~Emily~

‘Me and Rowan will be off to the vampire kingdom'


Zayne's words echoed in my mind.

When things are going so well, why do they have to take such silly risks?

But as much as I try to hide away from the truth, I knew This day would come, after all the war is inevitable.


I could only pray they return back and that the vampires eat Luther alive as well.

I watched from my window, the warriors got on their horses.


Two on each, some even in threes, except for Luther, who got on a horse with only him in it.

I couldn't help but think Luther was already assuming a leader ahead of Zayne.

Is Luther after Zayne's throne? I've always had feelings he's after me and Zayne, could it be for that?

I came back to my senses as the warriors set off on their horses.

I watched as they rode into the distance, until they disappeared from my sight.

I returned to my room, grabbing my light bag, and I was ready to head out to the training grounds.

I walked up to the gate set to leave the castle.

But a sudden idea popped in my mind.

What if I train alone at Zayne's personal training ground?

Yes, I must.

I headed back to the castle at once.

My memory on the path to the ground was a bit cloudy, I wasn't paying too much attention to it, I mostly admired the beauty around me.

But I managed to recall some places in my mind which aided me to reach the large grassland, where I trained yesterday.

I didn't have any equipment to perform proper training with.

So I layed on the grass as I enjoyed the peace and calming wind.

The sun reflected mildly on my face causing me warmth.

I gently shut my eyes.

‘Zayne and Rowan won't make it back, Emily!

A voice like the wind whispered into my ear 'No, no, no!"

I opened my eyes at once. Scrambling up to my feet

'Phew!"

I took a deep breath.

This obsessive worry for Rowan and Zayne is taking a toll on me.

I need to clear my mind.

I'll take a run around the ground.

I carefully adjusted my stance, before taking off, running round the grassland.

I took several rounds, round the ground until I was heavily tired.

My body was covered in sweat and my breathing was heavy. Grabbing a towel from my bag I carefully wiped off the sweat from my face.

Taking a glance around me, I soon realised it was already sunset.

Darkness had begun to loom in some corners.

'I'll head back to my room"

I picked up my bag and headed out.

I could barely sleep the whole night. My mind was clouded with worrying thoughts.

Thoughts about Rowan and Zayne. I know very well that anything we do with the vampires is always dangerous, they are very dangerous creatures, thus my concern.

What if Rowan or Zayne doesn't make it back?

What if they capture all of them, who do we turn to?

We are only females, young warriors and elderly men here, we don't stand a chance.

I rolled around my bed all through the night, I was restless and couldn't sleep.

I got up from my bed and left my room at once.

Walking through the empty and chilled hallway, I wrapped my arms around my body, trying to warm myself a bit.

I headed to the terrace of the castle, sitting on a wooden chair. I got a view of the entire castle front, including the towns.

I sat there all through the night, earnestly awaiting their return.

By morning my eyes were very heavy, my body was fatigued.

I could barely keep my eyes open for a minute, fluttering it open.

I came back to my room to freshen up when I heard loud footsteps marching into the castle.

They're back!!

I stormed out of the room in excitement, standing by the castle entrance as all the warriors trooped in.

They're faces were stern and firm.

My eyes went searching around for Rowan and Zayne through the crowd.

Where are they?

My heart was lifted as I spotted Rowan walking through the gate.

'Rowan!!" I screamed his name in excitement, the distance between us was fairly close.

'Emily!" he bent over for a warm hug. Pulling off his hug, I couldn't help but notice his face was a bit pale.

'What happened? And where's Zayne? I haven't seen him"

Rowan remained silent to both my questions.

Worry gripped my heart, I began to fear the worst.

'Rowan told me. Where is Zayne?"

I asked, my voice tinged with worry, my breath shaking.

'Emily, Zayne didn't come back with us"

My mind went blank as Rowan's words reached my words.

'NO, that's not possible, Rowan it's not!" I refuse to believe Zayne is dead, he can't be.

'Rowan, please we have to go back!"

'Emily, Zayne didn't come back after he went after Vadka.

Few people survive him"

Rowan said in a gentle voice as he placed his hand on my shoulders.

'Rowan please we have to check!" tears rolled down from the corners of my eyes. I can't lose Zayne, I can't.

'Emily, go back to your place and take a rest, OK?" I could sense renewed hope in Rowan's voice. It was as though a thought flashed in his mind.

'OK!" I sniffled, before turning back to my room.

It was best I left Rowan to do what he has in mind.

I closed my door and immediately turned to my window.

I spotted Rowan leaving the castle, he had two clothes in hand.

Are those for Zayne? If they are then why?

'I have to follow him"

Not for the first time, curiosity overwhelmed me.

I quickly grabbed a jacket from my wardrobe and stormed out of my room.

I managed to reach in sight of Rowan. He carefully hid the clothes glancing around the place like he stole something.

I closely followed behind him, jumping from tree to tree.

We reached the forest, to my surprise.

'Zayne!!!.

Zayne!!"

Rowan yelled into the vast forest, his voice echoing.

Why is yelling his name in the forest?

Rowan marched deeper and deeper into the forest.

We reached an area of the forest where dry leaves scattered around the ground.

I was a bit reluctant to follow me, if a step of my foot crashes against the floor, the noise might alert Rowan.

But I have to find out where he's going.

Here goes nothing!

I gently placed a foot on the naked area of the ground.

Following it step by step, I advanced through the forest maintaining a safe distance behind Rowan.

'Zayne!!"

Rowan screamed yet again into the empty forest.

His distant voice echoing to my ears.

THIG!

'Oh no!"

My heart skipped a beat as I accidentally stepped on some dried up leaves.

I have to hide!

I spotted a spacing between two closely planted trees.

I squeezed my body into it, as I hid away from Rowan's sight.

'Hello? Zayne is that you?"

Rowan asked to walk in my direction.

I shut my eyes hard, clenching my fists. My heart was pounding louder with every step Rowan took.

'Hello?"

Rowan's voice came again, before he stopped.

' It must be some rats or squirrels"

Taking a final glance round the area, Rowan turned and carried on walking in the other direction.

I took a long sigh of relief, my heart more calm.

That was close!

I followed behind him, this time more careful. I followed him till we reached the banks of a small river.

I stood to watch Rowan behind a few trees. My vision was a bit obstructed.

'Zayne!! Zayne!"

Rowan yelled Zayne's name, his voice tinged with relief.

Where's Zayne?

I glanced in the direction of Rowan's eyes.

Zayne!! He's alive.

'Yes!"

I was so excited, I couldn't help but let out a light scream of joy.

I took my eyes off him, as he laid naked by the river.

My joy was soon cut off, something was off about this.

This wasn't the first time I saw Zayne lying down in the middle of nowhere naked.

What could be the reason?

And with Rowan's behaviour I could tell he didn't want anyone to know he was coming here, especially me.

Rowan rushed to Zayne, picking him up from the ground and giving the clothes he took from the castle.

I moved closer to them, trying hard to hear what they were saying.

Anyone followed you here, Rowan?

NO! No one did, I checked.

OK what of Emily, how's she?

She's good, she might already think you're dead.

Well I'm not! Actually I would have been if not for this dumb curse.

It has its good and bad.

Okay, let's get back to the castle.

Rowan and Zayne walked out, Zayne taking one last thorough glance at the place before he took a turn.

What curse is Zayne talking about?

~Zayne~

'Arghhh"

I woke up to a world of pain around my body. As my eyes fluttered open.

'Where am I?"

Taking a glance around the place. I was surrounded by trees and bushes.

And on the other side was a river, its colour reflected by the sun.

My mind was clouded, I could barely remember anything from the previous night.

My mind widened as the memories flashed back.

The last thing I could remember was when Vadka raised his hands to punch me. After that, everything went black.

I tried to stand up but my body was as though paralyzed to the floor.

I could barely raise my head up, and my hands and legs were wet as if they were tied to the floor by a rope.

THUM

THUM

I heard footsteps approaching me.

Oh no!

They're gonna see me naked.

Rowan!

'Zayne, Zayne!!"

Rowan heightened his voice, relieved to see me.

He ran in my direction at once. First helping me to my feet before handing me some clothes to wear.

'Thank you bro!"

I really don't know what I would do sometimes without Rowan.

I got dressed into the clothes, they were a bit rumped, but it was better than nothing.

I heard a light distant footsteps in the area. Is somehow spying on us?

'Did you alone follow you here?" I asked Rowan to be sure.

If anyone from the kingdom did, then why would the whole secret be exposed?

'NO, no one checked!" Rowan seemed very sure and certain.

'OK what of Emily, how's she?" I asked Zayne

'She's good, she might already think you're dead".

'Well I'm not! Actually I would have been if not for this dumb curse.

It has its good and bad"


'Okay let's go"

We walked out of the river banks area, taking one last stern glance at the scene before taking a sharp turn. I couldn't help but feel that someone was watching us.

When we reached the castle, I could hear a loud voice from inside.

Luther!

It was as though he was addressing a crowd.

I stood at the entrance to the courtyard, to hear a little of what Luther had to say.

'Lycans so I urge in spite of the death of our once king.

You have another one, another better one to lead the Lycans into the future!!!"

'Luther what's happening?"

I got a bit impatient hearing Luther blab.

The crowd turned violently in my direction. A huge gasp escaped from the crowd.

Their eyes were widened in disbelief.

'Brother, you aren't dead?" Luther equally in disbelief.

I ignored him and walked up to the stage, where Luther stood.

'Lycans, as you can see I'm not dead. I managed to escape alive.

But with me I escaped with very big news. The vampires never attacked Flora!

So the vampires are not our only enemies, we have one or more within us"

Impossible!