Chapter 4 A Stranger in my Room

I stared at the beautiful scenery as the car glided silently down the street, watching the locals and tourists enjoy the busy weekend. Trento, a city in Italy famous for its natural beauty while also full of cultural and gastronomic attractions. The art, history and culture attract a large number of tourists as well as being home to one of the most precious sparkling wines. It is also home to the vampires, a fraction of the lore. Vampires have been present in the city since the 12th century after almost getting eradicated by the werewolves, witches and other smaller factions.

Ever since then, vampires and werewolves had been sworn enemies with the witches moving between the two.

The nightlife was always booming and there were many sources of food in the bustling city of Trento. A bite doesn't necessarily have to be painful, it could be made pleasurable by pressing on a duct just behind the fangs which releases aphrodisiac-like nectar. After that, humans are compelled to forget the experience and carry on with their daily activities.

We pulled into the driveway of the king's villa and my jaw fell open as I gawked at the roman styled villa seeing the magnificent structure for the first time. At the centre of the large lawn was an antique-style stone fountain, at its base were yellow and white flowers. The portico was supported by roof-high marble pillars which lead into the doorway, decorated with different colours of flowers. I handed over my card at the doorway and was led to the patio overlooking a garden with uniformly shaped shrubs scattered with flowers.

I had arrived just as the King was giving his closing speech, welcoming the newly turned into the lore. I brought out my phone sending a quick message about my arrival to my uncle and Naina before tucking it back into my purse as I took a seat. Despite craving wine, I picked up a glass of sparkling water from the tray of a waiter as he passed by, briefly sniffing its content out of habit before sipping from it. I was opposed to drinking blood but could only last three days without feeding. Sometimes, a vampire is reckless and forgets to wipe the memory of a human after feeding but they are sought out because they get addicted to the nectar after three bites and keep coming back for more. We called them drogato.

I watched as a drogato submitted her neck to a vampire, moaning with pleasure and delight as he pierced her and then strummed her nipples which were pulled taut against her top. His eyes flashed up to meet mine across the garden and I quickly looked away feeling uncomfortable.

Looking around the garden, I noticed there were more females in attendance than I'd expected. Their colourful gowns and sweet perfume filled the air as they chatted with one another. Matched males stayed close to their females, baring their fangs at any males who got too close while the unmatched females openly flirted with the males in attendance laughing at their silly jokes. It was then I noticed a familiar face. We had had a bad relationship when I'd attended Vampire Institute but it had been years now and my grudge had faded. Against my better judgement, I drifted over to her.

"A pleasant evening to you Gemma", I greeted.

"And to you too", she said, nodding in greeting. Lowering her voice to barely a whisper and I moved in closer to her. "Did you hear?"

"Hear what?" I replied in the barest of whispers. Vampires had a keen hearing, even the lightest voices could be heard over booming noises.

"The King is looking for a bride"

"His blood match?" I asked in curiosity.

"No. He has grown weary of waiting and intends to wed one of us"

"O-One of us?" I asked, unable to get what she was getting at.

"One of the few unblooded females", she replied with an eye roll as if I was slow in the head. Maybe I was because I couldn't just grasp the idea.

"Imagine being the Queen of vampires, Rhea", she continued with a dreamy expression on her face. "Having the respect of everyone, able to command all creatures of the night. Having anything I wanted from the Royal treasury...", she continued rambling on.

The King wanted a bride, whether or not she was his blood match. Was that why there were many females in attendance this evening?

Was this all a plan to get vampire females in the same spaces to pick a bride, using the introductory party as a pretence? Did my uncle know about this?

I glanced over at Gemma, noticing her dress for the first time. She was clad in a red boy-hugging gown, with a slit from her waist which revealed her toned thighs every time she moved. The top part of the gown was a thin strapped V-neckline filled with red petal rosettes which trailed to the small of her tanned back. Her face was heavily powdered and her lips were just as bright as the gown she wore. She was regal and would make a beautiful queen. I on the other hand was in no way interested in being queen if he wasn't my blood match. I was still young, especially for a vampire and could wait centuries for my match. Why would I deny myself the chance at true love? I had grown up watching the way blooded matches looked at each other with love and affection, and could not imagine marrying just for duties and obligation because the King was in a haste.

Glancing at the time on my phone, I was surprised to see it was almost midnight. Time to go.

Excusing myself, I stepped out to make a call to my uncle.

He answered on the second ring, "Yes?"

"Could you send Micah to come to pick me up? It's already getting late"

"It's already too late. The roads are dangerous at night. Stay there, he'll come to pick you up at daybreak"

"But-" The line clicked off and I glanced at my phone in shock. He had never done that before. What was going on?

Before I dwell on it, I heard someone clear their throat behind me and whirled around to see King Ettor. Despite having only seen him at a distance or through the window when he came to visit my uncle, I recognised those cold red eyes immediately as they regarded me.

There were rumours which said a vampire's eyes turn red when they couldn't control their bloodlust and they went berserk just like a newly turned blood-crazy newling. Another rumour said it happened when one drank too deeply from their blood match and hurt them. Their eyes turn red as a curse for hurting their second part. No one knew why.

Lord Kinun had also told me once that my father had had red eyes and often behaved mad. Maybe it was the fear of me hurting anyone as he did to my mom that prevented me from drinking from a live source.

"Rhea Grieco," He said. It was not a question, he knew who I was.

"Your Majesty," I curtsied in greeting.

"You were nothing less than a bambino, a shy child hiding behind Lord Kinun when last I saw you. You are now an adult with the right body proportions but you are a bit lacking in the bust area," He cocked his head, openly scrutinizing me. It didn't help when a cool breeze brushed past, making goosebumps creep up my exposed arms and my nipples hardened in response.

My face burned red as interest flashed in his eyes before they shuttered and returned to being cold.

"I should go back in," I mumbled, politely excusing myself.

"Wait...I might have overheard your conversation with your uncle. Let me show you to the room you'll be staying," He said, ushering me inside almost gentlemanly.

I could not say no for he was the King so I quietly followed, a few paces behind him, trying to make myself unnoticeable. We passed by Gemma in the hallway and she shot me a venomous look which I just ignored.

After climbing up two flights of stairs, he finally stopped in front of a room and waved me in.

"This room was recently cleaned and should be just to your taste. I'll send a drogato for your dinner who will take care of your needs"

I wanted to point out that I don't drink from a drogato or any human in particular but I held my tongue. He didn't need to know that about me. For some reason, the thought of him finding that out made me feel uncomfortable. I tried to see myself in his eyes, not only was I a half-vampire, but I also didn't like drinking from a life source.

"Thank you, your Majesty," I curtsied again.

"Call me Ettor," He said smiling for the first time since my arrival. His face transformed into something close to lovely and he struck me as handsome for a split second.

I couldn't help frowning as the thought crossed my mind.

"Goodnight Tesoro, see you in the morrow"

He took my hand and placed the lightest of hisses before he strode out of the room, the door clicking shut silently behind him.

I stared at the door for a few minutes trying to figure the whole evening out. He couldn't possibly be interested in me.

Shaking my head, I turned to survey the room. The room was pained a deep shade of green with heavy velvety drapes covering the windows. The floor was covered with a woollen rug which tickled the soles of my feet as I walked to the king-sized bed. The bed was bouncy and soft, just the way I liked it. A low fire burned in the brick-walled fireplace chancing the chill from my skin. I headed to the wooden wardrobe and rummaged through its content. The nightgowns I found were all made of silk, lace and slits. Each was cut in revealing places with the lace doing more revealing than covering.

Finally settling for the most modest one; a red lace bralette with matching red shorts paired with a black lace robe. Grabbing my findings, I head into the adjoining bathroom and turn on the warm water, letting it wash away the soreness of wearing heels from my legs. After washing with the available soap I'd found, I stepped out of the showers and dressed in the night clothes, tightening the robe around me like it offered any kind of protection.

I stepped into the room and jumped in alarm as I noticed a shirtless male sitting at the foot of the bed.

"What are you doing here?"

His only answer was him tilting his head at me as he offered his neck. It was then I noticed the white scars of faded teeth marks on his skin. He had been a drogato for a long time.

"No, thank you. I'm fine. Leave," I commanded.

I treaded behind him and slammed the door when he left the room. Unfortunately, I could not find the key to lock the door and just settled for placing nylon wraps at the entrance to the room. If anyone came in, the rustle should wake me up since I was a light sleeper.

Feeling strangely comfortable in the unfamiliar space, I dove under the warm covers and soon succumbed to sleep.

*

Adair

I had searched and sniffed at the air for what felt like ages trying to find her scent again. I had wept bitterly as I walked aimlessly and blindly in the catacombs beneath the vampire's forte. I couldn't let out a wail in fear that I'll alert the vampires to my escape and be thrown back into the cell that had been my prison as well as my home for who knows how long.

Just when I'd almost given up, finally convinced my mind had played tricks to aid me in my escape, I smelled her again. My heart leapt with joy as I finally found my way out of the maze, holding on to her tantalizing scent like a lifeline.

What was she doing in this filthy vampire-filled ruin? Or did they capture her knowing she was my mate?

I pushed these thoughts away as I emerged from the catacombs into the upper dungeons. There was not a leech in sight. Cobwebs and dust had collected everywhere; from the unlit torches to the guard tables, to the dried skeletons in the cells.

It seems I'd been forgotten in the catacombs with time just like a child's toy after they become adults. Discarded and thrown away.

I inhaled my mate's scent and swallowed back my anger as I got calmer. She was here and it didn't seem like she was leaving yet. I patiently waited for the noises to quiet down and for the castle to go to sleep. After which I silently crept out of the dungeons, steering clear of patrolling guards, tired maids and befuddled drunks.

Vampires were known to have sharp eyes, and hearing so I tried my best to move as quietly as a mouse as I avoided contact with anyone. The more I moved closer to her scent, the more my heart pounded with excitement and the harder I struggled to keep my beast in check.

Finally reaching the room where her scent seemed to be radiating from, I quietly opened the door glad to find it unlocked.

Nylon rustled as I let myself into the room, making me freeze in alarm but her form on the bed remained unmoving as the air was punctuated by her light snores.

A smile crossed my face, the first in centuries as I gazed at the strips of nylon littered around the door. She had done it as a trip alarm.

My mate was smart. My chest swelled with satisfaction as I stood over her sleeping form.

The scent which had saved me was emanating in waves from her. She smelled flowery and sweet and sunny like spring with a hint of raspberries. Golden blonde hair as if weaved from the bright afternoon sun fanned out around the top of her head while the rest of her mane lay loose over the pillows and around her slim shoulders.

She was young looking.

She couldn't have been more than twenty-two or twenty-three when she'd frozen into immortality. Like most creatures of the lore, it was an age where immortals were physically at their strongest. As a Lycan, a superior faction to werewolves, I had frozen at the age of 30.

Long blonde lashes caressed her rosy cheeks, she had a refined nose and full pink lips which called out to me for a taste.

My gaze dipped to the delectable swell of her breasts which was visible thanks to the loose robe she wore. The red lingerie which hugged her skin in sensuous ways only made blood rush down south engorging my member. The rest of her body was covered from my view by the blanket but I could still the outline of her long shapely legs.

What would be the colour of her eyes when she woke?

My eyes went back to the swell of her breasts which seemed not to be moving. Was she d-dead?

I took a step closer to her. No, I couldn't lose just when I just found her.

At that moment, her eyes flew open.

Grey eyes looked up at me in alarm.