only 70 and he was 80”
“I still don’t see how that helps” Riley said. “How does you being the vampire queen solve her problem finding a royal who is against slavery?”
“Well for one it makes you a prince” I said when what Arabella had just said sank in.
“A... a p…prince?” Riley stuttered. “But wait” he said. “I get that I’m a royal and all but I still can’t help with her problem. I mean I love you and all Karina but sorry I don’t swing that way” I had to laugh at his words.
“If you two would let me finish I could tell how this helps” Arabella said sternly. “When I was 100 I had a son as was tradition at the time for the royal family. When I was 250 we decided to reveal ourselves to the humans so that our subjects wouldn’t have to hide anymore. We met with your ancestors Karina and they told us that they wanted peace but when my husband went to meet them they put him in chains. He fought but was killed. When the humans began rounding up vampires and enslaving them I enlisted a group of elders many of them were at the time 800 years old or older to take my son who was about 100 then into the mountains to hide until we found a way to get out of slavery.” She finished. “If we went into the mountains now to find him we could bring him back and let him pose as a human friend of yours for the time being. That will allow you two some time to get to know one another and give you time to decide if you wish to marry him” she finished. “It’s the only solution I can think of to your problem but it’s your choice entirely Karina.”
“What’s his name?” I asked already sure that I would do whatever it took to marry someone who would help me end slavery.
“His name is Kai” Arabella said. “Does this mean you wish to go look for him?”
“Yes it does” I said. “Inform my parents that I wish to take a week’s vacation to the mountains to clear my head. Tell them that the only company I will require is you Riley and Jessie. Also please call Sarah and tell her that Jessie will be accompanying me on a brief vacation and will return to her when we get back”
“What’s going on where are we going?” Jessie said appearing in the doorway of Riley’s room.
RILEY’S P.O.V
“Jessie my dear boy we are going on vacation” I said. “Oh and guess what. I’m a prince!” I was being childish I know but hey I was excited.
“You are?” Jessie asked. “How?”
“Apparently my mother here is secretly the vampire queen making me a prince” I said.
“Wow” Jessie said. “Um can I talk to you in your room for a second?”
“Yeah ok” I said. I followed him back to my room and turned to him surprised when he closed the door. “You ok man” I asked. “You look really nervous for some reason”
“Was Sam serious when he said that you’re gay” Jessie asked avoiding my eyes.
“Yes he was why” I asked eyeing him.
“I just didn’t want to do this if I wasn’t sure” Jessie said stepping toward me.
“Do wha…” I started to ask. Before I knew it Jessie was standing right in front of me. He leaned in and the next thing I knew Jessie was kissing me.
Chapter Sixteen
RILEY’S P.O.V
The kiss was over quickly. Jessie jumped back almost immediately as if I had burned him.
“Sorry” he said. “I didn’t mean to just jump you like that”
“Um it’s fine” I mumbled. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure”
“Why exactly did you just kiss me?” I asked my surprise evident in my voice.
“Because I like you” Jessie said. “And I didn’t know how to tell you so I figured that would probably get the point across.”
“Oh ok well I… I like you too Jessie really I do but…” I said.
“But what?” Jessie asked.
“Well” I said. “I like you but why don’t we try being friends first”
“Friends?” Jessie asked looking hurt. “You just want to be friends”
“For now I mean for all you know you may not even be able to stand me after spending some time with me let’s just get to know each other a bit ok” I said quickly trying to calm him down. Just then Karina knocked on my door and stepped into the room.
“Am I interrupting something here?” She asked when she saw the look on Jessie’s face. If vampires could blush Jessie would have been and Karina noticed this immediately. “I am aren’t I” she gasped. “What have you two been up to in here” I wasn’t sure how to answer her since I didn’t want to upset Jessie so I just changed the subject.
“So when are we leaving to retrieve your future husband?” I asked teasingly.
“Hey I don’t know if I’m marrying him I’m just going to meet the guy” Karina said. “I don’t know if I could handle you as a brother anyway you’re bad enough as a roommate.”
“What my brother not good enough for you human?” I joked.
“Oh shut up” Karina said smacking my arm. “You don’t know him either”
“Hey no hitting” I whined trying to annoy her. “Mom! Karina hit me!”
“Will you shut it already” Karina said. “Do you want your mother to kill me?”
“Oh fine but seriously when are we leaving” I asked.
“We leave first thing tomorrow and Jessie will be coming with us so I suggest you guys pack some clothes. We’ll stop and get some camping gear on the way to the mountains.” Karina replied. She left then and I went to my closet to start packing. I packed two bags though since Jessie didn’t really have anything to take.
“Here” I said handing him the extra bag. “You can borrow these for the trip.”
“Thanks” he said not looking at me.
“Jessie” I said. “Are you going to be all awkward around me from now on or something cause I don’t think I could take that. I hate it when people ignore me or treat me differently.”
“No, that wouldn’t be fair to do that” he said. “I did kinda just attack you out of nowhere” he added.
We went to bed soon after that Jessie slept in the guest room right next to mine and Karina’s.
KARINA’S P.O.V
When I woke up the next morning I was both excited and nervous. I was excited because I was getting a much needed vacation without my parents but nervous because this was in reality a secret mission to find the vampire who very well may end up being my husband. I gathered my things and took them out to my car where Jessie, Riley, and Arabella were waiting to load their stuff as well.
“You ready for this” Arabella asked as I walked up to them.
“I guess I have to be” I said. “I’m not too worried though I mean you did have a whole 100 years with him so I’m hoping that considering you’re his mom he won’t be a total jerk”
“If he is I’ll fix that problem immediately” Riley said.
“Aw are you being protective” I teased. “I don’t know if your mom will like you beating up her first born”
“If he is unpleasant to you in any way I’ll be helping Riley” Arabella interrupted. “Now why don’t we stop talking and get this show on the road”
MYSTERY P.O.V
I returned to the castle the morning after Jessie was taken there. When I got there I hid in a tree near the front gate so that I could see the entrance to the castle. I wanted to check on Jessie and I was trying to figure out which part of the castle to check first. Then I saw movement at the entrance to the garage. Jessie was there with the princess and two other slaves putting bags in a car. I listened to their conversation carefully.
“Jessie, Riley you two ride in the back, and Arabella you can drive since you know the way to the mountains. We should get there by nightfall right?” the princess said. I couldn’t believe my ears. They were taking Jessie on a trip to the mountains probably to do who knows what to him. I made up my mind then and there to follow them and rescue him.
Chapter Seventeen
KARINA’S P.O.V
Arabella stopped at a camping store a few hours after we left the castle so that we could all stretch our legs and so that we could buy the tents and stuff for the trip.
“Karina there’s one thing I don’t get” Jessie said. “You’re the princess so why are we sleeping in tents shouldn’t you have some luxurious RV or something like that to stay in?”
“Well I usually don’t go for the luxury stuff like my parents do” I explained as we entered the store. “Besides we don’t know what kind of terrain we’re going to be crossing so an RV wouldn’t make sense. Also do you realize what you just called me?” I added.
“What?” he asked startled. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No you didn’t but you just called me by my name and not princess” I said smiling at him. “I think you finally might be getting used to the idea that nobody is going to hit you for talking.” He looked embarrassed so I added for his benefit “Don’t worry I had the same problem with Riley when I first got him too so you’re not the only one.”
“Hey in my defense I did have to meet your mother like 20 minutes after I got to the castle” Riley said. “And that woman is nuts in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Trust me I noticed” I said. We had reached the tent section of the store by then and we were looking at some nice durable three room tents that way we would have one for me and Arabella, one for Riley and Jessie and one for the supplies we would have with us like lanterns etc. We weren’t the only ones in the store though and I noticed a guy standing farther down the aisle we were on staring intently at us.
“Hey guys don’t look now but I think I’ve been recognized by one of our fellow shoppers” I said. Riley and Jessie moved to the side the other guy was on to block me from view and that’s when I noticed that his eyes followed Jessie’s every move. I didn’t say anything though because I just figured he had a problem with the vampires getting in the way.
“Let’s get this one and get out of here” Arabella said grabbing the bag that contained the tent we had chosen. “I don’t like the way that guy is looking at you.” With that we headed to the register where I was immediately recognized and offered every possible thing you could need for a camping trip you could imagine. I turned down the offer of an expensive RV and led the vampires back out to our car where we loaded our stuff. The strange man from the tent aisle was right behind us and was parked only two cars down. He got straight into his car but didn’t leave which raised my suspicions immediately.
“Arabella if that car follows us out of here I want you to get us to the mountains and pull over.” I said pointing. “And if he gets out restrain him so we can have a little chat”
“When you say chat is that code for I get to beat him up if he comes after us” Riley interrupted.
“It depends on what he says when I ask him what his problem is and who he is when I get that hood off of him.” I said. “With that jacket on I could only see his eyes under the hood the rest of his face was hidden in the shadow of it.” I added. “But yes it very well may mean that you and Jessie get to beat him up while me and Arabella figure out what tree to tie him to” I laughed at the thought of leaving the creepy stranger tied to a tree and stranded.
“Cool sounds like this trip might be fun after all” Jessie said as we all got into the car. We pulled out and as soon as we got going on the road again I checked behind us and sure enough the strange car was following us. “Arabella looks like we’re going to have to tie someone to a tree” I said.
“So he’s following us then” she asked checking behind us. “I’ll get us safely into the mountains before I stop that way no one will see us and think he’s getting mugged and try to stop us” she added. We sped along at about 80 miles an hour and I could tell she was in a hurry to get this guy out of the way. “ we should be there in about five minutes” she said and she was right because five minutes later we pulled over with rock walls on either side of the road where it cut through a mountain on the way to the campsite. The car stopped behind us as I thought it would and its mysterious driver got out.
Chapter Eightteen
KARINA’S P.O.V
He went to the driver’s side and tapped on Arabella’s window. She rolled it down half way and looked at him expectantly.
“Having some trouble?” he asked. Arabella looked at him coldly. “Pop the hood and I’ll check it out for you if you want” he said. I nodded slightly to Arabella indicating she should do it. It would be the perfect distraction for us to get out and grab him. She reached for the button beside her seat and popped the hood up for him to look at the engine of the car. When he was where he couldn’t see us I turned to the boys in the back of the car.
“Get out and stand on either side of him guys” I said. “Arabella will go for him and if he runs don’t let him get away.”
“He won’t get away” Riley assured me. He and Jessie opened there doors silently and got out moving in unison to either side of the front of the car blocking the man’s escape routes. Arabella followed moving faster than I’d ever seen to stand behind him. I opened my door and moved to stand beside Riley. Arabella tapped his shoulder and he straightened up and turned to her.
“What’s going on?” he asked looking around and seeing that he was basically surrounded. Arabella stepped toward him reaching to grab him but he dodged her stepping to the side ducking under her outstretched arms. “What are you doing?!” he asked seeming surprised.
“Guys remember what I said.” I said and Riley and Jessie advanced on the stranger. He began backing away and stumbled over a rock. His hood fell back as he regained his balance and I realized that he was a vampire. “Catch him!” I shouted. “He’s a vampire which means he has to be working for someone.” Riley darted forward and grabbed the shocked vampire by the throat and threw him to the ground. He pinned him there and Jessie joined him each grabbing an arm and hauling the stranger up holding him tightly while Arabella grabbed some rope to tie him up with.
“How did you know I was a vampire?” he asked looking at me.
“You bared your fangs a little when the guys started going after you” I said. “And I’m the one that’s going to be asking the questions here so listen carefully.” I added. “Now who is your master who sent you?”
“I don’t have a master” he said smugly. “I am no one’s slave”
“Don’t lie.” Riley threatened twisting his arm making him grimace. “You are talking to the princess in case you forgot.”
“I’m not lying” the vampire hissed. “I came here of my own free will. I’m probably the only free vampire in existence or at least I was up till now”
“Let me ask differently then.” I said getting annoyed. “Why did you follow us?”
“I came for him.” He said jerking his head toward Jessie. “He is the only reason I am here.”
“Me?!” Jessie said shocked. “What do you mean me?”
“Jessie I got this” I said. “Who are you?” I asked the vampire as Arabella returned and tied his arms behind him.
“I’m surprised you don’t recognize me” he said looking at Jessie. He didn’t seem to want to look away from him for more than a second.
“Why would I recognize you?” Jessie asked. “I don’t know any other vampires well enough to remember them.”
“Prove it” I said. “Prove to me that you know him.”
“Fine” the vampire said. “His name is Jessie and he is 110 years old and he was recently sold to a girl named Sarah who brought him to you because he wasn’t eating.” Jessie gaped at him.
“Who are you?” I asked again this time genuinely curious and not just annoyed at being followed.
“That’s what I want to know” Jessie said.
“I’m the reason you are here” the vampire said. “My name is Zephyr Delaney I don’t know if you remember but I was the last one to own you before you went to the auction house.” I didn’t understand a word but apparently Jessie did because he looked like he might be sick.
“Zephyr?” he asked in disbelief looking closely at the vampire’s face and stumbling back a few steps. “No way. That’s impossible. How … How did you find me? W… why did you find me?” He stuttered beginning to shake fear now plain on his face.
“Jessie… Jessie what is it?” Riley asked moving towards him. “Jessie who is this guy?”
“H…he’s the last member of the family I was with for the first hundred years of my life that owned me.” Jessie said. “He made sent me to the auction house where I was sold to the man who owned me before Sarah. He’s no Vampire he’s a human and a cruel sadistic one at that.”
“You’re wrong about that.” Zephyr said. “I’m not human. Not anymore.”
Chapter Nineteen
RILEY’S P.O.V
Jessie was obviously freaking out. The guy named Zephyr watched coldly as Jessie tried to process what he had just heard.
“How can you be a vampire” Jessie said. “I…It’s not possible there’s no way for a human to become a vampire the blood is poison to us and we are born vampires there is no way to be one of us unless you were born that way.”
“Actually there is a way to make a human a vampire” my mom said. “But only the Royal family knew it and we never told a soul so how could someone change this man?” she looked to Zephyr. “You are a vampire now so you should know that I am your queen. I demand to know who turned you and how.”
“Right after I sold Jessie I was depressed because I missed him so badly.” Zephyr said.
“Missed me!” Jessie sounded outraged. “How dare you! You wouldn’t miss me! You played me! You made me think you might actually care and then you sold me! Do you have any idea what that did to me! You wouldn’t know depression if it smacked you in the face you lying no good…” he was going to continue but I stopped him. I dragged him toward the back of the car.
“Jessie stop.” I said. “Calm down and tell me what’s going on here”
“I’ll tell you but this stays between us” Jessie said. “I don’t want anyone else to know ok.”
KARINA’S P.O.V
Riley dragged Jessie to the back of the car while Arabella and I watched surprised at Jessie’s outburst.
“You can explain that to us as well while you’re answering my question” Arabella said.
“Like I was saying” Zephyr said. His voice quieter and he sounded as though he might be fighting tears. “After I sold Jessie I became depressed because I missed him so badly. I had been forced by my cousin Zeke to send Jessie to the auction house because he had overheard me admitting to Jessie that I was gay and was going to kill Jessie and maybe even me. The only way to save Jessie was to tell Zeke that I had been saying it to break Jessie and send him to the auction house to prove I wasn’t lying. The slave I got after Jessie was sold noticed my depression and was brave enough to ask me about it and when I told her she offered me a way that I could be free of my family and be with Jessie. She said she could make me a vampire and she only asked that I not tell anyone how I was changed or who changed me.”
“Convenient” I scoffed.
“If it’s the only way you’ll believe me I’ll tell you” Zephyr said.
“Then start talking” Arabella said.
“Her name was Josephine and she told me that the only way to turn a human into a vampire was to have the human consume the blood of a born vampire.” Zephyr said. “I was against it at first but I finally told her that I would do it if she could find a way to make it so that I wouldn’t know it was blood I was consuming so she mixed it into my drink one day when I wasn’t looking.” He looked up at Arabella. “The next thing I knew I was a vampire so I went into hiding until I could figure out what had happened to Jessie. I made some calls and found out who had bought him and when I heard he had been sold I tracked down the new owner and followed her to the castle when she took him there. I feared what might happen to him if he was sold to the royal family but I heard you all talking and decided to wait a few days and sneak him out while you weren’t paying attention but when I came back to check on him the next day you were leaving so I followed you. I figured I would rescue him when you got to the mountains but instead I got myself caught like a fool.”
“How did you hear us talking” Arabella asked suspicious. “The abilities of vampires are weakened by the mere presence of humans hearing included.”
“When a human is turned we are immune to the weakening effects of human blood” Zephyr said. “We used to possess it so it isn’t as potent to us. Consuming it still kills us but it doesn’t weaken us to be near it. So we keep the usual abilities of speed, strength, hearing etc. even around humans.”
Chapter Twenty Two
RILEY’S P.O.V
My mother was looking expectantly at me and Jessie and I tried in vain to get out of explaining the situation to her. This was one conversation I did not want to have with my mother just yet. “Uh sorry I seem to have suddenly gone deaf what did you say?” I tried knowing that it wouldn’t work.
“Cute” my mom said. “But I know you don’t think that’s gonna work so why don’t you quit stalling and tell me what this” she added gesturing towards Jessie’s hand in mine “is all about”
“Ok fine” I said. “Basically Jessie and I are now together”
“Together?” Karina asked. “As in like together together like as in you’re a couple together?”
“Yes Karina that’s the idea” I said. I had moved from in front of Jessie where I had been shielding him from Zephyr’s cold gaze earlier but when my mother’s gaze shifted towards him as though she were assessing an enemy I pulled him back behind me. He stayed there clutching the fabric of my shirt between my shoulder blades having obviously been frightened by her cold stare. “I don’t know why you’re looking at him like that mom but I would appreciate it if you would stop scaring my boyfriend” I said in a light tone. It was an attempt to distract her and it worked.
“I wasn’t scaring him” she said. “Was I?”
“Yeah you kinda were” Karina said. “He looks pretty nervous to me anyway”
“Oh … well… in that case… I apologize Jessie, I didn’t mean to frighten you but I’m sure you understand it was merely a mother’s protective instincts” my mom said.
“It’s fine” Jessie said peeking from behind me. “I get it you don’t know me that well so you’re worried”
“You don’t have to explain yourself” I said to him. “She’s just overprotective don’t worry”
“Um not to be rude or anything” Jessie said. “But weren’t we on our way to retrieve the future king?”
“Oh right” Karina said. “I suppose we better get going.”
KARINA’S P.O.V
About an hour after that we were at the campgrounds but we didn’t stay long because Arabella said we needed to get moving. She said that if we were going to find Kai we would probably have to go off the trail after a while.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because the elders would likely have wanted to keep him far from humans so that he wouldn’t be weakened should they be attacked” Arabella said. “They would likely be somewhere far from the trail. We can set up camp after a few miles and in the morning me and Riley can go looking for him while you and Jessie stay at the tent.”
“But if we find him it would kind of be pointless to not have her with us wouldn’t it?” Riley asked.
“If we find him we will meet back up and head there as a group but we will find him quicker if it is just us we are the oldest here and therefore the fastest without Karina’s blood slowing us down.” Arabella said. “We’ll be able to search the whole mountain range inside of a day and have the rest of the week to get Karina there”
“Sounds reasonable to me” I said. “Let’s get moving then I’m ready for some food and the sooner we set up camp the sooner I eat.”
JESSIE’S P.O.V
I walked with Riley as we followed the trail away from the camp ground. I stayed close to him holding on to his hand tightly and walking as close to his side as I could. I was terrified because the sun was going down fast but I wasn’t about to admit to him that I was afraid of the dark. I just held on to his hand and tried to keep my mind off of the impending darkness.
“Jessie” Riley whispered into my ear. “If you keep squeezing my hand like that it’s going to go numb” I looked at him confused.
“Oh” I said letting go of his hand when I got what he was hinting at “Sorry I didn’t realize I was doing that”
“you seem really freaked out for some reason” he said and I silently cursed myself for letting my fear show. “What is it” He asked putting an arm around my shoulders. “You can tell me”
“I… It’s the darkness” I said quietly. “It reminds me of the basement where Zephyr used to take me when he hit me” His arm tightened around me as I spoke.
“Hey guys let’s make camp here” Riley said to the others. “It’s been a long day and I’m sure Karina is tired by now after all this hiking” I knew he was saying it for my benefit though and I was glad when Karina and Arabella agreed to the idea.
Chapter Twenty Three
RILEY’S P.O.V
I was surprised Karina and my mom agreed to make camp but I was also glad for Jessie’s sake that we wouldn’t be traveling in the dark. I could feel the fear pouring from him as the trail was slowly engulfed in shadows.
“Ok the guys get the room on the left and the girls take the room on the right and the middle can be where the supplies are stored” Karina said. “That ok with everyone?”
“Yeah that’s fine” I said. I was kinda glad I would be sharing a room with Jessie so if he got freaked out during the night he wouldn’t be alone. We set up the tent quickly and set up the sleeping bags in the two side rooms leaving the lanterns and the stuff for Karina’s breakfast in the central room. I led Jessie to our room while my mom made Arabella some breakfast and checked the area for any stray wildlife that might cause problems. We had the room that was facing away from the wall of rock that was behind the tent which was good because if something were to try to get in me and Jessie could take it out. I sat down on the sleeping bag and pulled off my shoes so that I could be more comfortable and Jessie watched as I lay back across the soft material.
“What?” I asked when he kept staring at me.
“Nothing” he said after a minute. “I was just wondering if I could keep one of the lanterns going through the night so it wouldn’t be so dark in here”
“I have a better idea” I said. “Come over here” he did as I asked and sat down beside me. “You want to be able to sleep right?” I asked.
“Yeah but it’s just so dark I don’t know if I could quit being paranoid long enough to get some sleep” Jessie fretted.
“Just lay down and close your eyes.” I said. “Trust me I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Aren’t you going to sleep?” he asked.
“Yes but don’t worry about that just know that nothing is going to touch you ok” I said. He lay back and closed his eyes but his breathing never evened out so I knew he wasn’t actually asleep when I put my arm around his waist and put the other under his head like a pillow (the one thing we forgot at the camping store). He tensed up when I pulled him to me but finally fell asleep. I drifted off too once I knew that he was sleeping soundly.
KARINA’S P.O.V
When I went to wake up the guys the next morning I walked in on what was probably the cutest thing I had ever seen. Jessie and Riley were fast asleep and Riley had a tight grip on Jessie’s waist holding him like a teddy bear while Jessie’s head rested on his arm.
“Awwwww where’s a camera when I need one” I said loudly waking them. Jessie looked extremely embarrassed while Riley was simply very amused. He stifled a laugh as Jessie scooted behind him and tried to hide behind his shoulder.
“What is so cute over here that you freaked out?” Arabella asked poking her head in.
“Nothing” Riley said before I could spill the beans. “Nothing at all mom”
“Sure” she replied. “Don’t worry Karina will tell me later” I laughed when she said that because I knew she was probably right. “Now let’s get moving we need to find Kai today so that we can spend the rest of the week getting Karina to wherever he is hiding.”
“Ok” Riley said. “Jessie you’re ok staying here with Karina right?”
“I’ll be fine” Jessie said.
“Ok, Karina you better not freak him out with your randomness” Riley warned me.
“Yeah yeah whatever you say boss” I said sarcastically.
RILEY’S P.O.V
“Ok you take the north half of the range I’ll take the south” my mom said. “We’ll meet here at noon to switch halves in case either of us misses something. If you find anything whistle I’ll hear it and we will meet back at the tent to get Karina.”
“Sounds good” I said. We split up running in opposite directions to search either side of the mountain range. I started at the opposite end of the range and decided to work my way back toward the meeting place. I figured I could get a pretty thorough search done before noon. I scented the air for any trace of other vampires and came up empty. That far from Karina I knew I would smell anyone in the range so I just had to ignore my mom and Jessie’s scents. When that didn’t work I began to run back and forth across the mountains looking for any sign of hunting activity.
JESSIE’S P.O.V
About an hour after Arabella and Riley left Karina started getting antsy. She kept pacing and mumbling about something.
“It’s been too long” She said. “I’m going to go look myself”
“Karina wait” I said worried about how Riley would react if I let Karina get lost out here. “You don’t even know what you’re looking for or where you’re going just let them handle it.”
“No I’m sick of waiting” she said grabbing a hiking pack and walking away. “You stay and watch the stuff and I’ll be back later. Don’t worry I’ll handle Riley if he finds out” She added as though reading my thoughts.
‘this is so not good’ I thought to myself.
KARINA’S P.O.V
I had been hiking for maybe an hour when I started feeling bad about leaving Jessie alone. I knew that whole Zephyr thing had gotten to him and there I was leaving him all alone in the middle of the mountains. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going when I felt a rush of air as though something had just passed me on the trail going very fast.
“Well, well what do we have here” Said voice from behind me. “A little lost human who wandered from the trail?” I turned around to run and almost smacked right into the chest of a tall muscular vampire. I mean the guy was buff like body builder buff. “And not just any human but the human princess” He said his eyes shining. “This is just what we’ve been waiting for” he added grabbing my arm. “Move it human you’re coming with me and don’t even think about trying to run I don’t want to have to kill you.”
Chapter Twenty Four
KARINA’S P.O.V
I stood frozen in place by the obvious threat. Based on the fact that he was both healthy and not afraid to threaten me I figured I had just found the vampire I was supposed to marry.
“Get your hand off of me” I warned. Having spent the past few months with Riley I had pick up a few ways to make a vampire back down. I knew for a fact that if I could get a good kick to his shin he would be down. I’d had to get Riley like that quite a few times when he figured out that I was ticklish like he was.
“And what are you going to do to make me?” the vampire I assumed was Kai asked. “You are nothing but a weak spoiled human. You have no power over me” I saw my chance and took it. I delivered a swift kick to his shin after which he released me grabbing his leg in pain. I made a run for it but he was in front of me faster than I could get away. “Not smart” he hissed at me. He grabbed my arms and turned me around gripping both my wrists in one hand behind me as he marched me farther into the mountains.
JESSIE’S P.O.V
I thought about following Karina but I was also too scared of upsetting Riley to do it. I had decided to stay at the tent and wait for her like she said too until I picked up an unfamiliar scent. I knew it was a vampire but it wasn’t Arabella or Riley so I figured it might be Riley’s brother Kai. I was going to get the cell phone from the tent and call Riley when I realized that there was a human scent mixed with that of the vampire. It was Karina’s.
“crap now I gotta go get her” I muttered. I ran as fast as I could toward the scent and skidded to a halt when I came across an old game trail. The scent followed the trail into the mountains so I started tracking them and within a few minutes I had caught up. Karina was being held by a tall muscular guy and he didn’t seem happy.
“Hey let her go!” I said. I admit my rescue plan wasn’t really a plan so much as an idea but I had to try to help her. The vampire turned to face me.
“Why should I?” he said. “If she wanted to be left alone she would have stayed on the trail.”
“Just let her go dude” I said. “What’s it to you if some human got lost why don’t you stop being a creep and back off”
“What was that you insolent little twerp!?” he said suddenly furious. “do you have any idea who you are talking to?”
“I think I’m talking to the jerk who’s trying to kidnap my friend” I said sounding braver than I felt. I was sure I was shaking like a leaf.
“Of course you wouldn’t know” he said almost like he thought it was funny. “You’re just a child you can’t be more than 110” While he was talking I edged toward him and I was only standing a few feet away from Karina now. “I suppose I’ll just have to kill you to keep you from getting in my way but just so you know who you are speaking to my name is Kai and I am the future king of our kind” I had figured as much but I hadn’t figured on him trying to kill me so when he knocked Karina out and started advancing on me I panicked. I wasn’t fast enough to get Karina and bail without getting caught so my only choice was to fight him.
“I’ll make it quick I promise kid” Kai said smirking at me. All I could think about was how much I wished Riley was here to help me so it caught me off guard entirely when I scented both him and Arabella headed our way at top speed.
RILEY’S P.O.V
I had been almost halfway back to the meeting place when I felt it. Jessie was in danger and very scared. It was something only mates could do, sensing each other’s fear when they were in danger. I whistled and made a beeline for the meeting place. I met my mother and she knew something was up when she saw my face.
“Jessie’s in trouble which means odds are so is Karina” I said.
“Wait how do you know” my mom said disbelief obvious in her tone.
“I think Jessie and I are mates but that’s not the point he’s in trouble and very scared. Mom he’s too young to win a fight on his own we have to go now” I said explaining quickly. She nodded and we took off at top speed towards Jessie’s scent. When we got to him he was backed up to a cliff with a strong looking vampire moving toward him. In a flash I grabbed Jessie and pulled him from the cliff moving behind the vampire and holding him in a tight hug as he clung to me obviously glad to be rescued.
“I think I found your brother” Jessie said breathlessly.
“Kai I know I did not just see you about to kill that child” my mother said clearly going into mom mode.
“You might want to start apologizing bro” I said jokingly. “Or mom’s gonna kick your butt”
“No way” Kai said looking stunned. “Mom?!”
Chapter Twenty Five
RILEY’S P.O.V
“Don’t even try to change the subject” my mom said. “Were you or were you not about to kill that child and don’t lie to me you ought to know by now that I can tell when you do”
“Um… I … I … wait why does it even matter to you anyway?” Kai stuttered. “He’s just some kid who got into a fight he couldn’t win”
“He did nothing to you Kai and don’t try to tell me that he did cause I know for a fact that he’s basically scared of his own shadow” I said. “No offense Jessie but you are” I added quickly so he didn’t get mad.
“And who are you to question me you little brat” Kai said.
“Kai” my mother said a warning tone in her voice. Before she could finish her sentence something stirred on the ground not far from where we were. I turned to see what it was and was shocked to realize that it was Karina.
KARINA’S P.O.V
I sat up dazed. All I knew was that something had hit me, hard.
“What hit me” I said. Riley and Jessie were suddenly there next to me helping up. I remembered Jessie’s arrival and that Kai had threatened him but after that it was a blur so I wasn’t sure when Riley had showed up.
“Jessie are you alright he said he was going to kill you” I said in a rush as the memory of why I had been knocked out came back to me.
“Yeah I’m fine” Jessie said. “Riley swooped in and saved me just in time”
“Good job Riley by the way pretty sure I found Kai” I said.
“Yeah and I’m pretty sure our mother is gonna kill him when she figures out he hurt you” Riley said. “Mom” He called over to Arabella. “Look who I just found knocked out cold” Arabella turned and froze when she saw me anger plain on her face as she stalked towards Kai.
“Mom what are you doing?” Kai asked as she advanced looking livid.
“Oh nothing dear I’m just going to hang you upside down over the side of that cliff there until you tell me exactly what was going on here before I arrived and apologize to both Karina and Jessie.” She said. I almost laughed before I realized that she was totally serious. She grabbed Kai’s arm and started dragging him toward the edge of the cliff.
“Arabella wait!” I called. “You do realize that our plan probably won’t work if he’s dead right”
“He won’t be dead silly just scared enough to remember how a prince ought to behave” Arabella said.
“Just put him down please” I said. “I don’t want my first impression with him to be that I want him dangled off a cliff because he believed what he’s probably been taught since he came out here”
“She has a point” Kai said. “I don’t know what the human is talking about but if it keeps my feet on the ground and not in the air I agree with her”
“Oh fine but I’m only going to tell you this once Kai so listen carefully.” Arabella said. “Karina is under my protection you won’t hurt her again unless you want me to hurt you twice as badly am I clear” she added. “And you will be apologizing for your behavior up till now immediately”
“Crystal clear mom” Kai said turning to me Jessie and Riley. “I am sorry I hurt you” he said to me. “And I’m sorry I threatened to kill you” he added to Jessie. “And I have no idea who you are”
“Oh I almost forgot” Arabella said. “Kai I believe it’s time I introduced my companions”
“Among other things” Kai muttered.
“What was that” Arabella said.
“Nothing!” Kai said quickly.
Chapter Twenty Six
KARINA'S P.O.V
Arabella let it go but glared at him briefly before moving to stand beside Jessie.
"Kai the first person I would like you to meet is Riley." She said pulling Riley forward.
"Nice to meet you Riley" Kai said waving.
"Is that any way to greet your baby brother" Riley teased.
"My what" Kai asked turning to Arabella.
"Riley is your brother Kai I had him after I was taken into slavery." Arabella explained. "Although I loved your father dearly after he died and I was taken prisoner I found my mate and he is Riley's father."
"Ok so I have a younger brother good to know" Kai said.
"And this" Arabella said moving to stand next to Jessie. “Is your brother's boyfriend Jessie"
"So that's why you were so mad when I threatened him" Kai said looking at Riley.
"Exactly do it again and I'll let mom kill you" Riley said menacingly.
"Let the sibling rivalry begin" I teased. That drew Arabella's attention to me.
"And this young lady is Karina she is the human princess" Arabella said. "She is my 'owner' and we came here to find you and bring you back with us."
"Bring me back?" Kai said looking shocked. "To where"
"The castle of course" I said. “I have a plan that might free your kind but it will require your cooperation."
"What do you mean by cooperation" Kai asked me.
"You will have to pretend to be a human friend of mine so that my psycho parents won't lock you up." I said. He stepped towards me so that we were face to face.
"How do I know I can trust you not to do exactly that" he said.
"Look at your mom and your brother" I said. “She has been with me since I was little and he has been sharing my room with me for four months now. If they aren’t hurt or afraid of me by now shouldn’t that prove that I'm not a threat? All I want to do is end this disgusting practice of slavery so that everyone can be happy and free."
"It’s the truth" Arabella said. "Her intentions are exactly what she says they are" Kai reached for me then and did the last thing I expected. He hugged me!
"I'll do it" He said still hugging me tightly. His breath ruffled my hair as he spoke. "I'll do it and thank you for helping my mom" I felt an odd sensation go through me as he hugged me. Almost like an electric shock pulsing through me where his skin contacted mine. When he stepped away I almost felt sad but I had no idea why. Riley noticed my look of confusion and gave me his 'we'll talk later' look.
Chapter Twenty Eight
RILEY’S P.O.V
About two hours after we left the mountains Karina was out cold and Jessie was getting close to falling asleep too. I couldn’t help but notice that Karina had used Kai’s shoulder as a pillow.
“Well big bro” I said. “Congratulations it took me a month to achieve the status of pillow”
“Oh very funny” Kai said. He looked down at Karina and I recognized the look on his face immediately. It was the same look I gave Jessie when he wasn’t paying looking.
“No way” I said. “She’s your mate isn’t she?”
“I don’t know what you mean” Kai said. “I just met her and she’s a human there is no way we could be mates”
“Yes there is” I said then I remembered Jessie sitting next to me. I didn’t need to worry though he was in the process of laying down in the seat as much as he could considering the fact that we were in a car. He put his head on my lap and was fast asleep in seconds. “I knew pretty quickly after I met Jessie that he was my mate and he felt the pull even before I did” I said. “I just don’t think he knows what it means” I added looking down at my sleeping boyfriend.
“I’m pretty sure she’s clueless too” Kai said. “So I’m gonna try to avoid acting weird around her until I figure out how to explain it”
“Good plan” I said. I fell asleep soon after and spent the rest of the ride home dead to the world. I was awakened by Jessie who had tried to roll over in his sleep and ended up in the floor at my feet. He had grabbed my arm trying to get back up and startled me awake.
“Good morning” Jessie said sleepily. I looked up and noticed we were pulling into the castle gates.
“Guess we are home” I said. Jessie looked more than a little nervous when he heard that. “What’s wrong” I said holding his chin to make him look at me.
“Home means going back to my mistress” Jessie said. “And risking seeing Zephyr again”
“Is that who we picked up while they were hibernating” Kai asked my mom. “I wondered who that was”
“Yes” Karina said. “Don’t worry we put the creep in the trunk so he couldn’t bug us” she added when Jessie started to panic. He relaxed a little but huddled against me and wouldn’t let go. “Also we made a stop by your previous owner’s home Jessie and I explained to her about you and Riley. She thought it was great that you were happy and agreed to sell you to me so that the two of you could stay together. So you will have to share a room with Riley if that’s ok”
“I don’t mind” Jessie said shyly looking anywhere but at her.
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed” I teased. He smacked my arm but didn’t say anything. Suddenly someone started banging around in the trunk. “Guess the creep is awake” I said. We parked in the garage and piled out of the car. My mom popped the trunk and opened it up to reveal a tied up Zephyr glaring at me as Jessie hid behind me.
KARINA’S P.O.V
“Kai would you mind getting the scum out of my car” I said looking at Zephyr coldly.
“If you mean him sure but I have a question” Kai said. “I thought you were kind to vampires why are you being so cruel toward this one”
“I am nice to vampires” I said. “Just not to cruel sadistic humans who get themselves turned into vampires so that they can stalk and terrify someone they traumatized and hurt” I said.
“Karina …” Jessie started but I interrupted him.
“No Jessie what he did to you is disgusting so I’m about to make my parents really happy.” I said they are going to watch me drag a vampire into the castle tied up and they are probably going to see me beat him up at least once before I’m done doing to him exactly what he did to you”
“Well at least now I know what you plan to do with me” Zephyr said from the trunk.
“I don’t believe I gave you permission to speak to any of us” I snapped. “Kai please get him out of there” I added. Kai dragged him from the trunk and stood him on his feet.
“I don’t need your permission for anything you arrogant brat” Zephyr spat at me.
“Watch it pal” Kai threatened. “You don’t talk to her that way”
“Easy Kai” I said. “Someone’s protective of their friends” Kai gave me a weird look when I said ‘friends’ but I figured he did it cause I was teasing him.
“Um sure” Kai said. “I just don’t like it when people are mean to my friends”
“So Jessie how have you been since I last saw you” Zephyr said staring at him. “I didn’t exactly get to speak to you at our reunion”
“I … I um I have been ok I g…guess” Jessie said stuttering his fear already showing.
“Oh come on don’t tell me that you’re still afraid of me” Zephyr said giving Jessie a creepy smile. “I’m not what you think I am” he added.
“Why don’t you stop talking before I break your Jaw” Riley hissed. Clearly he was in no way happy about the way Zephyr was taunting Jessie for being afraid.
“Oh please little boy you haven’t the power we are too close to humans for you to be able to harm me in a real fight” Zephyr spat. “I have more strength in one finger than you do in your whole body this close to her” he said jerking his head toward me. Jessie had moved behind Riley and was clinging to his arm like a life preserver. Suddenly Riley got a really smug look on his face.
“Jessie come out from behind me” Riley said. He grabbed Jessie’s hand and pulled him in front of him.
“R…Riley what are you d…doing I… I’m fine where I a...am” Jessie said trying to move back to his hiding place.
“Jessie look at me” Riley said gently. “He can’t get to you and he can’t hurt you” He continued. “I’m here and I will keep you safe” He leaned down and kissed Jessie gently and hugged him. That apparently made Zephyr mad because he started screaming at them.
“I told you not to touch him” He yelled. “He. Is. Mine.”
“I’ve heard just about enough out of you” Kai said next to me. He then hit Zephyr in the head with lightning speed knocking him out cold.
Chapter Thirty
JESSIE’S P.O.V
After meeting Kai and Karina back by the garage we all headed back into the castle. I had to go get my things from the room that would now be Kai’s so I left the others to get them. I made my way there quickly remembering how to find it from the night I was left here by my mistress. I was in a hurry to get back to Riley so I just grabbed my two outfits and headed back toward Karina’s room. When I got there I knocked on the door even though I didn’t think Karina would mind since it was the only way to Riley’s room but I didn’t want to risk it. She came to the door almost immediately.
“Why did you bother knocking” she asked giving me a puzzled look as she stepped aside letting me in. “you know you can come in here anytime since it’s the way to you and Riley’s room”
“Yeah I know I just wasn’t sure if you would have a problem with me just barging through your room and all I mean for all I knew you were changing in here” I said. “I would rather not accidentally see that and get killed”
“I wouldn’t” she started to say.
“But your mom would” I cut her off. “Just saying better safe than sorry”
“I get it don’t worry about it” she said “I wouldn’t let her hurt you anyway so just come on in whenever” She added.
“Ok well I’m going to go put my stuff away so I’ll see you later” I said moving toward the door to Riley’s room. She nodded as I opened the door and disappeared into the room. Much to my embarrassment when I walked in Riley was standing in front of the TV shirtless fiddling with a video game controller. “Um what are you doing?” I asked. He whipped around startled by my sudden appearance.
“I figured we could play some video games” he said relaxing when he realized it was just me. “You can put your stuff in the closet I’m sure Karina will take you to buy more soon it only took her a day to drag me to the mall”
“Ok” I muttered moving past him to the closet. I heard him put down the game controller as I hung up my clothes.
“What’s wrong now Jessie” He asked appearing right behind me. “I know something is up you won’t look at me”
“Well it’s just that you’re well um you don’t have a uh” I stuttered embarrassed that he had noticed.
“Oh you are embarrassed because I’m not wearing a shirt ok I get it” He said chuckling. “I don’t get why it is such a big deal but I will put one on if it bugs you”
“You don’t have to if you are more comfortable without it” I said quickly hoping he wasn’t mad at me. He laughed again as he pulled a t-shirt over his head.
“You worry too much” he said walking back toward me. “I’m gonna have to find a way to make you braver” He had a mischievous smile on his face and I noticed he was backing me into a corner.
“Riley I don’t know what you’re up to but it better not be anything mean” I said as my back hit the wall. “I mean it just because I’m timid that doesn’t mean I’m weak”
“Just trust me” he said. Then he started doing a really funny impression of Karina’s mom “How dare you breathe that close to me you little leech” he said in a high voice. “Why do you always look so scared what’s the matter too pathetic to defend yourself” he continued putting his face close to mine. I just couldn’t keep a straight face anymore. I burst out laughing in his face. I laughed so hard my side hurt. With an impish grin he grabbed me by my arm. “How dare you laugh at me” he screeched in his best imitation of the queen when she was mad. “To the dungeon for you” he said. He shoved me toward the closet but I had other plans.
“Not today crazy lady” I said spinning around quickly grabbing Riley’s wrist. “In you go” I laughed pushing him into the closet.
“Jessie no!” he yelled trying to get back out. “Stop please you don’t underst…” his sentence was cut off as I shut the door and put a chair under the knob so he couldn’t get out. He started banging on the door but I ignored him I figured about ten minutes in there should teach him not to tease me. After all what he did was kind of mean so he deserved it. I went downstairs and found Karina watching a movie in a big private theater.
KARINA’S P.O.V
I was watching Pirates of the Caribbean when Jessie walked into the theater. I was about halfway through so I didn’t notice him until he sat down next to me.
“Mind if I join you?” Jessie asked.
“Not in the least” I said. “Kai was supposed to come too but I think he forgot”
“Well I’ll keep you company then” he said. At least that’s what he said but before we even gotten ten more minutes into the movie he was fast asleep and I had become a pillow. I didn’t mind much though because he never really seemed to relax unless he was asleep and I didn’t want to wake him up. Kai showed up not long after that and we continued watching movies together.
“Jessie seems comfy using you for a pillow” Kai said. “Should I be jealous?”
“Don’t be silly” I said. I looked down at Jessie’s sleeping form and couldn’t help but smile when I noticed he was mumbling in his sleep. He must have been dreaming about my mom throwing a fit because he was doing an absolutely hilarious impression of her. He kept it up through two more movies before awakening.
“How long was I asleep” He asked looking around confused.
“Long enough for us to watch two more Pirates movies so about six hours” I said laughing at his reaction. His face got kind of pale and he scrambled to his feet.
JESSIE’S P.O.V
“Oh crap” I said. “Riley is gonna kill me and then his mom is gonna bring me back and kill me too”
“Why what did you do” Karina said surprised.
“Well I left him to have some alone time in the closet in our room and kinda came down here after locking him in” I said. “He may or may not have been in there this whole time because I fell asleep.” I added. “He is probably gonna be super mad”
“You did what!” Karina was shocked but there was something else in her expression. Worry maybe or outright terror I couldn’t tell. She was out the door and running upstairs before I could reply.
“What” Kai said. “Was that?”
“I have no idea but maybe we should follow her” I replied heading for the door. We were in mine and Riley’s room in seconds and we got there just in time to see Karina yanking the chair from in front of the door.
“Arabella!” she screamed for Riley and Kai’s mom. “Arabella come quick!”
Chapter Thirty One
KARINA’S P.O.V
I yanked open the door of the closet Riley was in. I knew it was going to be bad before I even opened it but I wasn’t expecting what I found. Riley had shoved himself into the far corner away from the door and curled in on himself on the floor, like I had seen him do before when he was afraid, his hands covering his head. He rocked back and forth sobbing quietly. I could see both hands painted red with blood down to his knuckles where he had clawed at the door. He hadn’t even noticed the door was open he had his eyes squeezed shut tight and just kept crying. I heard Jessie gasp behind me and start to move forward but Kai held him back.
“Don’t” he said gently. “You don’t know how he will react” I could tell that Jessie was not the only one he was speaking to but what Kai didn’t know was that I had dealt with this once before.
“Riley” I said gently reaching for him. “Riley it’s ok. Look at me” I touched his hand but he recoiled pulling his knees further toward his chest trying to make himself smaller. This was definitely worse than last time. “Riley you are not in that place anymore.” I tried again. “Look at me you’re safe with me remember I won’t hurt you”
“M… master please don’t toy with me” Riley stuttered eyes still shut tight like he was bracing himself for a blow. “I’m s…sorry for whatever I did wrong I’ll n… never do it again I s…swear just not again please I… I … just n… no more please” He was starting to shake and I knew if Arabella didn’t get there soon something really bad was going to happen.
“What happened?” Arabella said from the other room.
“It’s Riley he won’t snap out of it I need your help” I yelled to her. She was by my side instantly and her eyes widened at the sight of her son. “Riley” she whispered looking at him worriedly. He apparently heard her because he started talking again.
“Please!” he sobbed. “Please I’ll do anything just please don’t make me do it!” Arabella picked him up and carried him over to his bed. She put him down gently and walked over to Jessie who had been watching in shock.
“Do exactly as I say” She said. “One wrong move and he’ll lose it so be careful” Jessie nodded so she continued. “Go sit on the bed next to him and hold his hand.” Jessie followed her orders taking Riley by the hand. “Now talk to him gently make him realize who you are and where he is but take it slow”
“Riley” Jessie said hesitantly. “Riley it’s me Jessie. I’m here just come back to me” he continued his own tears spilling down his cheeks. “I don’t know what’s wrong but if you look around you’ll see you’re safe here with me in the castle.” Riley turned and stared at him recognition in his eyes.
“Jessie” he mumbled. “How are you here am I dreaming you”
“No” Jessie said. “No I’m really here” Suddenly Jessie moved closer to Riley. “I’m going to do something and I need you to let me just don’t push me away” and with that he leaned forward and kissed Riley gently. Riley looked stunned for a second then surprised as he looked around the room.
“Um Jessie” Riley said embarrassed to have an audience. “What is everyone doing in our room?”
Chapter Thirty Two
RILEY’S P.O.V
I couldn't figure out why everyone was staring at me and Jessie or why Kai and Jessie looked so freaked out but by the look on Karina's face I knew something was up.
"Karina why do you look so upset?" I asked. "What's wrong?"
"You don't remember" she asked. "Do you know what just happened?"
"No" I replied. "The last thing I remember is joking around with Jessie and the next thing I know we are on my bed and you creepers are watching us kiss" I joked. Jessie blushed and looked at his hands and Kai looked really confused.
"Mind explaining" Kai said to Karina. "I would like to know what just happened to my brother."
"Well ... um ... it's only happened once before" she started the realization of what must have happened hit me.
"Don't tell me" I said noticing the blood on my hands for the first time.
"Yep you did it again" she said. "You thought you were there again and freaked out"
"Oh no" I groaned realizing how scary that must have been for my mate. "Are you ok Jessie?" I asked turning to him. For some reason he looked really guilty and scared.
"I... I'm so sorry" he said starting to cry. "Please don't be mad I didn't know i... if I h...had I would never have ..." his voice trailed off as he cried harder and put his head in his hands. I put an arm around his shoulders trying to calm him.
"What is he talking about?" I asked.
"Well while you were joking around as you put it he shoved you in the closet as a prank and locked you in" Karina explained. "And that triggered the melt down you had"
"Oh" I said. "Jessie it's alright. You couldn't have known that this would happen. I don't blame you it's ok" After that the others left us to be alone.
KARINA'S P.O.V
"Ok I want answers now" Kai said as we entered my room. "What is going on with Riley and why did he freak like that"
"I don't know all the details but it has something to do with one of his previous owners." I started. "It has happened before. About two months ago the genius managed to lock himself in the pantry while trying to get something to eat. By the time someone went in the kitchen and heard him screaming he had already bloodied his hands trying to get out and he was covered in scratches from things he had broken while having a panic attack." I continued. "He was having flashbacks and thought he was back with one of his previous masters who had done some horrible things to him. He told me that it was the most horrible place he had ever lived in but he wouldn't go into any detail other than that he had chosen what happened to him even though he had the chance to get out of it and that he in no way regretted doing it"
"Then why does he have these melt downs if he chose it" Kai asked.
"I think there is more to the story than we know but I respect his privacy enough to not push it" I said. "And I ask that you do the same. It's painful for him to think about and as his best friend I will punch you in the nose if you bug him about it clear" I threatened.
"Crystal" he said putting his hands up in surrender. "So aside from your mother are there any other family members I should meet" he added changing the subject.
"Well the only one I can think of is my little sister" I started.
"Lily" Riley finished for me leading Jessie out of his room. Jessie wasn't crying anymore so I assumed Riley had successfully calmed him down. "This I have to see" he continued. "Besides I need to introduce her to Jessie as well" We moved toward the door but stopped as a piece of paper slid under it.
"What in the world could that be?" I wondered aloud as I picked it up off the ground. My eyes scanned over the writing scrawled across the page and before I could finish it my hand was shaking so hard I couldn't keep it in my grasp. I dropped to my knees and let the paper fall to the ground. I couldn't believe what I had just read. "Riley" I said my voice barely a whisper. "Riley he has her" I started crying as he moved to my side and picked the note up.
RILEY'S P.O.V
I picked up the note Karina had dropped and as I read it my heart dropped. It was very short but the message was clear. It said ....
My dear princess Karina,
I can't believe my luck. You see as I was being dragged to the dungeon where you so graciously decided I was to reside this adorable little girl rescued me from the guards. She introduced herself as Lily the future queen's little sister and promised to protect me. It would be a shame to have to kill her so I suggest you do as you are told. Send Jessie to her room ALONE in ten minutes. I want to speak with him privately for one hour. That is all and then you can have her back.
Sincerely yours
Zephyr Delaney
p.s don't make me wait
Chapter Thirty Three
RILEY’S P.O.V
It took me a minute after reading the note to realize that Jessie was talking to me.
“Riley what is it?” He asked. “Who has who? What’s going on talk to me”
“It appears that your former master has taken a hostage” I said coldly as fear for Lily’s safety was replaced by rage over the fact that Zephyr had threatened her life. In the months since I had arrived here she had become like a little sister to me and I was very protective of her.
“Who do you mean there’s no way he could have gotten to the queen and even if he did I doubt you would be this upset about it” Jessie said. “And Karina is right here”
“There is another child in the royal family” I said grimly. “Her name is Lily. She is only five and Zephyr has threatened to kill her if we don’t send you to him alone in the next ten minutes.”
“I’m going” He said suddenly. That got my attention immediately.
“No you are not” I said gritting my teeth. “I will not send you in there alone with that monster we will find another way to save Lily”
“But how Riley?” Karina said sounding broken. “How are we going to come up with a plan and get her out in ten minutes”
“You can’t” Jessie said. “We all know it isn’t enough time I have to go and see what he wants.”
“Jessie no” I said again. “It isn’t going to happen.”
“I have an idea” Kai said suddenly. “He just wants Jessie in the room alone to talk to him the note didn’t say anything about us walking him at least part of the way there” He explained. “And once he is in we can slip into the room across the hall the three of us vampires will be able to hear everything and step in to protect him if we need to.”
“No” I started but Karina interrupted me.
“Riley please” she cried. “This isn’t just some idle threat he’ll do it he will hurt my little sister if we don’t do this and we are running out of time” She was in tears and I felt a pang of guilt for forgetting what was at stake for her right now.
“Fine” I agreed. “But if anything at all suspicious happens we are breaking down the door and getting them both out the hard way”
JESSIE’S P.O.V
A couple of minutes after we got Riley to agree I was walking down the hall with the others a few steps behind me. I didn’t know what Zephyr wanted with me and I was scared out of my mind but I knew I had to do it to help Karina’s little sister. I hadn’t known the princess very long but she was so kind I had to help her.
“I can make it from here on my own” I said stopping two doors down from where Karina said Lily’s room was. “I’ll be fine” I added seeing Riley’s worried look. “He just wants to talk right” I was trying to convince myself more than him and apparently it worked on at least one of us because he nodded and went with the others into the room where they would wait and listen in case Zephyr tried something. I turned toward the door and walked the rest of the way to stand in front of it. Steeling my nerves I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding and reached up to knock on the door.
“Get in here!” Zephyr yelled from inside. I jumped but turned the knob and stepped into the room closing the door behind me. Before I could even turn around I was slammed against the wall with hands around my neck. “I told you to come alone!” he shouted. “Don’t you brats listen!? Tell your little friends to return to the elder princess’s room and stay there”
“I …” I began but he squeezed my throat tighter cutting off my words
“Don’t argue with me” He hissed. “Use the little one’s phone to call her sister and send them away. I can hear them moving around across the hall.” I nodded afraid to speak again and he put the phone up to my ear. It was already ringing.
“Lily?” Karina asked desperately.
“It’s me Jessie” I choked out. “He knows you are close by. He says you have to go back to your room and wait there” I continued. “I’m sorry just go I’ll be fine” I added in a rush before he snapped the phone shut and tossed it aside.
“Good boy” he said letting go of my neck.
“Where is the little girl” I said.
“What not even a hello for an old friend” Zephyr said smirking. When I only stared at him he sighed. “She is in the closet unharmed. I will show you if you like” he said. I nodded so he walked over to the closet and opened the door to reveal a wide eyed five year old with blond e hair. I could tell she was scared and had been crying.
“I want Kari” she whispered. Zephyr glared and drew his hand back as though to hit her. I took a step toward him and he paused.
“Speak” he said looking me in the eye. “I know you have something to say.”
“Let her go” I said sounding stronger than I felt.
“Well aren’t we brave” he teased closing the closet back and moving to stand directly in front of me again. “You, boy, are in no position to be making demands or do I need to give you another reminder of who is in control here” he added his breath fanning my face. I swallowed hard and looked away knowing he was right. I could do nothing and I was painfully aware of that fact.
"Please" I said quietly. "I'm here like you asked just let her go" I wasn't looking at him but I knew he was smiling.
"I don't know" he said. "I kind of like having her around her reactions amuse me"
"What" I said my head snapping up to look at him. "What do you mean"
"Well for example when I first locked her in the closet she tried to threaten me" He said. "She told me her best friend would come save her as though some pathetic human child could challenge me for her freedom like I said very amusing"
"You are crazy if you think the royals aren't going to find out about this" I said. "You'll be beheaded almost as soon as I get out of the door" I was trying to scare him but it didn't work. He hit me hard across the face and I stumbled back against the wall. I put my hand to my burning cheek and felt tears threatening to fall.
"I did not give you permission to speak again" he said coldly. "Besides what makes you think I intend to let you leave this room" I opened my mouth to speak but he sent me a glare and I closed it again. "Jessie do you know why I called you in here" he asked.
"Y...you said you wanted to t...talk" I stuttered hating myself for being so weak.
"I say a lot of things" he cut me off. "That doesn't mean I that what I say is what I mean"
"Then what do you want with me?" I asked quietly.
"Excellent question" he said cheerily. "Sit down and I'll explain" He added shoving me toward the little pink bed across the room. "I wanted you to come in here for a couple of reasons. One so that your friends couldn't interrupt us while we talked because I really do want to talk to you." Zephyr leaned forward from where he stood leaning against the wall at the foot of the bed I was sitting on as he talked. "And two because I wanted to do this" He finished as he closed the distance between us and kissed me forcefully grabbing my shoulders to hold me in place when I tried to move away. I shoved at him but failed to get him to move. I felt bruises forming where he gripped me so I did the only thing I could think of, I extended my fangs and sank them into his lip. He pulled away as if ... well as if I had bitten him and hit me. I fell to the floor and scooted away remembering what he was capable of when he was angry, and that was when he was just a human. My back hit the wall and I pulled my knees to my chest expecting him to kick me or something like that but instead he simply sat down in front of me and put his hands up like he was approaching a scared animal.
"Get away" I warned. "Don't touch me!" I added hissing when he reached toward me.
"Jessie I'm sorry" He said shocking me into silence. "I didn't mean to okay I just lost my temper" I can't control it and I'm sorry please don't look at me like I'm some sort of monster"
“Why not” I asked. “Why shouldn’t I look at you like a monster because as far as I’m concerned that’s what you are” I continued starting to cry. “A horrible creature that has no heart or if you did have one it turned to stone a long time ago. And don’t tell me you didn’t mean it because if you didn’t and you really care about me you wouldn’t have hurt me like you did and you wouldn’t try to ruin the closest thing to happiness I’ve ever had!”
“Is that really what you think of me?” He asked. “You think I don’t care” He got up then standing over me. “Get up” he said coldly “Stand up and look at me” I did as he asked afraid of what he might do if I refused. I stood slowly and met his icy stare. Suddenly he put his arms around me and crushed me to him. “Hug me back” He said quietly his breath fanning my neck. I knew he could easily snap it if he wanted so I did the only thing I could. I reached up and put my arms around him. I felt him relax as I did so.
ZEPHYR’S P.O.V
I relaxed as Jessie's arms went around me. I knew he thought of me as a monster and that he was afraid of me but I wanted him to understand. I needed him to know that I did care about him and that I did what I did because I hadn't had a choice. My family would have killed him that day if I hadn't sold him and they had very nearly killed me. They had thought I was hiding him and had tortured me trying to figure out where until they had realized I wasn't lying. Suddenly I had an idea.
"Jessie" I said. "I want to ask you something."
"What" He whispered against my chest.
"If I let that little girl go will you promise to stay here and listen to what I have to say" I asked. "Without interuption"
"Y... yes" He stuttered. "I'll do a...anything you w...want just let her go" I walked over to the closet and opened the door. The child stood with her hands on her hips with an angry look on her face when she saw Jessie quietly crying in the corner.
"What" I said amused. "Why do you look at me with such ferosity little princess I've done you no harm"
"Why is he crying" She said. "Is he a friend of Kari's? What did you do to him" her questions were innocent enough but I didn't have time to deal with a tantrum then so I was a little harsh with her.
"Enough" I snapped. "He is none of your concern now listen carefully to what I am about to say to you. You are to go to your sister's room and tell them to stay put and that Jessie and I are having a very nice conversation"
"Are you ok" She asked stepping toward Jessie. That was the last straw before I lost my patience with her again.
"Move!" I shouted at her shoving her out the door and slamming it shut. This apparently startled Jessie because he had retreated back into the corner and was sitting there shaking. I sighed and walked over to sit on the bed. "I can't talk to you like that so will you please come over here?"