The Curse Of A Stranger's Gift 33 Reckless

Zheira's arms were linked to her knees. Her tears were flowing non-stop, and everything she believed in shattered into pieces. She couldn't take the truth. Their death was triggered by a rebellion lead by Vladimir, but he did not even bother to protect them when they were hunted. His conscience was overwhelmed by his madness; only fueled by his vengeance.

She clenched her fist while biting the lower part of her lips. Screaming wouldn't give any satisfaction. What she need was an absolute reason why her parents have to die. They've done nothing wrong; all they did was to help a man who has forsaken them, and has only helped when everything was too late.

Now she understood his abandonment. The common vampire's glares and the mockery of the witnesses to his side were rooted in his rebellion.

A warm breeze danced around the room. It caressed her skin, sending an unknown shiver down to her spine. Her breathing quickened. A golden line was starting to trace the corner of her red irises; the blue color was now smaller as the red thickened. There was a sudden whisper in her ears. The voice was cold but comforting.

"Don't worry, Zheira. We will make them pay," the voice said, "Vladimir will soon feel our wrath. He'll have to suffer for using us as a channeling device; a scapegoat of the remorse when he let his men be killed."

It was like an invisible force linked around her. Embracing her body, and she felt safe more than ever. Her lips were shaking as she murmured, "He used me. He didn't care. I was foolish to even think he'd be the one to save me." Her voice was blended with the cold voice she heard. It's like the two of them were talking at once.

"I will help you," the voice said, using her mouth to talk. Sparks crawled in her veins as her skin became paler. She closed her eyes for a moment before moving swiftly. In an instant, the door stumbled down with its hinges; broken by her strength. She didn't stop to think about her strength. All that matters now was justice.

Her whole body was shaking as she stopped by the hall's door. Her eyes were flickering while listening to the noise inside. She crossed her arms, stopping it from shaking.

"All hail to King Vladimir."

The statement was then echoed by the witnesses, and it ended with a clap. Zheira heard it all and she couldn't help sn.i.g.g.e.ring.

'Hail, my foot! A liar should never be crowned as a king. No wonder why he's a murderer's son. He's nothing but fake. Fake and murderer. What a good combination,' she thought; her fist was clenched as her eyes narrowed.

When claps died, Zheira slammed the door. Heads turned at the abrupt tingle of sound. Eyes landed on her, all with different intensity, but she didn't care. She fears herself, she feared the fact that she's starting not to care.

Now that she thought of it, she wished Vladimir had not saved her from being burnt by the fire; it might have been a relief to die with her biological parents. Unlike now, she has suffered the pain of being abnormal. In his desperation to save the link that might help him save himself from remorse, he had turned Zheira to a monster she despised.

"Mortal," a cold voice hissed. It came from a man obscured by a hood, the same man she's looking for before she found that strange room.

Zheira prowled to the lane embraced by red carpets. She held her head high, staring unblinkingly at Vladimir who stared back with his brow arching high.

"You're a liar," she whispered with gritted teeth.

Vladimir blinked rapidly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Liar!" The wind cursed when Zheira pounced Vladimir who didn't even move an inch. He's just standing there with the crown dangling in his head as her cold hand pressed tightly in his neck.

Outrage hiss filled the air. It didn't take long before cold hands wrapped her waist and throw her with a strong force to the ground. She winced when she felt something pierced her back; the ground was broken with the impact.

"How dare you touch the king with your filthy hand!" Eleanor scoffed, her brows were drawn together as she looked down at her.

Zheira spat and stood abruptly, ignoring the throbbing pain at her back. With the push of wind, she aimed a kick at Eleanor's waist. It caught her off-guard, knocking her to the ground. Zheira wasn't contented. She wants to see her dead. However, a strong punch forced her ten feet away. Louise advanced to her, his lips pressed tightly.

Ma.s.saging the upper region of her stomach, she retreated but the witnesses surrounded her. She closed her eyes before crouching for a leap. She's about to die, she knew it. She'll make sure to bring some blood-sucker with her. She smacked as many vampires as she could, and they're burnt by her sharp claws. Her teeth became sharper as her eyes were overwhelmed by its golden tint. She was preoccupied that she didn't notice her skin shining.

In graceful pirouette, fire danced in the tip of her fingers. The witnesses growled, clenching their fists while glaring at her. All at once, they leaped towards her with a mingled cry, but her instinct was more than ready for their attack. She bent and slide forth to the carpet, escaping through their open legs. With a heavy breath, she stood and blow the small fire, enraging it until it crawls to her fists.

Her loud scream pierced the air as she ran towards the witnesses. Using her flaming fist, she sent a series of punches to them; not minding whether or not she'll hit them. Minutes pa.s.sed and the air was then filled with ashes, floating around her while she catches her breath.

She groaned when one vampire managed to scratch her wrist; blood gushes out from the slit it created. A deafening silence filled the hall

Every eye was set upon her blood falling to the ground. Everything seemed to be in slow motion, she raised her head, feeling the eyes that blinked in her direction. Eleanor and Louise both licked their lips.

"Zheira, run!" Vladimir's cold voice awoken her. She turned slowly, feeling their eyes following her every move. Breathing heavily she ran. However, they followed suit. Their hurried footsteps pounded in her ears, together with her rapid heartbeat. She mentally slapped herself for being reckless; ruled once again by her stupid emotions.

Eleanor was fastest. It didn't take long for her to pull Zheira's hair, but she bit her lips and forced herself to continue. Eleanor then grabbed her waist and pinned her to the ground. Her thick saliva dripped at Zheira's face. She wiped it harshly, trashing so hard to get away from her, but she's strong. Tears streamed down her cheeks as Eleanor pressed her deeper to the ground. Zheira closed her eyes as she came closer; she could even feel her cold breath lingering in her neck.

A thought popped in Zheira's head. She cupped Eleanor's cheek, and her crimson eyes widened. In the center of her irises were a figure prowling in the dark. Eleanor was just waiting in the outskirt of the darkness, listening intently to the figure.

"Let him play the role for now. I will soon come and take the throne back. I'll just have to awaken her. Now remember, Vladimir should never know about this, or else you'll die." The voice was cold and empty. By just listening to it made Zheira sick in her stomach.

"Yes, your majesty." Eleanor bowed slightly.

"One more thing, make sure Zheira will be at your hands before the blood moon."

"But, your majesty, I don't see her relevance to our—" In an instant, a red string-like light rounded her waist. She writhed to the ground as it tightened, slicing her skin.

"Don't ever question my decision. I am the king, and whatever it is that I want to do shall be done without farther arguments. Do you understand?" the king's voice became sharper. It made the hair on the back of Zheira's neck stood at its end.

"Y—yes, y—your majes—majesty!" she said in between her screams.

"Good." The king walked towards her and kicked her. "Then what are you waiting for. Go!" It was then that Zheira saw his eyes. They were hallowed. Shadows were cradling its redness. The veins in her temple were purplish. It was throbbing as he bit his chapped lips. Zheira moved back when his eyes stared at her. It's as if his stare could slice her.

The king's eyes narrowed. It only took him a flick of his thumb to pin Zheira to the ground. She catches her breath as his footsteps echoed, like some creepy tune that would lead her to death. She tried standing, but the ground was too soft. Her brow furrowed. She pressed her hand to it. Her eyes widened when it engulfed her skin. Without thinking she lied down, pressing her body deeper to it until she no longer could see the surface.

Her eyes were tightly shut as she fell in the depth of nothingness. It wasn't long 'till her back hit something hard. She opened her eyes and breathed deeply. It's as if she'd been thrown in the ocean, unable to breathe the air. It was worst.

Vladimir offered his hand towards her. "I'm sorry I'm late."

Zheira's brow puckered while she stared at it. She didn't realize he was there, but she shook her head before glaring at him. "I don't need your help." She tried standing but her knees wobbled, making her lose her balance. However, Vladimir's hands were linked around her waist before she could even reach the ground.

"Oops, careful!"

"I said I don't need your help." She pushed him with a glare.

He felt his heart shattered to pieces when Zheira turned her back, limping away from him. She stopped for a moment to look at Eleanor lying on the ground before walking away.