CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

This was a miracle. One that want as wonderful.
Edgar stared down at the men that knelt before him
Should they be beheaded or hung? He contemplated.
It was noon. The sky brighter. The room colder. Empty. Where was the child? Where was his sister?
Edgar turned to the red cloaked men still with the Sol badge.
"How could she have been taken without your knowing?" He asked
"The lady was in her chamber. She had retired for the day.
It is the morning that her hand maiden announced her missing, out horse stolen with a carriage. Her Chambers ruined" the man said with a bow
How weak were his men?
Even his men had been there, at the tunnel. Tarrying the night in shifts. Nothing should have gotten past them and it didn't. No one saw his sister leave. They must have known the manor enough to steal her away so quietly. Was she alive at all? Alexandra would have fought, would have woken the entire palace with her screams. He knew his sister that much.
Six parties were sent to search. He himself had spent the morning searching the town. Questioning every man and child. Threatening his men. How could the child be taken way. How could his sister be missing. The guts of such person.
He felt weak. Useless. If the women in his roof lacked protection. Two lost. His blood, his rib.
"The third party has returned my lord" his scribe announced upon entrance
"Anything?" He asked
The head of the group bowed
"No one heard or saw anything" the man replied
"Trails?" He asked
"None my Lord"
Edgar nodded. If he was to speak then half of his battalion would be dead before sundown. He kept mute. Silence was indeed golden.
He had been first to notice. He had gone before the first light of dawn to taste her sweet mouth. To hug her. He had missed her and the day was cold, he needed a woman. Only to have found the room empty. Panic set immediately. It was too early yo have been awake. Even the manor entrance was locked.
The search within the manor had begun and the party sent out soon after. She was gone.
Shortly, the men from the east manor had came, begging her help them. Their mistress was missing. His sister was missing too. It was some sick joke. All women, lost in one night. Without a fuse. Quietly, like death itself stole them away.
Edgar rose and held the hilt of his sword. Blood. He needed blood to be drawn and soon. Soon or he'd take it out of anyone at all.
"Call me your lieutenant" he said and left the throne room. The ugly faces of failed guards irritating him.
He strode to his room. Kiro. One word rang clear. The walker nation. He hoped he met them alive. Oh he'd slaughter the land and all it's neighboring countries. He was no fair man. He was cruel. He was vicious. He was vengeful. He had been mute too long. He would act now, lest Helsing think him a fool and take away from him again. His mother. Now his sister and the princess? How had he known he valued the child. Oh he knew, he knew she would be her undoing. Like loving him was a curse and no one went free after he loved them, no one.
He recalled the morning when the child had told him not to war. But he would. Once and for all. He would. And he would be victorious. Nicholas had said the same. He should not war.
Wait and watch his empire destroyed? Witches work their spell on him and take off with his family? No. He would not watch. His father had never cowered from war. He was no coward. He'd fight to his last drop of blood. If a hair was lost on the child's head before he arrived. Kiro would cease to exist. And his sister, if she was harmed. The regions near Kiro would be nought but ash.
Helsing had trade too far...too far.
"My Lord" came the voice from outside
"Enter" he ordered
"The second party found this my Lord" the guard said and laid the cloth on his floor.
A green coat. A yellow seal by the left. Kiro.
Edgar could feel his rage boil. Enough!
P
"Where is he?" He barked
"My Lord" came the familiar voice from beside him
"Fetch the scribe. Let a letter go to the Council. The evidence provided. I do not await their response, we are at war" he said
"Yes my Lord" the guard replied and left the door, shutting it.
"Have men readied. It is not a common raid. Kiro has waited long enough. If Helsing can not rule, the ash will rule the land.
Ready two hundred men. He wishes to get away with this but he has for too long. He will not this time.
We attack at noon tomorrow. He will not expect a battle to soon.
No word gets out of this room. Ready the men without telling then where we head" Edgar commanded
"Yes my Lord" the warrior replied
"I believe I can trust you " Edgar added, his eyes on his best warrior.
"Yes my Lord" the man bowed
*******************************
Her ribs hurt. Like needles were embedded in her body. Each as painful as the other.
She groaned and opened her eyes. The sunlight was harsh
She could remember the night. It was day already.
Where was she? She thought fearfully as she met the unfamiliar walls of the cell he laid.
Hay was on the floor. Dry. A fire raged beside it. At least she would not die in the cold.
She sat up to realise her dress had been ripped in half. The reminder not reaching her knee.
Had anyone touched her?
The thought brought nausea to her stomach.
No, no one had. She touched her chemise the find it intact. Her shawl was no where.
Where was she?
Selene padded with a single slipper to the bars.
She couldn't call out, afraid whatever laid in wait for her would attack immediately. Was frightened for the first time in a long while. Utterly frightened.
"I see you have woken" came a voice
Selene jumped away from the bars and looked about. Beside the cell was a man. Sickly white. His eyes a yellow red.
Selene gulped. She moved back into the cell
"I'm afraid you're not my meal. I'd be much honored to devour you" he said with a sick smile
Selene only went back further
"Away from her snake!" Came another voice that made the first man - thing - leave with a bow
"I see you're alive" the new man said and opened her cell
"My master seeks you. Now" he said and grabbed her firmly, dragging her off the cell and into a tiny corridor.
It led to a dimly lit room. Hundred of candles lined the walls. The room was... magnificent. The walls held flowers of all sort. The candles colorful and glowing. Like daylight was now an orange shine.
Two people sat on high chairs.
One higher than the other.
Selene gulped as she saw the Governess.
"Glad you could make it" she said and rose with a very low curtsy
"My lady" she mocked with a smile
The man by the larger seat smiled too
"Meet the lady Selene. Even our Solian Emperor is not blind to her beauty, China doll" she said and held Selena's chin, placing a brief kiss on her lips.
Selene spat at her. Saliva and anger
Alexandra frowned and landed her a slap. One that echoed the eerily quiet room.
"You traitor!" Selene snapped angrily.
"He deserves nothing. He's a bastard. Just like you are" Alexandra said
"I do not like my properties wounded" came the voice from the throne. A soft blissful whisper.
Selene once again looked at him.
He was white. Pale. His eyes was a faint yellow too, almost gold. Human. He was beautiful. From his raven hair to his perfectly square face. His voice a soft sparkle.
"Come" he said, looking intently t her
Selene gulped and resisted the urge that follow to alluring voice
"Come" he said, sounding softer than the first
"No!" Selene responded
"This maybe a lot more harder than I thought" Helsing said as he rose.
Selene watched as he came to her, his strides graceful and strong
"You have chosen perfectly Lexa" he said, circling Selene like a lost deer
"She is fit to sit beside me. Perfect. I will make her even more flawless" he said
"I know what you like" the Governess replied with a proud smile
"Indeed. Why would you not become us. Humanity is pathetic" he said, questioning the Governess.
"In time Lord. I enjoy the sun a little too much" Alexandra responded with a smile
The master hummed.
"Take her to the sacred Chambers. Prepare all she will need. I need her awakening better than what we have ever had" he said.
Holding her strongly and licking her plumb lips.
Selene refrained from bitting the cold evil lips as it touchd hers. She was scared. What would they do to her.
"I assure you princess. You will be glad I did this for us" he said and kissed her cheek again
The man behind her took her away
"Let me go!! Please!" She yelled. Her voice fading as she was taken to the far ends of the corridor. Into a room that knew no light.
Total blackness.