Lucia's eyes widened again. Damian couldn't possibly kill his father.
She didn't move an inch till their retreating footsteps stopped echoing in the hall. Then she ran for the Silver Chambers.
She got to the door, banging on it. "Damian! Damian! Please, answer me!"
Her fists did nothing to unlock the door. She looked around the door, scanning for a key of some kind and found one on the floor. The smell of gasoline hit her nostrils and she grew alarmed.
"They set the room on fire!" She screamed as she grabbed the key trying to unlock the door.
"Damian!" she screamed again but no answer came.
Her hands shook and she coughed violently. It was getting harder to breathe.
"Damian!" she called again.
This time the key went into the keyhole and she twisted it. When it unlocked, she kicked the door down and ran in, the torches of fire lighting themselves as she ran headlong into the smoke.
At the castle grounds, Jarlen and his men approached on their horsebacks, a scowl etched on their individual faces.
"Lord Jarlen," Van Helsing said, riding a donkey as he climbed down down from the animal. The giant of a man with eyes as dark as night, bulky muscles, flashed the vampires a grin.
"I believe I have come here to collect." August rode in, his horse snorting impatiently.
"She's in there," Jarlen said to the man next to him. "Bring the girl."
"Right away." He turned his horse towards the castle, August following behind him.
Jarlen and Helsing stared themselves in a showdown, their gazes piercing and menancing.
Van Helsing broke the silence with a fit of laughter. "Isn't it ironic that an esteemed vampire such as yourself would have humans for allies? What could you possibly gain?"
"I could say the same about you, kid," Jarlen said with a scoff. "After all, we all know the blood in your veins aren't human. Hyahh!" He commanded his horse, riding into back to the castle.
Van Helsing clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Bastard."
Meanwhile, Lucia inched towards Damian's cell, her dress sweeping the dirty floor and her hair carrying a bit of ashes.
"Damian!" she screamed, plugging her nose with her fingers.
She heard a slight cough and went in the opposite direction. The smoke was much amd it was difficult to see. Her eyes burnt and her throat itches but she kept on until she found the cell.
"Damian!" she screamed again, holding the railing, wincing in pain.
"Get away from here, Lucia!" He called back.
"No. I'm not leaving without you sow come out?" She screamed at him.
"You'll get hurt, Lucia. Go!" he called back, approaching the iron railings.
"No!" Lucia shook her head as tears slipped down her cheeks. She clenched her fists around the hot iron and it burnt her hands.
"Lucia!" Damian called.
She reeled away from the cell and slumped to her knees, breathing weekly.
"This is why I told you to run but you wouldn't listen," he said.
Her vision blurred and she turned to the right. There was an immobile figure on the slab. Pinching her eyelids, she recognised who it was - King Fieren.
"Lucia, run!" Damian yelled at her.
"No!" she said weakly.
Before he could move, she slumped to the floor.
"Lucia!" he called.
Damian stepped back, giving the door a loud kick and it flew open. He rushed out to where she laid on the floor and picked her up into his arms.
He bolted, breaking through the door with his bare upper body. His eyes darted left and right. When there was no one in sight, he ran with Lucia in his arms. On his way, he stumbled upon Bea, the little maid.
She gasped in shock at the sight of them. "Lady Lucia!"
"Get water and a fresh towel." Damian commanded.
"Bring her to the kitchen," Bea pointed at the kitchen. "The castle is in chaos. There's no one there."
Damian brought Eva to her in the kitchen. He laid her down on the Bea had cleared off.
When he turned to leave, she stopped him. "But sire, you're leaving her?"
"Her life would be in more danger with me." Damian replied coldly, turning on his heels and not looking back.
He managed to evade all the guards and snagged a horse and proper uniform, almost unrecognizable.
As he rode on the castle grounds, his mind raced back to Lucia. It was cruel of him to leave her without a word but it was only for her safety. His father was dead. He was declared an enemy by all the nations through August. He was a nobody now.
Rayven led August to the bedroom provided for Lucia.
"Get away, Night creature. It's time to see my bride." August dismissed him with a scowl.
"As you wish, my lord." Rayven retreated with a humble bow.
August straightened his black coat, petting the feathers fondly. He cleared his throat and held the door.
"Dear Lucia?" He popped his head in as he entered the room fully.
He looked around the room. The curtains were open letting in chilly air, the air carried the scent of flowers and a hint of candle wax. Everything was in place but where was Lucia?
"Lucia!" he said this time with a bark.
When no response came, he searched the room for her. "Lucia!"
In the kitchen, Bea tended to Lucia, wiping her burnt hands. -
Lucia blinked twice, sitting up.
Bea gasped. "My Lady, are you alright?"
Lucia turned to her. "Bea, you're here," Then she palmed her forehead. "Ugh!"
"Don't, my Lady. Your hands are burnt," she reached for Lucia's hands. Her face fell and the towel loosened from her grip.
She marveled in awe. "What in Dracula's name is -
Lucia looked at her, confused. "What is it?"
"The burnt marks on your hands…they're gone." Bea held Lucia's hands. There were no traces of the injuries nor any scar on her face. All her wounds have vanished without a trace.
"My lady, what are you?" she asked.
In the hallway, August raged. A guard ran to his aid, curious as to what happened.
"Where is my wife!" he shoved the man away.
"She is supposed to be in her chambers." The poor man said.
"Well, she is not! I hope your petty king did not take her!"
"No, he did not."
"Find Lucia or this castle will be the graveyard for kings by dawn!"