Dread gripped my heart as the pets and servants walked out.
I slumped weakly against Lord Fashire's iron grip, my eyes welling up as the hollow feeling inside me grew.
It was over. This was the end. I was going to die.
What would become of my father now?
"Oh, well." Fashire held me by my elbow and dangled me like a rag doll. "My fun is ruined."
I didn't have the strength to hold myself up anymore. My body followed whatever direction his hand shifted. The flaring pain in my shoulder dulled to an ache as I grew faint.
I prayed to at least die from blood loss before he could do anything further.
"Venti," I heard Lady Gremlin speak up, a hint of panic in her voice. "You said something about her..."
"Don't be dull, Elaire," Lord Fashire addressed her. "I said what I said and you heard right." He let go and I crumpled at his feet, dazed. "Then again, it truly was worthwhile watching the display of emotions this girl spat out." His wicked chuckle resonated within the hall.
Lorn Lorn looked at me. "If I recall correctly, your words were 'humans have found a way to mask as vampires' and the fact that she trotted around the castle grounds without us knowing says so. How did you come to know about this, Fashire?"
Lord Fashire chuckled in response.
"Venti, if you're telling the truth, then this is no laughing matter!" a Lord yelled, and the walls and floor rattled. "There are several unanswered questions about that... thing! And you mentioned something about humans..." He paused, lowering his voice. "Who is this Strome that dares recommend a human to work here?"
The Lord that had just finished speaking faced Matadre, pointing an accusatory look her way. To my surprise, she didn't flinch. "And you..."
"Stop it. Don't fault her in this," Lord Lorn faced the other Lord, annoyed. "Unless you mean to say my servant is more observant than you are, then be my guest."
"Well, I don't particularly care," Lord Fashire announced, deadpanned, earning silence from the others. "And I am sure I can leave it to you to get to the bottom of it all." He waved dismissively.
My shoulder throbbed. What did he mean by that? I didn't want anything to do with him, but the prospect of being thrown to a bunch of angry vampire Lords was just as terrifying.
"Venti! You fool..."
Their violent outbursts faded into a rapid blur. One moment, the Lords were yelling, and the next, I found myself back in Lord Fashire's chambers.
I collapsed to the ground as he dropped me. My stomach flipped and I dry heaved, nauseated by the sudden movement.
"Look at me," he spoke calmly, but his soft half whisper caused an instant wave of chills to ravage my body.
I raised my head, forced against my will, and met Lord Fashire dead in the eyes.
"To the door on your left is the bath chamber." He gestured to the entrance on the side. "Strip and wash that nasty stench off you," he commanded, obvious disdain in his tone at the mention of my blood.
Then his voice dropped lower. "If I catch you trying to escape, I will head into that sweet little village and your dear old man will meet a fate far worse than death."
My blood went cold.
He knew.
Within that short time he had gotten the vial, he had been able to track down my father?
No... This was bad. If he could find him and the others now knew about me, nothing was stopping them from finding him just as quickly and finishing him off.
My mouth opened in a silent scream and my eyes watered.
I wanted to speak, but nothing came out. What was I even going to say? This Lord didn't bat an eye when I had pleaded on my knees earlier. There was no telling what slight mistake I would make that would lead him to kill my father.
'No. You have to ask!'
My throat tightened as fresh tears streaked down my face.
"They will find him," I whispered hoarsely and raised a shaky hand to my throat. It felt like needles had been shoved down there.
"Shh," he hushed, getting down on one knee before me. His cold hand touched my head and I stiffened, instinctively lowering my gaze. Chills relentlessly clamoured across my scalp as he brushed my head down, continuously patting me.
What was he doing?
I couldn't make sense of this action.
He whispered, "I couldn't find the sweet relative of yours who made this potion. And their residence has been vacant for over a year now..."
A numbing dread spread through me.
What did he mean it had been vacant for over a year?
That wasn't possible.
The last time I had visited her was only just last… year.
Had my aunt planned to abandon me from the start? She had never told me anything about leaving.
'Oh no…'
I choked back a sob and clutched my stomach. The tears continued to flow no matter how much I tried to make it stop.
His hand came to rest at the base of my neck, and a satisfied mocking smile spread across his features. I heard a low sizzle and the smell of burnt flesh started to reach me. His fingers must be touching my blood, but I couldn't find any sign of pain in his eyes.
He looked strangely calm and focused.
My pulse quickened.
He was trying to build resistance to my blood.
"That person has abandoned you. I see you have realised it too," he said.
I shuddered as a fresh batch of tears flowed down my cheeks.
"Now, now, little lady." His hand tightened around the back of my neck. "You look quite horrid when you cry."