Kyle Ethan’s POV
Until now, I still can’t believe what I heard. I don’t even know if I should be happy or what.
Especially when I found out the reason behind the deaths of our parents and relatives.
It just doesn’t seem right. Because we were the ones who were taken away from this world first. But here we are now. Only Nicole and I are left in our family. Even though our present families have changed.
But the fact that I was still with Nicole right now somehow made me feel at ease. Being able to be with the only woman I have loved for a longer time is one of the reasons why I prefer to fight and live longer now.
I was in my deep thoughts when suddenly, I felt Nicole’s hand shaking. I looked up and saw her face that seemed so afraid.
I asked her if she’s okay and both her parents stood up, then went near her. But I didn’t expect the response I got when she let go of my hand and took a step back.
She turned her back to us and ran away. Reiri suddenly shouted, trying to stop her.
“No! You can’t leave, Nics!”
But Nicole didn’t listen to them. I was about to let her go when Miley suddenly pulled me.
“We need to go after her!”
I frowned as I noticed that everyone seemed to be in a panic. Even my own parents who had already left.
“Yeah. But she’s still shocked by everything. Even I was shocked. I know that she just wants time alone to think about some things right now.”
She shook his head. “We can’t let her disappear from our sight. She might be more powerful right now compared to us, even though she’s still human. But Rei had a vision. We can’t disregard that.”
I felt a sudden unease because of what she said. That statement alone was already alarming. It was only now that I learned that Reiri had discovered her special ability.
I nodded before we quickly ran outside. Meanwhile, Kira teleported.
But we stopped in our tracks when we encountered the guards heading towards us, fear evident on their faces. Even the protectors.
“Is there a problem?” Dad asked them seriously. They looked down before responding.
“The fledglings, Your Majesty. They are spreading fire in the forest outside the portal. We are concerned that innocent people might get involved, or worse, witness their actions,” one of them politely replied.
I clenched my fists before swiftly running out of the portal. Nicole’s parents, as well as Miley and Reiri, stayed behind to see if Nicole was still around the palace. Miley would communicate with me through her mind.
But I didn’t expect what I saw outside. Nicole was hugging her dad! The previous king!
But I was taken aback when I saw how slowly his appearance was changing.
Damn!
I was startled when I heard Miley’s voice filled with worry because they couldn’t find Nicole. I immediately told her that Nicole was outside. So, they quickly followed us.
“Nicole! No!” I shouted.
She was about to look at me, but Marcus put handcuffs on both of her hands, causing her to stop.
I was about to dash towards their direction when a bunch of fledglings blocked my way.
“Fuck!”
As I scanned the surroundings, I noticed that others had started to engage in combat. Without thinking twice, I raised my hand upward. Then, the next thing I knew, the fledglings in front of me were all tied up with tree branches, slowly killing them.
Others were clearly surprised by what I had done, especially the royalties.
Perhaps this is the power that Dad passed on to me. My deceased father is an elemental vampire.
I could only smirk at the weak types of vampires in front of me before I continued heading in Nicole’s direction.
But my smirk faded away the moment I heard a loud explosion from nowhere. The next thing I knew, she was no longer there. Following that, the enemies escaped simultaneously.
“Damn you, Marcus Croven!” I felt the wind gust stronger due to my shout. It reached a point where our fellow protectors almost kneeled.
“Kyle! Please don’t be like that! We’ll get Nics back.” Miley hugged me from behind. I could also hear her sobs.
But I didn’t budge. All I want right now is to kill that fucking vampire together with his weakling army!
“I thought I was stronger now compared to before, but once again, I couldn’t do anything! I was fucking useless again!” I simply wiped my face due to the mixture of emotions I was feeling.
I feel like the events of the past have repeated themselves. On our wedding day, it happened again. I couldn’t do anything as my enemies took her away from me. I just watched her being killed, and I didn’t even manage to help and protect her because they got me too.
But I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. I wouldn’t allow it to happen again. Never.
“Don’t worry, son. I think I know a place where he will possibly bring her.” Dad tapped my shoulder.
That made me calm down a little and nod.
“If that’s the case, then we better go. Now.”
***
Nicole Jane’s POV
“Who are you and what do you want from me?” I angrily asked the man in front of me. Until now, I still couldn’t accept that he deceived me earlier.
He looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it. “You didn’t know who I am?”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Would I be asking who you are if I knew you?” I sarcastically replied.
He shook his head, clearly amused. “Well, let me introduce myself then. I’m Marcus Croven, the one and only son of Hans Croven.”
I fell silent. So, he came from the Croven lineage. Now, I was certain that he was the one the beloved king referred to, the one who escaped during the last conflict between the evil and good vampires.
“To answer your second question, I need to kill you so that I can finally obtain your power,” he said, letting out a demonic laugh.
I just shook my head. This guy was too thirsty for power. What a pathetic, silly vampire.
“Enjoy yourself while you still can. Because once I escape from here, I will personally put an end to you.”
He nodded and grinned. “Sure, if you can escape.”
I smirked at him. Then, without hesitation, I spat on his annoying face. Only the two of us were in a small room, and I had been irritated by his face since earlier.
Suddenly, his eyes turned red and his fangs appeared. My head tilted to the side the moment he slapped me.
I could still taste the blood from the corner of my lip. I wanted to scream, but I felt weak. I had been raging here for a while now, even though I knew I wouldn’t gain anything from it.
“Don’t test my patience any further! Maybe you’d like your beloved parents to be the first ones in the grave this time!” I almost went deaf from his loud shout.
I tried to break free from the restraints on my hands and feet. But nothing happened. There seemed to be a strong aura surrounding them.
I’ve been trying desperately to escape from being bound and tied up, but nothing has happened so far. There seems to be some kind of strong aura surrounding them.
“Don’t you dare lay even a single finger on them! I’m the only one you need, right? You already have me! So don’t involve them in this!”
I can bear all the pain and sufferings that he will give to me. But it’s a different story when he involves my parents in this. Because I won’t allow anyone else to die because of me.
He looked up and rubbed his chin. “I’ll think about it. But just on your parents.” He grinned.
I suddenly felt anxious. “What do you mean? I’m the only one you want to kill, right? So, you can obtain my powers?” I hesitantly asked him. After all, that’s the reason he mentioned for taking me.
He slowly approached me. I bit my lower lip as I felt his sharp claws digging into my neck.
“Oh, I forgot to mention that I will first kill your beloved prince to obtain his power through you. That’s where I’ll begin my campaign to overthrow Zach and all the remaining purebloods who do nothing but snatch things that aren’t rightfully theirs!” he exclaimed.
I furrowed my brow, sensing that there was another reason fueling his anger towards us.
“Once that happens, I’ll kill you to harness your power for my rule!” He sliced slightly the right side of my neck. His eyes gleamed as he looked at me before finally leaving the room where I was held captive.
I winced as I felt the burning pain of my wound. It was only then that I realized tears were streaming down my face. Once I managed to remove these damn handcuffs, everything would become much easier for me.
I wasn’t sure exactly where I was at the moment. All I knew was that this place resembled an abandoned building. It was surrounded by tall trees that I saw through the window earlier.
“That’s what I hate about humans like you. You let your emotions take precedence over using your brains,” someone said.
I was almost startled and on the verge of jumping when someone suddenly spoke from behind me. I immediately opened my eyes wide, becoming alert as I glanced around.
“Who are you?” I asked boldly.
In an instant, a man appeared before me. His face was emotionless, partially obscured by his bangs. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be around the same age as me and Kyle.
“It doesn’t matter who I am because I can assure you that this will be our first and last meeting,” he said coldly, before turning away and starting to walk away.
I didn’t know who he was or his connection to Marcus. But there’s one thing I’m certain of.
He’s not an ally, but he’s not an enemy either.
He was about to leave when he finally was able to speak again.
“Wait!”
He stopped, still facing away from me.
“Whoever you are, please help me get out of here,” I pleaded, hoping that he would give in.
To be honest, I didn’t expect myself to say those words. But there was something different about this man.
He suddenly burst into loud laughter, leaving me dumbfounded. Was there something funny about what I said?
“What makes you think that I’m going to help you? Whatever problems you and my father have been are none of my concern. I don’t care about the things he wants to do. But I care even less about a person like you.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. So, he’s Marcus’ son. But despite his rudeness and snobbishness, I’m certain he’s not like his father.
I didn’t know why, but I felt comfortable with this one.
“I hope you change your mind. Because I’m sure you don’t agree with whatever plans your father has.”
He didn’t respond.
I sighed and took a deep breath. I need to figure out a way to escape from here. I couldn’t just rely on Kyle for everything.
“Just a piece of advice.”
I looked up when he suddenly spoke.
“Never ever trust the people around you blindly. Because you never know who’s real and who’s pretending when they’re in front of you.” Then he left for good.
I was left with my mouth hanging open. What did he mean by that? Does he know something about me that I don’t know?
I suddenly pondered. If I understood correctly, he was giving me a warning.
I smiled. It seems that not all of the Croven’s were bad after all.
Well, I just hope that my instinct is right.
***
Miley’s POV
I have been standing and staring at my brother’s closed room door for hours. But until now, I haven’t heard anything from inside.
He’s upset because we didn’t gain anything from our journey earlier. We couldn’t catch the enemies in the location Dad told us about. We knew the enemies were there because we could still smell them.
But it seems Nics went to a different place as there’s no trace of her there.
I turned my back and looked outside the glass window here in the hallway. Since he entered, the heavy rain hasn’t stopped pouring. It feels like it could destroy the entire kingdom with its intensity.
I would prefer to hear him screaming and breaking things rather than this silence, although he’s channeling all his anger into controlling his power.
“There you are, my princess.”
I was startled and turned to the newcomer. I saw Kira leaning against the wall with his hands buried in his pockets.
My princess. My heart rate suddenly quickened because of those two words. Why do I feel this way?
“Hey, are you okay? You seem stunned there.”
I blinked. I took a step back as I noticed that his face was too close to mine.
“Y-yeah, I’m fine. I’m just worried about my brother. What are you doing here again?” I turned my attention back to my brother’s closed room to avoid his scrutinizing gaze. I felt uneasy.
“If only there was something I could do. But I had nothing, really. He wouldn’t listen to anybody anymore, even the king and queen. His mind was already too closed off. It was the first time I had seen him like this, letting his emotions take over.” He paused, making me look at him.
“I’m here to accompany you. I left them talking in the hall for a while.” He smiled.
I just nodded. Even I haven’t seen my brother like this before. He’s always calm and prioritizes his intellect over his emotions. I know he would never harm us, but I couldn’t help but feel scared. It’s like I don’t know him anymore.
Especially when I saw his appearance earlier. His eyes were bloodshot, his fangs were exposed, I could see his veins, and his nails were excessively long and sharp. For a second, I doubted if he was still my brother.
Lost in my thoughts, I was startled when Kira suddenly hugged me.
“Smile there. I’m not used to seeing our princess sad. Be careful, it’ll make you ugly.” He chuckled.
I just stared blankly. I don’t know why, but I feel like my face turned red.
Regaining my composure, I hugged him back. A smile automatically formed on my lips.
“Thank you for being here with me now,” I whispered.
It felt like all my worries and burdens momentarily disappeared just because of his embrace. I didn’t know that Kira was capable of making me feel this way. I didn’t want him to see me just as a sister.
I sighed. I knew that right after this moment, my heart would be in trouble, and it would never be the same again.