The first room one encountered when entering Viscount Oswald's castle for the first time was a large, windowless empty room with a threaded staircase leading to the second floor. On the inner side of the wall, there was another passage leading to the maid's room and the dungeon.
Emerald loosened the grip on Arabell's neck just as the vampires had led Grant to the dungeon. She then licked her finger which was stained with the girl's blood.
"Not too bad," said Emerald, glancing at the wound on Arabell's skin that was still dripping with blood.
The three Emerald bodyguards, who were standing not far from them, reacted immediately when they smelled the scent of blood. They opened their mouths and hissed, showing fangs.
"Watch your attitude." Emerald's rebuke made the three of them immediately purse their lips. However, the three pairs of bloodthirsty eyes were still staring at Arabell with a look of thirst.
Arabell grabbed her aching neck and stepped back. The pain from the incision made it difficult for the girl to speak.
"T-Tim, where's Tim?" Arabell whispered hoarsely. The scent of blood wafted from herself and the four creatures that surrounded the girl. She wanted to leave the cursed castle with her brother.
Emerald's red eyes suddenly sparkled with amusement. The woman looked at Arabell and then turned to one of the vampires standing by the door.
"Tim." The female vampire said in a flowing voice. Her blood-red dress swept across the floor as she walked a few steps toward Arabell who was motionless in position.
The vampire who was ordered smirked. He immediately turned away, to retrieve the little boy who was being held captive, without saying a word.
Arabell's heart thumps loudly. She suddenly seemed to be able to hear Grant's angry roar.
Traitor! You don't deserve to be my mate!
Arabell's heart ached. The accusations that Grant had hurled at her resonated in the girl's mind, while howls and screams resembling the sound of a wounded animal rang out in the distance.
"He looks like wants to tear you apart." Emerald chuckled as she glanced towards the source of the voice coming from the dungeon.
Arabell's breath suddenly stopped for a while. Grant wasn't a bad guy. In their very short relationship, the man was always sweet and kind to her.
"W-what will happen to him?" asked Arabell with a worried expression. "A-are you going to kill him?"
The female vampire smiled. She then walked gracefully toward Arabell. "We will chain him until he feels that death is better than life."
"Y-you're mean," Arabell whispered.
The girl glanced back at Emerald's gaze before looking down restlessly. Guilt also made Arabell squeeze the skirt of her dress.
However, before Emerald could answer, footsteps were heard. The vampire assigned to take Arabell's sister came. He picked up the corpse of a boy who was only taller than an adult's knee and threw it on the floor where the girl was standing.
"Sorry, we got tired of waiting so we played with him a bit, didn't expect him to die." The vampire's face showed no remorse at all.
Tim!
Arabell's body suddenly trembled violently. She crouched down and then hugged her brother who already smelled of carrion.
Tim!
Arabell's tears flowed down. The girl looked up and asked Emerald who was observing her with a carefree expression.
"W-why? I've done your wish."
"I promised to return your brother, but I didn't promise to return him alive," replied Emerald as she crouched near the girl.
Arabell's right palm immediately flew up and slapped Emerald's cheek. The girl shrieked as she stood up. "Evil Woman!"
Emerald's eyes widened in surprise. The vampire woman was too late to notice Arabell's next attack.
"I hope you die!" shouted Arabell. She also strangled Emerald's long neck as the three vampires around them ran to attack the girl.
*****
Grant's right and left hands were bound by a long chain made of silver that was attached to the prison walls on the north and south sides. Stuffy air due to no ventilation filled the room.
There was nothing in the cell, just a bucket to defecate. The silver bars line the prison cells with passageways through which guards can watch over and take their prisoners.
Grant stopped roaring. His Luna was having trouble. He could feel the girl's emotions and desire to kill Emerald. The man repeatedly forcibly pulled his bound arms, but only caused his skin to be scratched by the chain material which made him feel weak.
Panic rose in Grant's heart. His Luna was hurt, the vampires hurt his mate.
"Arabell!!!" the man shouted over and over again.
Not long after, Grant's wish finally came true. Footsteps were heard approaching the cell he was in. However, the man's eyes widened when he saw Emerald dragging Arabell who was covered in blood.
"This dirty girl is trying to hurt me," said Emerald as she grabbed Arabell's neck with her right hand and hugged the girl from behind. The vampire woman demonstrated her deed to Grand who was standing in the prison.
Arabell gasped for air. Fresh blood flowed from the lips, neck, and side of her injured head.
Emerald laughed a little. She tightened her stranglehold so that Arabell struggled with difficulty breathing.
"Stop it," said Grant. The man tried to get closer to them. However, the long chains holding him back, made him unable to go any further.
The excruciating pain Arabell felt hit Grant. The man roared and tried his best to break free. "Stop it!"
Emerald laughed even louder. She then licked the blood that was dripping from the corners of Arabell's lips, who was struggling to defend her life.
"I swear I'll tear your flesh!" cried Grant furiously. The man repeatedly tried to pull his shackled hands free. Dimly, he could hear Luna's words through their connected minds.
Sorry, I'm sorry.
For the first time in his life, Grant's body trembled with fear. He could only stare at the girl who was destined for him to die without being able to do anything.
The sound of a collarbone snapping was heard as the light of life disappeared from Arabell's eyes. Grant fell to his knees, shaking his body even more violently. Tears welled up in the man's eyes.
Emerald laughed as she saw the result of her actions. She opened the prison door and pushed the girl's body so that it lay in front of Grant.
"Don't tell me I'm not being generous. Your Luna can accompany you here forever." Arabell said with a chuckle. She locked the cell door again and walked away.
Grant gulped. The man inched using both knees to reach his Luna's dead body. He also shouted to express his sadness to the world.
April, 4, 2022
Benitobonita