Chapter 18
Zheira, Vladimir, and Louise made their way to the crowd, not even saying any possible words to one another. Their footsteps were barely audible due to the noises from the h.o.a.rding crowd. Yet, as they walk, red eyes narrowed at them, scrutinizing every part of their body. Some of them even felt thirsty as the smell of Zheira's blood wafted the air, but they did not attack.
Louise led them to a high arc-like entrance engraved with Greek scriptures. She stayed close to Vladimir as it was what he told her. Suddenly, their conversation a week ago struck visited her.
"Listen to me, Zheira. Once we set foot to that city, you have to stay by my side. You'll be the center of attraction as your blood would draw them to you." He was sitting on a stool beside her bed, pulling his jet black hair for the nth time. He'd been doing that ever since Louise left the king's message.
"Don't we have a choice?" Zheira murmured. Her hand was shaking while she tried removing the dreadful scene she'd saw earlier.
Vladimir shook his head. "I'm afraid we don't have any choice. The king is persistent. He would never stop unless he achieves what he desired. If we don't go there, they'll go here."
Zheira gulped. "Is he really your father?" She turned her palm and wipe its sweats to the hem of her s.h.i.+rt.
"Unfortunately," he grumbled. "I have one more concern, Zheira."
Her eyes narrowed. It's as if he's diverting the topic. She shrugged. "What is it?"
He looked at her pointedly. "What did you do to Louise?"
"Hey, you stole my question!" She chuckled. "I didn't know what happened as well. I'm about to ask you, but you seemed confused as I am."
"Actually, I have a hunch."
She straightened. "Mind sharing?"
Breathing heavily, Vladimir whispered. "Your physical training made an improvement to your mental state. Last time, you are the only one to see a certain memory from a host. Right now, however, it became an offense mechanism. You can make a host see a dreadful past, unleas.h.i.+ng a scar from its depth; it weakens a host and you can use it to win against anyone."
"How did you know that?" Her eyes were bulging while her mouth was wide open.
"J—just a hunch," he lied. She must not know that she used her ability to him unconsciously. Her consciousness seemed not to be aware of it, so why not go with the flow?
"Well, your hunch sounds perfect." Her back leaned towards the wooden headrest. "But you know, I pity Louise. His father was killed by those Elite b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. Good thing the king saved him—"
Vladimir faked a laugh. "That's a hilarious
Her brows draw together. "B—but he k—killed those Elites—"
"My father would do anything for the completion of his goals. Those Elites might have been weak unlike Louise who has a promising ability. Learn to differentiate genuine help and those that are masked, Zheira. He might trick you, too. Your gift is unique."
"How about you? What's your gift?"
A sanctimonious grin curved his lips. "That's for you to find out."
Zheira was thrown back to reality when her head b.u.mped to Vladimir's sleek back. He looked at him for a while before walking away. She then followed suit.
It was clear that wherever they were going, they'll arrive at something beyond what she antic.i.p.ated. Every turn has its own gleams of wealth; rubies, diamonds, and the likes.
They were leading to the highest part of the tower that has been coated with gold all over its surrounding areas. She couldn't help but be mesmerized with all the glamour she could notice. Although, she noted the blank face Vladimir was wearing.
A large golden door appeared to stand barricading their way. It was heavily embraced by minuscule white sapphire that combined swiftly at the gold lining to the far corners of the door. At its center lay a large circle, it was painted red and it has dark crystals filtering in an orb-like manner. It followed their moves, releasing a string of red lights, scanning Vladimir and Zheira.
A loud click echoed after the red light vanished. The door opened, revealing a wide s.p.a.ce matted with red carpets. There was a large stone standing at its end of the alley, designed with the pure venom of a snake, filtering through the white paint.
There was a large portrait dangling in the right corner. It has a dark frame touched by round, small beads, gently connected to one another. It showed a royal family, but it seemed that it has been painted long ago since its background and highlights were fading.
A gentle clap reverberated to the atmosphere and a soft, feathery voice caressed Zheira's ears. "I expect you to have a good journey?" His ocean eyes that were tainted with golden rays landed from Vladimir to Zheira to Louie. Louie bowed, acknowledging the king. The king nodded, and he slowly retreated. With a gust of wind, he disappeared.
Vladimir cleared his throat. "What is it that you want?" he hissed.
The king looked at him for a while before scrutinizing Zheira's feature, inclining his head every so often. Zheira, on the other hand, was staring at his crown. It was emitting dark sparks at each point interval. It gleamed down to his face, lighting the scars stretching his pale skin into what seemed to be an overcooked egg. The feature was too different from the lion-like complexion she'd seen in Louise's memory. Though, she could still notice the resemblance.
"You are Zheira, I believe?" His thin red lips barely moved.
"Yeah, I am!" she simply said before diverting her gaze towards Vladimir. His face was blank as he narrowed his eyes to the king.
He turned to Vladimir; the look of pure venom crossed his face for a moment, but he hid it by curving his lips for a smile that stretched his face.
"I wanted to discuss something with you, my son." He entwined his arms and rested it to the upper region of his stomach. Zheira's brow furrowed.
His cold eyes wandered to the king. "About what?" His nose wrinkled, creasing some lines in his handsome face.
The king sn.i.g.g.e.red. His head was tilting towards Zheira and Vladimir. He stopped beside a wide golden chair and sat beside it, gently caressing its hand-rest with his pale tattered hand.
He released a deep, longing sigh. "I regret abandoning you, my son. It was such a dreadful thing I have no choice in doing. It's the downside of being the king." He looked down and tried s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g his face.
Vladimir clenched his fist. "Is that all?" He faked a yawn, stretching his hands without unmasking his placid face.
"No, of course not." The king laughed insanely; his enthusiasm did not reach his eyes that were now so murderous. It's was a wonder that it did not kill Vladimir or Zheira. "I also want to talk about your heritage." A sad, pretentious look agonized his face. "As you see, I'm turning old. My immortality has been weighed down by my crown. I can only entrust the throne to you. So, I want the ceremony to be conducted as early as possible. Maybe next week the preparation is all set. All you have to do is to claim the crown and be the king of Volioirae."
"What if I don't want to?" Vladimir challenged.
A sly smirk curved the king's scarred face. "Then that's where the filthy mortal enters." He looked at Zheira who gulped and moved back. "If you refuse, I'll make her the queen of my kingdom. Her blood is enough for a legacy to continue."
For the first time since they have entered the tower, Vladimir's expression changed. His iris were moving uncomfortably while his hand twitches.
"Y—you know that won't be possible. No mortal is allowed to take the throne unless he marries royal blood—"
The king snapped. "Exactly, my son! Exactly! Zheira would end up marrying me if you won't take the throne. Now, you choose." Then he laughed hysterically to the frown curving Vladimir's face.