Irina started having frequent nightmares. She'd see the burning battle ground, slaughtered men and horses, and arrows piercing through the armor of soldiers. She'd look for her among the pile of corpses, but all she could find was her burnt red cloak that she had worn to the battlefield leading an army of 5000 soldiers into the battlefield against the Kingdom of Veroy.
She woke up in the late hour of the night, and couldn't sleep afterwards. She remembered how Averinka had entrusted the safety of Prince Alexander and the royal family to her before the catastrophe hit the kingdom.
The Queen had been on a official visit to form an alliance with other countries before the war, when Irina was put on a witch trial for the massacre that started happening around the country. Someone had deliberately leaked her secret out, and spread the rumors among public that the royal family was sheltering a blood-creature. It caused civil unrest, and the people surrounded the palace calling for the woman to be executed. The council suggested to put her on trial to ease the public before it could damage the court's reputation since there's no explanation to the mass killings happening in the country as well.
"We cannot let them kill her." Prince Alexander protested, but Irina couldn't let those corrupted ministers escalate the situation into civil war in the Queen's absence, and sabotage her position. If Lord Patroskovya had objected, the entire imperial family would have been implicated. So, he prepared a secret letter for Averinka and sent Christopher and Aaron to bring her back.
Vladmir had put her in a heavily guarded prison, but promised her to find a way out for her. However, the snow blizzard had delayed her return, and Irina was already put on trial. She's tied on a wooden stake in the snow, and people were throwing stones and trash at her shouting to burn her.
The burning arrow was drawn, and she's about to be set on fire when Aaron's arrow shot the soldier.
"Stop it!" The Queen shouted as she ran to her side, and took the sword from Vladimir to cut her ropes. Irina fell into her arms, and Averinka removed her cloak to drape it around her in cold.
"I'm here." She said to her. She ordered Vladimir to arrest and execute those involved in treason. Then, she stood up and addressed the people.
"I went to see the kings of other countries, and they are facing the same situation as ours. It's the Kingdom of Veroy who's behind this mass killing. In a time like this, if we keep on fighting, we won't stand a chance to win against them."
"But, this woman is a blood-creature!" Someone from the crowd shouted, and Averinka shook her head.
"No, she's a saintess who recognized the black sorcery of Veroy. That Velatin is turning his own people into blood creatures to destroy us."
"What will we do?" The murmurs and cries broke out among the people, but Averinka held Irina's hand and said, "You need to trust me, trust your queen. If we die, we will die fighting but will not surrender." She then looked at Irina and said,
"Your Queen will not surrender."
Irina snapped out of her memory as her phone rang. It's almost dawn, and she hadn't a wink of sleep. The unease settled in her heart, and she could feel the evil lurking in the shadows again. This time, she didn't know how to stop it.
_
Things had become better after they returned from the trip. Mason had decided to go back, but he let Ava stay with David and Alex. She's a adult, and he couldn't force her either.
A month later, David told Ava and Alex about his business trip. Mr. Viktor who had invested in their company and was a major shareholder invited him over with his family. Later, Ava also got a call from her father who told her that he's also invited by Mr. Viktor.
"Isn't this supposed to be a business trip?"Ava asked David in surprise.
"He's also throwing in his 50th birthday party. " David explained. "He has invited his other business partners and shareholders with their families."
__
Aaron as new heir of Yanez's company was also invited. After his father's death, the company suffered heavy loss, but Mr. Viktor bought shares and invested in the company. Now, Aaron was sent two invitations, and his uncle suggested for him to go as a future president, but Chris was the one to turn it down.
"Come-on! " Aaron bemoaned. "Those invitations would go to waste and David isn't the only one going."
"It isn't about him!" Chris flushed in embarrassment, and Aaron quirked his brow at him. It's no secret to him that Chris started developing feelings for the other man, but was unaware of it himself.
"Then it's settled, we're going. " Aaron clasped his hands. He'd use it as an excuse to get away from the company for a while. It would be good for both them to have a change of environment and Chris's condition also improved after their last trip.
Turned out, Irina was also going with her business partners. Being a vampire for centuries, she also had her fair share in business around the country and overseas. She booked herself a flight and packed to go with Ava. After two days, Aaron and Chris met David and the rest at the airport. Mason told them that he would fly directly and join them later. When their plane landed, they were received by Mr. Viktor's man at the airport.
The journey from the airport to the place was long and tiring and Ava fell asleep on Irina's shoulder.
It' almost evening, when they arrived at Mr. Viktor's place. It's a huge mansion and looked regal. Mason arrived shortly right after them, and Ava ran to meet her father. Mr. Viktor had also come downstairs to greet his guests. David had introduced them to Mr. Viktor who welcomed Ava and the boys warmly. Then, he turned to Irina and introduced himself.
"Mr. Viktor." He extended his hand and smiled politely.
"Irina." Irina's brows furrowed as she took his hand and then asked.
"Have we met somewhere before?" There's something familiar about him, but she couldn't recall where she could've possibly seen him before.
"I'm afraid it's our first time." Irina shook her head and brushed it off. She might have mistaken him for someone else. Mr. Viktor asked his butler to help them with their luggage. Just, when she's about to go upstairs, he spoke to her again with a smile.
"It's nice meeting you, Ms. Irina."
__
Since the rooms were occupied by the other guests, they had to share the rooms. Aaron chose to stay with Alex since he felt that Chris wouldn't be comfortable with him. Irina and Ava had to share a room while Chris, Mason and David got separate rooms for themselves.
The arrangement wasn't perfect, but not uncomfortable. Aaron and Alex bonded well and Alex took him as a brotherly figure. Irina and Ava became used to sharing the same bed. When Mr. Viktor asked David and Mason for not sharing the same room, Mason said,
"I'd like the room for myself."
__
The dinner was lavish. There were braised short ribs, rosemary garlic chicken and sliced turkey breast, creamy Tuscan chicken and salmon Thai Curry served with side dishes and wine. The atmosphere at the table was friendly and different families interacted with each other, and had a good time together. Mr. Johan introduced himself to Irina and Ava, along with his son, Jared and his fiancée, Esme sitting next to Jared.
"My father has sent his apologies for not being able to come. Something urgently came up and I had to fill in his place." Esme explained, but Viktor shook his head.
"Your father has already explained it to me. Besides, Mr. Johan is here. It's good to have both you and Jared here." Viktor smiled and Irina noticed the subtle change in the boy's expression.
"No, it's our honor to be your guest." The girl remarked and poured herself a glass of wine.
"Allow me to present a toast to you." Esme raised her glass and Viktor himself did the same. However, Irina noticed that her smile had a different meaning when she offered him the toast.
These Johans were indeed strange, or at least knew something that she didn't.
__
After Dinner, Mason retired to his bed earlier meanwhile Aaron, Alex and Chris went to check out sauna. Heat relieved tension in their muscles as three of them relaxed in hot water, but Chris found himself too tired to stay awake and soak in water. He leaned against the cold tiles and rested his head over his crossed arms, listening to Aaron and Alex chatter with his closed eyes.
"Don't sleep here, you'll drown yourself." The voice made him snap his head up and looked up at the man.
David smiled and crouched in front of languid Chris and touched his face.
"Why did you dye your hair?" David asked touching tuft of his hair and Chris blinked up in surprise.
"Huh?" Did he hear it wrong?
"I asked why are you sleeping here?" The man laughed and Chris wondered if he had actually misheard him.
"I must have dozed off." Chris sighed and looked around for Aaron and Alex.
"They had already left when I came in " David answered. He looked hesitant before asking, "Do you mind if I soak in here? I wasn't expecting anyone here."
"You can." Chris said. He's too muddlehead to think twice before answering but soon regretted it. David was shirtless and he tried not to stare at him.He adjusted his towel around his waist and leaned his back against the tiles.
"It's strange." He spoke catching David's attention. "What is it?"
"Last time, it's also at the pool..." He broke off and David knew what he's talking about .
"Does it make you uncomfortable?" He asked but Chris shook his head.
"It's comfortable..." Chris trailed off closing his eyes. "You don't ..."
"I'll take it as a good thing that I don't scare you." Chris laughed at him and cracked open his eyes to see David staring at him intently.
"What are you looking at?" He furrowed his brows and trailed his eyes down to his own chest.
"This..." David pointed right above his heart. It's a heartbeat tattoo; a cursive lifeline with 'faith' written at the end of it.
"It's Aaron's idea." Chris explained. "He wanted to get one but his..." He trailed off, afraid to complete his sentence.
"What is this?" David asked and reaching for his tattoo, but then stopped. The tattoo was to actually hide a scar on his chest. Chris looked at him for a moment before grabbing his hand.
"You're not even subtle about it." Chris sighed before placing David's hand right on his heart.
"Yes, it was to hide my birth scar." Chris laughed to ease the tension between them. "It didn't bother me much but ..."
"It's pretty." David traced the shape of his scar. He lied about his scar. His scar had always bothered him, but ever since he got his tattoo, David was the first one who noticed it. His fingers gently brushed over the line of the scar.
"David..." It came out as a broken whisper and David was hyper aware of his actions. Chris was looking at him with a solemn expression. David immediately withdrew his hand and coughed to ease the atmosphere.
"It's late, we should get going." David suggested and got out of the water to leave, adjusting his towel but then a hand on his arm stopped him.
"What is it?" David's furrowed his brows. The other one was too close to him, he could hear his breath and smell scent of his sweat.
"Chris..."
"That's why..." Chris answered as his touched his hair.
"Your hair are black too." Chris smiled before he left from there. It took a moment for David to realize what he has actually implied to.
'Why did you dye your hair?'
__
That night, Alex saw himself running through the palace's corridor. He's holding someone's hand and was running, being chased by the strange creatures. He dared not look back as the door kept thudding, and the person beside him asked him to continue running and not to look back, but he himself had stopped and let go of Alex's hand.
"What are you doing?" Alex asked that person in confusion who smiled sadly.
'Don't stop running! That person told him, before running back to the door. He stood against the thudding door, trying to hold it for Alex, but it's too late. The door burst open with a force and thousands of clawed hands reached to him from behind, slashing through his stomach.
"Run!"
"Wake up, Alex!" The boy jolted upright in his bed and saw Aaron hovering above him.
"You're having a nightmare." Aaron told him and poured him a glass of water from the nightstand.
"You okay?" The elder boy asked in concern, but Alex shook his head. "I'm fine." Alex took water from him and drank it. "Just a nightmare."
"Go back to sleep." Aaron told him as took the empty glass from him. "I'll keep the light on."
Aaron went back to his bed and Alex lay down, thinking of his dream again, or rather about that person.
__
Irina went to the library and looked around for the books. She was looking for something interesting to read until a book on the shelf caught her attention. She reached for the book, but a voice caught her off guard.
"This book is interesting." She turned around to see Mr. Viktor standing right behind her with a smile.
"I didn't notice your presence." She remarked as he reached for the book himself.
"It records the legend of blood queen." Irina narrowed her eyes at the man when he spoke.
"Thousands died in a battle but none could tell whether it's the Queen who slaughtered her own army to gain power or she did it under the influence of some powerful being."
"It's a just a legend." She replied briskly. "Myths and Legends don't hold the truth."
"Myths also start from somewhere. There's some truth to them." He answered.
"There are legends of Kings and Queens who looked for supernatural creatures to gain power. There are things among us that are neither dead, nor alive, don't you agree?" He looked at her intently when he handed her the book. There's something sinister in his tone that gave her chills.
"I don't believe in these things." She brushed it off as a joke and put the book back in place on the shelf.
"It's getting late. I'll take my leave." When she came out of the library, she saw Jared leaning over the railing of balcony.
"Do you also think there's something wrong with him?" He questioned making her pause in her steps. Irina turned to look at the boy and then walked up to him.
"What do you mean by that?" She asked him as she leaned over the railing.
"Mr. Viktor." He pointed in the direction of his study. "There's something wrong with him."
"You're not human yourself right?" His words caught her completely off guard.
"How do you know?" There's no one that could tell her apart unless, it's one of her own kind.
"I'm not human either." He clarified. "My father and I belong to the clan of blood."
"Howeve, Rene is human, but a hunter. My father sensed something strange about Viktor's invitation. Initially, my brother was to join us, but it's better that he stays behind in case if something happens."
"What's wrong with him?" Irina questioned.
"You haven't noticed it yet?" Jared was confused at her reaction.
"He's not human."
AN: Jared and Esme are characters from my story, "The Vampire who cried human". If anyone of you is interest, you can check it on my Wattpad :D
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