~Emily~

'Ahhh.."


I woke up to the bright sun, its rays casting a luminous light at my face. My eyes fluttered open, my mind clouded by the scene of a new day.

I took a sheepish glance at the wall clock, knowing fully well I was late, but yet hoping for the contrary.

'Fuck!"


The wall clock read 8:15 am, I was at least fifteen minutes late.

I jumped off my bed at once as I rushed to the bathroom to get freshened up.


I dashed to the castle's kitchen, but to my surprise I wasn't welcomed by Crystal's morning frown.

Crystal was nowhere to be found.

'Hey, you're a bit late today, by the way I'm Flora" a young female voice reached my ears.

I was dazzled by her beauty. Her golden braids were such where women died. Her skin loomed like the sun. She wore a soft smile which seemed to warm my heart.

'Okay nice to meet you, Flora, I'm Emily" I collected the tray from her and rushed upstairs.

I couldn't even spare time to ask her Crystal's whereabouts.

When I reached Zayne's room, my mood soon turned sour. My memory flashed into my head.

Me and Zayne's previous encounter. The wounds caused by his harsh words are still fresh in my mind.

'Not now you lowly maid!"

I might be a maid, but to Zayne I thought I was something more. I guess I was just fooling myself, how could a Lycan king fall for me.

The corners of my eyes heated up, the tears were gathering.

No! I can't let Zayne and his words ruin my day.

I sniffled in the air into my nostrils, the tears soon vanished.

'Phew!" I took a deep breath as I stood by his door. I was reluctant to enter, I couldn't even afford to look at him right now, it might just worsen my mood.

'Emily, you can come in," Zayne said from inside his room.

I felt a bit embarrassed for myself. What will he think of me just standing outside his door like a weirdo.

I gradually opened the door, trying my best not to look at him. I rushed to his stool and placed it with his tray. I couldn't help but feel his piercing eyes fixed on him. His gaze was unwavering.

With no waste in motion, I turned my body to the direction of the door ready to leave.

'Emily, please talk to me" His voice is calm and purifying. My body froze at the spot, my back still turned against him.

A huge lingering urge dawned on me to answer me. His presence seemed to be pulling me only closer to him.

No! I can't be fooled again, I can't let myself get hurt again.

'Good morning my lord" I responded to him as I walked out of his room.

I had a mix of feelings.

A sense of pride covered me, I was able to stand up against him and resist the temptation to do otherwise but I still couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt. Was I a bit too harsh to him? Maybe he didn't mean his words? Should I have just accepted his apology?

My mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts running through.

I reached for my room as I collapsed on my soft bed. My face buried my face to the bed.

The day went in a blip, carried away by the fatigue of labour I slept out the whole day, I only woke up to take a night snack and soon returned to bed.

The next morning, my mind was a bit at ease. I didn't have to worry what the time was. Zayne was away at the vampire kingdom, although the thought of that soon worried me.

I hope he's okay?

Despite the anger I directed towards him recently, I couldn't help but worry for him and Rowan too. But from reports I heard, they were to return back to the castle this morning.

Okay! I can't afford to let today slip away from me. I had to do something a bit reasonable.

So I decided to take a stroll around the castle. Despite being here now for a while, there were some places at the castle I haven't been to yet.

In fact, the only places I've been to were my room, the kitchen, Zayne's room and the prison yard.

I strolled down to the other section of the maids quarter.

This section was much less vibrant than the section I stayed in.

Everyone there seemed to wear a pale face and a woeful frown.

I came here thinking I could make friends but judging by their expressions, they really didn't seem friendly.

As I walked through the hallway, all their eyes remained fixed on me. I was an unfamiliar face in their section.

But as I strolled through I perceived a familiar body scent.

My eyes went searching round to see who it was.

Steph.

I peeped through her exposed window, she sat upright on her bed, her face bent down. I heard her sobbing. My heart melted, how could I let my sister suffer and grief all by herself.

She might not want me anywhere near her, but I knew she needed someone by her side.

KNOCK

KNOCK

I gently knocked on her door, and she rushed to open it. It was as though she was expecting someone or had been desperately waiting for company.

I saw a look of disbelief on her face, she was surprised to see me, but her facial expression quickly turned to hate and anger.

'What do you want from a stranger?" Steph asked in a stern voice. It stung my heart to hear her call me a stranger.

'Steph, I want to talk to you" I replied to her , my voice calm and friendly.

'I know what you're going through and I just want you…. '

'Cut that crap, I know you don't care about me or my feelings, you only care about yourself.

And what made you think I'm suffering or something, I'm fine. Luther now gives me attention, I've made lots of friends too. So Emily, I don't need you!" Steph raged out at me.

'Bye Emily!"she slammed the door hard in my face as she finished talking.

The breeze from the impact of the door forced my eyes shut.

The pain of rejection creeped into me. My heart sank in despair.

Steph was dying in silence, she's pretending everything is fine, but I know it's not.

I think that's enough strolling for a day, I'm gonna head back to my room.

I walked back down the hall from where I came from.

VRUM

VRUM

The revving noise of a car's engine reached my ears from a distance.

Zayne and Rowan are back!

My heart was relieved at the sight of them. From what Rowan had told me about the vampires, I could tell they were very unpredictable creatures. And judging on Rowan's voice when he spoke about going there, I could sense a bit of tension and worry.

But all that is in the past, they're back at the castle.

I considered going to meet them at the garage, but me and Zayne are far from being on good terms. It was best I head back to my room.

The sun gradually gave way to the night. Darkness soon spread its wings over the castle, shadows began to loom at every corner of the castle.

The 7 PM curfew was a few minutes away, the castle yard began to clear out, people headed out to their various rooms.

I was a few blocks away from my room, when I noticed Crystal's room partly opened.

Whispers from inside the room lingering in my ear.

Curiosity got the better of me as I tiptoed gently to the door, the faint whispers got louder.

I peeped my head through the half opened door, four figures were in the room talking to each other under their breaths, the shadows that cornered the room made it difficult to see their faces.

I could guess one of them was Crystal.

I squinted my eyes to view them closely. I was surprised to see Reta, Thorn and Luther with her.

Their discussion seemed to be very intense, their faces were strict and rigid, their brows furrowed as they spoke.

I listened carefully to their discussion.

[Luther, what exactly did Vadka say?]

[He said, for helping him reveal the existence of humans in our kingdom he won't give away our names to anyone]

[So Vodka says he's not gonna tell anyone right?]

[Yeah, I'm not sure we can trust though, so we have to be ready for anything]

[You guys escaped a big one, if Zayne found out you guys were the intruders to the vampire kingdom you guys will surely hang]

My eyes widened in shock, as I let out a light gasp.

Intruders to the vampire kingdom? No way!

[Who was that?]

Someone heard me! Fuck!

THUM

THUM

Their footsteps got louder and louder.

I cuddled myself to a corner just beside the door. My heart was pounding, my body tense.

Oh no! I'm going to get caught.

'Emily?" a voice called me from behind. I reluctantly turned, my head tilting slowly as I waited for the worst.

Zayne!

The footsteps I heard approaching me from the room had ceased and there was no one in near sight.

Zayne just saved my life.

My heart was relieved, I took in a breath at a time.

'Emily, what are you doing here?" Zayne's voice came again.

'This is Crystal's room you know right?"

'Zayne I heard…. ' I was quick to answer him. But a sudden realisation dimmed on me causing me to hesitate.

I heard them saying something about getting hanged, I wouldn't wish that for anyone, not even the four people in that room.

'Heard what Emily?" Zayne became more curious as I hesitated to answer.

'You know what? Just forget it, I'm fine!" I stood up from the corner I curled myself in. I struggled to gather my bearings. I could tell Zayne's puzzled and dumbfounded eyes staring at me. He was deeply confused by my behaviour.

'Zayne, good night!" I stumbled through some buckets in the hallway, managing to reach my room.

'Phew!"

I took a deep breath. Zayne saved me from a world of trouble. If they would have seen me, eased ripping they won't let me walk away. Especially for the fact I know their secret.

I was still starstrucked on finding out that it was Luther and his companions that intruded on the vampires.

A recurring question stuck to my mind.

Why did they have to intrude the vampires?



~Zayne ~

On arrival at the castle, the sun was on the brink of its setting. Darkness was gradually setting upon the castle.

The castle was almost empty. We were a few minutes from the castle curfew.

'Rowan, Cedric, tomorrow you meet me at the training ground to discuss the battle techniques" I gave them one last piece of instruction before heading to my room.

I dropped dead on my couch, my body collapsing to its soft foam.

I was deeply exhausted, it had been a long day for me.

I tried hard to relax but I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Something seemed off.

I'll drop by the maid quarters to see if anything is wrong.

I strolled past the empty courtyard and straight to the maids quarters. I headed straight for Emily's room when I saw a figure curled up just by the door of Crystal's room.

'Emily?" I was surprised to see her. What is she doing there?

She looked at me in relief, as though she was in danger.

'Emily, what are you doing here?" My question came again.

She opened her mouth and said a few words then stopped leaving me dumbfounded.

'You know what? Just forget it I'm fine

Good night Zayne"

Emily turned and headed for her room.

I stood frozen to the spot, I still couldn't wrap my head about what happened.

Someone here is after Emily, I know it. I won't rest till I find who it is.