Chapter 5 CHAPTER FIVE

The air around me changed in an instant. I felt a very cold breeze touch my skin causing goosebumps only I could see. With every second I felt the tension thicken and I felt little again. The little me that always felt scared and unwanted but then I remembered that young girl was no more.

I turned gently to face him, to look in the face of the man who had dumped me off two years ago without a word. He looked different. His well carved jaws became harder and his eyes darker, he was unreadable and as ever very emotionless. 

"Pack your things, you are living with me tonight" he spoke in his deep voice 

"Hahahaha..." I laughed so loudly

The laughter was not from amusement but from the rage I felt deep within. There was no explanation, no apology. He had no right whatsoever to order me around after dumping me here. 

"I hate to repeat myself. Do not make me."

"To hell with what you hate. I do not care. I am not going....."

"This is not a request." he interrupts

"My king, maybe she is not ready. I plead you give her a little more time." Baylin spoke carefully 

"Two years is enough! She is no child" 

He took a few steps towards me, but I did not move. I stood my ground and looked him in the eyes, I could see the anger from his eyes but I did not care. 

"You do not have a choice. I own you."

Those words enraged me further and I felt like ripping him apart but I was no match for a vampire King. I had to think hard and fast about what to do next. I was not going to be a prisoner or slave to anyone ever again. 

"I belong to no one. I am not going anywhere with you."

I noticed the change on his face. His eyes were a deeper shade of red and I knew I was pushing my luck. I cautiously scanned the room for the safest way out. The back door was wide open, and the space between Baylin and the king was enough for me. 

Without a second thought, I ran out before the King or Baylin could wink an eyelash. 

I ran through the thick bush as fast as my legs could carry me. I was not going to be controlled by anyone anymore. I was going to live my life on my own terms and I was not going to let that go easily. I didn't look back, I continued to run deep into the dark bush putting enough distance between me and the house.  

I ran a little more and then stopped when I began to feel heavy on my legs. I paused to catch my breath. I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw a dark figure come out from the dark.

I sighed with relief when the light exposed who it was.

"Drian! Help me" I pleaded 

"Are you okay? What is wrong?"

"He is here”

"Who is here? Talk to me."

"He wants to take me away, help me." I pleaded 

"Speak to me Ione. What is going on?" he asked work out confusion all over his face 

"I will explain everything but first, get me far away from here."

I was glad when he didn't ask any more questions but swung into action. Drian knew the path better than I did, so I let him lead the way. I thanked the gods for bringing him my way. 

After running for an hour, we finally came to a stop. That was mainly because Drian was exhausted.

"We can't stop" I pleaded "we need to keep moving. He would find us and take me away." 

"We are far from the village, no one would find us here. No one is taking you away." Drian assured me 

"The king is powerful, he would not rest until he gets a hold of me."

"You are right but he won't find you here."

"Are you sure?"

I wanted to believe so bad. I wanted to believe I could be free from the torments of the King. 

"Wait for me here, let me get us something to eat."

I had completely forgotten about food. And when he mentioned it, my stomach growled.

"The worms in your stomach gave you away." Drian giggled 

While He was away fetching us food, I scanned my environment from time to time. I made sure to be at alert. Sleep came but I tried my best to stay awake. The flies and sound of the crickets helped me achieve that. 

It was almost an hour since Drian left and I was already getting worried. I just didn't know the direction to go in search of him and I could not leave here.

"Drian!" I called out lightly

I was scared of who might hear me that was not Drian. When I didn't hear his response, I followed the small path he had created.

"Drian! Drian!!"

I called as I scanned the area carefully but there was no response. A sense of guilt enveloped me. I was worried that he was hurt. I had dragged him into this and now he may be hurt. 

"Drian please where are you?"

There was no answer all I heard was the crickets. I could not bear the thought of Drian getting hurt because of me. I kept blaming myself. 

The next thirty minutes was a torture for me but even git worse when I heart footsteps coming towards me. 

"Drian! Is that you?" I asked again but no response came. 

The footsteps got louder and clearer and I took to my heels the moment I saw a dark figures standing before me. I ran blindly through the bush. Everywhere was dark but somehow I managed to find my way. And while I ran I hoped Drian was safe.

And then I felt a something hard against my head and I felt the pain spread all over my body. It made me weak.

That was the last thing I felt before I collapsed to the ground.