The snow on the ground crunched and echoed as Wellington and Brutus marched towards the gate.
"I heard noises a while ago. Why is it quiet over here?" Brutus asked, his eyes scanning the spacious castle surrounding.
"Something's wrong. I can feel it." Wellington replied to his friend.
As they approached the gates, the guards on duty gave them a salute and stood at ease.
"What happened here? I thought I heard the neigh of horses and the alarm of humans." Wellington eyed the soldier suspiciously. The man's hand was slowly reaching for his sword. That could only mean one thing.
Wellington remained calm and composed. From the corner of his eyes, he could tell the two men standing on the left.
"That was a false alarm. My bad." One of them, a burly looking man in his black armor, said.
Wellington gave a light scoff. "Whatever. Let's go."
He tried to turn the horse around when one of the gentlemen unsheathed his sword.
"I'm sorry but that's not going to happen."
Meanwhile, Lucia is still with Bea in the kitchen.
"My lady," Bea started softly. "How did you heal your wounds?"
"What wounds?" Lucia asked.
Just outside the door she heard a raging snarl, "Find Damian! He has my bride!"
Before Bea would reply, Lucia cupped her hand over her mouth.
The approaching footstep halted to a pause.
"Did you hear something?" She heard August ask.
"No, my lord." Another man replied in a noble voice. Lucia also recognised that voice. It belonged to Lord Jarlen.
"Shall we?" August carried on, his heavy footsteps and loud voice echoing in the hall. "Find my wife!"
After they had left, Lucia bunched up her gown and stood to her feet.
"My lady, where are you off to?" Bea asked with concern.
"Damian. I need to find him." Lucia whispered. She looked around the vast kitchen. "Where can I find a knife?"
"Can you use one?" Bea asked, going through the cupboards.
"Only if the situation calls for it." Lucia replied.
Bea brought out a small knife and handed it to Lucia. "Please, be careful."
"I have to, for my own safety." Lucia dragged the knife at the hem.of her dress, ripping it to shorten the length.
"There is no need for that, my lady. I have better attire."
A few minutes later, Lucia was dressed in a black shirt and breeches.
"You have men's clothing?" Lucia asked, admiring the cloth she wore.
"Well, every woman needs one to get away, don't they?" Bea replied shyly.
Lucia smiled at her. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. Now, I just need to find Damian."
Luci had only held the doorknob when Bea called to her.
"My lady, he is not in the castle." Bea said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Lucia whipped around to look at her.
"He left," Bea said. "He didn't say where. I'm sorry but I tried to stop him."
"I'll find him, Bea." Lucia put her hand on the girl's shoulder. She was trembling.
Giving her a reassuring smile, Lucia went on. "Don't worry, Bea. I'll be fine."
"Okay, my lady."
Lucia turned to the door and held it open. Her eyes darted left and right to see if the coast was clear. When it was, she dashed out of the room without looking back.
She got close to the balcony, to study the castle grounds. Her fate was unknown as she was unfamiliar with the place. The De Caspian castle was a bit smaller than her father's estate but her hopes of her escape were getting slim. Unlike her estate where there are lots of trees and gardens to hide you in plain sight if you wanted to run, this castle had neither of those things. The vast space was clear and void of greenery. If you were to escape, you would be caught. Now, she was beginning to reconsider her plan.
While running down the halls, she manages to snag a wool cap from one of the human soldiers and put it on to hide her eyes.
Turning to the left wing, she saw August coming her way and tried to run back.
He noticed and called for her. "Hey, you!"
She froze, unable to speak.
"I am speaking to you, am I not?"
Lucia turned around, tugging the cap lower."Yes, you are, my lord."
"Any updates on the lady?" he asked, walking past her.
She exhaled a sigh of relief. The oaf couldn't see past her disguise.
By lady, she assumed he referred to her. "N - No, good sir."
He turned around and pinched his eyes. "You speak like a human."
"Ummm. My mother was one, sire." Lucia cleared her throat.
"Hmm. It seems Lucia has run away with the vampire. Let's go."
"Go where, my lord."
"Are you daft? To find them of course. You will track them for me." August said.
Lucia sucked in a breath. She was in deep trouble now. She prayed something would happen or someone would just show up and miraculously, someone did and something happened.
"My lord," Jarlen walked into the hall, dragging a girl by her hair. "I found her maid in the kitchen. She Lucia's maid here. She knows something."
August had a grin to his face now as he approached Bea. "Interesting."
Lucia watched him grab the girl's cheek.
"Where is she?" he thundered.
"I don't know." Bea winced in pain as she replied to him.
"She's lying. Hit her." August commanded.
Jarlen was about to hit Bea when Lucia yelled for him to stop.
"And why would he stop?" August turned to her and fisted the collar of her shirt.
Lucia tipped her cap, staring daringly into his emerald-green eyes.
His eyes went round and his grip on her shirt tightened. "You!"
"Lady Lucia, run!" Bea screamed.
Lucia shoved August away and bolted.
"Guards! Get her!" August ordered.
Lucia felt her heart beat wildly in her chest as she ran.
"Where do I go from here?" she whispered to herself when she got to the end of the hall.
The guard said, approaching her with his sword. "There's no escape for you now." And indeed, there wasn't.