The pursuit
Freda's POV
As the carriage sped through the narrow streets of Valthrun, I felt the eyes of every vampire I passed upon me. Hooves clattered off the cobblestones, and I tightened my grip on the reins urging the horses to go faster.
As expected, the sudden appearance of a runaway carriage caused chaos in the marketplace. Stalls were overturned, merchants shouted at the top of their voices and pedestrians scrambled to get out of the way. Heck I half expected a vampire to lunge for me as I rode through but I was lucky to only receive shouts and curses.
I careened around a corner, narrowly avoiding a ground of children who scattered in all directions at the sight of me. Never in my life have I done this. My heart pounded against my ribs and sweat dripped down my face. I had to keep going. I had to find a way out.
The horses were powerful and fast I'll admit but there was one problem. The carriage. It wasn't built for speed, that much was obvious as it swayed dangerously with each turn and I struggled to keep it under control.
I pulled reins hard to avoid crashing into a fruit stand, sending a shower of apples and oranges flying into the air.
“What where you're going, you brat.” The vampire merchant hurled invectives at me.
I cursed him back under my breath and ignored him. The streets were becoming more crowded which meant manoeuvering the carriage was becoming increasingly difficult.
I barreled through a line of market stalls, sending goods flying in all directions.
*Sorry!” I yelled as I urged the horse to go faster. I was sorry for the destruction I left in my wake but it was necessary.
My ears twitched as I heard the sound of alarms ringing through the air. My blood ran cold when I realized that the city’s security force had been alerted. The vampire guards would be after me soon. If they weren't already.
Taking a sharp turn down a side street, I emerged In a narrow alley which was lined with tall buildings. I left the alley quickly enough and my heart sank. Up ahead, I saw a ground of vampire guards ahead, blocking the main road.
“Shit!” Panic surged through me and I yanked the reins, guiding the horses down another street. Honestly my sense of direction was shit and I had no idea where I was going but I had to keep moving.
The pace of the horses were slowing down which meant they were beginning to tire. My own arms were drenched in sweat. I knew I couldn't keep this up much longer.
The thought of jumping from the carriage and finding a place to hide flashed through my mind and my attention was diverted from the road for just a split second which proved to be my undoing.
Up ahead, a massive wooden cart blocked the road ahead. It was piled high with barrels and crates which made going forward impossible.
I pulled on the reins desperately, trying to stop the carriage but it was already too late.
The horse reared, the carriage skidded to a halt and the sudden stop sent me flying from the driver’s seat.
