Just In Time
I had been in London with my wife until recently when I received word that my daughter had almost been killed by some hate filled group who perceived her as too human. I just got to Terre’s Blackwood when I received a message that the King had The Chalshin at Vellum’s Blackwood. I have to say that when his assignment reached me, I had mixed feelings. Derek was renowned as being the strongest in the Citadel since my brother-in-law Talon, so it made me feel better that such a strong individual was protecting her. On the other hand, Derek was a lycan coming off a full moon which meant that he was likely in heat right now. It wasn’t like I hated lycans, but I didn’t like them around my daughter around a full moon. The King’s letter also said that he would pull Derek out of his assignment during the full moon which made me feel better. He didn’t know who the Citadel would assign but he would make sure it was definitely not a lycan.
Dahlia had handed me another envelope, but it was not addressed, “Where did this come from?” She shook her head and shrugged, “I’m not sure Your Grace. One of the maids found it in the study on your desk, it was merely addressed to you.” I furrowed my brows; it was concerning that someone broke into my home to deliver a message to me. I opened it cautiously, one thing I learned from being in the human world was that unaddressed envelopes were ominous. It was a short letter which read: “Your Grace, your daughter was grazed by an arrow which was dipped in a type of poison. This poison was meant to convert her to her primal instincts. The Order wants to make her a powerful example that the old ways are better.” Her primal instincts, which meant that she would crave blood and likely would start to rely on it if she gets enough, “Dahlia, have the carriage readied. I need to get back to Vellum now!” She curtsied, “Right away, Your Grace!” She scurried out of the foyer. I pulled out my phone and dialed Talia.
She answered almost immediately, “Reggie?” I sighed, “I got a disturbing letter. She’s been poisoned by The Order to revert her back to her primal instincts. I’m heading out there right away.” She gasped over the phone, “Why would anyone do this?” I tried to hide the tremble in my voice, “To make her a powerful example that the old ways are better. The King has The Chalshin guarding her right now.” She drew her breath, “So soon after the full moon? I didn’t think he would be so reckless.” I shook my head even though she couldn’t see it, “I believe he felt it was better to have someone there than a heated lycan.” Dahlia came in the door and nodded at me, “Look Talia, I have to go but I will send a message to you as soon as I know anything.” She drew in a breath, “Alright my love, I just hope she hasn’t done anything to hurt anyone. Bye.” That was the thought that had lingered on the tip of my brain during our conversation. I didn’t want to admit that she could ever hurt anyone, but it was likely that she already had.
It took no time to get to the portal and I would have to run from the portal in Vellum to Blackwood since there was no time to arrange a carriage to be there when I came through. Thankfully Blackwood wasn’t too far from the portal, but it was still a 15-minute walk. I started to run as fast as I could, it was just after dinner time, so I was hoping she just had actual food and not someone’s blood. I had burst through the door and Dana ran out of the dining room where she was likely cleaning up, “Your Grace! You frightened me. Is there something you need?” I breathlessly stated, “Alexandra…where?” She pointed up the stairs, “She said she was going to read some letters she received so she’s in her room.” I left the door open and bounded up the stairs, two at a time. I came to her door and threw it open, but she wasn’t in there. I ran to the bathroom and nothing.
I ran out into the hallway where I heard moaning coming from the room next to Alexandra’s. I ran to the door and threw the door open where I saw my daughter straddling Derek and had her face in the crook of his neck while he was moaning. I ran over to the bed and pulled Alexandra off of Derek and looked down to see that she had been sucking his blood. I was too late to stop her from hurting anyone. Derek’s eyes widened at the sight of her, “What is going on? Why did she bite me?” Alexandra was struggling in my arms shrieking and I heard another set of feet running into the room. Jess’ voice came out, “Do you need help Your Grace?” I nodded, “Yes, grab the chair from the desk and ask Dana for some rope.” She set to work while I kept her in my arms, “Derek, if you can, help me restrain her. I will explain once we get her pinned down.” He got up and I was relieved to know she had not taken too much from him. Not only was he okay for the most part but that meant that we could fix this ailment she was in at present. He took her from me and wrapped his arms around her and she still tried to struggle but it was not as easy for her to rattle him as it had been for her.
Derek then looked at me, “Your Grace, please explain what is going on. Lex here isn’t going anywhere while I’m holding her.” I nodded, “When she was attacked, The Order had the assassin dip the arrow in poison that would revert her back to her primal instincts. This is a result. Please don’t believe that she would ever hurt you on purpose.” He nodded, “I may have only been around her for a brief period of time, but I do know her character and this seems unlikely if she was fully aware. She seems to be in some sort of trance. This isn’t the first time the Citadel has seen this type of thing.” My eyes widened, “Is there a cure?” He looked down at her for a little while, “I believe so, but I can’t be sure. There are times we’ve had to stake a pyrio because the blood lust was too much. We just have to keep her from consuming too much blood. I don’t think she took too much of mine. The more she gets the more crazed she will become.”
Jess came back with the rope and pulled the chair over to Derek. He placed her in the chair and tied her to it. Dana came into the room with a bottle on a tray. I looked at her, “What is that?” She pulled in a breath and slowly released it, “It is a potion Your Grace. It will help her rest until we can figure out what is wrong and how to help her.” I nodded knowing that she likely got it from Vanessa when Xan got hurt. She wanted to ensure she could sleep if she was in too much pain. I grabbed the bottle and placed it against Xan’s mouth, “Drink little rose.” She did as I had asked as if she was still cognizant of herself somewhere inside. Almost immediately her eyelids started to fall and eventually her head dipped. I untied her from the chair and pulled her into my arms. I carried her to her room and laid her in the bed. I turned to Dana who had been right behind me, “I need to see the King and I need Vanessa here as well. Get the carriage ready so I can go to the castle. I think Vanessa is there with the King.” She nodded, “Right away Your Grace.” I then turned to Jess and Derek, “If you both feel up to it, we need to keep watch over her and make sure she stays asleep.” They both nodded and Jess stepped forward, “I will start since Derek was injured.” She turned to him, “You can go clean up.” He nodded, “I will come relieve you in a few hours.” I left them in the room and ran down the stairs. I was anxious to go see the King to discuss this turn of events with him. If what Derek said was true, he might know how to turn her back to normal or at least know who can.
I climbed into the carriage and made our way to the castle. I said a small prayer to Aphrodite that she watch over Xan. Blood lust in one so inexperienced was no joke and would be a threat to everyone in Vellum. Due to this, I believe Malinus will grant me audience with the King right away. I could kill two birds with one stone since Vanessa is there likely reporting the Fire aptitude results. I clenched my hands in my lap thinking back to how Xan had struggled against me, how she tried to struggle against Derek, her red eyes with fang bearing, the blood around her mouth and the scowl on her face. Alexandra had scowled before, but this was different almost animalistic, it was truly frightening. I swear if they ever catch who did this to her, they will have to pay dearly. I would demand treason charges from the King and an execution. I let the negative thoughts for the bastard who shot at my daughter fester for a long while before the carriage stopped in front of the castle. I took a deep breath trying to calm myself in vain. Here goes nothing.
I hopped out of the carriage where I was stopped by the guards, “What is your business here Your Grace?” I shot a dirty look at the guard, “I had an emergency and I need to see the King and Ms. Tannen right away.” I had no time for the questioning I knew was coming and was tempted to attempt to burst through the door. The guard looked at me, “What was the nature of the emergency?” I rolled my eyes, “I won’t go into detail but let’s just say the emergency is likely to threaten the safety of the kingdom.” The guard nodded, “Good enough, you may go in Your Grace.” I hurried through the door and made my way to the King’s office. Malinus shot up out of his seat at the sight of me, “Your Grace –“ I stopped him, “I don’t have much time Malinus. Alexandra was poisoned and she is in a Blood Lust state. I need to see the King and Vanessa right away. Please.” Malinus widened his eyes but quickly nodded, “Right away, let me inform him you’re here.” I didn’t want to waste that sort of time, but I knew that if I burst through the room, it would put my family in legal trouble, so I nodded. Malinus came back a short time later and nodded at me. I strode to the door and took another deep breath and opened the door.
