Chapter 1

Rhea.

The fortress loomed above me, and under the bright light of the moonlight, it looked nothing short of a beautiful cage, calling and luring its prey with the fairy lights and torches lit around it. The building in front of me promised a good time, but I knew better. Beyond the facade the entire place seemed to create, I was going to bring the truth to light, tonight.

I crouched beside the shadow of a huge gargoyle, my breath curling into the cold air in tiny wisps of smoke. They said the fortress didn't exist, not on any map or anywhere at all, that it had been swallowed by the earth centuries ago, devoured by time or something worse, but I'd found it anyway.

In the last six months, my life had followed the same blood soaked pattern, and just when I was on the verge of giving up, I hit the jackpot. Every step of mine had led here, to the vampire's territory, and now, I was going to kill the vampire king, tonight.

No one had believed me, not even my partner, Lucien. There was no cell signal here, no GPS. Nothing. How else was I going to tell Lucien that I'd finally found it?

This was the only way to honor my mentor’s death. He'd died in the hands of those vile creatures, simply because he wanted a world where both species lived together in harmony. But what did the vampires do in return? They drained him of his blood, and paraded his body like some sort of prized possession.

The low rumble of laughter from inside was all it took to cut through my monologue. The masquerade ball offered the perfect cover, and only a fool would allow such an opportunity to go wasted. Vampires flocked to the castle for the King’s once in a decade blood ball. It was strictly for vampires, and included every other thing you could find in a human gathering, except one thing.

Humans being paraded as sacrifices.

They did that every year. It was a function to show just how powerful the vampires were, and how weak humans were compared to them. What better opportunity to murder the monster in charge of it all, than tonight?

“Alright, Rhea.” I muttered to myself, straightening myself to my original height. “Let's get this show running.”

I ran my hands over the fabric of my dress. It was a velvet attire I'd borrowed from a friend, and by a friend, I meant one of the slaves working in the palace. She hadn't given it up without a fight, and her soul wasn't one I would be forgetting anytime soon.

In one swift motion, I slipped my mask over my face, before walking in with the next batch of unsuspecting vampires.

The ball was nothing like I expected. Huge chandeliers with crystals and other precious gems glistened from the ceiling high above. The moonlight streamed in from the high windows, and I didn't miss the soft symphony coming from the piano tucked into the corner of the hall.

One thing was distinct though, the smell of blood.

Without pulling too much attention to myself, I weaved through the many guests in the ballroom, before heading towards the back door. Tonight, I hadn't come as a guest, but as one of the maids and servants instead. I moved like a ghost through the servant quarters, the poisoned vial tucked neatly within the folds of my sleeve. This wasn't just any poison, I'd made sure to lace it with nightshade, wolfsbane, and a compound I'd stolen from an alchemist in the eastern parts of the city. It wouldn't outrightly kill the king, but weaken him and make him vulnerable enough for me to drive a stake into his heart.

Once I'd done that, the world would be free of those vile creatures, and humans could live in peace again.

I avoided eye contact as I made my way to the kitchen.A lone goblet sat on the marble counter in the kitchen, and if the gold tray and accessories meant anything, I could easily guess it was for the king.

I emptied the content of the vial into the goblet, before picking it up with the tray. My fingers trembled, and a stench hit me straight in the face.

Blood, I was going to serve the vampire king some blood.

I fought the urge to gag. My stomach churned in disgust, but I forced bile down my throat. I'd gotten too close to mess things up now. My head hung low as I walked out of the kitchen and into the corridor. With my head hung low, I passed drunken nobles and portraits of vampires whose eyes seemed to follow my every step.

I found the private wing without error. The corridor was dim and narrow, lined with artifacts that told stories faded into time. I inhaled and exhaled before stopping in front of the final door. It was massive with marble finishes, and I didn't miss the carved in runes that seemed to glow a faint red.

My heart pulsed in my chest as I pushed open the door. It creaked open without a sound, and for a quick second, I wondered if I wasn't making the biggest mistake of my life.

The room was still, but beautiful nonetheless. The walls raced upwards, like each one of them wanted to touch the heavens. It was sparse of any furniture, except the coffin that sat on a somewhat elevated platform. The fireplace roared in the shadows, casting long shadows inside the room.

I stepped inside, balancing the tray in my hands, and that's when I saw him, the vampire king.

Alaric Virelious.

He stood near the window, his back to me. Moonlight glided over his hair, and he was taller than I'd expected too.

He was still, and I moved silently, till I'd dropped the tray off on a small table.

“You're new.” he let out slowly. He turned, and I locked eyes with the most beautiful pair of grey eyes I'd ever seen. Something flickered in them for a moment, observation or suspicion, I wasn't sure.

“Forgive me, my lord.” I bowed my head. “The usual servant took ill. I was told to bring your drink.”

Alaric approached slowly, like a predator testing the waters. He pried the goblet from the tray but didn't drink.

“What's your name?” He asked, his gaze never leaving mine.

“Lira.” The lie was smoother than I expected.

“Pretty.” He hummed. He raised the goblet to his face, before doing the last thing I expected; he sniffed, and I didn't miss the frown that made it's way to his face.

In a blink, my wrist caught in his iron grip, and the goblet fell, crimson liquid spilling on the floor.

“You tried to poison me.” He sneered, but I yanked my hand away from him. I reached for a hidden blade, but it was too late.

Magic surged in the room, and an invisible force slammed into me, forcing me on my knees. Chains of dark wisps snaked from the ceiling, before wrapping itself around my arms. I tried to pull away, but it was futile.

“You're not just any assassin.” Alaric said coldly, each step echoing in the empty room. “You’re the one they've been whispering about. The one who doesn't miss.”

“So what?” My breaths came out raggedy. “Do you plan on killing me?”

“Not yet.” his lips curled into something close to a smile, curiosity dancing in his eyes. His fingers trailed down my cheek as he spoke, and I fought the disdain that spread through my body. “I have something better in mind.”

The words had barely slid past his lips before the world around me spun. My vision blurred, and a dull throb formed at the back of my head.

“What...” I stuttered. “What are

you doing to me?”

“Sleep, hunter.” Were Alaric’s last words, before I blacked out, cold and unconscious.